Apple : AirPower canceled: Apple says wireless charging mat wasn’t up to standards |
- AirPower canceled: Apple says wireless charging mat wasn’t up to standards
- Nvidia may be developing its own smart home device with hologram tech
- The best Windows tablets 2019: all of the top Windows tablets reviewed
- The best Ultrabooks 2019: top thin and light laptops reviewed
- The best rugged laptops of 2019: we test drop-proof laptops for working outside
- The best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks in 2019
- Best Mac 2019: the best Macs to buy this year
- Best Mac apps: the best macOS apps for your Apple computer
- Best laptops for kids 2019: the top laptops for kids in elementary school and beyond
- The best laptop for writers: the 10 best laptops for authors and journalists
- Best laptop for programming in 2019: top picks for coders, developers and sysadmins
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- The best free tablet and PC games for children
- Best free games: the top free games to download on PC
- The best Chromebooks 2019
- The best 2-in-1 laptop 2019: find the best convertible laptop for your needs
- How astronauts manage their mental health in space – from the ISS and beyond
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| AirPower canceled: Apple says wireless charging mat wasn’t up to standards Posted: 29 Mar 2019 01:39 PM PDT We've been checking for the Apple AirPower release date every day, but there's no need to do that anymore, as Apple has officially canceled the project altogether. AirPower, the wireless charging mat Apple revealed a year and a half ago, first showed up at the iPhone X launch event. That was September 12, 2017, or 563 days ago. It promised to Qi-charge three devices at once anywhere you laid them down on the mat. So you could simply drop your iPhone XS Max, AirPods 2019 and Apple Watch 4 onto the mat and juice them up without having to plug in any cables. Easy, right? Well, over the last 18 months, we went without an official AirPower status update and never got our hands-on time with the ambitious mat. We did, however, see a smattering of rumors that the company was having trouble with quality control. Image credit: Apple Trouble, teases and terminationReports of overheating issues raised concern, while other companies, like Belkin and Samsung, announced wireless Qi chargers that could charge two devices at once. Samsung's Duo charger came close to giving us what we wanted from AirPower, but it couldn't wirelessly charge three devices at once – it could only juice up two at a time and, crucially, it doesn't support charging an Apple Watch. Apple did tease its charging mat's existence a few times. It updated the official graphic on its site, casually mentioned 'AirPower' in the iPhone XS directions and, most recently, stuck a diagram on the AirPods 2019 box. That's the last we heard of AirPower before now. Today, Apple spoke up about its long-delayed AirPower in an email statement sent to TechRadar and other media outlets, and it didn't have good news for fans. “After much effort, we’ve concluded AirPower will not achieve our high standards and we have cancelled the project," said Dan Riccio, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. "We apologize to those customers who were looking forward to this launch. We continue to believe that the future is wireless and are committed to push the wireless experience forward." AirPower was ambitious, but in an age where the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 caused the world to panic, overheating issues cause worse PR. You can still charge your new iPhone and AirPods wirelessly. It just won't be via an Apple product...at least for now. Update: This story was updated to include an official quote from Apple's Dan Riccio. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Nvidia may be developing its own smart home device with hologram tech Posted: 29 Mar 2019 01:07 PM PDT The smart home seems to be the space every major tech company wants to occupy, and it appears that Nvidia may be next in line. Evidence of a smart speaker-like device with holographic capabilities from Nvidia was spotted by an anonymous source for Wccftech. Image Credit: Wccftech The source spotted and took a photo of a commuter on a Caltrain in California working on a slideshow slide. The slide depicts a piece of hardware and included deadlines for developers to submit code for skills for the launch of "Project R.O.N." While Nvidia's brand isn't readily apparent on the slide, the aesthetic follows Nvidia's art style, the and source noted the commuter was wearing an NV badge. Not implausible for an AI powerhouseWhile Nvidia hasn't announced a standalone smart home device, it wouldn't be a stretch for the company to give it a shot. With the Nvidia Shield TV, it already has an entrance into smart home, but leverages Google Assistant to control IoT devices. So, Nvidia already has a grasp on how to integrate its tech with smart home devices. And, since Nvidia already has so much background in AI with its hardware for data centers and self-driving vehicles, wrapping some of that AI into a smart home device like the Amazon Echo or Google Home could make sense. What's unique about this Project R.O.N. is the mention of holograms. Many smart assistant devices leverage audio alone, though some more expensive devices use traditional displays, like the Amazon Echo Show. Unlikely as it is that Nvidia will come out with true hologram technology and a smart home device at the same time, the company could be going for a hologram-like visual display using projection. Wccftech suggests 3D projection mapping, and that may be possible with Nvidia's experience scanning objects for self-driving vehicles. The design shown in the slide also suggests there should be some powerful tech inside Project R.O.N., and it appears to be a tower-like structure and not a small puck, like the Google Home Mini or Echo Dot. With the first code deadlines appearing to be May 3 for skills with holograms, and June 28 for skills using only AI, there could be even more details leaking – or even official information – in the coming months. We've contacted Nvidia for comment, and will update this story should we receive a response.
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| The best Windows tablets 2019: all of the top Windows tablets reviewed Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:06 PM PDT The best Windows 10 tablets are getting better by the minute. Not only are they great for watching Netflix or playing some casual games, but because of their lightweight designs and powerful components, they’re among the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy. It’s easy to see why they’re so universally praised as being the best of both worlds. This is all thanks to the versatility of the best Windows 10 tablets. From thin and light showstoppers like the Acer Switch 5 to power hungry behemoths like the Surface Pro 6, the best Windows tablets have something for everyone. Plus, anyone looking for a cheap Surface device will love the fact that the Surface Go offers a great Windows tablet experience at a lower price than its Pro counterparts. However, there are so many Windows tablets out there these days, making it hard to find one that’s truly worth your time. That’s why we’re here, though, and we’ve found the best Windows tablets and listed them all here. And, because we’ve tested all of them ourselves, you can be confident that all of these Windows tablets will be worth your time and money. Microsoft’s Surface Pro lineup has a reputation for being the ideal of what other Windows tablets should strive for – and the Surface Pro 6 is no different. It doesn’t bring anything especially new to the table, but it iterates in a meaningful way, with more powerful hardware and a new black color option. You still won’t find the Surface Pen or Type Cover in the box, but that’s just the reality we have to live with these days. Either way, it’s the best Windows tablet you can buy today. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6 A budget Surface device has been demanded by users for years, but the wait is finally over. The Microsoft Surface Go is simply the best Windows tablet for anyone that wants to work on the go. Thin, light, portable and elegant without costing a fortune, Microsoft has packed in everything they could in a device at a low price point. And, if you’re a student, or just someone that wants to consume some media while traveling, you can’t go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Go – you can even play some of the best laptop games on an airplane. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go If you need a Windows tablet with the versatility of the Surface Pro, but you don’t have a lot of cash to spare, the Acer Switch 5 is an excellent choice. You’ll lose a bit in screen resolution and sound quality, but you're saving hundreds of dollars for comparable power. The Acer Switch 5 is one of the best Windows tablets for any students or professionals that need to get stuff done on the go, while sticking to a budget. Read the full review: Acer Switch 5 The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S features a quick Intel Core processor, and it’s a beautiful 12-inch tablet that manages to be thinner and lighter than almost anything else on the market. It rocks this gorgeous AMOLED panel that you won’t find on any other Windows device, plus a pair of high-quality speakers that sound better than they have any right to. The keyboard might rub you the wrong way, but if you’re just looking for a tablet to consume media on, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy TabPro S
The HP Spectre x2 was originally created to be a budget version of the Surface Pro. However, HP has redesigned this Windows tablet to vie for Microsoft’s premium crown. In many ways, we have to admit it succeeds. The HP Spectre x2 rocks a 7th-generation Kaby Lake Core i7 processor at a lower price point – it even looks cooler. It gets better – the Active Pen and keyboard come with the HP Spectre x2, which is more than can be said for the Surface Pro. Read our full review: HP Spectre x2
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| The best Ultrabooks 2019: top thin and light laptops reviewed Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:05 PM PDT The best Ultrabooks won’t just be able to get work done, but they’re also a status symbol of sorts. Just think about it: you’re sitting at a coffee shop, where everyone is either using a Chromebook or some big and bulky laptop relic. Then, you whip out an Ultrabook – a thinner, lighter, faster and more attractive laptop, rocking the best processors and SSDs on the market. These thin and light beauties are as much about portability as they are about sheer horsepower. 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. You don’t have to worry about any of that. That’s why we took the time to find the best Ultrabooks on the market right now. From household names like Dell and HP, to brands you might not have heard of like Huawei, these thin and light beauties will get you through your work day in style. Plus, we tested and reviewed all these Ultrabooks ourselves, so you can be confident you’re getting your money’s worth. For a few years now, Huawei has been lurking in the shadows, ready to take on the best Ultrabooks, and its time has finally arrived. Like the Huawei MateBook X Pro before it, the Huawei Matebook 13 packs in a ton of powerful hardware into an attractive shell, while keeping the price low enough for anyone to afford. Plus, we have to mention those discrete graphics – it 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, and while it’s been dethroned by the Huawei MateBook 13, it remains one of the Ultrabooks to beat in 2019. This time around, Dell has moved the webcam from the bottom of the display to the top, fixing one of the biggest problems faced by the XPS 13 for years. Add in the updated internals, and the Dell XPS 13 is still one of the best Ultrabooks out there – even if some of the competition has caught up. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 Sometimes an Ultrabook comes along that completely changes the game. And, the 2018 model of the Huawei MateBook X Pro did just 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. There is a 2019 model, with an Intel Whiskey Lake processor, but the 2018 model is still where it’s at. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X Pro The original Surface Laptop launched nearly two years ago, and while it was a great Ultrabook, it was held back thanks to relatively weak hardware and Windows 10 S. Thankfully, Microsoft launched 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, at a price that won’t make you gasp. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2 Few Ultrabooks are as brilliantly designed as the Lenovo Yoga 920, a 2-in-1 laptop that’s as illustrious to look at as it is to use. In contrast to its nearest competitors, such as Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, it’s also a far less expensive endeavor. For the modest price you pay, you’re getting a gorgeous, all-metal finish that can be flipped inside out for extended functionality. It also houses the latest 8th-generation Intel processors, just in case speed was a concern. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920 From the moment your eyes meet the HP Spectre 13, you’ll be impressed by its sheer beauty. HP has taken the already luxurious Spectre and dialed the design up to eleven with gold trim and packed it with internal specs that blow the competition out of the water. One of the first Ultrabooks rocking an 8th-generation Kaby Lake Refresh chip, the 2017 Spectre 13 more than doubles the CPU performance of most of its competitors. This added performance comes at the cost of battery life, but clocking in at just under 6 hours – the battery life is still passable. Read the full review: HP Spectre 13 Razer has been known as a gaming company for years now, but with the Razer Blade Stealth the green-themed manufacturer wants to dispel that. If you’re not convinced, this Ultrabook might 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 When you’re shopping for an Ultrabook, it’s rare to find a manufacturer that manages to think of everything, but for what it’s worth, HP did almost exactly that with the Spectre x360. It’s a 2-in-1 convertible laptop, which by itself makes it a bit of a niche product. Still, for those right-brained users out there, the HP Spectre x360 comes bundled with a Windows Ink compatible stylus, unlike the vast majority of hybrids. That would mean very little if the HP Spectre x360 didn’t have great sound and visuals – and it definitely does. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 Anyone familiar with Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop would be wise to compare the Asus ZenBook 3 to the 12-inch MacBook. The similarities are obvious, but one look at the specs and the differences stand out too. Adorned with the choice of a U-series Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, the ZenBook 3 is awfully powerful considering it’s less than half an inch thick and weighs two pounds. The port selection is sparse, but ultimately it’s well worth the sacrifice. Read the full review: Asus ZenBook 3
It’s no secret that Apple neglected the MacBook Air – at least until the MacBook Air 2018 launched – but, in some cases a Windows Ultrabook can be just as good. Take the Asus ZenBook UX310UA, for instance. With still-good 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
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| The best rugged laptops of 2019: we test drop-proof laptops for working outside Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:04 PM PDT Let’s say you work on a busy construction site, or maybe you just tend to drop laptops a lot – the best rugged laptops really can make a difference. Even in the most extreme environments, the best rugged laptops are built to last, and will survive all kinds of drops, knocks and spills. But, where are the best rugged laptops? Well, you’ve come to the right place: we’ve scoured the web, looking for the best rugged laptops, and they’ll all handle everything you can throw at them. The best rugged laptops have been built with rigid and robust cases that can handle high pressure, extreme drops and even exposure to liquid without getting destroyed. To ensure that these laptops can survive, they are subject to hardcore testing, so you can use them in complete confidence that they’re built to task. So, whether you work on a busy work site, spend a lot of time in the most dangerous places on Earth, or even if you’re just kind of clumsy, we’ll help you find the perfect rugged laptop. We’ve even included our exclusive price comparison tool, so that you can spend less time shopping for the best rugged laptop, and more time saving.
Image Credit: Dell If you’re looking for a laptop that can handle anything the planet can throw at it, you’ll want to get your hands on the Dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme – it’s all in the name. It is a bit old at this point, but that almost doesn’t matter. It’s still a well-designed rugged laptop that meets military standard requirements. It features a rigid magnesium alloy build, shock absorbent case, is IP65 certified against dust, sand and water – it can even handle extreme temperatures. Like the rest of Dell’s catalog, you can configure the Dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme however you feel like – or however you can afford.
Image Credit: Dell Dell is a household name when it comes to the best laptops, but it still makes the best rugged laptops right now. For example,the Dell Latitude 14 Rugged is a tough laptop that combines a rigid outer shell with quick components that are powerful enough for the category – including a 6th-generation Intel Core processor and dedicated AMD Radeon graphics. Even the display is decent, rocking a matte finish that makes it comfortable to use outside – probably where it’ll be most used. It’s the less “extreme” version of our number one pick, but its still one of the best rugged laptops on the market right now.
Image Credit: Panasonic If you want one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but you don’t want something that feels like it’s going to snap in half the first chance it gets – the Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is for you. This 2-in-1 has a flexibility that most rugged laptops just don’t. If you need something that’s easy to carry while you do stock takes and jot down notes, then tablet mode will work wonders. Then, if you need to type up some documents, you can attach the keyboard and comfortably type away. It may be expensive, but it’s one of the only 2-in-1 laptops that can actually take a beating. Image Credit: HP You might think the HP ProBook x360 11 G1 EE is a normal laptop at first glance. However, once you dive deeper, you’ll see there’s more than meets the eye. While it isn’t designed for big drops and dangerous environments, it's still one of the best rugged laptops for most everyday users – it’s built to withstand more knocks, drops and liquids than the everyday laptop. This is due to an industrial rubberised body, spill resistant keyboard and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 display. It’s not going to be as robust as some of the other rugged laptops on this list, but it’s easily portable and the screen can be flipped – making it a rugged 2-in-1 laptop. Image Credit: Lenovo Similar to the HP ProBook x360 we mentioned earlier, the Lenovo ThinkPad 11e is more like a standard laptop that just so happens to be a bit rugged. Still, you can just tell that Lenovo has put effort into the construction of this device, as it includes more robust inputs, and can survive drops of up to 90cm. It also features military specifications, that make this a laptop that can survive the harshest conditions. What’s more, it’s affordable, while still offering enough processing power for everyday tasks.
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| The best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks in 2019 Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:03 PM PDT If you’re looking for an effective way to charge the best laptops on the go, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered up the best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks, looking at the easy and portable ways to charge your laptop right now. When you go out shopping for a battery charger, it’s important to find one that stores enough power to top up – or even recharge – your laptop’s battery when its running low. The best laptop battery charger should mean you’ll never have to frantically search for a power socket when working while traveling – even if you are using that stylish Ultrabook with the tiny battery. You won’t have to worry about getting stranded in the middle of nowhere when you buy one of the best portable laptop chargers. With these convenient devices, you can make sure you can always get your work done – no matter where you are. With the Mophie Powerstation AC, high power output is the name of the game. This portable laptop battery charger is able to power a 15-inch MacBook Pro. Meanwhile, the USB-C port is rated at 30W with a USB-PD label, meaning its one of the few batteries capable of fast charging an iPhone X or iPhone 8. If you have a newer laptop, and find yourself running out of juice throughout the day, the Omni 20 USB-C might be for you. Not only does it have an insanely high capacity, but it also allows charging of multiple USB-C devices simultaneously. So, if you’re working and you need to charge your Nintendo Switch and a mobile device, you go for it. Plus, the Omni 20 also serves as a USB hub, clearing out some extra storage space in your bag.
The PowerAdd Pilot Pro2 doesn’t just come with 10 connectors that cover most of the laptops on the market today, but it’s backed by a two-year warranty. That means you can use the 23MAh/85Wh capacity without worry. The Pilot Pro2 is also light enough to carry around wherever you go, coming in under 560g. The only thing that holds it back is that it doesn’t have any USB-C connectors, so if you have a modern Ultrabook or MacBook, you may want to go elsewhere, otherwise you’ll have to carry a separate power supply to keep the battery charger backed up. As technology marches forward, new laptops need less power to function. This is especially ture for high-end laptops like the MacBook Pro, HP Elite x2, Huawei Matebook Pro X or the Dell XPS 13. For all of these devices, and more, USB-C is king – the RAVPower uses this revolutionary connector to deliver up to 30W of power, which should be plenty for the best Ultrabooks. You can recharge it using a 30W wall charger that can also be used to power compatible laptops – very handy, indeed. The MaxOak MacBook Charger is a perfect example of a laptop battery charger that goes the extra mile to make sure that it matches the expectations of its audience. This portable laptop charger has all the hallmarks of an Apple device, without the logo – but that’s what those Apple stickers are for – with a matching brushed aluminum finish. It’s the second most capacious portable laptop battery charger on this list, but its huge amount of juice comes with a catch – it carries so much power that at least one airline has outright banned it, so bear that in mind if you plan to use this charger while traveling. It’s also pretty heavy at almost 1kg and will cater to most MacBooks, but nothing else. The Qi Infinity Upgraded Powerbank is the only product here that targets Microsoft’s popular Surface lineup by offering the appropriate DC output voltage. It comes with a generous five ports, four of which will let you charge other 5V devices (which includes anything from other power banks to tablets and smartphones). But, what’s really interesting here is the addition of fast charging through Qualcomm’s Qi tech. You’ll be able to charge the new MacBook as well, but no traditional laptops that rely on a 19V DC output. Just keep in mind that with a capacity of 35Ah, it might not be allowed on some airlines.
The K2 is the world’s second highest mountain and it is fitting – to some extent – that MaxOak named this battery after that lofty peak. After all, at 50Ah, this is the biggest battery on our list and one that is also the heaviest of the lot. It supports laptops up to 60W (3A, 20V) as well as fast-charging. Note that it takes up to eight hours to charge the battery and that can only be achieved via a proprietary charger. Sadly, it doesn’t carry a USB Type-C connector – which makes it useless for newer laptops – and you won’t be able to lug it around on the plane (as with the previous two peripherals, the massive capacity here may mean it’s banned on some flights). Sandberg's Powerbank is neither the cheapest nor the most powerful around. However, it does come with a couple of features that make it a rather enticing option. It outputs a number of voltages (12V, 16V, 19V and 20V), automatically choosing the right one depending on the device which is connected. This portable laptop battery charger also features two USB ports, and they’re hardwired to output 5V. You’re also supplied with 12 different charge tips, but if you have an Ultrabook that needs a USB Type-C port for charging, you’ll be out of luck. It also features a premium brushed aluminum finish, with bright blue LED status lights that clearly indicate the amount of juice left, or how close the battery is to full charge.
If you are looking for a versatile laptop charger, then do consider this RavPower offering. It is by far the most expensive model on our list, but this Reddot award winner carries a feature that no one has replicated till now. It has an AC output that can deliver up to 100W of power – yes, this could even power a TV if needed. Note that you will probably need an adaptor (there’s one bundled) because the power bank can only accommodate two-prong plugs. You will be able to take it on a commercial flight, but you will not be able to recharge it via USB. Dell sells the Power Companion with various battery capacities. It is more compact than the RAVPower models, and the unit looks like a Dell power brick that charges your laptop. When you're at your desk, you can daisy-chain to recharge the Power Companion and your Dell laptop by connecting your Dell charging brick to the Power Companion, and then connecting it to your notebook. Dell's Power Companion is a far sleeker battery pack if your office relies on Dell Inspiron, Latitude, XPS or Venue laptops and tablets, with the added benefit that it has extra USB ports should you need them. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Mac 2019: the best Macs to buy this year Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:03 PM PDT The new MacBook Air, not to mention macOS Mojave and a new Mac mini are all finally here, and the best Macs have never been better. And, if you want to get your hands on one of the best Macs, keep in mind that specs, performance and design mean way more in how they interact with the OS itself than any of them separately. That’s why it’s not really productive to compare a Mac to a Windows 10 machine. We did just get a new iMac, and we’re sure that more are on the way. But, even without future devices, the best Macs are extremely diverse. We don’t know what’s in the cards for future Macs, but we’re sure there’s still plenty of life in Apple’s computers. The best Macs cover everything from thin and light notebooks like the 12-inch MacBook to professional workhorses like the iMac Pro. So, it can be hard to find which Mac is right for you. That’s why we decided to gather up all the best Macs we’ve used – iMacs, MacBooks and more – to help you answer that question. The only Macs that you won’t find here are the ones that we’ve either not been able to review, or just weren’t good enough. So, let’s dive in to all the best Macs you can buy right now. If you’re looking for the most performance you can get in a MacBook, and you can afford it, you’ll want to look at the MacBook Pro 15-inch. With hexa-core 8th-generation processors and up to 32GB of RAM, you won’t be held back by anything you throw at this thing – especially now that you can get Radeon Pro Vega 20 graphics. With this kind of performance, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best Macs of all time. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid-2018) You know you’re getting a great value from Apple when, even at the entry level, you’re getting great performance and all the ports you can dream of. And, while it isn’t the newest iMac on the block – that honor goes to the iMac 2019 – the 2017 model is still worth your time. It doesn’t have a touchscreen, but when it’s so much cheaper than the Surface Studio 2 with arguably stronger hardware, we can’t complain. Instead, you get a full-fat Intel 7th-generation desktop processor and your choice of an IPS display carefully wrapped in an all-metal chassis. Read the full review: Apple iMac (2017) For much of the year, the biggest complaint with the MacBook Pro was that it was still using Kaby Lake processors, even though its competition had moved ahead. Luckily, the MacBook Pro 2018 changes everything, and is more powerful than ever before. It still has the controversial Butterfly keyboard, but it’s been improved – with less noise and more reliability. It’s easy to recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2018 for anyone looking for the best Mac. Read the full review: MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (13-inch, mid-2018) If you’re a professional or a creative, and you need something that will be able to tackle any workload you could possibly throw at it, you’re going to love the iMac Pro. Not only does it have a vivid 27-inch 5K display with a P3 wide color gamut, but it’s also packed with the most powerful hardware Apple could get its hands on. It’s extremely expensive, but if you’re looking for unbridled power to get through professional workloads, the iMac Pro is the best Mac for you. Read the full review: iMac Pro When Apple refreshed the MacBook back in 2016, it didn’t please anyone, despite being more attractive than ever before. And, while the controversy hasn’t disappeared entirely, the 12-inch MacBook has found its niche as an ultraportable and lightweight laptop. It’s low on ports, but in a laptop this thin, that’s to be expected, and it can support basically everything under the sun with its Thunderbolt 3 port, anyway. It’s not as powerful as the MacBook Pro, but if you’re looking for a MacBook that’s easy to take with you wherever you go, look no further. Read the full review: Apple MacBook (2017) We’ve been waiting years for a new MacBook Air, and it’s finally here. Now thinner, lighter and with a Retina display for the first time, it’s easily the best MacBook Air we’ve ever used. With 8th-generation processors, more RAM and faster SSDs, the MacBook Air is also more powerful than ever. We just wish that these were full-fat U-series quad core chips, rather than the Y-series dual-core fanless processors. Still, this means that you’re going to easily get all-day battery out of this thing, which makes it one of the best Macs for travel. Read the full review: MacBook Air 2018 Mac Mini fans, rejoice! The Mac Mini has finally been refreshed with modern hardware, bring Apple’s tiniest Mac into the modern age. This thing is filled to the brim with 8th-generation desktop processors, a ton of RAM and some of the fastest SSDs we’ve seen – all while keeping the same beloved form factor. It’s a bit more expensive this time around, but with the raw speed on offer, we’d have to say it’s worth it. Read the full review: Mac Mini 2018
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| Best Mac apps: the best macOS apps for your Apple computer Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:02 PM PDT Now that macOS Mojave is finally here, we have access to key iOS apps, like News and Stocks. Still, macOS has its own rich library of apps. With this software, your Mac can do everything from playing games to organizing your work. At the end of the day, it’s the software that keeps everyone coming back to the Jony Ive hardware every year. There are so many things you can do with the best Mac apps, so some might not be up your alley. Still, Mac apps, like Evernote, the best note-taking app around, should be useful for anyone. You won’t find all of these apps on the Mac App Store, but they’re still worth your consideration. With this guide, we found all the best apps, most of which we use every day. From free apps and utilities to professional music applications, these Mac apps will make even the best Mac better than ever. Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article Check out our Linux vs Windows vs Mac - OS comparison video below.
A computer free of annoyances simply doesn’t exist – and Macs are no exception. For the longest time, it’s been impossible to use our MacBooks – unbound by the chains of a power adapter – while video outputs to an external monitor. As we all know here at TechRadar, Apple’s laptops will automatically enter sleep mode when the lid is closed. This can be a huge inconvenience should you prefer the sheer magnitude of one of the best monitors as opposed to a 12, 13 or 15-inch screen. Fortunately, Amphetamine allows you to continue using your MacBook while closed. Before, you could do this by using a similar app called Caffeine, but we prefer the UI features you get with this freebie. Not only does it fit in naturally with the rest of your Menu Bar items, but Amphetamine also supports hotkey commands as well as deactivation reminders – not to mention there are no annoying ads in sight.
While you’ve been able to snap programs to the edge of the screen in Windows since Windows 7, Apple didn’t have a solution until OS X El Capitan. What’s more, even then it lacked some of the comprehensiveness of Microsoft’s alternative. Luckily, HyperDock gives us that full-fledged functionality we so desperately crave, allowing anyone with a Mac to apply it to both the app Dock and windows. With Windows, you can just drag a window to the right or left edge of the display, and it’ll automatically snap to fill that portion of the screen. This can save an extraordinary amount of time over dragging windows from the corners. For the Dock, hovering over apps activates something close to Windows 7 thumbnail previews, giving an overview of a window that can be accessed by a click or closed directly from there. It’s extremely useful.
If you have recently picked up a Mac and miss some of your old Windows applications, don’t fret – Parallels Desktop 13 can bring them back. Instead of having to dual-boot your Mac into a Windows partition, Parallels Desktop 13 allows Windows and macOS Sierra to co-exist side by side, and you can even run Microsoft-only programs such as Visual Studio 2015, or the Windows versions of the company’s Office 365 apps, alongside your native macOS ones. All you need is a Windows 10 license – so prepare to buy one if you haven't already. Or, alternatively, you can use Parallels to try a handful of free operating systems including Chromium (a free distribution of Chrome OS) or Linux Debian. The latest version of Parallels in particular has seen improvements such as Touch Bar support, better resolution scaling for Retina displays and picture-in-picture for using other operating systems in conjunction with macOS.
If you’re anything like us, working on just one monitor or screen is just painful. Portable monitors are still fairly expensive (and bulky), luckily, though, you can use an iPad instead using a nifty app called Duet. Developed by ex-Apple engineers, it works by tethering your iPad to your Mac using one of Apple’s Lightning cables and firing up the app on both devices. You can then drag apps and windows onto your iPad’s screen just like you would with a second monitor, and if you have a more recent iPad with a Retina display, you’ll get the full benefit of all those beautiful pixels. Just realize that the bandwidth isn’t quite what you would get with one of the best monitors, so it can be a bit laggy when you bump the quality up. But it’s still better for watching videos, reading websites and typing up documents.
If you’re a coder and looking for a text editor primarily designed for you, Atom is right up your alley. Its flexibility and customization options make it a viable option for many different types of users. That’s because of two reasons: first, you can download a number of different Packages – basically plug-ins – to make it bend to your will. It can morph into a simple editor for blog posts for example, or you can hook it up to Evernote for storing notes in the cloud. There's at least 10 different word counters out there, and you can even add typewriter sound effects as you hammer out your delicious prose. Atom is also infinitely customizable on the visual side thanks to an editable back-end, allowing you to do anything from changing the font size, line height and colors to giving the caret Word 2016-like elasticity.
Whether you’re a big time producer or you just like making some jams in your downtime, Macs are kind of known for being among the best laptops for music production – and Logic Pro X is a big part of that. Developed by Apple itself, its accessible interface hides a ton of advanced functionality. The latest version also comes with a svelte design, 64-bit architecture and a new session drummer that will save you from having to drop more cash on a drum machine (or a real drummer). It also works in natural harmony with iPads, providing a touch-based alternative method of creating song structures to dragging and dropping blocks in the main visual editor. Whether you're a seasoned producer already (Sia used the app to record her hit song 'Chandelier') or are looking to upgrade from Garageband, Logic Pro X likely has what you need.
An uncomplicated app, but a great one, to do app Wunderlist’s selling point is its cross device functionality. It’s available on Mac, PC, Android and iOS, allowing you to sync your to do list wherever you’re using macOS’ Handoff feature. Once you've started a list, you can schedule reminders, add notes and embed it into the macOS Notification Center using a widget. Team-based features are unlocked by signing up for Wunderlists’s pro subscription, and you can add files of any size without running into limits.
Evernote has morphed into a mighty note-taking app over the years. While some people will say that it's too bloated, the sheer number of things that you can do with it still makes it best-in-class. You can type up notes, obviously, organizing them using a combination of folders and tags. You can even embed Google Drive documents, which are accessible in a click. There's also the ability to set reminders, share notes with friends, find information related to notes using Evernote's 'Context' feature, create lists, and favorite notes that you frequently return to. Better yet, all of your notes are synchronized using the company's servers, making them accessible on nearly any PC (through a browser or the native Evernote app) or mobile device in the world. The paid version lets you use Evernote with more than two devices while upping the amount of data you can sync each month.
GIMP or GNU Image Manipulation, is one of the best free image editing apps out there. It’s a great alternative to Adobe Photoshop and comes with a wide array of pro-level functions that let you tweak existing images in a range of formats or create fresh ones from scratch. Features include layers, highly customizable brushes, automatic image enhancing tools and filters. You can do even more with plugins, which are available to download from the GIMP Plugin Registry.
These days, balancing features with simplicity and good design in the best Mac apps is critically important. However, unlike Word 2016, or even Apple’s own Pages, Ulysses has an extremely minimalistic interface. This allows you to get on with writing without being distracted by so many buttons and menus. The app uses its own version of Markdown – a type of text formatting engine – that allows users to focus on their writing in a way that not only makes organization easier but also makes exporting easier – Ulysses will format it in an attractive way, using one of many export styles, when you’re done writing. There's a handy attachments bar on the right-hand side that features an attractive word counter and lets you write notes to assist you in your writing. Notes can be accessed anywhere thanks to iCloud support, so you can pick up your iPad and carry on where you left off using macOS's Handoff feature.
Sometimes you want to play your Xbox One, but you can’t because your roommate has decided to use the living room TV for watching the whole run of Ugly Delicious in one sitting. Now, you could technically stream Halo 5 or Sea of Thieves if you had a Windows PC. However, you just have a Mac. That’s where OneCast comes in, a third-party work of reverse engineering performed by an independent developer to bring Xbox One game streaming to macOS. It works as easily as connecting both your Mac and Xbox One to the same network and subsequently logging in to Xbox Live. It works pretty well in our experience, though you should have both systems connected to your modem via ethernet if possible.
Nobody can deny that the best Macs are great for network admin uses, and if you need to manage a bunch of Windows devices, being able to remote into a PC to diagnose problems is critically important. Luckily, Microsoft has provided an app just for that. With Microsoft Remote Desktop 10, you get an officially-supported app that gives you remote access to any PCs on your network – as long as you’re a network admin or an authorized user. It can be a bit of a pain to set up, and the PC you’re trying to access will need to be running Windows 10 Pro. But once you get going, you can access files, copy/paste across desktops and even run games – though, we don’t recommend that last bit. Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 is a godsend for network admins and IT professionals, and is easily one of the best Mac apps you can download right now.
Microsoft Office has been available on Mac for years now, but you always had to go through a couple hoops to download it. We’ve been asking for a release on the Mac App Store for a while, and, well, it’s finally here. We’re sure we don’t really need to go into too great of detail what Microsoft Office is, but it’s essentially Microsoft’s suite of office apps, from Word to PowerPoint to Excel. It’s absolutely an essential app to have, but you should keep in mind that you’ll have to get a subscription to Office 365 to use it. It’s one of those Mac Apps that should be essential for any professional, and the fact that it’s finally on the Mac App Store means that you don’t have to worry about keeping it updated.
The market for disk optimization apps is neither desolate nor particularly interesting, particularly on the Mac – where Apple usually does a good job of cleaning up its drives on its own. However, for a program that’s far more intuitive and user friendly than, say, the built-in Macintosh HD storage management software, your best bet is to turn your attention to Dr. Cleaner. This app splits up all your data into easily digestible chunks that would otherwise be obtuse. Dr. Cleaner groups up all the trash on your Mac and labels them in groups like ‘Junk Files’ and ‘Big Files’ – rather than listing off 30GB of documents and 10GB of iOS files you can’t comprehend. Then, you can look at the file names themselves and decide whether or not you want to keep them on your PC. You can also use Dr. Cleaner to monitor CPU, network and RAM usage as well, for the sake of putting some pep in your aging Mac’s step.
It might be kind of like three apps than just one, but SoftMaker Office 2018 takes all the key features of Microsoft Office and puts them into an interface that tailors to your needs. It comes with a group of programs called TextMaker, PlanMaker and Presentations 2018 that are similar enough to Office 365 without the rolling subscription. Regardless of whether you need an easy-to-use word processor or a spreadsheet or slideshow creator of equal accessibility, SoftMaker Office has what you’re looking for. And, because it’s still in beta, you can get a complimentary, albeit temporary, license over email if you want to give it a spin. Otherwise, there’s a permanent free version called SoftMaker FreeOffice, but it’s only available on Windows, Android and Linux.
Since you’re obviously going to install all of the other apps we’ve mentioned, you’re going to need at least a utility that, well, declutters your desktop. And, while macOS Mojave brought Stacks to your Mac, making everything less cluttered, Unclutter goes even further. So, whether you’re a frivolous notetaker or a temporary file hoarder like we are, Unclutter will help keep everything in one place, rather than scattered across several folders. It’s a brilliant idea made even better by the fact that it can be configured for use with gesture controls. At any given point, you can swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers on the trackpad (or one on the mouse) to reveal a trio of windows that can be concealed and re-summoned whenever you please.
When you’re out there hustling every day, it’s easy to lose track of messages. With so many social media companies, SMS platforms and instant messaging services to choose from, most of us also have a number of different accounts used to administer to all of those messages. But what if you only had to log into one? That’s the central idea in Franz, a messaging app that allows you to view and send messages in WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Slack, HipChat and more. It lets you seamlessly switch between any of these apps as easily as you can toggle between Slack workspaces. Best of all, there’s no limit to the amount of services you can use at once. That way, even if you have 10 Facebook accounts for whatever reason, all of your messages will be visible in the same place.
If you’re anything like us, you have tons of packages coming in all the time – and it can get hard to keep track of everything. Luckily, there’s an app for that. With Deliveries, you can keep track of all your incoming deliveries in one place in an easy-to-read interface. It will notify you whenever there’s a change in your delivery, syncing the information between macOS and iOS so you are on top of things, even on the go. All you have to do to track a package is hit Command + New and paste in the tracking number – that’s it. It really is one of the best Mac apps for anyone with a busy mailbox.
If you do a lot of cooking, and you have a hard time keeping your recipes organized – especially on a digital platform – you’re going to love Paprika. With this app, you can download any recipe you find online, and it will automatically format it in a way that’s extremely easy to read. What’s more, if you download the iOS app, you’ll be able to sync your recipes between all of your devices, so that you can keep tabs on the ingredients you need when you run to the store in a panic.
Sometimes, life gets hectic, and you need some help getting everything organized. Luckily, there’s an app for that. Fantastical 2 is the most fully-featured calendar and reminder suite we’ve ever seen. You’re able to set events and reminders using natural language, and it’s fully compatible with your iCloud reminders. There’s also an iOS app for iPhone and iPad that will effortlessly sync with the Mac app, so that you can stay on top of your busy life no matter where you are. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best laptops for kids 2019: the top laptops for kids in elementary school and beyond Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:01 PM PDT These days, having a good laptop is completely necessary – and that’s especially true for your kids. The best laptops for kids will usually take the form of rugged and cheap tablets, but there will come a time when your child will have to graduate up to a full, traditional laptop. Whether it’s for school or for play, you’ll need to find the best laptop for kids. And, if your kids aren’t comfortable with Windows 10, don’t worry, the best Chromebooks are extremely easy to use, and make for great laptops for kids. They have large, durable displays that are great for getting schoolwork done. Plus, many Chromebooks are also able to run Android apps and games, for a bit of downtime between assignments. They’re also affordable – they really are among the best laptops for kids. So, what’s the best laptops for your kids? How do you decide? Luckily, we’re here to help you answer those questions – we gathered up all the best laptops for kids. So, we’ll help you find the top laptops for kids – from low prices to ruggedized frames and even rigid parental controls. We may not have tested or reviewed all the laptops here, but we’re laptop experts, expertise we’ve used to recommend exceptional laptops for kids. Image Credit: Dell This entry-level Chromebook from Dell is, by our measure, the best laptop for kids you can buy today. This Chromebook’s 11-inch frame may be tiny, but so is your little one. What’s more impressive are its classroom tools, like an activity light that allows kids to digitally raise their hands. Plus, it has a ‘kid-proof’ sealed, spill-resistant keyboard and rubber sides. The excellent price is worth noting, too. Plus, Chrome OS is historically easy for parental controls as well as malware protection. Read the full review of a predecessor: Dell Chromebook 11 Image Credit: Lenovo If you’re more accustomed to Windows 10, or even if your kid likes it, we find the Lenovo IdeaPad 120S to be among the best laptops for kids – especially at this bargain price. The laptop is mildly ruggedized to survive slips and drops, and even features a USB-C port for a bit of future-proofing. You can also trust that this device will be free of bloatware that can distract your child. That’s enough in our book to recommend this laptop to pretty much every parent – especially for Windows 10 families. Read the full review of a predecessor: Lenovo IdeaPad 100S Image Credit: Acer If your kids are starting to get to the point where they have to write up papers for class, and you want to get them something that won’t break the first time it gets dropped, you may want to consider the Acer Chromebook Spin 11. Not only is it competently powerful with a comfy keyboard, it’s also a 2-in-1. This means you can flip it around into tablet mode, which is great for playing some Android games in their downtime. The display is a bit dim, and it’s not going to blow you away with its performance, but it’s cheap and durable. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11 Image Credit: Acer When your kids approach or enter double-digit years, they might end up needing something a bit more robust to support them through larger projects (and sharper streaming). Acer’s latest 15-inch Chromebook will bring serious sophistication to your kid’s computing experience, from its design to its features, like a full HD display, fast USB 3.0 connections and an HDR webcam. However, this laptop is ideal for adolescents on account of its larger size and lack of kid-proof features in exchange for a more luxury experience at a great price. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15 Image Credit: Asus If your kid wants a tablet, but you want them to get familiar with the traditional computer, too, the Asus Transformer Mini is the perfect option. This tablet brings plenty of power and ports to the table – not to mention a fingerprint sensor, stylus and keyboard cover – all in the box. This is all topped off with a whopping 11 hours of battery life. If your kids are just too used to tablets to jump to a traditional laptop, this is the best laptop for your kids, especially for the price. Read the full review: Asus Transformer Mini T102HA
Image Credit: Apple The 2015 MacBook Air isn’t the newest one on the block, but it’s still one of the best laptops for kids – unlike the 2018 model. We know that parents aren’t made of cash, but the 2015 MacBook Air has plenty of deals out there – in fact it’s the cheapest Apple laptop out there. Plus, it has great battery life, a smooth and easy to understand operating system, and it’s thin and light. The best Macs are famous for outlasting Windows laptops – and this one should last your kid for years. Read the full review: MacBook Air
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| The best laptop for writers: the 10 best laptops for authors and journalists Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:01 PM PDT If you’re a writer, or even if you’re a liberal arts student looking for the best laptop for school, you’ve come to the right place. We found some of the best laptops for writers you’ll find today, paying special attention to the specific needs that journalists and writers have when looking for the perfect device. Of course, this will have to include the best keyboards – you will be doing a lot of typing, after all. The best laptops for writers should also have a compact design and long battery life, to make traveling that much easier. Oh, and you’ll want a high-resolution display that’s easy on the eyes, too. However, don’t worry too much about getting top-of-the-line hardware, trust us. The best laptops for writers are the laptops that focus almost entirely on comfort and budget. And, even if you don’t think you do a lot of writing, you probably do – whether you’re writing emails, reports or presentations, one of the best laptops for writers is essential. Plus, we’ve included our exclusive price comparison tool, so you can find the cheapest price, so you don’t have to waste precious time digging through the web. If you want to see a more comprehensive list of prices and retailers, all you have to do is click the ‘view all prices’ link on each widget. The best laptops for writers:Image Credit: Microsoft If you’re looking for the best laptop for writers, but you want something with tons of modern aesthetic that’s portable to boot, you can’t go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Go. Sure, you’re going to have to buy the keyboard separate, but once you get it, you’ll have an insanely portable laptop that is a delight to type on. The gorgeous PixelSense display is great for watching some Netflix in your down time, too. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go Image Credit: Asus When you’re a writer, sometimes you just need a sleek machine that’s powerful and portable – and the Asus Zenbook UX310UA is a prime example of this. It’s one of the best Ultrabooks for writers – you’ll get a brilliantly performing notebook that you won’t need to upgrade for years. And, thanks to its ultra-slim design, it’s easy to carry around, which will be great if you do a lot of writing while travelling. The keyboard is a decent size which makes writing on it a breeze. Like most laptops of this variety, you can spec it out to be as cheap or powerful as you want. Read the full review: Asus Zenbook UX310UA
Image Credit: Asus The best Chromebooks don’t run Windows or macOS. Instead, they’re powered by Google’s own Chrome OS – a super lightweight operating system based on the Chrome web browser. That might sound restrictive, but it’s a great way to save cash. Plus, if you’re going to primarily be writing, it’s a great choice, as Google Docs can be used as a word processor, and you also have the Chrome browser for research. The Asus Chromebook Flip is one of the best Chromebooks out there at the moment, offering truly premium build quality, a fabulous touchscreen and keyboard, on top of excellent performance. This is all while offering great value for the money. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip C302 Image Credit: Microsoft Even in the face of the best touchscreen laptops, sometimes you just want a powerful, traditional laptop that feels great to type on. And, while the Surface Laptop 2 does, in fact, have a touchscreen, everything else about it is the culmination of all the best laptops for writers. The keyboard is tactile and comfy, the screen is the perfect size and resolution, and it’s got plenty of power for all the Chrome tabs you’ll have open while researching. One of the only things that holds it back is the lack of Thunderbolt 3, but with everything else this laptop does right, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best laptops for writers. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2 Image Credit: Microsoft If you’re going to an event or traveling, you’ll want to get your writing done on a device that’s both lightweight and capable. And, the Surface Pro 6 is the best laptop for writing on the move. With the latest quad-core processors from Intel and plenty of RAM, you won’t be held back by the hardware. It’s just a shame that you have to buy the keyboard separately – but it’s still worth your time. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Image Credit: Lenovo Lenovo is known for making some of the best laptops for writers – once you use one of its keyboards, it’s kind of hard to go back. The Lenovo Flex 6 14 is no exception. For a bargain price, you’re getting respectable components behind a beautiful and responsive touch screen. And, it’s light enough that it’s actually bearable to use in tablet mode – more than can be said of some of the best 2-in-1 laptops. If you’re looking for the best laptop for writers that can get a lot of work done on a budget, look no further. Read the full review: Lenovo Flex 6 14 Image Credit: Apple If you’ve got the cash, the 2018 MacBook Pro is one of the best laptops for writers that we’ve ever used. Not only does it feature an improved keyboard that cuts down on noise and is more reliable, it’s also incredibly powerful. You can spec the 2018 MacBook Pro with a 6-core Core i9 processor and up to 32GB of RAM to power through anything you might think to throw at it. Though, for most writers, even the base model is going to be more than powerful enough to handle any workload you can throw at it. Read the full review: Macbook Pro Image Credit: Acer If you have your eyes on a Surface Pro, but you don’t want to spend that much money, the Acer Switch 3 is definitely up your alley. It’s designed around the same basic concept as the Surface Pro and it’s only a little less capable. However, for most tasks, especially if you’re a writer, it’s a brilliant little machine. What’s more, to add further value, this 2-in-1 laptop/tablet comes with the keyboard upgrade which means little extras to pay for. As usual, it comes in several different versions, with USB Type-C, 8GB RAM, an IPS display and an Intel Core i3-7100U processor coming with the more expensive option. Read the full review: Acer Switch 3
Image Credit: Acer The Acer Chromebook R11 is probably the best cheap laptop around at the moment, and it's a great laptop for wirters. Like the Acer Chromebook Flip higher up this page, this laptop runs Chrome OS so does away with all the overheads that Windows brings. Consequently it's able to run nice and fast on less powerful components, which means a very cheap price! Its touchscreen is decent, though it's only HD, and it will flip to become a tablet too. What's more, it'll run practically all day thanks to its excellent battery life. So if you're looking for a capable but very cheap laptop that you can whip out and begin writing on, then this one is your best bet. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11 Image Credit: HP If you’re looking for a laptop that you can fold up and play with when you’re done writing for the day, look no further than the HP Spectre x360. Not only is this one of the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy today, but thanks to the keyboard’s stiff force curve, you’ll find typing is a breeze for any touch typist. And, thanks to its long battery life, you’ll be able to write all day on this comfortable keyboard without having to worry about scrambling for your charger. That’s not to mention the beautiful 4K display, which will make text look nice and crisp with no pixelation. Read the full review: HP Spectre X360
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| Best laptop for programming in 2019: top picks for coders, developers and sysadmins Posted: 29 Mar 2019 12:00 PM PDT If you’re looking for one of the best laptops as a software developer, you’ve come to the right page. With this list, we’ve found all the best laptops for programming, whether you’re trying your hand at HTML, CSS, JavaScript or VB. There are a couple things you need to consider first, though. For instance, the best programming laptops will have one of the best processors – you’re going to need that horsepower. And, while most modern laptops will feature plenty of cores, threads and high clock speeds, the best laptops for programming will put the focus on the silicon. And, then there’s the RAM – you’ll need at least 8GB, and it needs to be fast. You should also think about storage: one of the best SSDs, as they’ll save you time when opening files and apps. Graphics aren’t as important as with other laptops, though, unless you want to do some gaming in your down time. Modern Intel hardware comes with integrated graphics that are more than powerful enough for pretty much anything you throw at them while programming. Oh, and do yourself a favor and make sure you’re getting one of the best keyboards. Programming involves a lot of typing, so you may as well be comfortable while doing it. And, a high resolution display will help make sure your code is easy on the eyes. So, without further ado, here’s our list of the best laptops for programming in 2019.
Image Credit: Toshiba The best laptop for programming needs to have plenty of power and memory, long battery life, a comfy keyboard and monitor and the ability to handle multiple monitors. It also needs reliable post-sale support, so you aren’t out of commission whether you’re in Paris or San Francisco. And, the Toshiba Portege Z30-C-138 is all of the above. It has a fast processor, plenty of SSD space and 16GB of RAM. And, to top it all off it manages 11 hours of battery life and even packs a 4G/LTE modem. Trust us, if you’re looking for a laptop for programming, you can’t go wrong here.
Image Credit: Lenovo With the ThinkPad E470, Lenovo took an existing form factor and refined it. Now, powered by 7th-generation Intel Kaby Lake processors, this is one of the best laptops for programming. It also features a lovely 14-inch anti-glare display, powered by a discrete Nvidia GeForce 940MX GPU, a spill resistant keyboard and Lenovo’s signature TrackPoint. The Lenovo E460, then, tops all of this off with enough ports and expansion capabilities to keep the average user happy for years to come. Image Credit: HP The 255 G5 is HP's entry-level business laptop and is a solid candidate should you be looking for a straightforward, reliable, laptop for programming at a bargain price. The RAM is a little on the low side, but that can be upgraded later on, and there's no denying that this is an excellent laptop for coding on. If you want a similar programming laptop with an Intel processor, rather than AMD, then the HP 250 G5 is worth looking into. There are various configurations of both the HP 255 G5 and the HP 250 G5, so it's worth shopping around and finding one with the right components for your needs.
Image Credit: TechRadar We’ve been waiting years for a new MacBook Air, and it’s finally here. Now thinner, lighter and with a Retina display for the first time, it’s easily the best MacBook Air we’ve ever used. Thanks to improved hardware for better performance (including 8th-generation processors, more RAM and faster SSDs) and an affordable price, the 2018 MacBook Air is a brilliant laptop for programming on. It keeps that same light and slim design which means it's easy to sling into a bag and carry around with you, but it also has enough oopmh to make programming on it a joy. The improved screen and higher resolution makes it far more comfortable to work on as well. Image Credit: Apple When you’re looking for the best laptop for programming, especially if you’re developing software for macOS, you’re eventually going to find yourself looking at the MacBook Pro. And, the new MacBook Pro, with its hexa-core processor and heaps of RAM, is the most powerful MacBook that the Cupertino tech behemoth has ever birthed. No matter how extraneous your workload is, no matter what you’re trying to develop, you’re going to be able to get it done on the new 15-inch MacBook Pro, and we’d recommend it to any software developer – as long as they had the budget for it. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid-2018) Image Credit: Microsoft Sometimes you just have to work on the go, and in those situations, you’ll be thankful for the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. With its quad-core processors and plentitude of RAM, you’ll be able to compile code quickly and efficiently, even when you’re on the move. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to pay extra for the Type Cover – you’re not going to want to get any coding done on a touch screen, trust us. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Image Credit: TechRadar Sure, it’s a Chromebook, and while that may put some people off, the Google Pixelbook is powerful (and beautiful) enough to hang with the Surfaces and MacBooks of the world. Now, while ChromeOS is admittedly not as good a place to program as Windows or macOS, the Pixelbook’s support of Android makes it a must-own laptop for any Android developer. The fact that this laptop succeeds the now discontinued Google Chromebook Pixel, which was designed by and for Google’s own developers, should give it some street cred in the eyes of coders. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook
Image Credit: Asus While it doesn’t run Windows or macOS, the Asus Chromebook Flip is powered by Chrome OS, a super lightweight operating system based on the Chrome web browser. The Chromebook Flip is one of the best Chromebooks out there, solely because it offers a premium build, a great touchscreen and reasonably powerful components for the price. And, while Chrome OS doesn’t feature many robust programming tools, the Asus Chromebook Flip is one of the best laptops for programming if you’re deep into web development. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip C302 Image Credit: Microsoft The Surface Book 2 is an excellent choice for any coders out there, as Microsoft has crafted one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops on the planet. The Surface Book 2 has components powerful enough to handle pretty much everything you could throw at it – including some light gaming in your down time. If you’re looking for a larger display,there’s a 15-inch model, which also features beefier components – albeit at a higher price tag. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch) Image Credit: Apple If you need a macOS device that’s fast, but still light enough to carry around with you wherever you go, you’re going to love the MacBook Pro 13-inch. This isn’t just one of the best laptops for programmers, this is one of the best Macs that we’ve ever used. If you need to code on the go, the quad-core processors and up to 16GB of RAM mean you’ll work fast, while the thin and light design means you won’t be held back. We can’t recommend it enough. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018) Check out our laptop buying guide video below.
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| The best laptops for mining 2018: top notebooks for mining cryptocurrencies Posted: 29 Mar 2019 11:59 AM PDT You don’t need a gigantic mining PC that chugs electricity to mine for cryptocurrency. With this list of the best mining laptops you can buy today, we’ve gathered up all the best laptops that can be used for mining. Before you head out and drop a wad of cash on the best gaming laptop to get your mining operation moving, you need to think about a few things. First, you need to figure out which cryptocurrency you’re going to pursue. And, even if you already have the best mining laptop, there’s a harsh truth you have to face: many cryptocurrencies have all but died off. That’s not to mention that some cryptocurrencies are just easier to mine on mobile hardware than others. You should also think about the warranty of the laptop you’re looking at. You’ll be putting it through a ton of stress while mining, so you want to make sure your investment doesn’t burst into flames. Hold on, you might be saying. “Why would you even use a laptop for mining?” Well, the best mining laptops are much more compact and portable than a giant mining rig, so you can get some mining done on the road, without having to travel in a caravan. Read on to find the best mining laptops you can buy today.
The best mining laptops 2018Gaming laptops are a great choice for mining laptops, as they usually come with graphics cards that can help mine. This makes the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming laptop a great option for a mining laptop. It offers absolutely fantastic value for money, especially compared to other gaming laptops. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti graphics chip is a good performer when it comes to mining, and it's backed up ably thanks to the Core i5 CPU. Battery life on this laptop is also superb. Read the full review: Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming If you’re looking for the best laptop for mining, you’ve likely had your eyes on a bunch of thick, bulky behemoths. But, these days, you can get a huge amount of performance out of a thin and light gaming machine like the 2019 Razer Blade. Packed with Nvidia Turing graphics and Coffee Lake processors, you’ll be able to make your ROI in no time. Just be ready for that hefty price tag. Read the full review: Razer Blade Razer has finally brought us a full desktop replacement that doesn’t look like a desktop replacement. Coming in at just 0.88 inches thick with the option between a 17-inch 1080p display running at 120Hz or a 4K touchscreen panel with G-Sync, the Razer Blade Pro also brings the company’s ultra-low-profile mechanical switches to a laptop for the first time. And, when it comes to mining, this is a great choice, as it features a powerful GPU,combined with a great processor and plenty of RAM. Read the full review: Razer Blade Pro If you’re still trying to mine cryptocurrencies in 2018, you’re going to need something incredibly powerful – it’s getting harder and harder to make a buck. Luckily, the MSI GT75 Titan has all the power you could hope for in a laptop – as long as you have the space. This is a gigantic desktop replacement laptop with all the horsepower that brings. Just don’t expect to be able to travel with this thing easily. Read the full review: MSI GT75 Titan The fantastic Dell XPS 15 is great for mining, thanks to its discrete GPU. Plus, it has a stylish, ultra-portable design, so it can easily be carried around with you if you need to get some mining done while traveling. And, thanks to Dell’s fantastic build quality and customer support, it’s not only an efficient mining machine, but you can rely on it as well. Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 There's no way around it – laptops are expensive, especially if you need powerful hardware. So, if you’re looking to save some cash to make your ROI easier to obtain, the HP Pavilion 15 is a great option. This mid-range laptop has a respectable amount of power, while keeping the price at an approachable level. The low cost means you have less of an initial outlay to make back, but because it doesn’t exactly feature the fastest GPU, you shouldn’t expect to buy that castle you had your eyes on with it. Read our hands-on review: HP Pavilion 15 Thanks to Nvidia Max-Q tech, the Asus Zephyrus GX501 combines the beloved thinness of the best Ultrabooks with the performance that can make some serious cash while mining. It’s powerful, thin and basically silent if you don’t like noise during your everyday routine. It costs a pretty penny, but it could be a wise investment for a sharp miner. Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501 If you’re looking for a laptop for mining, raw horsepower means a lot. And, if that’s all you need, and you don’t really care about being able to fit the laptop in your backpack, then you’ll want to take a look at the Asus ROG G703GI. With up to an Intel Core i9 processor, 64GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080, you should be able to reach unbelievable hash rates. This is great news, because with how much this laptop costs, you’re going to need all the help you can get to reach your ROI. Read the full review: Asus ROG G703GI
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| The best free tablet and PC games for children Posted: 29 Mar 2019 11:59 AM PDT Welcome to our list of the best free games for kids on both tablet and PC. These free games have all been carefully picked to make sure they are appropriate for boys and girls. There are all kinds of horror stories out there about kids playing games. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, we were inundated by stories about how Pac-Man would bring about the end of society – kids shambling through maze-like streets, starving for a cyber pellet fix. That never happened, thankfully. In fact, research has shown that gaming can be a productive leisure activity – in moderation, of course. For example, the best free games for kids all encourage creativity and critical thinking. The best free games for kids are therefore an active leisure activity, as opposed to the passivity of watching TV. So, because free games can be beneficial, it’s important to make sure your kids are only playing the best titles available to them. Luckily, we’ve created a list of the 20 best free games for kids, both girls and boys, between 5 and 11 years old. They’re complete, as is experiences, combine depth and immediacy and feature no violence. And, they’re all extremely fun – no matter how old your little one is. So, sit back, relax, and we’ll show you all the best games for kids. 10 great children’s games for Android tablets and iPadThese days, kids are more likely to first experience computing and gaming on a tablet than a home computer. To that end, our tablet selection skews a little younger. Everything on this list is rated 3+, according to Google, and should be safe for even very young children. However, Apple rates most of these games with a more conservative 4+, except for Super Stickman Golf and Spaceteam, which are 9+. The games are all simple to control, easy to get into, and fun to play. A note on IAPs and ads: Unfortunately, it’s hard to find a free game that’s not out to make a buck somewhere, so several games listed here will offer in app purchases for in game currency. And, some others will feature ads. In the former case, you can disable IAPs at a system level on your device before handing it over to a kid. With the latter, you should play the game yourself to ensure the ads are OK to show to your kid. 1. Sago Mini FriendsThis sweet-natured set of mini-games encourages creativity, dexterity, and puzzle solving. It starts with you selecting a colorful character, who then explores a neighborhood of cartoon houses. Knock on a door and you’re invited inside for an animated, entertaining playdate. This might involve dress-up, hammering nails into a birdhouse, or enjoying a tasty snack. Everything’s bright and cheerful, and the game promotes empathy, with one friend looking glum if spoils aren’t evenly shared. Get Sago Mini Friends for Android and iOS. A Windows PC version is also available. This game has no IAPs/advertising. 2. Lego Creator IslandsIn all honesty, we’re sure most parents would be happier seeing kids playing with real Lego rather than virtual bricks on a tablet. But when the real thing isn’t an option, this official game’s a nice substitute. The game takes place on the Lego Creator Islands, where you’ll collect bricks in order to buy Lego sets that are constructed with a few taps. While playing, you’ll collect all kinds of houses, vehicles and even cute blocky critters that roam around. As an added bonus, there’s no chance of painfully stepping on a plastic brick. Get Lego Creator Islands for Android and iOS. This game has no IAPs/advertising. 3. Toca Kitchen 2If your child regularly uses a tablet, you’ve likely already installed some Toca Boca games. They’re a smart mix of education and play, and Toca Kitchen 2 is no exception. As you’d expect, Toca Kitchen 2 is all about cooking. This game invites you to create meals – however you prefer. Devise your own recipes and foist your creations on a colorful cast of characters, whether you’ve carefully constructed a burger, or decided to throw a watermelon into the microwave and cover it in sauce. Get Toca Kitchen 2 for Android. This game has no IAPs/advertising. A paid version exists for iOS. 4. Llama Spit SpitLlama Spit Spit is an oddball shoot ’em up, featuring a flying llama blasting crazy cartoon enemies with a mix of spittle and high-powered weaponry. The controls are incredibly simple, meaning even younger players can get on board. Power-ups and collectable llamas (with their own background imagery) keep things interesting over the long term. The one snag is it’s the spit of Shooty Skies (Android/iOS), which is the better (and more surreal) game – although the lack of ads and IAP means the llamas get the nod for this particular list. Get Llama Spit Spit for Android and iOS. This game has no IAPs/advertising. 5. Disney Crossy RoadThe original Crossy Road cleverly reworked Frogger, with blocky characters hopping across chunky endless landscapes, trying to avoid a dunk in a river or getting flattened by a train. But the masterstroke was a raft of unlockable characters. Disney Crossy Road is much the same, but uses Disney characters that often radically overhaul the game’s visuals and gameplay mechanics. Over 100 figurines are there to be found, and although IAP lurks, playing and collecting coins in the in-game worlds is all you need to snag them all. Get Disney Crossy Road for Android and iOS. This game features advertising, and has non-essential IAPs for buying new characters. 6. Frisbee Forever 2You’d think flinging a plastic disc about would make for a rubbish video game. Fortunately, Frisbee Forever 2 is more akin to a set of rollercoasters, with you guiding your disc through gates, collecting stars along the way. There’s a hint of Nintendo about this breezy arcade experience, with its vibrant visuals, smart level design, and a basic control system suitable for all. And although there are freemium underpinnings, you’re rewarded with in-game currency for every second played – even if an attempt at a level ends in failure. Get Frisbee Forever 2 for Android and iOS. This game features advertising, and has non-essential IAPs for more rapidly unlocking discs and zones. 7. Fruit NinjaIn the fast-paced Fruit Ninja, your digit becomes a virtual sword, hacking pieces of fruit lobbed on to the screen in two, and attempting to avoid cutting into game-ending bombs. It’s ideal fodder for a tablet, since you can make pleasingly large swipes across the display. But also the game offers local multiplayer, so two kids can zealously pit their fruit-slicing skills against each other. Get Fruit Ninja for Android and iOS. This game features advertising, and has non-essential IAPs for purchasing in-game currency. 8. MekoramaWith its tiny isometric worlds you spin with a finger, and landscape-flipping mechanics, Mekorama brings to mind Monument Valley. But this game has no Escher-like optical illusions; instead, it concentrates on straightforward pathfinding as you help an ambling robot reach its goals. It’s a charming, thoughtful, tactile experience, and on a tablet is suitable for parent/child play, with you working through the puzzles together. Once you’re done with the 50 built-in levels, you can download more from the internet, or make your own. Get Mekorama for Android and iOS. This game features optional IAP for tipping the developer. 9. Super Stickman Golf 3For many kids, golf won’t excite. But the Super Stickman universe doesn’t partake in normal golf. Instead, you’re thwacking balls across larger-than-life side-on courses – massive castles; laser-strewn bases; floating islands. Even though it’s fun to play by yourself, and makes full use of bigger screens (by letting you see more of each course and therefore aim more precisely), it also has fantastic multiplayer game types. You can play turn-by-turn matches with friends, or try your hand at frenetic, madcap ‘race to the hole’ skirmishes. Get Super Stickman Golf 3 for Android and iOS. This game features advertising, and IAP for unlocking a premium upgrade (more courses and slots for turn-based multiplayer) and in-game currency. 10. SpaceteamIf you’ve several kids with devices, Spaceteam’s a delightfully bonkers way to have them all yell at each other in a vaguely productive manner that in theory helps them work as a team. Specifically, a ‘spaceteam’ in a ship trying to outrun an exploding star, with control panels designed by a sadist. Once devices are connected, instructions appear on your screen – but the controls may be on someone else’s. So you’ll have people yelling nonsense like “someone turn on the dangling shunter”, while figuring out if their own screen has a ‘spectrobolt’ slider. Just like in Star Trek. Get Spaceteam for Android and iOS. This game has a single optional IAP that unlocks new features and themes PCs are inherently more complex than tablets. Whereas even very young children can grasp how a touchscreen works, figuring out mice, trackpads and keyboards may take longer. This is why our selection of the best PC games for kids skews a little older, although there are still games here that’ll fit a five-year-old. Note that several titles are browser-based, although none require plug-ins. We recommend Google Chrome for these titles. 1. Cube SlamPong was one of the earliest home videogames. Cube Slam is Pong in your browser – only in 3D, and you get to play against a bear (or a friend – but the multiplayer option is flaky). You face your furry opponent, moving the bat left or right to deflect the cuboid ‘ball’, aiming to smash the bear’s shields. Win enough times and the game introduces power-ups, invisible balls, and extra blocks on the table that make the ball bounce around unpredictably. 2. Quick, DrawFor children who enjoy doodling, Quick, Draw should prove fascinating. The idea is to sketch – against the clock – something recognizable enough for Google’s Neural Network to identify. In each case, you’re told what to draw. But this game isn’t about drawing photorealistic objects. Instead, you must quickly figure out the key visual clues that describe something. Which is probably a good thing, unless you can scribble a realistic rhinoceros in 20 seconds. 3. World’s Biggest Pac-ManPac-Man’s one of the most recognizable gaming icons around, and the original game is simple enough that even young kids can get to grips with it. However, its single maze quickly becomes dull – hence our recommendation to instead play World’s Biggest Pac-Man. This online effort has hundreds of thousands of mazes, which you venture between by sneaking out of exits. Other than that, the original game’s compelling mix of munching dots and avoiding a quartet of spectral pursuers remains intact. Play World’s Biggest Pac-Man online 4. Forget-Me-NotThis indie hit takes the basis of Pac-Man and a slew of other ancient arcade games, and then smashes them into an endless bout of modern neon craziness. Again, the basics are simple enough for any kid to understand: march about mazes, grab a key, and make for the exit. But the game’s chaotic nature (the maze’s denizens appear as intent on blowing each other up as taking on the player) ensures it’s relentless raucous fun. Download Forget-Me-Not for PC, Mac, OpenPandora and MorphOS 5. Little Alchemy 2It would be a stretch to call Little Alchemy an educational game, but textbook smarts may help you crack the logic at the core of this match-and-discover puzzler. You begin with a handful of building blocks, which when combined create new things. Sometimes, discoveries are obvious – add water to more water and you get a puddle. But some are more whimsical and funny, like when metal and a pigeon become a plane. It’s ideal fodder when your kids want to play games, but you’d prefer them to relax and think for a bit. Play Little Alchemy 2 online. The game is also available for Android and iOS. 6. Contre JourThis lovely physics puzzler began life on mobile, but its landscape-warping nature works well in the browser. The aim is to get trundling protagonist Petit to a glowing exit. This involves click-dragging malleable hills to influence Petit’s movements, or using catapults and dangling tentacles to fling him about. Petit’s endearingly grumpy demeanor, combined with great-looking visuals and clever level design, makes for a family-friendly puzzler sure to have kids scratching their heads figuring out all the solutions. Play Contre Jour online. The game is also available in paid form on various mobile platforms 7. Escape GoatThe clue’s in the title here – a leaping bovid wants to reach the exit. But doing so requires brainpower, plenty of dextrous jumping, and the occasional help of a friendly mouse. Mostly, you’re aiming to reach and butt switches that shift rocks and create tunnels in cunningly designed single-screen challenges. But planning’s often required to collect keys, and not get squashed when walls start moving. Oddly, when you send the mouse on a mission, you can teleport to its position. Quite why the goat can’t teleport straight to the exit, we’ve no idea. Goats never were the brightest creatures. Play Escape Goat online. The game is also available in paid form on Steam. 8. SpelunkyThis side-scrolling dungeon crawler as a distinctly Indiana Jones feel, and this is probably why it became such a huge indie hit on handhelds – but it began on PC. These days, there are various ways to play early incarnations of the game for free. Although this take is rougher than modern iterations, it remains engaging. You explore caves, bounding about, grabbing bling, and duffing up monsters. Each game is unique – caves are randomly generated, and a single error can bring your quest to an abrupt end, with you impaled on spikes or killed by snakes. So tread carefully and look before you leap. Play Spelunky online, get Spelunky 1.1 for Windows, or download Spelunky 1.3 for Windows and Mac 9. VVVVVV: Make and Play EditionOne for kids who are a bit older and twitchier of thumb, this take on gravity-flip platformer VVVVVV is a special free edition. Like the paid release, it features a little chap who darts about and can leap from ceiling to floor by tapping the jump button. His aim is to escape from a maze comprising dozens of single screens full of spikes and roaming enemies. This free edition includes maps created by fans – and the means to build your own. Download VVVVVV: Make and Play Edition for Windows, Mac and Linux 10. Super Crate BoxThis one’s also in the twitchy thumbs category, and finds a little pixelated chap leaping about, trying to grab crates. All the while, he must blast creatures spilling into the screen, lest they hurl themselves into the flames below and emerge from the top furiously angry. The game is fast-paced, entertaining, and has plenty of weapons and arenas to unlock. And although it’s a shooter, we can’t imagine many parents will be too concerned about their kid taking a cartoon bazooka to a conga of green monsters. Get Super Crate Box for PC, Mac and Linux on Steam This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best free games: the top free games to download on PC Posted: 29 Mar 2019 11:58 AM PDT Everyone loves free stuff, and when it comes to the best PC games, it’s especially true. There are so many free games out there right now. And, unlike Xbox and PlayStation, which have their own free game ecosystems through Xbox Games with Gold and PlayStation Plus, respectively, things work much differently if you have a gaming PC – the best free games take a dedicated approach. The best free games will be available from Steam, GOG and even (brace yourself) EA’s Origin client, due to the huge popularity of free-to-play titles. You can even download the Epic Games Store app and get some premium indie games for free every couple weeks. So, from Battle Royale free-to-play games, like Fortnite, to online CCGs, like Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links, the best free games cover a wide range of genres and styles. Let’s dive in. Linux, Windows or Mac - which one is best for you? Watch our guide video below: Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article Save up to 46% on a magazine subscription Dauntless is essentially a household name at this point, becoming an overnight success on PC thanks to Monster Hunter World. However, what if we told you that you could get a very similar experience for free, and that it’s also easier on your PC? Enter Dauntless. Rather than the clear environmentalist focus of Monster Hunter: World, where you’re trying to preserve the habitats, Dauntless simplifies things a bit and just tasks you with slaying behemoths to protect a human colony. The gameplay itself is much simpler as well, free of some of the more obtuse gameplay systems that you either love or hate in the Monster Hunter series. But, the core DNA of the series is there – hunt monsters, craft gear, hunt more monsters. And, this time, it’s free to play. Expected: April 2019 1. Fortnite Battle RoyaleThe Battle Royale trend is huge right now, and Epic Games has all but perfected it with Fortnite Battle Royale. Initially developed as a sort of add-on for Fortnite, Battle Royale took off in a way that nobody was anticipating, quickly becoming one of the most played games of 2018. The game is entirely based around a simple scenario: you’re dumped in a map with 99 other players in a free-for-all melee, and the only winner is the one who is left standing at the end. And, thanks to its meteoric success, Epic Games is hard at work adding new game modes and features all the time. Take Playground mode, for instance – it dumps you in the map and lets you build up structures for a set amount of time before the floodgates open and the carnage begins. What’s especially cool is that Fortnite lets you play with your friends, no matter what platform they’re on. Whether you’re on PC, Xbox One, iOS, Android and even soon PS4, you’ll be able to be matched up against millions of other players from all different platforms. Image Credit: Valve 2. Dota 2The Dota universe may have derived from a Wacraft 3 mod, but Dota 2 is very much its own entity, not to mention one of the most popular free-to-play games. This top-down arena battler is incredibly active, attracting multi-million dollar prize funds for serious tournament players. It's not just for obsessives, though. A brief tutorial now points out the ropes, with the Steam Community stepping in to provide guides to the original MOBA. Don't expect a warm welcome or easy learning curve from its sophisticated gameplay mechanics, but bring a few friends and Dota 2 will have you hooked on one of the biggest crazes in PC history. 3. Planetside 2Two years before Destiny dropped into orbit, we had Planetside 2. It’s an epic, all-out first-person battle so unbelievable, you’ll have to pinch yourself every time you load it up to remind yourself it’s completely free. There are in-game purchases, sure, but you can still dive into the biggest battlefield in gaming and be useful with the default equipment. There's simply nothing like taking part in a massed assault on an enemy base and coming out on top, or living in a world where an enemy convoy could appear on the horizon at any second. If you need any proof that 'free' doesn't mean uninspired, Planetside 2 will provide it.
Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games 4. Path of ExilePath of Exile is a free dungeon crawler in the style of Diablo III, and it’s a bit different than most free games out there. It’s not just about fragging real-life people until they scream at you in shrill pubescent tones through their Skype headsets. Path of Exile is a bit more slow-paced than your typical multiplayer affair, but give it time, and you may just find yourself addicted – it really is the best free game for former Diablo addicts. There are hidden mechanics and features that you’ll uncover after playing for hours and a huge skill tree to slowly progress through. Instead, even basic loot can be useful because there's always an opportunity to enhance even the simplest weapon with magic. If you got tired of the grind of Diablo III, it's a good one to check out. 5. League of LegendsPick a champion and head into battle in this seminal free-to-play game from the creators of the Warcraft III mod, Dota. League of Legends’ automated matchmaking, diverse cast of characters and pristine maps have made it a multiplayer behemoth over the last few years, and one that will certainly stand the test of time. It’s an aggressive gameplay experience, but one that rewards good teamwork and careful tactics. You won’t master it overnight, but you’ll be having fun shortly after you hit that ‘play’ button. Like Dota 2, League of Legends attracts many high-end players, and the top tournaments offer prize pools of over $1 million. The weird world of esports, eh? Image Credit: Activision-Blizzard 6. Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftEver played Magic the Gathering, the card game? Hearthstone is Blizzard’s attempt at making a free online version of it. And, in typical Blizzard style, it’s awesome. It’s immediately inviting, lacking the terrifying learning curve you would expect from an online fantasy card game. Hearthstone plays quickly, boasts a very casual visual approach, and benefits from a basic rule set, all of which adds up to a very accessible card battler that will give you plenty of enjoyment – especially if you’re a World of Warcraft fan. Despite being accessible, it's still quite challenging as well, especially if you're up against an opponent that plays their cards right. 7. Star Wars: The Old RepublicTaking the Star Wars MMORPG after Star Wars Galaxies went away (rest in peace), Star Wars: The Old Republic was not free at release. However, since then, like so many MMORPGs before it, adopted the free to play model. If you want to get Sith kicks, this is the best way to get them for free. Keep in mind though, that subscriptions are still available, and will give you more in-game potential and end-game content. All the story missions, however, are still available for free – it just might take a bit longer now. It’s worth your time just to see the Star Wars universe from different sets of eyes, like the hyper-professional Imperial Agent and Bounty Hunter. If you want to go with the dull option and just have a generic Jedi Knight, though – you can totally do that. Image Credit: Microsoft 8. Forza Motorsport 6 ApexWhen Xbox head Phil Spencer said he was going to bring the console's best franchises to the PC, he wasn't joking around. Among these notable series is Forza Motorsport. Shunned by petrol-heads and embraced by gamers, Forza Motorsport may seem like an arcadey offshoot of its biggest rival on PlayStation, but it consistently looks and feels superb nonetheless. Forza Motorsport 6 Apex in particular brings a complete Forza Motorsport game to PC gamers for the first time – before Forza Horizon 3 came out in 2016. While it’s not quite the full-fledged experience you can expect with full entries to the series, Forza Motorsport 6 Apex is the best free game would could have asked for from Microsoft’s long-standing racing series. 9. Killer InstinctRare's classic fighting series Killer Instinct may not be the household name it once was, but the ability to play one character for free is enticing nonetheless. What's more, characters can be purchased a la carte as downloadable content, which means you don't have to shell out a wad of cash unnecessarily for characters you'll never play. And, for the Xbox fans out there, this game is essentially Microsoft's equivalent of Super Smash Bros. and PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale since you can pick up numerous Xbox mascots. These include Arbiter (Halo), Rash (Battletoads) and General RAAM (Gears of War) in addition to a growing catalog of Killer Instinct-specific characters. While Killer Instinct isn't as popular with the Fighting Game Community, there is a certain novelty of being able to control these classic Xbox-derived characters, and on PC at that. Image Credit: Wargaming 10. World of TanksWorld of Tanks is a different kind of MMO – which you should have guessed from the title. Team-based, massively multiplayer action with a huge range of war machines to drive into battle awaits, with new players able to jump into the fray right away. The upgrade system adds a sense of personalization, while being surrounded by an entire army at all times reminds you that loners won’t survive on the battlefield. Get sucked in, though, and you may find yourself spending a chunk of your wages on great big chunks of virtual metal. While some premium tanks cost just a few dollars, others are more expensive. You can see where maker Wargaming is earning some cash from World of Tanks enthusiasts. 11. Heroes of the StormIt was only a matter of time before Blizzard dipped its toe into the MoBA phenomenon, and with Heroes of the Storm, we’re left asking: what took so long? It’s an incredibly approachable esports title, somewhere between League of Legends and DOTA 2 in terms of complexity, with the added bonus of characters you know and love. That’s right, the roster is completely made up of Blizzard characters from across its library of classic games. Have you ever wondered who would win in a fight between Thrall and Kerrigan? Well, now you can see that fight play out on the battlefield. Blizzard knocked it out of the park here, making one of the best free games that keeps getting better by the day. Image Credit: Daybreak 12. EverquestThough its future was briefly uncertain after the sale of Sony's online entertainment division in February 2015, Everquest has returned better than ever with new expansion packs and continued support by Daybreak Game Company. The first of its kind to commercially succeed with a 3D game engine, Everquest was released in 1999 as an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) and has since been documented as one of the most important games in the medium's history. Featuring consistently released expansion packs (quite massive in scale, at least early on) with vast new areas, races and classes, Everquest brings to the table just about everything you would expect from an MMO – plus it's notably better at handling co-op than its alternatives. 13. RiftOriginally hailed as the game that would finally dethrone World of Warcraft, Rift had its moment – and is still going strong depending who’s talking. It brought innovation to a genre that was changing very slowly, letting you change your class whenever you felt like it. The whole game is focused on separating giant boss battles and events that occupy entire zones. It’s ambitious, exciting and huge with dozens of interdimensional rifts that keep things fresh and unique from other MMOs. And, after Rift went free to play, Trion has stayed on top of things, releasing regular expansions for everyone to enjoy. Plus, you can ride on a landshark. Image Credit: Jagex 14. RunescapeRunescape is one of the biggest free-to-play MMOs out there, and now would be a good time to take a look. In 2013 it entered its third reboot – this is actually 'Runescape 3', although just jumping in now you might not appreciate it has been around in one form or another for more than 10 years. It's certainly not the shiniest MMO in the world despite the revamp, but hanging onto this many players shows it's doing something right. The big change introduced in Runescape 3 that made it appear a lot more modern was the ability to see much further – in Runescape 2 the horizon quickly gave way to fog. Not so now. You can download the game for free or run it in your browser using Java, making it much more convenient than most other online role-players of this epic scale. 15. MaplestoryIf the bleak appearance adopted by the typical MMORPG is a turn-off for you, you’ll be delighted to see that Maplestory takes the traditional art style of the genre and turns it on its head. Described by Nexon as the original 2D side-scrolling MMO, Maplestory takes the classic Dungeons & Dragons-inspired genre and makes it kawaii. The lighter tone and customization of Maplestory makes it feel more like Harvest Moon than World of Warcraft or Rift. It’s also more focused on improving cosmetics than many other MMOs, allowing players much more control over how their characters look. There’s even in-game weddings and dinosaurs that play guitar. Really, the only thing Maplestory is missing is an Oasis-composed soundtrack. Image Credit: Digital Extremes 16. WarframeIf you're into third-person co-operative shooters, Warfarme is one of the best free games out there. Players take control of members of the Tenno, an ancient race at war with enemies such as the Grineer, the Corpus, the Infested and the Sentients. Your Tenno soldier uses the Crysis-style Warframe armor equipped with guns or melee weapons to fight back. Better looking than your average free-to-play shooter, much fun can be had in Warframe's player-vs-enemy raids — so much so that some gamers see it as, "The Destiny that never was". High praise indeed. 17. SmiteGods from every pantheon come together in Smite to battle it out in a free Dota/MOBA inspired clash. Even though Smite wears its influences on its sleeve, it comes from the same developer that made the FPS smash Tribes Ascend – a completely different beast. The camera is behind the characters this time, making for a more direct connection to the action than simply guiding your lord around with a mouse, but the premise will be either familiar if you've played its inspirations, or a way to get the feel for the style if you haven't. Gods include Zeus, Thor, Kali, Artemis and... Cupid? Well, at least he has his own bow… Image Credit: Turbine 18. Lord of the Rings OnlineThere are so many MMOs that have been launched or relaunched as free-to-play games, but Lord of the Rings Online is one of the titles that most warrants a second look. Not only is it an excellent game in its own right, it’s one of the more mature MMOs on the market. You’ll probably have to pay eventually, if only to unlock adventure packs, but there’s no subscription fee and nothing to buy up front. If you missed it at launch, or even if you quit playing since then, it’s time to give it a try. 19. The Awesome Adventures of Captain SpiritLife is Strange, and its sequel, are among the best modern adventure games on PC in 2018, and luckily, there’s now a free way to get into this amazing series. Revealed back at E3 2018, the Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit places you in the shoes of a 9-year-old Chris as he, and his alter ego, Captain Spirit, goes on, well, an awesome adventure. It’s a free-to-play single player adventure game free of any kind of malicious microtransactions or predatory monetization – just a nice prelude into Life is Strange 2. Just don’t go in expecting the longest gameplay experience in the world, you’ll likely get through it in just a couple of hours. Image Credit: CCP Games 20. Eve OnlineIn 2003, Icelandic developer CCP Games unleashed Eve Online, an immersive and in-depth “sci-fi experience” that would eventually garner the attention of well over 500,000 players. Eve Online is unlike any game in its category, thanks to the vast range of activities to take part in as well as its (appropriately) out of this world in-game economy. Unfortunately, the Eve Online player base has been dwindling since 2013. It shouldn’t be surprising that as time goes on, fewer and fewer gamers are interested in paying a subscription fee for a glorified space sim with a steep learning curve. However, since the Ascension Update, released back in November 2016, Eve Online has gone free to play – at least to an extent. The new ‘alpha clones’ system featured in Eve Online is similar to the “unlimited free trial” featured in World of Warcraft. You can still engage with other player in piracy, manufacturing, trading, mining, exploration and combat, but certain skills will be off limits. If you don’t want to limit your access to some of the game’s most lumbering ships you can always opt for the Omega subscription – otherwise, the game won’t cost a cent. 21. Apex LegendsTo say that Battle Royale games are popular in 2019 would be a colossal understatement, but the level of success that Apex Legends has enjoyed so quickly after launch shows that it really is one of the best free games. Not only is the game itself fantastic, bringing unique mechanics from the awesome Titanfall games to a Battle Royale, but the game itself has reached a whopping 25 million players after a week. Apex Legends places 60 players in the middle of a gigantic map, armed with a bunch of unique abilities that make both combat and traversal extremely addicting. It’s not quite the chaos of 100 player battle royale titles like Fortnite or PUBG, but it feels balanced. If somehow you haven’t jumped on the Apex Legends bandwagon yet, trust us – it’s worth your time. Image Credit: 505 Games 22. HawkenAs it's been in beta since 2012 with little to no marketing push, you may have forgotten about Hawken or were unfamiliar with it in the first place. Most notably, Hawken is a game about mechs. But, not just any mechs – fast mechs. These are your average slow, lumbering tanks of MechWarrior Online. These are more comparable to the Exoskeletons of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Of course, being a free-to-play game, you can expect to pay for upgrades to your starter mech. However, you can still get a taste for Hawken without spending a dime. Plus, attach an Oculus Rift and you can see for yourself what VR games have in store for you. Admit it, you've wanted to know what it's feels like to power a mech for yourself since Pacific Rim came out. 23. Evolve Stage 2Hey, remember Evolve? Yeah, we didn’t think so – it quickly fell off the face of the Earth after release, until it was eventually removed from Steam. Turtle Rock then re-released Evolve back into beta a year and a half after its initial release. It was then that Evolve was released as a free-to-play experience, and even given a new name: Evolve Stage 2. Despite going free-to-play, the game's core structure remains intact. It's a game of humans vs. zombies, err, monsters, a new twist on a beloved pastime. A team of four players, called hunters, is pitted up against a single monster, with each hunter assigned their own class. Of course, with four players taking on one, there is a unique catch: hence the game's title, monsters start out at a basic level but evolve over time by killing and consuming wildlife in nearby areas. Evolve cost $40 before, so rest assured you'll get access to a game that looks triple-A, even if much of the content is locked behind a paywall. Nevertheless you can give it a shot for yourself for the nominal cost of $0 on Steam. Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 24. The Elder Scrolls II: DaggerfallWhile we sit, anxiously awaiting whatever The Elder Scrolls VI ends up being, you should take the time to give the classic The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall a try. This 1990s RPG is a precursor to those incredibly popular RPGs, and is a bit of a classic in its own right. Its game world is many times the size of any of its sequels, and indeed it’s the size of a continent – and it’s absolutely packed with atmosphere. It might look a little rough by today’s standards, but it’s worth looking at if you’re an Elder Scrolls fan. It's available direct from Bethesda. The publisher started offering it for free to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the game. As if we didn't feel old enough already. 25. Starcraft IIOne of the biggest games to ever hit the PC/Mac landscape is Starcraft II, a competitive real-time strategy game whose Wings of Liberty installment is just one of three parts of the campaign. At one time, it was a phenomenon in South Korea, but the scene fizzled out a bit when MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2 took the world by storm. Maybe that’s why Blizzard decided to convert Starcraft II to the free-to-play business model. As a result of its compelling strategy game mechanics, combined with brilliantly designed environments and a fascinating narrative that can only be expressed in a video game, Starcraft II is one of the most widely enjoyed eSports in the entire world. Of course, being a Blizzard game, you’ll need a Battle.net account to enjoy it, but otherwise, both the campaign and the multiplayer are free to enjoy. Only certain characters require your prized coin. Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 26. Wolfenstein 3DInterested in knowing what Wolfenstein was before The New Order? Wolfenstein 3D is now free, and will take you back to the year 1992 when celebrity game developers John Carmack and John Romero teamed up to make a shareware game like nothing before it. Wolfenstein 3D took concepts from Muse Software's Castle Wolfenstein and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein to create a three-dimensional first-person shooter that would later inspire the development of Doom. Keep in mind while playing, though, that while Wolfenstein 3D was impressive for its time, it's probably not what you would expect from a first-person shooter of today's standards. Nonetheless, it's an easy and free way to experience game history in an old-school World War II game rich with narrative about, well, shooting Nazis in the face. Don't expect to be blown away by the story in the same way as the Wolfenstein franchise's more recent entries. 27. Team Fortress 2It may be an old vet in gaming terms, but nothing offers so much crazy fun as Team Fortress 2. Unlike most shooters of its age, players are still there to have a good time rather than hurl abuse at newcomers, and there's no shortage of cool toys to have fun with. Endlessly silly and amazingly fresh, it's still one of the shooter genre's kings, free-to-play or not. As you might guess, there are some micro-transactions involved. You can buy additional items, often used to customise your character. You can create your own. It's fun, and gets you even more involved in TF2. Those cheeky devils at Valve know what they're doing. Image Credit: Konami 28. Yu-Gi-Oh Duel LinksIf you grew up in the ‘90s like we did, you have plenty of memories of playing Yu-Gi-Oh, maybe even watching the anime. Well, what if we told you that an injection of nostalgia is waiting in Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, and it’s free to boot? In Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, you won’t just be able to play the titular card game competitively online, but you’ll also be able to play against AI opponents voiced by actors from the anime. There are plenty of microtransactions here – you can buy new cards – but it’s a CCG in 2019, so there’s no real way around that. 29. Magic DuelsMagic: The Gathering is fun, right? But what if you could play it from the warmth and comfort of your PC? Luckily, Magic Duels will let you do just that. Whether you’re a first time player or a 20-year vet, Duels will let you do everything the card game does and more. While over 300 new cards are advertised as being attainable throughout the game, there’s also a unique story mode where you can experience Magic like never before. If narrative in your card games isn't your cup of tea, there's also a Battle Mode in which you can challenge your friends, a four-player Two-Headed Giant battle and even an offline solo mode you can use for practice against AI. Image Credit: Daybreak Game Company 30. DC Universe OnlineThough it's yet another free-to-play MMO on this list, DC Universe Online takes characters like Superman, Batman, Green Lantern and more into a massive (and shared) public world. Choose whether you want to be a member of the Hero or Villain faction then customize your character and you'll be sent out into the world of DC Universe Online at the hands of Daybreak Game Company. After some training, the game assigns you a position as either a member of the Justice League or The Society depending on your choice of hero or villain. Unlike other MMOs on this list and outside it, DC Universe Online is designed to be much more interactive while still retaining traditional MMORPG elements such as leveling, raiding, inventories and post-game progression. Favorably, it's not difficult to play without using real-world currency too. 31. PaladinsIt’s not hard to see why Paladins catches a lot of flack for its resemblance to Overwatch. At the same time, the team-based shooter bears many distinctions from that of Blizzard’s. Abilities are upgraded based on a collectible card system, which can completely change the way each character plays. What’s more, unlike Overwatch, Paladins is completely free-to-play. While cosmetic items are available to buy using real-world currency, everything else can be unlocked simply by playing the game. For instance, you’ll start Paladins with a single deck of basic cards, and from there, more dramatically impactful decks can be unlocked. Regardless of how you choose to play Paladins, you’ll get XP as you play. As long as you’re completing the daily quests and achievements featured in the game, you’ll be rewarded with Radiant Chests and Gold. These can be used to purchase more cards, costumes and weapon skins to make your characters more unique and skillful on the battlefield. Image Credit: Konami 32. Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 LiteYou may be familiar with Fifa already, but Pro Evolution Soccer – or PES – is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all-time. It doesn’t have all the flair (or the licensing) of its EA Sports rival, but some would argue that it’s the better soccer game series, not to mention one of the better sports series overall. PES 2018 in particular isn’t too much of an improvement over its predecessor, but it does introduce better dribbling and makes an effort to perfect the fan-favorite Master League mode. The ‘Lite’ version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 gives you access to the Online myClub and PES League Mode in addition to the Offline Exhibition Match and Training Mode, entirely for free. There are in-app purchases along the way, but you can always upgrade to the full version later should this one not satisfy. 33. SpelunkyYou can now get Spelunky on all sorts of platforms – it's pretty high-profile for an indie title. But it began its life PC-exclusive, and its original 'non HD' Classic version you can still get for free today. The catch is that every time you play, the entire game is randomized. In one game you'll stumble through screen after screen of spiked horrors and swarming monsters; in the next, the software will bend over backwards to give you gold and help you on your way. You learn how each randomized world ticks and which equipment will give you a fighting chance. And then you'll die some more. And scream. And restart. Again. Image Credit: Perfect World 34. NeverwinterAs a free MMO, Neverwinter sets a high standard for itself as it's based on perhaps the most iconic role-playing game of all-time, Dungeons & Dragons. Like everything else in the Dungeons and Dragons universe, the game takes place in Forgotten Realms, specifically, as the name suggests, in Neverwinter. Featuring eight character classes with groups of up to five players supported, Neverwinter is based on the fourth-generation rules of Dungeons & Dragons. However, the rules are slightly modified, letting players heal their allies in addition to allowing for the use of special abilities in combat after racking up enough action points. 35. Doki Doki Literature ClubAn ostensibly charming visual novel on the surface, Doki Doki Literature Club is a game that’s best experienced blindly. It comes from Dan Salvato, a game developer known best for his work in the Super Smash Bros. Melee modding community, who says he developed Doki Doki Literature Club because of his indifference towards anime. That’s ironic considering the main character in Doki Doki Literature Club is obsessed with anime and manga and has minimal experience with the writings of more prestigious authors. As engrossing as the trio of female supporting characters appear to be in Doki Doki Literature Club, we would advise getting too attached to them. Without spoiling the story, the first thing you see when you boot up Doki Doki Literature Club is a content warning, suggesting that those with severe anxiety refrain from playing at all. It’s not entirely unwarranted either, as you’re bound to learn the hard way that Doki Doki Literature Club is more horror than generic fan service. Image Credit: Grey Havens 36. Puzzle Pirates: Dark SeasFor nearly 15 years now, Puzzle Pirates has been a household name for kids with unrestricted access to the computer labs at school. It’s a completely free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game originally developed by the Sega-owned Three Rings Design. The goal is to join a crew and ideally become a captain, by completing puzzles alongside other players. Puzzle Pirates: Dark Seas, on the other hand, is the Steam-exclusive version of Puzzle Pirates that introduces an entirely new ocean known as Obsidian. Dark Seas introduces factions and player-versus-player (PvP) combat in a way that didn’t exist prior to the Steam release of Puzzle Pirates. It also comes from a different developer, a nonprofit called Grey Havens founded by several former members of Three Rings Design. Before the advent of Dark Seas, you could only get the multiplayer portion of Puzzle Pirates on Steam. Now it appears as though the single-player mode can be downloaded and installed from Valve’s client as well. Although it’s only in early access for the time being, early reviews suggest that it’s worth a shot for Puzzle Pirates veterans and newcomers alike. 37. Phantom DustIts development cycle was a disaster, but in the end, the Phantom Dust remaster turned out just fine. A new IP in the form of a Japanese budget card game for the original Xbox, it seemed to good to be true when Microsoft revealed back at E3 2014 that a complete remake was in the works… and, as it turns out, it was. The remake was canned in 2016, but Microsoft still wanted to revive the cult classic one-off. As it turns out, the company did so with a remaster, not a remake. Luckily, the new version of Phantom Dust for Windows 10 (and Xbox One, for console-goers) doesn’t cost a thing to play unless you opt to purchase some of the in-game “multiplayer cards”. Image Credit: Bay 12 Games 38. Dwarf FortressInspiring the creation of Minecraft was no small feat for 2D sandbox game Dwarf Fortress. Dubbed a construction and management simulator, Dwarf Fortress takes simple text-based graphics into a more modern, 2006 piece of software. The game is often classified as a cult classic because of its open-ended nature and serving as one of the most iconic examples of a procedurally generated roguelike. This means Dwarf Fortress both randomizes its environments and makes the game's permadeath system a much more difficult problem to avoid. This led to the unofficial slogan for the game "Losing is fun," which was either ironic or an accurate description of what happens in the game. Tough to say either way. One thing's for sure, though. If you want to experience an important part of games history, Dwarf Fortress is a solid start, as it was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City back in 2013. Can't say that for a lot of free-to-play games. 39. Fable FortuneAfter a troubled development cycle, Fable Fortune is the collectible card game that you probably thought would never release. Either that, or you’ve never even heard of it. We wouldn’t blame you. The team behind the Fable franchise – the illustrious group of individuals at Lionhead Studios – has since departed its doors, which were coincidentally permanently shut two years ago. In the time following Lionhead’s closure, its parent company, Microsoft, licensed off Fable Fortune to a group of former Lionhead developers at a new company called Flaming Fowl Studios. It was there that Fable Fortune found private funding despite a failed Kickstarter campaign. The end result is a fairly competitive card game that’s completely free to play. Skeptics will be quick to compare Fable Fortune to Hearthstone. However, the two games differ drastically due to its more complex set of hero powers, less randomness and a morality system that rewards an understanding of its ‘good’ and ‘evil’ points. Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 40. Fallout ShelterIf you're more interested in the property management systems of Fallout 4 rather than the overwhelming majority of the role-playing game's content, Fallout Shelter is a great place to start. Up until recently, the simulation game was limited to mobile platforms Android and iOS. However, with the introduction of Quests in version 1.6 of Fallout Shelter, Bethesda Softworks also felt the need to port the game to PC by way of the Bethesda.net client. All in all, Fallout Shelter doesn't feel much different on PC, and that's undoubtedly a good thing. Mouse controls work well in place of a touchscreen, graphics are optimized even for low-end hardware and with windowed mode enabled by default, it's easy to find yourself caring after your vault residents during your downtime at work. With an indisputably manageable price point (free), Fallout Shelter could very well become the next Solitaire in your office or at school. 41. BrawlhallaHave you been watching all your friends play Super Smash Bros Ultimate, but missing out on the action because you don’t have a Nintendo Switch? Well, with Brawlhalla, you’re in luck. Brawlhalla is a 2-8 player 2D brawler that draws very heavy inspiration from Nintendo’s classic franchise. And, it pulls it off. It’s an extraordinarily fun way to pass a few hours. And, with an esports league, you can rest assured you’ll always have people to test your skills against. It’s not quite the same as playing some Smash on a friend’s couch, but it’s close enough to be worth your time. Image Credit: 2K Games 42. BattlebornCEO and president of Gearbox Software Randy Pitchford will tell you differently, but Battleborn is free-to-play. Officially classified as a “free trial” on Steam, there isn’t much to differentiate the hero shooter from other free-to-play games on the market. You can play for as long as you want using six of the game’s 30 characters, rotated weekly to shake things up. Battleborn was originally released in May 2016, the same month as Overwatch. The main difference is that Battleborn draws influence from MOBA games while Overwatch is a more traditional PvP shooter with an eccentric cast of characters. Battleborn also has a single-player campaign, which can be unlocked using real-world currency. 43. The Elder Scrolls: LegendsThere’s an ostensibly neverending arms race developers are in right now to put out the next Hearthstone. That is, a wildly popular collectible card game (CCG) that’s “easy to learn but challenging to master.” Those are the words, verbatim, publisher Bethesda Softworks is using to describe The Elder Scrolls: Legends. A CCG that draws from the lore of the company’s beloved RPG franchise, The Elder Scrolls: Legends differentiates itself from the likes of competing virtual card games such as Hearthstone and The Witcher 3’s Gwent by enacting a two-lane system that keeps players on their toes when it comes to devising strategies. And, if you’re simply craving more Skyrim, you’ll be elated to know that the Heroes of Skyrim expansion for The Elder Scrolls: Legends packs in 150 additional cards, some of which are familiar faces like Aela the Huntress, J’Zargo and Delphine. Image Credit: Freejam 44. RobocraftWhether you loved or hated World of Tanks, you’ll be pleased to know that Robocraft is what you get when you take conventional vehicle combat and completely turn it on its head. From independent developer and publisher Freejam, Robocraft lets you commandeer jet cars (not jets and cars, but jet cars), tanks, flying warships, helicopters and drones. In doing so, you’ll spend most of your time engaging in combat with other players online. Like a vehicle-based Fortnite, you’ll also experiment with different combinations of 250 preset blocks using a simple crafting interface, allowing you to equip the vehicle of your choosing with the weapons of your choosing as well. Likewise, Robocraft lets you create or join clans with up to 50 members. Within those clans, you can invite friends to ‘parties’ and play cooperatively in an effort to take down other teams. Once everything is said and done and you’re satisfied with your creations, you can show them off at the virtualized Community Robot Factory in exchange for likes and shares. 45. Total War Battles: KingdomReal-time Strategy (RTS) games don't come much grander than those in the Total War series, and the latest entrant, Battles KINGDOM, is free-to-play. Currently in open beta on the PC, it's also available to play on iOS and Android, so you can pick up where you left off when you're away from your battlestation. Set at the turn of the 10th Century, Total War Battles: Kingdom combines army management with kingdom building to deliver a bite-sized RTS game you can pick up and play anywhere, anytime. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 29 Mar 2019 11:57 AM PDT The best Chromebooks have been around for quite a while now, but they’re just now being accepted in the mainstream as fantastic budget devices. However, when Google first announced its laptop brand, no one knew what to make of it. Luckily, those days are over: there are now over 25 million Chrome OS users, and the top Chromebooks continue to lead the charge with amazing battery life – something we wish Windows 10 laptops would catch up with. But, what is a Chromebook? Well, Chromebooks don’t just feature fantastic battery life, but they’re also extremely affordable. This is because the best Chromebooks don’t need the latest and greatest processors – as they run Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system, and they only pack what they need to get the job done. Plus, with devices like the Google Pixel Slate the best Chromebooks are getting more advanced by the day. And, because you are restrained by your web browser and Android apps, some users may be wary of picking up one of the top Chromebooks, and we totally get it. But, if your computer use just boils down to word processing and email, with very little video editing or gaming, you can’t go wrong with one of the best Chromebooks. Shortly after proclaiming the Chromebook Pixel as dead, 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. And, when you add 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 2018 has to offer – even so long after its launch. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook Before Google put the Pixelbook out, and showed us exactly what Chromebooks could be, the Asus Chromebook Flip was our ideal Google laptop. With a full Intel Core processor and a full-HD display, the Asus Chromebook Flip changed the game. Put simply, if you want key features that the Pixelbook offers, but you don’t want to deal with that massive price tag, the Asus Chromebook Flip is the next best Chromebook. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip When Android apps started heading to the best Chromebooks, it was only a matter of time before Samsung jumped into the ring to craft something truly beautiful. With a 12.3-inch QHD touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge, the Samsung Chromebook Pro also includes a built-in stylus – the first of its kind to show up in a Chromebook. Not only does it show up many of its competitors, but it’s better than most Android devices, too, even if the keyboard could use some tightening up. Read the full review: Samsung Chromebook Pro
When you think of Chromebooks, education is one of the first things that comes to mind. And, 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 jealous looks. It’s more than just an attractive chassis, though: the Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is backed by full-fat Ultrabook processors, so it can get work done, and this Chromebook will look good while doing it. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 13 If the Samsung Chromebook Pro is all about versatility, the Dell Chromebook 11 is about value. Reinforced by a 180-degree hinge, sturdy design and a sealed keyboard and trackpad in addition to a punchy typing experience, this Chromebook is a perfectly portable package. Not only adequately suited for school and work, the Dell Chromebook 11 even packs a set of loud stereo speakers for listening to music or watching videos. Don’t worry about dinging it, either, as this device remains the most rugged Chromebook on our list. Read the full review: Dell Chromebook 11 One of the most compelling use cases for the best Chromebooks is that of the student laptop – and the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 is a perfect example. If you’re a student, or even a parent of a student that’s looking for a cheap, capable and, more importantly, durable machine to get some homework done on the go, you shouldn’t need to look further than the Acer Chromebook Spin 11. You won’t be able to do any hardcore gaming or video editing on this thing, but if you just need something to write some papers and watch some YouTube in your downtime – you should give it a look. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11 With a pristine build quality that rivals a MacBook, it’s easy to forgive the Acer Chromebook 15’s aversion to 2-in-1 form factors. However, given that most 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 good style. And, beyond its ability to lay flat using a 180-degree hinge, this beautiful 15-inch Chromebook makes a great impression with its battery life, too, lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15 We wouldn’t be surprised to see Acer replacing the Chromebook R11 – at least, judging by the recent release of the Chromebook Spin 11, but it still holds up to this day as one of the best Chromebooks on the market. It isn’t the most powerful option out there, but it still gives you 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, complemented by an all-metal finish that you won’t be ashamed of. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11 In our mind, 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 bit more compact and even looks better. Complemented by a bright blue finish and a screen made to astonish, the HP Chromebook 14 boasts 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 on the market right now. Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14 The HP Chromebook 13 is way better than anyone would expect from a Chromebook. You’re getting a 1440p display, two USB-C ports and, if you’re willing to shell out a bit more cash, you can get yourself an INtel Core M processor rather than a Pentium. All of this is complemented by incredible style and a metallic design that exudes Pixel influence. It might not be as powerful as the Google Pixelbook, but it’s still one of the best Chromebooks when it comes to sheer style. Read the full review: HP Chromebook 13 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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| The best 2-in-1 laptop 2019: find the best convertible laptop for your needs Posted: 29 Mar 2019 11:56 AM PDT Over the last decade, we have fundamentally changed the way we use our laptops – thanks in large part to 2-in-1 laptops. The best 2-in-1 laptops come in every size and shape, and there’s nothing like flipping your laptop into tent mode to take in some Netflix after a long study session. Some of the top 2-in-1 laptops, like the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1, will come strapped with the best processors, and will be among the best laptops on the market right now. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this convenient form factor. Most of the best 2-in-1 laptops are going to be convertible, meaning their keyboard flips around the back, in order to transform into a tablet. There are a few 2-in-1 laptops that approach it differently, namely the Surface Book 2. Microsoft’s convertible has a detachable keyboard, and its high resolution PixelSense display is held up by sheer magnetic force. No matter how they implement the 2-in-1 functionality, these flexible laptops will usually have stylus compatibility – even if it’s becoming more rare to find a stylus included in the box. So, to help you find the best 2-in-1 laptop for your needs, we’ve gathered up every convertible notebook we’ve reviewed recently, with all their pros and cons taken into consideration. The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro can go head-to-head with the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and for a substantially lower cost. Though it’s limited to only one configuration, albeit across two different sizes, the Samsung Notebook 9 Pro is as powerful as it is pragmatic. Defined in part by its inclusion of the S-Pen, this heavy-hitting hybrid is every bit as capable as Microsoft’s Surface Book and without the need to recharge its stylus. Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
It might strike you as odd that a Chromebook is on a list of the best 2-in-1 laptops, especially rated so high, but the Google Pixelbook merges the two so flawlessly. It’s a wonderful device that takes the Chrome OS platform and elevates it to levels never seen before, or even since. The Google Pixelbook is packed with powerful internals and supports full Android apps, tearing down the walls that prevented Mac and Windows faithful from embracing the best Chromebooks. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook We get it, the Pixelbook is enticing, but it’s also out of your price range. In that case, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is a choice alternative. Having introduced a touchscreen and convertible design to Google’s cloud-based Chrome OS, the Asus Chromebook Flip is made better by its compatibility with Android apps. That’s right, just like the Pixelbook, you can use the Asus Chromebook Flip for Google Play apps, albeit after installing an out-of-the-box update. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip If you’ve been looking for one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but you also kind of wanted something with some serious horsepower, you’re in luck. The Dell XPS 15, already one of the best Ultrabooks you can buy today, has been transformed into one of the best 2-in-1 laptops – with discrete class Radeon RX Vega graphics to boot. What this means is that you can get a beautiful 2-in-1, without sacrificing sheer power. And, while that means it’s a bit expensive on the high end – it’s totally worth it. Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 The original Surface Book was great enough, so when we first heard that a 15-inch Surface Book 2 was on the way, our expectations went sky-high. Microsoft’s second 2-in-1 laptop isn’t perfect, but it’s still an impressive device. This 2-in-1 laptop isn’t just gorgeous, but it’s packed with 8th-generation Intel processors and Nvidia 10-series graphics for gamers and creative types alike. When you take that power and pair it with its nifty convertibility – it’s easy to see why it’s a winner. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13-inch) While it doesn’t offer the same level of graphics performance, the Lenovo Yoga 920 is a much more affordable alternative to the Surface Book 2. For anyone who’s looking for value, rather than a detachable screen, the Lenovo Yoga 920 has a lot to offer. The design, for example, is less pronounced and has the subtlety of a more traditional Ultrabook. Meanwhile it’s thin and powerful at the same time. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920 To be fair, we loved the 13-inch Surface Book already, so when we first caught word that a 15-inch Surface Book 2 was in the works, our expectations were amplified. In the end, Microsoft’s second 2-in-1 laptop isn’t perfect, but it is an impressive feat held back by a handful of (frankly necessary) concessions. For starters, this machine features cutting-edge 8th-generation Intel processors and Nvidia 10-series graphics for gamers and creative types alike. Pair that with its nifty convertibility, and we have ourselves a winner. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch) If you’re in the market for one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but want to save a few bucks, look no further than the Lenovo Flex 6 14. For less than $1,000, you’re getting specs that will be able to handle most common workloads life throws at it – in a chassis that doesn’t just look good, but is rigid and even supports the Lenovo Active Pen. The only real downside here is the tinny speakers and the lack of Thunderbolt 3 – but even that’s not enough to hold it back from – especially at its bargain price. Read the full review: Lenovo Flex 6 14
The HP Spectre x360 isn’t just one of the best HP laptops, but with its strikingly thin frame, it’s one of the best 2-in-1 laptops on the market right now. It’s packing all the power offered by the 8th-generation Kaby Lake R processors, so despite its slim build, the HP Spectre x360 can stream 4K video and even run some games at 720p. And, unlike many of the best 2-in-1 laptops, the stylus is in the box. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 For years, HP’s Spectre line of Ultrabooks and 2-in-1s has been all about elegance and performance, and the 2018 HP Spectre x360 15 is no different. Packed with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, Nvidia MX 150 graphics and 16GB of RAM, you’re going to be able to do anything your work day throws at you – even up to some light gaming. However, the Spectre x360 is a bit heavy for a 2-in-1, so you likely won’t be using it in tablet mode very often, instead putting it in tent mode to watch some movies on its gorgeous 4K panel. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 15 (2018)
Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| How astronauts manage their mental health in space – from the ISS and beyond Posted: 29 Mar 2019 11:00 AM PDT When astronauts return to Earth, they often speak about the profound and awe-inspiring experience they had when they looked back down onto our small, blue planet. “All I know is I was stunned in a way that was completely unexpected,” NASA astronaut Nicole Stott told Inverse. “I felt connected,” Mae Jemison recalled. “For me, it was a connection back down to Earth. It was a connection with the rest of the universe.” Known as the Overview Effect, this mental shift in awareness can have a big impact on astronauts when they go into space for the first time. But although spaceflight may be wonderous, exciting and a dream come true for many astronauts, it isn’t without risk of adverse behavioral and psychological effects. Whether an astronaut is heading up to the ISS (International Space Station) or on their way to Mars in a decade’s time, space travel puts crews in an extreme environment with plenty of unique stressors on-board. This can lead to homesickness, isolation, depression, boredom and conflict with other members of the crew. Space flight isn’t just about adventures in sleek rockets – astronauts are humans after all. Although the mental health of astronauts was less of a concern in the early days of the space race, luckily NASA, ESA and space agencies all over the world have been switched onto the toll space flight can take on mental wellbeing since the 1990s. And they need to be. Now NASA plans to send astronauts to Mars by 2030 (or not long after) there’s even more reason to consider the health and wellbeing of the astronauts – a mission to Mars will be longer and more stressful than any other. But how can space agencies ensure the wellbeing of astronauts is prioritised on such high-pressure missions that go where no one has gone before? Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), left, Russian cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin of Roscosmos, center, and NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams answer questions from the press outside the Soyuz simulator. (Image credit: NASA; Bill Ingalls) Starting as you mean to go onOne way to ensure astronauts are calm under pressure and deal with conflict well is to select the most capable candidates. Many of the people who make it as astronauts have come from roles that are extremely high stress – pilots, physicians, engineers. They’re often chosen because they can handle stressful circumstances and solve problems while under tremendous amounts of pressure. “Knowledge of human psychology has advanced to the point that picking the right people for a Mars mission is no longer a challenge,” wrote Stephen Petranek in How We’ll Live on Mars. “We are very good at identifying the right people to become commercial pilots, Navy SEALs, and others who occupy critical positions where stress, judgment and intelligence meet.” According to a report from the Human Research Program (HRP) at NASA, since 1959 the space agency has carried out intensive psychiatric screening in order to identify signs of mental illness, which could jeopardize a mission’s success. Anyone identified as likely to have a behavioral or psychiatric problem during flight is eliminated from the selection process. This is called the ‘select-out’ process. Conversely, those best-suited to become astronauts are identified, this is called ‘select-in’. Even those who make it as astronauts are routinely tested and assessed. The report details annual assessments, which are performed by a crew flight surgeon and a psychiatrist at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Flight Medicine Clinic. They consist of “space flight experiences, workload, fatigue, sleep, peer relationships, family, challenges, goals, and future plans.” In the future, this process could be further streamlined. NASA is currently funding research to find out whether certain biomarkers in a potential astronaut’s body could flag up an increased stress response or whether certain genes could signal disturbed sleep patterns. This means the astronaut selection process may one day involve a DNA test. This is HERA: a three-story habitat on Earth designed to show how isolation, confinement, and remote conditions could impact future missions. (Image credit: NASA/JSC) There’s no ‘I’ in TEAMIt’s not just about ensuring individuals are psychologically-sound and well looked after, but how the whole crew works and lives together – especially during long periods of time. Gary Beven, a space psychiatrist at NASA, told io9: “One misconception is a concern or theory that the spaceflight environment may be inherently harmful or hazardous, from a psychological standpoint.” He continued, “Any previously reported behavioral health problems have appeared to occur because of common Earth-bound issues. For instance, placing crews that have potential personality conflicts in a smaller space station environment, with few recreational outlets.” This means it’s possible to simulate space missions here on Earth to figure out what causes conflict – and what can be done to prevent it. NASA runs an analogue mission called HERA here on Earth. It involves four astronauts living in a confined space for 45-days to figure out how people are affected by isolation and confinement. Although the missions at HERA have been taking place over four years, researchers from Northwestern University have recently begun to develop a predictive model, which aims to help NASA anticipate problems among crew members. The focus will be on addressing crew compatibility, the events that lead to communication breakdowns, how to work best in teams and designing workflow to keep astronauts engaged. Similarly, the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, or HI-SEAS, runs longer mission simulations for a whole year in a 1,200-square-foot habitat on Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano. The fake astronauts live like they’re on Mars. They’re isolated, there’s a delay in communications and they have showers that last seconds – they’re even required to put on spacesuits when they go outside of the airlock. The HI-SEAS researchers have found that most crews end up fighting at some point during the experiment. However, there are also lots of opportunities to analyze why conflict happens and create a better recipe for success in the future. In How We’ll Live on Mars, Angelo Vermeulen, a space systems researcher on the team said: “It all boils down to crew selection. You need to match skills as well as psychological compatibility. You can quickly see if problems will develop by simply putting people together for a week and giving them something challenging to do.” “If there are going to be problems, you’ll usually see them,” Vermeulen said. “There’s never a guarantee issues won’t arise over a long period of time. But you should start with a crew that explicitly likes to work together and is resilient.” However, these simulated missions have been criticized. It’s hard to say whether the full psychological impact of space travel could ever be replicated here on Earth – all the participants know they’re still on the planet. There could be more reason to worry in space, but conversely, stress levels might level off once an astronaut becomes adapted to their new environment and realize they’re in it for the long-haul. Astronaut Nick Hague of NASA places his hands up against the glass as his wife Catie does the same before he departs building 254 for the launch pad. (Image credit: NASA; Victor Zelentsov) When space feels lonelyResearch from NASA suggests that social support is most effective when it matches whatever the astronaut feels stressed about. If there’s a conflict on-board, a conversation with the rest of the crew will help. But if someone is missing their children or spouse, the most comforting thing is to be able to talk directly to them. Luckily, on-board the ISS and other recent missions, the internet protocol (IP) telephone is used regularly to connect astronauts with their friends and family. Many astronauts also find sharing videos, conducting experiments, and making a music video in outer space for social media can also combat feelings of isolation. A tweet may not be the same as an intimate chat with close friends and family, but it fulfils a need to feel connected to Earth and can also provide a greater sense of purpose – they are educating, inspiring and entertaining fans all over the globe. As flights become longer, loneliness and homesickness will likely become more of an issue – especially as there’s a longer delay between communications from Earth, which could be 45 minutes or more than an hour. One option may be to use virtual reality to help astronauts feel calm and more connected to life back home. NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP) suggests adding “virtual windows to actual windows to replace the lost view of Earth” or using VR technology to create environments, along with actual plants, to ground astronauts with familiar, natural scenes. NASA has already been using VR to train astronauts for years. Here, mission specialists prepare for a mission to the ISS with the help of a headset and gloves from 2010 at the Johnson Space Center. (Image credit: NASA) Keep calm and fly onAs well as addressing loneliness and providing better connections with life back home, it’s also important that astronauts know how to deal with stress and other conditions that might impair the way they perform and the way they interact with other members of the crew. A current solution on the ISS is private psychological sessions with a psychiatrist, which take place every two weeks for at least 15 minutes. This helps the experts to track any changes to mood or stress levels and recommend steps that can be taken, such as changes to sleep patterns, different kinds of work or more downtime. There’s also research being conducted into tracking the physical symptoms of stress before a problem arises. Researchers at the Florida Polytechnic University are working on what’s been called a ‘happy suit’, which could help astronauts feel better as they travel long distances in space. According to Space.com, the suit is a network of wireless sensors that can respond to an astronaut’s vitals in real-time making adjustments to temperature, light, oxygen levels and more. Arman Sargolzaei, an assistant professor of electrical engineering at the school, said in a statement: "It's vital for astronauts to be mentally healthy during missions and right now there's no active, real-time solution to help them when they feel stressed or anxious [...] This technology would provide them with immediate relief to their state of mind." Other examples of wearable and AI technology could also be adopted in the future, such as biometric sensors that can detect a rise in cortisol or facial recognition technology that can tell when someone’s expression might suggest a stress response. The realities of life on MarsAs spaceflight times increase from months to years, researchers expect instances of behavioral and psychiatric problems to increase. After all, a journey to Mars will require crews to live in confined and extreme environments for years – this is a big leap from the six-month duration of lower Earth orbit missions that most astronauts were selected for. A mission to the red planet is also likely to be filled with conflicting emotions. The outbound journey will last months and could be lonely – especially as the communication delay to Earth grows. There might be a lot of excitement about landing on Martian soil, coupled with anxiety about how far from home the crew are. Then there’ll be anticipation about returning home and learning to adjust to normal life again – that’s a lot for even the most level-headed astronaut to deal with. The best solution right now is continued research, more analog studies and an ongoing commitment to consistent care and rigorous processes. That way NASA, and other space agencies can make solid predictions about how crews will fare during longer missions and put all the necessary support structures in place to ensure they’re a success. Welcome to TechRadar's Space Week – a celebration of space exploration, throughout our solar system and beyond. Visit our Space Week hub to stay up to date with all the latest news and features. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Only half of businesses think they can defend themselves against cyberattacks Posted: 29 Mar 2019 10:14 AM PDT New research from Kaspersky Lab has revealed that a visible gap exists between the preventative measures European IT decision-makers say their organizations take and those they actually implement. The cybersecurity firm surveyed IT decision makers from Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Romania to reveal that while 83 percent said they take precautions to prevent cyberattacks, only 41 percent said they provide security training to all of their employees. Cybersecurity has gained more public attention following the high-profile data breaches and cyberattacks of the last few years. At the same time, businesses have become more aware of the complex damage a cyberattack might cause.
According to Kaspersky Lab's latest research, 51 percent of IT decision makers would find it difficult to estimate total losses after a cyberattack due to how widespread the impact would be and this includes reputational damage to their organization. Dealing with cyberattacksThe survey also found that when a cyberattack occurs, 79 percent of IT decision makers would like to know who was behind the attack. However, 68 percent of IT decision makers also fell that it is very rare that those behind such an attack are caught and brought to justice. One positive aspect highlighted by Kaspersky Lab's research is that almost one third of European businesses resort to threat intelligence reports (30%) suggesting that an increasing number of IT decision makers realize the importance of IT teams being able to rely on high-quality threat intelligence to prepare the best incident response. Principal security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, David Emm provided further insight on the firm's research, saying: “Awareness regarding cyberthreats is a very basic step for organisations, as a key foundation for staying protected from cyberthreats. Our research has found that European organisations acknowledge cyber risks, but it is concerning that only one-in-10 European organisations still do not take any effective preventative measures against cyberattacks, possibly hoping that ‘maybe it won’t happen to us. “However, it has been proven time and time again, preventative measures and proper defence are far more affordable than the impact of a disastrous attack that can even mean the end of a business. Although when a cyberattack occurs businesses would like to know who’s behind it. Unfortunately attribution is fraught with difficulties, so it’s therefore much more productive to invest in measures to reduce the risk of attack and mitigate any attack that does occur”.
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| Astros vs Rays MLB live stream 2019: how to watch today's baseball from anywhere Posted: 29 Mar 2019 10:00 AM PDT Spring training is over - regular season MLB baseball is finally back! And over in Florida today sees the now former-World Series champs Houston Astros in action. Will they build on yesterday's 5-1 win? Find out with an Astros vs Rays live stream today. After a long awaited off-season and all the anticipation that spring training brings, baseball has returned to cities across the US. Although Floridians may have preferred that it had come a day later, with the Astros coasting to a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on the Opening Day. That was largely thanks to a three-run homer flown to center field by George Springer. As you'd hope from his name, Springer has form for getting MLB seasons off to a flying start and yesterday was no exception. It was his third consecutive season hitting a home run in the first game up. Today's pitching match-up sees Gerrit Cole go up against Charlie Morton, with Cole the favorite to give Houston a two game series lead. Keep reading to see the best ways to get an Astros vs Rays live stream. As you'll see, it's available via the ESPN+ subscription service (which comes with a 7-day free trial if you haven't tried it before). And we'll also tell you how to catch it even if you're not in the US this weekend.
How to watch Astros vs Rays in the US for FREE
Live stream MLB baseball from outside your countryIf you've been looking forward to this opening day match-up but now find yourself abroad, you'll find that your coverage will be geo-blocked. Annoying for sure, but not the end of the road...as you can try using a VPN to change your IP address to a US server and watch as if you were back at home. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best Mother's Day online flower delivery services available Posted: 29 Mar 2019 09:17 AM PDT You might be cutting it close, but worry not, there's just about still time get an order of Mother's Day flowers delivered via an online florist. Finding a reliable one can be tricky if you're shopping for the first time, but we've done our homework and compared the best ones out there to find a florist that won't let you down. We've plucked our way through the best places for flower deliveries online, so you've got plenty to choose from. While we're just a fee days away now, these florists are still taking orders online with various delivery windows remaining open. If you opt for standard delivery for arrival in a few days' time, you're more likely to pay lower delivery costs, while most charge extra if you want them to be delivered specifically on Mother's Day this Sunday March 31. You can get flowers delivered to your mum's home or workplace and if you're not sure if they'll be home to receive the delivery, be sure to check out the letterbox-friendly options we've mentioned. That's where the flowers can be delivered boxed in the regular post before they open up and bloom. There's a fantastic and broad range of beautiful bouquets and gifts available from our selection of florists below. And online delivery from a specialist company means you don't have to worry about the usual hassle of buying from a regular florist and getting them home safely through the commuter crowd. So yes, shop smarter this year for Mother's Day flowers and leave it to the professionals in our list below. If you're thinking of something else that could be a great gift for Mother's Day, how about creating a unique gift via our roundup of the best photo books for a more personalised gift? If you have siblings and you want to win Mother's Day, this is the way to go. Mother's Day online flower ordersThis posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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