The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is an expensive and feature-light print-only inkjet with all the emphasis on print quality. It’s large enough to take 13” x 19" A3+ sheet paper, but small enough to share your desk.

There’s no touchscreen, no auto-duplex mode and the print speed is slower than its nearest rival, the Epson SureColor SC-P600. However, with ten cartridges delivering Canon’s industry-leading pigment ink through 7,680 nozzles, this could be one of the best large format printers enthusiast and professional photographers can buy.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310: Design and build

The torpedo-shaped Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 looks very much like a scaled down version of the rugged and uncompromising Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100, which of course it is. While the flagship model takes A2+ sheets, its baby brother takes paper half that size and is cheaper by about a third. The compact design is the same, with two paper inputs and sturdy paper feed trays that fold neatly away to leave a compact unit that’s only 14 inches high and 19 inches deep. But be warned, with the flaps extended those dimensions grow to 16 inches and 33 inches.

The top-loading tray can hold up to 100 sheets of A4, or 50 sheets of A3 plain paper, while the rear-loading manual feed is for single sheets of any size up to A3+. The ten inkjet cartridges are tucked away inside and can be accessed somewhat awkwardly by lifting the printer’s bonnet. By necessity, the cavity and the cartridges are much smaller than those of the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 I reviewed.

That upward-facing three-inch color display is not a touchscreen, unfortunately, and there are no frontal slots for a USB thumb drive, or the memory card from your Canon camera. At the rear are ports for a USB data cable and Ethernet cable. The whole unit is covered in textured plastic and it feels like it’s built to last.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310: Features & specifications

This is a pure photo printer, so there’s no scanner and few additional features. There’s no touchscreen, USB Host port or Bluetooth connectivity for instance and no auto-duplex mode. It might seem surprising that a printer costing over $700 can’t turn over a sheet of paper, until you understand that the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is all about image quality.

To achieve a maximum print resolution of 4,800 x 2,400 dpi a total of 7,680 nozzles spray minute droplets from ten individual inkjet cartridges. That’s 768 per color. In addition to the usual four colors, C/M/Y and photo black, you also have PC/PM/GY/R/CO and matt black. This makes for a much wider gamut and more natural and realistic shading.

Printing is rather slow at more than four minutes for one A3+ print, but Canon’s paper compatibility is especially versatile. The main input tray on top can handle any kind of paper from Canon’s 5” square photo paper to borderless A3+ prints of 13”x19”. Canon’s menu of paper presets offers no less than 29 choices, including Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, Premium Fine Art Rough and matt. You can load up to 100 sheets of A4 in this tray, or 50 sheets of A3.

There’s also a manual feed tray, which takes one single sheet at a time and here you can load envelopes or heavy card up to 380 g/m2 or 0.6mm thick. There’s actually a third input tray stored underneath the printer which makes it possible to print on blank CDs, for the few who still do that.

The only media this printer can’t handle is roll paper. Without the roll-adapters you find on some large format printers, you can only load sheets of cut paper. Fortunately, this does include 13-inch-wide banners of paper up to 70 inches long.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310: Setup and operation

The setup procedure is the same as most other inkjet printers, but it takes slightly longer as there are so many cartridges to load. The supplied quick-start manual is very brief and clear, but Canon also has a helpful iOS/Android app to help you get going. This app makes it easy to connect your phone to the printer’s 5GHz Wi-Fi, then the printer to your local Wi-Fi network.

Having loaded the ten supplied cartridges, plus some paper and chosen a language for the on-screen menu, you then have to wait a few minutes while the inks are agitated before you can print your first page. It does this automatically from time to time to ensure the best ink flow.

It’s a pity there’s no touchscreen interface, but the 3-inch color display and familiar navigation wheel buttons are large enough that accessing the onscreen menu to make your paper selection or set security options is quite easy to do at the printer. It’s worth mentioning here that Canon has ditched all internal polystyrene packaging in favor of more sustainable cardboard.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310: Performance

The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 prints slowly, but the results are well worth waiting for. I found that connecting by USB cable (not included) was slightly faster than with Wi-Fi. Canon’s quoted print rate of just over four minutes for an A3+ photo proved accurate enough, and it’s the same speed if you print in black and white or color. While that sounds slow, we should remember that the printer is crunching the data of very large images and Canon’s L-COA PRO processor is actually working hard and more importantly, it’s not making mistakes.

If you were considering using this machine to double as your office printer for running out plain text documents, you might want to think again. Its black and white text output is unremarkable, except for its slowness. And without auto-duplex, you have to turn each sheet yourself. With color photos, on the other hand, the results are excellent across the board.

Black and white photos look especially impressive thanks to the use of matte black and grey inks in addition to photo black to help achieve strong contrast and improved greyscale. Color photos also look remarkably lifelike thanks to the wide color gamut, natural shading and fine detail reproduction. Just like the similar, Epson SureColor SC-P600, Canon is using nine inks to great effect. However, Canon’s additional cartridge containing the chroma optimizer appears to give it an advantage when it comes to the glossy finish. It really is hard to fault the Canon’s output onto coated photo paper and it makes the company’s longevity claim of up to 200 years light resistance believable.

Canon sells a very wide selection of printer paper, all of which is supported by this printer. I tried out Pro Platinum, Pro Luster, Plus Glossy II, Matte and Premium Fine Art. That last paper is quite thick and only works in the multi-purpose tray at the rear which has the flatter paper path. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but the glossier finishes tend to take the fullest advantage of this printer’s capabilities, in my opinion.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310: Consumables

The big catch with this superb photo printer, is the cost of its consumables. Canon’s 5100 cartridges are specific to this model and it costs around US$130 (or £150) for a new set and they’re not big cartridges.

The volume is just 14.4ml which is a fraction the capacity of the larger Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 at 80ml per cartridge. Canon’s estimates for the yield of these little cartridges is complicated by the fact that no two colors yield the same figure, but broadly speaking, you can hope to print up to fifty A3+ photos before needing to replace one or more of them.

That’s a higher ongoing cost than the Epson SureColor SC-P600, but Canon’s newly reformulated LUCIA PRO II pigment inks are industry leading in their longevity and the image quality looks superior. If you need to print a higher volume of photos, an ink tank alternative such as the excellent Epson EcoTank ET-8550 would be a better bet.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310: Maintenance

If left standing unused for long periods, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is as susceptible to drying out as any other inkjet and it has the usual maintenance programs built into the menu to solve this. These are basically cleaning cycles that flushes ink through the 7,680 nozzles to unblock them and given the cost of the ink, you won’t want to run these cycles too often.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310: Final verdict

Any enthusiast or professional photographer will appreciate the print quality of this premium A3+ photo printer. The nine reformulated LUCIA PRO II pigment inks plus the innovative chroma optimizer combine to give you exceptionally realistic images on coated photo paper. I’ll have to take Canon’s word about the industry leading 200-year longevity of its prints, but they certainly look great.

The printer itself feels robust and well designed with only the essential features such as Wi-Fi with AirPrint compatibility. There’s no touchscreen, no USB Host port and it can’t even auto-duplex, but it does have a very wide media compatibility that takes in everything from blank CDs and 4x6-inch photo paper, to rough A3+ card and 70-inch-long banners. The only thing it can’t print on are paper rolls.

The ink cartridges specific to this model are small and expensive, but if you don’t mind paying for prints that look as good as a professional print shop and last even longer, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is worth the investment.

For more print solutions, I've comprehensively tested the best small business printers and best home printers.

Ever since I moved my Tribesigns Mobile Height Adjustable Desk to the second story of my house, I have had the Dell Pro 32 in the dead center of the desktop. I didn't expect to like this monitor as much as I do. It would be an entry-level option with the technical specs of 4K, but it wouldn't be something I would want to use.

However, what I have discovered is that this display has quickly become one that I have come to love using. I expected to rotate this monitor out with the others I am testing, but instead, I have set those monitors up in other areas for now, so I could conduct a full review with this display.

The Dell Pro 32 Plus, in short, is a massive, yet affordable 4K USB-C hub monitor that is perfect for productivity. It's a business monitor. That's clear. And while it could be integrated into a larger setup relatively easily, this monitor screams simplicity, as in that scenario, it can do it all and do it well.

Dell Pro 32 Plus: Pricing and Availability

Dell's new naming structure with the Pro monitor can mean various things, but this P3225QE model is specifically a 32-inch 4K UHD (3840x2160) USB-C Hub Monitor.

You can purchase one for just $599.99 from Dell's website, or you can find it at a handful of third-party retailers as well. I've seen this monitor drop well below the MSRP for deals, so be sure to keep an eye out for them if you're in the market for a monitor.

Dell Pro 32 Plus: Unboxing & first impressions

The packaging for Dell is always pretty straightforward. They have recently adopted a more sustainable packaging style, which is a nice change. Still, I am always concerned about the reliability, as companies continue to move in that direction. Regardless, my monitor arrived in one piece, and I was able to set it up in a matter of seconds. Then, I took it to the Tribesigns desk, and that's where it has stayed for over 100 days.

This display is sleek. The base is still just alright, nothing fancy, but nothing wrong with it either, it's just not my favorite. The ports are easily accessible on the back; there are two ports within a pop-up on the left-hand side of the monitor for easy port access, and the buttons are off to the right. The bezels are minimal, with the Dell branding positioned small and centered on the bottom bezel. However, outside of that, this display is clean and sleek.

Dell Pro 32 Plus: Design & Build Quality

This display is classic Dell in my mind. A great basic monitor. Nothing overly flashy, nothing that's going to give out in a few years, but something that works, works well, looks clean and straightforward, and will work with just about any device.

Yes, Dell updated its naming conventions, but this is just Dell continuing to do what Dell does well.

The build quality is solid. Over the last 100+ days, nothing has broken, worn down, seemed loose, or damaged; nothing has malfunctioned. It's been a fantastic companion during this time.

Dell Pro 32 Plus: In use

As I mentioned above, I initially grabbed this display for a quick working session on the Tribesigns desk. However, that was over 100 days ago, and I have used this monitor extensively since then. When I say a lot, I'll admit that I have put in some intense late nights, working from home while my kids play, on this floor of our house, and even quite a few early mornings where I didn't want to go all the way down to my basement office to get some work done. It's been a busy season for me, and this monitor has helped me navigate it as the near-perfect 4K display, and a truly impressive competitor in the budget or basic tier of 4K displays.

In my time using this display, the picture and clarity have been spectacular. I have my MacBook Pro scaled all the way to "More Space", pushing every single pixel to the maximum so that I can fit the most content on my monitor. Since I work on a 13-inch MacBook Pro throughout the day, I take full advantage of a bigger display when I can. I haven't had any issues with scaling, with blurred text, or any other visual problems. Everything has scaled beautifully with macOS; everything is sharp and clear.

Directly behind my left shoulder, while I work at this desk, is a lamp. If this monitor weren't matte, I'd be blinded by the reflection of the light. However, because of the matte finish, I can work with very little distraction, and most of the time, I can work without even noticing the lamp.

Since probably the second week, maybe the first week of having this desk setup I have had the front ports visible and I have used it to plug in a USB-C cable to charge my Logitech MX Keys Mini, Logitech MX Anywhere, my iPad mini 7, or any other device I have that needs a quick charge. On the back, I have a cheap lightbar from Amazon plugged into one of the USB-A ports and then the lightbar is sitting atop the monitor shining down on the workspace, though I'm contemplating adding my BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 from my office up here. Beyond that, I have a USB-C cable running to my MacBook Pro, which is sitting in one of my favorite vertical laptop stands of all time, the Grovemade Wood MacBook Dock in Walnut. If I am running another laptop from this desk, I'll plug it into the same port, which is part of what makes a USB-C monitor so wonderful.

In these 100+ days I have had only one complaint, which is that on a super sunny day, if the sun is hitting the screen I have wished it would get a little bit brighter. However, outside of that, this display can do just about everything else needed and then some in the realm of business. I've even done some light gaming on this to see how it was and everything felt fine. But, in the professional space, this monitor can get just about everything you need done in a minimalist workspace, or as a part of a larger workspace if needed.

It's worth noting that this display is USB-C and not Thunderbolt, but then again, I have yet to notice a situation to where I would need Thunderbolt bad enough to expet my monitor to have it, especially not a basic monitor that is designed for business productivity work.

Dell Pro 32 Plus: Final verdict

The Dell Pro 32 Plus knocks it out of the park with the essentials in what I'd expect in a 4K monitor as a whole, let alone one that is also at a reasonable price. This display has great color, crisp text and images, decent ports, great resolution, a clean and modern look and okay brightness. Truly, what more could you ask for in a USB-C monitor for that money? If you're in the market for a 4K USB-C display, as long as you're trying to work on it, rather than game, this display is one that should be considered in your research.

If you need a fast and fully featured multifunction printer at a sensible price for your business or home office, I’d recommend the Xerox C235. It’s a mid-price printer retailing around $400 (£275), which is at the affordable end of Xerox’s own laser line-up.

With a print rate of 24 pages per minute (22ppm outside the US) it’s faster than any inkjet and it comes with strong security features, a large touchscreen and a high monthly print volume that all suggest it would function well as a workgroup printer in a shared office. It’s a compact desktop design capable of holding 50 sheets of letter or A4 paper in its ADF (automatic document feed), another 250 sheets in its main tray, and a single sheet in its multi-purpose tray.

There’s frustratingly little toner in the box, but high-yield cartridges for this model are available and they’re fairly economical, so if it lives up to Xerox’s usual standard for print quality, this could be a very safe purchase. Let’s find out.

Xerox C235: Design and build

This conveniently compact MFD (multifunction device) weighs almost 43lbs or 20kg and it feels as sturdy as Xerox’s more expensive machines. The desktop design is small enough to share your desk, but too big and heavy to sit on a shelf or stow away after use. The main tray at the bottom can hold 250 sheets of paper and, unfortunately, you cannot add paper cassettes to this mode. The single-sheet multi-purpose tray is at the front for easy access and the 50-sheet ADF sits on top, above the scanner.

The large 7.1-inch touchscreen display is angled upwards for easy viewing and beside it is a USB Host port for printing from, or scanning to a flash memory drive. Connections for an Ethernet, fax modem and USB data cables are at the rear with the power cable port. It’s a very familiar form factor and its two-tone off-white casing with rounded-off corners looks functional rather than stylish. It’s your typical Xerox design.

Xerox C235: Features & specifications

This variant of the Xerox C235, or C235dni comes with all the features essential for use in a shared office and a couple of extras. That includes duplex printing, scalable copying, a fax facility, a multi-purpose input for single print jobs, integrated Wi-Fi with AirPrint and Chromebook compatibility, and some strong security software. The extras are a color touchscreen interface and USB Host port for walk-up printing from a thumb drive. Note that the C235dw variant has no fax facility.

I can think of a few features that I’d like to have seen at this price. There’s no Bluetooth or NFC connectivity, for instance, no automatic two-side scanning, and only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (not 5GHz). To be fair, it’s almost the same feature set as the slightly more expensive Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw. However, Canon beats this Xerox on three key points. With a maximum print speed of 24ppm (timed using letter-sized paper), the Xerox is slower, and it cannot be upgraded by adding paper cassettes as you can with the Canon.

It also ships with way less toner. The setup cartridges that come with the Xerox yield a measly 500 black pages and 500 color, compared with Canon’s 2,300 black and 1,200 color pages.

Xerox C235: Setup and operation

I had no problem setting up the Xerox C235. The printed quick start guide is clear, but it’s unlikely you’ll need it. The four cartridges come pre-loaded, so it’s simply a case of removing all the orange packaging tape, loading your paper and plugging in.

The printer’s touchscreen display will tell you when to input the date and your Wi-Fi password. Alternatively, you can download the helpful iOS/Android app called Xerox Easy Assist, which will connect you to your Wi-Fi network without bothering with passwords.

The conveniently angled touchscreen interface is a lot smaller than those found on Xerox’s more expensive models, but it is sensitive and makes the Xerox C235 an easy printer to operate. The paper tray slides smoothly and the multi-purpose slot is handily located at the front.

Xerox C235: Performance

The print quality is up to Xerox’s usual high standard, with uniformly bold and precise pages of text emerging reliably and promptly every time. For a laser printer, it’s rather slow to print, but it’s faster than the best inkjet printers and probably fast enough for any small to medium sized business. It also produces a finer finish than any inkjet when it comes to printing crisp characters on plain paper.

The Xerox C235 is also good at producing eye-catching color documents, maps and line drawings thanks to its vivid colored toner. Glossy photo paper for laser printers is harder to find than inkjet photo paper, but it is available and Xerox has a paper setting to support it. In fact, it is better than most lasers at recognizing paper types with 17 different presets to choose from.

But like nearly all laser printers, the print resolution is limited to 600 x 600 dpi and it’s not able to deliver the enhanced resolution and fine detail needed for photography. It’s good enough for printing handouts and mixed media documents, but the dots that make up the images will always be visible.

The ADF proved perfectly capable of pulling in piles of documents and copying them as single-sided or duplex duplicates, and it was hard to tell the copy from the original. Without the ability to duplex scan, however, did mean turning each document to copy the other side. If you want automatic 2-sided scanning, you’ll need to step up to the Xerox C325, or Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw.

Xerox C235: Consumables

The CPP (cost per page) for this printer is about average for a laser printer at around 3 cents (2p) per black page, and 12 cents (9p) per color page. That’s for standard yield cartridges. The setup cartridges in the box contain considerably less toner and will only yield up to 500 pages per cartridge. That seems pretty mean at a time when most ink tank printers are shipping with enough bottled ink for around 10,000 pages.

Xerox C235: Maintenance

Being a laser printer, you won’t need to worry about it drying out if left unused, but you will need to change the drum cartridges as they run out and replace the waste toner container when prompted by the printer. This container costs around US$20 (£18) and Xerox reckons it’s good for around 30,000 prints.

Xerox C235: Final verdict

The Xerox C235 put in a strong enough performance to justify its US$400 (£275) price tag and proved itself a reliable and easy to operate multifunction printer. Xerox has come up with a solid and compact design that would fit well in any home or small office and given it the features it needs to serve a workgroup in a small business.

It’s a pity there’s no scope to upgrade the 250-sheet paper capacity and the miserly amount of toner in the supplied setup cartridges is annoying, but the rest is all good. The touchscreen makes it easy to use, the front-loading multi-purpose tray and USB Host port are very convenient and the print quality is excellent.

For more print solutions, I've comprehensively tested the best small business printers and best home printers.

Protecting your digital identity has become increasingly important. With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, such as phishing scams, identity theft, and data breaches, choosing a robust identity protection service is essential for safeguarding your personal information.

This review offers a comprehensive analysis of McAfee identity protection, examining its key features, effectiveness in preventing identity theft, and overall value to consumers. Key aspects covered include the service's monitoring capabilities, real-time alerts, recovery support, and user-friendly interface. Additionally, we'll explore how McAfee+ compares to other identity protection services on the market.

By the end of this review, you will have a clearer understanding of whether McAfee Identity Protection is the right solution for you in securing your sensitive information and maintaining your online peace of mind.

McAfee+: Plans and pricing

The McAfee Essential plan, often referred to as a "starter" plan within the McAfee Total Protection suite, is designed to provide a solid foundation of security for individuals with multiple devices. Priced at an introductory offer of $39.99 for the first year (with renewal prices typically higher), it offers protection for up to five devices, compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS. This plan includes McAfee's award-winning antivirus and scam detection, ensuring real-time defense against malware, ransomware, and phishing attempts.

In addition to core antivirus protection, the Essential plan enhances online privacy with a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which often includes unlimited data usage, particularly when auto-renewal is enabled. Users also benefit from identity monitoring that alerts them if their personal information appears on the dark web. The plan includes a password manager (True Key) for secure login management and Safe Browse capabilities to warn against risky websites. Furthermore, it provides Personal Data Cleanup (scan only) to help identify where your data may be exposed on data broker sites and Online Account Cleanup (scan only) to locate old online accounts linked to your personal information. The McAfee Protection Score included in this plan helps users gauge their overall cybersecurity health. While the Essential plan offers a robust range of essential security and privacy features, it lacks the more extensive identity theft coverage and full-service data cleanup found in higher-tier McAfee+ plans.

In contrast, the McAfee+ Advanced Individual plan presents a much more comprehensive security package. Typically priced at an introductory fee of around $89.99 for the first year, this plan is more than double the cost of the Essential plan. The most significant upgrade is its coverage for unlimited devices (for one user), ensuring that all household devices are protected. Beyond the features of the Essential plan, the Advanced plan significantly enhances identity protection. It includes full-service Personal Data Cleanup, where McAfee actively assists in removing your information from data broker sites rather than merely scanning and alerting you. Furthermore, it provides $1 million in identity theft coverage and restoration services, enhanced bank and credit card transaction monitoring, and 1-bureau credit monitoring with monthly scores. The ability to initiate a security freeze in the event of suspected identity theft adds layer of security, making the McAfee+ Advanced Individual plan ideal for users who prioritize comprehensive identity and financial safety alongside robust device protection.

Lastly, the McAfee+ Advanced Family plan offers a comprehensive solution designed to protect the entire household (up to six users), extending beyond devices to include robust identity and privacy features. Its introductory price typically starts around $119.99 for the first year, though this can vary slightly depending on the retailer and current promotions.

This family plan offers unlimited device coverage for all compatible household devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, Android devices, iOS devices, and Chromebooks. A key differentiator for the family plan is the inclusion of Parental Controls (McAfee Safe Family), allowing parents to manage their children's online activities, set screen time limits, filter content, track locations, and view activity reports.

Beyond device security, the McAfee+ Advanced Family plan offers significant identity protection features. These include identity monitoring with alerts for personal information found on the dark web, as well as advanced tools such as bank and credit card transaction monitoring, along with 1-bureau credit monitoring that includes monthly credit scores. The financial protection is substantial, boasting up to $2 million in identity theft coverage and restoration services (an increase from the individual plan's $1 million coverage). This plan also allows users to place a security freeze on their credit if suspicious activity is suspected.

To enhance online privacy, the McAfee+ Advanced Family plan features an unlimited Secure VPN for safe browsing on public Wi-Fi. It includes full-service Personal Data Cleanup, where McAfee actively helps in removing personal information from data broker sites. Additionally, the Scam Detector, powered by McAfee Smart AI, identifies and warns against risky texts, emails, and videos. Meanwhile, the password manager (True Key) ensures secure login credentials. Safe Browse (WebAdvisor) blocks dangerous websites and downloads, further contributing to comprehensive cybersecurity. Lastly, the McAfee Protection Score tracks the overall cybersecurity health of the family, making the McAfee+ Advanced Family plan an ideal choice for families seeking comprehensive digital protection and peace of mind.

McAfee+: Features

McAfee+ is a comprehensive cybersecurity suite developed by McAfee that offers a variety of features to enhance your digital safety. Below are some key features included in the McAfee+ plans:

Antivirus and Antimalware: McAfee+ provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious threats. It scans your system to detect potential threats, preventing them from causing harm. Unlike many online identity protection suites, this feature is essential for personal security.

Firewall Protection: A built-in firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, protecting your device from unauthorized access and blocking suspicious connections.

Web Protection: This feature helps safeguard your online activities by blocking malicious websites, phishing attempts, and dangerous downloads. It also scans email attachments and instant messages for potential threats, making it especially useful for children online.

Identity Theft Protection: McAfee+ helps protect your personal information from being compromised by monitoring potential identity theft risks. This may include features like credit monitoring, social security number tracking, and alerts for suspicious activity. McAfee’s Identity Theft Protection service monitors over 40 data broker sites to identify whether your personal information has been compromised.

Safe Browsing: McAfee+ provides secure browsing extensions or plugins for popular web browsers. These tools warn you about unsafe websites in search results and block harmful ads or pop-ups.

Credit Monitoring: Depending on the selected plan, credit bureau monitoring looks for threats to your identity and monitors the Dark Web for associated risks.

Password Manager: This unique tool securely stores your login credentials and assists in creating strong, unique passwords for each website or application you use.

Secure VPN: McAfee+ includes a virtual private network (VPN) feature that encrypts your internet connection and anonymizes your online activities, adding an extra layer of privacy and security.

System Optimization Tools: McAfee+ also offers system optimization tools to improve your device’s performance by cleaning up unnecessary files, managing startup programs, and optimizing system settings.

Parental Controls: McAfee+ products include parental control features that allow you to monitor and restrict your child's online activities, block inappropriate content, and set usage time limits.

Overall, McAfee+ provides a robust suite of tools designed to enhance your cybersecurity and protect your personal information online.

McAfee+: Support

As would be expected from a veteran provider, McAfee offers numerous methods for support. On the direct side, there is 24/7 phone support, although we would have liked to see the number more prominently featured as we had to go through multiple screens to find it. There is a virtual assistant, and we did find a chat to a real person available 24/7 for English speaking countries (and 9am to 6 pm on business days for the rest of the world). We did not find an email, or a support portal as alternate methods for direct contact.

There are some options on the self support as well. We found a Support Home page, with a search bar, which had jump offs to YouTube videos, a FAQ, and related articles. There are also links to McAfee social media sites, including a Twitter feed that is active with recent updates, but it was not reassuring to find the link to the Facebook site coming up as “This page is not available.”

McAfee+: Competition

While McAfee+ provides a comprehensive security suite, several outstanding alternatives offer similar, if not enhanced, protection tailored to your specific needs and budget.

One of the top contenders is Bitdefender, which consistently earns high marks for its impressive malware detection capabilities in independent lab tests. In addition to its robust antivirus protection, Bitdefender boasts a feature-rich package that includes parental controls, a secure VPN, scam protection, and a comprehensive firewall. Its user-friendly interface and streamlined performance make it an excellent choice for families seeking extensive security without a steep price point. Moreover, Bitdefender offers a unique feature called "Vulnerability Assessment," scanning for potential security risks on your devices, further fortifying your online safety.

Norton 360 is another widely acclaimed option, often regarded as a gold standard in digital security. It encompasses a full suite that extends beyond basic antivirus functions, with many of its plans including features such as automatic cloud backup, a secure VPN, parental controls, and even identity theft protection. This makes Norton 360 an ideal choice for users looking for a holistic security solution. Moreover, it is equipped with advanced features like a password manager and dark web monitoring, ensuring that users are not only protected from current threats but also alerted to potential future risks. Norton also proudly offers a "100% Virus Protection Promise," reassuring users of its commitment to effective malware defense.

For those interested in a robust solution that includes a free tier, Avast One is an excellent option. Its free version is notably feature-rich, providing robust ransomware protection, a secure VPN, tracker blockers, and a built-in firewall. Furthermore, Avast’s reasonably priced premium upgrades offer even more sophisticated tools, such as advanced malware protection and a system cleanup feature, catering to a broad range of users with diverse budgets and requirements.

Other noteworthy alternatives include TotalAV, recognized for its superior web protection and system optimization tools. TotalAV not only helps shield against malware but also enhances system performance, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a more responsive computer experience alongside security. On the other hand, Malwarebytes is a household name recognized for its effective malware removal capabilities; its premium version provides real-time protection against a variety of online threats, making it an excellent complement to any primary antivirus.

Finally, consider solutions like Surfshark Antivirus, which is often bundled with the popular Surfshark VPN. This combination offers a substantial advantage in terms of privacy and security when browsing the internet. Similarly, Trend Micro is also a strong contender, offering comprehensive security features that include ransomware protection, Pay Guard for secure online transactions, and a social media privacy scanner, appealing to users who prioritize multifaceted protection.

In summary, while McAfee+ remains a solid choice, exploring these alternatives may lead to discovering a solution that better meets your specific security requirements and budgetary constraints.

McAfee+: Final verdict

McAfee+ provides a strong option for personal security and identity protection. We appreciate the variety of subscription tiers, the multitude of features, the support center, and the availability of 24/7 phone support. However, there are some areas that could be improved: the pricing is only available on an annual basis, the lowest tier lacks credit monitoring, there is only one method for direct support, and overall, the pricing tends to be on the expensive side. Nonetheless, when it comes to trusting a provider with your personal information, McAfee's longstanding reputation built over the years is a significant advantage.

We've featured the best internet security suites

I've been using the Logitech MeetUp in a conference room I frequent for quite some time. I purchased this camera system shortly after its release, and it has performed exceptionally well. I had no issues and no desire to upgrade until I saw the announcement for the new MeetUp 2. With its upgraded features and claims of being the best, I couldn't resist giving it a try.

Having a good camera system that is easy to use, still quality enough to be worth using, and doesn't break the bank, is hard to find. I've been in my fair share of conference rooms where only the person who set up the system really knows how to get things running and everyone else struggles along until that person comes around.

I'm not sure about you, but as an IT professional in multiple areas, I don't want to be the only person who can set up a basic virtual meeting for my staff. I want them to be able to do that on their own, and easily.

That's where something like the Logitech MeetUp 2 comes in. Like many of the best business webcams I've tried, it's flexible enough to be a dedicated device set up, or be a BYOD kind of setup. Either one works just as well as the other, and both have their obvious pros and cons. Regardless, the big piece is that they are both able to be done with ease, quickly, and without needing to call in the professionals.

Logitech MeetUp 2: Pricing and Availability

The Logitech MeetUp 2 is sold via Logitech's website for $899. You can also grab this hardware from some other business retailers, but the best place to grab it would be straight from Logitech.

The only other price to be aware of is the optional AI enhancements which is a subscription, and the fact that if you want to access full 4K camera footage, you'll need to grab a USB-C 3 or above, which is not included in the box.

Logitech MeetUp 2: Unboxing & first impressions

The Logitech MeetUp 2 was extremely easy to set up. I first removed the old Logitech MeetUp from the wall and the mount, then I added the wall mount (the best option for my setup) to the wall under my TV and ensured it was centered. Next, I mounted the Logitech MeeUp2 to the mounting plate and ran the necessary wires.

I ran power to an outlet, and a USB-C cable has been tucked away, mounted behind the conference room TV. I chose this setup over BYOD because I already had a Mac mini, and it makes sense to keep using it.

However, in a future room expansion, I will probably move to a BYOD setup, running the USB-C cable to a conference table for individuals to plug in their own devices. Once that's done, you'll also need to run an HDMI cable from the MeetUp2 to the TV.

Logitech MeetUp 2: Design & Build Quality

The design is simple and easy to use, the ports are clearly labeled, and the assembly went super smoothly. I love all-in-one design, keeping things simple. I also love how minimal it all is,

This conference room camera doesn't look out of place, too big, or like someone is watching you if you are meeting in person in this room, and that's exactly what I'm talking about.

The stand or base has a multi-mount option built-in, making it so you can mount it on a wall, above a TV, below the TV, on a shelf, or more.

Logitech MeetUp 2: In use

The Logitech MeetUp 2 is a super simple, plug-and-play kind of setup. The AI enhancements really make this a powerful machine without any knowledge. Within moments of having this package opened up, I had the MeetUp 2 assembled, hung, plugged in, and working.

During meetings, I love how the AI built-in will automatically frame for two people if there are two people, and one person for one, and a dozen for a dozen. Further, as people are discussing things, the RightAudio 2 system will focus on what is being said, making it super easy to know what is needed.

I don't use the cloud feature extensively, but having the smart AI built-in has been sufficient for me so far. I'm sure that if I were managing several, the paid upgrade would probably be worth it.

Coming from the first-generation MeetUp, at first I was wary of not having the remote to control the camera manually, but after an abundance of meetings now, I've been quite happy with the AI. The control freak in me has taken a backseat, and the tech-lover in me has been really pleased with the AI. The audio is exceptionally clear; the video continually adjusts to my preferences, adapting to the room's occupants. Even when we're seated across a long conference table, the camera zooms in automatically to create a logical view.

Logitech MeetUp 2: Final verdict

The Logitech MeetUp 2 is a fantastic conference room device for any small to mid-size room where you have a lot of virtual meeting rooms. It will use AI to help smart-zoom into the people who are talking, automatically adjust if another person joins the meeting, and do it all in a simple, easy-to-set-up box.

If you are looking for a good conference camera for your setup, look no further than the Logitech MeetUp 2 system. It's probably a dream come true.

I've seen quite a few desks come through my office space from Vari. I've had the opportunity to see pretty much every one of their desks now, ranging from the smallest to this behemoth, the 80x80-inch L-shaped beast.

While the size is not for everyone, what is incredibly handy is the smooth motors, the 200lb load capacity, and the ComfortEdge front corner of the desk, making it so when you rest your wrists or forearms, or anything else on the desk, you won't feel the pressure or discomfort of the corner of a desk.

If you're looking for one of the best standing desks in this form, and one that still feels luxurious, this might just be the desk for you. As you can see in the pictures, we have been able to fit two massive ultrawide monitors on this desk without, plus more accessories.

That says a great deal about the overall size, lifting capacity, and functionality of this desk. Perhaps you're the kind of person who has a work and a gaming setup, maybe you're the kind of person with a physical side and a digital side, or maybe an art side, or a clean meeting side, or a file size. Whatever type of person you may be, this desk can hold it.

Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: Pricing and Availability

The Vari 80x80-inch L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk can be purchased from Vari's official website for $1,499. They ship for free in the US, with a lifetime warranty included.

There are a few color combinations available for this size desk, though it's not as customizable as some companies. Nevertheless, once you pick a colorway you like, it's as easy as clicking buy, and you're good to go.

Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: Unboxing & first impressions

As expected, this desk is massive, so it's pretty heavy all around. The desk came in three heavy boxes that made me question my strength all around. If possible, I'd suggest begging your delivery person to help you carry this as close to the place you'll be putting the desk.

The assembly took a whopping 48 minutes by myself. There were a few places that I wished I could have had some help, so keep that in mind if you are planning on building one of these yourself.

Once I got everything built, I flipped the desk over and quickly realized just how massive it was. I mean, I knew it was going to be huge, but seeing it in person in a space is a whole different animal. I pushed the desk into the corner where it was going to live, and I stepped back to admire it. The desk is beautiful. I love the look of the slate grey legs and the walnut wood, especially in this room where the desk is going to live hopefully forever (since it's so heavy, I hope to never have to move it).

I've tested other Vari ComfortEdge desks before, in fact I've even reviewed this desk's little brother, the smaller L-Shaped Vari Electric Standing Desk. But, with the massive size change, this deserves its own review. This desk is in a league of its own. And that league is maximalist to the core.

Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: Design & Build Quality

This desk is clearly beautifully built in every way. The desk lowers and rises smoothly, the desktop itself is a beautiful hybrid between soft and durable, and the ComfortEdge is really hard to get away from if you spend any time switching between workspaces. The L-Shape gives a smooth transition piece so that it feels like a natural transition from one desk piece to another.

One thing to note about this setup is that it is not at all minimalist. If you are looking for a minimal or simple workspace, and you want a desk to fit that, this is not the desk for you. You'll be overwhelmed, or the space will quickly clutter, or something along those lines as this is a massive surface area.

However, if you are maximalist with your setup, if you have multiple setups, or if you have multiple zones to your workspace, this desk might just be your dream come true.

Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: In use

As you can see in the pictures, my team and I went all out in this desk setup. We pushed this desk as far as we reasonably could, and it shot back an answer of "is that all you've got?" when we ran out of gear to add. We have a dual setup featured on here, one 34-inch ultrawide monitor and one 49-inch ultrawide monitor from the Lenovo ThinkVision line-up. We used the corner space to tuck away a custom PC build, a Playstation, some cables, a plant and some power.

On the left half, we have the 34-inch ultrawide, a desk shelf, speakers on either side of the setup, and we still have comfortable spacing. On the right, we have the 49-inch monitor, and some bleed over from the Custom PC and we still have enough space.
Even with this amount of gear on the desk, the legs do not hesitate when I press the button to change the height. The desk motors jump to life and adjust right where I need them to. Additionally, if the desk bumps into something during height adjustment, it will automatically stop, ensuring that it will not continue crushing whatever is in its path.

Day-to-day use has been great with this desk. We've had it set up for just over 100 days at this point. During that time, we have tweaked some cable management, adjusted certain gear on the desk, and swapped out some accessories; however, one thing has remained the same: we absolutely love the ComfortEdge. This feature is often overlooked but ensures that we don't experience fatigue from resting our arms on the desk.

While the large workspace has many advantages, it also comes with a few drawbacks associated with its size. Any time that we have tried to adjust cable management, we get hit with the daunting realization that this desk is so large that moving it away from the wall is probably not worth it. So, if you want to be able to move your desk around easily, I'd suggest putting it on heavy casters.

Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: Final verdict

At this size, if you want a manageable desk size, have a smaller workspace, or want a minimalist setup, this desk is probably not the right fit for you.

But for anyone who needs a massive workspace to fit all of your setup, especially if it is a big setup to start with, this is the desk for you. It's ideal for those with the room for fit it in, with plenty of space to spread out your work.

I found it to be a spacious and sturdy L-shaped desk, easily letting me make relevant height adjustments at the press of a button, and the movement is buttery smooth in operation.