DIGITAL EDITION

JANUARY 2021
 CONTENTS
JANUARY 2021

COVER STORY
THE ULTIMATE
GUIDE TO HEALTH
& FITNESS TECH
The WFH (workout from home)
edition: fitness trackers,
smartwatches, home gyms, and
much more.

FEATURES

APPLE’S APP STORE

BEST OF 2020 AWARDS
This year’s pool of winners is
Apple’s most diverse ever,
showcasing companies and
developers that offer meaningful
solutions to keep us connected.
WHAT’S NEW NOW

A RASPBERRY PI–
POWERED MONITOR
THAT DELIVERS CAR
ENGINE INFORMATION
Paul Slocum has an intriguing fix
for car owners needing a monitor
to display engine information.

WHAT IS 6G?
Many confusing and
contradictory things are being
said about 6G, by telecom
companies, phone
manufacturers, and
governments. Here’s what we
actually know.

STEVE WOZNIAK’S
NEW STARTUP MELDS
BLOCKCHAIN AND
GREEN TECH
The Apple co-founder has a new
company that’s promising
energy industry innovation.
REVIEWS

CONSUMER
ELECTRONICS
Roku Ultra (2020)

JBL Go 3

Sensi Touch
Smart
Thermostat ST75

HARDWARE
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1
JBL Go 3
(9310)

Nvidia GeForce
RTX 3060 Ti
Founders Edition

Lenovo ThinkPad
X1 Fold

SOFTWARE
& APPS
IDX Privacy

Zoho Invoice

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold

Zoho Invoice
OPINIONS
CAROL MANGIS
First Word The Macs lack
READER INPUT 4G connectivity
and still have
SASCHA SEGAN
Qualcomm Is a Little Too Unbothered poor-quality,
by Apple’s M1 Macs 720p front-
JORDAN MINOR facing cameras.
Don’t Let Anyone Shame You for
Playing Cyberpunk 2077 on Weak
Hardware

MIKE WILLIAMS
6 Reasons to Ditch Netflix Streaming —Sascha Segan

TIPS & HOW TOS

TIPS TO HELP YOU

GET YOUR WORK
MOJO BACK
Five techniques to get you back
on track when you need a little
help.

HEADING BACK TO
THE OFFICE: AN
EMPLOYEE’S GUIDE
Get as involved as possible in
your employer’s planning.

TIPS TO BOOST YOUR

ANDROID PHONE’S
BATTERY LIFE

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 FIRST WORD
CAROL MANGIS

I
’m writing this before 2020 has drawn to a
close though I’m already thinking 2021
thoughts. The past year brought us down some
GDUNWXQQHOVEXWZHFDQ¿QDOO\VHHVRPHJOLPPHUV
of light, and it’s exhilarating.

That’s not to say we should all relax, kick back,

and take things for granted. In fact, I don’t think
we ever can or should do the latter. It’s time to do
Challenges some work—not least on ourselves. So what better
WLPHWRGHOLYHUDQRYHUYLHZRIWHFKQRORJ\¿WQHVV
& Optimism devices and services than now?
in the Year
Ahead 2XU¿WQHVVDQDO\VW$QJHOD0RVFDULWRORKDVEHHQ
TXLWHEXV\WHVWLQJ¿WQHVVWUDFNHUVDQG
smartwatches, to be sure. But she’s also breaking
VRPHQHZJURXQGIRU3&0DJE\WHVWLQJLQKRPH
smart gym equipment, including the Peloton
ELNHV$SSOH)LWQHVVWKH:\]H6FDOHDQGORWV
PRUH:HSXOOHGWRJHWKHUWKHEHVWRIWKHEXQFKLQ
RXUFRYHUVWRU\:HKRSHLWKHOSVPDQ\RIRXU
readers jog toward a healthy New Year, especially
since we’ll still be spending a great deal of our time
at home—for now.

Speaking of new things, it’s time for a refresh for

XVWRR:HGHFLGHGWRNHHSRXUUHDGHUVXUYH\
JRLQJLQ-DQXDU\,I\RXKDYHQ¶WDOUHDG\¿OOHGLW
RXWSOHDVHGRVR:HUHDOO\ZDQWWRNQRZZKDW
\RXWKLQNRIWKH3&0DJD]LQH'LJLWDO(GLWLRQZKDW
you enjoy, and what we could do better. The
responses we’ve received so far have been
insightful and helpful. You’ll start seeing some
 @cmangis changes soon.

+HUH¶VWKHOLQN'RQ¶WKROGEDFN

KWWSV]GFVOLQN3&0'(6XUYH\

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and hopeful 2021 for all

of us!

[email protected]

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I DECEMBER 2021

 READER INPUT
YOUR COMMENTS

THE PASSWORD DILEMMA

(DECEMER 2020)
We are getting sick and tired of having to type all
day and create complex passwords ... to log into
poorly designed computer programs that take
more and more of our time. A click tax might
help, but in medicine, our EMR [electronic
medical record] systems are a form of human-
healthcare-worker torture, and I am using easier
passwords just to survive and lessen my 40-plus
Passwords minutes a day just to log on. I love technology,
and Data but the best technology and programs in medicine
are abysmal—old, antiquated interfaces with
DUWL¿FLDOLQWHOOLJHQFHWKDWLVZURQJDWOHDVWRI
This month, readers the time. Thank you, congress and politicians.
weighed in on the —Chris
troublesome topic of
passwords. We also Most common passwords where? There’s not a
got a question on single one with a special character and only four
keeping data safe with a capital letter on the entire top-200 list.
when you’re carrying Most places won’t even let you use these things.
it around (literally), —rayden54
and a few notes of
appreciation (which PROTECTING PORTABLE DATA
we appreciate!). I’m trying to secure data on a thumb drive for
emergencies. I’ve read many reviews, many
written by you, but what I need doesn’t seem to
come up in the reviews. Imagine an emergency
where I have nothing but the clothes on my back
and my thumb drive. I need my data to be
protected, yet also to be usable on any computing
platform with no software or admin access
required. I tried SecurStick, but I get a
³'HVWLQDWLRQDOUHDG\KDVD¿OHQDPHG Dear Mr. [Neil J.] Rubenking,
[[´HUURUZKHQWU\LQJWRFRS\¿OHVWR I came across your article for PC
LWDQG,FDQ¶W¿QGDQ\VROXWLRQWR Magazine titled, “Malwarebytes
that. Free is best, but low-priced is Premium Review.” I wanted to write
acceptable. What would you suggest? to you to tell you I enjoyed the
—Tom Wolff writeup. It was engaging, straight to
the point, and informative. I
Neil J. Rubenking’s reply: generally like PC Magazine’s
I haven’t covered encrypted drives presentation style for reviews, where
for many years, but when I did, the the key takeaways are up front along
Kingston Data Traveler product line with a list of pros and cons. PC
was always well-regarded. The Magazine has become a trusted
software that manages it is in a read- source for me, a person with limited
only partition on the drive itself. If technology knowledge and who is
\RXZDQWVRIWZDUHIUHHWKDW interested in the very basics. Thank
exists too. There’s the Apricorn you for all that you and your
Aegis; you unlock it by pressing the colleagues do to provide transparent,
button combination. It looks like helpful, and unbiased resources to
Kingston has a keypad-based one folks.
too, the DT2000 Encrypted USB —Jafra Thomas
Flash Drive. I would not advise trying
to cut corners or use free software for
this project. Seems like it’s important
to you, and it’s a one-time expense.

LOVE LETTERS

? Ask us a
'HDU(ULF>*UL̇WK@
I just wanted to thank you for your
article, “How to Download YouTube question
9LGHRV´,QWKH&29,'HUDDV
Have a question about a story in
many of us college faculty are
PC Magazine, one of the products
working remotely at times while we cover, or how to better use a
many more of our students are tech product you own? Email us at
working from home, the ability to [email protected] and we’ll
download and cache YouTube videos respond to your question here.
Questions may be edited slightly
for one-time use is ... spectacularly
for content and clarity.
helpful.
—Christopher Hutton
PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021
WHAT’S NEW NOW
CAR TECH

A Raspberry Pi–Powered
Monitor That Delivers Car
Engine Information BY BRITTANY VINCENT

Photo credit: Paul Slocum via Reddit

W
KHQLWFRPHVWRROGHUFDUVNHHSLQJWUDFNRIVSHFL¿FVWDWVFDQEH
GL̇FXOW,I\RXGRQ¶WKDYHD7HVODZLWKDQDGYDQFHGWRXFKVFUHHQRU
HYHQDQHZHUFDUZLWKDPRGHUQGLVSOD\\RXPLJKWIHHOLQWKHGDUN
DERXWZKDW¶VJRLQJRQZLWK\RXUHQJLQH7KDW¶VZKHUH5DVSEHUU\3LFRPHVLQ

7RP¶V+DUGZDUHVSRWWHG3DXO6ORFXP¶VLQWULJXLQJ¿[IRUFDURZQHUVQHHGLQJD
PRQLWRUWRGLVSOD\HQJLQHLQIRUPDWLRQXVLQJD5DVSEHUU\3LDVDEDVH+LV
SHUVRQDOXQLWZDVGHVLJQHGWR¿WKLVµ+RQGDGRZQWRWKHFDU¶VDHVWKHWLF7KH
PRQLWRUDXWRPDWLFDOO\FRQQHFWVZLWKWKHFDUYLD%OXHWRRWKGRQJOHDQGVKDUHV
LQIRUPDWLRQZKHQWKHHQJLQHVWDUWVXS
³,ZDQWHGDVPDOOFXVWRPL]DEOH2%'PRQLWRUWKDW
DXWRPDWLFDOO\WXUQVRQDQGR̆ZLWKWKHFDUDQG,
FRXOGQ¶W¿QGTXLWHZKDW,ZDQWHGDPRQJH[LVWLQJDSSV
DQGSURGXFWV´6ORFXPZURWH7KH2%'DVKH The OBD2, as
H[SODLQVLVDFRPSXWHUSRUWLQPRVWPRGHUQFDUVWKDW he explains, is
DOORZVIRUUHDOWLPHDQDO\VLVRIFDUHQJLQHGDWD a computer
port in most
:ULWWHQDQGFRPSLOHGZLWK&WKHSURMHFWZKLFKXVHV modern cars
DUXQRIWKHPLOO5DVSEHUU\3LDOVRXWLOL]HV6'/ that allows for
6LPSOH'LUHFW0HGLD/D\HUIRUJUDSKLFVDVZHOODVD real-time
WRXFKLQWHUIDFH6ORFXPDGGHGDLQFK:DYHVKDUH analysis of car
,36*3,2VFUHHQWREULQJLWDOOWRJHWKHU engine data.
7KRXJK6ORFXPQRWHVWKDWWKHVRIWZDUH³QHHGVDOLWWOH
PRUHZRUN´KH¶VSODQQLQJRQUHOHDVLQJLWDVRSHQ
VRXUFHZLWKDFXVWRPL]DEOHOD\RXWIRQWVJUDSKLFVDQG
RWKHUGDWDIRUGL̆HUHQWFDUV,WGRHVQ¶WQHHGWREH
FXVWRPL]HGIXUWKHUDVLWZLOODXWRPDWLFDOO\FRQQHFWWR
DQ\%OXHWRRWK2%'GRQJOH<RXFDQIROORZWKHFUHDWRU
RQ*LW+XEIRUIXWXUHXSGDWHV

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

WHAT’S NEW NOW
MOBILE

What Is 6G?
Oh, no: We’re talking about 6G again BY SASCHA SEGAN

T
KHPRVWUHFHQWURXQGRI*VSHFXODWLRQZDVNLFNHGR̆E\&KLQD
ODXQFKLQJZKDWLWKDGELOOHGDV³WKH¿UVW*VDWHOOLWH´LQHDUO\
1RYHPEHU7KDWELOOLQJLVZURQJ7KHVDWHOOLWHLVQRW*7KH*
VWDQGDUGGRHVQ¶WHYHQH[LVW\HWDQGLW¶VVWLOO\HDUVDZD\IURPEHLQJVHW7KH³*
VDWHOOLWH´ODEHOLVDPDUNHWLQJEOXUEFRQQHFWHGWRWKHLQFUHDVLQJO\WHQVH
JHRSROLWLFDOEDWWOHEHWZHHQWKH86DQG&KLQDRYHUVHWWLQJZLUHOHVVVWDQGDUGV
7KHWLQ\JUDLQRIWUXWKLQWKLVVRẌpRIVLOOLQHVVLVWKDWWKHVDWHOOLWH¶VSXUSRVHLV
WRWHVWWHUDKHUW]IUHTXHQF\UDGLRWHFKQRORJ\ZKLFKLQWKHRU\ZLOOEHVRPHSDUW
RIWKH*VWDQGDUG

7KLVLVMXVWRQHH[DPSOHRIWKHPDQ\FRQIXVLQJDQGFRQWUDGLFWRU\WKLQJVEHLQJ
VDLGDERXW*QHWZRUNVDQGWHFKQRORJ\E\WHOHFRPFRPSDQLHVSKRQH
PDQXIDFWXUHUVDQGJRYHUQPHQWV+HUH¶VZKDWZHDFWXDOO\NQRZDERXWZKDW*
LVZKDWLWLVQ¶WDQGZKDWLWPLJKWEHLQWKHIXWXUH
WHAT DOES 6G MEAN?
*ZLOOEHWKHVL[WKJHQHUDWLRQRIZLGHDUHDZLUHOHVV
WHFKQRORJ\:LUHOHVVJHQHUDWLRQVDUHVWDQGDUGL]HGE\
WKH,QWHUQDWLRQDO7HOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQ8QLRQ,78DQG 5G continues
RFFXUHYHU\\HDUVRUVR7KH\¶UHJHQHUDOO\PDUNHGE\ to evolve, but
DEUHDNLQWKH³DLULQWHUIDFH´PHDQLQJDFKDQJHLQ anything
WUDQVPLVVLRQRUHQFRGLQJ7KLVLVGRQHVRSUHYLRXV that isn’t
JHQHUDWLRQGHYLFHVFDQ¶WEHXSJUDGHGWRWKHQHZ compatible
JHQHUDWLRQ with current 5G
development
7\SLFDOO\QHZJHQHUDWLRQVXVHPRUHDGYDQFHGGLJLWDO will have
encoding that older computers aren’t powerful enough to be 6G.
WRGRZLGHUEDQGVRIDLUZDYHVWKDWJRYHUQPHQWVGLGQ¶W
PDNHSUHYLRXVO\DYDLODEOHDQGLQFUHDVLQJO\FRPSOH[
DQWHQQDV\VWHPVWKDWFRXOGQ¶WSUHYLRXVO\EHHQJLQHHUHG

:H¶UHFXUUHQWO\LQWKH¿IWKJHQHUDWLRQ7KH¿UVWVSHFIRU
*15WKH¿IWKJHQHUDWLRQDLULQWHUIDFHZDVFUDIWHGLQ
*FRQWLQXHVWRHYROYHEXWDQ\WKLQJWKDWLVQ¶W
FRPSDWLEOHZLWKWKHFXUUHQW*VSHF²DQ\UDGLFDOQHZ
GHYHORSPHQW²ZLOOKDYHWREH*

WHAT ISN’T 6G?

6LQFHWKHUH¶VORWVRIK\SHDURXQG*HYHQWKRXJKLW
GRHVQ¶WH[LVW\HW\RXFDQH[SHFWPDQ\WKLQJVWREH
PDUNHWHGDV³*´GHVSLWHQRWEHLQJUHODWHGLQDQ\ZD\
WR*ZLUHOHVVWHFKQRORJ\7KDW&KLQHVHVDWHOOLWHLVMXVW
WKHWLSRIWKHLFHEHUJRIFRQIXVLRQ

,FDQDOUHDG\IRUHVHHDPDMRUSUREOHPLQYROYLQJ:L)L
:L)L(DQGWKH*+]IUHTXHQF\EDQG:L)L
DOVRNQRZQDVD[LVDFXUUHQWKRPHQHWZRUNLQJ
VWDQGDUG:L)L(H[WHQGVWKHH[LVWLQJ:L)LRQWRD
QHZEDQGDWWKH*+]IUHTXHQF\<RXVKRXOGDEVROXWHO\
H[SHFWWKDW:L)L(URXWHUVZLOOKDYHFRQIXVLQJ³*´
VWLFNHUVRQWKHP7KH\DUHQRW*
6RPHFKXFNOHKHDG,63LVSUREDEO\JRLQJWRR̆HUDJLJDELWKRPHVHUYLFH
VRPHWLPHLQWKHQH[W¿YH\HDUVDQGELOOLWDV³*´7KDWLVQRW*

7KHFLW\RI7RURQWRNQRZQDV³7KH6L[´LVLQSDUWIDPRXVIRULWVUHVLGHQW'UDNH
ZKRFRQVLGHUVKLPVHOIDJDQJVWHURIORYH+HFRXOGWKHUHIRUHUHIHUWRKLPVHOI
DV³WKH*´EXWKHWRRLVQRWDZLUHOHVVQHWZRUNLQJVWDQGDUG

WHEN WILL 6G HAPPEN?

$FFRUGLQJWRD6DPVXQJZKLWHSDSHUWKH,78ZLOOEHJLQZRUNWR³GH¿QHD*
YLVLRQ´LQ7KHVWDQGDUGZLOOOLNHO\EHFRPSOHWHGDURXQGDQGZHZLOO
VHHWKH¿UVW*SURGXFWVDURXQGWKHQ:LGHVSUHDGGHSOR\PHQWZLOOKDSSHQ
DURXQG6DPVXQJVD\V

,QRWKHUZRUGVGRQ¶WEHOLHYHDQ\RQHVD\LQJWKDWDQ\WKLQJLVUHDOO\*IRU
VHYHUDO\HDUV

WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW?

1RZWKDW*KDVEHHQORFNHGGRZQDFDGHPLFVDQGWHFK¿UPVDOLNHDUHVWDUWLQJ
WREXLOGZLVKOLVWVRIWKHZLOGVFLHQFH¿FWLRQ\VWX̆WKDWZHFDQ¶WGRQRZEXW
ZDQWWREHDEOHWRGRLQ7KH\¶UHKHOSLQJWRVKDSHWKH³*YLVLRQ´
6DPVXQJUHIHUUHGWR6RDUHDGYDQFHVLQWHFKQRORJ\WKDWFRXOGPDNHVRPHRI
WKRVHIDURXWLGHDVLQWRUHDOLW\$OORIWKLVLVUHDOO\H[FLWLQJLI\RX¶UHWKHVRUWRI
SHUVRQZKRJHWVH[FLWHGDERXWWHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV²DQG\RXVKRXOGEH
EHFDXVHVRPHRIWKRVHLQQRYDWLRQVFRXOGVKDSHVRFLDOPHGLDWHOHFRPPXWLQJ
DQGDSSV\RXXVHHYHU\GD\
$OVRPDUNHWLQJSHRSOHOLNHKDYLQJDODEHOWKH\FDQVODSRQVRPHWKLQJWKDW
PDNHVLWVRXQGFRRODQGKLJKWHFK

HOW DOES 6G WORK?

:HGRQ¶WNQRZEHFDXVHLWGRHVQ¶WH[LVW%XWVRPHLGHDVDUHVWDUWLQJWRVZLUO
DURXQGWKDWVXJJHVWKRZLWPLJKWHYHQWXDOO\ZRUN

$ORWRIWKHUHVHDUFKDURXQG*LVDERXWWUDQVPLWWLQJGDWDDWXOWUDKLJK
IUHTXHQFLHV*LQWKHRU\JRHVXSWRDERXW*+]DOWKRXJKQRIUHTXHQF\
DERYH*+]LVFXUUHQWO\EHLQJXVHGE\*)RU*VFLHQWLVWVDUHWU\LQJWR
¿JXUHRXWKRZWRWUDQVPLWGDWDRQZDYHVLQWKHKXQGUHGVRI*+]RUWHUDKHUW]
7+]UDQJH7KHVHZDYHVDUHH[WUHPHO\WLQ\DQGIUDJLOHEXWWKHKXJHDPRXQW
RIIUHHVSHFWUXPXSWKHUHZRXOGDOORZIRUVSHFWDFXODUGDWDUDWHV

7KHUHDUHPDVVLYHXQVROYHGFKDOOHQJHV:HGRQ¶WKDYHVHPLFRQGXFWRUPDWHULDOV
WKDWFDQXVHPXOWL7+]IUHTXHQFLHV*HWWLQJDQ\NLQGRIUDQJHRXWRIWKRVH
IUHTXHQFLHVPD\UHTXLUHHQRUPRXVDUUD\VRIYHU\VPDOODQWHQQDV:DWHUYDSRU
LQWKHDWPRVSKHUHEORFNVDQGUHÀHFWV7+]ZDYHVVRPDWKHPDWLFLDQVZLOOKDYH
WRGHVLJQPRGHOVWKDWDOORZGDWDWRWDNHYHU\FRPSOH[URXWHVWRLWVGHVWLQDWLRQ
&XUUHQWZLUHOHVVV\VWHPVOHW\RXWUDQVPLWRUUHFHLYHRQO\RQDQ\JLYHQ
IUHTXHQF\7RJHWWZRZD\FRPPXQLFDWLRQ\RXFDQVSOLW\RXUFKDQQHOVE\
IUHTXHQF\)''RUE\FUHDWLQJWLPHVORWV7'')LQGLQJDZD\WRXVH
H[WUHPHO\FRPSOH[PDWKWRVHQGDQGUHFHLYHLQWKHVDPHIUHTXHQF\DWWKHVDPH
WLPHFRXOGGRXEOHWKHḢFLHQF\RIH[LVWLQJVSHFWUXPDQGEHWRWDOO\
LQFRPSDWLEOHZLWKH[LVWLQJQHWZRUNV1RERG\NQRZVKRZWRGRWKLV\HWEXWD
ORWRIVPDUWSHRSOHDUHWU\LQJKDUGWR¿JXUHLWRXW

0HVKQHWZRUNLQJKDVEHHQDKRWWRSLFLQPDQ\QHWZRUNLQJFLUFOHVIRU\HDUVEXW
*LVVWLOOSUHGRPLQDQWO\DKXEDQGVSRNHV\VWHPLQZKLFKHQGXVHUGHYLFHV
SKRQHVFRQQHFWWREDVHVWDWLRQVFHOOWRZHUVWKDWFRQQHFWWRDEDFNERQH
0D\EH*FRXOGXVHGHYLFHVDVERRVWHUVIRURQHDQRWKHU¶VGDWDVRWKDWHYHU\
GHYLFHZRXOGH[WHQGFRYHUDJHDVZHOODVXVLQJLW

6SOLWFRPSXWLQJLVD*FRQFHSWEXWLWFRXOGEHPXFKPRUHSRZHUIXOZLWK*
/DWHQF\UHIHUVWRKRZTXLFNO\GDWDFDQEHWUDQVIHUUHGEHWZHHQGHYLFHV7KH
ORZHUWKHODWHQF\WKHPRUH\RXUSKRQHFDQUHO\RQVSOLWFRPSXWLQJLQZKLFK
VRPHGDWDLVSURFHVVHGORFDOO\DQGVRPHLVSURFHVVHGHOVHZKHUHDQG
WUDQVPLWWHG6LQFHDGHYLFH\RXKROGLQ\RXUKDQGZLOOQHYHUEHDVSRZHUIXODV
WKHVXSHUFRPSXWHUVLQWKHFORXGWKLVLVYLWDOIRUDSSOLFDWLRQVWKDWVHQG\RXU
GHYLFHDFRQVWDQWVWUHDPRIFRPSOH[LQIRUPDWLRQ

*LVDLPLQJIRUODWHQF\EHORZPVZKLFKLVJRLQJWRUHTXLUHDZKROHEXQFKRI
RWKHUWHFKQRORJLFDOLQQRYDWLRQVEXWFRXOGPDNHVRPHUHDOO\QLIW\VSOLW
FRPSXWLQJWKLQJVKDSSHQ)RUH[DPSOH\RXFRXOGKDYHDXJPHQWHGUHDOLW\
JODVVHVWKDWWUDQVPLWZKDW\RX¶UHVHHLQJVXFKDVDFRROSLHFHRIVWUHHWDUW
WRWKHFORXGDQGJHWEDFNLQIRUPDWLRQVXFKDVWKHDUWLVW¶VQDPHRUHYHQDYLGHR
RIWKHPXUDOEHLQJSDLQWHGWRGLVSOD\WR\RXLQUHDOWLPHGRLQJQRORFDO
SURFHVVLQJDWDOO
:HPD\DOVRQHHGDQHZIRUPRIWKH,QWHUQHW3URWRFRO
,3DFFRUGLQJWRD8QLYHUVLW\RI2XOXZKLWHSDSHU7KLV
ZRXOGFKDQJHWKHZKROHVWUXFWXUHRIWKH,QWHUQHW7KH
SDSHUGHVFULEHVDFXUUHQW,3SDFNHWDVEHLQJOLNHD¿UVW Mesh
FODVVOHWWHUZLWKDQDGGUHVVHGHQYHORSHDQGVRPH networking
VKHHWVRIWH[WD³QHZ,3´SDFNHWZRXOGEHOLNHD)HG([ could help
SDFNDJHWKDWLQFOXGHVURXWLQJDQGSULRULW\LQIRUPDWLRQ alleviate
problems
7KHVHWKLQJVDOOJRWRJHWKHU)RUH[DPSOHPHVK caused by the
QHWZRUNLQJFRXOGKHOSDOOHYLDWHSUREOHPVFDXVHGE\WKH short range of
VKRUWUDQJHRIWHUDKHUW]WUDQVPLVVLRQV,I\RXUGDWDFDQ terahertz
KRSIURP\RXUSKRQHWRVRPHRQH¶VFRDWWRDFDURQWKH transmissions.
VWUHHWWRDODPSSRVWDQGWKHQWRDEDVHVWDWLRQWKDW
OHWVDVKRUWGLVWDQFHWHFKQRORJ\ZRUNRYHUDPXFK
ORQJHUUDQJH

7KHUHDUHDORWRIRWKHULGHDV)RUPRUHFKHFNRXWWKH
ZKLWHSDSHUVDWWKH8QLYHUVLW\RI2XOX¶V*)ODJVKLS
FHQWHU7KH\SXEOLVKDSHULRGLFPDJD]LQHRI*LGHDVDV
WKH\VXEWO\DUJXHIRU(XURSHWREHWKHFHQWHURI*
LQQRYDWLRQ

IS THERE A 6G COLD WAR?

<HDKVRUWRI6LQFH*WKHUH¶VEHHQDVHQVHWKDWD
FRXQWU\RUUHJLRQWKDWJHWVDQHDUO\MXPSRQWKHQH[W
JHQHUDWLRQRIZLUHOHVVWHFKQRORJ\UHDSVHFRQRPLF
EHQH¿WVIURPGHYHORSLQJSURGXFWVDQGDSSOLFDWLRQVIRU
LW7KLVLGHDZDVFHPHQWHGZKHQWKH86PRYHGHDUO\RQ
*DQGPRVWRIWKHNH\JOREDODSSOLFDWLRQVRIWKH*
HUD²VXFKDV$QGURLG,QVWDJUDPDQG8EHU²ZHUHWKHQ
GHYHORSHGLQWKH86

(DFK*QRZDGD\VDLPVWREHDJOREDOVWDQGDUGVR
HYHU\RQHKDVWRDJUHHRQZKDWLWLV%XWWKH*)ODJVKLS
LQ2XOX)LQODQGH[LVWVLQDVXEWOHWHQVLRQZLWKWKH
8QLWHG6WDWHV¶1H[W*$OOLDQFH³%XLOGLQJWKH
IRXQGDWLRQIRU1RUWK$PHULFDQOHDGHUVKLSLQ*´
ZKLFKLQWXUQORRNVTXLWHVXVSLFLRXVO\DWZKDW&KLQDLV
GRLQJZLWK*7KHOLQHVKHUHDUHQ¶WFOHDQO\GUDZQ
<RX¶OO¿QG&KLQHVHVFLHQWLVWVDWWHQGLQJWKH*
)ODJVKLS¶VFRQIHUHQFHVDQG1RNLDD)LQQLVKFRPSDQ\ There’s a
LVDPHPEHURIWKH1H[W*$OOLDQFH%XWWKHUH¶V sense of each
GH¿QLWHO\DVHQVHRIHDFKFRXQWU\WU\LQJWRJHWDVPXFK country trying
RILWVLQWHOOHFWXDOSURSHUW\LQWRWKHVWDQGDUGDVLWFDQ to get as
+HQFH&KLQD¶VERJXV³*VDWHOOLWH´ much of its
intellectual
WHAT WILL 6G DO FOR ME?
property into
1RERG\NQRZV1RERG\HYHQNQRZVZKDWWKHNLOOHU
the standard
DSSOLFDWLRQIRU*LVJRLQJWREH(YHU\WLPH
as it can.
conventional wisdom has tried to predict what a new
ZLUHOHVVJHQHUDWLRQ¶VNLOOHUDSSZRXOGEHWKHLQGXVWU\
JRWLWZURQJ*ZDVJRLQJWREHDOODERXWFOHDUYRLFH
FDOOLQJDQGLWWXUQHGRXWWREHDERXW606*ZDV
VXSSRVHGWREHDERXWYLGHRFDOOLQJDQGWXUQHGRXWWREH
DERXWPRELOHZHE*ZDVVXSSRVHGWREHPRELOH
EURDGEDQGDQGLWWXUQHGLQWR,QVWDJUDPDQG<RX7XEH
,¶YHEHHQIROORZLQJ*DSSOLFDWLRQSURMHFWVIRUWKUHH
\HDUVQRZDQGQRERG\UHDOO\NQRZVZKLFKRQHVZLOO
WDNHR̆
%XW\RXKDYHWRKDYHVRPHWKLQJWRDLPIRUVRWKHUHDUHYLVLRQV3ULQFHVV/HLD
IRULQVWDQFHLVRQH6DPVXQJVXJJHVWV³'KRORJUDPGLVSOD\V´ZKLFKZLOO
UHTXLUH*ESVGDWDUDWHVRQKDQGKHOGGHYLFHVDQG³VHYHUDO7ESV´IRUD
KXPDQVL]HGKRORJUDP

7KHKRORJUDPVDUHDYDULDQWRQWHOHSUHVHQFHFRQFHSWVWKDW,¶YHVHHQSURSRVHG
IRU*DQGWKDWMXVWEHFRPHPRUHUHDOLVWLFZLWK*7KLQNDERXWSHRSOH
LQKDELWLQJDQGPDQLSXODWLQJURERWLFWRROVDQGYHKLFOHV²RUKXPDQRLGURERWV²
UHPRWHO\ZLWKQHDULQVWDQWDQHRXVUHVSRQVH

2QHRWKHUYLVLRQ,¶YHVHHQIUHTXHQWO\LVWKHLGHDRIGLVSOD\VRQHYHU\WKLQJDQG
HYHU\WKLQJEHLQJFRQQHFWHG)XUQLWXUHFORWKLQJFRQVXPHUSURGXFWV²
HYHU\WKLQJZRXOGKDYHVRPHVRUWRIÀH[LEOHGLVSOD\LQWHUIDFHRQLWWKDWZRXOG
JDLQIXQFWLRQIURPDJOREDOFRQQHFWHGKLYHPLQG5HPHPEHUWKHVHDUHMXVW
LGHDVQRERG\DFWXDOO\NQRZVKRZWRPDNHDQ\RILWKDSSHQ\HWQRUZKHWKHU
WKH\ZRXOGDFWXDOO\EHJRRGLGHDV

+HUHDUHVRPHRIWKH*FRQFHSWVNLFNLQJDURXQGLQ2XOX³3K\VLFDOWRF\EHU
IXVLRQ´IRU³KHDOWKDQDO\WLFV´6PDUWFORWKLQJWKDWGHWHFWVDQGPRQLWRUV
SRWHQWLDOKHDOWKLVVXHV'LVSOD\VSULQWHGRQDQ\WKLQJDOZD\VFRQQHFWHGWRWKH
FORXG(QWLUHO\DXWRQRPRXVLQGXVWULDODUHDVVXFKDVIDFWRULHVDQGSRUWV
RSHUDWHGE\ORZODWHQF\DUWL¿FLDOLQWHOOLJHQFH

0DQ\RIWKHVHLGHDVKDYHDEVROXWHO\WHUULI\LQJLPSOLFDWLRQVIRUSULYDF\VRFLDO
G\QDPLFVDQGKXPDQODERU%XWWKDW¶VSDUWRIZK\ZHQHHGWRWDONDERXW*IRU
DQRWKHUVHYHUDO\HDUVEHIRUHGHVLJQLQJDQGLPSOHPHQWLQJLW

IS 6G SAFE?
:HKDYHQRLGHD7KHUHLVQR*\HWMXVWDYDJXHVHWRIFRQYHUVDWLRQWRSLFV
DURXQGWHFKQRORJLHVWKDWPD\RUPD\QRWKDSSHQ)LJXULQJRXWZKLFKRIWKRVH
WHFKQRORJLHVDUHVDIHSUR¿WDEOHXVHIXORUHYHQSRVVLEOHWREXLOGZLOORFFXS\
KXQGUHGVRIDFDGHPLFVDQGVFLHQWLVWVIRUWKHQH[W¿YH\HDUVRUVR%XWVDIHW\ZLOO
EHSDUWRIDQ\VHULRXVHQJLQHHULQJFRQYHUVDWLRQ

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

WHAT’S NEW NOW
STARTUPS

Steve Wozniak’s New Startup

Melds Blockchain and Green Tech
BY MICHAEL KAN

Photo credit: Sean Gallup / Getty Images

A
pple co-founder Steve Wozniak has a new company that’s promising
energy industry innovation through a virtual currency called “WOZX.”
We know, it sounds weird. But Wozniak is hoping the new startup,
FDOOHG(̆RUFHZLOOKHOSVWRSFOLPDWHFKDQJHE\SURPRWLQJ³JUHHQ´HQHUJ\
ḢFLHQWWHFKQRORJLHV

³:HFDQVDYHWKHHQYLURQPHQWVLPSO\E\PDNLQJPRUHHQHUJ\LPSURYHPHQWV´
:R]QLDNDQQRXQFHG³:HFUHDWHG(̆RUFHWREHWKH¿UVWGHFHQWUDOL]HGSODWIRUP
WKDWDOORZVHYHU\RQHWRSDUWLFLSDWHDQGEHQH¿W¿QDQFLDOO\IURPZRUOGZLGH
HQHUJ\ḢFLHQF\SURMHFWVDQGFUHDWHPHDQLQJIXOHQYLURQPHQWDOFKDQJH´
6RKRZZLOOWKLVDFWXDOO\ZRUN"(̆RUFHLVPHDQWWRDFWDVDGLJLWDOPDUNHWSODFH
WKDWFRPSDQLHVFDQXVHWRUDLVHIXQGLQJIRUHQHUJ\ḢFLHQF\SURMHFWV7KLV
PLJKWLQFOXGHVZLWFKLQJWRORZHQHUJ\/('OLJKWLQJRUDGRSWLQJDEHWWHU
manufacturing process to save on electricity.

³7KHFRPSDQLHVZLOOWKHQKDYHPRUHDYDLODEOHFDVKWRXVHIRURWKHUFULWLFDO
SURMHFWVVXFKDVLQIUDVWUXFWXUHRUKLULQJ´VDLG-DFRSR9LVHWWLDQRWKHUFR
IRXQGHURI(̆RUFH

6SHFL¿FDOO\(̆RUFHSODQVWRZRUNZLWKHQHUJ\VHUYLFHFRPSDQLHV(6&2V
ZKLFKVSHFLDOL]HLQDUUDQJLQJ¿QDQFLQJIRUHQHUJ\VDYLQJSURMHFWV:R]QLDN¶V
VWDUWXSZLOOHYDOXDWHWKHLQYHVWPHQWQHHGHGIRUWKHSURMHFWVFDOFXODWHWKH
anticipated savings, and then come up with a contract that’ll detail the returns
IRUERWKWKHFRPSDQ\DQGLQYHVWRUV

³7KHSODWIRUPWKHQOLVWVWKHSURMHFWIRUFURZGFRQWULEXWLRQ7KHSDUWLFLSDQWV
PD\EX\LQWRWKHSURMHFWXVLQJIUDFWLRQDORUZKROH:2=;WRNHQV´DFFRUGLQJWR
WKH(̆RUFHEXVLQHVVPRGHO7KHVWDUWXSZLOOXVHVSHFLDOPHWHUVWRPHDVXUHWKH
HQHUJ\VDYLQJVIURPWKHSURMHFWDQGORJWKHPRQWKH:2=;EORFNFKDLQ$Q\
VDYLQJVZLOOEHGLVWULEXWHGLQWRWKHLQYHVWRU¶VSUR¿OHDVHQHUJ\FUHGLWV

³7KHHQHUJ\VDYLQJVJHQHUDWHGEHFRPHDWDQJLEOHDVVHWLQWKHKDQGVRIWRNHQ
holders, who may decide to sell them or use them to reduce their electricity
ELOOV´WKHFRPSDQ\¶VZKLWHSDSHUVD\V³7KURXJKWKHZDOOHWWKHHQHUJ\VDYLQJV
REWDLQHGRYHUWLPHFDQEHNHSWDQGVSHQWWRUHGXFHWKHLUELOOZKHQHYHUWKHSULFH
RIHOHFWULFLW\LVVXFKDVWREHFRQYHQLHQWIRUR̆VHWWLQJ´

$OWKRXJK:R]QLDNLVRQHRIVL[FRIRXQGHUVRIWKHFRPSDQ\LW¶VXQFOHDUZKDW
UROHKH¶OOKDYHLQOHDGLQJ(̆RUFH)RUQRZWKHVWDUWXS¶VZHEVLWHPHUHO\OLVWVKLP
DVDQHQJLQHHU%XWKLVQDPHDQGSUHVHQFHZLOOFHUWDLQO\GULYHSXEOLFLW\IRUD
FRPSDQ\WKDWFODLPVWREHDOUHDG\YDOXHGDWDURXQGELOOLRQDIWHUOLVWLQJWKH
:2=;WRNHQRQWKHFU\SWRFXUUHQF\H[FKDQJH+%7&

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

Sascha Sega COMMENTARY

Qualcomm Is a Little Too

Unbothered by Apple’s
M1 Macs

Q
XDOFRPPH[HFXWLYHVEUXVKHGR̆D
question about Apple’s new M1-based
Macs during a question-and-answer
session at the company’s Snapdragon Summit in
December, where Qualcomm announced a new
ÀDJVKLSVPDUWSKRQHFKLSVHWEXWQRXSJUDGHVWR
its year-old chips for PCs.
Sascha Segan is the
“We invested early in Windows on Snapdragon, lead mobile analyst
for PC Magazine. His
and we’ve been on a journey to build this commentary has
ecosystem together with Microsoft,” Qualcomm also appeared on Fox
President Cristiano Amon said. “What we have News, CNBC, CNN, and
various radio stations
seen in the past month is a broader validation and newspapers
that was the right bet.” around the world.

The chipmaker has been partnering with

Microsoft since 2017 to help laptop makers build
Qualcomm-based Windows laptops, to mixed
reviews. Last month, Apple released laptops that
shift from Intel-based processors to ARM-based
processors, using Apple’s own M1 chips.

In general, reviews of Qualcomm-powered

laptops such as the Microsoft Surface Pro X have
celebrated the devices’ long battery life but
lamented problems with third-party apps that
were originally coded for Intel processors.
Sascha Sega That stands in stark contrast to Apple’s new M1- @saschasegan
based Macs, which don’t seem to be slowed down
as badly by older software. Although analyst
Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy
has pointed out some compatibility issues, most
reviewers have had better opinions of the M1-
based Macs than of the Qualcomm-based PCs.

“It’s a great validation of what we’ve been doing

for the past few years, and [Qualcomm’s product
line] is just going to get stronger and stronger as
we broaden our scope,” said Alex Katouzian,
Qualcomm SVP for mobile.

Katouzian made sure to subtly call out ways in

which Qualcomm’s always-connected PCs are
superior to Apple’s newest Macs. The Macs lack
4G connectivity and still have poor-quality, 720p
front-facing cameras.

“For many years, laptop makers didn’t want to

bother with improving their front-facing
cameras,” Katouzian said today. “With laptops
powered by Snapdragon, you can have a video
call experience that feels like you’re right there in
person ... with 5G connectivity built into your PC,
you can be productive and connect securely from
virtually anywhere. You don’t need to buy a
separate camera, or mic, or modem dongle.”

Katouzian also pointed out that (presumably

unlike Apple) Qualcomm addresses “many tiers ...
and many price points” with its 7c, 8c, and 8cx
laptop chipsets, letting Windows laptop makers
drive prices well below the MacBook Air’s list
price of $999.
Sascha Sega WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN
The core problem with Qualcomm’s always-
connected PC strategy is one that Qualcomm
LWVHOIFDQ¶W¿[:KLOH4XDOFRPPFRXOGDQG Microsoft
probably will soon announce a laptop chip that’s already failed
based on the new Snapdragon 888 and has a level to break free of
of raw power closer to Apple’s M1, it’s really down its Intel
to Microsoft, as well as peripheral and app dependency
makers, to solve the platform incompatibilities once, with the
that have frustrated PC reviewers. Windows RT
experiment.
Apple controls its chips, laptop hardware, OS,
and key applications. In the smartphone world,
that provides some advantage but not much, as
Android chipsets, OS versions, and software have
all grown up together.

But the Windows world is trying to pivot, and its

turning radius isn’t great. Microsoft already failed
to break free of its Intel dependency once, with
the Windows RT experiment. Ultimately it’s
probably Microsoft, not Qualcomm, that we need
to hear from about improving Windows laptop
performance. And at this year’s Snapdragon
Summit, Microsoft was nowhere to be seen.

[email protected]

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

Jordan Mino COMMENTARY

Don’t Let Anyone Shame

You for Playing Cyberpunk
2077 on Weak Hardware

I
¶YHSOD\HGWKH¿UVWIHZKRXUVRI&\EHUSXQN
RQWKH;ER[6HULHV6DQGVRIDULW¶V
¿QH1LJKW&LW\WKHVXQGUHQFKHGDQGDFLG
EOHDFKHGIXWXULVWLFPHWURSROLVORRNVJRUJHRXVO\
G\VWRSLDQRQP\.79,¶YHQRWLFHGRQO\RQH
SHUIRUPDQFHGLSRQHDQLPDWLRQEXJDQGRQH
LQVWDQFHRIPLVVLQJWH[WXUHV2IFRXUVHWKLQJV
FRXOGJHWPXFKZRUVHWKHORQJHU,SOD\WKHJDPH PC Magazine software
LVEXJJ\DIWHUDOO6WLOO,GRQ¶WIHHOWKHQHHGWR analyst Jordan Minor
was senior editor for
ZDLWIRUQH[W\HDU¶VQH[WJHQRSWLPL]DWLRQ Geek.com and a
PCMag intern before
6XUSULVHG",DP$OWKRXJKWHFKQLFDOO\DQH[WJHQ that. He has written
for Kotaku, The A.V.
FRQVROHWKH;ER[6HULHV6LVVRUHODWLYHO\ZHDN Club, and Cards
WKDWLWṘFLDOO\GRHVQ¶WR̆HUDQ\ERRVWWR;ER[ Against Humanity.
2QHJDPHVEHVLGHVVSHHG\66'SRZHUHGORDG
WLPHV2Q6HULHV;\RXFDQSOD\&\EHUSXQN
DWIUDPHVSHUVHFRQG2Q6HULHV6\RX¶UHVWXFN
ZLWKISVDFWLRQDQGZKDWORRNVOLNHG\QDPLF
UHVROXWLRQ2IFRXUVHSOD\LQJ&\EHUSXQNRQ
DQ\FRQVROHLVDFRPSURPLVHFRPSDUHGWRZKDW¶V
SRVVLEOHRQDJDPLQJ3&

6WLOO,¶PKDYLQJDJRRGWLPHSOD\LQJWKLVYHUVLRQ
RI&\EHUSXQN,I\RXGRQ¶WKDYHWKHODWHVW
KDUGZDUH\RXVKRXOGVWLOOEHDEOHWRSOD\
ZKDWHYHUJDPHV\RXFDQZLWKRXWDQRXQFHRI
UHJUHW
Jordan Mino BUYER BEWARE?
%XWVRPHWLPHV\RXFDQ¶WSOD\ZKDWHYHUJDPHV
\RXZDQWRQWKHKDUGZDUH\RXRZQ,IRXQG
@jordanwminor

&\EHUSXQN¶VSRVLWLYHSHUIRUPDQFHRQP\6HULHV6
SDUWLFXODUO\VKRFNLQJDIWHUVHHLQJUHSRUWVRISRRU
ODVWJHQHUDWLRQSHUIRUPDQFH7KHYLGHRFOLSV
VKRZDJDPHIDUZRUVHWKDQZKDW,¶YHSOD\HG,I
\RXFDQ¶WHQMR\WKHJDPH\RXERXJKW\RX¶UHULJKW
WREHPDG

'HVSLWHZKDWVRPHJDPHUVLQVLVWWKRXJKWKH
VROXWLRQVKRXOGQ¶WEH³EX\EHWWHUKDUGZDUH´
,QVWHDG&'3URMHNW5HGQHHGVWR¿[WKHYHUVLRQV
WKDWLW¶VDOUHDG\VHOOLQJRQZHDNHUKDUGZDUH7KH
GHYHORSHUZDVQ¶WZURQJWRUHOHDVHWKHJDPHRQ
ODVWJHQV\VWHPV7KHPLOOLRQVRISHRSOHZKRKDYH
RQO\WKRVHPDFKLQHVDSSUHFLDWHWKHFKDQFHWRSOD\
RQHRIWKH\HDU¶VPRVWDQWLFLSDWHGJDPHVDJDPH
DQQRXQFHGD\HDUEHIRUHWKH36DQG;ER[2QH
ZHUHDYDLODEOHIRUSXUFKDVH6WLOOLI&'3URMHNW
5HGWDNHV\RXUPRQH\LWRZHV\RXDZRUNLQJ
ZHOORSWLPL]HGJDPH

LEGACY SOFTWARE
7KDWVDLGHYHQLI&\EHUSXQNUDQÀDZOHVVO\
RQFRQVROHVDQGKRSHIXOO\SDWFKHVZLOOVRRQ
PDNHWKDWWKHFDVH\RXZRXOGVWLOOKHDUVRPH
SXULVWVFODLPLQJWKDWSOD\LQJRQWKHPRVW
SRZHUIXO3&SRVVLEOHLVWKHRQO\WUXHZD\6HWWLQJ
DVLGHWKHIDFWWKDWWKH3&YHUVLRQDOVRKDV
WHFKQLFDOLVVXHV\RXVKRXOGQ¶WQHHGWRSD\
KXQGUHGVRIGROODUVIRUDJUDSKLFVFDUGWKDW¶V
FXUUHQWO\LPSRVVLEOHWR¿QGMXVWWREHDSDUWRIWKH
FRQYHUVDWLRQVXUURXQGLQJDVLQJOHYLGHRJDPH
$UJXLQJRWKHUZLVHIXUWKHUVDKDUPIXOJDWHNHHSLQJ
DWWLWXGHWKDWSODJXHVJDPLQJLQZD\VODUJHUWKDQ
&\EHUSXQN
Jordan Mino 'R\RXZDQWWRNQRZZK\,ZDVSUHSDUHGWRDFFHSWWHFKQLFDO
VKRUWFRPLQJVLQ&\EHUSXQN¶VFRQVROHYHUVLRQ",W¶VEHFDXVH,¶P
DOUHDG\XVHGWRH[SHULHQFLQJPDQ\RIWKHPLQ1LQWHQGR6ZLWFKSRUWVRI
$$$JDPHV,¶YHDOUHDG\H[SODLQHGLW¶VWRWDOO\YDOLGWKDW,DQGRWKHUVVHH
WKH6ZLWFK¶VSRUWDEOHIXQFWLRQDOLW\DVDELJJHUVHOOLQJSRLQWWKDQ
LQFUHDVHGSRZHU%HIRUHSOD\LQJ&\EHUSXQN,VXQNPDQ\KRXUV
LQWRWKHQHZO\XSGDWHG2XWHU:RUOGV6ZLWFKSRUWDQGWKHMXVWUHOHDVHG
'RRP(WHUQDO6ZLWFKSRUW,FDQSXWXSZLWKVRPHEOXUWRSOD\DJDPHLQ
EHG,PPRUWDOV)HQ\[5LVLQJLVWKHODWHVW6ZLWFKJDPHWKDWOHWV\RX
PRYHVDYHGDWDWR3&PXFKOLNH&'3URMHNW5HG¶VRZQ:LWFKHU:LOG
+XQW6ZLWFKSRUWJLYLQJ\RXWKHEHVWRIERWKZRUOGV

0\;ER[6HULHV6LVQ¶WSRUWDEOH%XWDVDFRQVROHLW¶VPRUH
FRQYHQLHQWWKDQP\3&ZKLFKVLPSO\LVQ¶WHTXLSSHGWRUXQ&\EHUSXQN
3OD\LQJRQFRQVROHLVWKHZD\,¶PJRLQJWRNHHSHQMR\LQJWKHJDPH
DQG\RXVKRXOGQ¶WIHHOEDGLI\RX¶UHLQWKHVDPHERDW

FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS

9LGHRJDPHFXOWXUHDQGUHDOO\WHFKQRORJ\FXOWXUHLQJHQHUDOLVREVHVVHG
ZLWKWKHQHZHVWWKLQJWKHODWHVWXSJUDGH7KDW¶VQRWLQKHUHQWO\DEDG
WKLQJ,ORYHJHWWLQJH[FLWHGDERXWIXWXUHSRVVLELOLWLHV7KDWVDLGZH
VKRXOGQ¶WOHWWKDWVWRSXVIURPHQMR\LQJSHUIHFWO\¿QHH[SHULHQFHVLQWKH
SUHVHQW:HVKRXOGQ¶WSUHVVXUHSHRSOHZKRFDQ¶WD̆RUGWRXSJUDGHRU
VLPSO\KDYHQRLQWHUHVWLQ³SUHPLXP´H[SHULHQFHVWKH\SHUVRQDOO\GRQ¶W
YDOXHZLWKDUELWUDU\)202

,VWLOOKDYHDQRULJLQDOL3KRQH6(,VLWROG"<HV,VLWVWLOODQH[WUHPHO\
SRZHUIXOSRFNHWVL]HVXSHUFRPSXWHUWKDWḢFLHQWO\GRHVHYHU\WKLQJ,
QHHGLWWRGR"<HV$QGLI,GRXSJUDGH,¶OOSUREDEO\EHMXVW¿QHZLWKDQ
L3KRQHPLQL'HDWKWRSODQQHGREVROHVFHQFHIRUSHUIHFWO\FDSDEOH
PDFKLQHVHVSHFLDOO\LQWKHPLGGOHRIDSDQGHPLF

,IDQ\WKLQJP\IDYRULWHQHZFRQVROHIHDWXUHVRIDUKDVQRWKLQJWRGR
ZLWKKRZZHOOWKH\SOD\QHZJDPHVLW¶VKRZZHOOWKH\SOD\DQGSUHVHUYH
ROGJDPHV7KHUREXVWEDFNZDUGFRPSDWLELOLW\RQ;ER[OHWVODVWJHQ
JDPHVVLQJOLNHQHYHUEHIRUHDQGERDVWDKLJKHUYLVXDO¿GHOLW\,¶P
SOD\LQJWKHRULJLQDO;ER[YHUVLRQRI6WDU:DUV.QLJKWVRIWKH2OG
Jordan Mino 5HSXEOLFIRUWKH¿UVWWLPHDQGLWORRNVSOHDVLQJO\
FOHDQ7KH5HWUR$UFKWXUQVWKH6HULHV6LQWRD
VWURQJHPXODWLRQER[WKDWFDQUXQJDPHVDV
PRGHUQDV:LLJDPHV:HFDQORRNWRWKHEULJKW We can look to
IXWXUHDQGLPSURYHWKHFKHULVKHGSDVWDOODWRQFH the bright
,W¶VQRWDVWUDLJKWOLQH future and
improve the
JACKIN’ IN, HOWEVER YOU CAN cherished past
,¶PQRWDKXJHIDQRIJDPHVWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHV all at once.
VXFKDV$PD]RQ/XQDDQG*RRJOH6WDGLDVHUYLFHV It’s not a
WKDWDOVROHW\RXSOD\&\EHUSXQN7KHLQSXW straight line.
ODJIUXVWUDWHVPHDQGWKH\VXFNXSDORWRI
LQWHUQHWGDWD%XW,GROLNHWKHLUFRUHSLWFKRI
OHWWLQJDQ\RQHSOD\WKHODWHVWJDPHVZLWKRXW
SULFH\KDUGZDUH7KH\HYHQOHW\RXSOD\$$$
YLGHRJDPHVRQDSKRQH7KDW¶VDQREOHJRDO

:KHQLWFRPHVWRRYHUFRPLQJJDPLQJ¶VEDUULHUV
WRHQWU\WKHQH[WEHVWWKLQJLVSOD\LQJD
GHPDQGLQJJDPHOLNH&\EHUSXQNRQWKH
FKHDSHVWOHDVWFXWWLQJHGJHFRQVROHV7KLV
JHQHUDWLRQKDVQRUPDOL]HGFURVVJHQUHOHDVHV
PRUHWKDQHYHU:HPD\ZDQWWRPRYHRQ
HYHQWXDOO\MXVWVRJDPHVFDQIXOO\WDNHDGYDQWDJH
RIQH[WJHQSRZHU)RUQRZSOD\ZKDWHYHU
ZRUNLQJJDPH\RXZDQWRQZKDWHYHUGHYLFH\RX
ZDQWDQGGRQ¶WOHWDQ\RQHVKDPH\RXIRULW
6TXHH]LQJWKHPRVWOLIH\RXFDQRXWRIEXVWHG
DQFLHQWWHFKEHIRUH\RXSXWLWRXWWRSDVWXUHLVWKH
PRVWF\EHUSXQNWKLQJ\RXFDQGR

[email protected]

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

Mike William COMMENTARY

6 Reasons to Ditch
Netflix Streaming
V
ideo streaming continues to surge in
2020, and it’s easy to understand the
reason: COVID-19 has seen many movie
theaters close, so more people than ever before
turn to the internet for their entertainment. For
roughly $10 to $15 per month, you can access vast
¿OPDQGWHOHYLVLRQOLEUDULHVIURP$SSOH79
$PD]RQ3ULPH9LGHR&%6$OO$FFHVV'LVQH\
+%20D[3HDFRFN1HWÀL[DQGRWKHUYLGHR Mike Williams has
covered video games,
VWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHVHDFKR̆HULQJDKRVWRI both on the industry
classics, middling fare, and new, trending and consumer sides,
FRQWHQW6WUHDPLQJLVHDV\DQGGRHVQ¶WFRVWPXFK for more than a
decade. He started at
Gamesindustry.biz,
%XLOGLQJD%OXUD\OLEUDU\RQWKHRWKHUKDQGLV before moving to
QRWLQH[SHQVLYHDV\RXPXVWSXUFKDVHD USgamer, and now is a
PCMag software &
VWDQGDORQHSOD\HURUQH[WJHQJDPHFRQVROHDQG gaming analyst.
individual discs that cost at least the price of a
PRQWKO\VWUHDPLQJYLGHRVXEVFULSWLRQ6WLOOLI
you’re a person who loves movies—a person who
ORYHV¿OP²WKH%OXUD\DQG8OWUD%OXUD\IRUPDWV
DUHWKHEHVWZD\VWRHQMR\\RXUIDYRULWHÀLFNV
Here’s why.

BLU-RAY HAS SUPERIOR AUDIO/VIDEO

QUALITY
If you own a HDR-compatible, 4K television and
a good surround sound system or soundbar,
\RX¶OOZDQWWRH[SHULHQFHWKHKLJKHVWTXDOLW\
Mike William DXGLRYLVXDOFRQWHQWSRVVLEOH%OXUD\
SDUWLFXODUO\8OWUD+'%OXUD\OHWV\RXGRMXVW
WKDW7KHIRUPDWVGHOLYHUWKHEHVWSRVVLEOHSLFWXUH
@AutomaticZen

DQGVRXQGWKDW¶OO¿WRQWRWKHGLVFSURYLGHGWKH
source material is top-notch. Apocalypse Now:
Final Cut, Blade Runner 2049, and Pan’s
Labyrinth (the Criterion Collection release, not
WKHPHGLRFUH.WUDQVIHUKDYHVRPHRIWKHEHVW
pictures you’ll see at home.

8QIRUWXQDWHO\YLGHRVWUHDPLQJ¶VKROHVDUHUHDGLO\
apparent. Hulu’s 4K support is spotty, and its
+'5VXSSRUWLVQRQH[LVWHQW+%20D[GRHVQ¶W
currently support 4K or HDR, although that’s
going to change starting with Wonder Woman
1984, a movie that debuts this month.
1%&8QLYHUVDO¶V3HDFRFNGRHVQ¶WVXSSRUW.RU
+'5DWDOOEXWOLNHZLVHVD\VWKDWWKRVHIHDWXUHV
DUHFRPLQJLQWKHIXWXUH&%6$OO$FFHVVVXSSRUWV
4K and HDR, but only on certain platforms.

2QWKHXSVLGH$SSOH79$PD]RQ3ULPH
'LVQH\*RRJOH3OD\1HWÀL[DQG<RX7XEHGR
R̆HUYLGHRVWUHDPVFRQWDLQLQJWKHVHH\HFDWFKLQJ
IHDWXUHV7KDWVDLGWKHUH¶VQRSURPLVHWKDWWKH\¶OO
GHOLYHUEHVWLQFODVVYLGHRDQGVRXQGTXDOLW\
7KHVHIHDWXUHVUHTXLUHDGGLWLRQDOLQWHUQHW
bandwidth, because the services must send
streams with higher bit rates.

9LGHRVWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHVZRUNDURXQGWKLVLQ
GL̆HUHQWZD\V$SSOH79DQG'LVQH\WHQGWR
stream at higher bit rates than their rivals,
DFFRUGLQJWRWKLUGSDUW\WHVWLQJE\)ODW3DQHO6+'
7KDWDQDO\VLVGHWHUPLQHGWKDWWKHKLJKHUELWUDWH
LV[WR[WKDWRIDYDQLOOD%OXUD\GLVFEXW
URXJKO\KDOIWKDWRID8OWUD+'%OXUD\GLVF
Mike William 1HWÀL[UHFHQWO\DQQRXQFHGWKDWLWVZLWFKHGWRRSWLPL]HGHQFRGLQJWKDW
KDOYHGLWV.VWUHDPV¶ELWUDWHVZLWKRXWFKDQJLQJWKHTXDOLW\'HVSLWH
WKDWFRQWHQWLRQVRPHSHRSOHQRWLFHGORZHUTXDOLW\.VWUHDPV
VRPHWKLQJ1HWÀL[VD\VLVDQRXWOLHU

BLU-RAY DOESN’T REQUIRE AN INTERNET CONNECTION

With video-streaming services, you can access programs as long as your
LQWHUQHWLVZRUNLQJ6XUH\RXULQWHUQHWFRQQHFWLRQPD\EHIDVWDQG
GHSHQGDEOHULJKWQRZEXWHYHU\RQHKDVH[SHULHQFHGRUZLOO
H[SHULHQFHDQHWZRUNRXWDJH7KLVLVDSDUWLFXODUO\LPSRUWDQWLVVXHDV
people move away from urban and suburban environments where the
LQWHUQHWLVVWDEOH6RPHDUHDVKDYHSRRULQWHUQHWFRQQHFWLYLW\VRPH
don’t have internet at all.

%H\RQGWKDWVRPHLQWHUQHWSURYLGHUVKDYHHVWDEOLVKHGEDQGZLGWKFDSV
something that streaming 4K video easily devours. (It’s a problem with
JDPHVWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHVWRR,I\RX¶UHVWUHDPLQJ.YLGHRZLWK+'5
and surround sound, you’ll be pulling a pretty hefty stream. Depending
on your bandwidth limitations, you may need to upgrade your internet
service plan.

%OXUD\GLVFVVKLQHLQWKHVHVLWXDWLRQVEHFDXVHWKH\OHW\RXZDWFKD¿OP
RUWHOHYLVLRQVKRZZKHQWKHLQWHUQHWIDOWHUV$VORQJDV\RXUSODFHKDV
SRZHU\RXFDQSRSLQDÀLFNDQGQRWZRUU\DERXWRXWDJHVRUVPDVKHG
GDWDFDSV$QGD%OXUD\GLVF¶VSLFWXUHTXDOLW\LVQ¶WWLHGWR\RXULQWHUQHW
connection’s speed.

YOU CAN’T FIND EVERYTHING ON STREAMING SERVICES

7KHUHDUHPDQ\PRYLHVDQGVKRZVWKDW\RXZRQ¶W¿QGRQVD\1HWÀL[
The Super Mario Bros movie from 1993 is horrible, but it’s worth seeing
RQFH<RXFDQ¶W¿QGLWRQVWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHV.HYLQ6PLWK¶V¿OP
Dogma isn’t available on any video streaming service, because the rights
VLWZLWK%REDQG+DUYH\:HLQVWHLQThe Basketball Diaries, one of
/HRQDUGR'L&DSULR¶VHDUO\¿OPVLVDOVRPLVVLQJIURPYLGHRVWUHDPLQJ
SODWIRUPV$OORIWKHPDUHHDVLO\SXUFKDVHGRQ%OXUD\
Mike William ,QDGGLWLRQPDQ\YLGHRVWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHVVX̆HUD
UHFHQF\ELDV<RX¶OO¿QGWKHEHVWEODFNDQGZKLWH
¿OPVRQVHUYLFHVVXFKDV&ULWHULRQ&KDQQHORULQ
+%20D[¶V7&0VHFWLRQEXWRWKHU¿OPVIURPWKDW Not all content
HUDDUHPLVVLQJLQDFWLRQ*RRGOXFN¿ULQJXS1HWÀL[ is available on
to watch On The Waterfront. 1HWÀL[DQGLWVLON Blu-ray, but
would rather push their own original programming, you’ll probably
as they don’t have to pay licensing fees for content. find at least a
,W¶VDPDMRUSUREOHPLQWHUPVRI¿OPSUHVHUYDWLRQ DVD release
with little
1RWDOOFRQWHQWLVDYDLODEOHRQ%OXUD\EXW\RX¶OO
effort.
SUREDEO\¿QGDWOHDVWD'9'UHOHDVHZLWKOLWWOH
H̆RUW$QGDV\RXNQRZ%OXUD\SOD\HUVVXSSRUW
DVD.

YOU OWN BLU-RAY DISCS

,I\RXUHDOO\ORYHD¿OPRUVHULHVLWEHKRRYHV\RXWR
SLFNLWXSRQ%OXUD\%HVLGHVWKHLPSUHVVLYHVLJKWV
DQGVRXQGV%OXUD\GLVFVHQVXUHWKDW\RX¶OODOZD\V
KDYH\RXUIDYRULWHFRQWHQWUHDGLO\DYDLODEOH6DGO\
video-streaming services often remove popular
content.

/HW¶VVD\\RXMRLQHG+%20D[ZLWKWKHH[SHFWDWLRQ
that you’d be able to watch all of the DC
(QWHUWDLQPHQW¿OPV$WODXQFK&KULVWRSKHU
1RODQ¶VThe Dark Knight was there for your viewing
pleasure. However, Batman Begins and The Dark
Knight Rises,WKHRWKHUÀLFNVLQ1RODQ¶V%DWPDQ
WULORJ\OHIW+%20D[LQ6HSWHPEHUWREHFRPHD
VL[PRQWK3HDFRFNH[FOXVLYH,I\RXRQO\VXEVFULEH
WR+%20D[\RXFDQ¶WZDWFKHLWKHU¿OP

1HWÀL[KDVDQRQJRLQJPRQWKO\³OHDYLQJVRRQ´
QHZVVHFWLRQMXVWWROHWSHRSOHNQRZZKLFKVKRZV
DUHOHDYLQJWKHVHUYLFH7KLVLVDQHFHVVDU\IHDWXUH
as movies and shows drift between the services, or
IDOOR̆LQWRWKHGLJLWDOYRLG
Mike William <RXGRQ¶WRZQWKH¿OPVRQVWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHV,Q
fact, you don’t even own them on digital services
VXFKDV$PD]RQ3ULPHRU$SSOH796RPHSHRSOH
discovered that the shows and movies they’ve Besides, most
purchased have been delisted from those services, Blu-rays come
leaving them with nothing. If you own The Dark with a redemp-
KnightRQ%OXUD\WKRXJK\RXFDQZDWFKWKH¿OP tion code for a
ZKHQHYHU\RXZDQW%HVLGHVPRVW%OXUD\VFRPH digital copy
with a redemption code for a digital copy that lets that lets you
you stream a movie if you so choose. It’s a best- stream a movie
of-both-worlds scenario. if you choose.
BLU-RAYS ARE PACKED WITH EXTRAS
,I\RX¶UHDWUXHFLQHSKLOH\RXORYHDOOWKHH[WUD
features that come with physical media.
7KHDWULFDOWUDLOHUVGLUHFWRUDQGDFWRU
commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries,
deleted scenes, storyboards, and concept art are
SDUWRIWKH%OXUD\H[SHULHQFH7KLVERQXV
FRQWHQWLVVRPHWKLQJPXFKKDUGHUWR¿QGRQ
streaming video services.

)RUH[DPSOHWKH%OXUD\IRUWKHUHFHQWKRUURU
¿OPOverlordLQFOXGHVDPLQXWH³PDNLQJRI´
GRFXPHQWDU\WKDW¶VDEVHQWLQWKH¿OP¶V$PD]RQ
3ULPH9LGHRYHUVLRQ(YHQThe Irishman,D¿OP
SURGXFHGE\1HWÀL[VX̆HUVLQWKLVUHJDUG$OO
\RX¶OO¿QGLVThe Irishman In Conversation, a
PLQXWHFKDWDPRQJGLUHFWRU0DUWLQ6FRUFHVH
DQGDFWRUV5REHUW'H1LUR$O3DFLQRDQG-RH
3HVFL7KH%OXUD\YHUVLRQD&ULWHULRQ&ROOHFWLRQ
release, has that same conversation, plus a
³PDNLQJRI´GRFXPHQWDU\DYLGHRHVVD\DORRNDW
WKHGHDJLQJWHFKQRORJ\XVHGLQWKH¿OPDQG
archival footage of interviews with the real-life
)UDQN³7KH,ULVKPDQ´6KHHUDQ
Mike William 7REHIDLU'LVQH\¿OPVKDYHDQ³([WUDV´WDE
ZKHUHERQXVHVOLYHDQG$PD]RQ3ULPH9LGHR
R̆HUVDVHUYLFHFDOOHG;5D\WKDWGURSV
information about actors in the current. It’s Streaming will
FHUWDLQO\QRWRQSDUZLWKWKHH[WUDVRQPDQ\%OX get you
ray releases. Criterion Collection and a few other through your
ERXWLTXH%OXUD\SXEOLVKHUVLQFOXGHRULJLQDOER[ day-to-day,
DUWHQKDQFHGSDFNDJLQJSRVWHUVDQGDUWERRNV but the disc
7KDWSDFNDJLQJLQDGGLWLRQWRWKHFDUHDQGH̆RUW will always be
SXWLQWRWKH¿OPV¶SUHVHQWDWLRQLVNH\WRKRZ there on your
SK\VLFDOPHGLDR̆HUVEHWWHUFRPSOHWH media shelf,
H[SHULHQFHV

CONVENIENCE ISN’T EVERYTHING

If you care only about convenience, then yes,
streaming is the way to go. I subscribe to many
video-streaming services and use them on a
UHJXODUEDVLV6WLOO%OXUD\GLVFVR̆HUQXPHURXV
HQMR\DEOHEHQH¿WVDQGH[WUDV<RXSUREDEO\GLGQ¶W
QHHGDQ8OWUD+'%OXUD\WRZDWFKIt’s a
Wonderful Life this past holiday season, but there
LVDIDQWDVWLFYHUVLRQVRXUFHGIURPWKH¿OP¶V
RULJLQDOQLWUDWHQHJDWLYHWKDWEULQJVLWVROG¿OP
JUDLQEDFNWROLIH

6WUHDPLQJZLOOJHW\RXWKURXJK\RXUGD\WRGD\
but the disc will always be there on your media
shelf, showing people you have taste and class.
2UQRWGHSHQGLQJRQ\RXUPRYLHVHOHFWLRQ
$QGZKHQ\RXULQWHUQHWJRHVGRZQ\RX¶OOKDYH
ORWVRIGLVFEDVHGPRYLHDQG79FRQWHQWWRWLGH
you over until you can continue binging The
Queen’s Gambit.

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 REVIEWS
CONSUMER ELECTRONIC

Roku Ultra (2020):

Feature-Filled Media Hub

R
oku’s 2020 model of the Ultra media streamer is an iterative update to
WKHOLQH7KHSUHYLRXV8OWUDZDVDOUHDG\DSRZHUIXOIHDWXUH¿OOHG
media hub, so the fact that the new model simply adds Dolby Vision
support and faster processing isn’t a letdown. The Ultra can stream 4K HDR
content, supports loads of apps and services, and its remote includes a
headphone jack for privately listening to whatever you’re watching. It remains
a top pick among high-end media streaming devices, but at $99.99, it feels a
bit pricey compared with some other new models.

THE SAME DESIGN

The 2020 Roku Ultra looks and feels very similar to the 2019 version, with a
4.9-by-5.0-inch (HW) rounded square design just 1 inch tall, all in matte-black
plastic. The left side features the signature Roku purple fabric tag, while the
ULJKWHGJHKDVDEXWWRQIRUWKHUHPRWH¿QGHUIHDWXUHZKLFKPDNHVWKHUHPRWH
beep when you press it. The front of the Ultra features a small window for the
indicator LED, which glows white when the device is turned on. The back
holds an HDMI port, a USB port, an Ethernet port, and a connector for the
power adapter.
Roku’s included Voice Remote is a thin, chunky black Roku Ultra
wand with a purple Roku tag on the bottom and a big, (2020)

purple, plus-shaped navigation pad near the top, along PROS Fast
with a pinhole microphone. Power, Home, and Back performance. AirPlay
and Dolby Vision
buttons sit above the pad, while playback controls and support. Remote has
GHGLFDWHGVHUYLFHEXWWRQVIRU'LVQH\+XOX1HWÀL[ a headphone jack for
and Sling sit below it. The right edge of the remote private listening.

holds a volume rocker and mute button, while the left CONS Expensive. Still
edge features a 3.5mm headphone jack for private doesn’t have a fully
functional voice
listening. assistant. Missing
Twitch.
Aside from the remote, the Roku Ultra comes with a BOTTOM LINE The
pair of earphones, an HDMI cable, the power adapter, 2020 model of the
and batteries for the remote. You can plug the Roku Ultra media
streamer is faster
earphones into the remote to mute audio going to the than its predecessor
TV and listen directly through the remote (you can also and is the first Roku
use your own headphones if you prefer). device to support
Dolby Vision.

ROKU FEATURES
As a Roku device, the Ultra can access thousands of
GL̆HUHQW5RNXFKDQQHOVWKHFRPSDQ\¶VQDPHIRUDSSV
and services), including most major streaming services,
including Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+,
+XOX1HWÀL[6OLQJ79DQG<RX7XEH7ZLWFKLV
currently missing from the Roku Channel
Store.

Thanks to its AirPlay support, the

5RNX8OWUDFDQH̆HFWLYHO\ZRUNOLNH
an Apple TV 4K: You can directly
stream the screen of your iOS device or
Mac to the Ultra with just a few taps
or clicks. It even comes with three
free months of Apple TV+ and its
H[FOXVLYHVKRZVDQG¿OPV
Combined with the Apple TV app, the
8OWUDR̆HUVEDVLFDOO\WKHVDPHIHDWXUHVDQ
$SSOH79GRHVZLWKRQHH[FHSWLRQ6LUL
,QIDFW\RXZRQ¶W¿QGDVPDUWDVVLVWDQWVXFKDV6LUL
$OH[DRU*RRJOH$VVLVWDQWRQWKH5RNX8OWUD7KHEXLOW
in microphone in the remote can be used to search for
content, control playback, and open apps on the Ultra, The built-in
EXWLWGRHVQ¶WH[WHQGLQWRIHDWXUHVRXWVLGHRIWKHVHOLNH microphone in
providing general information or controlling smart the remote can
home devices. That said, if you have a smart speaker or be used to
smart display in the same room (or use your phone), search for
you can control the Ultra itself with any of the three content, control
major voice assistants. playback, and
open apps on
You can use the Roku app for Android and iOS for
the Ultra.
streaming other content from your devices; the app also
enables remote control and private listening through
your phone. The Ultra can also pair with your phone
over Bluetooth for streaming audio to your TV.

FASTER PERFORMANCE
The 2020 Roku Ultra is a 4K media streamer,
compatible with high dynamic range (HDR) content in
+'5+/*DQG²D¿UVWIRU5RNX²'ROE\9LVLRQ,W¶V
also compatible with Dolby Atmos.

Roku claims the Ultra is its fastest media streamer ever,

and that assertion seems correct in testing. It easily
jumps between apps within seconds, and its 802.11ac
dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi maintained a strong signal with
a Fios router across my apartment, ensuring that
content was always fast to load. That’s not to say other
new media streamers feel slow in comparison,
KRZHYHU²WKH\¶UHDOOSUHWW\VSHHG\
A SMALL STEP UP
Is the 2020 Roku Ultra worth investing in if you have the previous model or are
upgrading from the Roku Streaming Stick+? Not really. The faster performance
is nice, but the other models are hardly slouches, and AirPlay compatibility has
EHHQDGGHGWRPRVWH[LVWLQJ5RNXGHYLFHVDVSDUWRIDQXSGDWH7KDWOHDYHV
Dolby Vision as the standout feature here, which is welcome but not necessarily
vital when other 4K Roku streamers support HDR10. If you’re just setting out to
get a new media streamer, though, the Roku Ultra is a strong choice.

5RNXLVQ¶WWKHRQO\RSWLRQRXWWKHUHWKRXJKDQG$PD]RQDQG*RRJOHERWKR̆HU
4K media streamers with more-powerful voice assistants and Dolby Vision for
half the price of the Ultra. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Chromecast With
*RRJOH79DUHERWKIDVWSRZHUIXOPHGLDKXEVDQGZKLOHWKH\GRQ¶WKDYH
$LU3OD\WKH&KURPHFDVWVXSSRUWV*RRJOH&DVWIRUVWUHDPLQJIURP$QGURLG
GHYLFHVDQG&KURPHEURZVHUWDEV,I\RXGRQ¶WPLQGVSHQGLQJPRUHRUFDQ¿QG
LWRQVDOHWKH$PD]RQ)LUH79&XEHR̆HUVKDQGVIUHH$OH[DFRQWURO
OHWWLQJ\RXXVH\RXUYRLFHWRKDQGOHHYHU\WKLQJ1RQHRIWKHVHPRGHOVR̆HUWKH
Roku Ultra’s private listening feature through the remote, but if that isn’t a big
VHOOLQJSRLQWIRU\RXZH¶GUHFRPPHQGH[SORULQJ\RXURSWLRQV

WILL GREENWALD

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 REVIEWS
CONSUMER ELECTRONIC

JBL Go 3: RIch Audio, Low Price

J
BL makes lots of large, powerful Bluetooth speakers, but the Go 3 isn’t
RQHRIWKHP$WWKH*RLVDERXWDVSRUWDEOHDQGD̆RUGDEOHDV
LWJHWV²LW¶OO¿WLQDQ\EDFNSDFNRUWRWHZLWKRXWLVVXH,W¶VDOVRIXOO\
ZDWHUSURRIPDNLQJLWLGHDOIRURXWGRRUXVH7KHUHFHUWDLQO\LVQ¶WDQ\SRZHUIXO
EDVVGHSWKFRPLQJRXWRIDVSHDNHUWKLVVL]HEXWWKH*RGRHVLWVEHVWWR
PXVWHUVRPHULFKORZHQGSUHVHQFHDWKLJKHUYROXPHV,WFRXOGKDYHORQJHU
EDWWHU\OLIHEXWIRUWKHSULFHWKLVDYHU\VROLGYDOXH

PLENTY PORTABLE
$YDLODEOHLQEODFNEOXHJUD\UHGRUWHDOWKHE\E\LQFK+:'
RXQFH*RLVWLQ\HQRXJKWR¿WLQMXVWDERXWDQ\EDJDQGHYHQVRPH
SRFNHWV,WVUHFWDQJXODUERG\KDVURXQGHGHGJHVDQGLVFRYHUHGPRVWO\LQFORWK
JULOOHZLWKUXEEHUL]HGIHHWRQWKHERWWRP7KH-%/ORJRLVHPEOD]RQHGLQODUJH
OHWWHUVDFURVVWKHIURQWSDQHODQGDVW\OLVKVSRUW\ODQ\DUGLVEXLOWLQWRWKHOHIW
SDQHOQH[WWRWKH86%&SRUWIRUWKHLQFOXGHGFKDUJLQJFDEOH
8SWRSDUHEXWWRQVIRUYROXPHXSGRZQDQGSOD\ JBL Go 3
SDXVH3UHVVHGWZLFHWKHSOD\SDXVHEXWWRQVNLSV PROS Rich, crisp,
IRUZDUGDWUDFN7KHVSHDNHUKDVQRWUDFNEDFNZDUG relatively powerful
QDYLJDWLRQZKLFKVHHPVOLNHDQRYHUVLJKW$QGLWKDVQR audio for the size.
Compact, portable
VSHDNHUSKRQHIXQFWLRQDOLW\ZKLFKZRXOGEHDQQR\LQJLI design. Fully
WKHSULFHZHUHQ¶WVRORZ7KHULJKWVLGHSDQHOKRXVHVD waterproof.
power button and a Bluetooth pairing button. Affordable.

CONS No
,QWHUQDOO\DVLQJOHPRQRLQFKGULYHUGHOLYHUV speakerphone.
Limited onboard
ZDWWVRIDXGLR2EYLRXVO\WKLVVSHDNHULVQ¶WKHUHWR controls. Weak
GHOLYHUSRZHUIXORXWSXWRUWKXQGHUEXWIRULWVVL]HLW battery life.
GRHVSURMHFWVRPHUHVSHFWDEOHYROXPH,W¶VFRPSDWLEOH BOTTOM LINE JBL’s
ZLWK%OXHWRRWK Go 3 speaker delivers
solid wireless audio
performance in a
7KH*R¶VEHVWIHDWXUHLVLWV,3UDWLQJZKLFK waterproof, portable
LQGLFDWHVDIXOO\GXVWWLJKWDQGZDWHUSURRIEXLOGWKDW design for a low price.
FDQEHVXEPHUJHGXSWRDPHWHULQZDWHUIRUXSWR
minutes. Yes, it’s true that a Bluetooth signal won’t do
ZHOOXQGHUZDWHUEXWWKHSRLQWLVWKDWWKHVSHDNHUFDQ
JHWVRDNHGZLWKRXWLVVXHZKLFKDOVRPHDQV\RXFDQ
FOHDQLWR̆XQGHUWKHIDXFHWRUXVHLWLQWKHVKRZHU

-%/HVWLPDWHVEDWWHU\OLIHWREHURXJKO\KRXUVEXW
UHVXOWVZLOOYDU\ZLWK\RXUYROXPHOHYHOV5HJDUGOHVV
KRXUVLVSUHWW\VKRUW²WKHVLPLODUVL]H6RQ\6566%
JHWVURXJKO\KRXUV
SURPRISINGLY LOUD
2QWUDFNVZLWKLQWHQVHVXEEDVVFRQWHQWOLNH7KH.QLIH¶V³6LOHQW6KRXW´WKH*R
GHOLYHUVGHFHQWWKXPSIRULWVVL]H8QVXUSULVLQJO\WKHPRVWVLJQL¿FDQWEDVV
GHSWKZHJHWKHUHFRPHVIURPWKH¿UVWKLWVRIWKHGUXPORRSZKHUHDVWKHIDU
GHHSHUVXEEDVVKLWVWKDWFRPHLQDWVHFRQGVDUHUHGXFHGWRWKLQWDSV7KH
VSHDNHUPDQDJHVQRWWRVRXQGWKLQRYHUDOOWKRXJKZLWKVRPHUHDVRQDEOHEDVV
UHVSRQVHDQGERG\WRWKLVWUDFN$WWRSYROXPHVWKHGULYHUPDQDJHVQRWWR
GLVWRUWHYHQZKHQWKHHQFORVXUHYLEUDWHVSRZHUIXOO\

%LOO&DOODKDQ¶V³'URYHU´DWUDFNZLWKIDUOHVVGHHSEDVVLQWKHPL[JLYHVXVD
EHWWHUVHQVHRIWKH*R¶VJHQHUDOVRXQGVLJQDWXUH7KHGUXPVRQWKLVWUDFNFDQ
VRXQGWKXQGHURXVRQEDVVIRUZDUGVSHDNHUVEXWWKURXJKWKHPRGHVW*RWKH
VRXQGLVIDLUO\WDPHDQGXQH[DJJHUDWHG,W¶V&DOODKDQ¶VULFKEDULWRQHYRFDOVWKDW
VHHPVWRFDUU\WKHPRVWEDVVSUHVHQFHZKLOHDOVRUHFHLYLQJSOHQW\RIKLJKPLG
SUHVHQFHWRNHHSWKLQJVQLFHO\GH¿QHG7KHDFRXVWLFVWUXPVDUHDOVREULJKWDQG
JHQHUDOO\VSHDNLQJWKLVLVDEDODQFHGVRXQGVLJQDWXUHIRUDVSHDNHUWKLVVL]H²
WKHUH¶VQRWPXFKEDVVGHSWKEXWWKHORZPLGVDUHIXOODQGWKHKLJKPLGVDQG
KLJKVDUHFULVS7KHVSHDNHUFDQJHWLPSUHVVLYHO\ORXGFRQVLGHULQJLWV
GLPLQXWLYHIUDPH
2Q-D\=DQG.DQ\H:HVW¶V³1R&KXUFKLQWKH:LOG´WKHNLFNGUXPORRS
UHFHLYHVSOHQW\RIKLJKPLGSUHVHQFHDOORZLQJLWVDWWDFNWRUHWDLQLWV
SXQFKLQHVV7KHVXEEDVVV\QWKKLWVWKDWSXQFWXDWHWKHEHDWDUHPRUHLPSOLHG
WKDQDFWXDOO\GHOLYHUHG²ZHKHDUWKHLUUDVS\WRSQRWHVEXWQRWPXFKHOVH7KH
EHDWLWVHOIKDVVRPHDGGHGWKXPSKRZHYHUDQGRQFHDJDLQWKHHQFORVXUH
YLEUDWHVGUDPDWLFDOO\DWWRSYROXPHVFUHDWLQJWKHVHQVHRIPRUHSRZHUWKDQWKH
VSHDNHUDFWXDOO\SRVVHVVHV7KHYRFDOVDUHGHOLYHUHGFOHDQO\DQGFOHDUO\DQGDW
WRSYROXPHVWKHVSHDNHUGRHVQ¶WGLVWRUW

2UFKHVWUDOWUDFNVVXFKDVWKHRSHQLQJVFHQHIURP-RKQ$GDPV¶³7KH*RVSHO
$FFRUGLQJWRWKH2WKHU0DU\´KDYHDEULJKWFULVSSUHVHQFHWKURXJKWKH*R¶V
GULYHU7KHORZHUUHJLVWHULQVWUXPHQWDWLRQJHWVVRPHVXEWOHULFKQHVVKHUHEXW
the stage belongs to the mids and highs.

$QRWHDERXWWKH*R¶VEXLOGZKLFKFDQEHSODFHGÀDWRQDVXUIDFHRUXSULJKW
:KHQLW¶VÀDWWUDFNVZLWKGHHSEDVVFDQVHHPWRGLVWRUW7KDW¶VQRWGLVWRUWLRQ
WKRXJKLW¶VWKHYLEUDWLRQVFUHDWHGE\WKHVSHDNHUUHDFWLQJZLWKWKHVXUIDFHLW¶V
VLWWLQJRQ6RIRUZKDWZLOOVRXQGOLNHFOHDQHUFOHDUHUEDVVUHVSRQVHSODFHWKH
VSHDNHUXSULJKWRUKDQJLWIURPWKHEXLOWLQORRSVRWKHEDFNSDQHOLVQ¶WPDNLQJ
FRQWDFWZLWKDQ\VXUIDFHV

A POWERFUL PORTABLE SPEAKER FOR $40

)RU\RXFDQ¶WH[SHFWDXGLR¿UHZRUNVEXWWKH-%/*RFHUWDLQO\JHWVWKH
MREGRQHZLWKFOHDQUHODWLYHO\ORXGPRQRDXGLRIURPLWVFRPSDFWIUDPH,W¶VD
UHOLDEOHRSWLRQIRURXWGRRUXVHFRQVLGHULQJLW¶VZDWHUSURRIDQGVDIHIURPGXVW
VRLWFDQEHULQVHGR̆LI\RXGURSLWLQWKHGLUW/LPLWHGFRQWUROVDQGWKHODFNRID
VSHDNHUSKRQHDUHVOLJKWO\DQQR\LQJEXWIRUWKLVSULFHZHFDQ¶WFRPSODLQPXFK
,I\RX¶UHORRNLQJIRUPRUHSRZHU\RX¶OOQHHGWRVSHQGPRUHPRQH\DQGJHWD
ODUJHUVSHDNHU:H¶UHIDQVRIWKH-%/&KDUJHDQGWKH6RQ\656;%
:H¶UHDOVRSDUWLDOWRWKHDIRUHPHQWLRQHG6RQ\656;%LQWKLVSULFH
UDQJHEXWWKH*RGHOLYHUVVROLGDXGLRIURPDWRXJKIUDPHIRUOHVVPDNLQJ
ERWKZRUWK\RXUFRQVLGHUDWLRQ

TIM GIDEON

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 REVIEWS
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat

ST75: Versatile and Affordable

S
mart thermostats make it easy to control your home’s heating and
cooling system from just about anywhere, and the Sensi Touch Smart
7KHUPRVWDW67LVQRGL̆HUHQW%XWLQDGGLWLRQWRSKRQHDQGYRLFH
FRQWUROLWR̆HUVDUHVSRQVLYHFRORUWRXFKVFUHHQFRQWUROSDQHO(DV\RQWKH
H\HVDQGVLPSOHWRLQVWDOOWKH67LVDELWPRUHH[SHQVLYHWKDQRXU(GLWRUV¶
&KRLFHZLQQHUIRUD̆RUGDEOHWKHUPRVWDWVWKH1HVW7KHUPRVWDW7KDW
VDLGWKH6HQVLPRGHODGGVVXSSRUWIRU$SSOH¶V+RPH.LWDQG6DPVXQJ¶V
6PDUW7KLQJVKRPHDXWRPDWLRQSODWIRUPVDVZHOODVQDWLYH6LULYRLFHFRQWURO
PDNLQJLWDQH[FHOOHQWDOWHUQDWLYHWRWKH1HVW7KHUPRVWDWIRUWKRVHZKRXVHDQ\
RIWKRVHV\VWHPV

ST75 DESIGN AND FEATURES

$YDLODEOHZLWKDJORVV\EODFNRUJORVV\ZKLWH¿QLVKWKH67LVDQDWWUDFWLYH
WKHUPRVWDW,WKDVDYHU\WKLQFOHDUEH]HODURXQGLWVLQFKIXOOFRORUWRXFK
VFUHHQFRQWUROSDQHODQGLWPHDVXUHVE\E\LQFKHV+:'7KH
GHYLFHFRPHVZLWKPRXQWLQJKDUGZDUHDZHOFRPHJXLGHDQLQVWDOODWLRQJXLGH
DQGODEHOVWRLGHQWLI\\RXU+9$&ZLUHVDQGLW¶VHTXLSSHGZLWKDQHPEHGGHG
:L)LUDGLRIRUFRQQHFWLQJWR\RXUKRPHQHWZRUN
7KH67LVFRPSDWLEOHZLWKVLQJOHVWDJHDQGPXOWL Sensi
VWDJHRLOJDVDQGHOHFWULF+9$&V\VWHPVDQGV\VWHPV Touch Smart
Thermostat ST75
ZLWKFHQWUDODLUDQGKHDWSXPSV,WUHTXLUHVD³&´
FRPPRQZLUHVRLI\RXOLYHLQDQROGHUKRXVHPDNH PROS Reasonably
priced. Works with
sure your thermostat wiring uses a common wire for Alexa, Google, and Siri
SRZHU7KHWKHUPRVWDWZRUNVZLWK$SSOH¶V+RPH.LW voice commands.
SODWIRUPDQG6DPVXQJ¶V6PDUW7KLQJVKRPH Supports Apple
HomeKit. Usage
automation system, and it can be controlled using reports.
$PD]RQ$OH[D$SSOH6LULDQG*RRJOH$VVLVWDQWYRLFH
CONS Lacks remote
FRPPDQGV%XWLWGRHVQ¶WZRUNZLWK,)777DSSOHWVWKDW sensors. Doesn’t
DOORZLWWRLQWHUDFWZLWKRWKHU,)777FRPSDWLEOHVPDUW support IFTTT.
KRPHGHYLFHV BOTTOM LINE The
Sensi Touch ST75 is a
7KHWKHUPRVWDWVXSSRUWVJHRIHQFLQJLWVHWVWKH smart thermostat you
can control with your
WKHUPRVWDWWHPSHUDWXUHEDFNWKUHHGHJUHHVZKHQ\RX phone, voice, and a
OHDYHDFHUWDLQSHULPHWHUDQGZLOODGMXVW\RXUKHDWLQJ color touch-screen
FRROLQJVHWWLQJVEDVHGRQ\RXUORFDWLRQ<RXFDQKDYH panel. It offers
temperature and
WKHWKHUPRVWDWVHQGSXVKDOHUWVZKHQ\RXUKRPH¶V humidity alerts and
WHPSHUDWXUHDQGKXPLGLW\OHYHOVUHDFKDFHUWDLQ usage reports, as well
WKUHVKROGDQGKDYHLWDOHUW\RXWRKHDWLQJDQGFRROLQJ as support for several
smart home
LVVXHV<RXFDQFUHDWHDFXVWRPVHYHQGD\KHDWLQJDQG platforms.
FRROLQJVFKHGXOHXVLQJWKHLQWXLWLYHWRXFKVFUHHQRU\RX
FDQXVHWKH6HQVLPRELOHDSSIRU$QGURLGDQGL26
GHYLFHV/LNHWKH1HVW7KHUPRVWDWWKH67ODFNVWKH
UHPRWHURRPVHQVRUVWKDW\RXJHWZLWKPRUHH[SHQVLYH
WKHUPRVWDWVVXFKDVWKH(FREHH6PDUW7KHUPRVWDW
:LWK9RLFH&RQWURO
3URJUDPPLQJWKH67LVHDV\WKDQNVWRLWVWRXFK
VFUHHQSDQHO,WUHPDLQVGLPPHGXQWLO\RXWRXFKLW
ZKHQLWOLJKWVXSDQGGLVSOD\VWKHFXUUHQWURRP
WHPSHUDWXUHLQODUJHZKLWHQXPEHUVLQWKHFHQWHU It remains
DJDLQVWDJUD\EDFNJURXQG7KHEDFNJURXQGWXUQV dimmed until
RUDQJHZKHQDFWLYHO\KHDWLQJWKHKRXVHDQGEOXHZKHQ you touch it,
FRROLQJ7RWKHULJKWLVWKH6HW7RWHPSHUDWXUHZLWKXS when it lights up
DQGGRZQDUURZVIRUFKDQJLQJWKHWHPSHUDWXUHVHWWLQJ and displays the
$WOHIWLVWKHFXUUHQWWHPSHUDWXUHDQGMXVWEHORZWKDWLV current room
WKHURRPKXPLGLW\UHDGLQJ$WWKHYHU\ERWWRPRIWKH temperature in
VFUHHQDUHRSHUDWLQJPRGHKHDWFRROR̆DX[DXWR
large white
DQGIDQPRGHDXWRRQLQGLFDWRUV
numbers.
7KH0HQXEXWWRQLQWKHWRSOHIWFRUQHUWDNHV\RXWRD
VFUHHQWKDWOHWV\RXDFFHVVVHWWLQJVDQGRSWLRQV+HUH
\RXFDQDGMXVW6OHHSPRGHVHWWLQJVWXUQRQDEDFNJORZ
/('IRUH[WUDOLJKWLQJDURXQGWKHWKHUPRVWDWWRJJOH
:L)LRQDQGR̆VHWWKHFXUUHQWGDWHDQGWLPHDQG
create heating and cooling schedules for each day of the
ZHHN8VHWKH$GYDQFHG6HWWLQJVEXWWRQWRFRQ¿JXUH
GHKXPLGL¿HUDQGFLUFXODWLQJIDQVHWWLQJV
7KHPRELOHDSSOHWV\RXGRHYHU\WKLQJWKDWWKHWRXFKSDQHOGRHVDQGPRUH,W
RSHQVWRDVFUHHQWKDWVKRZVWKHFXUUHQWWHPSHUDWXUHDQGKXPLGLW\DQGKDV
VHWSRLQWDUURZVR̆WRWKHULJKW$WWKHWRSRIWKHVFUHHQLV\RXUORFDOZHDWKHU
ZLWKKLJKDQGORZWHPSHUDWXUHVDQGDORQJWKHERWWRPDUHEXWWRQVIRU0RGH
KHDWFRROR̆)DQRQDXWR6FKHGXOHDQG8VDJH8VHWKH6FKHGXOHEXWWRQ
WRFUHDWHKHDWLQJDQGFRROLQJVFKHGXOHVDQGWDSWKH8VDJHEXWWRQWRYLHZGDLO\
DQGPRQWKO\XVDJHUHSRUWV

2WKHUFRQWUROVOHW\RXVHWWHPSHUDWXUHVHWSRLQWOLPLWVHQDEOHJHRIHQFLQJHGLW
\RXUDFFRXQWLQIRUPDWLRQFKDQJHSDVVZRUGVVHWXSHPDLODQGSXVK
QRWL¿FDWLRQVIRULPSRUWDQWUHPLQGHUV¿OWHUFKDQJHV+9$&PDLQWHQDQFH
KXPLGL¿HUSDGVDQGV\VWHPLVVXHVDQGDFFHVVWKHRQOLQHKHOSFHQWHU+HUH\RX
FDQDOVRORRNIRUDQGVLJQXSIRUHQHUJ\VDYLQJSURJUDPVUHFHLYHQHZSURJUDP
QRWL¿FDWLRQVDQGFKHFNWKHWKHUPRVWDW¶V¿UPZDUHYHUVLRQ

INSTALLING AND USING THE ST75

$VZLWKPRVWVPDUWWKHUPRVWDWVLQVWDOOLQJWKH6HQVL67LVUHODWLYHO\HDV\EXW
LWGRHVUHTXLUHZRUNLQJZLWKORZYROWDJHZLUHV,I\RX¶UHQRWFRPIRUWDEOH
ZRUNLQJZLWKHOHFWULFDOZLULQJ\RXPD\ZDQWWR¿QGVRPHRQHZKRLVRUKLUHD
SURIHVVLRQDOWRGRWKHMREIRU\RX

,VWDUWHGE\GRZQORDGLQJWKHDSSDQGWDSSHG,QVWDOO6HQVL7KHUPRVWDW:LWK
+RPH.LWZKLFKWHOOVWKHDSSWRXVH\RXUH[LVWLQJ+RPH.LWGDWDDQG:L)L
LQIRUPDWLRQ\RXFDQDOVRFKRRVHWRFUHDWHDQDFFRXQWDQGVHWWKHGHYLFHXS
PDQXDOO\LI\RXGRQ¶WXVH+RPH.LW,VHOHFWHGWKH7RXFK7KHUPRVWDWIURPWKH
OLVWDQGZDVSUHVHQWHGZLWKDVFUHHQWHOOLQJPHZKDWWRROV,ZRXOGQHHG
VFUHZGULYHUVDGULOODQGZLUHVWULSSHUV
$WWKLVSRLQW\RXFDQZDWFKDYLGHRWXWRULDOVKRZLQJ
\RXKRZWRLQVWDOOWKHWKHUPRVWDW,WDSSHG1H[WDQG
IROORZHGWKHLQVWUXFWLRQVWRWXUQR̆SRZHUWRP\
WKHUPRVWDWDWWKHEUHDNHUDQGUHPRYHP\ROG Using the
WKHUPRVWDW¶VFRYHU,WRRNDSLFWXUHRIWKHZLULQJ included
GLVFRQQHFWHGWKHZLUHVDQGUHPRYHGWKHPRXQWLQJ mounting
SODWH,QWKHWHUPLQDOVFUHHQ,VHOHFWHGWKHWHUPLQDOV screws, I
that had wires attached to them and then selected my attached the
IXUQDFHW\SHJDVHOHFWULFERLOHUUDGLDQW7KHQ, ST75 terminal
labeled my wires before disconnecting them from the base to the wall
ROGWHUPLQDODQGUHPRYHGWKHWHUPLQDOEDVH and connected
the wires.
8VLQJWKHLQFOXGHGPRXQWLQJVFUHZV,DWWDFKHGWKH
67WHUPLQDOEDVHWRWKHZDOODQGFRQQHFWHGWKHZLUHV
7KHEDVHKDVDQHDW/('WHUPLQDOOLJKWWKDWKHOSV\RX
VHHZKDW\RX¶UHGRLQJ2QFHWKHZLUHVZHUHFRQQHFWHG,
VQDSSHGWKHWKHUPRVWDWRQWRWKHEDVHDQGUHVWRUHG
SRZHUWRWKHFLUFXLWDWZKLFKSRLQWWKHWRXFKVFUHHQOLW
XSDQGGLVSOD\HGWKHPDLQFRQWUROVFUHHQ,WDSSHGWKH
0HQXEXWWRQLQWKHXSSHUOHIWFRUQHURIWKHVFUHHQ
VHOHFWHG:L)LDQGVFDQQHGWKH+RPH.LWFRGHXVLQJ
P\SKRQH¶VFDPHUD$IWHUVHFRQGVWKHWKHUPRVWDW
ZDVFRQQHFWHGWRP\KRPH:L)L,JDYHLWDQDPHDQG
ORFDWLRQ,FUHDWHGD6HQVLDSSDFFRXQWUHJLVWHUHGWKH
WKHUPRVWDWDQGWKHLQVWDOODWLRQZDVFRPSOHWH

7KH67ZRUNHGZHOOLQWHVWLQJ7KHWRXFKVFUHHQLV
UHVSRQVLYHEULJKWDQGHDV\WRQDYLJDWH7KHWKHUPRVWDW
UHVSRQGHGTXLFNO\WRWHPSHUDWXUHFKDQJHVXVLQJWKH
DSSDQGWKHWRXFKVFUHHQDQGLWDOZD\VDGKHUHGWRP\
VFKHGXOHV

$OH[DDQG6LULYRLFHFRPPDQGVWRUDLVHDQGORZHUWKH
VHWWHPSHUDWXUHDQGWXUQWKHWKHUPRVWDWRQDQGR̆
ZRUNHGDVLQWHQGHG6RGLGWKHJHRIHQFLQJIHDWXUH
A SUPER-VERSATILE, RELATIVELY
AFFORDABLE SMART THERMOSTAT
,I\RX¶UHORRNLQJIRUDQD̆RUGDEOHVPDUWWKHUPRVWDW
WKDWZRUNVZLWKPXOWLSOHYRLFHFRQWURODQGKRPH If you need a
DXWRPDWLRQSODWIRUPVSXWWKH6HQVL7RXFK67RQ thermostat
\RXUVKRUWOLVW,W¶VHDV\WRLQVWDOODQGR̆HUVDUHVSRQVLYH with
WRXFKVFUHHQIRUYLHZLQJWHPSHUDWXUHDQGKXPLGLW\ HomeKit and
UHDGLQJVDQGIRUSURJUDPPLQJKHDWLQJDQGFRROLQJ native Siri
VFKHGXOHV support, the
ST75 is a
<RXFDQDOVRFRQWUROWKH67ZLWK\RXUSKRQHZLWK
terrific
$OH[D*RRJOHDQG6LULYRLFHFRPPDQGVDQGDVSDUWRI
alternative.
\RXU+RPH.LWRU6PDUW7KLQJVKRPHDXWRPDWLRQ
V\VWHP)RUWKRVHZKRUHTXLUHDQD̆RUGDEOHWKHUPRVWDW
WKDWZLOOLQWHUDFWZLWKQXPHURXVWKLUGSDUW\VPDUW
GHYLFHVRXU(GLWRUV¶&KRLFHWKH1HVW7KHUPRVWDW
ZRUNVZLWK,)777DSSOHWVDQGFRVWVDURXQGOHVV
%XWLI\RXQHHGDWKHUPRVWDWZLWK+RPH.LWDQGQDWLYH
6LULVXSSRUWWKH67LVDWHUUL¿FDOWHUQDWLYH

JOHN R. DELANEY

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 REVIEWS
HARDWARE

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (9310):

Best Premium Convertible
W
ith cutting-edge components and a sleek, sturdy chassis available
in multiple color options and screen resolutions, the late-2020
reboot of Dell’s XPS 13 2-in-1 sets the bar for premium convertible
notebooks. Intel’s latest “Tiger Lake” CPU and graphics options make the XPS
13 2-in-1 a top performer in its class. The battery life is impressive, as well. The
VWDUWLQJFRQ¿JXUDWLRQLVDELWXQGHUSRZHUHGEXWWKHSUHPLXPIRUWKHZHOO
equipped version reviewed here is reasonable. The system snags our Editors’
Choice award for best premium 2-in-1.

A STANDOUT IN A CROWDED FIELD

The market for premium Windows laptops is ultra-competitive, with Dell, Asus,
$FHU+3/HQRYRDQGRWKHUFRPSDQLHVXSGDWLQJWKHLUÀDJVKLSPRGHOV
frequently—sometimes more than once a year. The XPS 13 2-in-1 is up against
similarly excellent convertible laptops with 13-inch screens, among them the
HP Spectre x360 13 and the Asus ZenBook Flip S. Several of these have been
updated with Intel’s 11th Generation Tiger Lake Core processors or their AMD
equivalents, the Ryzen 4000 series.
I’ll get into why the XPS 13 2-in-1 rises to the top of this Dell XPS 13 2-in-1
¿HOGEHORZEXWWKH¿UVWTXHVWLRQVKRSSHUVVKRXOG (9310)

consider is whether they need a convertible laptop or PROS Speedy

the also-excellent conventional clamshell-style XPS 13. graphics
performance. Long
7KHPDLQGL̆HUHQFHEHWZHHQWKHWZRLVWKHLQ¶V battery life. Compact,
360-degree rotating hinge. This lets you use it as a lightweight, and
laptop and also to prop it up on your desk like an easel attractive chassis.
Multiple color options.
or tent (with the keyboard folded underneath or behind
the screen) or to use the system in your lap as a tablet. CONS Only two USB
ports. Slightly
In these modes, your main interaction with the laptop is uncomfortable
via its touch screen. Fingers or Dell’s optional digital keyboard.
stylus can be used to write, draw, and manipulate BOTTOM LINE Sleek,
onscreen elements, while the pop-up virtual keyboard powerful, and flexible,
built into Windows 10 serves as a means of typing. Dell’s latest XPS 13
2-in-1, now packing
“Tiger Lake” silicon, is
1RWHYHU\RQHQHHGVWKLVDGGLWLRQDOÀH[LELOLW\HVSHFLDOO\ our top pick among
VLQFHWKHFODPVKHOOVW\OH;36DOVRR̆HUVDWRXFK premium convertible
laptops.
VFUHHQ%XWQHLWKHUGRHVWKHÀH[LELOLW\UHTXLUHPDQ\
VDFUL¿FHV%RWKPRGHOVVKDUHVLPLODUVW\OLQJDQG
physical dimensions. They’re made from machined
DOXPLQXPZLWKFDUERQDQGJODVV¿EHUDFFHQWVDQG
ERWKR̆HUVOHHNVLOYHUH[WHULRUVDQGWZRUH¿QHGLQWHULRU
color options: black or white palm rests with matching
keyboards.
%RWKDUHDOVRTXLWHFRPSDFW¿WWLQJWKHLULQFKGLVSOD\VLQWRDQDUHDWKDWZDV
once reserved for laptops with 11-inch-or-smaller screens. The XPS 13 2-in-1
weighs 2.9 pounds and measures 0.56 by 11.7 by 8.2 inches (HWD). The XPS 13
is slightly lighter and shallower, since it doesn’t need to incorporate the extra
KDUGZDUHIRUDGHJUHHKLQJHEXWWKHGL̆HUHQFHVDUHQHJOLJLEOH²LWZHLJKV
2.8 pounds and is 7.9 inches deep.

The XPS 13 2-in-1’s dimensions are comparable to those of its HP archrival, the
Spectre x360 13 (0.57 inch thick, 2.9 pounds). The Dell has a 13.4-inch display
(an unusual size) in an uncommon 16:10 widescreen aspect ratio instead of the
more typical 16:9. This gives it a slight advantage over similar-size convertible
notebooks with 16:9 screens that measure 13.3 inches on the diagonal. You’re
not likely to immediately notice that tenth of an inch, but it packs in nearly 1
million additional pixels, and its taller size can display a bit more of a vertical
document, such as a web page.

A RIGID AND COMPACT BODY

'HVSLWHWKH;36LQ¶VFRPSDFWVL]HLWGRHVQ¶WIHHOÀLPV\$WMXVWXQGHUWKH
SRXQGOLPLWWKDWW\SLFDOO\GH¿QHVWKHXOWUDSRUWDEOHODSWRSFDWHJRU\LWIHHOV
solid, though not bulky. It’s also quite well engineered. You can open the lid
ZLWKRQHKDQGLQVWHDGRIQHHGLQJERWKWRSU\RSHQVWL̆KLQJHV:KHWKHU\RX¶UH
tapping on the touch screen or on the very comfortable touchpad, the laptop
responds instantly. The screen bounces very little, and the touchpad doesn’t
VX̆HUIURPWKHVOXJJLVKQHVVRUFKHDSIHHOLQJFOLFNVWKDWDUHFRPPRQRQPDQ\
Windows laptops.
With an 85% screen-to-body ratio, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is also enviably modern-
looking. The borders around the display are vanishingly small, unlike those of
the Apple MacBook Pro, which has a lower screen-to-body ratio that results in
additional space around the keyboard and display.

7KHFRQYHUWLEOH¶VVFUHHQLVJRUJHRXV2QRXUUHYLHZXQLWLWR̆HUVDQDWLYH
resolution of 1,920 by 1,200 pixels, which is a bit higher than full HD (1,920 by
1,080) because of the panel’s 16:10 aspect ratio. Picture quality seems better
than that of most other full HD screens I’ve used, with more-vivid colors and a
sky-high-rated contrast ratio of 1,800:1. Brightness is rated at 500 nits,
outshining the 300 to 400 nits of many competing laptops, and that makes for
easy viewing in brightly lit rooms (though not outdoors).

When you’re viewing the screen up close, though, text can be a bit pixelated,
ZKLFKLVFRPPRQWRDOOIXOO+'GLVSOD\V'HOOGRHVR̆HUD.E\
pixel) screen option, which should make everything appear much crisper,
WKRXJKOLJKWLQJIRXUWLPHVDVPDQ\SL[HOVZLOOWDNHDWROORQEDWWHU\OLIH7KH.
screen adds support for the DCI-P3 color gamut, which could result in more
brilliant and faithful color reproduction, but it has a slightly lower 1,500:1
contrast ratio.
I see only two drawbacks to the XPS 13 2-in-1’s physical
GHVLJQ7KHPRVWVLJQL¿FDQWLVWKHVKDOORZNH\ERDUG
Both the clamshell and convertible XPS 13 models have
used Dell’s unique magnetic keyboard switches for the The keys are
past few generations. Compared with Apple’s old sturdy enough,
EXWWHUÀ\VW\OHVZLWFKHVZKLFKKDYHDOPRVWQRWUDYHO but they travel
distance, Dell’s implementation is slightly more just 0.7mm,
comfortable. But now that Apple has switched to its and the
0DJLF.H\ERDUGGHVLJQZLWKPXFKJUHDWHUWUDYHOWKH sensation is
;36LQR̆HUVDOHVVFRPIRUWDEOHW\SLQJ more akin to
experience by comparison. The keys are sturdy enough,
tapping than
EXWWKH\WUDYHOMXVWPPDQGWKHVHQVDWLRQLVPRUH
typing.
akin to tapping than typing.

The XPS 13 2-in-1’s rather anemic port selection is also

a drawback, but it’s less problematic than it once was. A
KHDGSKRQHMDFNDQGWZR86%&SRUWVHDFKZLWK
Thunderbolt support, are all you get. The Spectre x360
E\FRQWUDVWR̆HUVD86%7\SH$SRUWIRUDGGLWLRQDO
peripheral compatibility. More and more of the latest
peripherals, such as external hard drives, now use
USB-C, though, so the lack of ports is an issue only if
you have lots of legacy devices to plug in.

TINY WEBCAM, RICH AUDIO

The XPS 13 2-in-1 shares the XPS 13’s innovative
ZHEFDPZKLFKPDQDJHVWR¿W,5VHQVRUVIRUIDFH
recognition logins via Windows Hello) as well as the
720p camera itself into the tiny border above the
screen. Another password-free means of logging into
your Windows 10 account is via the power button,
ZKLFKGRXEOHVDVD¿QJHUSULQWUHDGHU7KHODWWHU
occasionally failed to successfully log me in, and the
UHFWDQJXODUVKDSHRIWKHEXWWRQPDGHLWGL̇FXOWIRUP\
ODUJH¿QJHUWLSVWRUHJLVWHU2QFH,JRWXVHGWRSODFLQJ
P\¿QJHULQWKHULJKWVSRWWKRXJKWKHUHDGHU¶V
accuracy improved.
I found the webcam quality to be above average in a
ZHOOOLWURRPWKRXJKLWVX̆HUVIURPVOLJKWO\GLVWUDFWLQJ
noise and pixelation in dimly lit conditions.
Unfortunately, this is true of nearly all laptop webcams. Wireless
connectivity
The Dell’s audio quality is rich and full, but the includes a
placement of its stereo speakers on the bottom of the Killer Wi-Fi 6
ODSWRSPDNHVVRXQGDELWPẌHGLQODSWRSRUWDEOHW (802.11ax)
mode. There are six separate grilles along the left and module in the
right edges of the laptop’s base. Four of them are used Intel chipset,
for air intake, while two deliver audio. When you’re
as well as
propping the XPS 13 2-in-1 as a tent (with the speakers
Bluetooth 5.1.
facing you) or using it as an easel (with the speakers
facing upward), the audio quality is better.

:LUHOHVVFRQQHFWLYLW\LQFOXGHVD.LOOHU:L)L
(802.11ax) module built into the Intel chipset, as well as
Bluetooth 5.1. Dell backs the XPS 13 2-in-1 with a one-
year hardware warranty, a period that can be extended
up to four years for an additional charge.

TESTING THE XPS 2-IN-1: ‘TIGER LAKE’ AND

IRIS XE ON THE BENCH
The entry-level version of the XPS 13 2-in-1 includes an
Intel Core i3 with UHD integrated graphics, 8GB of
memory, and a 256GB solid-state drive. A Core i3-
powered laptop that costs more than $1,000 is hard to
recommend, but the price doesn’t get out of hand as you
DGGFRPSRQHQWVWKDWDUHPRUH¿WWLQJIRUWKHPRQH\
Our review unit included a Core i7 processor, 16GB of
RAM, and a 512GB SSD for a reasonable $1,499. As
with the latest XPS 13, all of the XPS 13 2-in-1’s
processor options come from Intel’s latest “Tiger Lake”
family. While the Core i3 version uses UHD graphics,
our Core i7-1165G7 unit features more powerful Iris Xe
graphics silicon. The CPU also comes with four cores,
eight threads, and a maximum boost clock speed of
4.7GHz.
Coupled with the 16GB of RAM, this Core i7 and Iris Xe setup should provide
plenty of computing power for most of the tasks that XPS 13 2-in-1 users are
likely to do. I compared the laptop’s performance in our benchmark tests with a
few similar machines whose specs are listed in the chart below. Most are 2-in-1
hybrid or convertible designs priced in the $1,500 range.

The one exception is the HP Envy x360 13, which is a step down from the
6SHFWUH[DQGFRVWVMXVWXQGHU,FKRVHWKLVPDFKLQHLQSDUWEHFDXVH
we haven’t yet tested the latest “Tiger Lake” version of the Spectre, and in part
because the Envy comes with an AMD Ryzen CPU instead of the more common
Intel Core ones. The latest Ryzen 5 laptops have been rivaling the performance
of more expensive Core i7-powered ones on some tasks.

Performance Testing: That turned out to be the case with the XPS 13 2-in-1,
whose performance in the PCMark 10 productivity benchmark proved slightly
LQIHULRUWRWKDWRIWKH(QY\[7KHPDUJLQLVQRWVLJQL¿FDQWEXWWKHWHVWLV
important, because it measures web browsing, word processing, and light
multimedia editing, all of which are the XPS 13 2-in-1’s bread and butter.

Meanwhile, all the laptops’ speedy SSD boot drives performed roughly equally
in our PCMark 8 storage subtest. (That is typical of late-model SSD-equipped
laptops.)
,QZRUNÀRZVWKDWDUHPRUHGHPDQGLQJVXFKDVUHQGHULQJD'LPDJHXVLQJWKH
CPU, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is slightly superior. It scored 890 to the Envy’s 841 in
the Cinebench rendering test, which is fully threaded to make use of all
available processor cores and threads.

Cinebench is often a good predictor of our Handbrake video-editing trial,

another tough, threaded workout that’s highly CPU-dependent and scales well
with cores and threads. In it, we put a stopwatch on test systems as they
WUDQVFRGHDVWDQGDUGPLQXWHFOLSRI.YLGHRWRDS03¿OH,W¶VD
timed test, and lower results are better. In this case, the Dell convertible was
slightly slower than the Envy x360 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga, but not
meaningfully so.

We also run a custom Adobe Photoshop image-editing benchmark. Using an

early 2018 release of the Creative Cloud version of Photoshop, we apply a series
RIFRPSOH[¿OWHUVDQGH̆HFWVWRDVWDQGDUG-3(*WHVWLPDJH:HWLPHHDFK
operation and, at the end, add up the total execution time. As with Handbrake,
lower times are better here. The Photoshop test stresses the CPU, storage
subsystem, and RAM, but it can also take advantage of most GPUs to speed up
WKHSURFHVVRIDSSO\LQJ¿OWHUVVRV\VWHPVZLWKSRZHUIXOJUDSKLFVFKLSVRUFDUGV
may see a boost.

The XPS 13 2-in-1 turned in an exceptional score in the Photoshop test, taking a
OLWWOHORQJHUWKDQPLQXWHVWRFRPSOHWHDOOWKH¿OWHUVDQGH̆HFWV7KLVLVQRWIDU
EHKLQGWKH$VXV¶WLPHEXWLVVLJQL¿FDQWO\IDVWHUWKDQDQ\RIWKHRWKHUWKUHH
competitors.

Decent Gaming: Integrated graphics processing has improved by leaps and

ERXQGVLQWKHSDVWWZR\HDUVDV,QWHODQG$0'KDYHVLJQL¿FDQWO\XSJUDGHGWKH
capabilities of their Iris and Radeon silicon. In our 3DMark and Superposition
gaming graphics tests, the laptops equipped with Iris Xe and Radeon graphics
VLJQL¿FDQWO\RXWSHUIRUPWKH7KLQN3DG;<RJDDQG0LFURVRIW6XUIDFH3UR
which are both equipped with older UHD or Iris Plus Graphics.

3DMark measures relative graphics muscle by rendering sequences of highly

detailed, gaming-style 3D graphics that emphasize particles and lighting. We
UXQWZRGL̆HUHQW'0DUNVXEWHVWV6N\'LYHUDQG)LUH6WULNHZKLFKDUHVXLWHG
WRGL̆HUHQWW\SHVRIV\VWHPV%RWKDUH'LUHFW;EHQFKPDUNVEXW6N\'LYHULV
more suited to laptops and midrange PCs, while Fire Strike is more demanding
DQGPDGHIRUKLJKHQG3&VWRVWUXWWKHLUVWX̆7KHUHVXOWVDUHSURSULHWDU\
scores. Unigine’s Superposition benchmark also pans through a detailed 3D
VFHQHXVLQJDGL̆HUHQWUHQGHULQJHQJLQHIRUDVHFRQGRSLQLRQRQHDFK3&¶V
graphical prowess.

The XPS 13 2-in-1 is the clear winner in both of these tests, but the real
achievement is not the small gains over the ZenBook Flip S or the Envy x360 13
but the nearly three-fold improvement over the Iris Plus and UHD systems.
+DUGFRUHJDPHUVZRQ¶W¿QGPXFKRILQWHUHVWKHUHVLQFHHYHQDVFRUHRI
frames per second in Superposition’s 1080p preset will hardly result in silky-
smooth gameplay. But if you’re a casual gamer content to play at lower
resolutions and graphics detail settings, the XPS 13 2-in-1 could serve as a
capable platform.

Class-Leading Battery Life: Lasting for more than 14 hours of video

SOD\EDFNDWSHUFHQWVFUHHQEULJKWQHVVWKH;36LQR̆HUVDIHZH[WUD
hours of unplugged time compared with its rivals. This is an excellent result
that suggests that the laptop will last through a full day of light work without
visiting a power outlet. The Dell’s 51-watt-hour battery charges quickly, taking
slightly longer than an hour to go from a 5% to a 90% charge, in my testing.
While 14 hours is impressive, it’s no longer in the vanguard. Several
ultraportable laptops we’ve tested recently have topped 24 hours of battery life,
including the Apple MacBook Air and the Lenovo Flex 5G.

STILL POLE POSITION AMONG CONVERTIBLES

$IHZJHQHUDWLRQVDJRWKH;36ZDVQHDUO\ÀDZOHVVHDUQLQJD¿YHVWDU
UHYLHZ%RWKWKHLQDQGWKHFODPVKHOOYHUVLRQVUHPDLQH[FHSWLRQDOR̆HULQJ
class-leading performance and battery life in a sleek, compact, and sturdy
FKDVVLV%XWFRPSHWLWRUVKDYHFORVHGWKHJDSVLJQL¿FDQWO\HYHQZLWKPRGHOV
that cost less. This is especially true when it comes to performance, as is clear
from the Ryzen-equipped Envy x360 13. The Dell’s shallow key travel is also
more of an issue than it once was, now that Apple has implemented a more
comfortable keyboard design in its MacBook lineup.

Nevertheless, though it’s not perfect, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is the best premium
convertible you can buy. It easily earns our Editors’ Choice award.

TOM BRANT

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 REVIEWS
HARDWARE

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

Founders Edition: Delivers
Great Value

N
vidia has been on an epic tear with its launch of the GeForce RTX 30
6HULHVRIJUDSKLFVFDUGV²VRPXFKVRWKDW¿QGLQJRQHLQVWRFNKDV
EHHQOLNHWUDFNLQJ6DVTXDWFK7KHFRPSDQ\LVORRNLQJWRNHHSWKDWKRW
VWUHDN²DQGWKRVHWRUULGVDOHV²JRLQJZLWKWKHUHOHDVHRILWVQHZ*H)RUFH57;
7L)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQPLGUDQJH*38$WWKLVZULWLQJWKH*H)RUFH57;
7LLVDOPRVWXQFRQWHVWHGDW$0'¶VROGHU5DGHRQ5;6HULHV
FDUGVDUHXQDEOHWRNHHSXSDQGHYHQWKHQHZ5;6HULHVLVVOLSSLQJRIWHQ
HQRXJKWRURFNHWWKH57;7LKLJKHULQWKHVWDQGLQJVWKDQZHH[SHFWHGLW
WRJR7KH57;7LLVDQRWKHUNLOOHUHQWU\LQ1YLGLD¶V³$PSHUH´IDPLO\DQG
LWHDUQVRXU(GLWRUV¶&KRLFHDZDUGDVDPLGUDQJHFDUGWKDWSXQFKHVZHOODERYH
LWVZHLJKWFODVV,WVRQO\FUHGLEOHULYDO"7KHJUHDW*H)RUFH57;
DERYHLW
THE DESIGN: POWERFUL ELEGANCE, AGAIN Nvidia GeForce
RTX 3060 Ti
7KH1YLGLD*H)RUFH57;7LIHDWXUHVWKHIDPLOLDU Founders Edition
RTX 30 Series Founders Edition graphics-card
PROS Beats the RTX
UHGHVLJQ$OOWKHHOHPHQWVDUHKHUHGXDOSXVKSXOOIDQ 2080 Super in most
VHWXSVKUXQNHQ3&%DQGDQHZKHDWVLQNWKDW¿OOVLQ benchmarks. Great
WKHJDSVZKHUHWKDW3&%XVHGWROLYHLQWKH57; price-to-performance
ratio. Stable launch
6HULHV)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQFDUGV7KHRQO\QRWLFHDEOH drivers. Runs cool.
GL̆HUHQFHEHWZHHQWKH57;7LDQGWKHUHVWRIWKH Short PCB,
)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQFDUGVLQWKH6HULHVDVLGHIURP redesigned cooling
system make for a
WKHFDUG¶VVKRUWHULQFKIRRWSULQWLVWKHFKDQJHLQ compact card.
SDLQWMREV
CONS RTX 3070 gives
an extra margin for 4K
2QWKH57;DQGWKH*H)RUFH57;)RXQGHUV today and tomorrow.
(GLWLRQZHWHVWHGWKHFDUGVZHUHHQFDVHGLQDEUXVKHG BOTTOM LINE If you
PDWWHJUD\VWULSRIPHWDOZKLOHWKH57;7LZHDUV want the best
DSRZGHUHGVLOYHU¿QLVKLQVWHDG,WVWULNHVWKDWVDPH marriage of price,
performance, and
EDODQFHRI³PDWXUH´DQG³LQWLPLGDWLQJ´WKDWZH¶YH features for 4K and
WDONHGDERXWLQSUHYLRXVUHYLHZVRI57;6HULHV 1440p gaming,
FDUGVEXWLWOLJKWHQVWKLQJVXSDELW Nvidia’s GeForce RTX
3060 Ti Founders
Edition is matched
2QWKHWRSHGJHRIWKHFDUGLVWKHUHWXUQRI1YLGLD¶V only by its own step-
SLQSRZHUFRQQHFWRUZKLFKDFFHSWVDQDGDSWHUWKDW up RTX 3070 sibling.
This card owns the
WUDQVLWLRQVDWUDGLWLRQDOHLJKWSLQSRZHUVXSSO\OHDG $399 price point and
LQWRWKLVVPDOOHUSURSULHWDU\LQSXW7KH57;7L delivers great value.
GRHVQ¶WVWUD\IURPWKHSRUWOD\RXWVHHQRQWKHUHVWRIWKH
6HULHVVRIDUZLWKWKUHH'LVSOD\3RUWESRUWVDQG
RQH+'0,RXWSXW7KH57;6HULHV¶86%&VW\OH
9LUWXDO/LQNSRUWLVRQFHDJDLQQRZKHUHWREHVHHQ
RTX 3060 TI FOUNDERS EDITION SPECS: THE MIDRANGE GETS AN
UPGRADE

/HW¶VORRNDWVRPHVSHFV¿UVWWRVHHKRZWKH57;7LVWDFNVXSDJDLQVWWKH
WZR*H)RUFHFDUGVWKDWLW¶VPHDQWWRVXFFHHGWKH57;DQG6XSHUDV
ZHOODV$0'¶VFORVHVWFRPSHWLWLRQLQWKH5DGHRQ5;;7DQG5DGHRQ
5;

,IWKHWRWDOO\UHGHVLJQHGVKURXGZDVQ¶WHQRXJKWRUHPLQG\RXWKDWWKH6HULHV
LVEULQJLQJDZKROHQHZOHYHORIKHDWRULQWKLVFDVHFRROWRWKHWDEOHWKHVSHF
ERRVWVIURPWKH57;6XSHUWRWKH57;7LVKRXOGGULYHWKHSRLQW
KRPH7KH*$GLHWKDWSRZHUVWKH57;7LEDVHGRQ6DPVXQJ¶VQP
OLWKRJUDSK\LVWKHVDPHDVZKDWZHVDZRQWKH1YLGLD*H)RUFH57;
)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQDQGLWSDFNVMXVWRYHUSHUFHQWPRUHWUDQVLVWRUVLQWRHYHQ
OHVVVSDFHWKDQWKH78GLHIRXQGLQWKH1YLGLD*H)RUFH57;DQG
*H)RUFH57;6XSHU

2Q$0'¶VVLGHRIWKHFRPSDULVRQIHQFHLWPDNHVVHQVHWRSXWWKH57;7L
XSDJDLQVW$0'¶VFXUUHQWR̆HULQJDWWKHSULFHWKH5DGHRQ5;;7
DVZHOODVWKHVOLJKWO\OHVVH[SHQVLYH5DGHRQ5;<RXPLJKWEHDVNLQJ
\RXUVHOIZKDWWKH5DGHRQ5;DQGWKH5DGHRQ5;;7DUH
GRLQJWKHUH%RWKFDUGVDUHSXQFKLQJZHOOLQWRWKHKHDY\ZHLJKWFODVVJLYHQ
WKHLUSULFHV6WLFNDURXQGXQWLOWKHEHQFKPDUNWHVWUHVXOWVWR¿QGRXW
TESTING THE RTX 3060 TI: RADEONS IN THE CROSSHAIRS
3&/DEVUDQWKH1YLGLD*H)RUFH57;7LWKURXJKDVHULHVRI'LUHFW;
DQGEDVHGV\QWKHWLFDQGUHDOZRUOGEHQFKPDUNV2XU3&/DEVWHVWULJ
LV,QWHOEDVHGDQGHPSOR\VD3&,([SUHVVQRWPRWKHUERDUG,W¶V
HTXLSSHGZLWKDQ,QWHO&RUHL.SURFHVVRU*%RI*6NLOO''5
PHPRU\DVROLGVWDWHERRWGULYHDQGDQ$VXV52*0D[LPXV;,,+HUR:L)L
PRWKHUERDUG$OOFDUGVEHORZZHUHUHWHVWHGRQWKLVULJZLWKWKHLUODWHVWGULYHUV
IRUDQHYHQSOD\LQJ¿HOG*LYHQRXUWHVWVZLWKWKH&RUHL.DQGUHFHQW
5\]HQ&38VWKLVULJLVWKHEHVWUHDVRQDEOHFRQ¿JXUDWLRQRIWKHPRPHQWLQ
WRFXWWKH&38RXWRIWKHHTXDWLRQIRUIUDPHUDWHV5HDGPRUHDERXWKRZ
ZHWHVWJUDSKLFVFDUGV

)RURXUWHVWLQJZHIRFXVHGVRPHRIWKHH̆RUWRQWKHHVSRUWVDVSHFWRIWKH57;
7LZLWKJDPHVLQFOXGLQJ&RXQWHU6WULNH*OREDO2̆HQVLYH&6*2DQG
5DLQERZ6L[6LHJH:HDOVRUDQWKHFDUGWKURXJKWKHUHVWRIRXUVWDQGDUG
EHQFKPDUNUHJLPHQZKLFKWHVWVDFDUG¶VDELOLWLHVWRKDQGOH$$$JDPHVDWWKH
KLJKHVWSRVVLEOHTXDOLW\VHWWLQJVDVZHOODVKRZLWSHUIRUPVLQV\QWKHWLF
EHQFKPDUNVWKDWVWUHVVWKHFDUGLQDYDULHW\RIZD\V

$OPRVWHYHU\WHVWZHUXQDVLGHIURPWKHHVSRUWVWLWOHVLVGRQHDWWKHKLJKHVW

SRVVLEOHTXDOLW\SUHVHWRUVHWWLQJV,I\RXKDYHDKLJKHUKHUW]JDPLQJPRQLWRU
DQG\RX¶UHZRUULHG\RXUFDUGPLJKWQRWPDNHWKHIUDPHUDWHJUDGHLWFRXOGVWLOO
EHSRVVLEOHZLWKWKHULJKWFDUGDQGDFRPELQDWLRQRIORZHUVHWWLQJV1RWRQO\
WKDWEXWPDQ\RIWKHVHWLWOHVLQFOXGLQJ'HDWK6WUDQGLQJ6KDGRZRIWKH7RPE
5DLGHUDQG)KDYHERWK'/66DQG)LGHOLW\);&$6ZLWK8SVFDOLQJ
LQWHJUDWHGGLUHFWO\LQWRWKHJDPH7KLVFDQPHDQERRVWVRIXSWRPRUH
SHUIRUPDQFHRQWRSGHSHQGLQJRQWKHVHWWLQJDQGWKHFDUG\RX¶UHSOD\LQJZLWK
TESTING RESULTS: SYNTHETIC BENCHMARKS
6\QWKHWLFEHQFKPDUNVFDQEHJRRGSUHGLFWRUVRIUHDOZRUOGJDPLQJ
SHUIRUPDQFH8/¶VFLUFD)LUH6WULNH8OWUDLVVWLOODJRWRDVDQ
DSSUR[LPDWLRQRIWKHORDGOHYLHGE\PDLQVWUHDP.JDPLQJ:H¶UHORRNLQJRQO\
DWWKHWHVW¶V*UDSKLFV6XEVFRUHQRWWKH2YHUDOO6FRUHWRLVRODWHWKHFDUG
SHUIRUPDQFH0HDQZKLOHZHDOVRUDQ'0DUN¶V7LPH6S\([WUHPHWHVWZKLFK
LVDJRRGWHVWRIKRZZHOODFDUGZLOOGRVSHFL¿FDOO\LQ'LUHFW;JDPHVDW.
UHVROXWLRQ)LQDOO\LV3RUW5R\DOZKLFKLVVWULFWO\DWHVWIRU57;FDUGVULJKWQRZ
PHDVXULQJKRZZHOOWKH\KDQGOHUD\WUDFLQJWDVNV7KXVWKHEODQNUHVXOWVIRU
WKH$0'FDUGVRQWKDWRQH$OVRKHUHDUHDKDQGIXORI*38DFFHOHUDWLRQWHVWV
)XUPDUNDQG/X[0DUN

,QV\QWKHWLFWHVWLQJ1YLGLD*H)RUFH57;7LVWDUWHGRXWZLWKDVWURQJOHDG
RYHUWKHSUHYLRXVJHQHUDWLRQRI1YLGLDFDUGVDVZHOODV$0'¶V5'1$RSWLRQV
OLNHWKH5;;7'0DUNUHVXOWVZHUHDWUDGHRIZLQVDQGORVVHVZLWKWKH
57;6XSHUZKLOH6XSHUSRVLWLRQSXWWKH57;7LFRPIRUWDEO\DKHDG
RIWKH5;;7

$OOWKDWVDLGLQWKLVFDUGSULFHUDQJHV\QWKHWLFWHVWUHVXOWVVXFKDVWKHVHDUHQ¶W
TXLWHDVLPSRUWDQW&RQWHQWFUHDWRUVJHQHUDOO\FKRRVHKLJKHUHQGFDUGV
LQWKHFRQVXPHUVSDFHVXFKDVWKH*H)RUFH57;)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQRU
MXVWJRVWUDLJKWIRU1YLGLD¶V4XDGURFDUGVVLQFHWKHSURJUDPVWKH\UHO\RQ
XVXDOO\GHPDQGDKXJHDPRXQWRISRZHUWRSURFHVVRQVFUHHQHOHPHQWVLQD
WLPHO\IDVKLRQ
TESTING RESULTS: RECENT AAA GAMES
1RZRQWRWKHUHDOZRUOGJDPHVWKDW\RXFDQSOD\:H
W\SLFDOO\XVHGLQHDFKFDVHIRUWKHVH$$$JDPHVWKH
KLJKHVWLQJDPHSUHVHWDQGLIDYDLODEOH'LUHFW;,Q In our runs of
FRQWUDVWWKHPXOWLSOD\HUIRFXVHGDQGHVSRUWVWLWOHV Red Dead
VXFKDV&6*2DQG5DLQERZ6L[6LHJHFRPLQJXSLQ Redemption
WKHQH[WJURXSZHUHVHWVOLJKWO\EHORZWRSGHWDLOVHWWLQJV 2, the card fell
WRPD[LPL]HIUDPHUDWHV so tightly
within
,QRXUUXQVRI5HG'HDG5HGHPSWLRQWKHFDUGIHOOVR expectations
WLJKWO\ZLWKLQH[SHFWDWLRQVLWZDVDOPRVWDELWIUHDN\,W it was almost
ZDVDVLQJOHIUDPHIDVWHUWKDQWKH57;6XSHU a bit freaky.
1YLGLD¶VSUHIHUUHGSRLQWRIFRPSDULVRQIRUWKH57;
7LLQHYHU\UHVROXWLRQZHUDQ,IWKHUHVWRIWKH
57;6HULHVFDUGVKDGQ¶WDOUHDG\EHHQUXQQLQJWLJKW
DVDGUXPXSXQWLOWKLVSRLQWZHPLJKWHYHQEH
VXVSLFLRXVHQRXJKWRWDNHDVHFRQGORRN%XWWKDWVWRU\
repeated itself again and again as we ran through the
UHVWRIWKHEHQFKPDUNV7KH57;7LVZD\HG
MXVWDIHZIUDPHVDERYHRUEHORZWKH57;6XSHU
LQPRVWFDVHV

7KHQWKHUH¶VWKH57;7L¶VSHUIRUPDQFHDJDLQVW
WKH1YLGLDFDUGLW¶VVHWWRUHSODFHLQERWKSULFHSRLQWDQG
EDGJHQXPEHUWKH57;6XSHU7KHUHVXOWVRQO\
JRWEHWWHUDVZHFRQWLQXHGGRZQWKHOLQHRIWHVWLQJ2Q
DYHUDJHWKH57;7LLVURXJKO\IDVWHUWKDQLWV
SUHGHFHVVRULQ.DQGLWUHJXODUO\PDQDJHVWRMXPS
MXVWRYHUWKHIUDPHSHUVHFRQGISVOLQHIRUKLJK
GHWDLOJDPLQJDW.LQWLWOHVVXFKDV6KDGRZRIWKH
7RPE5DLGHU'HDWK6WUDQGLQJDQG)DU&U\)RU
DQ\RQHZLWKD.+]GLVSOD\RUWKRVHSODQQLQJWR
XSJUDGHVRRQWKH57;7LVKRXOGEHDWRS
FRQWHQGHUIRU\RXUEXFNVWKLVVKRSSLQJVHDVRQ²LI\RX
FDQ¿QGRQH
7KHRQO\JDPHVWKDWKHOGLWEDFNIURPDFOHDQVZHHSLQ
WKDWNLQGRI.SOD\ZHUHWKHWZRFXUUHQWFDUGFUXVKHUV
RIWKHEXQFK5HG'HDG5HGHPSWLRQDQG$VVDVVLQ¶V
&UHHG2G\VVH\7KHUHWKH57;7L¿QDOO\EXFNOHG For casual
DELWNHHSLQJWKHWRUFKOLWDERYHISVDWSLQ players with
5'5EXWIDOOLQJWRISVRQFHZHZHQWWR.$IHZ ordinary 60Hz
VHWWLQJVWZHDNVFRXOGJHW\RXEDFNLQWRWKHISVUDQJH monitors, a
DW.EXWDQ\RQHORRNLQJIRUWKHXOWLPDWH. solid 80fps or
H[SHULHQFHLVVWLOOEHWWHUR̆JRLQJZLWKDQRSWLRQOLNHWKH 90fps at
57;)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQLQVWHDG your target
resolution
TESTING RESULTS: MULTIPLAYER GAMES
is fine.
7KRXJKPRVWRI3&/DEV¶JDPHWHVWVDUHPD[HGRXWLQ
JUDSKLFDO¿GHOLW\WRSXVKWKHFDUGVWRWKHLUOLPLW
PXOWLSOD\HUJDPLQJLVDOODERXWPDLQWDLQLQJWKHEHVW
EDODQFHEHWZHHQJUDSKLFDO¿GHOLW\DQGIUDPHUDWH:LWK
WKDWLQPLQGZH¶YHNHSW&6*25DLQERZ6L[
6LHJHDQG)LQDO)DQWDV\;,9WXQHGWRWKHEHVW
FRPELQDWLRQRIQHFHVVDU\LPSURYHPHQWVLQVHWWLQJV
KLJKHUDQWLDOLDVLQJDQGORZHUVKDGRZVIRUH[DPSOH
ZKLOHVWLOOWU\LQJWRNHHSIUDPHUDWHVIRUSJDPHV
DERYHISV

:K\ISV"7KDW¶VDFRYHWHGWDUJHWIRUKLJKO\
competitive esports gamers who have high-refresh-rate
+]RUKLJKHUJDPLQJPRQLWRUV)RUFDVXDOSOD\HUV
ZLWKRUGLQDU\+]PRQLWRUVDVROLGISVRUISVDW
\RXUWDUJHWUHVROXWLRQLV¿QHZLWKVRPHRYHUKHDGWR
SUHYHQWGLSVXQGHUISV

&6*2ZDVDVXVXDODEORZRXWIRUDQ\FDUGDERYH
EXWWKH57;7LMXVWEDUHO\IHOOVKRUWRIWKH
QHZISVDWSFHLOLQJVHWE\+]PRQLWRUV
VXFKDVWKH$VXV52*6ZLIW+]3*41
0HDQZKLOH)LQDO)DQWDV\UXQQLQJRQDQHQJLQH
NQRZQIRULWVIDYRUDELOLW\WR1YLGLDFDUGVNHSWWKH57;
7LZLWKLQ¿ULQJUDQJHRIWKH$0'5;6HULHV
FDUGVDWSDQGS
$ELJPHQWLRQLQWKLVGHSDUWPHQWLVWKHLQFOXVLRQRI1YLGLD¶V5HÀH[IHDWXUH
ZKLFKZRUNVDWLWVPRVWRSWLPDOZKHQSOD\LQJDWHLWKHUSIRUPDQ\WKH
QHZHVSRUWVVZHHWVSRWRU.UHVROXWLRQ,QWKLVUHJDUGWKH57;7L
SHUIRUPHGKRZLWVKRXOGGHOLYHULQJMXVWRYHUISVLQ5DLQERZ6L[6LHJH
7KLVPHDQVRZQHUVRIPRQLWRUVVXFKDVWKHSQDWLYH+]9LHZ6RQLF
(OLWH;*4*ZRXOGEHYHU\KDSS\ZLWKWKH57;7LDVWKHLUQH[WFDUG

TESTING RESULTS: LEGACY AAA TITLES

1H[WOHW¶VVHHKRZWKH1YLGLD*H)RUFH57;7LGRHVZLWKVRPHSDVWWKHLU
SULPH$$$WLWOHV7KHVHOHJDF\WHVWVLQFOXGHUXQVRI+LWPDQ$EVROXWLRQ
6OHHSLQJ'RJV7RPE5DLGHUDQG%LRVKRFN,Q¿QLWHWKHODVWEHLQJD
JDPHWKDWKDVQREXVLQHVVVWLOOEHLQJDVZHOORSWLPL]HGDVLWLVLQ

The driver inconsistencies of the RX 6000 Series cards we saw in our review of
WKRVHFDUGVRQO\EHFRPHPRUHDSSDUHQWRQFHWKH57;7LHQWHUVWKH¿HOG
7KLQJVDOUHDG\ORRNHGVKDN\DJDLQVWWKH57;)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQRQWKHVH
ROGHUJDPHVDQGWKH57;7LFRPHVLQWRVHDOWKHGHDO,Q%LRVKRFN
,Q¿QLWH+LWPDQ$EVROXWLRQDQG6OHHSLQJ'RJVWKH57;7LNHHSVD
QHDUSDFHZLWKRUHYHQRXWULJKWEHDWVWKH5;LQIUDPHUDWHVDFURVV
DOOWKUHHUHVROXWLRQV,QIDFWWKHORZHU\RXORRNLQUHVROXWLRQWKHKLJKHUWKH
57;7L¶VFKDQFHVRIWRSSLQJHYHQWKH5DGHRQ5;;7LQ
WKRVHVDPHJDPHV7KDWKDSSHQHGKHUHDQGWKHUH
6RIRUQRZWKHQDUUDWLYHLVFU\VWDOFOHDU,I\RXSODQWR
SOD\ORWVRIOHJDF\WLWOHVRUDUHZRUULHGDERXWKRZZHOOD
FDUGWKDWJRHVIRUPRUHWKDQWKHSULFHRIWKH57;
7LZLOOKDQGOHROGHUJDPHVZHZHUHQ¶WDEOHWR While the RTX
EHQFKPDUNRQWKLVOLVWWUHDGFDUHIXOO\EHIRUHRSWLQJIRU 2060 Super
WKH5DGHRQ5;;7RU5;EDVHGRQWKH peaked at 74
FXUUHQW$0'5DGHRQ6RIWZDUHGULYHUVHW degrees C, the
RTX 3060 Ti
OVERCLOCKING AND THERMALS: NEW never topped
COOLING COMES INTO ITS OWN
60 degrees C,
:HUDQDPLQXWHVWUHVVWHVWLQ'0DUN3RUW5R\DORQ
even in our
WKH1YLGLD*H)RUFH57;7LDQGWKHFDUGFORFNHG
stress test.
ZHOOXQGHUWKHWHPSHUDWXUHH[SHFWDWLRQVVHWWKXVIDUE\
other releases in the RTX 30 Series line of Founders
(GLWLRQFDUGV:KLOHERWKWKH57;DQG57;
)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQVZHUHRQO\DEOHWRPDWFKWKH
WHPSHUDWXUHVRIWKHLU6HULHVSUHGHFHVVRUVWKH57;
7LXQGHUFXWWKHPE\DORW

:KLOHWKH57;6XSHUSHDNHGDWGHJUHHV&WKH
57;7LQHYHUWRSSHGGHJUHHV&HYHQLQWKH
WKLFNRIRXUVWUHVVWHVW7KLVLVRQHRIWKHFRROHVWFDUGV
ZH¶YHUXQLQUHFHQW\HDUVDQGWKDWLQFOXGHVWKHORZHQG
VXSHUVPDOO=RWDF*H)RUFH*7;2&ZKLFKWRSSHG
RXWDWGHJUHHV&

,W¿QDOO\ORRNVOLNHWKHDOOWKHGHVLJQLPSURYHPHQWV
PDGHEHWZHHQWKHUHOHDVHRIWKH57;6HULHVDQGWKH
57;6HULHVDUHSD\LQJR̆LQPLGUDQJHFDUGVVXFKDV
WKH57;7LDQGWKHQHZDLUÀRZGHVLJQLVDEOHWR
KLWWKHVZHHWHVWWKHUPDOVSRWVRIDUDPRQJDOORI1YLGLD¶V
57;6HULHVFDUGV7KHODZVRIWKHUPRG\QDPLFVDUH
LQÀH[LEOHDQGZLOOIRUHYHUEHRQHRIWKHPRVW
FRPSOLFDWHGSUREOHPVIRUHQJLQHHUVWRVROYHZKHWKHULQ
LQGXVWULDOGHVLJQRUFKLSDUFKLWHFWXUH%\DSSURDFKLQJ
WKRVHSUREOHPVZLWKDXQLTXHVROXWLRQDQGWKH¿UVWWUXH
UHGHVLJQZH¶YHVHHQLQ\HDUVLQ*38KHDWVLQNVWKH
)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQFDUGVHDUQWKHLUVFDUFLW\
)RUDVHQVHRIFRQWUDVWZLWKRWKHUPRUHWUDGLWLRQDOFRROLQJV\VWHPV$0'¶V
5DGHRQ5;;7UHIHUHQFHFDUGZHWHVWHGKLWGHJUHHV&RQWKHVDPH
VWUHVVWHVWPRUHWKDQWKH*H)RUFH57;7L7KDWVDPHFDUGDOVRORVW
WRWKH57;7LLQFHUWDLQEHQFKPDUNVDQGUHVROXWLRQVZLWKOHJDF\JDPHV

,QWHVWLQJWKHRYHUFORFNLQJFDSDFLW\RIWKH57;7L,DFKLHYHGDVWDEOH2&
SUR¿OHRI0+]DFURVVERWKWKHFORFNVSHHGDQGWKHPHPRU\DPRXQWLQJWR
MXVWRYHUDERRVWLQFORFN7KDWWUDQVODWHGVXUSULVLQJO\WRDOPRVWDQ
HTXLYDOHQWIUDPHUDWHJDLQLQ)DWPRUHIUDPHVSHUVHFRQGISV
LQ.XSWRISV

VERDICT: TEAM GREEN WON’T STOP WINNING

:KHQWKH57;6XSHUZDVODXQFKHGZHDW3&/DEVFRQVLGHUHGLWWREHD
JUHDWFDUGEXWRQHWKDWGLGQ¶WR̆HUXSWKHVDPHOHYHORI³6XSHU´QHVVWKDWZH
VDZLQWKH57;6XSHU6RPXFKIRUDOOWKDW6XSHUVWX̆$WWKH
*H)RUFH57;7LEHDWVWKH57;6XSHULQHYHU\WHVWZHUDQ
H̆HFWLYHO\FXWWLQJWKHFRVWRIHQWHULQJKLJKGHWDLOSDQG.JDPLQJE\
DOPRVWKDOI

7KH57;6HULHVKDVFRQWLQXHGWRFRXUVHFRUUHFWWKHKLJKSULFHVRI1YLGLD¶V
7XULQJHUDE\R̆HULQJXSKXJHJDLQVLQERWKJDPLQJDQGV\QWKHWLFSHUIRUPDQFH
LI\RXFDQ¿QGRQHRIWKHFDUGVIRUVDOHRIFRXUVH$QGEH\RQGIUDPHUDWHV
DQGEHQFKPDUNVWKHFRPSDQ\¶VLQQRYDWLYHFRROLQJVROXWLRQVHHPVWRKDYH
¿QDOO\IRXQGLWVVZHHWVSRWLQWKHSRZHURXWSXWRIWKH57;7L:HFRXOG
VHHWKLVIHURFLRXVFDUGLQVWDOOHGLQDWKHUPDOO\DQGSK\VLFDOO\WLJKW3&FDVH
$OOWKLVPDNHVWKH57;7LDQDOPRVWHTXDOSULFH
WRSHUIRUPDQFHYDOXHWRGD\WR1YLGLD¶VRWKHUPLGUDQJH
RSWLRQWKHVWDU*H)RUFH57;1RZWKDWWKH
RTX 3060 Ti comes within a few percentage points of Another RTX
WKH57;¶VSHUIRUPDQFHLQFHUWDLQEHQFKPDUNV 30 Series
DQGFRVWVOHVVLW¶VDQH[FHOOHQWDOWHUQDWLYHWRWKDW Founders
VWXSHQGRXVFDUG Edition card
from Nvidia,
2QFH\RXVWDUWFRPSDULQJWR$0'¶VRSWLRQVOLNHWKH5; and another
WKHSULFHWRSHUIRUPDQFHHTXDWLRQDOVRIDYRUV Editors’ Choice
WKH57;7L,I$0'SDWFKHVLWVFDUGVZLWK
award for the
VROLGGULYHUVIRUOHJDF\JDPHVDQGVHHVWZHDNVIRU
Team Green.
JDPHVOLNH5DLQERZ6L[6LHJHDQG38%*WKDW
QDUUDWLYHFRXOGFKDQJH%XWDVRIULJKWQRZWKDW¶VWKH
UXERIWKLVFDUG¶VODXQFK

:KHQFRPSDUHGZLWK$0'¶VRWKHUFORVHVWR̆HULQJRQ
SULFH¶V5DGHRQ5;;7WKHUHVXOWV
EHFRPHHYHQFOHDUHU1YLGLDLVQRZXQFRQWHVWHGLQWKH
PLGUDQJH$OWKRXJKDQ5'1$EDVHGPLGUDQJHRSWLRQ
FRPLQJIURP$0'LQWKHQH[WIHZPRQWKVVHHPV
LQHYLWDEOHDWWKLVSRLQWDVIDUDVFRQ¿UPHGKDUGZDUH
JRHV1YLGLDR̆HUVXSWKHEHVWFRPELQDWLRQRI
SHUIRUPDQFHIHDWXUHVDQGWHFKQRORJ\DWWKH
0653WRGD\

6RWKHUHLWLVDQRWKHU57;6HULHV)RXQGHUV(GLWLRQ
FDUGIURP1YLGLDDQGDQRWKHU(GLWRUV¶&KRLFHDZDUG
IRUWKH7HDP*UHHQVKHOI

CHRIS STOBING

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 REVIEWS
HARDWARE

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold: The

Future’s Not Quite Here Yet

I
W¶VVRPHZKDWVXUSULVLQJWKDWWKHZRUOG¶V¿UVWIROGDEOHVFUHHQ3&LVD
7KLQN3DG:KHQIROGDEOHVFUHHQVGHEXWHGRQSKRQHVODVW\HDUWKH\ZHUH
H[SHQVLYHJLPPLFNVZLWKTXHVWLRQDEOHGXUDELOLW\7KLQN3DGVDUHPRVWO\
H[SHQVLYHODSWRSVWREHVXUHEXWWKH\¶UHOHJHQGDU\IRUEHLQJWKHRSSRVLWHRI
JLPPLFN\DQGÀLPV\)RUWXQDWHO\WKH/HQRYR7KLQN3DG;)ROGKDVWKH
EHQH¿WRI\HDUVRIWHVWLQJDQGUHVHDUFKDQGDWOHDVWDVIDUDVSK\VLFDOGHVLJQLV
FRQFHUQHGWKLV:LQGRZVWDEOHWPRVWO\OLYHVXSWRLWV7KLQN3DGQDPH

7KDWVDLGLWFRPSDUHVSRRUO\ZLWKHVWDEOLVKHG:LQGRZVWDEOHWVVXFKDVWKH
0LFURVRIW6XUIDFH3URRQSULFHEDWWHU\OLIHDQGFRPSXWLQJSHUIRUPDQFH
PDNLQJLWDWRXJKVHOOIRUWKHJHQHUDOSXEOLF6WLOOWKLVUHYROXWLRQDU\WDEOHW3&LV
UXJJHGIXWXULVWLFDQGXQOLNHDQ\:LQGRZVGHYLFH\RX¶YHHYHUVHHQ/LNHWKH
FRQWURYHUVLDORULJLQDO6DPVXQJ*DOD[\)ROGWKH7KLQN3DG;)ROGKDVDQ
XQGHQLDEOHFRROIDFWRUWKDWZLOODSSHDOWRHDUO\DGRSWHUV(YHU\RQHHOVHVKRXOG
ZDLWD\HDURUWZRLQWKHKRSHVWKDWDPRUHUHDVRQDEO\SULFHGDQGSRZHUIXO
VHTXHOFRPHVDORQJDQGWKDW:LQGRZVLQWHJUDWHVIROGDELOLW\EHWWHU
THE FIRST FOLDABLE WINDOWS TABLET Lenovo
7KH;)ROGLVDWZLQIDFHWHGFRPSXWLQJUHYROXWLRQ ThinkPad X1 Fold
7KHPRVWJURXQGEUHDNLQJLQQRYDWLRQRIFRXUVHLVWKH PROS Revolutionary
SK\VLFDOGHVLJQRIWKHWDEOHW)URPWKH$SSOHL3DGWRWKH foldable screen. Nifty
optional wireless
0LFURVRIW6XUIDFH*RPRVWWDEOHWVKDYHVFUHHQVZLWK keyboard with
GLDJRQDOPHDVXUHPHQWVRIDURXQGLQFKHVRUOHVV7KH inductive charging.
;)ROG¶VLQFKGLVSOD\LVVOLJKWO\ODUJHUDPRUH Luxurious built-in
leather cover.
¿WWLQJVL]HZKHQ\RX¶UHYLHZLQJIHDWXUHULFKZHEVLWHVRU Integrated kickstand.
HGLWLQJVSUHDGVKHHWV:KLOHWKHWDEOHWLVQ¶WKHDY\ Optional LTE
SRXQGV,¶YHIRXQGWKDWWKHEHVWZD\WRPDNHXVHRIWKH connectivity. Meets
MIL-SPEC durability
VFUHHQ¶VIXOOH[SDQVHLVE\SURSSLQJLWXSRQDGHVNZLWK standards.
LWVEXLOWLQNLFNVWDQGPXFKWKHVDPHDV\RXZRXOGZLWK
CONS Expensive.
WKH6XUIDFH3UR Sluggish computing
performance. Clumsy,
%XWWKH7KLQN3DG;)ROGKDVDWULFNWKDWQHLWKHUWKH limited software.
Some awkward design
6XUIDFH3URQRUDQ\RWKHUODUJHWDEOHWFDQPDWFK7KH elements. Mediocre
VFUHHQEHQGVLQWKHPLGGOHWXUQLQJWKHGHYLFHLQWR battery life. Lacks a
VRPHWKLQJUHVHPEOLQJDKDUGFRYHUERRNDQGUHQGHULQJ rear camera.

LWLPPHQVHO\PRUHÀH[LEOH:LWKWKHVFUHHQIROGHG\RX BOTTOM LINE

FDQXVHWKH;)ROGWRFDWFKXSRQWKHPRUQLQJQHZVLQ Lenovo’s durable
ThinkPad X1 Fold, with
\RXUPDJD]LQHDSSRUDVDQHERRNUHDGHU<RXFDQDOVR its detachable
EHQGWKHWZRKDOYHVVOLJKWO\WRJHWKHUDQGVHWRQHRI keyboard and
WKHPRQDWLJKWVSDFH²VD\DQDLUSODQHWUD\WDEOH²WR revolutionary foldable
screen, is the most
XVHWKH;)ROGDVDPLQLFRQYHQWLRQDOFODPVKHOOODSWRS futuristic Windows
6HWXSOLNHWKLVWKHERWWRPKDOIRIWKHGLVSOD\FDQVKRZ device of 2020—
WKHYLUWXDOWRXFKNH\ERDUGEXLOWLQWR:LQGRZVZKLOH though far from the
most practical one.
WKHXSSHUKDOIWKDW¶VWLOWHGWRZDUG\RXGLVSOD\VFRQWHQW
9RLOD<RX¶UHQRZXVLQJDLQFKODSWRS
)LQDOO\\RXFDQIROGWKHVFUHHQFRPSOHWHO\LQKDOIOLNH\RX¶UHFORVLQJDERRN1RW
RQO\LVWKHVFUHHQSURWHFWHGLQWUDQVLWWKLVZD\EXWWKHLQWHJUDWHGOHDWKHU
H[WHULRURIWKHWDEOHWDOVRIROGVZLWKWKHVFUHHQQHJDWLQJWKHQHHGIRUDFDVHWR
SURWHFWWKH;)ROG¶VRXWHUFKDVVLV

:KHQIROGHGWKHWDEOHWPHDVXUHVE\E\LQFKHV+:'PDNLQJLW

FRPSDFWHQRXJKWR¿WQHDUO\DQ\ZKHUH8QIROGHGWKH;)ROGLVE\E\
LQFKHVVOLJKWO\ODUJHUWKDQWKH6XUIDFH3URZLWKLWVLQFKGLVSOD\

INTEL’S ‘LAKEFIELD’ EXPERIMENT INSIDE

7KH;)ROG¶VVHFRQGUHYROXWLRQDU\DVSHFWLVLWVXVHRIDQ,QWHO³/DNH¿HOG´
SURFHVVRU,QWHOGHVLJQHG/DNH¿HOGVSHFL¿FDOO\IRUWDEOHWVDQGRWKHUH[WUHPHO\
FRPSDFW3&V,QWURGXFHGHDUOLHUWKLV\HDU/DNH¿HOGPRUHFORVHO\UHVHPEOHVWKH
SURFHVVRUVWKDWSRZHUSKRQHVDQG$QGURLGWDEOHWVWKDQWKRVHPDGHIRU
WUDGLWLRQDOODSWRSVDQGGHVNWRSV

,QVWHDGRIKDYLQJIRXUSRZHUIXOSURFHVVLQJFRUHVDVPRVWODWHPRGHO,QWHO&RUH
LDQG&RUHLODSWRSFKLSVGR/DNH¿HOGFRPHVZLWK¿YHVLQJOHWKUHDGHGFRUHV
RIYDU\LQJDELOLWLHV$VLQJOHQDQRPHWHUQP³6XQQ\&RYH´FRUHRQWKH
/DNH¿HOGFKLSFDQKDQGOHWKHKHDY\OLIWLQJDSSOLFDWLRQVZKLOHIRXUQP
³7UHPRQW´FRUHVFDQEHOHYHUDJHGIRUOHVVLQWHQVLYHFRPSXWLQJWDVNV

,QWHOZDVDEOHWRPLQLPL]H/DNH¿HOG¶VIRRWSULQWE\GLWFKLQJWKHWUDGLWLRQDO
PHWKRGRIOD\LQJWKH3&¶VFRPSRQHQWVDFURVVDFLUFXLWERDUG,QVWHDGD
'SDFNDJLQJWHFKQRORJ\FDOOHG)RYHURVVWDFNVFRPSRQHQWVLQFOXGLQJWKH
'5$0RQWRSRIRQHDQRWKHUVDYLQJRQVSDFH

,QWHOPDUNHWVWKH/DNH¿HOGYDULDQWLQWKH;)ROGDVD&RUHL/*6LPLODUWR
RWKHU&RUHLFKLSVLWKDVD*+]EDVHFORFNVSHHG:KLOHWKHIRXU7UHPRQW
FRUHVFDQRQO\EHERRVWHGXSWR*+]WKH6XQQ\&RYHFRUHFDQUXQDVKLJK
DV*+]

7KHRUHWLFDOO\/DNH¿HOGSURPLVHVEHQH¿WVVLPLODUWRWKRVHRIFRPSHWLQJORZ
SRZHUSURFHVVRUVVXFKDVWKH$SSOH0DQGWKH4XDOFRPP6QDSGUDJRQF[
LQFOXGLQJORQJEDWWHU\OLIHZLWKRXWVDFUL¿FLQJFRPSXWLQJSHUIRUPDQFHZKHQ\RX
QHHGLW8QIRUWXQDWHO\DV\RX¶OOVHHLQWKHSHUIRUPDQFHGLVFXVVLRQEHORZWKH;
)ROGIDOOVIDUVKRUWRQWKHVHSURPLVHV,WEHKDYHVPRUHOLNHDSURFHVVRULQWHQGHG
IRULQH[SHQVLYHGHYLFHVOLNH&KURPHERRNVR̆HULQJQHLWKHULPSUHVVLYHEDWWHU\
OLIHQRUDGHTXDWHSHUIRUPDQFHIRUDQ\WKLQJEH\RQGOLJKWWDVNV
ACCESSORIES COST EXTRA
<RXFRXOGXVHWKH;7DEOHWH[FOXVLYHO\DVDWDEOHWWDSSLQJRQWKHVFUHHQZLWK
\RXU¿QJHUVDVWKHVROHPHDQVRILQSXW,W¶VDFWXDOO\DVDWLVI\LQJH[SHULHQFHIRU
FDVXDOZHEEURZVLQJWKDQNVWRWKHUREXVWWRXFKVXSSRUWEXLOWLQWR:LQGRZV
DQG,VSHQWPXFKRIP\WLPHWHVWLQJWKH;)ROGXVLQJLWOLNHWKLV

%XW\RXFRXOGGRWKHVDPHWDVNVZLWKDFRQYHQWLRQDOWDEOHWWKDWFRVWVIDUOHVVVR
SDUWRIWKH;)ROG¶VXQLTXHQHVVOLHVLQWKHRSWLRQDODFFHVVRULHVGHVLJQHGWR
FRPSOHPHQWWKHIROGDEOHVFUHHQ²HVSHFLDOO\WKHQLIW\NH\ERDUG/HQRYRFRXOG
KDYHR̆HUHGWKH;)ROGZLWKDPRUHWUDGLWLRQDOIROLRVW\OHNH\ERDUGOLNHWKH
0LFURVRIW6XUIDFH7\SH&RYHUEXWWKDWZRXOGEHLPSRVVLEOHWRVWRUHZLWKWKH;
)ROGZKHQLW¶VIROGHGOLNHDERRN,QVWHDGWKHFRPSDQ\LVR̆HULQJWKHQHZ
/HQRYR)ROG0LQL.H\ERDUGDQDGDSWDWLRQRILWVOHJHQGDU\7KLQN3DGNH\ERDUG
LQODSWRSV

)RUGHVNWRSVDQGWDEOHWVD7KLQN3DG7UDFN3RLQW.H\ERDUGLVDYDLODEOHLQD
VWDQGDORQHZLUHOHVVYHUVLRQDQGWKDWSURGXFWVKDUHVVRPHEDVLFSULQFLSOHVZLWK
WKHQHZ)ROG0LQL.H\ERDUG<RXV\QFWKH)ROG0LQLERDUGWRWKH;)ROG
ZLUHOHVVO\DQG\RXFDQVHWLWRQWKHWDEOHWRSLQIURQWRIWKHWDEOHWIRUORQJHU
W\SLQJVHVVLRQV%XWWKHUHDUHVHYHUDONH\GL̆HUHQFHVEHWZHHQWKHVWDQGDORQH
7KLQN3DGNH\ERDUGDQGWKH)ROG0LQL)RUVWDUWHUVWKH0LQLUHDOO\LVWLQ\,WV
NH\VDUHDELWFUDPSHGHVSHFLDOO\IRUP\ODUJH¿QJHUVDQGLWKDVDPLQXVFXOH
WRXFKSDGEHQHDWKWKHVSDFHEDUWKDWLVXVHIXORQO\ZKHQDFXUVRULVDEVROXWHO\
QHFHVVDU\0RVWRIWKHWLPH\RX¶OOMXVWZDQWWRWDSWKHVFUHHQ
6WLOOLQNHHSLQJZLWK7KLQN3DGWUDGLWLRQ,¿QGWKHNH\VUHPDUNDEO\VWXUG\DQG
WKHH[SHULHQFHEHWWHUWKDQ,ZRXOGH[SHFWIURPVXFKDWLQ\NH\ERDUG7KH)ROG
0LQLNH\ERDUGFDQDOVRPDJQHWLFDOO\DWWDFKWRRQHKDOIRIWKH;)ROG¶VVFUHHQ
$WWDFKLWDQGIROGWKHVFUHHQSDUWZD\DQGWKHSK\VLFDONH\ERDUGUHSODFHVWKH
YLUWXDO:LQGRZVRQH$WWDFKWKHNH\ERDUGDQGIROGWKH;)ROGFRPSOHWHO\ÀDW
DQG\RXFDQWUDQVSRUWERWKRIWKHPWRJHWKHU

7KH)ROG0LQLNH\ERDUGDOVRFKDUJHVZLUHOHVVO\YLDLQGXFWLRQZKHQLW¶V

PDJQHWLFDOO\DWWDFKHGNHHSLQJFOXWWHUWRDPLQLPXPDQGHOLPLQDWLQJRQHPRUH
FKDUJLQJFDEOHWRFDUU\RUORVH$ODV\RX¶OOSD\KDQGVRPHO\IRUWKLVDFFHVVRU\
/HQRYR¶VPRUHH[SHQVLYH;)ROGFRQ¿JXUDWLRQVLQFOXGHLWRU\RXFDQJHWLW
VHSDUDWHO\IRU

7KH)ROG0LQLNH\ERDUGFRPHVZLWKDVLPSOHHODVWLFORRSWRVWRUHWKH;)ROG¶V
RWKHUPDLQRSWLRQDODFFHVVRU\WKH/HQRYR0RG3HQ7KLVGLJLWDOVW\OXVLVPRUH
SUHPLXPWKDQWKHSHQVW\SLFDOO\R̆HUHGZLWK/HQRYRWRXFKVFUHHQ:LQGRZV
3&VHVSHFLDOO\WKHRQHVWKDWKDYHVPDOOEXLOWLQSHQKROGHUVOLNHWKHRQHRQWKH
<RJD&

7KH0RG3HQKDVDEXLOWLQEDWWHU\DQGD86%7\SH&FKDUJLQJSRUWDQGLWXVHV
WKH:DFRPSHQSURWRFROIRUSUHFLVHSUHVVXUHDQGWLOWVHQVLWLYLW\,W¶VJHQHURXVO\
VL]HGFRPIRUWDEOHWRJUDVSDQGD¿QHWRROIRUWDNLQJQRWHVRQWKH;)ROG¶V
GLVSOD\,WPD\HYHQVDWLVI\VRPHDPDWHXUGLJLWDODUWLVWV

KIND OF BLUE...NO LONGER

7KHGLVSOD\VRQWKHHDUO\SURWRW\SHVRIWKH;)ROGZHVDZZHUHSODJXHGE\D
GLVWUDFWLQJEOXLVKWLQWZKHQYLHZHGIURPH[WUHPHDQJOHV7KDWSUREOHPLV
UHGXFHGRQWKHSURGXFWLRQYHUVLRQ,WV2/('GLVSOD\ZLWKD.UHVROXWLRQRI
E\SL[HOVR̆HUVUHDVRQDEO\IDLWKIXOFRORUUHSURGXFWLRQDWPRVW
YLHZLQJDQJOHV,W¶VUDWHGWRGLVSOD\SHUFHQWRIWKH'&,3FRORUJDPXW

9LHZLQJDQJOHFRQVLVWHQF\LVPRUHLPSRUWDQWRQWKH;)ROGWKDQRQDWDEOHWRU
D3&VLQFHZKHQWKHVFUHHQLVIROGHG\RX¶UHDOZD\VJRLQJWREHORRNLQJDWDOORU
KDOIRILWIURPDFRQVLGHUDEOHDQJOH,GRQRWLFHDELWRIGLVWRUWLRQLQWKHORZHU
SRUWLRQRIWKHVFUHHQZKHQ,KDYHWKHGHYLFHVHWXSOLNHDODSWRSRQP\GHVN
ZLWKWKHXSSHUSRUWLRQIDFLQJPHDQGWKHORZHUSRUWLRQIDFLQJWKHFHLOLQJ%XW
LW¶VIDUIURPGLVWUDFWLQJDQGLWGRHVQ¶WD̆HFWEDVLFFRORUV
7KHPRVWQRWHZRUWK\DVSHFWRIWKH;)ROG¶VGLVSOD\LVWKHIDFWWKDW\RXKDUGO\
QRWLFHWKHFUHDVHLQWKHFHQWHUZKHQLW¶VIROGHG:KHQLW¶VÀDWWZRVKDOORZ
GLYRWVDERXWDQLQFKDSDUWDUHHYLGHQWQHDUWKHFHQWHUEXW,FRXOGVHHWKHPRQO\
ZKHQWKHGHYLFHZDVWXUQHGR̆7KHUH¶VQRZD\RIFRPSOHWHO\KLGLQJWKHIROGLQJ
SDUWRIWKHGLVSOD\VRPHWKLQJWKDW¶VDOVRWUXHRQRWKHUIROGDEOHVFUHHQGHYLFHV

$URXQGWKHGLVSOD\LVDVRIWWRXFKEODFNEH]HOLQWHUUXSWHGE\WZRKLQJHVLQWKH
PLGGOH7KHEH]HOLVDELWVWRGJ\ORRNLQJZLWKQRWLFHDEOHJDSVZKHUHLWPHHWV
WKHFKDVVLV7KHKLQJHGHVLJQLVDELWXQGHUZKHOPLQJDVZHOO$ÀLPV\
VWUHWFKDEOHPDWHULDOFRYHUVWKHKLQJHVDQG\RXFDQHDVLO\SHHOLWEDFNZLWK\RXU
¿QJHUQDLOV1RWHWRSURVSHFWLYHEX\HUV'RQ¶WGRWKDW/HQRYRLQYHQWHG
FRQYHUWLEOHODSWRSVZLWKWKH<RJDEUDQGDQGKDVFRPHXSZLWKVRPHWUXO\
LQQRYDWLYHSDVWKLQJHGHVLJQVLQFOXGLQJRQHWKDWUHVHPEOHVWKHZULVWEDQGRID
OX[XU\ZDWFK6RWKH;)ROG¶VKLQJHLVGLVDSSRLQWLQJE\FRPSDULVRQ7KLVLVLQ
FRQWUDVWZLWKWKHH[FHSWLRQDOO\VWXUG\IHHOLQJRXWHUVKHOOPDGHRIFDUERQ¿EHU
DQGPDJQHVLXPDOOR\DQGFRYHUHGZLWKDOX[XULRXVVRIWEODFNOHDWKHUWKDWLWVHOI
IROGVLQWKHPLGGOH

/HQRYRVD\VWKDWWKH;)ROGPHHWVWKHXVXDOGXUDELOLW\DQGUHOLDELOLW\
VWDQGDUGVIRU7KLQN3DGVLQFOXGLQJ0,/67'+WHVWLQJ7KHFRPSDQ\DOVR
WHVWHGWKHVFUHHQWRHQVXUHWKDWLWFDQKDQGOHWKHVWUHVVRIEHLQJRSHQHGDQG
FORVHG³WKRXVDQGVRIWLPHV´7KHFRPSDQ\R̆HUVDVWDQGDUGRQH\HDUPDLOLQ
ZDUUDQW\ZKLFKFDQEHH[WHQGHGXSWR¿YH\HDUVDQGVXSSOHPHQWHGZLWK
DFFLGHQWDOGDPDJHSURWHFWLRQIRUDQDGGLWLRQDOFKDUJH
7KH;)ROG¶VVLQJOHFDPHUDLVORFDWHGLQWKHGLVSOD\EH]HOQH[WWRWKHKLQJH
:LWKPDQ\RIWKHEHVW:LQGRZVWDEOHWVR̆HULQJERWKIURQWDQGUHDUIDFLQJ
FDPHUDVZLWKSVHQVRUVLW¶VDELWGLVDSSRLQWLQJWKDWWKH;)ROGLQFOXGHV
RQO\DVLQJOHSVKRRWHU,PDJHTXDOLW\LVZKDW\RX¶GH[SHFWIURPDODSWRS
FDPHUD9LGHRLVRFFDVLRQDOO\QRLV\HYHQLQZHOOOLWLQGRRUHQYLURQPHQWV

7KH;)ROG¶VVSHDNHUVPHDQZKLOHOHDYHDORWWREHGHVLUHG7KH\¶UHORXG
HQRXJKEXWWKHUH¶VYLUWXDOO\QREDVVUHVSRQVHZKLFKLVDOVRGLVDSSRLQWLQJQH[W
WRWKLQQHUWDEOHWVWKDWR̆HUEHWWHUDXGLRTXDOLW\LQFOXGLQJWKH$SSOHL3DG

&RQQHFWLYLW\RSWLRQVDUHUXQRIWKHPLOOIRUDSUHPLXPWDEOHW,QDGGLWLRQWRWKH
VWDQGDUG:L)LD[DQG%OXHWRRWK\RXFDQFRQ¿JXUHDQ;7DEOHW
ZLWKDQRSWLRQDOFHOOXODUPRGHPZKLFKUHTXLUHVDSK\VLFDO6,0FDUGDQG
VXSSRUWVERWK*/7(DQG³VXE´*0LOOLPHWHUZDYH*LVQRWDYDLODEOH
7KHSK\VLFDOSRUWRSWLRQVLQFOXGHWZR86%*HQ7\SH&SRUWVRQHRI
ZKLFKLVXVHGWRFKDUJHWKHWDEOHW

2QHRIWKHORQJHGJHVKDVDYROXPHURFNHUEXWWKHUH¶VQRPPKHDGSKRQH
MDFN<RX¶OOKDYHWRXVH%OXHWRRWKKHDGSKRQHVRUD86%ZLUHGSDLU

X1 FOLD SOFTWARE SHORTCOMINGS

$VLQQRYDWLYHDVWKH;)ROGLVSURVSHFWLYHRZQHUVQHHGWREHDZDUHRIWZR
PDMRUGRZQVLGHV7KH\D̆HFWWKHXVDELOLW\DQGWKH\DUHQ¶WEH¿WWLQJVXFKDQ
H[SHQVLYHSLHFHRIWHFKQRORJ\
7KH¿UVWLVWKHOLPLWHGUDQJHRIVRIWZDUHWKDWFDQWDNHIXOODGYDQWDJHRIWKH
XQLTXHIROGDEOHGLVSOD\%HFDXVHWKH;)ROGLVWKH¿UVWGHYLFHRILWVNLQG
YLUWXDOO\QRPDMRUWKLUGSDUW\DSSVDUHH[SUHVVO\GHVLJQHGIRULWVXQLTXH
VFUHHQOD\RXW

$VDUHVXOW;)ROGRZQHUVZLOOEHOLPLWHGWRXVLQJDUXGLPHQWDU\/HQRYRDSS
IRUDVVLJQLQJDSSVDQGRWKHUVFUHHQHOHPHQWVWRRQHKDOIRIWKHGLVSOD\RUWKH
RWKHUZKHQLW¶VIROGHG7KLV/HQRYR0RGH6ZLWFKHUDSSOLYHVLQWKH:LQGRZV
WDVNEDUDQGLWDXWRPDWLFDOO\GHWHFWVZKHQ\RXVWDUWWRIROGWKHVFUHHQ,WR̆HUV
WKUHHRSWLRQV7KH¿UVWWZRDUHVSOLWVFUHHQYLHZVZLWKRQHDSSRQWKHXSSHU
SRUWLRQRIWKHVFUHHQRUOHIWKDQGSRUWLRQLI\RX¶UHXVLQJWKHGHYLFHOLNHD
ERRNDQGWKHRWKHUDSSRQWKHORZHURUULJKWKDQGSRUWLRQ7KHUH¶VDOVRD
VLQJOHIXOOVFUHHQYLHZZKLFKNHHSVWKHVFUHHQOD\RXWWKHVDPHDVLWZDVEHIRUH
\RXEHJDQWRIROGLW

7KH0RGH6ZLWFKHUZRUNVDVLQWHQGHGEXW,¿QGLWVIHDWXUHVLQDGHTXDWH)RU
LQVWDQFHLI\RXRSHQDQHZDSSDIWHUWKH;)ROGLVDOUHDG\IROGHGWKH0RGH
6ZLWFKHUDSSGRHVQ¶WGHWHFWLWDQGWKHDSSRSHQVLQIXOOVFUHHQPRGHHYHQLI
DQRWKHUPRGHLVVHOHFWHG

$OVRVRUHO\PLVVLQJLVDVKRUWFXWWRDVVLJQWKHYLUWXDO:LQGRZVNH\ERDUGWRWKH
HQWLUHW\RIRQHKDOIRIWKHGLVSOD\ZKHQLW¶VIROGHG,QVWHDGWKHRQVFUHHQ
NH\ERDUGEHKDYHVDVLWGRHVRQDQ\RWKHU:LQGRZVGHYLFH<RXFDQHLWKHUKDYH
LWÀRDWRUVQDSLWWRWKHERWWRPRIWKHVFUHHQ
0DQ\RIWKHVHVRIWZDUHGL̇FXOWLHVFRXOGEHLURQHGRXW
RQFH0LFURVRIWLQFRUSRUDWHVQDWLYHVXSSRUWIRUIROGDEOH
VFUHHQGHYLFHVLQWRWKH:LQGRZVRSHUDWLQJV\VWHP
7KLVSURMHFWGXEEHG:LQGRZV;ZDVRULJLQDOO\ The only
VFKHGXOHGWREH¿QLVKHGWKLV\HDUEXWLWKDVEHHQ configurable
GHOD\HG,QWKHLQWHULP/HQRYR¶VVRIWZDUHVROXWLRQIHHOV computing
OLNHDVWRSJDSPHDVXUH component is
the SSD,
TESTING THE X1 FOLD: LAKEFIELD MAKES which ranges
SMALL RIPPLES
from 256GB to
7KH;)ROG¶VRWKHUVLJQL¿FDQWGUDZEDFNLVLWVODFNOXVWHU
1TB of
FRPSXWLQJSHUIRUPDQFH&XVWRPHUVDUHVWXFNZLWKWKH
capacity.
/DNH¿HOG&RUHLWKHUH¶VQRRSWLRQIRUDIXOOVWUHQJWK
³,FH/DNH´RU³7LJHU/DNH´&RUHLRU&RUHLWKDW\RX¶OO
¿QGLQRWKHUWDEOHWV7KH;)ROGLVDOVR¿[HGDW*%RI
PHPRU\7KHRQO\FRQ¿JXUDEOHFRPSXWLQJFRPSRQHQWLV
WKH66'ZKLFKUDQJHVIURP*%WR7%RIFDSDFLW\

,QVHYHUDOGD\VRIOLJKWXVH,IRXQGWKH;)ROGDGHTXDWH
IRUEDVLFZHEEURZVLQJDQGZRUGSURFHVVLQJ,W¶VIUHHRI
KDQJVDQGODJVDQGWKH0RGH6ZLWFKHULVREOLJLQJO\
TXLFNDWUHDUUDQJLQJWKHVFUHHQZLWKRXWVOXJJLVK
DQLPDWLRQV%XWVLPLODUSHUIRUPDQFHFDQEHH[SHFWHGRI
DQL3DGRUD0LFURVRIW6XUIDFH*RWKDWFRVWVOHVVWKDQD
WKLUGRIWKH;)ROG¶VVWDUWLQJSULFH

7RVHHKRZWKH;)ROGVWDFNVXSDJDLQVWFRPSHWLQJ
WDEOHWV,FRPSDUHGLWVUHVXOWVRQRXUEHQFKPDUNWHVWV
ZLWKWKRVHRIDIHZRWKHUWDEOHWVDQGFRQYHUWLEOH3&V
7KH\LQFOXGHWKH'HOO/DWLWXGHLQDEXVLQHVV
IRFXVHGWDEOHWZLWKDQROGHUEXWVWLOOSOHQW\FDSDEOHWK
*HQHUDWLRQ,QWHO&38,¶YHDOVRDGGHGWKH7KLQN3DG;
<RJDDLQFRQYHUWLEOHODSWRSWKDWLVOLNHO\WKH;
)ROG¶VFORVHVWLQKRXVHDOWHUQDWLYHQRZWKDW/HQRYRKDV
GLVFRQWLQXHGLWV7KLQN3DG;7DEOHW$QG¿QDOO\,¶YH
LQFOXGHGWKH6XUIDFH*RDQG6XUIDFH3URRXUWRS
FKRLFHVIRUEXGJHWDQGSUHPLXP:LQGRZVWDEOHWV
UHVSHFWLYHO\
,W¶VLPSRUWDQWWRQRWHWKDWQRQHRIWKHVHV\VWHPVDSSURDFKHVWKH;)ROG¶VSULFH
RIDVWHVWHG²DQGWKHUHDUHQ¶WPDQ\:LQGRZVWDEOHWVWKDWFRVWPRUHWKDQ
SHULRG2QHQRWDEOHH[FHSWLRQLVWKH0LFURVRIW6XUIDFH%RRNDQ
H[SHQVLYHGHWDFKDEOHWDEOHWDLPHGDWFUHDWLYHSURIHVVLRQDOV,WFRPHVVWDQGDUG
ZLWKLWVNH\ERDUGGRFNLQJEDVHKRZHYHUDQGLVPXFKPRUHODSWRSOLNHWKDQ
PRVWWDEOHWVZKHQGRFNHG:HKDYHQ¶WWHVWHGWKHLQFKYHUVLRQRIWKH6XUIDFH
%RRNDQGWKHLQFKYHUVLRQLVWRRODUJHWRVHUYHDVDUHDVRQDEOHDOWHUQDWLYH
WRWKH;)ROG

5LJKWR̆WKHEDWWKH;)ROG¶VSHUIRUPDQFHVKRUWIDOOVDUHODLGEDUHLQRXU¿UVW
WHVW7KH3&0DUNSURGXFWLYLW\DQGVWRUDJHEHQFKPDUNVVLPXODWHDYDULHW\RI
FRPPRQ3&WDVNVIURPYLGHRFRQIHUHQFLQJWRZHEEURZVLQJDQGOLJKWSKRWR
HGLWLQJ6FRUHVRIDQGDERYHDUHFRQVLGHUHGH[FHOOHQWRQWKH3&0DUN
WHVWDQGWKH;)ROGPDQDJHVRQO\DELWPRUHWKDQKDOIWKDW,WGRHVEHWWHURQ
WKH3&0DUN6WRUDJHWHVWWKRXJKDOO66'EDVHGV\VWHPVWHQGWRH[KLELW
VLPLODUO\H[FHOOHQWSHUIRUPDQFHKHUH

7KH/DNH¿HOGFKLSDOVRGHPRQVWUDWHVGH¿FLHQFLHVLQUHVRXUFHLQWHQVLYHWDVNV
VXFKDVPXOWLPHGLDFRQWHQWFUHDWLRQ1RFRPSDFWWDEOHWVKRXOGEHH[SHFWHGWR
H[FHOZLWKWKHVHW\SHVRIZRUNORDGVEXWWKH;)ROGLVVWLOOIDUEHKLQGHYHQWKH
6XUIDFH3URZKHQLWFRPHVWRUHQGHULQJD'LPDJHXVLQJ0D[RQ¶V&38
FHQWULF&LQHEHQFKDSS7KH;)ROGSHUIRUPVDERXWWKHVDPHRQWKLVWHVWDVWKH
6XUIDFH*RGRHV

$OVRZRUWKQRWLQJ7KH6XUIDFH*RPDQDJHVWKLVWDVNLQVLOHQFHVLQFHLWODFNV
DQDFWLYHFRROLQJIDQ7KH;)ROGKDVDIDQWKDWFDQEHFOHDUO\DXGLEOHXQGHU
LQWHQVLYHZRUNORDGV
7KH;)ROG¶VYLGHRHQFRGLQJFDSDELOLWLHVDUHQ¶WPXFKPRUHPXVFXODUWKDQLWV
'UHQGHULQJ,WWRRNPLQXWHVWRWUDQVFRGHD.YLGHRWRSXVLQJWKH
&38FHQWULF+DQGEUDNHDSS:RUWKQRWLQJLVWKDWWKH6XUIDFH3URSHUIRUPHG
DEQRUPDOO\SRRUO\RQWKLVWHVWWKRXJKLWVWLOOPDQDJHVWREHDWWKH;)ROG(YHQ
WKHWK*HQHUDWLRQ&38LQWKH/DWLWXGHLQPDQDJHGWRWRSWKH;
)ROG¶VUHVXOWKHUH

2XU¿QDOPXOWLPHGLDWHVWLQYROYHVPHDVXULQJKRZORQJLWWDNHVWRDSSO\DVHULHV
RI¿OWHUVDQGH̆HFWVWRDQLPDJHLQ$GREH3KRWRVKRS7KH;)ROG¿QLVKHG
ODVWKHUHVORZHUWKDQHYHQWKH6XUIDFH*R

,QDGGLWLRQWRIDOOLQJVKRUWZKHQFRPSDUHGZLWK:LQGRZVFRPSHWLWRUVWKH;
)ROG¶VVFRUHVRQWKH*HHNEHQFK&38WHVWVXJJHVWWKDWLW¶VQRPDWFKIRUDQ
L3DGHLWKHU7KH;)ROGPHDVXUHVRQWKH*HHNEHQFKVLQJOHFRUHWHVWDQG
RQWKHPXOWLFRUHWULDO7KHODWHVWL3DG$LUZLWK$SSOH¶V$SURFHVVRU
VFRUHVRQWKHVLQJOHFRUHWHVWDQGRQWKHPXOWLFRUH

DECENT GRAPHICS PERFORMANCE (FOR A TABLET)

,QFRQWUDVWWRLWVPHGLRFUHSHUIRUPDQFHRQPXOWLPHGLDDQGJHQHUDOFRPSXWLQJ
WDVNVWKH;)ROGKROGVLWVRZQZKHQLWFRPHVWR'JUDSKLFVSHUIRUPDQFH:H
XVHWZRJDPLQJVW\OHEHQFKPDUNVWRDSSUR[LPDWHJUDSKLFVFDSDELOLWLHV
'0DUNDQG6XSHUSRVLWLRQ:KLOHQRQHRIWKHWHVWV\VWHPVKHUHLVFDSDEOHRI
WKHIUDPHVSHUVHFRQGISVPDUNWKDWZHW\SLFDOO\UHJDUGDVWKHPLQLPXP
IRUVPRRWKJDPHSOD\WKH;)ROGZDVLQWKHEDOOSDUNRIWKH/DWLWXGHDQGWKH;
<RJDHVSHFLDOO\RQWKH'0DUNWHVW

%DWWHU\OLIHLVDQRWKHUGLVDSSRLQWPHQWIRUWKH;)ROG,WODVWHGIRUMXVWKRXUV
RQRXUYLGHRSOD\EDFNEDWWHU\UXQGRZQWHVWZKLFKLVSHUIRUPHGDWSHUFHQW
VFUHHQEULJKWQHVVDQGZLWK:L)LDQG%OXHWRRWKVZLWFKHGR̆:HH[SHFWPRUH
IURPDSUHPLXP:LQGRZVWDEOHWDVHYHQWKH6XUIDFH3URODVWHGIRUQHDUO\
KRXUV7KH;)ROG¶VKLJKUHVROXWLRQVFUHHQLVSDUWO\WREODPHKHUHPRUHSL[HOV
FRQVXPHPRUHSRZHUEXWLW¶VQRWDQH[FXVH)RULQVWDQFHWKH6XUIDFH3UR¶V
GLVSOD\KDVDPXFKKLJKHUUHVROXWLRQPHDVXULQJE\SL[HOV

(STILL) WAITING FOR THE FOLDABLE REVOLUTION

7KH;)ROGPRVWO\QDLOVLWVKDUGZDUH7KLVLVD7KLQN3DGDIWHUDOODQGLWOLYHV
XSWRWKHQDPH1HDUO\HYHU\WKLQJDERXWWKH;)ROGLVPHWLFXORXVO\HQJLQHHUHG
DQGIHHOVVWXUG\IURPWKHQLIW\H[WHUQDONH\ERDUGWRWKHIROGDEOHGLVSOD\LWVHOI
7KHUHDUHDIHZPLQRUGUDZEDFNVVXFKDVDPLVVLQJVHFRQGFDPHUDDQGWKRVH
VWRGJ\EODFNKLQJHVEXWWKHSK\VLFDOGHVLJQLVH[FHOOHQW

$VZHOOHQJLQHHUHGDVWKH;)ROGLVLWQHYHUWKHOHVVIDOOVFRQVLGHUDEO\VKRUW
ZKHQLWFRPHVWRFRPSXWLQJSHUIRUPDQFHEDWWHU\OLIHDQGWKHVRIWZDUH
UHTXLUHGWRWDNHIXOODGYDQWDJHRILWVUHYROXWLRQDU\VFUHHQ%HFDXVHRIWKDWLW¶V
KDUGWRUHFRPPHQGWRDQ\RQHEXWWKHPRVWHQWKXVLDVWLFRIGHHSSRFNHWHGHDUO\
DGRSWHUV(YHU\RQHHOVHZRXOGEHIDUEHWWHUVHUYHGE\FKRRVLQJDPRUHFDSDEOH
DQGOHVVH[SHQVLYHWDEOHWVXFKDVWKH6XUIDFH3UR

:KLOHWKH;)ROGXOWLPDWHO\IDOOVÀDWDVD¿UVWWU\IRUIROGDEOH:LQGRZVWDEOHWV
LWGRHVQ¶WUXOHRXWWDQWDOL]LQJIXWXUHGHYHORSPHQWV,I0LFURVRIWLVDEOHWREXLOG
VXSSRUWIRUIROGDEOHVFUHHQVLQWRWKH:LQGRZVRSHUDWLQJV\VWHPLQDQHOHJDQW
ZD\LWFRXOGVSXULQQRYDWLRQWKDWJLYHVULVHWRDQHZFODVVRIGHYLFHVWKDWXVH
PRUHFDSDEOHFRPSRQHQWVDQGDUHWKHUHIRUHPRUHSRZHUIXODQGLGHDOO\OHVV
H[SHQVLYHWKDQWKH;)ROG7KDW¶VWKHIXWXUHWKDWIDQVRIIROGDEOHVVKRXOGJHW
H[FLWHGDERXW

TOM BRANT

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 REVIEWS
SOFTWARE

IDX Privacy: Protecting

Yourself Online

Y
RXZDQWWRSURWHFW\RXUSULYDF\%XWWKDWFDQPHDQDORWRIGL̆HUHQW
things. Preventing snooping on your conversations and online activity
is one possibility, as is keeping snoops from collecting your personal
information. IDX Privacy works in many ways to protect your privacy, up to
and including help with identity-theft recovery and insurance against losses
from identity theft. It’s an excellent collection of identity-theft prevention
features. That’s what we tested here, and that’s what our 4-star rating
represents. It also includes a promise of remediation if prevention fails, though
we can’t test that promise, because doing so would require using actual
compromised identities.

HOW MUCH DOES IDX PRIVACY COST?

The IDX privacy service lists for $79.95 per year or $9.95 per month; both
prices are discounted for new members. Competitor LifeLock’s standard service
costs a bit more: $11.95 per month or $124.99 per year, at present. IDShield is
$13.95 per month, but roughly doubling that rate gets you credit and identity-
theft tracking for all family members—up to 10 people.
LifeLock and IDShield focus strongly on identity-theft IDX Privacy
remediation, while IDX Privacy branches out more, PROS Identity-theft
with VPN protection, ad and tracker blocking, and recovery guarantee.
Million-dollar
social media monitoring, among other things. Like IDX insurance for ID theft
Privacy, Abine Blur Premium gathers a collection of expenses. Includes
varied privacy protections, though there’s not a lot of VPN. Tracks personal
data on the dark web.
overlap between the two. Blur costs $39 per year. Automates personal
data collection opt-
GETTING STARTED WITH IDX PRIVACY outs. Social media
abuse alerts.
6LJQLQJXSIRU,';3ULYDF\LVVLPSOH$IWHUFRQ¿UPLQJ
your email, a welcome screen describes four important CONS Many false
positive social media
features of the service. It watches 24/7 for threats to alerts. Personal data
your private information. Its Password Detective lets entry is somewhat
you check whether any of your passwords have been awkward. VPN
features are limited,
FRPSURPLVHG,';R̆HUVDUHFRYHU\JXDUDQWHH
when you’re a victim of identity theft. And a million- BOTTOM LINE IDX
Privacy offers a solid
GROODULQVXUDQFHSROLF\FRYHUV¿QDQFLDOORVVHVIURP collection of features
identity theft. Agree to the terms of service, and you’re to protect your online
ready to start. privacy. It also
guarantees recovery
from identity theft,
PRIVACY ONLINE though that’s beyond
:KHQ\RXORJLQWR,';3ULYDF\WKH¿UVWWKLQJ\RX¶OOVHH the scope of our
testing.
is your IDX score. This will change as you make use of
the various privacy protection components. Scroll down
this window to view and interact with the various
components: Forget Me Personal Data Removal,
Tracking Blocker, Private Search, SocialSentry,
CyberScan, Password Detective, and Safe WiFi.

On the Dashboard tab is a list of alerts and active

services. I found out by experience that right after you
start with IDX Privacy, you’re likely to get a lot of alerts.

7KH$FFRXQW,QIRUPDWLRQWDELVWKHVSRWWR¿OOLQVRPH
simple personal information. This is also where you
change your associated email, set a new password, and
enable two-factor authentication. To set up two-factor,
you snap a QR code with Google Authenticator or an equivalent authentication
app. Thereafter, you’ll need both your password and an authentication code in
order to log in.

2QWKH¿QDOWDE'DWD&HQWHU\RXHQWHUDOOWKHSHUVRQDO¿QDQFLDODQGPHGLFDO
information that you want IDX Privacy’s CyberScan to track. This is separate
from the personal information on the account page.

Adding personal information is just a tad awkward. You click a button to add
new data, click to choose the type of data (driver license, email address,
passport, phone number, or Social Security number), click the Select button,
enter the data, enter a label for the data, and click Submit. Whew!

You can only enter one driver license or SSN. For other personal data types, you
JHWHQWULHV<RXFDQHQWHU¿YHFUHGLWFDUGRUEDQNDFFRXQWVXQGHU)LQDQFLDO
Data and 10 medical IDs under Medical Data.

The similar dark web monitoring feature in Norton 360 Deluxe is a bit more
generous. It tracks one driver license and your mother’s maiden name, 10 bank
DFFRXQWVDQGFUHGLWFDUGVDQG¿YHDSLHFHRISKRQHQXPEHUVDGGUHVVHV
insurance IDs, and email addresses.

As soon as you’ve entered data here, IDX Privacy starts checking data breach
dumps and other dark web sources for signs that your data has been
compromised. Clicking the red warning icon next to an item found on the dark
web gets you a detailed report on what happened.
FORGET ME PERSONAL DATA REMOVER
The dark web isn’t the only place your personal data might be found online.
7KHUHDUHWRQVRIOHJLWLPDWHZHEVLWHVZKRVHEXVLQHVVLVWR¿QGDQGDJJUHJDWH
publicly available personal data. Since they’re legit, they’re required to let
people opt out of having their data sifted and sold. IDX Privacy automates the
opt-out process for dozens of such sites.

Getting started is simple. You just enter your name, address, and birthdate and
launch a scan. When I used an address that was mine for 25 years, the scan
found almost 50 instances of personal data, on sites from phonebooks.com to
verifyarrestwarrant.com, and immediately started the removal process.

Although the scan is quick, removal is not. On the main IDX Privacy page, you
can see how many removals are in progress and how many are complete.
Clicking either lists the sites involved, but the Removals Completed list includes
a disclaimer that the process can take anywhere from two weeks to several
PRQWKVWR¿QLVK1RWHWRRWKDWDJOLWFKLQUHSRUWLQJPHDQVWKDWWKHVXPRI
removals in progress and removals completed may not add up to the total
QXPEHUWKDWZDVLQLWLDOO\GLVSOD\HG$¿[LVLQWKHZRUNV

By default, IDX Privacy repeats this removal step every month. That’s
important, because while opting out removes data currently present in the
aggregator’s database, it can’t prevent the site from capturing your data again. If
you want to control this process manually, just click Stop Auto-Removal.
This service is nearly identical to what you get with a subscription to Abine
DeleteMe. The stated reason that DeleteMe costs so much more is that the opt-
out process for some of the covered sites requires human intervention.
According to my IDX contact, IDX Privacy doesn’t require any human
intervention, which saves substantial costs. “Many of these websites have
unique obscure multi-step opt-out processes,” he noted, “and we found a way to
reduce this complex process down to a single button click.”

TRACKING BLOCKER
To you, the internet is a service and a source of information and amusement. To
internet advertisers, you are a product. The more they know about you and your
online habits, the more valuable a product you become. To maximize your value
as a commodity, advertisers do their best to track your habits and interests as
you surf the web.

,IWKDWVRXQGVFUHHS\\RXFRXOGVHW\RXUEURZVHUWRVHQGWKHṘFLDO³'R1RW
Track” header with every interaction. Nice idea, but trackers are free to ignore
that toothless header. Truly foiling trackers requires an active Do Not Track
system, such as this suite’s Tracker Blocker.

This is a common feature for security suites and for feature-rich antivirus tools.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and Kaspersky Internet Security come to mind.
Privacy tools such as Abine Blur and Ghostery Midnight also block trackers.

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2020

Most security companies put no limits on their tracker-
blocking extension. Some even make this feature
available separately, as a free download. IDX Privacy
GL̆HUVIURPPRVWLQWKDWLWSXWVOLPLWVRQWKHXVHRILWV Likewise, the
Tracker Blocker. You can install it on only three devices, Ad Blocker
and activation requires a registration key provided in page shows
the online console. The extension supports Chrome and you stats on
Edge, whereas others frequently extend support to the number of
Firefox, Internet Explorer, and even Opera. Note, too, ads blocked
that after installation, you must actively turn on the but no details
Tracker Blocker and its associated Ad Blocker.
about what
was blocked.
When you visit a web page that contains trackers, the
extension overlays the number of found trackers on its
Toolbar button. Clicking the button gets you a collection
of statistics, but all you really see are how many trackers
it blocked in various situations. You can’t get a list of
WKHDFWXDOWUDFNHUVDQG\RXFDQ¶WH[HPSWVSHFL¿FRQHV
from blocking, the way you can with many competing
WRROV<RXFDQH[HPSWVSHFL¿FSDJHVIURPEORFNLQJ
though.

Likewise, the Ad Blocker page shows you stats about the

number of ads blocked but no details about what was
blocked. Most ad blockers give you more detail, though
ShieldApps Cyber Privacy Suite has limits similar to
this product.

PRIVATE SEARCH
The biggest tech companies pretty much know
everything about your life. They can scrape data from
every online interaction, every purchase, every tweet,
and more. And each time you use one of the major
search engines, you’re feeding them more information
about your interests. That’s why privacy mavens eschew
the big names and use search engines that promise not
to sell or otherwise use your data.
With IDX Privacy, starting a private search is as simple as scrolling down,
entering your search terms, and clicking Search Privately. When you do,
though, you’ll get a little surprise. The results come not from IDX but from
SRSXODUSULYDWHVHDUFKVLWH'XFN'XFN*R<RXPD\¿QGLWPRUHFRQYHQLHQWWR
just go straight to DuckDuckGo and launch your searches.

SOCIAL MEDIA SENTRY

For some of us, half the fun of a life event occurs when we share that event on
social media. The social media giants, in turn, hoover up what we share so they
FDQEHWWHUSUR¿OHXV7KHUHDUHVRPHWKLQJVHYHU\RQHVKRXOGGRWRPDNHWKHVH
sites, especially Facebook, more private, starting with ensuring that your posts
aren’t visible to the general public.

For other social sites, you may want everyone to see what you’re posting.
Twitter would have little impact if only friends could see your tweets. The
original point of LinkedIn was to connect with people you don’t already know.
$QGVRRQ(YHQVR\RXUSUR¿OHVRQWKHVHVLWHVFDQEHDEXVHG

Enter IDX’s SocialSentry. To get started, you give this component permission to
access your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube accounts. I
found it mildly ironic that in order to get protection on Facebook, I had to lift
the restriction on third-party apps and games, a restriction that I put in place to
enhance my privacy. My contact at IDX pointed out that the average Facebook
user doesn’t disable that sharing platform, and he’s probably right.
As part of the setup process, you provide your name
and any nicknames you use on social media. When you
go through the process of connecting with your social
sites, you’ll see that this protection comes from third- Once I
party ZeroFox. hooked up
SocialSentry,
Once I hooked up SocialSentry, I started to get plenty of I started to get
QRWL¿FDWLRQVRQPDQ\WRSLFVDOORIZKLFKSURYHGWREH notifications
spurious. A tweet using the phrase “malware on on many
VWHURLGV´JRWÀDJJHGIRUGUXJV,';ÀDJJHGDPHQWLRQ topics, all of
of the VPN product Hide My Ass (now called HMA) as
which proved
³IRXOFRDUVHRUH[SOHWLYHODQJXDJH´,WÀDJJHGD
to be spurious.
Facebook post that mentioned Law & Order creator
Dick Wolf as sexually explicit. And so on.

This plethora of false positives is exacerbated by the

ZD\,';3ULYDF\SUHVHQWVQRWL¿FDWLRQV<RXVHHDORQJ
list with the reason, the social site, and the date for each
alert. But you must open each one individually to see
MXVWZKDWWULJJHUHGWKHQRWL¿FDWLRQDQGPDQXDOO\FOLFN
WRDUFKLYHWKRVHWKDWDUHQ¶WUHOHYDQW'RPDNHWKHH̆RUW
to plow through the initial storm of alerts. Once you’ve
done that, you can give proper attention to future alerts.

CYBERSCAN ALERTS
6KRUWO\DIWHUVLJQLQJXSIRUWKHVHUYLFH\RX¿OOLQD
FROOHFWLRQRISHUVRQDO¿QDQFLDODQGPHGLFDO
information. That’s all you have to do; the rest is up to
IDX Privacy.

The service continuously scans the dark web, breach

data dumps, and other sites that shouldn’t have your
SULYDWHLQIRUPDWLRQ,ILW¿QGVDSUREOHPLWDOHUWV\RX
YLDHPDLODQGDOVRE\QRWL¿FDWLRQZLWKLQWKHRQOLQH
FRQVROH&KDQFHVDUHJRRG\RX¶OOJHWDQLQLWLDOÀRRGRI
QRWL¿FDWLRQV,I\RX¶UHVHULRXVDERXWSURWHFWLQJ\RXU
identity, you’ll review these carefully.
Just what to do about compromised privacy depends on
the type of data. The only thing to do with a
compromised credit card is to notify the issuer, close
the account, and get a new one. If one of your emails In the cloud,
showed up in data from a breached site, either cancel Password
your account on that site or change the password. Detective
checks that
1RWHWKDW\RXPD\DOVRJHWDQRWL¿FDWLRQZKHQWKH hash against
VHDUFKFRPSOHWHVZLWKRXW¿QGLQJDQ\H[SRVXUHIRUD the hashes of
critical data item such as your medical ID. After you’ve billions of
dealt with an alert, you can archive it, so it’ll be easier to compromised
concentrate on new alerts. passwords.
PASSWORD DETECTIVE
If you’re using a password manager to remember
strong, unique passwords for every site,
congratulations! If you’re trying to remember those
passwords yourself, or if you use the same password
everywhere, you don’t want to use anything that’s been
exposed in a breach. And even a password like
N2bxPDN6$!a3ujo6 can be exposed if it’s used on a site
with poor security. That’s where Password Detective
comes in.

Enlisting this detective’s services is simple enough: Just

enter a password that you’re using (or thinking of
using) and click Check. You’ll instantly learn whether
that password has been compromised.

IDX Privacy doesn’t wildly send your unprotected

SDVVZRUGR̆IRUDQDO\VLV5DWKHULWSXWVWKHSDVVZRUG
through a kind of one-way encryption called a hash
algorithm: The same input always gives the same
output, but it’s not reversible. In the cloud, it checks
that hash against the hashes of billions of compromised
passwords. If there’s a match, there’s a problem.
According to my IDX contact, this feature gets quite a bit of use; they average
WKUHHSDVVZRUGFKHFNVSHUXVHUSHUPRQWK0RUHLPSRUWDQWRIFKHFNHG
passwords turn out to be present in the database of compromised credentials.
No more using 123456 or baseball as your password!

SAFE WIFI VPN

With antivirus and other security utilities installed, your local PC can be pretty
VDIH%XWDVVRRQDV\RXVHQGGDWDRYHUWKHLQWHUQHWDOOEHWVDUHR̆7RSURWHFW
your data and activities as you surf the web, you need a virtual private network,
or VPN. And IDX Privacy gives you one, in the form of its Safe WiFi component.

Like Tracker Blocker, Safe WiFi requires a separate installation. Or rather, three
separate installations, as you can install it on three macOS or Windows devices.
<RX¶OO¿QGDOLFHQVHNH\WRDFWLYDWHLWLQWKHRQOLQHFRQVROH%\REVHUYDWLRQWKH
VPN technology comes from Private Communications Corp., publisher of the
Private WiFi VPN utility.

PCMag has tested dozens and dozens of VPNs; alas, Private WiFi is not among
them. By observation, it’s a simple, straightforward utility. A list of over two
dozen server locations runs down the left side, a dozen of them US states and
the rest foreign countries. Most of the latter are in Europe, though India and
South Korea appear in the mix. The list’s order seemed peculiar until I realized
it was sorted by distance from my current location.
Using the VPN is a simple matter of choosing a state or
country and clicking the big Connect button. There’s no
option to choose servers within a location, and therefore
no information like which servers have the least latency. Using the VPN
<RXDOVRGRQ¶W¿QGDQ\VHUYHUVRSWLPL]HGIRUVSHFLDOL]HG is a simple
tasks such as video streaming or Torrenting. matter of
choosing a
I ran a simple IP geolocation test to verify that the test state or
computer appeared to be in the country I selected—it country and
GLG$'16/HDN7HVWFRQ¿UPHGWKDWWKH931ZDVQ¶W clicking the
leaking data by using unprotected DNS servers.
big Connect
button.
$QGWKDW¶VDERXWLWIRUWKLVVLPSOH931,WGRHVQ¶WR̆HU
a kill switch to disable internet connectivity if the VPN
connection fails. You can’t set it to spring into action
when you connect with an untrusted network. There’s
no option for split-tunneling (meaning that some apps
connect without going through the VPN).

By default, the VPN launches at system startup; you can

FRQ¿JXUHLWIRUPDQXDOODXQFK,¶GEHKDSSLHUZLWKDQ
option to launch and connect at startup. As it is, you’ll
have to remember to connect. You’ll also have to choose
your preferred server location each time, as it doesn’t
remember your last choice.

Also by default, it doesn’t exit and disconnect when you

close its window. I don’t know why you’d do so, but you
can reverse that setting. That’s it for settings, other than
an interface language choice of English, French,
Spanish German, or Japanese.

Don’t get me wrong; simplicity in a VPN can be a good

thing, especially for less-technical users. If you
remember to connect with the topmost (meaning
closest) server location each time your system starts,
that’s a serious boost to your privacy.
IDENTITY THEFT RECOVERY
That’s it for the visible privacy protection components
of IDX Privacy. The identity theft remediation service
doesn’t have a visible presence, other than a button Identity theft
marked Request Help. The recovery process starts when recovery
you click that button or respond to a credit alert by doesn’t end
marking it suspicious. As mentioned, I couldn’t test this until the
part of the service without getting my own identity member’s
stolen, but I went over the process in detail with a identity is
company representative so that I could at least walk ‘restored to
UHDGHUVWKURXJKZKDW¶VR̆HUHG pre-breach
condition.’
Once a case is created, a recovery intake team
interviews you, the victim, to get all necessary details.
:KHQLGHQWLW\WKHIWLVYHUL¿HGWKH\VHWXSDOLPLWHG
power of attorney, which allows IDX to handle
“correspondence with entities including, but not limited
to law enforcement agencies, credit bureaus, and state
and local governments.” At that point, you sit back and
let the experts do their jobs. The process can take from
several weeks to nearly a year, and it doesn’t end until
the member’s identity is “restored to pre-breach
condition.”

Identity theft can be expensive. Thieves can steal money

directly from your accounts, cause you to miss work,
and even require you to take time and spend money for
legal action. The million-dollar insurance touted by IDX
Privacy can help here.

Per my company contact: “The expenses covered during

the recovery process include lost wages, stolen funds
(under certain conditions), and legal defense fees and
expenses (e.g., credit reports, legal fees for some civil
VXLWVIHHVIRUUH¿OLQJORDQDSSOLFDWLRQVHWFDVVRFLDWHG
with the identity theft event.”
As we’ve noted, we can’t actively test the recovery process or see the insurance
in action. In addition to testing the remediation, we’d want to be able to prove
KRZTXLFNO\LWSD\VRXWLQSUDFWLFHDQGWRVHH¿UVWKDQGZKDWFDYHDWVPLJKW
apply to the $1 million insurance. All of you who have ever struggled with a
payment from an insurance company are doubtless nodding your heads as you
UHDGWKLV7KDWVDLGWKHVHUYLFHVR̆HUHGFHUWDLQO\VRXQGOLNHZKDW\RX¶GQHHG
and want after an identity theft event.

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

The thing about insurance is that you really don’t want to have to use it. It’s
EHWWHUQRWWRKDYHDFDUFUDVKWKDQWRKDYHDFUDVKDQGOHWLQVXUDQFHSD\WR¿[LW
/LNHZLVHLW¶VEHWWHUQRWWRH[SHULHQFHLGHQWLW\WKHIWLQWKH¿UVWSODFH7KDW¶VZK\
,';3ULYDF\R̆HUVLWVFROOHFWLRQRISULYDF\HQKDQFLQJVHUYLFHVDORQJZLWK
remediation. When you respond to alerts about suspicious activities, you can
KHDGR̆DWWDFNVEHIRUHWKH\EHJLQ&KHFNLQJ\RXUVRFLDOPHGLDIRUSUREOHPV
OLNHZLVHFDQUHEX̆DWWHPSWVWRSUR¿OH\RX$QGXVLQJD931DSSOLHVRYHUDOO
privacy protection to your online activities.

$VVWDWHGHDUOLHUWKHUHDUHPDQ\GL̆HUHQWIDFHWVWRSURWHFWLQJ\RXUSULYDF\
Products in the privacy arena may not share a single feature, so comparisons
DUHGL̇FXOW:H¶YHQDPHGWZRYHU\GL̆HUHQWSURGXFWVDV(GLWRUV¶&KRLFH
winners in this realm: Abine Blur lets you shop online without exposing your
email, credit card, or phone, with a wealth of bonus features including a
password manager and active Do Not Track, and Preveil lets you easily protect
every email message with encryption—and it doesn’t cost a cent.

NEIL J. RUBENKING

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 REVIEWS
SOFTWARE

Zoho Invoice: Excellent

Service for SMBs
Z
oho Invoice is a comprehensive billing and invoicing website that’s
suitable for many types of businesses, but especially startups and sole
SURSULHWRUV:KLOHLW¶VÀH[LEOHDQGVRSKLVWLFDWHGHQRXJKWKDWVPDOODQG
midsize businesses (SMBs) might consider it, those entities usually have full-
featured accounting systems that include invoicing. Designed to work as a
standalone solution, this Editors’ Choice pick stands out for its versatility and
tightly focused feature set. It can be easily integrated with the larger ecosystem
RI=RKRSURGXFWVLQFOXGLQJ=RKR%RRNV=RKR&50DQG=RKR([SHQVH2QH
caveat: Zoho Invoice can’t integrate with Zoho Inventory—unfortunate, given
that inventory and invoicing are sometimes closely related.
Since our last review, Zoho has added or improved Zoho Invoice
VHYHUDOPDMRUDQGPLQRUIHDWXUHV)RUH[DPSOHXVHUV PROS Visually
can enforce multi-level approvals on all sales appealing and
WUDQVDFWLRQV2XWVWDQGLQJUHFHLYDEOHVDUHQRZDYDLODEOH understandable; Deep
customizability;
RQLQYRLFLQJVFUHHQVDQGH[SHQVHFDSDELOLWLHVKDYH Customer portals;
been enhanced. You can now customize the Sales by Good mobile apps.
Customer report to compare years and track project Excellent reports.

EXGJHWVE\UHYHQXHDQGKRXUV&UHGLWDQGH[FHVV CONS Doesn’t

payments are applied automatically now. Integration integrate with Zoho
Inventory. Sprawling
with Zoho Analytics has been improved, making it design requires
possible to create advanced custom reports. Those are scrolling. Some
only some of the changes. functions require
developer skills.

HOW MUCH DOES ZOHO INVOICE COST? BOTTOM LINE Zoho

Invoice is an excellent
If you buy Zoho’s solutions one piece at a time, each service for sole
application is priced separately, with some, like Zoho proprietors and
,QYRLFHR̆HULQJDIUHHYHUVLRQVLQJOHXVHU¿YH midsize businesses,
thanks to its flexible
FXVWRPHUV7KHQH[WMXPSXSLVWRWKHSHUPRQWK pricing,
plan, which lets a single user invoice up to 50 customizability, and
customers. Zoho says its most popular plan is the deep feature set.

6WDQGDUGSODQZKLFKFRVWVSHUPRQWKDQGOHWVXS
to three users invoice up to 500 customers. And if you
have even more users and customers, consider Zoho
3URIHVVLRQDOZKLFKLVSHUPRQWK7KDWSODQ
VXSSRUWVXVHUVDQGDQXQOLPLWHGQXPEHURI
customers. Annual plan fees are discounted.

These prices are reasonable, but keep in mind that Zoho

Invoice primarily does invoicing (along with related
functions such as time tracking). Adding accounting,
inventory, or other modules ups the ante. And a highly
FRQ¿JXUHGVHWRIPRGXOHVFRXOGZLQGXSFRVWLQJDV
much as applications from Intuit or Sage. A special
OLFHQVLQJSODQFDOOHG=RKR2QHZKLFKH̆HFWLYHO\JLYHV
FXVWRPHUVDFFHVVWRPXOWLSOH=RKRVROXWLRQVIRUSHU
user per month, is another option.
7ZRRIWKHZHEVLWHVZH¶YHUHYLHZHGR̆HULQYRLFLQJDV
only one element of a more comprehensive double-
entry accounting system for free: Sunrise and Wave.
While Wave’s invoicing features are quite good, they’re If you’ve set
QRWDVFRPSUHKHQVLYHDQGÀH[LEOHDV=RKR,QYRLFH¶V up an
2WKHULQYRLFHFHQWULFVLWHVVXFKDV,QYRLFHO\DQG accounting or
,QYRLFHJRR̆HUIUHHYHUVLRQVWRREXWOLNH=RKR invoicing
Invoice, they have multi-tiered subscription fees for system before,
advanced features. it will be easy
to get up and
SETTING UP running with
If you’ve set up an accounting or invoicing system Zoho Invoice.
before, it will be easy to get up and running with Zoho
,QYRLFH(YHQLI\RXKDYHQ¶WLWVKRXOGQ¶WEHGL̇FXOW
You populate a customer list, create records for
products and services, and add a payment processing
gateway if you plan to accept electronic payments. Zoho
Invoice supports multiple gateways (such as PayPal and
Stripe)—more than its competitors. There are
transaction fees for these services, of course, but the
ability to accept credit or debit cards and direct bank
WUDQVIHUVPD\YHU\ZHOOEHZRUWKWKHH[WUDIHHV
considering it’s a good way to get paid faster.
,I\RXDOUHDG\KDYHDFXVWRPHUOLVWLQDQRWKHUDSSOLFDWLRQDQGFDQH[SRUWLWLQWR
DVSUHDGVKHHW\RXFDQLPSRUWLWLQWR=RKR,QYRLFH2WKHUZLVH\RXFDQHQWHU
these details manually. The site’s customer records are comparable to Sunrise’s
DQGPRUHWKRURXJKWKDQ:DYH¶V7KH\FRQWDLQ¿HOGVIRUH[SDQVLYHFRQWDFW
information. You can also connect to a customer’s bank account and set up a
SRUWDOIRUVKDUHGLQIRUPDWLRQDQGFRPPXQLFDWLRQ2QFH\RXFUHDWHDUHFRUG
your customer home page displays totals for outstanding receivables and
XQXVHGFUHGLWVDVZHOODVSD\PHQWWHUPV7KHUH¶VDWRPRQWKFKDUWWKDW
VKRZVLQFRPHDQGH[SHQVHVDQGDWLPHOLQHRI\RXULQWHUDFWLRQZLWKWKHP
(including transactions and record changes). You can also click links to see
related comments, sales, lists, emails, and statements.

Product and service records in Zoho Invoice are a bit less detailed than those
R̆HUHGE\6XQULVHDQG:DYHEXWWKHVLWHSURYLGHVDGGLWLRQDOLQIRUPDWLRQDERXW
HDFKLWHPWUDQVDFWLRQOLVWVUHODWHGOLVWVDQGKLVWRU\2QFH\RXEXLOG\RXU
LQLWLDOGDWDEDVHVRIFRQWDFWDQGLWHPUHFRUGV\RXFDQDGGQHZRQHVRQWKHÀ\
ZKHQ\RXFUHDWHDVDOHVRUH[SHQVHIRUP

Before you start creating invoices, you should go through Zoho Invoice’s
settings via the gear icon in the upper-right part of the screen. You can, for
H[DPSOHVHWXSXVHUVDQGWKHLUOHYHORIDFFHVVSHUPLVVLRQVVHYHUDORSWLRQVDUH
available, which is unusual in an invoicing solution), add currencies to the list of
those already supported, and establish automated and manual reminders.

&OLFNWKH3UHIHUHQFHVOLQNDQGDQHZOLVWRIRSWLRQVDSSHDUV7KHÀH[LELOLW\LV
unparalleled in the websites we reviewed. You can change your preferences for
branding, approvals, recurring invoices, projects, and timesheets.
A word about customizability: Zoho Invoice has more
customization options than any other website we’ve
UHYLHZHG&XVWRP¿HOGVDUHHYHU\ZKHUHLQDEXQGDQFH
The software includes several invoice templates, all of Zoho Invoice
which are editable. Messages throughout the site can has more
read the way you want. Most of the time, any user could customization
PDNHWKHVHPRGL¿FDWLRQV%XWVRPHIHDWXUHVVXFKDV options than
Custom Buttons and Related Lists, require some any other
modest developer skills. website we’ve
reviewed.
THE INVOICING PROCESS Custom fields
=RKR,QYRLFHLVPRUHFDSDEOHDQGÀH[LEOHWKDQLWV are everywhere.
competitors when it comes to the actual invoicing
process. In addition to supporting estimates, invoices,
and recurring invoices, as BQE Core does, Zoho Invoice
allows you to create retainers.

<RXFKRRVHIURPQXPHURXVPRGL¿DEOHWHPSODWHVRU
create your own, designate one as your default, and
clone an invoice template so your brand remains
consistent on your estimates, retainer invoices, and
credit notes. You can toggle numerous preferences on
RUR̆EHIRUH\RXVWDUWFUHDWLQJLQYRLFHV)RUH[DPSOH
you can include a payment stub and return envelope in
VQDLOPDLOVDQGUHFHLYHQRWL¿FDWLRQVZKHQFXVWRPHUV
SD\RQOLQH<RXULQYRLFHVFDQFRQWDLQXSWRFXVWRP
¿HOGVZKLFKLVXQXVXDOLQWKLVJURXSRIZHEVLWHV
Invoice templates are very thorough. You select the
customer from a drop-down menu (if there are unpaid
invoices, you’ll see a link to them) and verify the date,
terms, and due date. You can add an order number, a
salesperson, and a late fee if you’d like. Before you start Zoho Invoice is
selecting products or services from drop-down lists, you more capable
specify a price level from any pricing list options you’ve and flexible
FUHDWHGVXFKDVDUHGXFWLRQIRUOR\DOFXVWRPHUV$V than its
\RXVHOHFWWKHLWHPV\RX¶YHVROG=RKR,QYRLFH¿OOVLQWKH competitors
rate/cost. You supply the quantity and any discounts, then when it comes
VHOHFWIURPSUHGH¿QHGVDOHVWD[HVRUHQWHUDQHZUDWH)RU to the actual
DQH[WUDVXEVFULSWLRQIHH\RXFDQLQWHJUDWH$YDODUD¶V invoicing
SRSXODU$YD7D[VROXWLRQZKLFKSURYLGHV\RXZLWK process.
XSGDWHGWD[UDWHVIRUVWDWHDQGORFDOMXULVGLFWLRQV
<RXXVXDOO\¿QGWKLVRSWLRQRQO\LQIXOOIHDWXUHG
accounting websites.

If the customer being invoiced has any outstanding

ELOODEOHWLPHDQGH[SHQVHVWKDW\RX¶YHUHFRUGHGWKH\¶UH
listed below your line items as Unbilled Items. Below that
DUHER[HVIRUFXVWRPHUQRWHVDQGDUHPLQGHURIWHUPVDQG
conditions. You can upload an attachment, select your
SD\PHQWJDWHZD\LIDSSOLFDEOHDQGFKHFNDER[WRDOORZ
partial payment for the invoice. You can also designate the
invoice as a recurring one. After you’re done, you have
several options, including Save as Draft, Save and Submit
(for approval), Save and Send, or Save and Approve. No
RWKHUVHUYLFHLQWKLVJURXSR̆HUVWKLVPXFKÀH[LELOLW\DQG
depth in their invoicing processes.
BEYOND INVOICING
Zoho Invoice is also top-notch when it comes to creating very professional
estimates. You have similar customization options, and templates contain all
WKH¿HOGV\RXQHHG²LQFOXGLQJDVLJQDWXUH=RKR6LJQKDVDIUHHYHUVLRQWKDW
VXSSRUWVXSWR¿YHGRFXPHQWVSHUPRQWKSDLGYHUVLRQVJRXSWRSHU
month). You can invite potential customers into the client portal and interact
with them about the estimates’ terms. The site also maintains a thorough
history of related activity, and estimates can be easily converted to invoices.

7ZRRWKHUIHDWXUHVLQWHUVHFWFORVHO\ZLWKLQYRLFHVWLPHWUDFNLQJDQGH[SHQVHV
<RXFDQFUHDWHSURMHFWVDQGDVVLJQVWD̆DQGWDVNVWRWKHP7LPHEORFNVVXSSRUW
PDQXDOHQWULHVDQGWLPHUVD*RRJOH&KURPHH[WHQVLRQDOORZVWKLVWRIXQFWLRQ
RXWVLGHRIWKHVLWH<RXUH[SHQVHUHFRUGVLQFOXGLQJPLOHDJHFDQEHPDUNHG
billable to a customer when needed, and a project snapshot shows you an at-a-
glance status of each project in terms of such elements as unbilled hours and
logged hours. When you’re ready to bill a project, you can easily add time and
H[SHQVHVWRDQLQYRLFH

DASHBOARD AND USABILITY

Zoho Invoice’s dashboard provides an instant visual update on the state of your
¿QDQFHV,WVKRZVWRWDOUHFHLYDEOHVDQGWKHLUDJLQJXQELOOHGKRXUVDQG
H[SHQVHVDQGWRSH[SHQVHVDUHGLVSOD\HGDVDSLHFKDUW,WDOVRVKRZVVDOHV
UHFHLSWVDQGDPRXQWVGXHRYHUGL̆HUHQWWLPHSHULRGVXSWRD\HDU$QRWKHU
FKDUWWUDFNVVDOHVYHUVXVH[SHQVHVRYHUWKHFXUUHQW\HDU$QGZKHQ\RXFOLFNWKH
Recent Updates tab, you’ll see a running list of enhancements to the site in
chronological order.

The dashboard, like the rest of Zoho Invoice, is well organized, easy to
understand, and visually appealing. The site’s left navigation pane contains
links to Zoho Invoice’s major data and activity sections, including Customers,
,WHP,QYRLFHVDQG([SHQVHV,FRQVWKDWUXQKRUL]RQWDOO\DFURVVWKHWRSRIWKH
screen take you to the site’s most often-accessed tools. Clicking the + sign opens
a list of actions, records, and activities that you can create. A clock icon opens a
OLVWRIUHFHQWDFWLYLWLHVDQGWKHUH¶VDVHDUFKER[QH[WWRWKDW$FURVVWKHVFUHHQ
\RXFDQFOLFNOLQNVWRPDQDJH\RXURUJDQL]DWLRQVYLHZQRWL¿FDWLRQVRSHQWKH
Settings menu, and get help and support.
For such a deep site, Zoho Invoice doesn’t have much of a learning curve—and it
R̆HUVHQRXJKKHOSERWKRQOLQHDQGOLYHFKDWSKRQHHPDLOWKDW\RXFDQJHW
\RXUTXHVWLRQVDQVZHUHGTXLFNO\6SOLWVFUHHQVDUHXVHGH[WHQVLYHO\DQG
H̆HFWLYHO\WRGLVSOD\OLVWVDQGGHWDLOVRILQGLYLGXDOHQWULHVDQGRWKHUHOHPHQWVRI
WKHXVHULQWHUIDFHDUHVLPSOHDWWUDFWLYHDQGXVXDOO\VHOIH[SODQDWRU\0\RQO\
FRPSODLQWLVWKDWVFUHHQVWHQGWRVSUDZODQGGLVSOD\H[FHVVLYHZKLWHVSDFH
PDNLQJLWQHFHVVDU\WRVFUROOWRHYHQFUHDWHDQLQYRLFH2WKHUWKDQWKDWLW¶VD
pleasure to use.

REPORTS AND MOBILE

Zoho Invoice also stands apart from much of its competition for the number of
VWDQGDUGUHSRUWVLWR̆HUV<RXFDQFXVWRPL]HDQGUXQDQ\RIWKUHHGR]HQUHSRUWV
that provide detailed output in areas such as sales, receivables, activity, and
projects and timesheets. If your reporting needs are sophisticated and you want
to build custom reports, you can add Zoho Analytics to Zoho Invoice. This Zoho
application is more advanced than what most freelancers would need. It’s
actually a self-service Business Intelligence (BI) and data analytics service.
3ULFHVVWDUWDWSHUPRQWKELOOHGDQQXDOO\IRUWZRXVHUV7KHUH¶VDOVRD
limited free version.

0RELOHDSSVDUHDYDLODEOHIRUERWKL26DQG$QGURLG:KLOHWKH\KDYHWKHVDPH
FDSDELOLWLHVWKHLUXVHULQWHUIDFHVDQGQDYLJDWLRQWRROVDUHGL̆HUHQW7KH
Android version has a home page that contains quick links to customers,
H[SHQVHVLQYRLFHVDQGWLPHWUDFNLQJ7KHL26YHUVLRQODFNVWKLV%RWKKDYHD
very slim dashboard that displays only a Total Receivables chart.
Android users can open a sliding vertical toolbar that divides the app’s content
LQWRORJLFDOJURXSLQJVZKLOHL26XVHUVZRUNIURPDKRUL]RQWDOWRROEDUWKDWUXQV
across the bottom. Both replicate the tools and data found on the browser-based
YHUVLRQLQPRVWFDVHVWKRXJKIHZUHSRUWVDUHDYDLODEOH2QFH\RXPRYHLQWR
internal screens, they behave similarly—which is to say, they behave well. But
\RXFDQ¶WGRDEVROXWHO\HYHU\WKLQJ\RXFDQLQWKHIXOOYHUVLRQ)RUH[DPSOH
invoice forms are very simple compared with those in the browser-based
version. This abbreviated feature set should still serve you well when you’re
away from a computer.

PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS

Zoho Invoice works with a host of integrations, though as stated earlier, Zoho
Inventory is not one of them. This is disappointing, considering how closely
related invoicing and inventory are in some businesses. But the apps with
which Zoho Invoice does integrate, aside from those already mentioned, form
an impressive list. These include Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, and
Zoho People.

2QWKHWKLUGSDUW\VLGH=RKR,QYRLFHLQWHJUDWHVZLWK*RRJOH*6XLWHDQG
0LFURVRIWLWOHWV\RXSLFNXSVDOHVDQGHVWLPDWHUHTXHVWVRXWRIFXVWRPHU
emails). You can also integrate Zoho Invoice with team collaboration vendor
6ODFNDQGXSORDGUHFHLSWVIURPVHUYLFHVLQFOXGLQJ'URSER[(YHUQRWHDQG
2QH'ULYHXVLQJ&ORXG3LFNHUDQG&ORXG8SORDGHU2IFRXUVHZKHQFDOFXODWLQJ
your costs, remember that all third-party apps have their own fees.

INVOICING AND MUCH MORE

Zoho Invoice has earned an Editors’ Choice award again this year. Its depth and
ÀH[LELOLW\DUHXQPDWFKHGDPRQJELOOLQJDQGLQYRLFLQJVHUYLFHVZH¶YHUHYLHZHG
$GGWRWKDWDQH[FHOOHQWXVHUH[SHULHQFHDQGJUHDWVXSSRUWDQGQRRQHFDQEHDW
this solution. It’s so competent, in fact, that it may be too advanced for some
freelancers and independent contractors. But its free and low-cost versions,
DORQJZLWKWKHDELOLW\WRWXUQR̆IHDWXUHV\RXGRQ¶WQHHGPDNHLWDVPDUWFKRLFH
for many types of small businesses.

KATHY YAKAL

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

FEATURES

BY ANGELA MOSCARITOLO
If the new year has you motivated to drop
your quarantine 15 or take steps to boost
your immunity amid the still-raging
COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no shortage
of smart health and fitness technologies
that can help you meet your goal.

T
he whole “new year, new you” maxim is undoubtedly a cliché. But the
truth is that there’s never a bad time to improve your health. So if
VWDUWLQJDQHZRUELWDURXQGWKHVXQOLJKWVD¿UHXQGHU\RXUEXWWWRJHW
moving, run with it (literally). Thanks to all the smart home gym equipment,
ZRUNRXWDSSVDQGVWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHV¿WQHVVWUDFNHUVDQGRWKHUFRQVXPHU
health technologies available today, you don’t even need to go to the gym to get
lean and make gains.

For anyone who’s less than comfortable with the idea of breathing heavily in a
FRQ¿QHGSXEOLFVSDFHRUZHDULQJDPDVNZKLOHZRUNLQJRXWWKLVWHFKQRORJ\LVD
WUXHEOHVVLQJ$QGIRUWKRVHZKRDUHQHZWRWKHZRUOGRI¿WQHVVRUMXVWJHWWLQJ
back into it after a period of inactivity, rest assured that many of the latest
WHFKQRORJLHVR̆HUEHJLQQHUIULHQGO\ZRUNRXWVJXLGDQFHIRUQHZELHVDQG
virtual personal trainers.

:LWKVRPDQ\VPDUWKHDOWKDQG¿WQHVVSURGXFWVWRFKRRVHIURPLWFDQEHWRXJK
to narrow them down, and that’s where we come in. At PCMag, our mission is
to help you make the most informed buying decisions, which is why we
exhaustively test every product we review and analyze its strengths, weaknesses,
and value compared with the competition.

$VD\RJDWHDFKHUDQG3&0DJ¶V¿WQHVVH[SHUW,JHWWRWHVWDQGUHYLHZDOOWKH
ODWHVWVPDUWKHDOWKWHFKQRORJLHV²DQGVRPHRIWKHUHFHQWLQQRYDWLRQV,¶YHVHHQ
are truly impressive. But not every product is a winner, and not every good
SURGXFWLVWKHULJKW¿WIRUHYHU\RQH
For this story, we’re gathering some of the best health
DQG¿WQHVVSURGXFWVDQGVRIWZDUH\RXFDQXVHULJKW
now, and we’re taking a look at some of the more
SURPLVLQJWHFKQRORJLHVRQWKHKRUL]RQ,IDSURGXFW The fight
catches your eye, be sure to check out its full review on against
PCMag.com. COVID-19 has
spurred new
FEATURES TO CURB COVID-19 features in
7KH¿JKWDJDLQVW&29,'KDVVSXUUHGQHZIHDWXUHVLQ consumer tech
consumer technology to help users protect themselves to help users
against the virus and detect early signs of infection. So protect
far, these features are found primarily in smartwatches, themselves.
ZKLFKRIWHQKDYHPDQ\RIWKHVDPHKHDOWKDQG¿WQHVV
DVSHFWVDV¿WQHVVWUDFNHUVDORQJZLWKODUJHFRORUWRXFK
screens, calling and texting capabilities, and
downloadable apps.

The Apple Watch Series 6VWDUWLQJDWIRU

LQVWDQFHIHDWXUHVDQ6S2VHQVRUWRFDOFXODWH\RXU
EORRGR[\JHQVDWXUDWLRQOHYHO,WOHWV\RXWDNHDQ6S2
UHDGLQJRQGHPDQGLQMXVWVHFRQGVDQGFDSWXUHV
periodic background measurements when you’re
sleeping and inactive.

APPLE WATCH SERIES 6

Several other devices, including the Fitbit Sense DQGSamsung
Galaxy Watch3VWDUWLQJDWFDQDOVRPHDVXUH\RXUEORRGR[\JHQ
saturation, though the latter can do so only while you sleep.

$Q6S2VHQVRULQGLFDWHVKRZZHOO\RXUFLUFXODWRU\DQGUHVSLUDWRU\V\VWHPVDUH
delivering oxygenated blood to your body, which can help you gauge whether
PHGLFDOLQWHUYHQWLRQLVQHFHVVDU\<RXU6S2UHDGLQJDORQHFDQ¶WGLDJQRVH
&29,'EXWDVWKH<DOH6FKRRORI0HGLFLQHDGYLVHVDUHDGLQJEHORZ
might warrant a trip to the emergency room.

$SSOHLVDOVRDLPLQJWRKHOSÀDWWHQWKH&29,'FXUYHZLWKDQHZIHDWXUHWKDW
UHPLQGV\RXWRZDVK\RXUKDQGVZKHQ\RXUHWXUQKRPH,QFOXGHGDVSDUWRI
ZDWFK26WKHIHDWXUHLVDYDLODEOHRQWKH6HULHVDQGZDWFKHVDVZHOO
DVWKHORZHUFRVW:DWFK6(:KHQ\RXU$SSOH:DWFKGHWHFWVKDQGZDVKLQJ
PRYHPHQWVDQGWKHVRXQGRIUXQQLQJZDWHULWVKRZVDVHFRQGFRXQWGRZQ
timer on the screen, so you don’t have to silently hum “Happy Birthday to You”
WZLFHLQ\RXUKHDGZKHQVFUXEELQJJHUPVDZD\,W¶VDIHDWXUHZHIRXQG
surprisingly helpful in testing.

:H¶UHDOVRVWDUWLQJWRVHHZHDUDEOHVZLWKLQWHJUDWHGVNLQWHPSHUDWXUHVHQVRUV
The Fitbit Sense is one such device; it calculates your baseline skin
temperature after you’ve worn it to bed for three nights, after which it lets you
know whether you’re running hotter than usual, a possible indication of illness.
The Oura RingR̆HUVDVLPLODUIHDWXUH,WPHDVXUHV\RXUWHPSHUDWXUHDWQLJKW
ZKHQ\RXUERG\LVOHDVWD̆HFWHGE\HQYLURQPHQWDODQGOLIHVW\OHIDFWRUVDQGLWV
companion app tracks deviations from your baseline.

OURA RING
STAY FIT WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH SMART HOME GYM
EQUIPMENT
&29,'KDVVKXWGRZQJ\PVDFURVVWKHZRUOGEXWLW¶VDOVRFDXVHGDQXSWLFN
LQWKHDGRSWLRQRIVPDUWKRPHJ\PHTXLSPHQW)RUHYLGHQFHRIWKLVMXVWORRNDW
the delivery lead times on the new Peloton Bike+ZHHNVRUORQJHUDWWKH
WLPHRIWKLVZULWLQJ$VPDUWVWDWLRQDU\ELNHWKDWVWDUWVDWPLJKWKDYH
seemed like a frivolous purchase a year ago, but it’s a lot more appealing now
that many of us can’t or don’t want to go to the gym.

%XWZKDWPDNHV¿WQHVVHTXLSPHQWVPDUWDQGZK\SD\H[WUDIRULW"$WWKHPRVW
basic level, smart home gym equipment connects to the internet. Most
machines have a screen on which you can stream workouts, but some work with
DFRPSDQLRQDSSWROHW\RXYLHZFODVVHVRQ\RXUSKRQHRU79

6PDUW¿WQHVVGHYLFHVDOORZIRUDZKROHRWKHUOHYHORILQWHUDFWLYLW\WKDQWKHLU
PRUHD̆RUGDEOHQRQFRQQHFWHGFRXQWHUSDUWV0RVWR̆HUODUJHOLEUDULHVRI
guided classes with knowledgeable instructors and/or customized workouts and
SURJUDPVEDVHGRQ\RXUJRDOVDQGFXUUHQW¿WQHVVOHYHO0DQ\PDFKLQHVDOVR
IHDWXUHOLYHFODVVHVZLWKFRPSHWLWLYHOHDGHUERDUGVJLYLQJ\RXDQH[WUDMROWRI
motivation to run, row, or cycle your way to victory. This also fosters a sense of
community, making it feel like you’re not working out alone.

PELOTON BIKE+
,ZDVDELWVNHSWLFDODERXWWKH%LNHEXWDIWHUWHVWLQJLW,VHHZK\3HORWRQKDVD
FXOWOLNHIROORZLQJRIPLOOLRQV7KHLQVWUXFWRUVDUHH[FHOOHQW²WKHLUZRUGVRI
HQFRXUDJHPHQWDUHRIWHQVRLQVSLULQJWKDW,¶PPRYHGWRWHDUV7KHFODVVHVDUH
well planned and produced, and there’s plenty of variety for everyone. The
%LNHLVDQH[FHOOHQWLQYHVWPHQWWKDWEXLOGVRQLWVSUHGHFHVVRUZLWKDQHZ$XWR
)ROORZIHDWXUHIRUDXWRPDWLFUHVLVWDQFHDGMXVWPHQWVDQXSJUDGHGVRXQGV\VWHP
for a more immersive listening experience, a rotating touch screen that allows
IRUDEHWWHUYLHZLQJDQJOHZKHQGRLQJZRUNRXWVR̆WKHELNHDQG$SSOH*\P.LW
LQWHJUDWLRQIRURQHWDS$SSOH:DWFKSDLULQJ

,ID3HORWRQLVEH\RQG\RXUEXGJHWZHKLJKO\UHFRPPHQGWKHMYX Fitness
bike,WGRHVQ¶WIHDWXUHOLYHFODVVHVRUOHDGHUERDUGVEXWLWVWDUWVDWDQG
keeps you engaged, with a focus on personalized heart rate zone training.

,I\RX¶UHQRWLQWRF\FOLQJRU¿QGLWWREHDOLWHUDOSDLQLQWKHEXWWDSUREOHP
newbies encounter with any stationary bike; padded shorts help), there are
SOHQW\RIRWKHURSWLRQV2XUIDYRULWHVIRUFDUGLRLQFOXGHWKHNordicTrack
Commercial 2950RQHRIWKHPRVWVRSKLVWLFDWHGWUHDGPLOOVRQWKH
PDUNHWZLWKWKHDELOLW\WRDGMXVW\RXULQFOLQHDQGVSHHGDXWRPDWLFDOO\
FightCampIRUWKH3HUVRQDOSDFNDJHDFRQQHFWHGKRPHER[LQJJ\P
WKDWWUDFNV\RXUSXQFKHVLQUHDOWLPHDQGQXGJHV\RXWRUHDFKDVSHFL¿FJRDO
and the NordicTrack RW900URZLQJPDFKLQHZKLFKVWDQGV
RXWIRULWVOLEUDU\RIRXWGRRUWUDLQHUOHGZRUNRXWV¿OPHGRQZDWHUZD\VDURXQG
the world.

FIGHT CAMP
,I\RX¶UHORRNLQJWRPDNHJDLQVZHVXJJHVWWKHTempo StudioDQG
TonalWZRVPDUWVWUHQJWKWUDLQLQJPDFKLQHV7KH\ERWKIHDWXUHODUJH
touch screens on which you can browse and play workouts led by experienced
LQVWUXFWRUVZKRZDON\RXWKURXJKHDFKPRYH,W¶VOLNHKDYLQJDIXOOJ\P¶VZRUWK
of strength training equipment—and a virtual personal trainer—in your home.
Both keep track of how much weight you should be lifting, count your reps, and
R̆HUIHHGEDFNDERXW\RXUIRUP7KH\DOVRR̆HUSOHQW\RIFODVVHVLQFOXGLQJ
EHJLQQHUIULHQGO\ZRUNRXWVDQGSURJUDPV

Finally, if you’re more into bodyweight exercises such as yoga and pilates, check
out the MirrorDQGWKH(FKHORQ5HÀHFWIRUWKHLQFK
model). Both are worth considering especially if you’re short on space, as they
FDQEHPRXQWHGWRDZDOODQGORRNOLNHUHJXODUPLUURUVZKHQQRWLQXVH'XULQJ
DFODVV\RXFDQVHHWKHLQVWUXFWRUDVZHOODV\RXURZQUHÀHFWLRQLQWKHPLUURU
which makes it easy to check your form.

:KHQEXGJHWLQJIRUDVPDUW¿WQHVVPDFKLQHPDNHVXUHWR¿JXUHLQWKHFRVWRID
PHPEHUVKLSIHH7KH\DOOUHTXLUHDVXEVFULSWLRQW\SLFDOO\SULFHGIURPWR
SHUPRQWKWRDFFHVVRQGHPDQGDQGOLYHVWUHDPLQJFODVVHV

MIRROR
AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVES TO GYM EQUIPMENT: WORKOUT
APPS AND STREAMING SERVICES
(VSHFLDOO\LQOLJKWRI&29,'UHODWHGOD\R̆VDQGHFRQRPLFVORZGRZQZH
know that most people don’t have a few thousand extra dollars to drop on a
VPDUW¿WQHVVPDFKLQH)RUWXQDWHO\WKHUHDUHSOHQW\RID̆RUGDEOHRUIUHHDSSV
DQGVWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHVWKDWFDQKHOS\RXDORQJZKHWKHU\RX¶UHDEHJLQQHUMXVW
VWDUWLQJ\RXU¿WQHVVMRXUQH\RUDVHDVRQHGDWKOHWHORRNLQJWRVWDUWDQHZ
training schedule or spice up your routine.

FitOn and Nike Training Club are two excellent resources when you’re on a
WLJKWEXGJHW)LW2QR̆HUVIUHHRQGHPDQGZRUNRXWYLGHRVZLWKFHOHEULW\
WUDLQHUVLQFOXGLQJ-XOLDQQH+RXJKDQG-RQDWKDQ9DQ1HVVDQGLWVXSSRUWV
heart rate monitors so you can compete on leaderboards with other
SDUWLFLSDQWV$WWKHVWDUWRIWKH&29,'SDQGHPLF1LNHUHPRYHGWKH
VXEVFULSWLRQIHHIRULWV7UDLQLQJ&OXEDSSZKLFKIHDWXUHVPRUHWKDQIUHH
ZRUNRXWVUDQJLQJIURPWRPLQXWHVLQFOXGLQJER[LQJ+,,7VWUHQJWK\RJD
and more.

Two of our favorite paid options include OpenFit and Forte)RUD

PRQWK2SHQ)LWJLYHV\RXXQOLPLWHGDFFHVVWRPRUHWKDQOLYHVWUHDPLQJ
¿WQHVVFODVVHVDZHHNSOXVKXQGUHGVRIRQGHPDQGZRUNRXWVDQGSHUVRQDOL]HG
QXWULWLRQSODQV,I\RXPLVVWKHHQHUJ\RILQSHUVRQFODVVHVFKHFNRXW)RUWHD
ZHEEDVHGSODWIRUPWKDWOHWV\RXVWUHDPOLYHXQHGLWHGZRUNRXWVIURPVWXGLRV
around the country, including Powerumba in Miami, Centered City Yoga in Salt
/DNH&LW\DQG([KDOHLQ1HZ<RUN&LW\IRUSHUPRQWK

OPENFIT
ObeLVDQRWKHU¿WQHVVDSSPDNLQJZDYHV:HKDYHQ¶W
WHVWHGLW\HWEXWLWR̆HUVOLYHFODVVHVGDLO\DQGPRUH
WKDQRQGHPDQGFODVVHVFRYHULQJHYHU\WKLQJ
IURPEDUUHFDUGLRER[LQJDQG+,,7WRSLODWHVVFXOSW The best
DQG\RJDIRUSHUPRQWK fitness
trackers can
:LWKRQOLQH¿WQHVVERRPLQJWKHELJJHVWQDPHLQWHFKLV motivate
also getting in on the action. Apple’s new Fitness+ you to get
VHUYLFHH[SHFWHGWRODXQFKE\WKHHQGRIEXWQRW moving and
yet available at the time of this writing) promises to encourage
EULQJDUDQJHRIZRUNRXWVOHGE\ZRUOGFODVVWUDLQHUV you to meet
LQFOXGLQJ,URQPDQFKDPSLRQVDQGSURIHVVLRQDO your goals.
athletes, to the comfort and safety of your home.
)LWQHVVZLOOSUREDEO\EHEHVWIRUÀRRUEDVHGZRUNRXWV
VXFKDVFRUHGDQFH+,,7VWUHQJWKDQG\RJDZKLFK
UHTXLUHMXVWDVHWRIGXPEEHOOVRUQRHTXLSPHQWDWDOO
But it will also feature cycling, rowing, and treadmill
workouts.

)LWQHVVLVUHDVRQDEO\SULFHGDWSHUPRQWKRU
SHU\HDUZKLFKLVSUREDEO\OHVVWKDQ\RXUJ\P
RUFRQQHFWHG¿WQHVVPDFKLQHPHPEHUVKLS,WUHTXLUHV
an Apple Watch Series 3 or later paired with a
FRPSDWLEOHL3KRQHL3DGRU$SSOH79

FITNESS TRACKERS TO HELP YOU CRUSH

YOUR GOALS
Fitness trackers are good for more than monitoring
\RXUVWHSVVOHHSDQGZRUNRXWV7KHEHVWRQHVFDQ
motivate you to get moving and encourage you to meet
your goals. These devices are more singularly focused
than smartwatches, putting the emphasis on your
health, but they often include some helpful lifestyle
features, including mobile payments and streaming
music controls. They also tend to have much longer
battery life than smartwatches do.
%HIRUH,VWDUWHGXVLQJWKHP,ZDVDVNHSWLFQDWXUDOO\DFWLYH,WKRXJKWRI¿WQHVV
trackers as an unnecessary (and unsightly) investment. But after testing them,
,¶YHJDLQHGVRPXFKXVHIXONQRZOHGJHDERXWP\VHOIDQGP\ERG\²LQIRUPDWLRQ
that has motivated me to make positive life changes.

.QRZLQJP\KHDUWUDWH]RQHVKHOSVPHZRUNRXWPRUHḢFLHQWO\1RWLFLQJWKDW
yoga, my preferred and primary form of exercise, doesn’t always get my heart
rate up to my target zone has prodded me to add cardio sessions into my
VFKHGXOHDFRXSOHRIWLPHVDZHHN,I,VHH,¶PVKRUWRIP\GDLO\VWHSJRDO,¶OOGR
DQRWKHUODSDURXQGWKHSDUNZKHQZDONLQJP\GRJZKLFKEHQH¿WVERWKRIXV
And learning that my sleep is negatively impacted by even a few alcoholic drinks
has made it easier to pass on a nightcap.

,¶PKDSS\WRKDYHIRXQGVHYHUDOUHFHQW¿WQHVVWUDFNHUVWKDWEDODQFHIXQFWLRQ
DQGIRUPZLWKVOHHNDWWUDFWLYHGHVLJQVWKDW,DFWXDOO\ZDQWWRZHDU7KH
Garmin Vivoactive 4DIHDWXUHULFK*36¿WQHVVWUDFNHU
VPDUWZDWFKK\EULGLVDIDYRULWH,WVVW\OLVKEXLOGIUHTXHQWO\DWWUDFWV
FRPSOLPHQWVDQGLWR̆HUVPRWLYDWLQJWUDLQLQJSODQVZLWKRQVFUHHQZRUNRXW
animations, as well as insights about breathing, sleep, and stress (not to
mention handy smartwatch features like contactless payments, downloadable
apps, and onboard music storage).

GARMIN VIVOACTIVE 4
$PRUHD̆RUGDEOHIDYRULWHLVWKHFitbit Charge 4
ZKLFKKDVDVLPSOHXQFOXWWHUHGLQWHUIDFH
and an excellent companion app that helps encourage
\RXWRJHWDFWLYHDQGLPSURYH\RXUVOHHS,WIHDWXUHVD The
*36VR\RXFDQPDS\RXUH[HUFLVHURXWHZLWKRXWD affordable
phone, Spotify support, and a motivating metric called Fitbit Charge
Active Zone Minutes earned for each minute you spend 4 has a
LQIDWEXUQFDUGLRRUSHDN]RQHV,WHYHQWUDFNVFKDQJHV simple,
in your breathing as you sleep. uncluttered
interface and
For outdoor athletes, the Coros ApexLVD an excellent
solid choice designed for activities such as biking, companion
hiking, running, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, and
WULDWKORQV,WWUDFNVGLVWDQFHHOHYDWLRQKHDUWUDWHKHDUW
UDWH]RQHSDFHVWULGHWLPHWUDLQLQJH̆HFWVDQGPRUH
DQGLWVDSSR̆HUVEHDXWLIXOJUDSKVWRKHOS\RXLQWHUSUHW
the data, along with actionable insights about how to
improve your training.

For mountain training, we recommend the Polar Grit

XPXOWLVSRUW*36ZDWFKZKLFKR̆HUVD
ZHDOWKRIRXWGRRUVSHFL¿FIHDWXUHVLQFOXGLQJUHIXHOLQJ
advice for long training sessions and events, route
SODQQLQJDQGXSKLOODQGGRZQKLOOVWDWV,W¶VDQH[FHOOHQW
choice for anyone who likes to cycle, hike, mountain
bike, participate in endurance events, run on trails, ski,
or snowboard. The Polar Flow companion app tracks
\RXUSURJUHVVPRWLYDWHV\RXWRJHWPRYLQJDQGR̆HUV
LQVLJKWVWRKHOS\RXWUDLQPRUHḢFLHQWO\

BUDGET-FRIENDLY FITNESS TRACKING APPS

,IGDWDGULYHV\RX\RX¶OOKDYHSOHQW\RIRSWLRQVEH\RQG
¿WQHVVWUDFNHUVDQGVPDUWZDWFKHVWRKHOS\RXPRQLWRU
\RXUH̆RUWVDQGSURJUHVV)UHHDQGD̆RUGDEOH¿WQHVV
WUDFNLQJDSSVFDQ¿OOWKHJDSZKHQ\RXGRQ¶WKDYHWKH
PRQH\RUGHVLUHIRUDZHDUDEOHDQGWKH\FDQR̆HU
additional insights when you do own one.
2QHRIRXUIDYRULWHVHVSHFLDOO\IRU
WKRVHMXVWVWDUWLQJRXWLV
MapMyFitness,W¶VIUHHDQGOHWV
you record nearly any activity, from
running and mountain biking to
playing an instrument, walking the
dog, and vacuuming.

,I\RX¶UHDUXQQHUF\FOLVWRU
swimmer, be sure to download
Strava, a free app that lets you
compete against yourself or others
who have traversed the same
segments as you. We also recommend Charity
Miles, a free app that donates money to charity for
every mile you walk, run, or bike. MAPMYFITNESS

0DQ\¿WQHVVWUDFNLQJDSSVLQFOXGLQJ0DS0\)LWQHVVDQG6WUDYDV\QFZLWK
ZHDUDEOHVVXFKDVWKH$SSOH:DWFKDQGVWDQGDORQHKHDUWUDWHPRQLWRUVWRR̆HU
even more information, including how much time you spent in each heart rate
zone during your workout.

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

:KLOHPRVWZHDUDEOHVWKHVHGD\VFDQUHDG\RXUKHDUWUDWHWKHUHDUHEHQH¿WVWR
investing in a standalone heart rate monitor. For starters, most models support
ERWK$17DQG%OXHWRRWKVRWKH\FDQVWUHDP\RXUKHDUWUDWHWRPXOWLSOH
GHYLFHVLQFOXGLQJF\FOLQJFRPSXWHUV¿WQHVVDSSVDQGVPDUWKRPHJ\P
equipment, in real time.

&KHVWVWUDSVDUHVOLJKWO\PRUHDFFXUDWHWKDQZULVWEDVHGZHDUDEOHVEHFDXVH
WKH\¶UHZRUQFORVHUWRWKHKHDUWDQGPHDVXUHLWVDFWLYLW\GLUHFWO\2SWLFDOKHDUW
UDWHVHQVRUVIRXQGLQ)LWELWGHYLFHVWKH$SSOH:DWFKDQGRWKHUZULVWEDVHG
activity trackers calculate your heart rate by shining light into your skin and
PHDVXULQJEORRGÀRZ6RIRUWKHPRVWSUHFLVHKHDUWUDWHUHDGLQJVFRQVLGHUD
dedicated chest strap such as the Polar H9ZKLFKV\QFVZLWKDZLGH
range of exercise equipment and apps.
)DFWRUVLQFOXGLQJFROGZHDWKHUWDWWRRVDQGPRWLRQFDQSRWHQWLDOO\WKURZR̆
optical heart rate sensors and lead to erroneous measurements, making them
slightly less reliable. That said, optical heart rate trackers tend to be easier to
XVHDQGPRUHFRPIRUWDEOHDQGWKH\DOORZIRUPRQLWRULQJ2QHRIRXU
favorite standalone optical heart rate trackers is the Polar OH1
which can be worn on your arm or clipped to goggles to monitor your ticker
from your temple while swimming.

MONITORING YOUR FOOD INTAKE, WEIGHT, AND BODY

COMPOSITION WITH A SMART SCALE
To monitor your progress toward your goals—to lose weight, put on muscle, or
simply drink more water—we suggest ditching your old bathroom scale in favor
of a smart one. These devices connect with your smartphone and do a lot more
WKDQMXVWWHOO\RXKRZPXFK\RXZHLJK

2QHRIRXUIDYRULWHVLVWKHD̆RUGDEOH Wyze ScaleZKLFKLVRQO\DQGWUDFNV

PHWULFVLQFOXGLQJ\RXUEDVDOPHWDEROLFUDWH%05ERG\PDVVLQGH[%0,
body fat percentage, body water percentage, heart rate, muscle mass, protein
OHYHODQGZHLJKWXSWRSRXQGV

,I\RX¶UHWU\LQJWRORVHZHLJKWNQRZLQJ\RXU%05RUWKHDPRXQWRIHQHUJ\
your body uses when at rest, can be very helpful. You can use this metric to help
¿QG\RXU7RWDO'DLO\(QHUJ\([SHQGLWXUHRUWKHWRWDOQXPEHURIFDORULHV\RX
burn each day while active and at rest. At the most basic level, consuming fewer
FDORULHVWKDQ\RXU7'((SXWV\RXLQDFDORULFGH¿FLWDQGUHVXOWVLQIDWORVV

WYZE SCALE
6PDUWVFDOHVGHWHUPLQH\RXUERG\IDWSHUFHQWDJHXVLQJDSURFHVVFDOOHG
ELRHOHFWULFLPSHGDQFHDQDO\VLV%,$ZKLFKLQYROYHVVHQGLQJDORZOHYHO
electrical current through your body. The current moves quickly through tissues
WKDWFRQWDLQDODUJHDPRXQWRIÀXLGVDQGHOHFWURO\WHVVXFKDVPXVFOHDQGEORRG
and faces greater resistance—or impedance—moving through fat.

,W¶VLPSRUWDQWWRQRWHWKDWWKHVPDOOHOHFWULFFXUUHQWVHQWWKURXJK\RXUERG\
GXULQJ%,$PHDVXUHPHQWFDQD̆HFWSDFHPDNHUV,I\RXXVHDSDFHPDNHU\RX¶OO
want to look for a scale with a safe mode for those with internal medical devices.
7KH:\]H6FDOHIRULQVWDQFHR̆HUVDPRGHFDOOHG2QO\0HDVXUH:HLJKWZKLFK
GLVDEOHVWKH%,$PHDVXUHPHQW

There’s no evidence that smart scales are dangerous for pregnant women, but if
you’re expecting, your measurements (with the exception of weight) will likely
EHLQDFFXUDWH7KHVDPHLVWUXHIRUFKLOGUHQDQGDGROHVFHQWVXQGHUWKHDJHRI
who aren’t yet fully developed.

,I\RXKDYHDELWPRUHPRQH\WRVSHQGWKHQardioBase 2LVWKH

PRVWIHDWXUHULFKVPDUWVFDOHZH¶YHWHVWHG,WKDVDUHFKDUJHDEOHEDWWHU\DQG:L
Fi support, so it can send your measurements to its companion app when your
phone is outside Bluetooth range.

QARDIOBASE 2
SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT
We all know that it’s important to get a good night’s rest, but that’s often easier
said than done. Fortunately, a plethora of available technologies can help you
achieve that goal.

*DLQLQJLQVLJKWLQWR\RXUVOHHSLQJSDWWHUQVLVWKH¿UVWVWHSWRZDUGLGHQWLI\LQJ
SUREOHPVDQG¿[LQJWKHP:KHQ\RX¶UHHYDOXDWLQJZHDUDEOHRSWLRQVORRNIRUD
GHYLFHZLWKFRQWLQXRXVKHDUWUDWHPRQLWRULQJDQGDQ6S2RU3XOVH2[VHQVRU
that tracks your blood oxygen saturation levels as you sleep. The Fitbit Charge
4 and Garmin Vivoactive 4 tick both boxes. They track the amount of time
\RXVSHQGLQOLJKWGHHSDQG5(0VOHHSDQGR̆HUJUDSKVVKRZLQJZKHQ\RX
ZHUHDVOHHSDQGDZDNHWKURXJKWKHQLJKW7KH&KDUJHDOVRJLYHV\RXDGDLO\
sleep score that can help you quickly gauge the quality and restorative value of
your shuteye.

Smartwatches are also capable of tracking sleep, but they tend to be bulkier and
KDYHVKRUWHUEDWWHU\OLYHVWKDQ¿WQHVVWUDFNHUVZKLFKPDNHVWKHPOHVVSUDFWLFDO
IRUZHDULQJRYHUQLJKW7KH$SSOH:DWFK¿QDOO\JRWDQṘFLDOVOHHSWUDFNLQJ
IHDWXUHDVSDUWRIZDWFK26EXWLW¶VSUHWW\EDVLF$QGWKH6HULHV¶VKRXU
battery life means you might want to charge it at night rather than wear it to
bed. That said, the Apple Watch can show when you fell asleep and woke up,
DORQJZLWK\RXUWRWDOWLPHLQEHGDQGDVOHHSIRUWKHQLJKW,WDOVRVKRZVDJUDSK
of your heart rate with maximum and minimum recorded beats per minute, but
LWGRHVQ¶WR̆HUDEUHDNGRZQRI\RXUOLJKWGHHSDQG5(0VOHHS

,I\RXZDNHXSZLWKEDFNSDLQRUFDQ¶WVHHPWRJHWFRPIRUWDEOHRQ\RXUROG
PDWWUHVVDKLJKWHFKVPDUWEHGVXFKDVWKHSleepNumber 360 i10
IRUD4XHHQPLJKWEHZRUWKWKHLQYHVWPHQW7KRXJKSULFH\LWOHWV\RXDGMXVW
WKH¿UPQHVVRIHDFKVLGHIRU\RXURSWLPDOFRPIRUWOHYHO,WDOVRDXWRPDWLFDOO\
DGMXVWVGHSHQGLQJRQ\RXUPRYHPHQWVVRZKHQ\RXWXUQRQWR\RXUVLGHLW
SURYLGHVPRUHFXVKLRQLQJDQGZKHQ\RXPRYHRQWR\RXUEDFNLW¿UPVXSIRU
H[WUDVXSSRUW7KHPDWWUHVVFDQDOVRWUDFN\RXUVOHHSDQGR̆HULQVLJKWWRKHOS
you get the best rest possible.

TECH TO MANAGE YOUR STRESS

Like getting enough sleep, reducing your stress is an important factor in
maintaining your health.
 CORE MEDITATION
TRAINER

Meditation can be a useful tool for winding down at night and relieving stress at
DQ\WLPH,I\RX¶UHQHZWRPHGLWDWLRQRUHDVLO\GLVWUDFWHG\RXPLJKWZDQWWR
check out the Core Meditation Trainer<RXKROGWKHRUEOLNHGHYLFH
in your hands as you stream guided meditations via its companion app, and it
gently vibrates to help you relax and focus. As you meditate, sensors on top of
the device measure the electrical activity of your heart through your thumbs to
TXDQWLI\WKHEHQH¿WVRIHDFKVHVVLRQRQ\RXUERG\

The Meditation Trainer’s companion app calculates your heart rate variability
+59²WKHWLPHEHWZHHQHDFKKHDUWEHDW+59LVDPHDVXUHRI\RXUQHUYRXV
system activity and an indicator of your resilience to stress; in general, the
KLJKHUWKH+59WKHEHWWHU

0RVWZHDUDEOHVDOVRR̆HUJXLGHGEUHDWKLQJH[HUFLVHVWKDWFDQKHOSUHGXFH
stress. The Fitbit Sense takes it a step further with an integrated
HOHFWURGHUPDODFWLYLW\('$VHQVRUWKDWPHDVXUHVVPDOOHOHFWULFDOFKDQJHVLQ
your skin’s sweat level to track your body’s response to stress. When taking an
('$VFDQ\RXSODFH\RXUSDOPRYHUWKHHQWLUHVFUHHQIRUWZRPLQXWHVPDNLQJ
VXUHWRFRPSOHWHO\FRYHULWVPHWDOIUDPHZKLOHWU\LQJ\RXUEHVWWRVWD\VWLOO2QFH
the scan’s complete, the Sense vibrates, asks you whether you want to record
how you feel, then shows a recap of your session on your wrist. The Sense also
gives you a daily Stress Management Score based on metrics including your
KHDUWUDWHKHDUWUDWHYDULDELOLW\('$GDWDSK\VLFDODFWLYLW\DQGVOHHSSDWWHUQV
$VORZHUFRVWDOWHUQDWLYHVSOHQW\RIIUHHDQGD̆RUGDEOHPHGLWDWLRQDSSVFDQ
help you combat stress and anxiety. Smiling Mind (available on Android and
L26LVDIDYRULWHLW¶VIUHHDQGR̆HUVPHGLWDWLRQVVRUWHGE\LVVXHVDQGHYHQWV
LQFOXGLQJGL̇FXOWHPRWLRQVUHODWLRQVKLSVVOHHSDQGVWUHVV6RPHRIRXURWKHU
favorites include Aura, Calm, Insight Timer, Meditation Studio, Simple
Habit, Ten Percent Happier, and The Mindfulness App, all of which are
DYDLODEOHRQERWK$QGURLGDQGL26DQGR̆HUIUHHFRQWHQWHeadspace
PRQWKO\RUDQQXDOO\RQL26DQG$QGURLGLVDQRWKHUVWDQGRXW
providing hundreds of meditations for health issues, emotions, challenges, and
productivity.

WHOOP STRAP 3.0

SPRINTING AHEAD TO FUTURE FITNESS TECH

6FUHHQOHVV¿WQHVVWUDFNHUVDUHPDNLQJDFRPHEDFNZLWKVHYHUDOLQWHUHVWLQJ
options entering the market, including the Amazon HaloOura
Ring IURPDQGWhoop Strap 3.0SHUPRQWK:H¶OOKDYH
reviews of all of these products on PCMag.com in the near future, possibly by
the time you’re reading this story.

$QRWKHUSURGXFW,¶PH[FLWHGWRWHVWLVWKH0L[¿WDVRUWRI.HXULJPDFKLQHIRU
personalized nutrition drinks. You use its companion app to track your food and
DFWLYLW\DQGLWLGHQWL¿HVQXWULWLRQDOJDSVWKHQPL[HVDGULQNWRJLYH\RXUERG\
ZKDWLW¶VPLVVLQJ,KDYHRQHLQP\LQYHQWRU\RISURGXFWVWRWHVWVRORRNIRUWKDW
review in the near future as well.

7KHUH¶VQRGRXEWWKDWZLOOXVKHULQDQH[FLWLQJQHZFURSRIVPDUWKHDOWK
DQG¿WQHVVLQQRYDWLRQV:H¶OOFRQWLQXHWRWHVWWKHVHSURGXFWVWROHW\RXNQRZ
ZKLFKRQHVDUHZRUWK\RXUKDUGHDUQHGGROODUV,QWKHPHDQWLPHVWD\VDIHDQG
ZHOOFRQQHFWHGLQWKH1HZ<HDU

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

It’s hard to believe Apple’s App Store is celebrating its 15th anniversary. During
those years, it’s grown from a single platform for the iPhone to one that works
with nearly every Apple product, from the MacBook Air to the Apple Watch.

Although the App Store boasts nearly 2 million apps, Apple’s curated
UHFRPPHQGDWLRQVDQGGDLO\HGLWRULDOVRQWKHSODWIRUPPDNHLWHDV\WR¿QGQHZ
ones. And at the end of each year, Apple honors a handful of apps and
developers with an App Store Best of 2020 award.

This year’s pool of winners is Apple’s most diverse ever, showcasing companies
DQGGHYHORSHUVWKDWR̆HUPHDQLQJIXOVROXWLRQVWRNHHSXVFRQQHFWHGKHDOWK\
and organized. Here are the winners of the App Store Best of 2020 awards.

iPHONE APP OF THE YEAR

Wakeout!
Wakeout encourages fun and brief physical activities throughout
the day. The app is an easy way to stay active for people who are
limited to outdoor activities or working at home.

iPHONE GAME OF THE YEAR

Genshin Impact
If you’re dying to (virtually) explore the unknown, role-playing
game Genshin Impact transports you to a fantastical world where
magic is at every turn; no need to leave home.

iPAD APP OF THE YEAR

Zoom Cloud Meetings
Once the go-to virtual meeting source for large companies, Zoom
quickly became a safe way to connect with loved ones during the
pandemic. This enterprise-focused app responded to the increased need for
video-based interaction and added features like Zoom for Home and its On
Zoom events platform throughout the year.

iPAD GAME OF THE YEAR

Legends of Runeterra
/RRNLQJIRUDJDPHWKDWR̆HUVVRPHVHULRXVPHQWDOVWLPXODWLRQ"
Legends of Runterra is a multi-player card game that requires
equal amounts of cunning and strategy to choose characters and cards from
GL̆HUHQWUHJLRQVLQRUGHUWRJDLQDELOLWLHVDQGRYHUFRPH\RXURSSRQHQWV

MAC APP OF THE YEAR

Fantastical
When it comes to calendar apps, Fantastical is hard to beat. A
longtime App Store favorite, Fantastical quickly adapted to our
new work-from-home reality in 2020. With apps for just about every Apple
product, Fantastical let you quickly add appointments using natural language,
and it scrapes your emails to add in virtual meeting links with no fuss.

APPLE TV APP OF THE YEAR

Disney+
In a year when there was no shortage of new video streaming
SODWIRUPV'LVQH\VWRRGRXW7KLVVXEVFULSWLRQDSSR̆HUV
favorites from Disney, 21st Century Fox, and a handful of other networks, as
well as original scripted shows like The Mandalorian.

APPLE TV GAME OF THE YEAR

Dandara Trials of Fear
Join Dandara as she attempts to save the people of Salt. The
heroine, birthed from light, embarks on a journey through Salt and
HQFRXQWHUVDQRGGFDVWRIFKDUDFWHUV¿JKWVRSSUHVVRUVDQGOHDUQVYDOXDEOH
secrets along the way.

APPLE WATCH APP OF THE YEAR

Endel
If the world has you on edge, you’ll want to download Endel for the
$SSOH:DWFK7KLVDSSR̆HUVSHUVRQDOL]HGVRXQGVFDSHVWRKHOS\RX
calm down, focus, and get a good night’s sleep. Deceptively simple, Endel is a
SRZHUIXOZD\WR¿QGVRPHSHDFHGXULQJRUDIWHUDKHFWLFGD\

APPLE ARCADE GAME OF THE YEAR

Sneaky Sasquatch
/RRNLQJIRUDOR¿HVFDSHWKDWDOORZV\RXWRKDYHIXQZLWKRXWDORW
RIH̆RUW"6QHDN\6DVTXDWFKLVDVLPSOHDQGIXQJDPHWKDWDOORZV
you to wander around campsites, steal food from unsuspecting campers, and
create a little light-hearted havoc.
TREND OF THE YEAR
In 2020, Apple noticed a growing trend of apps intended to enrich and simplify
RXUOLYHV$FFRUGLQJWR$SSOH¿YHDSSVZHQWWKHH[WUDPLOHWRHDUQDQ$SS
Trend of the Year award.

Shine
6KLQHR̆HUVDQLQWHJUDWHGVHOIFDUHVROXWLRQWKDWSXWV
UHSUHVHQWDWLRQ¿UVW)URPPHGLWDWLRQWRLQFOXVLYHFRPPXQLWLHV
the app features an array of easy-to-access resources that make
wellness a priority.

Explain Everything Whiteboard

There’s nothing quite like a whiteboard for brainstorming and
collaboration. But in a time where we can’t just grab a marker and
DGGQRWHV([SODLQ(YHU\WKLQJ:KLWHERDUGR̆HUVDGLJLWDOZD\WR
map out complex ideas, from creating animations to collaborating with others
around the globe. And if you want to share your thoughts, you can embed your
whiteboard into dozens of applications and websites.

Caribu
Most people agree that remote learning is not an ideal situation for
parents. Fortunately, Caribu makes things a little more bearable for
parents and a lot more fun for children. This video-calling app
R̆HUVDYDULHW\RILQWHUDFWLYHHGXFDWLRQDOH[SHULHQFHVIRUFKLOGUHQ

ShareTheMeal
For many families, food insecurity became a serious concern in
2020. ShareTheMeal, from the United Nations World Food
Program, allows you to donate meals without leaving your home.

Pokémon Go
With over one billion downloads, Pokémon Go needs no
introduction. For the past several years, the AR game has allowed
users to catch and train characters in real-world locations. This
\HDUKRZHYHU1LDQWLFPDGHVLJQL¿FDQWFKDQJHVWRWKHDSSWKDWDOORZHGSOD\HUV
to stay connected and engaged even when they weren’t able to travel far from
home.

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

TIPS & HOW TOS
PRODUCTIVITY

Tips to Help You Get Your

Work Mojo Back BY JILL DUFFY

Photo credit: fizkes/shutterstock.com

D
o you ever wake up on a workday and say, “I don’t want to do it”? Is
WKHUHDWDVN\RXMXVWFDQ¶W¿QGWKHZKHUHZLWKDOWR¿QLVK"$UH\RX
tempted to transition from working at home to taking a nap at home?

:HDOOKLWZDOOVSURFUDVWLQDWHDQGJHWGLVWUDFWHG'XULQJWKH&29,'
SDQGHPLFWKRXJKKLWWLQJWKHZDOOPD\IHHOGL̆HUHQWWKDQEHIRUHEHFDXVHVR
PDQ\RWKHUDVSHFWVRIRXUOLYHVKDYHFKDQJHG&HUWDLQO\ZHDOOQHHGWRWKLQN
DERXWSXWWLQJVHOIFDUHEHIRUHSURGXFWLYLW\:HDOVRQHHGWRWDNHDGHTXDWH
EUHDNVWRSUHYHQWEXUQRXW%XWWKHUHDUHWLPHVZKHQZKDWZHUHDOO\QHHGLVWR
¿QGDZD\WRSXVKWKURXJKDEDGPRPHQWJHWDPRWLYDWLRQDOERRVWDQGJHWWKH
ZRUNGRQH
+HUHDUH¿YHWHFKQLTXHVWRVWHHU\RXEDFNRQWUDFNZKHQ\RXQHHGDOLWWOHKHOS

EAT THE FROG

³(DWWKHIURJ´PHDQVGR\RXUPRVWLPSRUWDQWWDVN¿UVWDQGJHWLWRYHUZLWK7KH
H[SUHVVLRQRULJLQDWHGZLWK0DUN7ZDLQ³,ILW¶V\RXUMREWRHDWDIURJLW¶VEHVWWR
GRLW¿UVWWKLQJLQWKHPRUQLQJ$QGLILW¶V\RXUMREWRHDWWZRIURJVLW¶VEHVWWR
HDWWKHELJJHVWRQH¿UVW´7KHH[SUHVVLRQZDVSRSXODUL]HGPRUHUHFHQWO\LQD
ERRNE\WUDLQLQJDQGFRQVXOWDQF\&(2%ULDQ7UDF\

+RZGR\RXHDWWKHIURJWKRXJK",I\RX¶YHEHHQSURFUDVWLQDWLQJRUKLWDZDOO
how do you get up the motivation to do the tough thing that needs to get done?
7KHDQVZHU<RXGH¿QHLW

+DYH\RXHYHUKDGDJUHDWLGHDLQ\RXUKHDGEXWZKHQ\RXWULHGWRWHOOLWWR
VRPHRQHLWGLGQ¶W¿WQHDWO\LQWRRQHRUWZRVHQWHQFHV"2IWHQZKHQWKDW
KDSSHQVLWPHDQVWKHLGHDZDVQ¶WIXOO\GH¿QHG7KHVDPHLVWUXHIRUVRPHWDVNV
:HNQRZZKDWWKHHQGUHVXOWQHHGVWREHEXWZHGRQ¶WDOZD\VNQRZWKHWDVNRU
WDVNVZHVKRXOGGRWRJHWWKHUH'H¿QLQJLWE\ZULWLQJLWGRZQKHOSV
WUHPHQGRXVO\6RZULWHGRZQWKHIURJ\RXQHHGWRHDWDQGWKHQHDWLW¿UVWWKLQJ
LQWKHPRUQLQJ

Photo credit: Tero Vesalainen/shutterstock.com

DON’T EAT THE ELEPHANT
7KHUH¶VDQRWKHUH[SUHVVLRQSRSXODUDPRQJSURGXFWLYLW\HQWKXVLDVWV'RQ¶WWU\
WRHDWWKHHOHSKDQW7KHLGHDKHUHLVWKDWDQHOHSKDQWLVWRRELJWRHDW²LWFDQ¶WEH
GRQH6LPLODUO\VRPHWDVNVDUHWRRELJWRWDFNOH<RXKDYHWREUHDNWKHPGRZQ
LQWRSLHFHVWKDW\RXFDQPDQDJH

6RPHH[DPSOHVDUHREYLRXV,I\RXKDYHWRFUHDWHDSUHVHQWDWLRQIRUH[DPSOH
\RXFDQEUHDNLWGRZQLQWRVHYHUDOVWHSVVRPHWKLQJOLNH'H¿QHWKHSXUSRVH
RIWKHSUHVHQWDWLRQ5HVHDUFKWKHWRSLFRUJDWKHUWKHGDWD2UJDQL]H\RXU
LGHDV&UHDWHDGUDIWRIWKHSUHVHQWDWLRQ$VNFROOHDJXHVIRUIHHGEDFNRQ
WKHGUDIW(GLWLWIRUWLPHOHQJWKRUDWWHQWLRQVSDQDQGVRRQ

%\EUHDNLQJGRZQWKHWDVNLW¶VPXFKHDVLHUWRVHHZKHUH\RXVKRXOGVWDUWDQG
ZKDW\RXFDQJHWGRQHLQWKHQH[WKRXURUWKHQH[WGD\

6RPHWLPHVLW¶VQRWREYLRXVWKDWDWDVNQHHGVWREHEURNHQXS:KHQLWFRPHVWR
WDVNVWKDW\RXUHDOO\KDWH\RXPLJKWZDQWWREUHDNWKHPGRZQLQWRWLQ\SLHFHV
VRWKDW\RXFDQIHHOOLNH\RX¶UHPDNLQJVRPHSURJUHVV7KHFODVVLFH[DPSOHIRU
PHLVFDOOLQJGRFWRUVWRPDNHDSSRLQWPHQWV,KDWHGRLQJLWDQGZLOO
SURFUDVWLQDWHIRUZHHNV$QGWKHQ,UHPHPEHUKRZWREUHDNLWGRZQWRPDNHLW
ZRUNIRUPH7KH¿UVWWDVNLV³/RRNXSWKHSKRQHQXPEHURIWKHGRFWRU¶VṘFH´
,FDQGRWKDW7KHQH[WWDVNLV³)LJXUHRXWZKDWWLPHV,KDYHIUHH´)LQDOO\WKH
ODVWWDVNLV³&DOOWKHGRFWRU´ZLWKWKHSKRQHQXPEHUOLVWHGULJKWLQWKHWDVN,W
ZRUNVHYHU\WLPH

Photo credit: fizkes/shutterstock.com

START A POMODORO CYCLE
7KH3RPRGRUR7HFKQLTXHLVDPHWKRGRIZRUNLQJGHYHORSHGE\)UDQFHVFR
&LULOORLQWKHVZKLFKKHWXUQHGLQWRDERRNVHPLQDUVHULHVDQGZHEVLWH
7KHQDPHFRPHVIURPXVLQJDNLWFKHQWLPHULQWKHVKDSHRIDWRPDWR
SRPRGRURLV,WDOLDQIRUWRPDWR

6WDUWE\WLPLQJ\RXUVHOIZKLOH\RXZRUNIRUPLQXWHV$IWHUPLQXWHVZKHQ
WKHWLPHUULQJV\RXWDNHDWRPLQXWHEUHDNZKLFK\RXDOVRPHDVXUHZLWK
WKHWLPHU7KHQ\RXVWDUWDQHZPLQXWHZRUNF\FOH:KLOH\RXZRUN\RX
NHHSDSHQFLODQGSLHFHRISDSHUDW\RXUVLGHDQGLIDWKRXJKWLQWHUUXSWV\RX
\RXZULWHLWGRZQDQGGHDOZLWKLWODWHU<RXUHSHDWWKLVF\FOHDIHZWLPHVDQG
WKHQWDNHDORQJHUEUHDN

,WHQGWRXVHWKH3RPRGRUR7HFKQLTXHZKHQ,KLWDZDOOLQWKHDIWHUQRRQ0\
PLQGLVWHPSWHGWRZDQGHUDQGQRPDWWHUZKDW,¶PVXSSRVHGWREHGRLQJ,
GRQ¶WIHHOOLNHGRLQJLW7KDW¶VDJRRGWLPHWRDVN³&DQ\RXGRLWIRUPLQXWHV"´
PLQXWHVLVQRW³WKHUHVWRIWKHGD\´,W¶VQRW³XQWLOLW¶VGRQH´,W¶VDGH¿QHG
SHULRGZLWKDEUHDNLQVLJKW,W¶VDKXPS\RXFDQJHWRYHU

7KHUHDUHDSSVDQGEURZVHUH[WHQVLRQVWKDWFDQKHOS\RXIROORZWKH3RPRGRUR
7HFKQLTXH,OLNH6WULFW:RUNÀRZZKLFKEORFNVGLVWUDFWLQJZHEVLWHVZKHQ
\RX¶UHLQDZRUNF\FOH

TIME-BLOCK YOUR DAY

7KH3RPRGRUR7HFKQLTXHLVJUHDWZKHQ\RXQHHGDPRWLYDWLRQDOERRVWULJKW
DZD\7LPHEORFNLQJLVKHOSIXOZKHQ\RXQHHGPRWLYDWLRQWRODVWWKHZKROHGD\
7LPHEORFNLQJPHDQVZULWLQJGRZQZKHQ\RXZLOOGRFHUWDLQWDVNV,W¶VKHOSIXO
ZKHQ\RXKDYHDIXOOGD\RIZRUNLQIURQWRI\RXRUPXOWLSOHWDVNVWKDW\RXQHHG
WRSULRULWL]H<RXZULWHGRZQEORFNVRIWLPHVXFKDV
DQGVRRQDQG¿OOLQZKDW\RXLQWHQGWRGRGXULQJWKDWWLPH%HVXUHWROHDYH
EUHDNVLQEHWZHHQ\RXUEORFNVHVSHFLDOO\ZKHQLW¶VWLPHWRVZLWFKWRDQHZWDVN

,OLNHWREORFNRXWP\WLPHLQDGLJLWDOFDOHQGDUVRWKDW,JHWUHPLQGHUVEHIRUHD
QHZLQWHUYDOVWDUWV6LQFHWKHSDQGHPLFVWDUWHGWLPHEORFNLQJKDVKHOSHGPH
UHVWDUWSURMHFWVWKDWKDGQRGHDGOLQHDQGVRZHUHWKH¿UVWWRJHWFXWRXWRIP\
GD\%\GHGLFDWLQJDIHZEORFNVRIWLPHHDFKGD\WRZRUNRQWKHP,ZDVDEOHWR
PDNHVRPHSURJUHVV

PRIORITIZE YOUR WEEK

6RIDUDOOWKHWDFWLFVIRUJHWWLQJPRWLYDWHGKDYHDQHDULPPHGLDWHSD\R̆
3ULRULWL]LQJ\RXUZHHNGRHVQ¶WEXWLWKHOSVSHRSOHIRFXVDQGJHWPRUHRIWKH
ULJKWZRUNGRQHLQWKHORQJUXQ,WKHOSVZKHQWKHZDOO\RX¶YHKLWLVSHUVLVWHQW
DQG\RXQHHGWRVWHSEDFNWRUHWKLQNZKDW\RX¶UHGRLQJDQGZK\

3ULRULWL]LQJ\RXUZHHN²RUPRQWKRUTXDUWHU²PLJKWLQYROYHWKLQNLQJ
VFULEEOLQJGRZQLGHDVZULWLQJOLVWVRUGUDZLQJIUHHDVVRFLDWLRQGLDJUDPV,W¶V
ZKDWHYHU\RXQHHGWRGRWRJHWFODULW\RQZKDW¶VLPSRUWDQWDQGZK\

$VKOH\:KLOODQVDSURIHVVRUDW+DUYDUG%XVLQHVV6FKRROLVLQYROYHGLQRQJRLQJ
UHVHDUFKLQZKLFKHPSOR\HHVDUHPDQGDWHGWRWDNHWZRXQLQWHUUXSWHGKRXUV
HDFKZHHNWRWKLQNDERXWZKDW¶VLPSRUWDQWDQGSODQWKHLUWLPH$VVKH
H[SODLQHGLQDQHSLVRGHRI+%5¶V:RPHQDW:RUNSRGFDVW³:H¿QGWKDW
HPSOR\HHVZKRWDNHWLPHHYHU\ZHHNWRSULRULWL]HWKHLURZQZRUNDQGWKHLUOLIH
RXWVLGHRIZRUNVHOIUHSRUWEHLQJWRSHUFHQWPRUHIRFXVHGRQWDVNVDW
ZRUNPXFKKDSSLHUOHVVVWUHVVHG´

1RWHWKDWWKHHPSOR\HHVUHÀHFWHGRQZKDWZDVLPSRUWDQWDQGKRZWRSULRULWL]H
LWERWKDWZRUNandLQWKHLUSHUVRQDOOLYHV+DYLQJDSHUVRQDOOLIHSXUVXLQJ\RXU
LQWHUHVWVDQGEHLQJSUHVHQWZLWKIDPLO\RUIULHQGVD̆HFWV\RXUDELOLW\WRJHW
ZRUNGRQHEHFDXVHLWFRQWULEXWHVWRKDSSLQHVVDQGFRPEDWVEXUQRXW%\
SODQQLQJ\RXUZHHNDQGWKLQNLQJDERXWZKDWPDWWHUVPRVW\RXFDQUHVWRUH
EDODQFHEHWZHHQ\RXUZRUNDQGSHUVRQDOWLPH

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

TIPS & HOW TOS
WORK

Heading Back to the Office:

An Employee’s Guide BY GADJO SEVILLA

Photo credit: Just Life/shutterstock.com

M
DQ\EXVLQHVVHVDUHSUHSDULQJWRWUDQVLWLRQHPSOR\HHVEDFNWRṘFHV
HLWKHUWRDOOHYLDWHWKHVWUHVVRILVRODWLRQRUVLPSO\WRVWD\DÀRDW
¿QDQFLDOO\:KDWHYHUWKHUHDVRQNHHSLQJHPSOR\HHVVDIHPHDQV
HPSOR\HUVPXVWRYHUFRPHDYDULHW\RIKXUGOHVLQFOXGLQJDGKHULQJWRQHZ
KHDOWKDQGVDIHW\UHJXODWLRQVWKDWZLOOOLNHO\LQFOXGHDOOQHZFRQVLGHUDWLRQVVXFK
as contact tracing and keeping employees properly distanced using space
PDQDJHPHQWWRROV

(YHQHVWDEOLVKHGEXVLQHVVSURFHVVHV²HVSHFLDOO\SHRSOHFHQWULFYHFWRUVOLNH
KXPDQUHVRXUFHV²ZLOOQHHGWRDGRSWQHZVROXWLRQVVXFKDVEXLOGLQJDK\EULG
VWḊQJPRGHOXVLQJUHPRWHZRUNIRUFHPDQDJHPHQWWRROV7KDW¶VDFRQVLGHUDEOH
FKDOOHQJHIRUPRVWHPSOR\HUVEXWLW¶VQRWWKHRQO\FKDOOHQJH(PSOR\HHVWRR
QHHGWRDGMXVWWKHLUSHUVSHFWLYHVFDUHIXOO\ZKHQFRQVLGHULQJDUHWXUQWRWKH
ṘFH7KDWPHDQVWDNLQJDFORVHORRNDWHYHU\SDUWRIWKHZRUNGD\IURP
UHVXPLQJDGDLO\FRPPXWHWRZKHUHDQGH[DFWO\KRZ\RXLQWHQGWRSHUIRUP
ZRUNLQDQHZNLQGRIṘFHSRSXODWLRQ
%HIRUHWKDWVWDUWE\FRQVLGHULQJZKHWKHU\RXZDQWWRJREDFNWRDQṘFHDWDOO
,IZRUNLQJDWKRPHVXLWV\RXWKHQWKHEHVWZD\WRSLWFKWKLVVKLIWWR\RXU
HPSOR\HULVQRWMXVWWRDVNEXWWRDVNZLWKDSODQ:RUNZLWK+5RQH[DFWO\KRZ
DVKLIWWRZRUNLQJHQWLUHO\IURPKRPHZRXOGZRUNDQGH[SORUHDYDLODEOHWRROV
DQGWHFKQRORJLHVWR¿QGQHZZD\VWRKHOS0RVWHPSOR\HUVDUHPRUHUHFHSWLYH
WRWKLVFRQFHSWWKDQWKH\¶YHHYHUEHHQHVSHFLDOO\WRD³K\EULG´ZRUNVFHQDULR
ZKHUHHPSOR\HHVZRUNSDUWO\DWKRPHDQGSDUWO\LQWKHṘFH

,IDUHWXUQWRZRUNHYHQMXVWDSDUWLDOUHWXUQLVLQ\RXULPPHGLDWHIXWXUHWKHQ
LW¶VLQ\RXUEHVWLQWHUHVWWREHDVLQYROYHGZLWK\RXUHPSOR\HU¶VSODQQLQJSURFHVV
DVSRVVLEOH)LQGRXWZKRLVRQSRLQWIRURUJDQL]LQJWKHṘFHUHRSHQLQJDQGEH
VXUHWRGLVFXVVWKHIROORZLQJLVVXHVZLWKWKHP

GETTING IN THE DOOR

$3ULFHZDWHUKRXVH&RRSHUVVWXG\FLWHGE\6WDWLVWDVHHDERYHJUDSKLFVKRZV
WKDWZKHQLWFRPHVWRUHRSHQLQJṘFHVSDFHGXULQJWKHSDQGHPLFRI
FRPSDQLHVSODQWRFKDQJHZRUNSODFHVDIHW\PHDVXUHVDQGUHTXLUHPHQWVZKLOH
DLPWRUHFRQ¿JXUHZRUNVLWHVWRSURPRWHSK\VLFDOGLVWDQFLQJ$GGLWLRQDOO\
RIEXVLQHVVHVSODQWRPDNHUHPRWHZRUNDSHUPDQHQWRSWLRQIRUUROHVWKDW
DOORZLWDQGRIEXVLQHVVHVDUHORRNLQJDWFKDQJLQJVKLIWVRUDOWHUQDWHFUHZV
WRUHGXFHH[SRVXUH
7KDWPHDQV57:UHWXUQWRZRUNVWUDWHJLHVZLOOKDYHDGUDVWLFH̆HFWRQ\RXU
FXUUHQWZRUNHQYLURQPHQWRQFH\RXUHWXUQ$QGH[DFWO\ZKDWWKRVHH̆HFWVDUH
ZLOOYDU\ZLGHO\IRUGL̆HUHQWRUJDQL]DWLRQVVLQFHPHDVXUHVZLOOGHSHQGRQ
FRQVLGHUDWLRQVLQFOXGLQJWKHNLQGRIZRUNEHLQJGRQHWKHFKDUDFWHULVWLFVRIWKH
VSDFHWKHVL]HRIWKHHPSOR\HHSRSXODWLRQDQGQHZ&29,'KHDOWK
UHJXODWLRQVWKDWDSSO\WR\RXUVWDWHDQGPXQLFLSDOLW\

([SHFWVWULQJHQWFRQVWUDLQWVRQZKLFKṘFHORFDWLRQVZLOOEHDFFHVVLEOHWKH
QXPEHURIHPSOR\HHVDOORZHGRQVLWHDWDQ\JLYHQWLPHDQGQHZVWD̆DQG
SURFHGXUHVWRDOORZIRUPHDVXUHVVXFKDVFRQWDFWWUDFLQJDQGGLVLQIHFWLQJZRUN
EHWZHHQVKLIWV2̇FHVZLOOQHHGWRSURYLGHHPSOR\HHVZLWKSHUVRQDOSURWHFWLYH
HTXLSPHQW33(VXFKDVPDVNVIDFHVKLHOGVJORYHVDQGDVWHDG\VXSSO\RI
GLVLQIHFWDQWDQGKDQGVDQLWL]HUV(PSOR\HHVQHHGWREHVXUHWKH\XQGHUVWDQG
ZKLFKPHDVXUHVDUHEHLQJDSSOLHGZKDWWKHSURFHGXUHVDUHWRLPSOHPHQWWKHP
DQGZKHUHDQGKRZWKH\DUHWRFROOHFWDQ\QHZHTXLSPHQWQHHGHGIRUVDIHW\

$FFHVVFRQWURO²KRZHPSOR\HHVDUHVFUHHQHGDQGDOORZHGWRHQWHUWKH
ZRUNSODFH²ZLOOEHDSDUWLFXODUO\DQQR\LQJSUREOHPIRUZRUNHUVZKRDUH
XQSUHSDUHG%XWDFFHVVFRQWUROLVFULWLFDOLQVFUHHQLQJFRQWDJLRXVHPSOR\HHVDV
ZHOODVGHWHUPLQLQJZKRLVRQVLWHDWDQ\JLYHQWLPH7KDW¶VZK\QRWRQO\
HPSOR\HUVEXWDOVRORFDO&29,'DXWKRULWLHVDQGPXQLFLSDOUHJXODWLRQVDUH
SODFLQJVXFKVSHFLDOHPSKDVLVRQWKLVSURFHVV

0RVWDFFHVVSURFHVVHVZLOOJRVRPHWKLQJOLNHWKLV%HIRUHOHDYLQJKRPHDQ
HPSOR\HHZLOOYHULI\WKH\DUHQRWIHHOLQJDQ\V\PSWRPVWKURXJKDZHOOQHVV
FKHFNSRVVLEO\ZLWKDPRELOHDSSRUDUHWXUQWRZRUNWRROOLNH=RKR
%DFN7R:RUN8SRQDUULYLQJDWWKHṘFHWKH\¶OOHQWHUDVFUHHQLQJDUHDZKHUH
WKHLUWHPSHUDWXUHZLOOEHWDNHQEHIRUHWKH\FDQHQWHU$QGWKHHPSOR\HHPXVW
KDYHDYDOLGUHVHUYDWLRQLQWKHV\VWHP,IWKDW¶VWKHFDVHWKHHPSOR\HHZLOOEH
JLYHQDFFHVVWRWKHṘFHXVLQJDVPDUWFDUGRUVLPLODUWRNHQWRFRQ¿UPWLPHRI
HQWU\DQGH[LWDVZHOODVZKHUHWKDWHPSOR\HHZLOOVSHQGPRVWRIWKHZRUNGD\

(VSHFLDOO\DWWKHEHJLQQLQJIDLOXUHWRPHHWDQ\RIWKHVHUHTXLUHPHQWVZLOOOLNHO\
UHVXOWLQDQHPSOR\HHEHLQJVHQWKRPHVRLW¶VLPSRUWDQWWRZRUNZLWK\RXU
HPSOR\HU¶V57:WHDPWRPDNHVXUH\RXXQGHUVWDQGWKHSURFHVVDQGKDYHDOOWKH
UHTXLUHGDSSVDQGWRNHQV
COMMUTING CONCERNS
2QHRIWKHELJJHVW57:FRQFHUQVIRUHPSOR\HHVLVQ¶WWKHṘFH²LW¶VJHWWLQJWR
WKHṘFH&RPPXWLQJWRZRUNLQ\RXURZQFDULVRQHWKLQJEXWXVLQJSXEOLF
WUDQVSRUWDWLRQDQXQDYRLGDEOHVLWXDWLRQLQPDQ\ORFDWLRQVKDVPDQ\
HPSOR\HHVYHU\ZRUULHG$IWHUFORVHWRD\HDURIJHQHUDOLVRODWLRQLWZLOOWDNH
VRPHFRQYLQFLQJIRUPDQ\HPSOR\HHVWRUHWXUQWRWKHLUGDLO\WUDLQEXVRU
VXEZD\FRPPXWHV

³(PSOR\HUVKDYHGRQHDJRRGMREPDNLQJVXUHṘFHVDUHVDIHDQGVDQLWL]HG
ZLWKSURWRFROVWRNHHSWKHPWKDWZD\%XWVLQFHSXEOLFWUDQVSRUWDWLRQUHPDLQV
WKHSULPDU\PRGHRIJHWWLQJHPSOR\HHVWRWKHṘFHVDIHW\LVDQHQWLUHO\QHZ
FKDOOHQJH´VDLG'DYH%U\DQWYLFHSUHVLGHQWDW2QH:RUNSODFHDOHDGLQJ
FRPPHUFLDOLQWHULRUVFRPSDQ\LQWKH%D\$UHD³*LYLQJHPSOR\HHVDOWHUQDWLYHV
DQGVDIHUZD\VWRJHWWRZRUNOLNHFRUSRUDWHEXVHVDQGULGHVKDULQJVHUYLFHV
WKDWKDYHFOHDQLQJSURWRFROVDUHRSWLRQVHPSOR\HUVVKRXOGFRQVLGHU´

³6SDFHDVD6HUYLFH63DD6LVDULVLQJWUHQGWKDWOHWVPDQ\FRPSDQLHV

FXVWRPL]HVPDOOHUṘFHVSDFHVORFDWHGFORVHUWRZKHUHWKHLUHPSOR\HHVOLYH´
VDLG%U\DQW/RFDWLQJQHZVSDFHFORVHUWRWKHVHHPSOR\HHKXEVZLOOQRWRQO\
UHGXFHFRPPXWHWLPHVEXWDOVRFKDQJHFRPPXWLQJUHTXLUHPHQWVDQGSURYLGHD
VDIHSODFHDZD\IURPWKHELJJHUṘFHZKHQZRUNGRHVQ¶WUHTXLUHHPSOR\HHVWR
EHWKHUHDFFRUGLQJWR%U\DQW

Photo credit: DimaBerlin/shutterstock.com

$JDLQLI\RX¶UHORRNLQJDWDUHWXUQWRZRUNDGGUHVVWKLV
LVVXHZLWK\RXUHPSOR\HUDQGVHHLIDQ\RIWKHVH
VROXWLRQVPLJKWZRUNIRU\RXUFRPSDQ\
Moving toward
EXPECT NEW TECHNOLOGY voice
:H¶YHPHQWLRQHGQHZDFFHVVFRQWUROWHFKQRORJ\EXW assistants in
WKDWZRQ¶WEHWKHRQO\QHZWHFKHPSOR\HHVEXPSLQWR the office has
ZKHQUHWXUQLQJWRWKHṘFHGXULQJWKHSDQGHPLF)RU the added
H[DPSOH&LVFRVD\VLWKDVFDUHIXOO\FRQVLGHUHGZKDW benefit of
UHWXUQWRZRUNPHDQVIRUHPSOR\HHVLQLWVṘFHV being a more
³:H¶YHLQFUHDVHGWKHQXPEHURIVHQVRUVZHKDYHLQRXU
sanitary
FRQIHUHQFHURRPKDUGZDUH´VDLG-HHWX3DWHO693DQG
solution.
*0VHFXULW\DQGDSSOLFDWLRQGLYLVLRQDW&LVFR

Patel said the company is adding various sensors to its

FRQIHUHQFHVROXWLRQKDUGZDUH³WKDWFDQVHQVHWKH
QXPEHURISDUWLFLSDQWVLQDURRPPHDVXUHWKH
WHPSHUDWXUHDQGKXPLGLW\OHYHOVDQGHYHQJDXJHDLU
TXDOLW\´&LVFRDQGHPSOR\HUVOLNHLWZLOOEHFROOHFWLQJ
WKLVNLQGRIIDFLOLWLHVGDWDLQQHZZD\VVSHFL¿FDOO\WR
HQVXUHWKDWHPSOR\HHVUHPDLQVDIHRQVLWH

&LVFR¶V:HEH[5RRP1DYLJDWRUVZKLFKDUHṘFHWRXFK
panels that provide instant connections to video
FRQIHUHQFHVURRPFRQWUROVFRQWHQWVKDULQJDQGURRP
ERRNLQJDUHQRZYRLFHDFWLYDWHG³<RXFDQMXVWZDONLQWR
DURRPDQGVD\µ+H\:HEH[,¶PJRLQJWRMRLQWKH
PHHWLQJ¶7KHV\VWHPKDVSUR[LPLW\FRQWUROVWKDWZLOOEH
able to identify participants [via their] smartphones
XVLQJXOWUDVRXQG´3DWHOVDLG

+HDGGVWKDWPRYLQJWRZDUGYRLFHDVVLVWDQWVLQWKH
ṘFHKDVWKHDGGHGEHQH¿WRIEHLQJDPRUHVDQLWDU\
VROXWLRQVLQFHIHZHUVXUIDFHVQHHGWREHSK\VLFDOO\
WRXFKHG$QGSOHQW\RIQHZWHFKZLOOKHOSZRUNHUVHYHQ
DIWHUWKHSDQGHPLFVXFKDVLQWHOOLJHQWURRPERRNLQJ
OLJKWLQJDQGEOLQGVDGMXVWPHQWDQGDXWRPDWLFDFFHVVWR
VPDUWVFUHHQVDQGRWKHUFRQIHUHQFLQJWHFKQRORJ\
RETHINKING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
3HUNVDQGEHQH¿WVDUHLPSRUWDQWIDFWRUVIRUHPSOR\HHVFRQVLGHULQJRQHMRERU
ZRUNSODFHRYHUDQRWKHU,QSUH&29,'WLPHVSHUNVOLNHIUHHPHDOVDQGVQDFNV
RSHQFRQFHSWORXQJHVJ\PPHPEHUVKLSVDQGFRPSDQ\KDSS\KRXUVDQG
RXWLQJVDOOKHOSHGDWWUDFWHPSOR\HHVDQGNHSWWKHPLQWKHLUṘFHVORQJHU7KRVH
SHUNVDQGEHQH¿WVPD\QRORQJHUEHDVHQWLFLQJRUPDNHVHQVHIRUUHPRWH
ZRUNHUVFRPLQJEDFNWRṘFHV

³7KHVKLIWEDFNWRWKHSK\VLFDOZRUNSODFHEULQJVVRPHELJFRQVLGHUDWLRQV
DURXQGWKHW\SHVRISHUNVDQGEHQH¿WVHPSOR\HUVR̆HUWKHLUSHRSOH´VD\V
-RUGDQ3HDFHFRIRXQGHUDQG&(2RI)ULQJHDOLIHVW\OHEHQH¿WVFRPSDQ\

³0RQWKVRIUHPRWHZRUNKDYHIRUFHGFRPSDQLHVWRUHWKLQNWKHW\SHVRIEHQH¿WV
WKH\R̆HUHPSOR\HHV0DQ\LQṘFHSHUNVOLNHJ\PPHPEHUVKLSVSLQJSRQJ
WDEOHVRUFDWHUHGOXQFKHVKDYHEDVLFDOO\EHFRPHREVROHWHRYHUQLJKW´VD\V
3HDFH,QWKHLUSODFHDQHZFDWHJRU\KDVHPHUJHGRQHRIOLIHVW\OHSHUNV7KHVH
kinds of perks are aimed at alleviating the problems many employees face as a
UHVXOWRIZRUNLQJIURPKRPH7KH\JHQHUDOO\WDNHWKHIRUPRIDGLJLWDO
PDUNHWSODFHRIVRUWVZKHUHHPSOR\HHVFDQVHOHFWIURPDSSVRUVHUYLFHVWKDW
PHHWWKHLULPPHGLDWHQHHGVIRUWKLQJVOLNHYLUWXDOWXWRULQJRUIRRGGHOLYHU\

3HDFHVDLGWKDWDVXUYH\RI)ULQJHXVHUVIRXQGWKDWRIHPSOR\HHVIHOWWKH
UHPRWHZRUNHUDSHUPDQHQWO\FKDQJHGWKHZD\WKH\ORRNDWEHQH¿WVVDLG
WKH\EHOLHYHWKDWOLIHVW\OHSHUNVZLOOEHPRUHYDOXDEOHLQDSRVW&29,'ZRUOG
WKDQLQṘFHSHUNVDQGDPHQLWLHVHYHQDIWHUWKHUHWXUQWRWKHṘFH

Photo credit: fizkes/shutterstock.com

$QH[FHOOHQWZD\WREHFRPHLQYROYHGZLWK\RXUFRPSDQ\¶V57:H̆RUWVLVWR
ZRUNZLWK+5DQGRWKHUHPSOR\HHVWRLGHQWLI\ZKDWH̆HFWLYHEHQH¿WVVROXWLRQV
LQ\RXUDUHDPLJKWEHDQGWKHQZRUNXSDSODQIRUKRZWRGHOLYHUWKHP

COMMUNICATION IS KEY
0RVW57:VRIWZDUHWRROVDQGSODWIRUPVSODFHDKHDY\HPSKDVLVRQHPSOR\HH
FRPPXQLFDWLRQ$IWHUDOOFRPSDQLHVUHWXUQLQJWRZRUNDUHIDFLQJVLJQL¿FDQW
FKDQJHVWRDOPRVWHYHU\DVSHFWRIKRZWKH\GREXVLQHVV7KDWFDQ¶WEH
DFFRPSOLVKHGVLPSO\E\VHQGLQJPHPRV(PSOR\HUVQHHGWRIRVWHUDFWLYH
GLVFXVVLRQVEHWZHHQPDQDJHUVDQGHPSOR\HHVWRPDNHWKLVWUDQVLWLRQVXFFHVVIXO
DQGVDIH7KDWDOVRPHDQVQHZOHYHOVRILQYROYHPHQWIURPHPSOR\HHVKRZHYHU

(YHQZLWKPXOWLSOHFKDQQHOVRIFRPPXQLFDWLRQLQFOXGLQJRQOLQHPHHWLQJVDQG
WHDPPHVVDJLQJDSSVPDQ\HPSOR\HHVVWLOOVLWEDFNDQGVLPSO\³FROOHFW´QHZ
LQIRUPDWLRQZLWKRXWSDUWLFLSDWLQJLQWKHVXUURXQGLQJGLVFXVVLRQV,I\RX¶UHRQ
WKHVKRUWOLVWWRKHDGEDFNWR\RXUṘFHLWSD\VWREHFRPHLQYROYHGLQWKHVH
WDONV7KDWPHDQVQRWRQO\VSHDNLQJXSEXWRIWHQVSHDNLQJDERXWWRSLFV\RX
PLJKWKDYHDYRLGHGSUHYLRXVO\$NH\H[DPSOHLVPHQWDOKHDOWK

Photo credit: fizkes/shutterstock.com

³%XVLQHVVOHDGHUVQHHGWRDFFHSWWKDWQHZFXOWXUDO
QRUPVZLOOHPHUJHIURPWKLVFULVLV0DQ\RIWKH
DGMXVWPHQWVVRIDUKDYHVKRZQWKHUHVLOLHQF\RIZRUNHUV
DQGRUJDQL]DWLRQVWRDGDSWWRFKDQJH%XWRQHWRXJK Fostering
TXHVWLRQZHVWLOOQHHGWRDQVZHULVKRZGRWKHVH these kinds of
FKDQJHVLQRXUZRUNHQYLURQPHQWVD̆HFWWKHPHQWDO discussions,
KHDOWKRIRXUHPSOR\HHV"+RZDUHWKH\GRLQJDVSHRSOH" even if they’re
$QGWKDW¶VJRLQJWRWDNHVRPHUHDOIROORZXSDQG just with
FRQQHFWLRQ´VD\V0LNH%RNLQDYLFHSUHVLGHQWDQGKHDG other
RIKXPDQUHVRXUFHVDW6LHPHQV86$³:HQHHGWR employees, is
FRQWLQXHWRDGGUHVVWKHKXPDQDVSHFWRIWKLVFULVLVQRW
an important
MXVWWKH¿QDQFLDODVSHFW:KDWGRHPSOR\HHVQHHG"
new element.
&XOWXUDOQRUPVDUHFKDQJLQJDQGHPSOR\HHYRLFHVQHHG
WREHDSDUWRIWKDW´

8QFHUWDLQWLPHVPDNHFRPPXQLFDWLRQZLWKHPSOR\HHV
PRUHFULWLFDOWKDQHYHUEXWWKDWGLVFXVVLRQQHHGVWRJR
LQERWKGLUHFWLRQV%H\RQGUHJXODUDOOKDQGVPHHWLQJV
DQGYLUWXDOWRZQKDOOVPDLQWDLQLQJRQHRQRQH
FRQQHFWLRQVZLWKDGLVWULEXWHGZRUNIRUFHFDQKHOS
VXVWDLQHPSOR\HHHQJDJHPHQWZKLFKKDVZDQHGGXULQJ
WKLVWLPHRIUHPRWHZRUN

³)RUXVDW6LHPHQV86$ZKLFKKDVHPSOR\HHV
that has meant transparency on topics ranging from the
KHDOWKRIWKHHPSOR\HHVWKHKHDOWKRIWKHRUJDQL]DWLRQ
DQGEXVLQHVVWRWKHKHDOWKRIWKHFRPPXQLWLHV6LHPHQV
RSHUDWHVLQ´%RNLQDVDLG

)RVWHULQJWKHVHNLQGVRIGLVFXVVLRQVHYHQLIWKH\¶UHMXVW
ZLWKRWKHUHPSOR\HHVLVDQLPSRUWDQWQHZHOHPHQWLQ
UHWXUQLQJWRZRUNVDIHO\,I\RX¶UHKDYLQJGL̇FXOW\
¿QGLQJWKHULJKWIRUXPLQ\RXURUJDQL]DWLRQWRKDYH
WKHVHWDONVFRQVLGHUZRUNLQJZLWK+5WRFUHDWHRQH
%RWK\RXUHPSOR\HUDQG\RXUFRZRUNHUVZLOOEHQH¿W

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

TIPS & HOW TOS
SMARTPHONES

Tips to Boost Your Android

Phone’s Battery Life BY JASON COHEN

A
number of factors contribute to poor battery life on your Android
phone. Thinner bodies, brighter screens, faster processors, more
background software, and speedier internet connections all take their
toll on phone batteries, though manufacturers are incorporating more powerful
batteries to compensate. The Motorola Moto G Power has a 5,000mAh battery
that can last for over 18 hours. Samsung’s Galaxy S phones, the most popular
Android devices, can now last anywhere between 11 and 13 hours, depending on
the model. Still, there are ways to get more out of any phone.

When it comes to software, Android can be tricky to pin down. Each

PDQXIDFWXUHUXVHVDGL̆HUHQWYHUVLRQRIWKHRSHUDWLQJV\VWHPVRFHUWDLQ
VHWWLQJVDQGIHDWXUHVDUHDOZD\VJRLQJWRORRNGL̆HUHQWRUEHORFDWHGVRPHZKHUH
else. With that caveat in mind, here are some ways to improve the battery life
on your Android phone.
TURN ON POWER-SAVING MODE
Think you’re going to be stuck in a situation where you
need your phone battery to last longer than it normally
does? Switch your phone into power-saving mode, High
which cuts back on functions that may eat battery life. performance
uses more
0RVWSKRQHVVKRXOGR̆HUPRUHWKDQRQHRSWLRQEXWD battery by
6DPVXQJSKRQHUXQQLQJ$QGURLGKDVIRXUGL̆HUHQW turning up
options. High performance uses more battery by screen
turning up screen brightness and resolution, and brightness
Optimized maintains a balance between performance and
and battery life. Medium power saving allows you to resolution.
extend battery life by limiting data usage and turning
down brightness, resolution, and CPU performance.
And Maximum power saving strips your device down to
just essential apps and services.

You can also activate Adaptive power saving mode,

which sits on top of your other power settings and helps
to manage battery usage based on when you use the
device and when it’s in your pocket.
Android 10 allows you to turn on power saving right from the phone’s pulldown
shade, then change a few options to save some battery. You can also head into
6HWWLQJVDQG¿QGWKHSRZHUVDYLQJRSWLRQVZLWKLQWKHGHYLFHFDUHVHFWLRQRI
\RXUSKRQH6SHFL¿FDSSVFDQHYHQEHFRQWUROOHGWRXVHOHVVSRZHURUWXUQR̆
completely when not in use.

WATCH YOUR NETWORK DATA

Network data is hard on your battery, so use Wi-Fi whenever possible.
Remember to keep your Wi-Fi on and connected to a network when at home or
(when possible) out in public.

<RXFDQVWRS\RXUSKRQHIURPXVLQJFHOOXODUGDWDE\WXUQLQJR̆PRELOHGDWD
services from the quick settings panel on your phone. You can also make use of
Airplane Mode to disable all data network features and switch on Wi-Fi, though
this will disrupt incoming calls and SMS texts.

TRY DARK MODE WITH THE RIGHT SCREEN

Dark mode is nice on the eyes, but it doesn’t really do anything for your battery
unless your device has an OLED or AMOLED display. Most older phones use
/&'VFUHHQVEXWÀDJVKLSSKRQHVIURP6DPVXQJ2QH3OXVDQG*RRJOHKDYH
transitioned to using this newer display technology.

If you have a phone with an OLED or AMOLED display, it means the phone
DFWXDOO\WXUQVR̆WKHSL[HOVWKDWDUHGLVSOD\LQJEODFNVR\RX¶UHVDYLQJVRPH
battery life when all those bright white panels have now gone dark. According to
iFixit, you could be saving as much as an hour of battery life by switching on
dark mode.
You can turn on dark mode in Android Pie or Android 10 from its quick settings
LFRQLQWKHSKRQH¶VSXOOGRZQVKDGHRU\RXFDQ¿QGLWLQWKHGLVSOD\VHWWLQJVRQ
the backend. But don’t stop here: Plenty of apps have their own dark modes.

GIVE THE ACTIVE TRACKING A REST

Features such as Bluetooth, NFC, Samsung’s phone visibility, and location
services are helpful, but they drain your battery as your phone pings to connect
DQGXSGDWH,I\RX¶UHORRNLQJWRSUHVHUYHMXLFHWXUQWKHPR̆XQWLO\RXDFWXDOO\
need them.

You also might not need your voice assistant program at all times. If you have
Google Assistant up and running, go into the Assistant settings and deactivate
it, which will stop Google Assistant from actively listening and using up battery
OLIH,I\RXKDYHD6DPVXQJGHYLFH\RXFDQDOVRWXUQR̆WKH%L[E\YRLFH
assistant feature that comes with the company’s Android phones.

You may also want to disable any routines you have enabled to stop your phone
from automatically performing tasks that use power.

YOUR SCREEN IS TOO BRIGHT

Smartphone screens look great these days, but unsurprisingly, crisp resolution
and bountiful pixels are battery hogs. You probably don’t need your device
turned up to the highest setting. Go into your display settings and turn down
the brightness on the screen; your eyes and battery will thank you.
You should also consider disabling auto brightness, which adjusts based on
your perceived needs but can also raise the brightness of your display higher
than it needs to be. You can even change how long your screen remains active.
Under the display settings on your phone, set it to fade to black after a few
VHFRQGV$QGKHDGLQWRWKHQRWL¿FDWLRQVVHWWLQJVWRGLVDEOHQRWL¿FDWLRQVIURP
VSHFL¿FDSSVVR\RXUSKRQHGRHVQ¶WOLJKWXSHYHU\WLPHDQHZDOHUWFRPHVLQ

SILENCE YOUR PHONE

$SKRQHFRQVWDQWO\EHHSLQJDQGEX]]LQJZLWKQRWL¿FDWLRQVLVDQQR\LQJDQGD
EDWWHU\GUDLQVRNQRFNLWR̆<RXUSKRQHKDVWRWULJJHUDQLQWHUQDOPRWRUWR
buzz, which—you guessed it—uses energy. Go into the sounds and vibration
settings and turn vibration intensity down. Here, you can also disable haptic
feedback so it doesn’t vibrate when you type or touch the screen.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR APPS

'HYHORSHUVSXWDORWRIZRUNLQWRPDNLQJVXUHWKHLUDSSVUXQDVḢFLHQWO\DV
possible, but many will run in the background even when you aren’t using them.
This will, of course, eat up data and battery life over time. You can put unused
apps to sleep under the App Power Management option in the device care
section of your phone.

*RDVWHSIXUWKHUDQGVHWVSHFL¿FDSSVWRVOHHSWRSUHYHQWWKHPIURPXVLQJXS
too much power when not in use. Keep in mind that sleeping and deep-sleeping
apps will not receive updates unless they are in use, so you may need to update
them manually.
Under the Apps section in Settings, you can select individual apps, then allow or
disable background activity or optimize battery usage.

Meanwhile, keep an eye out for ad-supported apps that seem to be hogging
battery. As BuzzFeed reported in 2019, ad fraud schemes can hijack in-app ads
to run videos in the background. You won’t actually see these videos, but they’ll
register as plays to the advertiser, meaning they’re duped into paying as your
battery heads to zero.

It’s a good idea to check periodically on the apps that are draining your battery
the quickest, to see whether there are any you can delete or disable. You can
view this information under battery usage in Settings, then decide which apps
VKRXOGEHDOORZHGWRUXQLQWKHEDFNJURXQGDQGZKLFKVKRXOGEHWXUQHGR̆
when not in use.

RETHINK WALLPAPER AND WIDGETS

Stay away from moving wallpaper, because it takes energy for your display to
animate it. Also a good idea: Limit yourself to a background with fewer colors,
since the display will eat up more energy when it needs to render a lot of
GL̆HUHQWFRORUV$JDLQIRUDQ2/('VFUHHQEODFNLVEHWWHU

While widgets are tempting and convenient, they are essentially an active
program usable right from your home screen, so the phone uses energy to keep
the feature running. Just say no to those little guys if battery life is a problem.

AUTOMATE THE PROCESS

If all this is too much to remember, a service like If This Then That (IFTTT)
VXSSRUWVDXWRPDWHGZRUNÀRZVWKDWFDQKHOS\RXFRQVHUYHEDWWHU\OLIH8VH
,)777WRWXUQR̆VHUYLFHVVXFKDV:L)LDQG%OXHWRRWKEDVHGRQ\RXUORFDWLRQ
IRUH[DPSOHRUGLVDEOHVSHFL¿FVHUYLFHVZKHQ\RXUEDWWHU\IDOOVWRDFHUWDLQ
percentage.

$QGWKH*UHHQLI\DSSDQDO\]HVWKHDSSVRQ\RXUSKRQHDQGLGHQWL¿HVZKLFK
ones are more likely to drain battery life. It can then put inactive apps deemed
to be problematic into hibernation, ensuring your phone battery runs as
smoothly as it did the day you got the device.

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

WHAT’S NEW NOW
WHY AXIS

It Would Take 17 Hours to Read the

Terms & Conditions of the 13 Most
Popular Apps BY JASON COHEN

Photo credit: ivansnap/shutterstock.com

C
an we trust the apps we download? Worldwide app revenue has reached
$581.9 billion in 2020, and that number is expected to rise to $935.2
billion in just three years. Despite the vast number of apps we
download—and the money we spend in the process—many (most) of us don’t
know the terms and conditions (T&C) to which we’re agreeing.

An Deloitte survey found that 91% of people—and 97% of young people—

consent to legal terms and services conditions without reading them. Even
worse is that these T&Cs are too long and complex to actually read.
Banking service thinkmoney discovered that terms and conditions for the UK’s
top 13 apps would take 17 hours to read. At the top of the long-read list is
Microsoft Teams: It has an 18,282-word terms-of-service that would take 2
hours and 27 minutes to read. Next on the list is Candy Crush, a free-to-play
mobile game, with T&C that would take 1 hour and 53 minutes to read.

Others apps on the list include Tiktok, Twitter, Whatsapp, Slack, Facebook,
Messenger, Zoom, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, and Google Meet. This list is
from the United Kingdom, but the list for the United States is largely the same.

What’s worse is that many of these apps’ T&C have overly complicated language
WKDWFRQIXVHVPRVWSHRSOH$UHFHQWVXUYH\FUHDWHGWRXQGHUVWDQGKRZH̆HFWLYH
privacy policies are, found that Tiktok’s 1 hour, 33 minute privacy policy to be at
a reading age level of 17+, despite the app’s signup age of 13 years and up. Part
of the problem is that people don’t know what terms such as API, cookies, and
third-party data mean.

So why is this a problem? Often buried in those agreements you don’t read are
hidden permissions that, say, grant access to your camera, make phone calls,
and gather location data. Apps including Facebook, Messenger, Whatsapp, and
Instagram, which are all from the same company, ask for the most permissions.

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 MASTHEAD
EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PC MAGAZINE NETWORK Dan Costa

EDITOR Wendy Sheehan Donnell
MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL EDITIONS Carol Mangis
PRODUCTION DESIGNER José Ruiz

NEWS & FEATURES

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Chloe Albanesius
FEATURES EDITOR Eric Griffith
SENIOR FEATURES WRITER Chandra Steele
ASSOCIATE EDITOR, HELP & HOW-TO Jason Cohen
SENIOR NEWS EDITOR Matthew Humphries
NEWS REPORTER Michael Kan
EDITORIAL FELLOW Sherin Shibu

REVIEWS
EXECUTIVE EDITORS John Burek (hardware), Oliver Rist (business)
MANAGING EDITORS Sean Carroll (software, security), Alex Colon (consumer electronics), Rose Fox (mobile),
Jeffrey L. Wilson (software, gaming)
LEAD ANALYSTS Jim Fisher (digital cameras), Michael Muchmore (software), Neil J. Rubenking (security),
Sascha Segan (mobile)
SENIOR ANALYSTS Tom Brant (hardware), Max Eddy (software, security), Will Greenwald (consumer
electronics), Tony Hoffman (hardware)
ANALYSTS Matthew Buzzi (hardware), Jordan Minor (software, gaming), Ben Moore (software, security),
Angela Moscaritolo (consumer electronics), Gadjo Sevilla (business), Chris Stobing (hardware), Mike Williams
(software, gaming), Steven Winkelman (mobile)

ART, MEDIA, & PRODUCTION

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Pete Haas
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Zlata Ivleva
PRODUCER Emily Zoda
SENIOR VIDEO PRODUCER Weston Almond

CONTRIBUTORS
John R. Delaney, Jill Duffy, Tim Gideon, Ben Z. Gottesman, Eric Grevstad, William Harrel, Edward Mendelson,
Stephanie Mlot, M. David Stone, Lance Whitney, Kathy Yakal

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021

 MASTHEAD
CORPORATE

ZIFF DAVIS LLC

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (J2 GLOBAL) Vivek Shah
PRESIDENT Steven Horowitz
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Brian Stewart
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER (J2 GLOBAL) Joseph Fortuna
GENERAL MANAGER, ZIFF MEDIA GROUP Mike Finnerty
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL REVENUE OPERATIONS & MANAGING DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL
Geoff Inns
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT Dan Costa
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, ACCOUNTING Fredrick Rolff
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS OPERATIONS Jason Steele
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING Josh Butts
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SALES & MARKETING Eva Smith
VICE PRESIDENTS Valerie Gayol (marketing), Lori Ing (product development), Megan Juliano
(strategy & planning), John Mark (sales), Wendy Sheehan Donnell (content), Kelley Smith
(sales),

THE INDEPENDENT GUIDE PC Magazine is the Independent Guide to Technology. Our mission is
to test and review computer- and internet-related products and services and to report fairly and objectively on the
results. Our editors do not invest in firms whose products or services we review, nor do we accept travel tickets or
other gifts of value from such firms. Except where noted, PC Magazine reviews are of products and services that are
currently available. Our reviews are written without regard to advertising or business relationships with any vendor.

HOW TO CONTACT EDITORS We welcome comments from readers. Send your comments to [email protected].
Please include your email address or daytime telephone number. We cannot look up stories from past issues,
recommend products, or diagnose problems with your PC.

PERMISSIONS, REPRINTS, CONTENT, AND TRADEMARK RIGHTS For permission to reuse material in this
publication or to use our logo, contact us at [email protected]. Material in this publication may not be
reproduced in any form without written permission. Copyright © 2021, Ziff Davis LLC. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I JANUARY 2021