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Latest by M. Smith

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Google Chromebook Pixel Review

The Chromebook Pixel is Google’s first stab at a physical product that doesn’t rely on value to justify its existence. From the jaw-dropping 2560 x 1700 display to the Core i5 processor, no corners have been cut. But can Chrome OS really support a system that starts at $1,300?

Acer C7 Chromebook Review

We recently reviewed Samsung’s $250 AMD Series 3 Chromebook. But Samsung has a lot of competition now that Acer’s $200 Intel Celeron C7 Chromebook is in the mix.
Lenovo Yoga 11e Chromebook

Lenovo Yoga 11e Chromebook review

The Yoga 11e has an excellent keyboard, and a fine display. These traits make it a surprisingly solid notebook.
iPhone SE 2020 Product Red

iPhone SE review: Everything you need at lightning speed

Apple's iPhone SE (2020) isn't the best iPhone, but it's enough for most people. Our in-depth review examines performance, camera quality, design, and more.
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I bought a Ryzen laptop, and I liked it

Considering a laptop with AMD's Ryzen processor? Though not as popular as Intel's Core chips, the AMD alternative is worth a look. It offers performance and portability similar to Intel, often at a much lower price. An AMD laptop can be a good choice if you're on a budget.
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The Core i7-6700K restores faith in Intel processor overclocking

Intel’s new Core i7-6700K is a new chip, and it’s unlocked so enthusiasts can increase its clock speed. The result is a processor that’s easy to overclock.
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Intel Core i7-6700K (Skylake) review

Intel’s newest architecture, Skylake, is launching first as a pair of high-end desktop quads that specifically target enthusiasts. That they’ll provide strong performance is guaranteed, but are they quick enough to make upgrading worthwhile?
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AMD A10-7870K processor review

Intel’s processors are extremely quick, but they still pack lackluster integrated graphics. AMD’s A10-7870K quad-core tries to exploit that weakness with a capable, built-in Radeon GPU, but can it really handle modern games?
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Origin Omega home theater desktop review

Gaming PCs that target the living room have attempted a resurgence in recent years, but UI issues and limited performance have eliminated many contenders. Can Origin’s high-horsepower Omega change the game?
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Dell Inspiron 13 7000 SE 2-in-1 review

Dell’s new Inspiron 7000 13 SE is a strong laptop on paper, but faces fundamental challenges that plague all 2-in-1 laptops. Can it overcome them, or does it remain a poor substitute for a real tablet?
AMD Radeon Fury X

AMD Radeon R9 Fury X review

AMD’s new video card, the Fury X, is more than a refresh. It uses a new form of video RAM, High Bandwidth Memory, that promises a massive leap in performance-per-watt. But is it enough to catch up with Nvidia’s intimidating GTX 980 Ti?
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Dual core? That’s so 2005! Your next laptop should have a quad

Many buy a cheap laptop with a dual-core chip believing they'll enjoy better portability, but a quad's superior performance is often the better choice.
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Asus ROG G501 review

The Asus G501 is a slim gaming notebook that goes toe-to-toe with the Razer Blade and Acer Aspire V15 Nitro Black Edition, but can a system this thin really play modern games at high detail?
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Microsoft Surface 3 review

Microsoft’s entry-level Surface has always played second fiddle to the supercharged Surface Pro, but the new Surface 3 runs full-blown Windows 8.1 just like its Pro sibling. Does that make it almost as capable, or does its budget hardware hold it back?
Samsung's ATIV Book 9

Why don’t laptops with Intel’s Core M processors run longer? We tested to find out

Intel's Core M promises efficiency beyond the standard Core line. Yet in reviews, notebooks with Core M inside don't necessarily offer record-breaking battery life. Why?

Three years of laptop battery life explored

You might think your three year old laptop is still modern, fast, and portable. But can it really compare to the endurance of modern, portable PC?
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Hands on: Project Spartan browser

Microsoft’s replacement for Internet Explorer is now available, but it Spartan isn’t as lean, mean and ready to fight as its name suggests.
Lenovo ThinkPad T450S in hand

Lenovo ThinkPad T450s review

While most notebooks fight to be the thinnest on the shelf, Lenovo’s stalwart ThinkPad T450s takes a more traditional approach. The result is a sturdy work laptop that may lure you away from newer, shinier rivals – if you can afford to pay up.

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?
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.