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ZTE Axon 30 5G: The smartphone with the best under-display camera

The ZTE Axon 30 5G positions itself in the upper mid-range and features a well-hidden UDC. It also scores points in the test with other strengths, but it also has to face some criticism.

Daniel Schmidt, 02 Oct 2021 20:46

Has a hard time competing against RTX 3060 laptops: The XMG Focus 15

XMG Focus 15: The difficult position of the RTX 3050 Ti

Nvidia did not do itself a favor with the strongly varying TGPs of the current Ampere generation. Even though the XMG Focus 15 races past most other laptops with the RTX 3050 Ti, the RTX 3060 is clearly the better choice for gamer...

Florian Glaser, 02 Oct 2021 02:50

Dell totally forgot one small but important detail on its newest Alienware x15 and x17 lineup

The backlight on the older Alienware m15 keyboard would light up all keys and symbols, but this is not true on the Alienware x15 or x17 for reasons unknown.

Allen Ngo, 02 Oct 2021 01:25

Motorola introduces fast charging past 30 watts in the low-priced mid-range with the Moto G60s.

With 50-watt fast charging, Motorola sets a standard for budget smartphones with the Moto G60s

One feature that we liked in particular in our review of the Motorola Moto G60s is the TurboPower50 charging technology used, which makes long charging times in the lower-priced mid-range a thing of the past, despite the Moto phon...

Marcus Herbrich, 30 Sep 2021 07:51

HP Victus: Inhouse competitor to the Omen series

With the Omen series, HP has been offering visually attractive gaming laptops that are also interesting in terms of their price-performance ratio. Now, the manufacturer introduces a new gaming series to the market with the Victus ...

Florian Glaser, 30 Sep 2021 03:22

Huawei MatePad 11: Price-to-performance champion!

Even though the Huawei MatePad 11 is priced as a mid-range tablet it has a lot of features of high-end slates. Currently, the MatePad 11 is one of the best tablets on the market, despite the fact that it comes with Harmony OS.

Daniel Schmidt, 28 Sep 2021 14:10

A technically mature smartphone with a foldable display: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G: A clean hinge but a dusty screen

Samsung's latest generation of foldables shows even more mature solutions for problems found in earlier models. However, we still noticed one minor issue in everyday testing.

Mike Wobker, 27 Sep 2021 07:09

Essential BIOS 1.3.0 update for Alienware x15 and x17 owners now available for performance boost and hybrid graphics switching (Source: Dell)

Essential BIOS 1.3.0 update for Alienware x15 and x17 owners now available to boost performance and enable hybrid graphics switching

Owners will want to apply the update ASAP to get the most out of their new expensive purchases. The manual graphics switching was available on older Alienware laptops but it was curiously missing on the new x15 and x17 models at l...

Allen Ngo, 26 Sep 2021 20:50

Confusingly, the Dell Inspiron 14 7415 and Inspiron 14 5410 are the same laptop

We're not sure if a different processor and color are enough to justify a completely different model name between the two visually identical models. For shoppers, this can be more confusing than it needs to be when researching lap...

Allen Ngo, 25 Sep 2021 18:19

100 W GeForce RTX 3080 vs. 130 W GeForce RTX 3070: Which is the better choice?

The more expensive RTX 3080 may not always be the faster option if you can find a cheaper RTX 3070 alternative running at higher TGP levels.

Allen Ngo, 24 Sep 2021 07:22

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is currently $200 off on Amazon

Samsung's new foldable smartphone has become very popular despite its high MSRP of $1,799 for the base version (256GB). However, Amazon is currently running a discount on it, and you can get it for $200 off and get it shipped righ...

Daniel Schmidt, 22 Sep 2021 06:46

The Acer TravelMate P6 sports one of the best performing Xe Graphics G7 iGPU implementations on the market. (Image Source: Acer)

Acer TravelMate P6 (2021) in review: Possibly one of the best Iris Xe Graphics G7 performances seen with the Core i7-1165G7 so far

In our review of the new Acer TravelMate P6, we observed that this business laptop's Iris Xe Graphics G7 iGPU in the Core i7-1165G7 is among the best implementations compared to the competition. The Acer TravelMate P6 also brings ...

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 20 Sep 2021 10:09

Offers the same performance as a MacBook Pro: The Apple Mac Mini with the M1 chip

Apple Mac Mini: The affordable entry into the M1 world

The base version of the Mac Mini with the M1 chip is available for a maximum of 800 Euros (~$938), making it considerably cheaper than comparable iMacs or MacBooks. Nevertheless, performance is on par with the MacBook Pro.

Mike Wobker, 18 Sep 2021 07:45

MSI Katana GF66: The gaming laptop wastes a lot of potential

The MSI Katana GF66 is a gaming laptop of the upper mid-range to lower high-end. We were able to test a configuration with an Intel Core i7 and Nvidia Geforce RTX 3070 and found out that MSI still left considerable room for improv...

Marc Herter, 16 Sep 2021 03:07

Lenovo's Gaming Laptop Legion 5 15 G6 convinces with Ryzen CPU and the fastest RTX 3060

Thanks to the combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and the very powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, Lenovo's Legion 5 15 offers plenty of performance. Gamers will also appreciate the responsive 165 Hz display and multi-zone keyboard i...

Andreas Osthoff, 15 Sep 2021 00:08

Maingear Vector Pro is a full 1.5 pounds lighter than the Razer Blade Pro and with nearly identical performance

Users will have to deal with noticeably higher core temperatures of about 15 degrees C if they want the much lighter Maingear model over the Razer model.

Allen Ngo, 14 Sep 2021 02:21

Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 in review: 1,200 Euros for a Chromebook?

Asus Chromebook Flip CX5: 2-in-1 laptop with optional stylus input

The 2-in-1 Chromebook from Asus has a good hardware configuration, a backlit keyboard, and USB-C including Power Delivery. The IPS touchscreen display can be operated both with the fingers as well as with a stylus that can be purc...

Sascha Mölck, 11 Sep 2021 07:01

Also available with other display alternatives: The MSI GE76 Raider 11UH

MSI GE76 Raider 11UH: Gaming laptop receives subtle improvements

Instead of just equipping the GE 76 Raider 11UH with a new CPU, MSI has also introduced small innovations that aren't immediately noticeable.

Mike Wobker, 11 Sep 2021 06:45

Walmart's newest $500 laptop is a step in the right direction for affordable models

Walmart's newest $500 Gateway laptop is a step in the right direction for affordable models

Ultra-cheap laptops get a lot of bad rap for cutting too many corners. The Gateway GWTN141 is by no means perfect or even that great, but it does a few things far better than the typical cheap laptop worth mentioning.

Allen Ngo, 09 Sep 2021 00:21

The new LG Gram 17: a high performance-to-weight ratio but too flexible

The new LG Gram 17: a high performance but too flexible

The LG Gram series stands for extreme light weight that you look for to no avail from other laptop manufacturers. At the same time, the new 17Z90P is still very well equipped for everyday tasks. However, the low weight also comes ...

Marc Herter, 08 Sep 2021 23:33

Comes with a matte touchscreen and a replaceable battery: The Fujitsu LifeBook U7311

Fujitsu LifeBook U7311: The classic notebook

In addition to Thunderbolt 4 ports, the Fujitsu LifeBook U7311 also has a VGA port. However, the wide selection of ports is not the only thing that makes the Fujitsu laptop worthwhile.

Mike Wobker, 07 Sep 2021 23:04

Delivers good performance for little money: The Gigabyte G5 KC

Gigabyte G5 KC: Surprisingly good for its low price

Besides the high-end Aero models, Gigabyte also offers budget gaming laptops. One of them is the G5 KC, which scores points with good performance and a low price.

Mike Wobker, 04 Sep 2021 22:20

Three drawbacks and advantages of the Win Max that GPD doesn't tell you about

The permanent Wi-Fi 5, tiny joysticks, lack of FreeSync, and noticeable ghosting are real bummers on an otherwise fast and well-designed Windows 10 gaming handheld.

Allen Ngo, 03 Sep 2021 04:03

The new HP EliteBook 830 G8 is a great subnotebook with 5G, but you should avoid the SureView panel

The technical specs of the current SureView panel sound great: 1,000 nits of brightness, a matte surface, and viewing angles are narrowed at the press of a button. But the impact on image quality shouldn't be underestimated, thoug...

Andreas Osthoff, 31 Aug 2021 06:09

Friendly reminder that Max-Q is still alive and very real despite Nvidia dropping the brand

Nvidia killed the Max-Q brand earlier this year as the manufacturer deemed it more confusing than it was helpful to consumers. However, the core concept of Max-Q and all of its advantages and drawbacks remain on the latest GeForce...

Allen Ngo, 29 Aug 2021 20:46

Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16IHU6 in review: 16-inch all-rounder with good battery life

First place among GeForce MX450 laptops

Lenovo's slim all-rounder offers a well-rounded feature set: A Core i5 processor, the GeForce MX450 GPU, 16 GB of RAM (dual-channel mode), and an NVMe SSD. This is complemented by good battery life, and a 16-inch display (2560x160...

Sascha Mölck, 23 Aug 2021 21:33

The 2021 Asus Strix G17 G713 has two very different models. Don't buy the wrong one (Source: Asus)

The 2021 Asus Strix G17 G713 comes in different thicknesses and weights. Don't buy the wrong one

Planning on buying an Asus ROG Strix G17 g713? You might want to pay attention to the fine print because some SKUs are actually thicker and heavier than others.

Allen Ngo, 23 Aug 2021 06:15

Lenovo's ThinkPad E15 AMD has a powerful Ryzen 7 CPU and a great keyboard

You should have a closer look at the ThinkPad E15 G3 AMD if you are looking for a solid office laptop with a 15-inch screen and a very good keyboard. Thanks to the AMD Ryzen processor, you also get plenty of CPU performance, which...

Andreas Osthoff, 22 Aug 2021 10:40

Only suitable indoors: The HP Envy 17 cg1356ng

HP Envy 17 cg1356ng: A multimedia office allrounder

The Envy 17 cg1356ng would really be well-suited for its targeted usage, if it weren't for the very reflective display causing some limitations in where it can be used.

Mike Wobker, 22 Aug 2021 00:53

The HP EliteBook 850 G8 comes with a super bright screen and a lot of other features

The EliteBook 850 G8 is the latest business laptop from HP. It features a 1000-nit screen, 5G modem, smart card reader and an NFC chip. The HP laptop looks and feels very premium.

Marius Schell, 18 Aug 2021 01:19

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15ALC05 scores points in the test with a lot of endurance. (Image: Lenovo)

The 15.6-inch Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15ALC05 is partly disappointing compared to its 14-inch counterpart

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15ALC05 excels in our review with long battery life and solid performance, but it also has some surprising disadvantages compared to its 14-inch counterpart.

Marcus Schwarten, 17 Aug 2021 08:00

When do we finally get the Dell XPS 15 with AMD Ryzen CPUs?

We just reviewed the brand-new Dell XPS 15 9510 with Intel's Tiger Lake-H processor. The performance is not bad, but AMDs current Ryzen CPUs are just more efficient and would leave more headroom for more powerful GPUs.

Andreas Osthoff, 16 Aug 2021 10:45

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Pro 14ACH5 in review: 14-inch powerhouse with good battery life

It works: The Ryzen 9 5900HX APU in a 14-inch subnotebook

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Pro 14ACH5 scores points with its powerful Ryzen 9 5900HX APU, 16 GB of RAM, and a 14-inch display (2880x1800 pixels, 90 Hz, IPS) in the 16:10 format. This is accompanied by good battery life as well as low ...

Sascha Mölck, 16 Aug 2021 02:41

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro - the bright display brings some excitement

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro in our test - Not only the display is exciting

The Legion 5 Pro from Lenovo shows many of the characteristics that make a good gaming laptop. The QHD display in the 16:10 format that is very bright at 522 cd/m² was excellent in our test. The CPU and GPU in the Legion appear to...

Marc Herter, 15 Aug 2021 02:22

With long battery life and a highly reflective display: The HP EliteBook Folio 13.5

HP EliteBook Folio 13.5: Unique Windows-on-ARM convertible

With the EliteBook Folio 13.5, HP shows how good a Windows-on-ARM convertible can look. Its performance is suitable for office use, but other things apart from the high price are also irritating.

Mike Wobker, 13 Aug 2021 20:05

Intel 11th gen CPU (left) paired with the GeForce RTX 3050 GPU (right)

Yikes, the brand new GeForce RTX 3050 is slower than the GTX 1660 Ti and RTX 2060

On the lookout for your next budget gaming laptop? Then you may want to skip the 8 nm GeForce RTX 3050 and just consider the 12 nm GTX 1660 Ti or RTX 2060 instead. Not only are these older options faster, but they are likely to be...

Allen Ngo, 13 Aug 2021 15:48

Kickstarter: Epomaker NT68 mechanical keyboard designed for Notebooks

Epomaker NT68: mechanical keyboard designed with notebooks in mind

Epomaker's NT68 project is launching on Kickstarter at this very moment. We were already able to test a preview of the 65% mechanical keyboard. The practical keyboard is a pleasant companion for daily use with a sophisticated des...

Marc Herter, 10 Aug 2021 15:46

AMD Zen 3 propels the HP Pavilion Aero 13 to be cheaper and faster than any Spectre 13 currently available

Cheap HP Pavilion Aero 13 is faster than any Spectre 13 currently available all thanks to the AMD Zen 3 Ryzen 7 5800U

C'mon, HP. It's time to give AMD Zen 3 options for your Spectre lineup, too. The 8-core Ryzen 7 5800U is one of the fastest U-series CPUs in the market and yet it is not available on HP's best prosumer laptop series.

Allen Ngo, 10 Aug 2021 05:11

For gamers and creators: The Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XD (image: Gigabyte)

Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XD: Flagship for creators and gamers

With the Aero 15 OLED XD, Gigabyte introduces a solid laptop with an excellent display that is intended for both creators and gamers.

Patrick Schüdzig, 07 Aug 2021 08:26

The HP EliteBook 840 G8 has one huge advantage over most other business laptops, but it comes at a cost

It's a tradeoff between fan noise and performance, but the reduction in noise will likely far outweigh the performance deficit that entails for most office users.

Allen Ngo, 06 Aug 2021 08:23

The Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 2 AMD is one of the most upgradeable 2021 ThinkPads

The Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 2 is one of the most upgradeable 2021 ThinkPads

There is a clear distinction in Lenovo's ThinkPad lineup as to which series is more premium: The ThinkPad T-series ranks ahead of the ThinkPad L-series. Nevertheless, there's one area where the ThinkPad L-series scores better, bec...

Benjamin Herzig, 05 Aug 2021 22:13

Now lasting longer in battery operation: The MSI Prestige 14 Evo

MSI Prestige 14 Evo: With improved Tiger Lake to a longer battery life

The new Prestige 14 Evo looks just like the old Prestige 14 Evo. However, an Intel Core i7-1195G7 inside shows what we can expect from Intel's Tiger Lake improvements.

Mike Wobker, 05 Aug 2021 20:41

Robust, but with a reflective display: The Asus BR1100FKA

Asus BR1100FKA: Robust, but with limited application scenarios

The Asus BR1100FKA convertible is actually an interesting device with its surrounding bumper and splashproof case. However, it lacks the necessary configuration to be suitable for a wide range of use cases.

Mike Wobker, 02 Aug 2021 07:32

MSI Summit E14 vs. MSI Prestige 14: What's the difference?

Though they may look very similar, the Summit E14 is actually the newer model with much faster performance and a brighter 600-nit 4K display. Users can distinguish the Summit from the Prestige by the gold-trimmed clickpad and MSI ...

Allen Ngo, 31 Jul 2021 05:15

High-end hardware from AMD and Nvidia: Medion Erazer Beast X25

Medion Erazer Beast X25: Priced quite attractively for an RTX 3080 laptop

While other manufacturers charge over 3,000 (~$3,561) or even around 4,000 Euros (~$4,748) for an RTX 3080 laptop, the Medion Erazer Beast X25 costs "only" 2,699 Euros (~$3,204) despite its very generous configuration.

Florian Glaser, 31 Jul 2021 02:12

Testing the MSI Modern 14 B11SB: The 14-inch allrounder suffers from heat development.

For 1200 Euros (~$1420), MSI only offers working memory in single-channel mode

The Modern 14 scores with a Core i7-1165G7 processor, GeForce MX450 graphics core, and 16 GB of working memory. However, the latter can only operate in single-channel mode. In addition, the laptop heats up a lot under load and pro...

Sascha Mölck, 30 Jul 2021 19:15

Solid laptop with business features: The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 2

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 2: Solid AMD laptop for everyday office use

The 2nd generation of the ThinkPad L15 is offered by Lenovo with processors from Intel and AMD. There are almost no differences in design and price, which is why it's worth taking a look at the details.

Mike Wobker, 29 Jul 2021 21:11

One of the now many affordable 5G smartphones: The Oppo A54 5G

Oppo A54 5G: 5G smartphone for little money

When it comes to the distribution of 5G, smartphone manufacturers have been much faster than network operators. Accordingly, the Oppo A54 5G is another affordable phone that features the latest mobile standard.

Mike Wobker, 25 Jul 2021 23:17

Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 ships with a smaller 240 W AC adapter compared to the 280 W adapter for the G532 series

The slimmer adapter is over 250 g lighter without impacting the overall performance of the laptop. Users can also now recharge the laptop via USB-C whereas that was not possible on the older G532 series.

Allen Ngo, 25 Jul 2021 01:57

Framework Laptop USB-C concept is so simple and brilliant that it makes us wonder why bigger OEMs haven't thought of it yet

Tired of having manufacturers decide for you what ports you want or don't want? The Framework Laptop lets you choose exactly what you want and how many you want at up to four individual ports.

Allen Ngo, 23 Jul 2021 22:00