Inhoudsopgave van September 2022 - Tech Advisor

When you buy the latest technology you generally expect it to work without a hitch. That’s probably why some users who have the latest 12th-gen Intel processors are fuming, as their Chrome and Edge browsing sessions freeze up on brand new machines. Intel has acknowledged the problem and which specific Alder Lake CPUs are being affected, and offered up a few potential solutions. Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Opera, Vivaldi, and so on) are seeing frustrating hang-ups and freezes when loading multiple tabs on machines with both 12th-gen Intel Core CPUs and the lower-power integrated graphics chip, UHD Graphics 770. That includes 18 desktop and laptop CPU models from late 2021 and early 2022, across i5, i7 and i9 lines. Some of these are very popular models, including members of the…

Microsoft Edge has delivered what it promised a few weeks ago: a gaming-focused home page, games integrated directly into the browser, and a ‘clarity boost’ for streamed cloud games. On 9 June, Microsoft tipped off several plans for upcoming improvements in Windows and Edge, the same day that it announced you’d be able to stream games from your Xbox that you already own. Several of these improvements to Edge have been tipped previously; Microsoft said last November that it was trialling Clarity Boost in the experimental Canary version of Microsoft Edge, improving the visual quality of games streamed within Edge. Microsoft has now rolled those new features out to everyone. The new Edge features include a gaming-specific option for the home page. Edge users can click on the ‘Gaming’ header…

For years, I’ve assumed that most people don’t need third-party antivirus tools and have cheerily passed this suggestion along to others. After all, Microsoft’s Windows Security suite (also known as Windows Defender or Microsoft Defender) provides builtin virus protection for your PC, and it doesn’t cost a dime. I’ve been using it for years, and the last time I can recall having virus problems on my PC was well over a decade ago. And yet, looking around for confirmation of this long-held belief quickly turns up an alternate universe, full of experts who insist that everyone should be paying for antivirus software. This advice comes not just from the companies that sell antivirus suites, but from reputable sites that perform AV software reviews. On top of that, nearly every laptop…

Price: £1,099 from fave.co/3yKpMPp Gaming phones are a relatively modern concept, with the first handsets arriving just five years ago. Several brands have been vying for your attention since then, including Razer, Black Shark and Red Magic. But it’s Asus that has emerged as the market leader, going above and beyond what you’d expect from any phone. However, ROG (Republic of Gamers) Phones are typically more expensive than rival handsets, so it’s not always an obvious choice. When it comes to the ROG Phone 6 Series, things get even more complicated. There are regular and Pro models to choose from, with the latter reviewed here. Does it do enough to justify the premium price tag, or would paying less still get you everything you want from a gaming phone? I…

First, the good news: most modern PC monitors are rather decent. Their minimum brightness, contrast, and colour accuracy have improved significantly over the past decade. It’s a great time to upgrade even if you stick to budget monitors. If you want a quick recommendation: go for a 24in monitor with 1080p resolution or a 27in monitor with 1440p resolution. An IPS panel is preferable, though VA is also good. Gamers can spend a little more to snag either option with a 144Hz refresh rate, which offers a smoother and more responsive experience. Not sure that’s right for you, or want to know more about the tech? Here’s the lay of the land. MONITOR TYPES: TN, IPS, VA AND OLED PANELS The technology behind monitors is complex but well understood. There’s…

Psst: come close. Your Android phone has a little-known superpower – a futuristic system for bridging the physical world around you and the digital universe on your device. It’s one of Google’s best-kept secrets. And it can save you tons of time. It’s called Google Lens, and it’s been lurking around on Android and quietly getting more and more capable for years. Google doesn’t make a big deal about it, weirdly enough, and you really have to go out of your way to even realize it exists. At its core, Google Lens is best described as a search engine for the real world. It uses artificial intelligence to identify text and objects both within images and in a live view from your phone’s camera, and it then lets you learn…

The future of Outlook is here, albeit with some caveats. Microsoft has officially released the new Outlook for Windows, with features that integrate Microsoft’s futuristic Loop interface as well as more practical innovations such as quick document attachments, a ‘My Day’ summary, and reminders to respond to important email. For now, though, the new features are only available to members of the Office Insiders programme, specifically the Beta Channel. We’ve seen the ‘future of Outlook’ many times over the years, from 2015’s simple, effective Outlook apps for iOS and Android, to 2017’s more cohesive approach toward unifying Outlook across various platforms. We’re also seeing the first fruits of ‘Project Cortex’, in how Microsoft (and its rival, Google,) are blurring the lines between various applications. But Microsoft has also been working…

In the world of bleeding-edge Windows Insider preview builds, there are two groups of people: haves and have-nots. Microsoft is now bringing that dual nature beyond the Dev Channel to the more stable Beta Channel, while explicitly telling you which group you fall into. Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22621.290 and 22622.290 for the Beta Channel is nothing that special. In fact, the new builds just bring the AI-driven ‘suggested actions’ of May’s Dev Channel release into the Beta Channel, which is a step removed from the Release Preview Channel. What Dev Channel testers know, however, are that the features that Microsoft ‘releases’ in the Dev Channel aren’t always available to those who download them. Usually, Microsoft splits the release up into two groups, only one of which actually gets…

Price: £999 from fave.co/3AJIGbv It’s hard to believe, but Huawei released its first ever laptop just six years ago. The company has since established itself as a major player with several new products that have been widely praised. Avoiding the impact of the ongoing US trade ban has been a major contributing factor – all Huawei laptops run a full version of Windows. In 2021, we saw the latest new addition to Huawei’s laptop line-up – the MateBook D 16. It has a large 16in display, making it one of the biggest PCs Huawei makes. Last year’s original was powered by AMD, but Huawei has switched to Intel silicon for this second generation. Was it a wise move? And is the new webcam position enough to justify the upgrade? I…

Price: £729 from fave.co/3ajwrYF I considered writing this review on the miniature keyboard of the Astro Slide, but thought better of it. Even though the Astro Slide looks like a tiny laptop, with its angled screen on a hinge and small mechanical keyboard, it’s not actually trying to be one. This is a device designed by and made for computing enthusiasts. It’s a secondary device, even though it can be used as a phone. The Slide is best thought of in this way, similar to how it’s best to approach the Microsoft Surface Duo 2. It’s for composing emails on the train or fixing a line of code without turning on your PC. As a phone for phone calls, it is cumbersome. As a smartphone, it is awkward. But as…

Monitors come in a huge range of sizes, resolutions and panel types making them a tricky purchase to get right. We’ve reviewed and ranked the best ones here. Before we get into the buying advice and your options, here’s a top tip: display technology does not move on at the same pace as a lot of consumer tech and, as you’ll discover in our round-up, you’ll often find better value with slightly older monitors. BEST OVERALL: PHILIPS 243B1 Price: £305 from fave.co/3ANYdr2 As well-rounded monitors go, it doesn’t get much better than the excellent Philips 243B1. It starts with a stylish design with a very versatile stand meaning you can adjust the monitor into a wide range of positions easily. Build quality is very good, too. Add in a high-quality…

Google Calendar is a core part of the Android productivity package – but if all you’re using is what you see on the app’s surface, you’re missing out on some pretty powerful possibilities. Just like so many of our modern digital tools, there’s more to Google Calendar than meets the eye. And while the majority of the service’s advanced options revolve around the Calendar website, the Calendar Android app has its share of handy out-of-sight options that are specific to the mobile experience. From time-saving shortcuts to efficiency-boosting options, they’re all things that have the potential to make your life easier in small but significant ways. 1. THE EVENT CREATION QUICK-PEEK Tell me if you can relate to this. You head into the Calendar app on your phone to create…

Simply testing Thunderbolt docks can be a challenge. But when even the best Thunderbolt docks suddenly vanish from store shelves, it can be like pulling teeth for vendors, retailers, journalists and consumers alike. Unfortunately, it’s not getting better. Plugable fights on the front lines of the skirmish between rival device makers, trying to find new supplies of key components – andintimesofneed, the company redesigns its products to take advantage of what’s available. That’s not always the case. According to Bernie Thompson, the founder and chief technology officer of Plugable, three out of its five highest-selling Thunderbolt docks offering power delivery are sold out. “Basically, every electronics company in the world has been frantically trying to internally redesign their products to switch to chips that are available,” Thompson revealed in a…

Keyboard shortcuts save time. Instead of moving around your mouse and then clicking through menus or dragging windows, you can just cut straight to the chase. And not only do our favourite keyboard commands carry over to Windows 11, but Microsoft has added several new ones to its latest operating system, too. One was an instant hit among our staff, but give them all a try to see which stick with you. SHORTCUTS TIED TO NEW WINDOWS 11 FEATURES These keyboard commands give you instant access to a few of Windows 11’s brand-new features, like widgets. Our pick for the standout winner? Instant access to Snap, which lets you pick from six layouts when arranging your app windows next to one another. It’s a tangible upgrade from Windows 10, which…

Price: £1,299 from fave.co/3P5ZUEy Do you really need a 16in laptop? For most people the answer is a resounding no. But for a select few a portable powerhouse with a big screen is a godsend – and Huawei clearly agrees, choosing to launch two of them at the same time to the European market. The MateBook 16s is the more premium of the pair (though the affordable MateBook D16 is no slouch, to be fair), targeting graphic designers, video editors, and other users with heavy professional or creative workloads. The big caveat is that there’s no option to grab the 16s with a discrete GPU, and Huawei is instead banking on the combination of Intel’s powerful 12th-gen H-series CPUs, Thunderbolt 4 support, and a high-quality 2.5K display to persuade creatives…

Price: £379 from fave.co/3NtO1r6 Sony’s over-ear noise-cancelling headphone, the WH-1000XM4 has ruled the roost as our top pick in noise-cancelling headphones. Well, I have news: The king is dead. Sony has an all-new noise-cancelling headphone–the £379 WH-1000XM5 – and it’s nothing short of spectacular. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 isn’t a minor revision of the WH-1000XM4, it represents a clear rethinking of the product from top to bottom. And the results are overwhelmingly positive. Everything starts with Sony’s plastic-free packaging. This new model comes in your choice of black (the colour or my review sample) or silver. The latter is more accurately described as a light cream colour, and it’s a stunning improvement over the previous generation’s palette. When I first lifted the WH-1000XM5 at a private Sony event, I was immediately struck…

Modern laptops come with a dizzying array of ports – or maybe only one. But how can you know what they all do, or what you might want in a new system? Below we explain every single laptop port, past and present, along with photos to help you identify their symbols. Usually located along the sides or back of a laptop, these ports help expand functionality and provide connection points for input devices, external drives, networking, and more. Understanding these ports, and knowing which of your peripherals will connect easily – and which will need adapters – will help you make better-informed decisions when looking for the perfect laptop to suit your needs. AUDIO JACK The 3.5mm audio jack, also known as a headphone jack, is the most common audio…