Apple : The best student laptops: all the best options for school |
- The best student laptops: all the best options for school
- The best Chromebooks of 2019
- Best hard drives 2019: the top HDD for desktops and laptops
- The best mouse of 2019: 10 top computer mice compared
- Best gaming mouse 2019: the best gaming mice we've tested
- The best keyboards of 2019: top 10 keyboards compared
- Best gaming keyboard 2019: the best gaming keyboards we've tested
- Best computer 2019: the best PCs we've tested
- The best gaming PC 2019: 10 of the top gaming desktops you can buy
- The best motherboard 2019: the top Intel and AMD motherboards we've seen
- The best graphics cards 2019: all the top GPUs for gaming
- Best RAM 2019: the top memory for your PC
- Best SSDs 2019: the top solid-state drives for your PC
- Best processors 2019: the best CPUs for your PC
- The best monitor 2019: the top 10 monitors and displays we’ve reviewed
- The best Ultrabooks 2019: top thin and light laptops reviewed
- Agent Smith malware sneakily replaces all your apps
- Best gaming laptops 2019: the 10 top gaming laptops we've reviewed
| The best student laptops: all the best options for school Posted: 15 Jul 2019 01:55 PM PDT Without even adding one of the best laptops for students to the mix, school can already get very expensive very fast: books, tuition, school supplies and accommodation – those things add up fast. The silver lining, however, is that many of the best student laptops on the market could still save students a lot of money, especially on Amazon Prime Day. That's more than a good thing. When you’re already spending all that cash on textbooks and instant ramen, saving up for a new laptop, after all, can be difficult. The prime contenders for the best laptop for students will put value above having the top-of-the-line processors and graphics cards. And yet, they still boast enough juice to get you through your demanding workload at school – and let you enjoy some post-school entertainment. In fact, the best laptops for students on this list we put together are some of the most budget-friendly devices on the market. And they also exude style, tout power and offer portability, all without breaking the bank. You need not limit yourself to Windows 10, either, as some of the best Chromebooks are capable of going head-to-head with some of the best laptops, which means you can get everything you’ll need in a laptop without shelling out some serious silver. Going to school, after all, can be a stressful time, and you don’t need the added pressure of having to deal with a barely functional laptop. You deserve to have an excellent laptop, and that’s why we sought out the 10 best laptops for students that you can afford with your budget. Because no one should be limited to an ancient relic just to get some work done, but you shouldn’t have to sell a kidney, either.
We’re massive fans of laptops that can expertly combine price and performance with hardly any compromises, and the Huawei MateBook 13 comes closer to hitting that perfect balance than anything in 2019 so far. It’s thin and light, perfect for stuffing it in your backpack as you hurry from class to class; and it’s fast and affordable. This 13-inch Ultrabook stunner will let you get all your work done in style, without burning a hole in your pocket. Just be sure to have that charger handy, as the battery life is underwhelming. There’s no doubt that it deserves its lofty spot on the 10 best laptops for students list. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13
Dell’s flagship laptop has always ranked among the 10 best laptops for students, not to mention professionals and casual, everyday users. This time around, the Dell XPS 13 2019 brings back the entry-level model, making it very affordable for college students again. Dell has also managed to fix our biggest issue with the XPS lineup – the webcam. It has moved the webcam back up to the top of the display where it belongs, so your family and friends don’t have to stare up your nose when you’re video chatting. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13
While the Surface Laptop was arguably one of the 10 best laptops for students, it was held back by below average performance, a lack of ports and Windows 10 in S Mode. The Surface Laptop 2 greatly improves on its predecessor, however – except for the port situation. It’s now packed with 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Refresh processors, full-fat Windows 10 Home and a black color option. We wish it had even a single USB-C port, but that doesn’t change the fact that you will get all your tasks done in style with this laptop with little to no effort. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2
When you’re looking for a laptop for school that strikes a balance between price and performance, a dollop of style can’t hurt. The Microsoft Surface Go isn’t just one of the best Windows tablets, but it’s also one of the best 10 laptops for students, especially from a value perspective. Don’t be fooled by the low-power components, as Microsoft has engineered this tablet to keep up with all your general schoolwork and more without breaking a sweat. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go
The Dell XPS 15 has been our list of best laptops for students for a few years now, and Dell has taken that old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach with the latest model. Not much has changed since the 2017 version, but that isn’t a bad thing. After all, you’re getting an Ultrabook that’s not only reliable, but also has enough juice to get you through pretty much any workload. The best part? The Dell XPS 15 is very affordable. The entry level should be just fine for most users and good enough to make the 10 best laptops for students list, but you can also configure this thing with up to an Intel Core i9 processor and 32GB of RAM, upgrading the Dell XPS 15 into an extremely powerful workstation. Now, if Dell would just move that webcam, we’d be gravy. Read the full review: Dell XPS 15
You don’t need some high-end laptop from Apple that looks like it just popped out of a designer catalog… at least, not for school. You need a laptop that’s going to get the job done, and going by that parameter, the Acer Swift 5 should be near the top of the 10 best laptops for students list. This affordable Ultrabook is packed with the latest 8th-generation Intel processors, not to mention enough RAM and SSD storage, to get you through pretty much any homework or project. It’s not the most good-looking laptop in the world, but with that price, looks hardly matter. Read the full review: Acer Swift 5
The Microsoft Surface lineup has made a name for itself for being among the best Windows devices out there, with gorgeous touch screens, impressive performance and long-lasting battery life. The Surface Pro 6 continues that tradition, even if it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. You’re getting a fast Windows tablet that can easily turn into a laptop with the Surface Type Cover, making it one of the 10 best laptops for students. You can get your work done then effortlessly transition into break time. Read the full review: Surface Pro 6
Most schoolwork that’s not specialized (i.e. engineering) can be done on a Chromebook, saving you hundreds of dollars. If you’re a student who’s on the market for one of the 10 best laptops for students that will let you do all your research, type up papers and nothing else, the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 might be right up your alley. The Dell Chromebook 11 2-in-1 won’t be able to do much heavy lifting, but at under $300, it doesn’t need to. This is the best laptop for students on a very limited budget. Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1
Much to many MacBook Air users’ relief, Apple has finally ushered the MacBook Air into the modern age, with 8th-generation fanless processors, a thinner and lighter design, and – perhaps most importantly – a Retina display. You won’t have to compromise on modern features anymore if you want an “affordable Mac,” which makes the MacBook Air one of the 10 best laptops for students, especially those in college. Read the full review: MacBook Air
If you have deep pockets, and you’re a macOS addict (we get it), the 2018 MacBook Pro is the most powerful MacBook that’s ever existed. With its formidable hexa-core processors and up to a whopping 32GB of memory, this Cupertino powerhouse is a force to be reckoned with, whether you’re doing school projects, photo editing or gaming. It also includes an overhauled third-generation Butterfly keyboard that will not only be less distracting to the students around you, but will be less prone to failure. Read the full review: MacBook Pro 15-inch (2018) Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article. Images Credit: TechRadar
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| Posted: 15 Jul 2019 01:42 PM PDT The best Chromebooks of 2019 are not only more powerful than ever before, but they're also even more flexible and offer longer battery lives. In this list of the best Chromebooks, we put together the top devices that showcase exactly what these affordable Chrome OS-based laptops are capable of, many of which you might find all the more affordable on Amazon Prime Day. Before you buy the best Chromebook for your needs, it will be worth your time knowing what exactly a Chromebook is. Chromebooks don’t just boast fantastic battery life, but they’re also very affordable. In fact, many are more affordable than their laptop counterparts, which is why they're an easy sell to users who do not have very demanding computing needs. This is because the top Chromebooks don’t need the latest and greatest processors – as they run Chrome OS and only pack what they need to get the job done. But don't get fooled: the best Chromebooks are getting more advanced by the day. If your computer use just boils down to word processing, emailing, watching Netflix and surfing the internet, with very little video editing or gaming, you really can’t go wrong with one of the best Chromebooks.
The Google Pixelbook is the best Chromebook of 2019 Shortly after announcing the Chromebook Pixel’s demise, Google revived it in a way nobody expected. Now, it’s the Google Pixelbook, and it stands completely independent of its predecessor. That’s because, unlike the Chromebook Pixel, it can run Android apps natively, on top of building upon Chrome OS. When you factor in the huge amount of storage space, fantastic stylus and Google Assistant, it shouldn’t surprise you when we say the Pixelbook is the best Chromebook 2019 has to offer – even so long after its launch. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook
The best convertible Chromebook Before Google released the Pixelbook, and showed us exactly what the best Chromebooks should be, the Asus Chromebook Flip was our perfect Google laptop. With a full Intel Core processor and a full-HD display, the Asus Chromebook Flip was a game-changer. Put simply, if you want key features that the Pixelbook offers, but you don’t want to deal with that steep price tag, the Asus Chromebook Flip is the next best Chromebook. If you're on the budget, this is one of the best Asus laptops to consider. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip
A brilliant Chromebook for productivity When Android apps started heading to the best Chromebooks, it was only a matter of time before Samsung came into the picture to craft something truly beautiful. With a 12.3-inch QHD touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge, the Samsung Chromebook Pro also boasts a built-in stylus – the first of its kind to show up in a Chromebook. Not only does it give many of its competitors a run for their money, but it’s better than most Android devices as well, even if the keyboard could use some tightening up. Read the full review: Samsung Chromebook Pro
Another top convertible Chrfomebook When you think of Chromebooks, education is one of the first things that comes to mind. But, with the Acer Chromebook Spin 13, Acer wants them to be synonymous with business, too. Beautifully built from aluminum with a gorgeous QHD screen, it won’t just fit in the office, but it may actually draw some envious looks. It’s more than just an appealing chassis, however: the Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is backed by full-fat Ultrabook processors, so it can get work done in style. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 13
Another great 2-in-1 Chromebook The best Chromebooks are affordable devices that anyone can get their hands on. And, in that spirit, the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 flawlessly fits the bill. This isn’t the most powerful Chromebook on the market, mind you. But it boils Chromebooks down to what they need to be: affordable, easy to use and durable. This Chromebook will be great for doing all your web browsing and video editing, and may just be one of the best laptops for kids, as it won’t break from a simple drop. What more can you ask for? Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1
Acer has made one of the best Chromebooks ever with the Chromebook Spin 11 The best Chromebooks are perhaps the most compelling student laptops, and that’s exactly where the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 excels. Whether you’re a student or a parent of one, this is a cheap, capable and, more importantly, durable machine that can get some schoolwork done on the go. Sure, you can’t get any hardcore gaming or video editing done on it, but if you just need to write up some papers and watch some YouTube in your downtime, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 should be at the top of your list. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11
Another brilliant Chromebook from Acer With a solid build quality that rivals a MacBook, it’s easy to forgive the Acer Chromebook 15’s aversion to 2-in-1 form factors. Still, given that the best Chromebooks releasing this year are fully convertible, thanks to the wide adoption of Android app support, the Acer Chromebook 15 had to prove itself to us with more than great style. And, beyond its ability to lay flat using a 180-degree hinge, this beautiful 15-inch Chromebook also makes a great impression with its battery life lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15
Acer Chromebook R11 has a 360-degree hinge We wouldn’t be surprised to see Acer replacing the Chromebook R11 – at least, judging by the recent release of the Chromebook Spin 11. Yet it still holds up to this day as one of the best Chromebooks to hit the streets. Sure, it isn’t the most powerful choice out there, but it still offers full access to Android Apps on the Google Play store. What’s more, it does so on a touchscreen display that can be rotated around into tablet mode, fitted in an all-metal finish that you would be proud to show off. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11
A brilliant value Chromebook from HP The best Chromebooks are the ones that balance a rock-bottom price and speedy use of Chrome OS – and the HP Chromebook 14 is a perfect example. While it’s similar to the Acer Chromebook 15 in a lot of ways, this 14-inch Chromebook is a tad more compact and looks slightly better. Complemented by a bright blue finish and a screen made to astonish, the HP Chromebook 14 offers the best value of any Chromebook out there. Even if the battery life and performance are average – the HP Chromebook 14 is easily one of the best Chromebooks to date. Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14 There’s a handful of things we don’t love about the Acer Chromebook Spin 15, namely the fact that doesn’t take full advantage of the space it has and that its trackpad isn’t the best. Yet we have easily forgiven its shortcomings, as it more than makes up for them with enough power for over-the-top multitasking, a battery life that will outlast yours and a beautiful touchscreen that surprisingly premium for the price. All those certainly warrant this Chromebook a spot in our best Chromebooks list, and that’s without considering the fact that it’s very affordable. If you’re not convinced that you should jump on the Chromebook bandwagon, this one will make a convert out of you. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 15 Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop:
Juan Martinez and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article.
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| Best hard drives 2019: the top HDD for desktops and laptops Posted: 15 Jul 2019 01:34 PM PDT The best hard drives won’t be anywhere near as fast as the best SSDs. However, they’re got their advantages as well, so it might be a great idea to buy one on Amazon Prime Day. For example, the best hard drives are so much more affordable and capacious. Plus, a good hard drive can be useful as an extra drive or even an external measure – especially if you have a lot of data to back up. When you’re in the market for the best hard drive, you need to consider what you want to get out of it. If you want to expand the storage for your PS4 or Xbox One, a 2.5-inch drive or even an external hard drive is going to be perfect. On the other hand, if you have one of the best gaming PCs, and you need somewhere to store all those games, a 3.5-inch drive rated at 7,200RPM should be your top choice and might be one of the best hard drives for you. Understandably, that's a lot to take in especially if you don't know the ins and outs of computer components. To lend you a hand in choosing the best hard drives for you, we went ahead and gathered the best hard drives we've found.
Image Credit: Seagate It’s almost impossible to talk about hard drives without mentioning Seagate’s BarraCuda lineup – it’s a force to be reckoned with. And, it’s not hard to see why, Seagate BarraCuda drives offer a great gigabyte-per-dollar ratio and speed benefits to top it off. The 2TB model hits a sweet spot by balancing high performance and affordability. Since this drive combines 7,200rpm platters and high density data, computers outfitted with this drive will be able to read data extraordinarily fast.
Image Credit: Toshiba Even if its laptops aren’t as popular as they used to be, Toshiba is still a huge name in computing, and has a lot to offer. When it comes to the best hard drives, the Toshiba X300 is a high-capacity, high-performance champ worth taking a look at. The X300 drives boast great gigabyte-to-dollar value without sacrificing on performance. These drives all spin at 7,200 rpm and include 128MB of cache for higher speeds. The only downside is the warranty only lasts two years, which feels short for a drive meant to store so much important data.
Image Credit: Western Digital When it comes to PC gaming, it’s better to be fast than capacious. So, if you’ve been resisting the allure of an SSD, and looking to kick it old school with one of the best hard drives, the WD VelociRaptor should be up your alley. Not only does this drive have a whopping 10,000 rpm spin speed, but you’re going to want to pay attention to it. With capacities up to 1TB, the VelociRaptor drives are ready to store large game libraries, and the super fast platters will help your games launch and load quickly.
Image Credit: Western Digital Western Digital offers a solid bargain with its line of WD Blue hard drives. With a wide variety of storage options from a small 500GB to a capacious 6TB, the WD Blue is a viable pick for almost any type of PC build that’s sticking to a budget. The best value comes from the larger drives – they’ll give you much more storage per dollar spent. And, if you’re looking for a bit more speed, there are also 7,200rpm models available that don’t come with too much of a price hike.
Image Credit: Seagate SSDs are incredibly popular, and it’s not hard to see why. But, if you need a lot of fast storage, and you don’t have a vault of cash, hybrid hard drives are a great option. The SeaGate FireCuda is the best hybrid hard drive on the market. It can fit up to 2TB of data, and then its 8GB of solid state cache storage learns which data you use most, so that you can access it quickly. That speed boost is even sweeter when you consider that this drive spins at 7,200rpm. With a 5-year warranty and an approachable price tag, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best hard drives you can buy today.
Image Credit: Seagate It’s a little unfortunate that the Seagate IronWolf NAS drives come at a premium, but they aren’t priced much more expensively than a standard hard drive at their capacity. However, their native NAS optimization makes that premium totally worth it. These drives are capable of running at a fast 7,200rpm spin rate 24/7 without having to worry about drive failure. Really, if you have one of the best NAS devices for your business or home, the Seagate IronWolf NAS really is your best bet.
Image Credit: Seagate Upgrading the storage in a laptop can be tough, since the hard drives are much smaller. There aren’t a lot of impressive 2.5-inch hard drives, as anything fast comes with a serious markup, but Seagate’s 2.5-inch FireCuda hybrid drive strikes a nice balance. It offers an easy way to add loads of storage to a laptop while also giving it a speed boost thanks to 8GB of flash storage. A five-year warranty on the drive will also help ensure it lasts a long time.
Image Credit: Western Digital Game consoles hard drives fill up fast with massive libraries. And, like laptops, the upgrade path for 2.5-inch hard drives isn’t all that great, but that’s where an external drive comes in. The WD My Book strikes an amazing balance of storage and price, offering enough room for massive game libraries. Running on USB 3.0, it may not be quite as fast as an internal drive upgrade, but it will run games and offer more storage at a cheaper rate.
Image Credit: G-Technology A lot of people seem to think that the best hard drives are ancient and dead technology in 2019. However, with devices like the G-Technology G-Drive, you can show the naysayers in your life that spinning disks have their own place in the future. Not only does this external hard drive offer huge amounts of storage – up to 10 TB – but thanks to Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, it can even charge your laptop while you work. If you have a MacBook Pro, it’s hard to think of a better work companion. Read the full review: G-Technology G-Drive This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The best mouse of 2019: 10 top computer mice compared Posted: 15 Jul 2019 01:27 PM PDT There’s nothing quite like using the best mouse to get around your desktop, even if laptop and tablet manufacturers might try and convince you otherwise, especially on Amazon Prime Day where many amazing deals can be made. No matter whether you’re on Windows 10 or macOS Mojave, a trackpad or touchscreen just doesn't offer the same level of control and functionality as the best mouse – or any mouse, for that matter. For one, the best mouse won’t be limited to a tiny space on your laptop chassis, and is thus much more precise. Picking up the best mouse on the market will make an older mouse seem like a relic of some bygone age. But, before you go online to purchase the best mouse, there are a couple things you need to consider. Are you thinking about going for a wireless mouse or would a wired one be more appropriate? Are you just looking for one of the best gaming mice or do you want one that's best for productivity? Whatever you’re looking for, the best mouse can make your entire computing experience better. Every best mouse on this list is packed with important features that can only be found in high-end peripherals. Let’s dive into our best mouse list, so you'll find one that's most ideal for you.
Image credit: TechRadar The Logitech MX Master 2S is expensive, but don’t let that price tag scare you away. This is the best mouse 2019 has to offer, particularly for productivity and creative tasks. While most mice in this price tag appeal to gamers with ridiculous button setups and edgy designs, this mouse is created for productivity alone. Trust us, you may not think you need a high-end wireless mouse for your day to day office work, but once you get your hands on the Logitech MX Master 2S, you’ll never want to go back. Read the full review: Logitech MX Master 2S
Image credit: Logitech A much improved version of the Logitech MX Anywhere 2, the compact MX Anywhere 2S is easy to underestimate due to its small size. Yet, give it a chance, and it’ll show you just exactly how powerful, versatile and efficient it is. The best mouse for productivity – as well as productivity on the go – this is one’s feature-rich, offering seamless workflow as it allows you to easily switch between computers, track flawlessly and get a full day’s charge in just 3 minutes of charging. And that’s just to start.
Image credit: TechRadar While it seems like all of our peripherals are either being fitted with unnecessary lighting or morphed into odd shapes, there are still some mice out there that you can take seriously from looks alone. The Microsoft Classic Intellimouse, for example, touts a classic design and appealing white lighting, and it is a breath of fresh air. It also beefs up the sensor, allowing users to ramp up the DPI to 3,200. It’s not wireless, and it’s hardly made for gaming, but if you’re in the market for a mouse that’ll help you get all your work done, the Microsoft Classic Intellimouse may be the best mouse for you. Read the full review: Microsoft Classic IntelliMouse
Image credit: Anker Don’t let its odd design and annoying tongue twister moniker fool you. The Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical mouse is only off putting until you get your hands on it. From the moment you start using this mouse, you’ll know it’s the best mouse for you. Sure, it’s built a little more cheaply than other ergonomic mice. But look at it this way: it’s an affordable way to prevent RSI.
Image credit: Apple When Apple isn’t busy making very expensive phones and even more expensive PC powerhouses like the new Mac Pro 2019, it’s hard at work crafting one of the strangest yet most effective mice we’ve ever laid our hands on. If you find yourself doing a double take when looking at the specs, as there are no buttons on the Magic Mouse 2. This mouse is completely controlled by gestures, giving it all the benefits of a trackpad, as well as a mouse.
Image credit: TechRadar If you’re looking for an extremely comfortable mouse that will make your work day a little less rigorous, you’ll need the best mouse that’s ergonomically-focused like the Logitech MX Vertical. It’s a great example of what these mice are capable of. As the name suggests, it’s a vertical mouse, but it actually feels a lot more natural in your hand that you would think. Plus, it helps reduce the amount of stress you have to exert on your wrist and hand muscles. As an added bonus, there’s a handy little button at the top that lets you seamlessly swap between different computers for an even more seamless productivity process. Read the full review: Logitech MX Vertical
Image credit: TechRadar The third trackball mouse Logitech has put out since 2008, the MX Ergo Wireless is an anomaly in an industry that is otherwise crowded with optical laser mice. As such, it certainly charms those who haven’t quite moved on to the gesture-based desktop trackpads of the present. With the option to lay it flat or use it at a 20-degree angle, this mouse is uniquely satisfying, and the best mouse if you’re looking for versatility. Read the full review: Logitech MX Ergo Wireless
Image credit: TechRadar If you’re looking for something that’s seen and not heard, then this is the best mouse for you. Because the Logitech M330 Silent Plus is so compact and silent, it’s the perfect mouse for using on an airplane tray next to a sleeping neighbor or at a cafe. Just slip it into your laptop bag when you’re ready to go, and weighing less than a quarter of a pound, you won’t even notice the added bulk.
Image credit: Microsoft Sure, the Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse that came out late last year is tempting, but sometimes you just need a cheap, reliable mouse that you can throw in your laptop bag without worry. That’s one of the things the Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 is great for. This may be the best mouse for anyone looking for an inexpensive pointing device that they can rely one – it’s one of the most dependable wireless mice you can buy today, and it’s from a brand you can trust.
Image credit: Razer Razer products aren’t for everyone. Specifically, they appeal to an audience that enjoys the svelte industrial design of an Apple gadget, but with a gamer-centric slant. That’s especially the case with the DeathAdder Chroma, a mouse that comes with 16.8 million LED-backlit color options out of the box, along with a hyper-accurate 10,000 DPI sensor. Read the full review: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Michelle Rae Uy, Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article Image Credits: TechRadar This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best gaming mouse 2019: the best gaming mice we've tested Posted: 15 Jul 2019 01:18 PM PDT No matter what kind of PC games you're into, you'll need to invest in the best gaming mouse to satisfy your gaming demands. Even if you already have the best gaming PC on the market, and you’ve blown most of your budget on your fancy setup, getting the the best gaming mouse you can find at your local big box store just isn’t right. On Amazon Prime Day 2019, you might even save a few bucks on a more expensive option, if that's what you want. Though bear in mind that while there's an age-old myth that the most expensive mouse on the shelf is going to be the best one, that’s simply not true. The SteelSeries Sensei 310, for example, has all the performance you could ask for at less than the price of a brand new AAA game. Gaming peripherals are a big part of how immersive and smooth your gaming experience is, and the mouse you’re using can make or break your game. It only makes sense, therefore, to put the same level of effort into choosing and getting the best gaming mouse as you would with the bigger purchases. Everything attached to your powerful rig must be of comparable quality. When choosing the best gaming mouse for your needs, keep an eye open for one that is the most ideal balance of price and performance, while also packing in some unique features in between. Oh, and while you’re at it, you may want to pick up one of the best gaming mouse pads as well.
Image Credit: TechRadar When it comes to the best gaming mouse, features, balance and performance are all there in equal measure in the SteelSeries Rival 710, warranting it a top spot our list. This gargantuan gaming mouse – at least, in terms of power – is a bit expensive, but when you weigh that price against the customizable OLED display, haptic feedback (great for you MOBA players) and excellent build quality, the SteelSeries Rival 710 is easily a solid purchase. The kicker? Everything is modular, even down to the sensor, so you never have to feel like you’re missing out on the latest tech. Read the full review: SteelSeries Rival 710
Image Credit: TechRadar The SteelSeries Sensei 310 is the best gaming mouse like no other, both in terms of price and performance. The cost of admission is low, about the same price that you’d pay for a AAA game that’s been out for a little while. And with it, you also get its out-of-this-world TrueMove 3 optical sensor, making it almost impossible to contend with. This mouse, with no preference when it comes to dexterity, is a force to be reckoned with in terms of real-world sensitivity. And, you can pick up the SteelSeries Rival 310 if you want similar performance, but a more right-handed approach to dexterity. Read the full review: SteelSeries Sensei 310
Image Credit: Corsair The best gaming mouse is always going to be the one that delivers excellent performance at an affordable price. And, the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless is the poster child for this ideal price-and-performance match. You’re getting a wireless mouse that has RGB lighting, boasts a long battery life and doesn’t at all suck, for less than $50. The ergonomics are specifically for right-handed users, but at this price and with this impressive performance, there’s little else to complain about. Read the full review: Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless
Image Credit: Logitech Aesthetically, you generally have two main options when you’re shopping around for the best gaming mouse: a high-performing mouse that looks like it would fit in the office, or a mouse that lives and breathes that ‘gaming life’. The Logitech G502 fits firmly in the latter category, with its robotic design. But, if that doesn’t intimidate you, then you get adjustable weights, a jaw-dropping 16,000 DPI sensor and superb performance as well. It’s not ideal for users with huge hands, but beyond that, this one has definitely earned its spot in the best gaming mouse list. Read the full review: Logitech G502 Hero
Image Credit: TechRadar We’ve given the Roccat Kova Aimo lofty scores for solid build quality, customizability and excellent gaming performance that only gets better with a bit of tweaking in the Roccat Swarm software. It’s white version looks strangely like those scary robots from I, Robot, but the solid black one is stunning to behold and will definitely blend in with any set-up. Fans of LED lighting might find it a bit wanting, but this gaming mouse’s ambidexterity more than makes for its very minor flaws. All things considered, it’s definitely the best gaming mouse we’ve tested this 2019 so far. Read the full review: Roccat Kova Aimo
Image Credit: Cooler Master If you’re looking to find the best gaming mouse that’s both economical and functional, then the Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520 is the terrific addition to your gaming rig. It won’t win any beauty contests, but packing quality Omron switches and a decently sensitive sensor capable of up to 12,000 DPI makes it a smart purchase. Those make it easy to look past the unappealing design – especially if you use a claw grip. Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520
Image Credit: TechRadar Have you been getting into the World of Warcraft: Classic beta lately? Then you’ll want to check out the Razer Naga Trinity. Razer’s Naga mice have always been fan favorites in the MMO community, and the manufacturer has taken things to a new level with Naga Trinity. With it, you’re getting three easily swappable side plates, so that you can configure your mouse the way you see fit. Add the insane 16,000 DPI sensor and Razer Chroma RGB lighting to the mix, and you’ll be topping the DPS meters in no time. Is there any doubt that the Razer Naga Trinity belongs on the list of the best gaming mouse? Read the full review: Razer Naga Trinity
Image Credit: TechRadar If you find yourself rolling our eyes at some of the gaming mice available in 2019 that sport ridiculous, over-the-top designs, then you should take a look at the HyperX Pulsefire Surge RGB. Boasting extremely reliable Omron switches and ravishing RGB lighting – not to mention, an impressive 16,000 DPI sensor – you’re scoring the best gaming mouse for an excellent price. Plus, it’ll fit into any office, at least once you turn down the lighting effects because of its more accessible design. Read the full review: HyperX Pulsefire Surge RGB
Image Credit: Corsair Most of the best gaming mice on the market are either too small or too light, or even a bit of both, giving gamers with big hands very few options. To make matters worse, some of the big mice out there are loaded with gratuitous buttons and odd shapes that make them look like asylum-seekers from an alien robot planet. The Corsair Ironclaw is just the opposite. It’s an attractive mouse for big-hand users, with a design that won’t make you want to hide it in your desk drawer every time you have company. It’s tough as heck as well, so it can handle a bit of roughing and tumbling, making it the best gaming mouse for you. Read the full review: Corsair Ironclaw RGB
Image Credit: Michelle Rae Uy When you take stock of all its awesome features, it might shock you to find the Gigabyte Aorus M5 at only $69. This stunner is among the best gaming mouse of great value that we’ve tested this year. It’s also very customizable, not to mention boasts great ergonomics and fun RGB lighting. As far as features that will give you the gaming advantage, it boasts an adjustable weight distribution system, on-the-fly DPI adjustments and Omron switches tested for 50 million clicks, to start. If you’re in the market for a mouse that gives you more bang for your buck, this is it. Read the full review: Gigabyte Aorus M5
How to choose the best gaming mouseWhile you’ll definitely find the best gaming mouse of your gaming dreams, doing so might take a bit of time and some effort. That’s expected; there’s a ton of complicated technical jargon that goes into the best gaming mice – terms like polling rates and DPI ratings that a regular buyer might not be familiar with. For the record, you’ll want a higher number of both, even though these two terms mean drastically different things. For newcomers to the world of PC gaming, when you see the term DPI, that is shorthand for ‘dots per inch.’ The higher the number, the wider the range wherein you can specify your how sensitive your mouse is. If you don’t have a lot of desk space available, but you still want accuracy and precision, then opt for the best gaming mouse with a higher DPI rating that can be toggled to a lower DPI, in case you get a bigger desk. Meanwhile, a high polling rate means you’re getting faster response times. The polling rate is measured in hertz, so it usually ranges from around 125 to 1,000Hz. The latter means that your mouse’s position is reported to your computer 1,000 times per second. Other key gaming mouse factors you’ll want to consider are ergonomics – particularly if you’re left-handed – and RGB lighting. Bill Thomas, Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article
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| The best keyboards of 2019: top 10 keyboards compared Posted: 15 Jul 2019 01:08 PM PDT Don't wait to get one of the best keyboards until your old one finally dies on you. If your keyboard is starting to show its age, collecting dust or just not giving you want you need from it, you might want to think about picking up one of the best keyboards now. The benefits to comfort, speed and reliability you gain with one of the best keyboards easily pays for the cost of admission, which is not that high either, especially on Amazon Prime Day 2019. Believe us when we say that once you use one of these keyboards, you'll never look back or even want to. Whether you’re writing a term paper, chatting with friends or playing the best PC games, the best keyboards can make life so much easier. The best keyboards aren’t all about getting work done, after all: the best gaming keyboards can make your off time better, too. If you’re on the market for the best keyboard for work, play or something else entirely, you've come to the right place. You won’t have to worry about breaking open the piggy bank, either. Not only do many of the best keyboards prioritize value over price, but we’ve also included our price comparison tool to help you find the best deal. Here are the best keyboards we’ve tested and reviewed over the last year.
It has become the norm for keyboard manufacturers to implement their own custom keyboard switches, and Roccat – with the Vulcan 120 Aimo – is no different. While this keyboard is primarily marketed as a gaming keyboard, its Titan Switches are tactile enough to be satisfying, while still bouncing back quickly enough to be comfortable to type on for extended periods. And, we’d be remiss to not mention the looks – the Vulcan 120 Aimo looks like a science fiction keyboard, we love it. Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
If you have a home theater PC, you might be frustrated by the lack of keyboards that explicitly appeal to your use case. Luckily, there’s a keyboard for you – the Corsair K83 Wireless is a fantastic entertainment-focused keyboard. Not only is it light and portable, it also has a bevy of entertainment functions that’ll make life easier in your living room. And, with its wealth of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless through a dongle, you can use it with many different platforms. However, it’s not great at gaming, so keep that in mind. Read the full review: Corsair K83 Wireless
As long as you don’t mind missing out on some of that signature ‘thock’ sound that’s associated with regular Realforce keyboards, opting for a silenced model like the 104 UBS offers some solid benefits. Hitting the 104 UBS’s keys produces sound on par with a membrane keyboard, so it’s going to be great if you work in a busy office or a shared bedroom. The ‘dampened’ feel of Topre’s silenced switches can feel kind of like typing on sandpaper compared to a non-silenced board, but we found that it’s worth the trade-off if you need a quieter keyboard.
Filco's keyboards tend to be built like tanks, and the Majestouch TKL is no different. This space-saving mechanical keyboard features a compact tenkeyless design that has less than 1cm of space between the edge of the keys and the keyboard. Its durability doesn't simply allow it to stand up well to knocks and scrapes – it has a positive impact on its typing feel too. You can hammer away on it at speed, even bottoming out to your heart's content, and the Majestouch 2 will take every bit of punishment.
We’ve seen all kinds of keyboards over the years here at TechRadar, from stylish tenkeyless keyboards to RGB-laden gaming behemoths, but something has always been missing – a focus on creatives. Thankfully, with the Logitech Craft, this is no longer the case. Not only is this a sturdy, tactile and attractive keyboard but it also features a unique dial on its top left corner, which will help creatives expedite their workflow. This dial’s utility will vary depending on the application, from simply controlling the volume on the desktop, to changing levels in various tools in Photoshop. If you spend a lot of time creating content on your PC, the Logitech Craft is one of the best keyboards you can buy today. Read the full review: Logitech Craft
The PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 has somewhat of a cult following in the keyboard scene, and it’s not hard to see why. This keyboard is aimed at coders, but it’s fantastic for all you writers out there, too. It forgoes traditional arrow keys, instead making use of function keys and key combinations to get that stuff done. It will take a minute to get used to, but once you get that out of the way the small size is a huge benefit, as you’ll be able to take it anywhere you go. Plus, that sweet ‘thock’ sound of the Topre switches is a wonder to behold.
You just need to look at Microsoft’s Surface devices to know that they’re kind of killing it when it comes to design, and the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID takes things to a whole new level. If you’re running Windows 10, and you’re into the Surface aesthetic, this is easily one of the best keyboards out there. Not only does it feel great, but it also features biometric security, by including a discrete fingerprint scanner right next to the “Alt” key. It is an expensive device, but as with everything Microsoft, you can be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Read the full review: Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
Leopold's Fc660c is more portable than the Realforce 87u, but less so than the lighter and more compact HHKB2. However, the Fc660c benefits from its extra heft and feels like the more solid board. Despite having the same 45 gram actuation force as the HHKB2, the Leopold's keys feel slightly weightier - somewhere nearer to 50 grams. It results one of the most satisfying "thock" sounds on a Topre board.
Remember those old IBM Model M keyboards? Well, that’s what the Unicomp Classic 104 seeks to emulate. Available in both USB and PS/2 versions, it uses a buckling spring switch that takes more effort to press than just about every other modern switch. You’re rewarded for this hard pressing with a tactile response that feels like the classic mechanical keyboards of old, along with a noise that will drive everyone around you mad.
Some keyboards just ooze class, and the Das Keyboard Prime 13 is one of them. Its features a solid aluminum top panel for added rigidity and a very minimalistic look. With Cherry's MX Red or Brown switches under the keycaps, you're given a choice between linear and non-linear offerings with a range of actuation points. It's a great option for media enthusiasts thanks to side lit media control and the inclusion of white backlighting is another bonus. It's not the most affordable keyboard on our list, but if you're looking for something a little bit more premium, Das is the way to go.
With its latest keyboard, Logitech is targeting smartphone and tablet owners who prefer to use their device while sat at a desk. And, if you were a fan of the predecessor, the K380, the Logitech K780 should be right up your alley, especially with its added number pad. This keyboard still has the ability to pair with three devices using Bluetooth or wireless, so you can swap between all your gadgets on the fly. And, thanks to its comfortable rounded keycaps, it’s still a pleasure to type on. The keyboard’s base is the star of the show, however, as it can hold mobile devices up to 11.3mm thick in an upright position. This places them within arms’ reach to make anything from replying to WhatsApp messages or reading a digital magazine easier than ever. How to determine the best keyboard for you
It goes without saying that if you demand the look and feel only mechanical switches can provide, rather than those that are slim and stealthy, we suggest perusing our best gaming keyboards round-up instead. Gamers prioritize the actuation that clicky feeling mechanical keyboards bring, whereas traditional home and office users are more about practicality. That said, the sheer magnitude of sound produced by a lot of mechanical keyboards is offputting to some. For those folks, we have some membrane keyboards to recommend as well.
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| Best gaming keyboard 2019: the best gaming keyboards we've tested Posted: 15 Jul 2019 12:58 PM PDT It’s in your best interest to invest in one of the best gaming keyboards, especially if you're serious about gaming and especially when you've just dropped a bunch of cash on the best gaming PC on Amazon Prime Day. Trust us; you’ll need the best gaming peripherals to back you up. As much as you'll be tempted to save some money, pick up a $10 keyboard and call it a day, do yourself a favor and resist. If you don’t, you’ll only be doing yourself – not to mention, all your new PC games – a disservice by not picking up one of the best gaming keyboards. Much like with the best gaming mice, a gaming keyboard can help considerably with giving you the best and most immersive gaming experience. The best gaming keyboards, unlike many other PC components and peripherals, can actually make you better at the PC games you play, especially if you've invested in a mechanical keyboard. What exactly makes the best gaming keyboard? Before you to pick up the best gaming keyboard for your needs, make sure to consider the kind of switches you want. Membrane switches might be the worst for gaming, so finding a mechanical keyboard is the most ideal. Of course, don’t forget about RGB lighting – it wouldn’t be 2019 if your desk isn’t lighting up like a Christmas tree. Plus, you'll be happy to know that if you don’t have a large budget, there’s an excellent gaming keyboard for you on this list. If money isn’t an issue, there are also a ton of feature-rich keyboards on it that boasts all the bells and whistles. Let’s dive into all the best gaming keyboards 2019 has on offer, all of which have been tested and reviewed by us.
Image credit: Bill Thomas The SteelSeries Apex Pro’s svelte aesthetic and clever OLED display are just the appetizers. The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating for many reasons, the biggest of which are its stunning and solid build, custom actuation and comfortable – not to mention, quiet – magnetic switches. Performance-wise, it’s among the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested yet, which makes its $199 price tag worth the splurge. Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex Pro
Razer Huntsman Elite If you have the need for speed, then the Huntsman Elite is your best bet, thanks to its new optomechanical switches. That sounds like a mouthful, but essentially, it means that Razer has managed to combine mechanical switches with optical sensors. This unthinkable allows the Huntsman Elite to take its actuation to the next level, and you would be hard-pressed to find a faster keyboard on the market. Switches aside, it’s also remarkably comfortable to type on. Plus, it’s covered with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it needs two USB cables for power and costs a small fortune, but with tech like this, it’s absolutely worth it. Read the full review: Razer Huntsman Elite
Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo The Roccat Vulcan 120 should be at the top of your gaming keyboard wish list, if you want one that looks and feels good. This svelte keyboard uses Roccat’s own Titan switches, rather than the Cherry MX switches found on most other keyboards on this list, and we can vouch for how superb they are. This gaming keyboard combines amazing tactile feedback with quiet and comfort. It really isn’t hard to see why this is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market today. Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
Logitech G513 One of the biggest issues with Cherry MX Red keys is that even though they’re good for gaming, they’re not really ideal for typing anything other than your Steam credentials. That’s exactly why the Logitech G513 and its Romer-G Linear switches steal the show. With its brushed metal finish that is, miraculously, practically immune to fingerprints, it all adds up to one of the best gaming keyboards to date. Read the full review: Logitech G513
Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 When you think Alienware, “value” isn’t the word that comes to mind. But, this time around, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is a genuinely great deal. At under 100 bucks or quid, you’re getting the toughest gaming keyboard fitted with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. It’s not the most feature rich keyboard in the game, but at this price, it really doesn’t need to be. One of the best gaming keyboards in 2019, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 gets the job done, and looks good while doing it. Read the full review: Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768
Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 Not everything has to be super high-end to be good, and the Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is the perfect example. Though this one’s a keyboard and mouse set, the keyboard is the star of the show. Sitting at just under a hundred bucks, the MasterSet’s keyboard is affordable while being up there with its more premium ‘mem-chanical’ competitors in terms of quality. The switches on offer bring a ton of tactile feedback and deep travel. It’s quiet as well, so you can furiously pounding away during an intense late-night Overwatch match without worry. The Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is, without a doubt, one of the best gaming keyboards under $100. Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterSet MS120
Corsair K63 Wireless We have tested many wired gaming mice over the last few years, but we haven’t seen that many wireless gaming keyboards and even less that we actually liked. That is, until the Corsair K63 Wireless keyboard entered the scene. The computer peripherals company took what made the wired version of the K63 so great, and put it into a wireless version – without compromising on much at all. Packing tight Cherry MX Red switches, full RGB lighting and convenient media controls, the K63 wireless is proof that wireless keyboards can be very capable in 2019, even for gaming. Read the full review: Corsair K63 Wireless
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum A $159 price tag on a gaming keyboard might a tad too steep, but the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in the last year, really does give you a lot of ounce for your bounce. We’re not talking the more trivial bells and whistles like fancy RGB lighting either – although since we are on the subject, this one’s got a whole lot of them, not to mention its integrated 19-zone light bar and the 16.8 million color options, to boot. By bang, we actually mean its 6 dedicated macro keys, 8MB on-board storage and aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame. Read the full review: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard You might be thinking that if you’ve seen one of the best gaming keyboards, you’ve seen them all: big, garish hunks of metal with bright RGB lighting. Well, the Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard will surprise you. While it definitely has the RGB lighting (honestly, how could it not?), it leaves the rest of the cliches in the past where they belong. Appealing and responsive, this keyboard is only as big as it needs to be, and is thus extremely comfortable to type as well as game on. There are no multimedia buttons, but we’d happily make that trade any day for a keyboard this good at such a low price. Read the full review: Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard
Razer Cynosa Chroma If you’re new to PC gaming and currently in the market for a keyboard that’ll do admirably minus the high price tag that a lot of mechanical keyboards have, the Razer Cynosa Chroma might be for you. It doesn’t have the tactile clickiness of a higher-end keyboard, but its hybrid mesh switches perform well enough, boasting a 1ms polling rate and 10-key rollover. Impressed yet? We haven’t even mentioned the sick RGB lighting. The Razer Cynosa Chroma is one of the best gaming keyboards for PC gaming newbies who might not necessarily want to spend money on the slickest rig just yet. Read the full review: Razer Cynosa Chroma Bill Thomas, Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article Image credit: TechRadar This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best computer 2019: the best PCs we've tested Posted: 15 Jul 2019 12:47 PM PDT The best computers are more powerful now than they’ve ever been before. In fact, they’ve evolved to the point of utilizing eight-core processors and super high-end graphics cards, some of which boast real time ray tracing – things that would have been impossible only a few years ago. So stay on the cutting edge in 2019 and invest in one of the best computers included on this list, especially on Amazon Prime Day 2019. Even if most of what you’ll do is use Facebook and surf the internet. Lucky for everyone, the best computers are also more affordable than ever so whatever your budget is, you'll find one that's ideal for you. These days, you can pick up a solid PC or even an all-in-one desktop for around $500 (about £390, AU$715). Plus, many of them will last you a lifetime. Because the best computers are upgradeable, it’s easy to keep them current by fitting in new and improved PC components, like fast SSDs, more RAM and maybe even the best graphics card. Still, with so many options on hand, deciding on the best computer for you, your needs and your budget isn’t easy. For you, we gathered all the best computers out there, paying close attention to those that hit that sweet spot between price and performance. Just go through this list and pick out what you like, depending on what you need and can afford. Here are our top picks for the best computers 2019 has on offer.
The Dell XPS Tower is stealthy. That is, it resembles that PC your parents used to have tucked underneath the desk when you were a kid. But, its no-nonsense exterior hides an exciting array of components. One of the best computers available right now, the Dell XPS Tower boasts up to an RTX 2070 graphics card, a 9th-generation Intel Core processor, and a spacious hard drive and/or SSD. This excellent special edition PC configuration is only available in the US. However, UK and Australian readers can pick up the regular Dell XPS Tower and simply beef it up, though there are some limitations such as the graphics card options topping out with the GTX 1060. Read the full review: Dell XPS Tower Special Edition
The Microsoft Surface Studio rose to fame as one of the best computers for artists when it was first released, so it’s no surprise that its sequel has followed in its footsteps. In fact, packed with a Kaby Lake mobile processor and Nvidia Pascal graphics, the Surface Studio 2 has a lot more power than the original and should be able to handle anything you throw at it for the next couple of years, at the very least. Of course, it’s also inherited that gorgeous PixelSense display with Surface Pen support, allowing it to retain the privilege of being one of the best all-in-one – not to mention, the best computers on this list – for creatives. Read the full review: Surface Studio 2
If you’re looking for an outstanding desktop experience, but you don’t have a ton of space on your desk, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC might just be the best computer for you. This tiny bare-bones PC has a ridiculously fast 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and discrete-class AMD Radeon graphics. Throw some RAM and storage in there, and you should be able to conquer the best PC games without breaking a sweat. It won’t stand up against a full-sized desktop, but when you’re short on space – or you’d rather have a PC that looks like a set-top box – this is one of the best computers to consider. Read the full review: Intel Hades Canyon NUC
With the Aurora R7, Alienware continues its journey back to the top of the best computers, especially for gaming. The Alienware Aurora R7 isn’t just one of the greatest gaming PCs; it’s also among the best computers money can buy. It offers blazing fast performance with its 8th-generation Intel Core processor and GTX 10-series graphics and all that power is conveniently hidden away in its appealing and sleek chassis. It’s surprisingly affordable as well, considering the power under the hood. And, did we mention that this PC is easily upgradeable, despite the unique form-factor? Read the full review: Alienware Aurora R7
If you’re looking for a computer that will look just as good in your living room as your home office, then the Corsair One i160 is your new best friend. It has an absolutely unbelievable amount of power inside a sleek, compact design. Packed with a Coffee Lake Refresh processor and Nvidia Turing graphics – not to mention a whopping 32GB of RAM, this is an absolute monster, and will chew through any game you throw at it, even on that nice 4K TV you just bought. Just prepare yourself, as that high price tag might send you reeling. Read the full review: Corsair One i160
It’s easy to think that Apple is overpriced. However, your piggy bank might be spared if you get on the Mac mini bandwagon. The Mac mini 2018 isn’t just an adorable small form-factor PC, but it’s also packed tight with high-end desktop parts, all for a much cheaper price than any other Mac. That makes it a solid investment for anyone who already has a slew of Mac-ready peripherals or a Mac fan who doesn’t want to spring for a Mac Pro. Plus, as opposed to Apple’s recent products, you can upgrade the Mac mini… well, at least the memory up to 64GB of RAM. Read the full review: Apple Mac mini
Don’t confuse the HP Pavilion Wave for a fabric-woven Mac Pro wannabe, because it is something else entirely. This compact Windows machine has its 6th-generation Intel Core processors coupled with optional discrete AMD graphics and uniquely integrated Bang & Olufsen speakers. Wrapped in an urbane fabric exterior, this is definitely the most fetching of the best computers to have on your desk or even a bookshelf, and it radiates crisp sound as you browse the web or watch movies. Read the first look: HP Pavilion Wave
Some people have issues with desktop PCs, since they tend to be bulky. The Intel Core Compute Stick has really made that moot. Looking more like a thumb drive than an actual PC, this petite renegade can connect to any display with an HDMI input. It starts out with a lowly 1.33GHz Intel Atom processor running Linux, but you can configure it up to an Intel Core m5 processor, making this one of the best computers to literally slip in your pocket, whether you need to get some work done on the go or squeeze in some PC time while you’re away on vacation. Specifications (as reviewed)
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| The best gaming PC 2019: 10 of the top gaming desktops you can buy Posted: 15 Jul 2019 12:31 PM PDT Welcome to our list of the best gaming PCs of 2019. There are many reasons why you'd want to invest in the best gaming PC your bank account can afford, including the fact that Amazon Prime Day might just have the best deals you'll ever find this year. No matter which games are on your wishlist, having one of the best PCs can take your gaming experience to the next level, perhaps even win you a few multiplayer games. There's already a ton of great 2019 PC games that demand the most powerful rigging, games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Division 2. And after E3 2019, we know that there are more exciting new titles to hit the streets, including Doom Eternal and the Outer Worlds. So you need to prepare for the onslaught of awesome games by investing in one of the best gaming PCs. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer Intel, AMD or Nvidia. Most PC makers will let you choose the best processors and best graphics card for your needs anyway. Plus, now that there are Nvidia Turing graphics cards – not to mention, AMD’s Ryzen 3rd-generation processors – the best gaming PCs of 2019 are even more powerful and better looking. We took a break from the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, and scoured the market for the best gaming PCs on the market, all of which we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves. From popular manufacturers like Alienware to more exotic brands like Origin, the best gaming PCs cover a wide gamut of use cases. These are the best gaming PCs money can buy right now, and rest assured, you'll find one to match your gaming needs and budget.
The Corsair One has been among the best gaming PCs ever since its debut a few years ago, and the Corsair One i160 only takes things to a whole new level with Nvidia Turing graphics and Intel Coffee Lake Refresh processors. This gaming PC can handle 4K gaming in a chassis that’s not much larger than your average gaming console. It’s expensive – that much power kind of has to be – yet it’s certainly worth it if you’re looking for a small form factor machine without compromises. Read the full review: Corsair One i160
The Alienware Aurora R7 is a feat of engineering, packing full-sized PC components into a chassis that’s much more compact than your typical mid-tower PC case. At the same time, it manages to be easily upgradeable, and it looks darn good. When you’re spending this much money on a gaming PC, you’d expect at least one of these things to be true, but the Alienware Aurora R7 nails them all. And that’s why it’s not hard to see why this is one of the best gaming PCs on the market in 2019. Read the full review: Alienware Aurora R7
Boasting one of the best Micro ATX cases we’ve seen so far is hardly The Corsair Vengeance’s only accolade. This eye candy has a lot more going for it that makes it not just the best gaming PC, but also of the best PCs to hit the streets. Among its list of amazing features are its easily upgradeable and highly customizable chassis – thanks in large part to its tool-less design – and its breathtaking performance. This best gaming PC definitely holds its own against the most powerful gaming machines on the market. Need we say more? How about that gorgeous RGB lighting? Read the full review: Corsair Vengeance Gaming PC
While the Decepticon look this gaming PC is sporting might not be for everyone, there’s definitely something for everybody as far as configurations – whether you’re a casual gamer on a budget or a hardcore one willing to shell out quite a bit of cash for a souped up rig. At less than $1,500 (about £1,180, AU$2,170), you’re getting more than enough power to get you through AAA games, albeit probably not on Ultra. At $2,335 (about £1,835, AU$3,235) or more, you’re getting a massive amount of power and storage. Plus, HP Omen Desktop PC comes in a tool-less design, making it upgradeable. There isn’t any doubt that this one belongs on our best gaming PCs list. Read the full review: HP Omen Desktop PC
If you’re on the market for the best gaming PC under $1,000, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC might just be your dream machine. This tiny gaming PC isn’t just cost-effective, but space-saving as well. In fact, it looks more like a set-top box than a gaming PC. Don’t let its size fool you, however – it packs all the power that the best gaming laptops should, with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and discrete AMD Radeon graphics. You’ll have to supply your own RAM, storage and your own OS, but if you have extra PC hardware lying around, there are still plenty of savings to be had. Read the full review: Intel Hades Canyon NUC
This rectangular behemoth is definitely worthy of its moniker as it touts lots of power… more than enough, in fact, for most gamers’ needs. When you’ve the funds for an upper-tier configuration, you’ll get a powerhouse. Unfortunately, budget buyers will have to be satisfied with gameplay at medium settings, since the lower end models are not as powerful. Still, because of its high upgradability and tool-less design, such buyers aren’t too far away from the best gaming experience on Ultra or Max settings either. Plus, we’ve honestly seen more expensive machines for those specs. Read the full review: HP Omen Obelisk review
Much like the excellent Dell XPS 13, the Dell XPS Tower is a lesson in packing beefy specs into a svelte design. This inconspicuous gaming PC looks a lot like the computer that’s been gathering dust in your dad’s office, rather than something that could power the latest and most demanding PC games. Beneath that unassuming exterior however, the Dell XPS Tower is one of the best gaming PCs on the market, fitted with an 8th-generation Intel Coffee Lake processors and Nvidia GTX 10-series graphics cards. With the Dell XPS Tower Special Edition, you’re getting one of the best gaming PCs money can buy, minus the off-putting ‘gamer aesthetic’. Read the full review: Dell XPS Tower Special Edition
When you pick up a new computer from Origin, it’s almost like you’ve built it yourself. But, you do have to be familiar with PC components to decide for yourself what goes into the rig and how much money you’re willing to drop. So, our only real criticism of the Origin Millennium is that you can build a similar gaming PC yourself and save hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, because of its svelte design and flexible specs – not to mention, the convenience, we bet you won’t even want to. Read the full review: Origin Millennium
In true Alienware fashion, the Area 51 Threadripper Edition pushes the limits of both technology and your bank account. It’s incredibly powerful, markedly boasting the latest AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X across all of its configurations. The Area 51’s triad-design hasn’t changed much since its introduction back in 2014, but the inside of this machine is essentially tool-less to upgrade, not that you would even need to considering it’s already one of the best gaming PCs of 2019. Read the full review: Alienware Area 51 Threadripper Edition
It was only a matter of time before the best gaming PCs started rolling out with the latest Coffee Lake Refresh and Nvidia Turing parts, and the MSI Trident X was leading the charge. This small chassis PC doesn’t pull any punches, and will absolutely demolish any game you throw at it, at any resolution. Just remember that the thin metal build is a little flimsy for travel, and its price tag is kind of steep. However, if you’re seeking no-holds-barred power that will fit right in your living room, you can’t do much better than this. Read the full review: MSI Trident Bill Thomas, Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article Image Credits: TechRadar This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The best motherboard 2019: the top Intel and AMD motherboards we've seen Posted: 15 Jul 2019 12:20 PM PDT You'll need to invest in one of the best motherboard possible if you're setting out to build the best PC your budget can afford. And with Amazon Prime Day 2019 in full effect, you might just get one for cheaper. Sure, the best motherboards may not be as sexy as the best graphics cards or processors, but that shouldn’t make a difference. Having one of the best motherboards is just as important, as a motherboard serves as the foundation of your PC, helping your hardware reach its full potential by pushing it to its limits. The best motherboards utilize and optimize every inch of performance, as well as help you overclock better. The best motherboards are some of the most crucial PC components in building computers, so don’t settle for anything less. If you compromise and cheap out on your motherboard, it could die on you, forcing you to rebuild your entire PC from scratch. We’ve been there; trust us, it's not a road you want to take. Do yourself a favor: avoid disaster by picking up the best motherboard you can on the market. Keep in mind, however, that there are so many different options these days. Choosing the most ideal motherboard for you can be challenging. And, so we went ahead and put together a list of the best motherboards on the market, motherboards that we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves. Rest assured that every single mobo on this list will do everything you expect from the best motherboards, and will last you for years.
When Coffee Lake Refresh CPUs hit the streets, Intel promised that they would be the best processors for gaming, and we knew that meant kitted out motherboards were on their way. Lo and behold comes the Z390 Aorus Gaming Pro Wifi – maybe one of the best motherboards from Intel right now. It’s packed with gaming-centric features like reinforced PCIe slots and enough RGB lighting to blind you. It’s hard to find a better motherboard, especially at this price point.
When you’re shopping for PC hardware, overwhelmed by all the different features, components and requirements, you might be tempted to throw your hands up and just get the best you can possibly afford. In times like these, you can bet on the Asus ROG Maximus XI Code Z390 Gaming. It’s packed with every feature that Intel’s new Coffee Lake Refresh processors support and then some, with an RGB-lit shroud covering every corner of circuitry on this motherboard, making it one of the best motherboards you don’t have to think twice about choosing.
Now that Coffee Lake Refresh has been available for a while, you’ll want to maximize all the power it has to offer. However, high-end motherboards can get really expensive real fast. If you’re looking for a budget option without many compromises, the Gigabyte Z390 should be at the top of your list of best motherboards to consider. It skips many of the bells and whistles like RGB lighting and built-in Wi-Fi but it does make up for these compromises by providing excellent value. You get all the essential features that Z390 has to offer for a great price. If you want to build a budget gaming system, the Gigabyte Z390 UD is probably the best motherboard for you.
If you’re looking to get an edge on the competition, but you don’t have a lot of extra space on your desk, you’re going to need a Micro-ATX motherboard – more specifically, the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC. What you’re getting here is a Micro-ATX motherboard with all the features a full-sized ATX one offers, but at a fraction of the price. Despite its smaller size, you still get dual M.2 slots, SLI and Crossfire support, and all the fiery performance that Intel Coffee Lake Refresh has to offer. If you’re looking for a smaller motherboard, you can’t afford to pass on the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge MC.
If you need the smallest possible motherboard available without compromising on key features of your CPU, you should look into the Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming. With this motherboard, you don’t need to compromise on features or power. You don’t even need to settle for a measly 32GB of RAM. Thanks to Asus’ double capacity memory compatibility – you can have up to 64GB of memory in the most miniscule motherboard you’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, like most Z390 boards, its price tag is not for the faint of heart, so prepare yourself to shell out some serious dough if you want the smallest of the best motherboards.
With the X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-Fi, Gigabyte further illustrates its command of motherboard design. Rocking the new AMD X470 chipset, allowing full support of the new AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation processors, this may be the best motherboard if you’re looking to side with Team Red. What’s more, it supports Quad-GPU SLi and lightning fast RAM (up to 3,600 MHz) for peerless expandability, and thanks to its multi-zone RGB lighting, it looks good while kicking butt and taking names.
For the longest time, AMD has been the reigning champion of budget builds, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Marketed exclusively to gamers, the MSI X470 Gaming Plus is loaded front to back with features like two PCIe M.2 slots and quick performance tweaking buttons to make sure you’re on the top of the leaderboard at all times. And, since it’s a gamer-focused motherboard, it comes with flashy RGB lighting that you can even easily customize from your smartphone. Best of all, it’s the best value of all the best motherboards.
These days, small form-factor PCs are all the rage and with one of the best motherboards like the ASRock B450M-HDV on offer, we think that it’s going to stay that way. Now, while this one doesn't do SLI and only supports up to 32GB of RAM– it is a B450 unit, after all – it is still compelling due to its affordable price. Outside of these omissions, you still get a slot for a NVMe SSD and four USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports around back. If you’re looking to build a solid budget gaming PC, the ASRock B450M-HDV is your best bet.
Asus is out to prove that big things can and do come in small packages with the ROG Strix X470-I. Featuring the latest and greatest AMD chipset, everything in this tiny board is designed with excellent performance in mind. That extends down to the BIOS where you can find a stress test for overclocks before you even boot into Windows. This board also elevates beyond the constraints of the Mini-ITX form factor by including an M.2 Audio Combo riser, so that you can install your M.2 NVMe SSD without crowding out other components.
The X-series processors are here, and they are spectacular. But if you want to take advantage of all they have to offer, you need an X-series motherboard. This ASRock X299 is an incredible choice with support for overclocked memory speeds up to 4400MHz(!!!) and 8 different slots for memory modules. It also supports up to 128GB of RAM. Add in an X-series processor and a good graphics card or 3, and this thing will absolutely tear apart anything you could possibly throw at it. If you’re seeking one of the best motherboards money can buy, this is it.
If you want absolutely every feature you can get and budget is not an issue, the AsRock X399 Professional Gaming sTR4 may be the most ideal motherboard for you. Not only does this monster of a board support 4-way SLI configurations, but you can also pack this thing with up to 128GB of DDR4 memory. It even features a ton of flashy RGB lighting, so that people will be mesmerized by your rig. And, keep in mind that this mobo is compatible with Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation chips, so you might need to update the BIOS first. Coming to termsIf you’re unfamiliar with the best motherboards out there, use this list as a primer for your next build. Motherboards are available in a broad range of different form factors, the most common of which are ATX and Micro ATX. However, there are plenty of less common form factors including mini ITX and E-ATX. Don’t worry though, most of the best PC cases will support more than one form factor. Moreover, in our rundown of the best motherboards, we detailed the socket type that each mobo adheres to. The socket, for those not in the know, is the part on the motherboard that the CPU locks into. Typically, newer Intel processors use either LGA 1151 or 2066 while the latest AMD Ryzen architecture is designed for the AM4 chipset.
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| The best graphics cards 2019: all the top GPUs for gaming Posted: 15 Jul 2019 12:11 PM PDT With the best graphics cards better than ever, now's perhaps the best time to take one of them home, especially with Amazon Prime Day offering the best deals. Nvidia Turing powerhouses like the RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2060 have been on the shelves for a while now, to start. In addition, AMD recently unleashed several of its next generation AMD Navi GPUs on July 7th. It’s, without a doubt, an exciting time for graphic cards. Still, this brings up an excellent question: is it worth it to shell out some serious cash on a pricey flagship? Or, is the more budget-friendly graphics cards, like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660, a better value? Keep in mind that the best graphics cards for you will depend on what kind of PC want to build. Which ever one's the best match for you, you want the best graphics cards that will let you play the best PC games from Rage 2 to The Division 2. We know that finding the perfect GPU can be a confusing process, so we are here to help. We’ve put together a list of the best graphics cards that are currently on the market, each of which have been tested and reviewed by us at TechRadar. Before you go out to pick up that shiny new graphics card, let us help you decide on the perfect one for your setup.
Image credit: TechRadar This absolute powerhouse of a graphics card has barely hit the streets, and it’s already topping our list of the best graphics card, knocking reigning champion and its direct rival, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, off the top spot. At $349, this mighty mid-range machine brings 1440p gaming at Ultra or Max settings to the mainstream market, making it affordable and accessible to everyone. At that price point, it doesn’t need to be perfect – those hoping for ray tracing will have to wait. But, for what it offers and how much it costs, it’s well-deserving of its title as THE best graphics card of 2019 for most people. Read the full review: AMD Radeon RX 5700
If you need the best graphics card, and compromises aren’t an option, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti might be one of the best graphics cards for you. This is the most powerful graphics card money can buy without going for a professional graphics solution. And, now that games like Battlefield V, Metro Exodus and Shadow of the Tomb Raider actually use the RTX features, there’s never been a better time to jump on the ray tracing bandwagon. Just brace yourself for that lofty price. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
The souped up Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super isn’t just impressive because its a supercharged version of the highly popular RTX 2070, offering excellent 1440p gaming. It’s also impressive as it gives all that power at a very affordable price, making it a compelling purchase for most users, even the budget ones. Plus, if you’re curious about ray tracing, here’s the best card to try it – you don’t have to break open that piggy bank for the RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Ti anymore. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super
Image credit: TechRadar When Nvidia first rolled out its Turing lineup, it was hard to find a model that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. However, with the launch of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti – more specifically, the PNY XLR8 Gaming OC model – next-generation performance became accessible to everyone. You won’t be able to do 4K 60 fps gaming with this card, but it’s one of the best graphics cards for anyone still using a 1080p panel. At that resolution, you’ll have trouble running into any title that will slow you down. There aren’t any RTX features here. However, since there are only a few games that use them right now, that’s hardly a deal-breaker. Read the full review: PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XLR8 Gaming OC
Image credit: TechRadar We’ve been longing for a new high-end graphics card from AMD since 2017’s Radeon Vega 64, but a lot has happened in the graphics market since then – namely Nvidia Turing. With the AMD Radeon VII, Team Red attempted to reclaim a piece of the high-end graphics pie, and it largely succeeded. The AMD Radeon VII holds its own in 4K gaming, but it particularly excels in content creation. Packed with 16GB of HBM2 memory, the AMD Radeon VII can compete with much pricier creative-focused competitors, making it one of the best graphics cards 2019 has on offer. Read the full review: AMD Radeon VII
Image credit: TechRadar If you’re all about the best VR games, you’re going to need the best graphics cards to do the job. And, nowadays, that honor goes to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. Packed with the latest Turing architecture and the VirtualLink VR connector, you won’t have to worry about choppy VR performance that will make you feel sick. Outside of VR, it should also be able to handle all your favorite PC games at 1440p and 4K without breaking a sweat. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
Image credit: Zotac Setting out to build a microATX or a mini-ITX gaming PC? You shouldn’t have to settle for a low-end GPU. Go for mini graphics cards like the Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini instead. It’s not the latest and greatest GPU out there anymore, but the 1080 Ti still has a lot of juice, and it’s among the best graphics cards to power your microATX. And, when you can get that power in a card that’s only 211 x 125 x 41mm, the small loss in performance is completely worth the beautiful mini PC you’ll get.
Image credit: Gigabyte With all those fancy (read: pricey) graphics cards dominating the market, the budget-friendlier products sometimes go unnoticed. That’s a shame, especially because cards like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 deserves its turn in the spotlight for delivering excellent 1080p performance at a very affordable price. With the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G, you’re also getting a healthy factory overclock and all the outputs you’ll ever need, so you can play all your favorite games with several monitors attached. We’d call that a bargain, maybe even the best we’ve ever had, and it certainly warrants a spot in our best graphics cards list. Read the full review: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G
Image credit: TechRadar Any eSports player will tell you that high frame rates are far more crucial than beautifully rendered graphical details. This is where the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti shines. In a time where graphics cards cost as much as rent, it’s an affordable yet potent GPU that can handle most eSports games well above 60fps. It’s a tad more expensive than the lower-end Nvidia GTX 1050. However, you’ll appreciate the extra power behind this card to play future eSports titles, as well as the occasional AAA title. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Images Credit: TechRadar
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| Best RAM 2019: the top memory for your PC Posted: 15 Jul 2019 11:45 AM PDT Do yourself a favor, and invest in the best RAM your budget can afford. You might even find a great deal on Amazon Prime Day. If you don’t, even if you have an absolute beast of a computer, you’re still likely to run into some kind of slow down at some point. Thanks to memory hungry operating systems like Windows 10 or macOS Mojave – not to mention, demanding applications – having the best RAM is more important to your PC than ever before. If you desktop computer or laptop isn’t running quite as fast as it used to, it just may be time to go out and pick up the best RAM. Before you head out and buy the first stick of RAM you run across however, consider that there are many things to consider. There are many different capacities, speeds and even sizes of memory. And, if you’re not very familiar with the PC components scene, you may have a tough time finding the best RAM for your rig. Lucky for you, we spend entirely too much time obsessing over PC components. To help you find the best RAM that fits your needs, we went ahead and gathered the best RAM kits on the market right now. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy upgrade that’ll let you open more Chrome tabs, or you’re trying to run the best PC games, this best RAM list is for you.
Image Credit: Corsair Best RAM: Corsair Vengeance LEDCorsair is one of the most trusted names when it comes to the best RAM on the market. Its Vengeance series, especially, has something for everyone with its LED DDR4 offerings. On top of giving PC builders that extra touch of vibrant lighting, this RAM has robust heat spreaders that maximise cooling for higher overclocking and maximum performance. Corsair’s Vengeance LED DDR4 series also features CL16 latency and whopping 3,466 MHz speeds, so it’s just as fast and responsive as it is aesthetic.
Image Credit: G.Skill Best DDR4 RAM: G.Skill Trident Z RGBAt this point, everyone kind of knows about G. Skill and its Trident Z RGB series of RAM. This is some of the best RAM not just because it’s fast, but the top of every DIMM features a full-spectrum rainbow wave light bar that you can use to match your RGB lighting across your entire system. Trident Z RGB DDR4 RAM features CAS latencies between 14 and 19 which is awesome enough, but with speeds up to 4,266, it’s almost perfect. No matter your aesthetic, it’s hard to argue with the G. Skill TridentZ RGB as the best RGB RAM.
Image Credit: Kingston Best DDR3 RAM: Kingston HyperX PredatorKingston’s high-performance HyperX has some of the best DDR3 RAM on the market and the Predator models is particularly tuned for and extreme-performance that’s further expandable with XMP profiles. The Predator DDR3 series achieves CL9 to CL11 latencies and speeds between 1866MHz to 2666MHz.
Image Credit: Kingston Best Budget RAM: Kingston HyperX FuryThis Kingston HyperX Fury is auto overclocked memory that won’t empty your wallet. This smart DDR3 or DDR4 RAM auto-detects system components to overclock to the highest speeds possible, optimizing performance for all of Intel’s latest chipsets. It comes with latencies between CL14 and CL16, and has speeds between 2,133 and 2,666MHz. While it’s inexpensive, it really can have a huge impact on the performance of your rig.
Image Credit: Corsair Best High-end RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum RGBIf you want the best of the best, and you don’t care about pricing, Corsair’s Dominator Platinum memory has always been at the top of the list. However, in 2019, it’s been refreshed to include Corsair’s new Capellix RGB LEDs, leading to a much richer and more colorful design. It’s the same high-end RAM we know and love, with speeds up to 3,600 MHz, but the better RGB make the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB the best RAM around in 2019.
Image Credit: G.Skill Best double capacity memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB DCSometimes, especially when you’re looking for the best gaming components, ‘go big or go home’ is the best advice. And, when you want more RAM than you’ll know what to do with, you’re going to want to go with the G.Skill Trident Z RGB DC memory. The DC stands for double capacity, as in, 32GB per stick. Now, this is definitely not the fastest memory in the world, right now it’s only available in up to 3,200 MHz, but if you need a lot of RAM without taking up too many DIMM slots (like if you have a big CPU cooler or a Mini-ITX board), you can’t go wrong with the G.Skill TridentZ RGB DC.
Image Credit: Adata Best gaming RAM: Adata Spectrix D80If you’re building an all-out gaming rig, you’ll want the flashiest hardware on offer – who doesn’t want a gaming rig that lights up the entire room? If this sounds appealing, the Adata Spectrix D80 is the RAM to go for. Not only is it available in frequencies up to 5,000MHz, but it’s also liquid cooled, meaning you don’t have to worry about it overheating. The Adata Spectrix D80 is going to be the best RAM for gaming in an RGB-lit cavern.
Image Credit: Kingston Best RGB RAM: HyperX Predator DDR4 RGBHyperX has always been a huge name in desktop memory, and it’s not hard to see why. The DIMMs they release always feature the latest technologies without pushing the price higher than it really needs to be – and the HyperX Predator DDR4 RGB is yet another example. Not only is this ram fast, but it looks good, too – with Infrared Sync tech that promises to actually synchronize the lighting between DIMMs. And, with its stylish black heat spreaders, this is the best RAM if you want your gaming PC to reach max aesthetic.
Image Credit: Corsair Best Low-Profile RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPXCorsair’s Vengeance LPX RAM is made for users who want the maximum performance with minimum footprint. This low-profile RAM is essential for PC builds with massive CPU coolers. Despite being so low-profile, they still feature an eight-layer heat spreader to cool while overclocking. While its thin design doesn’t allow for LEDs, but you can get it in three colors: black, red or blue.
Image Credit: G.Skill Best Mac RAM: G.Skill Mac RAMG.Skill isn’t just dedicated to laptop and desktop RAM, but it also has memory upgrades for Macs. You see, Apple charges inordinate amounts for RAM upgrades, so going with a third party kit can save a ton of money. Well, as long as your Mac is old enough to still have upgradeable RAM. These SO-DIMM kits have a CAS latency between 9 and 11 and feature speeds between 1,333MHz and 1,600MHz. The best bang for your buck seems to be the G.Skill DDR3-1,333 for Mac.
Image Credit: Crucial Best Laptop RAM: Crucial Ballistix SportCrucial is by far the best RAM for laptop systems. This manufacturer has designed its Crucial Ballistix Sport SODIMMs for efficient battery life while still delivering fast speeds for multi-tasking. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to speed up the best laptops, and this memory likely offers higher memory speed than anything coming stock in your laptop. Just make sure your laptop actually lets you upgrade the RAM – repairability is falling out of fashion these days. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best SSDs 2019: the top solid-state drives for your PC Posted: 15 Jul 2019 11:34 AM PDT With the best SSDs dominating the computing marker, you no longer have to put up with those slow, loud and unreliable hard drives. Fortunately, the best SSDs are more affordable than ever, especially on Amazon Prime Day. If you still have one of those old clunkers inside your computer, now’s the time to invest in the best SSDs. After all, the best SSDs are here to free you from the mechanical shackles of hard drives. Got a computer that’s not exactly the most powerful on the market? Don’t worry; you won’t need one of the best PCs to take advantage of the huge speed boost the best SSDs offer. The best Ultrabooks are practically designed to take advantage of the best SSDs, thanks to their unparalleled durability and speed. You can even slot one of the best SSDs into your PS4 Pro to seriously slash loading times. There are a lot of high-quality SSDs on the market right now, which means it might be trickier to find your most ideal match. On the upside, you may just find the SSD for you on our best SSDs list, no matter your budget and requirements. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll have found one of the best SSDs once you’re done going through the list.
Image Credit: Samsung Samsung is no stranger to creating some of the best SSDs, so when it launched the Samsung 970 Evo Plus with higher speeds and new silicon, even we were surprised. The Samsung 970 Evo Plus is simply one of the fastest drives on the market, but the fact that Samsung is selling it at such a bargain price is just the icing on the cake. Because of how affordable this drive is, it’s not hard to recommend it as the best SSD for anyone. Read the full review: Samsung 970 Evo Plus
Image Credit: Western Digital Western Digital has been busy making a name for itself producing many of the best SSDs and hard drives for a few years now, and the WD Black SN750 continues that tradition, claiming the best gaming SSD throne. This NVMe SSD has extremely high random read speeds of 412.5MB/s, which should make games load before you get a chance to chug some of that Mountain Dew. And, when you consider that this is one of the most affordable NVMe SSDs, it’s easy to recommend it to any gamer looking for a new SSD, whatever their budget. Read the full review: WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD
Image credit: Intel The Optane SSD 905P is hardly a newcomer, but with a random read rated at 575,000 IOPS and random write rated at 555,000 IOPs, it’s definitely one of Intel’s fastest drives. Granted, its 2,600MB/s sequential read and 2,200MB/s sequential write speeds might seem a bit pedestrian, especially next to the Samsung 970 Evo and WD Black NVMe SSDs, that doesn’t stop it from being a fast solid-state drive, not to mention one of the best SSDs on the market.
Image Credit: Samsung Again, Samsung has been behind some of the best SSDs that have been hitting the streets for years, and even though other manufacturers like Western Digital and Adata are trying their best to give it a run for its money, the Samsung 970 Evo is still the best SSD you can buy if you’re after raw speed. The read speeds haven’t improved over the previous generation’s 960 Pro, but the write speeds see a significant bump – up to 2,700MB/s – which is how it retains its ‘fastest SSD’ crown. If you’re looking for the best SSDs to choose from, with no compromises, you can’t go wrong adding the Samsung 970 Pro to your list. Read the full review: Samsung 970 Pro
Image Credit: Toshiba If you're looking for several options, looks- and size-wise, then Toshiba OCZ RD400 series of drives are some of the best SSDs to consider. They come in 4 sizes and three different form factors: M.2, M.2 2280, and add-in card (AIC). Not all sizes are in all form factors, so if you're looking for a fast 1TB drive, make sure you have room in your computer case. Read the full review: Toshiba OCZ RD400
Image Credit: Adata If you’ve been waiting to jump on the M.2 train for an SSD that’s both fast and affordable, you’ve come to the right place. The Adata XPG SX8200 isn’t one of the best SSDs because it’s the fastest drive on the market, but because there isn’t a single drive out there that can match the raw price to performance ratio that it offers. Sure you can get any of the much faster, much more pricey SSDs on the market, but this is the drive we can recommend to anyone. Read the full review: Adata XPG SX8200
Image Credit: Samsung People might not be going crazy about SATA 3 anymore, but the Samsung 860 Pro proves that there’s still plenty of life in the aging interface after all. With storage up to 4TB and transfer speeds that approach the theoretical maximum of the SATA 3 interface – not to mention top-of the-line reliability and security – the Samsung 860 Pro is among the best SSDs for anyone still clinging to SATA 3. Read the full review: Samsung 860 Pro
Image Credit: Intel The U.2 standard allows for bigger SSD capacities and uses your computer's PCIe x4 slot to send all that data back and forth. The Intel 750 series includes a cable so you can mount the drive in the bay on your case and still plug it into the PCIe slot on your motherboard, making it among our favorite, as well as among the best, SSDs on offer today. Read the full review: Intel 750 Series
Image Credit: Samsung Samsung had a hard act to follow – the Samsung 850 Evo was beloved for its stunning performance and affordability. Luckily, the Samsung 860 Evo absolutely succeeded in, well… succeeding it. Though limited by the SATA3 interface, the Samsung 860 Evo delivers performance that iterates on its predecessor with improved read/write speeds and an array of form factors, while still maintaining its budget price. The 860 Evo is, without a doubt, best SSD for anyone looking for an entry-level SSD without having to break open their piggy banks. Read the full review: Samsung 860 Evo
Image Credit: HP If you need an SSD that will last through multiple computers, the HP S700 Pro is exactly what you want. Its life will far exceed its warranty, offering up to 2 million hours of use and up to 650 terabytes written. This is one of the best SSDs you can buy if you need something that’s built to last, even if the SATA interface may slow things down a bit in the read/write department, as this technically helps it last even longer. Read the full review: HP S700 Pro
Image Credit: Intel The best NVMe SSDs used to be way too expensive for most users. But, those days are coming to an end – the Intel 760p Series SSD changes everything. This SSD features impressive performance that’s only slightly behind the beloved Samsung 960 Evo, boasting speeds of 3,056 MB/s read and 1,606 MB/s write. But, what really makes the 760p stand out is the fantastic price to performance ratio. Yeah, there are faster NVMe drives on the market, but you’ll be paying a premium them, and frankly, it’s not worth it. This is one of the best SSDs out there, not just because it’s fast, but because the Intel 760p makes us excited about the future. Read the full review: Intel 760p Series SSD
Image Credit: Samsung If you’re a creative or a professional, and you need an external NVMe SSD that’s going to save you time rather than waste it, you might want to give the Samsung X5 Portable SSD a look. Thanks to its use of Thunderbolt 3, rugged magnesium build and AES 256-bit encryption, it’s fast, secure and durable – everything you want in an external SSD in which to store all your hard creativework. This isn’t a cheap accessory, but this is one of the best SSDs and is priced as such. Everyday users may want to look elsewhere, this is all about sheer speed. Read the full review: Samsung X5 Portable SSD Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best processors 2019: the best CPUs for your PC Posted: 15 Jul 2019 11:23 AM PDT Are you currently building a new desktop computer and on the market for the best processor? You’ll be happy to know that the CPU market is teeming with powerful silicon. Thanks to the fiery competition between Intel and AMD, now’s the best time to invest in a new processor, especially on Amazon Prime Day. AMD has been slowly trying to dominate the market with its Ryzen 3rd generation processors to compete with the likes of Intel Core i9-9900K and Intel Core i9-9920X. Intel, on the other hand, has its 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh chips are still ever popular, with the Intel Core i9-9900K leading series. And not to be outdone by AMD, Intel is gearing up to roll out its Ice Lake chips. The market is completely already packed with a number of impressive chips, from budget big shots, like the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G, to HEDT heroes, like Intel’s Basin Falls Refresh lineup. There are also many mid-range megastars to round out this best processors list, like our current favorite, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X. In fact, currently, you can hardly throw a stone without hitting an amazing processor. This means that finding the most ideal one for your rig is key. Lucky for you, even if the latest and greatest silicon is out of your wallet’s reach, there are still several excellent Coffee Lake and Ryzen Gen 1 chips on the market. Get ready to experience amazing PC performance – not to mention, great deals, as we’ve included our price comparison tool. These are the best processors on the market in 2019.
Image Credit: AMD For the longest time, AMD had fallen behind Intel. However, the Santa Clara manufacturer has clearly gotten over its slump, releasing the likes of the Ryzen 2700X. This time around, AMD brings the first 12nm processors, and the performance to back it up, giving Intel a run for its money when it comes to price-to-performance. If you’re looking for one of the best processors that’ll give you great performance while saving you some tenders, you can’t do much better than the Ryzen 7 2700X. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
Image Credit: Intel Thanks to increasing pressure from AMD, Intel’s offerings have been heating up like crazy (sometimes literally.) Out of this intense competition came the Intel Core i9-9900K, an absolute beast of a processor that packs eight cores and 16 threads. That’s more cores than any mainstream processor released by Intel. The performance shows that it’s worth it, as this chip can go head to head with some of AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper chips. If raw performance is what you’re seeking, the Intel Core i9-9900K is easily one of the best processors you can go for. Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9900K
Image Credit: AMD If you’re looking to purchase one of the best processors for content creation, but are on a tight budget, then the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X might just be an ideal choice. With 6 cores, 12 threads and a base clock of 3.6GHz, you’re getting a much better performance than the pricier Intel Core i5-8600K. And, you get a gorgeous RGB CPU cooler included as well. Yes, the gaming performance over the blue team is marginal at best, but when you start multi-tasking – and who doesn’t always end up with 100 chrome tabs open by lunchtime – that value starts to show itself. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
Image Credit: AMD Putting together a gaming PC while on the tightest budget? Well, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G might just be your new best friend. While it doesn’t inherit the hyperthreading capability of its predecessor, the Ryzen 3 1200, the introduction of integrated graphics makes this APU one of the cheapest ways to experience casual PC gaming, a good enough reason to give this a spot in our best processors list. Impressively, we were even able to play Overwatch at 4K Ultra-HD resolution at ‘Epic’ settings. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
Image Credit: Intel When you don’t really care about creating content or streaming, and you just you’re focusing on building one of the best gaming PCs, then the Intel Core i5-8600K is definitely one of the best processors for you. It might not have as many cores as its AMD Ryzen counterparts, but that doesn’t matter, as gaming is mostly about that single-threaded performance. With this chip, you’ll be able to run all the latest games without having to worry about bottlenecking your GPU. Just don’t be surprised when rendering and encoding video takes longer.
Image Credit: AMD Initially the primary rival of the Intel Core i7-7700K, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X still holds its own today, despite having been succeeded by the Ryzen 7 2800X. Its high core count, when compared to the intel Core i7 7700K, means that it's better suited for VR workloads. And, now that it’s dropped considerably in price, it’s more affordable than ever. If you’re building a VR rig, do yourself a favor: save some cash without giving up on too much performance with the Ryzen 7 1800X. It’s, without a doubt, one of the best processors for VR gaming. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
Image Credit: Intel The naming convention is confusing, given that the Intel Core i7-7820X is part of Intel’s “Skylake-X” series rather than the X-class chips built on the 14nm Kaby Lake node. However, semantics matter very little when you get to go hands-on with an Intel CPU that features this many cores. The fact that you’ll need a new motherboard to use this octa-core monster might scare some users off to Ryzen; however, Intel loyalists shan’t mind the upgrade.
Image Credit: Intel Are you the kind of user that demands world-class performance, and couldn’t care less about cost? The Intel Core i9-9980XE is among the best processors for you. With 18-cores and 36-threads, it absolutely destroys all its rivals on the market right now, if only just barely. Multi-threaded applications and workstation-class projects are going to breeze by with this chip. If that steep price tag makes you do a double take however, then you might want to look somewhere else. Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9980XE
Image Credit: Intel If you choose the Intel Pentium G4560 over a Core i3 chip, you won’t even notice the slight loss of performance, as you’ll be too busy counting all the money you saved. As the first Pentium chip in a long time to boast hyper-threading, the G4560 shows us what low-end CPUs have been missing for so long. And, in benchmarks, it proves that it’s easily adjacent to the pricier Intel Core i3-7100.
Image Credit: AMD One of the only things that was missing in AMD’s Ryzen processors when they blew up was the integrated graphics support. But then, the Ryzen 5 2400G hit the streets and changed everything for mainstream PC users. With excellent AMD Vega graphics, it’s a fantastic APU that will be ideal for anyone looking to build a home theater PC. Plus, now that AMD has slashed the price, you can get your 4K action for cheaper than ever. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G
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| The best monitor 2019: the top 10 monitors and displays we’ve reviewed Posted: 15 Jul 2019 11:13 AM PDT While the best monitors aren’t going to boost up your computer, they will definitely make your computing experience so much better since they make everything easier to see and read, boosting productivity. And although there are many pricey displays out there, many of the best monitors are affordable – especially if you snag one on Amazon Prime Day. This means that whatever your budget it, you can find a cost effective screen that are easy on your eyes. With high pixel density, quick refresh rates and many different sizes of panel, it’s never been easier to find the best monitor to match your needs and budget. Whether you're looking for a gaming monitor to keep up with the best gaming PCs, or you just bought a MacBook Air and you need one of the best USB-C monitors as a secondary display, you’ve come to the right spot. We put together a list of the best monitors 2019, so that it’s even easier for your to find the ideal one. You can trust our picks, as we’ve tested and reviewed them all ourselves.
Now that the best PCs can handle 4K easier than ever before, the best 4K monitors are everywhere. That’s why BenQ rolled out the PD3200U, a massive 32-inch Ultra HD display, as part of its Designer Monitor range. 3D designers especially love this display, thanks to the factory-calibrated color accuracy and CAD/CAM mode. Marketed to creatives and professionals, BenQ has designed, seemingly by mistake, a panel that gamers can get behind as well, making it one of the best monitors all-around – so long as they can find a room for it on their desks. Read the full review: BenQ PD3200U
While the AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition is a gaming monitor through and through, it’s one of the best monitors if you’re looking for an ultra-wide display. With its excellent color support, strong contrast ratio and lightning fast 120Hz refresh rate, everything you do on your PC will look better and feel faster. It’s on the pricey side, but this ultra wide monitor can significantly boost productivity, making it totally worth the steep price tag. As long as you have the hardware to drive it, it’s one of the best monitors money can buy. Read the full review: AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition
If you’ve been looking for one of the best monitors, and you’re ready to just throw your hands up and buy the most expensive monitor you can find, you’re in luck. The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ combines so many high end features that it almost seems over-the-top. It doesn’t just boast a 4K UHD display at 144Hz, but it’s also rocking Nvidia G-Sync and HDR. This is simply the best monitor on the market, but it will also cost an arm and a leg. If you’re playing games, doing photo and video editing work, or even just general desktop work, you can’t go wrong with this monitor, as long as you have the cash to shell out. Read the full review: Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
When you’re growing weary of the same old 16:9 aspect ratio, nothing hits the spot like a cinematic 21:9 display. It’s not the best for watching Netflix or YouTube, but the Acer Predator X34 is an excellent example of what an ultra-wide monitor can do. Boasting an attractive aluminum bezel and polygonal stand that resembles a bird’s foot, this massive 34-inch monitor is a wonder to behold. More importantly, armed with Nvidia’s G-Sync tech, you won’t require V-Sync stressing out your graphics card. The Acer Predator X34 does all the heavy lifting for you. This is about as immersive as a gaming monitor gets, and one of the best monitors to buy this 2019. Read the full review: Acer Predator X34
Ultrawide monitors are nothing new: they’ve constantly made it on folks’ the best monitors list for a few years now, in fact. These wide monitors are lifesavers when it comes to productivity, and they’re only getting more popular than ever. The Asus Designo Curve MX38VC, however, takes it to another level. Not only does this monitor have a massive 3,840 x 1,600 resolution, but with USB-C compatibility and a Qi wireless charger built into the base, it’s going to be a workplace companion you won’t be able to live without. It’s a tad pricey, and doesn’t feature HDR, but that’s a worthy sacrifice, especially for professionals. Read the full review: Asus Designo Curve MX38VC
We don’t often run into technology that’s so far ahead of the curve that we’re left dumbfounded, which is why the Dell UltraSharp UP3218K has impressed us even more. Finding one of the best monitors that can reach the raw beauty this one does should be next to impossible. It’s not just the resolution, either. Dell went so far as to make sure that the build quality and color reproduction are the best in the business as well. The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is aimed at professionals, obviously, so if that sounds like it’s up your alley, it’s probably the best monitor you’ll ever find. Read the full review: Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
If you’re looking for an excellent 1440p monitor with HDR for multimedia and gaming, then the BenQ EX3203R might be ideal for you. One of the best monitors this 2019, this one’s notable as it brings in a ton of high-end features in a product that is extremely affordable. Sure, 32 inches might sound like a bit much for a monitor, but the 1800R curvature on this BenQ panel means that it’s easy to use, both for productivity, as well as for immersion in your games and media. Read the full review: BenQ EX203R
If you’re on a limited budget, then it might break the bank – like any Alienware product would. Still, Dell’s 25-inch gaming monitor will all but eliminate screen tearing, and whether you have an AMD Radeon VII or an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, there’s a configuration for you. With G-Sync or FreeSync doing some of the heavy lifting from the GPU that would otherwise be spent on VSync, the Alienware 25’s 120Hz refresh rate may actually be viable. The 1ms response time? Well, that’s just the cherry on top. Read the full review: Alienware 25
It might be unbelievable, but the BenQ Zowie XL2540 is every bit the gaming monitor that the Asus Predator X34 is. While it may not seem it from the outside looking in, it does its job incredibly well too, giving up dazzling lighting effects for a zippy 240Hz refresh rate and nigh-instantaneous 1ms response time. There’s no G-Sync or FreeSync, as this monitor assumes you already have a rig that’s plenty capable of eliminating screen tears without any help. Instead, this monitor keeps it simple by supplying you with lots of visual presets, an “S Switch” control pod for managing those presets and a pair of adjustable light screens. Read the full review: BenQ Zowie XL2540
If you’re running games using a weaker GPU and you’re looking to get into ultra-wide displays without spending a fortune, then LG’s 34UC79G-B might just be one of the best monitors for you. This monitor, which measures at 34-inches diagonally, is armed with AMD FreeSync for screen tear elimination and a 21:9 aspect ratio best suited for games and cinema. Despite a resolution lower than other ultrawide displays out there, this LG monitor pulls off a crisp image nonetheless – and with stunning color accuracy, at that. You can also change the height, which is more than can be said for even some of the pricier 4K monitors out there. This one’s definitely a sure win. Read the full review: LG 34UC79G-B
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| The best Ultrabooks 2019: top thin and light laptops reviewed Posted: 15 Jul 2019 11:07 AM PDT The best Ultrabooks aren’t just for the sake of productivity; they’re also kind of a status symbol. Think about it: you’re sitting at a coffee shop surrounded by folks stuck with a Chromebook or still using some big and bulky laptop relic. And there you are, whipping out the best Ultrabooks on this list. Its thinner, lighter and more attractive – not to mention, faster and more powerful since its rocking the best processors and SSDs on the market. Chances are you got one on a sweet Amazon Prime Day deal. Make no mistake. These svelte stunners are as much about sheer horsepower as they are about portability and appeal. The best Ultrabooks won’t freeze up on you when you’re trying to get an important project done, or run out of battery on a short flight. Even better, you can easily toss it in your backpack and carry it around with you without effort. We took the time to find and test the best Ultrabooks on the market for you, testing and reviewing each model so you can enjoy the best of both worlds and get your money’s worth. From household names like Dell and HP, to brands you might have only heard of like Huawei, these compact and light laptops will get you through a very productive work day in style.
For a few years now, Huawei has been hiding in the shadows, getting ready to take on the best Ultrabooks, and its time in the spotlight is finally here. Like the Huawei MateBook X Pro before it, the Huawei Matebook 13 packs in a ton of powerful hardware into an appealing shell, all while keeping the price low enough for anyone to afford. Plus, those discrete graphics are worth mentioning – the Huawei Matebook 13 may be one of the smallest laptops out there to pack an MX150 GPU. It’s not hard to see why the Huawei Matebook 13 is the best Ultrabook right now. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13
The Dell XPS 13 has been the best Ultrabook for years, but while it’s been dethroned by the Huawei MateBook 13, it’s still one of the Ultrabooks to beat in 2019. This time though, Dell has moved the webcam from the bottom of the display to the top, fixing one of the biggest flaws that plagued the XPS 13 for years. Add the updated internals to the mix, and the Dell XPS 13 is still makes the best Ultrabooks list – even in the face of tough competition. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13
Sometimes an Ultrabook comes along that’s a complete game changer. And, the 2018 model of the Huawei MateBook X Pro was exactly that. This beautiful Ultrabook brings high-end components into an elegantly designed package that puts even the MacBook Pro to shame. It really is one of the best Ultrabooks on the market. Plus, despite the 2019 model touting an Intel Whiskey Lake processor, it was still disappointing, and it’s still the 2018 model that’s captured our computing cores. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X Pro
If a powerful and stunning Ultrabook fitted with 2-in-1 functionality is what you’re looking for, it’s hard to find a better laptop than the HP Spectre x360. This thin and light Ultrabook isn’t just packed with the latest Intel Whiskey Lake processors and plenty of RAM, but it also may just be the most beautiful laptop you can buy today. The HP Spectre x360 won’t just see you through your workload, but it will also make you look good while doing it – leaving no doubt that it’s one of the best ultrabooks 2019 has to offer. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360
The original Surface Laptop hit the streets nearly two years ago, and while it was a fantastic Ultrabook, it was held back by relatively weak hardware and Windows 10 S. The good news is that Microsoft rolled out the Surface Laptop 2 in late 2018, bringing quad-core processors and the full-fat version of Windows 10. Its through these core improvements that the Surface Laptop 2 is able to bring the purest Windows 10 experience on a laptop – not to mention, join the ranks of the best ultrabooks on the market – at a price that won’t make you run in the opposite direction. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2
The Lenovo Yoga C930 has many of the makings of the best ultrabook – from 14.5 hours of battery life and dual Thunderbolt-enabled USB-C ports to internal components that will let you breeze through those daily productivity tasks. That’s without even mentioning a 2-in-1 that offers form versatility so you can squeeze in some light gaming and movie-watching post-productivity. It has a few cherries on top as well, namely the integrated self-charging stylus and the fab speaker system. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga C930
Razer has made a name for itself in the gaming world. Yet, with the Razer Blade Stealth, the green-themed manufacturer wants people to know that they’re more than just a company “for gamers, by gamers.” This Ultrabook will indeed change your mind by turning into a 13.3-inch, QHD+ beauty. You can no longer upgrade to 4K, but the performance this Ultrabook offers is more than worth that compromise – especially given how beautiful the chassis is. Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth
Durability meets portability and performance in this svelte laptop with an affordable price tag. The Lenovo Yoga 730 isn’t the close-to-perfect machine many premium buyers might be looking for, with a few unfavorable flaws like heavier weight, average battery life and weak speakers. However, it will take you through your weekly workload without whining. Lenovo rounds out that performance off with a reliable keyboard and trackpad, sturdy hinges to switch between tablet and laptop mode, and a thin-bezeled display. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 730
Anyone familiar with Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop cannot help but compare the Asus ZenBook 3 to the 12-inch MacBook. The similarities are startling, but one look at the specs and the differences stand out as well. Fitted with the choice of a U-series Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, the ZenBook 3 is puts-many-to-shame powerful, and that’s considering that it’s less than half an inch thick and weighs only two pounds. The port selection is sparse, but ultimately it’s well worth the sacrifice, and definitely among the best Asus laptops around. Read the full review: Asus ZenBook 3
In many cases a Windows Ultrabook can be just as good as a MacBook Air. Take the Asus ZenBook UX310UA, for instance. With decent 7th-generation Intel Kaby Lake processors, a 178-degree viewing-angle QHD+ display, a USB-C port and an aluminum build, it’s still one of the best Ultrabooks out there, even after all this time. Read the full review: Asus ZenBook UX310
Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article Image credit: TechRadar
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| Agent Smith malware sneakily replaces all your apps Posted: 15 Jul 2019 11:00 AM PDT Android users have been warned to watch out for a new form of mobile malware that cannibalises apps. The malware, dubbed "Agent Smith" by researchers at Check Point Research, disguises itslef as an official Google-related application to get embedded on a victim's device. It then exploits known Android vulnerabilities and automatically replaces installed apps – such as WhatsApp – with malicious versions without users’ knowledge or interaction, before showing fraudulent ads to the user, earning money for the criminals behind the operation.
Advanced threatCheck Point says that around 25 million devices have already been infected by the Agent Smith malware - 15 million of which in India, where it appeared on popular third-party app store 9Apps, but also in the UK, Australia and US. The researchers say that although at the moment the malware may be more annoying than damaging, its effects could be used for far more intrusive and harmful purposes such as banking credential theft and eavesdropping. “The malware attacks user-installed applications silently, making it challenging for common Android users to combat such threats on their own,” said Jonathan Shimonovich, head of mobile threat detection research at Check Point Software Technologies. “Combining advanced threat prevention and threat intelligence while adopting a ‘hygiene first’ approach to safeguard digital assets is the best protection against invasive mobile malware attacks like “Agent Smith”. In addition, users should only be downloading apps from trusted app stores to mitigate the risk of infection as third party app stores often lack the security measures required to block adware loaded apps.”
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| Best gaming laptops 2019: the 10 top gaming laptops we've reviewed Posted: 15 Jul 2019 10:56 AM PDT We have the best gaming laptops on here that will more than satisfy your gaming demands. Whether you have the space for a thicc desktop replacement that packs plenty of power to run Division 2 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice with cranked settings, or you’re looking for a light and thin gaming laptop that you can take with you while traveling so you can play your games on the go, you’ll find one of the best gaming laptops for you on this list. And yes, that includes affordable ones that will save you a few bucks, especially on this joyous Amazon Prime Day. What’s even better is that the best gaming laptops have evolved so much in such a short amount of time, so now they’re more powerful than ever before. Thanks to high-powered components like the Nvidia RTX graphics, the top-of-the-line gaming laptops can run the best PC games at the highest resolutions and frame rates. So much so, you won’t even need to build the best gaming PC to get top-notch performance anymore, not when the best gaming laptops come in many shapes and sizes. So, don’t judge a gaming laptop by its cover. Thanks to Nvidia Turing Max-Q graphics for laptops to start, many of the best gaming laptops pack a lot of gaming punch inside their relatively compact chassis. Take the aptly named MSI GS65 Stealth, for instance. And, if you want a beastly desktop replacement, that option is still very much on hand, with laptops like the MSI GT75, which demand attention from anyone in the room. We even tested every single one of these best gaming laptops ourselves, which means that they are definitely up to snuff and worthy of consideration.
These days, the best gaming laptop manufacturers are scrambling to design the thinnest gaming laptop that also showcase raw power. At the moment, the one that might be leading the charge might just be the Asus ROG Zephyrus GX701. At just 0.7 inches thick, this beast of a laptop boasts an Intel Coffee Lake Core i7 chip, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics and 16GB of RAM. That means you can play any PC game under the sun on Ultra, and also take it with you wherever you go – excellent for travelers with a penchant for gaming. Plus, it’s packed with RGB lighting that’ll dazzle just about anyone. Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
Play some of the best PC games on the move and very discreetly with the MSI GS65 Stealth, which might just be the gaming laptop of your dreams. Coming in at just 0.69 inches thick and featuring impressive hardware like Intel Coffee Lake processors and Nvidia GeForce GTX 10-series – refreshed with RTX 20-series graphics at CES – the MSI GS65 Stealth packs a punch in its very svelte package. There’s nothing you won’t be able to throw at this thing that’ll slow it down. And, thanks to the smart aesthetic, you’ll be able to lug this beefy rig everywhere you go, making it the best gaming laptop to hit the streets. Read the full review: MSI GS65 Stealth
For a few years now, the Razer Blade has consistently been named as one of the best gaming laptops on the market. And for good reason, as it packs some powerful components and boasts a beautiful display in its elegant chassis. That’s true for the 2019 model as well, which now rocks up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. That is, frankly, a ton of power for a laptop with this thin. If that’s not enough graphics power for you, you can use the Razer Core for future expansion. Make no mistake: it is pricey; but it might be worth it if style and power are equally important to you. Read the full review: Razer Blade
The Lenovo Legion Y740 packs a lot of muscle inside its stylish yet accessible chassis, combining a very high refresh rate, Nvidia Turing graphics and a powerful processor with a gloriously effective thermal cooling, a cable management system and a number of applications for customizations. It’s as close to a complete package as you can get, wrapped in a stunning chassis that you’d be proud to show off to friends and strangers. It still has the remnants of that gaming aesthetic, but it’s made elegant so that you could be gaming in public and no one would be the wiser. Despite its shortcomings – unfortunate keyboard and webcam placement, as well as its subpar battery life – it’s still one of the best gaming laptops to date. Read the full review: Lenovo Legion Y740
A small number of gaming laptops just don’t pull any punches, enabling you to run any game you can imagine on Ultra without breaking a sweat – and the MSI GT75 Titan is a terrific example. It’s a behemoth of desktop replacement, packed with 6-core Intel Coffee Lake processors, plenty of RAM and powerful Nvidia Pascal graphics. Aptly named, this is indeed a titan, and is neither portable nor cafe-friendly. However, if raw power is what you’re after, this is the best gaming laptop for you, as long as you’re prepared to shell out the money. Read the full review: MSI GT75 Titan
Yes, thin and light gaming laptops are trending right now. However, if you have no problem with a thick, heavy and monstrous laptop, as long as it can breeze through any game you throw at it, then the Asus ROG G703GI is the best gaming laptop for you. This gaming machine is massive – not to mention, one of the more expensive Asus laptops – but it does justify its gargantuan size and price with gaming performance that can give the best gaming PCs a run for their money. With its two power bricks, it’s not exactly an ideal travel companion. Leave this one at home where it belongs. Read the full review: Asus ROG G703GI
It may not have the most original or inventive design, trading in the usual black and red aesthetic for one that makes it feel like Halloween all year round (no complaints here, but some might not find it particularly appealing). Yet, it’s still one of the best laptops when it comes to gaming in 1080p. In fact, we are able to crank the settings all the way up in Overwatch without ever dipping below 60fps. It doesn’t offer the longest battery life, but just have your charger on hand at all times. Plus, the screen, power and onboard sound system more than make up for it. Read the full review: Asus ROG Strix GL502
If you’re seeking a gaming powerhouse, but you don’t have the cash to shell out for one of those svelte gaming laptops, the Acer Predator Helios 500 is the obvious choice. It’s packed with up to an Intel Core i9 processor and full-fat Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 graphics, and therefore will be able to handle any game you throw at it. It’s not the most portable device in the world, and the speakers and trackpad are mediocre, but when it comes to gaming, you’ve still got an ace here. Read the full review: Acer Predator Helios 500
Thin like an Ultrabook, yet powerful as any gaming machine should, and with an incredible cooling system to boot, the Asus Zephyrus S GX531GX is one of the best gaming laptops we’ve reviewed in 2019. It boasts an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 backed by Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics and up to 24GB RAM, which means that this beast should take you a long way in gaming, whether you’re a casual gamer or a pro. We’re huge fans, though probably not of how much it costs. This pricey powerhouse is not for the shallow-pocketed, but with premium components come a premium price. Only invest if you’ve got the tenders. Read the full review: Asus Zephyrus S GX531GX
Fitting the svelte yet cheap bill, on the other hand, is the Gigabyte Aero 15, which – at 0.74 inches. Despite its thin chassis, it still delivers top-notch gaming performance. That’s mostly thanks to its Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 and an Intel Core i9 CPU. It’s also ray tracing ready, making it even more future-proof. However, its thin form factor is a double-edged sword: the Core i9 gets way too hot and can throttle. Keep that in mind if you plan on doing any sustained creative work, like editing all your videos. And, maybe have a desk fan or cooler on hand. Read the full review: Gigabyte Aero 15 Gabe Carey, Bill Thomas and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article Images Credit: TechRadar
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