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RASPBERRY Pi
Which board is right for you?

See
FREE! 6 FULL PRODUCTS WORTH £131 page 66

SPECIAL AWARDS ISSUE

EVERY LEADING VENDOR RATED

PCs ● Laptops ● Phones ● Tablets ● Broadband
● Mobile data ● Printers ● And so much more

10 LATEST REVIEWS
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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO
December 2024 Issue 363
HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH Full contents overleaf

REVIEW p52
OF THE MONTH
Intel Xeon W-2500
For years, AMD was the underdog when it came to
top-end processors, but now it’s Intel’s turn to see if
it can usurp its arch-rival. We put the top-end Xeon
2500 chip through its paces to see if it can outmuscle the
best Threadripper and Threadripper Pro chips, which
dominated our recent workstations group test. That
means putting it through an exhaustive selection
of tests that punish CPU cores, whether that’s
for video encoding, rendering or ploughing
through our own tough benchmarks.
Can Intel land a telling punch?
Find out on p52.

p28 p40 p46

TECHNOLOGY
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024
W IN NE RS
BUYER’S GUIDE BUYER’S GUIDE POINTED REMARK
OF THE YEAR OF THE MONTH OF THE MONTH
Every year, thousands of readers share their The Raspberry Pi is now the best-selling To get you in the mood for our group test of
experiences of buying tech products so that we computer range in the world, but to make sure tablets next month, we explain how different
can create a unique breakdown of reliability and you buy exactly the right model we suggest you stylus technologies work and what you need
service. Don’t buy anything until you’ve read it. turn to our guide on p40. to look for when buying one.

PERSON OF THE MONTH p126

THE LABS IN ONE NUMBER p78
Alan Turing
Alan Turing’s Consider this: one of the
mini PCs in our group test

470ml
genius continues
to have an impact takes up 470ml of space.
a century after That’s less than a half-litre
his birth, as bottle of water. Yet it
we consider contains enough
what it now compute power
means to pass to cover most people’s
the Turing needs for the next five
test and how years, possibly longer.
to measure Find out which one is
exactly how right for you as we put
intelligent an ten to the test.
AI really is.

3
 REVEALED! BRANDS YOU CAN TRUST REGULARS

7 Editor’s letter 108 Subscriptions

RASPBERRY Pi p40 16 The A-List

26 Readers’ letters
129 Next month
130 One last thing…
Which board is right for you?
BRIEFING

10 Cracks appear in the

walled gardens
See Authorities on both sides of the Atlantic
FREE! 6 FULL PRODUCTS WORTH £131 p66
page 66
are chipping away at Android and iOS.

12 The Darktrace leading

to government
UK security firm Darktrace has been
mired in controversy. Now its former

SPECIAL AWARDS ISSUE CEO is a government minister. Rois Ni

Thuama and Barry Collins investigate.

14 Five things we learned from

Lenovo Tech World ’24
Our editor reports from the landmark
event where the CEOs of AMD, Intel and
Nvidia all took to the stage.

p28 VIEWPOINTS
22 Dick Pountain
Whether it’s music or art, we’re
entering an age where the rights over
ownership are almost as blurred as
fluidart on Instagram.

EVERY LEADING VENDOR RATED 23 Nicole Kobie

Nicole shares her lessons learned from
PCs ● Laptops ● Phones ● Tablets ● Broadband ten years of working from home, before
● Mobile data ● Printers ● And so much more taking a quick nap.

24 Barry Collins
10
Google is pushing AI responses to the
LATEST REVIEWS top of its search results, putting its
TESTED
ISSUE 363 DECEMBER 2024 £6.99

entire business model at risk.

Mini PCs Intel's best
Explosive Xeon yet FEATURES

power But is it worth 28 Brands you can trust

The results of the PC Pro Technology
from £389 £2,000? Excellence Awards 2024, with the most
p78 p52 trustworthy companies as picked by
you, and the best products of the year as
picked by our editors.
Real World Computing 3 SUBSCRIBE
AND RECEIVE A 40 Raspberry Pi: which board
FREE GIFT is right for you?
110 Jon Honeyball 118 Davey Winder Subscribe to PC Pro Nik Rawlinson explores the many
Jon is tempted by the A frustrating security today and you can variants of the popular hobbyist board
iPhone 16 Pro Max – experience with a benefit from our limited- to help you choose the right Pi for you.
for professional new iPhone reveals
time offer: see p108 for
reasons, obviously. why usability is
full details.
46 Pick the perfect stylus
so important. There’s nothing quite like the intuitive,
BELOW
113 Lee Grant When CDs
tactile experience of a digital stylus. We
Lee presents a tale so 120 Steve Cassidy ruled the
explain how the technology works, and
terrible it comes with Why 16th century how to pick the best stylus.
world: p116
its own sound effect. “networking”
legislation still 3THE PC PRO
116 Olivia Whitcroft has an impact, PODCAST THE NETWORK
A look back to the days and why the Listen live to the PC Pro 104 Protect your business from
when, incredibly, data term “AI” podcast every Thursday AI-powered security threats
protection wasn’t is confusing at 1pm. Join us at Davey Winder examines how AI is being
considered sexy. to punters. pcpro.link/discord used by cybercriminals – and reveals
how AI can help combat those dangers.

4
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO
December 2024 Issue 363

REVIEWS THIS MONTH LABS

PROCESSOR SMARTWATCH
52 Intel Xeon W-2500 73 Apple Watch Series 10

DESKTOP PC MINI PCs

56 PCSpecialist Torpedo Ultra R 84 Asus NUC 14 Pro+
85 Geekom A8
LAPTOP 86 Geekom Mini IT13
58 Dell Latitude 7455 87 Geekom XT12 Pro
88 Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti
MONITORS 89 Minisforum Neptune HX100G
90 Minisforum Venus NAB9
60 Samsung ViewFinity S80UD
91 Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro
61 Samsung ViewFinity S60UD
92 MSI Cubi NUC 1M
63 Philips 27B2U6903
93 PCSpecialist Azena R

VR HEADSET
ENDPOINT PROTECTION
64 Meta Quest 3S p78
98 Sophos Intercept X Advanced
99 Vipre Endpoint Security Cloud
WIRED HEADSET 100 WatchGuard EPDR
65 Logitech H570e 101 WithSecure Elements Endpoint

MINI
Security
SMARTPHONES
68 Apple iPhone 16 REMOTE SUPPORT
70 Apple iPhone 16 Pro 102 Iperius Remote Professional 4.7
72 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
74 TCL 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G DESKTOP NAS

PCs
76 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 103 Qnap TS-632X

What’s the PC Pro verdict on the

p68 new iPhones? Find out from p68

Don’t think big, think small: the latest generation of

mini PCs have all the power most people need while
consuming surprisingly little electricity. We test ten
mini marvels that can cut down on space and bills.

Buyer’s guide
96 Endpoint protection 2024
Dave Mitchell explains what to look for in
endpoint protection software and puts four
outstanding options through their paces.

Futures
123 Whatever happened to 126 How do we know how
the Acorn Communicator? smart AI really is?
It failed to set the world alight when it Maths questions. Silly word puzzles. Counting the letter “r”
launched but, as David Crookes reveals, in a sentence. Nicole Kobie reveals how we’re trying to work
people now pay good money to get one. out exactly how intelligent AI is.

5
@PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Editor’s letter

Whatever you do,

don’t buy our editor
a smartwatch for
Christmas

S
ometimes I hate technology Outlook in Whitehall waiting for If you’re even thinking about
with all my might and your reply to an email. If you stop to making the argument that
whatever is left of my soul. think about it for even a moment, smartwatches are a valuable
If I were to crystallise this there are incredibly few things in asset in our battle against obesity,
into one piercing needle of hatred, it our lives that require such urgent please explain to me why Western
would be directed at notifications. attention that we actually have to countries – the same countries
Meaningless, pointless, endless and deal with them right here, right now. where such watches are most popular
always stupid notifications. The trouble is that in our headlong – are all suffering from growing
And if there’s one device that rush to embrace new technology, levels of obesity?
epitomises this most detestable and our equally addictive need to It isn’t smartwatches alone, but
of modern scourges, it’s the feel like we matter, we’ve stopped each blinking – literally and
smartwatch. Because every single distinguishing between urgent and figuratively – device we own.
smartwatch in the world – and there everything else. And 99.999999% Sometimes it feels like every
is no grey here – is making our lives of the time, the messages that flit sodding time I load an app on my
worse. Not only your life; my life too. onto our watches and disturb phone it asks me if I want to activate
When I go out for a drink with a perfectly good conversations about notifications. No, I don’t, BBC Sport,
friend, there’s nothing worse than what the name of that actress was because the stunning news that
them glancing down at their wrist who played whatsit in that series England has a new manager of its
mid-sentence to check a notification about thingamabobs aren’t urgent. men’s football team is one of those
on their watch. They pause the “But I need my watch for fitness,” events I can digest at leisure. This is
sentence, realise the message isn’t I hear you cry. No, you don’t. Unless why I deactivated notifications in the
important, and then attempt to pick you’re an Olympic-level athlete first place. Leave. Me. Alone.
up the thread. trying to shave a fraction of a second I realise I sound like I’ve lost it,
But I’ve got incredible news. That off your PB, you can measure your but it’s too much. Someone has
notification isn’t important. It’s time, distance and speed perfectly to take a stand. And if it isn’t the
never important. If it’s important, well with a smartphone. And ask editor of a technology magazine,
someone will call you. yourself this: do you really need to who else is it to be?
You see, you’re not important. measure it at all? Aren’t the best runs,
I’m not important. We don’t run swims and bike rides when we don’t Tim Danton
the country. Nobody is staring at check our data every five minutes? Editor-in-chief

CONTRIBUTORS

Tim Danton Olivia Whitcroft Rois Ni Thuama Jon Honeyball

When I started writing Our time-travelling Together with Barry Not for the first time, Jon is
the column above I fully legal expert revisits Collins, Rois investigates worried about Microsoft –
intended to mention the 1999 to get a longer the claims made against and in particular whether
distraction-preventing perspective on data Darktrace now that one of the latest product recall
TCL 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G, protection issues, its most senior figures has means that it’s going to
but I got distracted myself. before bringing us bang joined the UK government. abandon Windows on Arm
Read my review on p74. up to date. See p116. Read all about it on p12. yet again. See p130.

7
December 2024 Issue 363 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

EDITORIAL To tie in with our mini PC Labs, To tie inCONTACT

with our group test of
US [email protected]
we wondered: what is the smallest Chromebooks (seeTWITTER/X
p78), we asked our
@pcpro
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
device with a CPU inside that contributors: when did you last use a
Tim Danton [email protected] FACEBOOK facebook.com/pcpro
you’ve ever bought? Chromebook and what would make you
EDITORIAL FELLOW buy one? pcpro.link/discord
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or three €138; USA $156, Rest of World
Chromebooks
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each subscribe.pcpro.co.uk/offer
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Darien Graham-Smith
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capable. But I can’t see
FEATURES EDITOR ENQUIRIES
– I may have mentioned this in my column myself switching. There’s always some
[email protected]
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FUTURES EDITOR boring answer must be my phone. But if MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION ONLINE
my job, and until everything moves to the
Visit www.mymagazine.co.uk/FAQ to view frequently
Nicole Kobie someone wants to buy me a smart ring web Iquestions
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asked or log in at www.mymagazine.co.uk
BONUS SOFTWARE EDITOR for Christmas, you know where I am.”

Nik Rawlinson “I’m writingPRODUCTION

this on one! What& DISTRIBUTION
would
Printed by Walstead Roche.
make me buy one is if this one broke?
Distributed by Marketforce I’m(UK) Ltd,
quite 121-141
committed now, andTerrace,
Westbourne get flu-like
London W2 6JR.
ART & PRODUCTION symptoms on the rare occasions I have
“I’m sure my Snark guitar tuner must Email: [email protected].
ART DIRECTOR to use PC
Windows, so I can’tby
Pro is produced imagine
Danton buying
Media Limited and
have a signal processor SoC in it… if not,
Paul Duggan anything
published else.”
monthly by Future plc.
my earbuds include some CPU
FREELANCE DESIGN capability to do noise reduction COPYRIGHT
Bill Bagnall “My© daughter
Future plchas a Chromebook
2024. – it’s
PC Pro is a registered trademark.
and voice processing.”
ideal for
Neither theschoolwork,
whole of thisshe can play nor any part of it may
publication
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Androidbegames on it, and
reproduced, it won’t
stored in a be too system or
retrieval
Steve Haines much of a loss when
transmitted in anyitform
inevitably
or by anygetsmeans without the
written permission
broken. Personally I could get by of the
withpublishers.
a
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS “Either a pocket-sized electronic game Chromebook 90% of the time, but that
HOW TO ORDER AND ACCESS PAST ISSUES
Steve Cassidy back in the 1980s, or my current other
Active10% makes it ahave
subscribers non-starter.”
instant access to past issues
Lee Grant smartwatch. (Needless to say, the through your iOS or Android devices. To purchase single
battery life was better on the former.)” past issues
“About a week(print
ago,format
trying only), visit
to fix an magazinesdirect.com
issue
Dave Mitchell
my daughter (click
hadon thethe
with ‘Single issues’ tab)
still snappy and or email
Jon Honeyball [email protected].
lovely looking Chromebook Pixel Magazinesdirect.com
that she is
Rois Ni Thuama usesowned and operated
for homework, by Future
six years sincePublishing
it Limited.
Olivia Whitcroft first rocked &
SYNDICATION upINTERNATIONAL
here.” LICENSING
“A Tiny computer. (Little joke for the PC Pro is available for licensing overseas. Contact
Davey Winder
older readers in the house there, and Phoebe Griffin-Beale, [email protected]
“Last used one about five years ago. No
no, I didn’t really buy one.)”
reason at all why I wouldn’t buy another,
LIABILITY
CONTRIBUTORS
butWhile every
Affinity care has
Designer andbeen taken inare
LibreOffice the preparation of
David Crookes mythis magazine,
happy places.the publishers
If they were webcannot
appsbe held responsible
Kate Kozuch forChromebook
I’d be the accuracyshopping
of the information
today.” herein, or any
James Morris consequence arising from it. Please note that all
“I guess it would be a Fitbit Charge 4.
Tony Polanco Terribly out of date now but then I’m “Ijudgements have been
used one yesterday, butmade
theninI use
the one
context of equipment
to PC Pro
most days and I’ve been doing so for and that “value for
available at time of review,
Mark Spoonauer hardly Daley Thompson.”
money” comments are based on UK prices at the time of
around ten years. For me it’s the price
John Velasco review, which are subject to fluctuation and are only
and the convenience. As long as you’re
applicable to the UK market.
happy in Google’s ecosystem they just
ADVERTISING work.”
GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER “8-way USB supercharger. It scans
across the connected devices and shows
Ben Topp: [email protected] “I used my daughter’s last weekend to
the current draw for each one on a wee
ADVERTISING MANAGER play a family
PC Pro game of Among
is a member Us. Except Press Standards
of the Independent
LCD display. Whatever’s in there must be
forOrganisation
some tinkering with regulates
(which ChromeOSthe Flex,
UK’s magazine and
Alexandra Thomas: awfully bored by now.”
I’m newspaper industry).
not really a Google Weso
user, abide byfeel
I don’t the Editors’ Code of
[email protected]
any Practice
urge to and are committed
purchase to upholding the highest
a Chromebook.”
standards of journalism.
PRODUCTION “IIfused
you think we last
one just haveweek,
not met
andthose standards and want to
for many
SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER “The Pinecil V2 soldering iron. It uses a makeit’s
people a complaint please contact
an ideal solution, [email protected].
but I won’t be If
Lawrence Brookes we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would
32-bit RV32IMAFC RISC-V SiFive E24 buying one. I have too much which is local
like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code,
Core to run ironOS… apparently.” to my networks and don’t spend my life
contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk.
CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS on online services. Plus I use “real” apps
CIRCULATION MANAGER too much, ones that don’t exist for The Professional
Android/Chromebooks.”
Publishers Association
Emma Read Member

SENIOR CAMPAIGN MANAGER “My continuous glucose monitoring

“I’ve not usedCERTIFIED
a Chromebook DISTRIBUTION
since
Juber Ahmed device, which I not only own but is now 16,468 (Jan-Dec 2023)
before Covid, because I haven’t travelled
DIRECT MARKETING EXECUTIVE actually part of my body.”
on business in that time. I used one as it
Lewis Smythe was small, secure and worked well for
writing. I wouldn’t buy another as the
LOGOS & REPRINTS new MacBook Pro M3, at 14in, meets my
ENDORSEMENT LICENSING MANAGER “Oura ring. Does that count? It’s in a travel demands should I ever start again,
Ryan Chambers: drawer with a lot of dumb purchase but Mrs W uses a Chromebook as her
[email protected] smart things…” daily driver.”

8
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Briefıng
Background and analysis on all the important news stories

Cracks appear in
the walled gardens Authorities on both sides of the Atlantic
are chipping away at Android and iOS

F
ive years ago, it would have when taking on both Apple and ABOVE Both Google although they’re only effective in the
been hard to imagine that the Google in protracted legal battles, and Apple are facing US. Google plans to appeal, in the same
maker of Fortnite would but Epic certainly appears to have legal challenges to way Apple did successfully when it
become the biggest threat to gained the upper hand so far. their dominance lost a similar court battle with Epic,
Apple and Google. But a series of court Epic’s latest victory came in the but Epic remains bullish. “The Epic
and regulator victories in both the EU Northern District of California, where Games Store and other app stores are
and the US means Epic Games is now Google was found to have violated the coming to the Google Play Store in
arguably the most potent risk to the Californian Unfair Competition Law. 2025 in the USA – without Google’s
business model of the mobile duopoly. An injunction issued by District Judge scare screens and Google’s 30% app tax
In the EU, Apple has already been James Donato ordered that Google – thanks to victory in Epic v Google,”
forced to offer third-party app stores must not prohibit the distribution of Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted.
on iOS – albeit in the most grudging, third-party app stores through the
inconvenient way possible – and allow Google Play Store Hollow victory?
app makers to use their own payment – a change from We only need look to Even if Google loses its appeal, Epic’s
systems. Now a Californian judge has
ruled that Google must do likewise
the current
system where
the EU to see what little victory may be a hollow one. We only
need look to the EU to see what little
with Android, among a host of new Android users can impact the arrival of impact the arrival of third-party app
conditions placed on the company.
Google is, naturally, appealing.
install third-party
stores by direct
third-party app stores stores on iOS has made in that market.
Although it means that Epic Games
There’s even talk of the US download, but on iOS has made can once again distribute Fortnite on
Department of Justice seeking to only after diving iPhones in the EU, having been kicked
break up Google, in an echo of the into settings and accepting ominous- out of the App Store for trying to
proceedings brought against Microsoft sounding security warnings. implement its own in-app payment
25 years ago. The question now is Furthermore, Google must not stop system, there are few signs of others
whether the cracks appearing in developers from telling customers trying to compete with the Apple.
Google and Apple’s walled gardens will about cheaper ways to buy apps or That’s partly because Apple still
turn into anything more structural. in-app purchases outside of the Play applies a battery of fees for apps that
Epic Games made its name for a Store; and must not prevent the use of avoid Apple’s own store or payment
battle royale game in which you must in-app payments other than Google systems. There’s a commission fee of
fight odds of 100/1 to become the last Play Billing. 10% for purchases made via third-party
player standing. Few would have All of these conditions, plus several payment systems, a 5% initial service
given it even those odds of success others, will last for three years, fee that applies to “all sales of digital

10
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Briefing News

Get ready for

goods and services, the customer
makes on any platform, that occur
within a 12-month period after an

6G… by 2030
initial install”, not to mention a “core
technology fee” of €0.50 for each first
annual install over 1 million installs.
That on top of a raft of new revenue
reporting and compliance procedures.
These fees are facing yet more legal Industry to gear up for next-generation mobile standard

S
challenges in the EU, with Sweeney
arguing that “Apple continues its till struggling to get even a faint “We expect it [6G] to arrive around
malicious compliance by imposing an whiff of a 5G signal? Well, you might 2030, so around a ten-year cycle,” Fogg
illegal new 15% junk fee on users be saying the same about 6G in as added. “Operators will then choose
migrating to competing stores”. little as five years’ time. whether they decide to deploy it.”
Even if rival app stores do emerge, CCS Insight’s annual round of
analysts think there’s little chance of technology predictions makes several 5G boosts
consumers actively seeking them out. educated guesses about developments in In the meantime, there are a couple of
“How many people do you know 6G. The firm estimates that lead further boosts to 5G that could pave the
complaining how expensive it is to operators will be ready to roll out 6G in way to the new standard. Standalone 5G
buy apps on any app store?” asked 2030, and that it will be a cleaner, less – equipment that’s built purely on a 5G
Francisco Jeronimo, vice-president of complex rollout than the mish-mash core network and doesn’t rely on old 4G
devices at IDC. “No-one really cares, of standards that the “damaging” 5G infrastructure – is already rolling out.
because either they can afford it or rollout has delivered. And then there’s 5G Advanced, which
they can’t, and the experience overall The company also predicts that, promises improved energy efficiency
is good across all platforms.” despite calls for regional standards, and enhanced coverage, which is due to
Paolo Pescatore, founder of PP there will be a single global 6G standard. arrive in the next year or two.
Foresight, says there are other reasons Not that operators will wait for that Fogg describes 5G Advanced as
why consumers won’t rush to rival standard to be settled before they start “version two of 5G” that he hopes will
app stores. “Opening up a platform using the term in their marketing. CCS “overcome the negativity on 5G” that
and letting other developers use forecasts that at least one operator will consumers have experienced since the
their own systems will be fraught start using empty phrases such as early rollouts at the turn of the decade.
with security and privacy concerns,” “6G-ready” or “6G-like performance” in “This second wave of 5G is really
he said. “More 2026 – and be widely panned for doing so. important,” said Fogg. “It sets the
so considering Even if rival app stores What can we expect from 6G? “The foundation for 6G.”
the growing
cybersecurity do emerge, analysts think research and development’s already
happening,” said Ian Fogg, research
5G will also improve after the 2G/3G
switch-off, which is currently in
attacks,” he added, there’s little chance of director at CCS Insight. “Spectrum is progress. “You’ll see benefits coming
saying it “is another
hurdle for users to
consumers actively being allocated, the industry is moving
ahead with it. You need the new
through as 2G and 3G are switched off in
different countries and that spectrum
overcome”. seeking them out spectrum, you need the new capacity, gets used for modern technology,” said
because data usage continues to rise.” Fogg. “You can support either more users
Breaking up or more data traffic in the same amount
The bigger problem for Google may be BELOW 6G is on the way – but 5G of spectrum. So that will actually cause a
the growing threat of a break-up. US technology should also improve as measurable improvement in 5G before
Department of Justice officials are 2G and 3G are switched off 6G arrives.”
once again floating the idea of
splitting the company, with search
and Android divisions forcibly
separated. It’s a similar remedy to the
one proposed by the DoJ in the late
1990s, when it wanted to separate
Windows from the rest of Microsoft,
and we all know how that ended after
endless rounds of legal appeals.
“I don’t think Google Play will be
the massive challenge [for Google],”
said Jeronimo. “I think the biggest
challenge is on the search engine...
and the advertisement business.”
Jeronimo said that Google will
“definitely have to come to some sort
of agreement” with regulators, both
in the US and the EU. “They will have
to either break the business or find
some remedies that will please the
regulators. Apple is doing it already
with the App Store in Europe.”
One thing remains certain: all of
this will take years to work through
the courts. The walled gardens will be
standing for some time to come, even
if they are beginning to crumble.

11
PC Probe
Exclusive investigations into technology practices. Email [email protected] if you have a story

The Darktrace leading

to government
British security firm Darktrace has been mired in Out of Autonomy
Darktrace was trumpeting the miraculous powers of
controversy. Now its former CEO is a government artificial intelligence long before the current AI bubble.
minister. Rois Ni Thuama and Barry Collins investigate Established in Cambridge in 2013, the company claimed
to have “pioneered a proactive, AI-native approach to

W
security” that “defends against unknown threats using
hen the American software investment firm AI that learns from your business in real-time”.
Thoma Bravo completed a whopping $5.3 The company was set up by Invoke Capital, a venture
billion takeover of Cambridge-based capital fund founded by Mike Lynch, using some of the
security firm Darktrace in October, it raised proceeds from Autonomy’s $11.7 billion sale to Hewlett-
a few eyebrows. Packard two years earlier.
Darktrace – co-founded by the entrepreneur Mike Booking hardware sales as Lynch wasn’t the only link
Lynch, who died when his yacht sank in a storm off the between Autonomy and
coast of Sicily in August – was accused of financial software and using resellers Darktrace. Many of
irregularities, similar to those that dogged Lynch’s
Autonomy. Booking hardware sales as software and to inflate sales figures were Darktrace’s senior
management had previously
using resellers to inflate sales figures were only two of
the allegations levelled at Darktrace (tinyurl.com/​
only two of the allegations worked for Autonomy (see box
below), including the former
363darktrace), all of which the company denied. levelled at Darktrace CEO Poppy Gustafsson (now a
Then its CEO resigned in the middle of the takeover government minister), chief
talks, only to become Keir Starmer’s new investment technology officer Jack Stockdale, and chief strategy
minister a few weeks later. officer Nicole Eagan. In all, around 40 employees
Thoma Bravo will now take the company private, migrated from Autonomy to Darktrace, according to
perhaps hoping to take Darktrace out of the spotlight. research conducted by investment fund ShadowFall
But many questions hang over the security firm. (tinyurl.com/363shadowfall).

Darktrace’s top table and

Other former Autonomy employees occupied
very senior roles at Darktrace. Jack Stockdale,

its links to Autonomy

the Darktrace CTO, was a technical director at
Autonomy and then went on to serve as
chief architect at Invoke Capital,
Lynch’s venture capital fund
The links between Autonomy and Darktrace were product called SPE (Structured which set up Darktrace.
manifold, with dozens of Autonomy staff going on Probabilistic Engine) was based Nicole Eagan, Darktrace’s
to work for the security firm, including several on a “sort of qualitative context chief strategy officer and AI
senior executives. Poppy Gustafsson, CEO of around the development officer, was chief marketing
Darktrace until September and described as one of SPE that you can’t do officer at Autonomy at the
of the company’s co-founders, was previously a in a spreadsheet”. time it was sold to HP.
corporate controller at Autonomy. While there’s The judge later ruled that She was described by
no suggestion Gustafsson was involved in any “the Q3 2009 earnings call so far Former Darktrace CEO Justice Hildyard as one of
criminal activity, court documents reveal she was as it related to SPE contained a Poppy Gustafsson Lynch’s “loyal lieutenants”, who
involved in Autonomy’s financial dealings. series of falsehoods with the objective “would not have done anything of
For example, one of the accusations levelled of concealing the hardware sales and costs”. which they thought he might disapprove”.
at Autonomy by HP was that a Q3 2009 earnings A spokesperson at the Department for Again, there’s no suggestion that Eagan was
call “amounted to a pack of lies”, with HP Business and Trade told PC Pro: “The Minister is part of any criminal activity.
specifically questioning the amounts that not, and has never been, the subject of these legal Other senior Darktrace executives who held
Autonomy had claimed to invest in R&D (tinyurl. proceedings and there is no implication of senior roles at Autonomy include John Allen
com/363judgment). wrongdoing on her part. She has been called to (Darktrace’s vice president of cyber risk &
When cross-examined during the 2022 civil give evidence as a witness in this case, which compliance), Eloy Avila (chief technology officer
case brought by HP, Gustafsson told the court relates to matters that occurred over the course of for the Americas) and Jeff Cornelius (executive
that a $2.5 million R&D figure attributed to a her extensive private sector career 15 years ago.” vice president for cyber-physical security).

12
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Briefing PC Probe

The Darktrace
accusations
Despite its strong bonds with
Autonomy, Darktrace had
avoided being dragged into
controversy. That was until
early 2023, when it faced a
barrage of accusations from a
firm called Quintessential
Capital Management, a
New York-based asset
management company.
Before we dive into the
allegations, it’s worth
pointing out that
Quintessential Capital
Management, like
ShadowFall, are short
sellers. They profit when
companies they invest in see
their stock price slide.
Quintessential made a series
of detailed and specific
allegations against Darktrace,
some with distinct echoes of
the kind of malpractice for
which the Autonomy
executives were found guilty.
Gustafsson has frequently been labelled as Lynch’s ABOVE Darktrace’s Quintessential said it had “detected a pattern of
protégé. Indeed, when she and Stockdale were awarded former CEO is now transactions suggesting that a portion of Darktrace’s
OBEs in the 2019 Birthday Honours List in recognition of a minister in the past recurring software sales may instead be one-off sales
their services to cybersecurity, Gustafsson paid tribute to new government of hardware appliances” (tinyurl.com/363darktrace).
Lynch in a Darktrace press release, thanking him for his It further accused the company of using “marketing
“support and mentorship”. activities to channel funds back to its partners as payment
for apparently fictitious
Lynch’s troubles Gustafsson was welcomed purchases” and of “front loading

by Keir Starmer as ‘an

By the time of Gustafsson’s tribute to Lynch in 2019, he existing contracts” – in other
and Autonomy were many years into the financial words, making long-term sales
scandals that dogged the entrepreneur until his death this
summer. Little more than a year after the 2011 takeover,
accomplished entrepreneur look more valuable than they
really are by taking more money
HP announced it was taking an $8.8 billion accounting
charge on its purchase of Autonomy – three-quarters of
who brings invaluable from clients at the start of a
contract than towards the end.
the initial purchase price – because of “serious accounting experience to the role’ Thoma Bravo, Darktrace’s
improprieties” at Autonomy. new owners, didn’t reply to
There followed many years of investigations and court PC Pro’s request for comment.
cases on both sides of the Atlantic, culminating in Lynch’s Did you
acquittal in San Francisco earlier this year, when he faced
work with Secure future
several criminal charges of fraud for inflating the value of What the future holds for Darktrace awaits to be seen. A
Autonomy ahead of its sale to HP. Although Lynch was Darktrace? statement put out by Thoma Bravo when the takeover was
vindicated on that occasion, Autonomy and its executives Has your company announced suggested it wasn’t about to bury the brand or
did not always have success in the courts. had dealings with fold it into one of the other security firms in its portfolio,
In January 2022, HP won a UK civil case against Lynch Darktrace? Have including Sophos and Barracuda. “Our ambition is to help
and the company’s former chief financial officer you used the firm’s the business scale to be a truly global player, expanding the
Sushovan Hussain, who were found to have defrauded HP products? Have you team’s innovative pipeline of development opportunities
by manipulating the company’s accounts to boost its worked for the and capabilities for its customers,” said Seth Boro,
value. In his summary (tinyurl.com/363judgment), company itself? managing partner at Thoma Bravo.
Justice Hildyard ruled that a hardware selling scheme We’d like to hear As for Poppy Gustafsson, she had just shy of four million
conceived “in order to enable Autonomy to cover your experiences of ordinary Darktrace shares in her portfolio when Thoma
shortfalls in software revenue” was “dishonest” and that Darktrace – good or Bravo announced its intention to buy the company in
“the defendants were well aware of this”. bad. Please send an April, and has her new job as the government’s investment
Hussain was also found guilty of a conspiracy to email to barry@ minister to be getting on with. She was welcomed by Keir
commit wire fraud in a US federal court in 2018 and was mediabc.co.uk with Starmer as “an accomplished entrepreneur who brings
subsequently sentenced to five years in prison. any observations. invaluable experience to the role”.

13
5 things we learned
from Lenovo Tech
World ’24
In a landmark event where the CEOs of AMD, Intel and
Nvidia all took to the stage, the theme of “smarter AI
for all” was never far away, writes Tim Danton

L
enovo uses its annual Tech “The advisory group brings together 2. AI is getting personal
World event to showcase its leaders from across the ecosystem You can be as cynical as you like about
latest technologies, but don’t to shape the future of the x86 to AI, but it’s here – and it’s here to help.
imagine laptops or PCs. This simplify software development,” said Or at least, that was one of the core
year in Seattle, its theme was “Smarter Gelsinger, “to ensure interoperability messages from the many speakers
AI for all”, and while we saw the debut and interface consistency, to provide at Tech World. This was backed up
of one new ThinkPad (see “Hard developers with standard architecture by two announcements at the show,
news”) there was far more talk about tools, instruction sets, to have a clear kicking off with Lenovo AI Now.
AI in the cloud. And partnerships. view of the future.” This “AI agent” will sit on new
Which is why the first thing we But it wasn’t a defensive move BELOW Lenovo AI Lenovo ThinkPads and run on the
learned was perhaps the most bizarre: against Arm and Apple, he insisted, Now is bringing AI NPU, which means it stays local and
AMD and Intel are working together. but about expansion. “We think assistance to the private. Over time, it will become
of it as one of the most significant ThinkPad range more tuned to what you do, but
1. x86 ain’t dead yet periods of innovation in front of us,
AMD and Intel announced they and we see that the x86 architecture,
were going into partnership at Tech this foundation of computing for
World. Well, almost. The companies decades, is about to go through a
simultaneously posted about the period of customisation, expansion,
all-new “x86 Ecosystem Advisory scalability,” he argued, declaring that
Group” at the same time that Intel AI would present many opportunities
CEO Pat Gelsinger took to the stage. to keep the x86 ecosystem “robust
“Some have said, well, you know, is and growing”.
the x86 done?” he said. “Well, I’ll tell Dr Lisa Su, AMD’s chair and CEO,
you, rumours of my death are severely was equally enthusiastic, saying
exaggerated. We are alive and well, that “x86 has been the foremost
and the x86 is thriving.” leader in architecture over the last
The two silicon giants are joined 40 years, and the idea is AMD and
by big hitters such as Dell, Google, Intel are bringing together all of
HP, Lenovo and Meta, along with Tim these founding members [who]
Sweeney, founder and CEO of Epic can really accelerate the pace of
Games, and Linus Torvalds. innovation going forward”.

14
 @PCPRO FAC E B O O K . C O M / P C P R O Lenovo Tech World ’24
box-fresh you can use it to check 250 people who were in the at-risk
locally stored files for keywords, group. “We detected two people
and then ask it questions, such as where the device informed us of the
searching for data about a specific issue, and if it was not detected on
company you’re dealing with. time there would have been severe
In the future, Lenovo could also complications with risk of death.”
act as a teacher thanks to the Lenovo If approved by the authorities in
Learning Zone. Say you’re a student at Brazil, the technology could be rolled
university who’s attending lectures. out as early as summer 2025.
Load up the recordings along with
any notes you write, and it can distil 5. AI could help with
that information into learning aids Alzheimer’s
such as a quiz, or you can use it to While AI can’t save us from
generate flash cards. Alzheimer’s – yet – Lenovo has
introduced a tool that might just
3. Servers are cool help. Called Alzheimer’s Intelligence,
While local AI is improving thanks to the stage, to jointly announce with ABOVE Nvidia’s Jensen it’s based on two years of work
to more powerful NPUs now being Lenovo chairman and CEO Yuanqing Huang and Lenovo’s with the UK-based Innovations in
built into mobile processors, for Yang another partnership: the Lenovo Yuanqing Yang are Dementia, where it gleaned insights
the foreseeable future there’s an Hybrid AI Advantage with Nvidia. And joining forces from people living with dementia
unquenchable demand for high-power in particular, the ThinkSystem SC777 and their families. It then used this
GPU accelerators in data centres. And V4 Neptune which will include Nvidia data to create a large language model
power is the key word, as those GPUs Blackwell and Nvidia GB200 silicon. that can be asked questions.
require huge amounts of cooling. Rather than keep it text-based,
That’s why Lenovo is doubling 4. AI can save lives Lenovo created a 3D avatar based on a
down on its Neptune water cooling Away from the glossy presentations composite of ten people who are living
system, which – it announced at Tech and big-name speakers, I spoke to with Alzheimer’s. It then blended
World – is now in its sixth generation. Hildebrando Lima, part of Lenovo those people’s expressions with a
I spoke with Scott Tease, GM of AI Research in Brazil, on the show filmed actor, which is why the
and High-Performance Computing floor itself. In his hand, an avatar looks so realistic.
at Lenovo, who explained that “cool” unremarkable sensor with “When people are first
isn’t quite the right word. “Even wires poking out in every diagnosed with dementia,
though we’re using hot water [45oC], direction – but this device, they can feel lost, with so
the temperatures we’re able to keep with the help of AI, may many questions about
the components at are cooler than have already saved lives. what is happening,” said
we could ever do with air cooling “It was detected Steve Milton, director of
[at 25oC],” he said. And it’s about that the window of Innovations in Dementia.
temperature differences. When the 72 hours after hospital “This AI doesn’t replace
water leaves, it carries away 20oC of discharge, after surgery, human contact but what
heat as it’s gone from 45oC to 65oC. is the most critical one it does do is offer a
Lenovo’s new ThinkSystem N1380 for sudden deaths and also knowledgeable and
Neptune chassis will thus allow episodes of arrhythmia that compassionate source of
customers to run 100KW+ server racks can kill people,” he said. “So assurance and advice based
without specialised air conditioning. we developed a device to be used directly on the experiences and
And that means denser clusters of for seven to 15 days. People will be wisdom of other people with dementia.”
compute power that still run on the monitored 24/7 using an AI platform.” ABOVE The AI sensor For now, Alzheimer’s Intelligence is
same infrastructure as before. Lenovo and the team at the that’s being used to a proof of concept, but there are hopes
This was the point at which Nvidia Heart Institute of São Paulo then monitor patients after that it (or an iteration) can be released
president and CEO Jensen Huang took ran a pilot scheme that included they leave hospital to the public in the future.

Hard news BELOW The bizarre Lenovo AI Buddy, complete

with “friendly” cartoon eyes
Lenovo Tech World isn’t the place to go if you’re after gadgets, but Lenovo showcased
two pieces of hardware this year. The first is frankly a little bizarre: the Lenovo AI Buddy.
It’s a concept device – and I doubt it will be more than that – which places a circular screen
on top of a Lenovo mini PC. You then ask it questions, as you would an Amazon Echo, to
access information stored locally and around the world. And it has blinking, cartoon eyes.
Let’s move on to something more serious, which is the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10
Aura Edition (pictured below). This 14in convertible features Intel’s Core Ultra 200V
processors, so expect excellent battery life, and packs the usual high-quality
components you’d expect from a ThinkPad X1 machine. The system on
show featured a punchy OLED panel, but IPS versions will be
available, and it was pretty light at 1.3kg.
If you read our IFA coverage (see issue 362, p42) then you’ll be
aware that Lenovo Aura Edition devices – this 2-in-1 is the third
announced Aura product– feature extra AI-based features
that are meant to make your life easier, such as tapping your
phone against the side of the laptop screen to activate file
sharing. Lenovo expects to release the new ThinkPad in
February 2025, with prices starting at $2,199 in the US.

15
The A-List
The best products on the market, as picked by our editors

PREMIUM LAPTOPS BUSINESS LAPTOPS

Asus Zenbook S 14 OLED Lenovo ThinkPad T14s

Staggering battery life for £1,750 Gen 6 (Snapdragon)
from scan.co.uk
Copilot+ PC for £1,500 exc VAT
from lenovo.com
Asus gives Intel’s “Lunar Lake”
family a debut, pairing a Core It’s perhaps a controversial choice – and
Ultra 9 288V with a 72Wh battery we wouldn’t roll this out en masse – but if
to produce a laptop that lasts you’re buying for executives or CTOs this
almost 20 hours on a charge. cutting-edge Copilot+ PC, complete with
What’s more, this 1.2kg machine a Qualcomm Snapdragon Arm processor, is a superb choice. Not only is it
looks (and feels) the business. good value, it’s light, it’s fast and its all-day battery life is genuinely 24 hours.
REVIEW Issue 362, p46 REVIEW Issue 360, p56

ALTERNATIVES
Apple Mac Book Apple MacBook Asus ProArt PX13 Lenovo ThinkPad Dell Latitude HP Dragonfly G4
Air13in (M3) Pro 16in (2023) With AMD’s new Ryzen AI X1 Carbon Gen 12 9450 2-in-1 It’s not the fastest
Both the 13in and 15in The M3 chips give the 9 HX 370 inside, this 1.4kg The X1 Carbon range has This 14in convertible, machine you can buy,
MacBook Airs impress MacBook Pro series a compact powerhouse stepped up a gear thanks based around Core Ultra but otherwise this 1kg
for speed, styling and boost in games with no offers incredible amounts to Intel’s Core Ultra chips, CPUs, lacks for nothing, masterpiece is as close
battery life, but the sacrifices elsewhere, so of power. Add a fantastic and Lenovo matches it whether that’s speed, as you’re going to get
1.2kg 13in Air wins out you just have to grapple OLED screen and RTX 4070 with the stunning build battery life (around 16 to the perfect business
of the two for its sheer with the big decision: graphics and it’s a winner. quality and keyboard hours), build quality or laptop for executives.
portability. From £1,299 which M3 chip? From From £2,000 from you’d expect. From £1,375 flexibility. From £1,560 From £1,380 exc VAT
from apple.com £1,699 from apple.com uk.store.asus.com from lenovo.com exc VAT from dell.co.uk from hp.com
REVIEW Issue 356, p54 REVIEW Issue 352, p46 REVIEW Issue 361, p50 REVIEW Issue 358, p58 REVIEW Issue 361, p63 REVIEW Issue 352, p58

COPILOT+ PCs EVERYDAY LAPTOPS

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9) Acer Aspire 14 A14-51GM

AI on demand, £1,350 Compact power for £850
from lenovo.com from acer.com
You won’t find a better-value Want gaming power? Buy the
laptop, never mind one that meets version with RTX 2050 graphics for
the Copilot+ PC criteria. With a £850 (part code NX.KSVEK.005).
Snapdragon X1E-78-100 inside it Just care about value? Get a Core
isn’t the fastest in benchmarks, 5 processor and integrated
but it’s incredibly nippy in practice, graphics for £600 (part code
the battery lasts over 16 hours NX.KRWEK.00B). Whichever you
and the 14.5in OLED screen is choose, it’s a staggering laptop
top quality. for the price.
REVIEW Issue 361, p57 REVIEW Issue 359, p82

Samsung Galaxy Microsoft Asus Zenbook Asus Zenbook 14 Framework Huawei

Book4 Edge Surface Laptop, S 15 OLED OLED (UX3405) Laptop 13 (DIY MateBook D16
A classy 16in laptop that 7th Edition With a price drop to If you can stretch past Edition) It’s big and certainly not
weighs 1.6kg, uses the The poster child for £1,200 this 15.6in laptop £1,000, this is a top- With a competitive price, bashful, packing an Intel
fastest Snapdragon Elite Copilot+ PCs offers becomes a viable quality Core Ultra laptop modular approach and Core i9 chip and a high-
X chip and delivers a solid quality, great looks and competitor to the Yoga with a superb 120Hz easy-to-repair ethos, you quality 16in panel – and
12 hours of battery life. staggering battery life. Slim 7x if you need a screen and great battery can pick and mix your surprisingly good battery
512GB, £1,499 from From £1,049 from bigger screen. £1,200 life. From £1,099 from perfect 13in laptop. From life, too. £1,000 from
samsung.com microsoft.com from uk.store.asus.com uk.store.asus.com £779 from frame.work huawei.com
REVIEW Issue 360, p53 REVIEW Issue 360, p50 REVIEW Issue 359, p52 REVIEW Issue 359, p58 REVIEW Issue 360, p58 REVIEW Issue 359, p87

16
 @
@PPC
CPPR
ROO FAC
FACEEB
BOOO
OKK..C
COOM
M//P
PCCP
PRRO
O The A-List
CHROMEBOOKS

Acer Chromebook Spin 714 Acer Chromebook Plus 515

This Chromebook Plus laptop is all about
Lenovo IdeaPad 5i
Gaming Chromebook Plus
Flipping great for £799 value. With strong speeds thanks to The 120Hz 15.6in display is the star of
from currys.co.uk Intel’s Core i5-1235U processor, and a this Chromebook, as it should be
good-quality 15.6in panel with a 1,920 x with 2,560 x 1,600 pixels to play with.
Simply the best Chromebook around. Others 1,080 resolution, Asus’ Chromebook Plus You’re getting a lot of laptop for the
may beat the 12th gen Intel Core i5 we tested 515 is ideal for families, students and price, too, including a 512GB SSD,
for performance, but for features, design and business users, providing mobility isn’t Core i5-1235U processor and 8GB of
bang for buck you won’t find any laptop that your main priority as it isn’t particularly RAM. Just note the 1.9kg weight.
can match this convertible for £799. light at 1.7kg. £429 from currys.co.uk £659 from very.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 356, p83 REVIEW Issue 356, p82 REVIEW Issue 356, p88

MINI PCs NEW ENTRY NEW ENTRY

Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro Geekom A8 Mini PC

Geekom makes brilliant use of AMD’s
Minisforum
Neptune HX100G
Unrivalled bang-per-buck for £549 Ryzen 9 8945HS in this powerful mini Considerably larger than most mini
from store.minisforum.uk PC, which occupies little more desktop PCs, but the cooling system extracts
space than a drinks coaster. And it still the most from the AMD Ryzen 7
Ignore its basic looks, for this compact system – packs every port most people need, 7840HS inside. You also benefit from
measuring 130 x 126 x 52mm – packs in a fast AMD plus Wi-Fi 6E. If you don’t need this a powerful Radeon RX 6600M GPU,
Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and 1TB SSD (with much power (or 32GB of RAM and a helping it average 110fps in Shadow of
space for another M.2 drive) along with a generous selection of ports, 2TB SSD) the Ryzen 7 version is £719. the Tomb Raider at 1080p. £889 from
including two USB-C 4 connectors. And the £549 price is super-aggressive. Ryzen 9, £899 from geekom.co.uk store.minisforum.uk
REVIEW Issue 363, p91 REVIEW Issue 359, p62 REVIEW Issue 363, p89

ENTHUSIAST PCs NEW ENTRY

PCSpecialist Torpedo Ultra R CyberPowerPC

Infinity X145 Elite
Palicomp AMD Destiny
An incredibly fast gaming PC for the
Compact RTX 4070 for £1,799 Designed to deliver the maximum money thanks to the wicked
from pcspecialist.co.uk/reviews possible gaming power for £999, this combination of AMD’s Ryzen 7
Core i5-14400F system – with 32GB of 7800X3D and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX
This compact PC, built around the miniITX Corsair 2000D DDR5 RAM and GeForce RTX 4060 4070 Super. With a fast 1TB SSD and
RGB AirFlow chassis, packs in a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, GeForce graphics – is a great machine now 32GB of RAM in support, it’s enough
RTX 4070 graphics and 2TB of fast storage. The fans are with potential for more later. £999 for smooth 4K gaming. £1,249 from
noisy, but that’s the price you pay for power. from tinyurl.com/360cyber palicomp.co.uk/destiny-mag1
REVIEW Issue 363, p56 REVIEW Issue 360, p61 REVIEW Issue 360, p60

ALL-IN-ONE PCs

HP Envy 34 All-in-One Dell Inspiron 24

All-in-One
Apple iMac 24in (M3)
The iconic design remains the
£2,099 widescreen wonder Despite being built to hit a price point, same, but the plain M3 chip
from hp.com the Inspiron 24 All-in-One manages inside the revamped iMac 24in
to look classy, include a good-quality, is a revelation compared to the
Built around a high-quality 34in widescreen 1,920 x 1,080 24in panel and have enough previous M1 version. The downside
– which is perfect for viewing two windows power to breeze through a typical day’s is that the base configuration
side by side thanks to its 21:9 aspect ratio – this also comes tasks. It even packs mod cons such as a includes a stingy 8GB of memory
with Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics. We’re big fans of the 720p webcam. Superb value for money. and a 256GB SSD.
magnetic 16-megapixel camera, too. From £599 from dell.co.uk From £1,399 from apple.com
REVIEW Issue 335, p46 REVIEW Issue 350, p47 REVIEW Issue 352, p52

CREATIVE WORKSTATIONS

Armari Magnetar M64T7-AW1650G4 PCSpecialist Quantum

Goliath R
Scan 3XS GWP A1-TR64
A more balanced offering than
Threadripping power for £8,329 exc VAT Extracting maximum power from Armari’s Magnetar, Scan mixes a
from armari.com its budget by opting for consumer Threadripper 7970X with Nvidia
AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is the star of this components with professional levels RTX 5000 graphics – and a stunning
particular show, dominating our benchmarks with of power, this well-thought-out supporting cast of components with
the help of 128GB of RAM, two 2TB Crucial PCI-E 5 workstation couples Intel’s Core an equally stunning case. Perfect
drives in RAID0 configuration and AMD’s Radeon Pro i9-14900KS with RTX 4090 graphics for real-time viewsets and GPU
W7800 professional GPU. And it’s all wrapped up in a to tremendous effect. £3,750 exc VAT accelerated computation.
custom Armari case with liquid cooling. from pcspecialist.co.uk/reviews £7,917 exc VAT from scan.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 361, p92 REVIEW Issue 361, p89 REVIEW Issue 361, p94

17
 TABLETS

Apple iPad Air (M2) Apple iPad Pro (M4)

The best tablet in the world becomes
OnePlus Pad
The OnePlus fully justified its place
M2 power from £599 even better thanks to Apple’s stunning in our luxury tablet Labs thanks to
from apple.com M4 chip, a gorgeous OLED screen its outstanding build quality, slick
and the must-have accessory: the performance and stunning 17-hour
We love the new iPad Pro, but for most people all-new Pencil Pro. But it comes with battery life. It’s the best Android
the M2 iPad Air is not only far better value but an obvious downside of cost, with the option outside of Samsung’s Galaxy
also all the tablet they’ll need. It supports the cheapest 13in incarnation costing Tabs – and it won’t do nearly so
Magic Keyboard and Pencil Pro, plus it’s now £1,299. From £999 (11in, 256GB) from much damage to your wallet.
available in both 11in and 13in sizes. apple.com £449 from oneplus.com
REVIEW Issue 358, p50 REVIEW Issue 358, p48 REVIEW Issue 352, p86

EVERYDAY PHONES

Motorola Moto G54 5G Google Pixel 8a

We’re fans of the Pixel 8 but you can
Samsung Galaxy A55
Not the fastest phone on the market,
Great looker for £180 save £200 and buy the 8a without but in return you get a high-quality
from johnlewis.com missing out on any key features, 6.6in OLED display, excellent battery
including its advanced AI skills thanks life and a trio of strong cameras. And
The 6.5in 120Hz IPS display is the G54’s standout feature, but it to the same Tensor G3 chip inside. It’s you also get four years of feature
improves on the previous generation in numerous ways while only when you zoom into snaps that updates. With a price that significantly
being even cheaper. It’s faster, looks better, takes great photos you spot the camera quality difference. undercuts the Pixel 8a, it’s great value,
and battery life is strong. You won’t find better for less than £200. 128GB, £499 from store.google.com too. 128GB, £364 from johnlewis.com
REVIEW Issue 355, p77 REVIEW Issue 358, p74 REVIEW Issue 358, p77

PREMIUM PHONES NEW ENTRY

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Honor Magic V3

With the Magic V3, not only does
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra
Not merely a huge upgrade over
Class and quality from £999 Honor make foldable phones as last year’s Razr 40 Ultra, this
from apple.com/uk slim as flagship phones but also as new model also leapfrogs over
affordable – so long as the £300 Samsung’s new Flip6 to become our
Even without Apple Intelligence, the introduction of a discount voucher still applies, as flip phone of choice. That’s thanks
5x optical zoom, classy 6.3in OLED panel and Apple’s shown in the price here. What’s to its great battery life, superb
ludicrously fast A18 Pro chipset make this the best update to more, the cameras and both OLED screens (particularly on the outside)
an iPhone Pro for years. The improved battery life is merely panels are superb. £1,400 after and a camera that’s a joy to use.
the cherry on top. discount from honor.com £1,000 from motorola.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 363, p70 REVIEW Issue 362, p62 REVIEW Issue 360, p68

EVERYDAY MONITORS

Iiyama ProLite XUB3293UHSN-B5 AOC Q27B3CF2 Acer Verso B277

32in 4K bargain, £429 AOC’s relentless focus on value Ebmiprzxv
delivers a 27in 1440p screen with a This is a basic but high-quality
from currys.co.uk
high-quality IPS panel that costs £200 monitor, delivering colourful images
The fact that this 31.5in IPS monitor could including VAT – and also packs in a across its 27in Full HD diagonal.
compete so well against Eizo’s alternative USB-C port. Those are almost the only You don’t get USB-C docking, but it
(see below) says it all. Great colour coverage features you get, and the OSD is awful, includes VGA, HDMI and DisplayPort
in sRGB and DCI-P3, USB-C and RJ45 inputs, but at this price we’re not complaining. inputs, plus a two-port USB hub.
plus solid build quality add up to a bargain. £200 from amazon.co.uk £149 from tinyurl.com/357acer277
REVIEW Issue 357, p88 REVIEW Issue 360, p77 REVIEW Issue 357, p84

PROFESSIONAL MONITORS

Eizo FlexScan EV3240X Eizo ColorEdge CG2700X

A brilliant choice for professional
BenQ PD2706U
If you can’t stretch to Eizo budget
Stunning 4K quality, £1,206 designers, whether working solo or levels then this 4K 27in screen
exc VAT from photospecialist.co.uk in teams, thanks to its dedication to is definitely worth investigating.
providing accurate colours across It has several features aimed at
With images that whack you between the potentially years of life. It’s also bang professionals, including a Hotkey
eyes as soon as you lift it, fully assembled, up to date for connectivity, with Puck to switch between profiles,
from its box, this 32in 4K monitor is our USB-C and RJ45 making it easy to plus great coverage of the sRGB
top choice pick for anyone willing to manage, too. £2,149 exc VAT from and DCI-P3 gamuts. £333 exc VAT
make such a hefty long-term investment. wexphotovideo.com from scan.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 357, p91 REVIEW Issue 357, p90 REVIEW Issue 357, p86

18
 @PCPRO FAC E B O O K . C O M / P C P R O The A-List

WEBCAMS

Logitech MX Brio 705 for Business Logitech Brio 105

for Business
Obsbot Tiny 2
This portable 4K webcam delivers
Consistent brilliance for £219 While you can buy 1080p webcams for quality, design and sharpness,
from logitech.com for a third of the Brio 105’s price, they and it comes with a shedload
won’t hold a candle to the Logitech of advanced features, including
Consistent image quality in all webcam’s quality – especially in dynamic zoom and subject
lighting conditions coupled with top low-light conditions, such as one tracking. The only real downside
build quality and nifty features – such candle. It’s also easy to manage, for is that it has a price that reflects
as a presenting mode for items on your businesses and individuals. its premium ambitions.
desk – make this a fantastic all-round choice. £45 from logitech.com £329 from amazon.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 356, p68 REVIEW Issue 360, p77 REVIEW Issue 352, p75

HOME OFFICE PRINTERS

Epson EcoTank ET-2830 Canon Pixma TS8750

A fantastic choice for creative
HP OfficeJet Pro 9012e
So long as your print volumes
Ink tank all-in-one for £250 users that’s equally at home aren’t huge – the running costs
from epson.co.uk printing photos as it is scanning mount up – this is a superb
artwork. Despite its high all-in-one for home office
Don’t expect flashy features, but do running costs, due to its usage. It’s fast, robust, prints
expect fast print speeds, high-quality reliance on cartridges, this is double-sided and produces
prints, scans and copies, plus phenomenally low running costs – even after you’ve a superb all-in-one. £159 from strong all-round results.
exhausted the 6,000 pages’ worth of bottled ink that comes with it. printerbase.co.uk £208 from printerland.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 353, p85 REVIEW Issue 353, p86 REVIEW Issue 353, p87

WORKGROUP PRINTERS

Canon Maxify GX6550 Brother HL-L9430CDN

This laser printer (not an all-in-one,
Xerox B315DN
A fine alternative to the Brother and
Ink tank all-in-one for £392 exc VAT so there’s no scanning or copying Canon, this mono laser multifunction
from canon.co.uk functionality) is a great choice for printer produces superb results at
a busy office, producing sharp great speed – 27.5 pages per minute
Designed to fit in tight spaces, this black text and making a good job in our 50-page test, which includes
all-in-one includes a highly effective of colour graphics as well. All while the spool time. It’s similarly quick for
ADF and backs it up with high-quality doing so quickly with a competitive scans, with a dual-CIS ADF to speed
prints at 24ipm in our tests. Running price per page. £415 exc VAT from up double-sided copies. £238 exc VAT
costs are superb, too. printerland.co.uk from printerbase.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 350, p58 REVIEW Issue 353, p84 REVIEW Issue 341, p87

WIRELESS ROUTERS

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 Netgear Nighthawk Asus RT-AX59U

Fast Wi-Fi 6E router, £350 RS700S You can buy cheaper Wi-Fi 6
Make no mistake – you won’t get routers – such as the D-Link Eagle
from amazon.co.uk stunning speeds out of this Wi-Fi 7 Pro AI R15 for £55 – but Asus’
router today. But if you must buy a well-priced offering delivers
The RAXE500 is faster than the RAXE300, but router now and want future-proofing, strong performance along with
in practice we doubt you would notice – this tri-band router still delivered speeds this is a solid choice. But honestly, lots of control and exceptional
between 50MB/sec and 150MB/sec in our tests. And it’s packed with features, too. we would recommend that you wait. VPN support. £125 from
At £150 cheaper than its bigger brother, we think it hits the Wi-Fi 6E sweet spot. £800 from netgear.com uk.store.asus.com
REVIEW Issue 341, p68 REVIEW Issue 353, p76 REVIEW Issue 350, p57

MESH WI-FI

TP-Link Deco XE200 Mercusys Halo H80X

A new subsidiary of TP-Link, Mercusys
Linksys Velop Pro 6E
Ironically, this Wi-Fi 6E router
Clever Wi-Fi 6E for £600 offers its parent brand’s XE75 router will get the most out of your
some excellent value-for-money non-Wi-Fi 6 devices thanks to
from amazon.co.uk
competition. Not as fast due to Wi-Fi 6 its use of the 6GHz network for
There are cheaper Wi-Fi 6E meshes, but the XE200 rather than Wi-Fi 6E, but it has all the station-to-station traffic. And
wins for its superb download speeds, excellent bandwidth you need for everyday use you only need two units for rock
coverage and the fact that older clients reap benefits and should deliver it stably throughout solid performance across a
of 6E, not just new ones. And a two-pack (code your house. There are plenty of features three-bedroom house. 2-pack,
B0BKTDPWC8) should be enough for most premises. too. 2-pack, £161 from ebuyer.com £380 from amazon.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 349, p65 REVIEW Issue 341, p71 REVIEW Issue 350, p54

19
 BUSINESS WI-FI

Zyxel WAX640S-6E TP-Link Omada EAP783

This slim-line discus has a mighty
Ruijie Reyee
RG-RAP2260(E)
Wi-Fi 6E AP, £369 exc VAT BE19000 rating and will appeal to This competitively priced Wi-Fi 6 AP
from broadbandbuyer.com businesses looking to make an early delivers business-class features and
transition to Wi-Fi 7. It delivers superb impressive performance, and the free
A nicely priced tri-band wireless access point performance and is MLO-ready, while Ruijie Cloud service offers a wide range
ideally suited to businesses that want to provide the TP-Link’s Omada cloud platform offers of remote network management and
full range of wireless services. It’s easy to deploy, wireless performance great remote management services. monitoring tools. £160 exc VAT from
is good and Zyxel provides top-quality cloud management services. £520 exc VAT from senetic.co.uk broadbandbuyer.com
REVIEW Issue 353, p100 REVIEW Issue 360, p103 REVIEW Issue 359, p103

NAS SERVERS

Synology DiskStation DS1823xs+ Qnap TS-h987XU-RP

The TS-h987XU-RP is a ready-made
Synology
DiskStation DS1522+
10GbE NAS, £1,413 exc VAT hybrid storage solution for SMBs. Small businesses that want a high-
from broadbandbuyer.com This rack-friendly package offers capacity desktop NAS at a good price
a great specification for the price, will find Synology’s DS1522+ a great
This powerful eight-bay NAS is a great and Qnap’s QuTS hero software choice. Performance over 10GbE is
choice for SMBs that want plenty of scores highly for its wealth of data- impeccable and the DSM software
capacity, features and performance at a protection features and business offers a fantastic range of storage
reasonable price. The new DSM 7.2 software has security high on its agenda, and apps. Diskless, £3,292 exc VAT from features. 5-bay NAS, diskless £586 exc
the icing on the cake is Synology’s generous five-year warranty. broadbandbuyer.com VAT from broadbandbuyer.com
REVIEW Issue 346, p101 REVIEW Issue 344, p96 REVIEW Issue 344, p98

VIDEOCONFERENCING

Owl Labs Meeting Owl 4+ Poly Studio X52 with TC10

Ideal for businesses that want a
Jabra PanaCast 50
This sleek cylinder delivers great
Magical meetings, £1,665 exc VAT professional videoconferencing video and audio quality, fast speaker
from owllabs.co.uk solution for medium-sized meeting tracking and a wealth of advanced
rooms. Video quality is excellent, features. Jabra’s Xpress web portal
For fully immersive meetings, nobody does it better than Owl speaker tracking is exceptionally offers smart remote management
Labs. The Owl 4+ sports a new 64MP fish-eye camera that fast, and the big choice of built-in services, and the super-wide view
boosts video output to 4K Ultra HD while keeping super- VC apps makes it incredibly helps make the PanaCast 50 ideal for
smooth speaker tracking. Pairing it with an Owl Bar covers versatile too. £3,161 exc VATfrom all-inclusive meetings. £867 exc VAT
every meeting room angle. meetingstore.co.uk from uk.insight.com
REVIEW Issue 360, p102 REVIEW Issue 353, p102 REVIEW Issue 354, p100

SCANNERS

Xerox N60w Pro Scanner Brother ADS-4500W

Ideal for small businesses, the
Epson WorkForce
ES-C320W
Speed demon, £766 exc VAT ADS-4500W offers a fine set of A space-saving wireless desktop
from tradescanners.com walk-up scan features and its output scanner, the Epson WorkForce
quality is beyond reproach, while ES-C320W delivers nippy speeds –
The N60w Pro offers tremendous value and Brother’s Print&Scan app delivers around 31ppm in our tests – and is
versatility. It delivered up to 67ppm in our tests with great scan workflow management backed with software that offers
great output quality, offers a plethora of connection options. £295 exc VAT from plenty of scan management features.
options and makes walk-up scanning a breeze. printerbase.co.uk £180 exc VAT from printerland.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 358, p101 REVIEW Issue 358, p98 REVIEW Issue 358, p100

SERVERS

Dell EMC PowerEdge T350 Dell EMC PowerEdge

R250
Broadberry CyberServe
Xeon E-RS100-E10
Xeon E-2300 power, from £1,399 exc VAT With prices starting at around This represents a powerful hardware
from dell.com £850 exc VAT for a Pentium Gold package at a price that will please
CPU, and the option of Xeon E-2300 small businesses. We love its
Perfect for SMBs and branch offices looking for an series chips from £1,461 exc VAT, this low-profile chassis and the fine
affordable and powerful single-socket tower server. is a slim, rack-mounted alternative selection of remote-management
Along with support for Xeon E-2300 CPUs and lots of to the more high-powered T350 tools. It’s a great alternative to the Dell
memory, it has a high storage capacity, plenty of that’s ideal for SMBs. From £845 EMC servers also listed here. £983 exc
expansion space and is sturdily built. exc VAT from dell.com VAT from broadberry.co.uk
REVIEW Issue 335, p98 REVIEW Issue 332, p98 REVIEW Issue 318, p96

20
 @PCPRO FAC E B O O K . C O M / P C P R O The A-List

SECURITY SOFTWARE VPNs PASSWORD MANAGERS

Avast Ultimate Surfshark NordPass

Buy from retail and this is a bargain, with a Reliably fast and goes out of its way to ensure that This hassle-free option is a great choice for both
solid VPN, anti-tracking software and international streaming services work. Surfshark personal and business use, with a competitive
handy detection fees on top of excellent protection. has a credible track record for privacy, too. price matched with all the features most people
10 devices, 2yrs, £30 from store.pcpro.co.uk £55 for 27 months from surfshark.com need. £1.89 per month from nordpass.com
REVIEW Issue 355, p84 REVIEW Issue 360, p87 REVIEW Issue 350, p70

G Data Total Avast One NordVPN Proton VPN Bitwarden Keeper

Protection Essential One of the best all- A great VPN in its own Free for individual use A great choice for
G Data provides Avast One Essential purpose consumer VPN right, but also the best free and open source, the businesses thanks to its
straightforward, has the same malware- services around, and VPN service as you get only important thing focus on security and a
effective and inexpensive detection engine as our the paid-for version is unlimited data. Instead, Bitwarden lacks is phone zero-knowledge policy,
protection against top choice, but for free. packed with features Proton restricts which support: it works with and if you need more
malware and other threats It even includes 5GB – from anti-malware endpoints you can access virtually every device options then Keeper
to your system, making it a of VPN services per tools to a rather clever to only three countries: and browser, and the has them. Business
favourite despite its quirks. month and a few system mesh file-transfer system. the USA, the Netherlands paid option is well worth edition, from £2 per
5 devices, $82 from optimisation tools. Free £94 for 27 months and Japan. Free from £10 per year. Free from user per month from
gdatasoftware.co.uk from avast.com from nordvpn.com protonvpn.com bitwarden.com keepersecurity.com
REVIEW Issue 355, p87 REVIEW Issue 355, p89 REVIEW Issue 360, p85 REVIEW Issue 360, p86 REVIEW Issue 350, p71 REVIEW Issue 350, p72

ON-PREMISES BACKUP CLOUD BACKUP VOIP SERVICES

Nakivo Backup & Replication 10.11.2 IDrive Business 3CX Phone System V20
Perfect for SMBs that want the freedom to choose A top cloud backup choice for SMBs that want to Our top choice for businesses that want to manage
their host system. It supports an incredible range of protect on-premises systems and remote their own VoIP system. It can be hosted in the cloud
hardware platforms and OSes and is packed with workers. Platform and business app support is or on-premises, and has lots of new features. Small
data protection features. Enterprise, 10 servers, outstanding, it’s easy to use and the simple Business, 10 users, £175 exc VAT per year from 3cx.com
perpetual capacity-based REVIEW Issue 357, p98
licence, £1,118 subscriptions are
exc VAT from incredibly good value.
nakivo.com 5TB, £838 exc VAT per
REVIEW Issue year from idrive.com
362, p100 REVIEW Issue 359, p101

Veritas Backup Exec 23 Acronis Cyber Protect 16 Advanced TelephoneSystems.Cloud

Backup Exec 23 is easy to manage, provides valuable Flexible subscriptions keep costs under control, A great choice for businesses that know what they
ransomware protection and the subscriptions are the EDR service stays one step ahead of want from cloud-hosted VoIP services, offering a
great value. Simple Core Pack, 5 instances, £498 exc cybercriminals and it’s easy to manage, too. wealth of features at a competitive price. From £11 exc
VAT per year from uk.insight.com From £95 exc VAT per year from acronis.com VAT per user per month from telephonesystems.cloud
REVIEW Issue 362, p101 REVIEW Issue 359, p98 REVIEW Issue 357, p100

ENDPOINT PROTECTION REMOTE SUPPORT SECURITY APPLIANCES

NEW ENTRY

WithSecure Elements Endpoint Security NetSupport Manager 14.1 DrayTek Vigor 2927Lax-5G
A comprehensive set of protection measures for a Sets the standard for on-premises hosted SMBs and remote offices that demand always-on
great price, easily managed from a cloud portal. It support for local and remote workers. It delivers internet access will love this affordable security
supports a wide range of devices and the Luminen a remarkable range of features and its one-time router. It offers an unbeatable set of WAN
tool delivers AI-powered reporting services that cost per seat will appeal to businesses concerned redundancy features
present detailed summaries of events with a click. about subscription fees. 1-500 systems, perpetual and adds extra value
100-499 devices, licence, £10 thanks to its built-in
£37 exc VAT each each exc VAT Wi-Fi 6 services.
per year from from netsupport £667 exc VAT from
withsecure.com manager.com broadbandbuyer.com
REVIEW Issue REVIEW Issue REVIEW Issue 360,
363, p101 361, p100 p98

NEW ENTRY
Sophos Intercept X Advanced ISL Online Standard WatchGuard Firebox M390
An unbeatable range of tough security measures. Perfect for SMBs wanting cloud-based support. Combines strong performance with an incredible
Deployment is a breeze, and a multitude of security Features and access security are excellent, as are range of security measures all at a competitive price.
policies make it highly flexible. 100-199 users, £48 exc its flexible licensing plans. Standard Cloud/One user, Appliance with 1yr TSS subscription, £4,273 exc VAT
VAT each per year from enterpriseav.co.uk £287 exc VAT per year from islonline.com from broadbandbuyer.com
REVIEW Issue 363, p98 REVIEW Issue 361, p99 REVIEW Issue 360, p100

21
 Art theft in the Dick Pountain is
editorial fellow
of PC Pro. You

modern world
can see six of his
abstracts at tinyurl.
com/363abstracts
and hear his
Kaprekar tune
at tinyurl.com/​
363kaprekar
Email dick@
dickpountain.co.uk

Whether it’s music or art, we’re entering an age where matters of

ownership are almost as blurred as fluid art on Instagram

W I’m not at all tempted to go in for fluid

hen I’m not writing this proper paintings, but then I’m strictly
column – which let’s face it is an amateur with no realistic ambition
most of the time – I perform to make a living selling my work. art to make money, even though those
attractive canvases are more readily
a variety of activities to keep me I’ve also been into photography
amused. Apart from walking, cooking, since the 1960s, and my computer
reading, listening to music (live and
recorded) and playing guitars, I have a
explorations began by processing
snaps to make them look like paintings.
marketable than digital prints
couple of computer-based “hobbies”. This taught me how to use layers and digital processing on a starting image,
Namely making computer-generated blend modes to take total control of which could be a photograph, a clip
music and computer-generated both the colour and tonal content. from a website or a digital image that I
pictures (non-moving). Later I began using this knowledge to draw by hand. Mostly I just use a
I recently restarted work on my create purely abstract images. mouse nowadays (I’ve had several

I
Python-based computer composition Wacom tablets in the past) since my
system Algorhythmics – which I t won’t have escaped anyone in starters are so simple. Another way I
described back in issue 306 – after a the habit of watching Instagram, sometimes start is by using Zen Brush
four-year rest. What inspired me was a Facebook or YouTube reels that 3 on my Samsung Galaxy Tab, a
YouTube video about the Indian there’s a remarkable revival of delightful finger-painting program
mathematician D R Kaprekar and abstract painting going on right now with extraordinarily realistic
some interesting numbers he among the social-media-savvy watercolour bleeding effects. I send
discovered, so I set up Algorhythmics younger generations. Unlike me, the result to my Chromebook via
to compose a short piano sonata they’re not working in the digital Android’s Nearby Share. Then I spend
around two of his numbers. While I’m domain but rather in the messy and some time layering, blending,
biased, I think it sounds like a pleasing expensive domain of wet paint. smudging and slicing until I see
mashup of Ravel, Janáček and Satie. Under various labels such as fluid art, something I like, which does indeed
I’ve been documenting my efforts spin art and poured art, they’re tend to mean something that reminds
at visual art in this column for over 20 making dynamic action paintings – me of one of my modernist mentors.

I
years as I’ve marched through Jackson Pollock style – by pouring
successive generations of paint multicoloured acrylic paints onto a ’m not at all tempted to go in for
software, from PaintShop Pro to canvas, manipulating it using palette fluid art to make money, even
Photoshop Elements to Sumo Paint to knives and then spinning and tipping though those attractive canvases
ArtFlow. I loved art at school and can it to produce a finished image. Often are more readily marketable than
use both paint and pencil reasonably they incorporate silicone-based digital prints. That’s not only because I
well, but I’ve never been tempted to additives that introduce cell-like don’t have a garage in which I can
use either seriously since I discovered patterns of bubbles, and the results splatter paint up the walls, but also
the computer (any more than I’m have a very particular biological look. because whenever I watch these
tempted to write articles with a quill Some of them are very attractive artists at work on Facebook, more
pen since I discovered the word indeed and nearly all are highly often than not I find the earliest part of
processor). The crux is editability: decorative. I doubt many of these folk a new work the most pleasing – then
once you discover the infinite consider their products to be high art they keep adding too many colours
flexibility of digital imagery it’s hard but they are highly saleable, and that’s and overdo it.
to give up this ability to experiment, on top of any revenues that derive from While watching one particularly
redo and correct without wasting successful social media hits, which is spectacular piece I hit “Watch Again”,
paper, canvas and paint. Images on a just as well as the costs in canvas and then hit Pause to stop it at an early
screen certainly lack the texture of acrylic paint must be considerable. stage I liked better, took a screenshot
My own tastes lean towards and used that as a starter for my own
There’s a remarkable revival early 20th-century modernist piece. This potentially raises a novel

of abstract painting going on

abstract art, especially Wassily legal issue about copyright and
Kandinsky, Paul Klee and plagiarism: I froze a moment in time
among the social-media-savvy Sonia Delaunay. I don’t set out
to imitate their works but
that didn’t make it into the final
painting, so was I really stealing?
younger generations merely play around using [email protected]

22
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Viewpoints

Ten years of Byline: Nicole Kobie

is PC Pro’s Futures
editor. She’s not

WFH has taught

joking about the
naps. We all need
more naps.
@njkobie

me a lot
If you’re hoping for advice on standing desks and comfy chairs, then move
along. But if you want to improve your life, you don’t need to wait ten years

I
used to really love going into the working for yourself, and the other And beyond the practical benefits,
office: PC Pro is a fun group of centred on flexibility. there’s a change in mindset. When
people, my commute was a The best bit of working for yourself you repeatedly put off work in favour
doddle, I lived in a small flat so it was – freelance is what it’s called in my of taking a nap, hanging with the kid,
nice to go anywhere else, and most of industry, but for many of you it will going for a run or whatever else is a
all, I was young. Alas, that hasn’t been be contract work – is that you are real priority in life, you start to realise
the case for some time, and ten years your own boss. Of course, sometimes how much work dominates not just
ago I was given the opportunity to go it will feel as though you have many our time but our headspace. Work is
freelance. That’s a euphemism, but I different managers making demands not the most important thing in most
was delighted – I needn’t leave my on your time, but they’re not really of our lives. Dressing up, travelling to
house, I could travel whenever I your boss, and you don’t need to do a special place, and spending the bulk
wanted, and nap every day, while still anything they say. It’s true.
doing the work I love so much. What Don’t like a client? Never work Work is important. But take a step
more could you want from life?
In those ten years, what have I
with them again – or even better, quit.
This is much easier if you’ve managed back and it’s easy to see how we could
learnt? There’s the practical, to start
with. Get a comfy chair and a real desk
to sock away a bit of savings, as it’s
difficult to refuse work when you’re
have happier lives by admitting that
– none of this sitting at the kitchen not sure how your mortgage is going what we do could wait a few hours
table nonsense; that will destroy your to be paid. But when a client’s bad
back. Invest in proper broadband and behaviour becomes too much to bear, of our waking time focused on tasks
a Wi-Fi router that actually supplies I don’t need to make an HR complaint. that a whole bunch of other people
consistent, strong connectivity or I just say no – and gosh, it feels great. are also focused on – it all skews our
you’ll spend your days annoyed and I have actively walked away from perception of the value of what we do.
frustrated. And take breaks: go for a lucrative projects because they were Work is important. It gives us
walk, do your laundry, clean the driving me up the wall. I have quietly fulfilment and pays our bills. But take
bathroom, have lunch with a friend. ended working relationships after a step back and it’s easy to see how we
It doesn’t matter, but get away from an editor made unethical requests. could have happier lives by admitting
your desk every now and then. And people who stress me out, I am that what we do could wait a few
Those are the basics, and I’m done with you. hours, or maybe until tomorrow.

O T
confident they apply to most of us,
f course, freelance life is his isn’t always true: if you’re
I have actively walked hard. It’s nerve toiling away on a project to

away from lucrative projects wracking when work

dries up and pitches go
solve climate change or cure
cancer, please keep at it. If you’re
because they were driving unanswered. But that’s a stress
factor I can manage myself. I
working on a passion project, a new
product, or launching a startup, work
me up the wall can pitch more, find temporary may well reasonably take precedence
work, start a fresh project and over sleep, for a time at least. That’s
wherever we work. But this is old hat so on. Employees can’t simply fix fine, if it’s an active choice.
to most people: pandemic lockdowns their boss’s arrogance, bullying or But the rest of the time, the advice
meant office workers spent months outright stupidity. Believe me, I have I offer employees or freelancers is the
Zooming from home, and the rise of tried. Saying no is easier. same: don’t work for jerks; learn to
hybrid working means many still do The second lesson is about the say no, fearlessly; and realise the
for a few days a week. You know all joy of flexibility. Cramming your value of your own time. It worries
this, though, don’t you? responsibilities, chores and joys into a me that I had to learn this, so if you
So forget tips and tricks. At any few hours after work in the evening is haven’t yet, here’s the lesson for free.
rate, the biggest lessons I’ve learned a hard way to live. Taking advantage of Whether you work from home in
working at home for myself go far a slow time at work to do the laundry your pyjamas or commute into a
beyond personal productivity and or organising your life to have more corporate office, you deserve to be
posture. There are two lessons I think time with the kids feels luxurious, happy. And to take more naps.
are worth sharing, one focused on though it should be the norm. [email protected]

23
 Viewpoints @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

Google’s lost: Barry Collins

is worried
he’s becoming

call off the

something of an
AI fanboy. Send
human contact to
barry@mediabc.

search party
co.uk.
@bazzacollins

AI alternatives to search pose an enormous threat to Google and the

entire web publishing model

I For the first time in 25 years,

f you read the news on p10, you’ll search results pages. If I enter queries
see the US Department of Justice is such as “what is the minimum
plotting novel ways to tear Google wage?”, “who is the director general Google isn’t necessarily my go-to
service when I need to dredge up
asunder. How best to hobble Google? of the BBC?” or even “who is the
Leave it be. It’s doing a stand-up job editor of PC Pro?”, Gemini AI provides
of sinking the business all by itself.
A huge proportion of Alphabet’s
the answer. I don’t go anywhere near
a website to find out.
information about something
revenue comes from Google search. In Anyone who’s ever worked in web
Q3 2024, about 57% of Alphabet’s $77 publishing knows that the top slot in understanding what I’m hunting
billion revenue came from search – a Google search result is the only for. You always have to check the
down from the 80% or more it used to place to be. Studies vary, but the sources, to make sure ChatGPT hasn’t
be, but still far more than YouTube, top-of-page result gets somewhere “hallucinated” the answers, but it’s
cloud or any other revenue streams. between a quarter and a half of all the increasingly accurate.

T
To put it plainly, search is the clicks for that search term, with top
business they don’t want to screw up. ranking proving much more valuable he AI services are well aware of
Yet screwing it up is precisely what on mobile. Once you get down to the opportunity. OpenAI is
they’re doing, predominantly at the about fifth position you’re an conducting a public beta of
altar of AI. I was skimming through also-ran, maybe getting 1-2% of the SearchGPT, which is a naked attack
Reddit the other day and someone clicks. Top is everything – and now on Google search. It’s more focused
had posted a screenshot with the Google’s filling that slot with long, on delivering timely information
thread title “Google is over”. It showed expansive AI answers that occupy than ChatGPT, such as current
an image search for a baby peacock in almost the entire screen on mobile. weather conditions, and unlike
which the vast majority of the top The web publishers are nowhere. Google it allows you to ask follow-up

W
results were plainly AI-generated. questions about the results.
Being the sceptical bugger I am – I hy would that bother Then there are services such as Arc
don’t respond to fire alarms until my Google, you might wonder? Search, a spin-off of the Arc browser
eyebrows start singeing – I thought the Well, Google doesn’t only that is now on both Android and iOS.
screenshot must have been doctored sell advertising space on its results This creates brilliant little AI-
or the search manipulated somehow. pages, it sells advertising space on generated summaries from search
But when I searched for “baby peacock” websites, too. There’s barely a queries, so if I search for, say,
up popped a stream of AI-polluted commercial web publisher out there “Logitech MX Creative Console”, I get
results, including the top two images. that doesn’t use Google AdSense in one a summary of what the device does,
Now, this might be a freak result, form or another, even if it’s only for which OSes it works with, its price,
an example where a shortage of actual backfill when their other networks key features and loads more useful
photos of baby peacocks is being filled have run dry. Less traffic to websites information. It’s exceedingly useful
by AI images, but I’m sure we’ve all means less revenue for Google. for quickly distilling news stories, too.
seen an increasing number of Certain web publishers tell me AI alternatives such as these are a
AI-generated results – both text and that recent Google algorithm massive threat to Google – and the
images – returned in Google searches. changes and the arrival of AI have wider web publishing model. For the
In fact, Google is increasingly dramatically decreased their search first time in 25 years, Google isn’t
doing this itself. No doubt wary of the traffic. Some report it’s as much as necessarily my go-to service when I
threat from ChatGPT, Copilot and the 50% down. That’s a catastrophic need to dredge up information about
like, Google is stuffing output from its drop in income for the publisher and, something. And given the way both
own Gemini AI at the top of many indirectly, for Google as well. Microsoft and Apple are building AI
And I suspect it will only into their operating systems, I can see
Anyone who’s ever worked get worse. Increasingly,
these days I pop more
that soon becoming the case for the
majority of people.
in web publishing knows that complex search queries We don’t the need the competition
the top slot in a Google search into ChatGPT not Google,
because I know ChatGPT
authorities to dismantle Google. The
AI’s going to get there first.
result is the only place to be will do a better job of [email protected]

24
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Readers’ comments
Your views and feedback from email and the web

Speak up existing equipment and the new no monthly subscription provided you
With the recent poll on the use of smart automation that is coming up. make at least one call in a six-month
speakers and the previous article on I hope that this will improve over period and very competitive call rates,
home automation I feel that there is a time, but we need more connection including to overseas numbers.
big miss in some of these things, and I between our smart speakers and our However, they have stopped new
only hope we can get better. smart devices (and to make our non- customers using this. Now new
As a husband of a wife who is smart devices smarter). Stuart Dixon customers pay a monthly subscription.
disabled, I can see that there are bits While your A List does include VoIP
that don’t link up. Yes, you can turn Driven to distraction services for small businesses, many of
the lights on, or a socket, but when it I read with interest Jon Honeyball’s your subscribers would benefit from a
comes to adjusting the devices the back page comments on future tech review of low-cost VoIP services for
automation stops working. Can you (see issue 362, p130) and the reference domestic customers as an alternative
turn the toaster up to ten, change the to Ford patenting spyware in cars to to paying around £10 per month for a
channel on the TV, turn the volume up enable them to target drivers with telephone service through a
and down, turn on the hairdryer? advertising. While I see this as them broadband account. Simon Read
I assume you can if you buy new shooting themselves in the foot, I
equipment – that is, a new toaster, TV suspect it’s just a sign of the way Editor-in-chief Tim Danton replies: Thanks
or hairdryer – but where are the things may develop. From a PR for this, Simon. It’s a great idea and we’ll
devices we can install that allow perspective it would be better to look into it.
existing equipment to integrate with BELOW Where is the patent NOT to use such software!
home automation? We need to ensure technology to turn On the broader theme of Jon’s Dumb monitors
that the links are there between the dumb devices smart? article, it is by chance that I was In 2015 I bought a rather expensive
talking with my brother recently 31in LG 4K monitor (31MU97). Clearly
about how the world would look aimed at the professional user, I chose
when his newborn grandson is our age it for the quality of screen with respect
(second half of our 60s). When we to my photography hobby, and for
grew up there were two TV channels, that purpose it’s been a joy to use.
regular walks around the streets to Over time it suffered power supply
get in a queue for the local phone box, failure and was repaired several times
and three radio stations (until those under warranty, and a paid-for repair
naughty pirates entered the scene). when again it failed.
I simply cannot imagine how It has died again, and having just
things will develop in the next ten contacted LG support I found that they
years, let alone the next 60. Peter Bird no longer offer servicing for monitors
over six years old – to all intents and
VoIP providers for all purposes, the monitor’s a write-off.
With the demise of the You might want to add this aspect
conventional landline I think it’s to your future monitor reviews as I’m
time that PC Pro printed a review of sure I’m not the only one expecting to
VoIP providers who cater for get more than just six years service out
ordinary domestic customers. of what is supposed to be a
While most broadband professional piece of kit. Chris Hobson
providers offer an add-on
telephone contract, these aren’t Fixer-in-chief Lee Grant replies: Sadly,
always cheap. I set up a Sipgate Chris, your experience is typical. An
account a couple of years ago that has Open Repair Alliance report (tinyurl.

Star letter and it was an interesting if long process, and

my CSS skills are very basic.
Through ignorance I started out giving it
again. While this seems basic, it’s extremely
important with AI, which doesn’t know
anything about my project or its scope; doesn’t
Prompt response vague instructions along the lines of “Fix this know the structure of my dilemma; doesn’t
As part of your “AI wants your job!” feature problem”. Unsurprisingly, it supplied a rubbish know what I’ve already developed; and doesn’t
(see issue 362, p26), in the box on p32 under answer. However, as I began to be more know how I think.
the heading “Prompt like a pro”, there is a specific with what the problem was, an So of course I’ve got to tell the thing almost
statement in large text: “You’ve got to give interesting conversation developed. One that everything, including why I want to watch the
it tight instructions on how you want it over about 30 minutes not only solved the All Blacks play the Springboks in the Rugby
to behave.” problem, but made me want to thank the World Cup Final. But when I do this, the results
How true. I recently solved a major entity behind this “magic”. can be exactly what I want, or so close that
problem with a web page using a coding AI I’ve always realised the importance of even I can finish it from there. John Coates
site. This was my first attempt at using AI, planning and reviewing – often over and over

This month’s star letter writer wins a Cherry KC 200 MX mechanical keyboard, worth £80,
recipient of a five-star review and a PC Pro Recommended award. Email [email protected]

26
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Viewpoints

Readers’
poll
com/363repair) discovered that the To tie in with our
average lifespan of flat screens is only five
to ten years, with a repair success rate of buyers’ guide from
just 31%. In the UK, when a device p40, we asked
repeatedly fails under warranty, repairs
can be refused and refunds sought from
readers if they had
the retailer (note that the manufacturer is ever bought a
off the hook). Current EU law says spares Raspberry Pi and, if
must be available for between seven to
ten years, which is too late for your LG, but so, what they

Yes No
its replacement has the potential for a used it for.
longer life. And in terms of reviews, it’s
well worth cutting out and keeping this

63% 37%
month’s Awards feature (see p28) as
this gives you an instant guide to the
reliability of manufacturers across
monitors, laptops and more.

Smart monitors It’s safe to say the Raspberry Pi has been a hit with PC Pro readers. But are they sitting in a box
I liked your review of the Samsung unused or being put to good use? “Bought two of the originals when they were new – for the
Smart Monitor M8 (see issue 361, p70) kids to use and learn with,” Nick Whittle told us. “Hooked up to a keyboard, mouse and monitor
as I’ve been looking at this myself, but they made great little computers with just enough power for writing games. Was blown away
it only comes in a maximum size of by the creativity of a game one child created. The other never showed any interest.”
32in. I see Samsung has released a That’s exactly the use that Eben Upton intended the Pi for, but it should come as no surprise
43in version in the US, but it’s not that our readers use them for all sorts of things. “I’ve got a few,” wrote Martin Ruston. “One’s a
available to us yet. This got me home assistant server, another has Kodi on it to stream DVDs and CDs, while another has
wondering: with modern OLED Docker and Portainer on it so I can experiment with things.”
technology, is there really any Elsewhere, we saw votes for the Pi-hole web filter, Home Assistant and even a replacement
difference any more between using PC: “I think that an 8GB Pi 5 with a PCI-E extender to an NVMe SSD would make a very usable
a smart PC monitor as a TV and using desktop machine for LibreOffice and web browsing use, especially in something like the Argon
a smart television as a PC monitor? case” said Geoff Campbell. And we can only applaud andy m (@bigajm on X) for “downloading
Mike Halsey my usage data from Octopus for my own slice ‘n’ dice reporting” and more.
Mike Collins started equally brightly. “Got one years ago and used it as a media server under
Contributing editor Jon Honeyball replies: the TV. Very proud of the Lego case my son and I created for it. Now retired in among my
It’s a good question, but I suspect my drawer of obsolete cables.” And several people talked about their Raspberry Pis sitting unused,
answer will disappoint you. The first such as Marcin Gorecki: “I bought three R Pis. I got a few evenings of fun out of them. Now they
problem is that refresh rates can be an gather dust.” Don’t worry, though, Martin, as we’ll have more Pi features to come in the future.
issue, as TVs simply aren’t designed to run
at the high refresh rate we’re used to on I have 12+ R Pi 4Bs used for I bought the first one.
Windows and macOS computers. So you’d
want to check that. And a 4K resolution
meteor detection and Allsky My son stole it and I never
might be enough, depending on how far cameras. Edward Cooper saw it again! He now works
you’re viewing from, but maybe not.
But perhaps the biggest problem is that
as a programmer.
TVs come with image sharpening and Yes. I built a Plex server for the @quillon1 on X
various other tweaks that work well for motorhome and also an aurora
video (most of the time), but you’ll probably
detector. Mark Newton
find you get nasty oversharpening
artefacts in the OS and apps. So, my
Join the debate
advice is to stick with a monitor designed I built a @recalbox retro Join the growing PC Pro
for daily computing. community on Facebook at
games console with a Raspberry facebook.com/pcpro
Cheeky cat Pi. Darren Davies
It’s a shame you didn’t tell us which Get the latest news and
“AI” generated the headphone- updates by following us
wearing cat image on the cover of Bought a Pi 4 a few years @pcpro REVEAL
ED! BRA

ago to run my 3D printer.

NDS YO
U CA

issue 362, if only so we can avoid it!

N TRUST

@
RASPBE
Which board RR
is right forY Pi

Email us at letters@
you?

As any truly
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27
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 TECHNOLOGY
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024
WINNERS

Whenever you buy something in the coming year, CONTENTS

why not draw on the experience of thousands of Best PC manufacturer ......................... 27
Best laptop manufacturer...................28

discerning buyers? Best tablet manufacturer....................29

Best NAS manufacturer.......................30
Best router manufacturer...................30

W
e’re so used to glancing at star ratings happened when something went wrong. Were Best online retailer.................................31
Best web host..........................................31
on websites when deciding whether or they happy with the service they received?
Best cloud storage................................32
not to make decisions, it’s almost We also ask about how happy they are with Best broadband ISP.............................. 32
become second nature. It’s the modern the performance and quality of the products Best mobile data provider....................34
shorthand for “what do other people think?”, but they’ve bought. And would they buy from the Best phone manufacturer...................34
Best smartwatch manufacturer........35
the trouble is that you don’t know who those same company again? This gives us something Best printer manufacturer..................35
people are. Some may be genuine, but others unique in the UK: a deep dive into people’s Best monitor manufacturer................35
were given the products for free – and some will happiness when it comes to technology.
PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR
simply have been paid to write a positive review. We couldn’t do this without the support of Laptop of the year..................................36
PC Pro has always offered a different route, our readers, so allow us to send out an individual Desktop PC of the year..........................36
basing our reviews on our own tests and our message to each of you as you read this: thank Business software of the year.............36
knowledge of the sector. But every year we you for taking part. If you didn’t win one of our Security product of the year................36
Workstation of the year........................36
do something that wouldn’t otherwise be prizes, hopefully the data-packed tables over Phone of the year................................... 37
possible: we ask thousands of people about the next few pages will be ample reward. Business laptop of the year.................. 37
their buying experiences. Not whether the Business hardware of the year...........36
product turned up on time (unless it’s part of CONTRIBUTORS: Barry Collins, Tim Danton Innovation Excellence Award............. 37
Sustainability Excellence Award........ 37
our analysis of online retailers), but what and 5,937 of our readers

28
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO
Excellence Awards 2024

BEST PC MANUFACTURER WINNERS CHILLBLAST, SCAN

HIGHLY COMMENDED APPLE, PCSPECIALIST

W
hile you can glean a lot about a company from
CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED BUY OVERALL
the table alone – whether for Best PC SUPPORT MONEY AGAIN?
Manufacturer or any of the other categories –
CHILLBLAST 94% 98% 92% 99% 95% 95%
sometimes you need to hear direct from people to
fully comprehend what makes it stand out. And for SCAN 97% 96% 91% 95% 99% 95%
Scan, joint winners of this year’s award, it’s not merely PCSPECIALIST 95% 94% 92% 94% 97% 94%
about speed or reliability, but customer service.
“Scan are amazing!” wrote Benjamin Harris, APPLE 93% 96% 82% 94% 99% 93%
echoing many others’ exact same sentiments. DELL 82% 90% 85% 87% 96% 88%
“Their customer support is fantastic and any
LENOVO 77% 89% 87% 88% 98% 88%
problems they are very quick to help.” Although we
thought this brief comment from Rishen Raja also CYBERPOWERPC 83% 90% 82% 92% 92% 88%
says a huge amount about the pride it has in its ACER 80% 86% 87% 82% 97% 86%
machines. “Great experience working with Scan,”
HP 79% 86% 87% 87% 94% 86%
he said, “[and] amazing cable management!”
It’s the speed of its machines that ultimately lifted
Chillblast from Highly Commended to Winner, with the vast majority of its It’s tight at the top, with Apple and PCSpecialist only narrowly missing out on
customers declaring themselves very satisfied with the performance of their the Winners’ accolade. “Paid attention to detail and their work-in-progress
desktop PCs. But speed alone isn’t enough, so it’s worth taking notice of its photos are a great tool to check if rigs have been built right,” said Penny
excellent reliability results and high levels of customer support (despite Goodhand of the British retailer. And Linda Tyler clearly agrees: “From
changing ownership in 2024). “Excellent pre and post-sales support,” David configuration to build to delivery, the team at PCSpecialist were on hand and in
Ralph told us, while Katherine Starket commented that “everything was top touch making sure everything went smoothly.”
notch”. Michael Hoare added: “The staff are very knowledgeable, and with a While it wasn’t such an awe-inspiring set of results for the international
friendly and approachable manner.” names, in part because they can’t offer that level of customisation to buyers, it’s
worth highlighting that in general people are pretty happy with their desktop
PCs – and we were pleased to see that over 90% would buy again from each and
every company here.
TECHNOLOGY
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024
WIN NER

TECHNOLOGY
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024
WIN NER
29
 BEST LAPTOP MANUFACTURER WINNER APPLE
HIGHLY COMMENDED MICROSOFT, SAMSUNG

I
f you’re looking for a laptop brand you can CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED BATTERY BUY OVERALL
trust, it’s hard to look past Apple. It sits at the SUPPORT MONEY LIFE AGAIN?
top of the charts for reliability, speed, battery
APPLE 90% 95% 79% 94% 92% 98% 91%
life and customer support – little wonder that
98 out of 100 MacBook buyers would stick with MICROSOFT 83% 92% 76% 87% 82% 96% 86%
the brand with their next purchase. SAMSUNG 80% 88% 83% 87% 81% 92% 85%
One aspect stands out for Phil Asquith. “The
[MacBook’s] battery life is unbelievably good LENOVO 77% 85% 84% 85% 77% 94% 84%
compared to a Windows machine, lasting well ACER 80% 88% 85% 81% 77% 92% 84%
over a week on a charge and used every day.” A
ASUS 76% 87% 84% 85% 72% 96% 83%
telling remark if you look down the battery life
column, where you’ll see that all the Windows DELL 79% 85% 80% 85% 76% 93% 83%
laptop makers lag behind for satisfaction – HP 77% 84% 82% 81% 77% 92% 82%
something we expect to see slowly improving
MSI 80% 79% 81% 87% 72% 93% 82%
over time, now that AMD, Intel and Qualcomm
have belatedly realised that Windows users
care about life away from the mains, too. value-for-money score of 76% – its website is worth checking for flash sales.
That brings us to longevity. “My last Apple laptop is still going strong after Peter Rudd grabbed a “very good deal that couldn’t be missed, but I wouldn’t
nine years,” Nick Harrison informed us. “My Windows laptop was broken after have bought it even at a half retail price”. That sounds like one heck of a bargain.
two-and-a-half years and it cost the same.” The only area where Apple’s Samsung, meanwhile, is winning fans for its integration with its other mobile
otherwise loyal fans criticised the company was lack of ports. “Could do with hardware. Sameer Thapa praised the company for its “modern designs” and
more,” wrote John Wright, succinctly. “vibrant displays” but it was “the integration of their hardware with their
Of the chasing pack, Microsoft and Samsung stood out. “Super light and [it ecosystem such as smartphones and tablets” that drew particular praise.
has] an amazing screen,” wrote Jon White of his Surface. And while people often The chasing Windows pack isn’t far behind, whether that’s Acer, Asus, Dell or
commented about the expense of Microsoft’s laptops – as reflected in a low Lenovo. Whether they’ll ever be able to catch up with Apple is another matter.

TECHNOLOGY
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024
HIGHLY COMMENDED

TECHNOLOGY
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024
HIGHLY COMMENDED

BEST OF BRITISH LAPTOPS

WINNER PCSPECIALIST
TECHNOLOGY

W
e didn’t receive EXCELLENCE TECHNOLOGY
enough feedback AWARDS 2024 EXCELLENCE
about British AWARDS 2024
company PCSpecialist BEST OF BRITISH
to include it in our main list, but the company stood WIN NER
out from its UK rivals for the levels of satisfaction it
received from its laptop-buying customers, and
that’s why we gave it this special award.

30
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO
Excellence Awards 2024

BEST TABLET MANUFACTURER WINNER APPLE

HIGHLY COMMENDED SAMSUNG

I
f we needed to sum up people’s
thoughts about iPads in one response, it
would be this: “The new 11in iPad Pro M4 TECHNOLOGY
is an amazing piece of kit, but very EXCELLENCE
expensive and overkill for daily tasks,” AWARDS 2024
wrote Robert Barr. “Nevertheless, I do not HIGHLY COMMENDED
regret upgrading and enjoy using it.” And
this begrudging love for Apple’s incredibly
expensive but also supremely high quality
tablets, along with an unparalleled
selection of apps and accessories, ran
through our survey. What’s more, iPads
last: “Will be purchasing a new one soon
as this one is nine years old with the
original battery,” said Andrew Alton.
But if Apple thinks it can sit back and
relax it need only look at the Smartphone
category, where it comes second to
OnePlus. In the meantime, Samsung is
its big tablet rival, and a phenomenal 95%
of people would buy a Galaxy Tab again.
Carol Wilson among them: “Excellent for travelling light, easy to
set up and use, very stylish. A very good buy.” Heather Jacobs
agrees: “One of the best things I’ve bought in a
long time. I spend as much time using it as I do my TECHNOLOGY
main desktop.” EXCELLENCE
Lenovo trails a distant third, with its buyers AWARDS 2024
seemingly less enthused about their purchase. WIN NER
People did praise build quality – Bryan Hall said
that his was even “tough enough to deal with [both] adults and
sometimes clumsy children” but it couldn’t quite match
Amazon’s big selling point: price.
“Extremely good value for CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED BATTERY CHOICE OF BUY OVERALL
money, especially for children,” SUPPORT MONEY LIFE SOFTWARE/ AGAIN?
said Trevor Toms. We’ll give the ACCESSORIES
final word to Vascar Barmanroy, APPLE 86% 94% 79% 91% 85% 85% 97% 88%
who praised Amazon’s “value
SAMSUNG 80% 90% 81% 85% 82% 80% 95% 85%
for money, especially if you’re
not using power-hungry LENOVO 73% 83% 83% 76% 81% 74% 88% 80%
applications. Great for
AMAZON 76% 82% 86% 71% 78% 61% 82% 77%
watching movies on the go.”

HOW YOU DECIDE THE WINNERS

F
orgive us, for we say this every year, but PC Pro score of 80%. And so on, until they reach
doesn’t decide the winners of the “very dissatisfied”, which is 0%. So a score
Technology Excellence Awards: of 90% could be 50 people saying “very
you do. It’s thanks to thousands of satisfied” (100%) and 50 “satisfied” (80%).
readers taking part in our detailed For companies to appear in our tables,
survey, across three months, that they must have at least 25 respondents.
we can generate the detailed We also use methods to protect against
tables you see on these pages. “stuffing” or other manipulation where a
Fundamentally, we aim to manufacturer may try to bias results by
gauge your levels of satisfaction encouraging only positive feedback. This
with the companies whose products year, we (together with an
you buy. When it comes to printers, independent consultant) spent over
how satisfied are you with print two weeks analysing the data,
quality? Or the reliability of your looking for anomalous results and discarding those entries. As a
broadband? How happy are you with the photos your phone produces? consequence, we believe that the scores you see are ones you can trust.
We then crunch the figures to create the percentage scores you see From p36, we also select our own Products of the Year. Chosen by
in the tables, The maximum score a company can receive is 100%, where PC Pro’s editors, these are the standout products and services – from
a reader declares themselves to be “very satisfied” with, for instance, business laptops to workstations to AI innovations – from the hundreds
customer support for their desktop PC. If they select “satisfied”, that’s a we’ve tested over the past 12 months.

31
 BEST NAS MANUFACTURER WINNER QNAP
HIGHLY COMMENDED SYNOLOGY

T
he NAS category is dominated by two big beasts
of the industry: QNAP and Synology. Synology
took the crown in 2023, but it’s been wrested
back by QNAP this year, with Synology taking the
consolation of a Highly Commended award.
QNAP beat its rival in every category in this year’s
survey, with customer support offering the widest
margin between the two. An 89% satisfaction TECHNOLOGY
score for support is backed up by every single one EXCELLENCE
of the QNAP customers we surveyed saying they AWARDS 2024
would be happy to buy from the company again.
We can see from the comments that many
HIGHLY COMMENDED
readers are deciding between the two rivals when
choosing a NAS. “QNAP seems to produce higher
spec NAS devices for the same money as Synology,”
said Paul Trickey. “Synology software is supposed to
be easier for the beginner, but frankly I didn’t find QNAP setup too difficult so I’d
go with them again.” Derek Abbott demurred slightly, arguing QNAP’s “setup TECHNOLOGY
instructions could be clearer”, although Jonathan Groves found QNAP’s NAS
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024
“much easier to manage than Synology”.
A few Synology buyers griped about the price of the devices, although Ray WIN NER
Collington thought it was money well spent. “Love Synology and especially the
DSM software and all the apps available,” he said. “This is a far better storage
solution than being ripped off by cloud providers.”
Note that we also received feedback on
CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED FEATURES/ BUY OVERALL Asustor and Western Digital, but the sample
SUPPORT MONEY OS/APPS AGAIN? sizes weren’t big enough to include them in the
QNAP 89% 94% 88% 90% 93% 100% 92% table. The “Others” result, however, shows how
the rest of the industry (including Asustor,
SYNOLOGY 81% 91% 86% 86% 92% 96% 89%
Western Digital and a handful of other brands)
OTHERS 65% 80% 80% 82% 75% 82% 77% compares to our award winners.

BEST ROUTER MANUFACTURER WINNERS DRAYTEK, UBIQUITI

HIGHLY COMMENDED FRITZ!BOX

D
rayTek is becoming a fixture at the top of our router
manufacturer award. There are no chinks in its scores, TECHNOLOGY
but a 96% satisfaction rating for reliability is the score EXCELLENCE
that stands out. Reliability is everything when it comes to a AWARDS 2024
broadband connection, and that’s the main reason
DrayTek remains at the top of the pile.
WIN NER
“They just work and work well,” said Martin Packer
of DrayTek’s routers, a sentiment echoed
by Simon Reynolds. “I’ve been using
DrayTek comms equipment for
many years, very happy with TECHNOLOGY
them,” he said. EXCELLENCE
Anyone who listens to the AWARDS 2024
PC Pro podcast will know of WIN NER
Jon Honeyball’s fondness for
Ubiquiti and its “networking gear for grown- ecosystem is brilliant but is really aimed at the home
ups”, and readers make that distinction, too. “The UniFi enthusiast or SMB market,” said Martin Raeburn.
Jodi Lowe buys second-hand Ubiquiti
CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED RANGE BUY OVERALL equipment. “Don’t think it’s worth the full price,
SUPPORT MONEY AGAIN? but it is the most stable Wi-Fi point I’ve had and
UBIQUITI 82% 95% 90% 96% 95% 97% 93% handles over 60 Wi-Fi smart devices where
other points have failed.”
DRAYTEK 91% 96% 88% 93% 90% 96% 93% Fritz!Box, which supplies many of the routers
FRITZ!BOX 91% 94% 89% 92% 86% 96% 91% for broadband award winner Zen, claims a
AMAZON EERO 85% 91% 84% 93% 86% 84% 87% Highly Commended award. Range is the only
slight weak spot in its scores, failing to match
TP-LINK 79% 88% 88% 87% 85% 95% 87% the 90%+ scores of DrayTek and Ubiquiti.
ASUS 84% 86% 79% 93% 89% 89% 87% “Fuller advice on positioning of mesh repeater
would be helpful with respect to internal walls,”
NETGEAR 74% 84% 71% 89% 84% 85% 81%
said Tim Marriott.

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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO
Excellence Awards 2024

BEST ONLINE RETAILER WINNER PRINTERLAND

HIGHLY COMMENDED SCAN

G
iven how much grief printers cause, it’s
OVERALL CUSTOMER SPEED/QUALITY RE-USE? OVERALL
staggering that any retailer with SATISFACTION SUPPORT OF DELIVERY
“printer” in its name can top a
PRINTERLAND 97% 97% 98% 99% 98%
customer satisfaction chart. But
Printerland is clearly a winning SCAN 95% 93% 94% 99% 95%
destination for PC Pro readers, with an BROADBANDBUYER 95% 90% 94% 99% 94%
TECHNOLOGY
overall score of 98% sealing the win in EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024 JOHN LEWIS 93% 89% 91% 98% 93%
one of the most competitive categories.
Strong scores across the board WINN ER APPLE 92% 88% 91% 99% 93%
propel Printerland above last year’s CCL 92% 89% 89% 97% 92%
winner, Broadbandbuyer.co.uk and
perennial PC Pro award botherer Scan. NOVATECH 94% 88% 92% 93% 92%
Claire O’Kane was impressed with LAPTOPS DIRECT 91% 84% 90% 100% 91%
both Printerland’s website and OVERCLOCKERS UK 90% 85% 88% 95% 90%
customer service. “Brilliant website with
an extra-detailed filter system that EBUYER 88% 83% 87% 97% 89%
TECHNOLOGY
allowed me to tick off all my listed needs EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024 ARGOS 88% 80% 88% 99% 89%
and narrow the choice down to a few HIGHLY COMMENDED AMAZON 86% 78% 91% 99% 88%
printers,” she said. “Ordered around 3pm
and it arrived by the next day. First time I’ve used this company BOX 86% 83% 88% 95% 88%
and would definitely use again.” DELL 87% 81% 83% 95% 87%
Daniel Learmouth was equally enamoured. “They were
VERY 84% 80% 83% 95% 85%
superbly helpful during the ordering process, and followed up
on my order a few days later to check everything was alright,” LENOVO 87% 79% 82% 91% 85%
he said. “Exemplary service.” HP 84% 75% 85% 92% 84%
Scan is a long-term PC Pro reader favourite, a British PC
CURRYS 82% 75% 81% 94% 83%
firm that defies the chill winds of the industry by consistently
delivering superb service – as evidenced by 99% of customers EBAY 82% 73% 77% 99% 83%
saying they would be happy to buy again from the company. No MICROSOFT 80% 70% 82% 96% 82%
mean feat when you’re supplying hardware as temperamental
BT SHOP 77% 69% 73% 78% 74%
as high-end gaming PCs!

BEST WEB HOST WINNER 20I

HIGHLY COMMENDED ZEN

2
0i makes it two years on the spin as your favourite web host, once again
seeing off perennial favourite Zen.
If you’re going to outperform Zen, you simply have to get your service
spot on, and a 95% satisfaction rating for 20i’s customer support is indicative of
a company doing just that. In fact, there’s not a weak spot in 20i’s scores, with
reliability, value for money and speed all scoring 94% or better. TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY
“I cannot say enough how good 20i have been over the many years I EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024 AWARDS 2024
have used them, they are exceptionally good in every area,” said Stephen WINN ER HIGHLY COMMENDED
Bruckshaw. “I have been using hosting companies for over
20 years and of all the many hosting providers I have tried, CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED BUY OVERALL
no-one comes close.” SUPPORT MONEY AGAIN?
Zen won’t be unhappy with its scores either, logging 20I 95% 95% 94% 94% 97% 95%
above 90% in every single category. “Their customer
service is second to none, and they made the process of ZEN 94% 94% 92% 92% 97% 94%
transferring from my previous (American) host really easy, WORDPRESS. 75% 87% 83% 82% 96% 85%
and there have been no issues since,” said Jocelyn Lavin. COM
Francis Burns agrees. “Technical support is superb – WIX 84% 87% 75% 82% 95% 85%
with minimal handoffs and staff who really know what they
are talking about.” FASTHOSTS 78% 84% 78% 80% 88% 82%
20i and Zen are well ahead of the pack in our table, MICROSOFT 78% 81% 78% 82% 81% 80%
although it’s interesting to see WordPress.com climb to (AZURE)
third place. Although its customer support scores could
123REG.CO.UK 76% 81% 73% 78% 86% 79%
be better – 75% is relatively low – a very healthy 96% of
customers said they would be happy to buy from the GODADDY 75% 80% 73% 73% 84% 77%
company again, which shows the dedicated WordPress IONOS 74% 81% 74% 79% 74% 77%
host is doing something right.
Wix, another of the industry’s big beasts with a focus on BT 75% 77% 76% 78% 76% 76%
getting people online as easily as possible, slots into fourth 1AND1.CO.UK 70% 80% 69% 76% 80% 75%
place, showing that there’s an appetite for the services that
TSOHOST 69% 75% 76% 77% 77% 75%
give you the tools to build a web presence with little fuss.

33
 Excellence Awards 2024 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

BEST CLOUD STORAGE WINNER BACKBLAZE

HIGHLY COMMENDED AMAZON S3

B
ackblaze sits atop the PC Pro cloud storage table for yet another year,
finishing head and shoulders above the competition. Compare its scores to
big-name rivals and it’s immediately obvious that sometimes buying from a
specialist in a market pays dividends.
Reliability is surely the metric everyone pays attention to when it comes to
online backup, and Backblaze’s 96% satisfaction score is untouchable. It beats
everyone else for value for money, too, which is a very compelling combination.
Steven Smith was at a bit of a loss when it came to rating Backblaze’s
customer service, though. “Their system is so easy to use that customer
service has not been necessary for me,” he said. There’s also lots of praise for
Backblaze’s pricing structure for personal backups, where you pay a set
TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY
monthly or annual fee per machine, irrespective of how much data needs EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE
storing. However, there were one or two gripes about no discounts on pricing AWARDS 2024 AWARDS 2024
for multi-machine households. WINN ER HIGHLY COMMENDED
Amazon S3 is more business-oriented than
Backblaze, but customers still trumpet its value. CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED RECOMMEND? OVERALL
“Simple, cheap, effective. Can’t complain,” was the SUPPORT MONEY SCORE
succinct verdict of Myles Offord, who needs to up his BACKBLAZE 91% 96% 93% 90% 95% 93%
verbiage if he wants a job as a PC Pro reviewer. AMAZON S3 80% 91% 81% 86% 94% 86%
BT’s service thuds to the bottom of our table this
year, after a mid-table performance last time out. APPLE ICLOUD 79% 85% 78% 83% 89% 83%
And though Dropbox is arguably the best-known GOOGLE DRIVE 75% 84% 82% 82% 90% 83%
online storage firm out there, it too is struggling to
AMAZON 78% 82% 80% 79% 88% 81%
lift itself from the nether regions for the second year CLOUD DRIVE
in succession, with customer service and value for
money both called into question by our readers. BOX.COM 75% 82% 83% 79% 77% 79%
Many griped that the jump from Dropbox’s free MICROSOFT 72% 80% 78% 79% 86% 79%
to cheapest paid plan is too steep. “Repeatedly tries ONEDRIVE
to fool me into buying more storage space by lying DROPBOX 71% 82% 73% 80% 87% 79%
to me that my Dropbox is full when I am only ever
BT 60% 67% 65% 69% 54% 63%
using about 15% of it,” said Douglas Bell.

BEST BROADBAND ISP WINNER ZEN

D
espite this being an era of huge upheaval in the broadband Zen’s across-the-board consistency is staggering. It’s the only
market, some things remain constant – such as Zen’s place broadband provider in our rankings to score above 90% in any
at the top of our broadband ISP league. of our categories… and it scores above 90% in all of them.
One of the so-called altnets (or smaller fibre providers), Zen is “so easy to deal with”, said Michael Godfrey. Despite
Hyperoptic, was nipping at Zen’s heels last year. Alas, this issues occasionally cropping up with wholesale provider
year we didn’t receive a sufficient number of responses from Openreach, “Zen deals with it all. Someone from their end
any of the altnets to put them in our final rankings (we need takes control and responsibility for dealing with it, reports
at least 25 responses for them to be included), but note this: back to me on progress, and checks in on a regular basis
one of the altnets in this year’s survey outscored Zen in until everything’s back to how it should be.” Gareth Green
several categories. agrees, adding that Zen are “so much better in every way than
It would have been a shock result had it won outright, any of our many previous providers”. We could actually fill this
because Zen has now claimed this award for 21 consecutive years, TECHNOLOGY entire article (all 11 pages) with words of adulation from its
EXCELLENCE
making it the most successful company in the history of these awards. AWARDS 2024 customers, but you hopefully get the message.
And you only need to study the table to see its dominance. WINN ER BT subsidiary Plusnet is the best of the rest this year, and this note
from Andrew Nason hints at why it scored second for
CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED RENEW? OVERALL customer support. “I’ve just spoken to them,” he
SUPPORT MONEY wrote. “No waiting, straight through. They promised
a call back within four hours but 30 minutes later
ZEN 96% 96% 91% 92% 97% 94%
they rang. What’s lovely about Plusnet is that you can
PLUSNET 83% 83% 77% 72% 84% 80% just call them and speak to someone, they offer good
value for money but their support is top notch.”
EE 77% 77% 70% 75% 72% 74% TalkTalk could learn a thing or two about this. Its
VODAFONE 69% 76% 72% 74% 80% 74% abject customer support score of 57% plunges the
bargain-basement provider to the bottom of our
VIRGIN MEDIA 59% 74% 57% 82% 75% 69% table this year, although there’s not too much to
separate it from some of the other big beasts such
BT 66% 76% 55% 67% 70% 67%
as Sky, BT and Virgin Media. It seems even stiff
SKY 70% 70% 61% 64% 66% 66% competition from the altnets isn’t prompting the big
players to up their game, which is disappointing – and
TALKTALK 57% 67% 62% 64% 60% 62%
reflected in their woeful “renew” results.

34
 BEST MOBILE DATA PROVIDER WINNER 1PMOBILE
HIGHLY COMMENDED SMARTY

W
e say it every year, but when it comes to there were no unexpected costs when I
satisfaction with mobile data providers travelled abroad in the EU”.
it’s the virtual networks that outshine Value is also a strong card for Smarty.
the very networks they’re piggybacking on. “Great value monthly rolling deal – 60GB data,
In fact, this year’s top two are the same pair TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY unlimited calls and texts for £10 per month.
that collected the gongs in 2023: 1pMobile EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE What’s not to like?” asks David Dunmore,
AWARDS 2024 AWARDS 2024
and Smarty. WINN ER HIGHLY COMMENDED auditioning for Lee Dixon’s job on the Smarty ads.
1pMobile has improved its scores since last year’s 1pMobile and Smart’s excellent value scores
winning performance, now being the only mobile network to meet the should perhaps give parent networks EE and Three respectively food for
much-prized 90% overall score threshold. As you might expect from a network thought about their own (at best) middling showings.
that trades on the “UK’s
lowest PAYG rates” of CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED 4G 5G BUY OVERALL
1p per minute, 1p a text SUPPORT MONEY SATISFACTION SATISFACTION AGAIN?
and 1p a MB, it scores 1PMOBILE 86% 92% 93% 91% 87% 83% 100% 90%
most highly for value SMARTY 85% 87% 95% 87% 81% 71% 95% 86%
for money.
GIFFGAFF 82% 89% 94% 86% 81% 65% 96% 85%
Paul Rendell said
he uses 1pMobile “for TALKMOBILE 82% 84% 93% 84% 84% 62% 100% 84%
personal [use] as well LEBARA 80% 86% 95% 84% 80% 67% 95% 84%
as three phones
TESCO MOBILE 84% 87% 88% 83% 79% 66% 93% 83%
used for a non-profit
that use mostly data. ASDA MOBILE 80% 87% 86% 81% 79% 68% 96% 82%
Works great and very ID MOBILE 76% 84% 91% 83% 78% 66% 91% 81%
cheap but also does SKY 75% 78% 80% 77% 74% 56% 78% 74%
VoWiFi and VoLTE,
which some MVNOs EE 73% 79% 71% 76% 73% 64% 81% 74%
still do not.” THREE 67% 74% 73% 72% 68% 58% 71% 69%
Alan Graham adds O2 68% 76% 69% 72% 68% 55% 74% 69%
that the “service is
VODAFONE 67% 75% 67% 71% 69% 56% 73% 68%
cheap and reliable and

BEST PHONE MANUFACTURER WINNER ONEPLUS

HIGHLY COMMENDED APPLE, HONOR

Y
ou might expect Apple to dominate phones as it does for laptops
and tablets, but while it still gains a Highly Commended award, not
everyone is happy. “Unimpressed that after just a year I discovered
a (manufacturing) fault with the camera and Apple would not replace,”
wrote Ashley Harcourt. Add on regular complaints about price and you
wonder at the astonishing 98% of people that would buy again.
In contrast, OnePlus customers are delighted with the value
offered by their phones. And Martin Schwaller keeps coming back for
more: “I’ve had a number of OnePlus phones over the years; all are
superb.” And it’s not just about value. “I’m in a low signal area and
reception on my OnePlus phone has been outstanding,” Roy Holt told us.
Congratulations also go to Honor, which pipped OnePlus for value
for money while also delivering for battery life and speed. “I bought this
[Honor] phone to replace my Pixel 7 Pro, and it is so much faster and the TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY
EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE
battery lift is amazing,” wrote Michael Tott. If Honor can improve its AWARDS 2024 AWARDS 2024
camera scores, it could challenge OnePlus for the top accolade in 2025. HIGHLY COMMENDED HIGHLY COMMENDED

CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR SPEED BATTERY CAMERA BUY OVERALL

SUPPORT MONEY LIFE QUALITY AGAIN?
ONEPLUS 90% 96% 92% 88% 89% 91% 95% 92%
APPLE 88% 93% 75% 95% 80% 90% 98% 89%
HONOR 77% 90% 93% 91% 93% 84% 89% 88%
GOOGLE 79% 89% 85% 91% 81% 91% 96% 87%
SONY XPERIA 80% 92% 84% 81% 88% 92% 97% 87%
SAMSUNG 79% 89% 80% 88% 81% 86% 95% 86%
NOKIA 80% 84% 89% 90% 86% 79% 92% 86%
TECHNOLOGY MOTOROLA 74% 88% 91% 92% 84% 78% 94% 86%
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024
XIAOMI 77% 87% 90% 83% 85% 83% 89% 85%
WINN ER

36
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO
Excellence Awards 2024

BEST SMARTWATCH MANUFACTURER WINNER XIAOMI

HIGHLY COMMENDED APPLE, GARMIN

L
et’s not beat about the bush here: Xiaomi wins the Best CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR BATTERY EASE BUY OVERALL
Smartwatch Manufacturer award for one key factor: SUPPORT MONEY LIFE OF USE AGAIN?
value. Michael Crooks described this succinctly as
XIAOMI 79% 89% 91% 88% 85% 97% 88%
“excellent”, while Paul Vincent said his was a “good budget
smart band [that] tracks APPLE 89% 92% 78% 75% 90% 93% 86%
everything I need and GARMIN 80% 90% 85% 87% 81% 94% 86%
the battery life is
HUAWEI 72% 82% 90% 89% 80% 86% 83%
approximately
one week with SAMSUNG 82% 90% 81% 71% 87% 88% 83%
heart-rate FITBIT 68% 78% 75% 74% 80% 77% 75%
monitor on
auto”. And Xiaomi’s battery life watches’ battery life. “The battery life is much shorter than my wife’s Huawei and
results – together with 97% of yet they do much the same job,” said Liam McQuade. However, Paul Taylor-Bell
people saying they would buy a described his Watch Ultra as a “life-changing device”, and others praised its
Xiaomi smartwatch again – are excellent integration with other Apple devices.
another key reason for its victory. Garmin once again performed well in our survey, with Mark Matthews’
TECHNOLOGY Apple, on the other hand, response perhaps explaining why it remains near the top – but not quite at the
EXCELLENCE
AWARDS 2024 lost its top position due to the peak. “It’s great for recording my sporting activities, but does not have the
WINN ER relatively poor perception of its general features of most smartwatches.”

BEST PRINTER MANUFACTURER WINNERS BROTHER, XEROX

B
rother has had its name printed on this award for more than a decade now, John Sinclair is on his third Brother
but this year it’s been forced to share the spoils with Xerox. printer and says he has “always been
Brother is renowned for its reliability. The Verge infamously writes a satisfied” with the brand. Stuart Dearing
TECHNOLOGY
printer roundup that contains the same advice every year: just buy the Brother backs him up, adding that his Brother EXCELLENCE
printer that everyone else does. And with a 91% reliability score, you can see why “has not let me down” and is “cheaper to AWARDS 2024

people stick with the brand. run” than its predecessor. WINN ER
But Xerox pips it in our survey for both customer support and print quality, Tsz Him Chung, meanwhile, is a big fan of
meaning the pair will have to take home a gong each, with both landing overall his Xerox B225 mono laser. “The print quality
scores of 90%. is sharp and the speed is impressive, even
for larger documents,”
CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE INC PRINT BUY OVERALL he reports. Others
SUPPORT RUNNING COSTS QUALITY AGAIN? commented on the
BROTHER 81% 91% 89% 90% 98% 90% superb print quality,
though a few gripes
XEROX 86% 90% 86% 93% 97% 90%
about consumable
EPSON 80% 88% 85% 88% 93% 87% prices may explain why
CANON 76% 84% 81% 86% 94% 84% Xerox dipped below TECHNOLOGY
EXCELLENCE
Brother in the value for AWARDS 2024
HP 73% 78% 77% 84% 83% 79%
money category. WINN ER

BEST MONITOR MANUFACTURER WINNERS ACER, BENQ, IIYAMA

C
ategories don’t come much tighter than CUSTOMER RELIABILITY VALUE FOR IMAGE BUY OVERALL
this one, with four points separating the SUPPORT MONEY QUALITY AGAIN?
award winner from the unfortunate IIYAMA 85% 91% 90% 89% 96% 90%
Samsung, which sits bottom of the table
BENQ 79% 93% 92% 93% 95% 90%
despite decent scores. In fact, we had such a
tight race that our joint winners were only a ACER 83% 91% 88% 90% 98% 90%
razor’s width ahead of the chasing pack. HP 82% 91% 90% 92% 94% 89%
Our three winners each had TECHNOLOGY DELL 80% 91% 89% 91% 96% 89%
different factors propelling them to EXCELLENCE
MSI 84% 90% 90% 90% 93% 89%
AWARDS 2024
the top. For Acer, it was the 98% of WINN ER LG 80% 89% 87% 93% 96% 89%
customers who said they would buy
again. BenQ topped the table for reliability and ASUS 74% 89% 85% 92% 95% 87%
image quality, while Iiyama won for its AOC 76% 90% 91% 89% 89% 87%
all-round consistency and customer support. SAMSUNG 77% 90% 83% 87% 92% 86%
This consistency stretches over the years,
with Iiyama also earning the crown in 2023. To soften the blow of finishing bottom for Samsung, it’s worth pointing out that
“I have owned a succession of Iiyama monitors from the days of CRTs and have the vast majority of commenters were satisfied with their screen. “Excellent
never been disappointed by their quality or reliability,” said Nik Whiddett. “The only monitor for way under £800,” said Steven Fletcher. “Crisp picture, bright whites
reason I have replaced monitors is to trade up to a significantly better spec.” and deep blacks. Plus comes with Smart TV, Amazon Alexa and a great remote.”

37
 PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR
Out of the hundreds of products we reviewed in the past 12 months, these are the handful that
stand out as the best – plus our choices for technology and sustainability innovation

DESKTOP PC OF THE YEAR

WINNER CYBERPOWERPC ULTRA R77 RTX
LAPTOP OF THE YEAR HIGHLY COMMENDED GEEKOM A8
WINNER ASUS ZENBOOK S 14 OLED HIGHLY COMMENDED ASUS PROART PX13
We can always trust CyberPowerPC to deliver
It’s a double win for Asus this year, as it relentlessly hammers out great designs based on the latest CPUs. high-quality, high-value PCs based around the
“The ZenBook S 14 OLED was the first I tested to use Intel’s second-gen Core Ultra chips,” said editor-in-chief latest tech, and this year it was the combo of AMD’s
Tim Danton, “and if this is a sign to come then we’re in for a treat in 2025. Super-slim, stylish and staggering gaming-focused Ryzen 7 7800X3D and an Nvidia
battery life for an OLED laptop.” And Asus once again delivered for AMD and its Ryzen HX 300 chips, RTX 4080 Super that claimed top prize. “Plus I
extracting amazing amounts of power from the CPU to create a creative 13in workhorse in the ProArt PX13. loved the angles of the NZXT H6 Flow chassis,” said
editor-in-chief Tim Danton. And while the Geekom
A8 can’t match the Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro
BEST BUSINESS SOFTWARE for value in our mini PC Labs (see p78), it remains a
fantastic choice for power in a tiny package.
WINNER 3CX V20
HIGHLY COMMENDED VERITAS BACKUP EXEC 23
3CX keeps on winning our Best Business
WORKSTATION OF THE YEAR
Software award, and that’s because Dave WINNER ARMARI MAGNETAR MC64T7-AW1650G4
Mitchell continues to be wowed by it. “Whether HIGHLY COMMENDED SCAN 3XS GWP A1-TR64
it’s on-premises or cloud–hosted, 3CX’s
affordable Phone System 20 is the perfect We’ll leave it to workstation specialist James
solution for businesses that want total control over their Morris to explain why these two power-soaked
VoIP services,” he said, adding that he was particularly systems gain this year’s awards. “The non-Pro AMD
impressed by its “smart new admin console”. This year it was pushed close by Veritas Backup Exec 23, Ryzen Threadripper is back with a vengeance with
with Dave explaining that “the new anomaly detection and malware scan features provide essential the 64-core 7980X,” said
ransomware protection, and Veritas’ Simple Core Pack subscriptions will appeal hugely to SMBs”. James, “and the Armari
showcases what this CPU
can do, providing the best
SECURITY PRODUCT OF THE YEAR all-round workstation
performance I have ever
WINNER WITHSECURE ELEMENTS ENDPOINT SECURITY seen.” Meanwhile, the
HIGHLY COMMENDED WATCHGUARD FIREBOX M390 Scan delivers “superb
rendering performance
Along with its A List award this month (see p101), WithSecure and real-time graphics”,
claims our Security Product of the Year gong. “I really liked its proactive threat detection and automated while its Threadripper
remediation features, the new Luminen AI-based tool that adds valuable assistance in times of need, and 7970X and Nvidia TRX
an early release programme that allows you to test client software updates before going live,” said Dave 5000 graphics “balance
Mitchell. Why the Firebox? “It provides an exceptional range of protection services that are easily managed high-end workstation
on-premises or from a cloud portal – I use WatchGuard to front my testing lab for these very reasons.” capabilities perfectly”.

38
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO
Excellence Awards 2024

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

WINNER INTEL CORE ULTRA 200V SERIES
HIGHLY COMMENDED APPLE VISION PRO
The Core Ultra 200V series is the power
behind the throne of Asus’ award-winning
Zenbook S 14 OLED opposite and a winner in
its own right here. “I can’t speak highly
enough of what Intel has done to deliver
performance-per-watt that comes so
close to Qualcomm’s Elite chips,” said
editor-in-chief Tim Danton. “If this
carries on, we might finally be able to
forget about battery life in laptops.”
And Jon Honeyball praised the
Vision Pro for “finally delivering
what augmented reality headsets
should always have been”.

BEST PHONE
WINNER HONOR MAGIC V3
HIGHLY COMMENDED MOTOROLA RAZR 50 ULTRA
Last year the 9.9mm-thick Honor Magic V2 won our
Technology Innovation of the Year, but the Magic V3
is even better: slimmer, at 9.2mm, but also packing
an excellent camera with a 5x optical zoom and
Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. “It was
a sad day when I packed it up in its box to return to
Honor,” said editor-in-chief Tim Danton, describing SUSTAINABILITY
it as “the first foldable I’d recommend to anyone as
a day-to-day phone”. And sticking on the bendy EXCELLENCE AWARD
theme, the flippable Razr 50 Ultra earned its Highly WINNER BACK MARKET
Commended award for “compact power and such a HIGHLY COMMENDED APPLE
desirable design, all without costing a fortune”.
“Back Market’s ambition to normalise not-new
purchasing is vital to a circular economy,” said Lee
BEST BUSINESS LAPTOP Grant, when arguing why it should win this award.
“And its Innovation Lab breaks down barriers to
WINNER LENOVO THINKPAD T14S GEN 6 refurbishment then shares the knowledge with
HIGHLY COMMENDED DELL LATITUDE vendors, keeping tech working for longer.” And the
9450 2-IN-1 surprise package, Apple? “For the battery inside the
iPhone 16s,” he said. “Apple batteries now have 95%
We couldn’t let 2024 pass without some glory recycled lithium along with 100% recycled cobalt.
going to Qualcomm for its Snapdragon chips, Also, it’s now enclosed in recyclable aluminium
one of which propelled the Lenovo ThinkPad instead of plastic. Scale these changes by Apple’s
T14S Gen 6 to the A List as our favourite sales density and the environmental
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 RASPBERRY PI
WHICH BOARD IS
RIGHT FOR YOU?
THE POPULAR HOBBYIST BOARD COMES IN MANY VARIANTS.
NIK RAWLINSON DEMYSTIFIES THE LINEUP

40
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Raspberry Pi buyer’s guide

T
he Raspberry Pi is the best-selling a wide range of peripherals, including In general, if you’re looking for a
British personal computer of all keyboards, mice, cameras, touch general-purpose hobbyist computer then a
time. Launched in 2012, it surpassed displays and much more. full-sized board is likely to be your best bet,
the ZX Spectrum’s lifetime sales in While it’s great to have so many while the Zero range serves admirably for
just three years, and it’s remained options, it can be also be a bit daunting. basic Python projects, and the Pico is a very
on an upward trajectory ever since. If you’re new to the world of Raspberry Pi, cheap and simple platform for embedded
The platform has also expanded you could be forgiven for not knowing roles. But it’s not always clear-cut;
considerably. There are now five where to start. Do you need a full-sized everything depends on what you want to
major generations of the Raspberry Pi, board? How much processor power do build and how you plan on using your board
plus compact Zero variants and the you need, and how much RAM? And in the long term. Here’s our guide to the
ultra-lightweight Raspberry Pi Pico how can you get the right connectors most popular Raspberry Pi models, to help
microcontroller board – not to mention for your needs? you tell them apart and pick the right one.

you may need to invest in a cooler. The

other is that the design enhancements
mean it won’t fit into cases designed
for earlier Pi models.
If you don’t know which Pi you
want, the Raspberry Pi 5 is a very safe
choice. You can use it for simple
background services, or as an
interactive desktop computer for
processing, control and even
productivity tasks. The only question
might be how much RAM you need:
when the Pi 5 debuted it was available
only in 4GB and 8GB models, but in
August 2024 a cheaper 2GB model
was added to the lineup. As well as
saving money on memory, this
version uses an updated version of
the Broadcom processor, which strips
out some features not used by the Pi
hardware, bringing the price
attractively below the £50 mark.

RASPBERRY PI 5
the Raspberry Pi 4, helping not only
to boost speed but also to reduce
power consumption. In contrast to
ABOVE The
Raspberry Pi 5 is
the latest and most
RASPBERRY PI 4
the design of Pi 4 and earlier boards, powerful model Price £34 (1GB), £43 (2GB),
Price £47 (2GB), £58 (4GB), £53 (4GB), £72 (8GB)
£77 (8GB) many of the I/O subsystems have been
offloaded to a separate controller, Processor 1.5GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM
Processor 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A72
Cortex-A76 which sits along another spin-off chip
that handles power management. Wireless support Dual-band 802.11ac
Wireless support Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5
and Bluetooth 5.0 The connectors are different, too.
The 3.5mm audio jack of earlier Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet with PoE+
Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet with PoE+ support (requires separate PoE+ HAT)
support (requires separate PoE+ HAT) models is gone, and there are
changes to the camera and display Video Dual 4K micro-HDMI outputs
Video Dual 4K micro-HDMI outputs
interfaces, which now let you Storage High-speed microSD card slot
Storage High-speed microSD card slot
connect a pair of cameras or screens BELOW The Pi 4 is USB 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports; 2 x USB 2 ports
USB 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports; 2 x USB 2 ports
in addition to the two HDMI outputs. five years old, but is Connectivity Camera connector; display
Connectivity 2 x 4-lane MIPI camera /
There’s also a power switch (a first for still a great choice connector; Raspberry Pi standard 40-pin
display transceivers; Raspberry Pi standard GPIO header
40-pin GPIO header Raspberry Pi) and an FPC connector for certain projects
allowing for a single-lane PCI Express
Launched in September 2023, the 2.0 connection.
Raspberry Pi 5 is the latest, most This last feature is a real boon
powerful and versatile Raspberry Pi for anyone who’s looking to use
model. That might not be immediately Raspberry Pi 5 as the basis of a desktop
obvious from looking at it, though: replacement computer, as it can be
it has broadly the same appearance used to connect fast external storage.
as its predecessors, and sports the We’ve paired it with the optional
standard Raspberry Pi 40-pin GPIO £11.50 M.2 HAT+ (see p42) to mount a
connector, used to interface with huge 1TB NVMe SSD as our system
peripherals and sensors. drive, making the Pi boot up and load
All the same, the Raspberry Pi 5 apps in a flash.
brings significant changes and There are just two catches. One is
improvements to the platform. The that, thanks to its higher speeds, the
processor has a new core and faster Raspberry Pi 5 may run hotter than
All prices include VAT
clock speeds than the one that drives the Pi 4 – if you want to drive it hard,

41
Originally released in 2019, the
Raspberry Pi 4 is still a formidable
board. It was the first Pi model to
be offered in an 8GB variant, and the
first to be powered over USB-C,
which provides enough power to
max out the CPU and drive a full
array of peripherals – although if
you work the processor hard you’ll
also need some means of cooling to
avoid thermal throttling.
The Pi 4 has a lot in common with Storage High-speed microSD card slot ABOVE The Pi 400 take care to buy one with the right
the Pi 5: it has four USB ports (two of USB 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports; 1 x USB 2 port has a built-in keyboard layout, as regional variants
which support SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Connectivity Raspberry Pi standard 40-pin keyboard as well as are offered with layouts for the UK,
Gen 1 connections), gigabit Ethernet GPIO header the usual GPIO pins US, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
and support for driving two displays
at up to 4K. It’s hardware-compatible While other Pi models are sold as
with most other models, and uses the
same 40-pin GPIO header for direct
connection of compatible peripherals.
bare boards, the Pi 400 has a unique
design with an integrated keyboard,
reminiscent of classic home
RASPBERRY PI ZERO 2 W
Although the Pi 4 lacks the PCI computers. Just plug in a mouse Price £16 (512MB)
Express 2.0 connection of the Pi 5, and you’re ready to go. Processor 1GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM
you can still configure it to use an In terms of technology, the Pi 400 Cortex-A53
external USB drive to boot, launch is very similar to the Raspberry Pi 4, Wireless support Dual band 802.11 b/g/n
applications, and host data. although it’s only offered in a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2
The 2GB, 4GB and 8GB versions of standard 4GB RAM configuration and Ethernet N/A
the Pi 4 are priced almost identically its processor runs 20% faster, at Video Mini HDMI
to the corresponding Pi 5 versions, so 1.8GHz. There’s no need to add a Storage High-speed microSD card slot
it’s probably not the best choice for a cooler, as the chassis has one built in. USB 2 x micro-USB (of which one is used for
general-purpose Pi. However, there’s Despite the all-in-one form factor, power)
also a 1GB version of the Pi 4, which the Pi 400 still has accessible GPIO Connectivity Raspberry Pi standard 40-pin
could be a great low-cost choice for pins, so you can use it with all the GPIO header
projects with lighter hardware same projects and peripherals as other BELOW The Zero 2
requirements – and although the Pi 4 models. In this case, though, they’re W packs a 64-bit
is now five years old, you don’t need to situated on the side of the board, so quad-core CPU and
worry about the board going out of you may want to spend a few quid on 512MB of RAM on
support for at least another decade (see a GPIO extension cable. to a tiny board
“Older Raspberry Pi models”, p42). If you’re looking for a neat,
all-in-one machine for occasional
desktop tasks the Pi 400 is an

RASPBERRY PI 400 attractive proposition, and at £79

it’s very reasonably priced, too.
However, it’s overkill for
Price £79 (4GB) basic projects, while for
Processor 1.8GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM everyday productivity its It’s not quite
Cortex-A72 performance lags behind the as invisible as the
Wireless support Dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi Raspberry Pi 5 – we’re hoping name might suggest, but
and Bluetooth 5.0 that an upgraded Pi 500 model at 65 x 30mm the Raspberry
Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet might be along soon. If you do decide Pi Zero is still an impressively
Video Dual 4K micro-HDMI outputs to invest in a Pi 400, you should also tiny computer. The original Zero
board, launched in 2012, is still
available, but we’d recommend you

RASPBERRIES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT – look to the newer Zero 2 W, which
offers a far more powerful and

INTRODUCING THE PIMORONI PICO PLUS 2 W

versatile hardware specification
with the same tiny footprint.
That includes a 64-bit quad-core
As well as making its own boards, Raspberry Pi has recently started supplying its processor and 512MB of RAM, a single
RP2350 processors to third parties, opening the door to new variations on the micro-USB data port (the second port
Pico format. The first such product to arrive is the Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 W is used only for power) and a mini-
(tinyurl.com/363pimoroni) – a board that’s the same size as the Raspberry Pi HDMI video output. As the “W” in its
Pico and Pico 2, and fully compatible with its code and peripherals, but with some name indicates, it also includes
useful extra features. In place of the Pico’s outdated micro-USB connector, it onboard wireless networking – so if
uses a USB Type-C connection for power and programming, and comes with a you wanted, you could simply plug in
much more generous 8GB of RAM and 16GB of flash storage. Most importantly, a keyboard, mouse and display and
it also features onboard Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. use it as a regular computer.
This makes the Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 W an ideal choice for simple networked The Zero 2 W makes more sense,
tasks, such as remotely logging incoming information. At £16.80 it’s quite a bit though, when set up as a headless
pricier than a regular Pico, but still very affordable. Just note that, like the device, for running network services
official Pico 2, it comes without GPIO pins; you can add these for another 96p, or hosting sensors. If you’re interested
but you’ll need to solder them on yourself. in that latter role, however, be aware
that, by default, the Zero 2 W comes

42
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Raspberry Pi buyer’s guide
without GPIO pins – just a set of

GETTING KITTED OUT

mounting holes. If you’re comfortable
with a soldering iron, you can buy
a suitable set of pins for around
£1.50 and install them yourself;
alternatively, Pimoroni offers a WHERE CAN I BUY MY PI? microSD card using the Raspberry Pi Imager tool
so-called Hammer Header, which is a Raspberry Pi doesn’t sell directly to the public, but (available for Windows, Linux, and macOS at
set of pins that can be bashed smartly there are several authorised retailers online, such raspberrypi.com/software), you can
in the board with a few well-directed as Pimoroni (pimoroni.com) and The Pi Hut preconfigure SSH and network access, and
strikes; we recommend you also buy (thepihut.com). While they all sell the main Pi connect to your Pi as soon as it boots up. If you
the optional jig that guides them boards, their prices can differ need access to the GUI and you’ve installed a
into the holes on the board while slightly, and they offer different 64-bit version of Raspberry Pi OS, you can
protecting the board from your ranges of third-party accessories, also log in through a web browser by visiting
hammer, for a total cost of £7.20. so it’s worth shopping around. connect.raspberrypi.com on the machine
A final option is to order the from which you want to control it.
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 WH variant – note
the additional “H” – which comes with
DO I NEED TO BUY A If you prefer to use your Pi in
desktop mode, that’s easy too.
a pre-soldered header. Be warned, POWER SUPPLY? Raspberry Pi 5 and 4 boards
though, there is a price premium for Raspberry Pi produces its own have four full-sized USB
the WH edition: it costs 66p more range of power adaptors, but since adapters for peripherals,
than the standard model. the boards are powered by and two micro-HDMI ports
standard USB connectors you for monitor connections.
may already own a suitable Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero 2

RASPBERRY PI PICO 2 power supply. Note that the

newer models (which use USB
Type-C power connectors)
variants have a single available
micro-USB port and one-mini HDMI,
and all Pi models with Wi-Fi can also
Price £4.80 (520KB) have particular power support Bluetooth keyboards and mice.
Processor RP2350 processor running at requirements: the official ABOVE Pi boards are
150MHz Raspberry Pi 4 power supply is powered by standard CAN I RUN WINDOWS ON THE PI?
Wireless support N/A rated at 15W, while the Pi 5 one USB connectors It is technically possible to install the
Ethernet N/A is rated at 27W. Arm version of Windows 11 on a
Video N/A Raspberry Pi – but it involves some tinkering, it’s
Storage 4MB flash memory DO I NEED TO PLUG IN A KEYBOARD, definitely not supported, and you may not be
delighted with its performance. If for any reason
USB 1 x micro-USB for power and setup
Connectivity Dual banks of GPIO pin
MONITOR AND MOUSE? the official Raspberry Pi OS isn’t working for you,
connectors Not necessarily – we run the majority of our we’d recommend seeking out an alternative
Raspberry Pi devices “headless”, and access them flavour of Linux, or a bespoke environment such
Not everything needs to run on a entirely over the network. If you set up your as Diet Pi or LibreELEC.
general-purpose computer. Some
tasks just require a little bit of
brainpower – and that’s where the to use a pair of industry-standard C, C++ or Python, then connect the
Raspberry Pi Pico comes in. Based on Cortex-M33 cores or open-hardware Pico to the host via USB and transfer
a microcontroller, rather than a Hazard3 RISC-V cores, depending the code for it to run.
full-spec CPU, the Pico board is on your preferences and interests. It’s also important to note that the
ideal for simple, repetitive roles The board also offers two rows of Pico 2 also lacks Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
such as timers, security systems GPIO sockets, to which you can solder connectivity. These may be added in a
and robotics controllers. pins for attaching external sensors future revision, as they were to the
As with the Zero, the original Pico and peripherals in the same way as original Pico; in the meantime, if
is now quite ancient; the much newer larger Pi boards, although the you have a microcontroller project
Pico 2, released just a few months ago, connection isn’t identical. that relies on a network connection,
brings a faster processor and double Owing to its limited hardware, check out the Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 W
the memory of the original device the Pico doesn’t run a full desktop (see opposite).
(meaning you now get an enormous OS, so the experience of using it is
520 kilobytes of RAM). Unusually, the quite different to a regular Pi: you
RP2350 chip lets you choose whether create your code on a host device, in
PICO, PICO W AND
PICO WH
Price £3.80 (Pico, 264KB), £4.80 (Pico W,
264KB), £6.80 (Pico WH, 264KB)
Processor RP2040 processor running at
133MHz
Wireless support N/A on Pico / Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth on W and WH variants
Ethernet N/A
Video N/A
Storage 2MB flash memory
USB 1 x micro-USB for power and data
LEFT The Pico 2 is transfer
ideal for simple, Connectivity Dual banks of GPIO pin
repetitive tasks connectors

43
 Raspberry Pi buyer’s guide
RIGHT The Raspberry Pi

OUR TOP 5 RASPBERRY PI

Pico costs less than
a fiver

ADD-ONS

– something that can’t be said for

much more expensive computing
platforms. Raspberry Pi doesn’t set
hard end-of-life dates for its products,
but it has published the earliest dates
The first-edition Raspberry Pi Pico is at which production may be stopped
the very cheapest Pi board you can for the latest generation of each board:
get. Built on Raspberry Pi’s RP2040 PIBOW COUPE CASE FOR RASPBERRY PI 3, 4, 5
processor, with 2MB of flash storage Raspberry Pi 2 / 400 January 2026 PRICE £7.20 from tinyurl.com/363coupe
and 264KB of SRAM, it costs under a Raspberry Pi 3 January 2028
These colourful cases comprise several layers of
fiver even for the version with Raspberry Pi 1 / Zero / Zero W / Zero 2 W transparent plastic, with convenient holes for heatsinks
integrated Wi-Fi, although the WH January 2030
and fans if required.
version that comes with GPIO headers Raspberry Pi 4 January 2034
pre-fitted pushes the price up to Raspberry Pi 5 / Pico / Pico W / Pico WH
nearly seven pounds. January 2036 RASPBERRY PI TOUCH DISPLAY
To be honest, there’s not much Raspberry Pi Pico 2 January 2040 PRICE £58 from tinyurl.com/363touch
reason to choose the regular Pico This touch-sensitive 7in screen has an 800 x 480 resolution
these days. While it will still be Despite the long shelf-life of the and makes use of Raspberry Pi OS’s built-in drivers for
supported until 2036, you’ll get a hardware, we wouldn’t recommend ten-finger touch and onscreen keyboards. (Requires an
much more versatile board if you pay buying an older Pi board today. The adapter cable for connection to Raspberry Pi 5.)
the extra pound for the Pico 2, or opt price saving is small, and earlier
for Pimoroni’s more tricked-out models not only have less powerful
model. However, the inclusion of processors, they may have design M.2 HAT+
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make the original restrictions such as only two USB PRICE £11.50 from tinyurl.com/363hat
Pico W and WH a great dirt-cheap connectors – and there’s no Wi-Fi on Upgrade your Raspberry Pi 5 with support for M.2 peripherals,
starting point for any project that models released before 2016. including NVMe drives. (Won’t work with earlier boards.)
needs to communicate with the Even when replacing an existing
outside world, such as crunching
small packets of data from an API or
Pi, it’s normally worth taking the
opportunity to move up to a later ACTIVE COOLER FOR RASPBERRY PI 5
notifying you of potential intruders as model – you’ll probably need a fresh
part of a homebrew security system. OS installation to get the right support
for the updated hardware, but any
projects you’ve created yourself

OLDER RASPBERRY PI should carry on working without

modification. Just remember that the

MODELS latest Raspberry Pi 5 boards have a

slightly different physical layout to
earlier models, so enclosures and
One of the great things about coolers designed for the previous
Raspberry Pi is long-term support. versions won’t fit.
Whatever project you’re working on, PRICE £4.90 from tinyurl.com/363active
it’s good to know that the hardware Avoid throttling by cooling your board in day-to-day use.
and software will remain available
and supported for many years to come
RASPBERRY PI CAMERA MODULE 3
PRICE £26 from
tinyurl.com/​
363camera
Available in regular and
wide-angle versions,
with or without IR
filters, this 12-megapixel
camera can sit at the
heart of an enormous
number of projects.
(Comes with a standard
cable; separate cable
LEFT Older models will required for use with
be supported for some Raspberry Pi 5 or Zero.)
time to come

44
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45
 HE
K T CT
IC F
P ER USE
P TY L
Se r s n o ing uit
q rien
e
ke
th e exp raha ow
the
e li ce of a ith

e’ tactil rien G , and h ds

Th itive, s. Da ology r nee
m-Sm to

intu al stylu e techn for you

t
digi ores th t stylus
l
exp the bes
pick

46
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Stylus counsel

ABOVE Devices with

an active stylus can
detect the pen even
when it’s hovering
above the display

I
f you don’t regularly use a reference or annotating an existing ABOVE A stylus is using a conductive tip that allows the
computer stylus, you might document, you may prefer to leave not just for digital device to detect its presence and
imagine they’re only relevant your notes in handwritten form artists – it can be location electrically, in the same way
to artists – an impression – behind-the-scenes text recognition great for taking as a human finger. In fact, the screen
reinforced by the fact that can still make it searchable and notes, for example can’t tell the difference between a
they’re often sold as optional indexable. You can also use the finger and a passive stylus; this
add-ons to tablets, rather than stylus to cross out and highlight bits conveniently means that any passive
essential components. of text or make marginal sketches, stylus can be used with almost any
But try one out and you might well and share them with others. touchscreen device, without needing
find that the stylus is a transformative And while it may seem like a to worry about compatibility or
way to interact with a computing small, silly thing, it’s also pleasing specific support. Since the stylus
device, especially a tablet. Holding it to note that a stylus won’t leave doesn’t need to be powered, it can also
in your hand, like a pen, is much greasy smudges on your screen and be very thin, light and cheap – and, of
more comfortable than prodding cheapen the appearance of your course, it never needs recharging. The
and swiping on a hard glass screen shiny, sexy tablet. downside is that a capacitive stylus
with your fingers and thumb – and it can’t support “smart” features: it
allows you to be far more precise in Different types registers touch and nothing else.
your interactions, so it’s particularly of stylus Active styluses are the most
handy for apps with lots of buttons, There are three main types of stylus: sophisticated.
or tapping in text on a small-scale resistive, capacitive and active. The Devices that work
virtual keyboard. first type is largely obsolete these Try one out and with an active
Needless to say, though, you don’t days, and that’s a good thing. Resistive stylus have
have to use that keyboard – you can styluses work with old-fashioned you might well additional sensing
use the stylus to handwrite directly resistive touchscreens, which register hardware that can
onto the screen. Today’s handwriting- touch by detecting when two find that the detect the pen even
recognition systems have come a long membranes built into the display are when it’s hovering
way since the much-ridiculed Apple
Newton (see “Never out of style”,
physically pushed together. The stylus
itself is nothing more than a little
stylus is a above the display.
They can also
p46); a tablet can instantly convert
your scrawl into text with eerie
handheld stick that presses down at
the desired location; you could use
transformative receive input
messages from the
accuracy, and things will probably
only get better as AI is increasingly
anything with a pointed end to do
the job, including a finger if you’re way to interact stylus, such as
button presses
brought into play. not too worried about precision. or squeezes, via
That’s assuming you want to have Capacitive styluses aren’t much with a computing either Bluetooth
your writing converted, of course. If smarter, but they’re designed to work or a proprietary
you’re making notes for your own with modern touchscreen displays, device connection system.

47
 Many active styluses have built-in
sensors, too. A pressure sensor built
Never out of style
into the nib of the stylus can tell the The computer stylus is far from a new idea: it
host device how hard the user is combines two technologies that date back to
pushing down, enabling the OS or the 1960s. One is a device called the RAND
apps to implement pressure-sensitive tablet (developed by the RAND corporation in
features; for example, if you’re California), which looked a lot like a modern
sketching, the stylus can simulate graphics tablet: the user “draws” with the
a pencil by making the line thicker stylus onto a flat, opaque tablet on the desk in
and darker the harder you press. front of them, and their movements are
Internal accelerometers allow the mirrored on an upright display.
stylus to detect tilting or twisting, or While the RAND tablet was being
“air gestures”, where waving the developed and marketed, other companies
stylus in a certain way sends a such as IBM
command to the host device. were experimenting with light pens, which ABOVE Light pens
Because an active stylus allowed the user to navigate menus and select could be dragged
doesn’t rely solely on items by dabbing and dragging a stylus across the across a monitor to
capacitance, the host device surface of a computer monitor – although at that navigate menus
can also tell the difference time that meant a bulky upright CRT unit.
between the nib and a human These modes of input remained in specialist LEFT The Apple
body part, and you can freely use for many decades, but to get to the modern Newton was one of
rest your drawing hand on the stylus interface it was necessary to combine the the first devices
screen without triggering natural writing experience of the RAND tablet that allowed you to
unwanted touches. With a with the direct contact of a light pen. It took some write on the screen
capacitive stylus, the device time for display technology to develop to a point
has to rely on inference to where this was feasible. One of the first devices to use stylus input directly onto
distinguish between intentional the screen was the Apple Newton, released in 1993.
and incidental contact. That device is often remembered as a failure, largely because its handwriting-
It’s easy to see why active styluses recognition capabilities were decidedly ropey, but the general concept of using a
are the most popular type, but they stylus to write directly onto the screen of a pocket-sized personal device was a hit.
have some definite downsides. While The format was copied by several other companies throughout the 1990s, in
you can buy a pack of four capacitive products such as the Palm Pilot and the Compaq iPAQ (a name which, at the time,
styluses on Amazon for under a must have seemed fresh and original). Sixty years after the first stylus system,
tenner, you can easily pay £100 for an the idea is more popular than ever.
active pen. An active stylus also needs
periodic recharging, which is a drag;
while battery life typically allows for
several hours of continuous use, feel as sketching with a real pencil 1 Apple
when you do need to top up you’ll on paper, but some implementations Pencil
usually either need to plug a cable get closer than others. For example, It’s no surprise
into the stylus – which isn’t exactly we’ve noted that the Apple Pencil that Apple tops
convenient – or snap it onto the side has a smooth feel that takes some the list – the
of your tablet to recharge wirelessly. getting used to, while Microsoft’s iPad is not just
That’s a much neater solution, but it latest Slim Pen uses subtle haptic the world’s most
means the stylus can easily get feedback to simulate drag. If the popular tablet,
knocked off, and potentially even stylus has replaceable nibs, there it’s particularly
lost if you’re on the move. may be a selection of textures that great for digital art,
you can choose from. Replaceable with apps such as
What else makes a nibs also help guarantee a long Procreate, Sketchbook
stylus good or bad? working life for your stylus, even if and powerful versions of
Aside from the underlying you use it so much you wear down ABOVE The Apple Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. And
technology, there are other factors the rubber. Pencil is a superb while the Apple Pencil won’t work
that can make a big difference to your Unfortunately, because of the companion to an with an iPhone (not even the huge
stylus experience. One is simple complexity and specific features of iPad for creatives iPhone 16 Pro Max), there are models
ergonomics: while all styluses are active stylus technology, there’s available for almost every iPad
broadly pen-shaped, they come in usually only a limited selection of released in the
different lengths, thicknesses and models that will work with a past eight years.
weights. If at all possible, it’s a good particular tablet. Ideally, therefore, If at all possible, However, you
idea to try one out before you buy you should consider stylus support do need to make
to see how it fits your hand and
writing style. A related issue is the
at the point of buying a tablet, even
if you don’t actually add the stylus
it’s a good idea sure you buy the
right one. For
positioning and size of any buttons
or other controls – do they fall
right away.
to try a stylus out older tablets
– including the
The best styluses
naturally under your thumb, or will
it be an annoying stretch every time money can buy before you buy fifth-generation
mini, the third-
you want to register an action? There are plenty of tablets, at all generation Air and
It’s worth trying out the feel of the price ranges, that support stylus to see how it fits the first few iPad
nib on the screen, too. With the best input – but you’ll realise by now Pro devices – you’ll
will in the world, dragging a plastic that they’re not all alike. If you’re your hand and need the first-
tip across a glass surface isn’t ever ready to get sketching, here’s our generation Pencil
going to give you the same physical guide to the top choices. writing style (£99), which has a

48
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Stylus counsel

tilt sensor and 4,096 levels of pressure

sensitivity. The second-generation
whole matrix comparing the
capabilities of the different Pencil
While Apple and The Surface Pen
isn’t as loaded with
Pencil (£129), which mostly works
with iPads released between 2020 and
models at tinyurl.com/363Pencil,
along with compatibility details at
Microsoft offer features as the
Apple Pencil Pro,
2022, adds snap-on magnetic tinyurl.com/363Pencil2. But but it has the
charging, plus a new double-tap whichever Pencil you end up with, their styluses as same 4,096 levels
control for switching tools. you’ll be getting a quality product. of pressure
For newer iPads, including Our reviewer deemed the Apple optional extras, sensitivity, and
ones with M2 and M4 Pencil Pro (see issue 358, a fun “virtual
processors, the cheapest p51) “without a doubt Samsung often eraser” on the end,
stylus option is the best stylus we’ve meaning you can
the basic Apple seen... I don’t bundles its S Pen flip the stylus
Pencil USB-C doubt that many around and use
(£79), which
keeps the tilt
artists will
consider it
with compatible the blunt end to
rub out unwanted
detection but
lacks pressure
worth trading
up to a new iPad
devices strokes.
For those
sensitivity. At just to get their wanting a more
the top of the hands on the LEFT Microsoft’s tactile tool, the Surface Slim Pen
range, the Apple new Pencil.” Surface Pen is (£120) provides more of a “pen-on-
Pencil Pro (£129) compatible with paper feeling” via haptic feedback,
has the full set of 2 Microsoft most Surface and also includes twin barrel buttons
features, plus a new Surface Pen laptops and tablets for additional controls. It needs more
squeeze control for instant Microsoft’s answer to the upmarket hardware, however – it
menu access, rotation detection Apple Pencil is a simpler only works with the newest Surface
and haptic feedback that lets you proposition. The current Surface Pen BELOW Samsung’s Pro convertibles, plus the Surface
know with a gentle vibration when a (£100) is compatible with almost S Pen is compatible Laptop Studio, the Surface Duo 2
command has been registered. It also every Surface-branded laptop and with some of its and the Surface Hub 2S.
works with Apple’s “Find My” tool, so tablet going back a full ten years: it phones as well as To partner the Microsoft stylus,
if it falls down the back of the sofa you will work with any Surface Book, its tablets creatives may also like to
can track it down with an iPhone. Surface Go, Surface Laptop or consider the Surface Dial
There’s no denying that it’s a Surface Studio, plus the Surface Pro (£90) – a wireless
confusing lineup: Apple offers a 3 and upwards. input device shaped
like a hockey
puck, which you
can use with
your other hand
Stylus input for desktop PCs to quickly select
menu items
Most styluses are designed to work and controls
with tablets. Laptops and desktop by spinning
computers don’t get a look in, for the and pressing.
same reason the original light pen never
found widespread adoption – it’s 3 Samsung
unnatural and tiring to try to draw or S Pen
write on a vertical display. While Apple and Microsoft
However, there are still standalone LEFT Many Wacom offer their styluses as optional extras,
graphics tablets that enable you to graphics tablets Samsung often bundles its S Pen
use a stylus with a conventional PC. can be used with stylus with compatible devices – and
Veteran supplier Wacom offers a a stylus that includes high-end phones, as well
selection of traditional pen tablets, as tablets. And if you buy a mid-range
similar to the original RAND tablet, at BELOW The phone that doesn’t include a stylus, it’s
prices starting from just £56 for the Wacom One 13 often possible to buy one separately.
compact 188 x 142mm model (see tinyurl.com/363Wacom). Touch drawing The situation can still be a little
More excitingly, there’s also a range of what Wacom calls pen displays tablet impressed us confusing, as Samsung creates a
– tablets with screens of their own, which connect to the host PC via USB and back in issue 353 different S Pen model for almost every
mirror your canvas, allowing you to device it sells, with different physical
effectively draw directly onto the page. designs and feature sets. Thankfully,
We reviewed the 13in Wacom One 13 the features on offer are generally
Touch (see issue 353, p68) and deemed good. The S Pen that accompanies the
it a “wonderful pick-up-and-use option, Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone (and
with a light build and a simple works with some other recent S-series
single-cable connection”. phones) supports 4,096 levels of
We were also impressed by the pressure sensitivity, plus “Air
One 13 Touch’s bright 320cd/m2 Actions” that let you control the OS
screen, and the ability to use intuitive and media apps by flicking the S Pen
multitouch gestures to pan and zoom around like a magic wand. The stylus
around the screen. The only catch is that comes with the Galaxy Tab S10
that at £580 it’s not a whole lot cheaper tablet – which also works with S9
than buying a new iPad Air and an Apple models – adds tilt sensitivity and an
Pencil to go with it. erase button on the barrel.

49
Save time
and boost
performance
with
3CX V20 Update 3
In its never-ending quest to make customers’ and admins’ lives easier, 3CX has
packed V20 Update 3 with features to save time and improve performance

3
CX has just released one of its most eagerly awaited updates,
with a whole bunch of improvements that will save time and
boost performance.

Add call processing scripts

Call processing scripts are one of 3CX V20’s most powerful features.
They allow you to capture calls and process them using standard C#
code, giving admins with coding skills almost limitless abilities. For
example, you can use a script to recognise a regular caller’s ID and
send them straight to the agents they’ve dealt with before. Or you
could use factors like the time and date to process a call differently.
But this does rely on admins having C# skills. With Update 3, it’s
now possible for anyone to add pre-made scripts from the all-new
call processing script store. No editing or coding required! Naturally,
the scripts are designed to be more general, with current options
such as a holiday script (for Easter or Christmas, say) and a
time-based script (for example, when out of hours).
It’s simple to add these scripts, too. Simply head to “Integrations”
in the Admin Console, then click on “Call Scripts”. Select “+ Add from
Store”, select the script you want and which trunk the script should
be applied to (so which incoming calls the script should run on) and
click “Save”. Job done.

Easy backups
It’s often forgotten that one of the great time sinks for any piece of
software is invisible: backing up. With 3CX V20 Update 3, this is easier
than ever because it can automatically back up all your key data to a

RIGHT It’s easy to add ready-made call processing scripts

50
IN ASSOCIATION WITH 3CX Advertorial
RIGHT Agents can access call transcriptions direct from the CRM

single remote location. And you can then store a copy of this one-off
instance separately, in line with a thorough backup strategy.
This approach not only makes backups and restores simpler and
quicker, but it also streamlines the 3CX database. As a result, your
phone system will run more quickly and efficiently.
What type of data are we talking about? Think recordings,
voicemails, faxes and chat images – that mix of structured and
unstructured data that makes up a modern business system. And it’s
easy to administer thanks to all the information being displayed
clearly in the admin dashboard: click on Storage and you can see the
data usage and control the time when data is automatically archived.
In the example shown at the bottom of this page, voicemails are
archived after a day, recordings after three days.

Streamlined integrations
Once your agents have completed a call, you don’t want them to
waste time manually adding the transcription to your preferred CRM.
Previously, the integrations with 3CX V20 only included a link; now
agents can access the call transcription, along with a summary,
direct from the CRM itself. This also makes it easier to search for
conversations within your CRM.
And remember that whether you use Bitrix24 or ConnectWise,
SalesForce or Dynamics 365, Zendesk or Zoho CRM, 3CX develops COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE
and maintains integrations to keep up with any changes (see
www.3cx.com/docs/crm-integration-guides/ for details). If you’re new to 3CX, you may not be aware that many
Many companies also integrate 3CX with Microsoft Teams, and of these features are developed in response to “Chock-full to the
again there’s good news with this new update. Thanks to two-way what users want. We won’t identify people, brim with great stuff, respect! There are a lot
syncing of 3CX and Teams status, users only need to set themselves but here’s a trio of responses from 3CX of things included here which none of us were
to Busy in one for it to appear in the other. Previously, in Update 2, this partners who commented on the blog expecting to ever see being added. Please do take that
only worked in one direction: when users updated their status in summarising the article in August. as a great compliment, because we sure are looking forward
to this, as well as the other aces you might have up your
Teams it was reflected in 3CX.
sleeve for the overall future of Version 20 post
And while this isn’t an integration, this brings us to another neat Update 3 and Update 4 as well as the
update: users can now choose between Away or a second custom “What an amazing update!
new v20 App.”
status when using the Do Not Disturb button on their phone. Just Once this goes final I can’t imagine any
A Titanium Partner
reason to keep instances on V18. Can’t wait
another simple time-saver to make people’s lives easier.
to test a beta of this on our in house system... The
T34 and T44 phones are great additions to
Admin boosts Yealink’s product line and it’s nice that they’re
With 3CX V20 Update 3, 3CX has added a number of extra features now supported with 3CX.” “Way to go 3CX!!! Christmas
that will simplify administrators’ workloads, including a multi-edit A Titanium Partner in October!! This is an incredible
feature. This allows admins to copy the configuration from one update. Bulk edit, two-way Teams sync,
extension to other extensions. Configurations include call call transcription to CRM, and so
much more. Much appreciated!”
forwarding, BLF, voicemail, view and options.
A Platinum Partner
Additionally, user rights are now more granular – for example, you
can assign barge-in, listen or whisper to individual users independent
of their role. You can now share reports to multiple emails, hide

abandoned queue calls in “recents” for users and enable or disable

3CX Talk. And those are just a handful of the improvements.
The key here is that almost all the updates are designed to save
admins time while making the system perform faster – and make life
simpler for users, too.

Time to try
Despite all the improvements over the years, there are some things
that don’t change about 3CX. And one of those is that you can try 3CX
Pro for free. No credit card required, no strings attached. And you get
to choose whether you host it on your own cloud, get 3CX to host it for
you or deploy on-premise on Windows or Linux. What’s more, if you
have fewer than ten users then you can get 3CX for free.
Remember, you’re not just getting a phone system. 3CX includes
video conferencing, live chat integration for your website and your
choice of hardware or software phones – with feature-rich clients on
Android, iPhone and Windows. Simply use the link below to get started.

LEFT You can now control when data is archived

Try 3CX FREE www.3cx.com/signup

51
Reviews
Reviews @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

Looking
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The biggest, best, most exciting products in technology – reviewed and rated past review?
Visit

Intel Xeon W-2500

our index
pcpro.link/indeatx

workstation
processors
A brilliant choice for video encoding, but
it fails to land a knockout punch against
tough Threadripper competition

Die hard ABOVE Intel’s new lanes and up to 4TB of eight-channel

SCORE Sapphire Rapids is manufactured using family of workstation memory at the same speed.
PRICE Xeon w7-2595X, £1,681 (£2,017 inc a process called Intel 7. AMD has been chips may finally The Intel Xeon w7-2595X is priced
VAT) from scan.co.uk producing CPUs and GPUs with a 7nm provide some against the 32-core version of the
process since 2018, and is now on 5nm competition for AMD Threadripper, the 7970X, or the

I
with its production silicon, so you may 24-core Threadripper Pro 7965WX.
f you read our recent workstations be surprised to discover that Intel 7 The Threadripper has 48 PCI-E 5 and
Labs (see issue 361, p78), you’ll uses Intel’s 10nm Enhanced SuperFin 24 PCI-E 4 lanes, so falls behind the
know that AMD lorded over Intel process. However, Intel claims it’s Intel Xeon in peripheral bandwidth.
thanks to its latest Pro and non-Pro equivalent to TSMC’s 7nm one – AMD However, Threadripper Pro 7000
Threadripper chips. Intel has finally relies on the Taiwanese manufacturer series CPUs offer 128 PCI-E 5 lanes.
released a new family of workstation TSMC – hence the Intel 7 name. (Intel Both types of Threadripper support
chips – the Xeon W-3500 and W-2500 still runs its own fabs and reckons its DDR5 RAM up to 5,200MHz, with the
series – that it hopes will redress the 7nm process will be equivalent to TSMC’s non-Pro using quad-channel and the
balance. It’s based on Intel’s 4th 4nm process, so will be called Intel 4.) Pro octo-channel configurations.
Generation Xeon Scalable “Sapphire There are two versions of Sapphire However, the non-Pro has a
Rapids” architecture, and we put a Rapids. One uses a single die (MCC), maximum of 1TB while the Pro
sample CPU through its paces to see if while the other packages multiple dies goes up to 2TB. This is unlikely to
AMD has anything to worry about. together (XCC). The latter is like the
To be precise, Intel sent us the Intel approach taken by AMD with its Zen BUYING A COMPLETE XEON SYSTEM
Xeon w7-2595X. This is the top of the architecture for its Ryzen processors.
2500-series range, with 26 cores that The Intel Xeon W-2500 series uses the Scan has three offerings on its site based around the Xeon
all support Hyper-Threading, MCC monolithic design, so no w7-2595X. There’s the 3XS Evolve NLE 8K optimised for video
delivering 52 threads. The base clock chiplets, with a current maximum of editors, which costs £6,500 inc
is 2.8GHz, with Intel’s Turbo Boost 26 cores. The 3500-series uses VAT from tinyurl.com/363evolve.
Max technology pushing it up to chiplets, and goes up to 60 cores.
Those who specialise in graphics
4.8GHz. Intel first released chips based For Sapphire Rapids workstation
on Sapphire Rapids at the beginning processors, no suffix means a locked should consider the £11,973 3CX
of 2023, so it’s a surprise that we have multiplier, while those ending in “X” GWP-ME A1-X, which features
our first look at it in workstation form are unlocked, so our w7-2595X has an Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada card
towards the end of 2024. Admittedly, tweaking potential. The amount of and can be found at tinyurl.
Intel released the Xeon W-2400 family bandwidth afforded to peripherals com/363scangwp. Or configure
at the end of 2023, but draw your own and memory is promising, too: the
exactly what you want by heading
conclusions from the fact that no 2500 series offers 64 PCI-E 5 lanes and
manufacturers decided to send us up to 2TB of quad channel 4,800MHz to tinyurl.com/363configure.
workstations based on it. DDR5 RAM; the 3500 series offers 112

52
@PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Reviews
be significant for a workstation, but CINEBENCH 2024 (CPU, MULTICORE) ADOBE MEDIA ENCODER (CUDA/OPENCL, SECS)
Intel has the lead in this area.
Armari M64T7 6,294 Armari M64T7 105
It doesn’t when it comes to cache, Threadripper 7980X, Radeon Pro W7800 Threadripper 7980X, Radeon Pro W7800
though, which can have a significant PCSpecialist Zircon Intel Xeon w7-2595X
impact on performance. The Xeon 3,493 111

HIGHER IS BETTER

LOWER IS BETTER
Threadripper Pro 7975WX, Radeon Pro W7900 Xeon w7-2595X, Radeon Pro W7900
3500 series offers up to 112.5MB of Scan 3XS A1-TR64 PCSpecialist Quantum
3,459 120
Smart Cache, while the 2500 series Threadripper 7970X, RTX 5000 Ada Core i9-14900KS, GeForce RTX 4090

goes up to 48.75MB. The Threadripper Intel Xeon w7-2595X PCSpecialist Zircon 124
2,625
Xeon w7-2595X, Radeon Pro W7900 Threadripper Pro 7975WX, Radeon Pro W7900
has 128MB or 256MB of Level 3 cache,
while the Pro comes with 64MB to PCSpecialist Quantum 2,092 Scan 3XS A1-TR64 127
Core i9-14900KS, GeForce RTX 4090 Threadripper 7970X, RTX 5000 Ada
384MB. The AMD price competitors to
Scan 3XS A1-R24 1,873 Scan 3XS A1-R24 129
the w7-2595X have 128MB, which Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX A4500 Ada Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX A4500 Ada
could give them an advantage.
PC PRO MEDIA (OVERALL) SPECVIEWPERF MAYA VIEWSET
Putting theory to test Armari M64T7 PCSpecialist Zircon
The most significant issue facing the 949 1,057
Threadripper 7980X, Radeon Pro W7800 Threadripper Pro 7975WX, Radeon Pro W7900
new Intel Xeon CPUs is that their core Scan 3XS A1-TR64 PCSpecialist Quantum
867 893

HIGHER IS BETTER

HIGHER IS BETTER
architecture lags behind that of the Threadripper 7970X, RTX 5000 Ada Core i9-14900KS, GeForce RTX 4090
company’s desktop chips. The cores in PCSpecialist Zircon 866 Armari M64T7 817
the 2500 and 3500 family are “Golden Threadripper Pro 7975WX, Radeon Pro W7900 Threadripper 7980X, Radeon Pro W7800

Cove” generation, which means they PCSpecialist Quantum 841 Scan 3XS A1-TR64
814
Core i9-14900KS, GeForce RTX 4090 Threadripper 7970X, RTX 5000 Ada
have a similar design to those in 12th
Intel Xeon w7-2595X 764 Intel Xeon w7-2595X 740
gen Intel Core CPUs, albeit with more Xeon w7-2595X, Radeon Pro W7900 Xeon w7-2595X, Radeon Pro W7900
cache per core. The consumer chips Scan 3XS A1-R24 Scan 3XS A1-R24
761 729
are now on the 14th generation, which Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX A4500 Ada Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX A4500 Ada
use Raptor Cove cores.
We set up the new Intel CPU in a BLENDER GOOSEBERRY CPU (SECONDS) SPECVIEWPERF SOLIDWORKS VIEWSET
test system with the help of Scan
Armari M64T7 PCSpecialist Quantum 738
Computers, using the ASRock W790 89
Threadripper 7980X, Radeon Pro W7800 Core i9-14900KS, GeForce RTX 4090
R2 motherboard supplied by Intel Scan 3XS A1-TR64 Scan 3XS A1-TR64
155 609

HIGHER IS BETTER
LOWER IS BETTER

and a full set of components. These Threadripper 7970X, RTX 5000 Ada Threadripper 7970X, RTX 5000 Ada
included 64GB of 4,800MHz DDR5 PCSpecialist Zircon PCSpecialist Zircon 598
165
Threadripper Pro 7975WX, Radeon Pro W7900 Threadripper Pro 7975WX, Radeon Pro W7900
RAM, supplied as four 16GB DIMMs to
take advantage of the quad-channel Intel Xeon w7-2595X Scan 3XS A1-R24 491
244
Xeon w7-2595X, Radeon Pro W7900 Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX A4500 Ada
memory capabilities of the Xeon. A
PCSpecialist Quantum Armari M64T7
48GB AMD Radeon Pro W7900 GPU 318 455
Core i9-14900KS, GeForce RTX 4090 Threadripper 7980X, Radeon Pro W7800
provided graphics acceleration, with a Scan 3XS A1-R24 Intel Xeon w7-2595X
324 434
1TB Corsair MP700 NVMe SSD as the Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX A4500 Ada Xeon w7-2595X, Radeon Pro W7900
boot drive, supporting PCI-E 5 x4.
An overall score of 764 in the PC Pro 5,525 was superb, however, and the BELOW The Xeon this processor; that said, the w7-2595
Real World Benchmarks was excellent Adobe Media Encoder result of 111 W-3500 and W-2500 is a 250W CPU (300W in Turbo mode),
but only marginally ahead of the seconds with OpenCL enabled was whereas equivalent Threadrippers
series perform well in
12-core AMD Ryzen 9 9900X used by also close to the quickest we’ve seen. multithreaded tasksare 350W, so in theory the Intel CPU
Scan’s 3XS GWP A1-R24. The result of We also ran SPECviewperf 2020 will need less potent cooling.
221 in image editing was the obvious v3.1, which includes Nevertheless, any
letdown, considerably behind any viewsets that are performance gain
workstation in our recent group test. limited by CPU from more capable
The video encoding score of 731 and frequency. The liquid cooling
multitasking result of 966 were much PCSpecialist Zircon probably won’t be
more competitive. Extreme system in our enough to take the
Image editing is single-core focused, recent Labs had the Intel Xeon w7-2595X
and the Maxon Cinebench 2024 results same AMD Radeon Pro W7900 ahead of the similarly priced 32-core
helped to explain the situation. The graphics as our test system but AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. It
multicore score of 2,625 was where we partnered with a Ryzen Threadripper might give the 24-core AMD Ryzen
would hope a decent 26-core CPU Pro 7975X. The PCSpecialist system Threadripper Pro 7965X a run for its
would sit. It’s not up with a 32-core consistently produced better results money, but we’d still recommend a
processor such as the Threadripper than our Intel Xeon setup. workstation using an AMD alternative
7970X, but it beats any 16-core CPU at this price, particularly the 7970X.
we’ve seen hands down. Its single- Buying decisions It’s great to see Intel putting up
core score of 100 wasn’t so impressive, It’s worth pointing out that we didn’t some competition again.
though. This was 13% behind any have optimal cooling for this test. The “While the Xeon w7-2595X But while the Xeon w7-
system in the recent labs and further Noctua NK-U12S DX-4677 used in our is a solid performer, it’s 2595X is a solid performer
underlines that the individual cores
aren’t as potent as the current best.
Scan test build is designed for CPUs
with this socket type, but it employs
not enough to take the for multithreaded
workloads and video
The Blender Gooseberry render heat pipes and two 120mm fans. It’s a workstation crown encoding, it’s not enough to
corroborated the multicore results we very good cooler, but any current back from AMD” wrest the workstation
had seen with Maxon Cinebench. The highly core-dense CPU needs the best crown back from AMD.
Xeon took 244 seconds to complete the liquid cooling possible to reach its Maybe when the 5th generation Intel
frame render, which sits about where pinnacle of performance, and a Xeon Scalable “Emerald Rapids”
you’d expect a 26-core processor to compatible cooler hadn’t shipped in arrives for this market, it will tip the
be: between 32-core and 16-core ones. time for this review. So it’s possible scales back in Intel’s favour at last.
The Geekbench ML 0.6 CPU result of more performance is to be had from JAMES MORRIS

53
Built for Creators
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any queries. anything goes faulty we’ll hundreds of awards
repair or replace it. in the media.
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

PCSpecialist
in its name denotes, this CPU is
maxed out with extra cache to

Torpedo Ultra R give games a boost, and the beefy

GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card is

A compact gaming or ready to take advantage.

The result was
creator PC that packs one phenomenal scores across our
suite of test games. At 4K and
heck of a punch, and a great High settings, the Torpedo

choice if space is limited

Ultra R returned an 150fps
average in Shadow of the
Tomb Raider, 112fps in Dirt 5,
83fps in Cyberpunk 2077 and
SCORE
87fps in Assassin’s Creed
PRICE £1,499 (£1,799 inc VAT) Valhalla. RTX 4080 and 4090 systems
from pcspecialist.co.uk/reviews go higher still, but the RTX 4070 offers
a far more affordable route to 4K

W
gaming. Away from games, this GPU
hen I invited PCSpecialist to gives you incredible acceleration
submit mini PCs into our whether generating AI images or in
Labs (see p78), it suggested professional apps such as 3ds Max.
the Azena R (see p93) and the Torpedo AMD’s 7800X3D makes less sense if
Ultra R. In my haste, I headed to the you’re simply looking for multicore
Corsair website, saw the cute-looking power. It’s fast, of course: single-core
picture of the 2000D RGB AirFlow and multicore scores of 2,703 and
chassis and that it was described as 15,008 in Geekbench 6, and 110 and
“mini” – and entirely failed to notice 1,039 in Cinebench 2024, emphasise
that the “mini” referred to miniITX. that you will rarely be left waiting.
Nor did its 458mm height sink in. typical tower systems. Although all LEFT The diminutive Likewise a 8,961 return in PCMark 10.
Yes, in comparison to most tower the steel mesh sides are easy to clip on Torpedo Ultra R packs But choosing a Ryzen 9 will boost
PCs a 200 x 271mm footprint is small, and off, you’ll need to unscrew the a powerful punch the core count to 12, albeit with a
but compared to the rest of the support plate that holds the liquid corresponding increase in price.
systems in our group test it’s an cooler’s trio of fans to make any Especially if you choose the 9900X
absolute monster. interior changes. or 9950X, AMD’s most recent releases.
Having tested the Torpedo Ultra R The most obvious upgrades are to It will also push up the
over the course of a week, though, storage, with space for a 2.5in SSD in “Having tested the Torpedo power consumption, and
I still think it’s cute. And the case and two more M.2 Ultra R over the course of a that’s already punchy
unlike most PCs, cables
disappear into the
SSDs on the Gigabyte
B650I Aorus Ultra
week, I still think it’s cute. here: 86W at idle is more
than most mini PCs I
shell; this is fiddly motherboard. If you And unlike most PCs, cables tested when pushed to the
during the setup have dextrous disappear into the shell” maximum. That
stage, as you have fingers then it’s consumption was
to lay the PC on its possible to add mirrored by fan noise, to the point
side to insert the these drives with where I would prefer not to have the
video cable, Wi-Fi the board in situ, Torpedo R sitting next to me on a desk.
aerial connectors but it’s extremely LEFT Setup is fiddly, But that’s the price you pay for
and the keyboard cramped inside this but once you’ve this much computing power, and as
and mouse, but as the chassis so you may inserted the cables always PCSpecialist provides it for a
front panel provides decide to remove it you’re good to go competitive price. If you tried to build
easy access to two USB-A from the case entirely this PC for yourself, not only would it
3.2 Gen 1 ports, a USB-C 3.2 while you work on it. BELOW You’ll need to cost more – I valued the total at almost
Gen 2 port and a 3.5mm combo jack, Personally, being lazy, I would unclip the side and £2,000 including Windows – but you
this should be a rare event. make sure that I had all the storage I remove this side plate wouldn’t get the excellent cable
Three addressable RGB fans sit at needed installed in the first place. to access the innards management or the security of a
the front of the chassis, and that’s it Here, PCSpecialist three-year warranty. If size, value and
for colour. Although you can peer provides a nippy 2TB 3D power are your priorities, this is a
through the metal grille sides, which M.2 Corsair drive, which great choice. TIM DANTON
reveals the RGB on the Zotac GeForce returned 5,011MB/sec
RTX 4070 graphics card, there’s no sequential reads and
glass side to show off the Torpedo’s 4,193MB/sec writes in SPECIFICATIONS
interior. The consequence is that this CrystalDiskMark, but 8-core 5GHz AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
is a more difficult PC to upgrade than 2TB of space can processor Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra
quickly disappear. motherboard 32GB Corsair Vengeance
BENCHMARKS Naturally, both the DDR5-6000 RAM 12GB Nvidia GeForce RTX
Geekbench 6 single-core DIMM sockets are 4070 graphics Corsair H100X RGB Elite
2,703
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
occupied, with 32GB of liquid cooler 2TB Corsair Core XT MP600
Geekbench 6 multicore
RGB-topped Corsair M.2 PCI-E Gen4 SSD Corsair 2000D RGB
15,008 Vengeance DDR5-6000 AirFlow chassis 850W Corsair RM SF850L
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 memory. These PSU Windows 11 Home 200 x 271 x 458mm
3DMark Time Spy accompany an AMD (WDH) 3yr warranty (6 month C&R, 1yr RTB
18,882 Ryzen 7 7800X3D parts & labour, 2yr labour only) power: 86W
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000
processor. As the X3D idle, 360W peak

56
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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

Dell Latitude 7455

the right. Aside from a
microSD card reader and

A solid if unexciting option 3.5mm combo jack, that’s

your lot unless you choose
for Dell-buying businesses the 5G mobile broadband
option, where you’ll also
that want to introduce Arm see a nano SIM card tray.
5G adds around £400
into their workplace to the price. There are lots
of other options, too. You
can downgrade to the
SCORE
10-core X1P-64-100, saving
PRICE As reviewed, £1,274 (£1,529 inc £150, choose 16GB or 32GB
VAT) from dell.co.uk of RAM and specify a
256GB, 512GB or 1TB SSD.

T
At its cheapest, this laptop
his is the second business costs £1,142 exc VAT; at
laptop we’ve tested to use a its most expensive
Qualcomm Snapdragon X £1,873 exc VAT.
chip, following on from the Our version cost
excellent debut by Lenovo’s £1,274 and includes
ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 (see issue top of the range, and returns of 34fps ABOVE The Qualcomm 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. As
360, p56). While many businesses will in Dirt 5 and 33fps in Shadow of the chip inside the laptop always with Snapdragon X chips, you
be nervous of rolling out Arm-based Tomb Raider show that after-hours provides outstanding can’t upgrade the memory as it’s
laptops, it’s hard to argue with the fun is possible at 1080p. battery life integrated into the package, but it is
reward of true all-day battery life. Perhaps not at the screen’s native possible to upgrade the storage. Dell
Here, the Dell lasted 15hrs 54mins resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, however, could make this easier, with seven tiny
in PCMark’s Modern Office test. When as those scores fell to 24fps and 21fps. crosshead screws standing in your way,
I used it for a working day, it still had The panel itself is a good choice for the and it could also make more units
more than 40% of charge by the time I office. I particularly loved its whites, replaceable by customers
clocked off. Until the Intel Core Ultra even if I found myself pushing the “A three-year warranty is rather than its own
200V series (see issue 362, brightness up to its peak one of the ‘hidden’ things engineers – the battery falls
p46) came along, you
couldn’t hope for that
501cd/m2 to overcome a
visible drop-off in
that adds to the cost into the latter category.
The good news is that the
sort of life from a contrast when my compared to a consumer- battery is unlikely to need
laptop based on an viewing angle targeted laptop” replacing for a few years, by
x86 processor. shifted. And if which time your three-year
It’s fast, too. you’re hoping for next-business-day warranty is likely
Geekbench is the a laptop to edit to have expired (upgradable to five
best measure of photographs on years for £109 exc VAT at time of
Qualcomm’s then beware its purchase). This generous warranty is
power, with the 72% coverage of one of the “hidden” extras that adds to
X1E-80-100 the DCI-P3 the cost compared to a consumer-
chip here gamut. LEFT The three USB targeted laptop, along with Windows
powering it to 2,780 The connectors include two 11 Pro rather than Home.
and 14,732 in the single- keyboard is excellent. versatile USB-C 4 ports If you want to give Qualcomm-
core and multicore tests Keys offer cushioned powered laptops a try, and already
respectively. Its NPU offers 45 TOPS, resistance and plenty of travel, while buy Dell, then this is a perfectly good
which is more than enough to handle the UK layout includes a double- choice. I would have liked it to be
Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC features. It’s height Enter key and large spacebar. lighter and different from the
also great to see Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth Dell integrates a fingerprint reader stereotypical design, while the screen
5.4 covered by a Qualcomm chip. into the power button, or you can use could be richer, but it’s a safe way to
Where the Snapdragon falls behind the Windows Hello-supporting IR introduce Windows on Arm to your
Intel and AMD rivals is its integrated webcam. It’s a great webcam, too, workplace. Considering the warranty
graphics, returning 1,920 in 3DMark with a clear image matched with BELOW An excellent and all-round quality, it’s solid value
Time Spy. Still, that’s better than most excellent audio capture. Unusually for keyboard includes well for money, too. TIM DANTON
Qualcomm-powered systems I’ve a business laptop, the speakers are spaced keys with
tested, as the X1E-80-100 sits near the good enough for listening to music. plenty of cushioning SPECIFICATIONS
Where Dell 12-core Qualcomm
BENCHMARKS conforms to type is Snapdragon X1E-80-100
Geekbench 6 single-core in the design. While SoC Qualcomm Adreno
2,780
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
the Latitude is slim at graphics 16GB LPDDR5X
Geekbench 6 multicore
16.9mm, the grey, RAM 14in 60Hz IPS
14,732 aluminium chassis won’t touchscreen, 2,560 x 1,600
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 turn any heads. Nor is it resolution 512GB M.2 PCI-E
3DMark Time Spy the lightest 14in laptop Gen4 SSD microSD card slot
1,920 around at 1.4kg. I was a Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 1080p IR
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000
little surprised to find webcam 2 x USB-C 4 USB-A
only three USB ports, too: 3.2 Gen 1 3.5mm combo jack
BATTERY LIFE a pair of speedy USB-C 4 54Wh battery Windows 11 Pro
Light use 15hrs 54mins ports on the left, a single 314 x 224 x 16.9mm (WDH) 1.4kg
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port on 3yr on-site NBD warranty

58
Samsung ViewFinity
S80UD
A stylish 27in 4K screen
complete with USB-C
docking and an RJ45 port for
a competitive price
SCORE
PRICE 27in, £268 (£322 inc VAT)
from uk.insight.com

RECOMMENDED

E
very Samsung monitor we’ve There are several picture modes –
reviewed previously has had a choice if you want to share a keyboard Entertain, Graphic, Game, RPG, FPS,
consumer focus – maybe it’s an and mouse between connected PCs. Sports – but don’t expect them to
Odyssey screen aimed at gamers or a Any businesses wanting to change anything other than
Smart Monitor that doubles up as a show that they’re buying sharpening and response
TV. Here, though, we have two responsibly should be times. It’s not like an Eizo
ViewFinity screens that have reassured by the lack of coating on the ABOVE The ViewFinity panel, where the electronics adjust
businesses in their sights: the S80UD plastic rear – featuring a simple but S80UD provides a the gamut in a meaningful way, nor is
on this page, the S60UD opposite. attractive grille design – which makes high-quality image for there any way for IT managers to
The main difference between the it easy to recycle at end of life. This a reasonable price remotely manage these panels.
two is resolution. The S80UD is a 4K “green” messaging is echoed by the However, it’s worth exploring the
panel with 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, while default profile when you first switch Eye Care options as these offer two
the S60UD makes do with 2,560 x on the S80UD: Eco mode. This set the blue light modes and the possibility to
1,440. This is why the S80UD is more screen to a brightness of 187cd/m2 on change the brightness depending on
expensive, despite having a lower my test unit, and when I pushed that ambient light levels. The OSD is also
refresh rate of 60Hz compared up to maximum it reached responsive and easy to
to 100Hz. To confuse 374cd/m2 – exactly “The ViewFinity S80UD navigate. Some may find it
matters further, there double. This makes a hits the spot for office fiddly to have the joystick
are different screen difference to energy control in the middle-
sizes within the consumption, with
rollouts, with a price bottom of the panel at the
range (24in, 27in 23W compared to that will delight IT rear, but you get used to it.
and 32in), and the 34W, but the good budget holders” The stand is excellent.
32in models use news is that it still A sturdy base makes it
VA technology looks bright at easy to swivel the panel left or right by
rather than IPS. that lower setting. its 30° maximum, while 120mm of
I hope you’re It’s a high- LEFT A matte finish height adjustment is plenty for a 27in
keeping up, because I quality panel, as and good viewing screen. It pivots in either direction,
must now introduce you’d expect from angles make it ideal while the bezels on the left, right and
yet another variable that Samsung. It covers 92% for office use top are slim at 8mm.
might catch out unwary of the DCI-P3 gamut, so All of which means this is a tempting
buyers: the S80D and S60D. The colours look rich, while an average buy. Samsung has got the price right,
missing “U” in their name indicates Delta E of 0.41 reflects its accuracy. too, as it undercuts the BenQ PD2706U
the lack of a USB-C connector and an With a matte finish and excellent BELOW The superb (see issue 357, p86) by £77. Aside from
Ethernet port, which is important viewing angles, this would make a stand offers plenty of the RJ45 port, the BenQ matches the
because one of the S60UD and great addition to any office. As its adjustment options S80UD feature for feature, but it offers
S80UD’s best features is their docking 60Hz refresh rate reveals, though, this far more colour options and even a
monitor capabilities: that USB-C port is not a great choice for gamers – and, hotkey puck to switch between them,
supplies up to 90W of power, enough a little surprisingly, Samsung doesn’t as well as a decent pair of speakers.
to keep most laptops charged. The include speakers. But the ViewFinity S80UD hits the
predictable duo of DisplayPort and Head into the OSD and you’ll spot for office rollouts, with a price
HDMI complete the video inputs. Both discover that it isn’t designed for that will delight IT budget holders
monitors also include a USB-B port tinkerers, either. The panel’s native and a sharp image that will equally
and a USB hub, making them a great colour temperature is around 6000K, delight end users. TIM DANTON
which is a fraction warmer than the
MAIN TEST RESULTS 6500K ideal for whites to look SPECIFICATIONS
Colour coverage
perfectly white, and when I 27in 3,840 x 2,160 IPS panel up to 60Hz
sRGB 100%
tweaked this using the white refresh rate 8-bit + FRC panel (1.07 billion
DCI-P3 92%
0 25% 50% 75% 100% balance tool it also reduced the colours) 5ms response time USB-C (90W
Average Delta E contrast and the gamut power delivery) DisplayPort 1.4 HDMI 2
0.36 coverage; not what I was 1GbE port USB-B downstream hub
0 1 2 3 4 5
looking for. You can play including 3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 3.5mm combo
Colour temperature
around with presets – Cool 1, jack pivot -30° to 30° swivel 120mm
6010K
0 2000K 4000K 6000K 8000K
Cool 2, Warm 1 and Warm 2 height adjustment -2° to 25° tilt 613 x 220 x
All measurements in default profile – but I quickly settled on Standard. 434-554mm (WDH) 6.1kg 1yr RTB warranty

60
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Reviews

Samsung ViewFinity
from the S60UD range In terms of
rather than S60D. features, the two are

S60UD You even benefit from

an RJ45 port here, but
almost identical.
Oddly, the S60UD has

A solid alternative to the oddly it’s positioned

at the right-hand side
an extra DisplayPort,
but they share the
ViewFinity S80UD if you’re along with the trio of
USB-A ports and
same slick and sturdy
stand with 120mm of
happy with a 1440p 3.5mm jack. That’s
not great from a cable
height adjustment
and pivot support.
resolution rather than 4K management perspective. Likewise the OSD is identical, right
Samsung doesn’t include speakers down to support for picture-by-
with the S60UD, but a 100Hz refresh picture and picture-in-picture modes.
SCORE
rate makes this a better choice for ABOVE Image quality In some ways, the S60UD is poor
PRICE 27in, £236 (£283 inc VAT) gamers than the S80UD. The question is up to par despite the value compared to the S80UD. Pay an
from uk.insight.com is whether you mind having 2,560 x lower resolution extra £40 and you benefit from a 4K
1,440 pixels rather than 3,840 x 2,160, resolution and a wider colour gamut.

F
which means 109 pixels per inch (ppi) If I was buying for myself, I’d pay that,
or all the reasons I mention on compared to 163ppi. There is a slight partly because I rarely play games that
the opposite page, it’s easy to get difference in sharpness at normal BELOW The S60UD benefit from a 100Hz refresh rate. But
confused by Samsung’s naming viewing distances, but you’ll need shares its sibling’s if you’re buying for business use and
conventions. In particular, anyone truly excellent eyesight to benefit. excellent stand want a USB docking monitor, I
looking for a modern USB docking From a productivity point of view, I haven’t seen a better alternative for
monitor should make sure they buy can’t see any reason to opt for 4K on a under £300. TIM DANTON
screen this size.
MAIN TEST RESULTS One reasons to choose the S80UD SPECIFICATIONS
Colour coverage
over the S60UD is colour coverage, 27in 2,560 x 1,440 IPS panel up to 100Hz
sRGB 99%
with this panel covering 99% of the refresh rate 8-bit + FRC panel (1.07 billion
DCI-P3 83%
0 25% 50% 75% 100% sRGB gamut and 83% of DCI-P3. colours) 5ms response time USB-C (90W
Average Delta E Would most people notice the power delivery) 2 x DisplayPort 1.4 HDMI 2
0.42 difference? I suspect not. Likewise the 1GbE port USB-B downstream hub
0 1 2 3 4 5
drop in colour temperature to around including 3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 3.5mm combo
Colour temperature
5800K compared to 6000K, nor the jack pivot -30° to 30° swivel 120mm
5823K
0 2000K 4000K 6000K 8000K fact that the S60UD’s contrast ratio is height adjustment -2° to 25° tilt 613 x 220 x
All measurements in default profile superior: 1,204:1 to 1,025:1 in my tests. 437-557mm (WDH) 6.1kg 1yr RTB warranty

Your business could

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61
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Reviews

Philips 27B2U6903
when you’re away and
switch off the screen. And, if

This 27in 4K business you’re running Windows 11

and have set up presence
monitor packs a visual management, then you can
fine-tune your options (for
punch, but Thunderbolt 4 example, choosing if it
switches off whether you’re
is its main selling point 0.5m, 0.75m or 1.25m away).
This is great for privacy, and
it saves money too: at
SCORE
200cd/m2 the 27B2U6903
PRICE £375 (£450 inc VAT) uses 23W, stretching to 35W
from uk.insight.com at full brightness. You can
also use the ambient light

H
sensor to automatically
ow do you make your monitor control brightness.
stand out from the crowd? It Don’t expect much in
used to be enough to add a the way of colour control. You can
USB-C port and an Ethernet manually adjust the white balance or
connector, but turn to the previous flick between presets, such as the
spread and you’ll see two 27in The 27B2U6903 7500K I mentioned earlier, but the
business monitors that include both includes two 27B2U6903 is designed to be an office
features for around £300. Philips is further USB-C monitor rather than a screen for
upping the ante, with Thunderbolt 4, ports (both of designers or gamers (note the 60Hz
a 2.5GbE connector and a bunch of which can deliver 15W refresh rate). You can switch between
features that it claims “level up of power). One of these sits on the left- ABOVE The display is Philips’ SmartImage presets, with
anyone’s workplace”. hand side of the monitor as you look at packed with extra options such as Photo and Movie,
But let’s cover the basics first. This it, along with two USB-A ports. Two features and ports but these tweak settings such as
is a 27in monitor with a 4K panel more USB-A ports are tucked away at sharpness and response times rather
based on IPS technology. Along with a the rear, bringing the total number of than shifting the colour gamut. The
100W Thunderbolt 4 input, which is USB connections to eight. only SmartImage preset I would
compatible with any laptop that has Fortunately, Philips has regularly use is EasyRead, which
a USB-C port, you have a pick of remembered to include an excellent switches to mono and is
inputs: two HDMI 2, one DisplayPort. 10-bit panel alongside all this “Along with a Thunderbolt great when ploughing
This monitor also supports daisy connectivity. It produces gorgeous 4 input, which is compatible through long documents
chaining, thanks to a whites, even if I had to or typing up reports.
Thunderbolt 4 output to switch to its 7500K with any laptop that has a My final words go to
go along with the input colour balance setting USB-C port, you have a the excellent stand,
(both are marked by a to find them. Here, I pick of inputs” complete with two stylish
lightning symbol). measured a colour grey metal sides that leave
Just note that temperature of a a hollow for the monitor to slide up
the secondary little over 6600K, and down. This monitor has won
monitor must rather than the LEFT Connections design awards from reddot and iF as a
also support 5707K I saw out of include Thunderbolt 4 result. Nor is it for show alone, with
Thunderbolt 4, and the box (the and a 2.5GbE 150mm of height adjustment to go
that’s a rarity; default we print in connector along with 360° of swivel. Philips also
when I tried to cheat the graphs below). includes a pair of speakers – fine for
and connect the Oddly, this improved BELOW The stylish video calls, not good enough for
Samsung S60UD via its its colour coverage, too, stand allows you to enjoying music on – and a flip-out
USB-C port I got a “no jumping from 78% of the slide the monitor up hook for headphones.
signal” error. DCI-P3 gamut in its default mode and down This all adds to the Philips
There’s also a nifty feature that to 91%. Admittedly, I tested an early 27B2U6903’s undoubted utility and its
allows you to switch between inputs sample of the monitor, so Philips appeal. The challenge is its price,
by pressing Ctrl three times, so long as may not have worked out its perfect because at £450 it’s almost 50% more
you’re running Windows 11 and have out-of-the-box settings, but if you than the Samsung ViewFinity S80UD.
both computers connected over buy this monitor and don’t like You’ll need to be certain of exploiting
USB-C. Any USB-connected keyboard the whites then head into the OSD. its bonus features, particularly daisy
and mouse will keep working, and I That OSD is a mix of great and chaining over Thunderbolt 4, to
found it quicker and more convenient annoying. I love its simple menu justify paying the extra. TIM DANTON
than using the shortcut button on the layout, which is easy for a
monitor bezel. first-time user to understand, and SPECIFICATIONS
MAIN TEST RESULTS its snappiness. I’m less fond of 27in 3,840 x 2,160 IPS panel up to 60Hz
Colour coverage Philips’ reliance on four front- refresh rate 10-bit panel (1.07 billion colours)
sRGB 100% mounted buttons; for example, I 4ms response time Thunderbolt 4 (100W
DCI-P3 78% repeatedly pressed up when I meant power delivery) DisplayPort 1.4 2 x HDMI 2
0 25% 50% 75% 100%
to press down. Joysticks make OSD 2.5GbE port downstream hub including
Average Delta E
navigation so much easier. Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 4 x USB-A
0.49
0 1 2 3 4 5
The OSD is also where you access 3.2 Gen 2 3.5mm combo jack 2 x 3W
Colour temperature all the advanced features – the ones speakers pivot -180° to 180° swivel 150mm
5707K that level up your workplace. First up height adjustment -5° to 30° tilt 613 x 230 x
0 2000K 4000K 6000K 8000K
is the PowerSensor, which will detect 394-544mm (WDH) 7.2kg 1yr RTB warranty
All measurements in default profile

63
Meta Quest 3S
around you, which
comes in handy

A strong set of features and during the setup

routine as you can
low starting price make pair the headset
with the Meta
this an enticing product for Horizon app on
your phone
those curious about VR without
removing the
headset. The
SCORE
passthrough is
PRICE 128GB, £242 (£290 inc VAT) especially useful
from meta.com when you’re setting up
your play or workspace. You’re

M
given two options for operating in
eta is determined to bring horizontal/96° vertical. I also noticed ABOVE The Quest 3S VR: Roomscale and Stationary.
VR and AR to the masses. minor distortion around the periphery, provides VR at an Roomscale asks you to scan the room
Along with slashing the but since I was mostly looking at attractively low price so the headset can create a virtual
starting price of the 512GB Quest 3 things in front of me I only spotted this representation of your workspace,
(see issue 351, p56) from £620 to £470, when I purposely gazed at the sides. while Stationary gives you a circle to
it has introduced the Quest 3S as a Each lens’ 1,832 x 1,920 resolution work within if you’re sitting. You’ll
sub-£300 alternative. means your view isn’t as sharp as the see a virtual mesh of polygons
Despite this price, it shares 2,064 x 2,208 on the Quest 3, but covering your surroundings during
many of the premium I could still see everything all of this, which only adds to the
features that earned the clearly, even small text futuristic feel, and you can use the
Quest 3 a PC Pro on web pages. The LEFT The Touch Plus controllers to make finer adjustments
Recommended variable 90 to 120Hz controllers are such as adding furniture.
award. Most refresh rate also intuitive and Then we come to the subject of
notably, Meta ensures that things comfortable to hold bulk. While by no means huge, the 3S
sticks with the move smoothly is bigger and heavier than the Quest 3,
Snapdragon XR2 across the screen. and I found it pressed on my face
Gen2 processor. Meta includes more. There’s no IPD wheel to let you
This means that the same Touch finely adjust how the headset fits, and
while this is a budget Plus controllers as it has the same three-point lens
headset, you won’t get found with the Quest 3 adjustment as the Quest 2,
budget gaming and Meta Quest Pro, “Subtle but effective which I found restrictive
experiences. Red Matter, which is great news. They’re haptics mean you feel compared to the two black
where you explore one of Saturn’s comfortable to hold and intuitive:
resistance when using the buttons inside the Quest 3
moons, ran so smoothly I felt as if I was when you’re deep in a game, you’re that allow for finer
truly on this extraterrestrial world. not thinking about how to use the controllers, which only precision. If you wear
And Fruit Ninja, which requires fast controllers since they’re effectively an adds to the immersion” glasses, you’ll probably
controller swipes to simulate sword extension of your hand. Subtle but need to use the included
strikes, also performed wonderfully. effective haptics mean you feel spacer to make wearing the headset
You can’t expect PS5-like visual resistance when using the controllers, more comfortable.
experiences from the XR2 chip, but if which only adds to the immersion. All of this means the Quest 3S can
you want to play graphically They’re great for navigating through become uncomfortable to wear for
demanding games you can stream menus or moving screens around, but long periods. However, due to its
games via the Xbox Game Pass app you can perform the same functions relatively short battery life, this
(which you can download to the with your hands by pinching objects BELOW The headset might not be a problem; generally, it
headset). It helps that the spatial using your forefinger and thumb. can become lasts around two hours.
audio works so well, especially as It also includes colour passthrough uncomfortable to Despite my criticisms, the Meta
there’s no 3.5mm jack here. video, so you can see what’s happening wear for long periods Quest 3S is a great alternative to the
Productivity tools are Quest 3 if you’re curious about VR. Its
available from Meta’s robust performance, immersive spatial audio
app library, including the and strong selection of apps make it an
$25 Virtual Desktop if you enticing budget-friendly choice. But if
wish to simulate multiple you start to love VR, you’ll regret not
screens, but this device is spending more on the Meta Quest 3 –
far better suited to especially as the 128GB version now
consumption than creation. costs £410. TONY POLANCO
I loved watching 360° travel
videos on YouTube, where I SPECIFICATIONS
almost felt like I was visiting Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
locations in real life. 8GB RAM 128GB/256GB storage dual
Be aware, though, that 1,832 x 1,920 120Hz IPS screens 96°
the Meta Quest 3S uses horizontal, 90° vertical field of view 2 x
Fresnel lenses instead of the colour passthrough cameras integrated
pancake lenses in the Quest stereo speakers 4,324mAh battery USB-C
3. That means a lower field power port Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 2 x
of view: 96° horizontal/90° handheld controllers 184 x 160 x 98mm
vertical compared to 110° (WDH) 515g 1yr warranty

64
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Reviews

Logitech H570e
expensive for a wired headset. recyclable packaging; this
So I ordered a pair of Logitech extends to the H111 set, too.

A high-quality office headset H111 headphones for £15 from

Amazon to see what extra I was
In terms of output quality,
there’s a shade more bass audible
with a noise-cancelling mic getting for my money. One big
difference is the use of USB rather
on the H570e headset, but neither
will delight listeners who want to
and a Teams version than 3.5mm audio for the cheaper
set, which means cleverer software ABOVE The in-line
hear every last nuance from a song.
A more obvious difference came
tie-ins: with my Teams-certified remote lets you when recording, with a far clearer
SCORE
H570e headset, I can use the in-line accept incoming calls result – with fewer muffled noises –
PRICE Stereo, £42 (£50 inc VAT) remote to accept incoming calls and from the H570e compared to the H111
from logitech.com fire up Teams. There are also volume in normal usage. Both headsets
up and down buttons, plus an include background noise reduction

W
extremely useful mute button. The in the mic, but I was surprised to
e live in a wireless world, H111 offers no such luxuries. find the H111 did a better job when I
but there are times when You’re also buying an obvious put it to the test; the H570e did
wires make sense. No bump up in build quality. This reduce the noise, but the H111 got
faffing around with Bluetooth or extends to the H570e’s replaceable rid of it almost entirely.
worrying about battery levels; leatherette earpads, which are RECOMMENDED Still, this was the only area where
plug the device in and it will more comfortable than the the H111 won, and overall it’s obvious
just work. That’s what the foam design of the H111 why the H570e headset costs three
Logitech H570e headset is (think 1980s Walkman times the price. Whether
all about: available with headphones). There’s also “With a version certified you’re looking to roll
your choice of USB-C or a sturdiness to the plastic, for Teams, this is a simple these out across an office
USB-A connectors, and with the promise of 45% or simply want a headset
with a version certified PCR as a minimum.
headset meant for easy for taking calls on the
for Teams, this is a simple Logitech makes no such rollouts across an move, it will do the job
headset meant for easy claims for the cheaper office floor” perfectly. TIM DANTON
rollouts across an office headset, and good luck
floor. There’s also a finding justifiable SPECIFICATIONS
“mono” version, with environmental claims Wired stereo headphones noise-cancelling
only one earphone, that for other headsets. This is LEFT The leatherette mic 30mm driver certified for Microsoft
costs £10 less. one area where Logitech earpads make the Teams (optional) USB-A or USB-C
Still, paying either leads the pack, along with H570e comfortable to 1.9m cable 157 x 50 x 171mm (WDH) 115g
£40 or £50 remains its use of 100% wear for long periods 2yr limited warranty

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Your bonus Total value

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66
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Bonus software

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Visit pcprodownload.co.uk. Once you’re in the download If the software needs Please be sure to install and
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issues of the magazine). We’ll then and other downloads, click the may need to register for a PC Pro bonus software.
send an email to confirm that your Install button below the product software store account – if you don’t
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* Codes are sometimes limited, so please claim early to avoid disappointment 67

Apple iPhone 16
A 60Hz screen
and 2x optical
zoom hold
it back, but
pound for
pound it’s a
fine alternative
to the Pro

There’s also a new set of more photo, or you can hold it down to
SCORE vibrant colour options; namely pink, initiate video recording. In the camera
PRICE 128GB, £666 (£799 inc VAT) teal and ultramarine, alongside app, you can also gently slide your
from apple.com/uk standard black and white. With the RECOMMENDED finger left or right on it to adjust zoom
Action button on the left side of the controls, exposure adjustment and

I
phone and the new camera control on more. It takes a bit of getting used to,
t’s often hard to get excited about the right, in terms of physical but it makes the iPhone feel
a new iPhone when there’s a interaction it’s all but identical to the “The OLED screen is as more like a serious
better equipped Pro version iPhone 16 Pro. In fact, I think I prefer pin-sharp as ever, with photographic tool; I just
launched alongside it. But this year’s the iPhone 16: not only do I love the enough saturation and wish that, having come this
model has a surprising amount in new colours, I find the slightly smaller far, Apple had added
common with its upmarket sibling: it size of the standard model makes it contrast to make videos controls for shutter speed
gains the action button that was easier to use one-handed than the Pro. and games really pop” and ISO settings, too.
previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 The OLED screen on this year’s Even without those, the
Pro (see issue 351, p62), and it also iPhone is as pin-sharp as ever, with iPhone 16 is a fantastic camera phone.
uses the same new camera controls as enough saturation and contrast to BELOW There’s now When shooting with the main 48MP
the iPhone 16 Pro (see overleaf). Even make videos and games pop. It’s not an action button on camera I could hardly spot any
better, it’s in line to receive the full set the brightest screen around, however; the left and a camera difference in quality between pictures
of Apple Intelligence features when Apple claims it will hit a maximum of control on the right taken with this phone and my test
they arrive. Could the standard iPhone 3,000cd/m2, but our lab measured a shots from the iPhone 16 Pro. The
be the smart buy of this generation? peak of 1,348cd/m2. That’s usable phone’s handling of exposure in
in bright sunlight, but it particular was consistently
Displayin’ around definitely benefits from being impressive, even in challenging
The iPhone 16 is the same size as the shaded with a hand. conditions: the iPhone
iPhone 15 (see issue 351, p62), with a I’m also frustrated to see that had no problem
6.1in screen; for an extra £100 the the refresh rate is still limited to handling the
iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7in screen and a 60Hz. This isn’t a deal-breaker, brightness of
bigger battery but is otherwise identical. but in 2024 there are plenty of a setting sun in
Although the size hasn’t changed, (cheaper) Android phones with the background,
the case is now made of “aerospace- slick 120Hz screens, and it’s while still
grade” aluminium, which makes it a disappointing that the iPhone retaining depth
touch lighter and purportedly more 16’s display doesn’t have that and detail in the
durable. Apple claims the Ceramic same ultra-smooth feel. shadowy
Shield glass is tougher than before too, foreground areas
though my review unit got noticeably Take your shot – something
scratched after being stuffed in my The new camera control on the Google’s Pixel 9
bag a few times; I strongly recommend right-hand side of the iPhone 16 struggled with.
a screen protector to keep your iPhone isn’t just a regular clicky button. Selfies were
looking pristine. A single press instantly takes a excellent, too,

68
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Reviews
capturing plenty of fine detail both in background noise after 19mins, which is around 20%
my face and in the background. recording. It’s a powerful longer than the iPhone 15. A
The 12MP ultrawide camera has addition, but the more I turned charge usually got me through
been improved with an f/2.2 aperture down the background noise on the day, but on heavy days I
– slightly wider than the previous a self-narrated video, the still needed to plug it in before
generation’s f/2.4 – plus, at last, the more distorted my own bedtime. As the graphs
ability to capture macro photographs, voice became – so you may overleaf show, the iPhone 16
a capability previously limited to need to experiment to find Plus performs far better for
iPhone Pro models. I tried this the best balance. battery life.
out with several close-ups of Still, recharging the iPhone
different kinds of flowers and was Faster than ever 16 is reasonably fast: an Apple
again hugely impressed. Rather than reusing the A17 Pro 30W charger took the phone
While the iPhone 16 lacks a processor in last year’s iPhone from empty to 57% in 30
telephoto lens, it uses the same 15 Pro models, the iPhone 16 is minutes, which is a respectable
pixel-binning techniques as the built on Apple’s new A18 result. New support for 25W
iPhone 15 to achieve a remarkably chipset. Benchmark tests (see MagSafe charging and Qi2
clean 2x “optical” zoom. I found my the graphs overleaf) confirm mean wireless charging should
results looked just as good as images this is a big step up in be faster than before, too,
taken on the Samsung Galaxy S24 performance: in Geekbench 6 though you’ll need a new-style
Plus at the same magnification factor, the iPhone 16 achieved average ABOVE The standard MagSafe charger to benefit.
and even when I dialled it all the way single- and multicore scores of 3,301 iPhone shares many
up to 10x zoom, the difference was and 8,033 respectively, beating all features with its more Best is yet to come
small – which is pretty amazing Android rivals and even outpacing the While the iPhone 16 enjoys major
expensive siblings
when you consider that the Samsung iPhone 15 Pro. hardware updates, iOS 18 doesn’t
has a true 3x optical zoom. Graphics performance is bring many notable new software
For video, like most phones at this improved, too, with 3DMark’s Wild features. There are a few,
price, the iPhone 16 can record at up to Life Unlimited test reporting an “It’s a real step up from such as the ability to
4K resolution at 60fps. Footage once average frame rate of 98fps, a 36% last year’s model, and it securely lock or hide apps,
again looks great, with bags of improvement over the iPhone 15.
even matches most of and personalisation
contrast and texture. The iPhone 16 Gaming credentials are further options for the homescreen
captures more detail in low light than solidified by the addition of the new features of the and Control Centre – but
the Galaxy S24+, although the hardware-accelerated ray tracing iPhone 16 Pro” the main focus this year is
difference isn’t huge. Slow-motion – another feature previously exclusive clearly Apple Intelligence,
video is available at 120fps at 1080p to the 15 Pro models. Once again, it’s which is coming in an imminent
or 240fps at 720p, and the vertical just a shame that the 60Hz refresh rate update (see overleaf). Happily, when
camera arrangement means you means the gaming experience can’t Apple Intelligence does arrive, the
can turn the phone on its side and quite equal the perfect fluidity of iPhone 16 will have access to all the
capture 3D footage, too. rival phones. same features as the Pro model –
A final new feature is Audio Mix, As for battery life, Apple claims the further shrinking the gap between
which makes clever use of the iPhone iPhone 16 will provide up to 18 hours this phone and its premium cousin.
16’s four microphones to let you of online video streaming; in our tests All of this makes the iPhone 16 the
adjust the audio balance or reduce it managed a screen-on time of 13hrs best “ordinary” iPhone in years. It’s a
real step up from last
Comparison table year’s model, in terms of
both features and
iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max performance, and it
even matches most of
Starting price* £799 £899 £999 £1,199
the new features of the
CPU A18 A18 A18 Pro A18 Pro iPhone 16 Pro. Yes, it
GPU 5-core 5-core 6-core 6-core lacks the 120Hz display
and the telephoto lens
RAM 8GB 8GB 8GB 8GB
– but the refresh rate
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB won’t be a big problem
LiDAR? ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ for most people, and the
iPhone’s two-camera
Screen 6.1in OLED 6.7in OLED 6.3in OLED 6.9in OLED
array still delivers
Resolution 2,556 x 1,179 2,796 x 1,290 2,622 x 1,206 2,868 x 1,320 outstanding photos
Refresh rate 60Hz 60Hz 120Hz 120Hz and video in almost
any situation, with the
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7
Audio Mix feature now
Rear cameras 48MP/12MP 48MP/12MP 48MP/48MP/12MP 48MP/48MP/12MP on hand to improve the
Optical zoom 2x via pixel binning 2x via pixel binning 5x 5x sound as well.
In all, for £200 less
Best video 4K 60fps 4K 60fps ProRes 4K 120fps ProRes 4K 120fps
than the iPhone 16 Pro
Front camera 12MP 12MP 12MP 12MP it’s frankly amazing how
Battery capacity 3,561mAh 4,674mAh 3,582mAh 4,685mAh much the iPhone 16
offers. It really feels like
Wireless charging? ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ a premium phone at a
USB-C USB 2 USB 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 mainstream price, and
Dimensions (WDH) 72 x 7.8 x 148mm 78 x 7.8 x 161mm 72 x 8.3 x 150mm 78 x 8.3 x 163mm it comes in a stonking
set of colour options to
Weight 170g 199g 199g 227g
boot. JOHN VELASCO
All new iPhones support 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, Apple Pay, dual SIMS (two active eSIMS or nano-SIM and eSIM), are IP68 rated and include USB-C. *Price includes VAT from apple.com

69
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
menu you can scroll through to tweak
things such as exposure and focus

A bigger display, borrowed depth, or choose preset photographic

styles. While there’s a learning curve
5x tetraprism zoom from the to the camera control, it’s definitely a
positive addition – and it frees up the
Max and no price hike make action button on the opposite side of
the phone, so you can use that for
this the best iPhone another shortcut you find useful.

SCORE
Camera boost
The cameras have received upgrades,
PRICE 128GB, £833 (£999 inc VAT) too. The main 48MP camera promises
from apple.com/uk “zero shutter lag”, the ultrawide sees a
resolution boost from 12MP to 48MP,

L
and the Pro now gets the 5x optical
ike the regular iPhone 16, the Pro zoom that was previously exclusive to
model comes in two versions: one the Pro Max series.
with a 6.3in display, and the The main camera is stupendously
ginormous 6.9in iPhone 16 Pro Max. If responsive, and as usual the results
you’re a believer that big is beautiful compare positively to rival phones.
then flip the page for our full review of My test shot of a Halloween sign
the Max, but I’m here to tell you that came out crisp and vivid, while the
the iPhone 16 Pro is all the phone most Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (see issue
people will need. 354, p58) blew out some of the
The first thing that’s new about the highlights. However, the Pixel 9 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro is a larger screen. It’s (see issue 362, p58) captured more
only 0.2in bigger than last year’s detail in the shadows.
model, but somehow it feels more The upgraded ultrawide camera
luxurious. Perhaps it’s because the impressed me, too. A beach shot came
bezels have also become thinner, so out with gorgeous clarity and
the case is barely any larger than the beautifully natural colours, while the
iPhone 15 Pro (see issue 351, p62), and Samsung’s pic looked oversaturated
still comfortable to use with one hand. and suffered from distortion at the
The design should be more durable, once to launch the camera, then press ABOVE The 6.9in edges. Similarly, the iPhone 16 Pro did
too; Apple claims the Ceramic Shield again to take a photo. It works well in iPhone 16 Pro Max a great job with macro close-ups of
display is 50% tougher than before, both landscape and portrait mode, (left) towers over the flowers, while Samsung’s results were
while the edging is still made of and I like the way that you can also 6.3in iPhone Pro less natural and not as sharp.
titanium rather than aluminium. press and hold to record a video – The iPhone 16 Pro copes particularly
My only disappointment is that although if you start your capture in well with tricky lighting. When I tried
there are no flashy colour options, this way, the video stops as soon as shooting a silhouetted building it
unlike the standard iPhone 16: you take your finger off the button. somehow managed to make both the
Pro users can choose from white Other tricks include the ability to foreground and the sky look well
titanium, black titanium, natural zoom in and out by sliding your finger exposed, and when I shot a string of
titanium and the new desert titanium, left and right on the button, while a lights outside a restaurant it kept the
which is like a soft rose gold. soft double-press launches a mini- dynamic range controlled while still
Aside from its size, the OLED capturing masses of detail.
screen hasn’t really changed from the In all, while individual images shot
past generation, keeping the same on Samsung or Google’s high-end
super-sharp 460ppi pixel density, the phones might have some
same maximum 120Hz refresh rate “Performance is advantages, the iPhone 16
and the same maximum brightness. phenomenal, battery life Pro is a fantastic all-round
That’s fine with me, as it still looks
is better than ever, and performer. I also love the
great; I measured a peak HDR way that Photographic
brightness of 1,553cd/m2, which is photographers will feel Styles are integrated
higher than the regular iPhone 16. positively spoilt” directly into the Camera
In fact, the most significant change and Photos app, so you
is the minimum brightness, which now can change skin tones and mood
goes as low as 1cd/m2 – half as bright effects on the fly – or tweak them after
as the iPhone 15 Pro. The difference is the fact. Video gets a boost, too, with
plainly visible in a dark room, and the arrival of 4K recording at 120fps,
helps when you want to use your so you can shoot the smoothest
phone in a dim environment without possible video to play back on the
annoying those around you. 120Hz display, or adjust the playback
speed on the fly for dramatic slow-
Camera control motion videos.
Like all iPhone 16 models, the Pro
includes the new camera control Fast and formidable
button on the right-hand side. Strictly LEFT You’ll have to With Apple’s new top-of-the-line A18
speaking, this isn’t a button but a wait until December Pro processor inside, the iPhone 16
recessed capacitive switch that to see how Apple Pro is a very powerful phone. The
provides haptic feedback; press it Intelligence shapes up Geekbench benchmark rated it

70
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Reviews
around 50% faster than the Galaxy S24 GEEKBENCH 6 (SINGLE CORE) GEEKBENCH 6 (MULTICORE)
Ultra for single-core performance,
and 15% higher for multicore tasks. iPhone 16 Pro 3,400 iPhone 16 Pro 8,391
A18 Pro, 6-core GPU A18 Pro, 6-core GPU
And when I tried using Adobe
iPhone 16 Pro Max 3,386 iPhone 16 Pro Max 8,306
Premiere Rush to transcode a 4K A18 Pro, 6-core GPU

HIGHER IS BETTER
HIGHER IS BETTER
A18 Pro, 6-core GPU
clip to 1080p, the iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Plus 3,302 iPhone 16 Plus 8,042
completed the task in 21 seconds – A18, 5-core GPU A18, 5-core GPU

half the time of the S24 Ultra. iPhone 16 3,301 iPhone 16 8,033
A18, 5-core GPU A18, 5-core GPU
Gaming performance is equally iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro
spectacular. Apple claims that the A17 Pro, 6-core GPU
2,890 A17 Pro, 6-core GPU 7,194
iPhone 16 Pro’s six-core GPU is 20% iPhone 15 iPhone 15
A16 Bionic, 5-core GPU 2,518 A16 Bionic, 5-core GPU 6,179
faster than the iPhone 15 Pro and, true
enough, in the 3DMark Solar Bay
graphics test I found the iPhone 16 Pro
3DMARK WILD LIFE EXTREME DCI-P3 COVERAGE
scored 22% higher than the iPhone 15
Pro (although 18% behind the Galaxy iPhone 16 Pro 4,540 iPhone 15 Pro 84%
A18 Pro, 6-core GPU A17 Pro, 6-core GPU
S24 Ultra). Having tried a few games
iPhone 16 Pro Max 4,447 iPhone 15 81%
I’d describe the graphics as console- A18 Pro, 6-core GPU

HIGHER IS BETTER
A16 Bionic, 5-core GPU

HIGHER IS BETTER
grade, with striking lighting and iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro Max
4,099 81%
water effects. A18, 5-core GPU A18 Pro, 6-core GPU
On the software front, the latest iPhone 16 4,067 iPhone 16 Pro 80%
A18, 5-core GPU A18 Pro, 6-core GPU
iOS feels just as snappy as ever, and
iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 16
this too comes with a few new A17 Pro, 6-core GPU 3,623 A18, 5-core GPU 80%
features, aimed largely at making the iPhone 15 iPhone 16 Plus
A16 Bionic, 5-core GPU 2,923 79%
iPhone more customisable. For A18, 5-core GPU
example, you can now arrange icons
however you like on the home screen,
ADAPTIVE PEAK BRIGHTNESS (CD/M2) BATTERY LIFE (RUNDOWN TEST)
and there are three screens of
shortcuts in Control Centre that you iPhone 16 Pro Max 1,553 iPhone 16 Pro Max 18hrs 6mins
A18 Pro, 6-core GPU A18 Pro, 6-core GPU
can tweak how you see fit.
iPhone 16 Pro 1,550 iPhone 16 Plus 16hrs 30mins
The updated Photos app in iOS 18, A18, 5-core GPU

HIGHER IS BETTER
HIGHER IS BETTER

A18 Pro, 6-core GPU

meanwhile, makes it easier to find iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 16 Pro
1,510 14hrs 8mins
images in your library by topic, and A17 Pro, 6-core GPU A18 Pro, 6-core GPU
lets you change the look and feel of iPhone 16 iPhone 16 12hrs 43mins
1,458 A18, 5-core GPU
A18, 5-core GPU
the app to your liking. Other upgrades
iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 15
include a dedicated Passwords app A18, 5-core GPU
1,401 A16 Bionic, 5-core GPU 11hrs 5mins
for security, several Messages iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Pro
improvements (such as scheduling A16 Bionic, 5-core GPU 1,348 A17 Pro, 6-core GPU 10hrs 53mins
messages and RCS support), and the
ability to directly transfer money to
other iPhone users with Tap to Cash. predecessor, and also – thanks to Charging speeds, however, haven’t
It’s all good stuff, but it won’t really the new chipset – a more efficient improved. After 30 minutes on a wired
transform your relationship with the overall design. The combined effect charger our battery only reached 56%
phone – perhaps that will come with is salutary: in our battery test it gave capacity; that’s not awful, but the
the arrival of Apple Intelligence. us 14hrs 7mins of continuous web Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra hit 71% in
As for longevity, the iPhone 16 surfing, a huge jump from the 10hrs the same time. The good news is that
Pro has a bigger battery than its 53mins from the iPhone 15 Pro. MagSafe wireless charging sees a jump
from 15W to 25W, if you’re using a
What is Apple Intelligence? 30W adapter.

“Hey, Siri. Are you smart yet?” Apple Intelligence While it’s overdue, I appreciate the Clean Up A Pro with very few cons
isn’t coming to the iPhone 16 series until December, button, which is basically Google’s Magic Eraser on The iPhone 16 Pro is a superlative
but I was able to try out a few of its features early. iOS. Apple’s version is smart enough to identify phone. Performance is phenomenal,
First up, Writing Tools. This is at is strongest objects you might want to remove, and it works battery life is better than ever, and
when summarising: it worked well when I tried it quickly. But in some cases it struggled to photographers will feel positively
with a long entry in Apple Notes. But I also had fun completely erase what I didn’t want in the frame. spoilt by the excellent 5x optical
asking it to rewrite an email I purposely wrote in a Siri is the biggest upgrade with Apple Intelligence. zoom, upgraded main and ultrawide
rude tone, choosing the professional option. The It’s more conversational and forgiving of mistakes cameras and 4K video recording at
result was indeed closer to what I’d usually send. as you speak. For example, I could correct a timer 120fps. The new camera control
I also used Apple Intelligence to look up how to from ten minutes to five minutes on the fly. Siri is button is the cherry on top.
do various things on the iPhone and received also better with follow-up questions; I asked about The one thing that remains to be
step-by-step instructions for how to screen record, the weather today, then said “How about the rest of seen is how Apple Intelligence will
for instance. So you’ll definitely spend less time the week” and I got an extended forecast. pan out. The Galaxy S24+ and Google
looking up how-tos online. Another plus is that you can talk to Siri by typing Pixel 9 Pro have decent sets of AI
On the Photos front, my favourite feature is rather than voice alone; just tap the bottom of the features right now, while with the
Memory Movie. Give the Photos app a prompt such iPhone 16 Pro to enter your query. Still, while Siri is iPhone it’s more of a wait-and-see
as “Beach memories through the years with an definitely getting better, it doesn’t have that “wow” situation. But even without that, the
upbeat soundtrack” and the AI goes to work sifting factor that you’ll experience with Gemini Live voice iPhone 16 Pro has enough strengths to
through all your photos and videos. And the end or GPT-40 voice, where it feels like you’re having a make it a compelling alternative to
result was satisfying, ending with a sunset pic. real conversation with a chatbot. any Android phone, and indeed
probably the best phone you can buy
for under a grand. MARK SPOONAUER

71
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
A gigantic 6.9in screen and
incredible battery life make
this a superb choice for
those with big, deep pockets
SCORE
PRICE 256GB, £999 (£1,199 inc VAT)
from apple.com/uk

I
f you want the maximum iPhone
for your money, the 16 Pro Max is
your boy. Yes, the iPhone 16 Plus
is large, but the Pro Max has it beaten:
with a massive 6.9in display it’s the
biggest iPhone Apple has ever made.
As well as an outsized screen, the
Pro Max has a wodge of extra storage. amount of pressure took a little ABOVE The biggest For app performance, Apple’s A18
The base model comes with 256GB, so practice, and when I got very close to and best of Apple’s new Pro chip blows away the Android
while the £1,199 price is steep, it’s my subject for macro shots, the act of range is not necessarily competition. Geekbench’s tests
only £100 more than the equivalent squeezing the button sometimes the best value indicate that this phone is almost 50%
iPhone 16 Pro. caused the camera to shake. faster than the Galaxy S24 Ultra in
To round things off, the iPhone 16 Since the cameras themselves are single-core tasks, and around 15%
Pro Max also claims the best battery the same as on the iPhone 16 Pro, you faster for multicore performance. And
life of any iPhone – and our testing get the new faster 48MP main camera, when it comes to graphics, Apple
backs that up. In our continuous plus a 48MP ultrawide, up from the claims its latest six-core GPU is up to
web-surfing test, the iPhone 16 Pro 12MP lens of last year’s model. This 20% faster than the A17 chip in the
Max lasted for an insane 18hrs 6mins, produces brilliant close-ups, and for iPhone 15 Pro Max, which the 3DMark
a full four hours longer than the long-range photography the Pro Max RECOMMENDED Solar Bay graphics test confirmed.
iPhone 15 Pro Max (see issue 351, p62) keeps the 5x optical zoom that In all, there’s plenty of
and more than an hour longer debuted on last year’s model. great stuff here, and the
than the Samsung Galaxy This is no longer a Max “To round things off, the iPhone 16 Pro Max should
S24 Ultra (see issue 354, exclusive, as it’s also iPhone 16 Pro Max also get even more powerful
p58). It’s just a shame included in the
claims the best battery life once Apple Intelligence
that it doesn’t regular-sized comes along to add a
recharge any more iPhone 16 Pro, of any iPhone – and our whole new range of smart
quickly than but it’s still a testing backs that up” features to iOS 18. The
other iPhone 16 great feature, only question is whether
models: I found delivering the extra size and battery life are
that 30 minutes excellent LEFT The build quality worth the price – and here I have to
of charging from results at high is exactly what you’d say I’m not sure the enormous screen
a 30W charger magnification expect from Apple is necessarily a plus point. It makes
only got the battery levels. Things fall the phone taller, wider and heavier
to 30% capacity. apart once you than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which I
Indeed, aside from combine this with thought was the near perfect size and
its size, storage and battery digital zoom, however: BELOW The fantastic weight for a big-screen phone, and it’s
life, the Pro Max is basically a at the maximum 25x triple camera array on more of a stretch now to do simple
blown-up carbon copy of the iPhone magnification, images looked fuzzy the rear is identical to things such as scrolling through web
16 Pro. For example, although the compared to the Samsung Galaxy the iPhone 16 Pro’s pages or TikTok. I suspect most people
OLED display is bigger, its brightness, S24 Ultra. will find the 6.3in
refresh rate and pixel density match As on the Pro, iPhone 16 Pro more
those of the iPhone 16 Pro – and just there’s support for comfortably
like that model it can now dial down 4K video capture at proportioned.
to a minimum brightness of 1cd/m2, so up to 120 frames per If you’re in the
you can use it in bed without second, and you market for a larger-
disturbing anyone else, and get an can do some pretty than-life phone,
even dimmer alarm clock. neat things with however, and not put
The new camera control is present that footage: using off by the max-sized
and correct, too, this being the recessed the Playback Speed price, the iPhone 16
capacitive button on the right side controls, I could Pro Max is the best
that launches you straight into the slow down a table iPhone you can buy,
camera. As on the other iPhone 16 tennis match to incorporating
models, it works well, though perhaps 50%, 25% or 20%, everything that’s
it isn’t quite such a natural ergonomic and the footage still good about the 16 Pro,
fit for the large frame of the Pro Max. looked perfectly and more besides.
I found that getting just the right sharp and smooth. MARK SPOONAUER

72
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Reviews

Apple Watch Series 10

keyboard for texting, the Noise app
that warns you of excessive sound

A thinner design, bigger exposure, period predictions,

advanced running and biking
display and sleep apnea metrics, the functional HomeKit
app, the bedtime mode with
detection make this a sleep tracking and the low-
power battery mode.
standout update On that last point, my one
disappointment with the Apple
Watch Series 10 is that it only
SCORE
claims the same 18-hour battery
PRICE 46mm, from £358 (£429 inc VAT) life as every Apple Watch before
from apple.com/uk it. After a decade of evolution I
had hoped it would last more than

I
a day on a charge, especially when
t’s ten years since Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 2 gets closer
its first smartwatch, and the to two full days of battery life. I
anniversary brings an impressive found myself enabling low-power
update. For a start, whether you opt mode a lot, which can extend the
for the compact 42mm model or the battery life up to around 36 hours.
chunkier 46mm one, the screen area is did like it for At any rate, the Series 10 partly
now 9% larger than on the background makes up for it with faster charging.
corresponding Series 9 (see issue 351, music on my rides. With a bigger and more efficient
p69). That’s 30% more display space Happily, the band charging coil inside, the new Watch
than the original Apple Watch; if you connector hasn’t changed, goes from empty to 80% in only 30
buy the 46mm version you so any existing Apple Watch ABOVE Despite the minutes – down from 45 minutes for
actually get slightly more bands can still be used larger display, the previous models. In practice I found I
screen than the Apple with the Series 10. Series 10 is actually got around eight hours of use from a
Watch Ultra 2 (see The latest slimmer than before 15-minute top-up, which is good for
issue 351, p68). version of watchOS someone like me who can’t seem to
The display brings a more LEFT The speaker stick to a charging schedule.
technology has customisable system is protected by While the Apple Watch 10 sticks to
been updated, Photos watch a perforated mesh the distinctive aesthetic of previous
too. The face, a Vitals app Apple Watches, the experience of
always-on that summarises wearing one is noticeably different.
display now your health It’s more comfortable than past
refreshes once per metrics to identify models, and the bigger, wide-angle
second, compared trends, and the screen makes it feel like a more
to the once per long-awaited ability refined wearable. Sure, you can make
minute of the Series 9. to pause your activity an argument for the value of the Apple
And this is Apple’s first rings. When paired with the Watch SE 2, or the premium features
watch with a wide-angle OLED Apple Watch Series 10 (or the RECOMMENDED of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but with
panel, which is 40% brighter for Series 9 or Ultra 2 models), the new the added benefits of faster charging
off-angle viewing compared to OS additionally offers sleep apnea and the new features in watchOS 11
previous models. I found the detection, which lets you review – not to mention a fresh choice of
difference clearly visible when your breathing on a nightly basis. colours and materials – this is the
glancing at my watch during bike After you’ve worn the Apple Watch best Apple Watch for most people.
rides on sunny mornings. for at least ten nights in one month KATE KOZUCH
Despite the expanded screen, this you’ll start to receive alerts when
Apple Watch is also the thinnest and possible sleep apnea is detected, along SPECIFICATIONS
lightest yet. It’s around 10% slimmer with details that you can share with Apple S10 with PowerVR graphics 2in 496 x
and lighter than before, and I felt the your doctor. It’s a great feature, 416 OLED touchscreen 64GB storage
difference during workouts and when though not unique: several other 802.11n Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.3 GPS UWB 2
wearing the watch overnight. For wearables offer similar capabilities, NFC eSIM dual speakers body
those who prefer something including the Oura Ring Gen 3 and temperature sensor blood-oxygen sensor
weightier, the Series 10 also Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. VO2 max sensor heart-rate sensor
introduces titanium options in All the useful features from BELOW The range altimeter compass gyroscope water
natural, gold and slate finishes, with previous Apple Watch models are includes titanium resistance to 50m IP6X battery size not
prices starting at £699. retained. My favourites include the options in natural, stated watchOS 11 39 x 9.7 x 46mm (WDH)
Apple has achieved these Double Tap gesture, the tiny QWERTY gold and slate finishes 42g 1yr RTB warranty
improvements by rearranging the
internals. The speaker has been
compressed to the edges, and is now
protected by a perforated mesh – so
long, elongated slot. A new speaker
and microphone system claim to
improve call quality through voice
isolation, and you can also now
play music through the speaker.
I’m not sure that’s a feature many
people were asking for, but I actually

73
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

TCL 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G

There are several other signs
that this is a budget phone. One

Not the fastest, but its paper- is the plain, blocky design, with
little detailing to lift the dull
like display and unique ability grey finish. Others are the weak
pair of speakers, its lack of an IP
to switch off distractions rating, Wi-Fi 5 rather than Wi-Fi
6 (never mind 6E) and no
make it a tempting choice wireless charging support. It
feels like the latter and Wi-Fi 6
should have been included at
SCORE
this price.
PRICE £233 (£280 inc VAT) You do get 33W fast charging,
from argos.co.uk which took the phone from
zero to 53% in half an hour.

T
And battery life is a strength.
CL’s Nxtpaper phones stand out Anecdotally, it was rare for the
from the borg crowd thanks to phone to dip below 50% on a
their screens. If you haven’t light usage day, and even under
had the chance to see them, they’re heavy use it survived until
almost paper-like, with a matte finish bedtime. You can eke out more
and subtle, textured coating. And time by switching to the Max Ink
whether found here or on TCL tablets, setting, where TCL reckons it can
the provide a welcome break from the last a week without charge – even
shiny monitor, laptop or phone if you use it for reading for four
screens we spend most of our lives hours a day.
gazing at. There’s another plus, too:
Yet another clever feature is that 512GB of storage, with a
you can switch to a finish resembling microSD card slot if you want
E Ink screens – as found on Kindles to add more. All of which
– by switching to Ink Paper mode. using the screen in general, means that I have mixed
This is great for reading books and too. Reflections are a thing feelings about this phone. I
even long web articles, cutting out of the past, even under bright ABOVE The paper-like genuinely love the screen, and the
the noise from extra colours. Or, if sunshine, and thanks to a 6.8in screen gives the TCL mode-switching button is a great
you want to fully commit, you can diagonal, peak 120Hz refresh rate and 50 Pro a unique touch inclusion for all of us fighting phone
activate TCL’s Max Ink mode. This 90% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut addiction. What holds it back from a
will switch off background processes any content looks great: films, recommendation are its low-light
to save energy and prevent websites and photos. camera performance and the lowly
interruptions – Jack has posted a new Unless, unfortunately, I took a processor. If TCL boosted both of these
cat video on Instagram! – so that you photo on the TCL 50 Pro at night. in the next version, even if it meant
can focus on the task at hand. While in Seattle for Lenovo Tech pushing the price closer to £400, it
But the TCL 50 Pro goes one step World ’24 (see p14) I went on a boat would become a real A List contender.
further by adding a Nxtpaper key on tour, where we had a chance to The question is how much you’re
the right-hand side of the phone that catch the Seattle skyline at night. The willing to pay for the screen and 512GB
shortcuts the whole process: slide it result looked okay at first glance, but of storage. For instance,
up and you can instantly move from zooming in revealed smudgy details. “Reflections are a thing I’ve tried (but not yet
full-colour mode to your choice of It’s fine during the day, especially if of the past, even under reviewed) the Motorola
Max Ink or Ink Paper. It’s a brilliant you activate the 108MP sensor, but it’s bright sunshine, and any G85, which is significantly
idea for any of us (all of us?) who find
ourselves picking up our phones for
one obvious sign of this phone’s price.
The other is its MediaTek
content looks great: films, faster and includes far
better cameras for £299,
no good reason at all during meals or Dimensity 6300 SoC, as reflected in websites and photos” while the G54 (see issue
when we’re watching TV. Not only can the comparatively puny scores of 739 355, p57) is on a par with
you cut out interruptions, but you and 1,905 in Geekbench 6. This shows the TCL 50 Pro but costs £180. Both are
have a visual reminder (thanks to the itself in occasional stumbles during excellent alternatives. Still, if you’re
mono screen) that you don’t need to use in Android 14, but my concern spending too much time staring at
check your email. isn’t so much about today as it is in your screen then the TCL 50 Pro
All of this works brilliantly, and three years’ time. What’s more, TCL Nxtpaper 5G is a unique way to solve
TCL even sells an active stylus (see our commits to only two years of Android the problem. TIM DANTON
feature on p46) if you want to scrawl updates. You do at least get security
notes onto the surface. Thanks to the updates until 2029. SPECIFICATIONS
screen’s finish, it will feel more like As a 3DMark Wild Life Extreme 8-core 2.4GHz/2GHz MediaTek Dimensity
pen on paper than normal. I loved score of 376 indicates, the TCL 50 Pro 6300 SoC 8GB RAM Mali-G57 graphics
should not be the top choice for 6.8in 120Hz IPS screen with Nxtpaper
BENCHMARKS gamers. However, I fired up Asphalt technology, 1,080 x 2,460 resolution 5G
Geekbench 6 single-core Legends Unite and F1 Clash, thinking 512GB storage microSD card slot triple
739
0 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500
they wouldn’t run well, but frame 108MP/8MP/2MP rear cameras 32MP front
rates were more than high enough to BELOW A microSD camera Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5.3 NFC
Geekbench 6 multicore
1,905 enjoy the games. In fact, most games card slot lets you add 5,010mAh battery USB-C 2 Android 14
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 adapt well enough to play. to the 512GB of storage 76 x 8 x 168mm (WDH) 196g 1yr warranty
3DMark Wild Life
376
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000

74
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Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

That means a 50MP main unit,
a 12MP ultrawide and an 8MP

The screen, AI features and telephoto camera with a 3x

optical zoom. Confident
cost savings are so good shooters will also love the
feature-rich camera app,
that suddenly the full-cost which again is the same as its

S24 is hard to justify

siblings, complete with
manual modes for photos and
videos, as well as support for
8K video recording.
SCORE
But what really matters is
PRICE 128GB, £541 (£649 inc VAT) the camera’s ability to shoot
from samsung.com just about anything, in any
light conditions, with good

F
results. It holds up particularly
or years now, Samsung has been well against the more
releasing its “Fan Edition” expensive OnePlus 12 (see
phones several months after its issue 354, p60), able to boost
flagship models. The idea is to offer shadows in sunny scenes
customers who don’t want to spend without causing issues
£800+ on a phone an alternative, even elsewhere. The 3x zoom
if it doesn’t pack all the premium means you’ll never capture the
features. Last year’s S23 FE was detail found in the iPhone 16
disappointing, but this year Samsung Pro and Pro Max, but for this
has the balance just right. price you can’t complain.
The Galaxy S24 FE receives the The Galaxy S24 FE’s
same level of attention as Samsung’s Its graphics performance falls a ABOVE The superb low-light performance is good but
flagship models. That means it little further behind, with an average 6.7in OLED screen is a not great. Its strength is brightening
features the same glass-meets-metal frame rate of 24fps in 3DMark’s Wild match for its more dark scenes, something it does better
trim that the series is known for, Life Extreme test (3,806) to 30fps expensive siblings than the OnePlus 12, but it’s more
complete with the same IP68 water- (4,960) from the S24+. I was susceptible to blurring unless you
and dust-resistance rating. On the pleasantly surprised that, like its keep your hand very still. The
back, the triple cameras prominently siblings, the Galaxy S24 SE offers 10MP selfie camera is a minor
protrude with each lens outlined by a support for ray-tracing. I loaded up downgrade from the 12MP camera in
thick metal bezel. It adopts the same Diablo Immortal and Age of Origins, the S24+, often producing great shots
design language as the flagship line. and even when there was intensive but struggling with overexposure in
And you have five colours to choose action happening, the games difficult conditions.
from: blue, graphite, grey, mint and remained playable. Overall, though, the S24 FE
RECOMMENDED
yellow. Usually you don’t have as While it matches the S24+ with its pushes the S24+ so close that it begs
many options as this, so kudos to display, the S24 FE packs a smaller the question of whether you’re
Samsung for offering them. 4,700mAh battery compared to overpaying for that phone (or the S24).
One of our criticisms of the S23 FE 4,900mAh. But the And I believe you are. Minor niggles
was its display, but there are no such bigger difference aside, you’re getting the same
concerns here. The 6.7in OLED screen comes from the software and experience with the S24
packs the same rich blacks and colours chipset, with FE as the S24+ but for £300 less –
as the rest of the S24 range, covering Qualcomm’s clearly assuming you pay for the 256GB
100% of the DCI-P3 gamut in Vivid more power-efficient: version, which costs
mode and peaking at 1,516cd/m2. That’s running the same “Overall, the S24 FE pushes £699. The S24+ comes
actually better than the S24+ (see issue battery drain test, the S24+ so close that it with 256GB minimum.
355, p72). Add the 120Hz adaptive the Galaxy S24 FE
begs the question of The only area where the
refresh rate and it’s a joy to use. clocked in a best time S24 FE falls behind is
Arguably the biggest difference of 11hrs 25mins to whether you’re overpaying battery life, but I’m okay
between the Galaxy S24 FE and its 16hrs 32mins from the for that phone” with this shortcoming
flagship kin is that it uses an S24+. As a demanding when it matches or almost
Exynos 2400e chip rather than a user, I found myself matches its sibling in every other area.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It isn’t as fast, charging the S24 FE In fact, I’d argue that the Galaxy
but surprisingly nor is it far behind. around the middle of S24 FE is one of the best-value phones
Its Geekbench 6 scores were 2,161 the afternoon because you’ll find this year. Especially when
and 6,836 in single- and multicore its battery would it comes with seven years of software
testing respectively, compared to often be under 50% and security updates. JOHN VELASCO
2,272 and 7,083 for the S24+. capacity. Luckily, a
30-minute splash SPECIFICATIONS
BENCHMARKS with a 25W adapter 10-core 2.9GHz/2.6GHz/1.95GHz Samsung
Geekbench 6 single-core
takes it from zero to Exynos 2400e SoC 8GB RAM Xclipse 940
2,161
0 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500
53%, and the S24 FE graphics 6.7in 120Hz OLED screen, 1,080 x
Geekbench 6 multicore
offers 15W wireless 2,340 resolution 5G 128/256GB storage
6,836 charging as well. IP68 triple 50MP/8MP/12MP rear cameras
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 Samsung sticks LEFT The triple 10MP front camera Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth
3DMark Wild Life to the same rear cameras can shoot 5.3 NFC 4,700mAh battery USB-C 3.2
3,806 camera system as just about anything in Gen 2 Android 14 with One UI 6.1 77 x 8 x
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000
the S24 and S24+. any light conditions 162mm (WDH) 213g 1yr warranty

76
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MINI
PCs
W
hen it comes to mini PCs,
there are a handful of
major players. The most
famous name is Asus,
Don’t think big, think small:
the latest generation
of mini PCs have all the
power most people need
help you see the differences rather than
the resemblances. For instance, the
amount of power they draw can have a
big effect on running costs: we print their
while consuming
surprisingly little
which took on responsibility for estimated running costs, over a five-year electricity
developing Intel’s NUC range in October period, alongside each review. Which
2023. Then come mini PC specialists ports they include, and how fast they are,
Geekom and Minisforum, with the latter also becomes important. Might you want
responsible for many of the brands you’ll a mini PC with two RJ45 ports rather than
see advertised on Amazon. Beelink is one? Can you add more internal storage?
another mini PC specialist – which, for
whatever reason, didn’t wish to send in a
Which exact processor is inside, and does
it include an NPU?
CONTENTS
Asus NUC 14 Pro+...........................84
system to this month’s test. And MSI has There are also mini PCs that take a
Geekom A8......................................85
just entered the frame with its first NUC different approach. The Minisforum
design, with the promise of more to come. AtomMan X7 Ti is packed with extra Geekom Mini IT13...........................86
At first glance, there’s little these features, including a webcam, OCuLink Geekom XT12 Pro........................... 87
manufacturers can do to lift themselves port and even a 4in touchscreen. If you Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti.........88
from the pack. The vast majority of mini can go a little larger, Minisforum again Minisforum Neptune HX100G.....89
PCs follow a similar pattern: a square-ish has something to tempt you with its Minisforum Venus NAB9..............90
footprint with each side measuring striking Neptune HX100G. Or consider Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro....91
110mm to 150mm wide, a height of 30mm the PCSpecialist Azena R, with its MSI Cubi NUC 1M........................... 92
to 50mm and, due to the limited room laser-like focus on office duties.
PCSpecialist Azena R.................... 93
inside, they’re based around a mobile chip So, arguably, the world of mini PCs
made by AMD or Intel. They all include is more interesting than traditional Feature comparison table...........80
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth along with a selection desktop PCs, which tend to follow even Key things to look for when
of USB ports, plus a video connector or more of a formula. Let us know if you’ve buying a mini PC............................. 82
two. How on earth are you meant to been tempted, and what you think of
How we test.....................................94
choose between them? your purchase, by emailing us at
Graphs..............................................94
Hopefully the reviews on the following [email protected].
pages, and the buyer’s guide on p82, will View from the Labs........................ 95
CONTRIBUTOR: Tim Danton

78
@PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

79
 RECOMMENDED
Asus NUC 14 Pro+ Geekom A8 Geekom Mini IT13 Geekom XT12 Pro Minisforum
AtomMan X7 Ti
Overall raring

Information
Price of reviewed system 1 £1,006 (£1,207 inc VAT) £749 (£899 inc VAT) £666 (£799 inc VAT) £583 (£699 inc VAT) £691 (£829 inc VAT)
Starting price of range £649 (£779 inc VAT) £599 (£719 inc VAT) £458 (£549 inc VAT) £499 (£599 inc VAT) £691 (£829 inc VAT)

Supplier website icubes.co.uk geekom.co.uk geekom.co.uk geekom.co.uk store.minisforum.uk

Part code NUC14RVS UH185 Ultra

Warranty 3yr RTB (2yr parts, first 90 days 3yr RTB (first six months C&R) 3yr RTB (first six months C&R) 3yr RTB (first six months C&R) 2yr RTB
C&R)

Processor & memory

Processor Intel Core Ultra 9 185H AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS Intel Core i9-13900H Intel Core i9-12900H Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Cores 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores, 2 LE-cores 8 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores, 2 LE-cores
Threads 22 16 20 20 22
Architecture Meteor Lake Zen 4 Raptor Lake Alder Lake Meteor Lake
NPU

Boost frequency (P-cores) 5.1GHz 5.2GHz 5.4GHz 5GHz 5.1GHz

Boost frequency (E-cores) 3.8GHz N/A 4.1GHz 3.8GHz 3.8GHz

Graphics, RAM & storage

Make and model Intel Arc AMD Radeon 780M Intel Iris Xe Intel Iris Xe Intel Arc
Video memory Shared Shared Shared Shared Shared
Supplied RAM 32GB DDR5-5600 32GB DDR5-5600 32GB DDR4-3200 32GB DDR4-3200 32GB DDR5-5600
Prices correct at time of going to press but are subject to change. 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 = 5Gbits/sec, USB 3.2 Gen 2 = 10Gbits/sec, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 = 20Gbits/sec, USB 4 = 40Gbits/sec.

RAM slots (free/total) 0/2 0/2 0/2 0/2 0/2

Maximum RAM 96GB 64GB 64GB 64GB 96GB
Supplied storage 1TB 2TB 2TB 2TB 1TB
Storage expansion M.2 2242 PCI-E 4 M.2 2242 SATA, 2.5in SATA M.2 2242 SATA M.2 2230 PCI-E 4

Front ports 2

USB-C 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 1 x USB 4

USB-A 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2

3.5mm

Other SD card reader on side SD card reader on side Microphone, SD card reader (on
top)

Rear ports 2
USB-C 2 x Thunderbolt 4 1 x USB 4, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB 4 2 x USB 4 1 x USB 4

USB-A 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 2 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 2 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 2 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 2
Ethernet 1 x 2.5GbE 1 x 2.5GbE 1 x 2.5GbE 1 x 2.5GbE 2 x 5GbE
HDMI 2 x HDMI 2.1 2 x HDMI 2 2 x HDMI 2 2 x HDMI 2 1 x HDMI 2.1
3.5mm

DC input

Other 1 x OCuLink, 1 x DisplayPort 2

Wireless
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.4

Chassis
Size (WDH) 144 x 112 x 41mm 112 x 112 x 37mm 117 x 112 x 49mm 117 x 111 x 39mm 145 x 145 x 49mm
Kensington lock

Weight (as supplied) 623g 431g 565g 545g 860g

Volume 0.66l 0.47l 0.64l 0.5l 1.03l

Power
Power supply wattage 150W 120W 120W 120W 120W
Power supply weight 303g 250g 432g 220g 277g
Idle consumption 7W 8W 6W 6W 9W
Peak consumption 130W 95W 55W 56W 84W

Bundle
Operating system Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home
Bundled software

VESA mount?

Bundled hardware Separate power button 1080p IR webcam, 4in 480 x 480
touchscreen, stand
1

80
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

RECOMMENDED LABS WINNER

Minisforum Neptune Minisforum Venus NAB9 Minisforum Venus MSI Cubi NUC 1M PCSpecialist Azena R
HX100G UM790 Pro

£741 (£889 inc VAT) £324 (£389 inc VAT) 16GB/512GB £458 (£549 inc VAT) £458 (£549 inc VAT) £499 (£599 inc VAT)
£741 (£889 inc VAT) £324 (£389 inc VAT) £458 (£549 inc VAT) £458 (£549 inc VAT) N/A

store.minisforum.uk store.minisforum.uk store.minisforum.uk scan.co.uk pcspecialist.co.uk/reviews

B0C7V61JSQ 1M-018UK

2yr RTB 2yr RTB 2yr RTB 3yr 3yr RTB (1yr parts & labour, 2yr
labour-only)

AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS Intel Core i9-12900HK AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS Intel Core 3 100U Intel Core i5-14400
8 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores 8 2 P-cores, 4 E-cores 6 P-cores, 4 E-cores
16 20 16 8 16
Zen 4 Alder Lake Zen 4 Raptor Lake Raptor Lake

5.1GHz 5GHz 5.2GHz 4.7GHz 4.7GHz

N/A 3.8GHz N/A 3.3GHz 3.5GHz

AMD Radeon RX 6600M Intel Iris Xe AMD Radeon 780M Intel Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 730
8GB GDDR6 Shared Shared Shared Shared
32GB DDR5-5600 16GB DDR4-3200 32GB DDR5-5600 8GB DDR5-5200 16GB DDR4-3200
0/2 0/2 0/2 1/2 0/2
64GB 64GB 64GB 64GB 64GB
1TB 512GB 1TB 512GB 1TB
M.2 2280 PCI-E 4 2.5in SATA M.2 2280 PCI-E 4 M.2 2230 PCI-E 4, 2.5in SATA M.2 2230 PCI-E 4, 2 x SATA ports (internal)

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 2 x USB 4 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB 2

(1 x mic, 1 x headphone) (combo) (1 x mic, 1 x headphone, 1 x headset)

Clear CMOS button Clear CMOS button Clear CMOS button microSD card slot

2 x USB 4 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 2 x Thunderbolt 4

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
1 x 2.5GbE 2 x 2.5GbE 1 x 2.5GbE 2 x 2.5GbE 1 x 1GbE
2 x HDMI 2.1 2 x HDMI (gen not stated) 2 x HDMI 2.1 2 x HDMI 2.1 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort (gen not stated)

(1 x mic, 1 x line out)

Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6

Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.2

205 x 203 x 69mm 127 x 127 x 52mm 130 x 126 x 52mm 136 x 133 x 50mm 186 x 197 x 38mm

1.45kg 615g 662g 659g 1.35kg

2.87l 0.84l 0.85l 0.83l 1.4l

262W 120W 120W 120W 120W

635g 276g 454g 410g 380g
20W 13W 6W 8W 19W
263W 83W 81W 38W 109W

Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home

Stand

81
Key things to look for
when buying a mini PC
Buying a mini PC isn’t like buying a laptop or a fully fledged desktop PC,
but a pitfall-laden experience that sits somewhere in between

How big is mini?

There’s no formal definition of a mini
PC. When we invited PCSpecialist to
submit a system into this month’s
group test, it sent both the Azena R
(see p93) and the Torpedo Ultra R
(see p52). But the Torpedo proved to
be ten times the size – in terms of
volume – as any other system in this
Labs, which is why we moved it to
the main Reviews section instead.
However, there is an argument that
it’s a mini PC, as it uses a microITX
motherboard and one of Corsair’s
smallest chassis.
For the sake of our sanity, we
decided to draw the line at three
litres. That’s still small enough to
tuck a PC behind a monitor or sit on a
stand. But there are big benefits if you
decide to go smaller still, particularly
under one litre. At this point, all the
mini PCs on test include a VESA
mount (either as a separate plate or
with screws built into the chassis).
That means you can attach them to
a monitor – you’ll probably need to
buy a mounting kit – or to a monitor
arm, or screw the mount into a wall
and keep the PC there.
ABOVE All mini PCs At the risk of stating the obvious, running costs for each of these
Processing power however, speed isn’t everything.
support at least two machines based on current domestic
As you’ll see from the graphs on p94 4K displays Every single one of these mini PCs rates. You can see the results on p95.
and p95, there’s a correlation should keep chugging happily away So your choice very much depends
between speed and size: the biggest for five years or more, so why pay for on what you intend to use the mini PC
system, the Minisforum Neptune more performance than for. Office or network streaming
HX100G (see p89), tops almost every Speed isn’t everything. you need? The other big duties? Save money now and in the
chart. That’s for the very obvious Every single one of these advantage is running future with a low-performance
reason that it’s large enough to costs. Based on our system. Fancy playing a few games?
include both a desktop chip and a
mini PCs should keep measurements, for idle Look for one that gets around 3,000 in
discrete (albeit still mobile) graphics chugging happily away and peak power, we’ve 3DMark Time Spy. Need something to
chip in the AMD Radeon RX 6600M. for five years or more extrapolated the five-year tackle video editing or data analysis?
Then you want something that comes
near the top in multicore tests such as
Barebones options Geekbench or Cinebench. The graphs
on p94 and p95 are your friends.
Several of these mini PCs are available as the official PC Pro software store has such great
barebones systems. There are distinct offers; see p43). The corollary is that if you Upgrade options
advantages of being able to choose want to run Linux then you’re Naturally, you don’t have many
your own RAM and storage, but here it wasting money by buying a full internal upgrade options when
pays to read the small print: you can system that includes Windows. buying a mini PC. That shouldn’t be a
easily get caught out by buying an The good news is that it’s problem with RAM: most systems
incompatible part. The other gotcha is incredibly easy to install memory include two SODIMM sockets, and
that barebones systems don’t include a and SSDs into these mini PCs. with 8GB sticks so affordable 16GB has
copy of Windows, so you will need to Almost all use four crosshead become the de facto minimum (MSI’s
buy that separately (how fortunate that screws to secure the base in place, Cubi 1M aside, but that has a spare
and then it’s a simple matter of socket). 32GB is overkill for most
RIGHT If you need to buy a copy of adding your chosen parts and people but always welcome, but it’s
Windows, head to store.pcpro.co.uk installing your OS of choice. easy to replace the supplied memory
with 32GB SODIMMs in the future to

82
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

How we
calculate
running costs
During our testing, we monitored
each of these mini PCs’ power
consumption. Our results on p95
show their lowest and highest
figures, and we used these to
calculate their running costs
across a five-year life. Naturally,
these running costs are an
estimate rather than realistic, just
to give you an at-a-glance guide to
aid your buying decision.
We’ve made a number of
assumptions, top of which is that
you’ll keep the mini PC running for
eight hours a day. We’ve assumed
they’ll be running close to idle most
of the time, and pushed to the
maximum for an hour. We assume
take your total to 64GB. As our suggests, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 doubles you’ll run the PCs every day for all
feature comparison table on p80 the speed of USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (from five years, and that the cost of
shows, most systems support this. ABOVE It’s easy to 10Gbits/sec to 20Gbits/sec), while electricity will stick at the current
You usually have more options access the internals USB-C 4 goes up to 40Gbits/sec – even cap of 24.5p per kWh.
when it comes to storage. Sometimes to add your own RAM higher if you have the latest version of
mini PCs will include a second M.2 slot Windows 11 installed. You should find
on the motherboard (normally of the all the USB-A ports you need, but The AI question
shorter M.2 2230 or 2242 format), again with varying speeds. Four of these mini PCs include a
but you’ll notice that the taller A handful of mini PCs also processor that includes a neural
units usually have space for a include twin Ethernet ports. processing unit: the Asus NUC 14 Pro+
2.5in SSD. This will be slower, This can be particularly plus three of the Minisforum PCs,
as it uses the SATA rather useful for those intending to namely the AtomMan X7 Ti, Neptune
than PCI Express bus, but use these PCs as media HX100G and Venus UM790 Pro.
that’s fine for most devices. servers or for network However, none of the chips inside
It also means adding storage storage, as it brings load supports Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs
is more affordable, as 2.5in aggregation, load balancing initiative, so they will rarely be of
SATA drives tend to be far and redundancy into play. much use to you.
cheaper per gigabyte. Every mini PC on test (and If you’re looking for a mini PC with
Aside from the clutter effect, that we’ve seen on sale recently) proper AI skills, we suggest you wait
there’s nothing wrong with includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. until next year – or focus on the power
adding external storage, either. They use the metal of the chassis to of the GPU, as this is what’s still used
Thunderbolt 4 remains the fastest ABOVE All the mini act as antenna, and we saw no by the majority of software with
and most expensive choice, and is PCs on test include a drop-offs during testing. However, if AI-enhanced tools.
rarely supported by PCs. However, VESA mount so can be you have a Wi-Fi 6E router then it
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (see “Check the attached to a monitor makes sense to choose a mini PC that Warranty and support
connections”, below) delivers speedy can connect over it: you’ll see faster Unfortunately, we don’t have enough
transfers for files smaller than 10GB so results, particularly at range. Few data on Geekom or Minisforum to
remains a strong choice. And if you people need to worry about which include them in the PC Pro
read our Labs mini on portable SSDs BELOW Some mini version of Bluetooth is included, as Technology Excellence Awards (see
(see issue 357, p72) then you’ll PCs include twin Bluetooth 5.4 and 5.3 offer only minor p26). However, if you check the
discover they’re well priced, too. Ethernet ports improvements over Bluetooth 5.2 . brands on TrustPilot then you’ll see
they gain around four stars – that
Check the connections compares to 4.7 stars for
This brings us to the external PCSpecialist and 4.8 for Scan.
connectors. Most mini PCs It’s worth looking into the
include at least two warranties, too. Geekom
monitor outputs, often provides three years of
HDMI, while others cover, Minisforum two,
include DisplayPort or but there’s also a
USB-C outputs. Every mini difference in terms of
PC can support twin 4K shipping costs. Geekom
displays, so we don’t think will cover these both
that’s a big issue. ways for six months, but
It’s definitely worth then expects you to pay to
looking for multiple USB-C ship the item for repair.
outputs, though, especially Minisforum covers shipping
for ones with higher rated costs both ways only for the
speeds. As its name first seven days.

83
Asus NUC 14 Pro+
A top-quality, compact and
super-fast mini PC, but you
pay a steep price for these
undoubted benefits
SCORE
PRICE £1,006 (£1,207 inc VAT)
from icubes.co.uk

0.66 £80 13,741 3,960

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

W
hile MSI has muscled in on
the NUC action with its
own design (see p92), Asus
– which signed an agreement with
Intel last year to keep developing the
line – is still the first place loyalists the same processor but (we suspect) ABOVE This is the only and out of the way as it sits on a hinge.
will go when looking to update their with a lower wattage. It also produced mini PC here that can This reveals two SODIMM sockets,
Intel-branded NUCs. solid averages in Shadow of the Tomb be fully accessed each filled here with a 16GB DDR5-
It’s also where we expect to see the Raider: 50fps at lowest settings, 27fps without tools 5600 stick, and an empty M.2 2242
latest technology, especially so with at highest (both at 1080p). slot to accompany the supplied 1TB
the NUC 14 Pro+, which sits at the top The downside to this ferocious Samsung 980 Pro drive. This proved
of the Asus range. It’s not to be speed is fan noise. Not all the time: incredibly fast, with average
confused with the plain NUC 14 Pro, when idling, you can only hear the sequential reads of 6,936MB/sec
which comes in slim and tall lowest of whooshes, but this ramps and writes of 4,944MB/sec.
variations and only supplies a up to a notable whirr as soon As you’d expect from a
maximum of 40W to the as the CPU is called into There are multiple areas device made with Intel’s
processor rather proper action. And where the NUC 14 Pro+ backing, it includes
than 65W here.
But don’t expect
when it’s going
full pelt, that whirr
leads the way for mini PCs, support for Thunderbolt
4. This opens up options
Intel’s all-new becomes a noisy and that sadly includes such as Thunderbolt
second generation whine. Luckily, the price Share PC-to-PC
Core Ultra inside: you can control networking along with
the 14 Pro+ was the fan noise in 40Gbits/sec transfer speeds and
announced in the MyAsus app, support for dual 4K monitors per port.
January 2024, so with the option of Add two HDMI 2.1 ports and you have
ships with the a Whisper mode LEFT There’s plenty no shortage of output options. The
first-gen Core that largely lives of power inside the rear also holds a 2.5GbE port and two
Ultra 9 185H. That up to its name. NUC 14 Pro+, even USB-A ports: one USB 3.2 Gen 2
means its NPU fails As usual with mini for gamers (10Gbits/sec), the other lowly USB 2.
to meet Microsoft’s 40 TOPS PCs, the metal frame acts as a Two further USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports sit
criteria for Copilot+ PCs and that it heatsink, and one that gets notably on the front, alongside a handy USB-C
can only give a minor boost in the warm to the touch. Asus applies a 3.2 Gen 2x2 connector, with the
small (if slowly growing) list of brushed finish that either produces a promise of 20Gbits/sec data transfers.
software that supports NPUs. classy multicoloured-dots effect or So there are multiple areas where
Still, this remains a fast processor looks cheap, depending on your view. the NUC 14 Pro+ leads the way for
and Asus squeezes every last drop out Rather than rely on crosshead mini PCs, and that sadly includes the
of it. The NUC 14 Pro+ topped the screws, Asus provides two catches price. While the Core Ultra 5 125H
table in the Geekbench 6 multicore that you push to release. Slide off the version starts at £649 for a basic spec
benchmark with 13,741 and carried white plastic base and you’ll see a BELOW The NUC 14 (8GB/256GB), our tested system (and
that fine form into Cinebench, with a huge heatsink-fan dominating Pro+ is blessed with a you are £50 paying extra for the
multicore result of 1,066. And while proceedings, but you can flip this up wide range of ports Samsung Pro SSD – now a 990 rather
its overall PCMark 10 score was than the 980 in our test machine –
mid-table, it was only just behind compared to the standard Kingston
the Minisforum Neptune HX100G – NV3) costs £1,207 including VAT. At
which benefits from a discrete least that includes Windows 11 Pro
graphics chip – in the most and a three-year warranty.
demanding Digital Creation section, While we love almost everything
Even more impressively, Asus else about the NUC 14 Pr0+, that price
makes the most of Intel’s integrated means it’s only worth buying if you’re
Arc graphics with a 3,960 score in after the highest levels of performance
3DMark Time Spy. That’s 505 more possible out of the tiniest PC you can
than the AtomMan X7 Ti, which has hide discreetly away.

84
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

Geekom A8
Not the right choice if you’re
on a budget, but this stylish
and truly mini PC packs
quite a performance punch
SCORE
PRICE £749 (£899 inc VAT)
from geekom.co.uk

0.47 £68 13,348 3,215

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

I
n a group test of tiny PCs, the
Geekom A8 is the smallest of them
all. Its footprint very nearly fits RECOMMENDED
into the palm of your hand – think
beer mat and you won’t be far wrong
– and at 37mm tall it’s also the sign of speed degradation over time: ABOVE Perforated rear. One of these supports USB 4, so
shortest system here. But what’s truly we tested this by cycling the A8 offers up to 40Gbits/sec data transfers
holes on the side of the
incredible about this mini PC is that through multiple runs of the Metro: case help with airflow – great for connecting an external
it’s also one of the quickest on test. Exodus benchmark, and it only lost a GPU, an 8K monitor or a fast portable
That speed comes from an AMD couple of points from first to last. SSD. It can also deliver 15W of power,
Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, which Still, we felt the heat for ourselves but, unlike the MSI Cubi NUC, you
delivers in every way. when we removed the base can’t power the A8 over USB-C.
Single-core speed? With after benchmarking. You The DC input sits on the
a peak of 5.2GHz it’s only need a crosshead Most mini PC designs are left of this PC’s crowded
always near the top screwdriver to get plain to the point of being rear, but Geekom still
of the charts.
Multicore power?
inside, but our
initial annoyance
ugly, but we can imagine finds room for a second
USB-C port (this time only
It may not have as at removing the the minimalist A8 in a supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2),
many threads as adhesive-covered Habitat photo shoot two HDMI ports, two
some Intel rivals, feet to expose the USB-A ports and a single
but as all of its four screws was 2.5GbE connector. A further pair of
eight cores are doubled when we USB-A ports sit on the front, alongside
geared for speed it discovered we had LEFT The tiny Geekom a 3.5mm jack and the power button,
actually beats them to remove a further A8 fits in the palm of while Geekom finds room for a
in most tests. four to remove a your hand yet packs full-size SD card slot on the left.
Video editing and baseplate (this doubles quite a punch Despite the density of ports, the A8
3D rendering? Note the A8’s as a heatsink). Geekom uses looks stylish. Most mini PC designs are
10,089 in PCMark’s Digital Creation tiny and very losable screws, too, so plain to the point of being ugly, but we
test, bettered only by the Minisforum be careful. Be careful, too, how you can imagine the minimalist A8 in a
Neptune HX100G. And the A8 carried handle the base, as we inadvertently Habitat photo shoot. And it’s priced
this form into our gaming tests, with disconnected the Wi-Fi card’s antenna to match. You can buy this in two
terrific scores bearing in mind it uses from its solder point, weakening the configurations: with a Ryzen 7 8845HS
an integrated GPU: a return of 3,215 in signal. Once in, everything you can and 1TB SSD for £719 or, as tested, a
3DMark Time Spy is very creditable upgrade is easy to access: two memory Ryzen 8 with a 2TB SSD for £899.
indeed, as is an average of 30fps in sockets, the M.2 2280 slot and the M.2 Both come with 32GB of RAM.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p MediaTek MT7922 Wi-Fi 6E card. The problem for Geekom is that
and its highest settings. Unlike most of its mini PC rivals, BELOW Connections Minisforum is so aggressive with the
You might think such power needs this means there’s no room for any include two USB-C, pricing of its Venus UM790 Pro. It’s
constant cooling, but no. When sitting extra storage. You’re relying instead two HDMI and a not as good looking as the A8, nor as
idle, the A8 consumes a serene 8W and on two USB-C ports, both found at the 2.5GbE port slim, but £350 is a lot to pay for this –
the fan is rarely called into action. It’s even when you consider Geekom’s
only when you take full advantage of superior warranty, Windows 11 Pro
the CPU that the fan whirrs into life, rather than Windows 11 Home, and a
with a maximum power draw of 95W slightly faster processor. The 8845HS
hinting at what lies within. is newer and boosts a fraction higher,
At this point, you’ll notice the fan but as our benchmarks on p94 show
noise. Although Geekom perforates there’s little to choose between the two.
the A8’s aluminium shell with holes Ultimately, it’s value that loses the
on the left- and right-hand side to aid Geekom A8 a star in our ratings, but it
airflow, there isn’t much room inside earns a Recommended award for its
for cooling so a thermal battle rages unbeatable mix of size, performance
inside. Despite this, there’s no obvious and build quality.

85
Geekom Mini IT13
The Mini IT13 remains a fine
mini PC, especially for Intel
fans, but the Core i9 version
in particular is too expensive
SCORE
PRICE £666 (£799 inc VAT)
from geekom.co.uk

0.64 £43 11,698 1,917

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

I
f the number of reviews on its
website is any guide, the Mini IT13
is Geekom’s biggest-selling mini
PC in the UK. And almost all of those
100+ reviews give it five stars. So why is
it gaining a mere four stars from nasty They’re also captured, so won’t come ABOVE The IT13 is a rear, with Geekom including two
old PC Pro? We shall try to explain. loose, with the only possible mishap fine mini PC, but it’s USB-C ports. These can be used to
Perhaps the biggest reason is that coming if you dislodge the SATA cable not at the cutting edgeattach external storage or displays up
time has moved on. Geekom released that’s attached to the motherboard – to 8K, with two HDMI 2.0 ports
the IT13 a year ago, and while the Core but that brings us to an obvious meaning that a four-display setup is
i9-13900H remains a fine processor, it benefit, which is that you can slide in within reach. A single 2.5GbE port
falls behind the Ryzen 9 inside both the a 2.5in SATA drive with the minimum and two USB-A ports (one 3.2 Gen 2,
Geekom A8 and Minisforum Venus of fuss, as everything sits ready and the other USB 2) round out the
UM790 Pro. Examine the graphs on waiting (including the caddy). connections, other than
p94 and you’ll see that there isn’t a You can add a second M.2 2242 This is one of the simplest the DC jack – which you
single speed test where the Mini IT13 drive too, but note that this socket mini PCs to upgrade. There will need, as neither of the
beats its rivals, unless you
count its Lexar
supports SATA (up to 1TB),
not PCI-E 4 drives.
are no irritating adhesive USB-C ports can be used
to power the Mini IT13.
NM7A1 2TB SSD: The two SODIMM feet to remove, with four Geekom currently
this remains an sockets were filled screws in plain sight sells this system in three
excellent choice. with a pair of 16GB configurations: Core
Another issue DDR4-3200 i5-13500H with 16GB of RAM and a
for the Mini IT13 DIMMs in our 512GB SSD for £549, an i7-13620H
is that its fans run review model, with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage
loud compared to but you can easily for £599, or our tested configuration
the A8 or UM790 swap them out for with a 2TB SSD, 32GB RAM and the
Pro. Even when up to 64GB. You Core i9-13900H for £799. Of the three,
idling (and this can also replace the LEFT The striking the Core i7 hits the sweet spot for
after we had headed M.2 Intel Wi-Fi aquamarine finish value: it has four E-cores to the i9’s
into the BIOS to AX211 card, but as certainly stands out eight, and its six P-cores don’t peak so
select the low fan this provides Wi-Fi from the crowd high (4.9GHz rather than 5.3GHz),
noise option) there was an 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 we don’t but it remains a fine mobile processor.
audible whirr. Not irritating thanks see any immediate need. Those who like to game should
to its low tone, but ever present when The remaining expandability stick with the i9, however, as its Iris
its rivals were often entirely silent. stems from external connectors. Xe graphics (as opposed to Intel UHD
So that’s why the IT13 loses a star. A full-size SD card slot sits on the BELOW Two USB-C and Graphics for the i7) produced
Now to explain why it still deserves left-hand side, with two USB-A ports two HDMI 2.0 ports respectable results in our tests. The
four. The first is the design, with a and a 3.5mm jack at the front. But mean you can attach up Mini IT13 achieved 35fps in Shadow
striking aquamarine finish that things get more interesting at the to four displays of the Tomb Raider at 1080p and
stands out from the crowd. As we’ve lowest settings, while 1,917 in 3DMark
come to expect from Geekom, build Time Spy is respectable. As are all its
quality is excellent: it feels like you results: scores of 2,438 and 11,698 in
can drop it with impunity. Geekom Geekbench 6 would have been
even claims that it can “run stably considered great 18 months ago.
24/7 in environments ranging from But, as we said at the start, times
-20°C to 55°C”, but we’ll have to take have changed. This mini PC only came
its word on that. close to topping our charts once, and
This is also one of the simplest that was for estimated running costs
mini PCs to upgrade. There are no due to its low power demands. Unless
irritating adhesive feet to remove, its price drops dramatically, we
with the four crosshead screws that would opt for the Minisforum Venus
keep the base secure in plain sight. UM790 Pro instead.

86
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

Geekom XT12 Pro

Sometimes it makes sense
to buy last-gen technology,
but in this case we’d steer
clear despite its quality
SCORE
PRICE £583 (£699 inc VAT)
from geekom.co.uk

0.5 £44 10,097 1,839

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

G
eekom has so many mini PCs
in its range that it’s hard to
identify one from the other by
name alone, but “XT12 Pro” provides
clues. First, the 12 indicates that it
includes 12th generation Intel chips
– Geekom sells the XT13 Pro with a find on lesser systems. That’s ABOVE The honeycomb docking station or even an external
13th gen Core i7-13620H (£649) or reflected in a return of over 2,300 in finish looks great, GPU. Two USB-A ports complete the
i9-13900H (£949) – while the Pro Geekbench’s single-core test, and its keeps the weight downrear connectivity options, one of
tells you that it ships with Windows multicore result of 10,097 reflects the and helps airflow which is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector
11 Pro rather than Home. presence of six P-cores and eight (10Gbits/sec), with a further two fast
Physically, the two are identical, E-cores (giving 20 threads in total). USB-A ports at the front. It would
and whichever model you opt for Geekom helps by providing a have been convenient to have a
you’ll enjoy top-quality build speedy 1TB SSD, which sat USB-C port on the front as
quality. A pleasing near the top of our We can’t ignore the fact well, but overall it’s a
honeycomb finish benchmarks, and in that the Minisforum Venus solid selection. Add Wi-Fi
stretches to the sides
and across the
a surprise move for
such a compact
NAB9 offers the Core 6E along with Bluetooth
5.2 and there’s little to
bottom, which chassis there’s i9-12900HK for very moan about.
also keeps its room for a second nearly half the price Our only real moan, in
weight down and M.2 SSD inside. fact, concerns value for
aids airflow. In However, it won’t money. The Core i7-12650H version
general use it’s be as quick as the of the XT12 Pro scores better here,
extremely quiet main unit: the costing £599 but still shipping with
– almost silent – empty M.2 2242 slot 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, but we
but you will notice only supports SATA LEFT The compact can’t ignore the fact that the
the fans kicking into drives. Typically, a chassis has room for Minisforum Venus NAB9 offers the
action when it’s 512GB drive costs a second M.2 SSD Core i9-12900HK – albeit with 16GB
pushed. We weren’t at all around £50 to £60, a 1TB drive of RAM and a 512GB SSD – for very
surprised that it has low energy around the £85 mark. nearly half the price.
demands, hovering around 6W in idle Connectivity is mixed. There are That difference is reflected in a
and reaching 56W at its peak. That twin HDMI ports, and thanks to a pair number of ways – a three-year
leads to our low estimated five-year of USB-C ports you can actually hook warranty rather than two years,
running cost of £44. up four 4K screens. Both those USB BELOW The solid Windows 11 Pro instead of Home,
In return, you aren’t buying ports support the fastest USB 4 selection of ports better connectivity – but Geekom
the fastest system in the world. standard (40Gbits/sec), so are a great includes two HDMI needs to cut the price still further
Our XT12 Pro review model, with a choice for adding external drives, a connectors to be a compelling alternative to
Core i9-12900H inside, scored the Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro.
modestly in every test compared to This is just as well made as the
its rivals this month. Gamers in XT12 Pro, and just as well
particular won’t be impressed by connected, but it’s also far faster
a 32fps average in Shadow of the and costs under £500.
Tomb Raider at 1080p and its Geekom tries to sweeten the deal
lowest settings. You’ll probably with voucher codes (5% as we write
need to drop to 720p for smooth this) and free gifts, but that’s not
gameplay in your title of choice. enough. If you love the design, we’d
This doesn’t mean the XT12 Pro is instead suggest you consider the
slow in general use. We were quite XT13 Pro. The Core i7-13620H model
happy using this mini PC for office costs £50 less than the i9-12900H
tasks, and web pages all responded system we tested, and we would
snappily. As did Windows, with none expect it to be near-identical in most
of the sluggishness you sometimes benchmarks – and faster at gaming.

87
Minisforum AtomMan
X7 Ti
Expensive, and it can be
noisy, but in return you’re
buying a mini PC that’s quite
different to anything else
SCORE
PRICE £691 (£829 inc VAT)
from store.minisforum.uk

1.03 £61 13,315 3,455

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

W
hile Minisforum makes
dozens of conventional
mini PCs, it also likes to
experiment with new designs. These mic, 3.5mm
often appear under its high-end The Ultra 9 185H jack, two USB-A
AtomMan brand, and the most also includes an NPU, ports and a
striking feature of the X7 Ti is its but it isn’t powerful enough to USB-C 4 port on the
4in touchscreen. Download the meet Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC criteria right. But the main and eclectic
software – a clumsy process – and it and only gives mild acceleration in the ABOVE The 4in port horde sits on the left: HDMI,
gives you an at-a-glance summary of handful of software titles that support touchscreen lets you DisplayPort, two USB-A, USB-C 4 and
CPU, GPU, RAM and SSD usage and NPUs. One example is Microsoft’s see key running stats two 5GbE connectors. The power
temperatures. Touch the time and a Camera app, as unusually the AtomMan at a glance connector also sits here, so the result is
large analog clock appears, or you can X7 Ti includes a 1080p webcam. inevitably a forest of unsightly cables.
use it to switch between Quality is poor compared to One more port is worthy of note:
energy-saving, balanced and modern laptops but passable an OCuLink connector. Minisforum
performance modes. for video calls, and that NPU sells its DEG1 external GPU
I kept it in the latter means you can blur your The 4in touchscreen docking station for £95, into
during testing, as the background without gives you an at-a-glance which you can slot any
Core Ultra 9 185H
inside deserves to
calling on the CPU.
Also bear in mind
summary of CPU, GPU, graphics card you like. But
despite the X7 Ti’s relatively
be unleashed. that even when RAM and SSD usage tall 49mm height and
With 32GB of you place the X7 and temperatures generous 145 x 145mm
DDR5 RAM, it Ti on its stand, footprint, there’s no room
was no surprise to which allows you for a 2.5in SATA drive. The extra room
see the AtomMan to angle it from inside is taken by a huge heatsink,
challenge for top flat to just beyond which you need to remove to access
position in the perpendicular the RAM and SSD sockets; you can add
CPU-based tests from (around 0° to 100°), LEFT A stand allows a M.2 2230 PCI-E 4 SSD to accompany
Geekbench and the angle is unlikely to you to position the the supplied 1TB M.2 2280 SSD.
Cinebench. There’s be flattering. AtomMan at an angle Thankfully, fast external storage
gaming capability, With an IR sensor, the via those USB-C 4 connectors can
too, with a 3,455 AtomMan can recognise your come to your rescue. In fact, add a
score in 3DMark Time Spy backed up face and log you into Windows. And graphics card and fast external
by a smooth 49fps frame rate at 1080p don’t worry about privacy, as there’s a storage – if you have the budget you
in Shadow of the Tomb Raider (albeit physical cover you can slide over. This can even upgrade the RAM from 32GB
at its lowest graphical settings). sits alongside the power button BELOW There’s an to 96GB – and you have something of
The AtomMan makes a faint whine (complete with fingerprint sensor) and eclectic selection of a monster on your hands. Perhaps
in performance mode, however, so full-size SD card slot at the top, with a ports on the sides those twin 5GbE ports can be called
you may find yourself switching to the into action too.
balanced or even energy-saving mode The big question is whether it’s
in more general usage. This massively worth the money. While the
reduces fan noise during regular use. Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro looks
The X7 Ti will remain more than fast positively dull in comparison to the
enough for general duties, but with AtomMan X7 Ti, its AMD Ryzen 9
reduced wattage on tap the CPU can’t 7940HS pushed the Core Ultra 9 185H
hit its peaks when pushed (Geekbench close in CPU benchmarks – and, as a
dropped by around 5%). I expected package, the Venus was actually faster
frame rates in games to drop, too, but in PCMark 10 by a distance. While the
in fact Shadow of the Tomb Raider screen is a cute extra, it’s by no means
played equally well. vital, so we know which we’d choose.

88
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

Minisforum Neptune
HX100G
Much larger than rival
“mini” PCs, but in return
you get the best gaming
chip here by a distance
SCORE
PRICE £741 (£889 inc VAT)
from store.minisforum.uk

2.87 £180 13,642 8,599

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

I
s the Minisforum Neptune RECOMMENDED
HX100G really a mini PC? It
certainly won’t fit into everyone’s
notion of such a thing, with a Neptune includes a lesser processor, ABOVE The Neptune to prise the lid off, there’s room to add
comparatively monstrous footprint of the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, compared HX100G is the biggest to that load by adding a second M.2
205 x 203mm. Add a 69mm height and to the UM790’s 7940HS. 2280 SSD or replacing the heatsink-
– and the fastest – mini
that means its 2.87l volume is three or Mind you, this is where cooling can PC here covered RAM – the price includes a
four times that of its rivals; to put it in make a difference. Even though the 1TB SSD and 32GB of DDR5-5600
all-important chocolate terms, the 7840HS can’t reach as high a boost memory. What you don’t get, a little
HX100G is very nearly the size of a frequency as the 7940HS, the Neptune surprisingly, is any space for a 2.5in
Quality Street tin. HX100G beat its sibling in all four of SSD. The final replaceable component
As this PC is made by our CPU tests: Cinebench is a MediaTek MT7921 M.2
mini PC specialist and Geekbench, single Compared to ‘true’ mini Wi-Fi card, which is now
Minisforum, though, core and multicore. PCs it’s expensive to buy showing its age as it only
we guess it’s a mini
PC by definition,
It really is a
stupendously fast
and run, but in return you supports Wi-Fi 6 and
Bluetooth 5.2.
and unlike the mini PC, the get an extra dimension External connectivity
PCSpecialist quickest here by of usability is more positive, thanks
Torpedo Ultra R some distance. primarily to two USB-C 4
(see p52) we That’s reflected ports. These sit at the rear and open up
allowed it into in its idle and peak an easy way to add fast external
this Labs. And power draws, storage or screens (up to 8K at 30Hz),
it immediately however, which while a pair of HDMI 2.1 connectors
became clear that the might just have you LEFT The design is make a four-screen setup possible. A
extra volume made a reaching for a solar tough but unexciting single 2.5GbE connector and three
huge difference, because panel brochure. Even USB-A ports round out the rear
it allows for more powerful when idling the system demands selection. The front is less exciting,
components, along with an expansive 20W, and that hit a positively greedy with one USB-A and one USB-C port,
cooling system. 263W when we pushed all its cores both stuck at 5Gbits/sec, alongside
In particular, this is the only mini and the GPU to their limits. To put jacks for a mic and headphones.
PC to include a discrete graphics chip. this into context, though, a typical We’re not sure if we’d call the
Not a separate graphics card, but gaming PC will want three or four design exciting, either. It’s made of a
AMD’s powerful Radeon RX 6600M times that much electricity, so it may carbon and resin composite, and
GPU that’s integrated onto the be far more efficient than the while that lends it a tough air – we
motherboard. This powered the five-year-old tower PC it replaces. BELOW The chassis wouldn’t be too worried if we dropped
Neptune to a chart-topping 8,599 in If you’re willing to fight past eight has space inside for a the 1.45kg Neptune during our travels
3DMark Time Spy, which is why this crosshead screws and work out how second M.2 2280 SSD – it’s not the most eye-catching PC
system returned 110fps in Shadow of you’ll see. It does look more striking
the Tomb Raider at 1080p and highest when placed in its stand, however.
settings. That dropped to a more modest Setting such vain factors aside, we
32fps at 4K, but it shows there’s true like the Neptune HX100G. Most of the
3D acceleration here – which is useful day it will sit there quietly, with its
for creative software too. fans only called into action when it’s
We weren’t at all surprised to see time to play games or stretch the
the Neptune a significant chunk silicon. Yes, compared to “true” mini
ahead of all its rivals in PCMark 10’s PCs it’s expensive to buy and run, but
Digital Creation section as a result, in return you get an extra dimension
with its 13,758 score almost 50% faster of usability. If you’re looking for a
than the Minisforum Venus UM790 compact system that can do it all, the
Pro. That’s noteworthy because the HX100G is a fantastic choice.

89
Minisforum Venus NAB9
Not the fastest mini PC on
the block any more, but
there’s no arguing with the
NAB9’s value for money
SCORE
PRICE £324 (£389 inc VAT)
from store.minisforum.uk

0.84 £78 10,819 1,845

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

T
he Minisforum Venus NAB9 is
the cheapest mini PC in this
group test, but you wouldn’t
know that from looking at it – or
using it. That price includes a Core
i9-12900H processor, which may be the internal space, so if you ever want ABOVE The NAB9 is a but the Core i9 processor proved a
two years old but is still a high- to upgrade the two 8GB DDR4-3200 lot cheaper than it snappy companion for lighter
performing choice: while scores of SODIMMs or M.2 Wi-Fi 6 card – and looks – and performs tasks such as typing in Word or
2,358 and 10,819 put it near the we wouldn’t blame you on either watching Netflix – and again the
bottom of our Geekbench 6 graph, count – it’s simplicity itself to do it. fan rarely sprang into action. The
that’s only because it’s in such You aren’t so blessed with external only time we noticed it was when
high-flying company. The NAB9’s connectivity. There’s a USB-C port to playing games or pushing the CPU
scores would have been considered accompany the two front-mounted in multicore benchmarks.
excellent two years ago, and with USB-A ports, but it’s only capable of So we were a little surprised to see
20 threads split across six P-cores 5Gbits/sec transfers. Two more that this mini PC was one
and eight E-cores USB-C ports sit at the With 20 threads the Core of the greediest when
it remains a rear, but one of i9-12900H CPU remains a sitting idle, grabbing 13W
fine choice for
demanding tasks.
them (next to the
two USB-A ports) is
fine choice for demanding of power at minimum.
That’s twice as much as
It’s more than only for output to a tasks. It’s more than the UM790 Pro and
capable of light screen. A further capable of light gaming, too Geekom’s Mini IT13 and
gaming, too. two HDMI ports XT12 Pro, so even though
Shadow of the means you can the NAB9 will likely cost far less to
Tomb Raider is connect up to run than the PC it replaces, there are
now a few years four screens bigger savings to be made elsewhere.
old, but it simultaneously, When we factored in its high 83W
demands far more which is impressive peak consumption, the NAB9’s
of graphics chips for the price. LEFT The cover can be five-year running cost totalled £78,
than many popular We were also opened by simply compared to £55 for the UM790 Pro.
games – we’re impressed by how pressing down on it Our calculations were based on
particularly thinking of little sound the NAB9 made. eight hours’ use per day. With £160
Fortnite and Minecraft – so for the Air flows through the sides and up separating the NAB9 and UM790,
NAB9 to average 37fps in its through the base (which has that means you would have to keep
benchmark at 1080p is a fine numerous slots), and evidently that’s BELOW Twin 5GbE both systems running all day for
achievement, albeit at the game’s enough when fiddling around in ports make the NAB9 around ten years before the total cost
lowest graphics presets. Its result Windows 11 Home or browsing a good choice for a of ownership matched. All of which
almost halved to 19fps when we websites. It’s almost needless to say, NAS or home server underlines what great value the
pushed these to their maximum. Venus NAB9 is.
Including a pair of 2.5GbE ports We only hesitate to give it a
not only brings redundancy, it also Recommended award because,
makes the NAB9 more attractive to despite the low price, 16GB of RAM
those looking to build a custom and 512GB of storage feels less than
NAS system or a home server. At ideal for an otherwise powerful
this point the amount of storage system – and the sole upgrade route
becomes crucial, so it’s a shame that that avoids replacing the RAM and
Minisforum has sold out of the 1TB SSD is adding a slow 2.5in SATA drive.
version on its UK website and that Despite this, we like the NAB9, so if
there isn’t a second M.2 storage slot. your budget really can’t stretch any
Still, there’s room for a 2.5in SATA further, then buy it. Just note that
drive within the chassis, and uniquely Minisforum is clearly running out of
you can “pop off” the cover by stock, so you may need to make the
pressing down on it. This reveals all decision sooner rather than later.

90
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

Minisforum Venus
UM790 Pro
Head and shoulders above
rivals for value and matching
them for speed, the UM790
is an obvious winner
SCORE
PRICE £458 (£549 inc VAT)
from store.minisforum.uk

0.85 £55 12,166 2,984

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

J
udged on looks alone, there’s
every chance the UM790 Pro
would win the award for
world’s most boring mini PC. The only 256GB SSDs. Lower-capacity SSDs ABOVE Honeycombed accidentally. A third and easy-to-
glimmer of excitement on this square tend to be slower, so we would expect sides allow you to remove cable feeds the single fan,
black box is the green LED that lights the retail version to achieve speeds glimpse inside and but this kicked into action only
up to show you it’s working. But then that line up with the UM 790’s rivals. help maximise airflow when we were pushing the UM790
you might notice the “USB4” sitting In fact, because this Minisforum Pro hard in benchmarks. Generally,
above the pair of USB-C ports, and PC includes two M.2 2280 PCI-E this PC proved to be one of the
this opens up options such as 10GbE sockets, internal storage is one of its quietest systems on test.
networking and external GPUs; you big advantages compared to, say, That was reflected in its low idle
can even power this mini PC the Geekom A8. Without too power consumption of
through them. much effort, albeit a The USB-C 4 ports open up 6W, but start using all
All four USB-A little extra expense, options such as 10GbE those cores and the
3.2 Gen 2 ports are
relegated to the
you could be in
charge of a Ryzen 9
networking and external graphics acceleration and
it ramps up to 81W. But it’s
rear, kept system with 64GB GPUs; you can even power worth doing so. The
company by a of RAM and 4TB this mini PC through them Radeon 780M is a great
relatively of extremely fast integrated mobile GPU,
mundane pair of SSD storage. helping the Venus break the 30fps
HDMI ports and a You can even use “playable” average in Shadow of the
single 2.5GbE them in RAID Tomb Raider at 1080p and its highest
connector. Things configuration, settings. Overall, you could argue that
become more with Minisforum LEFT The design may this is the fastest true mini PC here;
interesting on claiming that it be understated, but the discrete GPU in the Minisforum
closer inspection. has seen speeds of there’s power within Neptune HX100G proved faster, but
Pick up the UM790 Pro and almost 13,000MB/sec reads it’s more than three times bigger, too.
you’ll appreciate its solid all-metal and 12,500MB/sec writes. We’ve already touched upon this
construction, with honeycombed Minisforum could learn from system’s solid portfolio of physical
sides to allow a glimpse inside and Geekom when it comes to easy access, ports, with the pair of USB 4
maximise airflow. A grille dominates though, with the four crosshead connectors lifting it above most rivals,
the bottom, again to keep air flowing, screws blocked by plastic feet covered but at this price it’s also great to see
and the major benefactor sits below a in adhesive. Also be careful not to BELOW The UM790 Wi-Fi 6E rather than standard Wi-Fi
modest heatsink: the AMD Ryzen 9 dislodge the duo of Wi-Fi antenna Pro comes with two 6. It’s an Intel Killer AX1675x M.2 card,
7940HS processor. Now a year old, cables that are connected to the USB-C 4 ports, as well and while that’s probably more than
this was AMD’s first mobile chip to base, and all too easy to dislodge as the usual selection good enough for the lifetime of this
include an NPU, and it doesn’t meet mini PC you can replace it.
Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC criteria. All of which makes us marvel at
Far more importantly, though, it’s the UM790 Pro’s price. Yes, it’s
fast. The eight high-performance chunkier than the Geekom 8, which
cores, based on AMD’s efficient Zen 4 also comes with a more recent AMD
architecture, pushed it to excellent processor, but it’s also £250 less. As
scores in all our tests, to the extent we mentioned in our buyer’s guide
that we would be happy to use this for (see p82), that’s reflected in a
demanding tasks. It always helps to two-year warranty where you will
have 32GB of RAM in support, but you have to pay for outgoing courier costs
can buy the UM790 Pro with 64GB (unless you spot a problem within
of RAM for an extra £110. Both specs seven days), but that isn’t enough to
now include a 1TB PCI-E 4 SSD, but stop this miniature wonder scoop
our test system included a pair of our Labs Winner award.

91
MSI Cubi NUC 1M
If you’re buying for business,
this well-built option comes
with a load of management-
friendly features
SCORE
PRICE £458 (£549 inc VAT)
from scan.co.uk

0.83 £42 6,504 1,153

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

W
hen Asus and Intel signed
on the dotted line in
October 2023, agreeing
that Asus would take on development
of the NUC line, it’s romantic to
imagine someone in MSI HQ banging buy compatible MSI monitors, which ABOVE The Cubi NUC M.2 SSD, albeit of the 2242 format
their fist on the table, commanding you can configure to turn on the Cubi 1M is well suited to rather than 2280, and there’s room
the lawyers to find a loophole: surely at the same time. business environments to mount a 2.5in SATA SSD as well.
it could create NUCs, too? And so, In performance terms, our Core 3 It’s again easy to replace the CR2032
apparently, it can, and if it can keep 100U configuration is really only battery and M.2 Wi-Fi 6E card, should
up this quality of workmanship suited to light office tasks. You can that ever become necessary.
we’re more than happy for MSI to see that in its PCMark results on p94: MSI can also take heart from this
join the NUC party. it slumped to 5,326 in the Digital computer’s projected running costs,
It takes a more eco- Creation test, but achieved which are – albeit by
conscious approach solid results in both MSI hopes to tempt IT the narrowest of
than its rivals, the Productivity and managers with the promise margins – the lowest
emphasising the fact
that 42.9% of its
Essentials sections.
As this implies, the
of network segmentation, here this month. It’s
also quiet. Put your ear
plastics are PCR Core 3 100U is a redundancy and load balancing against the chassis and
and gaining weak performer thanks to two 2.5GbE ports you can hear the
EPEAT Silver in multicore faintest of whirrs from
status for the tasks, and it the fan inside, and they rarely go
range. It helps wouldn’t even run above this level. Want another reason
that MSI uses a the Cinebench to put this in an office? How about the
mix of solar panels 2024 test. Don’t fact it comes with Windows 11 Pro
on its factory roof expect much help rather than Home? MSI makes much
and buys energy from the GPU, either, LEFT MSI’s mini PC has of its testing and reliability, too, and
from renewable with its 1,153 score in strong eco credentials has recently set up a UK-based service
sources for almost all the rest. 3DMark Time Spy made to look centre to speed up repairs. However,
This is good news for businesses who respectable only thanks to the the company told us that it anticipates
need to show they buy responsibly, PCSpecialist Azena R (which also that most businesses that invest in its
and MSI also hopes to tempt IT targets business buyers). Cubi NUC 1M systems will have spares
managers with the promise of The Cubi would have scored in stock, such is their affordability.
network segmentation, redundancy higher if MSI had fitted a second 8GB Note that it comes in barebones
and load balancing thanks to two SODIMM, but this is easy to add options with a choice of CPUs: Core 3
2.5GbE ports. yourself as it’s ludicrously easy to BELOW There are two 100U (£349), Core 5 120U (£449) and
You’re also paying a little extra remove the back. Not quite tool-less Thunderbolt 4 ports at Core 7 150U (£519). Or you can buy
for Thunderbolt 4 support, and the like the Asus NUC 14 Pro+, but close. the rear, alongside complete systems, with the Core 5
guarantees for performance and You’ll find space inside for a second two 2.5GbE sockets version costing £649 and the Core 7
compatibility that it confers, with edition £769 (it includes 16GB of RAM
two ports sitting at the rear. You can and a 1TB SSD to the 8GB/512GB
use one of these to power the Cubi, combo of its siblings).
or rely on the usual DC input. And Not that the MSI looks such great
there are two other neat and unique value next to the Minisforum Venus
features when it comes to power: UM790. For the same price, you can
the first is that there’s an external buy a far quicker system with double
power switch (which sits on the end the storage, and for home enthusiasts
of a short cable), so if you decide to it’s certainly a better choice. But this
hitch this mini PC to the back of a isn’t a mini PC for enthusiasts, and
monitor then you can switch it on whether for reliability, customer
without reaching around the back. support or features, this is the best
And there’s even better news if you business option on test.

92
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

PCSpecialist Azena R
A solid but noisy rival to the
slimline corporate desktops
you’ll find from Dell and co,
and notably cheaper
SCORE
PRICE £499 (£599 inc VAT)
from pcspecialist.co.uk/reviews

1.4 £108 10,856 750

SIZE 5YR RUNNING GEEKBENCH 6 3DMARK
(LITRES) COST (MULTICORE) TIME SPY

I
t may not look like it, but the
PCSpecialist Azena R has much in
common with the MSI Cubi NUC
1M. This is a mini PC squarely aimed
at businesses, and more particularly remove the heatsink, but it’s far easier ABOVE Despite the expecting the Core i5-14400 to leave
it’s designed to attach to the rear of a to replace the supplied 1TB SSD. The desktop CPU within, its laptop brothers in the dust then get
monitor; it even integrates a motherboard’s M.2 2230 slot is filled performance was ready for a surprise: the Azena R’s
mounting plate with four screw holes with the previously mentioned Wi-Fi merely middling performance was distinctly mid-
to make this process easier. Our only card, but you can add a 2.5in SATA table, scoring 2,437 and 10,856 in
surprise was to see it ship with drive via the supplied storage caddy. Geekbench’s single-core and
Windows 11 Home, but that’s easy The Asus Pro motherboard should multicore tests respectively. The only
enough to upgrade to Pro. be a reassuring inclusion for IT time it came anywhere close to the top
You can also sit the Azena R managers, as it’s part of Asus’ of the table was in PCMark 10’s
vertically on the supplied stand, business range and comes with the Essential tests.
which takes advantage of its promise of long-term The Azena R is a PC that While we wouldn’t
slimline design. At 1.4 support, a 36-month IT teams can easily fall expect the Azena R to be
litres it’s larger than a
typical mini PC, but
lifecycle and easy
remote management
in love with. Whether used for games, its low
scores in 3DMark Time
it’s one of the thanks to the Asus users will, we’re not Spy and Shadow of the
slenderest here at Control Center so sure Tomb Raider are more an
38mm (although Express tool. indication that its basic
the backplate Using this, an IT Intel UHD Graphics 730 won’t be
adds around department can much use when it comes to GPU
5mm) so can automatically acceleration in any software that
easily slip into a update the BIOS takes advantage. Not a problem in
narrow space. overnight for a fleet LEFT An integrated Microsoft Office apps, but this isn’t a
This then gives you of these PCs. mounting plate makes PC to choose for graphics work. Nor
easy access to the So the Azena R is a it easy to attach the does the CPU have any AI-specific
numerous front- PC that IT teams can Azena R to a monitor skills, as Intel is yet to introduce an
mounted ports: three USB-A, easily fall in love with. Whether NPU into its desktop range of chips.
one USB-C, plus a trio of 3.5mm users will, we’re not so sure. The main So, is the Azena R worth buying?
jacks for headphones, mics and reason stems from the fan noise, Despite our criticisms, it does hold
call-centre-style headsets. which was not only audible but varied advantages over its corporate rivals:
Round the back you’ll find a from low to medium to high even for instance, the Dell OptiPlex Micro
further two 3.5mm jacks, this time for when the PC was idling. This can be Form Factor shares a similar design
mic in and line out. These sit alongside adjusted via utilities, but the out-of- but costs almost £140 more for a
two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two USB-A box experience isn’t great for those near-identical specification (albeit
2 ports, a 1GbE connector and two who are bothered by such things. BELOW There are with a vPro processor for easier
video outputs: one HDMI, one One reason for the fan whirring numerous ports on management still). And although we
DisplayPort. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth away is that a desktop rather than the rear as well as the like the MSI Cubi NUC 1M, if
5.2 come as part of the package via an mobile chip sits inside. But if you were front of the PC something goes wrong you don’t
Intel AX201 M.2 card, with the metal have the same level of support that
chassis acting as the antenna. PCSpecialist provides – and it’s easy to
Removing two crosshead screws upgrade the three-year warranty to
(non-captive) allows you to slide off cover parts and courier costs.
the top of the chassis to reveal the It’s not enough to make us
Asus Pro H610T D4 motherboard recommend the PCSpecialist
within. You’ll also find a chunky Azena R, especially as it’s more
heatsink, cooled by a noisy fan, expensive to run than rivals
covering the CPU and the 16GB here, but it is something to bear
of DDR4-3200 RAM. If you want in mind when making your
to upgrade this, you’ll have to buying decision.

93
 How CPU and everyday performance tests
we test Geekbench 6 (single core) Geekbench 6 (multicore)

W e focused on everyday Neptune Recommended

Minisforum Minisforum
HX100GNeptune HX100G
2,722 2,722 Asus NUC 14 Pro+ Asus NUC 14 Pro+ 13,741 13,741
MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum
speed with this NeptuneNeptune
HX100GHX100GNeptune HX100G
2,7222,722 2,722 Asus NUC Asus
14 Pro+
NUCAsus14 Pro+NUC 14 Pro+ 13,74113,741 13,741
Minisforum Minisforum
selection of benchmarks, Minisforum
Venus UM790 Pro
Minisforum
Venus UM790 Pro
Labs Winner 2,715 2,715 Neptune HX100GNeptune Recommended
HX100G 13,642 13,642
Minisforum
MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
starting off with the CPU. Venus UM790
Venus UM790
ProHX100G
Venus Pro
UM790 Pro
2,7152,722
2,722 2,715 2,722 2,715 Asus NUC Asus
14 Pro+
NeptuneNeptune
NUCAsus14 Pro+
HX100GHX100G
NUC 14 Pro+
Neptune HX100G 13,642
13,74113,642
13,74113,642 13,741
Neptune Neptune
HX100G Neptune HX100G
Geekom A8 Recommended
Here, we used Geekbench 6.3 Geekom A8 Geekom A8 Recommended 2,640 2,640
Minisforum
Minisforum
Geekom A8
Minisforum
13,348 13,348
Minisforum
GeekomMinisforum
Geekom
A8 Minisforum
A8
Geekom A8 2,640 2,640
2,715 2,7152,640 2,715 Geekom Geekom
A8 A8
Geekom A8 13,348
13,642 13,348
13,642 13,348
13,642
and Cinebench 2024 to test Venus UM790 VenusProUM790
Minisforum
Venus Pro
UM790 Pro
Minisforum
NeptuneNeptune
HX100GHX100G
Minisforum
Neptune HX100G
Minisforum
2,559 2,559 13,315 13,315
both single-core and AtomMan X7 Ti AtomMan X7 Ti
MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum
AtomMan X7
Minisforum
Ti AtomMan
Minisforum
X7
Minisforum
Ti
Geekom Geekom
A8 A8
Geekom A8 2,559
2,640 2,559
2,640 2,559
2,640 GeekomGeekom
A8 A8
Geekom A8 13,315
13,348 13,31513,348
13,348 13,315
multicore performance. AtomMan AtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
X7 Ti X7 Ti AtomMan AtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
X7 Ti X7 Ti
Asus NUC 14 Pro+ Asus NUC 14 Pro+ 2,521 2,521
Minisforum
Labs
Minisforum
Winner 12,166 12,166
PCMark 10 is a more MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum
Venus UM790 Pro
Minisforum
Minisforum
Venus UM790 Pro
Minisforum Minisforum
Asus NUCAsus14 Pro+
NUC Asus
14 Pro+
NUC 14 Pro+ 2,559 2,559 2,521
2,5212,521 2,559 12,166 13,315
12,166 13,315
12,166 13,315
rounded test, as it places AtomMan AtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
X7 Ti X7 Ti Venus UM790
Venus
AtomMan X7UM790
Pro
AtomManTiVenus Pro
UM790X7
AtomMan
X7 Ti Pro
Ti
11,698 11,698
Geekom Mini IT13Geekom Mini IT13 2,438 2,438 Geekom Mini IT13Geekom Mini IT13
demands on all the core Minisforum
Mini Minisforum Minisforum
Geekom
Asus NUCGeekom
Mini
Asus IT13
14 Pro+
NUC Mini
Geekom
Asus IT13
NUCMini
14 Pro+ IT13
14 Pro+ 2,438 2,438
2,521 2,521 2,4382,521 Geekom Geekom IT13Mini
GeekomIT13 Mini IT13 11,698
12,16611,698
12,166 11,698
12,166
components: CPU, GPU, RAM PCSpecialist PCSpecialist 2,437 2,437
Venus UM790
VenusPro
UM790Venus ProUM790 Pro
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
10,856 10,856
Azena R Azena R Azena R Azena R
and SSD. Anything above PCSpecialist
Mini PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
2,4372,438
2,437 2,438
2,437 PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
10,856 10,856 10,856
Geekom Geekom IT13Mini
Geekom
IT13 Mini IT13
Azena RAzena R Azena R 2,438 GeekomGeekom
Mini IT13Mini
Geekom
IT13 Mini IT13
Azena RAzena R Azena R 11,698 11,698 11,698
10,000 suggests that the MSI Cubi NUC 1MMSI Cubi NUC 1M 2,358 2,358 Minisforum
Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
Minisforum
10,819 10,819
system will feel fast in the MSIPCSpecialist
Cubi
MSINUCPCSpecialist
Cubi1MNUC PCSpecialist
MSI Cubi
1M NUC 1M 2,358
2,4372,358
2,4372,3582,437
Minisforum
Minisforum
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist Minisforum
PCSpecialist
10,819
10,856 10,81910,819
10,856 10,856
Azena RAzenaMinisforum
R Azena R Venus NAB9
Venus
Azena RAzenaNAB9Venus NAB9
R Azena R
chosen task, but results of Minisforum
Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
2,346 2,346 Geekom XT12 ProGeekom XT12 Pro 10,097 10,097
7,000 or more indicate that MSI Cubi Minisforum
MSI
NUC Minisforum
Cubi
1MNUC Minisforum
MSI Cubi
1M NUC 1M 2,3462,358
2,358 2,346 2,358
2,346 Geekom Minisforum
XT12Minisforum
Geekom ProXT12
Geekom Minisforum
Pro XT12 Pro 10,097 10,097
10,819 10,81910,09710,819
Venus NAB9Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
the PC will cope fine. Geekom XT12 ProGeekom XT12 Pro 2,321 2,321 MSI Cubi NUC 1MMSI Cubi NUC 1M 6,504 6,504
Next we turned our GeekomMinisforum
XT12Minisforum
Geekom ProXT12
Geekom
0 Pro Minisforum
XT12 Pro 5000 1,000
500 1,500
1,000 2,0002,3212,321
2,346
1,500 2,346
2,500
2,0002,321
2,346 3,000 2,500 3,000 MSI Cubi
Geekom MSI
NUC
Geekom
XT12 Cubi
1M
Pro NUC
MSI
XT12
Geekom Cubi
0 Pro1M XT12
NUC 1M 0
Pro
2,000 2,0006,504
4,000 6,504 6,504
6,000
4,000 8,000 10,097
6,000 10,097
8,00010,097
10,000 12,000
10,000 14,000 12,000 14,000
Venus NAB9Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
attention to the GPU. As our
0 0 5000 500 1,000 500 1,000 1,500 1,000 1,500 2,000 1,500 2,000 2,500
2,000 2,500 3,000 2,500 3,000 3,000 0 0 2,0000 2,0004,000 2,000 4,0006,000 4,0006,0008,000 6,0008,00010,000 8,000
10,00012,000 10,000
12,00014,000 12,000
14,000 14,000
results show, mini PCs as a GeekomGeekom XT12 ProXT12 Geekom
Pro XT12 Pro 2,3212,321 2,321 MSI CubiMSI NUCCubi
1MNUC
MSI Cubi
1M NUC 1M 6,5046,504 6,504
category aren’t a natural Cinebench 2024
Minisforum0 Minisforum
(single core) Cinebench 2024 (multicore) PCMark 10 overall
0 5000 500 1,000 500 1,000 1,500 1,000 1,500 2,000 1,500 2,000 2,500
2,000 2,500 3,000 2,500 3,000 3,000 0 0 2,000 0 2,0004,000 Minisforum
2,0004,0006,000 4,000 Minisforum
6,000 8,000 6,0008,00010,000 8,000
10,000 12,00010,000
12,000
14,00012,00014,000 14,000
114 114 1,066 1,066 8,702 8,702
choice for gamers, but that AtomMan X7 Ti AtomMan X7 Ti Asus NUC 14 Pro+ Asus NUC 14 Pro+ Neptune HX100GNeptune HX100G

doesn’t mean that they can’t AtomMan Minisforum

Minisforum
AtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
Minisforum
X7 Ti X7 Ti 114 114 114 Asus NUC
Asus14 Pro+
NUCAsus
Minisforum 14 Pro+
NUC 14 Pro+
Minisforum 1,0661,066 1,066
Minisforum
NeptuneNeptune
Minisforum
HX100GHX100G
Neptune
Minisforum
Recommended
HX100G 8,7028,702 8,702
109 109 1,066 1,066 Geekom A8 Geekom A8 7,679 7,679
play games at all. All but two ofAsus NUC 14 Pro+Asus NUC 14 Pro+ AtomMan X7 Ti AtomMan X7 Ti

the test systems produced Asus Minisforum

NUCAsus14X7
Minisforum
Pro+
NUC TiAsus
Minisforum
14AtomMan
Pro+
X7NUC
Ti 14 Pro+ 109114 109 114 109 114 Asus
Minisforum
NUCAsus
14
Minisforum
Pro+
NUC
X7 TiAsus
Minisforum
AtomMan AtomMan
Minisforum
14AtomMan
Pro+
X7NUC
Ti 14 Pro+
MinisforumX7 Ti 1,0661,066 1,066
1,066
Minisforum
Geekom
Minisforum
Geekom
A8
Minisforum
Recommended
A8
Geekom A8 7,679 7,679
8,702 8,702 7,679 8,702
AtomMan AtomMan
Geekom A8 Geekom A8
X7 Ti 108 108 Neptune HX100GNeptune HX100G 966 966 Neptune
Asus NUCNeptune
HX100G
14 Pro+ HX100G
Neptune
Asus NUCHX100G
14 Pro+ 7,552 7,552
playable frame rates in
Shadow of the Tomb Raider atAsus NUC Minisforum
Geekom
Asus Geekom
14 Pro+
NUCA8Asus Minisforum
A8
14 Pro+Geekom
NUC A8 Recommended
14 Pro+ 108
109 108
108 109 108 108
109
Minisforum
Minisforum
Neptune Neptune
AtomManHX100G
Minisforum
AtomMan
Geekom X7A8 TiHX100G
Neptune
Minisforum
Recommended
Ti HX100G
AtomMan
X7Geekom X7A8Ti
966
1,066
946
966
1,066 966
946 1,066 Asus NUCAsus
Geekom14 Pro+
NUC
Minisforum A8Asus
Geekom14 Pro+
NUC
A8
Geekom14 Pro+
Minisforum A8 7,5527,552
7,679
7,362 7,6797,362 7,552
7,679
Neptune HX100GNeptune HX100G Venus UM790 Pro Venus UM790 Pro
1080p, even if we had to drop
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
to its lowest graphics settings.Venus Minisforum
Geekom Geekom
A8HX100G Minisforum
A8
Geekom A8 Recommended 108 108 108
108
MinisforumMinisforum
Minisforum
GeekomGeekom
A8 Recommended
Minisforum
Minisforum
A8
Geekom A8 946 946
966 966 946 966 Asus
Minisforum
Minisforum
VenusNUC Asus
Minisforum
14 Pro+
NUC Asus
Minisforum
Labs
Minisforum
14 Pro+
NUC Winner
14 Pro+ 7,362
7,5527,3627,552 7,362 7,552
Neptune Neptune
HX100G
UM790 Pro
Neptune HX100G
Venus UM790 Pro 108 108 NeptuneNeptune
HX100GHX100G
Venus UM790 Pro
Neptune HX100G
Venus UM790 Pro 943 943 UM790
Venus UM790
ProVenus Pro
AtomMan X7 Ti AtomMan X7 Ti
UM790 Pro 7,077 7,077
We also print scores for
Minisforum
MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
3DMark Time Spy, which is a Venus PCSpecialist
NeptuneUM790
Venus
Neptune
HX100GUM790
ProVenus
PCSpecialist Labs Winner
Pro
UM790 Pro 108
108 108 105
105 108 Minisforum
Geekom
VenusVenus
UM790
Venus Geekom
A8Venus
UM790
Pro Pro
UM790 Labs
Minisforum
A8
Geekom A8 Winner 946
Pro 765 943 946 765 946
943 943 AtomMan AtomMan
X7 TiGeekom
AtomMan
X7 TiMini IT13
X7 Ti 6,192 7,3627,077
7,077 7,362
6,192 7,362
7,077
Azena RHX100G
Neptune HX100G
Azena R NAB9 Venus NAB9 Geekom
Venus Mini
UM790
Venus IT13
Pro
UM790Venus Pro
UM790 Pro

synthetic benchmark but

PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
MinisforumMinisforum PCSpecialist
Minisforum Minisforum
MinisforumMinisforum
PCSpecialist Minisforum
PCSpecialist Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
provides a great at-a-glance Venus
GeekomUM790Azena
Venus
Mini Pro RGeekom
UM790
IT13 Azena
Venus ProRMini
UM790Azena Pro
IT13 R 105
108 105
104 108 104 105
108 VenusVenus
UM790
Venus NAB9
Venus
AzenaPro
UM790 NAB9
RVenus Venus
Pro
UM790 NAB9
Azena Pro
R
765 943
731 765 943 765 943
731 GeekomMinisforum
Geekom
AtomMan
Mini IT13
Venus AtomMan
Mini
Geekom
X7 Ti AtomMan
NAB9
Minisforum
IT13
X7Venus
Mini IT13
Ti NAB9 X7 Ti 6,192
6,120 7,0776,1927,077 6,192
6,120 7,077
score so you can compare PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
Minisforum PCSpecialist
Minisforum MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum
systems’ theoretical 3D GeekomGeekom
Mini
Azena
Venus
IT13
NAB9 RMini
Geekom
AzenaIT13R Mini
Venus AzenaIT13
NAB9R
104
105 104
101 105 101 104
105 Geekom
VenusMini
AzenaIT13
NAB9
VenusRGeekom
Azena
NAB9 RMini
Venus IT13R
Azena
NAB9 731 731
765
700 765 700 731
765 Geekom
Geekom Geekom
Mini
VenusXT12 IT13
Pro
NAB9
VenusMini
Geekom
IT13
Geekom
NAB9 MiniNAB9
XT12
Venus IT13
Pro 6,120
6,1926,120
5,887 6,1925,887 6,120
6,192
acceleration. Not just for Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
101
104 101
100 104 100 101
104 Geekom
GeekomGeekom
Mini IT13Mini
Geekom ProR 628
IT13 Mini IT13 700
731 700 731 628700 731 GeekomGeekom
XT12 ProXT12
GeekomPro XT12 Pro 5,698 5,887
6,1205,887 6,1205,6985,887
6,120
games: for any software that Geekom
Geekom XT12
Geekom
Mini
Venus Pro
IT13
NAB9
Venus Geekom
Mini
Geekom
IT13
NAB9 XT12 Pro
MiniNAB9
Venus IT13 XT12
AzenaPro RGeekom
Azena R XT12 Azena VenusAzena
NAB9
VenusR NAB9 Venus NAB9
Azena R

takes advantage of the GPU. MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum PCSpecialist

PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
Failed toProrun Failed to run101 100 100 101 100 Failed NUCto 1Mrun Failed
628 to700
628 run628
R 5,698 5,698 5,698
MSI Cubi
Geekom NUCPro
Geekom
XT12 1MXT12
MSI Cubi
Geekom
Pro NUC
XT12 1M 101 MSI Cubi
Geekom
Geekom NUC
Geekom
XT12
Geekom
Mini 1M
Pro
IT13 MSI
XT12
Mini
GeekomCubi
Pro Mini
IT13 XT12 Pro
IT13 700 700 MSI Cubi
Geekom NUCPro
Geekom
XT12 1M MSI
XT12
GeekomCubiXT12
Pro NUC Pro1M 5,301 5,887 5,887 5,3015,887
The CrystalDiskMark Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9Venus NAB9 Azena RAzena R Azena

scores show basic straight- 0 20 040 2060 4080 60

100 80
120 100 120 0 200 400
0 200
600 400
800 600
1,000 1,200
800 1,000 1,200 0 2,000 0 4,000 2,000 6,000 4,000 8,0006,00010,000 8,000 10,000
Failed Failed
to 1Mrun Failed
to runto run100 100 100 Failed Failed
to 1Mrun Failed
to
628run628to run628 PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
1M NUC 1M 5,3015,301 5,301
Azena RAzena R Azena R 5,6985,698 5,698
MSI Cubi
Geekom MSI
NUC
Geekom
XT12 Cubi
1MXT12
Pro NUC
MSI Cubi
1M XT12
Geekom
Pro NUC Pro MSI Cubi
Geekom MSINUC
Geekom
XT12 Cubi1M
Pro NUC
MSI
XT12 Cubi
Geekom1M XT12
Pro NUC Pro MSI CubiMSINUCCubi1MNUC
MSI Cubi
line speed for copying and
writing data. As we note in the 0 020 2040
0 40
20
60 60
40
80 8060
100 100 120
80 120
100 120 0
Failed
200
0
Failed
200
to1Mrun
400
0 400
200
Failed
600 600
to runto run
400
800 800 1,000
600 1,000 1,200
800 1,200 1,000 1,200 0 02,000 2,000 0 4,000 2,000
4,000
6,000 4,000
6,0008,000 6,000
8,000
10,000 10,000
8,000 10,000
MSI Cubi MSI
NUC Cubi
1MNUC
Minisforum MSIFailed
Cubi
1M Failed
NUC to1Mrun
Minisforum Failed
to runto run MSI CubiMSI
NUC Cubi
Minisforum1MNUCMSI Cubi
1M NUC
Minisforum MSI Cubi MSI
NUC Cubi
Minisforum 1MNUC
MSI Cubi
1M NUC 1M 5,3015,301 5,301
Minisforum
review of the Minisforum Neptune HX100GNeptune HX100G 11,818 11,818 Neptune HX100GNeptune HX100G 11,000 11,000 Neptune HX100GNeptune HX100G 13,758 13,758

Venus UM790 Pro, its results 0 0

20 20
40
0 40
60
20 60
80
40 80
100
60 100
120
80 120
100 120 0 200
0 200
400
0 400
600
200 600 800
400 800 1,000
600 1,200 1,000
800 1,200 1,000 1,200 0 02,000 2,000 04,000 2,000
4,000
6,000 4,000
6,000
8,000 6,000
8,000
10,000 10,0008,000 10,000
Minisforum PCMark
GeekomMinisforum
A8 Minisforum
Geekom 10
A8 Essentials 11,720 11,81811,720
PCMark
Minisforum
Minisforum 10 Productivity
Minisforum 10,598 10,598 PCMark Minisforum 10
A8 Digital
GeekomMinisforum Minisforum Creation 10,089 10,089
are held back by the company NeptuneNeptuneHX100GHX100GNeptune HX100G 11,818 11,818 Asus NUC 14 Pro+
NeptuneNeptune
Asus NUC
HX100GHX100G
14
Neptune HX100G
Pro+ 11,000 11,000 11,000 NeptuneNeptune
HX100GHX100G
Geekom
Neptune HX100G
A8 13,758 13,758 13,758
shipping 256GB SSDs in our Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Asus NUC Minisforum
14 Pro+ Asus NUCMinisforum
14 Pro+ 11,384 11,384 MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum 10,582 10,582 Minisforum
Asus NUC Minisforum
14 Pro+ Asus NUC Minisforum
14 Pro+ 9,869 10,089 9,869
Neptune HX100G Recommended Recommended
11,720
11,818 11,720
11,81811,72011,818 10,598
11,00010,598
11,000 10,598
11,000 A8 Recommended 13,758 10,089
13,758 10,089
13,758
rig; the 1TB SSD it ships with NeptuneGeekom
Neptune
Geekom
A8
HX100GHX100G
A8
Geekom A8 Venus
Neptune
UM790
Asus NUC
Asus
Neptune
HX100G
Pro
14 Pro+
NUC Venus
Asus
14 Pro+
HX100G
UM790
NUC
Neptune 14 Pro
Pro+
HX100G GeekomGeekom
NeptuneNeptune
HX100GHX100G
A8
Geekom A8
Neptune HX100G

should be closer to its siblings. PCSpecialist PCSpecialist 10,881 10,881 Minisforum

GeekomMinisforum
A8 Minisforum
Geekom A8 10,390 10,390 Minisforum Minisforum
9,483 9,483
Finally we come to power Asus NUC
Azena
Asus
Geekom A8RAsus
14 Pro+
NUC
Geekom14 Pro+
NUC
A8 Azena
Geekom14 Pro+
A8R Recommended 11,384
11,720 11,384
11,72011,38411,720 Asus
VenusNUCAsus
14 Pro+
UM790
Venus NUC
UM790Asus
14 Pro+
ProVenus NUC
Pro
UM790 14 Pro+
Pro 10,582
10,598 10,582
10,598 10,582
10,598 AtomMan
Asus NUCAsus
Geekom X7A8TiAsus
14 Pro+
NUC
Geekom Recommended
14AtomMan
Pro+
NUC
A8
Geekom14 X7
Pro+Ti
A8 9,8699,869 10,0899,869
10,08910,089

consumption and running Minisforum

PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
PCSpecialist 10,804 10,804
Minisforum
MinisforumMinisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum 10,210 10,210
Minisforum
MinisforumMinisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum 9,472 9,472
Venus
Asus UM790
NUCAsus
14 Pro
Pro+
NUC Venus
RAsus
14 Pro+UM790
NUC Pro
14 Pro+ 10,881
11,384 10,881
11,384 10,881
11,384 AtomMan
Geekom X7 Ti AtomMan
Geekom
A8 A8
Geekom LabsPro Winner 10,582
X7A8Ti 10,390 10,390
10,58210,390 10,582 Venus UM790 ProVenus UM790 Pro 9,483
9,869 9,483
9,8699,483 9,869
costs, which we cover Azena Azena R Azena R Venus UM790
VenusProUM790Venus Pro
UM790 Asus NUC Asus
AtomMan 14 Pro+
NUC
X7 TiAsus
AtomMan 14AtomMan
Pro+
X7NUC
Ti 14 Pro+
X7 Ti

separately on p83. In short, Geekom MiniPCSpecialist

IT13Geekom
Minisforum
Minisforum
PCSpecialist Mini IT13
Minisforum
PCSpecialist 10,670 10,670
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
Minisforum
AzenaMinisforum
R Minisforum
Azena R 7,832 7,832 Geekom Mini Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum IT13Geekom Mini IT13
Minisforum 7,958 7,958
10,881
10,804 10,88110,804
10,804 10,881 Geekom Geekom
A8Ti AtomManTi Recommended
X7A8
Geekom X7A8 10,390
10,210 10,39010,210
10,210 10,390 9,483
9,4729,4729,483 9,472 9,483
we measure draw at idle Venus UM790
Venus
Azena UM790
Pro
RVenus
Azena Pro
UM790
R Azena ProR AtomMan AtomMan
X7 Ti Venus UM790
Venus
AtomMan X7UM790
Pro
AtomManTiVenus Pro
UM790X7
AtomMan
X7 Ti Pro
Ti

and at peak (pushing all the Minisforum

Minisforum
Venus NAB9Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Venus NAB9 10,383 10,383 MSI Cubi NUC
PCSpecialist1M MSI
PCSpecialist
MinisforumMinisforum Cubi NUC
PCSpecialist
Minisforum 1M 7,694 7,694
Minisforum
Minisforum
Venus NAB9Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Venus NAB9 7,792 7,792
GeekomGeekom
Mini IT13 Mini IT13 Mini IT13 Labs Winner
Geekom 10,670
10,804 10,670
10,80410,67010,804 7,8327,832
10,210 7,832 10,210
10,210 GeekomGeekom
Mini IT13 Mini Labs
IT13 MiniWinner
Geekom IT13 7,958 7,958
9,472 9,4727,958 9,472
CPUs and the GPU to their Venus UM790 VenusProUM790Venus Pro
UM790 Pro AtomMan Azena
X7 TiRAzena
AtomMan X7 TiR Azena
AtomMan X7 TiR Venus UM790
VenusProUM790Venus Pro
UM790 Pro
Minisforum Minisforum
maximum), then extrapolate Geekom XT12 ProGeekom XT12 Pro
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum 10,182 10,182 Venus NAB9
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist Venus NAB9
PCSpecialist
7,688 7,688 Geekom XT12
Minisforum Pro Geekom
Minisforum XT12
MinisforumPro 7,357 7,357
Geekom Geekom
MiniNAB9
Venus IT13Mini
Venus Geekom
IT13
NAB9 MiniNAB9
Venus IT13 10,383
10,670 10,383
10,670 10,383
10,670 MSI Cubi
MSINUCCubi
Azena 1M NUC
MSI Cubi
RAzena 1M NUC 1M
R Azena R 7,6947,694
7,832 7,832 7,694 7,832 Geekom Geekom
MiniNAB9
Venus IT13Mini
Venus Geekom
IT13
NAB9 IT13 7,958
MiniNAB9
Venus 7,7927,958
7,792 7,958 7,792
running costs over five years
Minisforum Minisforum PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
based on an eight-hour AtomMan X7 Ti AtomMan X7 Ti 9,936 9,936 Geekom Mini IT13Geekom Mini IT13
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
7,589 7,589 Azena R Azena 5,893
R 5,893
MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
GeekomGeekom
XT12 ProXT12
Venus NAB9
Geekom
Venus NAB9
Pro XT12 Pro
Venus NAB9
10,182
10,383 10,18210,383
10,383 10,182 MSI CubiMSI
NUC
Venus Cubi
1MNUC
NAB9
Venus MSI Cubi
NAB91M
Venus NUCNAB91M 7,6887,688
7,694 7,694 7,6887,694 GeekomGeekom
XT12 ProXT12
Venus NAB9
Geekom
Venus NAB9
Pro XT12 Pro 7,357
Venus NAB9 7,792 7,792 7,792
7,357 7,357
working day and the current
MSI Cubi NUC 1MMSI Cubi NUC 1M 9,867 9,867 7,412 7,412 5,326 5,326
24.5p per kWh price for Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
9,93610,182
10,182 9,936 9,936 10,182
Geekom XT12 ProGeekom XT12 Pro
MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum
7,5897,688
7,688 7,589 7,6887,589
MSI Cubi NUC 1MMSI Cubi NUC
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
1M
5,893 5,893 5,893
Geekom Geekom
XT12
AtomMan ProTi
AtomMan
X7 XT12
Geekom
Pro
Ti XT12X7
AtomMan
X7 ProTi Geekom Geekom
Mini
Venus IT13
NAB9
VenusMini
Geekom
IT13
NAB9VenusMiniNAB9
IT13 GeekomGeekom
XT12
AzenaProRXT12
Geekom
Azena ProR XT12
Azena ProR 7,357 7,357 7,357
electricity. The results are an 0 2,000 4,000 0 2,000
6,000 4,000
8,000 6,000
10,000 12,000
8,000 10,000 12,000 0 2,000 4,000 0 2,000
6,000 4,000
8,000 6,000
10,000 12,000
8,000 10,000 12,000 0 2,000 4,000 0 6,000
2,000 8,000
4,000 10,000
6,000 12,000
8,00014,000
10,000 12,000 14,000

estimate, for guidance only, MSI Cubi Minisforum

MSINUC
Minisforum
Cubi1MNUC
Minisforum
MSI Cubi
1M NUC 1M 9,867
9,936 9,867
9,936 9,867
9,936 GeekomGeekom
Geekom Geekom
XT12IT13
Mini ProXT12
Mini
GeekomPro Mini
IT13 XT12IT13
Pro 7,412
7,589 7,412
7,589 7,412
7,589
PCSpecialist
MSI CubiMSINUC
PCSpecialist
Cubi1MNUC
PCSpecialist
MSI Cubi
1M NUC 5,326
1M 5,326
5,893 5,893 5,326
5,893
AtomMan AtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
X7 Ti X7 Ti Azena RAzena R Azena R
but it’s a handy way to show
0 2,000
0 2,000
4,000
0 4,000
2,000
6,000 6,000
4,000
8,000 8,000
6,000
10,000 10,000
12,000
8,000 12,000
10,000 12,000 0 2,000
0 2,000
4,000
0 4,000
2,000
6,000 6,000
4,000
8,000 8,000
6,000
10,000 10,000
12,000
8,000 12,000
10,000 12,000 0 2,000
0 2,000
4,0000 6,000
4,000
2,0006,000
8,000
4,00010,000
8,000
6,00010,000
12,000
8,00014,000
12,000
10,00014,000
12,000 14,000
the long-term impact of a few MSI CubiMSI NUC Cubi
1MNUCMSI Cubi
1M NUC 1M 9,8679,867 9,867 GeekomGeekom
XT12 ProXT12 Geekom
Pro XT12 Pro 7,412 7,412 7,412 MSI CubiMSINUC Cubi
1MNUC
MSI Cubi
1M NUC 5,326
1M 5,326 5,326
watts here and there.
0 2,000
0 2,000
4,000
0 4,000
6,000
2,000 6,000
8,000
4,000 8,000
10,000
6,000 10,000
12,000
8,000 12,000
10,000 12,000 0 2,000
0 2,000
4,000
0 4,000
6,000
2,000 6,000
8,000
4,000 8,000
10,000
6,000 10,000
12,000
8,000 12,000
10,000 12,000 0 2,000
0 4,000
2,000
0 6,000
4,000
2,0008,000
6,000
4,00010,000
8,000
6,00012,000
10,000
8,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
14,000
12,000 14,000

94
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Labs Mini PCs

Gaming, disk and power consumption tests View from

3DMark Time Spy Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Lowest, fps) Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Highest, fps)
the Labs
T
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Recommended
8,5998,5998,599 Minisforum
Minisforum
Recommended
Minisforum
196 196 196 Recommended 110 110 110
NeptuneNeptune
HX100GNeptune
HX100G HX100G NeptuneNeptune
HX100GNeptune
HX100G HX100G NeptuneNeptune
HX100GNeptune
HX100G HX100G here are certain of my
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
colleagues who consider
Asus NUC
Asus
14 Pro+
NUC
Asus
14 Pro+ 3,9603,9603,960
NUC 14 Pro+ 8,599
8,5998,599 GeekomGeekom
A8 Geekom
A8 63
A8 63 196 196 196
63 Recommended 31ProLabs
31 Winner
31 110 110 110
NeptuneNeptune
HX100GHX100G
Neptune HX100G Neptune
Neptune
HX100GHX100G
Neptune HX100G Neptune
Venus Neptune
HX100G
UM790
Venus ProHX100G
Neptune
UM790
Venus Pro HX100G
UM790
writing a Labs a penance. Not
Minisforum
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Minisforum
Asus NUC
Asus Minisforum
14NUC
Pro+
Asus
14 Pro+
MinisforumNUC 3,960
3,455
14 Pro+
Minisforum 3,960
3,455 3,960
3,455 8,599
8,5998,599 Minisforum
Geekom Minisforum
Geekom
A8 A8
Minisforum Geekom
Minisforum5863
A8 58 63 Labs 5863 Winner196 196 196 Venus
Minisforum
Geekom
UM790
Venus
Minisforum
Geekom
A8
UM790
Pro
Venus A8 30
Geekom
Pro
UM790 31Pro
Minisforum 31 30
A8Recommended
30 31 110 110 110
AtomMan
Neptune AtomMan
X7 TiHX100G
Neptune
HX100G AtomMan
X7 Ti HX100G
Neptune X7 Ti Venus UM790
NeptuneVenus
Neptune
HX100G Pro
UM790
Venus
HX100G
NeptunePro
UM790HX100GPro NeptuneNeptune
HX100G HX100G
Neptune HX100G
although I can tell you right
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
3,455 3,455 3,455 Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum58 58 58 30 A830 30 now that there are only a
Asus Geekom
NUC
Asus
AtomMan
Geekom
14NUCA8
Pro+
AtomManAsus A8 143,215
Geekom
14AtomMan
X7 Ti Pro+
X7NUC
Ti Pro+
A8 3,215
X73,960
Ti 3,215
3,960 3,960Recommended Asus NUC
Asus
14 Pro+
Geekom
Venus UM790
NUC Asus
Geekom
Venus UM790A8
ProVenusProA8
Geekom50
UM790 63
14 Pro+
NUC 14 Pro+
A8 50
Pro 63 50 63 Asus Minisforum
Geekom
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14 Minisforum
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A8
Pro+
NUC Asus
14 Minisforum
A8
Geekom
Pro+
NUC 27
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31Pro 31 31 27
Venus UM790
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VenusPro UM790
handful of ways to describe a
Minisforum
Geekom Minisforum
Geekom
A8 A8 Minisforum
3,215
Geekom A8 3,215 3,215 Minisforum
Asus NUC
Asus Minisforum
14NUC
Pro+ Asus
14 Pro+
NUC 50
14 Pro+50 50 Minisforum
Asus NUC
Asus Minisforum
14NUC
Pro+ Asus
14 Pro+
NUC 27
Minisforum
14 Pro+ 27 27 mini PC – but the mammoth
Venus
Minisforum
UM790
Venus
Minisforum
Pro
UM790
Venus
Minisforum
3,455
2,984 3,455
2,984 3,455Labs Winner
2,984 Minisforum Minisforum
4958 4958 4958 Geekom Geekom
A8 X7 Ti 27
A8
Geekom30X7 Ti30
A8 27 27 30
X7Pro
UM790 Pro AtomMan AtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
AtomManAtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
Ti X7 Ti AtomMan
Venus UM790
VenusAtomMan
X7 Ti
UM790
Pro AtomMan
Venus X7
Pro Ti X7
UM790 Ti
Pro
task of sourcing all the
Venus
Minisforum
GeekomGeekom
UM790
Venus
Minisforum
Geekom
Mini Geekom
IT13
Geekom
A8
UM790
Pro
Venus
Minisforum
Mini Pro
IT13
A8 2,984
Geekom
UM790 3,215
Mini 2,984
A8
Pro 3,215
1,917
IT13 2,984
3,215
1,917 1,917 Asus
Minisforum
NUC
Asus
14
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
NUC
Pro+ Asus
14
Minisforum
Pro+
NUC37 49
Minisforum
50
14 37
Pro+ 49
50 3749
50 Geekom
Asus
Minisforum
NUCGeekom
Mini
Asus
AtomMan14
Minisforum
IT13
NUC
Pro+
AtomMan Geekom
Mini
Asus
14
Minisforum
20
IT13
Pro+
NUC
X7 Ti AtomMan
X7 Ti 27
Mini
14 20
IT13
Pro+
X7 Ti 27 20 27 different products, testing
AtomMan
VenusAtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
NAB9
Venus X7Venus
NAB9Ti NAB9 X7 Ti
them and creating the detailed
GeekomMinisforum
MiniMinisforum
GeekomIT13
MinisforumMini
GeekomMinisforum
IT13
Minisforum 1,9171,917
Mini IT13
1,845
Minisforum
2,984 1,917
1,8451,845 Geekom
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
MiniMinisforum
Geekom IT13Geekom
Minisforum
37
35
Minisforum
Mini IT13 Mini 37
35
IT13 37
35 GeekomMinisforum
MiniMinisforum
Geekom IT13
Minisforum Mini
Geekom Minisforum
20
IT13
Minisforum 19 Mini 20
Minisforum IT13
19 20
19 feature comparison table that
VenusVenus
UM790
VenusNAB9
UM790
Pro
VenusPro
UM790 Pro2,9842,984 Venus
AtomMan NAB9
Venus
X7 Ti NAB9
AtomMan X7Venus
AtomMan
49X7 Ti49 49
Ti NAB9 AtomManAtomMan
X7 Ti AtomManTi 27
X7Venus X7 Ti27 27
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 NAB9
I hope you find useful.
Minisforum
Geekom XT12Minisforum
Geekom
Geekom
Mini Pro
XT12IT13
IT13
Mini Pro
Geekom 1,845
1,9171,845
Minisforum
1,839
XT12IT13
Mini Pro 1,917 1,845
1,8391,839
1,917
Geekom
Geekom Geekom
Mini
Geekom IT13
Minisforum Mini
ProGeekom
XT12IT13
XT12Minisforum
Geekom 35
32
Pro Mini
Minisforum
XT12
37 37 37 35
IT13
32
Pro 35
32 GeekomMinisforum
Geekom
XT12
Geekom
Mini Minisforum
Pro
IT13XT12
Mini
Geekom 19
Minisforum
18
Pro XT12
20 NAB9
IT13 Mini 19
18
Pro
20 20
IT13 19
18 I’ve never looked at Labs
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 Venus
like that. It’s hard work, brutal
Geekom
MSI Geekom
XT12
Cubi
MSINUC Pro
XT12
Cubi
1M
MinisforumGeekom
NUCPro
MSI 1MXT12
Cubi
Minisforum NUC 1,839
Pro
1,153
Minisforum 1,839
1M 1,153
1,845 1,845 1,839
1,153
1,845 Geekom
MSI Geekom
Cubi
Geekom XT12
MSI
NUC
Geekom
Mini Pro
CubiXT12
1M
IT13 Geekom
MSI
NUC
Mini
Geekom 32
Pro
35
Cubi
1M
IT13 NUC32
XT12
19
Mini Pro
35
1M
IT1319 32 19
35
PCSpecialist
Geekom XT12PCSpecialist
Geekom
MinisforumPro
XT12
Geekom
Minisforum
Azena RAzena
PCSpecialist
18
Pro
199RXT12
Minisforum18
Azena19 9R 18
Pro 9
19 in terms of invested hours, but
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 Venus NAB9
in return you get something
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialistPCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
MSI Cubi
GeekomMSINUC
Geekom
XT12
PCSpecialist
Cubi
1M
Pro
Azena
MSI
XT12
PCSpecialist
NUCPro
Cubi
RGeekom
1,153
1M XT12
NUC
Azena R750
1M
Pro
Azena
1,153750
750
1,839
R 1,839
1,153
1,839
PCSpecialist
MSI Cubi
Geekom MSINUC
Geekom
XT12
PCSpecialist
Cubi1M
Pro MSI
NUCPro
XT12
Geekom
PCSpecialist
Cubi
1M19
32 NUCPro
XT12
Azena RAzena R Azena R 32 19
1M19 3219 MSI Cubi
Geekom MSI
NUC
Geekom
XT12 Cubi
Azena 1M
ProMSI
NUCPro
XT12
Geekom
RAzena 8
18
Cubi
1M
R9 NUC18
XT12
Azena 98
1M
ProR 8
189 unique: a genuine overview
0 PCSpecialist
1,500
0 1,500
3,000
0 3,000
1,500
4,500 3,000
4,500
6,000 4,500
6,000
7,500 6,000
9,000
7,500 9,000
7,500 9,000 0 0 50 0 50 10050 100 150100 150 200 150200 200 0 020 20
040 20
40
60 40
60
80 60
80
100 100
80
120 120
100 120
of an industry. You start to
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
MSI Cubi
MSINUC
Cubi
1MRMSI
Azena R750
NUCCubi
1M
Azena NUC 750
1,153
1M
Azena R1,153750 1,153 MSI Cubi
MSINUCCubi
Azena 1MRMSI
NUCCubi
Azena 1M 19
R19 NUC 1M
Azena 19
19
R 19
19
PCSpecialist
MSI Cubi
MSINUCPCSpecialist
Cubi1MMSI
NUCCubi
1M8 NUC81M 89
PCSpecialist
Azena RAzena R9Azena9R
see where companies skimp
0 1,500
0 1,500
3,000
0 3,000
1,500
4,500 4,500
3,000
6,000 6,000
4,500
7,500 7,500
6,000
9,000 9,000
7,500 9,000 0 0 50 0 50 10050 100 150100 150 200 150200 200 0 020 20
040 40
20 60 60
4080 80
60
100 100 80
120 120 100 120 or invest, gain a better

Azena
Geekom
CrystalDiskMark
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
R750
RAzenaGeekom
Geekom
A8 A8
750 8 sequential read (MB/sec)
PCSpecialist
750
AzenaA8
R
7,0947,0947,094
CrystalDiskMark
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
Azena
Geekom
PCSpecialist
R19
RAzenaGeekom
Geekom
A8 A8 AzenaA8 19
R
8 sequential
19 write (MB/sec)
6,3276,3276,327
Size
MSI Cubi
MSINUCCubi1MMSI
GeekomGeekom
A8
NUCCubi
1M8 NUC81M
A8 0.47
Geekom
8
A8 0.47 0.47
(litres) understanding of what “good”
0 1,500
0 1,500
3,000
0 3,000
1,500
4,500 4,500
3,000
6,000 6,000
4,500
7,500 6,000
7,500
9,000 9,000
7,500 9,000 0 0 50 0 50 10050 100 150100 150 200 150200 200 0 020 20
040 40
20 60 60
4080 80
60
100 100 80
120 120 100 120
performance means, and
Geekom
Asus NUC
Asus Geekom
A8
14 Pro+
NUCAsus A8
Geekom
14 Pro+
NUC A8
14 Pro+ Recommended
7,094
6,9367,0946,936
6,936 7,094 Geekom
Asus NUC
Asus Geekom
14 Pro+
NUCA8Asus A8
Geekom
14 Pro+
NUC 14Recommended
A8
Pro+ 4,9444,9446,327 6,327 6,327
4,944 GeekomGeekom
XT12Geekom
Geekom A8Geekom
ProXT120.5A8 XT120.47
Geekom
Pro 0.5A8 0.47
Pro Recommended
0.5 0.47 start to see patterns. All of
which sets you up for the next
Asus NUC
Geekom Asus
14NUC
Pro+
Geekom
XT12
Geekom Asus
Pro14 Pro+
NUC
Geekom
XT12
Geekom
A8 Pro
A8 14 Pro+
XT12
Geekom Pro
A8 6,936
5,0995,099 6,936
7,0947,0946,936
5,099 7,094 Asus NUC
Geekom Asus14NUC
Geekom
Mini
Geekom Pro+
IT13Asus
14 Pro+
Geekom
Geekom
A8 Mini NUC
IT13
A8 14 Pro+
Mini
Geekom IT13
A8 4,944
4,449 4,944
4,4496,327 4,944
4,4496,327 6,327 Geekom
Geekom Geekom
XT12Geekom
Geekom
Mini
Geekom Pro
XT12
IT13
A8Geekom
Geekom
Mini 0.5
0.64
Pro
IT13
A8 XT12
Mini
Geekom 0.5
0.64
Pro
0.47A8 0.47
IT13 0.5
0.640.47 12 months: next time a new
mini PC lands on my desk, I
Geekom
MSI
Asus Geekom
XT12
Cubi
MSI
NUC NUC
Asus Pro
XT12
Geekom
Cubi
1M
14NUCMSI
Pro+ NUC
Asus
14 Pro
1MXT12
Cubi
Pro+
NUC NUC Pro
1M
14 Pro+ 5,099
5,0025,099
5,0025,099
5,002
6,936
6,9366,936 Geekom
Geekom
Asus Geekom
NUC Mini
Geekom
XT12
Asus
14NUCIT13
Mini
Pro
Pro+ GeekomIT13
Geekom
XT12
Asus ProMini
14 Pro+
NUC XT12 IT13
Pro
14 Pro+ 4,449
4,406 4,449
4,9444,406
4,944 4,449
4,406
4,944 Geekom
Asus Geekom
NUC
Geekom Mini
Asus IT13
14 Pro+
Geekom
XT12 NUC Mini
ProGeekom
Asus 0.64
0.66
IT13
0.5
14 Pro+
XT12
GeekomNUC
Pro Mini
XT12 0.64
0.66
IT13
140.5Pro 0.5
Pro+ 0.64
0.66 have context.
While anyone reading this
MSI Cubi
GeekomMSINUC
Cubi
Geekom
Mini
Geekom
XT12 1M
MSI
IT13NUCPro
Cubi
Geekom
Mini
Pro
XT12 1M Mini
IT13 NUCIT13
XT12 1M
Pro 5,002
5,002
5,099
4,8564,8565,002
5,0994,856
5,099 Geekom
Geekom
Minisforum
Geekom
Geekom
Mini
Venus
Minisforum
XT12IT13
Pro
NAB9
XT12
Geekom
Mini
VenusGeekom
Minisforum
Pro
IT13
NAB9
Venus
XT12IT13
Mini Pro
NAB9 3,929
4,406
4,449 4,406
4,449
3,929 4,406
3,9294,449 Asus NUC
Asus
MSI Cubi
Geekom MSI14NUC
NUC
Geekom
Mini Pro+
Cubi
1M
IT13Asus
14
MSI
NUC
Mini
Geekom 0.66
Pro+
NUC
0.64
1M0.83
Cubi
IT13 140.66
NUC
Mini Pro+
0.64
1M0.83
IT13 0.66
0.64
0.83 can’t share the physical
Lower is better
contact I’ve had with these
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
GeekomGeekom
Mini
MSI Cubi
MSI
VenusNUC
Minisforum
IT13
Mini
Cubi
1M
NAB9
Geekom
MSI
NUC
Venus
Minisforum
IT13
1MMini
Cubi
NAB9
VenusNUCIT13
1M
NAB9
4,856
4,856
5,0024,8144,856
5,002
4,814 5,002
4,814 Geekom
Minisforum
Geekom
XT12
Venus
Neptune
Minisforum
Pro
NAB9
Venus
Neptune
HX100G XT12
Geekom
Minisforum
Pro
NAB9
Venus
Neptune
HX100G XT12 Pro 3,929
NAB9
HX100G
3,929
4,406
3,922 4,406
3,922 3,929
4,406
3,922 Asus
Minisforum
MSI Cubi
MSI
NUC NUC
Asus
Venus
Minisforum
Cubi
14NAB9
NUC 1M
Pro+
Venus
MSI
NUC
Asus
14NAB9
Minisforum
Cubi
1M
0.66
Pro+
NUC
Venus
0.83
NUC
0.84
14NAB9
Pro+0.83
1M
0.66 0.84 0.660.83
0.84 computers – the crosshead
screws I’ve had to wrestle out
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
GeekomGeekom
Mini
Venus
Neptune
Minisforum
IT13
Mini
NAB9Geekom
Venus
Neptune
HX100G
Minisforum
IT13
NAB9 Mini
Venus
Neptune
HX100G IT13
NAB9
HX100G
4,8144,856
4,8564,814 4,814
4,807 4,8074,807
4,856
Minisforum
Neptune
Neptune
AtomMan
Minisforum
Minisforum
HX100G
X7 TiHX100G
AtomMan Neptune
Minisforum
AtomMan
X7 Ti HX100G
3,922
3,910
X7 Ti 3,929
3,922
3,9103,929
3,929 Recommended
3,922
3,910 Venus
Minisforum
MSI Cubi
MSI
VenusNUC
UM790
Venus
Minisforum
Cubi
NAB91M
Venus
ProMSI
NUC
UM790
Minisforum
Cubi
NAB9
Venus 1M
Venus
Pro
0.84
0.85
0.83
UM790NUCNAB91M
Pro
0.84
0.85 0.83
0.83 0.84
0.85 of their sockets, the fan noise,
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9
holding them in my hand – I’ve
Minisforum
MinisforumMinisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Neptune
Minisforum
Minisforum
Neptune
AtomManHX100G
Minisforum
X7 TiHX100G
AtomManNeptuneTi HX100G
AtomMan
X7 X7 Ti
Recommended
4,799 4,807
4,799
4,8144,814 4,807 4,807
4,799
4,814
PCSpecialist
AtomMan
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
Minisforum
AtomMan
X7 Ti
Azena
PCSpecialist
Minisforum 3,910
AtomMan
X7 TiR HX100G
RHX100G
Azena X73,153
Azena R 3,922
Ti 3,910
3,153
3,922 3,910
3,153
3,922 Venus
Minisforum
UM790
Venus
AtomMan
Minisforum
Minisforum
UM790
Pro
AtomMan
X7 Venus
Ti Pro 0.85
Minisforum
Ti0.84
UM790
AtomMan
X7 1.03
X7Pro0.85
0.84
Ti
Labs
1.03 Winner
0.85
0.84 1.03 done my best to communicate
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9 NeptuneNeptune
HX100G Neptune Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9

Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
those feelings in the reviews.
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum 4,799
4,799 4,799 Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum 3,153 3,153 3,153 PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
Minisforum PCSpecialist
Minisforum1.03 1.03 1.4 1.03 1.4
AtomMan
Venus AtomMan
UM790
NeptuneVenus X7
Neptune Ti
Pro
UM790
HX100G AtomMan
X7Pro
Venus
HX100G Ti HX100G
UM790
Neptune X7 Ti
Pro 3,9303,930
4,807 3,930
4,807 4,807 MSI CubiMSI
AtomMan
NUC Cubi
Azena
AtomMan
1MMSI
NUCCubi
X7 TiRAzena
1M
AtomMan
X7 Ti
NUC
R Azena2,808
1M
X7 TiR 2,808
3,910 2,808
3,910 3,910 AtomMan
Venus AtomMan
UM790
Venus X7
Azena Ti
UM790
Pro TiR0.85
AtomMan
VenusX7
RAzenaPro
UM790 X7
Azena ProR 1.40.85
0.85
Ti And there’s nothing quite like a
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum PCSpecialist
PCSpecialistPCSpecialist
set of graphs, showing devices
PCSpecialist Minisforum Labs Winner
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist 3,9303,9303,930 Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
2,808
1M 2,808 2,808 Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum 1.4 1.4
R 1.03 1.03 1.4 2.87 2.87 2.87
Minisforum
Minisforum PCSpecialist
MSI Cubi
MSINUCPCSpecialist
Cubi1MMSI PCSpecialist
NUCCubi1M NUC Minisforum
Minisforum
Venus UM790
Venus
AtomMan UM790
AzenaPro
AtomMan
X7 Venus
Ti Pro
RAzenaUM790
TiR Azena
AtomMan
X7 X7 R3,5453,545
Pro
Ti 4,799 3,545
4,799 4,799 Venus UM790
Venus
Azena Pro
UM790
Venus 1,852
RAzenaProUM790
R Azena
1,852
3,153
ProR
1,852
3,153 3,153 Neptune Azena
X7 TiRNeptune
Neptune
HX100G
AtomManAtomMan Azena
HX100G R HX100G
AtomMan
X7 Ti 1.03
Azena
X7 Ti tested under exactly the same
0 01,500 0
1,500
3,0001,500
3,000
4,5003,000
4,500
6,0004,500
6,000
7,5006,000
7,500 7,500 0 01,500 0 1,500
3,0001,500
3,000
4,5003,000
4,500
6,0004,500
6,000
7,5006,000
7,500 7,500 0 0
0.5 0.5
01.0 0.51.5
1.0 2.0
1.5
1.0 2.0
1.5
2.5 2.0
3.0
2.5 3.0
2.5 3.0 conditions at exactly the same
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum 3,545
Minisforum 3,545 3,545
3,9303,9303,930 1,852 1,852
2,808
1M 2,808 Labs
1,8522,808Winner PCSpecialist
PCSpecialistRecommended
PCSpecialist
Azena R 1.4 1.4 1.4 2.87 2.87 2.87
Azena
Venus UM790
Venus RAzena
UM790
Pro
Venus R Azena
Pro
UM790 R
Pro
MSI Cubi
Venus MSINUC
UM790
Venus Cubi1M
UM790
Pro MSI
NUCPro
Venus Cubi
1M
UM790NUC Pro Neptune
Neptune
HX100G
Azena RHX100G
Neptune
Azena R HX100G time, to reveal truths that are
0 01,500 1,500
0 3,0001,500
3,000
4,5003,000
4,500
6,0004,500
6,000
7,5006,000
7,500 7,500 0 01,500 1,500 0 3,0001,500
3,000
4,5003,000
4,500
6,0004,500
6,000
7,5006,000
7,500 7,500 0 00.5 0.5 01.0 0.5
1.0 1.5 2.0 2.0
1.5
1.0 1.5
2.5 2.5 2.0
3.0 3.02.5 3.0 otherwise hidden.
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
GeekomGeekom
Mini IT13
Azena Geekom
Mini
R
AzenaIT13
RMini
Azena6R3,545
IT13 63,545
6 3,545 MSI Cubi
Venus MSI
NUC
UM790
Venus Cubi
1M
UM790
Pro MSI
NUCPro
Venus 1,852
Cubi
1M
UM790 381,852
NUC 1M 38 1,852
Pro 38 MSI Cubi
Neptune MSI
NUC
NeptuneCubi
HX100G 1MHX100G
MSI
NUCCubi
Neptune NUC £42
1M HX100G 1M £42 £42 2.87 2.87 2.87
As ever, it isn’t perfect. I’m
0 01,500 1,500
0 3,0001,500
3,000
4,5003,000
4,500
6,0004,500
6,000
7,5006,000
7,500 7,500 0 01,500 1,5000 3,0001,500
3,000
4,5003,000
4,500
6,0004,500
6,000
7,5006,000
7,500 7,500 0 00.5 0.5 01.0 0.5
1.01.5 2.0 2.0
1.5
1.0 1.5
2.5 2.0
3.0 3.0
2.5 2.5 3.0 annoyed that Beelink didn’t
Geekom
Geekom
Mini
XT12IT13Power consumption
Mini
Geekom
XT12IT13
ProMini66
XT12IT13
6 6 (idle, watts) Power
MSI Cubi
MSINUCCubi1M MSI
NUCconsumption
Cubi
1M55 38IT13
NUC 1M
5538 5538 (peak) Estimated
MSI Cubi
MSINUCCubi1M five-year
MSI
NUCCubi
1M Mini
NUCIT13£42
1M
£43 running
£42
£43 £42 cost
£43
(£)
GeekomGeekomPro
Geekom Pro Geekom Geekom
Mini IT13Geekom
Mini IT13 Mini Geekom Geekom
Mini IT13Geekom
Mini IT13
send in any computers for
testing; its current marketing
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Geekom Geekom
XT12IT13
Pro
XT12
Geekom
Pro 6
XT12IT13
Pro 6
66 6
6 Geekom
Geekom Geekom
Mini
Geekom
XT12 IT13
Mini
ProGeekom
NUCIT13
Geekom
XT12 Pro55
1M56Mini 55
38IT13
XT12 5638 56
Pro 5538 Geekom
Geekom Geekom
Mini
Geekom
XT12 IT13
Mini
ProGeekom
NUCIT13
Geekom
XT12 1MMini
Pro NUCIT13
XT12 £43
£44 £42
£42
Pro £43
£44 £42 £43
£44
Geekom
Venus Geekom
Mini
UM790
Venus Mini
Geekom
Pro
UM790 IT13
Venus ProMini
UM790 Pro MSI Cubi
MSINUCCubi1M MSI Cubi NUC 1M MSI Cubi
MSINUCCubi1MMSI Cubi 1M
model appears to be sending
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
computers to influencers
Asus NUC
Geekom Asus
14 Pro+
Geekom
XT12 NUCAsus
Pro 14 Pro+
XT12
GeekomNUC
Pro XT12 67
6
14 Pro+
Pro 6
6 7 6
67 Geekom
Geekom
Minisforum
Geekom
Geekom
Mini
Minisforum
XT12IT13
Pro
XT12
Geekom
Mini
Geekom Pro
IT13 56
Minisforum
XT12
55
Mini 81 56
55 8156
Pro
IT13 55 81 Geekom
Geekom Geekom
XT12IT13
Geekom
Mini Pro
XT12
Geekom
Mini
GeekomPro
IT13 £55
XT12
Mini £44
Pro
£43
IT13 £55£43£44£55£43 £44
Venus UM790
Venus UM790
Pro
VenusPro
UM790 Pro Venus UM790
Venus Pro
UM790
Venus Pro
UM790 Pro Venus UM790
Venus Pro
UM790
Venus Pro
UM790 Pro rather than reviewers. And I’m
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
greedy: I always want more
67 6 7 8 6 7Labs 81 81 81 £55 £55 £55
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Asus NUC
Asus
14NUC
GeekomPro+
Asus
14 Pro+
Geekom
A8 NUC
A8 14 Pro+
UM790 Pro 8
Geekom A8 8 Winner Geekom Geekom
XT12 Pro
XT12
GeekomPro 56
XT12 83 56 8356 83
Pro Geekom
Venus Geekom
XT12
UM790
Venus Pro
XT12
Geekom
UM790
Venus Pro TiXT12£66
UM790 £44
ProTi £66 £44 £66 £44
Venus UM790
Venus UM790
Pro
VenusPro Venus UM790
Venus
Venus UM790
Pro
NAB9
VenusVenus Pro
NAB9UM790
Venus Pro
NAB9 AtomMan AtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan
X7 X7
PCs to review.
A8 8
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Still, I see this Labs as only
Asus Geekom
MSI Cubi
MSI
NUC NUC
Asus Geekom
A8
Cubi
1M
14NUCMSI
Pro+ NUC
Asus
14 A8
Geekom
Cubi
1M NUC
Pro+
NUC 1M
14 Pro+ 7 7 88 78 Venus NAB9
Venus NAB9
Venus 83
81
Ti NAB984 83
Ti 81 84 Labs83
84 Winner
81 Geekom
AtomMan Geekom
AtomMan
X7 A8
Ti Ti £55
Geekom
A8
AtomMan
X7 £66
£68
X7 A8Ti£55 £66
Labs
£68£55 £66
Winner
£68
AtomMan
Venus UM790
VenusAtomMan
X7 Ti
UM790
Pro AtomMan
Venus X7
Pro
UM790 X7Pro Venus UM790
Venus UM790
Pro
Venus Pro
UM790 Pro
the latest (but perhaps the
Lower is better

Lower is better

Lower is better

Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
89 8 8
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum84 8495 83 84 Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Geekom£68 £68
most important) landmark on
MSI Cubi
MSINUC
GeekomCubi
1MMSI
NUCCubi
Geekom
A8 1M
X7A8
NUC 1M
Geekom
Ti X7A8 8 89 8 9Recommended Geekom
AtomMan Geekom
AtomMan
X7 A8
Ti NAB9 Geekom
A8
AtomMan
X7Venus
Ti NAB9 X795
83 A8
Ti 83 95 Geekom Geekom
A8 A8
£66A8£78
X7 Ti £66 £66
£78£68 £78
AtomMan AtomMan
X7 Ti AtomMan Ti Venus NAB9
Venus Venus
AtomMan NAB9
Venus
AtomMan
X7 NAB9
X7Venus
Ti AtomManTi NAB9
PC Pro’s journey when it
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
MinisforumMinisforum
Minisforum PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
A8 PCSpecialist
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum comes to mini PCs, which are
8 9 8 913 8 913 13 Minisforum
Geekom Minisforum
Geekom Geekom95
Minisforum
A8 A8
109 95
109 95
109 £78
£80 £78
£80 £78
£80
MSI Cubi
MSI
AtomMan
VenusNUC
Cubi
X71M
TiMSI
AtomMan
NAB9
VenusNUC Cubi
1M
Ti NUC
AtomMan
X7
NAB9
Venus X71M
NAB9Ti AtomManAzena
AtomMan
X7 TiRAzena
X7 TiR Azena
AtomMan 84
X7 TiR 84 84 Asus NUCAsus
14
Geekom Pro+
NUC Asus
Geekom
Venus NAB9 A8 14
Venus NAB9 Pro+
NUC
A8
Geekom14
Venus NAB9 Pro+
£68 £68
A8 Recommended
£68
an increasingly interesting
Minisforum
Minisforum
PCSpecialist
Minisforum Minisforum
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
Minisforum
913 13 13
19 19 19
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist PCSpecialist
109 130 109 130 109130 Asus PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
NUC
Asus Minisforum
14NUC
Pro+ Asus PCSpecialist
14 Pro+£80£108
Minisforum
14 Pro+
NUC £80 £80
£108 £108
sector. Expect more reviews to
Venus
AtomMan NAB9
Venus
Azena
AtomMan
X7 Ti NAB9
X7Venus
RAzena
AtomMan NAB9
TiR Azena R
X7 Ti 9 9 Asus NUC
Asus
14
Geekom Pro+
NUC Asus
Geekom
A8 14 Pro+
NUC
A8
Geekom
Azena RAzena R Azena 14 95
Pro+
A8R 95 Recommended
95 VenusAzena
NAB9
Venus RAzena
NAB9
VenusR Azena
NAB9 R£78 £78 £78
come as new products are
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
Azena
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
RNeptune
Azena R HX100G
Azena R 13 13 19
20 1920 19
13 20
Minisforum
Minisforum
Asus PCSpecialist
NUC
Asus14PCSpecialist
NUC
Pro+ Asus Minisforum
14 Pro+ 130 130 130 263 263 263
PCSpecialist
14 Pro+
NUC
109 109 109 Asus
PCSpecialist
NUC
Asus
14
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
Minisforum
NUC
Pro+
Azena Asus
R14
PCSpecialist
Minisforum
Pro+
AzenaNUCR 14 Pro+
Azena £80
R £108
£80 £108
£80 £108
£180 £180 £180 released – including, I hope,
Neptune
Neptune
HX100G
Venus NAB9
VenusHX100G
NAB9
Venus NAB9 NeptuneNeptune
HX100G
Azena RNeptune
HX100G
Azena R HX100G
Azena R NeptuneNeptune
HX100GNeptune
HX100G HX100G
from Beelink.
0 0 4 04 8 4 8 12 8 1216 12
16 20 16 20 20 0 050 50
0
100 100
50
150 100
150
200 150
200
250 200
250
300 250
300 300 Minisforum 0 Minisforum
Minisforum 0 50 0 50 10050 100 150100 150 200150 200 200
Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum Minisforum
Minisforum
Minisforum
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist 20 19
19 20 19
20 14 Pro+ 130 130 130 263 263 263
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist £180£180 £180
Azena R £108£108 £108
Asus NUC
Asus14NUC
Pro+
Asus
14 Pro+
NUCHX100G Neptune
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Azena RHX100G
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Azena R NeptuneNeptune
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The Network
Practical buying and strategic advice for IT managers and decision makers

Buyer’s guide

Endpoint
protection
2024
You know what you need to do with your weakest
security link: protect it. Dave Mitchell explains
what to look for in endpoint protection software
and reviews four candidates

C
lient devices, or endpoints, This month, we review four for good reason. Unlike on-premises
can be the weakest link in business-class products from some of solutions, they lend themselves
any data security strategy. the biggest names in the industry very well to SMBs as they don’t
It’s not enough to rely solely – Vipre, Sophos, WatchGuard and require additional investment in
on perimeter security solutions such WithSecure. They’re all a good choice on-site hardware, are easier to
as firewalls and UTM appliances, for budget-conscious SMBs, and manage, and are available in a range
since flexible working practices we’ve tested them in the lab to help of subscription plans.
mean that many devices are now you make the right decision. Deployment is simple. After
outside traditional network borders BELOW Sophos creating your company cloud
and beyond their protection. Cloud control Central provides a account, you use a secure web portal
Regardless of whether they’re The four endpoint protection clear picture of to centrally manage all endpoint
using workstations, laptops or solutions we’ve selected for this detected threats protection regardless of the device’s
mobiles, a geographically dispersed guide are all cloud-hosted, and and device health physical location. Workstation,
workforce can present businesses server and mobile agents
with serious security challenges. are pre-configured
Cybercrime is now a well-established specifically to connect
and very profitable industry, and only to your account and
endpoints are frequently targeted take all their instructions
because they’re less likely to be from the cloud portal.
properly protected and can offer Agents can be
an easy way into the company distributed from a
network for juicier pickings. central location on the
Endpoint protection software is local network, while
the answer. It can keep workers safe for remote workers
from harm regardless of whether most products offer
they’re in the office, at home or facilities to email
on the road. There are plenty of them a download link.
products to choose from, and the Another feature to look
good news for SMBs is that many are for is the ability to import
very affordable and easy to manage. users from identity

96
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO The Network Business Focus

and we recommend carrying out a

survey of company devices first to get
a clear picture of what workstations,
servers, laptops and mobiles need
protection. The best providers are
transparent about pricing with
most offering flexible subscriptions
based on the number of devices with
substantial discounts available if
you purchase longer periods.
Some require separate modules
management services such as businesses now have to ask if the ABOVE Vipre to be purchased for each type of
Microsoft Entra ID or Active Directory. vendors themselves can be trusted. supports Windows device, whereas others are more
Cloud-managed security policies It would be foolish to assume that and macOS flexible and offer universal licences
are a powerful feature. They can this will never happen again, so what endpoints that can be assigned to any device.
assign instructions to agents that can a business do to protect itself? Mobile protection requires more
enable various protection features Turning off automatic updates to research; some vendors include
and, in most cases, a default policy is malware signatures would leave you them in their standard device count,
assigned to new devices so they’re vulnerable and wouldn’t have helped while others require a completely
immediately protected from common anyway as the global outage was separate component to be purchased.
threats. Custom policies are an caused by an inadequately tested One product in this guide doesn’t
essential feature, enabling specific agent update automatically pushed support them at all.
functions for groups of endpoints to Windows systems. Other features to look for are
such as software updates, malware One solution is to set aside some integral application and device
protection and scheduled systems test machines and use staged agent controls. Products that offer these
scans, and can also stop end users updates. Look for vendors that allow let you block certain types of apps
from disabling the agent. you to create different groups from being run on endpoints and
of endpoints and apply custom prevent company data from being
Clown strike policies that ensure they receive copied to removable media.
The CrowdStrike fiasco may be updates first so you can monitor If your users will be handling
consigned to yesterday’s news, their impact before releasing them sensitive or confidential
but the catastrophic consequences to critical systems. “Custom policies are an information, then data
of a seemingly innocuous Some vendors offer early access to essential feature, enabling leak prevention (DLP)
software update mean businesses
must ask providers some tough
agent updates so you can test them in
advance of GA (general availability).
specific functions for should be on your
shopping list. Some
questions. It seems ironic that This can be applied to your test groups of endpoints such vendors include this
endpoint protection providers systems with a policy that has the as software updates” in their standard
promote a zero-trust approach early release option enabled. subscriptions and allow
to threat detection, and yet Ask the prospective vendor what you to create rules that examine the
their testing procedures are. We did data or files being sent. These will be
precisely that during our reviews, blocked if they contain personal
with one vendor advising us that information or sensitive data such as
at least four hours prior to their credit card numbers and bank
release, daily updates account details.
are tested in a staging To get a clearer picture of the
area comprising threat landscape, consider adding
thousands of devices. endpoint detection and remediation
(EDR) services to your subscription.
Subscribe to EDR provides higher-level functions
survive such as threat intelligence, incident
Most products forensics and automated responses to
are offered in a malware activity. It also alerts you to
wide variety of suspicious events and provides a full
subscription plans, analysis so you can see clearly what
ABOVE LEFT Some happened and which devices have
products allow you been compromised.
to isolate endpoints The consequences of a cyberattack
from the network can be catastrophic for SMBs, making
endpoint protection an essential
LEFT WatchGuard’s investment. Not all solutions are the
EPDR provides same, and the four products we’ve
threat analysis and chosen are all available as fully
recommendations functional, time-limited trials so
for remediation you can test them first.

97
Sophos Intercept X
Advanced
Cloud-hosted endpoint
protection at its best, with
great security features
and a classy web portal
SCORE
PRICE 100-199 users, £48 exc VAT each
per year from enterpriseav.co.uk

S
ophos’ business endpoint The agent takes five minutes to ABOVE Sophos copy in a proprietary cache on the
protection solutions deliver an load and protects endpoints delivers tough client’s local drive and automatically
incredible range of features for immediately by grabbing a set endpoint protectionrolls the file back to its original state
the price, all accessed from one of the of predefined security policies. services if malicious encryption activity has
smartest cloud management portals There’s plenty on offer: Sophos been identified.
around. Its portfolio starts with the provides separate policies for threat Sophos doesn’t pester you with
Intercept X Advanced on review, protection, web content filtering, alert avalanches when threats are
which delivers complete workstation removable device and application detected; if the agent successfully
and server endpoint protection. The controls, data loss prevention (DLP) cleans up malware, it quietly posts
XDR version adds endpoint detection and the Windows firewall. the event in the dashboard and the
and response (EDR) services, or you It’s worth mentioning that Sophos relevant report section. Only when
can hand all the hard work over to offers an Intercept X Essentials we created malware outbreaks on our
Sophos with the managed detection version for small businesses. This has Windows 10/11 clients did Central
and response (MDR) option. a reduced feature set, supports the RECOMMENDED send immediate email warnings and
Everything Sophos has to offer is base threat protection security policy place high alert entries in the portal.
managed from its Central cloud and has a yearly cost of around £38 Select an event in the portal’s
portal, which has had a major per seat for 100-199 users. threat analysis centre and you can
redesign that makes it even easier to Intercept X Advanced allows you view everything that happened on
use. All the main menu options have to clone base policies, customise the endpoint, receive remediation
been moved to the top for faster them and apply them to users or advice and block the
access, and you can create a range of computers. Along with the requisite “Sophos Intercept X threat with one click.
custom dashboards using a choice of real-time scanning, the threat Advanced is at the higher end Upgrade to the XDR
widgets for the latest threats,
endpoint health and alerts.
protection policy enables live
protection that uses the SophosLabs
of the price spectrum but it version and you can
create custom threat
Choosing the portal’s Endpoint threat database to check suspicious delivers an unbeatable range cases, see deeper
menu option transports you to a files, AI-based deep learning to of tough security measures” malware analysis and
main dashboard with an overview of defend against unknown malware, threat intelligence,
your security posture. Agents for and adaptive threat protection, and isolate endpoints.
Windows and macOS systems can be which detects attacks and elevates Web control policies provide 48
downloaded from the portal and endpoint security by blocking all URL categories to block or allow,
placed in a central distribution potential threats. while DLP policies are used to stop
location, or you can email links to Ransomware protection comes sensitive information such as
users that can be imported into courtesy of the CryptoGuard feature. banking details from being
Central from Microsoft Entra ID or This detects files being opened for transmitted. Application control
Active Directory. editing, places a temporary clean policies have nearly 240 predefined
apps, and when we applied one to
BELOW/LEFT The block FTP clients, users were denied
Sophos Central access and received pop-up warnings
portal supports when they tried to load them.
custom dashboards Sophos Intercept X Advanced is
at the higher end of the price
spectrum for endpoint protection but
it delivers an unbeatable range of
tough security measures for your
money. Deployment is a breeze, the
multitude of security policies make it
highly flexible, and the Sophos
Central cloud portal is peerless.

REQUIREMENTS
Windows 10/Server 2016, macOS 12.4
upwards, Linux servers. Central Mobile
Standard: iOS 11, Android 5 upwards, 25-49
users, £35 each per year exc VAT

98
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO The Network Business Focus

Vipre Endpoint
Security Cloud
A very affordable and efficient
endpoint protection solution,
but it only supports Windows
and Mac systems
SCORE
PRICE 25 devices, from £500 exc VAT per
year from vipre.com

S
MBs seeking uncomplicated three pre-defined policies for ABOVE The portal
endpoint protection will find workstations, laptops and servers, provides detailed
Vipre’s Endpoint Security which you can clone and customise reports for all be blocked or allowed and be applied
Cloud (ESC) a worthy contender. This for your own security policies. protection servicespermanently or to a daily schedule.
cloud-hosted service is easy to deploy In the agent download page, Patch management sees minor
and is great value, costing far less you’ll find an option for custom improvements, with the list now
than most of the competition. builds. If you’ve been supplied including 132 supported applications
Security features haven’t been with a build code, you can (up from 91 in previous versions),
compromised in the search for download early releases of agents although some are quite obscure,
value. ESC offers file, web and and test them before they go on to such as the SkillBrain LightShot and
email anti-malware scanners, AI general availability (GA). TechSmith Snagit screenshot tools.
behavioural analysis to counter Policies provide plenty of controls The module works well enough,
zero-day threats, web content for Windows clients. You can stop however – after we ran scans on our
filtering, a client firewall, intrusion users interacting with or uninstalling clients, ESC reported back with a
detection and a patch service for the agent, activate the host intrusion modest list of detected apps showing
third-party apps. The only downside protection service (HIPS) to detect their current versions and if they
is its limited platform support: Vipre suspicious activity such as code were up to date.
offers endpoints agents for Windows injections, define how frequently Windows systems get the lion’s
and macOS but nothing for Linux, definition updates are installed, and share of security services, with macOS
Android or iOS devices. set schedules for quick and full clients only receiving a
We found the ESC web portal easy system scans. The latest Windows “A feature that really small subset. These
to navigate and used its deployment agent adds device controls to policies impressed us was policies include options
tool to email links for the agent
installer to our users. You can also
where you can monitor or block the
use of removable, optical and
Vipre’s incredibly fast to control local access to
the agent settings, set
download and distribute the files portable devices such as mobiles. reaction time to scan schedules and enable
yourself, which take around seven Email protection is included as detected threats” active protection.
minutes to install, link up with your standard, with the ESC agent The portal provides a
cloud account and pull down updates. scanning attachments for malicious set of predefined report templates
Protection is instant. Clients content and removing message links covering essentials such as detected
initially receive a base security policy to known phishing sites. The price threats, web activity and scan status.
with all malware scanning services, we’ve shown includes the web ESC doesn’t offer any remediation
malicious URL blocking and active access control add-on, which advice, but the endpoint timeline
protection enabled. Vipre provides offers 44 URL categories that can feature could prove useful as it shows
clearly how threats developed.
A feature that really impressed us
BELOW/LEFT was Vipre’s incredibly fast reaction
Vipre’s web portal time to detected threats. After
provides lots of introducing malware to our Windows
information about 10/11 clients, a warning was posted
detected threats immediately in the portal with email
alerts received only 20 seconds later.
Vipre’s Endpoint Security Cloud
scores well for ease of use and value,
making it a good choice for SMBs that
want affordable endpoint protection.
The main focus is on Windows
systems and application patching is
basic, but it delivers a good set of
features, is simple to manage and has
a lightning-fast reaction to threats.

REQUIREMENTS
Windows 7/Server 2012 upwards, macOS
10.10 upwards

99
WatchGuard EPDR
An innovative protection
solution that delivers tough
security measures at an
affordable price
SCORE
PRICE 101-250 seats, £39 exc VAT each per
year from guardsite.co.uk

W
atchGuard’s EPDR
(endpoint protection,
detection and response)
cloud-hosted service offers an
impressive range of security features immediately as all systems are ABOVE EPDR
but stands out for its unique delivery dropped into a default group with a provides advice on To scan for and index personal data in
methods. Its five protection layers base security profile. You can easily threat remediation Office documents you’ll need the
include a zero-trust application create your own and define active and an advanced Microsoft Filter Pack installed, and
service that analyses and classifies security services, set firewall rules reporting console the portal tells you which Windows
every application being run on and update frequency, enable clients already have it loaded and
endpoints, and it only blocks those advanced protection for app provides a download link as well.
it doesn’t know about. tracking, set removable device Initially, you can set a policy to a
Available in fixed-term and controls and activate the Windows passive Audit mode to gather
subscription-based plans, EPDR shadow copy service for recovering information about app usage. A
is good value and includes web ransomware encrypted files. Hardening mode allows pre-installed
content filtering, removable device Web filtering has been updated, unknown apps to run but blocks
controls, encryption, Windows patch with EPDR now offering nearly 130 them from accessing external data
management and data control tools. URL categories to block or allow, RECOMMENDED sources, while the Lock mode fully
It’s managed from the same cloud which include options for sites using protects against zero-day attacks
portal as WatchGuard’s Firebox UTM generative AI. Anti-tampering and new malware strains.
appliances, wireless access points policies can now protect computers The portal provides a wealth of
and ThreatSync XDR service. If you booted into Safe Mode, and patch views for all the
want to try it out before committing, management sees improvements “Four hours prior to release, components, with the
WatchGuard now offers a non- such as options to run update tasks daily updates are tested in a security dashboard
intrusive endpoint risk assessment
service that evaluates and reports on
first on computers designated as
test systems.
staging area and monitored presenting graphs and
charts for endpoint
your current security posture. In fact, WatchGuard has plenty for any adverse reactions status, trusted apps,
Platform support is excellent. You of systems in place to prevent before being authorised” malware, exploits and
can download agents from the portal untested updates being released to PUPs. It shows all
for Windows, macOS and Linux customers. It advised us that four unknown apps currently being cloud
systems, plus apps for Android and hours prior to their release, daily classified and if EPDR deems them to
iOS mobiles, or send an email to users updates are tested in a staging area be safe, it instructs endpoint clients
with a download link. The first comprising thousands of devices and to allow them through.
system to receive an agent becomes a monitored for any adverse reactions When new threats are detected,
discovery client and lists all LAN before being authorised. the EPDR indicators of attack (IOA)
systems in the EPDR portal so you The data control component is service maps them to the Mitre
can push agents directly to them. fully integrated into the cloud portal ATT&CK matrix. The portal’s IOA
Policies control all security and uses profiles to determine what dashboard provides a complete
services, and protection starts it should search for and monitor. breakdown of threat activity from
BELOW/LEFT reconnaissance and detected lateral
The cloud portal movement to data exfiltration
provides data about attempts, and selecting one of these
your endpoint options provides a full analysis and
security posture remedial recommendations.
EPDR is a smart cloud-hosted
endpoint protection solution that
combines great platform and mobile
support with a wealth of security
features. It’s easy to deploy and
manage, and will be particularly
appealing to SMBs already invested
in WatchGuard products.

REQUIREMENTS
Windows 7/Server 2012 upwards, macOS
10.10, Android 5, iOS 13 upwards, Linux

100
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO The Network Business Focus

WithSecure Elements
Endpoint Security
A top security choice for
SMBs, with comprehensive
endpoint protection, smart
remediation and a good price
SCORE
PRICE 100-499 devices, £37 exc VAT each
per year from withsecure.com

W
ithSecure offers an For agent deployment, we could ABOVE The BCD
impressive range of email links to users from the portal or feature provides a Along with controlling access to
endpoint protection download the relevant file and place it breakdown of endpoint removable devices, profiles
services, and it’s been very busy in a central location. Either way, it malware activity enable the Rollback feature for instant
integrating them all into a single takes around four minutes to install ransomware protection for Windows
unified cloud portal. Previously, and connect to your cloud account. systems. Unclassified apps are tracked
there were separate EPP (endpoint EPS provides preconfigured by EPS and, if they show suspect
protection) and EDR (endpoint read-only security profiles that are behaviour, it will close them and
detection and response) modules, assigned to devices on first contact, so automatically roll back any changes
but the Elements Endpoint Security protection starts immediately. We they’ve made to files and the Registry.
(EPS) solution on review amalgamates found it easy to create our own by The portal’s security events page
them together under one extended cloning the predefined ones and provides all you need to know about
detection and response banner. tweaking them to our requirements. malicious activity and lets you add
The EPS portal is easy to navigate, Profiles manage real-time malware multiple recipients for email alerts.
and you’ll find a lot more new scanning, permit users to run manual We tested its response to threats and
features are in evidence. Accessed scans, determine when automatic after introducing genuine malware to
from the upper right menu, updates occur and schedule regular our Windows 11 test clients, we
WithSecure’s Luminen delivers systems scans. Web protection received email alerts in
AI-powered reporting services and, services include reputation-based “WithSecure’s Luminen four minutes.
with one click, presents a detailed web page scanning, safe search delivers AI-powered WithSecure’s BCD
summary of security events.
You don’t have to search for new
enforcement, browser plug-ins and
content controls with a list of 32 URL
reporting services and, with detections) feature
(broad context

features and updates either, as next categories you can block or allow. one click, presents a detailed presents a filtered view
to the Luminen icon is another one If you’re worried about applying summary of security events” of detected threats with a
that drops down a list of all the things new updates to live systems, full analysis and process
you need to know about. Platform WithSecure has you covered with a tree of suspicious events showing how
support is another winner; EPS feature that’s always been in its the potential malware developed and
protects Windows and macOS profiles: early access to client what it interacted with. You can see
workstations, Windows and Linux software. Enable this option in a BELOW The web affected systems, isolate them all with
servers and Android and iOS mobiles, profile, assign some test systems to it portal keeps you one click and, if you need more help,
and includes patch management for and they’ll get all updates at least a posted on all the event can be elevated to
Windows OSes. week in advance of general release. threats WithSecure’s security teams.
You may not need to do this as
Luminen also comes into play here,
generating a summary of the main
events and providing advice on
remedial actions. Security teams
that need a break may appreciate the
optional co-monitoring service, where
severe threats are automatically
escalated to WithSecure’s support
teams. You can choose out-of-hours
or full 24/7 cover.
WithSecure’s Elements Endpoint
Security delivers an impressive set of
protection measures, all managed
easily from its cloud portal. It supports
a wide range of devices, Luminen
provides valuable remediation
assistance, and it’s great value.

REQUIREMENTS
Windows 7/Server 2012, macOS 10.15, iOS 14.1,
Android 8 upwards, Linux

101
Iperius Remote
Professional 4.7
Uncomplicated cloud-hosted
remote support that’s easy
to manage and incredibly
good value
SCORE
PRICE 10 concurrent connections,
£30 per month exc VAT (billed yearly)
from iperiusremote.com accounts. Now you get one Master
account that allows you to create an

L
unlimited number of technician
icence plans for business remote accounts and you can assign either
support products can be complex, Admin or User roles to them.
but Iperius Remote cuts through Client apps for Windows, macOS
the smokescreen as you simply choose and Linux endpoints are provided and ABOVE Iperius takes Iperius provides excellent mobile
the number of concurrent connections offer three installation choices. For access security verysupport, with free iOS and Android
you want. Everything else is included, attended access, the client is installed seriously apps. Technicians can use them on the
with all business plans supporting an as a program and generates a unique move to provide remote support to any
unlimited number of devices and nine-digit code and six-character client device, and sessions to mobile
endpoints along with attended and password each time the user runs it. devices deliver full remote control for
unattended installations. For unattended access, it’s Android phones or screen broadcasting
The Small plan costs £7 per month installed as a service and requires the for iOS mobiles and tablets.
when billed yearly and supports two user to secure access with a personal The administration portal is
concurrent connections, while the password. On-demand access is accessed directly from the technician
Medium plan ups the session count covered as it’s loaded as a run-time app and opens with a detailed display
to five, enables a multi-user mode app. When the user closes it after the of all support sessions. It shows the
plus mass deployment tools and costs support session has finished, it leaves total number of sessions per day or
£17 per month. We’ve reviewed the no traces on their computer. month, along with all sessions by
Professional edition, which starts To start a support session, the RECOMMENDED their duration and by operator,
at around £30 per month for ten technician enters the ID and password device and group.
sessions and includes a corporate of the remote system in their desktop You can monitor active sessions
rebranding service using customised app. Once connected, the technician’s and terminate them from the portal,
clients. This can also be added window shows the client’s screen for while a full session log can be filtered
separately to the other two plans. full remote control, with a sidebar by operator, group or device. Access to
Security is tight, with all plans menu providing quick access to a devices is controlled by placing
delivering end-to-end TLS 1.3 basic set of tools. computers in groups and allowing
session encryption and support for File transfer opens a separate only specific technicians to see them.
two-factor authentication. They all app with side-by-side windows We also used the corporate
get an administration web portal, too, showing local and remote storage rebranding service to
which allows users with the admin devices for drag-and-drop copies, “Security is tight, with all create custom Windows
role to view all remote support while connection switching allows plans delivering end-to-end installation apps. These
activity and logs, create users and technicians to share their screen with
TLS 1.3 session encryption provide extra security and
directly access computers. the client. Other options include authenticity as you can
Iperius Remote has had a major running text chat sessions, remote and support for two-factor enforce a global password,
redesign over the previous version printing, taking a screenshot, authentication” decide which support
and no longer uses Master and Client enabling session recording and adding features are available,
the client device to the technician’s assign a logo icon to the executable file
address book, where they’re listed in and add a company name, email and
their desktop phone number, which appear in the
app for desktop app main interface.
double-click Iperius Remote isn’t as
connections. sophisticated as some competing
cloud-hosted support solutions but
points lost for features are regained
handsomely for value. Access security
is good, the web portal provides
plenty of information about support
activity and the simplified licence
plans are very affordable options for
SMBs. DAVE MITCHELL
LEFT The admin portal
is very informative, REQUIREMENTS
and there’s support for Windows 7/Server 2012, macOS 11, iOS 12,
unlimited endpoints Android 6 upwards, Linux

102
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO The Network Reviews

Qnap TS-632X
Hyper Data
Protector and the

This Amazon-powered Browser Station,

and there’s a
desktop NAS delivers much smaller
selection of
reasonable performance and surveillance apps

features at a good price

as well.
You have a
good choice of
backup tools,
SCORE
with QTS
PRICE Diskless/4GB, £638 exc VAT supporting
from broadbandbuyer.com on-demand and
scheduled

Q
snapshots for NAS
nap offers a wide choice of shares and iSCSI LUNs
entry-level SMB NAS on standard EXT4 volumes.
appliances, and all bar one hot-swap LFF/SFF carriers. ABOVE The The Hybrid Backup Sync (HBS) 3
have a common feature: they’re For testing, we loaded up four TS-632X is good value app protects appliance data and
powered by Amazon. Or more Western Digital Red SA500 SATA SFF for a six-bay NAS helps create a 3-2-1 backup strategy
precisely, chips by Annapurna, an SSDs. The setup wizard neatly in just four clicks.
Amazon company. Both the four-bay handled the installation of QTS 5.2 HBS 3 uses Storage Spaces to
TS-432X and six-bay TS-632X and, on completion, we used the define multiple local, remote
continues this tradition, with a Storage & Snapshots app to create or cloud destinations and, for the
4-core 2GHz Annapurna Alpine a RAID5 array. latter, HBS 3 supports Qnap’s
AL524 SoC inside. We opted to test over 10GbE and myQNAPcloud service, which is
The TS-632X is competitively found performance to be a mixed currently in beta. We had no
priced, and that value is enhanced by bag, as the Alpine CPU doesn’t problems using it: we signed up
the Alpine’s integral network handle write operations well. With a for a trial, received a free 16GB of
services, which offers dual 2.5GbE NAS share mapped over 10GbE to a cloud storage and created a new
multi-gigabit and 10GbE SFP+ fibre Dell PowerEdge R760xs Xeon Storage Space for it.
ports. Memory starts at 4GB of Scalable rack server, the Iometer “The TS-632X is Qnap’s new NetBak PC
non-ECC DDR4, and the single benchmark returned speedy read competitively priced, Agent provides block-
SO-DIMM slot supports up to 16GB. rates of 9.2Gbits/sec, but write rates
and that value is enhanced based backups for
No internal M.2 NVMe SSD slots dropped to 4.8Gbits/sec. Windows workstations
are provided, but the appliance’s It was the same story for IP SANs, by the Alpine SoC’s integral and servers but isn’t
spare PCI-E Gen3 expansion slot with a 1TB target returning read rates network services” supported by the TS-632X
supports Qnap’s QM2 dual-slot of 9.1Gbits/sec and write speeds of since it requires the
cards and plenty of network 4.7Gbits/sec. Ramping up the Hyper Data Protector app. All is not
adapters. Just bear in mind they all pressure with a dual 10GbE lost, however, as you can use Qnap’s
need a flat mounting bracket. MPIO link to the target saw read free NetBack Replicator app, which
The lack of an “H” in the model speeds hit 15.7Gbits/sec, but provides simple file-based client
name indicates Qnap is aiming the writes only increased slightly to backups to the appliance.
TS-632X at SMBs that prefer its more 5.1Gbits/sec. We could also see Data protection has seen a
nimble QTS operating system (OS). from the QTS Resource Monitor app number of improvements, with the
Qnap’s QuTS hero isn’t available as that CPU utilisation for the MPIO test Security Center app now offering
an option but this OS is too memory- peaked at 99%. an unusual file activity monitor.
hungry anyway as it needs at least QTS offers a fine selection of BELOW Qnap’s QTS It keeps a close eye on selected
16GB of RAM to get the best out of it. business apps, although some aren’t software offers a volumes and directories using a
Behind the smoked plastic front available for Arm-based CPUs. These new unusual file range of thresholds and if they are
cover you’ll find six tool-free include the Virtualization Station, activity monitor triggered, it can take a snapshot and
set the volume to ready-only to
prevent any further changes.
A few QTS apps are missing, but
the TS-632X offers a good hardware
package at a comparatively low
price. The Alpine CPU hampers
10GbE write speeds, but overall
performance will be more than
sufficient for the target market,
and you’ll be hard pushed to find a
competing six-bay appliance for less.
DAVE MITCHELL

SPECIFICATIONS
Desktop chassis 4-core 2GHz Alpine AL524
CPU 4GB DDR4 SODIMM (max 16GB) 6 x
LFF/SFF hot-swap drive bays 2 x 2.5GbE
multi-gig 2 x 10GbE SFP+ PCI-E Gen3 slot
2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 external 120W PSU 235 x
227 x 165mm (WDH) 2yr hardware warranty

103
Protect your The rise of AI presents
business-threatening

business from cybersecurity challenges.

Davey Winder explores

AI-powered the dangers – and how to

defend against them

security threats
I
n the past, whenever artificial to come from a legitimate source, but victims into sharing something they
intelligence came up in the once you add the ability to carry on shouldn’t, or masqueraded as bank
context of computer security, wholly convincing human-like officials to get them to confirm a
the discussion would tend to conversations, you’re into a whole fraudulent transaction. But such
focus on the so-called Skynet new world of risk. In the past, attacks have historically required a
scenario: the “machines are taking phishing attempts largely relied on significant investment of manpower.
over” stuff from the Terminator films. catching the recipient with their AI changes that picture dramatically.
Now AI is an everyday reality, and guard down, and getting them to “AI can target individuals at scale,
Judgment Day hasn’t (so far) come to immediately give up some item of increasing the likelihood of success,”
pass. What we are seeing, however, is a valuable information. Now, all it takes said Muhammad Yahya Patel, lead
new wave of insidious and widespread is an API key for a mainstream LLM security engineer and evangelist in
AI-powered threats. Every business – which can easily be stolen – and the office of the CTO at Check Point
needs to be aware of how the new criminals can use AI to convincingly Software. “Attackers can create
technologies make online exploits carry on an interactive conversation processes to exploit specific
more dangerous than ever, and even for as long as it takes to get what they vulnerabilities and personalise
open up new vectors of attack. want from the target. attacks far more efficiently
In one sense, this doesn’t “AI can target individuals than humans ever could.” In
Phishing and phakes necessarily change the game all that at scale, increasing the other words, AI can enable
One of the most powerful applications
of AI is in the arena of phishing.
much. You’ve probably heard of
sophisticated spear-phishing attacks,
likelihood of success. attackers to carry out
sophisticated phishing
Hitherto, that term has mostly where criminals have directly Attackers can exploit attacks on hundreds or
referred to dodgy emails that appear impersonated senior staff to trick specific vulnerabilities” thousands of targets at once.
104
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO TheCloud
Windows
computing
Network on
AI Mac
security
Even if phishing targets are
cautious, avoiding scams is made a
whole lot harder by the rise of another
AI-powered technology: deepfakes.
Adam Pilton, a senior cybersecurity
consultant at CyberSmart, is in no
doubt that deepfake attacks are the
primary evolving threat to emerge
from the success of AI technology. “At
the start of the year,” Pilton said, “we
saw cybercriminals use a deepfake of
a chief financial officer to trick an
employee into transferring 25 million
dollars to them.”
This particular attack began with a
relatively straightforward phishing
email, which the employee was
rightly sceptical of. “But when the
employee joined a virtual meeting and
saw and heard the CFO – as well as
other people he recognised – all
suspicions were gone.”
That’s the problem: while the
security message about not trusting
emails and messages has been driven ABOVE AI puts a software and API vulnerabilities far analyse accessible APIs and exploit
home over the last few years, the whole new raft of faster than human hackers have them where vulnerable, which can
standard advice is to take concerns to tools at the disposal
historically managed. “This increases lead to data breaches at one end of the
the person involved up the business of cybercriminals the likelihood of breaches occurring attack spectrum or large-scale service
hierarchy. But what if you can’t be before patches can be applied,” he said. disruption at the other. “AI-driven
sure that the person you’re talking to The danger isn’t limited to code bots can perform exhaustive testing of
is real and not a deepfake? vulnerabilities in operating systems API endpoints to identify weaknesses
“AI is becoming increasingly and apps. The same type of automated such as inadequate rate limiting or
sophisticated,” said Pilton, “the process can be directed towards any insecure authentication
responses are increasingly accurate, publicly available resource, such as mechanisms,” Beckland told us.
and the number of tools and resources cloud servers and storage services. And no matter how strictly your
we have access to has dramatically It’s easy to picture AI-driven exploit- business is locked down against such
increased, from simple text responses discovery toolkits being attacks, you could still be the target of
to pictures, audio, video and more.” “AI analysis can now be turned loose on poorly a supply-chain attack. This is where
Deepfakes now have more realistic
used to discover and configured or insecure hackers compromise a weak link
facial expressions, lip movements and setups, or being deployed further down the supply chain, such
voice synthesis, making them almost exploit software and API to make the most of as an external supplier, to get their
impossible to distinguish from reality vulnerabilities far faster credential leaks. malware into the desired target. Such
at first, or even second, glance. than human hackers” Check Point Software’s attacks are a potential nightmare for
There’s no easy defence against Patel agrees. “Attackers can IT managers, as even with the most
this. As Dr Andrew Bolster, senior gather and correlate this information careful security processes it’s
research & development manager at quickly, spotting breaches, leaked normally impossible to fully audit the
the Synopsys Software Integrity email addresses or passwords used in code running on third-party devices
Group, points out, identifying past attacks and then use that data to coming into the business.
AI-powered bots “requires resourcing craft more precise attacks against Again, warns Patel, this is an area
and secondary identity checks that your organisation.” where threat actors can leverage
can increase customer support and A related problem is API abuse, automated tools to find vulnerabilities.
social media servicing costs”. where malicious actors use AI to “AI can understand what is in your
Nor is this technique limited to the environment, who your partners are,

Social engineering
most dedicated and well-resourced and what other applications interact
attackers. Deepfake-as-a-service with your supply chain, giving
operations are becoming available attackers an edge in targeting their
on the dark web and criminal forums. Adam Pilton used to be in law enforcement, working as a detective efforts for greater success.”
Dr Martin J Kraemer, a security in charge of a cybercrime team, before joining the private sector
awareness advocate at KnowBe4, and becoming a cybersecurity consultant. And in his view, the Ransomware
predicts that we can soon expect greatest threat from AI isn’t conventional cyberattacks, but rather An area of risk that you might not
“deepfake video, audio and text the invasion of our privacy. immediately associate with AI is
capabilities to be added to existing That’s because the sheer amount of data collected by ransomware – after all, you don’t need
phishing-as-a-service offerings, technology interactions these days is vast. Picture what Facebook AI to encrypt a disk full of files, right?
turning them into more know about you, your activities, interests and associations. “What if But malicious encryption is only the
comprehensive social-engineering- an organisation holding such data was breached? Imagine final step of a multi-stage attack. As
as-a-service toolkits”. collating all that information and asking an AI to profile a person,” we’ve already noted, getting into
Pilton warned. What if cybercriminals used this information for AI- sensitive systems and gaining access
Automated exploits powered social engineering? “It no longer seems far-fetched to to valuable data are both areas where
The risks of AI go far beyond social picture a cybercriminal receiving a notification that a victim has AI can empower the bad guys.
engineering. As Jamie Beckland, CPO been effectively socially engineered, and is ready to be extorted.” Etay Maor, chief security strategist
at APIContext, told us, AI analysis can and founding member of Cato CTRL at
now be used to discover and exploit Cato Networks, warns: “AI increases

105
 The Network AI security @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

the threat of ransomware by helping aspect of cybersecurity.

malicious actors to carry out attacks on Rather than looking for a
enterprises.” Phishing is most often single solution, therefore,
involved at the early stage in order to it’s necessary to think
gain initial access, as is vulnerability broadly about defensive
hunting, and we’ve seen how these measures. When dealing
are being boosted by AI. Initial-access with deepfakes, for
brokers, who sell compromised access example, Jamie Beckland
to networks to ransomware affiliates, recommends that
are certainly implementing tools to businesses consider robust
make their job more efficient. multi-factor authentication
There are other steps, too, such as systems that verify not only
“establishing a foothold in the network, user credentials but also
assuring persistency, performing behavioural biometrics.
discovery, stealing passwords, “Advanced monitoring
escalating privileges, and setting up a tools detect anomalies in
staging platform”. Whether as part of communication patterns
the actual attack itself, or during the and transactional
reconnaissance process, “threat actors behaviours that can help identify
are continuing to discover how AI can and prevent unauthorised activities ABOVE The best anything else. Old-school security
assist them in their crimes”. before they escalate,” he said. protection is via measures such as 2FA, account
The ransomware itself may soon And let’s not forget that the very employee training separation, patch management and
be enhanced with AI, too. Currently, technology that’s being deployed and awareness network segmentation remain of
most perpetrators of ransomware against us can also be used to our the utmost importance.
attacks don’t create the malware advantage; AI isn’t a one-way street “Organisations considering the
themselves, but lease malicious when it comes to cybersecurity. deployment of AI-based solutions
encryption tools from a small number Phishing attacks, impersonation and should avoid rushing in just because
of “mastermind” developers. This social engineering are all areas where it’s the latest trend,” said Etay Maor.
means that while ransomware attacks AI can be deployed to exploit You need to thoroughly appraise
may appear widespread and diverse, vulnerabilities, but, as Muhammad and trial systems before rolling them
there are sometimes similarities in the Yahya Patel says, “the automation out. Fortunately, there are several
way they spread and operate, which enabled by AI can also help in frameworks available to assist with
can help combat them, while the vulnerability management, this, such as Google SAIF,
overheads of leasing limit the market continuously scanning for “AI could soon be used to NIST AI RMF, the OWASP
of potential attackers. But AI could weaknesses within an organisation’s create completely new Top 10 for LLMs, and MITRE
soon be used to create completely new supply chain or cloud environment”. ATLAS. “These frameworks
types of malware that are harder to The same applies in areas such as
types of malware that are help organisations
defeat and are available to anyone API abuse. As Beckland advises – harder to defeat and are understand the risks,
with access to a generative AI system. unsurprisingly, given the line of available to anyone” attack surfaces, and
Right now, AI-generated malware is business he’s in – you shouldn’t potential threats to AI-
pretty crude and clunky – but, as ignore “the importance of continuous based systems,” added Maor.
Javvad Malik, lead security awareness API monitoring and automated And the best defence against the
advocate at KnowBe4, points out, vulnerability scanning, to minimise malicious use of new technology, in
“AI does lower the barrier to entry the window of opportunity for the opinion of Adam Pilton, isn’t
significantly, and will only get better”. malicious exploitation”. technical at all, but rather takes the
To be clear, though, that doesn’t form of employee training and
Protect against AI threats mean looking for a silver-bullet awareness. “It’s imperative that we
Clearly, AI isn’t a single threat, but a AI-based security solution. Silver regularly educate employees about
powerful, versatile set of technologies bullets don’t exist when it comes to AI AI-driven threats,” Pilton said. “We
with implications for almost every threats, any more than they do for must make it clear that employees
should be cautious about the

In-house AI dangers
information they share on public
platforms, as AI can easily scrape
social media to craft targeted social
While many businesses are rightly concerned previously processed, or giving bad information engineering attacks.”
about attackers using AI for nefarious purposes, when quizzed. The UK government’s National Cyber A powerful way to achieve this is to
IT managers also need to be aware of the Security Centre offers some online advice for make it real. “By conducting periodic
potential risks of using seemingly innocent AI working safely with AI (see tinyurl.com/363ncsc), tabletop exercises and attack
tools themselves. and an extensive government-commissioned study simulations,” Pilton concluded, “we
For a start, it’s well known that AI can was published in May exploring vulnerabilities in AI test the effectiveness of our incident
“hallucinate” facts and figures, and even if you’re only systems (tinyurl.com/363study). response plans, crucially including
relying on an AI to summarise or analyse supplied We’d strongly recommend that IT managers read our response to AI-related attacks like
information, there’s always a risk that it will miss or the entire report, but if you need to know just one deepfakes or automated exploits.”
mis-state important points. If you rely on the output thing, heed the NCSC’s advice that “keeping AI Dr Martin J Kraemer agrees that
of an AI, you could end up making the wrong systems secure is as much about organisational awareness training has to go beyond
decisions, with potentially disastrous results. culture, process and communication as it is about the written word or periodic chats
AI tools are also vulnerable to “prompt injection technical measures”. In other words, assume the about threats; it needs to include
attacks”, where a malicious actor gives instructions worst of any AI system, and take steps to ensure that exposure to the threat itself. “Record a
to the AI to make it do something it’s not supposed to your workflows aren’t leaving you vulnerable to deepfake video of the CEO,” he
do – such as revealing confidential data that it’s unintended mistakes or intentional exploits. recommends, “and use that as
awareness material to demonstrate
the threats to everyone.”

106
 @P
@ PC
CPPR
ROO FFA
ACCEEBBO
OOOK
K..CCO
OMM//PPCCPPRRO
O The
TheNetwork
NetworkCheat
CheatSheet
Sheet
minimal actual computing demands,
website presentation has spawned a
remarkable menagerie of roles, each
with their own strong opinions about
how things ought to be done.

And a CMS brings together all their

different requirements?
Well, hopefully it can be made to do
so. While each CMS platform will have
its particular strengths, all of them are
designed to be highly configurable
and even somewhat chameleonic, so
different types of user can experience
them in the way that best suits their
needs. For instance, content creators
typically treat a CMS as a database
for all their output, while for site
managers it serves more as a workflow
and publishing planner. The security
and legal teams tend to be more
interested in the logs and histories of
what’s been said and shared in the
past, especially if your site turns over
its text or design frequently.

What is a CMS?
So how do we go about choosing
and deploying a CMS?
If you’re already running your
business in the cloud, it’s a good bet
that your hosting provider will
natively support at least one of the big
open-source CMS platforms (if not
If you’re running any sort of website, a CMS is a must-have. several of them). Whichever one that
is, it will almost certainly include all

Steve Cassidy explores how it helps you, and everyone else the core features you need – and if it
doesn’t, they can be added with
extensions. So it usually makes sense
to use whatever platform is put in
Another initialism – lucky us. So is remember that, nowadays, the front of you, and let the provider take
this a product, a service or what? website you’re updating is almost care of deployment and maintenance.
We’re talking here about the broad never solely your own concern, but Retail businesses, however, may
category of “content management represents a surprising number of prefer a commercial CMS such as
systems” – online platforms that interested parties. Shopify, Squarespace or Wix, which
serve as both a central repository come with integrated e-commerce
for content and an overarching Hold on – who else has a stake in services as well as general site hosting
organisational tool for managing how our company website? and management capabilities. For the
and when each item appears on your Even back in the days of DIY sites, maximum in-house control, there’s
website. The most popular CMS is businesses had to deal with nothing stopping you from installing
WordPress, but there are many other connectivity providers, hosting your chosen CMS platform on a cloud
options, both free and commercial. facility operators, local end-user server and running it yourself – but
software vendors, security scanner there’s rarely much to be gained by
Is this really necessary? Can’t we developers, browser developers taking this route compared to using a
just upload pages as needed? and more. For a field with such bundled option.
It’s fair to say that some of what a CMS

The word on WordPress

does simply automates processes that
are perfectly doable by a human. But
there’s nothing wrong with that: it
saves time and reduces the risk of If you’re wondering which CMS a particular site is Lately, though, WordPress has also been the
mistakes. And as websites have got built on, it’s probably WordPress. Originally released subject of controversy. In September, WordPress
ever bigger and more complex, it’s in 2003, the open-source CMS is by far the world’s co-founder Matt Mullenweg hit out at a third-party
become unrealistic to expect a human most popular online publishing platform, with an host called WP Engine, accusing it of profiting off the
to reliably manage one. estimated market share of around 65%. WordPress brand and not respecting its open-
That very popularity makes WordPress an source licence. Mullenweg’s aggressive stance has
Doesn’t introducing a CMS into the attractive choice. It’s included in most hosting led to more than a hundred staff quitting WordPress
mix further complicate things? packages, and it’s easy to find documentation and in protest, while WP Engine has filed a lawsuit
It certainly can. I know information expertise online, along with a vast range of plugins accusing WordPress of extortion.
workers who have burnt far too much to power anything from news sites and blogs to Whatever the fallout, there’s no real risk to the
midnight oil grappling with the shopping sites, image galleries and technical WordPress platform – that’s the beauty of open
workflows of various upload databases. Believe it or not, it’s estimated that more source – but if you prefer a quiet life, drupal.org or
managers. But the value of a CMS is than 40% of all websites run on WordPress. joomla.org are strong alternatives with less drama.
easier to appreciate when you

107
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Real world
computing
Expert advice from our panel of professionals

JON HONEYBALL

“The more I have to do with UK

telcos, the more broken their
systems seem to be”
After being tempted by the iPhone 16 Pro Max – for professional reasons, honest – and
the Watch 2 Ultra, Jon discovers not everything is perfect in Apple’s new generation

I
t has been a month of bits and Apple promises faster MagSafe of being used for several days,
pieces. Nothing dramatic, but a charging and longer battery life, by especially if you switch it off at night.
whole host of small changes, some changing to a later TSMC process. I’ve been very pleased with the
of which are still outstanding. I have one more personal reason. first-gen Ultra that I bought on
Let’s start with the annual ritual, I’m a huge believer in passing release two years, and had no
which is the arrival of the new iPhone equipment down the internal food intention of upgrading to the Ultra 2.
and Apple Watch. chain, and my partner Andre’s I had hoped for an Ultra 3, as many
I keep myself to a fairly rigorous iPhone 11 Pro is dying: the speakers pundits predicted, but it hasn’t come
tick-tock regime for these upgrades. I are very quiet and the battery life Jon is the MD of an IT to pass. I suspect Apple is holding its
went from iPhone 13 Pro to 15 Pro poor, reflecting a long hard life. So I consultancy that ground, waiting for more sensor
Max, missing out on the 14 release. decided to replace my existing 15 Pro specialises in testing technology to be included. Hopefully
I was going to skip the 16 Pro Max as Max 1TB with a new 16 Pro Max 1TB, and deploying kit blood sugar measurement, which
well, but two factors coincided: first, and Andre will get the 15. The 11 Pro @jonhoneyball Apple has apparently been working
a bunch of technical improvements will enter the pool of desk devices on for years. It can be done, but
that were all relevant to work; the used in the lab when software needs making it stable and reliable is
second more personal. to be evaluated, and it will live out its difficult compared to continuous
I’ll cover the three technical life until it is no longer supported by glucose monitoring devices such as
reasons first. The iPhone 16 Pro is the current operating system. the Dexcom and Libre. And even they
Apple’s first device to support Wi-Fi 7 Next up is the new series of Apple need calibration against blood finger
(802.11be). So far, I haven’t been Watches. I lost interest in the prick testing. I’d like to stop using
impressed by anyone’s 802.11be standard version of the watch when Dexcom, if only because of the £150 a
Wi-Fi 7 implementations, either on the Ultra came out, because of the month I have to pay for it.
the client or access point side, as I significantly increased battery life on So no Ultra 2 for me then. Except...
can’t get it to go faster than a the Ultra compared to a normal BELOW No new Apple it’s now available in black. Titanium
well-implemented Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax Watch. The battery level drops by Watch for me this black, no less. And Apple announced
setup. In testing, throughput of user approximately 25% between 6am and year, except… ooh, it’s that it’s going to offer a sleep apnoea
data tops out at around 1.8Gbits/sec, 9pm each day, so it’s easily capable titanium black! measurement capability on the Ultra
which is far from shabby, but that’s 2, too. As someone
on a test environment which is who suffered badly
10GbE throughout (the local test from sleep apnoea in
servers can feed a full 9.4Gbits/sec the past, and uses
speed). So seeing how Apple is ResMed CPAP/APAP
going to implement 802.11be is machines each
both of technical interest and helpful night, I am intrigued
when I’m testing Wi-Fi 7 devices. as to how good the
The new 48MP wide camera is measurement of
also interesting because it aligns Ultra 2 will be.
better with the 48MP main camera. Especially since
The 15 Max Pro “only” has a 12MP those Apple Watches
wide camera. And why the interest? sold in USA can’t use
I want to see what improvements this the blood oxygen
makes to 3D depth camera footage measurement
for the Apple Vision Pro. Finally, feature, due to
an ongoing
patent dispute.
Even with
through-the-skin
blood oxygen
measurement, and

110
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Real world computing

Jon Honeyball Lee Grant Olivia Whitcroft Davey Winder Steve Cassidy
Opinion on Windows, Apple and Tales from the front line of Lawyer Olivia offers legal advice Keeping small businesses The wider vision on cloud and
everything in between – p108 computer repair – p111 for the tech industry – p116 safe since 1997 – p118 infrastructure – p122

using the microphone to detect that the process was nearly finished.
snoring, I’m still not clear how well “We just need to do something at our
this will work. My comparison point end to help you complete the setup.
is the data collection on a modern Please call us on 150 with code 003 to
CPAP/APAP machine, which stores finish setting up your phone to this
breath-by-breath measurements to Apple Watch.”
an SD card. Download the wonderful So I called 150 from the EE line on
OSCAR software (sleepfiles.com/ the phone, and of course there is
OSCAR) and you get incredible nowhere to enter “003”. I then started
insight into what’s happening as you wandering around their support line,
sleep. Comparing the two is going to trying to get to technical support for
be fascinating. So, in the interest of phones. After all, the Apple Watch is a
research, I now have an Ultra 2. In full phone. Then I landed in a queue
black, of course. telling me it would be about 30-45
Moving from the Ultra 1 to the minutes. I hung up and hoped that
Ultra 2 Watch should have been the “something at our end” would
simple. Apple has a migration tool resolve itself overnight.
that kicks in when you register a The following day, I found exactly
second Watch to your phone, and it the same error on attempting to load
offers to move everything across. the eSIM onto the watch. So I called
Of course, you can set it up as a new 150, and quite quickly got through to
device and keep both connected to a helpful support assistant. It turns
your phone, but most people will be out that the EE backend cannot cope
migrating from one to another and with a change of EID from one watch
then removing the first. to another. Clearly it hasn’t coded this
As you would expect, this “just to support the change presented from
works”. Except for migration of the Apple migration tool. So I had to
the eSIM. On my phone, I have a read out the super-long EID of the ABOVE The Ultra 2 is Frankly, though, it boggles my
primary physical SIM from Three new watch to the support lady, and offering the ability to mind that eSIM support is so utterly
and an eSIM from EE. This is largely she typed it into the system. After measure sleep apnoea pants from all the major suppliers,
historical: I wanted to have eSIM about ten minutes, the eSIM went live both on phones and smart devices. A
within my watch to try out the on the watch. few weeks ago, when Tim and I were
capabilities if the watch is away from This is absurd, and she confirmed in Berlin for the IFA 2024 show, I
the phone. When out on a long cycle that every single watch migration “Frankly, it went back to the Holafly service
ride, for example. required manual inputting of the new boggles my that I’ve used before. I purchased an
At the time, only EE had an eSIM watch EID into EE’s system. eSIM with unlimited 5G data for the
that worked on the Apple Watch, Even worse, the dialog presented
mind that eSIM days I needed. Setting it up on the
and it has moved forward with me to the user is giving incomplete and support is so phone was incredibly simple, with
over the years. Today, you can get frankly wrong information. It should utterly pants” the phone reading a QR code from
Watch-compatible eSIMs from say, “Phone us so we can take the EID the resultant email.
various vendors, but trying to number of the new phone”. And the Why is it so hard with UK telcos?
locate them on their websites is an phrase “call us on 150 with code 003” The more I have to do anything with
exercise in utter futility. They offer means nothing, Something like, them, the more horrible and broken
data-only eSIMs, but you want the “Call us on 150, press the following BELOW Moving an EE their systems seem to be. The sooner
full phone capabilities on the eSIM numbers to get to iWatch eSIM eSIM from one watch that Apple sets itself up as a global
because the Watch works as a full migration” would be far more useful. to another isn’t easy mobile virtual network operator
telephone with voice. (MVNO), the better it will be; I would
move in a heartbeat. Imagine getting
Far from seamless an eSIM on demand for whatever
Anyway, back to my migration. The days I needed, irrespective of
tool includes the ability to move the where I was in the world. Or having
eSIM across. Basically, it has to be a setup that had a workflow that
unregistered from the existing watch, automatically gives me 5G data plus
and then registered to the new watch, a phone number when I land in the
and this has to be done with the telco US, bills me for the days I was there,
supplier. It should work seamlessly. and then automatically shuts itself
You choose the eSIM on the phone to down when I leave.
attach to the watch, and tell it to
apply the eSIM to the new watch. Vision Pro on business trip
With EE, this didn’t happen. I This week I had to be away from home
received a message appearing on for a few nights on a business trip. I
the phone screen from EE telling me know that most hotel rooms have a

111
 iPhone 15 Pro Max. I was expecting to
use the phone for satnav operation
on my motorbikes. Quad Lock’s cases
are of high quality, and it offers a
wide range of charging and vibration
reducing mounts, which are
important on a motorbike.
I put its charging car mount
into my Audi, and this works well.
Well, up to a point. You’ll recall me
finding that its claims for MagSafe-
charging compatibility were actually
not true at all, despite it being on the
product boxes.
So why the disappointment?
Well, it comes down to the charging
rate. Quad Lock’s chargers can only
manage 7.5W, and this is shown in
the iPhone’s Battery app as orange
charging status. When using the
phone in the car using CarPlay
wirelessly, and also satnav such as
Waze, the charging rate of 7.5W
barely keeps pace with the discharge
TV nailed to the wall, but I can’t Best to take what I want to see, ABOVE The Vision Pro load, and so I’ve been on trips
remember the last time I used one. on the screen I want to use. Although beats the in-flight where the phone only managed to
The picture quality is patchy, and it’s to be realistic, an iPad Pro is entertainment on a maintain charge level during the
usually too far away to be easy to significantly easier to carry. plane hands down drive. This is disappointing, because
watch. Indeed, I wonder why hotels MagSafe will run at 15W. On the
fit these things. Of course, some Where’s 5GHz iPhone 16 Pro, it will run at a much
higher-end hotels offer information Bluetooth audio? more impressive 25W. And so, in
about your stay – you can sometimes There’s one that I’m annoyed about “It was amazing moving to the 16 Pro Max, I can either
see the status of your bill, check out on the new iPhone 16 Pro models. I to sit in bed stick to the 7.5W charging rate in the
when you’re leaving and look up accept it’s a niche nerdy point, but it car, or go with 25W on a MagSafe
flight data. All of which has value, bothers me considerably.
and watch mount, if I can find a higher-rate
but is a pale solution compared to a To get the AirPods Pro working at James Bond MagSafe mount for the car.
properly secured website. ultra-low latency (sub 20ms) for the on a 20-foot- I accept this sounds like the very
After dinner, and once all work Vision Pro, it was necessary to wide screen” definition of a first-world problem,
emails have been done, I would re-engineer the Bluetooth stack to but the Quad Lock Mag mounts get
prefer to watch a film on my laptop. work on 5GHz rather than the normal very hot indeed when delivering its
Or on my iPhone, at a pinch. But this 2.4GHz implementation. Using a measly 7.5W. And my motorbike
time I took the Vision Pro with me. much faster Bluetooth connection needs have been supplanted by the
It was amazing to sit in bed and allowed for 192kHz, 24-bit (or 20, it’s CarPlay head unit I talked about last
watch James Bond on a 20-foot-wide unclear) high-definition audio. BELOW The updated month. So maybe it’s time to move
screen in superb quality. I have a This was introduced on the USB-C AirPods Max are back to the MagSafe mainstream.
travel case for the AVP, and will be version of the AirPods Pro, so I was lacking 5GHz Bluetooth I say “maybe”, because it appears
taking it more frequently. Only the looking forward to the iPhone 16 Pro things aren’t quite that simple. The
size is a limitation for carry-on for a supporting this new Bluetooth new 25W charging rate is
plane, although when I see what mode for higher-quality supported by Apple’s own
people drag onto a plane in the name headphone capabilities. But new MagSafe mounting, but
of carry-on I’m tempted to use AVP there’s no mention of it. here I’m talking about
rather than the in-flight To say I’m disappointed mounting on the end of
entertainment even on long-haul is an understatement. a cable. Trying to find
flights. Connect it up to a large Apple has the tech and the charging power
USB-C battery charger pack and the didn’t implement it. on third-party
flight will pass much more smoothly. And there is no sign charging mounts for
Most in-flight entertainment systems of it on the updated cars is an almost
on planes are poor quality, and AirPods Max futile process; most
often unreliable. Even the new headphones, now don’t even tell you
system on British Airways’ club shipping with USB-C. what the charging
class service has required multiple rate will be. I shall
reboots on recent flights. Wireless keep my eyes on this,
charging woes because I want 25W
A couple of months ago, charging in the car, on a
as I mentioned on these MagSafe mounting that
pages (see issue 361, p112) I works properly. How hard
bought the Quad Lock case can it be? If only Quad Lock
and mounting system for my would up its game, I’d have the

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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Real world computing

best solution. But a 7.5W charging LEE GRANT

rate doesn’t cut it for me any more.

Security camera options “I make no apologies for my

pedantry; Microsoft should know
Before I bring you up to date with the
latest happenings in the security
camera space, here’s a little reminder
from Uncle Jon: security cameras for
your home or office have specific
design requirements. They should
the names of its own products”
be mounted high on the building. Lee reveals the repair headaches of foldable laptop screens and
They should be connected by presents a tale so terrible it comes with its own sound effect
Ethernet, and powered using PoE

O
(power over Ethernet). They should
be recording 24/7 to a centralised ne of the many joys of writing again is because, as autumn began,
server within the building. All of for this fine publication is Microsoft implemented more name
these items are non-negotiable for a getting to talk about computer changes for the Outlook twins.
security camera system. I have no problems that trip up real PC users. The first change is that Outlook
objection to cloud-based, Wi-Fi- If you think about it, every edition of (new) is now “Outlook for Windows”,
connected cameras, but they’re not PC Pro follows a technology timeline. which makes a lot more sense. Its
suitable for the security task. At the front is the latest news, where description within the Windows Store
we learn about bleeding-edge reads, “This app will replace the
developments that will eventually Lee Grant and his wife Windows Email, Calendar and People
filter down to this part of the have run a repair shop apps”, which is also understandable,
magazine, Real World Computing, in West Yorkshire for but incorrect. Windows Email doesn’t
where we reflect on how these over 20 years exist. The app being replaced is called
developments affect our lives, before @userfriendlypc Mail, and I make no apologies for my
Nicole’s Futures section tells us what’s pedantry as Microsoft should really
going to happen tomorrow (but not in know the names of its own products.
a “here’s the winner from the 2.15 at Perhaps the existence of a Microsoft
Wincanton tomorrow” way). mail client that isn’t called Outlook
As stories pass through these has confounded the store’s AI bot.
ABOVE Synology’s BC500 security cameras stages, it allows us to revisit them The second change seems to be
are brilliant, but hard to get hold of as they contort and grow from a more subtle and, at the moment, not
simple startup idea into a dominating as widespread. Outlook, by which I
I like the Synology platform, and global brand that improves humanity “The brains mean the client that comes with
Ubiquiti’s UniFi platform, too. The in ways that were inconceivable running Outlook Office 365, has taken some inspiration
recent Synology BC500 cameras are
excellent, and I need to buy two more.
several years before. This month,
sadly, it just gives me another chance
are determined from Adobe’s nomenclature and is
now “Outlook (Classic)”, and that it is.
But they’re out of stock everywhere, to bellyache about how the brains to frustrate A more suitable name could be
and appear to have been so for some running Outlook are determined to my customers” Outlook (Vampire) because, despite
time. I could buy the similarly frustrate my customers. Microsoft’s neglect in the way of
impressive UniFi cameras, but that Cast your minds back to the start of feature updates, the software remains
would be a migration to the UniFi the year (see issue 355, p113) where staggeringly hard to kill off.
Protect platform away from Synology. “Outlook (new)” had begun to sneak Microsoft launched Outlook in
UniFi, however, is opening up its onto PCs and was causing stress in 1997 and it wouldn’t surprise me if
platform to third-party cameras that certain quarters. In the intervening there are still installations of that
use the ONVIF open platform for months, the utter confusion caused by pinging a mail server somewhere.
security cameras. It seems that dropping an app onto a PC that has Outlook is from a generation of
competition does improve the almost the same name as the email software that modern publishers now
options for us users. client contained in Office 365 has been hate because its users won’t abandon
To be honest, I would be happy the cause of many calls to our shop. BELOW Meet the new it. I still see many versions of Office
with either solution. Synology works The impetus for revisiting Outlook Outlook for Windows 2007 and 2010 giving adequate service
well in a very mixed environment and, to give Microsoft
of network technologies. UniFi’s credit, they still activate
Protect platform is best within a without a glitch. So what
UniFi solution. Since I have both, tempting treats is
I can evaluate them against each Microsoft laying down to
other, and migrate my existing entice apathetic users
cameras to the UniFi platform if away from Outlook
needed. Either way, I win. (Vampire) towards
[email protected] Outlook for Windows?
The most succulent
tempter is that Outlook
for Windows is good
software. It has a fresh
new look and features
that modern mail apps

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should have, such as spam sweeping. The factor that prevented any of
Although Outlook for Windows isn’t my stock going into the bendy
perceived as Outlook (Vampire)’s Lenovo was physical. You may
natural successor, it appears it will be. imagine that a 15.6in panel would
A Microsoft blog published in March be a standard size, and you’d be right
(tinyurl.com/363outlook) stated: as far as the viewport is concerned,
“New deployments of Outlook from but underneath that, hidden from
Microsoft 365 subscriptions will view, is a circuit board holding the
feature new Outlook for Windows.” electronics that perform the magic.
The exact timeline on this switchover The dimensions of the PCB vary, and
isn’t clear, but I suppose that software on this foldable Lenovo it was far
with the suffix of Classic is destined to shorter than anything I had in stock.
age into Legacy. The PCB sits snuggly between the
However, my customers don’t like hinges at the lowest part of the
the adverts that appear in Outlook for screen module, and the PCB
Windows. Although there aren’t too models I had were too wide.
many currently, they’re wary of more Fortunately for this user, I sourced
appearing. Microsoft’s solution to this a replacement quickly, but for
is a cheeky £20 per year subscription another customer with a quirky
to Microsoft 365 Basic, which will screen PCB, it took myself and my
banish adverts and increase mailbox suppliers much longer.
capacity, but I can assure you that
persuading users to move from Innolux or Outtalux?
perpetual licences to subscriber This customer’s machine was an Asus
licences is challenging. Office 365 The machine was sent back to the TOP Outlook (Classic) Zenbook UX425J, a slim 14in machine
subscribers don’t currently see owner a few days later. Thankfully, is hard to kill off, with an unimportant specification.
adverts, but we live in a bait-and- the aluminium alloy lid of the Lenovo despite Microsoft’s This user had broken the screen in the
switch tech landscape, and paying for was straightforward to reshape. I best attempts classic way, shutting the lid with a
products no longer guarantees they’ll won’t claim that it was showroom pen on the keyboard. The cracked
remain advert-free forever. quality as I’m not a trained panel ABOVE You’ll have to screen I extricated from the Zenbook
As the heir apparent, Outlook for beater, but the edges and corners were pay to get rid of the ads was made by Innolux, which is
Windows’ development continues. I straight, with the buttock-shaped exactly what I ordered from my
mentioned the software’s lack of PST imprint barely noticeable. supplier. What arrived was a screen
support back in issue 355, but My reason for mentioning this made by BOE but, as it hit the right
Microsoft says it will add this during machine is to highlight a supply specs, I was unconcerned.
March 2025, removing a barrier to problem with laptop screens. The It fitted perfectly into the housing,
many Outlook (Vampire) users. When smashed panel inside this machine “It had a but I struggled to hook in the LCD
I asked Microsoft if it planned to was nothing exciting, a 15.6in IPS foldable screen cable that connects the panel to the
discontinue Outlook (Classic), it told 1,920 x 1,080 affair. I keep a supply of motherboard. The simple reason was
me: “Microsoft will continue to these on the shelf as they’re a common
because all that the LCD connection socket on the
honour published support timelines part across various mid-range and screens are rear of the BOE was 10mm adrift from
for existing version of classic Outlook budget laptops. Take a gander at the foldable, but the Innolux’s placement, so the LCD
for Windows until at least 2029.” specifications of an average laptop
some only once” cable wouldn’t reach. 10mm doesn’t
Classic Outlook for Windows? Where and you’ll see figures similar to the sound a lot, but laptops are built to a
did that come from? ones I’ve mentioned, but rarely will a budget-controlled spec that ensures
specific brand of screen be listed. The cables are the ideal length and there’s
Foldables: A race to reason for this is that many laptop no allowance for any other scenario.
the bottom? makers will shove in anything that This customer was in a hurry so I
Last month I glimpsed the future. What hits the spec and price. If you’ve ever stripped the laptop to lengthen the
arrived in our shop was a Lenovo unboxed multiple laptops purporting cable but could only squeeze another
laptop with a foldable screen, but to be identical models, you’ll know BELOW The specs 2mm out without over-tensioning the
before you go frantically scrabbling that slight visual differences between were the same, but wire. As the clock was ticking, I
through back issues looking for Tim’s displays are common. the screen didn’t fit ordered another Innolux screen from
exclusive review, I must a different supplier, but another BOE
warn you that you won’t screen arrived the next day. Over
find it. This machine wasn’t three days I ordered eight Innolux
an advanced prototype, screens from various suppliers
just a standard laptop and received eight BOEs.
that’s been sat on. It had a You’ll find that most
foldable screen because all screen suppliers will
screens are foldable, but have a disclaimer
some only once. along the lines of
“We may supply a
100% compatible
part for your screen
number,” which is
acceptable if the
compatible part

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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Real world computing

works. For this Zenbook, they may

have well shipped me a horse.
In desperation I spoke to my
principal supplier, who explained that
somewhere in the supply chain, the
Innolux and BOE have been listed as
compatible, when they aren’t. There is
the simple explanation as to why every
supplier had made the same error.
The real issue here is why Asus
used this Innolux screen, which has
such a bizarre connection placement.
Is it proprietary hardware by another
method? One of the genuine concerns
about Right to Repair is that cash-
addicted manufacturers will exploit
the idea. As they’ll be required to sell
parts, they’ll make things breakable
so they can clean up on spares, and do with layout or language, just the ABOVE Keys to the my footprints over the user’s data,
the way to maximise this revenue articulation movement of the keys problem: they may which is very important. Despite what
stream is to pimp parts so that we’re that all use the same keycap and look look the same, but the some anti-repair advocates profess, I
forced to buy their version. Of course, indistinguishable to the user. keys are different really have no interest in which
this is nothing new. Ten minutes with a microscope recipes someone has downloaded
Readers with long memories may and tweezers resolved the issue but from BBC Food. Everything looked
recall a leading PC manufacturer that left me further perplexed by the tech fine, but the 480GB SSD was bulging.
used to supply computer packages industry. One minute it won’t give I used SpaceSniffer (tinyurl.com/​
with a printer made by a leading cable slack for a very specific screen 363spacesniffer) to find the blockage
printer manufacturer. Now, I’ve and the next it’s re-invented the and it spotted an overflowing HOME3
changed the names to protect the wheel three times for no reason. folder tucked away within App Data
innocent, but the printer branded “If you walk containing over 230GB of data. What
with the Lell label was the same model Free sound effect into a room and controls the HOME3 folder? It
that you could buy in Dixons, and with every issue! you can’t spot
was...<<PRESS PLAY NOW!>>...
Comet made Dexmark. What annoyed Before we continue this vague thread TomTom. The swine! Well, you know
Lell’s customers is that the Dexmark of technological idiocy, you’re going the cache-hog, what they say, if you walk into a room
cartridges were around half the price, to need this sound effect (tinyurl. then you’re the and you can’t spot the cache-hog,
but couldn’t be used in the Lell printer com/363dundunduun). I’ll give you cache-hog” then you’re the cache-hog.
as they’d been modified to not fit. the nod when to hit the play button. The fix was easy as TomTom has a
Sadly, history doesn’t recall A desktop arrived with an “Empty download folder” hidden in
the name of the computer shop extremely full SSD. The confused the settings, but it would have saved
technician from Yorkshire who took owner shrugged, as they really don’t the customer a lot of trouble if TT’s
a rasp file to a Dexmark cartridge do too much with this machine. developers had offered it as an option
so it would work in a Lell printer They wanted to update their for the error message.
in order for a frantic boy from the TomTom but it refused, proclaiming:
village to hand in his coursework. “No disk space available on your A grovelling apology
computer for caching. Please free up Finally, a correction kindly brought to
Care for something disk space to resume.” my attention by Dave, a PC Pro reader
from the keys board? Time to click around for a quick fix. from south Buckinghamshire
Which brings me to an HP laptop that First, I look at the folder properties regarding Local Microsoft accounts,
arrived during the summer. The of the Pictures, Documents and which I covered two months ago (see
owner had pinged off the “H” key and OneDrive folders to get an idea of BELOW TomTom: issue 361, p115). He says: “Good
bought a replacement from an online sizes; staying at folder level minimises hogging all the space morning, Lee, I absolutely love your
vendor. When this didn’t fit, he column in PC Pro, it’s the first thing I
bought a different one, which turn to.” It should be obvious to all
condemned Sisyphus to repeat the magazine editors who read this that
cycle until by Mrs Sisyphus ordered Dave is clearly a man of taste, truth
him to bring it to me. He’d bought and integrity. He continues: “You
three “H” replacements and a “T” (I need to put a backslash between
didn’t ask), but while digging back oobe\bypassnro – rather than a
through his purchasing history, I forward slash – oobe/bypassnro – to
learned that this one HP model has get the command to work.”
three versions of the same keyboard. Thanks, Dave, for your keen eyes,
Why? The differences are nothing to and I apologise to all that have
struggled because I got my slashes
muddled. As the ancient proverb
states: “Man who slashes backwards
can reset PC. Man who slashes
forwards has wet shoes.”
[email protected]

115
 language in our contracts, rather than
OLIVIA WHITCROFT the archaic language for which

“It was the dawn of e-commerce,

lawyers had been known. We were
preparing contracts for relationships

and we were trying to apply offline

and issues that had never existed
before. I learnt to be bold with
drafting new provisions; you don’t

law to the new online world” always need to use a template or copy
terms that have been used before,
particularly when relevant templates
Olivia rolls back the years to when the internet was reshaping laws and – and terms don’t even exist. This
would you believe it? – data protection wasn’t considered a sexy subject continued as we rushed forward
through time with new technologies

F
and relationships: cloud computing,
ollowing the recent Argos TV the game in giving you my account app development, software-as-a-
debacle, companies venturing from the good old days of tech law. service, AI supply chains...
into the new world of It was the dawn of e-commerce, As a very junior lawyer, I did a fair
e-commerce should review their and we were trying to apply offline bit of proof-reading of contracts
process for contracting over the law to the new online world (such as drafted by the not-quite-so junior
web. Argos advertised its televisions electronic contracts in the Argos case), bods. With my maths degree still fresh
on its website for £2.99 instead of and digital formats were testing in my mind, logical flaws worried me
£299, and was deluged with orders, traditional copyright law (such as a lot. Let’s take an example:
which it is now reluctant to fulfil. Olivia is principal of with Napster). Our contracts were
Was there a valid sales contract or the law firm OBEP, trying to predict unknown liabilities • “Services” means the services set
not? Stay tuned for the new which specialises in (such as for Y2K). New legislation out in the SOW.
Electronic Commerce Directive technology contracts, to modernise the law was on the • “Service Fees” means the fees to
from the European Union. This will IP and data protection horizon, including the EU Electronic be paid for the Services, set out in
clarify the moment at which an @ObepOlivia Commerce and Electronic Signatures the SOW.
electronic contract is concluded, Directives, and the UK Data • “SOW” means a statement of
which could impact the outcome Protection Act 1998 and Distance work setting out the Services
of similar cases in future. Selling Regulations 2000 – though and Service Fees.
With Y2K just around the corner, it these were arguably somewhat out of
is also vital to check that your IT “IT and IP were date already, deriving from EU Substituting in the definitions we
outsourcing contracts address trendy areas Directives from 1995 and 1997. know, an SOW is: a statement of work
business continuity issues as we IT and intellectual property were setting out the services set out in the
move into the year 2000. While
of law to be trendy areas of law to be involved SOW and the fees to be paid for the
you’re about it, you should build in involved with with (and still are, obviously). Data Services, set out in the SOW.
additional provisions relating to the (and still are, protection was not a trendy area to be Expanding it again: a statement of
use of personal data. New data
obviously)” in, and was largely ignored by lawyers work setting out the services set out in
protection requirements for and non-lawyers alike. Any talk of the statement of work setting out the
arrangements between organisations data protection would cause others to Services and Service Fees, and the fees
and their IT providers (processors) glaze over and leave the room. So it to be paid for the services set out in the
will apply from March 2000. was safest to call oneself an IT lawyer, statement of work setting out the
And with the evolution of and just sneak in some data protection Services and Service Fees, set out in
interesting “peer-to-peer” software, advice when no-one was looking. the statement of work setting out the
rights holders need to have a hard BELOW Napster’s Services and Service Fees.
think about how to protect their rapid rise brought Drafting contracts I could go on. In this simple
creative works. Napster claims not to challenges for the As (trendy) IT lawyers, we were example, I’m hopeful the courts would
be copying or authorising the copying legal profession getting better at using clear and fresh have coped with interpreting the
of any music; all it does is provide the intention (provided the
software. So should rights holders be SOW itself was clear). But
trying to stop these communications, I was also learning the
or perhaps embracing new ways to importance of precision
exploit their works? in drafting, seeking to
avoid gaps, lack of clarity
What are you on and unfavourable
about, Olivia? interpretations.
Sorry about that. I was reminiscing By the way, for those
about the excitement at the end of who wish to challenge my
1999, when I started my legal career. earlier comment that the
Having daydreamed through PC Pro’s Electronic Commerce
30th anniversary edition, I’m late to Directive would define
the moment at which a
contract is concluded,
you’re correct. This
proposal was removed
during the legislative
process and replaced

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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Real world computing

with a requirement to acknowledge would start their own

receipt of an electronic order, leaving dispute resolution
some flexibility for e-commerce procedures, making
providers to decide on their own it easier (and less
process for contract formation. costly) for brand
owners to object to
Intellectual property dodgy registrations.
Ways to exploit creative works were
evolving. It was well established how Sneaking in
copyright laws applied to music on some data
physical media such as CD-ROM, and protection
some crafty drafting of licences sought Addressing new legal
to capture rights on other media that issues was exciting
were yet to be invented. But how about for all involved,
digital distribution without physical with the exception,
media? While legal action was taken mysteriously, of data
against Napster in the US for its protection. I
“unauthorised” model, P2P software continuously hit a
fuelled a change to how music was stone wall talking
licensed and delivered, quickly about data protection
popularising lawful distribution of the rules. The best I could hope for was a ABOVE Copyright on CD-ROM. But the library
MP3 format. In 2001, copyright law stifled yawn and weary agreement to laws that applied to was a marvellous place, full of
caught up under the EU Information copy principle 7 (of the Data physical media such as wonderful paper books. You would
Society Directive, which covered Protection Act 1998) verbatim into a CDs were unsuitable read a book, look for updates in
rights of communication to the public. contract or two: for the internet age supplementary books, then take a
Rights in software were also “Appropriate technical and trip down to the Law Society Library
under debate. As well as copyright organisational measures shall be taken to look at more books, journals and
protection, a hot topic was whether against unauthorised or unlawful cases on microfiche.
computer-implemented inventions processing of personal data and It was the start of the dangers of
could be protected by patents. In the against accidental loss or destruction simply Asking Jeeves for an answer.
US, Amazon was granted its “1-Click” of, or damage to, personal data.” You could type in your legal query to
patent in 1999, for purchasing items Seemingly little consideration was Ask Jeeves, Yahoo! or a new colourful
with one click of an online button. given to what that meant in practice, search engine called Google (with a
Under the UK Patents Act 1977 (and and to the rights of individuals and “I tried my delightful expanding number of “o”s
equivalent EU law), computer fair processing concerns. best to grab in Goooooooooogle, which was why I
programs in themselves were not This went on for years. I tried my stuck with it), and would find some
(and are still not) capable of patent best to grab attention. I even wrote a
attention. I free article on the topic published
protection. There was growing data protection song and performed it even wrote a online. A quick and (not so) brilliant
discussion over the concepts of (with some keener members of the data protection way to do your research with time left
software inventions with a “technical team) at a firm talent contest. But I song” to pop over to Coffee Republic for a
effect” or “technical contribution” failed to impress the judges and was latte and a spinach pasty.
going beyond the computer program rated bottom – talentless. With the growth of reliable online
in itself, which may, therefore, allow All of a sudden, in 2016, the GDPR research sources also came the growth
patentability. Now, how about hit the shelves, and people wanted to of unreliable research sources, as
AI-implemented inventions? listen. They started asking about these more and more legal “experts”
Oh, and domain names! In fear “new” data protection issues, which were publishing their views online.
of cybersquatters, organisations were mostly very old ones that they Now, of course, we have generative
were registering domain names had just ignored previously. AI giving us even more convincing,
incorporating their brands with That’s probably as much data but often fabricated, legal answers
every possible country extension, protection attention I can grab from from its own research.
combination of letters and you, too, so I’d better move on.
misspellings. As IP lawyers, our role in 1999 to 2024
managing trade mark portfolios was Legal research Since 1999, hot topics have progressed
expanding to include domain name There were a few online and digital BELOW Amazon was from outsourcing to cloud computing,
portfolios. In the big 1998 “One in a resources for legal research; I recall granted its “1-Click” websites to apps, Y2K risks to
Million” case, companies such as BT using Lawtel online, and Westlaw patent in the US in 1999 cybersecurity risks (and Y2K38?), file
and Marks & Spencer had been sharing to online marketplaces,
successful in their action against an software inventions to AI-generated
organisation buying up domain inventions, domain names to social
names to sell to the brand owner. media handles, the Data Protection
However, applying trade mark and Act 1998 to the GDPR, and search
passing-off laws to domain names engines to gen AI, all bringing exciting
wasn’t easy, particularly as mere new legal challenges with them.
registration of a domain name doesn’t And, of course, data protection
necessarily involve use of that domain lawyers have joined technology and
name (for example, on a website). In intellectual property lawyers in the
the years to come, domain name club of trendy lawyers. Maybe.
registries (such as Nominet in 2001) [email protected]

117
 old phone – not the most secure
DAVEY WINDER method, but hey. Others required

“Stupid security is as bad as no

access to the old app to confirm it
was me with the new one – again,

security, at least from a business

perfectly happy with that. Others
wanted me to record a quick bit of
video along with a scripted message

reputation perspective” including a code. All of which went

smoothly, and I had everything up
and running again in ten minutes.
A frustrating security experience with a new iPhone reveals why usability Well, nearly everything.
is just as important as efficacy when it comes to privacy measures
Cut to the Chase

I
The exception to the sensible security
have no problem with putting a With the 15 Pro Max heading to rule was Chase, which required a
stop on a payment while the bank Apple for my trade-in during the photo of my driving licence or
fraud team contacts me to check following week, the next thing I did passport along with another, taken
it’s legitimate. That keeps my money was to ensure that the most important in-app, of me. That’s no problem. I’d
safe. Sure, it can be a little time- apps to me were activated and working used my licence to set it up before and
consuming going through recent properly. This means things such as for other verification purposes across
payments and answering all the “has my password manager (1Password), different services, after all. Sure, I’ve
anyone asked or is forcing you to authentication code generator aged a little, and my beard has gone
make this payment” type questions, Davey is a journalist (Authy, as it still supports macOS from brown to white because I
but it’s an understandable and and consultant desktop), encrypted messenger stopped using Just for Men, but it’s
effective fraud prevention method specialising in privacy (Signal) and my banking apps. never been an issue until now.
when so many such scams exist. For and security issues Now, I have a few different banks Chase rejected my in-app photo
similar reasons, I don’t have a @happygeek for a number of reasons, mostly to do and asked me to resubmit, which I
problem with jumping through hoops with FCS savings protection and did. The computer still said no,
to set up a banking application to interest rates, as well as keeping my exposing the dangers of letting an
authenticate I am who I say I am. personal and business banking algorithm loose on such things:
Unless, that is, it’s rigidly separate, of course. On the personal artificial, yes; intelligent, not so
implemented to the point of front, the bank that suits me best for much. No problem – the option was
stupidity: stupid security is as bad as day-to-day current account banking there to submit for a human review,
no security, at least from business is not the same as those that are best which I did, and waited. And waited.
reputation and customer retention for easy access savings in terms of Eventually, I fired up the existing,
perspectives. Here’s a case in point, interest rates and access to my money. verified and operational app on the
and please excuse the somewhat “I have the And please, I don’t need investment old phone and initiated a support
ranting nature of what follows, but I patience of advice as there are particular reasons chat. This was all very genial, over a
spent hours last night and through the why I will need relatively quick access 90-minute period, I should add, back
small wee hours on this. I don’t sleep
a saint. to cash in the coming year or two. and forth explaining the problem. Can
much courtesy of a chronic pain Saint Notime- Anyway, I started working my way I delete the app, reload it, submit my
illness, which also accounts for me Foridiots, to through all of these. Most wanted me image again, was the penultimate
having the patience of a saint. Saint be precise” to verify that I was who I said I was, solution offered. I did this, with it
Notime-Foridiots, to be precise. Are and as I said earlier that’s both fine taking me well over two hours just
you sitting comfortably? and what I’d expect of any provider trying to access my bank app to no
taking security seriously. With some avail. The difference this time was
A strong start it was a case of sending an SMS code to that I ended up locked into a screen,
Like so many of you technology geeks the same number as used to be in the which told me I’d already submitted
– sorry, I mean PC Pro readers – I my ID for validation and now
pre-ordered the new iPhone 16 Pro needed to call support.
Max and had it delivered to me on The ultimate advice – “order” is
launch day. I’ll explore some of the more apt – from support was that I
security reasons for this later on. need to wait for the human review
For now, the important thing is this: to complete (having already told
I had to transfer all my apps and me the image quality was fine and
data across, a process that’s that it was my appearance that
consummately easy these days with wasn’t), when I’d get a SMS
Apple smartphones. A couple of clicks telling me the result. The result
and maybe 30 minutes later, I had a lot likely being that I’d be told to
of data to transfer, and my new iPhone resubmit again using a different
was looking a lot like my old one, bit of ID with a different
complete with iOS 18 and all my apps. photograph, which I don’t have.
I argued that as the support
guy was talking to me by way of
RIGHT The Chaser the in-app chat of my existing,
definitely lost this verified application on the
one – customer, iPhone 15 and had confirmed I
that is was using the iPhone 16 to

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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Real world computing

activate the app there, it was RIGHT Adding Face ID to individual devices, of course. I’m
obviously me. Unless, of course, a apps couldn’t be easier with iOS 18 a fan of functionality
thief had somehow stolen both my such as the icon
iPhones and then rather than I ultimately lost out and homescreen
committing fraud using the already because the savings interest customisations on
installed app, assuming they’d got rate at Monzo was 1% less offer, as well as the
past the biometric unlock protections than I was getting at Chase. accessibility updates for
on the phone and app, had decided But Chase lost out even more those who need them.
they would rather install the app on because my business and my But, no surprise here,
the new phone and then argue with money went elsewhere it’s the security and
support about not being able to verify purely down to disguising privacy stuff I’m most
their identity. I mean, never say never a “computer says no” interested in, and iOS 18
is something I’d usually cite, but not mentality as a fraud doesn’t disappoint in
in this case. I was told they were doing protection issue. that regard.
this for my own protection. I had There’s a lesson to be Let’s start with the
started to wonder if the chief learned here. Well, two if simplest yet one of the
information security officer at Chase you count having a bit more most effective privacy
was Bradley Walsh by this point. patience than me. Nobody measures introduced
This is a classic case of applying is going to blame you as a by Apple: the ability to
rigid security processes that have no business if you implement lock down most apps
flexibility in the face of common security protections that with a Face ID unlock
sense. So, did I wait patiently for that are there to safeguard your requirement. When I say
SMS message, or go and waste more of own data and that of your “simple”, I mean it: just
my time in another support chat? customers. That’s a given. click and hold the app
Nope. Here’s what I did directly as a But if that security icon and choose the use
result of the poor usability of a impinges so much on Face ID option. That’s it.
security protection: I installed the usability that it leaves the Or it should be, but when I
Monzo app and verified my identity customer frustrated, don’t say “most” I also mean that.
using a combination of a speaking be surprised if they take their While you can do this for
video recording and, you’ve guessed custom somewhere that manages to Apple apps such as the App
it, that same driving licence. The balance usability and security to the Store, Wallet, Passwords App, Phone,
whole process took minutes and was point where everyone wins. Sticking Calendar and Notes, you can’t for your
painless. As quick and painless as with poorly thought-out security Contacts or Maps, for some reason. I
transferring all my money into the processes will result in a reputation have to assume that this is a UI
Chase current account from my hit to your business and problem with BELOW LEFT Proton oversight, but if anyone knows
savings pots and starting the Switch customer retention. Trust me. Pass includes Proton different, please get in touch.
process to move it to Monzo and close Sentinel to bring AI Talking of apps, that Apple
down the Chase one. Within just seven New iPhone, new iOS, protection to your Password application deserves to be
days of doing this, I would no longer new security passwords something of a game-changer when it
worry about having any hair left to Let’s head back to that new iPhone 16 comes to security. I mean it; ignore
pull out, and the stupid security stuff, Pro Max. It comes with a new BELOW 1Password the hyperbole surrounding it and
along with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, operating system, iOS 18, although has a secret weapon focus on the facts. Fact number one is
would be a thing of the past. that’s also available to owners of older with its secret key that it’s free and doesn’t require
searching out to download. Fact
number two is that it’s as easy to use
as you would expect from a default
Apple app.
And fact number three is that it
opens up what has been – for the vast
majority of users regardless of which
smartphone or operating system they
prefer – perceived as a complex and
time-wasting security tool to the
masses. I’ve got a virtual sore throat
from yelling so much over the years
about the importance of using a
password manager and, at long last,
this could well be the catalyst for
commoditising the tool in the real
world of ordinary folk. The folk
who, after all, need one the most as
they’re most at risk of using insecure
passwords or reusing them across
multiple services.
For what it’s worth, I have been
trying out both Proton Pass and Apple
Passwords alongside the one I’ve been
using for years, 1Password. They both

119
Continued from previous page STEVE CASSIDY

“Getting workers to do simple

jobs in the 16th century was not
much different from the 21st”
Why 16th century “networking” legislation still has an impact, and why the
term AI is confusing to punters as well as a waste of natural resources

I
f you’ve read William Gibson’s stream and using laws of physics
visionary cyberpunk novels, perfectly familiar to Isaac Newton to
you’ll remember the idea of the break apart the rainbow and thereby
ABOVE Apple’s simple but secure Passwords “oracle”. I won’t go into the back represent the composite information
app is a winner story, but this static unit was stream as a spread of separate,
mounted low down in a wall, in a monochrome signals.
passed the initial test, importing the back alley, equipped with nothing Unless some scrote turns up with
password database from 1Password more than a red laser that scanned bolt cutters, under the assumption
without all the dramatic palaver some the pre-millennial brickwork within Steve is a consultant that nearby buildings are equipped
others (cough, Bitwarden) presented. line of sight. who specialises in with cloud intruder alarms or cloud
Before the Bitwarden fans jump on Now take a look at my picture networks, cloud, HR CCTV (would that be CCCTV?). But
me, it’s a great free, or nearly free but below of an exterior mounted fibre and upsetting the then take a look at the smaller picture
paid for, option; it just doesn’t like termination box in a sparsely corporate apple cart below, which is close to the location of
some of my encrypted notes, which trafficked alleyway somewhere in the @stardotpro the first. The only traffic here is
are too long or contain the wrong City of London. Disappointingly, pedestrian, which may explain the
characters or something, and the only there’s no scanning, baleful visible many metres of coiled-up fibre –
option is to try to sort through the laser. Not even a power LED: modern simply because those vans you see
hundreds of entries in 1Password to fibre devices don’t all need electricity. when fibre comes to town don’t just
find them and edit them before Still, seeing it immediately made me contain routers, drop cables and the
importing. I think I mentioned what think of Gibson’s universe. lads’ packed lunches. They’re also
my patience is like earlier, didn’t I? Putting this aside, there was cutting stations.
The truth of the matter is that both something about the copious, Chopping up fibre is a delicate
Proton and Apple do a perfectly good overlapping loops of black exterior BELOW Coiled up: like process. And the longer the distance
job of managing passwords but, in my fibre, wrapped around and around the something out of a the fibre covers, the more vital it
never humble opinion, 1Password still Openreach fibre splitter device, that cyberpunk novel is that the cut is optically perfect.
does it best. Most likely because it’s all made me curious. A bit of kneeling in
the company does, so it puts all its the dirt let me identify the rogue fibre
ongoing development effort into it. as being the property of Hyperoptic, a
One of the things about 1Password direct fibre provider in competition
that I really appreciate is the secret with BT Group’s Openreach and
key. This additional layer of various other internet access
protection is a 128-bit secret key, sub-brands. I’m sure a lot of readers
created on and using your own device, will share my hallucination of the
not stored by or known to 1Password, black coil of fibre trying to strangle
that is used in conjunction with your the little grey plastic box, even
master password to decrypt anything. though the relative sizes of the two
Only someone with physical access companies would put the pressure the
to your device and the ability to other way around.
bypass the biometric protections on The first thing to
it, who also knows your master say about “sloppy”
password, would be able to access installations such
your passwords. A remote hacker as this is that this
who, for the sake of argument, arrangement could
managed to brute-force 1Password sit there and work
servers wouldn’t because they for the next half a
don’t have your physical device century. It’s on a
containing the secret key. pedestrian-only
[email protected] street, well sheltered
from sun, rain and
the risk of flooding.
It draws no power,
by taking in a
multicoloured
fibre-based signal

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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Real world computing

Doing that in the street wearing a

furry-hooded parka is a big ask: if
you can’t bring the van to the fibre
then it’s often easier to just hide a
coiled-up bit somewhere out of the
customer’s sight.
This might give you some comfort
when thinking about hackers. Maybe
you’ve heard the story about Google
techies checking one of their inter-
facility private fibres and finding a
mysteriously sophisticated optical
tap, buried deep in the earth,
delivering all their inter-site traffic to
an unknown and, one assumes, even
bigger, secret data centre somewhere
within 50km or so. Well, stop having
sleepless nights over this level of
hacking: it requires fantastically
skilled and superbly equipped
personnel. And a connection that’s
not just nailed to a drainpipe on the
outside of the building.
through by a coach and horses as the ABOVE Keep your biggest uses of electrical power on
Let’s talk wayleaves shift to fibre penetrates even the back installers topped up quite literally a planetary scale.
Which brings me to the complicated alleys of the City of London. with tea if you want Guess how much raw power
business of wayleaves. This is all about And don’t ignore the blokes you the job done properly ChatGPT and workalikes consume?
the nature of property law, especially might catch sight of doing the I’ve seen a few estimates, and they
about the boundaries between installations, either. A few cups of vary enough that I don’t think a wild
neighbours who share one common tea at the right moments works goose chase is in order trying to find
and normally quite old building. In wonders if you want to get a suitably the most credible, but let’s agree
the alley we were walking along, there hidden, low-key install. that it’s between 85 and 127 terawatt
are some Victorian properties, and a hours per annum. That puts
few that pre-date the Great Fire of Power play generative AI’s consumption on a par
London. My guess is that their builders Power corrupts, they say. While the with Bitcoin, despite having been
didn’t have any intention of allowing original composers of this homily BELOW Power around for only a couple of years, in
for the provision of the internet inside were referring to political power, this corrupts, and AI contrast with BTC’s decade-long rise
these dwellings, 500 years in the simple saying has proved its worth by power corrupts to power (pardon the pun). I believe
future. Yet the roots of the legislation being equally applicable to our absolutely that we’re looking at the power
about wayleaves date from that era. present-day inclusion of electrical budget of a country somewhere
The idea behind wayleaves is that power under this broad but mighty between Norway and Hungary.
services (initially water) should be relevant observation. These consumption figures
able to flow in and out along routes I seem to have been are necessarily approximate,
that didn’t require tenants to knock collecting a blizzard of press because they’re not handled
down one another’s walls simply to releases, imploring pitches within a single supplier
run a pipe. The problem of getting and plain old fancy-that or purchasing account.
workers to do simple jobs in the 16th statistics about the use and The downside of cloud
century was not much different from abuse of electrical power, computing is that it’s global,
that in the early 21st; the wayleave right from the humblest and yet the demands it
process makes some careful abode with its broken makes on infrastructure of
stipulations over who’s allowed to smart meter (did you all types is resolutely local: a
commission works and who gets know there are allegedly light bulb in a cloud computing
access without masses of paperwork four million broken smart centre is lit by the same kind of
and appraisals. The main difference is meters in the UK?), up to the electricity that lights up your rooms
that 16th century water has become at home, but it doesn’t draw on the

Time to catch up with

21st century optical fibre. same power source as your home.
So it’s a tad ironic to think that a Adding up the costs of connecting to a

the phone business?

technology able to survive 50 British massively distributed system rapidly
winters while delivering internet becomes a matter of approximation.
access to 20 households without Have they included the power draw
consuming a single watt of energy is The mobile phone networks could teach the cloud business a of the internet between all the
still prone to aggravation and thing or two about power consumption. 3G was the most participating data centres? If you
bodged-up patchy installs due to legal power-hungry of the network types back in the day, and 4G can’t get to it, you can’t use it.
issues older than the Parliament that wasn’t far behind. The interesting question is how Yet it’s something we really need to
now wants us all to live our civic lives economical 5G will turn out to be. One hint is that 5G cell know about. Making an informed
online. The moral of the story is: don’t towers can operate off small solar arrays at the top of their decision when using an allegedly free
over-react if you discover that the old masts; not a claim we can make for cloud or AI data centres. cloud service is becoming crucial, and
rules for copper networks are driven for reasons far from those governing

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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

your local, personal decision-making

process. You literally cannot tell
whose resources you’re engaging with
when you start a public-service,
high-profile, apparently free cloud
operation – and once you see figures
quoting trillions of kWh, you have to
ask questions about quite what you
gain by their consumption.
With generative AI, and in
particular the nature of ChatGPT,
difficult questions remain
unanswered. Plainly, GPT is a
brute-force computing process. A lot
of the other tools sharing the AI
banner don’t actually qualify as
“brute force” – a machine learning
(ML) system derives the right
answers by imitating the behaviour
of a multi-connected collection of
neurons, firing signals in a sequence
and across a topology more complex
than the best efforts of human branding and embedded membership ABOVE Today’s solar that average figure rises a bit, which
designers. While the initial setup for for the lucky buyer is another strand panels can produce means that most years he is being
an ML system requires a huge amount to a strategy that looks exceedingly enough electricity to paid by the electricity supplier. This
of computing power, ML systems hope-driven, to put it mildly. turn a profit might not look like a great return on
themselves are not inherently I’m making some wild predictions expenditure now, but it only takes
power-hungry in operation. of my own here. One is that power another natural resources price hike
Now consider the damage done sources and environmental impacts or bad-tempered war somewhere
by lumping different types of AI thereof aren’t going to change in a with oil wells, and he will be paying
into the same descriptive bucket. way that makes kilowatt hours several parts of his business costs
This has already sunk into the public cheaper to buy. While it might be an “He’s already with electricity-generation profit.
conscience, for good or ill. It’s absurd easy prediction for huge data centres, insufferably He’s already insufferably happy
to claim that a device built to run your the picture gets interesting down at about getting his fish and chips in
central heating with a brain the size the smaller end of the business. A happy about his Nissan Leaf.
of a gnat’s should be labelled the same friend moved to Scotland and updated getting his fish If my friend is a representative
as one with the power to turn the a group of buildings on a farm. In the and chips in his profile for small business users in
planet Uranus to mush. And “absurd”
moves towards “foolhardy” and well
course of this, he decided to use solar
panels that look almost identical to an
Nissan Leaf” the future, then the issues arising
from trying to spread AI out into
on the way to “self-destructive” old school slate tile. the non-nerd bits of society are not
when you realise the AI label is only Even in Scotland, his half-a-dozen going to be about rapacious over-
there to be cool and trendy. roofs of very 21st-century tiles consumption of fossil fuel power just
We need to make clear distinctions produce as much as 4kW of power. to run trivial jobs with as much cloud
between designs that are fun to think That is rather a lot: certainly enough hardware as possible. Instead, it will
about but impractical, and those that for all his lights (having moved to become political. All those more
actually make our lives easier without LEDs) and the half-dozen laptops he affluent voters who command a
burning more natural resources than has spread between house and BELOW Is AI just a large proportion of the electricity-
about 200 million households. When workshops. During summertime, huge red herring? generating capacity of the country’s
thinking about which “AI laptop” supply grid will become a
you should buy, the most important “power bloc” of a new and
question is not “is it fast enough to different kind.
run any of the large language model There are op eds out there
tools locally?”. It’s “can I get my claiming that the IT sector
work done after the hot’n’sexy tools has gone stir crazy lately,
of 2024 have gone bust in 2026?”. coming up with some ideas
To pay today’s power bills, all those after Covid that are high on
big AI names are having to take out complexity and low on
some pretty astonishing loans, betting relevance to normal people.
that they will capture market share at It doesn’t take much
unprecedented speed in order to pay research around the edges
them off. Entering into marketing of the GPT phenomenon
deals with laptop makers for cross- to see that, when it comes to
places we should be burning
our non-replaceable
natural resources,
generative AI looks like a
colossal red herring.
[email protected]

122
 Inspirational stories from computing’s long-distant past

Missed call
Whatever happened to
the Acorn Communicator?
When Acorn launched its 16-bit
Communicator computer with a built-in
modem, it struggled to get potential buyers
to listen, as David Crookes explains

A
corn is best known for the Ready to talk
BBC Micro, and for good News of Curry’s machine
reason. This iconic series of emerged in 1984. In that
computers found a place in December, Popular
schools in the early 1980s as a way of Computing Weekly
teaching children how to code, and it mentioned the C30, a
was a key component for the BBC computer the journalist
Computer Literacy Project. said would “probably
But while Acorn grew during this use a 16-bit version of
period (its profits reaching £8.6 the BBC machine’s
million in July 1983, having been just 6502 processor”.
£3,000 four years earlier), the home A month later, Acorn User
computer market soon went through magazine revealed more information ABOVE The Acorn according to Steve Furber, former
a turbulent time. As a consequence, about the computer, suggesting it Communicator was Acorn hardware engineer and now
having already sensed a need to turn would come with a built-in telephone initially going to Professor Emeritus in the department
things around, Acorn’s co-founder handset and rival ICL’s One Per Desk have an LCD displayof computer science at the University
Christopher Curry began – a hybrid computer and of Manchester.
looking to target telecommunications At that time, Acorn was investing
business users with terminal based on heavily in research and development:
new machines and Sinclair QL reports suggested staff were working
Images: David Morgan Associates/Jon Honniball/anachrocomputer/flickr

identified a hardware that was on around 140 projects in

potential gap in launched in 1984. “It’s something of a the mid-1980s. Curry
the market. It was set to use curiosity some 30 years proposed that his new
It led to the
production of
the Western
Design Center’s
later, with people paying computer would be designed
for communication, which
what was the (WDC) 16-bit good money to grab one is why it was soon renamed
only 16-bit 65C816 chip and for themselves” the Communicator. Acorn
machine that be compatible was in a good position to
Acorn ever made – with the BBC and pull it off, too, although there are
a computer that Electron machines. doubts the processor being chosen
barely anyone talks An adapter would allow was truly 16-bit.
about today due to it being it to use the teletext services “It was based around the Electron
a failure. Yet it’s still something Ceefax and Oracle, too. LEFT The 8-key Uncommitted Logic Array (ULA)
of a curiosity some 30 years later, Yet right from the start, the cursor pad was one which I was heavily involved in,”
with people paying good money to Communicator was a sideline of the computer’s Curry told PC Pro, referring to the
grab one for themselves (one eBay development by Curry rather than most distinctive custom integrated circuit developed
auction actually fetched £2,250). an Acorn mainstream product, features by Acorn. “It used the 65C816

123
 processor which, although “We worked with
it added some 16-bit him and his colleagues
registers to the 6502 and to develop the design
extended the addressing to into the Communicator
24 bits, was still basically an as a commercial
extended 8-bit processor, product with a
despite WDC marketing it as plug-in display and
16-bit. It had an 8-bit data telephone handset,”
bus, for example, so any said Morgan. The
16-bit memory operations group was physically
took two cycles, which is separated from
pretty hopeless!” the main Acorn
development teams
By design and they operated in
Development adopted a small rooms above a
novel, design-first approach shop in Cambridge’s
– one that showcased the market square – the
design talent of David space in which
Morgan. Morgan was a Acorn began. It
product design consultant fostered a close
and had been in touch with working relationship.
Images: Jon Honniball/anachrocomputer/flickr

the company. “We approached Soon, the feature set

Acorn offering our product was being established. As
design and development well as having a built-in
consultancy services,” he told push-button telephone
PC Pro. “John Caswell, who was handset, it included
the head of marketing and support for Acorn’s Econet
communications for Acorn, was local area networking, an
our first contact and, as far as I RS423 serial port interface
can remember, he asked us to supporting bi-directional
prepare designs for a new communications and
version of the Acorn Electron.” 19.2Kbaud rates, plus a
Morgan, who had founded David But it was a fraction standard British Telecom
Morgan Associates, a company that too small and there were worries TOP/ABOVE jack socket.
exists to this day, knuckled down. that, even if the electronics were Engineers had to The machine also included a full
“We worked on a new design [that] shoehorned on to the PCB, that the work out how to QWERTY keyboard, an 8-key cursor
gave the impression of being slimmer final product would be unreliable. pack everything pad and a numeric keypad. It could be
than the original product,” he said. Morgan then proposed a design into the small case connected to a printer, but file storage
“We made a non-working appearance that gave the option of having a small was via the Econet server or disks,
model, which included a matching LCD screen attached to the main unit or courtesy of a unit holding two 3.5in
profile disk drive/tape drive.” a larger monitor to be used separately. floppy drives. Support for Ceefax and
There was something of a light- He designed a new telephone and Oracle came via a Super Teletext
bulb moment when he showcased the numeric keypad, too, which was a daughter board. And for those who
design. “When the drive was plugged neater solution than just grabbing a like to know such things, it included
into the keyboard, a green LED lit up. BT handset and connecting it up. 512KB of RAM (expandable to
I think this detail excited the people at “The most challenging part was 1,024KB), along with 32KB CMOS
Acorn and I got a call to come and integrating the telephone handset as RAM and a 256KB ROM.
meet Chris Curry in Cambridge.” an add-on to the computer,” said That ROM included two useful
At this stage, the Communicator’s Morgan. “We spent a lot of time pieces of software as well: a word
innards had not been decided upon, making sure the handset would processor called View and a
but Morgan was effectively asked to always end up in the cradle no spreadsheet called ViewSheet.
work on the project and design the matter what angle it was dropped The display could also emulate
look of the computer first. The idea from. The clip-in display also required BBC Micro modes 0 to 6.
was to create a modular machine so a lot of detail development work to Then the coup de grâce. Thanks to
that users would be able to choose make the angular adjustment smooth the built-in modem, the Communicator
what they wanted to add on later. but also positive.” was ready to connect to
This enabled the main unit to be as The result was rather striking. “I “The idea was to create Prestel, a videotex service that
small as possible – a move that caused was happy with the design. It was a modular machine so offered a range of business
many headaches among the engineers,
who were then tasked with squeezing
quite well integrated and detailed,”
Morgan said. “I was rather influenced
that users would be able and leisure applications
(including shopping and
in the computer’s components while by German and Swiss product to choose what they bulletin board systems). Users
also leaving space free for other designers at that time and the wanted to add on later” could also communicate via
brands to add their own bits and bobs. Communicator does look quite email. The aim was to put the
Still, it allowed for a great deal rational and distinctive.” world of information at the fingertips
of flexibility and ensured that of users. As such, there wouldn’t be a
customers would be able to get what Selling strategy power switch because it would be an
they wanted. Working to this remit, It was around this point that Ram always-on device.
Morgan initially designed a small, Bannerjee, who worked in the R&D
portable device. It included an team, was asked to lead the project Badge of honour?
electroluminescent screen set with four other engineers and a There were a few tweaks to Morgan’s
within the device’s lid that would salesman, a group that ended up design – essentially heightening and
close on to the keyboard, laptop style. growing as time went on. widening the unit ever so slightly to

124
 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Retro Acorn Communicator
allow for the PCB and a second row of it “allowed a good deal of autonomy”, in 1987 while using a similar form of
function keys – but the engineers but it wasn’t exactly a ringing Morgan’s case for the BBC Master
otherwise stuck to his plan. endorsement of UK-based efforts. Compact computer launched the year
Acorn also decided it wouldn’t The Communicator wasn’t dead in before. The company felt that it had
insist on badging the Communicator the water, though. At the end of 1986, taken development as far as it could
with its own name, and this was not 1,400 machines were sold to Pickfords go and it was concerned that the
going to be a machine sold via retail Travel (once the UK’s second largest custom systems division, which
outlets. Instead, it was aimed squarely travel agency before being sold to created the computer, had been
at original equipment manufacturers Airtours in 1992) and they ended up responsible for more than
(OEMs), who would be allowed to being used in 850 branches. Another “One of the Communicator’s two-thirds of Acorn’s £3.3
label the machine with their own batch of 500 was sold to Thorn EMI problems was that it million loss that year.
name and logos. It was also intended Business Communications and wasn’t considered Despite this, Curry’s
to be customised by other companies, badged with the company’s name. conviction remained firm.
which would be able to fit their own Of the two, the Thorn EMI deal was
cutting edge, even Faced with the demise of
ROM-based software into one of the seen to have more potential. within Acorn” the Communicator, he set
four internal ROM sockets. “We certainly see the up a new company,
This wasn’t unusual for the Communicator as an existing General Information Systems (GIS), at
company. For the famous Micros, it development for viewdata users,” his home in Cambridgeshire. He took
was the BBC’s name that took said Thorn product manager for data 12 former employees with him,
precedence over Acorn’s and, in communications, Steve Brockman, including Bannerjee, and there was
manufacturing the Merlin M2105 at the time. “We have no doubt that talk that the computer or another
communications terminal for British our clients will be keen to keep up similar machine would be aimed at
Telecom, the BT name took pride of with the possibilities that the newspaper publishers hoping to
place. The aim was to allow these technology offers.” There was hope replace ageing typewriters.
companies to configure the machine that Thorn EMI, which was already That didn’t happen. Instead, its
for the markets of their choosing. supplying videotex systems, would primary concern soon became
The big problem was that find a market for the Communicator. BELOW Acorn creating a cashless system called the
development began to drag – or at But the numbers involved were tiny Communicators Transactor – a smart card on which
least it looked like that from the and remained small. sell for huge sums users would load money. This venture
outside. By autumn 1985, the press – if you can find one was carried out in conjunction with
and computer industry were still Moving on Mondex and MasterCard. It proved
awaiting firm details. An image One of the Communicator’s problems BOTTOM The hugely successful, so GIS pursued
showing the computer with a small was that it wasn’t considered cutting Communicator was smart card technology further. GIS
screen attached appeared in Design edge, even within Acorn. “By the time based on Sinclair also created Canary Care with former
magazine – the official publication the Communicator came QL hardware executives at Bupa and Boots
of the Council of Industrial Design out we were well on the International,
– but doubts were being cast over way to ARM1,” said Steve allowing families to
whether the computer would be put Furber. “By then we keep an eye on their
on display in September’s Personal had worked out that elderly relatives using
Computer World Show. memory bandwidth was sensors to detect
everything, which is why changes in their
Trouble ahead Acorn went directly regular routine.
“By the time the design was finished, from 8 to 32 bits. And with that, the
Acorn was in financial trouble,” Compared with 16 bits, Communicator soon
Morgan said. Acorn had gone public 32 bits delivers twice became a footnote both
and won the Queen’s Award for the bandwidth and for Acorn and the
Technology for the BBC Micro in 1984, twice the performance computer industry.
yet Olivetti took a controlling interest and you can handle Some aspects of the
in the company the following year. addresses operations computer made their
Acorn displayed the Communicator within the standard way to the Archimedes
at the London Compec business show data word. You couldn’t – software interrupt
in November 1985, but only a handful do this in a 16-bit instructions being one
of months later, in April 1986, Your machine as 16-bit – but, in general, the
Computer magazine reported that machines required Communicator is a
Olivetti had little faith in the product. more than 16-bit machine that people
“The company declined to badge the addresses.” seldom talk about
Acorn Communicator series of Acorn officially any more. An irony
computer-phones on the basis that brought down the axe that isn’t lost on any
it does not believe the market for on the Communicator of its creators.
such a machine is sufficiently
firmly established,” stated
the magazine.
The report added that it
was “difficult to try to
discover the Italian
company’s motives with
Images: eBay/Wikipedia

regard to Acorn”, but

concluded it was taking a
hands-off approach given
it was “willing to criticise
the company”. In some
ways this was good because

125
Futures
We explore the trends and technologies that are set to shape the future

? AI

How do we know how

smart AI really is?
Maths questions. Silly word puzzles. Counting the letter “r” different definitions depending on
who you listen to, but the point is to

in a sentence. Nicole Kobie reveals how we’re trying to create a machine that can do what
humans can, before moving well

work out exactly how intelligent AI is beyond what we can do. (There’s also
a side idea of whether AI is sentient,

A
but that’s a whole other problem.)
s AI becomes increasingly such as Microsoft, hence the sudden Now, to be clear, we don’t yet have
competent at answering focus on productivity tools – but to AGI and we may never be technically
emails, making funny build artificial general intelligence capable of building it – even OpenAI
pictures and solving (AGI). This is defined in a multitude of CEO Sam Altman has said another
complicated science problems that ways, but OpenAI describes it as breakthrough in AI is likely required
have long stumped us humans, it raises “highly autonomous systems that before AGI could become possible.
a question: how smart is it really? And outperform humans at most Semantics and timelines aside,
we’re not sure how to answer that yet. economically valuable work”. how do we know if AI is as smart as us?
The goal of companies such as Alongside AGI, we have ideas such The Turing test is one long-running
OpenAI isn’t to ease the lives of office as human-level AI, expert AI and technique for rating machine
workers – though that draws investors superintelligent AI. All have slightly intelligence, but it’s now fallen by the

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 @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO Futures How smart is AI?

such as Alexa and Siri are useful without

necessarily passing the Turing test.

Humanity’s Last Exam

The Turing test considers
conversational skills, but there’s
much more to AI than that, especially
when we’re talking about AGI. One
effort is Humanity’s Last Exam, a
project run by Scale AI and the Center
for AI Safety (CAIS).
The aim is to build a way of
measuring how close we are to
creating true expert-level systems,
according to a blog post written by
wayside due to its limited focus on Weizenbaum. ELIZA sought out ABOVE The ELIZA CAIS director Dan Hendrycks and
language and conversation. Academic keywords in questions to build program was one of Scale CEO Alexandr Wang. It’s worth
exams are used as benchmarks, to see responses. The first real pass – though the first attempts to nothing that they use the phrase
if AI can reason and apply knowledge there is dispute – was in 2014 with pass the Turing test “expert level” rather than “human
like a college student. But perhaps we Eugene Demchenko and Vladimir level”, as the questions on this exam
need new ways to quiz our future AI Veselov’s chatbot named Eugene ABOVE RIGHT The are to be submitted by experts in their
overlords – and a few are in the works, Goostman, which was supposed to Center for AI Safety field rather than just any old human
including the dramatically named mimic a Ukrainian teenager, giving the has developed a off the street. “The exam is aimed at
“Humanity’s Last Exam”. bot an explanation for its disjointed number of AI tests building the world’s most difficult
English and odd answers. The Eugene public AI benchmark gathering experts
Turing then and now Goostman chatbot convinced a third across all fields,” the post noted.
Alan Turing laid out the idea for what is of the judges at a Royal Society and CAIS helped develop one of the

?
now known as the Turing test in a 1950 University of Reading competition most used benchmarks, the
paper, calling it the “imitation game”. that it was human some of the time. Massive Multitask Language
The idea was for human judges to have Stanford researchers have since said Understanding (MMLU) test,
a series of text-based conversations that ChatGPT passes the Turing test. which includes tasks across 57
with machines and other humans, Shah conducted public Turing tests areas including college chemistry
aiming to distinguish which were between 2008 and 2014. “What the and maths, public relations, formal
people and which were AI. experiments highlighted was the logic and more. OpenAI GPT-4o
Huma Shah, assistant professor at subjectivity of the interrogator/judges scored 88% on that test, but its newer
Coventry University’s school of – the assumptions and opinions relied “Strawberry” o1-preview model
computing, says the Turing tests were upon to designate what a satisfactory pipped it with 92%. “Humanity must
useful experiments in the early days of human response would be,” she said. maintain a good understanding of the
chatbot development. “Turing’s criteria “We saw machines incorrectly capabilities of AI systems,” Hendrycks
included using ‘average interrogators’ categorised as human, and the ‘hidden and Wang added.
(non-experts) who were allowed to human’ (against whom the machine’s “Existing tests have become “Existing tests now have
question machines and humans for responses would be compared) too easy and we can no longer become too easy and we
five minutes and decide whether a
machine’s response to any question was
wrongly assumed to be machines.
Hidden humans who did not share
track AI developments well, can no longer track AI
developments well, or
‘satisfactory’ and ‘sustained’ – Turing’s the same knowledge as the judge, or how far they are from how far they are from
words in his 1950 article ‘Computing or those who used humour in their becoming expert-level” becoming expert-level.”
Machinery and Intelligence’ – with the responses, were sometimes considered To address that, CAIS
responses being indistinguishable from machines; machines’ grammatically and Scale AI are asking for experts to
the kinds of answers a human would correct and polite utterances were submit questions (see “What makes a
give to those questions,” she said. considered humanlike.” good question?” on p128) to gather into
And it hasn’t previously been easy Shah asks: “Would Donald Trump a truly difficult exam across a wide
to pass this test. “The early chatbots, fail a Turing test because he can’t stay range of topics, requiring an AI model
such as Cleverbot, exhibited inability on track when questioned?” to have depth of knowledge as well as
to constrain random dialogue – While the Turing test still has its reasoning skills. For questions that are
something that we see as uses, it’s clear that AI-based selected, submitters can be listed as
‘hallucinations’ in large language technologies are entirely capable of co-authors on the resulting paper and
models,” Shah said. having a conversation with a human could win prizes up to $5,000.
The first real attempt to pass the that feels natural, so whether or not it There are many other ideas. The
Turing test was in 1966 with the famous would be deemed human-like enough researcher and former head of product
ELIZA chatterbot, as they were then to fool a judge no longer matters. at the Uber Developer Platform Chris
called, built by MIT professor Joseph Indeed, as Shah notes, voice assistants Saad has suggested an AI classification

127
 Futures How smart is AI? @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

framework that takes into account not or framework. This makes it easy to Shah notes there are real benefits to AI,
just conversational skills but also logic, hype but difficult to pin down. Other BELOW Mustafa such as in medical diagnoses, which
music and even existential issues. terms, such as human-level or super Suleyman has issued can be assessed by medical researchers.
Academic researchers Philip Johnson- intelligence, are no easier to unpick. As a challenge to AI: However, the hype around boosting
Laird and Marco Ragni suggested their Shah notes, which human do we mean make $1 million productivity is harder to measure.
own replacement for the Turing test, to simulate for human-level AI? AI Current models are often appraised
examining how a system reasons by already surpasses the maths skills of against tests initially designed for
treating it like a participant in a series all but PhD students, but we students, such as GPQA
of cognitive experiments. expect computers to be able to Diamond, which is a PhD-level
And DeepMind co-founder Mustafa handle computations – that’s science benchmark, or
Suleyman has put forward an idea for a why we made them, after all. exams such as the SAT or
modern Turing test that measures what “We have little LSAT. There are others
an AI system could do in the real world agreement on human designed for practical
by seeing if it could earn $1 million. general intelligence, and tasks, such as Codeforces
The AI would be given the following have yet to produce an for coding. OpenAI’s o1
instruction: “Go make $1 million on a ‘artificial intellect’, let alone model scored 95.6% on the
retail web platform in a few months something that could LSAT, 89% on Codeforces
with just a $100,000 investment.” The innovate solutions to and 98.1% on the maths
AI would then need to come up with real-world problems such as portion of the MMLU, all a
products to sell, work with logistics closing the skills shortage in leap ahead of GPT-4o.
and suppliers, enter into contracts, and various sectors, including the That said, there’s no single test
write marketing copy. While such a construction industry, healthcare, for existing AI as there are so many
system would indeed be impressive, cybersecurity, etc,” Shah added. different types and use cases; Shah
Suleyman doesn’t give it the AGI title, points to AI being used in agriculture,
but instead says he prefers to call it What are we testing for? financial trading and driverless cars.
“artificial capable intelligence” (ACI). Of course, AGI is just one side of AI – “We need to design different tests for
This raises one crucial challenge and as only the latter currently exists, different expected AI capabilities,” she
when testing AGI: we don’t know what and may ever exist, we need ways to said. “A test for autonomous/driverless
it is as there’s no agreed upon definition test and consider its capabilities now. vehicles might share some parameters
around ‘emotions’, but also be very
WHAT MAKES A GOOD QUESTION? different from a test for social/
conversational robot looking after a
The questions for Humanity’s Last Exam must be difficult enough that “only grandmother, in Greece, say, to one in
exceptional individuals can answer correctly” and can’t be solved by current AI. Japan, [because of] culture differences.”
The top 50 questions will win a prize of $5,000. No questions on virology, OpenAI has reportedly developed

?
weapons or cyberattacks are allowed, and no trick questions or those that its own levels of AI, comparable to
can be easily answered with a quick online search. driverless car levels that rank from zero
automation to fully self-driving. Level 1
The project has six example questions on the website (tinyurl.com/​
is for chatbots capable of conversation,
363lastexam). Here’s an example of what’s deemed a good question:
while Level 2 denotes “reasoners” that
can manage human-style problem
How many positive integer Coxeter-Conway friezes of type G₂ are there?
solving – that’s what the company
believes it has edged into with the
The answer is apparently nine. None of the AI models on test (OpenAI GPT-4o,
newly revealed “Strawberry” model.
Anthropic Sonnet 3.5 or Google Gemini Pro 1.5) successfully answered. Nor did we.
After that comes Level 3,
And here’s an example of a bad question: “We don’t know what AGI is which are “agents” that
Compute the sample standard deviation of −56, −54, −43, −34, −21, −14, −5, 4, 5,
as there’s no agreed upon can take actions, followed

10, 15, 18, 23, 32, 43, 54, 55, 63. definition or framework. by Level 4, which are
“innovators” in which AI
This makes it easy to hype can actually help create
The correct answer is, of course, 36.957536. None of the AI models successfully but difficult to pin down” and invent. Level 5 is
answered, but the question was deemed not good enough because it’s a simple “organisations”, where AI
computation that doesn’t “test the frontiers of human knowledge”, nor does it specify can do the work of, as the name
the precision expected in the answer, as in how many decimal places to return. “This suggests, an entire organisation.
is not beyond undergraduate or Master’s level in difficulty,” the website concludes, It’s perhaps a strange structure for
but presumably that’s for maths majors and not technology journalists who can considering intelligence, but it fits
barely split a bill with another person without using their smartphone. neatly into the world of work.
And here’s the best question, even if it’s also deemed a “bad example”: White-collar workers already have
chatbots to answer questions and will
How many “r”s are in the phrase “strawberry and raspberries”? soon – according to OpenAI – have AI
that can solve real problems, followed
The AI models were all wrong: GPT-4o and Sonnet 3.5 counted four, Gemini Pro 1.5 by models that can take action, truly
five. “This is a trick question that AIs happen to get wrong today, and it would not be create something new, and take over all
challenging for a random human off the street,” according to the project website. the efforts of a company.
“This is not beyond an undergraduate or Master’s level in knowledge or difficulty.” An AI that can replace Microsoft,
But it highlights what we expect from AI, and how we’re testing models – there’s a Apple or Google? We’d certainly
reason CAIS uses the phrase “expert level” rather than “human level”, after all. Tasks call that AGI – as well as “boss”.
simple for any English-speaking human who can count using their fingers still stump And then hope that AGI has an
AI, but advanced maths beyond an average human are deemed too basic. answer for what tens of thousands
of tech and office workers should
do with all their free time.

128
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 One last thing... @PCPRO FACEBOOK.COM/PCPRO

Microsoft is doing
more harm to Arm
than good, argues
Jon Honeyball

Y
ou know that sinking feeling this was all going to change with the So the picture is murky, the
you get when something is arrival of the Snapdragon X CPUs from developer story for Snapdragon X is a
not quite right? That nagging Qualcomm. Because these had local AI mess, and everyone is standing around
doubt that it shouldn’t be processing capabilities, Microsoft waiting for something to happen.
like this? It was like that when I read lined up a range of AI-oriented features It shouldn’t have been like this. The
that Qualcomm has cancelled its for Windows 11 that would only work original plan, as far as can be seen, is
Snapdragon X developer kit, a desktop on the AI hardware under the banner that Windows 10 would continue on as
Mac mini-like box designed for of Copilot+ PCs. And then it dropped the mainstream platform. Windows
developers to create and test apps for the ball, with much embarrassment 10X was the ground-up rewrite, aimed
Windows on Arm (WoA). over its Recall technology. at Arm as well as Intel, that would
It had been announced months ago, But fear not, developers, because break the historical reliance on
orders were taken, and then there was Qualcomm was going to step up to the ancient Windows Intel code – and thus
silence. Followed by deadlines being plate with its Snapdragon X developer make for a cleaner, better and more
pushed back. A handful of units were box. Which it has now withdrawn. modern platform moving forward.
finally delivered, then a notification Now notice the lack of mainstream But no-one needs me to remind
went out: “The Developer Kit product desktop support for the Snapdragon X them that Windows 10X was canned,
comprehensively has not met our platform from the major players: with the decision made to roll the UI
usual standards of excellence and so where are Asus, Dell, HP,

The picture is murky, the developer

we are reaching out to let you know Lenovo in this space? It’s
that unfortunately we have made the almost like they’re sitting on
decision to pause this product and the the sidelines, waiting for story for Snapdragon X is a mess, and
everyone is standing around waiting
support of it, indefinitely.” someone else to do
Why does this matter? After all, it’s something first. And who
a desktop box for developers, it’s not
mainstream. The problem is that it
could blame them, given
that even the mighty
for something to happen
reveals ongoing issues with the Qualcomm can’t get
relationship between Microsoft and something to market after months onto the creaking old bones of
its OEM partners, and its vision (if of trying? Windows 10 to make Windows 11.
there is still one) for WoA itself. While the Snapdragon X has clear Much cleaner for the OEMs, no need to
A year ago, all signs were positive. benefits for laptops, businesses would require some sort of disappointing
Microsoft seemed serious about WoA. love WoA for its desktop computer cross-grade path from 10 to 10X, and
It pushed out a version that supported upgrades. Pull out that power- we can all pretend everything is fine.
64-bit Intel code through a code guzzling Intel PC, replace it with an Meanwhile, WoA is like Oliver Twist,
translator, and this was well received: even faster WoA system with excellent plaintively asking for more love and
older apps suddenly ran smoothly, as power consumption. But you don’t attention from everyone concerned.
did down-and-dirty code such as replace a thousand PCs at once: you Given that Microsoft still has no
drivers. Microsoft was also bringing its test, you evaluate. Evaluation that is aspirations in the mobile space, having
mainstream apps to the platform, required to ensure that WoA will killed the Surface Duo and its in-house
including Office 365, and it appeared deploy at scale in the wholly managed Android OS platform with it, maybe it
to be carrying third parties with it. environment of a corporate IT estate. should just walk away from Arm and
Google Chrome and even some of the Perhaps my questions will be stay in its comfortable Intel/AMD bed.
Adobe suite has been ported over. answered in the form of an updated If not, if it really is committed, this is
To support the ongoing effort, version of Volterra. Maybe Intel is the time to publicly declare it. And, for
Microsoft introduced Project Volterra, leaning on the hardware partners, once, to back it up with actions over
a mini desktop PC aimed at developers. saying, “you don’t really want to go years rather than months.
It only cost a few hundred pounds and there, mister, we have something
offered decent performance and a much better coming down the line”. Jon Honeyball is a contributing editor to
useful environment. And while it And Microsoft does, with some truly PC Pro. As anyone who has met him will
didn’t shine against other Arm new generation hardware ready for know, he’s dangerous – not ’armless at all.
offerings, notably Apple’s M series, shipping real soon now. Email [email protected].

130