Tech Advisor - February 2024 UK

INSIDE: MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP GO 3
FEBRUARY 2024
AWESOME
WINDOWS
TOOLS
ERADICATE
YOUR
PC’S MOST
ANNOYING
HEADACHES
REVEALED:
MICROSOFT
PAINT’S NEW
FEATURES
CONTENTS
84
Credit: Getty Images/Bet_Noire

NEWS 31 OnePlus Open
4 ‘Snake oil’: Intel slams AMD’s 49 Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
confusing Ryzen laptop 61 Google Pixel Watch 2
branding
8 Windows 12 will release in June BUYING GUIDE
2024, Taiwan’s PC makers think 70 Best Android tablet
10 Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot
rolls out to Windows 10 testers WINDOWS 11
12 Chrome’s new ‘IP Protection’ 79 Microsoft Paint: How to use new
will let you hide from advertisers AI and Photoshop-like features
84 Eradicate your Windows PC’s
REVIEWS most annoying headaches
14 LG Gram 17 with these tools
21 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 93 Next-gen Windows leak: 6
26 Lenovo Chromebook AI features that could change
Plus IdeaPad Flex 5 PCs forever
2 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024 Main cover image: Credit: Getty Images/Bet_Noire
79
14 26
31 61
FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 3

NEWS
‘Snake oil’: Intel slams

AMD’s confusing Ryzen
laptop branding
...as Intel itself prepares to radically overhaul its own processor names with
Meteor Lake, aka the Core Ultra. MARK HACHMAN reports
I
ntel has published a presentation that as part of the launch of its ‘Core Ultra’
uses ‘snake oil’ and used-car salesmen Meteor Lake chips.
to imply that AMD is misleading The PDF presentation (fave.
customers with its recent Ryzen co/3RszobX is titled Core Truths – How
branding. Unfortunately, the launch the Latest Technology is not always
comes on the eve of major changes what it seems. “There’s a long history
being made to Intel’s branding, too, of selling half-truths to unsuspecting
4 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

VÕÃÌiÀÃ]»Ì i
presentation reads, next
to a man holding a bottle
that’s labelled ‘Snake Oil’.
The presentation
Ì iÃ«iVwV>Þ}iÃ
on to call out AMD’s
Ryzen branding,
asking “Can I trust
Ì >ÌÌ ÃÃÌ i>ÌiÃÌ¶»
º »]Ì i«ÀiÃiÌ>Ì Intel’s presentation is pretty direct about what message it’s
responds, with an arrow sending about the competition.
pointing to Intel’s own
Core i5 branding. AMD’s latest technology. And many do:
Intel’s presentation refers back to the Ryzen 7045 and 7040 series use
AMD’s dizzying new Ryzen mobile AMD’s Zen 4 architecture.
processor naming scheme (fave. Intel is correct in pointing out that
co/3RtWf6T), which the company the 7035 (Zen 3+), 7030 (Zen 3) and
launched in September 2022. The 7020 (Zen 2), all use older designs. Still,
branding uses four digits and a letter Intel’s site seems designed to provoke
ÃÕvwÝÌÀi«ÀiÃiÌÌ iìÞi>À]Ì i ‘FUD’ (fear, uncertainty and doubt) in
market segment, the architecture, the customers considering buying AMD
‘feature isolation’ and the form factor. Ryzen-powered hardware.
AMD even supplied ‘decoder rings’ to “In a commercial buying scenario,
help journalists out, and as a fun piece it’s common for procurement teams
of marketing material. to compare ‘equivalent’ options
What Intel highlights is the third Ü iw}ÕÌÌiìÀÃ«iVÃ]»Ì i
`}Ì]Ã«iVwV>ÞÌ i>ÀV ÌiVÌÕÀi presentation says. “For example, you
used. As the presentation notes, the might word the spec to include ‘latest
Ryzen 5 7520U uses a dated Zen 2 gen Intel Core i5 or equivalent’. The
architecture, originally developed Intel Core i5 and AMD 7000 Series are
in 2019. But AMD also markets the both ‘latest’ technologies but Core i5
chip as part of the 7000-series family, 1335U is up to 83 percent better in
which also infers that those chips use performance than Ryzen 5 7520U. In this

NEWS
seems intended
for commercial
and education
customers, but
could apply
to consumers
as well.
Also
ironically, Intel is
undergoing its
AMD’s own branding scheme (from 2022) is being used by Intel to show own branding
how AMD hides older hardware behind an up-to-date brand. changes as
Meteor Lake
example, the Ryzen 5 7520U would be debuts – the 14th-gen Core chips.
v>ÀvÀiµÕÛ>iÌ°» In June, Intel indicated that several
It’s worth noting the Ryzen 5 7520U changes were coming to its branding
in a low-end processor intended for strategy: it will drop the ‘i’ from its Core
ultra-affordable notebooks, while Intel’s i-series chips, leaving the ‘Core i5’ as
Core i5 targets more mid-range laptops. just the ‘Core 5’. Higher-end Meteor
Ironically, AMD’s naming scheme Lake chips will now be referred to as the
was spearheaded by Robert Hallock, Core Ultra, possibly tweaking some of
then director of
technical marketing
for AMD. Hallock
subsequently
left AMD for
Intel, where he
currently holds a
similar title. It’s
not clear whether
he was aware of
or signed off on
Intel’s presentation.
The presentation Intel is undergoing its own branding changes as Meteor Lake debuts.

Also also ironically,
Intel’s 14th-gen Core
laptop and desktop
processors use two totally
different architectures
built on two totally
different processors – the
radical new Meteor Lake
hybrid architecture in
laptops, and ‘Raptor Lake
Intel seems pretty concerned that PC buyers will accidentally Refresh’ in desktops.
choose AMD’s older hardware over its own. At the time of writing,
Intel was scheduled to
Ì iÜÃÕvwÝiÃ>` } i`LÀ>`} reveal its laptop processor details, its
Intel has used in the past, such as the PC partners, and more at the launch
Core i9, HX series and ‘KF’ chips. of the Meteor Lake family on 14
Intel has yet to announce its December, followed by laptop debuts
own line-up of Meteor Lake chips, at CES in January and subsequent
though the company has gone into shipping dates after that. But with such
extensive detail describing how the radical changes being made to Intel’s
Meteor Lake architecture differs branding in just a week, should Intel
from previous generations, including really be throwing stones?
multiple processor tiles with differing We’ll have to see. Neither Intel nor
capabilities, the addition of new low- AMD responded to our requests for
power E-cores, and AI functionality. But comment by press time.
leaked benchmark results have already
revealed the Core Ultra 7 155H (six
P-Cores, eight E-cores and two low-
voltage E-Cores), the Ultra 9 185H (6 P
cores, 10 E cores) and possibly the Core
Ultra 7 165H and Core Ultra 7 1002H
as well. If the latter processor is real, it
would use a different naming scheme –
which Intel hasn’t described, anyway.

NEWS
Windows 12 will release

in June 2024, Taiwan’s
PC makers think
The report is vague, however. MARK HACHMAN reports
M
icrosoft’s Windows 12 will (fave.co/3uRonb7) about a recent
launch in June of 2024, medical conference by stating that
according to Taiwan media Microsoft’s Windows 12 will launch in
quoting the chairmen of Acer and June 2024. The paper was reporting
contract manufacturer Quanta. on comments made by Barry Lam, the
The Commercial Times, Taiwan’s founder and chairman of PC contract
>À}iÃÌw>V>«>«iÀ]i`ÌÃÀi«ÀÌ manufacturer Quanta, and by Junsheng

(Jason) Chen, the chairman and chief PC maker, makes PCs that third-
executive of Acer. party PC makers sell under their own
The CT did not directly attribute brand names.)
the Windows date to either executive, What’s unclear is the certainty of the
though it said that Lam stated that June 2024 launch date. Similar reports
+Õ>Ì>ÜÕ`LiÌ iºwÀÃÌÌÛiÃÌ by the Central News Agency (the news
Ƃ* Ã»]>iÜV>Ìi}ÀÞv* ÃÌ >Ì service of the Republic of China) and
Intel chief executive Pat Gelsinger }/iÃ`½ÌiÌÌ >ÌÃ«iVwV
announced in July. date, though it’s assumed Microsoft
/ Õ} Ì iìwÌ`vviÀÃÃ} ÌÞ will launch Windows 12 in 2024. While
between companies, an AI PC is Windows 11 launched on 5 October,
generally assumed to be a PC with a Windows 10 launched on 29 July, 2015,
processor (such as Intel’s Meteor Lake, so there is precedent, of a sort.
AMD’s Ryzen AI, and Qualcomm’s “He expects that by the summer
Snapdragon X Elite CPU) with on-chip of next year, with the launch of a new
AI capabilities. At the time of writing, generation of Windows operating
Intel was set to bring PC makers system, AI PCs will also be launched,
together in New York on 14 December >`Ì iì>`ÃÃÌ`vwVÕÌÌ
to launch AI PCs, which would then estimate, but it is ‘a good opportunity’
be seen more broadly at CES in Las vÀÌ i`ÕÃÌÀÞ]»Ì i />`ì`]ÕÃ}
Vegas in January. AI-powered translation services.
Microsoft, of course, has already
begun shipping its own AI capabilities
as part of Copilot, part of Windows 11’s
2023 Update. That large-language-
model currently connects to the cloud,
not a local processor. It’s unclear
whether Windows 12 will continue that
trend, or whether the OS will be able to
use local AI capabilities instead.
PC makers, however, have certainly
been given road maps by all of the
AI players, as they ready their own
hardware. (Quanta, as a ‘white box’

NEWS
Microsoft’s AI-powered
Copilot rolls out to
Windows 10 testers
Microsoft is rolling out the top feature of Windows 11 as an update for
Windows 10. HANS-CHRISTIAN DIRSCHERL reports
M
icrosoft has started to roll out Windows 10 Insider testers can
the Copilot AI tool introduced now try out the Copilot in the Release
with Windows 11 to Windows Preview Channel (fave.co/3RuUcQe).
10 computers. Windows 10 Insider test To do this, you must activate the
ÛiÀÃÃ}iÌwÀÃÌVÀ>V>Ì «Ì]v option ‘Get the latest updates as soon
they’re running a current version of the as they are available’ in the Windows
operating system. menu Settings > Update & Security

> Windows Update, then check for
updates after installing Windows 10
22H2 Build 19045.3757 (KB5032278).
Microsoft will gradually roll out
Copilot to all Windows 10 machines
over the next few months, including
those with the main release versions
of Windows 10.
Individual Windows 10 users will
}iÌ «ÌwÀÃÌ°VÀÃvÌÌi`ÃÌ
include Copilot in the roll-out process in
a later deployment phase for centrally
managed Windows 10 machines
in corporate or government use
(Windows 10 Enterprise or Education
Version 22H2 and Professional devices).
HOW TO START COPILOT

As soon as Copilot is installed, you can
start it via the new Copilot icon in the
Windows 10 taskbar. A chat window will
then open in which you can type your
requests. You can also use Copilot by
voice via the microphone icon within
the chat window.
Copilot is still subject to some
restrictions under Windows 10; for
example it does not support multi-
monitor operation. The restrictions
are explained here: fave.co/3RuUcQe.
Unlike Windows 11, Copilot is also
not available for applications under
Windows 10.

NEWS
Credit: Getty Images/brightstars

Chrome’s new ‘IP
Protection’ will let you
hide from advertisers
User authentication could be required to use the feature, however.
ALAINA YEE reports
O
ne of the ways that advertisers now Google wants to change how IP
LÕ`>«ÀwivÞÕÃL>Ãi` addresses are shared by Chrome, in
on your location – that is, your order to better protect user privacy.
IP address. Whenever you visit a website Unlike cookies, your browser can’t
or a service, it’s part of the information block requests for your IP address.
passed along when you connect. But It’s a fundamental part of the way the

Internet works. Your Internet service neither are VPNs). One of Google’s
provider assigns you one for a reason, security concerns is threat actors
so that it knows where a connection V«ÀÃ}ÌÃ«ÀÝÞÃiÀÛiÀÃ°/À>vwV
request comes from, and where to send could then be seen or even manipulated
the resulting data. Every device at your (for example, routed elsewhere). Google
location will be seen as that IP address, may require authentication of users in
regardless of the internal IP addresses order to use the proxy servers to ward
assigned by your router to your devices. off this issue, as well as the abuse of the
It’s similar to everyone sharing a single feature to wage DDoS attacks.
landline at a residence. Individuals using Still, IP Protection is a start to putting
the line might have unique names, but a wall between trackers and the public.
anyone tracing a call will only see the Ì½wÀÃÌÀÕÌÌ1-ÕÃiÀÃ]>`ÞÕ½
address the line is tied to. That’s then have to both be logged in and opt into
used to track habits and interests. the program to use it. The initial phase
With its new ‘IP Protection’ feature, of this feature, which will work with
Google plans to thwart that process just Google-owned domains, will be
LÞÀÕÌ}ÞÕÀÌÀ>vwVÌ ÀÕ} «ÀÝÞ tested between Chrome versions 119
servers, according to Bleeping and 125. You can read more about the
Computer (fave.co/3uL1ark). By sending project on Github (fave.co/3GAAdch),
the data through an intermediary server, which includes details about future
your IP address will become hidden. At plans – like possibly using two hops for
the start, IP Protection will only work ÌÀ>vwVÌ«ÀÛi«ÀÛ>VÞ°
vÀÃ«iVwV`>Ã]Ì iiÝ«>`Ì
include more domains and protection
from cross-site tracking.
Proxy servers aren’t as secure as
ÕÃ}>6* °ÜiÛiÀqÜ iÌÀ>vwV
goes through a proxy server, it doesn’t
necessarily cover all of your browsing
(like how IP Protection will start with a
limited number of support domains).
The data also isn’t encrypted. For
stronger privacy, you’ll want a VPN.
They’re also not fool-proof (though

REVIEWS
LG Gram 17
Price: £1,599 from fave.co/3Tt2yJB
T
here are loads of laptops to But are the compromises in other
choose from in 2023, but the areas worth it, given its high price tag?
vast majority have a display The short answer is yes, but only for a
between 13- and 15 inches. If you need ÛiÀÞÃ«iVwVÌÞ«ivÕÃiÀ°iÀi>ÀiÞ
something a bit bigger, your options are thoughts after testing it for a few weeks.
far more limited.
One of the main devices in this DESIGN
category is the Gram 17, LG’s largest Let’s get the obvious out of the way
laptop. Its key selling point is an wÀÃÌ\Ì iÀ>£ÇÃ>ÛiÀÞL}>«Ì«°
incredibly lightweight design – it weighs LG has tried to make the bezels
an incredible 1.35kg, making it more around the 17-inch display as slim as
portable than many 14-inch laptops. possible, but the chassis still measures

378.8x258.8x17.8mm.
However, this is to be
expected when you want
such a big screen. There
are 14-, 15- or 16-inch LG
Gram laptops available if
you’d prefer them.
But one area the Gram
17 excels is its total weight,
or lack thereof. It’s just
1.35kg, which is more in
line with what you’d expect The Gram 17 is far more portable than you’d ever expect,
from a 14-inch laptop. with the main limitation being the size of your bag.
Compare that to the 2.53kg
Dell XPS 17, and I know which one I’d minimalist design is well-suited for
rather carry around with me. business use.
It means the Gram 17 is far more That’s especially true when you
portable than you’d ever expect, with consider ports. Both USB-C ports
the main limitation being the size of support Thunderbolt 4 (for fast
your bag. Many laptop backpacks only data transfer) and USB PD (for fast
support devices up to 16 inches. charging), and they’re joined by two
There’s nothing wrong with the USB-A, full-size HDMI, microSD and a
materials used to make the Gram 3.5mm audio jack.
17. But you could easily mistake the The only real thing missing is
carbon-magnesium alloy for plastic, and Ethernet, but it’s one of the best port
Ã}wV>ÌyiÝÌ i`Ã«>Þ>iÃi selections on any non-gaming laptop.
concerned for long-term
durability. It doesn’t feel
nearly as premium as many
high-end laptops.
Aesthetically, though,
the Gram 17 still looks
the part. It’s only available The LG has one of the best selections of ports you’ll see on
in black, but the sleek, a non-gaming website.

REVIEWS
DISPLAY OLEDs is avoided, though you also miss

If you’re buying such a big laptop, the out on those rich, deep blacks.
display needs to be good. And while Brightness isn’t an issue, though. I
not quite top-tier, I thoroughly enjoyed recorded a maximum of 439 nits, so you
using the one on the Gram 17. can get away with some outdoor usage,
You’re getting a 17-inch, 2,560x1,600 provided it’s not in direct sunlight.
LCD panel, giving it the 16:10 aspect But the refresh rate is still stuck at
ratio we’ve come to expect in modern 60Hz, despite many premium laptops
laptops. It’s a shame not to see OLED having moved to 120Hz or higher. You
on the Gram 17, but you can still expect won’t notice it as much here as on a
a great viewing experience. smartphone, but it’s still a shame.
Colour accuracy is a real strength, There’s also no touchscreen support,
something borne out in the data. though this is less of an issue. I wouldn’t
According to the SpyderXPro calibration want to jab at such a large screen
tool, it covers the full sRGB colour anyway, and the trackpad is plenty good
gamut, plus 99 percent of DCI-P3 and as an alternative.
91 percent of AdobeRGB. The Gram 17 features dual stereo
As a result, most content looks speakers, and they perform pretty well.
«ÀiÃÃÛiÞÌÀÕiÌvi°/ i>ÀÌwV> There’s a depth and warmth to the
oversaturated look you get from some sound that you don’t always get on
laptops, and they avoid any
audible distortion.
But don’t expect room-
w}ÃÕ`]>`L>ÃÃ
is severely lacking, so
they’re better suited to
voice content than music
or movies. For the latter,
I’d recommend connecting
headphones.
KEYBOARD
The sheer size of the Gram
The display offers a great viewing experience. 17 means there’s plenty

LG offers quick
access to a few
extra settings via
the row of function
keys at the top.
These include LG’s
Smart Assistant app,
an airplane mode
toggle and reader
mode, which shifts
the display towards
Each key is clicky and responsive, offering a nice level of feedback. warmer tones.
Below the
of room for a full-size keyboard and keyboard is a huge trackpad. The size
separate number pad. If you’re coming of the Gram 17 means there’s still plenty
from a laptop without one, you’ll of space to rest your palms either side.
need to adjust your grip slightly, but And it’s impressively precise, allowing to
there’s nothing wrong with the typing you easily select large portions of text
experience. Each key is clicky and ÀVVÃiÌ }ÛiÀÞÃ«iVwV°
responsive, offering a nice level of However, there’s one big feature
feedback. Within a few minutes, I was ÃÃ}vÀÌ iiÞL>À`\>w}iÀ«ÀÌ
back typing at my usual speed. reader. The power button it’s often built
One thing some people won’t enjoy into is right there in the top-right corner,
is the limited key travel. But this is so I can’t understand why LG didn’t
almost inevitable in such a thin and light include it.
device, and feels like a wise trade-off for Instead, you’ll be relying on
LG to make. Windows Hello face unlock. It uses
Each key is backlit, and there are two a combination of the webcam and
different brightness settings to choose separate IR sensor, and is generally fast
from. However, there doesn’t appear and reliable. However, you’ll have to
to be a way to keep the backlighting position your face so it’s directly in line
turned on permanently – it only for it to unlock.
activates when you start typing and for a The Full HD webcam itself is one
few seconds after. of the better built-in laptop cameras.

REVIEWS
Detail and colours are accurate,

and it handles exposure well in
some tricky lighting conditions.
Alongside dual microphones, it
means the LG is a good option
for video calls.
PERFORMANCE
As a 2023 laptop, it’s no
surprise to see the Gram 17
powered by Intel’s Raptor Lake
processors, the latest at the Combined with the large screen, the Gram 17 is a great
Ìiv>ÕV °-«iVwV>Þ] option for multitasking.
you’re getting a choice
between the i5-1340P and i7-1360P, Of course, that will change during
both from the P-series category. These demanding tasks such as video editing
>ÀiÃ«iVwV>ÞìÃ}i`vÀÌ >` or gaming, but the Iris Xe integrated
light devices, but I’m still disappointed graphics limits what’s possible here.
there’s no option for the more powerful If you’re serious about either, I’d
H-series. Nonetheless, performance is recommend a laptop with a discrete
still solid. The model I tested combines GPU instead.
the i7-1360P with a bumper 32GB of
RAM, ensuring it breezes through all Geekbench 5 (multi-core)
everyday tasks. LG Gram 17 (2023): 8,994
ÞÜÀyÜVÕìÃÌÃvÜiL LG Gram 17 (2021): 5,187
browsing, email, Slack and occasional Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023): 8,788
video calls, all of which the Gram Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro: 9,180
17 handled with ease. That includes Apple MacBook Pro (M2 Pro): 15,162
while multiple apps were running
simultaneously. Combined with the PCMark 10
large screen, it’s a great option for LG Gram 17 (2023): 5,596
multitasking. It also never got more than LG Gram 17 (2021): 4,760
slightly warm to the touch, and the fans Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023): 5,461
were barely audible. Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro: 5,453

3DMark (Night Raid) latest standards, both deliver fast and
LG Gram 17 (2023): 14,180 reliable connections.
LG Gram 17 (2021): 13,816
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023): 17,446 BATTERY LIFE
Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro: 14,601 Regardless of the model you choose,
the LG Gram 17 is equipped with an
Battery life 80Wh capacity. That’s one of the larger
LG Gram 17 (2023): 15 hours, 43 capacities around, and it performs well,
minutes despite such a big display. In our 720p
LG Gram 17 (2021): 20 hours, 38 video loop battery test, it lasted an
minutes impressive 15 hours and 43 minutes.
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023): 10 However, that’s with brightness set to
hours, 24 minutes a relatively low 120 nits, and no Internet
Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro: 18 hours >VViÃÃ°ƂÀiÀi>ÃÌVw}ÕÀiÃ>ÀÕ`
Apple MacBook Pro (M2 Pro): 23 hours, eight or nine hours of regular usage,
24 minutes meaning most people will be able get
a full working day on a single charge.
Charge in 30 minutes It may be possible to extend this with
LG Gram 17 (2023): 32% battery saver mode turned on.
LG Gram 17 (2021): 34% The Gram 17 supports 65-watt
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023): 53% charging, and LG includes the necessary
Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro: 33% charger in the box. I recorded 32
Apple MacBook Pro (M2 Pro): 53% percent in 30 minutes and 57 percent
in an hour, with a full charge taking just
Benchmarks suggest the Gram 17 under 2.5 hours. That’s in line with what
(2023) is in line with other big-screen I was expecting.
laptops, although the Dell XPS 17 (2023)
isn’t included here. SOFTWARE
In terms of storage, you can The Gram 17 runs Windows 11 Home
choose between 512GB, 1TB and out of the box. Microsoft’s operating
2TB. The former is plenty for most system is largely unchanged here, and
people, especially if you use a cloud its multitasking features are at their best
storage provider. And while Wi-Fi 6 on such a large display.
and Bluetooth 5.1 aren’t the absolute However, there’s too much extra

REVIEWS
pre-installed software for my liking. I However, battery life and ports are
counted no fewer than seven LG apps, both great, and I still can’t get over how
plus the most annoying of the lot: light this thing is. That alone means it’s
McAfee. It’s a good antivirus app, but worth considering. Anyron Copeman
not when it’s constantly bugging you to
pay for a subscription. All these extra SPECIFICATIONS
apps can be uninstalled, but you should • 17-inch (2,560x1,600) IPS non-touch
have the option to not install them in display
Ì iwÀÃÌ«>Vi° • Windows 11 Home
Microsoft hasn’t revealed when it will • Intel Core i7-1360P processor
stop supporting Windows 11, but it’ll • Intel Iris Xe GPU
likely be for many more years. Provided • 16GB RAM
you regularly update your device, it’ll • 2TB SSD
continue being protected. • microSD card slot
• 2x USB-C 3.2
VERDICT • 1x HDMI 2.0
The LG Gram 17 (2023) is an impressive • 2x Thunderbolt 4
laptop, but it’s only right for a very • 3.5mm audio jack
Ã«iVwVÌÞ«iv«iÀÃ°vÞÕÀi>Þ • Dolby Atmos speakers
need a 17-inch display but still want to • 1080p front-facing with Windows
be able to take your laptop everywhere Hello support
with you, it’s the best choice out there. • Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible
But if you’re looking for a • Bluetooth 5.1
performance powerhouse, this isn’t it. • 80Wh battery
The Gram 17 is still plenty fast during • 378.8x258.8x17.8mm
everyday tasks, but the lack of a discrete • 1.35kg
GPU limits what it’s capable of.
And as good as the display is, the
lack of OLED, a high refresh rate and
touch support means it falls short of the
best laptop screens around. Alongside
>yÃÞLÕ`>`Ì >Ì } «ÀViÌ>}]
most people will be better off with
something smaller and cheaper.

Microsoft Surface
Laptop Go 3
Price: £799 from fave.co/46GXPGR
M
icrosoft’s Surface laptops have easier, such as an excellent keyboard,
a special feature: objectively, quiet fans, an elegant case, touchscreen
they seem overpriced, because and low weight.
they offer less computing power, This is especially true for the models
features and connections compared to from the Surface Laptop Go series –
similarly priced laptops. where Microsoft assembles its cheapest,
Subjectively, however, they are lightest and smallest notebooks.
fascinating because they are beautiful In this respect, it is not surprising
and pleasant to work with. They offer that the new Surface Laptop Go 3
soft skills that aren’t immediately relies almost unchanged on the virtues
obvious, but make everyday life much of its predecessors: The only new

REVIEWS
feature compared to the Laptop Go bottom of plastic, which according to

2 is the Alder Lake Core i5-1235U Microsoft contains 30 percent recycled
CPU. This marks the debut of Intel’s material. The lid can be opened easily
hybrid architecture in this laptop series with one hand.
– but not with the current 13th Core In terms of equipment, the variants
generation Raptor Lake. only differ in terms of RAM, which is
Prices start at £799 or you can get a 8- or 16GB. The SSD is always 256GB.
more powerful model for £999. Only the business models with Windows
££*À >Ûi>ìÜÌ £Ón y>Ã
DESIGN memory card. When choosing a RAM
Microsoft sells the Laptop Go 3 in size, you are committing yourself to
platinum, ice blue, sandstone and a variant, because the RAM, like the
sage colour variants. The green tone is WLAN module, cannot be exchanged.
particularly evident on the keyboard, The SSD in M.2 2230 format, on the
touchpad and underside of the case, other hand, can be removed.
while the lid and palm rest have a
shiny metallic surface that tends KEYBOARD
towards silver. / iiÞL>À`VwÀÃÌ i } µÕ>ÌÞ
The notebook is sturdily built: The wÀÃÌ«ÀiÃÃ\ÌÃÛiÀÞÃÌÕÀ`ÞLÕÌ
lid and top are made of aluminium, the in, all keys offer even, clear pressure
feedback, yet it always remains
quiet when typing. The keys
are slightly closer together
and a little smaller than on
15- or 16-inch notebooks, but
that doesn’t detract from the
accuracy. The only annoying
thing about the key layout
is that the number keys are
ÌĆÃi«>À>Ìi`°
The touchpad is also
convincing, it is also
very sturdily built in and
Our review unit was the sandstone version. acknowledges a mouse

maximum of just over
22 watts, while the
processor in other
laptops is allowed to
consume up to 28
watts and 55 watts at
its peak. On the other
hand, the operating
noise of the Go 3 is
a pleasant 38dB(A)
even during long load
phases and the case
hardly heats up.
Microsoft has included a high-quality keyboard and trackpad. The downside is
the mediocre speed:
click with clear but quiet feedback. the new Go laptop can only distinguish
The pleasantly grippy surface allows itself from its predecessor with the
fast and precise mouse movements, Tiger Lake platform in programmes
>`ÕÌw}iÀ}iÃÌÕÀiÃ>ÃÜÀ Ì >ÌLiiwÌvÀÌ i>``Ì>VÀiÃq
without problems. mostly multimedia applications. There
ÃÃ«ii`>`Û>Ì>}ivwViÕÃi°
PERFORMANCE Compared to an equally expensive
The Core i5-1235U has a total of consumer notebook with Core i7-1355U,
10 cores, 2 of which are powerful the Microsoft laptop works about 25
P-cores. Compared to a Core i7 and percent slower.
the U processors from the Raptor-Lake
generation, it only differs in a lower -«ii`ÜÌ vwVi«À}À>Ã\ 67 points
default and boost clock. (out of 100)
With the Surface laptops, quiet and Speed with multimedia programs: 43
ergonomic operation is more important points (out of 100)
to Microsoft than computing power: 3D Mark: 28 (out of 100)
that’s why the manufacturer limits the Cinebench R23: 5,257
power consumption of the CPU under Battery life: 9 hours, 42 minutes
load to 15 watts on average and a Charge after 1 hour: 72%

REVIEWS
BATTERY LIFE ratio of 3:2, but at 1,536x1,024 it does

On the other hand, the processor gives not have a particularly high resolution.
the Surface Laptop a decent battery life Its dot density corresponds to a 15.6-
of just under ten hours. In the WLAN inch display with Full HD resolution.
test, the notebook only needs just The notebook can regulate the
over four watts. With a larger battery, screen brightness depending on the
this frugal operation would allow for a ambient light via a light sensor.
Ã}wV>ÌÞ}iÀÀÕÌi° ÕÌÀìÀ The picture quality is decent: the
to achieve the compact dimensions and luminance is just over 300 nits, which
low weight of around 1.13kg, Microsoft Ã>LÃÕÌiÞÃÕvwViÌvÀÌ iìÃ]
has only installed a 41Wh battery. and it is also very evenly distributed.
Outdoors in sunlight, readability
CONNECTIVITY ÃÕvviÀÃvÀÀiyiVÌÃÌ iÃVÀii½Ã
The Laptop Go 3 doesn’t get much for ÀiyiVÌÛiÃÕÀv>Vi° ÌÀ>ÃÌ>`
the money in terms of features either VÕÀÀi«À`ÕVÌ>Àiwi°/ ÕÃ]
as there are only a few ports on the the display quality is clearly higher
casing. Unlike the Surface Laptop 5, the than on better-equipped consumer
Go 3 does not have Thunderbolt, but notebooks in this price segment, but it
its Type-C port provides USB 3.2 Gen cannot stand out from other business
2 and DisplayPort signals and can be notebooks for around £1,000.
used for charging.
However, the 39-watt power
ÃÕ««ÞVÕì`ÞwÌÃÌ
the proprietary Connect port.
For older USB peripherals,
there is still a type A socket
with 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbit/s). A
w}iÀÃiÃÀÌ iiÞL>À`
allows biometric login. The
camera has a 720p resolution.
DISPLAY
The 12.4-inch touchscreen
has the Surface-typical aspect The display provides decent picture quality.

VERDICT • Bluetooth 5.1
The Go 3’s plus points lie not in speed • 41Wh battery
or features, but in the outstanding • 278.8x206x15.7mm
operation plus touchscreen, the high • 1.13kg
build quality, the low weight and
elegant design: this makes the Microsoft
notebook unique in its price class.
Since it hardly differs from its
predecessor, you can also go for the
cheaper Surface Laptop Go 2: although
it is only available with 8GB RAM, this is
not very noticeable if you mainly work
ÜÌ vwVi>««V>ÌÃ°
It’s worth considering some excellent
rivals, though, including the Asus
ZenBook 14X OLED and Acer Aspire
Vero (2023). Thomas Rau
SPECIFICATIONS
• 12.4-inch (1,536x1,024; 148ppi)
PixelSense display
• Windows 11 Home
• Intel Core i5-1235U processor
• Intel Iris Xe GPU
• 8GB/16GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• 1x USB-C 3.2
• 1x USB-A 3.1
• 1x Surface Connect
• 3.5mm audio jack
• Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio
Premium
• 720p HD front-facing camera
• Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible

REVIEWS
Lenovo Chromebook
Plus IdeaPad Flex 5
Price: £449 from fave.co/3Tagl7u
I
really like Google’s new Chromebook The models I’ve tested so far have
Plus concept introduced in 2023. all met the minimum requirements,
Intel Core-class performance, but Lenovo raises the bar with its
good screens, good webcam, fast Chromebook Plus IdeaPad Flex 5.
connectivity and some other things
to tick off, which means that a DESIGN
Chromebook Plus can compete with an This is a sturdy little computer in a
affordable mid-range laptop, and then 14-inch format, with a higher weight
also get a bunch of features, mainly AI than many others of the same size.
for image and sound management. This is partly due to a sturdy chassis

with a brushed metal
exterior that gives
a high quality feel,
and partly due to the
ÎÈäì}Àiiy«ìÃ}
of the screen and
the touchscreen with
glossy glass in front.
That always adds a few
grams to a laptop.
Thin screen edges
make it smaller in
width and height
than many other
14-inch Chromebooks. Turn the computer inside out and navigate with a stylus or pen.
However, it is
undeniably a bit thicker. Not that I mind y«ÃVÀii ÀiLÃ½ÛiÌiÃÌi`
much, I’d rather take an extra millimetre are close to 400. That’s good enough
as long as the chassis is easy to grip. indoors, but can be a problem if you
And it is, with rounded edges and cool, want to work in the daytime outdoors.
smooth metal surfaces everywhere. Despite that and also moderate
colour gamut, a bit below the full sRGB
DISPLAY palette, the movies I stream to the
The screen is a sleek IPS panel with computer generally look good. There’s
1080p resolution. At 14-inches, that a crisp sharpness to the image, thanks
makes it not quite pixel-free, but almost. largely to good blacks and contrast.
And sharp enough for comfortable At least good for an IPS screen.
viewing of web pages, documents and However, it may be a good idea to sit in
images. It handles different viewing a room with controlled light and closed
angles perfectly, except for the fact curtains, to get a good immersion
that glossy surfaces always have clear >`>Û`ÃVÀiiÀiyiVÌÃ°/ iÀiÃ
ÀiyiVÌÃ>ÌÃ >À«>}iÃ° minimal risk of buffering, as you get
The screen isn’t bright, landing at Wi-Fi 6 support and good reception on
just under 300 nits, where the best both frequency bands.

REVIEWS
KEYBOARD You also have touch control on the

The sound from the built-in speakers screen, and you also get a well-built
is also of good quality. The maximum stylus in solid aluminium. You can use it
volume is fairly low, barely enough to to navigate the screen, scribble notes
w>À]LÕÌÌ iÃÕ`ÃìÌ>i` and draw in drawing apps. The pen
and well-balanced, from treble to clear has some pressure sensitivity and good
bass tones. If you want more, you can precision, but it tends to have too much
connect analogue headphones, USB friction with the screen surface, so it
audio via one USB-A, two USB-C or feels almost rough. Response is also
of course Bluetooth. On the side of noticeably sluggish.
Ì iiÝxÞÕ½>Ãw`>ÃÌvÀ> The webcam looks good with
microSD port. Just in case the generous pleasant light and little noise, but
storage isn’t enough. it lacks detail so the joy of having a
Lenovo offers a well-built keyboard 1080p camera is lost. On the other
with backlit keys that light up hand, the microphone is excellent.
automatically when you put your hands It captures my voice with a pleasant
over them. The key travel is on the low tone and lots of detail, and almost no
side, but there’s good feedback in the background noise. I feel no need to
keys and a high quality feel. The mouse turn on the built-in microphone noise
pad has a bit more of a budget feel, but reduction in ChromeOS.
provides decent control. Finally, the Chromebook Plus
IdeaPad Flex 5 has a
v>ÃÌ>`y>ÜiÃÃLÕÌ
w}iÀ«ÀÌÃV>iÀ
one side in front of the
keyboard.
PERFORMANCE
You get the same
processor as in Asus’s and
Acer’s Chromebook Plus,
the Intel Core i3-1215U
with six cores and stable
i>ÀL>V} Ì}>`>v>ÃÌw}iÀ«ÀÌÃV>iÀ° vwVi«iÀvÀ>Vi°Ƃ`

even here there is 8GB
ram memory. Actually,
on paper it’s a bit worse
as it’s of the DDR4 type
instead of DDR5, but it
doesn’t seem to affect the
performance very much.
More memory is a boost in
most situations, even if the
speed is lower. You also
get both more and faster Well-built and well-rounded.
storage, 256GB instead of
128GB, and it’s said to be real M.2 SSD BATTERY LIFE
ÃÌi>`v1-L>Ãi`y>Ã iÀÞ° The battery life doesn’t offer any
A 64GB and a 128GB model are said surprises, but seven hours of video
to have eMMC storage, so go for the streaming at full brightness and 10
larger one I’ve tested here if you can. It’s hours of browsing at medium brightness
worth it. It’s not hugely faster, but the is more or less what I expected.
difference in loading a larger installed Maybe less, but then we have to take
game from the Google Play store, for into account that touch layers in a
example, is still noticeable. And with screen always draw battery power
the Core processor’s acceptably fast and it becomes more noticeable in an
graphics, it might be interesting to be Ì iÀÜÃi«ÜiÀivwViÌV«ÕÌiÀi
able to do that. this one. If I dim the lights completely
In the UK, you can also get a Core i5 >`Þ>iÃ«ivyiÌiÃ]Ì i
model with a 512GB SSD. battery lasts all day.
The low-power technology of
Speedometer, web performance: 286.6 these computers is also cool, and the
Geekbench 6 (single core): 1,795 points computer rarely needs active cooling.
Geekbench 6 (multi core): 4,903 When it does start up after continuous
Geekbench 6 (GPU Compute): 7,666 processor pressure, the mechanics may
GFXBench Manhattan 1080p: 84fps whine a bit, but it’s never very loud.
Disk, read: 1,608MB/s Even the weak speakers can drown it
Disk, write: 516MB/s out so it’s not noticeable.

REVIEWS
VERDICT
In 2021, I named that year’s edition
of the IdeaPad Flex 5 the best
Chromebook of the year. And now its
once again holding that title. It’s not
£ää«iÀViÌy>ÜiÃÃ]LÕÌ>«Ì«Ã
for this price. In short, this is a well-built,
modern and complete Chromebook
that delivers a lot of functionality for
the money. With the right hardware,
it lets you take advantage of all the
possibilities of the platform in an
excellent way. Mattias Inghe
SPECIFICATIONS
• 14-inch (1,920x1,200; 148ppi) IPS
display
• ChromeOS
• Intel Core i5-1235U processor
• Intel Iris Xe GPU
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB/512GB SSD
• microSD card reader
• 2x USB-C Type C
• 1x USB 3.2
• 3.5mm audio jack
• Dual 2-watt speakers
• Full HD 1080p webcam
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.1
• 315.5x229x19.8mm
• 1.58kg

OnePlus Open
Price: £1,599 from fave.co/3sqA4Vo
W
e’ve had to wait a while for time as the OnePlus Open with near-
it, but the OnePlus Open identical hardware and software. And
stands out among foldables then there’s the simple fact that it’s
vÀ>Û>ÀiÌÞvÀi>ÃÃ°/ iwÀÃÌÃÌÃ taken until 2023 for OnePlus to release
name: rather than opting for the tried- a folding phone, making it one of the
and-tested ‘Fold’ branding, OnePlus late comers to the party.
wants the device to be ‘Open for However, none of that matters if
Everything’, hinting at its versatility the OnePlus Open performs well in the
as phone-tablet hybrid. But the same real world. While that’s certainly the
can be said of parent company Oppo’s V>Ãi]ÌÃ½ÌµÕÌiÌ i}iÀiìw}
Find N3, which launched at the same device you might be hoping for.

REVIEWS
DESIGN onto steel, a force of 25kg and

If you’ve tried a book-style foldable Ã}wV>ÌLi`}°ÌÃÕÀÛÛi`>
before, the OnePlus Open will be of these unscathed.
familiar to you. Its design is in keeping However, it’s not clear if that
with rivals such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, included scratch resistance. Despite
with a regular phone-sized cover display using the Open like I would any other
(6.31-inch) that opens to reveal a small phone, the cover screen picked up a
tablet (7.82-inch). VÕ«ivÃ}wV>ÌÃVÀ>ÌV iÃÜÌ
Like Samsung’s latest, the Open a couple of days. This can easily be
v`ÃV«iÌiÞy>Ì]i>}ÌÃ ÀiVÌwi`LÞÀiÛ}Ì i«Ài>««i`
great while open or closed. And while screen protector, but I wouldn’t
you will see and feel the crease on the recommend it.
inner screen, it doesn’t affect usability in Despite potential for some cosmetic
>ÞÃ}wV>ÌÜ>Þ° damage, nothing else about the Open
But durability will always be the top feels cheap or fragile. Most people
priority on a folding phone. OnePlus shouldn’t have a problem using it for
claims the Open can last for over Ì ivÕwÛiÞi>À`ÕÀ>ÌvÃiVÕÀÌÞ
1,000,000 open and close cycles, updates, but it’s worth applying a case.
equivalent to more than 100 folds The Open also has an IPX4 rating,
every day for over 10 years. Of course, meaning it’s not protected against
I have no way of verifying that after a dust and can only survive exposure to
week of use, but the hinge certainly splashes of water. It’s not the full 1.5m
feels very tough and robust. submersion for 30 minutes of IP68/
OnePlus has carried out a variety *8n°/ ÃÃÛiÀÞ`vwVÕÌÌ>V iÛi
of other testing to verify durability, a foldable but Samsung has managed it
including exposure to 1m drops on the IPX8 Galaxy Z Fold 5.
čÌ££°ÇÜ ivì`]ÌÜi>ÃÞwÌ>«ViÌ°

w}iÀ«ÀÌÃ>`Ì iÀÛÃLi`ÀÌ°
It’s a shame the ‘Voyager Black’
vegan leather version isn’t coming
to the UK and Europe, though
it is available in the US. This is
slightly lighter (239g) and thicker
(11.9mm) than the green model,
but this grippy back means you can
probably go case-free.
Regardless of colour, the
ìw}vi>ÌÕÀiÌ iL>VvÌ i
phone is that huge circular camera
LÕ«°Ì½ÃÃ}wV>ÌÞ>À}iÀÌ >
This device is attractive from every angle. even the OnePlus 11’s, but I quite
like it. This rounded theme extends
Crucially, the premium aluminium to the corners of the device itself, which
and glass build hasn’t come at a cost to makes the Open easier to hold when
portability. The green model weighs just open or closed.
245g, which isn’t much heavier than
the hefty 234g Galaxy S23 Ultra.
At 11.7mm when folded, it’s also
Ài>ÌÛiÞÌ ]ÃV>i>ÃÞwÌÌ i
pocket of most men’s trousers. This
may still be an issue for women,
whose pockets tend to be much
smaller, but this is by no means
unique to the Open.
However, this is a device
that’s attractive from every angle,
especially in the dark green
¼ iÀ>` ÕÃ½wÃ °/ i>ÌÌi
frosted glass back shimmers
attractively as it catches the light, / iìw}vi>ÌÕÀiÌ iL>VvÌ i« iÃ
but still does a good job of avoiding that huge circular camera bump.

REVIEWS
On the Open, it’s easy to set up

and consistently unlocks the device
quickly, so I can have no complaints.
It’s also worth highlighting the
haptics, which are the best I’ve ever
tried. OnePlus has even given them a
name – O-Haptics – and they deliver
subtle yet realistic feedback across a
variety of different scenarios. I initially
found the intensity while typing to
be too high, but this can easily be
adjusted in settings.
The Alert slider lets you move between ring, DISPLAY

vibrate and silent modes. OnePlus hasn’t spared any expense
when it comes to the Open’s displays.
I would say that the camera module The internal one – the main reason for
is unique, but parent company Oppo’s buying a book-style foldable – is a 7.82-
Find N3 looks exactly the same. In inch, 2K (2,440x2,268) OLED panel.
fact, the only real difference
between the two is OnePlus’
traditional alert slider.
As usual, this allows you to
quickly move between ring,
ÛLÀ>Ìi>`ÃiÌìÃ°w`
it genuinely useful, but it can
easily be ignored if you don’t
feel the same way.
On the opposite side (when
«i®Ã>w}iÀ«ÀÌÃV>iÀ
built into the power button. I
wish more companies would
go for this rather than the often The internal display looks superb, combining rich,
unreliable in-display versions. vibrant colours with plenty of detail.

And it looks simply superb,
combining rich, vibrant
colours with plenty of detail.
The best smartphones all
have excellent displays these
days, but I’m glad it’s also
possible on one that folds.
Of course, that means
there’s a crease all the way
down the middle, which you
can see and feel when you
touch it. Other foldables We were also impressed by the phone’s external display.
have done a better job of
obscuring it, but I was surprised how you’ll notice the high refresh rate of
little that mattered. I soon forgot the the screen. It’s a 120Hz LTPO panel,
crease was even there, and you can’t meaning it can automatically go all the
see it at all while videos are playing. way down to 1Hz depending on what
But sadly, the latter isn’t a strong you’re doing. As a result, everything
point for the OnePlus Open. The viiÃÃV>`yÕ`]ÜÌ ÕÌÌÕV v
unusual resolution gives it a very boxy a hit to battery life.
aspect ratio that doesn’t play nicely The 6.31-inch cover display can only
with content from the likes of YouTube, operate between 10- to 120Hz, but it’s
iÌyÝ>` ÃiÞ³°9Õ½ >ÛiÌ>i just as impressive. The 2,484x1,116
do with huge back bars above and OLED has a much more traditional 20:9
below, meaning the actual viewing area aspect ratio, mirroring what we see on
isn’t much bigger than a regular phone. many regular phones.
However, I did enjoy using the But detail and colour accuracy is
internal screen for most of my usual still top-notch, and I recorded a decent
tasks, including web browsing, maximum brightness of 579 nits. The
messaging/emails and streaming music. internal display is only slightly behind in
It’s also excellent for multitasking, that regard, and both are clearly visible
allowing you to comfortably run two (or in bright outdoor environments.
more) apps side-by-side. Another thing that really impressed
In all of the situations above, me was how small the bezels are.

REVIEWS
They’re tiny around the cover display,

and about as small as you could
expect inside when you need room
for a hinge mechanism.
The Open has four speaker grilles,
but only three are actual speakers.
OnePlus says this is because the
bottom right one is more powerful,
so one on the bottom left isn’t
necessary. I can’t verify that, but the
stereo sound they can produce is
better than you might expect. There’s
an impressive depth and detail to the
audio, whether you’re listening to Top-tier performance also makes the Open a
voices, music or other sounds. potent gaming machine.
Bass and treble are weaknesses,
but they handle mid-range frequencies fast across almost any task. OnePlus
ÛiÀÞÜi°/ iÞ½ÀiwivÀLÌ V>ÃÕ> says the RAM can be expanded up to an
use and watching movies & TV shows, additional 12GB, but it hasn’t said how.
albeit not as impressive as dedicated I used the Open for everything I’d
tablets such as the OnePlus Pad. typically use my phone for, from web
browsing and scrolling social media
PERFORMANCE to messaging and taking photos. The
The Open is powered by the only slowdown of any description was
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, Qualcomm’s a couple of slight hesitations when
latest and greatest at the time of opening apps, but I think that’s related
launch. Despite the announcement of a to software, and I haven’t experienced it
successor (the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) just since installing a recent update.
a few days later, there was no need for Multitasking, one of the key
OnePlus to wait. strengths of the Open, was also very
That’s because the 8 Gen 2 still fast and reliable. OnePlus claims
delivers all the performance you need you can run a staggering 44 apps
and then some. Alongside 16GB of the simultaneously, and from testing the
fastest LPDDR5X RAM, it’s supremely device I can see why.

The top-tier performance also makes people. I barely made a dent in this
the Open a potent gaming machine. during my testing time, though the lack
While playing demanding titles such of support for microSD expansion is
as Call of Duty: Mobile, Asphalt 9 and a shame. But the Open is well future-
Rocket League Sideswipe, gameplay proofed when it comes to connectivity.
remained smooth and lag-free Alongside 5G, you also get Bluetooth
throughout. They also handled the 5.3 and Wi-Fi 7 support. The latter is
unusual aspect ratio on the inner display yet to fully roll out, but it’s nice to know
well, so I’d argue the experience here is you’ll be able to get the fastest speeds.
even better than on dedicated gaming
phones for short gaming sessions. PHOTOGRAPHY
However, longer sessions are where / i"i*ÕÃ >Ã>ÌÌ>vwÛiV>iÀ>
you’ll miss the more advanced cooling lenses in three locations. But the triple
systems on those handsets. rear set-up, designed in collaboration
with camera company Hasselblad, is
Geekbench 6 (multi-core) undoubtedly the most important.
OnePlus Open: 4,498 It’s led by a 48Mp Sony LYT-T808
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: 5,226 main sensor, which can produce
Google Pixel Fold: 3,295 consistently great shots in good
Honor Magic Vs: 4,235
GFXManhattan 3.1
OnePlus Open: 60fps
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: 86fps
Honor Magic Vs: 60fps
Charge in 30 minutes
OnePlus Open: 83%
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: 56%
Google Pixel Fold: 42%
Honor Magic Vs: 77%
There’s only one storage option, The triple rear set-up has been designed in
but 512GB will be plenty for most collaboration with camera company Hasselblad.

REVIEWS
lighting. Detail and dynamic range from phones, the quality of images is only a
the main lens are superb, and it handles small step down compared to the main
exposure very well. iÃ]>`Ì i££{ì}Àiiwi`vÛiÜ
Colours are generally true to life, often comes in handy.
rather than the highly saturated look But the 64Mp telephoto is arguably
we get on some smartphones. But the most impressive of the lot. It
I personally prefer this, as it feels supports optical zoom up to 3x, while
authentic and can easily be edited the digital version goes all the way
afterwards. It’s still a great point-and- up to 120x. It’s the hybrid of optical
shoot camera though – many photos and digital at 6x that delivers some of
don’t need anything done to them. the best zoom photos I’ve seen on a
In general, the Open fares better smartphone, though, and the way it can
when there are clear subjects in the retain so much detail is superb.
frame. I particularly enjoyed the shots The camera app can also
it took of architecture, with the 48Mp automatically detect macro shots, giving
ultrawide better suited to landscape them a lot more clarity and vibrancy
photography. Unlike many camera than you’d get ordinarily.
Here’s a
series of
photos taken
with 0.6x
lens…

…the main
lens…
…2x
zoom…

REVIEWS
…3x
zoom…
…6x
zoom…

…and 120x
zoom.
Next up,
we have an
example of
an ultrawide
shot.

REVIEWS
If you’re
a fan of
ÃiwiÃ] iÀi
we have
one taken
with the
device’s
32Mp
camera…
…and a
portrait
ÃiwiÌ>i
with the
same lens.

Here’s an
example
v>Ãiwi
taken when
the phone
is open.
The
OnePlus
struggled
with low
light shots.

REVIEWS
7i½wÃ
off with an
example
of a macro
shot.
However, low-light shots are more of background. It’s a similar story for the
a struggle across all three lenses. Even 20Mp camera inside, which I’d only
with night mode enabled, shots remain recommend using for video calling.
quite dim and with a lot of noise. The Open supports video capture
But the portrait mode is very up to 4K at 30- or 60fps. But I’d
good, with subjects well exposed recommend the Ultra Steady mode,
and generally good edge detection. which is limited to 1080p at 60fps but
It’s also great that you can adjust the makes full use of OIS (optical image
amount of background blur after the stabilization) on the main lens for
photo is taken. impressively smooth footage, even with
This is my preferred way of taking lots of movement.
ÃiwiÃ]>ÃÞÕ}iÌ>ÌÀiìÌ>
than from either of the front-facing BATTERY LIFE
cameras. The cover has a 32Mp lens, The OnePlus Open has a 4,805mAh
which handles colours and exposure battery, split across two separate cells.
well but tends to omit details in the Before testing, I was concerned that

this wouldn’t be quite enough to
ensure great battery life, and so
it has proved.
Most people will still get a full
day of usage on a single charge,
most of the time. But with lots
of high brightness, GPS, mobile
data and use of the internal
display, a full day of battery life
can be a struggle. You can of
course turn on the battery saver
ì]LÕÌÌ >ÌÃ}wV>ÌÞ
limits performance.
ÕìÀÃÌ>`Ì i`vwVÕÌÞv
wÌÌ}>>À}iL>ÌÌiÀÞÌÃÕV > The OnePlus Open supports 67-watt fast charging.
slim device with a foldable screen,
but it’s a shame to see a capacity that’s changes its look and feel compared to
smaller than many regular smartphones. the likes of a ‘vanilla’ Google Pixel.
The good news is that if you can While you retain full Google access,
make it to a power source, you won’t Ì iÌwV>ÌÃ >ìÃµÕÌi
need to be there for long. The OnePlus different and key apps such as Settings
Open supports 67-watt fast charging, and Camera have been redesigned.
and the necessary charger is included OxygenOS isn’t quite as clean or slick
in the box. I recorded 50 percent in as Android on Pixel phones, but it’s still
15 minutes, with the battery full in just very intuitive and easy to use. Even if
under 45 minutes. you’ve never used a OnePlus phone
However, you will have to make do before, it won’t take long to adjust.
without wireless charging, which is a big Visually, OxygenOS is extremely
miss for some people. similar to ColorOS, the version of
Android found on Oppo phones. But
SOFTWARE the key difference is you get much
Out of the box, the Open runs Android less bloatware. OnePlus has a handful
13. But this is with OnePlus’s OxygenOS of its own apps pre-installed, such as
ÃÛiÀÌ iÌ«]Ü V Ã}wV>ÌÞ the OnePlus Store and O Relax (free

REVIEWS
relaxing audio), but all can easily be moving them into view with a tap on
uninstalled. There are also a few extra Ü iÌ iÞ½Àiiiì`°ƂvÕÀw}iÀ
software tricks designed for the internal pinch shows them all at once.
display. The taskbar instantly shifts to Drag-and-drop support is also here,
a tablet-style interface, with an app and means you can quickly highlight
>ÕV iÀ]wiÃ>`ÀiViÌ>««Ã>`ì` wiÃvÀi>««>Ài>`Þ«iÀ
to the usual dock. the taskbar) and instantly move it to
The most obvious feature is split- another. Most relevant apps support this
screen multitasking, which is activated feature, and it works very well.
by opening one app and literally The same can be said for the
splitting the screen in half using two multitasking experience as a whole. A
w}iÀÃ°9ÕV>Ì i>``>Ì À`LÞ lot of time and effort has clearly gone
dragging it out of the taskbar, and even into the software – as it should be on
save app groups to the home screen. a foldable – and it makes the Open a
This is where you’ll see what realistic option for productivity. The
OnePlus is calling ‘Open Canvas’ in smaller screen means it still can’t
action. It allows you to display apps quite compete with tablets for most
beyond the edges of the display, people, though.
And
unfortunately,
it’s not always as
impressive with
one full-screen
app. Those from
OnePlus and
some third-party
apps (such as
WhatsApp and
Facebook) work
well, but many
from Google
and other
developers are
The Open runs Android 13 with OnePlus’s OxygenOS skin over the top. not optimized

and simply larger versions
of the smartphone
app. This makes them
quite awkward to use
at times.
It’s not yet clear when
the Open will get an
update to Android 14,
but it’s likely to be before
the end of 2023. OnePlus
promises an additional
four years of Android
ÛiÀÃÕ«`>ÌiÃ>`wÛi
years of security updates,
taking you up to 2028. The OnePlus Open is a fantastic foldable.
This isn’t as good as
Google’s seven years, but the Open there’s still so much to like here if you
also has an A rating from TÜV SÜD `Ü>ÌÌÕ«viiÌwÀÃÌÌÌ iÜÀ`
for 48-month Fluency. It supposedly of book-foldables.
ensures the device will still be Performance from the Snapdragon
performing at a high level after four 8 Gen 2 chip is superb, even though
years of daily usage. it’s no longer the latest and greatest,
and both the displays are fantastic to
VERDICT use in most scenarios. Then there are
The OnePlus Open is a fantastic the cameras, with the main, ultrawide
foldable in many ways, but it doesn’t and telephoto all impressive across a
quite give the book-style device range of scenarios. You also get great
mainstream appeal yet. speakers and a 67-watt fast charger in
The big barrier remains the price, the box.
unless you can get a more affordable ÃìÀ}Ì ÃÃ>wÀÃÌ}iìÛVi]
contract deal once it goes on sale (not OnePlus has done an excellent job.
guaranteed). Battery life is mediocre But it remains a foldable that only tech
and some third-party apps aren’t enthusiasts should seriously consider…
optimised for the internal display, but for now. Anyron Copeman

REVIEWS
SPECIFICATIONS • USB Type-C 3.1, OTG

• 7.82-inch (2,400x2,268; 426ppi) • Fingerprint scanner (side-mounted)
`>Li/*"ÎiÝyÕ`Ƃ" ] • Non-removable 4,805mAh lithium-
Dolby Vision, 120Hz display. Cover polymer battery
display: 6.31-inch (2,484x1,116; • Unfolded: 153.4x143.1x5.8mm.
431pp1) LTPO3 Super Fluid OLED, Folded: 153.4x73.3x11.7mm
Dolby Vision, 120Hz • 245g
• Android 13, OxygenOS 13.2
• Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8
Gen 2 (4nm) processor
• Octa-core (1 x3.2GHz Cortex-X3,
2x 2.8GHz Cortex-A715, 2x 2.8GHz
Cortex-A710, 3x 2GHz Cortex-A510)
CPU
• Adreno 740 GPU
• 16GB RAM
• 512GB storage
• Three rear-facing cameras: 48Mp,
f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.43-inch,
1.12μm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS;
64Mp, f/2.6, 70mm (telephoto), 1/2-
inch, 0.7μm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical
zoom; 48Mp, f/2.2, 14mm, 114-degree
(ultrawide), 1/2-inch, 0.8μm, PDAF
• -iwiV>iÀ>\Óä«]vÉÓ°Ó]Óä
(ultrawide), 1/4-inch, 0.7μm
• Cover camera: 32Mp, f/2.4, 22mm
(ultrawide), 1/3.14-inch, 0.7μm
• Stereo speakers
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band
• Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
• NFC
• GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS,
GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
Price: £389 from fave.co/3t7dd1u
W
ith a 10.9-inch display, a «ÃÌÌÌ>iÌ iw} ÌÌƂ««iÌ i
«ÀiÕy>Ìi`}i`ìÃ}] premium tablet market. For some time
and pricing that starts from now, if you’ve wanted a classy tablet
£389, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE clearly has that isn’t an iPad, Samsung has supplied
Ƃ««i½Ã*>`ÓäÓÓ®wÀÞÌÃÃ} ÌÃ° the primary alternative.
Samsung even bundles a stylus with The previous FE (fan edition) tablet
every tablet, unlike Apple. Samsung supplied, the Galaxy Tab S7
Of course, Samsung isn’t the only FE, didn’t quite nail the formula, with a
Android manufacturer thinking along slightly high price tag and disappointing
these lines, as the OnePlus Pad and performance. Having seemingly skipped
the Lenovo Tab P12 go to show. But a generation, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE sees
really, only Samsung is in any kind of Samsung regrouping and trying again.

REVIEWS
Galaxy Tab S9 FE
feel great when
you’re watching
landscape video
content, but a tad
less comfortable
when scrolling
through content
in portrait.
Even so, the
w}iÀ«ÀÌÃiÃÀ
Samsung provides a stylus with every Galaxy Tab S9 FE. stashed in the
power button on the
Has it managed to nail the brief for top left edge (in landscape) proves to
a compelling mid-range tablet this time be simple enough to operate in either
>ÀÕ`¶,i>`Ìw`ÕÌ° orientation, provided you remember
ÌiÀLÌ vÀiw}iÀÃ°9Õ½}iÌ
DESIGN the habit (whether you realise or not) of
Samsung makes more tablets than orienting the tablet by the feel of the
anyone, so it’s no surprise that the camera module on the back. The Galaxy
company has gotten rather good at it. />L-Ç ÌÌi`>w}iÀ«ÀÌÃiÃÀ]
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE looks and feels so this is a welcome addition.
great, with a design that tips its hat to At 6.5mm, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE is
the iPad (to put it mildly) whilst actually the same thickness as the OnePlus Pad,
managing to beat its great rival in one which makes it about half-a-millimetre
particular area. thinner than the iPad (2022) and the
/ iy>ÌÃÕÀv>ViÃ]VÕÀÛi`VÀiÀÃ]> Lenovo Tab P12. At 523g, it’s lighter
metal body (except for plastic antenna than all but the iPad.
lines), and evenly proportioned display Samsung’s selection of colours is
bezels are pure iPad. Samsung’s tablet disappointingly limited, especially
is less square, however, with a 254.3 x compared to the iPad (2022). The Grey
£Èx°nL`ÞÀiyiVÌ}Ì iìVÃ and Silver options are predictably drab,
to us a 16:10 aspect ratio display. while my Mint model has to be the
As ever, this makes the Samsung most subtle brand of cool green I’ve

when bought
separately. Samsung
pretty much wrote
the book on virtual
pens, and its basic S
Pen remains one of
the best examples
on the market.
The tablet’s design tips its hat to the iPad. It’s simple,
robust, and it
ever seen. I thought it was supposed attaches to the back of the tablet
ÌLi-ÛiÀ>ÌwÀÃÌ}>Vi°/ iÀi½Ã>Ã with magnets. Samsung’s software
a Lavender option if that takes your implementation is more mature than
fancy, though at the time of writing any other manufacturer’s, too.
wasn’t on the Samsung UK store. It doesn’t slap you around the face
For all the competent similarity and demand to be used, but the facility
that’s on show here, the Samsung for pulling off quick, powerful S Pen-
Galaxy Tab S9 FE has one stand-out driven tasks is always there, lurking in
design feature compared to its mid- the background. Press the button and
À>}iÀÛ>Ãq*ÈnViÀÌwV>Ì° Ûi double tap to open up a quick note,
the iPad (2022) doesn’t offer this level ÀÌ>«Ì iy>Ì}«iVÌLÀ}
of water and dust resistance. up further shortcuts.
If you’re someone who
frequently exposes your
tablet to the elements – or
frequently makes it share
bag space with a beverage
– this could be a seriously
compelling addition.
Like the Lenovo Tab P12,
the Galaxy Tab S9 FE also
stands out for the inclusion
of a stylus with every tablet,
which is a £46 accessory The provided stylus is a pleasure to use.

REVIEWS
The writing experience itself is that of the OnePlus Pad and the Lenovo
unimpeachable, with 4,096 levels Pad P12, which are both around the
of pressure and a distinctly pen-like same price.
level of resistance. One advantage over the Lenovo,
and indeed the iPad (2022), is the
DISPLAY provision of a 90Hz refresh rate. This
Samsung rarely trips up on pairing the is active by default too, or rather an
right screen with the right device, and Adaptive mode that extends up to 90Hz
the Galaxy Tab S9 FE doesn’t let the Ü iÌ iÃÌÕ>ÌÕÃÌwiÃÌ°
side down. It’s not exactly exceptional Even here, however, the Galaxy Tab
for the money, however. S9 FE’s display is pipped or even lapped
You’re getting a solid 10.9-inch by the OnePlus Pad and its 144Hz
TFT LCD here. The provision of LCD provision. That’s total overkill, of course,
rather and AMOLED panel technology but it’s another advantage for this mid-
ÃLÞÌ iLÞq}`ÕVw`}> range rival.
tablet with such a component for less In isolation, I have few qualms about
than £500. You’ll be wanting the £800 the output of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE’s
Galaxy Tab S9 instead. screen. It hits a maximum brightness
Together with a 2,304x1,440 of 562 nits, which is way brighter than
resolution, however, this is a screen the Lenovo Tab P12 and the OnePlus
that’s both smaller and less sharp than Pad, though it’s still not what you’d call
outside-friendly.
I also found it to be
more colour-accurate
than the Lenovo, at
least once I set the
screen mode to the
more sRGB-tuned
Natural rather than
the default Vivid. Even
so, the apparent lack
of solid HDR standard
Samsung rarely trips up on pairing the right screen with the right support is notable in a
device, and the Galaxy Tab S9 FE doesn’t let the side down. media-focused tablet.

In contrast, the OnePlus
Pad wears its Dolby
Vision and HDR10+
credentials proudly.
Unlike its two Android
rivals, you don’t get a full
quad-speaker array with
the Tab S9 FE. However,
what you do get is a
strong AKG-powered
stereo speaker provision.
They won’t blow
your socks off with any The Tab S9 FE can keep up with all of the light media and web-
amazing Dolby Atmos heavy tasks it’s clearly intended for.
tricks or particularly
deep bass, but they get very loud You’ll get just 6GB of RAM in the
while remaining clear and reasonably entry model that I tested, which isn’t
full. They’ll do a good job with movie a great deal for an Android device
playback if you don’t happen to have selling for this sort of money. Upgrading
your headphones (and are in a secluded gets you 8GB, as well as 256GB of
area, of course). storage rather than 128GB (there is also
microSD card expansion), which would
PERFORMANCE ideally be the default, especially when
->ÃÕ} >ÃwÌÌi`Ì i>>ÝÞ/>L- utilising Samsung’s well-integrated split-
FE with its own home-brewed Exynos screen multi-tasking UI.
1380 chip. This is the company’s 2023 In benchmarking terms, the Galaxy
`À>}i«ÀÛÃ]Ü V wÀÃÌvÕ` Tab S9 FE trounces the Lenovo Tab P12
its way into the Galaxy A54 5G. with its crusty old MediaTek Dimensity
Given that the A54 5G comes 7050, but is in turn trounced by the
with an identical RRP, I’d say that the OnePlus Pad and its zippy MediaTek
chip’s inclusion adds up. We found the Dimensity 9000. It’s middle of the
chip to be smooth and reliable in the middle-range pack, which seems in
Galaxy A54 5G and so it proves here in keeping with the general sense of
Samsung’s latest mid-range tablet. competence on show here.

REVIEWS
I had no complaints with the general PHOTOGRAPHY

running of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE, which I’ll only touch upon the Tab S9 FE’s
seemed able to keep up with all of camera capabilities, partly because they
the light media and web-heavy tasks don’t really matter, and partly because
it’s clearly intended for. An advanced there isn’t much to say about them.
3D game like Genshin Impact remains You get a brutally simple 8Mp rear
playable on Medium graphical settings, camera, and a similarly modest 12Mp
but chugs when you push things into front camera. In this, it’s very much like
High territory. its mid-range tablet rivals.
One point that’s all too easy to In the interest of professionalism, I
overlook relates to connectivity options. stood taking a bunch of shots with this
Samsung holds a key advantage over full-sized tablet so you don’t have to.
many other (non-Apple) manufacturers The results were largely as expected:
in that it reliably offers a 5G cellular Ã} ÌÞÃvÌ>`y>Ì]ÜÌ ÌÃv
option for its better tablets. The Galaxy overexposure, and with Samsung’s
Tab S9 FE also offers that option, albeit signature image processing doing a lot
at a £100 premium. of heavy lifting.
Here’s a
selection
of photos
taken with
the Tab S9
FE.

REVIEWS

The latter lends its signature colour and intensive, Samsung’s mid-ranger
pop, which I think actually serves should acquit itself admirably. In our
more of a purpose here with such usual PC Mark Work 3.0 battery test,
limited hardware than it does with the which simulates everyday working
V«>Þ½Ãy>}Ã «Ã>ÀÌ« iÃ° tasks like web browsing, video and
Despite its higher pixel count, the photo editing, writing documents, and
12Mp front camera is even more limited, data manipulation, it lasted 10 hours
V>«ÌÕÀ}Ü>Ã i`ÕÌÃiwiÃ>``À>L and 31 minutes.
ÃÌiÃ°Ì½Ãwi>«V ° This suggests that the Galaxy Tab
All in all, then, the Galaxy Tab S9 S9 FE will last you a full working day
FE camera is somewhat akin to that of with room to spare. Comparatively
a very cheap smartphone, but with an speaking, this result is pretty average.
extra twist of vibrancy and 4K video It’s broadly competitive with the
recording support. OnePlus Pad, and is several hours
longer than the Lenovo Tab P12.
BATTERY LIFE I tried the test again with the screen
Samsung has given its tablet a chunky set to 60Hz, and it lasted an hour
8,000mAh battery, which is pretty longer, which is edging from ‘good
solid for a 10.9-inch tablet. It’s much enough’ to just plain ‘good’ territory.
smaller than the Lenovo Tab P12 and Samsung doesn’t supply you with
OnePlus Pad equivalents, but they’ve a charger, but the Galaxy Tab S9 FE
got much bigger
screens to power.
This is a tablet with
multi-day potential,
assuming you’re using
it for the usual casual
ÜiLLÀÜÃ}] iÌyÝ
streaming, and light
gaming tasks that
such tablets were
built for.
Even if your use
case is more serious The Tab S9 FE will last you a full working day with room to spare.

REVIEWS
does support up to 45-watt charging. On the love side, One UI 5.1 is a

Hooking up a more-than-capable 120- power user’s dream, with plenty of
watt Vivo charger I had to hand, I was customization options, solid split-
able to get it from empty to 21 percent screen multi-app capabilities, and – as
in 15 minutes, and to 42 percent in 30 discussed – a fully integrated set of S
minutes. A full charge took me a little Pen controls and shortcuts. With a basic
over 90 minutes. S Pen in tow, Samsung Notes becomes
Weirdly, hooking up a 65-watt a brilliant sketching and scrawling tool.
Samsung laptop charger resulted in On the negative side, Samsung’s
ÃÜiÀV >À}}]Ã}w}ÕÀi° chosen look hasn’t really changed
in years, and it’s not as aesthetically
SOFTWARE pleasing (to these eyes at least) as
It’s a strange thing to say about the Google’s own take on Android found
biggest mobile device maker in the on the Pixel Tablet, or indeed those UIs
world, but Samsung’s approach to that stick closer to it.
software is a little bit ‘Marmite’. For One UI feels somewhat busy, with
those of you not from the UK, that a Settings menu I still get lost in after
means there are those that love it and all these years of reviewing, and lots of
those that hate it. additional apps that don’t always feel
necessary. For
every Samsung
Notes there’s a
Samsung Internet
– the company’s
own web browser,
which exists
alongside the
vastly superior
Google Chrome.
Similarly,
Microsoft Outlook
(while a very
good email app)
Samsung promises four years of operating system updates. is preinstalled

Galaxy S7 FE which
came before it.
It might not
have the large,
sharp, display of
the Lenovo Tab
P12, nor the rapid
performance of the
OnePlus Pad, but it
has its own distinct
charms. Those
include a uniquely
Magnets on the tablet’s rear will help you keep track of your stylus. accomplished
waterproof design
alongside Gmail, Gallery is here with and the best stylus system in the
Google Photos, and Galaxy Store is here business bundled in as standard, adding
with Google Play Store. value.
For many people, though, this is Its screen, while unexceptional, is
simply Android as they’ve always known LÀ} Ì>`yÕ`]>`ÌÃ«iÀvÀ>ViÃ
it. Samsung tablets are the most popular similarly solid-if-unspectacular. Battery
outside of the iPad, so it’d be foolish life, too, doesn’t let the side down.
to say that the company’s approach is While it doesn’t sing or shout,
wrong, and I’d argue that One UI makes the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a
for a better tablet interface than it does pleasingly complete all-round tablet
a smartphone one. package for £389. It’s the kind of
What’s more, with four promised capable, pleasant-to-use tablet that will
«iÀ>Ì}ÃÞÃÌiÕ«`>ÌiÃ>`wÛiÞi>ÀÃ happily sit there on your coffee table
of security updates, this is one of the performing simple tasks for years to
better-supported tablets for the price. come without issue. Jon Mundy
VERDICT SPECIFICATIONS
The Samsung Galaxy S9 FE is another • 10.9-inch (2,304x1,440; 249ppi) IPS
strong mid-range tablet, and a much LCD, 90Hz display
better proposition than the Samsung • Android 13, One UI 5.1

REVIEWS
• Exynos 1380 (5nm) processor

• Octa-core (4x 2.4GHz Cortex-A78, 4x
2GHz Cortex-A55) CPU
• Mali-G68 MP5 GPU
• microSDXC card slot
• 6GB/8GB RAM
• 128GB/256GB storage
• Rear-facing camera: 8Mp, (wide)
•-iwiV>iÀ>\£Ó«]ÕÌÀ>Üì®
• Stereo speakers
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band,
Wi-Fi Direct
• Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE
• NFC
• GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
• USB Type-C, magnetic connector
• Non-removable 8,000mAh lithium-
polymer battery
• 254.3x 65.8x6.5mm
• 523g

Google Pixel Watch 2
Price: £349 from fave.co/47Vd2Fl
I
t took forever for Google to make Watch, as the Pixel Watch 2 is identical
its own smartwatch and now we’ve in design and build.
quickly arrived at the second- Until you put it under a microscope,
generation in the form of the aptly that is. One of the main changes is a
named Pixel Watch 2. new 100 percent recycled aluminium
The wearable arrived alongside the casing, although this somehow only
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones and represents 3 percent of the total weight
while it’s still one of the most attractive according to Google. Previously the
smartwatches around and has some body was stainless steel which felt more
upgrades, it’s very similar to the original. «ÀiÕ>``ÕÀ>Li]LÕÌÌ iLiiwÌ
It’s had a small price increase, so has now is the watch is 5g lighter at 31g.
Google focused its efforts in the right You have a choice of the same
places to make it worth the cost? Ì ÀiiwÃ iÃ>ÃLivÀi\*Ã i`-ÛiÀ]
Matte Black and Champagne Gold.
DESIGN And there are two new band colours –
You’d be forgiven for thinking the Bay and Porcelain – both paired with
photos here are of the original Pixel the silver body.

REVIEWS
crown has moved closer to

the watch and no longer
requires the glass to have
a small cut out. That looks
neater but almost needs a
magnifying glass to see the
different between the two
(see below).
Things look a little
different at the back due to
some new sensors and the
When it comes to the watch’s design, elements such as the way the charger connects.
side button and speaker placement are unchanged. Overall, it’s small
tweaks, but I don’t blame
These are all standard silicone Active Google considering how beautiful the
bands (with a proprietary quick release *Ýi7>ÌV Ü>ÃwÀÃÌÌi>ÀÕ`°
attachment and a larger size in the box
if you need it) but Google has created DISPLAY
some new optional straps with Metal When it comes to the display there are
Slim and Active Sport. no improvements at all. It’s still a circular
For me, the Pixel Watch 2 is just as AMOLED screen covered in custom 3D
comfortable to wear as before and is Gorilla Glass 5. It has the same 320ppi
still IP68 and 50ATM
(50m) rated. I didn’t
particularly notice
the weight change,
but I’m all for it being
100 percent recycled
material.
Around the sides,
things like the side
button and speaker
placement are We have trouble telling the difference between the Pixel Watch
unchanged. The digital (left) and Pixel Watch 2 (right).

pixel density and a peak
brightness of 1,000 nits,
just like the original
Pixel Watch.
It’s a lovely screen
with vibrant colours,
deep blacks and plenty
of brightness for using
outdoors. By default,
the Pixel Watch 2 will
automatically adjust the
brightness based on your The size of the display strikes a nice a balance of real estate
surroundings similar to while keeping the device compact.
your phone and I didn’t
need to change it. it’s also useful for taking phone calls
There’s still a reasonably thick when your phone isn’t within easy reach,
bezel around the edge but Google as well as for hearing responses from
hides this well with the design of the the Google Assistant.
interface and I think the size of the
display strikes a nice a balance of SOFTWARE
real estate while keeping the device While the Pixel Watch 2 runs Wear OS
compact. I wouldn’t blame you if you 4.0 – the latest version – the experience
wanted a larger option though. is largely the same as it was on the
Bedtime and Cinema modes make original Pixel Watch, which will also
a return so you can keep the display off get this update. Google had done a
for those situations (while saving battery great job with the previous edition so
life) but there’s a change in that the it’s understandable that it’s more of the
screen is always-on by default, which same here. You swipe up from the watch
the Pixel Watch’s wasn’t. v>VivÀÌwV>ÌÃ]`ÜvÀµÕV
This is because Google has improved settings and sideways for Tiles. Click the
the battery life so you can go a day digital crown and you’ll get a list of apps
without needing to have the screen to choose from.
turned off regularly to save power. The The experience is intuitive, slick
Ã«i>iÀÜÃÕ`vÀÌwV>ÌÃ]LÕÌ >`wÌÃÌ iÀÕ`ÃVÀiiÜi°/iÃ>Ài

REVIEWS
on-wrist Google Maps

navigation, Google
Home control, control
your phone’s camera
(with limitations). And
with the Play Store
on your wrist, there’s
access to countless apps
including Spotify, Strava,
WhatsApp and more.
Some new and useful
features of Wear OS 4
7i>À"-{°äÃÌÕÌÛi]ÃV>`wÌÃÌ iÀÕ`ÃVÀiiÜi° include the ability to
transfer your watch to
one of my favourite elements and are a new phone without losing data. You
essentially widgets for apps and features can also back up and restore via Google
vÀÜi>Ì iÀ>`wÌiÃÃÌÀ>V}Ì One as well as synchronise your modes
calendar items and more. (like do not disturb and bedtime) with
You can have up to 15 of them your phone.
arranged how you like them. New There are also new emergency
additions include body response, which features so you can do things like set
I’ll talk about later. Calendar and Gmail a timer and if you don’t check in when
have improved integration so you can it goes off, your location will be shared
do just about anything including reply with emergency contacts.
to emails and there’s even a Gmail
watch face complications. FITNESS & TRACKING
Speaking of watch faces, there’s a This is an area that’s changed a lot
new selection of pre-installed designs compared to the original Pixel Watch
and customization is almost endless and that’s largely due to new sensors.
with the ability to choose different The second generation Pixel Watch
colours and complications to get things features a multi-path heart rate
just how you like them. monitor as well as a cEDA (continuous
There are loads of things you can electrodermal activity) sensor, both of
(still) do with the watch including which are also on the Fitbit Sense 2.

The heart-rate monitor
is more accurate for
workouts and combined
with the cEDA and a new
skin temperature sensor,
the Pixel Watch 2 is
more capable of tracking
wellness. This mainly
comes in the from of ‘Body
Reponses’ where the device
can detect changes in your If you’re happy to wear the device overnight, the Pixel
body and will prompt you to Watch 2 will track your sleep.
log your mood, whether it’s
stress you’re dealing with or happiness. then have to think back to what was
Based on these, you might get a }}>ÌÌ iÌiÌw}ÕÀiÕÌÜ >Ì
recommendation to do some breathing Ì}°>Ã}ÌÃiÌwV>ÌÃ
exercises or go for a relaxing walk. during the night but logging that I was
While I found just 1 minute of following asleep wasn’t an option.
the on-screen and haptic breathing Speaking of sleep, tracking that is
guide lowered my heart rate by and possible if you’re happy to wear the
impressive 14bpm, Body Responses was device overnight. The Pixel Watch 2
a bit of a mixed bag. is the most comfortable wearable I’ve
ÜÕ`Ìi`ÌÃiiÌwV>ÌÃ> tried for wearing in bed. However, I
while after they happened and would ``½Ìw`Ì iÌÀ>V}«>ÀÌVÕ>ÀÞ
accurate.
I often sleep for an hour
or two before being woken
up by a baby and the Pixel
Watch 2 occasionally left
those hours out of the
tracking. I know I was asleep
because I also have Nest Hub
2 on my bedside table which
The heart-rate monitor is more accurate for workouts. has Sleep Sensing.

REVIEWS
The watch
comes with
a six-month
subscription
to Fitbit
Premium.
You can get all kinds of need a Fitbit Premium subscription to

information from the watch including access a lot of features and data such
variations in skin temperature, blood >Ã >Þ,i>ìÃÃ]-ii«*Àwi]-ii«
oxygen levels and more. What you’ll Score details and Wellness Report.
gain from this is debatable, but for Considering the Pixel Watch 2 is
me they weren’t useful. already £349 and Fitbit Premium is a
However, should any parameters go £7.99 per month subscription, it’s a
outside of your personal range it could hard sell. The device does include a
help identify that something is wrong. six-month trial so you can see how much
On the watch, and even more you use it before deciding whether to
so in the new Fitbit phone app, the subscribe or not.
amount of data available is huge –
almost overwhelming really but this PERFORMANCE
is where things get personal. I don’t The Pixel Watch 2 still has 2GB of RAM
have much interest in checking how >`ÎÓ vy>Ã ÃÌÀ>}iÃÌ iÞ
many Active Zone Minutes I’ve done, change to talk about is the processor.
or calories burned. Google has switched from Samsung
ÕÌvÞÕ½ÀiÌwÌiÃÃÌÀ>V}] to a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5
}>wV>Ì>`}>ÃÌ iÌ i*Ýi (SW5100) which means the Pixel Watch
Watch 2 will be very appealing. There’s 2 is now quad-core instead of dual-core.
even pace training now and it can Plus, the W5 is optimized especially for
automatically track certain activities. wearables. Performance of the original
The big problem here is that you *Ýi7>ÌV Ü>Ãwi>`Ì iÃÌÀÞÃÌ i

same here. On the whole, the Watch 2 is BATTERY LIFE
responsive and slick – noticeably more The battery inside the Pixel Watch 2 is
so than the original. only 12mAh bigger in capacity than the
This must also have an effect on original – a negligible improvement.
battery life as we’ll explore next. The quoted battery life is 24 hours,
Just before that, it’s worth noting but that’s with the display set to always-
that the Pixel Watch 2 has NFC on rather than timing out to completely
for contactless payments and you off. Of course, the actual amount of time
can spend an extra £50 to get the it will last depends on various things like
LTE version. That means you don’t usage and lighting conditions.
need to rely on your phone for an I’ve found it can last a full day
internet connection, so you can get without needing to turn the screen off
ÌwV>ÌÃ>`V>ÃÜ iÕÌ> (with Bedtime mode on at night), or
run without your phone. even longer than that with light usage.
However, while this has wide iV}Ì iÌi]ÌwV>ÌÃ]
support for carriers in the US, it’s only using background tracking (for
supported on EE and Vodafone in the steps and heart rate) meant I had
UK. You don’t have to buy the watch just over 40 percent left at bedtime
on contract from a carrier, but if you and sleep tracking used around 10
want to use LTE, you will need to sign percent, leaving 30 percent remaining
up with a supported one. in the morning.
If you’re planning to
use the Pixel Watch 2 for
a daily workout with GPS
tracking, outdoors in bright
sunlight and regularly using
apps like Maps, WhatsApp
or otherwise then you are
iÞÌw`Ìy>}}}À
completely unusable when
you get into bed. That
Things look a little different at the back due to some new will rule out sleep tracking
sensors and the way the charger connects. Here you can see unless you give it a top up
the Pixel Watch (left) and Pixel Watch 2 (right). at a convenient point.

REVIEWS
You do get a
ÌwV>ÌÜ i
the battery gets
low, but it’s a shame
there isn’t a more
intelligent ‘charge
before bed’ warning
as you get on
an Apple Watch.
When it comes
to charging, things The watch will last a full day without needing to turn the screen off.
are a little faster than
before (but only 2.5 watts) as Google before, which is helpful as it’s the kind
says you can get 50 percent in 30 vV >À}iÀÜ V y>ÌÃÌ i>ÀÀ>Ì iÀ
minutes and a full charge in 75 minutes. than sitting neatly on a desk.
I saw only 44 percent at the
30-minute mark but the watch had hit VERDICT
an impressive 98 percent after an hour. If you already own a Pixel Watch, I’d say
This was with the USB-C cable plugged the answer to this question is almost
Ì>vwV>}i£nÜ>ÌÌ>`>«ÌiÀ certainly no, though I wouldn’t blame
(which isn’t included). you if you wanted the better battery life
The new charger isn’t as good as and tracking.
the original in one annoying way. The Those who don’t have the original
Pixel Watch 2 doesn’t charge wirelessly have a bigger decision to make. There’s
(not that its predecessor supported no doubt that the Pixel Watch 2 is one
Qi anyway), but it now uses metal of the best smartwatches you can get
*""«VÌ>VÌÃ°7 iÌ >Ì½Ãwi] right now but it’s not perfect.
the charger must be in the correct ÌL>>ViÃÃ>ÀÌÜ>ÌV >`wÌiÃÃ
orientation to work, with the wire on the features very well and is still, for me at
same side as the digital crown. least, the most attractive design on the
If you’re like me, I don’t want to >ÀiÌ°ÜiÛiÀ]Ì iwÌiÃÃ>`
have to think about that: it’s one of the well-being side of things you need to
great things about the Apple Watch pay extra for Fitbit Premium to get the
charger. The magnets are stronger than most out of it which seems a bit harsh

for Google’s most expensive wearable.
There are cheaper devices out there
(including the original Pixel Watch),
ones that last longer and ones that
vviÀ>>À}iÀÃVÀiiÃÌ½ÃìwÌiÞ
worth window shopping before
buying. Chris Martin
SPECIFICATIONS
• 1.2-inch (450x450; 320ppi) AMOLED
display
• Android Wear OS 4
• Qualcomm 5100 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB storage
• Loudspeaker
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE
• NFC
• GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS,
QZSS
• Non-removable 306mAh lithium-ion
battery
• 41x41x12.3mm
• 31g

BUYING GUIDE
Credit: Getty Images/Moon Safari

Best Android tablet
/ iwiÃÌƂ`À`Ã>ÌiÃ>ÀÕ`°CHRIS MARTIN and ANYRON
COPEMAN report
I
f you’re thinking about a new tablet, tablet apps these days and extensive
one company will almost certainly customization options.
ViÌ`wÀÃÌ\Ƃ««i°/ ÀÌii There’s also loads of choice, with
years after making its debut, the iPad Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus and
(in its various sizes) remains the go-to Lenovo all represented below. Each has
device for millions of people. They’re its own set of strengths and weaknesses,
a no-brainer if you own an iPhone, but but there’s a device here to suit any
what if you prefer Android phones? prospective buyer.
In that situation, it usually makes
most sense to get a tablet that’s SIZE
also running Android. The software / iwÀÃÌÌ }ÌVÃìÀ>«>ÀÌvÀ
experience isn’t quite as good as budget) is screen size. This ranges from
iPadOS, but there are plenty of around 7- to 13 inches, although for

most, an 8- or 9-inch tablet represents for an IPS LCD or (better yet) OLED/
the best compromise between usability AMOLED screen and avoid anything
and portability. With bigger screens with a ‘TN’ screen as these have
comes more weight. Aim for a maximum poor viewing angles. In terms of
of around 450g, as anything heavier resolution, higher is better, but the
can be uncomfortable to hold for long more important number relates to pixel
«iÀ`Ã]ÃÕV >ÃÜ iÜ>ÌV }>w° density. Aim for 300 pixels per inch
That said, if you intend for your new (often abbreviated to ‘ppi’) or higher, as
slate to spend most of its life propped this will ensure a sharp-looking image
up on your lap or on a desk, weight isn’t that’s not jagged or blocky.
likely to be so much of an issue.
FEATURES
STORAGE Most Android tablets feature Wi-Fi
Ideally, you should aim for 32GB of and Bluetooth as their primary means
internal storage as a minimum, but more of connectivity, and some have NFC
is better for downloading media. Many, as well. NFC may come in handy for
but not all, Android tablets feature a pairing to other compatible devices
microSD card slot, so you can add more quickly, but it’s by no means essential.
storage when you need it. If you’re What’s more useful is a video output
going for a tablet with no slot, make so you can connect your tablet to your
sure you buy the biggest capacity you TV (usually via HDMI). However, you can
can afford, as videos and some apps use most Android tablets with Google’s
can use up an awful lot of storage in a Chromecast for watching catch-up
single hit. And don’t forget that the big TV, YouTube and other internet video
number on the box – 32GB, say – is the services that are supported.
total amount. The usable amount, in Some tablets have GPS – which
other words the amount which is empty makes them useful for navigation – but
and available for you to use after the not all do. Another thing to watch for is
Android OS itself is installed, can be a SIM slot. This is useful if you want to
µÕÌi>ÌiÃÃÌ >Ì >Ì i>ìw}ÕÀi° get online when you’re travelling or out
of Wi-Fi range.
DISPLAY However, you’ll usually pay more
Few tablets these days have poor- for a cellular (3G/4G/5G) tablet, and
quality screens, but some do. Look you will need a dedicated SIM card

BUYING GUIDE
with a data-only plan to enable in. In by the number of megapixels. Instead,

truth, it’s better to tether your tablet to check out our test photos in each review
your smartphone, if your mobile plan/ to see whether you’re happy with the
carrier allows this. quality on offer. Few Android tablets
have great cameras, and quite a few
PERFORMANCE have awful ones, so if photos, videos
If you want to know if a particular model and video calls are important, don’t buy
is great for gaming or too slow for web before you’ve read this.
browsing, then read our reviews, which
include benchmark results for a more 1. BEST OVERALL
empirical comparison; you can’t rely on Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
Ã«iVwV>ÌÃÃÕV >Ã«ÀViÃÃÀÃ«ii` Price: £999 from fave.co/45efmGL
or number of cores it possesses to Pros: Fastest Android tablet; great
guarantee good performance. screen and sound; versatile interface
We also test battery life, to give and controls; thin and waterproof
you an accurate idea of how long Cons: Apps and performance behind
each tablet should likely last between iPad Pro; expensive
charges. The best tablets last around
ten hours or more, while the worst only Those looking for a high-end Android
>>}ivÕÀÌwÛi ÕÀÃ>V >À}i° tablet won’t be disappointed with the
The same applies to cameras, and as Galaxy Tab S9+, the middle child of the
with performance, you shouldn’t judge 2023 range. At 12.4-inch, it’s certainly
ÌÃ>]LÕÌÃ}wV>ÌÞ
more manageable than
the 14.6-inch Tab S9
Ultra. But it’s still wafer
thin at just 5.7mm and
features full IP68 dust
>`Ü>ÌiÀ«Àw}q>À>Ài
w`Ì iÌ>LiÌÜÀ`°
There are plenty of
premium specs elsewhere,
including an overclocked
1.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

chipset and no less than 12GB of RAM.
Furthermore, there’s a high-quality
OLED screen with dynamic 120Hz
refresh rate. It means the Tab S9 Plus is
more high-end than some laptops.
Samsung also includes the S Pen
stylus and there’s decent sound by
AKG, long software support and lots
more to like. Price is the only real thing
that counts against it.
2.
2. BEST BUDGET
#0&41+&|6#$.'6
Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE With two-day battery life for most
Price: £199 from fave.co/47CHyUQ people, this an excellent tablet for the
Pros: Lightweight, attractive design; price. But you will have to put up with
great audio; 90Hz display; excellent slow charging, while the combination
battery life of bloatware and limited software
Cons: Slow charging;only two OS support are frustrating.
updates; annoying extra apps
3. BEST ANDROID TABLET FOR
The Redmi Pad SE offers value for PRODUCTIVITY
money that can’t be matched by any Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
tablet – Android or otherwise. It costs Price: £1,299 from fave.co/46AfxvD
just £199 at full price in the UK, yet Pros: Stunning 120Hz display; great
delivers all the fundamentals of a performance; included S Pen; IP68
great tablet. rating; 5G support
That includes an attractive design, Cons: Very expensive; not many
despite thick bezels around the display. optimized apps
It’s an 11-inch FHD+ LCD panel here,
but the 90Hz refresh rate makes it The Tab S9 Ultra represents the absolute
feel much more premium. Alongside pinnacle of Android tablets. It’s too big
impressive quad speakers, it’s a great (14.6-inch display) and expensive (from
tablet for content consumption. £1,199) for most people to consider,

BUYING GUIDE
4. BEST ANDROID
6#$.'6|52'#-'45
OnePlus Pad
Price: £499 from fave.
co/48gwU6f
Pros: Awesome 144Hz
display; superb speakers;
impressive performance;
solid battery life
Cons: Hit-and-miss software;
3.
only one storage option;
no cellular option; 80-watt
and even with the keyboard cover it charger sold separately
probably won’t replace your laptop.
But if money and size are no objects, It’s taken OnePlus a long time to launch
it’s a stunning device. The 2,960x1,848 >Ì>LiÌLÕÌÌ iwÀ½ÃwÀÃÌivvÀÌÃ>
OLED screen is a joy to use, especially solid one and particularly impressive in
with a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. some areas.
Performance from an overclocked The display is one of the best
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is almost features with a market-leading 144Hz
as good as it gets, and an IP68 rating refresh rate and the speakers are
ensures adequate protection from incredible. Combining these with
water and dust.
The included S Pen is
also very good, though it
doesn’t dock into the tablet
like on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
But that’s hardly surprising,
given it’s just 234g and
8.9mm thick.
Aside from price, the lack
of Android apps designed
for such a big screen remains
4.
its biggest limitations.

alternative. The 12.6-inch
display is its main selling
point, as an attractive OLED
with 120Hz refresh rate.
The included stylus is one
of the best around, and
charges while magnetically
attached to the side of the
tablet. With good speakers
and some nice Lenovo-
5.
Ã«iVwVÌÜi>ÃÌƂ`À`]
it’s a great choice for media
long battery life means the OnePlus consumption. However, Qualcomm’s
Pad is an excellent choice for all kinds Snapdragon 870 delivers only middling
of entertainment in a premium and performance, while battery life could
affordable package. be better for the price. The Tab P12
It’s not perfect though, with only one Pro is certainly a good tablet, but it’s
ÃÌÀ>}i«Ì]w}iÀ«ÀÌÃV>iÀ not quite best in class.
and the need to spend extra if you want
Ì ivwV>v>ÃÌV >À}iÀ° 6. SOLID BUDGET
#0&41+&|6#$.'6
5. PREMIUM ALL-ROUND Oppo Pad Air
ANDROID TABLET Price: £239 from fave.co/3GpRmFJ
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro Pros: Classy design; decent stereo
Price: £599 from fave.co/4a3Yi8U speakers; strong battery life
Pros: Great 12.6in display; impressive Cons: w}iÀ«ÀÌÃiÃÀÆ``}
included stylus; good speakers; pleasant performance; ColourOS not the best UI
software experience
Cons: Sub-par battery life; average Excellent budget tablets are hard to
performance come by, but Oppo has done a great
job of offering something well worth
Samsung has long been the go- VÃìÀ>ÌÜÌ ÌÃwÀÃÌ7iÃÌiÀ
to company for premium Android tablet. The Pad Air has a stylish and
tablets, but the Tab P12 Pro is a worthy svelte all-metal design with quad

BUYING GUIDE
7. MOST VERSATILE
#0&41+&|6#$.'6
Google Pixel Tablet
Price: £499 from fave.
co/47CShi2
Pros: Sleek and stylish
design; solid performance;
good battery life; hybrid use
Cons: Dock has mediocre
audio; can’t buy tablet
6.
alone; missing Nest Hub
features; slow charging
speakers and its IPS display is better
than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. It Google’s latest Android tablet is a bit of
also has strong battery life making it a an odd one in various ways meaning it
reliable device for various tasks. might be perfect for you, or not really
Where it falls behind its main rival make much sense.
(shown below) is in the performance The tablet itself is very good, albeit
department where it’s mediocre and not outstanding in any particular
the Pad Air could also do with features way but you can’t buy it on its own.
i>w}iÀ«ÀÌÃV>iÀÌ>iÌ The device comes with the Charging
more attractive. Speaker Dock turning the slate into a
smart display very similar to
the Nest Hub Max.
However, it runs full
Android and magnets mean
you can take it on and off
the stand easily, plus it’s
Ì iwÀÃÌiÛiÀÌ>LiÌÜÌ
Chromecast. The smart
home software isn’t as
good as the Nest Hubs and
additional docking stations
7.
are expensive but it’s an

attractive hybrid option if that’s what software is refreshingly close to ‘stock’
you’re looking for. Android.
With a sleek design that makes the
8. BEST COMPACT Nokia T21 look like a more premium
#0&41+&|6#$.'6 device, there’s a lot to like here. It’s just
Nokia T21 a shame about the lack of performance
Price: £199 from fave.co/3uHd6KJ from the Unisoc T612 chipset and lack
Pros: Attractive design; impressive of charger in the box.
battery life; clean, slick software It’s a solid choice at this price, but
Cons: Mediocre performance; display not quite at the level of the Oppo
lacks brightness; no included charger Pad Air.
On the whole, Android tablets are 9. AFFORDABLE

relatively large. And while the 10.3-inch BIG-SCREEN TABLET
Nokia T21 isn’t quite iPad Mini level, Lenovo Tab P12
it is one of the more compact devices Price: £280 from fave.co/3GosvC5
around. Pros: Large, impressive display;
That display is a 2K IPS LCD panel, impressive speakers; pleasant software
meaning it offers plenty of detail, experience; good included stylus
albeit without enough brightness for Cons: Screen could be brighter;
comfortable outdoor viewing. But average performance; battery life
battery life is very good, and the could be better
The regular Tab P12 is much

more affordable than its Pro
sibling above, but still offers
the same core experience.
It means you’re getting
a very good 12.7-inch
LCD display for the price,
especially when combined
with impressive quad stereo
speakers. Android still
8.
isn’t ideal for productivity,

BUYING GUIDE
10. STILL A SOLID

#0&41+&|6#$.'6
Samsung Galaxy Tab
#|
Price: £147 from
fave.co/47VOKLA
Pros: Nice design; good
battery life; impressive audio
Cons: Underwhelming display;
limited internal storage; slow
9.
charger in-box
but Lenovo’s tweaks make it great for The Galaxy Tab A8 is well over a year
content consumption. old, but it’s still worth considering. An
You can take notes using the attractive design and impressive audio
included stylus, though the lack of are among its key strengths. The display
brightness means it’s not a good option and the limited internal storage are its
for outdoor use. Performance and biggest shortcomings, holding it back
battery life could also be improved, from being an instant affordable media
so there are other options worth player recommendation, but it still
considering around this price. offers respectable battery life and offers
an otherwise balanced
all-round experience,
especially for the price.
It can also be easily
found at lower prices
than its already low RRP.
10.

Microsoft Paint: How
to use new AI and
Photoshop-like features
In the future, you’ll be able to create AI images in Paint with the OpenAI-
LLM Dall-E and also edit them professionally. THOMAS JOOS reports
M
VÀÃvÌÃÃ}wV>ÌÞ able to use the OpenAI-LLM Dall-E
expanding the functions of directly in Windows 11 and in Paint.
Paint in Windows 11. The The new functions are also available
app is also getting a new version. The after installing the Microsoft Paint app
outdated program is to become a from the App Store (fave.co/46NtSFp).
modern image editor that also contains Updating the Paint app usually also
AI functions. In the future, you will be works via the Store app in Windows 11

WINDOWS 11
and selecting Library > Get updates. If the top right.

the Paint update can be found in the Working with Paint is a lot of fun,
window, you can install it here. and simple image editing as well as
Microsoft is also constantly the layers, transparency, and especially
expanding the functions of Paint. If the Cocreator are interesting and offer
you already have the new version, you many possibilities.
may receive additional new functions
through an update. COCREATOR CREATES AI
However, you shouldn’t expect too IMAGES WITH OPENAI DALL-E
much from the new Paint. Even in the The Microsoft Cocreator in Paint allows
new version, Paint will certainly not be you to create an AI image directly
a comprehensive competitor for other in Paint, which is then generated via
image editing tools. If you want to edit OpenAI Dall-E. This means that in
images comprehensively, there is no the future Paint can also be used as a
getting round solutions such as Adobe tool for creating AI images directly in
Photoshop (fave.co/4ab2ofy) or the Windows 11.
open source Gimp (fave.co/2u6ZDNe). The creation is done by entering
If you start Paint in Windows 11, you a prompt, which Paint supports with
can quickly see whether the new version a wizard. For this to work, however, it
is already installed. In addition to the is necessary to log in with a Microsoft
new interface, the two new buttons account, as image processing takes
‘Cocreator’ and ‘Layers’ can be found at place in the Microsoft cloud.
In addition
to the new
interface, the
two new buttons
‘Cocreator’ and
‘Layers’ can be
found at the top
right.

After creating the
image with the wizard,
Paint displays various
alternatives of the
image as a preview. If
you click on an image,
Paint displays it in
the main window and
you can edit it. The
Cocreator is available
via the ‘Cocreator’
button at the top right.
Users initially receive a Cocreator in Paint lets you create an AI image by entering a
free credit of 50 images description of the picture you’d like it to produce.
(Cocreator Credits). The
number of credits still available can be Cocreator Credits. Once these have
seen at the bottom of the window. been used up, you can no longer
You can create a new version of the create new images with Cocreator
image at any time using the ‘Create’ during the test phase. In the future,
button. But make sure you have enough it should be possible to top up your
credits. It is not yet clear
how this can be done.
LAYERS IN
MICROSOFT PAINT
WORK LIKE IN
#&1$'|2*1615*12
Layers are commonplace
in image editing. Until
now, Paint could not
handle them. In the
new version, layers are
After creating the image with the wizard, Paint allows users to available via the ‘Layers’
change the style of the picture. button at the top right.

WINDOWS 11
After clicking on ‘Layers’, Paint displays REMOVE BACKGROUNDS

another area on the right-hand side. +0|/+%4151(62#+06
Here you can divide the image into Microsoft is constantly expanding the
layers and add further layers. To do this, functions of Paint. New functions can
click on the plus sign. therefore be integrated at any time.
Layers can be stacked in Paint, Removing backgrounds with Microsoft
just like in Photoshop or other image Paint is also available. Backgrounds can
editing tools. Superordinate layers be removed via the ‘Image’ tab and the
hide subordinate layers. To make areas button for removing backgrounds.
of the lower layer visible, work with
transparency in the parent layer. You WILL THE NEW PAINT
can edit layers via the context menu. FUNCTIONS ALSO BE
For example, you can merge layers, AVAILABLE FOR WINDOWS 10?
change the order, or delete layers. It is possible that Windows 10 will
It is also to be expected at this point also get the new Paint functions.
that Microsoft will continue to expand Although Microsoft does not intend
the functions of layers so that even to release a new version of Windows
more functions are available when you 10 after Windows 10 version 22H2 , it
work with layers. has already announced a number of
new features.
Windows Copilot, the AI
assistant from Windows 11, will
also be included in Windows
10, and there are already
petitions to postpone the
end of support for Windows
10 in October 2025. It is
therefore possible that the
new Paint version will also
come to Windows 10, but this
is not certain. Windows 11 is
currently required for use.
Layers can be stacked in Paint, just like in Photoshop or According to various
other image editing tools. sources, almost three quarters

It’s hoped Windows 10 will also get the new Paint functions.
of all Windows users still use Windows

10 and only just under a quarter rely on
Windows 11. The rest still use Windows
7/8.1 or even Windows XP and Vista.
For these reasons, Microsoft has
many reasons to integrate new functions
into Windows 10, especially in order
to make its AI functions available to a
wider public. However, few users will
switch from Windows 10 to Windows 11
just because of the new Paint program.

WINDOWS 11
Credit: Getty Images/Bet_Noire

Eradicate your Windows
PC’s most annoying
headaches with these tools
Ûi>vÌiÀ>ÃÌ{äÞi>ÀÃ]7`ÜÃÃÌ >ÃÕiÀÕÃvÕVÌ>ìwVÌÃ°
ÕÌÌ iÃi>Àii>ÃÞÌwÝ°CHRISTOPH HOFFMANN reports
I
f you ask Windows 11 users what / iyiÝLiÌ>ÃL>À\ In Windows 11,
bothers them most about Microsoft’s the Start menu and icons in the taskbar
current operating system, the are moved to the centre by default
answers are usually similar. Only the and the customization options for the
order differs slightly. taskbar are limited.

Annoying updates: Windows 11 icons, a new colour and font design,
requires a restart too often for updates. modern backgrounds, rounded window
Microsoft has also removed the option corners, and a slight transparency effect
of manually pausing or delaying that is reminiscent of Windows Vista’s
updates. ºƂiÀ>ÃÃ°»VÀÃvÌ >ÃV«iÌiÞ
banished the previous live tiles from
Missing functions: In Windows 11, Windows 8.
Microsoft has removed some Windows While it was easy to customize the
10 features, for example the Live Tiles, design of the taskbar and the range
Timeline feature, Skype, and so on. of functions in previous versions of
Windows using the appropriate tools,
Unwanted adverts: Windows 11 still – Microsoft has built a few hurdles into
and even increasingly – displays ads in the new system. They make it almost
various places, for example in the Start impossible to change and customize the
menu, on the lock screen, or in Explorer. taskbar and the Start menu.
For example, the developer of
čÞ}ÌwV>ÌÃ\ Windows 11’s Taskbar11 (fave.co/3Ng8d1q) writes:
ÌwV>ÌvÕVÌÃÃiÌiÃ >`Þ]
but often rather annoying when it comes “Due to the removal of registry tweaks
to tips and pop-ups. and related effects in Windows 11,
the development of Taskbar11 is
You can quickly get rid of all the currently halted as features such as
points of criticism and annoyances listed setting the taskbar to the top via the
with our instructions and tools. registry no longer work in the latest
Windows 11 versions.”
CUSTOMIZE THE WINDOWS
DESIGN AND THE TASKBAR Other tools such as 7+ Taskbar
With Windows 11, Microsoft has Tweaker (fave.co/3GxwNHu) are not
fundamentally changed the taskbar of compatible with Windows 11, so the
the previous system, but not every user developers have not even tried. The
likes this complete redesign. The Start Explorer Patcher sometimes works,
menu is now in the centre instead of sometimes not. Only the freeware Start
the bottom left as before. It also looks All Back (fave.co/3Kp3JTl) and Winaero
completely different. There are also new Tweaker (fave.co/3TdRUpB) and the

WINDOWS 11
Classic Taskbar. At least

the old (complete) context
menu can also be activated
in 22H2.
The Start All Back (fave.
co/3Kp3JTl) tool brings
back the classic Windows
Start menu and expands it
with additional functions.
The appearance of the
taskbar, the context menus,
>`Ì iÌwV>Ì>Ài>V>
also be customized.
By the way: With
Some tweakers do not work at all or only to a limited
extent under Windows 11. This is due to far-reaching the Insider versions and
changes made by Microsoft that prevent the simple Windows 12, Microsoft is at
patching of settings via a registry hack. least partially rowing back
and is apparently planning
two paid tools from Stardock remain: a completely new design: The taskbar
Window Blinds 11 for a good £19.99 >««i>ÀÃÌy>ÌÌ iìÃÌ«°Ì>Þ
(fave.co/3VgUH09) and Start 11 for even be possible to move the Windows
£6.99 (fave.co/3RacTaf). 12 taskbar anywhere on the desktop.
Winaero Tweaker
(fave.co/3TdRUpB) is
ideal for simple changes
– but only on condition
that the computer is still
running Windows 11
version 21H2 and not
22H2: In this case, the
Enable Classic Taskbar
option can be switched
on in the freeware tool Start All Back is one of the few programs that allows you to
under Windows 11 > make changes to the Windows 11 (22H2) taskbar settings.

With the Rounded TB tool (fave. Updates 10 tool (fave.co/3uHuZZE)
co/3uNW39J), you can customize the can be used to prevent or temporarily
shape and appearance of the Windows pause automatic Windows updates.
Ì>ÃL>ÀÜÌ ÕÌ`vÞ}ÃÞÃÌiwiÃ This does not manipulate any system
or making permanent system changes. wiÃÀÀi}ÃÌÀÞiÌÀiÃ]LÕÌÞLVÃ
the execution of the update processes.
SCHEDULE WINDOWS UPDATES You can cancel this at any time or
AND UPDATE PROGRAMS activate it for a certain period of time.
With Windows 11, Microsoft has However, it’s not just Windows itself
reorganized the Windows Update and installed apps from the Microsoft
function. It has been improved so that Store that should be kept up to date.
even before you click on Optional For non-Microsoft applications, there
updates you can see whether and, if so, are tools that compare the programs
how many updates are available there. installed on your computer with
With Windows 10, the optional updates extensive databases and point out
were under the radar for many users, outdated versions.
which sometimes meant that essential The update checker Sumo (fave.
functions were not available at all. co/419zGaM) checks the software
The new option Get the
latest updates as soon as they
are available goes one step
further. This can be found in
the Windows settings under
Windows Update. This solves
the problem of Microsoft
providing non-security-
relevant updates, patches,
and extensions via different
service technologies and
Windows devices receiving
new functions at different
times. Stop Updates 10: Use this simple and straightforward
But not every Windows application to prevent Windows 10 from being forcibly
user wants this: the Stop updated without your consent.

WINDOWS 11
installed on the Windows PC.

If an update is available, Sumo
indicates this in the list with
Update available. After clicking
on Get update, a website of
the Sumo manufacturer opens.
A direct download is not
possible with the free version,
but searching via Google or the
Majorgeeks download portal
(fave.co/47Jvrp7) will help.
Something similar also exists
for drivers: Driver Max supports PowerToys Image Resizer running on Windows 10.
automatic installations, scheduled
scans, and complete backups of device Peazip (fave.co/3NhCqgF), Teracopy
drivers. It can be set to check for driver (fave.co/46OIeFn) and Tweakpower
updates at any time of the day, week, or (fave.co/4a9c1eL).
month and download them for you. ƂwÀÃÌV>ÃÃViVÌvÕÃivÕ
tools comes from Microsoft itself: The
UPGRADE MISSING FUNCTIONS PowerToys (fave.co/3RaSm5F) consist of
WITH FREE SOFTWARE practical helpers that are available via
The current Windows 11 also has Ì iVÌiÝÌiÕvwiÃ>`vìÀÃ]
Û>ÀÕÃvÕVÌ>ìwVÌÃ]>Ì Õ} for example. With just a few mouse
Microsoft is constantly adding new clicks, you can change the image size of
functions. For example, the photo « ÌÃ]Ài>iwiÃ]>`ÕÃÌÌ i ÌiÞ
display recently received a major update assignment, and use screen rulers and
and the packer integrated in Windows colour pickers. The PowerToys collection
will soon also support additional archive now includes more than 20 tools.
types such as RAR. Nevertheless, some Installing new programs can be
gaps remain. Some tried-and-tested annoying: Instead of loading the
free tool recommendations include L>ÃVÃvÌÜ>ÀiVw}ÕÀ>ÌLÞ >`]
Double Commander (fave.co/418sifO), you should use the online service
Lockhunter (fave.co/46bGnuf), Ninite (fave.co/3O8EntG). On the
Notepad ++ (fave.co/3T6dsoi), website, tick the boxes in front of the

programs you want to install. Click saves time and is easy on your nerves.
on Get Your Ninite and download the With Power Automate (fave.co/47L7dut)
installer. This will set up all applications from Microsoft, which is available free of
and tools without any further queries. charge to Windows 10 and 11 users, you
For any existing updates, restart the can simply click together automation
installer after a while. steps or record mouse and keyboard
Did you know that Windows 11 has actions. Microsoft provides a good
a package manager modelled on Linux? introduction to the possibilities of Power
The winget command can be used to ƂÕÌ>Ìi°-iiÝ>«iÃvyÜÃV>
freshly install and update programs. be adopted and customized directly.
However, it is quite tedious to use on Another practical helper is Autohotkey
the command line. (fave.co/3xOWVtN), a free open-source
Winget UI (fave.co/3tf5nTw) promises scripting language with which you can
more convenience – an interface for easily program your own macros.
7}iÌ°ƂvÌiÀÌ iwÀÃÌÃÌ>ÀÌ]ÞÕÃiiVÌ You can organize the shutdown
and activate the download channels, and (re)start of Windows with the
then install existing updates, or select Autoshutdown Manager (fave.
your favourites for installation from the co/46L14NF). This shuts down the PC,
list of programs. On our test system, a for example, if no mouse or keyboard
total of 14,610 packages are available input is recognized for a set period
for installation with Winget
UI – although there are some
duplicates.
Here’s a tip: Windows 11
Debloater (fave.co/41hFEqf)
and Bloaty Nosy (fave.
co/46HcQsd) make it easy
to remove preinstalled apps,
even if Microsoft doesn’t offer
any other function for this.
AUTOMATE TASKS With Power Automate, you can automate recurring tasks
You can largely automate on your PC with just a few mouse clicks, without having
frequently recurring tasks. This to have any programming knowledge.

WINDOWS 11
of time. With PhraseExpress (fave. under Personalization > Start to Show

co/419SO8B), you can manage any text recommendations for tips, shortcuts,
modules and insert them into emails new apps and more, the system is not
or documents, for example, at the click completely free of advertising.
of a mouse or using a hotkey on the The tools Tweakpower (fave.
computer. This also makes you more co/4a9c1eL) and O&O Shutup 10++
productive in everyday life. (fave.co/3TbgSGa) offer more options.
Here you can prevent Windows from
SWITCH OFF UNWANTED `Ã«>Þ}>`ÛiÀÌÃ>`ÌwV>ÌÃ°
ADVERTISING AND In the Insider versions of Windows,
NOTIFICATIONS Microsoft itself is experimenting with
Whether in the Start menu or lock a corresponding setting: It is called
screen: Windows 10 and 11 repeatedly Occasionally show account-related
display advertising messages for ÌwV>ÌÃÌ i-Ì>ÀÌiÕ°
new apps and games. Windows 11 / i7`ÜÃÌwV>Ì>ÃÃÃÌ>ÌÃ
in particular can be really intrusive, not a bad thing in itself. However, with
and even the Start menu and lock many active applications, the number
screen are not spared. Although vÌwV>ÌÃÃy>Ì>ÀÞ\V}
there is an option in the Settings app emails and chat messages, completed
wi>`«À}À>>VÌÃ]>`
successful data synchronization
with cloud services – over time,
this becomes too much and then
annoying.
To change the settings, right-
VVÌ iÌwV>ÌV
the taskbar and then click on the
ÌwV>ÌƂÃÃÃÌ>ÌiÌÀÞ°9Õ
can choose from three options in
the following dialog:
• Disabled
O&O Shutup 10++ lets you disable ads in Windows, • Only with priority
among other customizations. • Alerts only

By default, Windows
`Ã«>ÞÃ>ÌwV>ÌÃvÀ
apps or contacts. Further
options can be found in
the Settings under System
ÌwV>ÌÃ°/ i
not disturb option mutes
>ÌwV>ÌÃvÀÌ i
operating system. The setting
can also be time-controlled or
linked to certain rules.
Good solution and
important: the blocked
ÌwV>ÌÃ>ÀiÌÃÌ°/ iÞ Ì iÌwV>ÌÃiÌÌ}Ã]ÞÕV>ìwiÌÀÕLivÀii
can be viewed at any time in times and exceptions. This at least gives you some
the Info Centre. peace and quiet at work.
THESE TOOLS MAKE IT the scattered security options of the

'#5;|61|%*#0)'5'66+0)5 operating system and offers four
The Windows 10 and 11 Settings app ÃiiVÌ>LiÃiVÕÀÌÞ«ÀwiÃ°
(shortcut Win+I) is the central hub for
Vw}ÕÀ}Ì iÃÞÃÌi>`ÃÜÌV } O&O Shutup 10++: Privacy protection
functions on or off. Additional tools not settings are scattered and not always
only make this more convenient, they i>ÃÞÌw`°ƂÌiÀ>ÌÛiÞ]Ì i"E"
also give you access to hidden settings. Shutup 10++ tool (fave.co/3TbgSGa)
displays all Windows privacy and
Defender UI: Microsoft Defender (fave. security settings in a list. A click on the
co/3sWzaAd) is Windows’ on-board tool respective setting provides details. A
against viruses and other attacks. You red switch means the Windows default
V>w`Ì i iviìÀÕìÀ7`ÜÃ settings apply. If the switch is green, the
Security in the Start menu. The main function has been deactivated.
thing that could be improved about
Defender is its user interface. The Eartrumpet: The tool (fave.co/3NhejyB)
DefenderUI tool clearly summarizes extends the volume control of Windows

WINDOWS 11
11. After installation, you can adjust

the volume of individual applications
and devices without having to open
the system settings. Eartrumpet
also allows you to quickly switch
between headphones, speakers, or
Bluetooth devices.
Autoruns: Unnecessary programs

can be removed from the autostart
so that Windows starts faster and the
active processes do not consume
system resources. This can be done
quite conveniently with the Microsoft
tool Autoruns (fave.co/3RwylrE). You
can switch the autostart of programs
and services on and off at the click
of a mouse.
Regcool: The Regcool tool (fave.

co/3uKBtXZ) is much better than the
Windows built-in registry editor. It allows
you to search the registry database
and use the functions for comparing,
copying, exporting, importing, backing
up, and restoring content. You can
also change or delete several keys and
values at the same time.

Credit: Getty Images/Khanchit Khirisutchalual
Next-gen Windows leak:
6 AI features that could
change PCs forever
A new report says Microsoft is rebuilding Windows from the ground up to
integrate helpful, practical AI features. BRAD CHACOS reports
T
here’s no question about it: LAI Windows 11 (or 12) in 2024, which
is the new hotness in personal is designed to make AI helpful at
computers. An intriguing new deeply practical levels.
report claims Microsoft will push Microsoft just put AI front-and-
the pedal to the metal even harder centre with Windows 11’s massive 2023
with a revolutionary new version of Update, which added the Windows

WINDOWS 11
Copilot AI assistant and

awesome AI ‘Cocreator’
features to Paint. Copilot
is coming to Windows
10, too. And Intel, AMD,
and Qualcomm have
been busy integrating
AI-boosting ‘NPUs’ (neural
processing units) to the PC
chips destined to hit the
streets next year, aiming
to enhance tasks with Paired with an upgraded Windows Copilot, this new version
local AI that runs on your of AI to offer numerous practical features.
computer’s hardware rather
than hitting up servers in the cloud. you can actually do with your computer,
Now, an explosive Windows here are six AI features reportedly
Central report (fave.co/3NlWoH5) coming in 2024’s ‘groundbreaking’
claims Microsoft is preparing a Windows overhaul.
‘groundbreaking’ new version of
Windows that’s absolutely brimming 1. AI IN THE WINDOWS SHELL
with helpful, practical AI tasks. You Windows Central says Microsoft is
should take all leaks with a big pinch weaving AI deep into the Windows
of salt but Windows Central’s reporters Shell itself – the graphical interface
are deeply embedded in the Microsoft underpinning the OS. Paired with an
ecosystem and have a killer track record upgraded Windows Copilot, this is the
with Windows leaks. secret sauce that would enable this new
Read the full Windows Central report version of AI to offer numerous practical
for a deep dive into how Microsoft is features. Such as…
revamping the very core of Windows to
make this happen, and why its unknown 2. A SMART HISTORY FEATURE
whether this AI-enhanced version of Windows Timeline, a feature that let
Windows will be called Windows 12 or ÞÕÃiiÞÕÀ ÃÌÀÞv«iwiÃ>`
released as a Windows 11 upgrade. For tabs from any PC you’ve signed in on
folks who are more interested in what to jump back into the action, was one

of my favourite Windows 10 features – good, because Windows 11’s search
until Microsoft killed it in Windows 11. kind of sucks. If you can’t remember
Windows Central says an AI-powered >wi½Ã>i]7`ÜÃ iÌÀ>Ã>ÞÃ
history feature will return to Windows in you’ll be able to search using queries
2024. It reportedly allows you to comb like: “Find me the spreadsheet Bill
through all the apps and sites Copilot ÃiÌi->VÌÜÜiiÃ>}°»/ i
remembers, and you can use natural operating system should be able to
>}Õ>}iÃi>ÀV ÌwÌiÀÀiÃÕÌÃ°ºÀ understand the query and summon the
example, you could type FY24 wivÀ>ÌiÌ >Ì>i°vÌ Ã
earnings and every instance where happens, smarter search alone would
that term was on-screen will reappear be a killer feature for this new version of
vÀÞÕÌÃii>`«i]»7`ÜÃ 7`ÜÃ° i}>LiÌw`wiÃÕÃ}
Central writes. natural language would be a massive
upgrade over what we’ve got today.
3. SEARCH GETS SMART
That natural language search could 4. SUPER RESOLUTION
extend to the traditional Windows Maybe you’ve heard of Nvidia’s DLSS
search experience as well, which is (Deep Learning Super Sampling) or
AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super
Resolution), which use AI and
GPU hardware to intelligently
increase the resolution in
video games and/or increase
performance. Nvidia’s Video
Super Resolution does the
same for videos.
Windows Central says
Windows itself will offer
some sort of AI Super
Resolution option in its 2024
revamp, using onboard
NPUs rather than GPUs to
Natural language search would be a lot better than the upscale the visual quality
current Windows 11 search experience. of games and videos. I

WINDOWS 11
Microsoft is
said to be
working on
parallax-style
wallpapers.
expect it wouldn’t match the quality 6. AI WALLPAPERS

of GPU-enhanced upscaling, but since Windows Central says Microsoft is
DLSS and FSR aren’t supported by working on having its AI identify
every game, if Microsoft can offer a multiple layers in desktop wallpapers,
universal Super Resolution feature that which would allow it to have a
works across the board without active parallax-style effect that shifts based on
developer support, it could be another the movement of your mouse.
killer feature. The proof is always in the
implementation pudding with upscaling
features, though.
5. SMART LIVE CAPTIONS

Microsoft already added Live Captions
to videos for Windows 11, but this
report says AI will make it even better
in the new version of Windows.
Live Captions will allegedly be able
to translate multiple languages
simultaneously in real time, across
videos and live calls alike.

INSIDE: APPLE WATCH SERIES 9
JANUARY 2024
REVIEWED: 16-INCH
MACBOOK PRO
PLUS:
iMAC (M3)

Tech Advisor - February 2024 UK

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Tech Advisor - February 2024 UK

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Tech Advisor - February 2024 UK

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INSIDE: MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP GO 3

Credit: Getty Images/Bet_Noire

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 3

‘Snake oil’: Intel slams

4 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 5

6 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 7

Windows 12 will release

8 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 9

10 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

HOW TO START COPILOT

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 11

Credit: Getty Images/brightstars

12 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 13

14 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 15

DISPLAY OLEDs is avoided, though you also miss

16 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 17

Detail and colours are accurate,

18 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 19

20 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 21

feature compared to the Laptop Go bottom of plastic, which according to

22 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 23

BATTERY LIFE ratio of 3:2, but at 1,536x1,024 it does

24 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 25

26 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 27

KEYBOARD You also have touch control on the

28 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 29

30 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 31

DESIGN onto steel, a force of 25kg and

32 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 33

On the Open, it’s easy to set up

The Alert slider lets you move between ring, DISPLAY

34 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 35

They’re tiny around the cover display,

36 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 37

38 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 39

40 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 41

42 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 43

44 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 • TECH ADVISOR 45