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Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro review
6:00 pm | July 29, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro: two-minute review

The Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro 3.3L food processor is a useful kitchen companion, offering family-sized capacity and plenty of functions, but beware – it’ll steal your cupboard space, and lighten your bank balance.

At a price of £280, the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro is far from a budget option, but you certainly get what you pay for. You can purchase this model directly from Cuisinart in the UK. It has been discontinued in the US, but is still available from third-party retailers such as Amazon.

With dimensions of 8.1 x 10.43 x 16.43 inches / 206 x 265 x 417mm, and a weight of about 22lb / 10kg the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro isn’t going to be one you’ll want to maneuver every time you need to use it. It lacks the useful in-bowl accessory storage that some KitchenAid food processors offer, but it does at least have a handy storage case for the shredding and slicing discs, chopping blades, and plastic dough blade, and another for the dicing and spiralizing accessories. Though of course, you will need space to store these.

The Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro food processor pictured against a pink background. The accessories storage case is pictured to its left, and the dicing accessory kit is pictured on its right. The stone-effect tabletop that it sits on has apples and bananas on.

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike some larger KitchenAid food processors which have a useful one-click attachment system, the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro uses a twist-lock system. While this does reduce the risk of accidentally knocking the work bowl off the base unit, the bowl's large size and weight make it cumbersome to twist and remove. This isn’t helped by the fact that one needs to put their back into it a bit to get it to unlock. The same can be said of the lid, which attaches via the same method. With this in mind, perhaps this food processor is best avoided if you have any mobility issues, but you may find a suitable alternative in our pick of the best food processors.

There are a few safety features to be aware of when using this processor, such as the requirement to remove the lid before the work bowl can be released – this took a little getting used to. Further safety features include the chopping blade's ability to stay in place when you tip the work bowl and that the food processor will not operate if the largest food pusher is not in situ.

A close up view of almonds inside the smaller work bowl of the Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

In addition to its large work bowl, the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro also comes with a smaller inner bowl and blade which is useful for when you just need to mix or chop smaller quantities of say herbs or salsa. During testing however, we did find that small particles, like almond powder, can find its way into the large work bowl below, which isn’t ideal when Cuisinart claims that the smaller bowl is fully sealed.

It excelled in virtually all of our tests, chopping, mixing, shredding, and slicing everything we threw at it. Plus, we were impressed with the dicing and spiralizing accessories too. This food processor is best suited to passionate home cooks who will get the most out of all the functions it offers. But those looking for an appliance for basic chopping, shredding, and slicing tasks might find this one has too many accessories that’ll just clutter up valuable kitchen space.

The Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro food processor pictured against a pink background. The small chopping blade is pictured to the left of the processor, and the spiralizing accessory is just in front.

(Image credit: Future)

If you’re still undecided whether the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro 3.3L is worth the investment, check out our full review below for a more in-depth analysis and full details on how it performed during our rigorous testing.

Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro review: price & availability

  •  List price: £280 
  • Available direct from Cuisinart in the UK
  • Available from third-party retailers in the US

The Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro is available direct from Cuisinart for £280. It is also available to purchase on Amazon, along with other appliance retailers. It was previously available in the US under the name Cuisinart Elemental 13 Cup Food Processor with Dicing, but it has since been discontinued. It is still available to purchase from some third-party retailers, however.

While the Expert Prep Pro is a bit more expensive than comparative products such as the KitchenAid 13 cup / 3.1L Food Processor, you’re getting a lot of additional functions for the extra investment. Spending almost £300 on a food processor may be extravagant, but if you’re going to take advantage of its abilities, have a tendency to batch cook, or have a large family, it could save you a lot of prep time in the long run. That, along with its safety-conscious and sturdy design, should make it an investment you won’t regret.

  • Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro specs

Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro: design & features

  • Good safety locking features
  • Two speeds plus pulse
  • Dishwasher friendly parts

If you’re thinking of leaving it out on your counter, the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro has a relatively compact footprint given all the functions it’s able to perform. The main food processor measures 8.1 x 10.43 x 16.43 inches / 206 x 265 x 417mm. However, it’s important to consider that alongside the processor there are two accessory storage cases to store, that’ll take up a fair amount of valuable cupboard real estate.

Aside from that aspect, the main accessory storage case is super useful for keeping all the sharp blades and discs safely organized in one place. It houses the large and small chopping / mixing blades, reversible shredding disc, adjustable slicing disc, dough blade, spatula, and the stem adapter. It’s got a useful latch on the front to lock the lid closed too, but at 9.1 x 8.3 x 7.4 inches / 230 x 212 x 187mm, it’s not exactly compact.

The dicing kit offers a quick and easy way to dice all sorts of fruit and veg, and also comes with its own storage case. Again though, you’ll want to consider where you’ll store it as it measures 8.3 x 8.7 x 4.6 inches/ 210 x 220 x 117mm.

The Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro accessory storage case is pictured open, with the adjustable slicing disc, reversible grating disc, dough blade, small blade, and stem adapter inside. The case is surrounded by other accessories, including the large chopping blade and spiralizing accessories.

(Image credit: Future)

The spiralizing kit which comes as standard with the UK model offers both a spaghetti and ribbon cut disc, but the storage solution for this kit isn’t quite so neat and you’ll have to store most of these extra parts individually rather than in a case. If you are able to buy this optional extra kit in the US, it comes with a third Angel hair disc too.

As there are only two speeds and a pulse button, the controls don’t take long to figure out. Getting to grips with the safety mechanisms is a little trickier. We are more used to being able to remove a work bowl from the base unit while the lid is still attached when working with the likes of Magimix and KitchenAid food processors. In the case of the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro, however, it has been designed so that you cannot remove the work bowl until the lid has been removed. Additional safety features are that the blade stays in place even when the work bowl is tipped for emptying, and the food processor will not operate if the largest pusher is lifted any higher than the top of the feed tube. While these aspects may take some getting used to at first, these safety features are reassuring, especially if you happen to have curious sproglets running about. 

A close up of the Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro control panel showing the high, low, off, and pulse buttons.

(Image credit: Future)

We found the twist-to-lock mechanisms on the work bowl and the lid to be a chore. At various times both were stiff to undo. The lid is a little on the heavy side, which combined with the twisting motion needed to unlock it, made it awkward to maneuver. Plus, we had to put a lot of force into unlocking the work bowl, resulting in a couple of not-so-fun moments when it would suddenly loosen and give way. At least the processor’s base is heavy, which helped to keep it stable in those moments, but this means that it is not the easiest to relocate. With these details in mind, perhaps this food processor is best avoided if you have mobility issues. You may find a suitable alternative in our pick of the best food processors instead.

We like the concept of the small bowl that comes with the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro. It easily fits into the larger work bowl and can be used with the small chopping / mixing blade to cut up or mix smaller quantities. Cuisinart states on their website that the inner bowl is fully sealed, so you don’t have to worry about washing up the larger bowl. However, we found when chopping almonds that this was not the case, as a fair amount of almond dust found its way down into the large bowl, so perhaps “fully sealed” is a bit of a stretch.

Image shows almond dust that has escaped from inside the smaller work bowl of the Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro into the larger work bowl.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

There are three different-sized feed chutes on the top of the lid, so you can have more control when pushing ingredients into the work bowl. Unlike some of the KitchenAid processors we’ve tested, such as the KitchenAid 13 cup / 3.1L Food Processor, larger-diameter cucumbers had no issue fitting in the largest feed chute on the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro.

Cleaning any food processor is a fiddly chore, this one’s no different. Thankfully though, all the parts can be cleaned in a dishwasher, which certainly makes life easier. It’s worth noting that if you do wash it in the dishwasher, water droplets get trapped in the handle and some parts of the lid, it does eventually dry out though. If you need some more top tips about how to clean a food processor then our step-by-step guide will help.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro: performance

  • Simple to use
  • Fast and efficient
  • Can be noisy

We really put the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro through its paces during testing, trying out virtually every function to get a true picture of whether it's worth the money and, we can safely say, it's good at what it does.

There is a max fill line on the largest food chute. The corresponding food pusher has a fixed attachment that stops the processor from functioning when raised beyond a certain point. This means the food must fit below the max line so the pusher can be positioned before processing. I used the low speed for cucumber, with the adjustable slicing disc on setting 4. The cucumber was sliced very quickly into perfect discs. 

A close up of sliced cucumber inside the Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro large work bowl.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

We used the coarser side of the reversible grating disc for cheese and carrot, which proved no match for this appliance. Both were shredded evenly and quickly, only a minuscule piece of the carrot was left un-shredded, and a very small amount of cheese got stuck in the lid.

A close up of some carrot that was grated by the Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

The large chopping blade was powerful, we cut an onion into six wedges and it only required six presses of the pulse button to turn it into even, finely diced pieces. The tougher task of grinding diced beef was no match for it either, taking just 15 seconds on the lower speed setting to chop up all the meat to a fine ground beef texture. 

Similarly, cake mixture ingredients were quickly combined into an even, smooth batter in under a minute. It didn’t perform quite as well when making pastry, as unmixed flour gathered on the top and took a while to combine. When the pastry was finished there was a layer of flour coating the inside rim of the bowl, and the inside of the blade housing.

A close up of the flour that has leaked inside the blade housing of the Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

To chop nuts we used the smaller bowl and blade, it was a little slower than the large blade and required 20 pulses to turn whole hazelnuts into a finely chopped texture. Although the nuts were a bit uneven with some fine powder mixed in, it was a good result in comparison to some other food processors we’ve tested. The results were similar when we chopped almonds inside the smaller bowl, with uneven almond pieces and a fair amount of dust.

A close up of unevenly chopped lamonds inside the small work bowl of the Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

When we diced potatoes, they had to be cut in half to fit in the feed tube. Unlike slicing, the size of the diced food isn’t variable, and the pieces come out at around 0.4 inch/ 1 cm cubes, but it’s fast and effective. It diced a whole potato in around 10 seconds. Some potato did get lodged in the blade after dicing a second one, but given the speed and convenience, we didn’t mind needing to open it up to remove a bit of potato before continuing.

Dicing potato in the Cuisinart Elemental 13 Cup Food Processor with Dicing

(Image credit: Future)

Spiralizing was equally fast and easy, we made cucumber ribbons and carrot spaghetti. There was some waste, but there always is when spiralizing foods. It’s worth noting that the pusher has to be in position for the spiralizer to start up, so you have to cut food down to size accordingly, you can’t have cucumber poking out of the top, for example.

spiralizing cucumber with the Cuisinart Elemental 13 Cup Food Processor with Dicing

(Image credit: Future)

The dough blade is effective at combining bread dough and we mixed up the ingredients with five pulses, followed by 30 seconds on high speed, however, it can’t continue on and knead the dough. If you leave it too long and allow it to continue mixing after a dough has been formed, it shakes violently and has to be held down. The usually firm suckers on the feet aren’t enough to hold it to the counter in this instance, so we’d advise kneading by hand.

Making dough with the Cuisinart Elemental 13 Cup Food Processor with Dicing

(Image credit: Future)

Our noise meter maxed out at 86dB on several of the tests, but since this food processor is so speedy, the noise doesn’t last too long, making it bearable.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro review: also consider

How I tested the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro

  • We assessed the setup and performance
  • We ran our usual series of chopping, grating, and combining tests
  • We checked how easy it was to clean

We spent time getting the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro setup, read the instruction manual, and assessed the design and accessories.

To put the Cuisinart 3.3L Expert Prep Pro through its paces, we made use of the accessories to chop, dice, slice, grate, mix and spiralize a number of ingredients including onion, nuts, potato, carrot, and cucumber. We also used it to process bread to make breadcrumbs, and made cake batter, pastry and bread dough. These tests are in line with the process we follow for all food processors, making it easy to see how different models compare. 

We tested how easy it was to clean the processor parts by hand-washing, and using the dishwasher to establish how well you can clean the parts with either method.

  • Read more about how we test
  • First reviewed: June 2022, re-tested July 2024
Foxit PDF Editor review
3:52 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Editing PDFs can be very important for businesses - and a limited PDF editor will stifle productivity and slam the brakes on otherwise efficient workflows. 

Foxit’s PDF Editor sidesteps all of that, and more besides, making it easier to tweak an existing document. No more going back to the software where the file was originally created, performing the changes, exporting it as a PDF, only to discover another problem and go through the whole process again.  

We took the latest version of this software out for testing, to see how it compares to the best PDF editors we've reviewed.

Foxit PDF Editor: Pricing

Foxit PDF Editor during our review process

You can choose from two subscription services - ‘+’ is aimed more at businesses (Image credit: Foxit)
  • Flexible pricing with free trials, monthly & annual subscription, and perpetual licenses 

Foxit’s PDF editing software comes in two editions: PDF Editor, and PDF Editor+. 

PDF Editor is the cheapest option. It’s designed to work on the web and on Desktop computers (be they Mac or Windows), includes an AI assistant, advanced editing capabilities, the ability to  convert PDFs to Microsoft formats, it can scans files and OCR them, it can compare two versions of a document to review all differences, and offers the ability to password protect PDFs. You can have this for $110 a year, or $11 when billed monthly.

PDF Editor+ is aimed more at professionals and businesses and as such includes more advanced features, including the ability to sign documents (which includes legally binding signatures), request signatures, and track responses in real time, allows you to redact sensitive information, and grants you access to Foxit on your iOS or Android device. This will cost you $140 a year or $14 a month.

There are no free versions of Foxit PDF Editor, although you can try Editor+ free for 14 days. For alternatives, we reviewed the best free PDF editors. 

You can check out Foxit PDF editor by clicking here. 

  • Pricing: 4/5

Foxit PDF Editor: Interface & experience

Foxit PDF Editor during our review process

The interface is easy to understand, only revealing the tools you need as you require them (Image credit: Foxit)
  • A clean, easy to understand interface 

The interface is quite simple, with a row of commands at the top, representing different aspects of the work you wish to carry out, such as ‘Edit’, ‘Convert’, ‘Protect’ and ‘Share’. 

Click on any of them and the row of icons beneath it changes to display the tools suited for the selected action. The interface is well organized, only showing you the tools you need when you require them. If you're looking for a less overwhelming alternative to Adobe's Acrobat software, Foxit may serve you very well. 

If you just opened the app, you’ll also see some ‘Tool Wizards’ in the middle of the interface, which allow you to quickly access frequently performed actions, namely ‘Edit PDF’ and ‘Merge PDF’.

  • Interface & experience: 5/5

Foxit PDF Editor: Editing

Foxit PDF Editor during our review process

Connect the various text boxes together to create a seamless flow when editing their content  (Image credit: Foxit)
  • Almost as easy as using a regular word processor 

Should you need to make changes to an existing PDF, you need to take a trip to the ‘Edit’ section - which is actually automatically selected once you open a document.

You’ll find your PDF is divided into text boxes, which can be selected, moved around and resized at will. The text contained within one will automatically reflow as you alter its size. This also happens when you alter the content of these boxes.

You might notice that the main body of the document will likely be split up into multiple such text boxes, making editing a bit of a pain, as words won’t automatically flow from one box to another. However, Foxit has solved that problem with its ‘Link & Join Text’ feature.

Select it, then click (in order) the boxes you wish to connect together. Once done, go back to your editing, and you’ll be able to write seamlessly through the boxes.

When it comes to text tools, you have the basics you’d expect from any word processor. You’re able to change the font, its size, color and alignment. Bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, and so on, are also available, as are options to alter character, line and paragraph spacing, and character scale.

Foxit PDF editor pretty much covers most, if not all, the functions you’d need to make your necessary changes. There’s even a built-in spellchecker. It is the most versatile, flexible and extensive PDF editor we’ve yet come across. 

  • Editing: 5/5 

Foxit PDF Editor: Conversions

Foxit PDF Editor during our review process

The conversion process from a webpage to PDF sounds great, but it failed for complex webpages (Image credit: Foxit)
  • Convert data from one file format to another 

Foxit PDF Editor can also help you convert documents into other file formats, such as Office docs like PDF to Word, PDF to PowerPoint, and PDF to Excel. You can also convert RTF, plain text, HTML and even various image formats. This level of flexibility is great should you need to extract the content of the PDF to create something new based on it.

This conversion process works in the opposite direction too, allowing you to convert files like Word to PDF. You have options to convert from an existing file, from your scanner, based on copied data stored in your computer’s clipboard, or even convert HTML to PDF.

The latter sounded interesting but we encountered some problems: we tried converting www.techradar.com, www.apple.com, and even www.microsoft.com, but we only got various errors for our troubles. It seems it might only work for less complex, less animation heavy, less processing-in-the-background pages.

Regarding the scanner option, it’s great that Foxit PDF Editor can connect directly to your device. You can even choose for the software to automatically perform an OCR pass automatically, enabling you to edit as soon as the process is done.

This OCR software functionality isn’t restricted to the scanning process, meaning that you can use it to convert any scanned PDF in your possession. You’re given two main options: turn the scanned image into a searchable one (meaning you can use the search field to find specific text only), or convert the file to make the text editable. We found the results to be pretty good.

  • Conversions: 4/5 

Foxit PDF Editor: Online collaboration

Foxit PDF Editor during our review process

Foxit PDF Editor has many useful annotation tools for collaborative work (Image credit: Foxit)
  • Work as a team, thanks to a long list of annotating tools 

As Foxit PDF Editor is aimed at businesses, it stands to reason that you’ll find online collaboration tools. These are located in the ‘Comment’ section. 

From there, you and your team are able to highlight text (with multiple colour choices), link said highlighted section to a note, add a free floating note, strikeout, replace, or insert text, draw shapes, and more. There are many options here to make sure other members of your team know exactly which changes need to happen.

  • Online collaboration: 4/5 

Foxit PDF Editor: Data redaction

Foxit PDF Editor during our review process

Foxit PDF Editor comes with many powerful redacting tools  (Image credit: Foxit)
  • Keep sensitive information away from prying eyes 

Businesses need to protect their information. In certain industries, it’s absolutely imperative to stay compliant with global data laws - with the threat of operational, financial, and reputational damage hanging over any firm that doesn’t treat data security seriously. 

There are basic ways to redact information, usually by placing a black box over sensitive data, but if it’s not done right, you can still select, copy and paste what was supposed to be restricted. 

Foxit PDF Editor doesn’t work like that. 

The tools for this job reside in the ‘Protect’ section. From there. You could use ‘Whiteout’, for instance. This is a simple one: click and drag the section you wish to delete, and it’s permanently removed from the document. You can’t even undo this. It’s also not possible to see if any info was there in the first place.

Another option is the ‘Mark for Redaction’ tool. This allows you to select text to be blacked out. You have more control than the Whiteout tool, although you don’t appear to have the ability to edit your selection (undoing your action is possible though). Once you’re ready, click on ‘Apply Redaction’, and after confirming this, the chosen content is no longer selectable or editable (or undoable).

It’s a powerful tool which also allows you to perform search and redact options, automatically looking through the document for a specific word for instance, or instructing Foxit PDF Editor to redact all phone numbers or emails in the file.

  • Redactions: 5/5 

Foxit PDF Editor: AI

Foxit PDF Editor during our review process

Is Foxit’s AI genie an ideal addition to your workflow, or just another gimmick? (Image credit: Foxit)
  • AI is one of those features you need to try to see if it’ll work for you… or if it’ll be as useful as a MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar

It seems software isn’t software these days without some kind of AI creeping into the code, and Foxit PDF Editor is no exception. The latest version comes with an AI-Assistant, which can help you in various ways, such as being able to summarise a document, rewrite it, translate it into over 30 languages, and if you’re not sure how to do something, ask it a question, and it will come up with instructions on how to perform the action you’re struggling to perform. 

However, interestingly enough, when we tried that feature, the AI replied to us in French, even though we asked it in English and the document in question was written in English. This glitch only happened once, mind. Maybe the AI got confused by the reviewer’s surname! 

  • AI: 3/5

Foxit PDF Editor: Scorecard

Should I Buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Alternatives

Adobe Acrobat Standard is our top recommendation PDF editor for most people - though Foxit PDF Editor certainly gives it a run for its money, in our experience. View Deal

Apple Preview is a free PDF reader and manipulator for Macs. Coming preinstalled on Apple machines, in our review we hailed its powerful editing tools.View Deal

EaseUS PDF Editor is an impressively powerful PDF editor with plenty of tools up its sleeves. We recently re-reviewed this outstanding tool and it's still just as good as it's been for a long time. View Deal

For additional PDF editing tools, we tested out the best alternatives to Adobe Acrobat you can get right now. 

I Love PDF review
11:17 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: | Comments: Off

Editing PDFs is something you can’t easily do - most free tools just let you read the content and search for keywords. There are some services that broaden the capabilities of what you can achieve with no down payment required, and I Love PDF is one such option.  But is it still one of the best free PDF editors out there? We put it to the test. 

I Love PDF: Pricing

  • A free service with added functionality for those who subscribe 

Your first point of call is I Love PDF’s website. From there you get access to its 26 online tools, displayed in a grid-like pattern, from merging PDFs, to converting to and from Microsoft Office documents, to signing and redacting files, and more besides.

You’ll find login and signup options top right of the interface, but you don’t actually need to register to start using I Love PDF.

Although the service is free, there is a subscription option of $4 / £4 per month (billed annually at $48 / £48). You’ll find that there are some restrictions with the free service compared to the subscription one, like batch processing for instance, forcing you to convert files one at a time if you’d rather not pay. 

If your needs are modest, you’ll find the free service more than sufficient. However, the option to expand your capabilities, even downloading software so you can work offline, on a PC, Mac, Android or iOS device, enable OCR software functionality, remove adverts, and gain access to customer support, can prove valuable to those who would rather subscribe. 

You can check out I Love PDF by clicking here.

  • Pricing: 4/5

I Love PDF: Interface and experience

I Love PDF during our review process

Each tool is easy to understand, simple to use, and versatile (Image credit: I Love PDF)
  •  The interface is simple to understand and consistent throughout 

 Using I Love PDF’s available tools is pretty straightforward: you click on an icon, and add the file(s) you need to work on - whether stored on your computer or through either the Google Drive or Dropbox online storage services.

What happens next depends on your chosen tool of course: ‘Split’ for instance will display large thumbnails of the PDF’s pages on the left of the interface. You’ll find contextual options in the sidebar to the right. In this case you either get to select a range of pages, at which point I Love PDF will cut the document for you, or, more interestingly, you get to set multiple ‘Ranges’. This is where you can select any page - contiguous or not - to combine them into a separate document, or save them as individual pages.

You’ll find all tools work in that way: large icons, easy-to-understand features, and thumbnails big enough to just about make out which page you need to keep and which to discard.

Any option that isn’t available to the free service will have a yellow ‘Premium’ label next to it, making it easy to see what’s off limits.

To get out of a selected tool and return to the main menu, either select a new one from the menu bar at the top of the page, or click on the large ‘I Love PDF’ title, top left.

  • Interface & experience: 5/5

I Love PDF: Tools

I Love PDF during our review process

Signing a document has a very cool feature, as it effortlessly allows you to do so using your smartphone’s screen (Image credit: I Love PDF)
  • Some tools are implemented in a very clever way 

Out of the usual suspects for a service of this type, there were a few implementations that we quite liked.

For instance, ‘Sign PDF’. The eSign software allows you to add a signature somewhere on a PDF page. You’re given a few options on how to do this - type your name using a script font, use your laptop’s trackpad to create a digital signature, or, and this is the part we liked, choose ‘Draw from your mobile device’. 

When you select that feature, a QR code appears. Use your phone’s camera to hover over it to reveal a URL. This takes you to a special page where you can draw your signature straight on your mobile device. Once you’re done, tap on ‘Apply’, and that squiggle will be sent back to the page you’re working on on your computer, ready to use.

This is a great blending of technologies, which works seamlessly.

This feature is also used with the ‘Scan to PDF’ tool. You might find that your phone already has the capability of scanning documents with its camera, but here, once the document is scanned, it is sent right back to your I Love PDF page on your computer, ready for you to continue working from there. It’s a great feature which we enjoyed using very much.

Another one we appreciated, although somewhat lacking the wow factor of the previous one, is ‘Page Numbers’. If you need to add them to a PDF, this is a fantastic and quick way to do so: load the PDF, and you’ll be presented with a series of thumbnails for each page. Choose where the number will be displayed on the pages, and you’re done.

Yes there are other options, such as changing the number of the first page to a value other than 1, selecting how the number is displayed, its font, style, and other options, and so on. All this is an added bonus, but if you need to number the pages of a PDF document quickly and easily, this is an ideal tool.

  • Tools: 5/5

I Love PDF: PDF editing

I Love PDF during our review process

You even have the ability of editing a PDF’s existing content, moving text and images around, and even replacing them - for paying customers only (Image credit: I Love PDF)
  • From adding new text boxes, to editing a PDF’s existing content, I Love PDF can do it all

I Love PDF’s ‘Edit PDF’ tool comes in two flavours: Annotate, and Edit. Annotate is part of the tools available for free, and lets you add new text boxes, images, shapes, and even draw on the PDF document you’ve uploaded. It’s a great way to make notes, but not entirely ideal if you wanted to use the service to alter the original content, like fixing a typo for instance. 

This is where ‘Edit’ comes in. Now as you can see from its yellow premium label, this one’s only available to paying customers, but I Love PDF does let you explore its features. When a PDF is created it segregates paragraphs, images, and anything else into boxes. I Love PDF lets you manipulate these, resize them, move them around and delete them. You’re even able to alter the very words that were written, and once done, download the modified document back to your computer (you definitely have to be subscribed for that last part).

For more advanced editing, we reviewed the best PDF editors and best Adobe Acrobat alternatives.

  • PDF editing: 4/5

I Love PDF: Scorecard

Should I try?

I Love PDF during our review process

Even basic tools such as numbering a document offers you more options than you’d expect (Image credit: I Love PDF)

Try it if...

You want to see why we rated it as one of the best free PDF readers out there. I Love PDF's interface is easy to navigate, and the capabilities on offer are often only available to paying customers with competing services. 

There is a lot of clicking around though to get from one tool to another, but the proof’s in the pudding: the tools are good, they are easy to use, and you get your modified PDF in seconds. 

Don't try it if...

You don’t like the concept of working in your browser, nor of paying a subscription to get the software you can download to your computer, and would rather just use what’s available for free elsewhere.

Alternatives

Adobe Acrobat Standard is the original PDF editor - but it offers just about every tool a PDF power-user could ever need. We hailed the PDF editor app in our 5-star review, stating that "sometimes, the best solution on the market has its reputation for a reason." 

If you only need to read PDF files, Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free PDF viewer dedicated to this task. View Deal

Apple Preview is a stellar PDF reader with editing functionality. And it's totally free, coming pre-installed on all Macs. In our review, we called it "a remarkably powerful tool, offering you the basics, while also allowing you to perform what could be considered pretty powerful editing and note taking functions."View Deal

PDF24 Creator is our top choice for best free PDF editor online. When we reviewed the service, we said it "comes with everything you might need to create and edit a PDF document. PDF24 Creator is also very light on system resource usage, and can run easily on weaker machines without slowing them down."View Deal

Miele Boost CX1 review: a compact canister vacuum suited to small homes
12:00 pm | July 28, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Comments: Off

Miele Boost CX1 vacuum: two-minute review

The Miele Boost CX1 – also known as the Miele Boost CX1 Powerline in the UK and Australia – is the entry-level vacuum in Miele's Boost CX1 range of canister vacuums. It's the cheapest of three Boost CX1 models, and the only one that comes with just the standard floorhead.

Miele is a high-end appliance brand that has been making vacuums for close to 100 years. Miele vacuums are known to be reliable, high performance models. And while this model is clearly an entry-level vacuum, it still comes with the Miele pedigree.

The Miele CX1 is bagless but corded, and while it's less maneuverable than a cordless stick vac, it's compact and streamlined for a canister vacuum. For that reason, it's best suited to smaller homes. It comes with three handheld tools, which are stored on the vacuum itself, for easy access while cleaning. I tried one out, to see how it compares to the rest of today's best vacuum cleaners, and was fairly impressed.

On test, I found that the CX1 was great at tackling hard floors as well as light cleaning of carpets and rugs. However, it's not quite up to deep cleaning carpets and can struggle with hair, making it less of a good choice for pet-owners (the models at the top of the range come with a turbo brush designed for these tasks). That said, this model is easy to use, easy to maintain, and will excel in smaller homes with light traffic.

That's the short version; read on for my full Miele Boost CX1 review.

Miele Boost CX1 canister vacuum in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

Miele Boost CX1 vacuum review: price & availability

  • List price: $479 / £299 / AU$499
  • Availability: US / UK / AUS
  • Launched: 2022

The Miele Boost CX1 is widely available across the world and in most countries it's available to buy directly from Miele's website as well as through other large electrical retailers, depending on where you live. Prices will vary across the retailers so it's worth shopping around.

In some countries such as the UK and Australia, it's called the Miele Boost CX1 Powerline. In all countries though, this is the cheapest model in the Boost CX1 range of bagless plug-in canister vacuums.

Despite being the cheapest in the range, it's still not a budget vacuum – it sits in TechRadar's mid-range price bracket for vacuums). This is underscored by the fact that Miele is a high-end brand.

In comparison, the top-of-the-range Miele Boost CX1 Cat & Dog, also called the Miele Boost CX1 Cat & Dog Powerline, will set you back US$679 / GBP £399 / AU$649.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Miele Boost CX1 specs

The dimensions of the canister are 11 x 10.6 x 15.7 inches / 28 x 27 x 40cm (h x w x d)

18lbs / 7.8kg

Miele Boost CX1 vacuum review: design

  • Streamlined and compact for a canister vacuum
  • Short power cord and small dust canister
  • Pared-back selection of tools

The Miele Boost CX1 comes in three colors; white, gray, and black and has a pleasingly curvy yet compact design that makes it well suited to smaller homes. It doesn't take up too much storage space and it doesn't come with an overwhelming number of accessories that'll take up valuable space either.

Miele Boost CX1 canister vacuum in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

It comes with three small hand tools: a crevice tool, upholstery tool, and a dusting brush. These can all be stored on the holder that attaches to the handle, so they're always easy to grab right when you need them.

Image 1 of 2

Main floorhead on Miele Boost CX1 vacuum

(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2

Underside of main floorhead on Miele Boost CX1 vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

The main floorhead is a pretty basic universal brush that includes a foot-operated switch on top to adjust the brushes depending on whether you're vacuuming carpet or hard floors. Above the floorhead, the telescopic tube means you can easily adjust the height of the handle or lengthen the reach of the vacuum.

All the controls are on the main vacuum; there are none on the handle. There are four suction levels to choose from and these are selected via a dial on the vacuum, meaning you'll have to bend down to adjust the suction. The power button and the cord rewind button can be pressed with your foot though.

Close up of controls on Miele Boost CX1 canister vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

As a corded canister vacuum, it's understandably less maneuverable than one of today's best cordless vacuums. However, at 18lbs / 7.8kg it's not too heavy for most people to lift. Its small size does translate into a small one-liter dust canister, which won't be sufficient for very large, busy homes. That said, it's plenty big enough for smaller homes and apartments. It is also worth noting that it does have a particularly short 21 ft / 6.5 meter power cord, which again, will become frustrating in larger homes.

Miele Boost CX1 vacuum with dust canister removed

(Image credit: Future)

The dust canister is removed simply by grabbing its handle and lifting it up and out of the vacuum. Then the dirt empties out of the bottom when you press the release catch. Once you're done, it slots straight back onto the vacuum. The design means the emptying process is very user-friendly.

Filter on Miele Boost CX1 vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

There are three main filters and all are easily accessed for cleaning, diagrams in the instruction manual clearly demonstrate how to access them.

The first is the pre-filter, which is located at the end of the vacuum just above where the hose attaches. This is the Hygiene AirClean filter and it needs replacing yearly. The fine dust filter can be found in the back of the dust canister, this is washable and needs cleaning monthly. Lastly, the pre-filter is inside the dust canister and can be cleaned using the small brush tool that's housed on the canister. All of this maintenance is straightforward enough.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Miele Boost CX1 vacuum review: performance

  • Quiet in use, with straightforward controls
  • Best on hard floors, not so good at carpet or hair
  • Easy to move about for a canister vacuum

When using the Boost CX1 vacuum on hard floors, it did what it needed to do, thoroughly sucking up all the dust and debris. Regardless of whether I used it on wood floors, tile, or LVT it had no problem leaving the floors looking clean and dust free.

When I sprinkled flour onto my wood floors, it sucked it up in one sweep. It didn't do what some vacuums do and push the flour along in front of the floorhead, nor did it leave flour in the grooves between the boards.

Miele Boost CX1 vacuum cleaning flour from hard floor

(Image credit: Future)

My only complaint is that I noticed some parts of the floor were still slightly white. On closer inspection I found that where the wood grain is quite open, it did leave a tiny amount of flour in the grain. And I had to go over it a couple more times to ensure this was fully removed. This wasn't an issue on other types of hard floor.

I also sprinkled flour along baseboards at the edge of the room to check how good the suction is at the sides of the floorhead. It was pretty faultless, sucking debris from the edges, no matter whether I went along it with the right or the left side of the vacuum.

Miele Boost CX1 being used on carpet

(Image credit: Future)

While it left my carpets looking free of visible debris, I could just tell that they weren't getting a deeper clean. This was evident from the debris in the canister: there was a lot less than I'm used to seeing when I vacuum my carpets with my high powered vacuum.

Suction and pick up does depend on the type of carpet and the thickness of the pile. On a newer synthetic carpet in my spare bedroom, I had to turn the power down, as the suction felt too strong on this carpet, making the floorhead difficult to move.

On an older wool carpet, the suction on max still didn't feel strong enough. Similarly, on a deep-pile area rug it didn't seem to be effectively removing all the deeper, ground-in debris that I know collects on that particular rug.

While the CX1 did an okay job of picking up my long hairs from hard floor, I noticed that on carpet the hair was pushed around until it clumped up enough to get sucked up. And on that basis, this isn't the ideal vacuum if you have pets. (Note, there is a Pet-specific model in the Boost CX1 range, which might be a better choice if you're looking for the best vacuum for pet hair).

Miele Boost CX1 vacuum cleaner being used on carpeted stairs

(Image credit: Future)

The canister is compact enough to balance on stairs, which makes vacuuming up a full flight of stairs easy and straightforward. I found removing the telescopic wand and instead attaching the floorhead directly to the handle was the easiest and most convenient way to tackle stairs. This also meant I could quickly switch to the crevice tool if any detailed cleaning was needed in the corners.

Alternatively, because the vacuum has a good long reach and the floorhead swivels round, I found I could easily vacuum the first seven steps while standing at the bottom of the stairs.

The handle on the top of the vacuum is easy to grab should you need to lift it to move it around, but I did find that during the first few uses I sometimes grabbed the dust canister handle instead. When you grab this handle it ejects the dust canister, which is no big deal if the vacuum is switched off, but pretty annoying if it's in use. I soon learnt my lesson though and over time, naturally reached for the correct handle.

The power cord is short and unless you live in a very small home it doesn't really reach easily from one room to another. So I found it was simply easier to make sure I plugged it into an outlet in the room I was vacuuming, rather than hoping it would reach.

Detail tool on Miele Boost CX1 vacuum cleaner being used to clean shelving

(Image credit: Future)

Speaking of reach, like all canister vacuums, what the CX1 does really well is reach under furniture, thanks to the long slim wand and hose. Plus you can extend the telescopic wand to its maximum length should you need extra reach, like when vacuuming under a bed.

Overall maneuverability is good, the canister seemed to follow when I pulled it and I didn't have too many incidents of bashing it into furniture. Though admittedly, the small size helps with this particular problem.

During day-to-day use I really liked having the three tools attached to the handle. It meant if I was vacuuming floors but spotted some debris on a shelf or ledge, it was super quick and easy to switch to a small tool and clean that up as I went.

Close up of tool storage on Miele Boost CX1 vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

I was initially concerned that the small tools would get in the way, but they actually didn't. The upholstery tool was ideal for cleaning sofas, chairs, and even a headboard. But again, it's a pretty basic design and it wont give the same kind of deep clean or pick up pet hair as effectively as a small mini motorized tool would.

In the car I used all three small tools. The upholstery tool was effective on the seats but also on the mats. Meanwhile the crevice tool managed to reach into some of the narrow gaps, but it was simply too short to reach everywhere that I needed to get to. The dusting brush was fine for removing dust from the dash. (If you have space for a separate appliance, one of the best car vacuums would probably be more straightforward for in-car cleaning.)

Detail tool on Miele Boost CX1 vacuum cleaner being used to get into crevices in a car

(Image credit: Future)

Emptying dirt is as straightforward as I'd hoped it would be, simple and mess-free. The noise level is comfortable, no high pitch squeals or annoyingly loud hums. When on the highest suction level on carpet, the Miele Boost CX1 registered 75dB on my noise meter, and on hard floors it was 78dB. Plus, if you need it to be quieter, the noise level will drop as you decrease the suction power.

  • Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Miele Boost CX1 vacuum?

Buy it if...

You're short on space
When you live in a smaller home, storage space is always at a premium. This compact vacuum won't take up more than its fair share of storage space.View Deal

You don't mind being tethered to a power cord
Cordless, battery-operated vacuums might be the most fashionable right now, but plugging into a power outlet takes away the worry of running out of juice right when you need it most.View Deal

You're looking for a straightforward vacuum
With just four suction levels and a paired back selection of tools, this is a no-frills vacuum that doesn't overcomplicate things.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You have lots of carpet
The performance on carpet was fine for very light cleans, but it doesn't lift the deeper, more ground in dust and dirt. If you have multiple carpeted rooms, this isn't the vacuum for you – today's best upright vacuums pack more power. View Deal

You have a large, busy home
The Miele Boost CX1 is a smaller vacuum that's really designed for smaller homes. The short power cord and small dust canister aren't suited to bigger spaces with lots of people and pets.View Deal

You have pets
This model isn't the best choice for homes battling pet fur and grime. Ideally you need a vacuum with a turbo-brush floorhead for a deeper clean.View Deal

How I tested the Miele CX1 vacuum

I used the Miele Boost CX1 in my own home for a week. I used it in place of my usual vacuum to clean wood floors, tiled floors, carpets, and stairs. I used the tools to clean upholstery, shelves and overhead. I even took it outside to see how it fared cleaning my car.

As well as looking at the suction and the tools, I recorded the noise level on the different settings and also noted how easy it is to use and maintain. I paid attention to how convenient it is to empty the canister and maintain filters.

I've been reviewing vacuums for over a decade and during that time I've tried more models than I'd care to remember. Along the way I've learnt that there are certain desirable features to look out for, as well as annoying quirks that I don't want to see. So I use all this expertise to bring you a thorough evaluation of the vacuum.

  • First reviewed: July 2022
  • Replaced with new review and updated tests: October 2024
EaseUS PDF editor review
3:28 pm | July 27, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: | Comments: Off

EaseUS provides a vast array of tools for both Macs and PCs from backups and data recovery to multimedia capabilities like its video editor and screen recorder. Each tool to roll out has reviewed exceptionally well on TechRadar Pro, thanks to exceptional utility and a relaxed, intuitive user experience. But how does the firm’s  fare compared to the best PDF editor software available for download? We re-reviewed the latest version to find out. 

EaseUS PDF Editor: Pricing and plans

  • Free but limited, monthly subscriptions, and one-off lifetime purchase available

EaseUS PDF editor offers plenty to to work with, and this obviously comes at a price. But there are actually a few options available to you on that front.

You could choose to pay nothing, but you’ll only gain access to some basic tools in what might otherwise be one of the best free PDF editors, and your exported files will be watermarked. Still it’s a great way to get a feel of the software and see if it’s right for you.

Then, you’ve got a couple of subscription options: pay monthly ($20) or yearly ($50). Both unlock all features, including unlimited file conversion, 24/7 technical support, free upgrades (as long as you keep on paying), and no watermark. 

It’s obvious that paying for a year is a lot cheaper, but if you plan on using this PDF editing software regularly for the foreseeable future, then the one-off price of $80 for the ‘Lifetime’ option is incredibly attractive. It’s cheaper than 2 years on subscription (4 months if you pay monthly), and the impressive cherry on top is: you also get free upgrades for life. What’s not to like?

You can check out EaseUS by clicking here.

  • Score: 4/5

EaseUS PDF Editor: Getting started

EaseUS PDF editor during our review

Open a PDF to be taken instantly to the ‘Read’ section, but editing options are merely a top menu away (Image credit: EaseUS)
  • Simple interface for easily navigating to editing features 

Launch the PDF editor app for the first time and you’ll be graced with a very sparse interface. Most of it is empty, save for a row of icons offering you various options at the top, along with a sidebar on the right. Click on the ‘Tools’ button there to have the currently empty homepage replaced with rows upon rows of icons showcasing the app’s multiple functionalities.

As it stands, the interface does exactly what you expect it to do: offer you what you need, when you need it, while getting out of the way as you work on your document.

Open an existing PDF and you’ll be brought instantly into the ‘Read’ mode, but check the top of the interface to activate any functionality you’re after, from ‘Comment’, ‘Edit’, ‘Protect’, ‘Convert’, and more. Click on any of them for a secondary menu to appear just beneath the first, giving you all the toolset for your selected action.

Take ‘Edit’ mode, for instance: click on any paragraph for it to be entirely selected. This bounding box mechanism works for any object currently on the page. You’re able to resize these boxes, move them around, and even delete them. With an entire paragraph selected by default, it’s incredibly easy to make changes to a PDF’s existing text. When you consider that many of the competition restrict your editing to a line by line basis, EaseUS PDF’s approach is much more flexible and user friendly.

You can insert and modify links into the body of your text, and even include headers and footers (a great place to add page numbers for instance). All in all, we found EaseUS PDF Editor’s interface to be surprisingly competent.

  • Score: 4/5

EaseUS PDF Editor: Editing

EaseUS PDF editor during our review

EaseUS’s PDF editing features are powerful and more versatile than most of its competition (Image credit: EaseUS)
  • Good selection of tools to convert formats or turn images into editable text 

Editing PDFs might be this software’s bread and butter, but you can do so much more with it. For one thing, you’re able to convert PDFs to Excel, PDF to Word, and PDF to PowerPoint. There are even options to convert various image formats.

In the ‘Protect’ section, you’ll find various options to secure your PDF document, such as setting up a password for it, or redacting information you’d rather not divulge, but this is also where you can set up signatures, making it easy to fill in forms and sign documents digitally.

One tool we quite liked is its OCR functionality (we reviewed the best OCR software before), although we were disappointed to see that in order for it to work, you still need to convert an image to a PDF. It’s not a difficult process and EaseUS PDF Editor does allow you to convert images, like JPG or PNG to PDF, but it feels like a totally unnecessary step.

Still, once that’s done, you’ll be offered a long list of languages to choose from (English is selected by default in our version), along with a chosen format to save the output as (Word is your default option, but you can also choose TXT, Excel, Powerpoint, and PDF). Click on ‘Recognise’ and EaseUS PDF will get to work. The process doesn’t take too long - but that would obviously depend on the length of the document and your computer’s processing power.

  • Score: 5/5

EaseUS PDF Editor: Tools

EaseUS PDF editor during our review

The OCR tool works well, although you must convert your image to PDF for it to work (Image credit: EaseUS)
  • Need to trim a PDF? Expect plenty of the usual tools for that 

You’ll also find the usual features here that you typically see in PDF editing software, such as PDF merger tools to combine multiple documents into one, or split a PDF, turning it into several different ones. Deleting a page is also a handful of clicks away. This is actually pretty standard fare. 

 One of these we enjoyed using was the crop feature, which was very well implemented. Click on the ‘Page’ menu, and select ‘Crop’ from the available list of tools. You then click and drag on the document to create a marquee selection. If you’d rather type in values, you have ‘Top’, ‘Bottom’, ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ fields for that. You also have options to crop only the selected page, a range of pages, or the whole document. Click on the ‘Crop’ button, and you’re done. This is a great way to remove unwanted sidebars for instance, letting you focus on, and keep just the essentials. 

  • Score: 5/5

EaseUS PDF Editor: Note-taking

  • Various tools for when you need to work with others on a particular document 

Online collaboration is important when working with a team, and EaseUS PDF Editor has you covered on that front, by allowing you to annotate your PDFs. 

It’s also easy to add comments, including boxes, arrows and lines to bring attention to a particular section of the document. You’re even able to send a copy of the PDF to other team members using email. 

  • Score: 4/5

EaseUS PDF editor scorecard

Should I Buy?

EaseUS PDF editor during our review

The crop tool is simple, intuitive, and effective (Image credit: EaseUS)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

Adobe Acrobat Standard is our top choice PDF editor overall. Full of tools, features, and everything you'll ever need to manage, organize, create, and edit documents and files. But then, Adobe did create the PDF filetype. View Deal

Apple Preview is our favorite free PDF reader for Mac, and packs in a handful of editing functions for manipulating files. Best of all, it comes pre-installed on Mac computers. Earning 4 stars in our review, we said it "should be able to cater to all but the most demanding PDF road warriors."View Deal

pdfFiller is an excellent PDF editor for online collaboration, and a great choice if remote teamwork is essential. We recently re-reviewed this software, and it's still as good as it's always been. View Deal

For more PDF apps, we reviewed the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives you can get right now. 

Apple Preview review
11:12 am | July 26, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

Bundled with every modern Mac, the Apple Preview app may be software you use often, yet you might not think too much about its capabilities. After all, it’s just a quick and easy image viewer and PDF reader for Mac, there when you need it. But did you know it contains some tools that could help you fill in a PDF form, and even sign it digitally?

That’s right, Apple Preview is much more than just one of the best free PDF reader. There’s potentially no need for expensive online tools like eSign software services - your (albeit not cheap) Mac can do that from the moment you take it out of the box. Let’s take a closer look. 

Apple Preview: Interface

Apple Preview during our eSign software tests

Apple Preview’s interface is clean and simple, yet offering you all the tools you need to read through a document and search for specific sections (Image credit: Apple)
  • The interface has that classic Apple minimalism, but all the options you need to look through and search a document are there

Software gets updated all the time, so for the purposes of this review, we’ll be taking a look at Preview version 11, running on Ventura, ie, MacOS 13. However, you’ll find the interface hasn’t changed in a good long while, making this review potentially relevant should you own an older copy.

Apple being Apple, the interface is as bare and streamlined as can be, with only a few icons present at the top of the window. If you’re browsing through a PDF, scrolling down will take you to the following page by default in a continuous scroll. You also have the option to see the document page per page, or have two pages displayed on the screen at the same time. There’s also the possibility of displaying thumbnails of each page in a sidebar to the left, helping you find the one you’re looking for more quickly. There’s also a search field top right, which will work as long as your PDF is properly formatted (most are, but some contain only images of text which negates that option, as it would for any other similar software).

All very simple and straightforward, but we’re not here to just browse through documents. We need to manipulate it in various ways.

  • Interface: 4.5/5

Apple Preview: Getting started

Apple Preview's clean interface in action on display

Apple Preview's interface is pretty bare, leaving the focus on the document you’re perusing  (Image credit: Apple)

So just how good is Preview? At first glance, it looks like you can do pretty much everything Adobe Acrobat Reader DC does (without being bombarded with adverts to upgrade, of course).

Double-click on a PDF (or image - but we’ll take those as a given and focus on the documents in question for this review), and it opens up, just as you’d expect. You can scroll through the document, zoom in or out of it, and even print it if you like.

There’s a thumbnail sidebar you can trigger on the left that allows you to scroll through a multi-page document with ease, by displaying a tiny version of all available pages, one above the other. Dragging the border between it and the main preview section lets you increase or decrease the size of those thumbnails.

Scrolling can be set on a page by page basis, or as a continuous scroll, and if your screen is large enough to see them without squinting too much, you can also set Preview to show you two pages side by side if you prefer.

You’ll find a large search field top right of the interface, which you can use to find specific words within the document (as long as the PDF is properly formatted of course, and not just a JPEG of a page formatted as a PDF, but this is a problem for every PDF reader).

  • Getting started: 5/5 

Apple Preview: Tools

Highlighting text in free PDF reader Apple Preview

Highlight your text with multi-coloured digital highlighters  (Image credit: Apple)
  • Lots of tools to cover broad plenty of use-cases

If that’s all you need, fantastic! Preview can cater to all your needs. But there’s more. What if you need to make notes, for instance? You’ll find a wealth of tools to help you achieve this.

There’s a highlighter pen for instance, which comes with a choice of five colors, and even offers you the possibility of underlining or striking through text (only in red for those two options, mind).

But if you need more than that, say hello to the Markup Toolbar. It isn’t activated by default, but a simple click of an icon will reveal numerous other features.

With it, you can add text boxes to any page, should you need to add a comment. The editing flexibility of these boxes is as extensive as you’d expect from a basic word processor: you can change the font, alignment, style, color, add a background fill, or an outline color - there’s a lot of flexibility there. Preview will remember those settings and apply them to the next text box you create - but you’re of course free to alter it should you so wish.

Use Apple Preview's text tools to do more

Add  notes, objects, freehand drawings, and more to your documents  (Image credit: Apple)

But that’s not all: you have freehand tools to create editable shapes. If you prefer more defined ones, you have a handful of pre-made templates, like a line with an arrow, a speech bubble, a circle, a square, another with rounded edges, that sort of thing. These shapes are fully customizable too.

If post-it notes (or equivalent) are more your thing, you can add those as well, and place them wherever you like (only when they’re minimized). And if you’re bored of those yellow notes, that’s just the default color - the highlighters’ five colors are also available for your notes.

With eSign software growing in popularity, you have the ability to add a digital signature and use that toolbar to insert it wherever you like on the document. You'll find our thoughts on this tool.

This should cover most people’s needs. But Apple went further still…

  • Tools: 5/5 

Apple Preview: PDF editor

Reordering pages in Apple Preview, the free PDF reader for Mac

Apple Preview allows you to reorder pages, rotate them, delete them, or copy them to another document  (Image credit: Apple)
  • Not a true editor, but useful and easy to customize and reorder documents

Now this title could be a little misleading as you can’t actually edit the content of an existing file using Preview. This isn't a full PDF editor with all the tools that brings. Technically, it's almost a free PDF editor, since you can delete unwanted pages, reorder them, change their orientation, and essentially customize a document to focus on just what you need.

Even better, you can copy one or more pages from one document, and paste them into an entirely new one. Or, if you have two documents open side by side with the thumbnail sidebar switched on, just drag a page from one sidebar to the other to duplicate it in that second document.

This kind of flexibility is most welcome, and although you can’t create a PDF document from scratch - an alternative would be to use Pages and save it as a PDF. You can just save the sections you’re most interested in to create a custom PDF perfect for your needs.

When it’s time to save this new document, click on the ‘Permissions’ button to be offered a wealth of options: you can choose to password protect it, and even allow the reader certain abilities, even if they don’t know the password, such as printing, inserting pages, or filling form fields, for instance.

  • PDF editor: 4/5 

Apple Preview: Annotations

Apple Preview during our eSign software tests

Annotate, draw on, add notes to any file Preview can open (Image credit: Apple)
  • Drawing, adding shapes, and even notes to a document can all be done via Preview’s Annotate tools

Preview lets you make notes on any document you can open with it. This is done thanks to its annotation tools, which you can access either via the MenuBar (Tools > Annotate), or by clicking on the relevant icon in the toolbar (the circle with the tip of a pen inside it).

This reveals a new Toolbar, directly beneath the main one. With it, you can draw directly on the page, or add various shapes, even manipulate each point of the curve you’ve created (you’re essentially working with bezier handles and vector images).

You’ll also find ways to add notes to a document (think of them as digital post-it notes), and perhaps more relevant to this review, add text boxes, or even your signature, both of which will prove invaluable when filling in a digital document.

  • Annotations: 4/5

Apple Preview: Forms

Apple Preview during our eSign software tests

Add as many text boxes you need to fill in a form, and customise them with the font, size, colour and alignment you prefer (Image credit: Apple)
  • The Text tool is very versatile although control of your chosen font cannot be done from the Form Filling toolbar

The text tool is the best - and only - way to add text boxes to a document, and reposition them so they’re over the sections that need your input. It’s worth noting that the main Toolbar has a Form Filling Toolbar icon, to the right of the Markup Toolbar we explored. However, it’s best to stick with Markup when filling in forms for one simple reason: Markup contains tools to edit your text box, altering the font, size, colour and alignment, whereas the Form Filling Toolbar, puzzlingly, doesn’t.

Those text boxes can be resized left and right, but not up or down, but it’s not really an issue. The box extends down the page automatically the more you write in it. Changing the style is a simple matter of clicking on the right icon to reveal an expanded menu, where you get to choose from any of the fonts installed on your Mac, along with your preferred colour, size, format and alignment.

One thing we appreciated during our testing is the next text box you add will bear those choices. So, if you want a consistent look for your text boxes going forward, you only need to set your preference once. It's also possible to copy and paste a text box. The position of it will be close to the existing one. Should you move to another page and hit paste, the new box’s position will be identical to the original, but on the different page. Repositioning them is but a matter of clicking and dragging.

The text box allows you to fill in any form you can open in Preview, but what about signing a document?

  • Forms: 3.5/5

Apple Preview: Signatures

Apple Preview during our eSign software tests

Adding a signature is quick and easy, although the connection to your iPhone misses a reorientation trick (Image credit: Apple)
  • Creating a signature has got that Apple panache to it

If you’re aware of online digital signature services, you’ll know that they all offer various ways for you to import your signature into the system. They allow you to choose a cursive font to write your name, sign using a mouse or trackpad, or import a photo of your signature. Apple’s approach is similar yet different. They offer different options, although the option to use a cursive font is conspicuous by its absence.

You’ll have three choices available to you, the first one being Trackpad, which is greyed out if your computer doesn’t have one. Maybe it’s because Apple controls the software and the hardware, but we found tracing our signature on a trackpad to be the finest we’ve experienced to date. It had just the right amount of smoothness and precision to get a pretty decent approximation of our trademark squiggle.

Camera is the second method. Hold up a signed piece of paper to your webcam, and Preview will cleanly extract it. It works best if it’s taken from a blank sheet of paper, as there are no photo editor options. But more often than not, you do end up with a signature on a transparent background.

iPhone is the final choice. Ideal for those who have no trackpad, no available piece of paper, but have their phone handy. The concept is very similar to Trackpad, with a very cool ‘it just works’ moment, as Apple Preview seamlessly connects to your mobile device to perform the task. Annoyingly, if you need to use your phone in landscape mode to sign, you’ll have to rotate it manually each time you add it to a document. You’d think Apple’s programmers would’ve thought of that, as signing holding your phone vertically seriously reduces your canvas size.

Once Preview has your signature, you can name it, and keep as many different signatures as you need. It can then be added, moved, and resized in any document, just like any other object. 

What Preview doesn’t offer, which online services do, is a means of sending documents to others, and tracking their progress. However, it’s an ideal solution should you need to fill in and sign forms digitally for yourself, without having to log in to an online service or pay monthly for the privilege.

  • Signatures: 4/5

Apple Preview: Final verdict

For a free PDF reader that comes pre-installed with every Mac, Apple Preview is a remarkably powerful tool, offering you the basics, while also allowing you to perform what could be considered pretty powerful editing and note taking functions. You'll even find a PDF merging tool  and a seamless way to combine PDFs.

Unless you need a fully-fledged PDF editor (or even the best free PDF editor) to actually modify the content of a PDF, Preview should be able to cater to all of your needs. It’s just a shame it’s only available on Macs. 

Apple Preview scorecard

Should I try?

Apple Preview's clean interface in action on display

(Image credit: Apple)

Try it if...

Don't try it if...

Dell XPS 17 (2022)
2:40 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Windows Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Editor's note

  • Original review date: July 2022
  • Newer Dell XPS 17 with updated components now out
  • Launch price: $1,749 / £2,099 / AU$3,999
  • Target price: $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,999

Update: January 2024. The model we reviewed here is almost two years old now, but it still remains one of the best laptops you can buy. This is because its powerful components are still very good, and the slim and light design remains one of the best you'll find on a 17-inch laptop, which can often be big and bulky due to their larger screens. This particular model is no longer sold directly by Dell, but can be found at other retailers, often with a nice price cut that makes it better value. Dell has also released more modern models of the XPS 17, so if you fancy getting this larger laptop with even more powerful components, you've got that option as well. The rest of this review remains as previously published.

Dell XPS 17 (2022): Two minute review

If the Dell XPS 17 looks familiar, that’s because it is. Physically, this revised 2022 model is a dead ringer for last year’s XPS - and the one from 2020, too. But that’s no bad thing given this is one of, if not the slickest and sleekest laptops around. 

What actually is different can be found inside, most notably Intel’s latest 12 Gen CPUs. Our review unit is rocking the Intel Core i7-12700H, which packs six performance cores plus eight efficiency cores and turbos up to 4.7GHz. 

Honestly, it ought to be enough CPU for even the most demanding users, making it one of the best laptops around for productivity and business users. But if you really insist you can pay extra - and an awful lot extra because the upgrade typically forces more expensive components in other areas - for Dell to stick in a Core i9-12900K, which has the same core count but peaks at 5GHz. We wouldn’t bother, since you’ll barely feel the difference, if at all.

Dell XPS 17 (2022) Key Specs

Here is the Dell XPS 17 (2022) configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: Intel Core 17-12700H
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
RAM: 32GB DDR5
Screen: 17-inch 3,840 x 2,400, 500 nits
Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
Ports: 4 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, 1 x 3.5mm combo jack, 1 x  SD card reader
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
Camera: 720p with IR
Weight: 4.79 lbs | 2.17 kg
Size (W x D x H): 14.74 x 9.76 x 0.77 ins (375 x 248 x 20 mm)
Battery: 97WHr

Elsewhere, one thing the XPS isn’t is an out-and-out gaming laptop. Our configuration runs an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU with 4GB of graphics memory. It’s dandy for a spot of casual gaming and will also add some welcome grunt to GPU-accelerated productivity and content creation apps. But it’s not a 4K powerhouse, nor is the RTX 3060 chip offered as an upgrade, which it ideally would need to be given the specification of the XPS’s screen.

Indeed, we’ve got the optional upgrade panel which packs 3,840 by 2,400 pixels - more than standard 4K thanks to the taller 16:10 aspect ratio. It’s a stunner of a screen rated at a punchy 500 nits and with 100 percent coverage of the Adobe RGB gamut, so it’s fully capable of content creation workflows. It also supports HDR, but isn’t a new-fangled mini-LED panel, so keep expectations in check. The HDR experience is OK rather than eye-popping.

The screen looks all the better thanks to those signature Dell XPS slim bezels on all four sides. It’s a design feature that keeps this two-year-old design looking bang up to date, and also minimizes the laptop’s overall footprint. It’s not just the screen that stands out, so does the sound quality. The XPS 17 really packs an audio punch, with remarkably dynamic sound including decent bass, good stereo separation and strong volume.

Rounding out the best bits of this revised 2022 model of the Dell XPS 17 is battery life of over 10 hours during light workloads, which is outstanding for this big a beast. On the other end of things, this isn’t anywhere close to being as portable as the best Ultrabooks, but no 17-inch laptop will ever score very highly in that regard. 

But if you do take it with, you can genuinely get a day’s work done away from the mains, which makes it one of the best student laptops for anyone about to head off to uni in a couple of months.

So whether you're a student, a content creator, or just want a gorgeous device, the Dell XPS 17 (2022) retains its place as possibly the best Dell laptop ever made that's not called the XPS 13.

Dell XPS 17 (2022): Price and availability

A Dell XPS 17 (2022) on a table

(Image credit: Future)
  • Starting price looks appealing
  • Quickly gets pricey with options

The Dell XPS 17 (2022) kicks off at $1,749 in the US, £2,099 in the UK and AU$3,999, the apparent discrepancy outside of the US accounted for by a higher spec base CPU. Anyway, if that’s not exactly cheap, things only get worse when you add upgrades. 

The gorgeous UHD+ touchscreen, for instances, adds $300 / £300, doubling the RAM to 32GB will sock you for $150 / £200 and the 1TB SSD costs an extra $100 / £100. All told, as configured here, you’re looking at $2,749, £2,599 in the UK and AU$4,798 down under.

  • Value: 3.5 / 5

Dell XPS 17 (2022): Design

A Dell XPS 17 (2022) on a table

(Image credit: Future)
  • Super slim bezels
  • Gorgeous build quality

The design of the Dell XPS 17 (2022) is a dead ringer for last year’s model and the year before, but we're grateful for that. 

The XPS is super sleek and beautifully built, with the main chassis and screen cover in machined aluminum and the palmrest in carbon fiber. It still looks modern too, thanks to ultra-slim bezels on all four sides of the display. And that despite still squeezing in a 720p webcam up top with Windows Hello facial recognition support.

The chassis is very solid and the keyboard bed fairly stable, though a little flex is present. The large trackpad is about as good as it gets on a Windows laptop. Only Apple’s MacBooks do trackpads better. 

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A Dell XPS 17 (2022) on a table

(Image credit: Future)
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A Dell XPS 17 (2022) on a table

(Image credit: Future)
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A Dell XPS 17 (2022) on a table

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, this is still a big machine weighing in at well over 2kg and measuring in excess of 14 inches across, but that's the case with all of the best 17-inch laptops; they're simply never going to be compact. That said, the slim bezels ensure about as small a footprint as possible and ensures that if you've got to have something this large you at least get the absolute most out of its size. 

The XPS 17 is about as haulable as 17-inch laptops get, with the possible exception of the featherweight LG Gram 17, which is slightly wider in terms of footprint but much lighter at 1.35kg.

If we do take issue with the XPS’s proportions, it’s how they map to the port selection. On the one hand, the quartet of USB-C ports all support full Thunderbolt 4 functionality with power delivery and DisplayPort alt mode, which is great. 

There’s also a full-sized SD card slot and an audio jack. But that’s it. There’s no USB Type-A, no full sized HDMI socket nor a LAN port, but that's the price you pay for the slick looks and chiselled chassis sides.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5

Dell XPS 17 (2022): Performance

A Dell XPS 17 (2022) on a table

(Image credit: Future)
  • Grunty 12th Gen Intel CPUs
  • Good cooling
  • Not a true gaming laptop

With six performance cores and eight efficiency cores, the XPS 17’s Intel Core i7-12700H has as many cores as the top Core i9 processor from Intel’s latest 12th Gen Alder Lake CPU family. It just runs at slightly lower clockspeeds, but not that you’d notice. 

As CPU performance goes, this laptop has everything you could ask for. It’ll tear through everything from video encodes to 3D renders with ease. Alder Lake’s world-beating single-core performance also guarantees that this laptop feels snappy in day-to-day tasks like web browsing. 

Indeed, with fully 32GB RAM, you’re rarely going to run out of memory, which makes multi-tasking a breeze. With that much RAM, swapping application data to the SSD will hardly ever happen. Even if it does, there’s a fast PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD ready to minimise the performance hit of disk swapping. Overall, it really is a very speedy machine, this XPS 17.

Benchmarks

Here is how the Dell XPS 17 (2022) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark Night Raid: 27,398; Fire Strike: 11,908; Time Spy: 5,439
Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 17,747
GeekBench 5 Single-core: 1,682; (Multi-core) 13,725
PCMark 10 (Home Test): 6,810
Battery Life (Techradar movie test): 10:14
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 48 fps; (1080p, Low): 121 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 44 fps; (1080p, Low): 96 fps

If there is an exception, it involves graphics performance and gaming. As tested, our review unit runs Nvidia’s GeForce RTYX 3050 mobile GPU with 4GB of video memory. It is a big step up over plain old integrated graphics, to be sure. As our benchmarks show, you can get playable frame rates at 1080p in modern games. But only just. It’s not a truly high performance gaming GPU.

You can optionally go for the RTX 3060, which will improve your frame rates. But even that GPU isn’t nearly powerful enough to play games at the XPS’s native 4K-plus screen resolution. Even Nvidia’s fastest mobile GPU, the RTX 3080 Ti, is only just capable of that.

Anyway, the point is that the XPS is certainly up for some casual gaming. But if gaming is one of your top priorities and you can afford this class of laptop, we’d recommend going with one of the best gaming laptops instead with at least an RTX 3070 GPU, something which is certainly available at this price point.

  • Performance: 4 / 5

Dell XPS 17 (2022): Battery Life

  • Impressive battery life for a large machine
  • Full workday battery life is doable

Large powerful laptops like the Dell XPS 17 (2022) used to be nailed-on certainties for awful battery life. Not these days. In light workloads like watching video and web browsing, you can expect over 10 hours of battery life. That’s true all-day performance. 

Admittedly, if you do anything remotely demanding, that number will tumble dramatically, despite its ginormous 97WHr battery. But this certainly isn’t one of those old-school desktop replacement rigs that had you worrying about battery life the moment you unplugged from the outlet. This thing has legs.

  • Battery Life: 4 / 5

Should you buy a Dell XPS 17 (2022)?

A Dell XPS 17 (2022) on a table

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Dell XPS 17 (2022): Report Card

  • First reviewed July 2022

How We Test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review
6:23 pm | July 25, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Comments: Off

Editor's Note

• Original review date: July 2022
• Launch price: $60 / £60 (approx. AU$86)
• Target price now: $60 / £50

Update: February 2024. We still rate the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 as the best Bluetooth speaker for cheap bang-for-buck – delivering loud volume that resists distortion, and impressive bass that helps the sound to feel full, without overwhelming the well-detailed treble. The official price has risen in some regions since launch, but you can regularly find it for the target price listed above, or with even bigger discounts in sale events such as Black Friday. We haven't tested anything that's beaten it at this price so far. The rest of this review remains as previously published.

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2: two-minute review

The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is the latest proof that 'Tribit' and 'value' are two words that skip happily hand-in-hand down this road we call life. The Chinese audio specialist doesn't yet have the big-brand clout of heavy-hitters such as JBL, Sony, Ultimate Ears and Bose in the best Bluetooth speaker realm – and we almost don't want to shout out the virtues of Tribit's latest offering for fear that it'll join them and prices will go sky high. 

But we're duty bound, so know that Tribit's Stormbox Micro 2 cheap Bluetooth speaker takes everything that was good about the original and betters it – and that little speaker was a high-level contender to begin with.  

With a standard price of $60 or £60 (around AU$86), but already seeing a 10% discount on Tribit's own website, you simply can't do better for design, durability, features and sound quality in a cheap Bluetooth wireless speaker at this wallet-friendly level. 

As with the original 2020 Stormbox Micro, the StormBox Micro 2 is about the size of a stack of drinks coasters, and it has a handy strap on the underside so you can lash it onto a table leg, bag strap or your bike's handlebars – we even managed to strap it onto a hire car's cup holder. 

Now though, the Stormbox Micro 2 is just a little bit larger and weighs 35g more (315g rather than 280g). Like its older brother, the Micro 2 is IP67 dust- and waterproof, but its battery life is now a claimed 12 hours at moderate volumes, which is up from eight hours for the original – and remember, you'll only get five from similarly-sized options such as the JBL Go 3.

The power rating is also improved, from 9W to 10W, which means that the Stormbox Micro 2's loudness is increased. You're also getting Bluetooth 5.3, (up from Bluetooth 5.0) the chief perk here being a new Bluetooth range of 120 feet, according to Tribit. Personally, I was able to stray up to 60ft (18m) from the speaker before it lost connection to my phone – which is seriously impressive when walls and doors were involved. 

Perhaps the biggest improvement is that you can use the Stormbox Micro 2's two-way USB-C port to charge out (ie. to juice up your mobile device) as well as to charge the speaker itself, although it's standard 5W charging rather than fast charging. You get a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box, although no plug, and do note that if you own an iPhone you'll need a USB-C to Lightning cable to use the feature. 

You can also pair two Stormbox Micro 2 speakers together to get either 'Party' (read: mono) sound or create a stereo pair. Although it's a little disappointing to see you must have two Micro 2s to pair them up at all, so you can't daisy-chain other original Stormbox Micros as you can with JBL's PartyBoost tech or the UE WonderBoom 2 and original Wonderboom, say, it's a relatively small gripe at this level. 

And the sound is now beefier, crisper, more exciting and will bring even more fun to your picnic, hike or campfire. The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 offers features you'd never expect at this price, and it's hard to imagine anyone balking at the minimalist, refined design. 

All things considered, the cheap Bluetooth speaker category has a new front-runner – and because of the Micro 2, Tribit is about to get a lot more famous. 

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 held at an angle over a yellow table

That Bluetooth light is slightly bigger: all the better to see it with, my dear… (Image credit: TechRadar)

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review: price and release date

  • $60 / £60 (around AU$86)
  • Released in Spring 2022

The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 was unveiled in April 2022 and right now it is available in black only (the first-gen model occasionally came in a fresh and limited-edition orange colorway but this was an exception rather than a rule), and although regularly priced at $60/£60, it is already discounted by 10% when buying direct from Tribit – which means it'll cost just $54/£54. 

Price cuts and Tribit are fairly common too (and we're very grateful for them) across big online retailers such as Amazon – so keep your eyes open because even at the original price, this is a supremely talented Bluetooth speaker. 

Tribit Stormbox Micro and Micro 2 side-by-side on yellow table

The first gen Stormbox Micro is on the left, the Micro 2 is on the right: note the extra height.  (Image credit: TechRadar)

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review: design and features

  • Compact, pocketable design with built-in bike-friendly strap
  • Cushion-shape means a large driver
  • Up to 12 hours paytime – ie. four more than the first-gen model

Every design tweak Tribit has made here for the second-generation Stormbox Micro is both welcome and adds value – irrefutable proof that a little more can always be squeezed out of even the best-value portable wireless speaker designs. 

As mentioned, it now doubles as a useful power bank (although it's a 5W charger so don't expect super-fast charging of your phone) and it's just a tad bigger and more rotund. If you think of the Tribit Stormbox Micro as a stack of drinks coasters, Tribit has simply added another coaster to the pile for the Micro 2 – and it has paid dividends when the thing is playing music. 

Visually, there's a little more flair too; the plus, minus and multi-function buttons are now white so as to show up better in low-light situations, and the blue Bluetooth light on the front edge is a little wider and easier to see, although the useful five-strong LED volume indicators are still there. On the underside, the excellent rubberized and slightly stretchy strap remains, but the rubber feet are slightly more substantial. 

And if you thought there were no microphones for speakerphone duties here, you'd be wrong – there's an integrated mic on the front corner, next to the power button, which works just fine as long as you stay relatively close to the speaker on calls. Start strolling up and down the room dictating an email and your caller may tell you to come closer a little closer and speak up. 

It's important to note that the JBL Flip 6 has none of those speakerphone/power bank features and still costs significantly more, so Tribit is performing well before it has even relayed a note. And things don't go downhill there either – but we'll get to the sound later. 

Perhaps our only gripe (and emphatically the only reason we removed half a mark) is the lack of backwards compatibility. Because the first and second-gen models look so similar (and because other firms such as JBL offer it) it would be good if you could beef up the sound by pairing old and new-gen Micros in mono – but this is not possible. 

That said, for newcomers to Tribit, at this money it is well-worth buying two Micro 2s to create an affordable wireless desktop speaker setup – we watch Carrie Underwood's Ghost Story on Apple Music Sessions on our MacBook Pro and found pleasing levels of separation and minimal lag between the music video and its sonic accompaniment. 

  • Design and features score: 4.5/5

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 showing the strap, on yellow background

Strap this around your belt, over your bike's handlebars or even on a camping table leg. (Image credit: TechRadar)

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review: sound quality

  • Meaty, zealous, remarkably talented sound
  • Impressive bass performance given its size
  • Only starts to distort at 80% volume

Tribit has remained tight-lipped about the driver under the grille here, but whatever is going on inside the Stormbox Micro 2, we like – and it'll certainly go loud enough to fuel your picnic, barbecue, campfire or beach day with tunes, even at 60% volume. 

Listening to You Should See Me in a Crown by Billie Eilish is among the toughest test for a bijou speaker's bass chops we can think of, and the Tribit doesn't disappoint. Treble elements (what sounds like the dragging of a knife over a jar) and a synth scream ahead of the low-level beat are impactful, but when the bass drops it really sinks low in the best possible way, delivering a gifted, snappy, agile performance. 

Provided you don't go too loud (anything beyond 80% starts to upset the mix and bloat the bass – but that's hardly surprising given this speaker fits comfortably in your palm) you'll find yourself digging out different tracks to see what the Tribit makes of your more niche music. 

We stream The Waterboys' The Whole of the Moon and cymbal crashes, backing vocals, violins and even the cannon are given ample space to shine in a cohesive and well-handled mix that has us tapping our feet happily. For this money, it's head-scratchingly good. 

The Chemical Brothers' In Dust We Trust is a similar story: sounds fly in with ease and energy, but smaller musical articles which we might have expected would be lost in the mix given this speaker's dimensions are still layered here within its commendable tuning. 

And seeing as it's a five-star review, of course we have to put it to the ultimate classical test, don't we? Richard Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries features all of the three-dimensional strings and soaring trumpets we could possibly hope for at this level, all held firmly in check and with a perceptible, rumbling and exciting dynamic build.

  • Sound quality score: 5/5

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2's USB-C port, on yellow background

USB-C charging port: we love to see it – only this time, you can use this to charge your phone too.  (Image credit: TechRadar)

Tribit Strombox Micro 2 review: value

  • Incredibly competitive pricing
  • A recommended alternative to bigger brands

We hope we're not over-egging the pudding by saying the Stormbox Micro 2 is incredibly good for its nominal pricing – and as such is incredibly good value. 

It's important to balance this glowing praise by saying it is not the best Bluetooth speaker ever – this tiny design cannot compete with the bigger JBL Charge 5 and its brethren, because aside from their relative size, these designs feature more power, a dual-driver design and a more significant asking fee. 

What you need to know is that for this size and price, nothing on the market comes close, across the board – and by that we mean in terms of design, durability, feature-set and sound quality. Tribit's Stormbox Micro 2 has set a new benchmark. 

It is worth noting that although Tribit does have an app (which works for the splendid Stormbox Blast and two of Tribit's earbud options), the Micro 2 doesn't get app support, so there's no scope for EQ alterations or a numerical volume indicator – but at this level, we think it would be churlish to expect such a thing. 

  • Value score: 5/5

Tribit Stormbox Micro and Stormbox Micro 2 side by side on a yellow table

The one on the right is the Stormbox Micro 2, the left is the original: shame you can't pair the two, but those accents make for easier use in low-light scenarios.  (Image credit: TechRadar)

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review: should you buy it?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Also consider…

Think the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 might not be the Bluetooth speaker for you? That's cool, here are three alternatives that could offer just the design, feature-set and sound quality you're looking for. 

Thinkware X1000
5:55 pm | July 21, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Dash Cams Gadgets Vehicle Tech | Comments: Off

Editor's Note

• Original review date: July 2022
• Launch price: $299.99 / £259.99 / AU$839.99
• Official price now: $219.99 / £ n/a / AU$699

Update: March 2024. Thinkware's X1000 remains one of the most user-friendly dash cams on the market, thanks to its large touchscreen and icon-based user interface. It's simple to set up and, unlike many modern dash cams, you don't need to pair it with a smartphone to access its best features. While the market is very competitive in 2024, the X1000 still claims a spot in our best dash cams guide. As it's been available for a couple of years, the official price has fallen in most regions. It's also worth looking for discounts on the X1000 during seasonal sale events, particularly Amazon Prime Day.

The Thinkware X1000 dash cam is from a brand that really knows its stuff when it comes to capturing video on the go. This model has proved popular with buyers thus far too, and it’s easy to see why. 

There’s everything inside the box, including two cameras, to help you get the best from dash cam monitoring. The downside is that you’ll need to get it hard-wired in to enjoy the best from its potential. But if you don't mind this, or the absence of built-in GPS or Wi-Fi for cloud backups, it's one of the best dash cameras you can buy.

Take a peak inside the box and you’ll find everything you need. There are the two cameras, with one being the front facing unit and the other a smaller rear facing model. You also get the cabling needed to carry out the hard-wiring installation.

The Thinkware X1000 dash cam and its included accessories on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

While this hard-wiring is doable by a novice, you may find your time and money is better spent getting someone to install it for you. Of course, the big bonus with this route is it’s always ready to go and any cabling can be tucked out of harm’s way.

Usefully, Thinkware also supplies the X1000 with a chunky 32GB microSD card, which can be used as is. Alternatively, you can always add in a larger capacity one if you prefer. Popping that in is easy enough, while getting the camera set up and running can be done using the convenience of a 3.5in touchscreen on the back of the casing. 

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The Thinkware X1000 dash cam sitting on a car seat

(Image credit: Future)
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The Thinkware X1000 dash cam sitting on a car seat

(Image credit: Future)
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The Thinkware X1000 dash cam sitting on a car seat

(Image credit: Future)

There are also the various sticky pads needed to affix the cameras to your preferred surfaces. The quick start guide, meanwhile, proves handy as you’re navigating the installation procedure, though it could do with being more comprehensive. You also get a robust plastic mount for the main camera, which helps to keep it from moving around too much, once it’s in situ.

The unit itself feels nicely put together, as does the rear-facing camera. Using the Thinkware X1000 is also doddle. Once you’ve powered it up, the touchscreen gives you access to all of the core features and functions. 

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The Thinkware X1000 dash cam sitting on a car seat

(Image credit: Future)
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The Thinkware X1000 dash cam sitting on a car seat

(Image credit: Future)
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The Thinkware X1000 dash cam sitting on a car seat

(Image credit: Future)

This works really well, with self-explanatory icons leading you through the tasks. There’s no need to fiddle around with a supporting app either, which might be of particular interest to some users who want a more 'direct action' route with their dash cam.

In terms of performance, the Thinkware X1000 delivers everything you’d expect from a premium dash cam solution. There’s a cracking little Sony IMX335 5.14 Starvis image sensor packed inside the svelte lines of the casing. Working with the lens, the footage proves to be really impressive. 

You have options to tweak capture settings via the touchscreen too, though we found the Thinkware X1000 worked fine right out of the box. It even starts recording without needing any manual input, from the off. This isn't necessarily what everyone wants, mind you.

As for the resulting footage, expect Quad HD 1440p, 2560 x1440 resolution from both cameras and they also both deliver a wide 156-degree field of view, too. 

Results during both harsh light and after dark were impressive, with plenty of crisp detail on show and a decent level of dynamic range thanks to the HDR processing. Overall, we found the results to be impressive in a variety of conditions.

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Photos of cars on a road taken on the Thinkware X1000 dash cam

A still taken from the Thinkware X1000's rear-facing camera (Image credit: Future)
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Photos of cars on a road taken on the Thinkware X1000 dash cam

A still taken from the Thinkware X1000's front-facing camera (Image credit: Future)
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Photos of cars on a road taken on the Thinkware X1000 dash cam

A still taken from the Thinkware X1000's front-facing camera (Image credit: Future)

If you take the time to get the Thinkware X1000 hard-wired, you may as well exploit other features and functions in its arsenal. There’s a parking surveillance mode, for example, which detects any unwanted movement around your prized vehicle. 

If you’re looking for even more assistance with vehicle protection then it may be prudent to pick up the additional radar detector companion. Also, an optional GPS accessory is needed if you wish to make use of Thinkware’s lane departure modes.

There's a lot to like about the Thinkware X1000. It’s great that you can be up and running in very little time. If you get Thinkware’s Dash Cam Accessory pack, this model can be plugged into your car via the power socket, which does free you up from being faced with hard wiring. This and the other accessories mentioned do add to the overall cost, however, unless you’ve got an existing DC-in connector that will do the same job. 

The best feature of all, though, is the X1000's ease of use. The touchscreen works well and the menus are intuitive. In this respect, the Thinkware X1000 ticks most of the right boxes, for those who need a front-and-rear model. 

It might lack built-in GPS or Wi-Fi for cloud backups, but if those don't matter to you and your priority is a stress-free, high-performance dash cam, the Thinkware X1000 should be high on your shopping list.

Should I buy the Thinkware X1000?

The Thinkware X1000 dash cam mounted inside a car windshield

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Navigating remote access with AnyDesk: An in-Depth look
11:30 am | July 20, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Accessibility and flexibility in our professional and personal lives have become more crucial than ever, pushing remote desktop solutions to the forefront of technological needs. AnyDesk, a relatively new player in this field, offers a unique combination of performance and accessibility that makes it an intriguing option for many users. 

In this post, we'll explore the features that make AnyDesk stand out, assess its advantages and disadvantages, determine its ideal user base, and discuss the considerations to keep in mind when choosing a remote desktop application.

AnyDesk is a comprehensive remote desktop software that permits users to access and interact with their computers from any location with an internet connection. Boasting a lightweight design and impressive speed, AnyDesk is intended for both individual users and businesses that require efficient remote access solutions.

AnyDesk review: plans and pricing

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk review: plans and pricing

There’s a free plan from AnyDesk that lets you provide remote support for an unlimited number of computers, although this is purely for personal use. In that respect, AnyDesk is one of the best remote desktop software solutions for casual users who don't need to connect too frequently. 

Meanwhile, for anyone wanting unattended access there’s the Essentials package, which costs $9.90 per month, although this is limited to one user being allowed to manage one remote device. 

A more substantial option if you're running a business and need a beefier array of connectivity is the Performance plan. This currently costs $19.90 per user, per month. For that, you get three remotely-managed devices per user. The good thing with this one is that users aren't restricted to only accessing the devices they add but can actually access any of the devices on a license. 

If this isn't quite substantial enough, there’s an Enterprise plan, which AnyDesk quotes for on an as-needed basis. While all plans are paid for annually, there are also 14-day trial options for the Essentials and Performance packages.

AnyDesk review: Features and utilities

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk review: Features and utilities

AnyDesk has been around since 2015 and had a revamp during 2021, with version 7 being the current edition. This latest iteration features a much more streamlined user experience, with a wonderfully sensible desktop layout that boasts session tools that are tucked away in a toolbar, rather than being individually laid out in the workspace. 

The software has always been of use to individual users, as well as IT teams who can use to to offer remote technical support. The software works by offering access to Windows and Mac computers, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices. There’s a built-in file manager for easy transfer of content between host ad remote machines, although there is no provision for the drag-and-drop processing of files. 

Organizational duties are covered by an address book system to track all computers that are being accessed remotely. There are also plenty of tools for easy collaboration, with a text chat box, for example, that can assist with remote support duties. There’s also a virtual whiteboard and the ability to invite another users onto your network, which is similarly handy for support scenarios.

AnyDesk: Setup

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Setup

Much like any other remote desktop access package, AnyDesk isn’t particularly difficult to setup. You’ll need to install the software on your computer and during this AnyDesk displays your unique connection address. 

Connecting to a remote support session using your computer as the host machine will necessitate this unique address being given to a remote user. This can also be done using an email invite. 

Usefully, it’s possible to select a list of permission presets, which controls how much a user can do once they’re on your shared machine.

AnyDesk: Interface and performance

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Interface and performance

You can use AnyDesk to access and manage remote connections on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices too, in both an attended and unattended capacity. The good news is that, in order to do this, the AnyDesk interface is one of the best there is in terms of plain and simple usability. 

There are plenty of tools that help to speed up your workflow, with the address book being integrated into the address entry bar. This makes it a doddle when you want to connect to machines that are regular connection points. Another bonus is the way AnyDesk can automatically detect other enabled devices in your local network. That really cuts down on the amount of manual intervention needed for business users. 

Stability-wise, we have found AnyDesk to be a very able performer. Along with the easy to use interface, making use of the software is a quick and simple exercise, which is always a plus if you’re a time-poor worker or business owner.

AnyDesk: Security

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Security

You’ll find that AnyDesk comes with end-to-end encryption, which covers all of your remote sessions. Having this means that it can help to prevent unauthorized access to your network. 

At the same time, there is also support for two-factor authentication, which adds another level of security with the added option for creating a whitelist, so that only specific devices can access your computer. 

On top of that, AnyDesk lets you set a limit as to what control features are available to any remote users.

AnyDesk: Support

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Support

AnyDesk comes with a solid level of support services, although presently this only seems to extend to contact via email, rather than phone. Support includes plenty of online resources, which can be accessed via the website. 

There is also provision for submitting a ticket should you need to contact AnyDesk about a specific issue or query. AnyDesk also seems to have a pretty good social media setup too, which is always good for lots of general information, tips, tricks and workarounds.

AnyDesk: The competition

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Pros and cons

There are several reasons to like AnyDesk, but there are also a few things you should be aware of.  

Pros of AnyDesk:

- Performance: AnyDesk is known for its high-speed performance, ensuring quick and responsive remote access even on slower internet connections.

Lightweight Software: The program is compact and provides quick downloads and installations, which is particularly beneficial for systems with limited resources.

- User Interface: AnyDesk offers an intuitive and uncluttered interface, making it easy for new users to navigate.

- Compatibility: It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, which enhances its versatility.

- Free Version: AnyDesk offers a free version for personal use, which is beneficial for individual users or those who want to test the software before committing financially. 

Cons of AnyDesk:

- Security Concerns: While AnyDesk has good security features, it has been the target of scam operations where users are tricked into granting access to their PCs. Users need to be vigilant.

- Limited Features in Free Version: While the free version is valid, it is limited in features, particularly concerning unattended access, which is essential for many business users.

- Customer Support: Customer service and support can be less comprehensive than those of larger market competitors.

Who should use AnyDesk

AnyDesk is ideally suited for a number of different types of people and groups. 

1. IT Support and Help Desk Teams

For IT professionals, the ability to quickly respond to support tickets and manage multiple systems remotely is crucial. AnyDesk enables **remote troubleshooting** without the need for physical presence, making it an efficient tool for:

*   Resolving issues in real-time

*   Providing back-end support to corporate environments

*   Managing servers remotely

2. Remote Workers and Freelancers

The rise of remote work has necessitated tools that allow employees and freelancers to access workstations from anywhere in the world. AnyDesk facilitates a seamless connection to office computers, maintaining **productivity** with:

*   High-speed connections that minimize latency

*   Secure access controls ensuring data integrity and security

*   Compatibility across multiple operating systems for diverse tech stacks

3. Educators and Online Tutors

With education increasingly moving online, teachers and tutors need effective ways to interact with students' devices for tutorials and technical assistance. AnyDesk assists by:

*   Allowing educators to view and manage student screens during lessons

*   Supporting educational software troubleshooting from a distance

*   Offering an intuitive platform that students can easily navigate

4. Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

SME owners often need to manage multiple aspects of business from different locations. AnyDesk offers a **cost-effective and reliable** solution for:

*   Remote management of business operations

*   Accessing files and software from any location

*   Facilitating remote collaboration and meetings

5. Tech Enthusiasts and Personal Users

Individuals who manage multiple devices or need access to their home networks while traveling can benefit from AnyDesk’s:

*   Unattended access feature, for connecting seamlessly without manual acceptance

*   High level of customization and settings to cater to different needs and preferences

6. Developers and Engineers

Software developers and engineers may need to deploy updates, manage version control, or access development servers from remote locations. AnyDesk supports these activities with:

*   Robust file transfer capabilities

*   Ability to connect to multiple screens or servers concurrently for comprehensive control

AnyDesk: The competition

While AnyDesk is certainly more than adequate for everyday use, if you’re a business owner with the need to access multiple machines you’re going to need a slightly more substantial package. 

TeamViewer is perhaps one of the best options in that respect, despite its higher cost factor. Lookout for the powerful option of being able to manage up to 200 devices using one IT worker as a prime example. Add on the likes of mass deployment and command line control options and you've got a beefy package that is more potent than AnyDesk. 

Conversely, Zoho Assist makes a great option if you're looking for better value and also remote support capability. It is great value for money and will meet the needs of many medium-to-larger companies. 

Sandwiched inbetween are numerous other options when it comes to competitor products in the best remote desktop software space.

AnyDesk: Final verdict

We are enthusiastic supporters of AnyDesk, especially for individuals who only occasionally need remote desktop access and don't require advanced features. However, if you run a more significant business and need more robust tools, you may find shortcomings in AnyDesk compared to something like TeamViewer. Nonetheless, AnyDesk is user-friendly and reasonably priced, especially if you only need the accessible version.

AnyDesk offers an impressive array of features that accommodate many users needing fast and dependable remote desktop access. Its focus on performance and multiple platform support makes it a compelling option. However, potential users should consider the limitations of the free version, the security risks associated with remote desktop tools, and the level of customer support. When choosing remote desktop software, it's essential to evaluate your specific needs, such as unattended access, frequency of use, and the significance of customer support, to ensure a smooth and productive remote access experience.

Connect to your computer with one of the best business smartphones.

What to look for when choosing a remote desktop solution

Selecting an appropriate remote desktop solution is essential for businesses and individuals seeking efficient, secure, and convenient access to their desktops from any location. Consider several critical factors to ensure the solution meets your needs when evaluating options.

Security is paramount. As remote access can be a potential entry point for cyberattacks, look for a solution that offers robust authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption for data in transit. This helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Ease of Use also plays a significant role. The ideal remote desktop software should offer a straightforward, intuitive user interface, making it easy for users of all technical levels to connect and navigate their remote systems without extensive training. Compatibility with various operating systems and devices enhances accessibility, allowing users to connect seamlessly from any computer or mobile device.

Performance directly impacts productivity; thus, selecting software that offers high-speed connections with minimal latency is critical, especially for tasks requiring real-time responsiveness. Look for solutions that optimize the remote access experience, even on slower internet connections, by adjusting the display settings and reducing bandwidth usage.

Features and FuncFunctionality are also essential to consider. Depending on your specific needs, you might require advanced features such as remote printing, file transfer, multi-monitor support, and session recording. Assessing the available features against your needs will help ensure the solution efficiently supports your workflow.

Cost is another consideration. Many remote desktop solutions offer a range of pricing plans, from free versions with basic funcFunctionalitysubscription-based models with advanced features and support. Evaluate the cost against the benefits and features provided to determine the most cost-effective solution for your requirements.

Customer Support and Reliability are crucial, especially for business users relying on remote access for critical operations. Look for providers with a reputation for reliability and customer support, offering assistance through various channels such as live chat, email, or phone support.

Lastly, consider the solution's scalability. As your business grows, your remote desktop needs may evolve. Opt for a solution that can scale up quickly, adding more users or integrating with other tools and services without significant overhauls.

In summary, finding the right remote desktop solution involves carefully assessing security, ease of use, performance, features, cost, customer support, and scalability. By prioritizing these factors, you can select a solution that meets your current needs and supports future growth and change.

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