This review first appeared in issue 360 of PC Pro.
DrayTek’s Vigor 2927Lax-5G is an ideal appliance for small businesses that can’t tolerate any internet downtime as it offers an incredible range of WAN redundancy features. Along with an integral 5G LTE modem sporting dual SIM slots for primary and backup mobile network connections, it can use two of its seven gigabit ports for WAN connections, the USB-A 2 port accepts a 4G modem and all can be linked together for load-balancing or failover purposes.
Redundancy features include the ability to deploy two routers in high availability mode. Sharing a virtual IP address, they can be set to hot-standby mode when sharing one internet connection or active-standby if each has its own link.
The Vigor 2927Lax-5G offers a wide range of redundancy options(Image credit: Future)
The router also delivers integrated Wi-Fi 6 services. Its AX3000-rated access point (AP) claims up to 574Mbits/sec on its 2.4GHz radio and 2,400Mbits/sec on the 5GHz one, plus it supports the Wi-Fi 6 high-performance 160MHz channels.
The Vigor 2927Lax-5G supports four SSIDs on each radio and can present a hotspot web portal for guest access with a range of authentication methods. It runs DrayTek’s Central AP Management service for automated provision of up to 20 DrayTek wireless APs and can even act as a root node in a meshed wireless network.
You’re in luck if you want plenty of VPN services as the price includes support for 50 IPsec tunnels plus 25 SSL VPNs. The router can increase IPsec VPN performance by applying hardware acceleration.
Deployment is a breeze. The web console provides quick start wizards for configuring internet access using your choice of interfaces, creating VPNs and presenting secure wireless services. The firewall has a predefined security policy applied, which can be customized with rules and filters, and you can use them to enforce app controls and web content filtering.
It didn’t take long to set up a mobile connection. We popped an EE 5G SIM in the top slot and enabled the 5G NR option in the web console’s list of internet access connections. After a brief initialization, it came online and we could view its properties from the 5G LTE status page.
Internet redundancy is configured by defining multiple WAN connections as active or backup links, where the latter is automatically brought online when the primary link fails or its traffic exceeds specific thresholds. Another option is to set all links as active and use load balancing to distribute traffic across them.
The router can also send and receive SMS messages. Alerts and status reports can be sent to specified mobile numbers, and password- or PIN-protected SMS messages used to remotely reboot it.
The hardware accelerator takes wired, wireless and 5G traffic passed to it from the firewall and content filters and bypasses the router’s CPU. It makes a huge difference to wireless performance: disabling it saw file copies between a gigabit-connected server and a Wi-Fi 7 Windows workstation average only 45MB/sec, which leapt to 112MB/sec with it enabled.
The router includes built-in hardware acceleration(Image credit: Future)
Businesses will find DrayTek’s optional Cyren web content filter preferable to the free and somewhat basic German-hosted BPjM service. It offers 83 web categories that can be blocked or allowed using up to eight profiles. A 30-day trial can be activated from the web console, with a full subscription costing just £20 a year.
SMBs and remote offices that demand always-on internet access will love the Vigor 2927Lac-5G. It doesn’t provide anti-malware services, but this affordable security router offers an unbeatable set of WAN redundancy features and adds extra value with its integral Wi-Fi 6 services.
The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) has a 10,000mAh capacity and provides 27W of wired charging power and 15W of wireless charging power. Crucially, it supports Apple’s MagSafe standard, gluing to iPhone models from the 12 series onwards while charging.
The adherence is very strong, and you can mount your device vertically or horizontally. The wireless zone is unpadded, which may concern some people, but no blemishes or scratches occurred to either the phone or the power bank during our tests.
Another nice touch is the foldable stand, which is smooth and well-built, and allows you to keep your iPhone upright while charging. If you mount your iPhone in landscape, it also makes for a good content-viewing platform, which isn't always the case for even the best power banks.
The MagGo Power Bank features Anker’s Wireless PowerIQ technology, which employs the Qi2 standard, upgraded to achieve a claimed higher efficiency when charging the best iPhones. In our tests, it charged an iPhone 13 Pro from 50% to 100% in about two hours, which means it'll fully juice your iPhone in roughly four hours. It depleted the bank’s battery to 73% in the process, which should mean you’ll get three to four charges out of it.
The MagGo Power Bank also has a USB-C port for wired charging. It took just over an hour to fully replenish a Google Pixel 7a from 50%, and again reduced the MagGo to a 73% battery level. Charging the bank itself takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes, according to our tests, which isn’t bad considering its 10,000mAh capacity.
The smart display is a useful addition, showing the power bank’s battery level and remaining running time (or, when charging the bank itself, how long it will take to reach 100%). However, this estimation isn’t the most accurate, as it’s prone to oscillating wildly to establish a time, so it’s not a figure you can fully rely on.
Appearance wise, the MagGo Power Bank looks smart and understated. The construction is sturdy, while the materials feel premium – two aspects that stand it in good stead for its longevity.
While the MagGo Power Bank may be on the thick and heavy side, it should still make a good travel companion thanks to its reliable charging abilities and convenient smart readout. Just don’t expect to carry it around in your pocket with your iPhone attached – for that, you might be better served by the Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo).
(Image credit: Future)
Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) review: price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K)?
Buy it if…
You want a digital display The MagGo Power Bank displays its battery life as a percentage, which is certainly useful, and so is the time remaining readout, despite its mercurial nature.
You want something solid The MagGo Power Bank feels incredibly sturdy all-round, from the chassis and MagSafe pad to the flip stand and screen.
Don't buy it if…
You want something light This isn’t the lightest or thinnest power bank around, so it may prove impractical to use and charge your iPhone at the same time.
You have an Android phone While you can of course charge an Android device via the USB-C port, the wireless charging only really works with MagSafe iPhones (although it’s possible a MagSafe-compatible Android case may work too).
Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) review: also consider
Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) If you want a magnetic power bank that's easy to travel with, the 621 is a better choice. It's light and thin enough to use your iPhone while it's attached, and the two together will even fit in your pocket. The varied colorway selection adds some pizazz too.View Deal
This review first appeared in issue 360 of PC Pro.
Monitors can have the fanciest features in the world, but ultimately there are four things that matter: image quality, resolution, connectivity and price. So while I’ll tell you up front that the AOC Q27B3CF2’s onscreen display is hard to navigate and its features are stripped back to a bare minimum, the key is that its 27in IPS panel delivers strong colors with accuracy, packs 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and includes a USB-C connector – all for £200.
I say strong colors, but I don’t say a wide color gamut: by modern standards 82% of the DCI-P3 color space isn’t wide. However, I’d be very happy to use this as my everyday monitor because photos and videos still look great, and its color accuracy is exceptional, with an average Delta E of 0.25. You can switch to sRGB if you want purer whites, although you will curse the aforementioned OSD while doing so.
Other monitors also go brighter than the 370cd/m2 I measured, but that’s far beyond what most people need: stick to 200cd/m2 (around 70% in the monitor’s settings) and you’ll also reduce your power demands from the maximum 27W to a more sensible 17W. A contrast ratio of around 1,600:1 adds extra punch, but what separates this monitor from £200 rivals is that 1440p resolution - which is the perfect match for a 27in diagonal.
Features are barer than a politician’s lies, but you get what matters: HDMI and USB-C ports (the latter delivers up to 65W of power), an adjustable height stand and a 100Hz refresh rate. It also supports adaptive sync and a sub-1ms response time, so gamers should find much to enjoy here. There’s even a pair of tinny speakers, but the two USB-A ports are more welcome.
The ports are tucked away at the rear, and with no swivel or pivot you won’t find them easy to access. Also, a warning to those considering buying two or three Q27B3CF2s for a multi-monitor setup, especially if they see the phrase “ultra narrow” borders on AOC’s website. They are narrow-ish, at 10mm, but that means a 20mm gap between screens if you place them side by side.
Despite this, I would be tempted to buy two or even three of these monitors at this price. For £200, the AOC Q27B3CF2 is one of 2024’s true bargains.
This review first appeared in issue 360 of PC Pro.
Most all-in-one PCs include 24in or 27in panels, but Acer is thinking big with the Aspire S32. This includes a 31.5in display, and the company doesn’t stop there: via a set of pogo pins at the rear, it bundles a veritable feast of add-ons.
The first is a plain 1080p webcam, which is more than good enough to use for video calls. Second comes a 720p camera with a ring light: tap the top and it cycles from off to full-blast white. And the third is a strip light that switches between white, yellow or a mix of the two. All of the add-ons work via USB-C, too, so you can mix and match.
Acer also bundles an enormous detachable touchpad. This can even act as a graphics tablet, so those with artistic leanings can use the bundled stylus – which clips via magnets to the side of the touchpad when not in use – to sketch. And if you use the Aspire S32 as a surrogate TV in a den or student digs then you can detach the touchpad and use it from sofa distances. I spent a very enjoyable ten minutes watching Greg Davies’ The Cleaner – the pad works like a gigantic remote, with controls for volume and brightness – from this distance until I remembered I had to actually write this review.
A giant detachable touchpad sits at the base, along with a stylus(Image credit: Future)
Audio could be improved: soundtracks lack the gusto their creators intended, and even though I pushed the volume to the maximum (with minor distortion), I would have liked more. However, the image quality is more than good enough for TV viewing and work.
It has three minor weaknesses as a PC monitor. Some might want more detail than 2,560 x 1,440 when stretched across 31.5 inches, although in practice I found its 93ppi sharpness fine even when sitting up close.
Second, color accuracy only just the right side of acceptable, with an average of 2.62. And third, its native color temperature is a yellow-tinged 5653K, so those who like crisp whites will be disappointed.
The panel has one big strength that arguably outweighs its flaws, which is color coverage. With 90% of the DCI-P3 gamut in view, even Hollywood films look good on this all-in-one, and a peak brightness of 347cd/m2 is plenty, too.
The huge 31.5in display provides superb colour coverage(Image credit: Future)
You won’t find the latest silicon inside, but I have no argument with Intel’s Core i7-1360P processor. It remains a speedy performer in everyday use, even if it doesn’t wow in benchmarks. Here, it was hampered by having 8GB of RAM rather than the 16GB you’ll find in retail units; this will also significantly boost its graphics performance. I would expect around 2,000 in 3DMark Time Spy rather than the 1,415 it returned in my tests, while Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s 15fps at 1080p would hopefully be boosted to over 25fps (at Lowest settings).
(Image credit: Future)
All the computer components are crammed into the stand, which is perhaps one reason why the height isn’t adjustable; there simply isn’t room to fit in a sliding mechanism. That means you’re stuck with the bottom of the panel sitting around 150mm above the desk and the top 550mm above desk height, which means it will tower over most people.
The other downside of cramming the electronics into the narrow stand is that things get hot. I could hear the low hum of the fan throughout my time testing this PC, growing to a loud whirr in more intense benchmarks. I had also hoped for more than one USB-C port, but with a total of four USB-A ports, an SD card slot, gigabit Ethernet and two HDMI ports (one output, one input) there’s no shortage of connectivity overall.
Wi-Fi 6E is another welcome inclusion.
One USB-A port is needed for the wireless keyboard and mouse connector, which are of precisely the quality you would expect for bundled extras. Acer is more generous with its storage, throwing in a 1TB SSD.
Despite my criticisms, I grew fond of this machine. Even when hampered by that 8GB of RAM it sped through everyday tasks, while all the extras lift it above the normal all-in-one. Then again, so does the price: at £1,499 it’s too expensive. If that price drops – and I suspect it will – then I might just be tempted to nab one for my future den.
Lenovo's ThinkPad lineup continues to impress, particularly with the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 featuring Snapdragon. I have been a fan of the ThinkPad series for years, and appreciation won't fade soon. The ThinkPad T14s is part of the T series, positioning it as a business ultrabook with enterprise features geared more towards professionals than casual users or entry-level business laptops.
We're big fans of the AMD-powered Gen 4 (see out Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 business laptop review). But how does the Gen 6 Snapdragon stack up against some of the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops? Well, this model boasts excellent ports, outstanding battery life, a fanless design, and a strong balance of power, weight, and battery performance. Additionally, it offers a decent display for business purposes. This laptop is excellent for what it's meant to be great for, and that's a good thing.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Price & availability
The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 with Snapdragon starts around $1,700 for base configurations and climbs with additional RAM and storage options. This laptop is available in North America and Europe, though there are some limitations with connectivity options for the European models. You can buy these laptops at most retail stores that sell ThinkBooks. However, another great place to look would be Lenovo's website.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Unboxing & first impressions
Unboxing this laptop was a straightforward process typical for most ThinkBooks. Inside the box, I found the computer, a 65W USB-C charger, and the standard documentation accompanying nearly every laptop. Lenovo does an excellent job with minimalist packaging, and although I cannot confirm it, they claim to use eco-friendly and recyclable materials, which aligns with their sustainability goals.
My ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 features a sleek matte black finish, a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic lid, and a magnesium alloy body. It exhibits the classic ThinkPad design, showcasing how timeless this aesthetic is. The design has endured for years, much like that of the MacBook. When a company finds a design language that works, they tend to stick with it.
The materials used are smooth to the touch yet durable enough to withstand heavy daily use. It boasts sturdy hinges and solid keys and is both lightweight and robust.
As you'd expect from any of the best business laptops, from the first boot-up, the computer starts quickly, runs smoothly, and operates effortlessly.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Design & build quality
Specs
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E78100, 12 cores RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X (onboard) Storage: 1TB SSD (non-upgradable) Display: 14-inch, FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS, 452 nits brightness Connectivity: 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack OS: Windows 11 Pro for ARM
As mentioned, the laptop is made from recycled magnesium alloy and carbon fiber. This is the classic combo that Lenovo has used for the ThinkPad lineup for quite some time. It's great, it's pretty durable, it's soft to the touch, and it's premium in look and feel. In parallel to the premium feel, this laptop is light. It weighs around 2.7 pounds, which is not the lightest laptop; even the ThinkPad X1 Carbon came under 2.5lb. However, it weighs nearly the same as the popular Apple MacBook Air.
The T14s Gen 6 also has the signature ThinkPad keyboard, TrackPoint, and Trackpad. For additional privacy, there is a physical slider to cover the camera and a dedicated key in the function row to mute the onboard microphone.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: In use
I've had the opportunity to use this laptop in my rotation for the last few weeks, and it has been one of my favorite laptops to grab. It tackles my day-to-day work easily and is a nice break from some heavier laptops I rotate. I'm convinced, much like many seem to be these days, that the 14-inch 16:9 screen is perfect on a computer. My personal daily driver is an M2 MacBook Pro, but it has a 13-inch screen because it was released just before Apple jumped to 14- and 16-inch displays. That extra inch adds so much screen real estate without adding a lot more to carry, making it an excellent no-brainer.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
The ThinkPad T14s has been more than suitable for productivity tasks. However, I wouldn't use this computer for video editing, partially because of the power this laptop has, the graphics, and the screen resolution. However, as a business laptop, as it is designed to be, this laptop excels. I can run my heavy workloads (I push my computers hard for long days, 6.5 days a week) without missing a beat; I can render file compression and run heavy project management boards, heavy Excel files, and nearly 50 Chrome tabs, all processing efficiently. I can have Jira, Notion, Excel, Basecamp, Slack, Chrome, Spotify, Asana, and more all up and running without needing to close things down, as I would potentially have to do on less powerful laptops.
My day-to-day work ranges from working at a desk at a coffee shop to roaming around hot desks and traveling. So far, I've been thrilled with this battery life. While I may not get a total of 21 hours because I run these laptops hard, as I mentioned, and usually with pretty high brightness, I quickly achieve an average and extended day of work. I can consistently get through a 12-hour day, even a 16-hour day, without needing to grab a charger. I've worked an 18-hour day and only grabbed a charger towards the end of the day so that I could start my next day topped off.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
I recently upgraded my home office Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi 6E thanks to the TP-Link XE75 Pro [review coming soon]. Though the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 can utilize up to Wi-Fi 7, getting it to work seamlessly with my Wi-Fi 6 channel has been great. Things download and upload quickly, meetings are transparent, buffering or skipping is avoided, and it's been great. Further, the fanless design, like that of a MacBook Air, is excellent. It's quiet yet keeps a stable temperature, not getting too hot even at my peak productivity.
Overall, the keyboard performed as expected. It features a compact function row at the top, which includes some additional function keys that are an excellent addition. The Trackpad is solid, although nothing compares to the Apple Trackpad. It's also important to note that this device does not have a touchscreen.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Final verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 with Snapdragon excels with its stellar battery life, reliable design, and lightweight build, making it ideal for users who prioritize mobility and connectivity. This computer is worth checking out for the average and even prosumer in the business world. It's a great combination of features and design that would be a great fit.
The Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is, so far, the largest of the new Ender-3 line, which has already impressed with the standard version. Print quality for the Creality Ender-3 V3 was impressive, and despite the increase in scale, the printer promises to offer that same performance. While the Creality Ender series has long been a favourite among hobbyists, the enhanced design of the latest range, with the full die-cast aluminium frame, touchscreen interface, and CoreXY kinematics, makes this a far more serious proposition. The impressive 300 x 300 x 330 mm build volume makes this one of the larger printers in this price range, and despite the quality, it's still aimed at the entry end of the market.
As such, one of the standard features we've become used to, a camera, is missing from the model; however, one is available at minimal cost. This makes it a great option for anyone just getting into 3D printing or looking to upgrade from an older or smaller machine. Although, if you work in an office or education setting, the open frame design, while refined, might not be ideal, however, with the remote printing, scale and price, this is definitely going to appeal to businesses wanting to print at scale on a budget.
For those looking for the best 3D printer, the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is well-suited to those who want to work on larger prints without splitting designs into multiple pieces. The fact that this scale is backed by the impressive CoreXY design, which enables print speeds of up to 600 mm/s, puts it in competition with far more expensive machines.
While the additional noise from fans and the high-speed motors could be seen as an issue, along with the larger footprint, the Ender-3 V3 Plus is an impressive machine if you're looking to scale up your 3D printing projects without a huge outlay.
Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus: Design
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The Ender-3 V3 Plus is sold as a large-scale printer with CoreXY kinematics and a solid die-cast aluminium frame that sets it apart from the previous Ender-3 ranges. Sure enough, that new frame feels far higher quality than those previous iterations and reflects the smaller Ender-3 V3, just with a couple of braces to further increase the strength of the vertical section of the printer.
At 410 x 455 x 577 mm, the V3 Plus is by no means a small machine, but for the most part, Creality has streamlined the design to minimize its actual footprint. Although, as a bed-slinger, it still requires a little more room than other configurations that we more commonly see for CoreXY setups. A nice touch for a first print in the box is the top-mounted spool holder, which again helps to reduce the machine's footprint, although a little reconfiguration is needed for the filament runout sensor, and of course, quite a bit more headroom is required.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Matching the quality of the user interface we've seen with the other Ender-3 V3 machines and the K1 series, the 4.3-inch colour touchscreen offers easy access to the printer settings, starting print jobs, and monitoring progress. This progress can also be followed using the Creality Print Software. If you prefer a more manual approach to sending your files to print, then you can transfer items from the software to the printer by means of the supplied USB stick.
Design: 4.5/5
Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus: Features
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The key feature change for the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus, compared with its predecessors, is the CoreXZ kinematics system. As with the Ender-3 V3, this is cleverly built into the bed-slinger design but enables a huge boost in the speed and accuracy. The big speed increase sees the V3 Plus able to reach print speeds of up to 600 mm/s, coupled with 20,000 mm/s² acceleration, which, considering the price point, is impressive.
The auto bed levelling system is a common and essential feature of most modern 3D printers. It is one of a few built-in features that help to circumnavigate common 3D print issues, including power loss, with the power-loss recovery function. On a small printer, losing power mid-print is annoying; on a printer of this size, losing a print after 15 hours due to a disconnection or power outage would be infuriating.
Taking a look at the tool head, and the printer is equipped with a tri-metal nozzle and a 60W hotend capable of heating up to 300°C. This enables it to support a decent variety of filaments, including PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU, giving you plenty of options for different projects. A feature of the nozzel that's worth highlighting is that it has a modular design, making it easy to swap out or upgrade. The hot end also features an improved heat break compared to previous versions, with a dual-fan cooling system designed to prevent clogs.
As we've seen with other Creality printers, the Ender-3 V3 Plus is compatible with Creality Slicer, Cura, Repetier-Host, and Simplify3D, providing plenty of options that should fit in with your workflow. The standard option is Creality Print, which is based on PRUSA Slicer, offering a huge amount of flexibility over print quality and speed. It also makes it easy to connect to wireless networks, enabling remote control, print monitoring, file uploads, and real-time print progress. As the printer doesn't ship with a camera, you can't get a live view of the print being created; however, the Nebula camera is fully compatible and easy to fit.
Another feature, the removable magnetic build plate, is a standard addition. It allows for easy print removal and reduces the risk of damaging completed prints during removal.
The V3 Plus is packed with features that will enable anyone, from home enthusiasts to small businesses, to produce larger-scale prints. It might not have some of the features you'd expect to see on more expensive machines, like an AI camera or enclosure, but if these are important to you, both can be purchased for a small additional cost.
Specs
Print Technology: FDM Build Area: 300 x 300 x 330 mm Minimum Layer Resolution: 0.1 mm Maximum Layer Resolution: 0.4 mm Dimensions: 410 x 445 x 557mm Weight: 11.5 kg Bed: Heated Print Surface: Removable magnetic build plate Software: Creality Slicer, Cura, Repetier-Host, Simplify3D Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU Print Speed: Up to 600 mm/s
The Creality Ender-3 V3 incorporates an all-metal hot end designed for high temperatures and supports materials like PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU. It heats rapidly, reaching up to 300°C in around a minute, ensuring consistent temperatures for long prints and the ability to adapt to the different flows of material. The improved nozzle design also allows for precise extrusion, while the dual-fan cooling system prevents clogging and enhances print quality. A new heat break helps to reduce heat creep, maintaining stable temperature control. This hot end is also modular, meaning the assembly is easy to upgrade and maintain.
As is now standard across almost all printers, the magnetic build plate generally makes model removal easy and reduces the risk of damaging prints. The heated bed supports a variety of materials, including PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU, expanding the versatility of the printer.
In terms of software, the Ender-3 V3 is compatible with Creality Slicer, Cura, Repetier-Host, and Simplify3D, giving you plenty of options for slicing and preparing models.
Features: 4.5/5
Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus: Performance
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Setting up the machine is a relatively fast process, with the printer coming in the usual self-assembly flat-pack packaging. As is now common, rather than assembling every component, most of the machine is pre-assembled, and it's just the last few screws that need to be inserted and tightened. From the box to switch on should take no more than 10 minutes, and the design is such that everything smoothly fits in place, with labels clearly indicating what goes where and what needs to be tightened.
One small issue that becomes apparent the more that you use the machine is the filament feed runout sensor attached to the frame. It's in an odd position, which can make it a little fiddly to initially insert and feed the filament through, especially if you have larger hands. As you use the printer, there were a couple of occasions where, as the horizontal bar raised and then lowered, the excess filament from the reel became tangled. This is easy to sort out if you're near the machine and spot it, but not so if you've wandered off.
Staying with the filament, when the printer runs out, it stops so that you can insert another reel. However, when you tap the buttons to retract the filament to extract it from the printer, it pulls in a short length to clear the nozzle before retracting. Unfortunately, the design of the extruder and feed doesn't quite give you enough filament to pull it cleanly out, meaning you either have to unclip the tube from the filament runout sensor and pull it out from there or from the top of the extruder. In both cases, there's a small extruder release switch on top of the tool head.
While this doesn't affect the print quality, it is annoying.
Moving on to print quality, the results are superb, even at scale. Despite its size, the machine is robust and rigid, and as the tool head powers around the build platform, the quality and speed of prints are excellent. During testing, we ran through four reels of filament, printed models both small and large, and filled the height of the build area to see how it would cope. Everything we threw at the printer was handled with ease, and throughout the test, there was only a single failed print, which was due to a filament change at the start of the test.
When it came to filament variety, the machine handled everything from PLA to PETG successfully, with the hotend proving to be of high enough quality and temperature to cope with more than standard materials.
Ultimately, considering the price, this printer's capabilities are impressive, and this was reflected in the benchmarking tests.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Staying with the filament, when the printer runs out, it stops so that you can insert another reel. However, when you tap the buttons to retract the filament to extract it from the printer, it pulls in a short length to clear the nozzle before retracting. Unfortunately, the design of the extruder and feed doesn't quite give you enough filament to pull it cleanly out, meaning you either have to unclip the tube from the filament runout sensor and pull it out from there or from the top of the extruder. In both cases, there's a small extruder release switch on top of the tool head.
While this doesn't affect the print quality, it is annoying.
Moving on to print quality, the results are superb, even at scale. Despite its size, the machine is robust and rigid, and as the tool head powers around the build platform, the quality and speed of prints are excellent. During testing, we ran through four reels of filament, printed models both small and large, and filled the height of the build area to see how it would cope. Everything we threw at the printer was handled with ease, and throughout the test, there was only a single failed print, which was due to a filament change at the start of the test.
When it came to filament variety, the machine handled everything from PLA to PETG successfully, with the hotend proving to be of high enough quality and temperature to cope with more than standard materials.
Ultimately, considering the price, this printer's capabilities are impressive, and this was reflected in the benchmarking tests.
Performance: 4.5 / 5
Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus: Final verdict
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Anyway, you look at it, the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is an impressive machine, both in stature and performance. The initial assembly for a machine of this size is fast and straightforward, and one person can easily assemble it without much difficulty. The side braces add to the rigidity of the machine, helping to avoid some of the flexibility that is common with larger models.
The one small issue is with the filament feed, which is slightly annoyingly positioned and can be time-consuming when swapping filaments. It's not a major issue, and the position of the filament reel, along with the runout sensor, can be moved to the top of the machine, although some issues still exist. At this size, excess filament as the tool head raises and lowers is always going to be an issue without some type of filament retraction system.
In use, the Ender-3 V3 Plus is as easy to use as its smaller sibling, with remote connectivity to the Creality Slicer software enabling you to upload and monitor the progress of your prints. The fact that you can add a camera for visual monitoring at a small additional cost further boosts its usefulness for businesses that may want the printer in a separate location from the main workspace. To that end, despite the fast CoreXY kinematics and bed-slinger design, the actual noise produced by the printer is well balanced—audible, especially the fans, but not so much that it's distracting.
For a printer of this size, and more importantly for the size of prints it enables you to produce, the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is an impressive machine, and for the price, it offers the best value out there.
Should you buy the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus?
The Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is a great choice as a 3D printer for any business or individucal looking to print large and offers a balance between affordability and performance, with features usually found on more expensive machines.
Anker has quickly become a company that I trust a lot of my gear with. Currently, Anker cleans my house, protects my home with security cameras, and powers my house -- quite literally. I have a handful of Anker Power Stations and many of the best portable power stations from Bluetti, EcoFlow, Jackery, and others. What's remarkable is that Anker has two prominent positions in my home that I rely on daily.
First up, Anker runs my whole home backup thanks to the Anker Solix Home Power Panel and Automatic Transfer Switch, along with a pair of F3800s. In the event of a power outage, I can run my entire home -- including my regular lights and outlets, fridge, laundry, dishwasher, Wi-Fi and more -- off of battery backup. Pretty cool! Additionally, I have a few other backups for heavy-use zones, such as my primary workstation. This is where the Solix C1000 comes into play - but more on that later.
Anker Solix C1000: Price and Availability
The Anker Solic C1000 usually costs around $1000; however, when writing this, I saw a deal for $579 on Anker's website. Occasionally, deals work for the power stations if you want to wait and snag a significant discount.
Anker Solix C1000: Unboxing and First Impressions
Unboxing the Solix C1000 was exciting because I was shocked at how small the entire unit was. Overall, I am impressed with how clean and compact this unit is for the power delivery it can give.
I could snag an extended battery for my C1000, so I grabbed the C1000 and attached the external battery with a single cable, adding another 1056Wh to my workstation in the backup, bringing the total to 2112Wh.
Anker includes all the cables for the power station, including the AC charging cable I use for this particular setup.
The pairing process with the Anker App was super easy as well. Plus, a huge bonus is that I can connect to this power station over Wi-Fi and control it from anywhere in the world or via Bluetooth if there is no Wi-Fi.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Anker Solix C1000: Design and Build Quality
Specs
Capacity: 1056Wh Output: 1800W (AC) Ports: Multiple AC, USB-A, USB-C, and DC ports Charging: AC, solar, and car charging compatible
The Anker Solix C1000 offers excellent ports on the front of the power station, just under where there is an integrated light bar. Under the screen lives the USB ports, two USB-A and two USB-C, one of which can reach 100w output. Additionally, there are six AC outlets on the front that I can plug gear into. The last thing worth mentioning in this section is the built-in handles. Yes, power stations can be heavy, but this one has two carry handles built into the frame of the top outside edges of the C1000 Portable Power Station.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Anker Solix C1000: In use
As mentioned above, my Anker Solix C1000 is the power station and UPS I have entrusted to run my primary workstation in my home office. And, unlike some home offices, mine is far from simple and minimal, thus drawing considerable amounts of power. Right now, my main desk supports a hot-swappable monitor (currently, my BenQ MA320U), two Thunderbolt Docks (both from Satechi), Multiple Satechi USB-C power supplies (one on either side of my desk), Three or four AC Plug power Strips mounted under my desk, My MacBook Pro, My iPad Pro, a handful of desktops I am in testing with, a handful of laptops I am testing as well, a BenQ Monitor light bar, a Govee light strip, A Govee Glide Hexa Pro on my wall, a lamp, a Google Home Hub, an Apple HomePod Original, a TP-Link Deco Wi-Fi Point, a network switch, a Mac Mini running a media server, a Synology BeeStation, a space heater, an Apple TV and ways to MagSafe Charge my iPhone 16 Pro, wireless charge my AirPods, and my Apple Watch. All of this gear (mostly) is sitting on a FlexiSpot E7 Pro Standing Desk.
It's a lot. But what's even crazier is that 95% of all of that gear is running through my desk, which, as a standing desk, I didn't want to bog down with cables hanging, so there is only one cable hanging down, which gets plugged directly into my C1000. I've tested a power outage many times, and so far, the C1000 can handle that super desk's worth of gear without even breaking a sweat.
Before this portable power station found its home inside my office at the foot of my desk powering my workstation, I was able to take this thing outside to run a pressure washer, recharge some drill batteries, power my living room lamps during an outage before I had my whole home backed up, and much more.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Anker Solix C1000: Final verdict
All around, the Anker Solix C1000 has been a lovely little Portable Power Station that I can't imagine not having in my workflow at this point. It's powerful, has a great port offering, is super easy to use in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-only environments, is expandable, and so much more. If you're looking for a portable power station, check out the Solix C1000 as a baseline at a minimum of what you should be looking for.
If you want a compact robotic vacuum cleaner, the pint-sized SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro could be just what you're looking for. Don't be put off by the diminutive design – this robot vacuum is packed with tech, from intelligent room-mapping and app control, to self-emptying and some of the quickest navigation we've ever seen.
It squeezes with confidence – and often at speed – between furniture legs, cleaning carpet inaccessible by larger robots, and the equally compact dock will appeal to those with small apartments, too. It also taps into SwitchBot’s existing smart home ecosystem, and can be controlled by voice via Alexa or Google Assistant.
However, this small robot's suction power isn't a match for bigger, pricier rivals, and the mopping function – which merely drags a disposable wet wipe across the floor – failed to impress. As with many robot vacuums, you need to watch out for high doorway thresholds, as anything over 20 mm will be a struggle for the K10+ Pro to clear consistently (although some of today's best robot vacuums don't have such an issue with this, thanks to some new and innovative engineering solutions) .
Those factors aside, this compact vacuum is still a good option for smaller, mostly carpeted homes, or for focusing on specific zones of larger properties. Install it upstairs, away from the tougher challenges of the kitchen and hallway, and your guest bedrooms will be spotless, while giving up precious little space for the robot and its dock.
That's the short version; read on for my full SwitchBot K10+ Mini Robot Vacuum review.
(Image credit: Future)
SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: price & availability
List price: $599.99 / £599.99
Launched: August 2024
Available: US / UK
The $599.99 / £599.99 K10+ Pro sits above the regular $399.99 / £399.99 K10+ in SwitchBot's lineup of mini robotic vacuum cleaners, but some way below the flagship S10, which costs $1,199.99 / £1,099.99.
It looks almost identical to the K10+ but the Pro model gains a set of useful extra features, including a PSD distance sensor for more accurate navigation, a silicon anti-tangle brush, and a 3,000Pa suction system (20 percent more powerful than the K10+). It also benefits from an antibacterial dustbag, which the regular K10+ lacks.
A price difference of $200 / £200 is fairly significant at this end of the robotic vacuum market, especially when the two robots look almost exactly the same. But pet-owners will surely be drawn to the anti-tangle brush of the Pro, along with the extra suction power.
The K10+ Pro’s price puts it roughly on par with other mid-range robotic vacuum like the Roomba Combo J5 Combo from iRobot. That model also works as a mop, but it too requires the user to manually swap the mopping attachment in and out to switch between the vacuum and mop functions. Unlike the SwitchBot and its disposable wet wipes, the Roomba has a washable and reusable (then eventually replaceable) mopping cloth.
The SwitchBot’s price falls between the Eufy Clean X8 Pro (which acts only as a vacuum with self-emptying bin), and the pricier Eufy X10 Pro Omni, which has a rotating and self-cleaning mop.
While not uncomfortably expensive, the SwitchBot K10+ Pro feels like it charges a premium for its compact size. Instead of being a smaller and therefore cheaper model, it sells its dimensions as a benefit rather than a byproduct. That’s mostly fine, but this price point causes the SwitchBot to fall between two categories of robot – ones that only vacuum, and ones that also mop. At 3,000Pa, the suction is fine but a little below what other models at this kind of price point offer.
Buyers will need to decide if they value the compact size above all else. Or, if they would rather spend less and lose the mop, or pay more for a robot that puts a greater emphasis on mopping.
Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5
SwitchBot K10+ Pro specs
SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: design
Shallow and compact design
Self-empties dust into the (also compact) dock
Unusually, the mop relies on disposable wet wipes
Based on photos alone, you might think the K10+ Pro looks like any other robotic vacuum, but when you see it in person you realize just how compact it really is. It's a circular robot with a diameter of just 9.76 in (24.8cm) – compared to 13.39 in (34cm) for the SwitchBot S1 Plus – and a height, including the top-mounted radar, of 3.62 in (9.2cm). These diminutive dimensions help the SwitchBot drive between and under furniture in ways larger robots cannot.
(Image credit: Future)
The docking station and dust bin is also smaller than most of its rivals. It's so compact, SwitchBot suggests you could even tuck it under a chair. The all-round diminutive size makes the K10+ Pro ideal for smaller homes, or even as a second robotic vacuum tasked with cleaning lesser-used parts of a larger home, such as the spare bedrooms or office.
The robot itself has a radar on top, plus sensors on its front and side, and a cliff sensor underneath, to help navigate without crashing, getting stuck or falling down the stairs. There are just two buttons on the robot, for powering it on or off and telling it to go back to its charger. Every other function is controlled by the SwitchBot smartphone app, which is free for iOS and Android.
(Image credit: Future)
The top cover is secured by magnets, and when removed reveals a power switch that's only needed during the initial setup process, and the dust bin. The bin's filter is easy to remove and clean, and handily the smartphone app notifies you when the bin has been removed or replaced.
Turn the K10+ Pro over and you'll find a spinning side brush for flicking dust and dirt out from corners of the room, and a rotating anti-tangle brush made from rubber. During my month of testing the brush didn't once get tangled up, although a fair bit of hair collected at either side. Thankfully this doesn't restrict its movement, and is easy to extricate by removing the roller and snipping at the hair with some scissors.
The robot comes with a mopping attachment, which is fitted manually to its underside and, rather unusually, uses wet wipes instead of a washable pad or cloth. SwitchBot says this is an improvement over robotic vacuum cleaners that use washable towels for their mops, since it employs a clean wipe every time. I can see the logic here, but fitting a new disposal wipe after every mop seems wasteful.
Either way, the K10+ Pro won’t give your hard floors a particularly deep clean, since the wipes are simply dragged over the surface with no real pressure behind them. If you need a mopping robot, I'd recommend upping your budget if possible and going for a model with a mechanical spinning mop, like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni or Eufy Omni S1 Pro.
(Image credit: Future)
Back to the K10+ Pro, and the compact charge station houses a generous 4-liter dust bag that should last for months before it needs taking out and replacing. The robot automatically empties into the dustbag when its own bin gets full (at a brief but rather loud 83dB), but there's no water supply for the mop, since it uses wet wipes instead.
Although compact, the top-opening charge dock is plenty large enough to house a spare dust bag and filter, plus a pack of wet wipes and a brush for detangling the robot – all of which is included in the box. It makes for a handy way of storing everything associated with the K10+ Pro, instead of inevitably losing its various components in a cupboard elsewhere.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: performance
Quiet, with moderate suction power
Mop function is not worth the effort
Good but not infallible navigation
Before I conducted a set of controlled tests with the K10+ Pro, I set it up and simply used it as my vacuum cleaner. The setup process is quick and easy. Just download the SwitchBot app, follow the instructions to connect the robot to your Wi-Fi network (this step failed at first, then worked fine when I tried again), and let it map your home.
I used the app to name each room and adjust the room boundaries slightly. The robot did a decent job of working out where room thresholds were, but got a bit confused by a hallway connecting the kitchen, bathroom, lounge and bedroom. A couple of minutes of tinkering in the app, and the map was perfect.
I was particularly impressed by how it confidently drove under a bathroom cupboard with less than 0.4 in (1cm) of clearance without even a moment of hesitation. I also liked how it could drive itself between the three legs of a table I have next to my sofa. Other, larger robots can't fit through here, or between the legs of my office chair, so the floor between the legs is always missed. Not so with the smaller SwitchBot.
However, while its navigation is mostly very good – and it really is capable of getting to places larger vacuums can't – it repeatedly drove at full speed into a fireplace hearth. This made me question the SwitchBot's intelligence, but I saw no other collisions during the mapping and cleaning process.
(Image credit: Future)
The K10+ Pro is quite good at driving over high thresholds, which have been a problem for much more expensive robotic vacuums in the past, like the Eufy S1 Pro. The SwitchBot sometimes had to back up and try a different angle, but it very rarely failed to clamber over what is a rather high threshold between my hallway and kitchen.
The same gung-ho approach couldn't be replicated in the lounge, however, where it repeatedly got stuck in a thick rug. I had to mark this area as a no-go zone in the app, which was disappointing but hardly a surprise. Only one robot that I've tested, the Eufy X10 Pro, has so far managed to successfully wade through the rug without calling for help.
As with other robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro can be configured to clean each area once or twice, and there are four suction modes to pick from, called Quiet, Standard, Strong and Max. Via the app you can create a room-by-room cleaning plan, with the ability to set a suction strength and cleaning time (once or twice) for each room, before you set the robot on its merry way. It automatically increases suction power when driving from a hard floor to carpet, but doesn’t ramp up the power specifically when there’s more debris to tackle, as some more advanced robovacs can.
For everyday cleaning the K10+ Pro performed well. The app is easy to use and it takes just a couple of taps to tell the robot to clean a specific area, a certain room or the entire floor. It's also easy to create a schedule, which is where robots like these work best. Configure it to clean high-traffic rooms frequently, and this little-and-often approach will keep your floors looking their best. Alternatively, I can see a compact robot like this being perfect for giving your spare bedrooms a weekly clean, or even taking charge of the entire upstairs, while you use a conventional vacuum in the kitchen, hallway and lounge.
Time for the more specific tests. This involves using a mix of oats and flour on hard floors and carpet, then seeing how the robot performs as we cycle through all of suction strengths and cleaning modes.
(Image credit: Future)
Quiet mode is fine for a light, frequently vacuum of low-traffic areas, and at just 64 dB it is remarkably quiet. It'll pick up larger debris like oats, but as with other robotic vacuums the K10+ Pro tends to flick everything around on its first pass, rather than pick it all up. You really need to set the vacuum to pass every area twice. That way debris gets flicked around a bit initially, but is mostly collected on the second pass.
Cranking the power setting up to Max increases the volume to 70 dB, and there's a noticeable difference in suction power. More debris is picked up on the first pass, then almost everything else is picked up the second time around. That said, the K10+ Pro still isn't as powerful as some pricier rivals, since it offers just 3,000 Pa of suction, compared to 5,000 Pa or even 8,000 Pa for more expensive options from the likes of iRobot and Eufy. Even on maximum power it failed to suck up flour from the shallow grooves between floorboards, and had a habit of leaving arcs of flour on the floor every time it turned around.
It performed similarly on carpet, where maximum strength wasn't quite enough to pull every bit of flour out of the floor. During this test I also found it failed to clear a circa-2cm threshold between the exposed floorboards of the hallway and the bedroom carpet. This is a common stumbling point for robotic cleaners of all prices, and despite trying for several minutes, the SwitchBot eventually failed to climb onto the carpet and called for help via the app. You'll need to bear this in mind if you're shopping for a robot vacuum, since very few manage this journey from floorboards to carpet reliably.
(Image credit: Future)
The K10+ Pro is one of the quickest robotic vacuums I've ever reviewed, driving faster than most others when it has the space to do so. I reckon it would easily clear the challenging thresholds if it gave itself a run-up, but SwitchBot doesn't seem to have programmed it to do so. One for a future software update, perhaps – just so long as it can reliably distinguish between a tricky threshold and a staircase.
Generally, and thresholds aside, the K10+ Pro does a decent job of navigating between rooms. However it will occasionally drive straight into objects, like chair legs and door frames, and do so repeatedly, as if feeling instead of seeing its way around, until a clear path is discovered. Its behavior sometimes reminded me of older, less intelligent robotic vacuums. It's unlikely to damage anything, but this headbutting approach makes the robot seem less smarter than it claims to be.
As is often the case with robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro is good at light, frequent cleaning, but struggles to pick up absolutely everything when tasked with fixing a specific problem, like the spilled cup of oats and flour used in our tests. The debris left behind was completely removed by a regular handheld vacuum in a matter of seconds.
(Image credit: Future)
Moving to the mopping function, and this is really more of a quick wipe than a thorough scrub. More expensive robots have motorized mops that spin and push down onto the floor with real force, but here it's just a case of fitting an included wet wipe and telling the robot to get to work. I like how the wipe holder stores neatly inside the charging dock, but fitting a fresh wipe each time is a bit of a pain.
Attaching the mop switches the robot from vacuum to mopping mode, but this is very much a manual process. You have to fit the mopping attachment (which covers the rotating rubber brush) and tell it to go mop a specific room or area, then detach it to turn the robot back into a vacuum cleaner. The rotating side brush operates in both modes.
While handy for a quick wipe, the mop isn't capable of lifting any serious stains. In fact, it failed to fully remove some freshly split hot sauce from the kitchen floor, despite passing twice over the liquid. The wipe became dirty, so it had clearly done something, but this is really no more than a very light clean. A pack of 30 wipes is included in the box, each with a couple of holes for fixing to the mop attachment, but I can't see many owners buying another pack when they run out.
Performance score: 3.5 out of 5
SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: app
Easy to use
Lots of functionality
Apple Home requires additional hub
This robot uses the same app as other devices made by SwitchBot, which is handy if you want to build out your smart home with the company's devices, like door locks, motorized window blinds, security cameras and the Bot from which the firm gets its name.
You'll need to buy a SwitchBot Hub for some of these, but the vacuum works fine on its own – although you will need that hub if you intend to control it from Apple Home via the Matter wireless standard. Incidentally, voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant works without the hub.
The setup process is quick and easy, with the robot mapping your home on its first exploratory outing. You can then use the app to split the map into rooms and name them accordingly. With that set, you can ask the robot to go clean a specific room, or create a cleaning plan where a different suction setting is used for each room. It's also possible to draw no-go zones (such as a thick rug that the robot will get stuck in), or draw a specific area you want cleaning.
These are all common features across various robotic vacuums. There's nothing that really makes the SwitchBot app stand out from the crowd, but it's nice to see how the ‘Mini' name doesn't mean it's lacking in features.
App score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the SwitchBot K10+ Pro?
Buy it if...
You're tight for space
This robot is much smaller than many of its rivals. This means it can be tucked away more neatly, but also that it can drive into tight spaces inaccessible by others, producing a more thorough clean – especially between furniture legs.
You plan to buy more SwitchBot devices
SwitchBot makes a wide range of smart home devices, all of which can be controlled from the same app as the robotic vacuum. You'll need the company's hub to get the most out of it, but the products can create a nice little home automation system.
You're happy to mop manually
This robot's mopping function is perfunctory at best, so only consider it if your priority is vacuuming.
Don't buy it if...
You need a good mop
The mopping function of this robot is little more than a wet wipe. You're best doing the mopping yourself, or picking a robot better-suited to the job, like one with powered rotating mops.
You want massive suction power
This robot is great for light, frequent cleans, but it lacks the suction power of larger rivals. We found it struggled to lift flour out from a wooden floor, so if it's outright power you need, we suggest you look elsewhere (and possibly also up your budget).View Deal
You have high doorway thresholds
Like some other robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro struggles to clamber up from a hallway with exposed floorboards to the higher carpet of the next room. It just can't climb over doorway thresholds with confidence, so if you have lots of those we suggest you give this model a pass.
How I tested the SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro
I set up the K10+ Pro and used it as my only vacuum for a couple of weeks before starting the review. I then carried out a range of specific cleaning tasks to assess its mapping, navigation, suction and mopping abilities.
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus Graphics: Adreno X1 RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD Rear Ports: 2 x USB-C 4.0, microSD reader Front Ports: None Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Audio: Dual speakers, average quality Camera: Rear 13MP, Front 5MP Size: 297.5 x 202.9 x 9.4 mm, 0.85 kg OS installed: Windows 11 Home Copilot+ Accessories: Keyboard cover, Asus Pen 2.0 stylus
The Asus ProArt PZ13 complements the two ProArt laptops from Asus and, of the three, is the one that raises the most interest. It's essentially a tablet and laptop in one and is not only packed with AI processing power but also features a DCI-P3 colour gamut 13.3-inch OLED screen that will instantly appeal to creatives.
However, while this machine runs on Windows 11 Home, it's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus, which is partnered with Adreno X1 graphics. That combination produces a performance that excels in many tasks, especially with Adobe and creative apps, which for the most part it handle absolute ease. However, with some apps, including our 3DMark and PCMark benchmarking software as well as many games, they refused to run.
Through testing, many aspects made this machine stand out, and it truly is a viable alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, offering excellent battery life and a lightweight but ultimately robust build. General performance across Adobe apps such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro was excellent, even without the full compatibility for Premiere Pro, with high-resolution images from the Sony A7 IV and Canon EOS R5 C being handled easily. The touchscreen and stylus, with all those points of sensitivity, made working directly on the images a fluid process. Likewise, editing 4K video, with a little storage capacity boost from a Samsung T5 EVO 8TB, was equally smooth, even if the edits for the particular piece were relatively simple.
It's worth noting, that Premiere Pro isn't 100% compatible as with several other apps, and as you start to install further apps and games, the limitations of the ARM processor become apparent. So, not yet the best video editing laptop option, even with the broad color space coverage - although during installation of Premiere Pro, for example, there is a note that Adobe is working on the ARM version of the software. Until then, the Intel version will be used. In reality, most jobs run smoothly enough, but as the processing power demands increase or more graphically demanding tasks are applied, the machine does, at present, start to struggle.
Likewise, when it came to gaming, things weren't so smooth, as quite a few of the games refused to load at all since they were designed for different processing architectures. So, while this tablet has power and puts in impressive performance, at present, there are some compatibility issues.
Asus ProArt PZ13: Price & availability
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Priced at around $1,099.99, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is available through retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and the Asus website.
Price: 4/5
Asus ProArt PZ13: Design & build
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The ProArt PZ13 is designed as a two-in-one machine, so that you can use it as a creative tablet or laptop. As such, it comes with a removable keyboard, which is sleek and slim and doubles as a protective case and stand, although the link between the keyboard and monitor free moving so unlike a laptop won't support itself. This essentially means that on a table you can open it up like a laptop of the stand will support the monitor, however, on a lap that support is a little more tricky although not impossible.
One standout feature especially it you're working out in the field is that the PZ13 is IP52-rated, meaning it's dust-resistant and splash-proof, as well as being far more durable than your average tablet or laptop. This is something Asus has emphasised across its full line of ProArt laptops, and sure enough, in use, the ProArt has travelled through a variety of photo and video shoots, as well as delivering workshops and lectures, and not always in the most computer-friendly environments, where it proved to be an excellent, robust choice.
When it comes to size and weight, the PZ13 is slim and well weighted, measuring 29.75 x 20.29 x 0.90 cm and weighing just 850g. As you'd expect for a tablet, there's also a stylus, and if you want to remove the keyboard for a more slimline machine, it's quickly detached from the base. The case, of which the keyboard is part, further enhances the design with a green finish and a kickstand that enables you to prop up the screen when used as a laptop, although it's not ideal when supported on a lap.
A clever feature of the design is that the magnetic keyboard can be detached, rotated 180 degrees, and folded under the screen where it holds in place. This means that the keys are against the screen rather than facing down, offering a far more comfortable feel to the tablet compared with other devices.
The overall design and build is excellent, with a high-quality feel throughout the usage and design of the machine. Connecting to external devices is also quick and easy using one of the two USB4 ports, one of which can be used as the power in. There are also the usual array of wireless connection options including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
The 13.3-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio screen is fully touch responsive and also features stylus support. The screen-to-body ratio is 87% so essentially covers most of the front of the tablet when used with the stylus which provides one of the most responsive and natural-feeling digital work surfaces available. What really stands out about the screen, aside from the 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, is the surface itself. While glossy, reflections are well managed, and the viewing angle is superb, making it easy to adjust and enhance images directly on the screen.
When it comes to physical ports, again, the PZ13 is tailored to creative users, and while there are only a couple of options with two USB4 ports and an SD Express 7.0 slot if you're on the move then this should for the most part suffice. One of those USB4 ports is used for the power, although it can also be used for accessories and storage when not connected to power. These ports can be used to maximise transfer speeds to the machine and ensure that when dealing with high-resolution video stored on an external device, the speed of transfer is fast enough to keep up with the pace of the application—specifically, Premiere Pro in this test.
Overall, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is one of the sleekest tablet/laptops available. The size and connectivity options, touch screen and USB4 ports when coupled with the full version of Windows, make this an excellent choice in terms of design for creative users.
Design: 4.5/5
Asus ProArt PZ13: Features
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The big features of the ProArt PZ13, aside from the large 13.3-inch OLED touch display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution, include its two-in-one design and integration with AI toolsets and CoPilot.
As a tablet, the computing power delivered by the Snapdragon X Plus chip, while not as powerful as Intel or AMD alternatives, provides solid AI-enhanced performance, especially for creative apps that support this technology.
The ProArt PZ13 is equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus X1P 42 100 Processor (3.4GHz, 30MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz, 8 cores, 8 threads) alongside the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which offers up to 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) and supports AI processing. Graphics are handled by a Qualcomm Adreno GPU, which is relatively untested with larger creative apps, but despite the lack of full support, especially for Premiere Pro the tablet still delivered an impressive performance during testing.
Due to its tablet design, the RAM and ROM are fixed, with 16GB LPDDR5X on board and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. However, as we did in this test you can utilise the USB4 ports to boost the storage at up to 40Gbps.
One of the standout software features enhanced by artificial intelligence is the Asus suite of AI-powered workflow apps, and these are accessible through the ProArt Creator Hub. This suite includes applications such as the AI-powered StoryCube, which utilises the machine's AI capabilities to help organise media files.
Alongside the apps, the Creator Hub enables you to manage system resources. If an application requires more allocated processing power than others, the Hub lets you assign resources as needed. It also provides an overview of hardware performance, such as heat levels and usage, and allows you to switch between modes depending on whether you need longer battery life or full power.
For creative users the Hub also gives you quick control over various display settings, including colour gamut adjustments. This feature enables you to quickly switching between modes such as standard, vivid colours, sRGB for web content, DCI-P3 for cinematic tones, and Display P3 for photography.
When you combine these display modes with Asus 2.0 stylus support, you get a highly natural way of interacting with the screen and pen strokes, making the PZ13 ideal for both photographic and art-based work.
As for power, the PZ13 comes with a 65W power supply but is also compatible with most PD power banks and stations. During testing, it was paired with a Bluetti AC60 and charged in the field via USB Type-C. Internally, it houses a 70WHrs, 3S1P, 3-cell Li-ion battery, which offers a surprising amount of battery life, considering the tasks the tablet was used for.
Features: 4/5
Asus ProArt PZ13: Performance
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks
Crystal Disk Read: 5130.53MB/s Crystal Disk Write: 4883.76MB/s GeekBench CPU Single: 10746 GeekBench CPU Multi: 2294 GeekBench Compute: 10073 PC Mark: n/a CineBench CPU Multi: 5494 CineBench CPU Single: 1065 Fire Strike Overall: 906 Fire Strike Graphics: 860 Fire Strike Physics: 13589 Fire Strike Combined: 455 Time Spy Overall: n/a Time Spy Graphics: n/a Time Spy CPU: n/a Wild Life: 11377 Windows Experience: n/a
The ProArt PZ13 is by no means the first two-in-one tablet in this price range, but considering the competition, it packs a surprising amount of processing power for the price.
From the outset, it's worth noting that there are some compatibility issues with certain applications. For instance, Adobe Premiere Pro on installation shows a message indicating that it hasn't been programmed for use with the ARM processor. However, the Intel version of the application can still be used.
In practice, through the test Premiere Pro worked without issue, handling files from the Sony A7 IV, and delivering an impressive performance, capable of editing and grading FHD and 4K video footage with relative ease.
That said, some games present challenges. For example, Hogwarts Legacy refused to load beyond a certain point just going to a black screen, and many other games experienced similar issues, although some did play without issue. So, if you're considering this device for gaming, it might be best to wait until full support arrives for the CPU and GPU, those games that do play, play smoothly. However, for video streaming and playback, the speed of the machine is clearly evident.
In regular use, the PZ13 performs exceptionally well. For tasks like Google Docs and web browsing, the laptop ran for a full working day—well over 10 hours with some breaks—without needing a charge. With more power-intensive applications such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro, the battery life dropped more swiftly. However, it still managed a solid 4-6 hours, again factoring in breaks during working sessions.
While the PZ13 generally feels like using any other high-powered PC laptop or tablet, you may occasionally notice that some applications, particularly games, won't load. Overall, the performance of this two-in-one is exceptional with the high quality screen, along with the robust yet stylish design making it a great option if you're looking for an on-the-go solution.
Performance: 4/5
Should you buy the Asus ProArt PZ13?
The Asus ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 design is an ideal option for creative professionals, but it does have its limitations. The incredible touch screen and its pressure point sensitivity, along with tablet-to-laptop flexibility and AI-powered features, make it perfect for artists, photographers, videographers, and content creators who need a lightweight computer. However, its ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus processor does create compatibility issues with certain applications, especially those that demand high processing power or still need to be optimised for ARM architecture.
All things considered, this is a great machine that balances battery life, features, and power. As long as gaming isn't high on your priorities and creative applications such as the Adobe suite are, then this is a perfect choice.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Buy it if...
Portability is a priority
If you need a lightweight, versatile device with a long battery life for creative work on the move, the ProArt PZ13 excels. It's perfect for those who travel frequently or require a compact yet powerful setup for fieldwork.
It would help if you had a colour-accurate display
The OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 support makes it an excellent choice for photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. Its vibrant and accurate colour reproduction is ideal for creatives working with visual content.
Don't buy it if...
It would help if you had extensive port options
With only two USB-C ports and a microSD slot, connectivity may be limited without the use of external hubs or dongles. If you rely heavily on multiple peripherals or wired connections, this could be a drawback.
You rely on heavy-duty apps
The ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus chip might struggle with more demanding software that isn't optimised for ARM architecture. If your workflow involves power-hungry apps or games, this limitation may affect performance.
If you’re looking to try a sit-stand desk without investing in a full electric tabletop, look no further; the Yo-Yo Desk 90 is a fantastic split-level desk converter that will get you started on your quest to increase your time spent standing.
With this clever, 15-height standing desk converter, any desk can be transformed into a standing desk, provided it’s sturdy and large enough to house it. Luckily, it comes in three sizes; the Yo-Yo desk converter 80, 90 and 120, with the numbers correlating to the width of the surface. For this review, I tested the Yo-Yo Desk 90.
Made from engineered wood with aluminium, the Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter is a robust unit of a standing desk converter, available in both black and white colorways.
In itself, it weighs 20kg, but it can support up to 15kg, meaning your laptop, monitor and a few other peripherals can safely stand upon its 89cm x 59cm top surface and 89cm x 32cm keyboard tray. The main worktop lifts from 15cm to 35cm high, and the keyboard from 0 - 35cm, offering a good range of height for most people - though if you’re on the taller side (and if you also want to use a standing mat) it will be a little on the low side.
For what it is and for its build quality, I’m pretty happy with the price of the Yo-Yo desk 90 desk converter. At £329.95 (£199.95 / £379.95 in its smaller and larger configurations, respectively), it’s a darn sight cheaper than a full standing desk, but of course you lose some of the height potential and electronic features. There are regular discounts, too, so watch out for those to save a little extra.
With its smooth-action gas spring, the Yo-Yo Desk 90 offers 15 adjustable heights, and allows you to swiftly and safely switch from sitting to standing in seconds using easy-press levers on each side.
Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Shipping & unboxing
Arriving in just one box, the Yo-Yo Desk 90 is impressively easy to set up - though you’ll need two people to lift its 20kg frame out of its packaging and onto a desk. Inside, you’ll find the main frame and the unattached keyboard tray, two keyboard tray brackets, eight screws and a Philips Screwdriver.
Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Assembly
Once unboxed, it’s as simple as attaching the side cap to the connecting arm, using the provided screwdriver to affix the keyboard tray brackets to the tray and then hang the tray brackets on the rotating bracket holders before tightening everything up.
Yo-Yo advertises that this takes only five minutes, and I’m sure that’s true if you know exactly what you’re doing, perhaps having installed a Yo-Yo Desk before - but for me, it took about 10 minutes.
Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: First impressions
(Image credit: Yo-Yo )
When I first saw the fully built Yo-Yo Desk 90 on my workstation, I was pretty happy with the results. Sure, it’s not exactly a looker, but it does offer plenty of real estate and impressively smooth motion. It takes a little while to get used to the controls, for some reason - it feels almost as though you really want to crank the levers, but the gas canisters do their job well of smoothly and effortlessly switching between the tabletop and standing configuration.
Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Design
The Yo-Yo Desk 90 is a split-level sit-to-stand desk, meaning it offers a keyboard and mouse tray as well as a higher surface for your monitor and any other peripherals - it supports clamp-mounted monitor arms, too - meaning you’ll have no trouble filling its 89cm x 59cm top surface and 89cm x 32cm keyboard tray.
While its overall look is very functional, it’s well thought-through; the extra depth squeezed into the keyboard tray where the frame cuts into the way the unit compresses in such a way that the keyboard doesn’t need to be repositioned every time.
There are a few drawbacks to note. A big one for me is that, especially with these mechanical controls, I’d have liked to see a cable port in the rear of the worktop to keep cables tidy and clear of the mechanisms. I also found the keyboard tray regularly falls off, becoming unhinged from its hooks as the day goes on. It’s not the end of the world if you’re only placing your keyboard and mouse on there, but I wouldn’t load it up with anything that can be spilled or broken too easily just in case.
Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Performance
(Image credit: Yo-Yo )
The Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter is wonderfully easy to adjust, smoothly transitioning between its 15 height settings with minimal effort - though you’ll need to keep an eye out for loose cables that might get caught during use. It’s whisper-quiet, too, meaning it won’t disturb your colleagues.
It does wobble ever so slightly, but I could say that for many a desk I’ve worked on over the years, and of course that also comes down to the surface it’s standing upon.
Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Accessories
While Yo-Yo doesn’t offer any accessories that can be integrated into the desk, there are a number of add-ons available, from office chairs to monitor arms and other peripherals.
If you already have a tabletop you like, or don’t want to invest in a full standing desk setup, the Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter is a fantastic option that will meet most people’s needs.
Granted, it’s a bulky alternative, and if you really value the feng shui of your deskspace you might find it a little too makeshift for your needs, but its range of heights, sturdy frame and smooth adjustment system work effectively. It’s a shame about the keyboard tray, and that this issue seems to be problematic for a fair few customers, but if you don’t mind the mild inconvenience of re-hooking it once or twice a day, it’s not the end of the world.
Overall, it’s a great product, and it’s a mainstay for many offices for a reason.
