The iKier K1 Pro Max offers power, features, and desirability and ranks at the top among open-frame laser cutters and engravers. The design is straightforward, with a square frame featuring the mounted tool head that travels through the X and Y axes, enabling the cutting or engraving process. Many features distinguish this laser engraver in a crowded market, foremost the size of the machine, which at just less than a square meter requires serious consideration regarding space. 

Then there's the power of the laser, with options for 24W or 48W, selectable via a switch on the side. With that power comes a wealth of accessories that can be quickly swapped in and out to extend and adapt the materials and function of the machine. The engineers at iKier have really focused on the functionality of the iKier K1 Pro Max, and while it is straightforward, it shouldn't be the first choice for those new to laser engraving. 

The iKier K1 Pro Max 24/48W is one of the best laser engravers for enthusiasts who want to push the boundaries of what is possible with the technology and already have some experience with this type of system and the software needed to operate it.

iKier K1 Pro Max 48W: Design

The iKier K1 Pro Max 24W/48W is one of the most powerful open-frame laser engravers on the market. While the prospect of having such a powerful machine is slightly daunting, the company does offer an enclosure that can be purchased alongside the machine, which is really an absolute must. 

What instantly appeals about the iKier K1 Pro Max 24W/48W is its modularity - you can start with the basic machine and then upgrade as funds allow, adding the enclosure, extractor, air blower, rotary tool, and other accessories. The vast array of additions you can add to the engraver means you can tailor the machine to your specific needs.

In terms of construction, there's not much to do, with the main frame pre-assembled and the X-Axis also assembled and placed on top. The setup involves removing the X-Axis's top cover to bolt it to the frame, attaching the monitor, cables, and air compressor, and then being done.

A couple of aspects of this design that stand out are the autofocus laser and the air compressor that connects directly to the head, which all aid in the ease of use.

The base unit's design, which we'll focus on in this review, is far more solid than most other open-frame laser engravers out there. While the styling is slightly industrial rather than refined, the build quality and construction are excellent.

Finally, files from your selected software can be loaded either directly from a computer or by USB key.

iKier K1 Pro Max 48W: Features

The standout feature of the iKier K1 Pro Max is its innovative 48W/24W laser power switching, achieved through a mechanical switch on the side. This allows quick alternation between high-power cutting (48W) and precise engraving (24W), with the 24W mode being specifically designed for finer, more detailed engraving work, ensuring optimal precision with a smaller laser spot size.

The machine's engraving speed, capable of reaching up to 900mm/s, makes it faster than much of the competition at the time of writing. This speed enhancement is attributed to several key design features, notably the power of the engraver and the design of the air blower that connects to the tool head.

Autofocus with laser engravers often requires time to perfect, but it's made easy here with the motorised Z-axis, eliminating the need for manual focusing. This feature automatically adjusts focus by measuring the distance to the object, ensuring consistent and accurate engraving or cutting depths across various materials.

Another noteworthy feature of the K1 Pro Max is the integration of automatic sinking-cutting technology. This technology increases the maximum cutting depth by 25% compared to other machines of similar power, ensuring deeper and cleaner cuts and enhancing the overall quality of the finished product.

Unique to iKier is the resume engraving feature, similar to those found in 3D printers, allowing the machine to remember its place in the event of a power failure, thus reducing material waste and avoiding the need to restart the job from scratch.

Safety and ease of use are paramount, evidenced by the automatic air assist function that regulates airflow during the transition from engraving to cutting and the machine's infrared positioning, which uses infrared rays to locate and align materials for engraving precisely.

Further enhancing its safety features, the K1 Pro Max includes flame detection systems that alert users and halt operations if a flame is detected, as well as a child safety lock to prevent unintended activation. Additionally, an enclosure is available for separate purchase.

Air quality during operation is a key consideration for many, especially in an educational or office setting; the S1 addresses this with a smoke exhaust system and optional air purifier. The xTool Creative Space software provides a seamless, user-friendly experience, and if you need more features, the S1 is also compatible with Lightburn.

Despite its large capacity, the S1 is lightweight enough to be handled by one person, so it is easy enough to move when needed and fits comfortably on a desktop, although it will occupy most of the space. The optional Air Purifier, designed to sit under the desk, complements the machine well, ensuring clean air without occupying additional space.

iKier K1 Pro Max 48W: Performance

During the test, I used Lightburn software for laser engravers, a common and widely used option alongside LaserGRBL, both of which are easy enough to use and set up. With the K1 Pro Max, once connected, the machine is recognised, and then it's just a matter of configuring a few additional options in the software. One of the first tasks was to assign a macro to the AutoFocus in the console. Instructions for this and other settings are found in the manual, though some prior knowledge is beneficial.

Once set up, you can place your material under the machine and tap the macro button you've just set up, causing the tool head to activate and test the surface of the material for height. For soft materials, this process needs to be done manually, and a fixed focus block can be used.

The next stage is to set the laser offset, which is done by using the pointer to mark the cross, switching on the laser to mark a point, and then measuring the distance between the two points. This information is then entered into the Device settings and the pointer offset. A less common option is to enable the Z-axis and set the Air Assist to M8; once done, the cutting and engraving can start.

The power of the machine was instantly apparent in the initial tests with the test files. Using some 6mm MDF off-cuts, the laser showed that at 17mm/s at 85% power with two passes, it could make a clean cut, with 100% power being the preferred setting. Likewise, switching to engraving at 300mm/s with one pass at 30% power yielded excellent results.

Testing with various materials, the accuracy and precision of the cutting and engraving really stand out. Both cutting and engraving benefit from the autofocus feature, which quickly determines the optimal height for the laser, speeding up the entire process. The air blower seems to boost the quality of the cut and engrave.

Like most engravers, the air compressor sits next to the machine. It blows air through a tube into the tool head, where it's directed at the cutting surface to clear away unwanted fumes, smoke, debris, and particles. The blower is as powerful as the laser, blasting any obstructions from the laser beam's path to ensure a clear route to the material.

The result of the laser's power, the autofocus, and the blower is an exceptional quality of cut or engrave on the woods and plastics used during the test.

Regarding the speed and quality of the cut, this laser engraver is one of the best I've used and certainly among the most powerful.

iKier K1 Pro Max 48W: Final verdict

The price of the iKier K1 Pro Max 24/48W may place it out of the range for many beginners in laser engraving, which is actually beneficial. For those just starting, a smaller, less powerful, and fully enclosed machine would be more appropriate, and there are excellent options available, such as the Wainlux K8, which I highly recommend.

This machine targets enthusiasts with some experience. Although it is easy to use, its space and power should not be underestimated. While this review focuses on the base machine, investing in the enclosure is advisable.

Despite its industrial aesthetics, which may not appeal to everyone, the iKier K1 Pro Max 24/48W is one of the best machines on the market. It is robust and has a lot to offer, notably its power, cutting accuracy, and quality. Additionally, the vast array of accessories allows users to customise the laser engraver to their needs, providing flexibility in use and workflow.

The iKier K1 Pro Max 24/48W is an excellent choice for those ready to upgrade from a smaller or less powerful machine. Its cutting power is impressive, and it is capable of slicing through 18mm pine and 12mm ply in a single pass with remarkable accuracy and a clean finish.

While this machine does not come with an enclosure, one can be purchased separately, offering a solution to those who prefer an all-in-one finish. However, compared to machines like the XTool S1 or WeCreat Vision, the iKier K1 Pro Max offers a more powerful laser and greater flexibility with accessories. If the open-frame design suits your workflow, the iKier K1 Pro Max 24/48W is among the best in this style of machine.

Should you buy the iKier K1 Pro Max 48W?

This machine will appeal to those who have prior experience with laser engravers and know how to handle more powerful machines and everything that comes with their use. The base machine we've looked at does require additions, but in its own right, as it arrived in the box, there's everything you need to get started.

The cutting quality will suit anyone who wants fine quality and accuracy on a large scale. It also seems perfectly positioned for modellers who like the hands-on approach but, again, need that flexibility with a machine that you just don't get with fully enclosed environments.

For crafters, the machine also works well, with compatibility with multiple materials, although it needs to be clarified which ones are common. The fact that it doesn't ship with a built-in camera will be an issue for some, but this is the beauty of this machine: there is one available. Its use and connection are simple, but its design sees it positioned above the machine with a bird's-eye view of the workspace. This is an addition well worth considering if positioning accuracy on materials is important. However, fully enclosed systems have a more connected approach, whereas this camera is optional.

Ultimately, if you like to tinker, expand, and want the best laser engraver for pure flexibility and expansion, then the iKier K1 Pro Max 24/48W is it.

Buy if...

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We reviewed the best 3D printers - and these are our top picks

Having a solid online presence has become essential for businesses to succeed. One effective way to achieve that is using search engine optimization (SEO) tools that help your website appear higher in search engine results, particularly on Google. 

SurferSEO is a cloud-based tool designed to assist digital marketers, SEO experts, and content creators in optimizing their content and improve their search engine rankings. It uses data-driven analysis to provide valuable insights and recommendations that align content strategies with SEO best practices. In this article, you will learn more about SurferSEO and determine whether it could be the right solution for your business.

• Interested in SurferSEO? Check out the SurferSEO website.

Features

SurferSEO enables you to analyze your content and make necessary tweaks to ensure it ranks well in search results, increasing visibility among your desired audience. 

A standout aspect of SurferSEO is its content editor tool, a resource for businesses aiming to enhance their SEO efforts. This tool offers an analysis of your content and recommends optimal keyword usage, content length, and article structure by examining top-performing pages within your industry. This tool guarantees that your content stands out in search results and becomes more noticeable to your target audience. 

Furthermore, a key element in SEO success is understanding your competitors and the landscape of search engine results pages (SERPs). SurferSEO's SERP analyzer tool provides insights into the pages currently ranking for your target keywords, outlining their content strategies, backlink profiles, and other essential SEO metrics. With this information, you can compare your content against competitors' strategies. Adjust tactics accordingly to enhance the likelihood of achieving rankings in search results.

Besides these functions, SurferSEO offers a keyword research tool that identifies keywords and assesses their relevance, potential traffic, and competitiveness. This assists you in selecting the keywords to concentrate on and enhances your chances of SEO success.

Moreover, the audit tool provided by SurferSEO thoroughly evaluates your webpage against factors to pinpoint any issues hindering your page from achieving higher rankings in search results. This tool provides recommendations for on-page optimization, including speed improvements, structural modifications, and more. 

In addition to the premium tools mentioned above, SurferSEO presents two absolutely free and equally beneficial tools. The first is the keyword surfer Chrome web extension that enables you to conduct searches within your browser and view search volume data along with a comprehensive list of keyword suggestions paired with their scores and search volume. The second free tool is an AI-powered article outline generator designed to help you create SEO content based on your needs. This tool can streamline brainstorming sessions, research activities, and writing tasks and save time.

How does SurferSEO use AI?

AI plays a significant role in SurferSEO that extends beyond the AI text generator. Additionally, Surfer AI analyzes top-ranking content for your target keywords. It then uses this analysis and natural language processing (NLP) to generate content outlines, suggest headings, and write drafts optimized for search engines.

Additionally, Surfer AI goes beyond just drafting content. It analyzes your existing content or drafts and offers suggestions to improve its SEO performance. This can include optimizing content length and keyword density and ensuring you cover the topics that users searching for your target keywords are interested in.

In essence, SurferSEO's AI acts as an assistant that helps you create informative content that is likely to rank well in search results.

Installation, setup, and compatibility

SurferSEO can be accessed through any web browser on any device. You must create a SurferSEO account and log in to use the tool. In addition to the keyword Chrome extension, SurferSEO offers a paid plugin for WordPress. This plugin provides comprehensive SEO features, including content planning, on-page optimization, and content audit tools. 

To install the SurferSEO plugin on your WordPress website, log in to your WordPress admin panel, go to the plugins section, and search for "Surfer." Then, follow the instructions on the screen to install and activate the plugin. 

There are also integrations for Jasper, Google Docs, and Contentful. 

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, the company offers a variety of tools to help you and your team maximize SurferSEO's capabilities.

Firstly, the company provides an extensive knowledge base that covers all aspects of SurferSEO's features and functions. This resource is an excellent starting point for beginners, as it explains how to use the tool. Additionally, it's an excellent resource for advanced users, as it will enable them to find answers to specific questions they may have quickly.

Secondly, the company has a rapidly growing community group, which is a fantastic resource for users to connect. It's a place to ask questions, share tips, and learn from others' experiences. The community group is an excellent place to network with other professionals in your industry and get insights into how they're using SurferSEO.

Thirdly, the company's blog offers a wealth of information on SEO, keyword research, and content optimization. The blog is regularly updated with new articles and tips, making it an excellent resource for staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.

Lastly, the best tool for learning how to use SurferSEO is Surfer Academy. This resource offers both onboarding training tools and continuing education programs. The onboarding training tools provide a step-by-step guide on how to use SurferSEO, while the continuing education programs help users stay up-to-date with the latest features and functions.

As you can see, the company offers a range of comprehensive resources to help you and your team make the most of SurferSEO. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, these resources will provide you with the knowledge and support you need to succeed.

Plans and pricing

Unlike other SEO optimization tools we’ve reviewed, SurferSEO is very open about what it charges for its services. The prices are prominently displayed on the SurferSEO website. The essential package is priced at $89 per month and is suitable for small business owners and freelancers. This package allows two team members to optimize up to 30 monthly articles using the SurferSEO content editor and includes a keyword research tool. Additionally, you get beta access for ten auto-optimize runs, which helps you improve your existing content with just one click and rank higher on SERP.

For $129 per month, you can write and optimize up to 100 articles per month, receive audit and keyword research access, and 20 auto-optimize runs for up to five team members. The $219-per-month Scale AI plan is also for up to five team members and includes 100 monthly articles, 40 auto-optimize runs, audits, keyword research, and personalized onboarding. Custom plans are also available for large agencies and marketing teams. 

Setting up a free SurferSEO account takes about one minute. You can get started immediately through the content editor or keyword research. One-week free trials do not include access to the company’s audit tool or SERP analyzer. After the trial, you can close your account or choose among the three SurferSEO packages. 

SurferSEO often offers special promotions for new customers. For example, at the time of this writing, it provided three-month discounts across all its plans. 

Final verdict

When searching for SEO optimization tools, you'll notice they are similar. They all come equipped with keyword research tools and content editors, and many are now incorporating AI technology. However, a few, like SurferSEO, go above and beyond by offering additional features such as audio tools and a SERF analyzer. 

If you're searching for a comprehensive SEO optimization tool, SurferSEO is a reassuring choice. It offers a seamless setup process, is available at various price points, and is enriched with a growing list of AI-based features, which are increasingly vital in the industry. It also provides a comforting array of training tools, including a blog, knowledge base, private SurferSEO community, and live training from the Surfer Academy. 

By providing detailed insights and clear guidance, SurferSEO empowers marketers to optimize their content effectively and compete successfully in search engine rankings. Whether you're a seasoned SEO professional or just starting, integrating SurferSEO into your SEO strategy could significantly enhance your online presence and drive more organic traffic to your site.

More from TechRadar Pro

• See our best on-page SEO tool of the year
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Uninstalling software from Windows should be easy, but sometimes it is not. Windows 11’s built-in software removal feature can often leave traces of the uninstalled software behind. This might be registry entries, or hidden data within your Windows profile directory. 

As more and more of this orphaned data accumulates, your PC can slow down, which is where third-party uninstallers come in. One example is Bulk Crap Uninstaller, a utility that uninstalls software from Windows, including Windows Store apps.

While alternative tools are available from large software publishers, Bulk Crap Uninstaller is maintained by Marcin Szeniak, a solo Polish developer. 

Also known as BC Uninstaller and BCU, this is free and open-source software for Windows that is hosted on GitHub.

Bulk crap uninstaller: Plans and pricing

As noted, Bulk Crap Uninstaller is a free application, released under the Apache 2.0 open-source license. It is offered by the developer for use in private and commercial environments, with no obligations, providing the license is not breached.

Power users and organizations may wish to support development of the software. This is possible by making a donation, either by PayPal or Bitcoin, via the BC Uninstaller home page. You can also send a gift within the app via the Steam store.

Two versions of BCU are available: a standard version for installation, and a portable version that runs from a USB stick.

Bulk crap uninstaller: Features

An incredible number of features are included in Bulk Crap Uninstaller, putting many paid alternatives to shame.

Installed application detection

If you’re removing software with a third-party utility, it needs to be able to detect everything that is installed on Windows. Bulk Crap Uninstaller can find normal apps, those that are hidden or protected, portable software, Windows Store/Universal Windows Platform apps, Windows updates, Oculus games and apps, and Steam games and apps. It can also handle software installed via the command line tool Chocolatey.

A restore point can be set, and a backup of the system registry made before software is removed. 

Automatic uninstalling

The main purpose of this tool is to remove software that you don’t want installed on your PC. Bulk Crap Uninstaller deals with pretty much anything, from single to batch removal of applications, with minimal user input if preferred.

Applications without uninstallers can be removed, and the tool can even uninstall software based on an app window, shortcut, or directory. Hanging and crashing uninstallers can be handled, and there is also a force removal feature for tough-to-shift software.

As soon as applications are removed, the BC Uninstaller checks for leftovers and prompts you to permit removal of these elements.

Startup manager

A useful startup manager is included in this utility, to see what software is running when Windows boots. While this information can also be found in Windows itself, this is a good way to quickly identify problematic software and remove it without switching between the two tools.

Portable version

As noted, there is a portable version of BC Uninstaller. This handles all of the same tasks as the installed version. To make the software portable, its settings are stored in a single file. It is, therefore, possible to make the “installed” version portable if necessary.

Built in manual

While similar tools have online documentation, they don’t usually provide information to the same depth as the manual provided with Bulk Crap Uninstaller. When you consider that this is the work of one guy, it’s quite an accomplishment. Better still, it’s very useful.

System requirements

Bulk Crap Uninstaller is designed to run on Windows 11, and any version of Windows since Vista. 32-bit and 64-bit versions are supported.

For use on older hardware, the minimum requirements are 300MB of RAM, 50MB of storage. It should run with any CPU. Note that Microsoft .NET 4.0 or above is recommended. The portable version has the same requirements.

BCU also supports multiple languages.

Bulk crap uninstaller: Support

First and foremost, Bulk Crap Uninstaller’s developer has provided a surprisingly detailed online user manual.

But what about actual customer support? This is a tricky factor to assess for open source software. No easy avenue for user support is available with Bulk Crap Uninstaller. Instead, you will need to open a discussion on the GitHub project page.

For most people, this will not be intuitive, as the environment is designed for developers and beta testers, rather than standard end users.

If you have technical insight, this shouldn’t be a problem; if you’re just looking for a friendly support assistant to guide you through, this isn’t the software for you. 

Bulk crap uninstaller: Competition

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Bulk Crap Uninstaller is that it seems to be the only such free and open-source tool for Windows. While software giants are issuing updates to their software year-on-year, with features (and even support) accessible only to premium users, BC Uninstaller is free, as in beer. 

That’s a major feather in Bulk Crap Uninstaller’s cap. But how does it compare on a functional level with tools like IObit Uninstaller or another free tool, Glarysoft Software Uninstaller?

Well, the sheer volume of free features here basically blows the other tools into the water. The alternatives are too numerous to mention specifics, but even against the two competitors mentioned above, Bulk Crap Uninstaller wins on features and ease of use.

But if you’re used to hands-on customer support, BC Uninstaller is not the tool for you. 

Bulk crap uninstaller: Final verdict

If you’re not used to the potential of open-source software, then Bulk Crap Uninstaller’s considerable scope of features may come as a surprise. After all, while there is open source software on Windows, there isn’t that much of it.

But it isn’t just the open-source status of this software, or that it is maintained by one person. Bulk Crap Uninstaller is simply brilliant at what it does, identifying applications and their uninstallers and removing them with as many (or as few) clicks as you want.

It isn’t as pretty as, say, CCleaner, and there isn’t anything that can be realistically described as customer support. But this is potentially the best software uninstaller for Windows that you will find, and it is as free as you want it to be.

I've said it before, and I will say it again: there is a reason Dell is the gold standard when it comes to the best business monitors. Dell has been at the top of the business monitor game for years and continues producing phenomenal monitors for reliability and usability.

Over the last several years, it's no secret that many industries have moved to having virtual meetings throughout their work week. These increases in virtual meetings can be felt by those working in an office, especially those working remotely. If you've been to a few virtual meetings, you have probably experienced those who do not have a webcam, those who have a poor webcam, and those who have an excellent webcam. 

In our experience, the best business webcams, especially when paired with quality audio, help set your best foot forward in presentation, much like if you are dressed well and present yourself well in an in-person meeting. It's not everything, but having a quality way to present yourself is essential when your primary or perhaps only interaction with people is through a virtual meeting.

Dell saw this value and paired it with their skill in creating professional displays for businesses to develop their line of Video Conferencing Monitors. This line-up comes in six sizes: 14-inch, 22-inch, 24-inch, 27-inch, 32-inch, and 34-inch. These sizes offer high-resolution, highly functional monitors with great built-in webcams, speakers, microphones, an onboard dock for your laptop, and Dell's classic adjustable monitor stand.

Dell P3424WEB: Unboxing and First Impressions

As expected, the P3424WEB monitor came well packaged, just like all the Dell monitors I have tested over the years. I can always trust that any packages from the company will arrive securely and safely. All the cables, a stand, and the base were in the box. I set it up quickly and had it running in no time.

This monitor is a standard 34-inch ultrawide monitor with a soundbar, mic, and camera factory-mounted to the top of the monitor. While that may not be surprising, how clean and seamless Dell has made this combination look astonishing. The soundbar spans the entire top of the monitor, though it does not have to, especially for the 34-inch model. Dell has made this look intentional and uniform across their vast monitor sizes. The camera has a physical shutter that I can open and close with a simple twist of a ring, and I can even angle the camera down a bit to get the perfect angle.

Thanks to the built-in USB-C hub, I could quickly and easily plug in my M2 MacBook Pro and get to work without even needing to plug in another dock or adapter, making it one of the best monitors for MacBook Pro in this regard. In fact, thanks to the actual speakers built in, I can use these speakers to play background music, listen in on meetings, and so on without having to deal with terrible standard monitor speakers or only my laptop speakers. Granted, the built-in speakers are nothing incredible, but they are better than standard monitor speakers, 

Dell P3424WEB: Design and Build Quality

As I mentioned earlier, the overall design of document number one can be described as a 34-inch Ultrawide monitor from Dell with a soundbar and camera placed on top. Although it's done well, that is what it is. It took me a moment to get used to the design once I turned everything on and connected it to what I humbly suggest is one of the best MacBook Pro laptops. That's because the large bezel on the top looked strange. However, I quickly got used to it.

The build quality is as high as expected; the stand works well but is still reasonably dull and works consistently. The camera is good enough for even those crucial virtual meetings, and it has built-in AI features that can track your movements to keep you center-frame. Through the free DDPM (Dell Display Peripheral Manager) app, I have complete control of the camera, the monitor, and even the built-in KVM settings. The mic is also clear enough for virtual meetings, and I can pick up my voice well while sitting back in my chair and talking usually. I do not need to raise my voice or speak a sure way to be heard clearly. Lastly, the speakers sound better than dedicated music speakers, Apple Homepods, or a legitimate soundbar.

Dell P3424WEB: In use

In daily use, the monitor excels at productivity tasks and video conferencing. The ultrawide screen allows me to have multiple windows up and spread out or have a smaller number of windows all opened up super large. This helps me multitask efficiently, as I only sometimes have to rely on switching from window to window. 

The high-quality camera and audio features greatly enhance video conferencing, making remote communication more effective and engaging. Yes, all the best business laptops have a decent webcam, but if you're using a business PC, don't have a decent webcam, or want to elevate your virtual meetings, this camera will do the trick and enhance those virtual meetings.

Dell P3424WEB: Final verdict

Dell's P3424WEB Curved Video Conferencing Monitor is an excellent upgrade for anyone with many virtual meetings and needs a lot of screen real estate - it's easily one of the best curved monitors for professional use. The 34-inch ultrawide is a personal favorite of mine for my desks, where I get much work done all at once. 

There is so much room to spread tasks in Windows, chat threads, and apps. On top of the monitor's abilities (see what I did there), the virtual meeting capabilities of this monitor allow it to do so much more than just a standard display. Instead of adding a camera or missing out on a quality virtual meeting experience, you can have significant, clear, and crisp video and audio on your next virtual meeting.

For those prioritizing virtual communication and productivity simultaneously, this monitor should absolutely be considered in your research and would be a worthwhile investment.

We tested the best monitors for the Mac mini - and these are our top-rated picks

Vari, formerly VariDesk, is an impressive standing desk and accessory company. Their quality has improved steadily over the last several years, and the Electric Standing Desk with Comfort Edge is no exception. 

We've tested, reviewed, and rated many of the best standing desks and were very impressed with the company's last offering, the Electric Standing Desk which we awarded 4.5 out of 5. This latest model has many similarities to the beloved original Electric Standing Desk, with some notable changes that make it unique in and of itself.

Vari Electric Standing Desk with Comfort Edge: Unboxing and First Impressions

Vari's packaging is simple and understated. The desk arrived well-packaged with clear instructions on how to build it. The instructions were so clear that my five-year-old son could look at the pictures and understand how to assemble most of the steps. Vari ensured that all the tools needed to assemble the desk were included in the package. The instructions were so simple that I didn't have to use a drill or electric screwdriver as usual. 

Unlike other standing desks I've built in the past, this one already had the desktop and frame assembled, so I only needed to add the legs. Even adding the legs was incredibly simple. The mounting points slid into a groove and clicked down into place; all I did was add a few screws to ensure they stayed locked in place. In addition to this easy way to add the legs, the pre-assembled frame and desktop made the build process much easier and faster. It only took me 14 minutes to complete, even with two kids running around as "helpers."

I noticed the high-quality desktop and leg materials right out of the box. That's a big deal, especially since I have tested many desks. Going into testing this desk, one concern was that I wanted to avoid the ComfortEdge looking gimmicky in real life. It looks good in photos, but in person, I hoped Vari did this rounded edge perfectly, smoothly, and, most importantly, intentionally. Thankfully, that is exactly how it looks. The rounded bevel front looks like a featured element, not an add-on to a previous model.

Vari Electric Standing Desk with Comfort Edge: Design and Build Quality

For a standing desk to be high-quality, the pieces must be made well and from the right materials. For my Vari Desk with Comfort Edge, I chose a walnut top, black legs, and a 48 x 30 desktop size. As I previously stated, the rounded front top edge of the desk stood out immediately, but not in a bad way at all. There was a clear front and back of the desk, and Vari had precisely created this desk version.

The desk, as a whole, has a very clean, minimalist, and modern look. There's nothing flashy, and while I am a big fan of the walnut finishes (no shame for jumping on that bandwagon), this looks good in any of the spaces in my house that I have tried. While moving this desk around to different areas in my house to get a feel for how it looks against various backgrounds, with other lights, and so on, I became very appreciative of the robust construction, the easy-to-remove legs, and height adjustability. I could get this set, plug in the legs, and hit my preset, and no matter what was going on, I could have the desk at the perfect height every time. 

Vari Electric Standing Desk with Comfort Edge: In use

Coming from someone who has used many of the best office desks, both traditional and standing models, I expected to like the ComfortEdge less than I do. I did not think Vari would design this desk so well, nor did I come to appreciate it as much as I do. During long working hours, this ComfortEdge noticeably reduces wrist and arm fatigue as they are no longer resting on a 90-degree angle made of wood.

The rest of the desk is stable, has minimal wobble, and works excellently with the ComfortEdge at various heights. Both while sitting and standing, I appreciate the ComfortEdge design and the relief it brings to my forearms. The desk legs have an impressive height range that I can utilize to set the perfect four memory presets and then continue to choose any height I want manually. Having four presets is something that I took for granted early on in my standing desk journey. It's something that I did not realize how beneficial it was until I didn't have it for a few desks I have had. 

With four presets, I usually set a seated height, a standing height, an ergonomic stool height, and an auxiliary height. The auxiliary height I set is perfect for me to tinker on my desk. Whether that is photo shoots of gear, building something, or opening a package. If I had a stationary desk or a standing desk without presets, I would never take the time to put the desk in this position, but since I can press a button, the desk will automatically go to that perfect height and then back to where I had it before the auxiliary height, it's a no brainer for me.

Vari Electric Standing Desk with Comfort Edge: Final verdict

The Vari Electric Standing Desk with ComfortEdge is a fantastic desk overall. Its smooth taper on the front top edge alleviates pressure from your forearms while you use it, and it looks clean and intentional. While it is expensive, quality standing desks come at a price. If you are looking for an excellent standing desk that will last you years and elevate your work from home or office space, make sure to check out the Vari Electric Standing Desk with ComfortEdge. 

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Several emerging Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools are available in the market that are becoming increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence. These tools not only streamline a company's workflow but also effectively enhance its content's ranking potential.

For SEO tools to be successful, they must cover all aspects, be user-friendly, reasonably priced, and offer a feature or two that is missing from most competitors. How does Clearscope compare to them? Let's find out.

• Interested in Clearscope? Check out the Clearscope website.

Features

Clearscope is a powerful tool that caters to writers’, marketers’, and SEO strategists’ needs. It empowers its users to create content captivating to their target audience and optimized for search engines, such as Google Search. With some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Intuit, Adobe, Shopify, and YouTube, among its clients, Clearscope seems to be gaining in popularity. 

Clearscope's features should sound familiar for anyone already familiar with SEO optimization techniques. It employs latent semantic indexing (LSI) keywords, which are terms and phrases closely related to your target keyword, to grade the relevance and comprehensiveness of your online content. Additionally, it provides Search Engine Results Page (SERP) analysis, giving you invaluable insights into user queries and the strategies you can use to optimize your content for better search rankings.

But that's not all - Clearscope is also an excellent planning tool. It suggests headings and terms that can be used to structure your content outlines, making your articles or blog posts more readable and SEO-friendly. 

Clearscope recommends conducting a content inventory before getting started. This tool enables you to keep track of existing online content’s performance. The Content Inventory section also empowers you to take preventative measures to maintain or improve crucial metrics such as Content Grade, clicks, average position, and SEO value for your current content.

How does Clearscope use AI?

Using natural language processing (NLP), Clearscope generates a report of keywords and suggested headers to optimize your content.

This tool also provides real-time data from Google to help you write more relevant and comprehensive content. It gives you actionable recommendations to improve your content and track its performance over time, which can help enhance your SEO strategy.

Clearscope's AI-driven algorithm goes beyond just grading your target keywords. It suggests the best LSI keywords, content length, readability, and more. Additionally, it analyzes the top 30 content articles for a particular keyword to help drive search traffic to your website.

Installation, setup, and compatibility

Using Clearscope is a breeze and straightforward. All you need is a web browser; no fancy software is required. To kick things off, head over to the Clearscope website. Sign up by clicking either the "Get Started" or "Request a demo" button on the homepage. Fill in your company details, email, and team size on the form. Once you've entered your info, hit “Submit” or “Schedule a Demo,” depending on your preference.

Once you've selected a plan and made the payment, it's time for the real fun to begin. Log into your Clearscope account. Navigate to the dashboard. Take some time to explore the interface where you can create reports, connect with Google Docs, and more.

Linking Clearscope with your content creation platform is a crucial step. This integration is key to optimizing your content within these platforms, making your work more efficient. The process is seamless if you're using Google Docs or WordPress.

To access Clearscope, go to the “Integrations” section on the Clearscope website in Google Docs. Choose Google Docs. Follow the steps to install the Clearscope add-on. Once it’s installed, Google Docs. Locate the Clearscope add-on under "Add ons" in the top menu. You're now set to optimize your documents from Google Docs using the add-on.

Download the Clearscope plugin from your dashboard or the WordPress repository if you use WordPress. Install and activate the plugin, then connect it to Clearscope using your API key from the dashboard. With Clearscope integrated, you can start crafting content.

When creating content, generate a report on your dashboard by entering your target keyword. The report will provide insights into keyword usage, content grade, and readability score. Utilize these insights to shape your content creation process and ensure it aligns with SEO practices.

As you write and enhance your content, Clearscope provides invaluable real-time feedback. Keep an eye on your content grade to ensure it meets SEO requirements. Implement suggested changes, such as adding keywords and enhancing readability, to optimize your content.

Plans and pricing

Clearscope is a powerful tool suitable for anyone who wants to take their content to the next level regarding SEO optimization. Yet, its target audience isn’t necessarily freelancers or small companies. Instead, its pricing clearly shows it’s targeting corporations, or at least larger companies, for better or worse. 

Three plans are available for would-be Clearscope users: Essentials, Business, and Enterprise. The first package is $199/month for unlimited users working on unlimited projects. Its limits include 100 content inventory pages, 30 keyword discover credits, and 15 content reports per month. 

At $599/month, the Clearscope Business plan features a dedicated account manager. Monthly limits with this plan include 500 content inventory pages, 100 keyword discovery credits, 50 content reports, and AI content generation. Finally, the Enterprise plan includes everything on the Business plan but adds a custom data pipeline, crawler allowlisting, geo-targeting, and a single sign-on. You must contact Clearscope to discuss pricing for this plan. 

One area of contention I have had when reviewing SEO optimization tools is pricing and its relationship to limits. Dashword, for example, could have received a five-star rating in my review. However, I knocked this down considerably because its cheapest plan had too many monthly restrictions. Clearscope’s plans also contain restrictions, but there are fewer severe ones. For example, none of its plans limited the number of users using the system or the number of reports that may be generated. In other words, no points are lost here. 

One area of contention I have with Clearscope is that there’s no free trial available. Instead, you must first request a demo, which is somewhat evasive. However, because Clearscope clearly targets teams instead of individuals, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. 

Final verdict

Like other tools used for SEO optimization, Clearscope has pros and cons. However, the pros outweigh the cons.

The algorithm of Clearscope is finely tuned to provide suggestions for using keywords, which can significantly enhance the likelihood of a piece of content ranking well on search engines. Additionally, the platform offers a user interface that suits experienced SEO professionals perfectly. It's also commendable that Clearscope integrates seamlessly with two used software products: Google Docs and WordPress. Notably, Clearscope is appreciated for its reports and how real-time feedback can assist in crafting search engine-friendly and relevant content.

One major deterrent for some individuals might be the cost of using Clearscope. Providing a trial could attract a more extensive user base regardless of Clearscope's pricing structure. Moreover, beginners in SEO optimization might find it challenging to navigate Clearscope despite its user design. There is still a learning curve involved in using Clearscope. 

Another downside is that AI content outline generation is exclusively available to customers on the business plan with Clearscope. This limitation may seem unreasonable, especially considering the pricing tiers, particularly for the essentials package.

Clearscope, it would benefit all your customers to access your AI tools.

Although Clearscope provides a variety of content optimization tools, it lacks some features that other comprehensive tools offer, such as backlink analysis and technical SEO audits.

Overall, Clearscope is a tool for individuals and organizations looking to enhance their content SEO potential with data-driven insights and optimization suggestions. While the pricing and learning curve may deter some users, the platform's accurate recommendations, user-friendly interface, and immediate feedback make it a valuable resource for content creators and marketers striving to create content that performs well in search engine results.

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This professional desktop color printer is part of Brother’s lineup aimed at small to medium-sized business (SMB) so it comes with an impressive specification and all the trimmings. As with any of the best small business printers, that means a touchscreen display, NFC and a print speed over 30ppm (pages per minute). It’s also expandable with an optional paper tray available. 

The Brother HL-L8245CDW (called the HL-L8240CDW in Europe) is a color LED device, which is to say that it uses a static LED array rather than a moving laser to guide toner particles onto the drums, but Brother still classifies it as a laser printer, as do we. At around US$350 (or about £280) it’s at the upper end of the market for single-function printer, but it comes with enough features and inbox toner to make this look like a good deal. What’s more, the high monthly duty cycle of 40,000 pages, triple-layer security and its availability under Brother’s MPS (managed print service) should attract the interest of any SMB with a busy print load. 

Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW: Design & build

Single-function laser printers vary little from the square box form-factor and the Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CD is no exception. At 16.8kg, it feels very heavy and robust with rounded corners and flaps that feel like they will stay attached with heavy use. It’s quite squat and compact, given that it can hold 250 sheets of A4/Letter paper in the main tray and another 30 in its front-loading multi-purpose tray. If you’re a heavy user of paper, you can buy Brother’s lower paper tray accessory for US$250 (or £155) to add another 250 sheets. 

The out-tray on top holds 150 sheets of paper face down and beside that is a 2.7-in (6.8cm) touchscreen angled slightly up towards the user. There’s a USB Host port on the front panel and inputs for a USB data cable and gigabit Ethernet cable at the rear.  

Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW: Features & specifications

The Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CD is equipped for use in a shared office with heavy print demands so the spec-sheet is quite impressive. The print rate for Letter paper is given as 31ppm, or 30ppm for fractionally larger A4 paper. That’s slower than rivals like the Xerox VersaLink B600DN, but still fast. Perhaps more importantly, this machine can automatically turn the page quickly so two-sided printing is 12ppm, which puts it among the fastest printers for duplexing. 

The paper capacity is average at 250 sheets in the main tray, but the option to expand that to a whole ream of 500 sheets makes it attractive to growing businesses. Many print-only devices lack a multi-purpose tray, but here we have one that can take 30 sheets of paper or envelopes of any size up to A4. 5GHz Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct and AirPrint compatibility is built in, as you might expect, but the NFC module and USB Host ports are welcome extra features. 

Even some of the best laser printers often come with setup cartridges which contain measly amounts of toner, but Brother has been generous here by bundling fully-filled carts yielding up to 2,600 black and white pages and 1,400 color. Even higher capacity cartridges are available for this model which can deliver up to 4,500 monochrome pages and 4,000 color and these super high yield carts bring the cost per page down to a very competitive rate.  

Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW: Setup & operation

To set up the Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW you need to remove all the transport plastic, which involves opening it up then removing and reinstalling the four toner cartridges. That takes a few minutes, then the printer takes a few more minutes to warm up. Getting it onto your Wi-Fi network and ready to print is a case of following the instructions that appear on the touchscreen. There is also a companion app called Brother Mobile Connect to help you. This app is also good for checking the toner levels, or printing files from your smartphone or the cloud. Between the touchscreen interface and this intuitive app, operating the Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW is a breeze.  

Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW: Performance

The Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW prints quickly and quietly, especially in quiet mode, which is just 43dB. The quoted print rates are accurate enough, which means duplex printing is especially impressive at 12ppm. Monochrome text pages were churned out with no paper jams or smudging and our test fonts were all clearly readable down to point size 4. It looks like a professional dark black too, unlike the dark grey you sometimes get with black toner.

The C/M/Y toners are not especially vivid, so our mixed color documents looked fine rather than wow. The color balance looks right and there’s no sign of posterization which makes this a good printer for full color handouts with blocks of color. When it comes to photos, the muted colors make for a somewhat flat finish despite the accurate printing. Like most laser/LED printers, the resolution is 600 x 600dpi so the dots that make up the image are easily visible.

Printing on envelopes was perfectly fine, but heavy paper stock was a problem. Anything over 163g/m2, which is the surprisingly low recommended weight limit, got jammed inside while auto duplexing. I persuaded it to simplex print on some high quality 300g/m2 sheets, but it left quite a curl in the paper. In short, the print quality is perfect for text and mixed color documents, but not great for photos or heavy paper.

Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW: Final verdict

For a small print-only LED/laser device, the Brother HL-L8245CDW/HL-L8240CDW looks a little expensive, but despite the size, it could easily support a busy workgroup in a shared office thanks to its quick print speed, high-capacity cartridges and its expandability. 

With a 250-sheet paper tray plus the optional 250-sheet tray, this high-spec machine would punch well above its weight. It is well equipped too, offering a 30-page multi-purpose tray, NFC connectivity and a USB Host port. Auto-duplex printing is among the quickest at 12ppm while the strong print quality gives you very professional-looking handouts. 

Photo printing may not be such a strong suit and it’s not great at printing on thick paper (up to 163g/m2 is all it can handle) but overall, I was impressed by its output. Considering the generous amount of toner in the box, this premium printer has a low TCO (total cost of ownership).  

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