Skylake

Nvidia listened to what customers want and published a faster GTX 965M based on the smaller GM206 chip. Although the number of shaders remained the same, the clock rates and the performance increased.

High resolution at a cost. The UX303 series has been around since the days of Sandy Bridge, but this is the first Skylake QHD model to make it into our labs. Unfortunately, the upgrade comes with a couple of consequences.

Fighter jet. The new top model of MSI's GT80 series is one of the most expensive and powerful high-end notebooks in the world. However, not only the performance can set new records, but the noise development as well. Read on to find out whether the SLI configuration with two GTX 980 chips can justify the exorbitant price.

35-watt Skylake. The office notebook Nexoc B519 uses an i5 desktop processor from Intel's current Skylake generation. How does it perform compared to the modern mobile chips?

Silent update. HP follows the current trend and equips the Pavilion 17 with a new Skylake processor. Unfortunately, we have not found any other changes. Nevertheless, the laptop has remained a solid all-round device.

GPU downgrade.Dell's 17.3-inch all-rounder comes with a Skylake processor and matte Full HD screen. A Radeon graphics card is also on board. However, Dell has opted for a rather weak model that does not quite fit with the concept of an 800-Euro (~$872) all-rounder.

Barebone gamer. Lenovo is doubling down on the gaming front with the Y700 series. The successor to last year's Y70 is better than before, yet it is still lacking in features common on competing gaming models.

Not without flaws. With the Aspire R14, Acer has a slim 14-inch convertible with a 360-degree rotatable display in its lineup. However, it is not a bargain at a demanded price of a good 1100 Euros (~$1195). The laptop has some shortcomings despite its high price.

Bring in the water! While water-cooled desktop systems are not uncommon, most notebook models are exclusively cooled by air. Asus still takes this step and presents the GX700, a combination of high-end laptop and external water-cooling. As one of the first editorial offices, we had the chance to take a closer look at the overall package.

Small, black and quiet. It has to be known that Acer's new subnotebook has a fan since it is hardly audible. Anyone who believes that subnotebooks cannot produce a useful sound will have to rethink that idea, just like those who were surely set on a good keyboard in an 800-Euro (~$868) laptop. Our test reveals just how deep the water runs.

Two steps forward, one step back. The updated MSI GE62 not only involves a new CPU and USB 3.1 but also a superb FHD screen. However, the review sample's power consumption and battery life are not at all typical Skylake.

Bug fixes, workarounds and BIOS updates: Dell's XPS 15 does not have a good start. How is the bigger i7/UHD version handling the drawbacks that we experienced with the i5/FHD model? One reader speaks about a “completely different notebook.” Do we share this opinion? Are we even inspired in the end? Update 12/23/2015: Recall BIOS 1.1.14!

Entry into the business world. With its new ProBook 440 G3, HP shows what an entry-level device of the business class really needs. Intel's new Skylake generation may not be missing here. Unfortunately, the 14-inch model also inherited problems of the ProBook 430 G3.

Premium all-rounder. Quad-core processor, GeForce GTX 950M graphics core and 8 GB DDR4 RAM turn the Aspire into a gaming capable multimedia all-rounder. In general, the computer left a good impression, but its display is a bit weak.

High-end without high-end performance. We review the new XPS 15 from Dell and have a look at the performance of the 45-Watt Core i5. Can the latter use its full potential in the flat chassis? Throttling is, fortunately, not the answer – at least not on mains.

A balanced bundle. With the Pavilion 15-ak003ng, HP offers a well-equipped multimedia notebook in 15.6-inch format. Among other things, there is a quad-core processor, an IPS display and an SSD on board. However, it slightly tarnishes the good overall impression that the warranty is only one year.

Value for money. The Envy 13 from HP is a fresh candidate for the subnotebook crown. We can say this upfront: It cannot quite keep up with the current leaders like the Dell XPS 13 and Apple MacBook in respect to the performance. But it does not have to – because our review unit convinces in another section: It is rare that you get a 13-inch system with so many pixels for the money.

A familiar refresh. The jump from the Y50 to the 15.6-inch Y700 brings about a few important upgrades, but there are still some major holes in terms of features and accessibility that have yet to be implemented.

Same face, faster hardware. Is the highest-end Surface Pro 4 really worth the investment? We give you the raw benchmarks for you to decide on your own.

Hot and enduring. Long battery life is obviously appreciated, but does it benefit the task profile of the less than mobile 17-inch form factor in the case of the new notebook from HP? On the other hand, the multimedia aspects are pretty successful; the sound system in particular left a very good impression. The biggest issue is the very hot chassis temperatures.

Compact all-rounder. The latest model from Asus' Zenbook UX 303 series is once again a thin and nice 13.3-inch notebook. It has a lot of performance, but is still quiet in operation. The battery runtimes are unfortunately shorter compared to previous Zenbook models.

Successful evolution. For the first time, Lenovo equips a ThinkPad from the E500 series with a high-quality IPS display as well as a graphics card with fast GDDR5 memory. The price including SSD and i7 CPU is still below 1,000 Euros (~$1096) – is it a bargain?

45-watt processor. Nexoc is one of the first suppliers to offer a 45-watt Skylake i5. Of course, we will take a closer look at it. The i5 can even surpass the 6700HQ at times. More details can be found here.

Beast of prey. Following the extremely successful V 15 Nitro, Acer presents its next gaming platform. Instead of an upper mid-range GPU, a genuine premium model is in the Predator 15. Can the GTX 980M stand up against the 15-inch competition?

The sky's the limit. Eurocom notebooks just keep getting better and better as Clevo shells continue to evolve. It's pricey, of course, but has key advantages over its closest competitors in the form of 100 percent AdobeRGB coverage and upgradeable LGA 1151 socket.

At the limits. Schenker Technologies obviously has an eye on the performance crown with its XMG U716. The key feature of the 17-inch gaming machine is Nvidia's brand new GeForce GTX 980. How well will the 185-watt model fare against the previously tested 200-watt version?

Office all-rounder. The ProBook 450 G3's assets are found in low temperature development, quiet operating noise, decent input devices, and a good battery life. However, the matte, Full HD screen is a shortcoming. The total bundle is throughout affordable at a price of approximately 640 Euros (~$701). A Windows operating system is not preloaded.

5K in the second generation. Apple uses new Skylake processors in the current iMac Retina 5K version, but also a new graphics card from AMD as well as new input devices. The sophisticated build quality and powerful hardware create an impressive package, but it is not perfect.

Compelling. The ProBook 470 recommends itself as a desktop replacement for the PC at home. Low operating noise, low temperature development, decent upgrade options and good input devices make that possible. The ProBook's Full HD screen also stands out positively. HP installs an IPS model that can boast with good rates here.

Pixel monster. Following the FHD version, we are now testing Dell's new XPS 13 with a QHD Infinity screen alongside Skylake Core i7. Will higher image pleasure and more power be at the expense of battery life? Update 12/3/2015: The runtimes of the XPS 13 were lengthened considerably following a BIOS update. Update 2/26/2016: brighter display with Content Adaptive Backlight Control (CABC) OFF

Full speed ahead. We have built a completely new desktop PC to be up to date for our gaming articles. It competes with high-end notebooks and we are going to use it for comparisons. Who wins the duel?

The Next Generation. For the first time, Lenovo also installs a high-quality IPS panel in the entry-level model of the ThinkPad lineup. The superb input devices, a fast SSD and Intel's newest processors make the E460 an insider tip for price-conscious pupils and students.

Maintenance miracle. Unfortunately, this is pretty rare nowadays: The maintenance hatch, which is very easy to remove, allows access to all major components of the new multimedia notebook from Dell. Another highlight is the high-resolution 4K touchscreen and thanks to its GTX 960M GPU, it should also attract gamers. Unfortunately, some issues affect the initial good impression.

A big step forward.Hewlett Packard has eliminated some weaknesses that we had found in a previously tested Envy model. Thanks to a Skylake processor, IPS screen and solid-state drive, the new version of the Envy 15 x360 gives a considerably more finished impression. However, with a price tag of almost 1000 Euros (~$1061), the laptop is not exactly a budget device.

Price-performance Nitro. Acer offers many configurations of the Aspire V 15. Equipped with an i5-ULV CPU and a GeForce 945M GPU, this model for 900 Euros (~$955) is the least expensive version of the high-end Nitro series yet. How does it hold up against the models with a four-digit price tag?

Full speed with Nitro. Acer's successful Nitro lineup is being upgraded to Skylake. The manufacturer again manages to leave the rivals behind thanks to a well-conceived total package.