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| PC World - 14 May (PC World)If you revise a document several times and save it again and again as a separate file, it is often difficult to see exactly which changes you have made and where.
The same happens if a doc has been edited by several people. However, you can use Word to display the changed passages.
Word’s comparison function allows you to determine the differences between two versions of a document in a matter of seconds.
Word’s comparison function allows you to determine the differences between two versions of a document in a matter of seconds.
Foundry
Word’s comparison function allows you to determine the differences between two versions of a document in a matter of seconds.
Foundry
Foundry
To do this, switch to the “Review” ribbon and click on Compare > Compare. In the next step, enter the file of the original document in the drop-down menu on the left-hand side of the window and enter the revised document on the right-hand side.
After clicking on “Expand,” you can remove individual elements such as comments or spaces from the comparison in favor of a better overview.
Further reading: Microsoft Word: 9 tricks and hidden features
Under “Show changes in.” you can specify whether the changes should be presented in the original, in the revised version, or in a new file. After clicking on “OK,” Word marks the changed passages in your text.
This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.
Windows Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 13 May (PC World)You don’t have to spend a lot of money for online security tools. In fact, you don’t have to spend a single cent to stay secure. There are a lot of great security tools that we recommend — features built into Windows, trustworthy free downloads, and protection practices that won’t cost you anything at all.
We do recommend a variety of premium antivirus software, password managers, VPN services, and Windows backup tools. But you don’t need any paid offerings to stay safe online — you can get all the security you need for free.
Protect your PC with a free antivirus
Antivirus software is an essential security tool on any PC. Even if you’re careful, applications you trust could have security flaws that open your PC to attack. Malware could get onto your PC due to a flaw in your web browser or even a developer’s account falling prey to criminals on a platform like Steam.
If you’re using a modern Windows PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11, good news: You already have an antivirus program installed, even if you’ve never thought about it. It’s called Microsoft Defender and is part of the Windows Security suite of software. It works well as baseline protection, but it’s not particularly feature-packed. Still, it’s nice that it doesn’t try to upsell you to a paid antivirus tool.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Want to try a different antivirus? We can recommend quite a few other high-quality free antivirus programs, including Avast Free Antivirus. Paid antivirus suites pack in additional features — they may bundle their own password manager, VPN, and even backup tools — but free antivirus programs will scan your PC for malware in the background and keep it safe.
You don’t have to pay for capable antivirus software. That’s an antivirus myth.
Store your passwords in a free password manager
We often recommend premium password managers that cost money, and those paid password managers often have more polished interfaces. But you can get a free, high-quality, secure password manager so you can generate, store, and access all your passwords on all your devices.
Our top choice for a free password manager is Bitwarden. It’s not just free — it’s open-source. You get browser extensions for all popular browsers, apps for everything from Windows PCs and Android phones to Linux systems and iPhones, cloud syncing, sharing with one other person, and two-step authentication to protect your passwords — all for free.
the best free password manager
Bitwarden
Read our review
Best Prices Today:
Free at Bitwarden
Bitwarden’s Premium plan adds some nice-to-have features like file attachments, emergency access to your account, and security reports — but they’re not essential, and they’re just $10 a year if you decide you want them in the future.
There are other options, too. KeePassXC is free, open-source, and a very traditional experience. It stores your password database locally on your own device so there’s no cloud syncing. It’s not what we’d recommend to most people, but some people will prefer this type of thing.
Also, web browsers now often have solid password managers built in — and they’re free. For example, Google Chrome has a capable password manager that doesn’t require installing any extra software. If it feels right to you, you shouldn’t feel bad about using your web browser’s password manager.
Use a free two-factor authentication app
Two-factor authentication, also known as two-step authentication, is an important tool for keeping your accounts safe — even if you use a password manager. If an attacker gets your password somehow, they still won’t be able to sign in with your two-factor authentication code.
Paid password managers often have built-in code generators as a convenience feature. But you don’t need that kind of feature built into your password manager of choice.
To generate app-based 2FA codes, you can use an app like Google Authenticator, which is our favorite 2FA authentication app. It’s completely free and available for both Android phones and iPhones. Just use it when setting up two-factor authentication with your accounts.
Activate free ransomware protection on your PC
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous threats out there. While you can get expensive tools that promise ransomware protection, you can also turn on the ransomware protection built into Windows.
get windows 11 pro for cheap
Windows 11 Pro
This feature may be a little annoying to use. You’ll have to go out of your way to allow apps access to locations like your Documents folder when they need it. That’s the tradeoff you make if you want to control which apps have access to these sensitive locations.
Of course, your antivirus already protects against known ransomware — but antivirus software isn’t perfect.
Back up your files with free tools
Backups are a critical part of any online security strategy. They won’t just protect you if ransomware locks up your files or malware takes over your PC and you have to wipe it — they’ll protect your important data if you lose your laptop or your PC stops working for whatever reason.
While there’s a lot of paid backup software we like — and cloud backup tools that automatically back up to a remote server — there are lots of good free backup tools, too.
the best free backup software
Softland FBackup 9
Read our review
Best Prices Today:
Free at Softland
We recommend Fbackup 9 as our favorite free backup tool here at PCWorld, and you can also use the File History feature built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. You’ll just need a location to back up to — an external hard drive, for example, or a network share on a network attached storage (NAS) device.
If you’re looking to get some peace of mind from cloud backups, you can also use the OneDrive storage Microsoft provides for free — you get 5GB of storage for free with every Microsoft account. Additionally, if you pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription, you get a whopping 1TB of storage you can store files in.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Keep an eye out for phishing and other scams
People always say that “the best things in life are free.” Likewise, the best ways to beat phishing and other scams are also free.
Yes, you can pay for security suites that provide phishing protection, attempting to warn you when you visit scam websites and see phishing emails. But you already have a lot of these protections: Your web browser has built-in protection against phishing websites, for example, and the email service you use attempts to file away all the phishing emails you can into your spam folder so you never see them.
Be sure to watch out for scams and avoid clicking links in suspicious emails. If your boss contacts you via text and asks for a pile of gift cards on the company card, be suspicious! Don’t provide sensitive personal details to anything that isn’t trustworthy.
A password manager can help you avoid phishing sites, too: If you always use a password manager to enter your online banking password, for example, you’ll know something is up if you somehow end up on a phishing website impersonating your bank’s website. Your password manager won’t auto-fill those details on an imposter website.
Pick the right free VPN (if you need a VPN)
VPNs aren’t the ultimate, one-step solution to online security — despite some of the marketing you may see online. Still, they can provide some extra privacy and are useful in certain situations. For example, public Wi-Fi isn’t as dangerous as it once was, but you may still want a VPN for public Wi-Fi networks that you don’t fully trust.
the best free vpn we`ve tested
Windscribe Pro
Read our review
Free VPNs are easy to find, but you shouldn’t trust most of them. Free VPNs have drawbacks. Many free VPNs may sell your data or do other sketchy things to pay the bills. Even the best free VPNs may not provide enough bandwidth to stream another country’s Netflix library, for example. Or, they may limit you to a certain amount of data each month. Still, they should be great for using public Wi-Fi in a pinch.
We’ve got a list of free VPNs PCWorld trusts. You don’t have to pay to use a decent VPN, but be sure to pick a trustworthy one.
All the most important security tools are free
The complete package of useful security tools we recommend above are all available for a grand total of zero dollars and zero cents.
Of course, you can spend money on security software if you like! The premium applications we recommend often have extra features, sleeker interfaces, and other goodies. But you can get a complete layer of online protection without shelling out a single cent.
Antivirus, Security Software and Services, VPN Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 13 May (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsGreat specs for the priceServiceable hardware all aroundComes with lots of RAM and storage spaceConsDisplay could be better and brighterNot the nicest keyboard, touchpad, webcam, or speakersNo IR camera for Windows HelloOur VerdictThe Gigabyte G6X delivers a great GPU and CPU at a good price — and it comes with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, too! Everything else is fine, but it’s not flashy or premium feeling.
The Gigabyte G6X is all about the specs for the price. Gigabyte packed an Intel Core i7 HX CPU along with an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU into a 16-inch gaming laptop. The company also went above and beyond at this price point by including 32GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage. That’s a lot for a $1,349 laptop.
After that, Gigabyte started making compromises to keep the price down. But the compromises are all smart: There’s nothing here that’s bad. Everything else about the laptop is serviceable, even if it doesn’t go above and beyond. If this laptop fits your budget and powerful specs are more important than a flashy exterior, this could be the right gaming laptop for you.
I got my hands on the $1,949 Gigabyte Aorus 16X at the same time as the Gigabyte G6X and used them side by side. The experience was instructive: This laptop is $600 less than the Aorus 16X. In comparison to that more expensive laptop, I noticed a blockier design, a less-beautiful display, and a lack of nice-to-have features like an IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition. But while the G6X here doesn’t feel as premium as laptops costing hundreds of dollars more, it does its job well and offers a perfectly fine experience.
Looking for more budget-friendly options? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best gaming laptops under $1,000 right now.
Gigabyte G6X: Specs
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Gigabyte G6X is all about specs for your dollar. We reviewed a Gigabyte G6X 9KG model that came with an Intel Core i7-13650HX CPU. This is one of Intel’s Core HX chips, a refresh of last year’s Raptor Lake CPUs. These seem to perform a bit better than Intel’s current Meteor Lake Core Ultra chips, although they lack the neural processing unit (NPU) that will supposedly accelerate future Windows AI features, according to rumors.
Our review unit came with Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics as well as 32GB of RAM and 1TB solid-state drive. That’s a good selection of hardware for the laptop’s $1349 price. Gigabyte also has a model of this laptop with an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU, and Gigabyte says the laptop’s storage capacity may vary by region.
Let’s address the AI elephant in the room: Gigabyte is calling this an “AI gaming laptop.” It’s just as much an AI laptop as any other modern laptop with a powerful Nvidia RTX GPU inside it. And Gigabyte is right — as we’ve said, powerful GPUs deliver the fastest AI performance on PCs right now. But there’s nothing extra here beyond a standard Nvidia RTX GPU despite all the AI talk — the Aorus 16X at least has a few little software AI features designed to show things off, but I didn’t see any of those here.
However, the lack of a neural processing unit means it may not get future Windows AI features that may only work on systems with an NPU — we don’t know yet! We’re waiting for Microsoft to reveal its plans.
CPU: Intel Core i7-13650HX
Memory: 32GB DDR5-5600 RAM
Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 4060
Display: 1920×1200 16:10 IPS display with 165 Hz refresh rate
Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Webcam: 720p webcam
Connectivity: 2x USB Type-C (Both USB3.2 Gen2, one with USB Power Delivery 3.0, one with DisplayPort 1.4), 2x USB Type-A (USB3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x combo headphone jack, 1x RJ-45 (Ethernet), 1x Kensington lock slot, 1x DC power in
Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, gigabit Ethernet
Biometrics: None
Battery capacity: 73 Watt-hours
Dimensions: 14.21 x 10.19 x 1.06 inches
Weight: 5.64 pounds
MSRP: $1,349 as tested
Gigabyte G6X: Design and build quality
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Gigabyte G6X’s design isn’t going to turn any heads. Compared to the Gigabyte Aorus 16X, it’s a much “blockier” design without sleek-looking curves. There’s nothing wrong with that: This is a classic utilitarian gaming laptop through and through.
This 16-inch laptop has Gigabyte branding, complete with a silver Gigabyte logo on the lid, the name “Gigabyte” below the screen, and some understated “X” graphics on the lid and to the right of the touchpad.
Aside from that, it’s a blocky design, all gray chunky plastics. (Gigabyte calls it “Gunmetal Gray”). It’s fine, but it doesn’t feel or look premium — that’s no surprise, as that’s what Gigabyte’s more expensive Aorus line of laptops is going for.
Still, the Gigabyte G6X feels like it has solid build quality. This may be a five-and-a-half pound brick of plastic, but it feels like a solid one. The chassis doesn’t have any weird creaky bits or questionable flexing to it, and the hinge feels fine when opening and closing the laptop. While gaming, the fans work well and direct air out the back of the laptop, not onto your mouse hand.
There’s also not a lot of bloatware. It’s nice to see Gigabyte didn’t make compromises there.
Gigabyte G6X: Keyboard and trackpad
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Gigabye G6X’s classic chiclet keyboard is fine to type on. The keys feel a little bit mushy, and the keyboard on the Aorus 16X feels a little snappier to type on. Digging into the specs, I see the G6X’s keyboard has up to 1.5mm key travel while the Aorus 16X has up to 1.7mm key travel. The difference is a little noticeable, but this keyboard still feels fine.
The keyboard has LED backlighting, but only a single zone — just one color at a time.
One thing that stands out about the keyboard is the full-size number pad at the right side. Many gaming laptops don’t include a number pad anymore. Even the Aorus 16X, which is the same size, doesn’t include this feature. I’m personally a big fan of the extra keys here.
The trackpad feels fine — not as nice as a premium glass trackpad, but not bad. The clicking-down action feels less snappy than on the Aorus 16X, though — it’s a pretty middle-of-the-road trackpad experience.
Gigabyte G6X: Display and speakers
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
To deliver these specs on a budget price, you have to make some compromises. This 16-inch laptop’s display is one of those compromises. Like the keyboard and trackpad, the display is fine. It’s not bad, but it’s not outstanding.
The 1920×1200 IPS display doesn’t have the highest resolution you’ll find on a display, but it’s not unreasonably low either. It has a 165 Hz refresh rate, which is good to see. It’s not particularly bright, though — delivering only 300 nits of brightness, which means we had to turn the brightness up high for our standard battery benchmark. In addition, you won’t find HDR support in this display.
The display works fine for gaming and day-to-day computer use, but it’s nothing to write home about. (Meanwhile, the more expensive Aorus 16X delivers a more premium display with a higher 2560×1600 resolution, much more brightness, and HDR support.)
The speakers sound fine, as well — they’re more than loud enough and the sound is clear. There’s not a lot of bass, though. You’re going to want some headphones or external speakers to properly appreciate games, streaming videos, and music.
Gigabyte G6X: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
The 720p webcam is a very standard 720p webcam. If you want something with a higher resolution, you can plug in an external webcam. It’s nice to see the webcam is there, though! I’ve seen budget gaming laptops without webcams at all.
The microphone is serviceable — it did seem to pick up some background static, even in a quiet room. But it does work fine. I would plug in an external microphone for gaming sessions and online meetings, although it will work in a pinch.
Biometrics are another place the Gigabyte G6X cuts corners: There are none. Without an IR camera or fingerprint reader, you can’t use your face or fingerprint to sign in with Windows Hello. You’ll be using a PIN or password to sign into this PC. It’s a shame because facial recognition is so convenient for signing in on a modern Windows PC. But, once again, it’s not a dealbreaker. It’s an understandable omission to help keep the price of this laptop down. (Unsurprisingly, the more expensive Aorus 16X does have facial recognition.)
Gigabyte G6X: Connectivity
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Gigabyte G6X doesn’t compromise on the number of ports it provides, which is good to see.
On the left side, you’ve got a USB Type-A port (USB 3.2 Gen 1), a combo audio jack, and a Kensington cable lock slot.
On the right side, you’ve got a USB Type-A port (USB 3.2 Gen 1), and a USB Type-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2 with USB Power Delivery 3.0.)
On the back of the laptop, you’ve got a gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1 out, DC power in for the charger, and a USB Type-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort 1.4 out).
This laptop does omit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 — the USB ports here use a previous-generation standard, unlike on the Aorus 16X, which does provide Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 if you’re willing to pay for a more expensive laptop. Again, that’s not a deal breaker, and if you’re looking at this laptop, there’s a good chance you aren’t seeking out the latest and fastest USB connection standards for high-end gear.
The Gigabyte G6X supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and gigabit Ethernet for networking. The Aorus supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. That’s nice and future proof, but the Gigabyte G6X likely supports the Wi-Fi router you have today — you almost certainly don’t have a Wi-Fi 7-compatible router yet.
Gigabyte G6X: Performance
The Gigabyte G6X delivered snappy performance in day-to-day use, which is to be expected given all the powerful hardware in this laptop chassis. As always, though, we ran this laptop through our standard benchmarks to see how it performs.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
First, we run PCMark 10 to get an idea of overall system performance. This benchmark is designed to give us an idea of overall system performance, but it’s rather CPU focused. The Gigabyte G6X delivered a PCMark 10 score of 7609, right around where we’d expect it to be with other Intel Core i7 HX-powered laptops.
The upgraded Raptor Lake CPU here delivers stronger performance than a laptop with Intel’s Meteor Lake Intel Core Ultra 7 hardware. This isn’t surprising, as those Meteor Lake-powered PCs have more a focus on power efficiency and AI performance with their built-in neural processing units (NPUs.) Despite all Gigabyte’s marketing around this being an AI laptop, it’s again worth noting that it doesn’t include an NPU for accelerating AI tasks — the Nvidia GPU has to provide the AI-related horsepower.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a heavily multithreaded benchmark that focuses on overall CPU performance. It’s a quick benchmark, so cooling under extended workloads isn’t a factor. But, since it’s heavily multithreaded, CPUs with more cores have a huge advantage.
The Gigabyte G6X delivered a score of 7278 in Cinebench R20’s multi-threaded benchmark. That’s about what we’d expect to see given its specs. The Intel Core i7-13650HX CPU delivers less top-end performance than the Intel Core i7-14650HX CPU found in some other laptops, like Gigabyte’s more expensive Aorus 16X laptop, and the scores show the Aorus 16X achieving a 15 percent higher score in this benchmark.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
We also run an encode with Handbrake. This is another heavily multithreaded benchmark, but it runs over an extended period of time. This demands the laptop’s cooling kick in, and many laptops will throttle and slow down under load.
The Gigabyte G6X finished the encode in 979 seconds on average — that’s a bit over 16 minutes. That’s a little on the high side compared to some other gaming laptops we’re measuring against, with Gigabyte’s Aorus 16X clocking in at 22 percent faster on this benchmark.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Now, we get to the graphical benchmarks. As this is a gaming laptop, the graphical benchmarks are the most interesting. First, we run 3DMark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance.
The Gigabyte G6X, with its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, delivered a score of 10383. The results here are all about which GPU each laptop has — the Aorus 16X is about 20 percent faster thanks to its RTX 4070, for example.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Next, we look at some games. We run the benchmark in Shadow of the Tomb Raider to test all the gaming laptops we review. This is an older game, but it’s a great way to compare graphical performance across different PCs.
The Gigabyte 16X delivered 136 frames per second with our benchmark settings, which is within the margin of error of what the Aorus 16X delivered here. The shift from an RTX 4060 to a 4070 doesn’t make a big difference in this one game. Only upgrading to the $3,800 MSI Raider GE78 with its RTX 4090 GPU makes a big difference.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Finally, we run the benchmark in Metro Exodus, a more demanding game. We set the benchmark to 1080p resolution at the Extreme detail setting. The Gigabyte G6X delivered 40 frames per second in this benchmark, 20 percent slower than the Gigabyte Aorus 16X’s result of 50 frames per second.
Once again, the story here is all about the different GPUs. This laptop’s RTX 4060 is faster than an RTX 4050 but not as fast as a 4070 — and nowhere near as fast as a 4090.
Overall, the laptop’s performance is what we’d expect to see given its powerful hardware. The cooling works well. The fans are moderately loud while gaming, about normal for a laptop like this. You’re getting the strong performance you’d expect from an Intel Core i7-13650HX powered laptop with an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. That 32GB of RAM is really nice to have, too, in a world where many gaming laptops still come with 16GB of RAM.
Gigabyte G6X: Battery life
The Gigabyte G6X laptop has a 73 Watt-hour battery. Battery life was middle of the road for this type of gaming laptop — many laptops have lower battery life, while others offer more.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat in the Movies & TV app on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled until the laptop suspends itself. We set the screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks. This is a best-case scenario for any laptop since local video playback is so efficient, and real battery life in day-to-day use is always going to be less than this.
The Gigabyte G6X lasted for 306 minutes (a bit over five hours) in our benchmark. You won’t get this much battery life in real use, so this isn’t an all-day-away-from-an-outlet system. Of course, that’s no surprise — this is a big gaming laptop.
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X lasted for 410 minutes instead — that’s nearly another two hours over the Gigabyte G6X here. That more expensive Aorus has a much larger 99 Watt-hour battery, which explains how it’s able to deliver that longer battery life.
Gigabyte G6X: Conclusion
The Gigabyte G6X has excellent internals — an Intel Core i7-13650HX, Nvidia RTX 4060, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD — for the price. It makes some compromises elsewhere on the laptop, so whether this is the right laptop for you really depends on your budget and whether you want a nicer display, a fancier design, a keyboard with more key travel, an IR camera so you can sign in with your face, and various other niceties.
Laptops with Nvidia RTX 4060 GPUs tend to be more expensive than this. Laptops which are in this ballpark of price tend to have other compromises: Consider the Asus ROG Strix G16, which costs another $20 but has just 16GB of RAM instead of the 32GB on the Gigabyte G6X here. Or take a look at the MSI Cyborg 15, which gets down to $999 but does so by going down to an older Core i5 CPU, half the RAM, and half the storage.
Of course, laptop prices will shift over time, so it pays to keep an eye on laptop deals.
If you’re eying this laptop at a good price, the good news is that there are no deal breakers here. You’re getting a lot of great hardware in a modest box. From the display to the keyboard, touchpad, and webcam, everything feels fine. Nothing about this laptop feels bad, and that’s a triumph in its own way.
Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | CNet News - 13 May (CNet News)Apple could release the update as early as this week. Read...Newslink ©2024 to CNet News | |
| | | PC World - 13 May (PC World)Mechanical keyboards have been around almost as long as personal computers, and the basic switch technology we’re still using first popped up in the 1980s. But it’s not an exaggeration to say that mechanical boards have never been as popular, or as stunningly variable, as they are right now. If you’re just getting into the craze, you might feel paralyzed by the number of options available.
Allow us to remove some of the questioning and doubt. Below are the best mechanical keyboards we’ve reviewed, in a variety of categories—best overall, on a budget, for gaming, wireless, et cetera. Not everything makes the list — for example, though G.Skill’s KM250 is a shockingly good deal, we can’t say the same for the larger and very different KM360 design. Though they excel in different areas, each mechanical keyboard pick is absolutely the best in its class, and well worth both your attention and your hard-earned dough.
Be sure to check out some of our most recent reviews, like the Happy Hacking HHKB Studio and the Razer Huntsman V3.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been the go-to name for personal computer news and reviews for over 40 years. And as the writer of this roundup, and the reviewer of most of the keyboards on this list, I can assure you they’ve been thoroughly tested by people who are absolutely obsessed with keyboards.
Every single keyboard on this list has been used by an expert, put through its paces for features and reliability, and carefully considered against the alternatives. We’ve tested every facet of the boards, even programming and complete disassembly for those that support it.
For a more in-depth look at how we test keyboards of every kind, check out our dedicated article covering our keyboard review process.
Update May 10, 2024 to include a new pick for the best low-profile mechanical keyboard: the Nuphy Air V2. Read our summary below to see why we’re so smitten with this compact mechanical keyboard that doesn’t skimp on any of the bells and whistles that a keyboard enthusiast could want, and for less money than you’d think.
Keychron Q Max Series – Best mechanical keyboard overall
Pros
Tons of features
Excellent typing
Improved 2.4GHz wireless
Endless customization
Cons
No adjustable feet
No wrist rest
Why I like the Keychron Q Max series
For the last couple of years Keychron has been absolutely killing it with its high-end Q series. These mechanical boards make features previously available only via building your own or spending a fortune on a boutique design available to everyone, like full aluminum bodies, gasket-mounted PCBs, and easy, open-source programming with VIA. They’re about as good as you can get for a standard design.
The Q Max series takes these designs and shores up their one weakness: reliance on Bluetooth. While Q Max keyboards have multi-device Bluetooth available, they’re also packing standard 2.4GHz wireless with a USB dongle, making them ideal for use with a hefty desktop PC (and they even do alright as gaming boards).
With a wide variety of layouts like the TKL-sized Q3 Max above, there’s a keyboard in this series for just about anyone, including split “ergonomic” designs. They’re fantastic as stand-alone purchases, or bases for your custom dream build with replacement switches and keycaps.
Who should buy the Keychron Q Max Series
If you’re ready to step up to a premium mechanical keyboard design, one of these Q Max models should be at the top of your list. At the time of writing they’re available in full-size with number pad, TKL, 75%, 65%, and compact “1800” sizes, plus oddball Alice and left-handed models. There’s even a Happy Hacking Keyboard clone version, all of which come with hot-swap switch sockets and RGB lighting.
They’re great on their own with no extra mods, with the only real downside being so-so stabilizers. But you can swap those out too if you’re okay with opening the case, and the rest of the board is just as customizable. They can be custom-programmed, too, so both newbies and veterans are welcome.
Keychron’s high-end boards are on the pricey side, even if they aren’t as expensive as the boutique builds they’re inspired by, so bargain hunters should hunt somewhere else. And while they offer 2.4GHz wireless and wired options for gamers, the lack of game-specific software features means that there are better choices if you want to slay first and type later.
Read our full
Keychron Q3 Max keyboard review
Keydous NJ80-AP – Best typing experience
Pros
Amazing typing experience
High-quality parts
Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless
Long battery life
Cons
Clunky software
Plastic case
A bit heavy
Best Prices Today:
$135 at Amazon
Why I like the Keydous NJ80-AP
Keychron gets the recommendation for an all-around mechanical keyboard. But if what you really want is a fantastic “thocky” typing feel right out of the box, then this unassuming little keyboard is the best I’ve ever tested. It does this with a lot of high-quality components, like PBT keycaps, a brass plate, premium stabilizers, and lots of internal sound dampening. But the big magic is in the switches.
Keydous went with exotic, high-end switches from Kailh to make the NJ80-AP and its stablemates stand out. These “Blueberry Ice Cream” BOX switches have a ridiculous name, but with soft POM plastic housing, reinforced stems, and a factory-lubed sliding mechanism, they feel amazing. They’re the best I’ve ever seen come standard on a keyboard, and that includes boards that cost twice as much as this one.
The NJ80-AP also offers both Bluetooth and dongle-based wireless, RGB lighting, an aluminum volume wheel — all the standards from a high-end mechanical design. Its plastic case and fiddly, proprietary programming software are a disappointment, but for satisfying typing out of the box, it’s simply the best around.
Who should buy the Keydous NJ80-AP
If you’re looking for a standard design with absolutely amazing typing, look no further. The NJ80-AP delivers, and if you want something bigger or (slightly) smaller, the same features are available in 65% and compact “1800” layouts (full number pad, slightly squished). Just make sure to order the one with those fancy switches.
But on the other hand, the software leaves a lot to be desired, and you can get keyboards with better all-metal bodies or faster wireless by spending a little more. And if you really want to go all out, you can get most of the way towards the high-quality typing of this board by ordering the same switches online and putting them in another board with hot-swap capability.
It’ll cost a lot — Keydous designs are on the cheap side of the high end — but if you’re dropping more than three digits on a keyboard anyway, it’s a legitimate option.
Read our full
Keydous NJ80-AP wireless mechanical keyboard review
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless – Best mechanical keyboard for gaming
Pros
Solid hardware
Great value for wireless
Tons of customization options
Cons
No wrist rest
slightly awkward default layout
Why I like the K65 Plus Wireless
Corsair has been improving its designs for the last couple of years, incorporating more premium features and customization options. And it all comes together in the vastly redesigned K65 Plus, and does so at a shockingly low price.
This keyboard combines the popular 75% form factor, high-speed, multi-device wireless, high-quality switches, and hot-swappable key sockets, with Corsair’s typically good gaming pedigree. The result is a keyboard that does a lot, for a lot of users, for a relatively low price.
While the K65 skips a couple of exotic features like adjustable actuation or an OLED screen, and it doesn’t include a wrist rest in the box, it nails just about every other facet of design. It’s simply the best gaming keyboard you can get at the moment.
Who should buy the K65 Plus Wireless
Anyone who wants a high-quality keyboard with tons of options for customization, both hardware and software, will be pleased with this design. It also has some excellent bonuses, like PBT keycaps and a dedicated button for turning RGB on (or off, if you want maximum battery life).
The 75% form factor isn’t for everyone — you’ll have to look elsewhere, or wait for Corsair to offer more models, if you want a different format. It’s also considerably less “flashy” than other gaming keyboards, and doesn’t offer the heft and quality of a metal body.
Read our full
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless keyboard review
Nuphy Air V2 – Best low-profile mechanical keyboard
Pros
High-quality switches
Hot-swap sockets
Colorful style
Sound dampening
VIA programming
Cons
Cramped number pad layoutThat’s it, it’s a darn good keyboard
Best Prices Today:
$159.99 at Amazon$167.53 at Aliexpress
Why I like the Nuphy Air V2 series
Low-profile keyboards are sleek and travel well, but you give up a lot of the powers of a mechanical keyboard by going with a more compact design. Or do you? Nuphy’s Air series wants to cram as many features as possible into the teeny-tiny keyboards, and for the most part, it does just that.
Metal body? Check. RGB lighting? No big deal. PBT keycaps? Yup. There’s even interior dampening for a wonderfully “thocky” feel, and premium switches customized by the manufacturer. And like a lot of the keyboards on this list, you can customize your layout and macros with browser-based VIA software.
But the most impressive inclusion here is that Nuphy made the Air keyboards hot-swappable. There are a lot fewer options with Gateron low-profile switches…but Nuphy sells a handful of customized switches itself, instantly upping your choices when you order. It doesn’t hurt that the keycaps and case colors are poppy and stylish.
Who should buy the Nuphy Air V2 series
If you’re looking for a keyboard that travels as well as it looks, the Air V2 series is available in full-sized, 75 percent, and 60 percent form factors. It gets this slot over a limited number of competitors thanks to cramming as many features as possible into a high-quality, super-slim package.
Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that the keyboards are a lot cheaper than you might think based on the features and materials. Depending on the size and switch choices, they range from $100 to $140 at standard prices.
Read our full
Nuphy Air96 V2 keyboard review
Keychron C3 Pro – Best mechanical keyboard under $50
Pros
Fantastic price for a mech board
Decent switches, internal foam, gasket mounting
VIA and QMK programming
Cons
Only red lighting
USB-C cable is a little stiff to plug in
Best Prices Today:
$27.47 at Amazon$34.99 at Keychron
Why I like the Keychron C3 Pro
You can spend hundreds of dollars on a mechanical keyboard if you want, but you sure don’t have to. This entry is just $37 in its retail price — often on sale for under $30! — and it has a lot of the features much more expensive boards do. These include gasket mounting and internal foam for better typing, decent if not amazing switches, and programming with open-source VIA software.
You won’t get hot-swap switches or PBT keycaps at this price, and the red backlighting doesn’t offer the dazzling rainbow of RGB. But if you’re looking for a solid keyboard while spending as little as possible, the C3 Pro fits the bill. A few extra touches, like double-stage feet for an adjustable angle and a detachable USB-C cord, really push the value home.
Who should buy the Keychron C3 Pro
Anyone who wants a full mechanical keyboard experience on a budget will be well-served with this pick, especially if you manage to pick it up on sale. While it lacks some of the more premium touches, it’s punching way above its weight in terms of price — the equivalent keyboard from a vendor like Logitech would cost twice as much, and wouldn’t offer as many options.
The C3 Pro is serviceable, but not great, for gaming. If that’s what you’re after, the G.Skill KM250 — which offers faster switches and the option to swap them out — is a better choice. Both are under $50, with the only real sacrifice being the lack of per-game programming.
Read our full
Keychron C3 Pro keyboard review
Dygma Raise – Best ergonomic mechanical keyboard
Pros
Sturdy build
Hot-swappable switches
Easy keyboard programming in VIA
Priced very competitively
Cons
Slightly awkward keyboard layout
No tenting kit available (not even as an optional accessory)
Best Prices Today:
$419 at Dygma
Why I like the Dygma Raise
Gamers who need a split ergonomic layout don’t have a lot of choices available to them. The Dygma Raise is the best of this very limited selection, offering a mix of customization and ergonomic options that will delight those who can afford it.
With fully split halves and a tenting kit that can give you extreme angles no standard keyboard can reach, the Raise (get it?) appeals to gamers and mech fans who need extremely specific angles for comfort or health reasons. And its custom software is no slouch, either.
Who should buy the Dygma Raise
If you demand the absolute best in both gaming performance and ergonomic flexibility, there’s no substitute for the Raise. Adding on extras when ordering ups the price, and the capability.
But unless you absolutely need the latter, there are far cheaper options in the gaming category. Keychron offers a split mechanical keyboard with fewer options for quite a bit less.
Read our full
Dygma Raise review
Model F Ultra Compact – Best old-school mechanical keyboard
Pros
Excellent typing feel
Classic layout is instantly familiar
Durable die-cast metal chassis
Easy to repair and customize
Cons
Heavy key feel isn’t great for fast-paced games
Lacks modern hardware and software features
Expensive
Best Prices Today:
$420 at Model F
Why I like the Model F Ultra Compact
Arguably the most famous keyboard among mechanical enthusiasts is the IBM Model M, thanks to its unique and incredibly tactile (and noisy!) buckling spring switch mechanism. Some of these keyboards have been in continual use for more than 40 years, but if you’re looking for something a little more accessible, Model F Labs is making reproductions with exactly the same tank-like build and modern USB connections.
The typing experience on this keyboard is like nothing else on the market, harkening back to a time before cheaper rubber dome manufacturing in the ’90s transitioned to smaller and less noisy designs. Just don’t be surprised if it’s a little harder than you’re used to — on both your fingers and your wallet.
Who should buy a Model F Ultra Compact
Those who want a keyboard that they can pass on to their descendants (or that can be used as a door stop or a melee weapon) might be very interested in the Model F. For actual typing, you’ll love it if you’re the kind of person who slams down on the keys like you’ve got a grudge against them. Be aware that it’s also extremely loud, even by mechanical keyboard standards…which might be a good or a bad thing depending on whether you work from home.
The downside is the cost, with prices starting at around $300 and going up. For that much dough you might consider rescuing an actual Model M from the dustbin of history — there are still plenty available on eBay — and using an adapter instead. The long travel and heavy click also make these keyboards poorly suited to modern gaming.
Read our full
Model F Ultra Compact review
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro – Best analog mechanical keyboard
Pros
Excellent software customization
Great controls for analog input
Easy layout swapping
Cons
Expensive
Typing is loud and wobbly
Hard wrist rest
Best Prices Today:
$219.99 at Amazon
Why I like the Huntsman V3 Pro
“Analog” keyboards, those which can adjust the actuation point of their keys by software, are a rare and expensive breed. Razer has the best of the lot by a whisker, thanks to its excellent software and some thoughtful design. Pro gamers — or gamers with “pro” esports aspirations — need look no further than the Huntsman series.
This flagship of Razer’s keyboard stable stands a bit above the rest thanks to its complex Gen 2 optically triggered switches and the Synapse software package. But even without software, the onboard LED indicators can let you quickly switch between light and heavy actuation, or program a quick macro.
With otherwise excellent design, not to mention an included wrist rest, the Hunstman V3 Pro is the best in a small field of competition. It’s available in full-size, TKL, and “mini” 60% variants.
Who should buy the Huntsman V3 Pro
The Huntsman V3 Pro is for those who want the ultimate in gaming keyboard capability. With extra functions like Rapid Trigger and analog-style movements, the Huntsman can do tricks that lesser designs simply can’t manage. And it has the price tag to prove it.
Those who don’t need these very niche capabilities, who prefer hardware customization over software with hot-swap switch sockets, or who simply want to make do with a more sober budget should look elsewhere.
Read our full
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL keyboard review
FAQ
1.
What’s a mechanical keyboard?
A mechanical keyboard uses a more elaborate construction than a standard keyboard. Instead of a wide membrane covering the entire board and activating an electronic sensor to detect keypresses, each individual key has a dedicated switch mechanism with an internal spring. When you press down on the key, the stem depresses the spring and closes an electrical circuit, registering your key press. This makes for a longer, more satisfying typing experience, more like an old-fashioned typewriter than a laptop.
2.
What should I consider when shopping for a mechanical keyboard?
If you’re just getting into mechanical keyboards, then you’re probably most interested in how it “feels” to use one. In short, mechanical switches offer a deeper and more satisfying press on each key, which is preferred over standard inexpensive keyboards by heavy-duty typists and gamers. (Not all of them, of course, but most people seem to favor at least a certain level of clickiness.) But there are a lot of different variables that can affect how those keys feel, and other options like wireless or customization.
3.
What kind of key switches should I choose for a keyboard?
Modern mechanical keyboards come in a staggering array of switch varieties, from smooth and linear to loud and clicky, with tons of options for mechanisms and spring strength. Many keyboard makers buy switches from other companies, and some (especially gaming brands) build their own custom designs. The only real way to know which one you prefer is to try ’em out (retail store displays are great for this). That being said, more expensive keyboards tend to come with nicer, high-quality switches from name brands like Cherry and Gateron. For the ultimate in customization, track down a keyboard with hot-swap switch sockets, which let you swap out the switches for new and different ones whenever you want.
4.
What are keycaps?
Keycaps are the little pieces of plastic that sit on top of the switches — what your fingers press down on. Switching out the keycaps for a set of nicer ones, maybe made of better PBT plastic or themed after your favorite TV show, is a popular and easy keyboard mod. Some keyboard makers even sell their own upgrade sets. Keycaps with a Cherry MX-compatible stem will work with almost all modern mechanical switches, just make sure you find a set that matches the layout of your keyboard.
5.
What keyboard layout should I choose?
The layout of the keys on your keyboard varies more than you might think. Full-sized (100%) keyboards include a 10-key number area to the right of the arrow cluster, but gaming models often omit this in order to make more room for mouse movements, calling this the “10-key-less” or “TKL” layout. Some keyboards go even smaller, with 60% being the smallest that mainstream brands use, chopping off the Function row, 10-key area, and even the arrow keys (which have to be accessed via a Fn button). A few designs go even larger than the full layout, with an extra column or two of programmable keys for custom bindings or macros.
But there are a wide range of layout choices between these broad categories. Popular 65% and 75% keyboards are quite small, but still keep the arrow keys for ease of use, while smooshing down some others to make room. Ergonomic layouts on split keyboards try to emulate the curvy designs of some elaborate conventional keyboards. Which one you want comes down to use-case, available space, and perhaps more pertinently, taste.
These general layouts shouldn’t be confused with country- and region-specific key layouts for letters and numbers, like ANSI and ISO. Most popular designs are available in at least those two variants.
6.
Should I buy a wireless mechanical keyboard?
Mechanical keyboards start with a standard wired USB connection, which may or may not be detachable from the keyboard itself for easier cable routing. Wireless is usually a premium upgrade, though some budget models are available too. Wireless boards tend to default to Bluetooth these days, since pretty much all PCs and mobile devices can use it. More premium models offer both Bluetooth and the faster, more reliable USB wireless dongle, typically on a 2.4GHz connection. Gamers definitely want to stick to wired or dongle options as Bluetooth’s susceptibility to input lag and interference can hinder gaming.
7.
Do I need LED lighting on a mechanical keyboard?
Even budget gaming keyboards come with LED backlights these days, giving you a little extra help when hunting for keys in the dark. More elaborate models — especially from gaming brands like Razer and Corsair — offer fully synchronized RGB light shows with elaborate animations. But unless you’re constantly playing in the dark and you can’t touch-type, it’s entirely cosmetic. It’s fun, that’s about it. You don’t need lights on a keyboard, it’s just a fun extra.
8.
What extras should I look for in a mechanical keyboard?
Keyboard makers are forever trying to one-up each other with extra features. For a mechanical board you can generally expect a removable USB cable (maybe a braided one for nicer boards), and possibly an included keycap puller and wrist rest. Larger boards usually include dedicated media controls, and the nicer ones get a fully programmable wheel or knob, as well as hot-swap switch sockets that let you experiment with different types of key switches. An especially nice option is on-device memory, allowing you to keep key layout programs without running a driver program on each new computer. The most expensive boards have premium metal bodies, internal foam for sound reduction, and sometimes even gasket mounting, which gives the keys an extra bit of bounce by suspending them between two layers of foam or silicone.
None of these are really necessary, but they’re all nice and enhance the experience. Depending on your taste and budget, you can look for a board with a few extra features, or hunt down a super-premium “endgame” design with all of them.
Keyboards Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | CNet News - 13 May (CNet News)Commentary: Small smartwatch screens provide an opportunity for new AI features to shine. Read...Newslink ©2024 to CNet News | |
| | | PC World - 12 May (PC World)Over the past few years we’ve tested a good number of VPN services for the PC and compiled them into a list of our best VPN picks. But with each of our reviews we also do extensive VPN testing for Android apps. While some services are good on any platform, others particularly shine when used on Android devices, and we’ve curated a list of our favorites to help you choose.
When determining the best VPNs for Android, we consider several criteria. First, it’s crucial that it’s a top performer on the OS. Also, since Wi-Fi can be inconsistent at times, we test these apps over multiple days to look at speed and consistency of service. Finally, we considered the Android app itself and its ease of use, as well as other things such as pricing and the number of simultaneous devices allowed per account. All of these factors help us determine the very best Android VPNs presented below.
Why you should trust us: Here at PCWorld we’ve been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We’re continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. For a more in-depth guide, you can check out our article on how we test VPN services at PCWorld. Below you’ll find our favorite VPNs and additional information about how we test these services as well as helpful advice about what to look for when choosing a VPN for your Android device on your own.
Without further ado, here are our recommendations for the best VPNs for Android.
Updated May 10, 2024: Check out our latest review of ProtonVPN. This excellent VPN comes from the privacy-focused maker of ProtonMail and is still one of our top Android VPN picks. Plus, it has a great free version that works with Android OS as well.
NordVPN – Best Android VPN overall
Pros
Great feature set
Excellent speeds
No-logs policy
Attractive and intuitive interface
Cons
Expensive
Why we like NordVPN
NordVPN is easily one of the most popular VPN services around. The company offers over 60 country locations with 5,000+ servers. It also promises that its service will work with Netflix. While it doesn’t offer dedicated servers for this, instead, Netflix is just supposed to work no matter which server you’re on, and in our tests it always did.
Its Android app is similar to the desktop app in that it has the same style of map that you can use to select a location. The rest of the app is very mobile friendly with a movable carousel of popular locations, and a full country list underneath. The Android app also supports Nord’s specialty servers for P2P file sharing, Meshnet, and double-hop VPNs. NordVPN also offers top-notch security features with ad-blocking and malware protection as well.
NordVPN has a thrice-verified no-logs policy and good track-record for both privacy and security. It’s a higher-priced VPN, but it’s also feature-filled, and fast. In our tests, Nord maintained nearly 73 percent of the base internet speed, which is outstanding.
Who should buy NordVPN
Those who have an Android phone or other device and want a VPN should place NordVPN at the top of their list. Not only will you get the great overall features that come from a top service like NordVPN, but the Android app is also one of the most intuitive and easy-to-use we’ve ever seen.
Read our full NordVPN review
ExpressVPN – Best Android VPN runner-up
Pros
Very easy-to-use app
Excellent speeds
Cons
Logs data transfer amounts
Higher-priced option
Why we like ExpressVPN
Combining ease of use with its excellent speeds, ExpressVPN is a great choice for everyone. In our tests, ExpressVPN maintained 72.14 percent of the base speed, which is excellent and earned it a spot among our very fastest VPNs. Switching locations is as easy as tapping on the tile underneath the on/off button at the top. When the VPN is not active the app background is red, and when the VPN is connected the background turns green.
ExpressVPN for Android also supports split tunneling, auto-connect, and a kill switch to help maintain privacy should the VPN connection drop.
This VPN is bit pricey and not quite as user friendly as NordVPN and that’s why it narrowly missed out on the top spot. Regardless it’s still a fantastic option and comes with wide support if you have other non-Android devices as well. Express VPN costs about $100 for the first 15 months for the multi-device subscription.
Who should buy ExpressVPN
Just like NordVPN, we think that ExpressVPN is a top pick for just about everyone. And since ExpressVPN supports just about every device you can imagine, it’s a great option for those who rock many different devices with different operating systems and want to be protected on all of them.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
CyberGhost – Best Android VPN for rookies
Pros
Easy-to-use interface
Independently verified no-log policy
Seriously impressive server spread
Cons
Lacks some common features such as multi-hop and double VPN
Server speeds are hit-or-miss, especially in Asia
Why we like CyberGhost VPN
Another good choice for newcomers is CyberGhost from Kape Technologies. This VPN has a very intuitive and friendly design. It has a simple on/off button at the top of the app, and underneath that is the tile where you can pick the country location. Tapping on the country location option takes you to a list where you can choose a connection based on the country, or you can choose a streaming location, or choose from your own favorites list. In our tests, CyberGhost maintained decent enough speeds to do most activities you would want with a VPN such as web browsing and streaming.
That’s about all there is to this app, which makes it an excellent option for first timers. For the full program CyberGhost charges $56.94 for a single year, or you can pay by the month for $12.99.
Who should buy CyberGhost VPN
VPN newbies and beginners will love how easy CyberGhost’s Android app is to use. Plus, the price is cheaper than some alternatives, which means you won’t have to worry about paying extra for niche features that you may never use.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Mullvad – Best Android VPN for privacy
Pros
Excellent privacy measures
Best option for pseudo-anonymity
Cons
Not as many extra features as other options
Not guaranteed to work with Netflix
Why we like Mullvad VPN
It’s no surprise to see Mullvad as our top choice for privacy. It’s simply unbeatable when it comes to staying as anonymous and private online as possible while using a VPN. Unlike most other services, Mullvad doesn’t even ask for your email address. Instead, it generates a random account number and then you use that to log in and pay for the service. The service will also accept cash, as well as Bitcoin, PayPal, and credit card giving you an even wider number of options to stay as anonymous as possible.
Mullvad promises it won’t track your browsing habits (as all the services in this roundup do), and it has good speeds. In our tests, Mullvad for Android maintained around 57 percent of the base speed. That’s not as good as some of the other services, but it’s definitely good enough for most uses. Mullvad charges €5 per month, which at this writing was a little over $5.
Who should buy Mullvad VPN
If privacy is your number one concern while using a VPN than you can’t go wrong with Mullvad. Your anonymity will remain intact from the time you sign up and pay for the service all the way through your time using the service. It may not have all of the fancy features of our top picks on this list, but you can rest assured your privacy will always be Mullvad’s top priority.
Read our full Mullvad review
ProtonVPN – Best VPN for privacy runner-up
Pros
Excellent free plan
Great privacy tools
Reliable and transparent no-logs policy
Cons
Expensive
Best Prices Today:
Free at Google Play
Why we like ProtonVPN
If Mullvad isn’t your speed, then another solid choice for privacy is ProtonVPN. This service is just one part of a larger suite of services that includes ProtonMail, ProtonCalendar, and ProtonDrive. You don’t have to subscribe to everything since ProtonVPN is available as a standalone service, though a subscription to the premium plan also nets you access to ProtonDrive as well.
In our tests, ProtonVPN maintained around 57 percent of the base speed. It has a wide number of country choices, its privacy policy makes all the right promises, and it supports Netflix streaming, TOR over VPN, and P2P on most servers. It also offers multi-hop connections via its Secure Core feature — a welcomed extra layer of obfuscation for the privacy-conscious. ProtonVPN’s monthly subscriptions are on the high end at about $10 per month, but long-term subscription plans make it more affordable.
Who should buy ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is another great option for the privacy-conscious. The only real difference between this and Mullvad VPN is that you will need to register with an email address and payments cannot be done in anonymous cash transactions. Apart from that though, ProtonVPN comes from a highly reputable company and does a superb job of protecting your anonymity and privacy.
Read our full ProtonVPN review
How we tested
We judge VPNs on a variety of criteria including server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease-of-use, additional features, and cost. For a more detailed guide on how we test, check out our guide on how we test VPN services. We take the same approach on Android as we do on Windows.
Speed tests are kept as simple as possible. We average the connections between different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to our baseline internet speed to get a good picture of the overall connection speeds. We thoroughly research and analyze the privacy policies and histories of each VPN and note any outstanding discrepancies or data collection issues.
Experience and ease-of-use are subjective, but we try our best to give an accurate representation of how it feels to work with the VPN. And finally, we determine the value of the service based upon its price and additional features compared to the industry average to help you gain an accurate picture of what you’ll get for your money.
What to look for in a VPN for Android
One of the first things you should look for when shopping around for a VPN is the number of servers and locations. It’s difficult to judge any VPN by just one feature, but a semi-reliable way to tell if a VPN is even worth your time is to look at the server network. Anything with 1,000 or more servers and 30 or more country locations will do.
The next thing to consider is a VPN’s speed. This may be tricky to do since you aren’t likely to be able to test connection speeds without paying to use the service. Reading reviews online will give you a general estimate. Look for reviews, like ours, that give you a relative average of connection speeds rather than direct Mbps speed comparisons.
You’ll also want to read up on a VPN’s privacy protections. Does it have a no-logs policy? Has it undergone any independent audits of its servers? Where is the VPN company located? All of these will give you an idea of whether or not a VPN is transparent with its data collection policies and if it’s subject to government data sharing requirements.
Other factors you’ll want to take into consideration are the overall ease-of-use, user experience, and any additional features. Some of these features, such as split-tunneling and kill switches, can be extremely useful for certain purposes and might sway your subscription decision one way or the other.
Finally, as with all subscription services, you’ll want to review the price of a VPN service. Do you want a monthly or yearly subscription? Some top VPNs might be pricey month-to-month, but actually become quite affordable with long-term plans.
That’s it for our roundup of the top Android VPNs. If you want to take a look at more VPN services check out PCWorld’s best VPN roundup. While the reviews are focused on PC, almost all of the services we’ve covered offer an Android app as well.
FAQ
1.
What is a VPN?
A VPN, otherwise known as a virtual private network, disguises your identity and encrypts your internet traffic while browsing. In addition, you can connect to VPN servers all across the world. So if you want to access location restricted content like streaming services, you can connect to the appropriate country’s server and gain access to that country’s specific content.
2.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN effectively hides your IP address by redirecting it through a remote server hosted by the VPN company. If anyone is watching, the VPN server then appears to be the source of your data instead of yourself. These remote servers can be located both in your own country as well as in different countries around the world. Additionally, your network traffic from your computer to the VPN is encrypted adding an extra layer of privacy.
If you are connected to a VPN while browsing the internet, the VPN will act as a kind of middleman between your computer and a website. When your computer sends a request to the VPN, it then passes it along to a website. The website in return, sends its response back to the VPN, which forwards it via a secure connection all the way to your computer.
3.
Are VPNs legal to use?
Yes! In the United States as well as most countries, using a VPN is legal. You may find that certain websites try to block VPN connections, but they are still okay to use. You should know though, while using a VPN is legal, some of the activities done while using a VPN might be illegal. Activities such as downloading pirated copyrighted content or accessing dark web markets are both illegal with and without a VPN.
4.
Are there differences between Windows VPN apps and Android VPN apps?
Usually the core functionality of one service’s VPN remains the same between its Windows and Android apps. That being said, there are oftentimes differences between the two in the features offered and user experience.
For example, features common in Windows apps such as split-tunneling, kill-switch functionality, and custom DNS configuration may not always be available in the same service’s Android app. This usually comes down to compatibility issues and developer resources. Additionally, you’re likely to find differences in the interface and overall user experience between apps on the two operating systems. Often the Windows app will display more information, which is then omitted from the Android app due to screen size restrictions.
Again, this shouldn’t affect the core functionality of the VPN with either app, meaning that users can choose the version that best suits their needs based on their own usage requirements and device preferences.
Android, VPN Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 12 May (PC World)It wasn’t that long ago when “real” gamers would shun wireless keyboards, complaining about latency and interference. Those days are gone, and you can get a gaming board just as capable in wireless form as it is in wired. Unless you’re literally super-human, you’ll never spot the difference.
And gaming keyboard makers have catered to the desire to go untethered. Though they generally carry a price premium, wireless gaming keyboards boast the latest features and capabilities, from fancy RGB lighting to cutting-edge adjustable actuation. Here are the best on the market.
For more tips about what to look for in a wireless gaming keyboard, scroll to the buying guide below this list of recommendations.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been the go-to name for personal computer news and reviews for over 40 years. And as the writer of this roundup, and the reviewer of most of the keyboards on this list, I can assure you that our picks have been thoroughly tested by people who are absolutely obsessed with keyboards.
Every single keyboard on this list has been used by an expert, put through its paces for features and reliability, and carefully considered against the alternatives. We’ve tested every facet of the boards, even programming and complete disassembly for those that support it. And there are plenty that we review that don’t make the cut, like the expensive but underwhelming Asus ROG Azoth.
For a more in-depth look at how we test keyboards of every kind, check out our dedicated article covering our keyboard review process.
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless – Best wireless gaming keyboard overall
Pros
Solid hardware
Great value for wireless
Tons of customization options
Cons
No wrist rest
slightly awkward default layout
Why I like the K65 Plus Wireless
Corsair has been improving its designs for the last couple of years, incorporating more premium features and customization options. And it all comes together in the vastly redesigned K65 Plus, and does so at a shockingly low price.
This keyboard combines the popular 75% form factor, high-speed, multi-device wireless, high-quality switches, and hot-swappable key sockets, with Corsair’s typically good gaming pedigree. The result is a keyboard that does a lot, for a lot of users, for a relatively low price.
While the K65 skips a couple of exotic features like adjustable actuation or an OLED screen, and it doesn’t include a wrist rest in the box, it nails just about every other facet of design. It’s simply the best gaming keyboard you can get at the moment.
Who should buy the K65 Plus Wireless
Anyone who wants a high-quality keyboard with tons of options for customization, both hardware and software, will be pleased with this design. It also has some excellent bonuses, like PBT keycaps and a dedicated button for turning RGB on (or off, if you want maximum battery life).
The 75% form factor isn’t for everyone — you’ll have to look elsewhere, or wait for Corsair to offer more models, if you want a different format. It’s also considerably less “flashy” than other gaming keyboards, and doesn’t offer the heft and quality of a metal body
Read our full
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless keyboard review
Alienware Pro Wireless – Best gaming keyboard for travel
Pros
Unique curvy body
Great switches
Dual wireless
Cons
Expensive
Janky software
No wrist resto wrist rest
Best Prices Today:
$269.99 at Dell Canada
Why I like the Alienware Pro Wireless
Dell’s Alienware sub-brand has made gaming keyboards for a long time, but they’ve really stepped it up for this wholly new design. The Pro Wireless incorporates feedback from pro gamers and custom keyboard fans in order to deliver a solid, compact product with great components.
It’s that compact, curvy body that gives it our nod for the best travel board. In addition to an incredible battery life (turn off the lights to make the most of it), the compact size and shape of the board means it’s practically begging you to throw it in a backpack for gaming on the go.
It doesn’t hurt that the Pro Wireless offers both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth multi-device wireless, with a USB-C dongle that’s both tiny and perfect for the latest gaming laptops or even mobile devices.
Who should buy the Alienware Pro Wireless
If you need portability, wireless options, and battery life over all other features, Alienware’s newest design fits the bill. While its software leaves a lot to be desired, once you get over its foibles it makes the best traveling companion of any gaming keyboard to date, easily fitting into almost any space without sacrificing capability.
Alienware demands a pretty penny for its flagship model, so if you’re looking for a bargain you might want to look elsewhere.
Read our full
Alienware Pro Wireless keyboard review
Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro keyboard – Best low-profile wireless gaming keyboard
Pros
All the features of a big Razer board in a small size
Comfy media controls
Many connection options
Cons
Default mute is a bit tricky
No wrist rest
Best Prices Today:
$249 at Amazon
Why I like the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro
Low-profile keyboards are hard to find for gamers, since those designs tend towards the big and chunky. But Razer, ever the trendsetter, offers up the Deathstalker series as a throwback. It has all the gaming features of the more conventional BlackWidow, but with a slinky low-profile and wireless build that turns heads while delivering headshots.
In both full-size and TKL variants, the Deathstalker V2 Pro literally shines with Razer’s usual Chroma lighting and excellent Synapse software, plus some good fit-and-finish touches like a finger-friendly wide volume bar. But it’s the quality switches, hard to find in any low-profile design, that put it above the competition.
Who should buy the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro
If you want all of Razer’s high-end gaming features without the heft, the Deathstalker is right up your alley. While I wish it came with a wrist rest and perhaps a 60% “mini” size option, it’s still an easy pick for the best low-profile gaming board on the market. Those who want a slightly cheaper board can get the wired, non-Pro version at a discount.
Read our full
Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro keyboard review
Redragon K596 Wireless Keyboard – Best budget option
Pros
Low price
Included wrist rest
Long battery life
Volume wheel
Cons
Ugly keycaps
Can only program G keys
No Bluetooth
Best Prices Today:
$79.99 at Gamestop
Why I like the Redragon K596
Gaming keyboards usually don’t come cheap, and that goes double for wireless models. Redragon is a company that thrives in the bargain bin, and the K596 offers up most of the options if its full-priced competition at under 100 bucks. It also manages long battery life, a fancy volume wheel, and even a column of dedicated macro keys. Not bad.
Note that this is still very much a budget model from a budget brand, so it’s missing some of the fit and finish of more expensive keyboards. For example, you can only custom program those five G keys on the left. But for anyone who needs a deal, Redragon delivers, and throws a wrist rest into the package.
Who should buy the Redragon K596
There are a surprising amount of wireless keyboards that claim to be for “gaming,” even on the budget side of things. But Redragon is one of the few that walks the wireless walk, with most of the bells and whistles you’d expect and performance that doesn’t lag behind. Note that this is one of the few boards on this list that doesn’t offer Bluetooth — a fair trade for the value.
Read our full
Redragon K596 Wireless Keyboard review
Keychron Lemokey L3 – Best `custom` wireless keyboard for gaming
Pros
Typical Keychron build quality
Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless
Lots of extras
Cons
No per-game programming
No adjustable typing angle
Takes forever to disassemble
Best Prices Today:
$214 at Keychron
Why I like the Lemokey L3
You might call the Lemokey L3 a more high-class kind of gaming keyboard, thanks to a design borrowed from parent company Keychron’s Q series. It has all the highlights of those excellent designs, like a heavy all-aluminum body and PBT keycaps, in a more gamer-focused package.
With Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, plus a few macro buttons on the side with plenty of alternate keycaps, the Lemokey looks a little more at home in a “serious” office setup.
It’s no slouch for gaming thanks to speedy linear switches, though programming is limited to one (very flexible) custom layout. If you want per-game profiles, you have to look elsewhere.
Who should buy the Lemokey L3
The Lemokey L3 is a fantastic value considering everything that it offers, but it’s still a very premium design, and would also double as a pretty good doorstop. Gamers who want a ton of flexibility in terms of hot-swap switches and keycaps, plus wireless capabilities, will be well-served here.
Even so, it’s a pretty pricey keyboard that sacrifices the more game-focused driver software of other boards on this list. If you want dedicated game profiles or a more “flashy” look, you’ll be better served by Corsair or Razer.
Read our full
Keychron Lemokey L3 keyboard review
Apex Pro TKL Wireless keyboard – Best wireless analog board
Pros
Only wireless board in this niche
Good software package
Cons
Chattery, uncomfortable switches
Limited dual actuation
Poor build quality
Short battery life
Best Prices Today:
$249 at Amazon
Why I like the Apex Pro TKL Wireless
Analog keyboards, with their adjustable actuation key switches, are rare. Wireless analog keyboards are even more so, and in fact the Apex Pro TKL is the only one that fits the bill at the time of writing. If you demand the hypersensitivity and customization of adjustable actuation and untethered performance, this is the only keyboard that offers both.
But that doesn’t mean this is a great choice outside of that very particular niche. The Apex Pro’s magnetic swtiches are impressive, but noisy and chattery at the same time, and its built-in OLED screen is more of a party trick than an actually useful feature. I appreciate the included wrist rest…but at this price point, it can only do so much to help.
Who should buy the Apex Pro TKL Wireless
Gamers who need both adjustable actuation and wireless have one choice, even if it comes with a lot of caveats. Anyone who can live without the wireless should go for a Razer Huntsman, and if you don’t need the adjustable actuation, any other keyboard on this list is a better choice.
Read our full
Apex Pro TKL Wireless keyboard review
What to look for in a wireless gaming keyboard
Pardon me for being obvious, but wireless keyboard shoppers should care about the same things they would for a regular keyboard…only wireless. Expect to pay a significant premium over wired designs, at least when looking at multiple models from the same category or brand. More personal and subjective features, like the feel of mechanical switches, might necessitate a trip to your local electronics store (or tracking down a handy key switch tester for trying dozens at once).
The questions and answers below will help you determine the features and qualities in a wireless gaming keyboard that will best meet your needs.
FAQ
1.
What kind of wireless should a gaming keyboard use?
Gaming keyboards tend to use RF wireless with a USB dongle, instead of a Bluetooth connection, which is more popular with modern “standard” wireless keyboards. That’s because it allows manufacturers to use a more reliable direct connection, with a higher polling rate — that means the connection between the board and your computer refreshes itself much more often, minimizing input lag. Some advanced models still include Bluetooth, along with fancier options like pairing multiple devices to the same USB dongle. Range typically isn’t a concern if you’re using a keyboard with a gaming desktop, but you might want to think about it if you have a gaming PC hooked up to your TV. Most high-end wireless gaming keyboards can also use a direct wired USB connection, if you’re worried about wireless interference in a crowded environment.
2.
What kind of mechanical switches should I choose?
Modern mechanical keyboards come in a staggering array of switch varieties, from smooth and linear to loud and clickly, with tons of options for mechanisms and spring strength. The only real way to know which one you prefer is to try ’em out (retail store displays are great for this). That being said, more expensive keyboards tend to come with nicer, high-quality switches from name brands like Cherry and Gateron. For the ultimate in customization, track down a keyboard with hotswap switches, which let you swap out the switches for new and different ones whenever you want. Recently more advanced types of switches have emerged, like optical and “laser” switches tripped by interrupting a beam of light, or “mag lev” switches that allow you to adjust the actuation force it takes to activate the key. These are interesting, but tend to lack actual utility (unless you have truly superhuman perception), and increase the price of keyboards phenomenally.
3.
Can I customize a keyboard’s keycaps?
Keycaps are the little pieces of plastic that sit on top of the switches — what your fingers press down on. Switching out the keycaps for a set of nicer ones, maybe made of better PBT plastic or themed after your favorite TV show, is a popular and easy keyboard mod. Some keyboard makers even sell their own upgrade sets. Keycaps with a Cherry MX-compatible stem will work with almost all modern mechanical switches, just make sure you find a set that matches the layout of your keyboard.
4.
What keyboard layout should I choose?
The layout of the keys on your keyboard varies more than you might think. Full-sized (100%) keyboards include a 10-key number area to the right of the arrow cluster, but gaming models often omit this in order to make more room for mouse movements, calling this the “10-key-less” or “TKL” layout. Some keyboards go even smaller, with 60% being the smallest that mainstream brands use, chopping off the Function row, 10-key area, and even the arrow keys (which have to be accessed via a Fn button). A few designs go even larger than the full layout, with an extra column or two of programmable keys for custom bindings or macros.
But there are a wide range of layout choices between these broad categories. Popular 65% and 75% keyboards are quite small, but still keep the arrow keys for ease of use, while smooshing down some others to make room. Ergonomic layouts on split keyboards try to emulate the curvy designs of some elaborate conventional keyboards. Which one you want comes down to use-case, available space, and perhaps more pertinently, taste.
These general layouts shouldn’t be confused with country- and region-specific key layouts for letters and numbers, like ANSI and ISO. Most popular designs are available in at least those two variants.
5.
How long does a wireless gaming keyboard battery last?
Unlike gaming mice, battery life generally isn’t a big concern with gaming keyboards. They’re big enough that there’s plenty of space for internal batteries that last for weeks, or even months, between charges. That is, unless you over-use that fancy RGB lighting with dazzling animation…in which case, it might last just a few days or hours. It’s best to turn off the lights if you don’t know when you’ll get your next charge. If it’s available, check the milliamp-hour (mAh) rating for the battery.
6.
Do I need LED lighting on a gaming keyboard?
Even budget gaming keyboards come with LED backlights these days, giving you a little extra help when hunting for keys in the dark. More elaborate models — especially from brands like Razer and Corsair — offer fully synchronized RGB light shows with elaborate animations. But unless you’re constantly playing in the dark and you can’t touch-type, it’s entirely cosmetic. It’s fun, that’s about it. You don’t need lights on a keyboard, it’s just a fun extra.
7.
What extras should I look for in a wireless gaming keyboard?
Keyboard makers are forever trying to one-up each other with extra features. Larger boards usually include dedicated media controls, and the nicer ones get a fully programmable wheel or knob, as well as hot-swap switch sockets that let you experiment with different types of key switches. An especially nice option is on-device memory, allowing you to keep key layout programs without running a driver program on each new computer. The most expensive boards have premium metal bodies, internal foam for sound reduction, and sometimes even gasket mounting, which gives the keys an extra bit of bounce by suspending them between two layers of foam or silicone.
None of these are really necessary, but they’re all nice and enhance the experience. Depending on your taste and budget, you can look for a board with a few extra features, or hunt down a super premium “endgame” design with all of them.
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| | | PC World - 11 May (PC World)Calling all gamers! Whether you consider yourself a competitive pro or someone who’s more casual, we’ve got quite the diverse list below. The best part is that every gaming laptop has been tested by a member of PCWorld and we’ve checked out everything from graphics performance and typing experience to connectivity options and image quality. These rigs can basically do anything a desktop PC can do, and we’ve tested dozens after dozens of them to bring you this roundup of the best gaming laptops around.
Why you should trust us: It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing gaming laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
See our roundup of the best laptops for even more recommendations—premium laptops, ultraportables, Chromebooks, and more.
Update May 10, 2024: We added the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 as an alternative option underneath our Best Connectivity Features pick. Not only does it offer great connectivity options and strong performance, but it also has a bigger screen. We’ve also updated our list of recent laptop reviews and added a new “at a glance” section below.
Best gaming laptops at a glance
Alienware m16 R2 (Best overall gaming laptop) $1,849.99 at Dell
MSI Titan 18 HX (Best high-end gaming laptop) $5,449 at Amazon
Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (Best gaming laptop under $1,000) $955 at Amazon
HP Omen Transcend 14 (Most portable gaming laptop) $1,699.99 at Best Buy
Razer Blade 16 (Best 4K gaming laptop) $4,299.99 at Razer
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (Best connectivity features) $1,884.99 at Walmart
Acer Chromebook 516 GE (Best gaming Chromebook) $449 at Best Buy
Alienware m16 R2 – Best overall gaming laptop
Pros
Great gaming performance
Durable
Long battery life
Cons
Dim display
Why we like the Alienware m16 R2
The Alienware m16 R2 is a well-rounded gaming laptop, especially for the price and performance. Not only are you getting great graphics performance, but you’re also getting long battery life, an unusual combination for a gaming laptop. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU are a powerful duo, as shown in our testing. It averaged 144 frames-per-second when running the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark, which is nothing to sneeze at. According to our review, it’s just “four frames-per-second slower than the Razer Blade 16,” which is rocking a more powerful RTX 4090 GPU and a $3,000+ price tag. It also lasted 11 hours and fifteen minutes on a single charge, which is more than a full work day.
Who should buy the Alienware m16 R2
Anyone looking for a fantastic gaming laptop. You can play most games on the High or Ultra graphics preset and the 90 watt-hour battery will keep you going long into the night. The 1600p IPS display is also quite spacious at 16-inches and the 240Hz refresh rate should result in smooth gameplay. The picture quality is quite good, but it’s not an OLED panel, where the colors would be more saturated. While it’s not the brightest or most color rich display we’ve ever tested, it’s still fine for gaming. Besides, if you’re really desperate, you can always plug into an external monitor.
Alternative option: If you’re looking for the same great Alienware package with a bigger screen, the Alienware m18 R2 is worth considering. It offers strong gaming performance, an 18-inch display, and a fantastic mechanical keyboard with Cherry switches. That said, it’s very expensive and the laptop itself weighs a colossal nine pounds (!!!). Talk about a back-breaker!
Read our full
Alienware m16 R2 review
MSI Titan 18 HX – Best high-end gaming laptop
Pros
Tons of connectivity options
Rugged build quality
Fantastic mechanical keyboard
Phenomenal CPU and GPU performance
Cons
Very expensive
Mediocre touchpad
Why we like the MSI Titan 18 HX
The MSI Titan 18 HX is one hell of a powerhouse, so performance is no issue here, as it’ll run pretty much anything you throw at it. Inside the beast’s shell, you’ll find an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU, an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, 128GB of RAM, and 4GB of SSD storage. Holy cow. When we ran the Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition benchmark, it churned out an outstanding 87 frames-per-second at 1080p resolution with the Extreme detail setting switched on. Did we mention it also has a phenomenal 4K Mini-LED display?
Who should buy the MSI Titan 18 HX
If you’re after the ultimate gaming experience, the MSI Titan 18 HX will certainly deliver. In addition to the massive amount of power this thing generates, it also has loads of connectivity options for those times when you want to hook up to an external mouse or monitor. That said, it’s an incredibly expensive machine. If money is no object, then the MSI Titan 18 HX is the right pick for you. For those on a stricter budget, check out our best budget pick below.
Alternative option: We strongly considered putting the recently reviewed MSI Raider GE78 HX 14VIG on this list. It’s similar to the MSI Titan 18 HX as far as sheer power goes, but it didn’t make the cut because of the finicky rear power port and loud fan noise. That said, these nitpicks are relatively minor. I will say, the MSI Raider GE78 HX 14VIG is less expensive than the MSI Titan 18 HX at $3,799.99.
Read our full
MSI Titan 18 HX review
Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best gaming laptop under $1,000
Pros
All-day battery life
Robust chassis
Gorgeous 16:10 display
Cons
720p HD camera leaves little to be desired
Keys feel a little soft
Why we like the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage
The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is something of a unicorn and I mean that in the best way possible. It exhibits strong graphics performance as well as long battery life. Long battery life? A gaming laptop? How preposterous! Well, not anymore! The Asus TUF managed an incredible 11 and a half hours on a single charge. Also, thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU inside, it achieved an impressive 123 frames-per-second in the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark. That’s nothing to sneeze at, especially for a sub-$1,000 gaming machine.
Who should buy the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage
The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is a good option for those on a tight budget. For under a grand, you’re getting reliable graphics performance, a spacious keyboard, and long battery life. It also works as a good general purpose machine, which is perfect for college students that want to work and play. With a Cinebench R20 score of 589, it should have “no trouble running lightweight apps and programs,” according to our review.
Alternative option: The recently reviewed Lenovo LOQ 15 is another good budget option. It’s affordable and it comes with a better GPU (RTX 4060). Despite getting a high rating, it didn’t earn the nod here because of poor battery life and limited connectivity options. If you plan on mostly staying plugged in and don’t need a long battery life, the Lenovo LOQ may be a better option due to its more capable graphics.
Read our full
Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review
HP Omen Transcend 14 – Most portable gaming laptop
Pros
Compact and lightweight
Gorgeous OLED screen
Good performance for the price
Cons
Keyboard is a bit mushy
Annoying bloatware
Why we like the HP Omen Transcend 14
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is a great machine because of its lightweight design (3.6 pounds!), stunning OLED display, and reliable performance for the price. Most gaming laptops tip the scales at around five pounds or more, so the fact that this machine is a little heavier than your standard ultraportable is downright impressive. In addition to its lightweight design, it also has an all-metal chassis, which means it’s rugged enough to handle the daily abuses of life. The hinge that connects the display to the keyboard deck also feels pretty solid. As for performance, it’s no slouch! Thanks to the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, it achieved a respectable 93 frames-per-second during the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark.
Who should buy the HP Omen Transcend 14
Anyone that likes to game on-the-go! It’s both lightweight and powerful, which is a rare combination when it comes to gaming laptops. Battery life is quite good, too. The HP Omen Transcend 14’s large 71 watt-hour battery lasted eight and a half hours on a single charge, which is impressive, as most gaming laptops tend to die at the four or five hour mark. The 14-inch 1800p OLED display is lovely as well. It has a maximum brightness level of 500 nits and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. According to our reviewer, who normally uses IPS displays on a day-to-day basis, “OLED displays like this one look incredibly beautiful” to him.
Alternative option: If you’re interested in an alternative option, check out the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. It weighs a scant 3.31 pounds, which is a little less than our current pick. Although it has a nice OLED screen, an exquisite and portable design, and packs a decent punch in the performance department, its ho-hum webcam lands it behind the HP Omen Transcend 14 here.
Read our full
HP Omen Transcend 14 review
Razer Blade 16 – Best 4K gaming laptop
Pros
Dual-mode display is easy to use and beautiful to look at
Attractive design
Powerful
Cons
High price tag
Case is a fingerprint magnet
Why we like the Razer Blade 16
Woo boy. I’m not sure where to begin with this one. The Razer Blade 16 is a unique gaming laptop because it’s like having two displays in one. You get to choose between two modes, the native 3840×2400 panel with a 120Hz refresh rate or the 1920×1200 panel with a 240Hz refresh rate. You can switch between the two with Razer’s Synapse app. So, what does it all mean then? It means you can enjoy intensive shooters at 1080p 240Hz or you can take things slow and soak in all the details in your favorite strategy game. The laptop comes loaded with an Intel Core i9-13950HX CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, so you’re getting gobs upon gobs of power over here.
Who should buy the Razer Blade 16
Anyone who desires gaming in 4K! If it weren’t for the $4,000+ price tag (ouch), I’d be tempted to buy this machine myself, as I’m a fan of city management games and would love to get up close and personal with every detail. The price of this laptop is a hard pill to swallow, even with these awesome specs, but the 4K dual-mode display really makes it stand out from the rest of the competition.
Read our full
Razer Blade 16 review
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 – Best connectivity features
Pros
Reasonably priced
Fantastic connectivity options, includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports
CPU and GPU performance is strong for the price
Cons
Off-center touchpad is awkward to use
Audio is too quiet
Display experienced some stuttering
Best Prices Today:
$1199.99 at Acer$1,629 at Amazon
Why we like the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 comes packed with loads of ports and surprising gaming performance. Thanks to the Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU inside, you’ll get reliable performance for productivity tasks or gaming. Where the laptop really shines is its diverse selection of ports. It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB-A ports, an HDMI port, Ethernet, a Micro SD card slow, and a 3.5 combo jack for audio. The Thunderbolt 4 ports make “downloading files at up to 40Gbps while streaming to an external display as easy as pie,” according to our review.
Who should buy the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
Anyone who needs a lot of connectivity options. Maybe you’re just the type of person that likes to hook up to an external keyboard, mouse, or monitor. If you look inside of yourself and find that to be true, then the Acer Helios Neo 16 is the one for you. It’s a bit unwieldy when on the go, but as far as connectivity and price-to-performance goes, you can’t get much better than the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16.
Alternative option: The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 offers plenty of connectivity options, speedy performance, and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. It just has a bigger screen than our top pick, which some gamers may prefer.
Read our full
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 review
Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best gaming Chromebook
Pros
Attractive design
Excellent CPU performance
Plenty of wired and wireless connectivity
High resolution 1600p display
Cons
Mediocre keyboard and touchpad
Disappointing speakers and microphone
Display falls behind in contrast and color vibrancy
Why we like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE offers reliable day-to-day performance as well as smooth cloud gaming gameplay, thanks in part to its fast, high-resolution display. Just so we’re clear–Chromebooks aren’t designed to run games locally, so you’ll need to be a member of a cloud gaming service like GeForce Now or Amazon Luna. Fortunately, this Chromebook has an Ethernet port, which scores major brownie ports as far as stable Internet connections go. Plus, compared to other budget Windows laptops, the $650 MSRP isn’t bad.
Connectivity options are good, too. You’re getting two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, one HDMI, one Ethernet, and one 3.5mm combo audio. Additional goodies include a 1080p webcam, a 65 watt-hour battery, and a high refresh rate display (120Hz to be exact).
Who should buy the Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Anyone that wants to give cloud gaming a whirl on a reasonably priced Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE features strong day-to-day performance and, according to our review, “gameplay felt perfectly smooth” while playing on GeForce Now. That said, if you want to install and run games locally, or have a poor internet connection, one of the Windows-based budget gaming laptops above would be a better option.
Read our full
Acer Chromebook 516 GE review
Recent laptop reviews
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14: The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14 is a lightweight, elegant all-rounder for business professionals.
Acer Predator Helios Neo 18: Want a lot of performance for $1,500? Acer’s gigantic Helios Neo 18 is a good bet.
Lenovo Yoga 7i: The Lenovo Yoga 7i (16IML9) is a competent and well-built at a palatable price. It’s not the best value for a standard laptop, but it’s flexibility may make up for its shortcoming for some users.
Acer Swift Go 14: The Acer Swift Go 14 is a reliable travel workhorse through and through.
How we test gaming laptops
The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them.
PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we determine how well the laptop handles lighter tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and so on.
HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It basically measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a short period of time.
3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips.
Gaming tests: We benchmark each gaming laptop using several titles.
Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.
For a much more detailed explanation, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
Buying Guide: How to pick the perfect gaming laptop
While there’s no such thing as a perfect gaming laptop, you can always find one that fits your budget and lifestyle. Need an affordable, entry-level gaming laptop? First of all, the GPU is the most important aspect to consider. If you think of a game like a vehicle, then the GPU is its driver. You’ll also need a good amount of SSD storage for your games library as well as a high refresh rate display, which keeps visuals looking nice and smooth.
For additional reading, be sure to check out this comprehensive guide on the gaming laptop features that matter most. If you’re on a strict budget, then you should dive into this piece about what a $1,000 gaming laptop really gets you. Otherwise, our FAQ below dives deep into several component considerations for gaming laptops
FAQ
1.
What’s the ‘best’ screen for a gaming laptop?
When you buy a gaming laptop, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make regards the screen. After all, what you get on day one is what you’re stuck with until you junk the device. You could run an external monitor but then, what’s the point of a laptop? Look for an IPS or OLED display, though gaming laptops under $1,000 sometimes include a TN panel. You can get buy with a 60Hz display if you mostly play single-player games, but thankfully, most gaming laptops these days opt for faster 120Hz+ panels instead.
2.
What’s the ‘best’ screen size for a gaming laptop?
The size of the screen dictates the size of the laptop itself, and thus weight. You can’t, for example, get a 17-inch gaming laptop that’s four pounds (although MSI’s excellent GS75 gets awfully damned close at five), so think long and hard about whether you’re willing to take the weight penalty in exchange for the screen real estate.
If the laptop is going to be your only gaming machine, having a 17-inch screen might be ideal. We should also add that a 17.3-inch screen is easier on weaker eyes than a 15.5-inch screen. This is very much a matter of personal preference.
3.
What’s the ‘best’ screen resolution for a gaming laptop?
The buzzword today is “4K.” That high resolution delivers sharper photo viewing and more space for video editing, but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Anything not using the panel’s native resolution of 3840×2180, such as games running at lower-than-4K resolution, won’t look quite as sharp unless you exponentially increase the graphics power of the laptop.
If you’re running at 1920×1080 resolution because your GPU can’t hit 60 fps at 4K, that feature is moot. For many gamers, 1920×1080 (1080p) or 2560×1440 (1440p) is more optimal.
4.
IPS vs. TN vs. OLED: What’s the difference?
The panel technology is also a key feature. IPS (in-plane switching) generally produces much greater color accuracy and superior off-axis viewing, but tends to lag in response times, which can lead to blurring. TN (twisted nematic) panels can offer far higher refresh rates and usually better response times than IPS, but can look washed out or just blah.
A middle-ground technology that’s appearing more often is VA (vertical alignment). VA is sometimes alternately referred to as “wide viewing angle” technology. (Many assume this to spec to be IPS, but it’s not). In our experience, we’ve found VA panels to run the gamut from being worthy competitors to IPS to being worse than the better TN panels.
Generally, if color accuracy is important, go IPS (a trademark of Sharp), and if you want the fastest response times go for a gaming-oriented TN panel. With the variability of VA, we recommend you check feedback from reviewers and users of a particular model.
The wildcard in all this is OLED. OLED-based panels have been used in phones for years but have recently migrated to larger screens in laptops. IPS, TN, and VA all use LEDs behind the screen or along the edges. “Black” is produced by a shutter-like mechanism that blocks light from coming through. As you can imagine, there’s usually some light leakage, which means the black tends to be gray.
OLED panels don’t rely on edge- or backlighting. Instead, each pixel generates its own light. To produce black, it just switches off the light. This amounts to truly stunning contrast ratios and vibrant colors. OLEDs also boast fantastic response times.
The negatives include smaller screen sizes (we haven’t seen anything larger than 15.6 inches yet), higher cost, and lack of support for variable refresh rate. OLED panels can also use more power than conventional methods if the image is on a white background.
5.
Should a gaming laptop have G-Sync or FreeSync support?
Okay, we called this section G-Sync and FreeSync, but the reality is, when it comes to beefy gaming laptops, it’s a GeForce GPU world. And that means it’s a G-Sync world. In a nutshell, Nvidia and AMD’s respective variable-refresh-rate technologies help synchronize the monitor and the GPU to greatly reduce screen tearing. Variable refresh rates can make gaming at 40 fps far smoother to your eyes than a screen without it.
The first variable-refresh-rate panels for laptops maxed out at 75Hz, only marginally better than the standard 60Hz. More recently, we’ve begun to see laptop panels that can push 120Hz, 144Hz and even 240Hz. This generally means smoother and sharper gaming to your eyes. It even helps smooth out everyday tasks such as scrolling a browser page or Word document.
The downside of high-refresh rate panels is the technology it’s available on: TN. As we said earlier, TN generally looks less vibrant and less accurate than IPS. The off-axis view is generally inferior, too. You’ll also need a far more powerful GPU to feed that high-refresh rate monitor at its native resolution.
One last very important note: G-Sync screens have to be connected directly to the laptop’s discrete GPU, which means a large hit in battery life. In most laptops without G-Sync, the Intel integrated graphics is connected directly to the screen, so the GPU can be turned off when not being used. So while G-Sync is beautiful to behold, the cost in battery life is huge.
Which is right for you? If it’s primarily a gaming laptop—go for a high refresh rate and G-Sync (or FreeSync, if you can find a laptop that supports it with a Radeon GPU). If you tend to also push pixels in Photoshop or do any color-critical work, skip variable refresh for an IPS panel.
6.
What should you look for in a gaming laptop keyboard and trackpad?
A new trend in gaming laptops is the offset trackpad, which is more conducive to gaming than a dead-center trackpad. The concept is sound, but anyone who actually cares about PC gaming will just plug in a mouse. The worst thing about that offset trackpad is when you try to use it for non-gaming purposes.
As far as keyboards go, the most important gaming feature is n-key rollover. This means the keyboard physically scans each key separately. If you wanted to, you could press 20 keys simultaneously and they’d all register, as each is independently wired. That probably sounds excessive, but keyboards that lack this feature can suffer missed keystrokes, which both ruins gameplay and hurts in everyday tasks. Anyone who’s used an Adobe product that might require a left-Alt, left-Shift, left-Ctrl plus two more keys to do something may have run into the limitations of non-n-key keyboards.
Other keyboard considerations include LED backlighting (which adds ambiance but does nothing for gameplay) and mechanical keys vs. membrane. Mechanical keys are excellent—but are available on only a handful of laptops that usually weigh a ton. We have seen a few designs with low-profile mechanical keyboards, but even we admit they can be an acquired taste.
7.
What kind of storage is best for a gaming laptop?
Having your games load from an SSD instead of a hard drive significantly cuts down on load times. But beyond that, we haven’t found it to matter that much whether it’s a super-fast NVMe PCIe drive or a slower SATA SSD.
What does matter more today is the size of the SSD rather than the interface it uses. With games now topping 50GB and some touching 100GBs, a once-spacious 256GB SSD will feel too small with just four games installed.
So when spec’ing out that gaming laptop, be mindful of just how much total storage you have. If you go for laptop with a small SSD and large hard drive combo, expect to install your games to the hard drive. If the laptop will have an SSD only, choose an absolute minimum of 512GB, with 1TB preferred.
8.
How much RAM do you need in a gaming laptop?
When laptop makers spec out gaming laptops, one of the levers they use to try to convince you to buy their product is upping the amount of RAM. It’s not hard to find gaming laptops with “upgraded” configurations that go from 16GB of RAM to 32GB.
While having an adequate amount of RAM is important for gaming, today’s games typically top out at 16GB of RAM, and sometimes can run fine with just 8GB of RAM. Most people should invest in a gaming laptop with 16GB of memory if possible, and it makes sense to opt for 32GB if you plan on holding onto your gaming laptop for a long time. Modern games are only getting more memory-ungry.
9.
Should a gaming laptop have dual-channel or single-channel RAM?
Besides the amount of memory, a couple of other important, but not critical, questions to ask is what clock speed and what mode. Modern CPUs let you run RAM in sets to increase the memory bandwidth.
More memory bandwidth immediately helps laptops that are running integrated graphics, but the conventional wisdom has long been that discrete GPUs in laptops don’t benefit as much because they have their own dedicated, much faster GDDR5 RAM to use. That’s typically the case, but the performance of today’s GPUs and CPUs can make this conventional wisdom wrong.
Gaming performance is often about a balance between the CPU and the GPU, and how graphically intensive a game is. With games that are graphically intensive, the GPU is the primary bottleneck on performance. Play a game that isn’t graphically intense, though, and the CPU can rapidly become the bottleneck on performance.
With the power of today’s GPUs, a lot of games, especially at a sedate resolution of 1920×1080, have shifted more performance to the CPU. The reason we’re talking about this now is if you rob the CPU of memory bandwidth, even a decently fast one, you can take a sizable hit in gaming performance.
The basic lesson is you should opt for dual-channel memory bandwidth configurations when possible. On a laptop spec sheet, you typically would see this expressed as “dual-channel” or “2 x 8” to indicate that two 8GB memory modules were used in a laptop.
Some laptop makers will express memory in clock speed, so you’ll see “DDR4/2,133 or DDR4/2,400.” While a higher memory clock does increase memory bandwidth, the impact isn’t quite as great as going from dual-channel to single-channel mode.
10.
How many CPU cores do you really need in a gaming laptop?
How many cores do you need in a gaming laptop? For most people on a budget, a 4-core CPU with Hyper-Threading will function just fine in most games, especially when combined with a lower-cost and lower performance GPU.
Still, if you have the extra cash, a 6-core CPU with Hyper-Threading is likely the sweet spot for today and tomorrow. If you plan to stream your gaming live or edit it, investing in a 6-core is recommended.
Intel and AMD’s top-end 8-plus-core CPUs will deliver the greatest benefit to those who might do other graphics-intensive tasks, such as 3D animation or video editing. If you also plan to record and stream video, the 8-core will offer a performance benefit there, too.
If you’re thinking, great, let me buy a 4-core Core i5 or Ryzen 5 CPU with a luxury laptop to save money, you usually can’t, because PC makers typically only offer budget CPUs with other budget parts. Why? Well, most budget shoppers can’t afford any luxury items, and most PC makers like to add in the extras to increase the profit.
11.
What GPU is best for a gaming laptop?
The single most important piece of hardware in a gaming laptop is undoubtedly the GPU. For AMD fans, the situation is as sad as it is in CPUs: It’s an Nvidia GeForce world. As with CPUs though, the good news is that the dominating products are top-notch.
The hardest part will be deciding just how much GPU you need. Our general guidance is to buy as fast a GPU as you can afford and are willing to heft. Generally, the faster the GPU (or GPUs), the larger and heavier the laptop. If you’re talking about playing on a higher-resolution panel of 2560×1440 at high-refresh rates, then keep increasing the amount of money spent on the GPU.
12.
What kind of battery life should a gaming laptop have?
The last topic we’ll cover is battery life. The best way to understand battery life on a gaming laptop is to accept that it’ll be horrible for all things gaming.
The minute you crank up a GPU on a gaming laptop to play a game, you’re basically limiting yourself to an hour or an hour and a half of battery runtime. Period. And in some cases, far less than that.
The only reason to consider battery life on a gaming laptop is if you want to use your laptop unplugged for non-gaming purposes. In that respect, you’ll find a lot of variance, with some offering decent battery life, albeit with a trade-off in gaming performance.
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