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Latest by M. Smith

Macbook Pro 13-inch with Retina review

Apple’s refreshed MacBook Pro 13 wasn’t given the spotlight at the company’s big Spring event, but it stole the show anyway, representing a notable and needed upgrade. Is it enough to keep pace with ever-improving ultrabooks?
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Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan X review

Nvidia’s flagship Titan X provides an unparalleled gaming experience, bulldozing every game we could throw in its path at 4K resolution with maximum detail. Except for one.
Nvidia GTX 960 video card

Nvidia GTX 960 review

Nvidia's new GTX 960 tempts budget gamers, but can it match the legacy of its predecessor the GTX 760, or does it stumble in the face of today's demanding titles?
testing mini windows pcs from acer zotac and ctl bitesizepc triofull1

Do bite-sized Windows PCs still leave a bitter taste? We tested 3 new models

Pint-sized computers have been around for years, but they've a reputation for poor performance and connectivity. Is this deserved, or have modern processors made tiny Windows rigs relevant?
Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review

Though it’s not perfect, our Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review reveals a great piece of hardware that easily defeats every other 2-in-1 currently available.

Looking for the Oculus Connect 3 keynote? You can watch it here

Oculus Connect 3 is the company's major annual conference. This year, we expect to see it announce official pricing and release details for the Oculus Touch controllers.
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Close to the Metal Ep. 12: Should you give the gift of VR for the holidays?

Virtual reality isn't cheap, but that might make it the perfect gift for your favorite geek -- or not. So, should you buy, or wait until 2017?
A person typing on a Huawei MateBook X Pro laptop at a table.

Huawei MateBook X Pro review

The Huawei MateBook X Pro is an impressively thin and light laptop that crams a 14-inch display into a 13-inch body.
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Laptop displays: Everything you need to know

Contrast. Resolution. Black level. Gamut. These words can seem like arcane scrawl, but they’re actually not difficult to grasp. Here’s our guide to the terms.
Dell P2715Q front angle

Dell P2715Q review

Dell's P2715Q was its first real effort at crafting a modern 4K display and it worked wonders. We thought it looked fantastic when it was first released and it still looks good today. The drab bezels and frame didn't look great at launch and they haven't aged well, but in the competitive 4K space, this monitor still holds up.
google stadia review rs 4

Google Stadia vs. Shadow

Google Stadia and Shadow are two very different game-streaming services. Here, we've outlined the key differences between the two to help you make a decision.
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We’ve made a map so you can find the HTC Vive demo nearest you

VR is difficult to understand until you've tried it. Knowing this, HTC has set up demo stations across the globe. Here's where to find them.
intels iris xe max is a new discrete gpu for midrange laptops intel featured

Intel’s Iris Xe Max is a new discrete GPU for midrange laptops

Intel's Iris Xe Max is the company's latest step toward competing with AMD and Nvidia in PC graphics. It adds 4GB of graphics memory with 68GB/s of bandwidth.
Lenovo Yoga S940 review

At CES 2019, 2-in-1s fade as premium laptops fight the battle of the bezels

PC 2-in-1s have enjoyed no shortage of innovation over the past few years, but CES 2019 saw a surprisingly reversal of that trend. Laptops took the spotlight as the battle of the bezels drove mobile PCs to maximum screen size. Is it a fad, or a sign of shifting tastes?
asus zenbook 13 ux333fa review feat

5 ways Intel’s ‘Ice Lake’ processors will make your next laptop awesome

Intel's 'Ice Lake' processors will arrive for the 2019 holiday season. We don't know exactly what the first devices will look like, but CES 2019 gave us hints of what they'll look like, and there's reason to be excited. Laptops are about to get thinner. A lot thinner.
ibm quantum computing ces 2019 q system one header

IBM’s Q System One is the rock star quantum computing needs

Quantum computing is intriguing. It's also confusing, distant, and unfathomable, which means people often skip right by the topic. IBM's Q System One, shown at CES 2019, may not be a scientific breakthrough, but it finally gives everyone a reason to stop and stare.
Touchscreen laptops

What type of touchscreen laptop is best for you?

Convertibles, dockables, and sliders, oh my! The world of Windows 8 touchscreen laptops is a jungle. We'll help you decide which option is best for you.
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What’s new in Windows 8?

Windows 8 includes a new interface, but that's just the beginning. Find out what's important in Microsoft's latest operating system.
LG 32UD99-W review full

HDR monitors are here, but don’t get your wallet out yet

A handful of HDR monitors are now available, letting you enjoy brighter, more detailed, and more vivid content at your desk.
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Intel promises its new CPUs will match Nvidia’s potent GTX 1060, thanks to AMD

We now know more about 8th-gen Core with Radeon RX Vega M, and it could give Nvidia reason to worry, matching even the GTX 1060 Max-Q.
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Cheap, fast laptop gaming is finally becoming reality at CES 2018

Gaming laptops are capable, but they're also niche. The laptop graphics in most notebooks can barely handle five-year-old games — until now.
how nvidias bfgd could replace your television with a computer monitor nvidia big format gaming display concept art

They’re smart AF, and Nvidia’s monstrous BFGD monitors are a BFD

Today’s HDTVs are fantastically beautiful works of engineering that pump out incredible images, but they’re based on outdated assumptions. Nvidia’s Big Format Game Displays challenge the status quo, and could become the display of the future.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 3rd-Gen

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 3rd-gen hands-on review

Lenovo’s third-generation ThinkPad X1 Yoga looks a lot like the previous model, but it adds an HDR display to the mix.
XPS 13 2-in-1

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1: Our first take

Dell's XPS 13 was our favorite laptop of 2015. Now, the 2-in-1 version has swept us off our feet. It's thinner, but maintains a great keyboard.
MacOs Big Sur

MacOS Big Sur will be coming to a Mac near you on November 12

Apple has announced the release of MacOS Big Sur, which brings a new coat of paint and upgrades to the Messages and Photos apps. You can download it now.

Dell XPS 18 Review

How would you like an 18-inch tablet? Perhaps that sounds crazy, but it’s what Dell offers with its XPS 18 all-in-one hybrid PC. This do-it-all system is meant to replace both your desktop and your iPad, but the size (and price) set up hurdles you many not want to leap.

HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook Review

HP wants to take Chrome OS mainstream with the Pavilion 14 Chromebook, a thin-and-light system that sells for $329 yet offers an Intel Celeron dual-core processor. But can Google’s operating system really replace Windows for the average user?
bose quietcomfort 35 ii gaming review boseqc35iigaming1

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming review: Lost in translation

Bose attempts to convert its popular QuietComfort 35 II into a gaming headset, but not everything goes to plan. Read our full review to find our why.
Dell UltraSharp U3818DW review hero

Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW review

LG was first to have a 38-inch ultrawide monitor, but there’s new competition. In our Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW monitor review, we see how the newcomer does.
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Alienware m15 (2019) review

Alienware's new m15 (2019) is an absolutely stunning laptop that looks unique, yet doesn't look gaudy. You'll lust after it the moment you see it. But does its performance hold up? Our Alienware m15 review takes an exhaustive look.
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HP Pavilion dm1z Review

Review: Combining the best of both a laptop and Windows PC, the HP dm1z is a top caliber netbook that offers everything you'd expect from a desktop in a portable, sleek, and relatively affordable package.
future of blockchain in gaming spells genesis satoshi art feat

From gold to greatswords, blockchain lets gamers truly own their loot

Centralized and controlled entirely by their developer, modern online games engage players, yet often leave them with little they can claim as their own. Blockchain will disrupt that status quo. It’s also sure to have unintended consequences.
Acer Predator Triton 500

Acer Predator Triton 500 review: The value king

Acer's Predator Triton 500 isn't inexpensive, but it has great hardware for the price. That makes the Triton 500 a superb value for a high-end gaming laptop.
PS5 and DualSense art.

The PS5 is basically a custom gaming PC, and that’s good news for fans

An official teardown of the PlayStation 5 revealed internal design that's not dissimilar from a typical PC. The PS5 should be easy to repair and customize.