This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.
Buy a ThinkPad and you know you’re buying a trustworthy and reliable machine for day-to-day work – and make no mistake, this is an all-out business laptop. This is the first-generation ThinkPad E16, available with AMD or Intel chips, and is currently something of a bargain as Lenovo is slowly bringing Gen 2 models to the market.
Lenovo’s E series of ThinkPads are designed for affordability, but despite this it looks and feels like almost every ThinkPad you can imagine. It comes, as usual, with a completely matt black style that isn’t for everyone but does make an immediate statement of corporate intent. The chassis is aluminum aside from the plastic bottom, and it feels reassuringly solid. It comes with one year of Lenovo’s Premier Support cover, complete with next-business-day repair.
At 1.8kg this chunky laptop isn’t designed for life on the move(Image credit: Future)
You can expect speedy performance, too. Our review sample included the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U, which it no longer ships with, so the price above includes the closest offering: a 7430U. This has a lower peak frequency, 4.3GHz to 4.5GHz, but with the same six cores and 12 threads you can expect similar speeds as in our tests. Those who need more should spend an extra £80 on the Ryzen 7 7730U, as this gives you eight cores and 16 threads.
Our tested system included 16GB of RAM, but the price includes 24GB: 16GB soldered, 8GB via a SODIMM. If you need even more, you can choose the 72GB model (40GB/32GB) as that only costs an extra £35 at the time of configuration. Less impressive are AMD’s integrated AMD Radeon graphics, especially compared to the discrete graphics seen elsewhere.
In terms of results in our tests, “solid” is the word. The Ryzen 5 and AMD graphics pairing doesn’t match up well to Intel’s 12th or 13th Gen processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics, as a glance at the graphs on p94 makes clear. Still, it won’t slow you down in office tasks, and that’s reflected in its fourth place in the PCMark Essentials benchmark and second position in the Productivity test. It’s content creation – or any task that requires heavy work across multiple cores – where this laptop falls down.
Notably, any tests that focused on the graphics chip also dragged it down the table. When it comes to gaming, think light. The E16 came second from last in 3DMark’s Time Spy DirectX 12 benchmark, and couldn’t even hit double digits for frames with low settings in the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark. Its battery-life tests were slightly better, typically lasting around seven hours, but at 1.8kg this chunky laptop isn’t designed for life on the move.
Slap it on a desk, though, and the ThinkPad E16 is the epitome of strong, function-focused design. A square lid covers an expansive keyboard, complete with number pad and minimal key shrinkage – there are even separate arrow and PgUp/PgDn keys. The keys don’t have the cushioning of more expensive ThinkPads, with a relatively snappy 1.5mm travel, but they’re clearly designed for heavy use over the lifetime of the laptop and feel solid. As ever, Lenovo’s TrackPoint cursor controller sits above the touchpad, and thanks to a pair of buttons it’s fairly intuitive even for new users.
A number pad adds to the laptop’s functionality(Image credit: Future)
The ThinkPad’s webcam is clear if a little lacking in saturation, and its speakers are what you’d expect from a business laptop: fine for video calls, but they miss some low-end so headphones or external speakers are the best bet for anyone wanting to enjoy music or films with deeper audio. The microphone records clear audio, with our recorded test delivered back to us in a voice that was wholly familiar, without distortion or a skewed pitch.
One area where the budget shows itself is the screen. sRGB coverage was joint lowest at 54%, while its average Delta E of 4.79 again pushed it close to the bottom of the table. This is not a laptop for photographers. However, its anti-glare covering ensures it’s always visible, especially when paired with a peak brightness of 348cd/m2 and solid 1,159:1 contrast ratio. You might notice slightly fuzziness on text, with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution across a 16in display equating to 141ppi, but at least there’s plenty of room; viewing two windows side by side is bearable.
Ultimately, a business-focused laptop is best for business-focused tasks. That rings true for this ThinkPad, which is comfortable dealing with apps, office work and most multitasking outside of content creation. If you want to break out of pure office gridlines, this isn’t the laptop to opt for, but if you’re looking for a largely desk-based workhorse backed with a great warranty then it’s a strong choice
Rank Math is gaining traction as one of the best WordPress SEO plugins, offering a robust suite of features aimed at improving website visibility and performance.
Launched by MyThemeShop, Rank Math has quickly become popular among bloggers, marketers, and website developers who seek a comprehensive SEO tool that's both powerful and user-friendly. The plugin excels in areas like keyword tracking, Google Analytics integration, and AI-driven content optimization, making it a formidable player in SEO.
However, it's worth noting that while the plugin is mostly praised for its expansive features and ease of use, some users may find the lack of live chat support and the premium plan's cost a bit of a downside. Nevertheless, Rank Math remains a compelling choice for those serious about elevating their SEO game.
Rank Math: Plans and pricing
(Image credit: Rank Math)
Rank Math's pricing structure is designed for a range of users, from individual bloggers to large agencies. The free version is packed with features, making it a great choice for many users who prefer not to spend money.
For those looking for more advanced options, Rank Math offers three premium plans. The Pro plan costs $4.92 per month and is perfect for individual users and small businesses, providing features like unlimited personal websites and keyword tracking. The Business plan, priced at $20.99 per month, is for larger teams and includes extras like client website support and more keyword tracking. Finally, the Agency plan at $49.99 per month is tailored for high-volume users with extensive client and keyword needs.
With its wide range of features, Rank Math provides excellent value. The combination of free and premium plans means that users at all levels can take advantage of its powerful SEO tools without overspending.
Rank Math: Features
Rank Math offers several key features that appeal to both new and experienced SEO professionals. It goes beyond typical plugins by providing tools that help improve website performance easily.
Easy setup wizard
Rank Math’s intuitive setup wizard simplifies the installation process, making it incredibly user-friendly. With just a few clicks, users can efficiently configure their SEO settings, link their social media profiles, and seamlessly connect various Google services. This ensures that their site is not only optimized right from the start but also positioned for success in search engine rankings, allowing users to focus on creating great content instead of getting bogged down in technical details.
(Image credit: Rank Math)
AI assistant
The AI assistant integrated into Rank Math is a game-changer for users looking to craft SEO-friendly content. By suggesting relevant keywords and phrases tailored to their specific niche and audience, AI empowers content creators to optimize their posts effectively. This helps improve their chances of ranking higher in search engine results, making it significantly easier for them to connect with their target audience and drive organic traffic to their websites.
(Image credit: Rank Math)
SEO analytics
Rank Math enhances the user experience by integrating Google Search Console directly into the WordPress dashboard. This feature provides comprehensive SEO analytics, allowing users to monitor crucial metrics such as keyword rankings, sitemap status, and indexing issues without the need to toggle between different platforms. By streamlining this process, Rank Math makes it simpler for users to stay informed about their site's performance and make data-driven decisions to boost their SEO efforts.
Advanced schema generator
The Advanced Schema Generator in Rank Math is designed to simplify the process of adding structured data to posts and pages. Users can choose from a wide variety of schema types — such as articles, local businesses, products, and more — which enhances content visibility in search engine results. By implementing structured data, users can improve their chances of achieving rich snippets, ultimately increasing click-through rates and attracting more visitors to their sites.
Google Analytics integration
With built-in integration for Google Analytics 4, Rank Math offers users the ability to track important website metrics directly from their WordPress dashboard. This powerful feature provides valuable insights into user behavior, traffic sources, and overall site performance. By leveraging this data, users can make informed decisions to enhance their site's functionality and optimize their content strategy, ensuring continued growth and success in the competitive online landscape.
Rank Math: Setup
Setting up Rank Math is quite simple, thanks to its guided setup wizard. New users are welcomed with an easy-to-use interface that guides them through the installation step-by-step. The wizard automatically identifies your site's settings, suggests the best configurations, and helps connect your social and webmaster profiles. This ensures a smooth integration that meets your website's needs right from the beginning.
The user interface is clean and organized, making essential information and tools easy to find. Rank Math's dashboard displays important SEO metrics and actionable insights beside your posts, which simplifies content optimization as you write. For those who are new to SEO, the plugin offers plenty of resources, including detailed documentation and video tutorials, to help users understand each feature and setting.
While the setup process is user-friendly, beginners may feel a bit overwhelmed by the numerous options at first. However, Rank Math provides clear explanations and recommendations that help ease this learning curve, allowing users to take full advantage of the plugin without much trouble.
Rank Math: Customer support
(Image credit: Rank Math)
Rank Math provides several customer support options, with assistance levels varying by user plan. Free users can access extensive documentation, FAQs, and community forums, which are helpful for troubleshooting common issues. There's also an active Facebook group where users can get advice from peers and Rank Math staff.
Premium users receive priority support via email, leading to quicker responses for more complex questions. While this tiered system works well for many, some users wish for live chat support, which is not currently offered. Nonetheless, Rank Math's support team is generally well-regarded for being responsive and willing to help users resolve their issues efficiently.
Overall, Rank Math offers a solid support experience with ample resources to help users make the most of the plugin. However, adding a live chat option could improve customer satisfaction and provide a more comprehensive support solution.
Rank Math: Final verdict
Rank Math is a powerful SEO plugin for WordPress that provides a wide range of features to boost website performance. Its easy-to-use interface and advanced functions make it a great option for both beginners and professionals who want to improve their SEO efforts.
While the plugin has many strengths, it does have a couple of drawbacks, like the absence of live chat support and the potential complexity of some features for new users. However, these issues are minor compared to the overall advantages Rank Math offers.
In short, Rank Math is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to enhance their website's search engine ranking. Its affordability, functionality, and user-friendly design make it especially suitable for bloggers, businesses, and agencies looking to stay competitive online.
This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.
I Drive Business is a great cloud backup solution for SMBs concerned about hidden costs as its subscriptions are based only on cloud capacity. Available in a wide range of flexible plans, you can start small and scale up as and when you need to.
Prices start at only £56 per year for 250GB, rising to £838 for 5TB, with options to go up to 50TB and beyond. It has even more appeal as all plans include unlimited workstation and server support so you can secure Windows, macOS and Linux desktops, iOS and Android mobiles, Windows Server, Hyper-V and VMware hosts, and business apps such as Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint and Oracle.
Features keep on coming as IDrive’s hybrid backups can secure data to local drives or network shares, apps are provided for protecting Qnap and Synology NAS appliances, and it offers disk image backups, cloning and continuous data protection (CDP). Cloud file syncing between IDrive computers is also included, and subscriptions enable an equal amount of sync space.
The desktop app can protect all popular business apps and systems(Image credit: Future)
The only optional features are cloud-to-cloud (C2C) backup services for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. These are managed from a dedicated portal, with the MS365 component costing £16 per user per year to secure OneDrive, Exchange, SharePoint and Teams accounts.
Client deployment is simple: you send email invitations from the portal, which provide links for users to create backup accounts, select AES-256 encryption and download the desktop app. Businesses with remote workers will find a lot to like here as the price includes unlimited users, and admins can remotely access their desktop app, create or edit backup jobs, set schedules and run restore tasks.
The client opens with a default backup set for common files and documents. We modified file and folder sources by adding or deleting them in the Backup pane and scheduled tasks for regular intervals. Files and folders can be easily restored using the local agent or web portal, and IDrive provides ransomware protection by retaining up to 30 file versions.
To secure our VMware ESXi virtual machines (VMs), we provided the IP address and credentials of our vCenter host and selected VMs from the list presented. Jobs default to running hybrid local and cloud backups and, for the former, IDrive can use a storage location on the system running the app or a mapped drive.
The same procedures apply for securing local SQL Server databases, while Exchange Server and Hyper-V VM backups need the desktop app installed directly on the hosts. When restoring data to any of these hosts, IDrive requires access to the local backup folder and, if it isn’t available, you can copy the relevant files back from cloud storage using the client or web portal.
Remote users can be managed from the web portal(Image credit: Future)
The Microsoft 365 protection service is just as easy to use; once we’d authorised access to our account, it immediately started full backups for the four suite components and all users. The dedicated portal can be accessed directly from the main IDrive web console or desktop app and provides an overview of all activities and protected items.
You can’t control the schedule as IDrive automatically runs incremental backups three times a day, but you can run extra manual backups for selected users and teams whenever you want. The portal’s recovery panel is easy to use, and we had no problems finding and restoring items such as emails for Outlook users, OneDrive files and Teams documents.
IDrive Business is a top cloud backup choice for SMBs that want to protect on-premises systems and remote workers. Platform and business app support is outstanding, it’s easy to use and the simple capacity-based subscriptions are incredibly good value.
This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.
The first sign of any product’s quality comes when you unpack it from its box, especially when it’s honed to hit a budget. Does it feel too light, look too plasticky? Have corners been cut that make it horrible to use? In short, does it feel cheap?
So it was with an inward sigh of relief that I started assembling the HP All-in-One 27. Finished in all white, it looks classy, while the stand not only includes 100mm of height adjustment but a felt-covered base. That may sound trivial, but it shows the attention to detail often lacking in budget laptops and PCs.
HP has also taken account of this machine’s environmental impact, using 40% post-consumer recycled plastic, 10% recycled metal and even using “recycled” coffee grounds as speckles in the plastic. Sadly, that isn’t reflected in any kind of smell.
The stand includes 100mm of height adjustment(Image credit: Future)
Another nice touch is the 1080p camera built into the top bezel. You slide this up when needed – I kept it up as it’s great for face recognition – and down if you’re worried about privacy. It isn’t the world’s finest webcam, capturing a grainy image with such a wide angle that I had to lean in close to fill the frame, but at least the mic works well.
A basic wireless keyboard and mouse set come in the box. The keyboard’s plastic keys have the same cushioning as a park bench, and it’s so light that it will be pushed out of position by an extra vigorous keypress. But it includes useful function keys, particularly the brightness up/down for the screen: I looked in vain for other physical controls for the display, or software control in the various HP utilities. The mouse is a simple two-button affair, unless you count the clickable scroll wheel, and both it and the keyboard connect to the PC via the same USB dongle.
This leaves three USB-A ports free, with a solitary USB-C port keeping it company. Aside from one USB-A 2 port, all these are limited to USB 3.2 Gen 1’s 5Gbits/sec transfers, which is unnecessarily mean. Especially when the supplied SSD offers only 512GB of storage. While you can theoretically get inside this device to replace the drive, as well as the 16GB of RAM (supplied via two 8GB DDR4 SODIMMs), you’ll need time, patience and skill.
The 1080p camera built into the top bezel is a nice touch(Image credit: Future)
HP sticks to Wi-Fi 6 rather than 6E, but it’s always nice to see a physical Ethernet port (gigabit, not 2.5GbE), and there’s a bonus in the form of an HDMI 1.2 output. This spec is getting on for 20 years old, which is reflected in the fact that the highest-resolution screen you can connect at 60Hz is 1,920 x 1,080. Still, if you have a 1080p screen knocking around it could be useful.
I could be critical of the HP’s 27in panel, as it’s a non-touch 1080p unit with a pixel density of 82ppi. Not great, but at typical viewing distances I was never irritated by a lack of sharpness. It helps that colors are a strong point: it covers 95% of the sRGB space with good accuracy – its average Delta E is 0.68 – while a peak brightness of 275cd/m2 is fine for use indoors.
The HP All-in-One is a surprisingly strong choice for films, too, with a pair of beefy 2W speakers that handle explosive scenes and music equally well. Not to the point of audiophilic delight, perhaps, but enough that you can listen to Spotify while working. Their only weakness is lack of volume, but there’s enough oomph to fill a study.
Some might criticize this PC’s power, too, as it includes a relatively timid Core i7-1355U. That’s now been usurped by Intel’s Core 7 processor 150U, but this would only give you a minor speed bump; they share the same basic design of two P-cores and eight E-cores, but the 150U’s peak frequency is higher (5.4GHz vs 5GHz). Besides, this machine is extremely nippy; you’ll only wish you had a more powerful CPU, such as the Ryzen 9 in the Geekom A8 opposite, is if you max out the cores when coding or editing.
(Image credit: Future)
HP relies on the Iris Xe graphics built into the processor, and that means any modern game is out of bounds. To make Shadow of the Tomb Raider playable I dropped to 720p resolution and Lowest settings for an average of 37fps; at 1080p, it was a shaky 23fps.
But this machine isn’t designed for games, and despite its year-old processor and elephant’s graveyard of old standards – HDMI 1.2, really? – I ended up enjoying my time with the HP All-in-One 27. Would I have liked it more if the screen was 1440p, the keyboard less Lego-like and there was a shade more power inside? Yes, undoubtedly. At this price, however, I’m willing to overlook such flaws. It offers quality where it counts – the design, the build quality, the screen, the speakers – and £799 is extremely competitive.
This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.
A highly modular approach makes Commvault’s Cloud an attractive choice for businesses that want a hybrid backup solution they can tailor precisely to their needs. Originally launched a few years ago as Metallic and now integrated into Commvault’s cyber resiliency and recoverycloud platform, it comprises 16 distinct components so looks to have every data protection requirement covered.
For essential off-site backup, you can use Commvault’s cloud storage as a backup destination or choose from 26 third-party providers including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google. Commvault gives ransomware attacks a hard time, as its Azure-based cloud storage is air-gapped and immutable, with modules now provided for risk analysis and backup content malware scans.
The Security IQ feature presents a security posture rating plus options to enforce extra authorization for restores and deletions. The unusual file activity service alerts you if it detects ransomware attacks and presents the last good recovery point for swift data recovery.
The Security IQ feature keeps your data safe(Image credit: Future)
The cloud portal presents a service catalogue list, and selecting a module takes you to a dedicated configuration page. Plenty of help is at hand as each one provides details of all prerequisites and clear setup instructions.
After assigning the systems, applications or services the module is to protect, you choose your storage locations; for hybrid backup, Commvault supports local storage or network shares as the primary location and a cloud repository as the secondary stage. Next, you assign a backup plan that defines your recovery point objective (RPO), backup window and data retention periods.
We wanted to protect the lab’s Hyper-V and VMware hosts, which required the Commvault gateway component installed on a Windows Server host on the same network. Downloaded from the portal, this manages communications between sources and destinations and handles all caching, deduplication and hash tables. For Hyper-V backups, you’ll also need Commvault’s VSA package installed on each host server.
We declared a Synology NAS for our primary backup location, used Commvault’s cloud for secondary storage, and each plan started by backing up selected virtual machines (VMs) to our NAS appliance. On completion, they ran an auxiliary job to replicate the local store to the cloud, and the transfer process is speeded up by only sending deduplicated data.
VMware recovery services are outstanding: we could browse and restore guest files, the entire VM or its VMDK files. The live recovery and live mount services can quickly reinstate a failed VM, with the latter loading them directly from a backup on primary storage.
Commvault’s cloud portal has a data protection module for every occasion(Image credit: Future)
A fine choice of cloud-to-cloud backup modules are available, and we found the MS365 option a cinch to deploy. You do need to authenticate separately with Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams, but the entire process is handled very smoothly and we had our entire MS365 account backed up in 15 minutes. For item recovery, you select the required MS365 component, choose a recovery point, view all available versions and restore it to the original location or another MS365 user.
The Endpoint module supports Windows, macOS and Linux clients. Once users have installed Commvault’s Edge Monitor app and logged in to their account, it applies your predefined plan. This backs up their system to the cloud, creates a local drive letter for drag-and-drop restores and provides access to a personal self-service web portal.
Pricing could be more transparent, but Commvault Cloud is a great choice for businesses that want a highly customizable cloud backup solution. It offers an impressive range of easily deployed modules so you only pay for what you need, and it has a keen focus on data security and ransomware protection.
This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.
Businesses worried about managing a hybrid data protection strategy may want to consider Barracuda’s Backup appliances, as they do everything for you. These all-in-one physical and virtual solutions provide on-site backup, cloud replication and full data restoration services, as well as optional site-to-site replication, all managed from one cloud portal.
Barracuda offers a wide choice of hardware appliances, with the entry-level Backup 290 on review presented as a low-profile 1U rack appliance fitted with a single 2TB SATA hard disk. This may not sound like very much, but the appliance’s variable block-level deduplication is very efficient; during testing we backed up 1.7TB of data, which Barracuda squashed down to 331GB for an 82% reduction.
Prices for the Backup 290 start at £2,000, with unlimited cloud storage costing £996 per year. Barracuda’s Energize Update service costs £335 per year, with an Instant Replacement subscription adding a further yearly cost of £480.
The Backup 290 is fitted with a single 2TB SATA hard disk(Image credit: Future)
To install the appliance, you initially connect a local monitor and keyboard and link it to your Cloud Control account. Barracuda provides agents for Windows, macOS and Linux in the portal, and it’s good value as the price includes support for unlimited clients as well as a number of common business apps.
You use the same agent for all Windows workstations and servers. Once installed, we declared each system as a backup source. The beauty of this solution is that during job creation, you tick one extra box so local backup jobs are automatically replicated to the cloud.
The agent identifies all hosted applications and offered us options to select SQL Server databases and virtual machines (VMs) on our Windows Server 2022 Hyper-V server. An agent isn’t required for VMware hosts as we declared our vCenter server using its IP address and were presented with all VMs on our managed ESXi servers for selection as backup sources.
Once systems are registered, you can assign them to the default backup schedule, which automatically backs up everything on them once a day. It’s easy enough to create custom schedules, assign specific systems and items, and repeat jobs as often as every 15 minutes.
Barracuda employs an “incremental forever” system, which runs one full backup for each host followed by regular incrementals. Ransomware protection is provided as you can use the default retention policy for all hosts or apply custom ones that define the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly periods you want data kept for.
For file recovery, we selected systems from the portal, chose files and folders and restored them to their original location or to another system. The same window provides access to the cloud repository, where the Download option copies the data back to the system running the Cloud Control portal.
The cloud portal keeps you informed of all backup activity(Image credit: Future)
We could restore selected Hyper-V and VMware VMs directly from the appliance to their respective hosts or to alternative locations, and if the appliance isn’t available you can download their virtual disks from your cloud repository. An Energize Update subscription enables the LiveBoot feature so you can swiftly restore VMs directly to the appliance if the hypervisor is down.
The Cloud LiveBoot feature has an Instant Replacement subscription and allows VMs to be hosted in Barracuda’s cloud for up to seven days for testing, backup validation and file recovery. Internet outages are covered, too, as the appliance has a local web console that provides restore browser and Live Boot management tools.
Barracuda’s Backup 290 makes light work of managing a hybrid data protection strategy and is an attractive option for time-poor SMBs. It’s simple to deploy and manage, the block level deduplication can make big storage savings, and it offers an impressive range of data recovery features.
This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.
Acronis’ Cyber Protect teams up hybrid backup services with full-strength cybersecurity and endpoint protection. One subscription takes care of everything, and it’s all managed from a single cloud portal.
Cyber Protect 16 Advanced takes the Standard edition and adds features such as Windows patch management, backup malware scans and an endpoint detection and remediation (EDR) service that provides event correlation, threat containment, incident investigation, kill chain analysis and endpoint rollback recovery. Ransomware protection comes with tamper-proof immutable backups and a compliance mode that stops malicious actors from changing account settings and deleting backups.
There are a lot of activities to keep track of, but the cloud portal helps by presenting a customizable dashboard. You have lots of widgets to choose from, including ones for protected system overviews, backup storage usage, vulnerable systems, alerts, detected malware, patch remediation status and blocked website categories.
Platform support is extensive and the EDR service keep ransomware attacks at bay(Image credit: Future)
Platform support is outstanding and includes Windows, macOS and Linux systems, iOS and Android mobiles, many popular business apps, ten virtualization hosts, and cloud apps such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Agent deployment for workstations and servers is a lengthy affair, though, as they must be downloaded from the portal and manually installed, after which they generate a unique registration code and appear in the portal’s devices page.
Hyper-V virtual machine (VM) backups require a dedicated agent installed on the host, and you now have two choices for VMware systems. You can install an agent VM directly on the host and register it with your cloud account or use the new Windows remote agent.
Applying settings is much simpler. You place similar systems in groups and assign protection plans that include your backup settings, encryption passwords, schedules and all cybersecurity settings. For hybrid backups, primary and secondary storage locations can be assigned. We used local Synology NAS shares for fast local backups and the Acronis cloud repository for off-site storage.
Synology NAS appliances can now be protected by a DSM agent app. It temporarily needed root access to register with our Acronis account, and we could then access the appliance from the cloud portal, create a protection plan and choose the shares we wanted backed up to the cloud.
Along with swift file and folder recovery services for remote servers and workstations, the portal provides an impressive range of restore features for Hyper-V and VMware. You can recover an entire VM back to its original location, as a new VM on the same host or another one. For even faster recovery, a temporary VM can be created on the host from a local backup.
(Image credit: Future)
Within workstation and server plans, you can enable real-time malware scanning, apply URL filtering using up to 44 categories, schedule vulnerability assessments, run patch management remediation tasks and enforce removable device controls. When EDR is activated, you can view all incoming alerts from the portal, see lists of all incidents filtered by severity and mitigation status and browse a threat investigation page which provides a kill chain diagram, details of how the attack developed and the processes it interacted with.
Businesses that want all their data backup and cybersecurity in one place will love Acronis Cyber Protect 16 Advanced. Its flexible subscriptions keep costs under control, the EDR service stays one step ahead of cybercriminals and it’s easy to manage.
Dimensions/Weight: 765 x 385 x 395 mm (WxDxH)/18kg
The Procolored F13 Panda L1800 is a dedicated DTF printer aimed at enthusiasts and entrepreneurs looking to customize clothing on a medium scale. It’s an accessible and affordable, consumer-friendly printer that also has the wide-format proportions and high ink capacity that will interest established print shops producing up to 50 pieces per day. But first of all, what is a DTF printer?
DTF (direct to film) is a process that prints specially formulated liquid ink onto plastic film ready for transfer onto the surface of fabric using a heat press. It differs from sublimation printing where the dry ink on the transfer paper is sublimated by the heat into a gas that can penetrate the fibers of certain textiles and other materials (for more on this, I reviewed the best sublimation printers out there right now). DTF’s surface printing is therefore less permanent, but also less fussy about your fabric and it has no problem printing on black cloth because it adds white ink to the usual CMYK foursome.
The Procolored F13 Panda L1800 is using an Epson inkjet print head to apply ink droplets to 13-inch (33cm) rolls of transfer film. That means you can print high resolution graphics at tabloid or A3 size width and up to a meter long. This semi-pro printer costs around US$3,000/£2,400 and that includes Windows software, a set of 250ml inks, a roll of plastic film and a bag of adhesive powder (essential for curing your transfers). But if you also want the tabloid-sized Procolored Panda oven that I used to conduct this test, the all-inclusive price is around US$3,400/£2,800. I also added a Panda heat press costing around US$469/£360 to complete my Procolored production line. The printer is available from the official Procolored website here.
Procolored F13 Panda L1800: Design and build
(Image credit: Procolored)
The Procolored Panda L1800 printer feels like a professional tool thanks to its robust all metal construction, while the playful Panda logo makes it look more like a consumer product. Either way, the design and build quality are both excellent. The various metal hinges and flaps are built to last, as are the equally rugged roll holder and paper cutter that bolt on with satisfying precision. The design is quite compact compared to other wide-format fabric printers, while still being large enough to hold 13-inch (33cm) rolls of transfer film for printing tabloid/A3-width sheets up to a meter long. There’s plenty of room for ink in the bottle holder at the right side too. Each of the five bottles holds 250ml of DTF ink. The whole thing weighs just under 40lb (18kg).
Inside the steel bodywork, the long lengths of clear plastic tubing look more science project than polished product, but it all works well enough. There’s no touchscreen interface, unfortunately, just an LED display showing the operating temperature and a few large button controls.
The accompanying Procolored Panda Oven is a simple steel unit for heating your printed film to 120-degrees to cure the DTF ink ready for transfer. It’ll take tabloid-sized sheets so the footprint is similar to that of the printer and the surface is conveniently flat which is handy for laying out and inspecting your work. Again, the metal construction feels strong enough to withstand life in a busy print shop.
Procolored F13 Panda L1800: Features & specifications
(Image credit: Procolored)
The Procolored F13 Panda package includes all the features needed to print from a PC onto fabric via film transfer. The L1800 printer itself can print onto 13in (33cm) rolls of plastic film which are then sliced to the appropriate length (up to one meter) with the included guillotine attachment. You can also feed in regular sheets of letter or tabloid paper when running nozzle checks, but there is no paper input tray.
It’s using inkjet technology to apply specially formulated DTF ink onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The quoted print speed is a little longer than the average photo printer at eight-foot per hour. I found it took anything between 5 to 10 minutes for a letter-sized design and 10 to 20 minutes for tabloid. Procolored suggests a production rate of 20 to 50 pieces per day which could suit a medium-scale shirt business.
One major advantage of DTF printing over sublimation printing is that it adds white ink to the four CMYK colors which makes printing onto black fabric possible. White DTF ink is prone to clogging, but this printer avoids print head clogging by circulating the white ink, even when not in active use. The only downside is that DTF uses more energy than sublimation as a result.
Procolored F13 Panda L1800: Setup
(Image credit: Procolored)
Setting up the Procolored L1800 printer from scratch takes around half an hour - if everything goes to plan. The roller assembly needs to be screwed onto the machine, so you’ll need a screwdriver, but it’s so intuitive, you might not need to refer to the online instructions. The cutter clips on in a similarly logical way. Loading the ink requires more care to pour the five 500ml bottles into the correct five 250ml reservoirs without spilling any. I spilled a few drops, but the water-based ink is easy to clear up. Each color has to be sucked through long runs of rubber tubing to the print head using the supplied syringe. Once the film and ink are loaded, the printer can be switched on and allowed to reach its operating temperature. DTF printing requires a temperature range of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) for stable ink viscosity.
So far, so easy. However, I had real trouble installing the necessary Procolored RIP software and printer drivers. The first hurdle was finding a Windows PC with sufficient USB inputs. With no inbuilt wi-fi, you need to connect a data cable to the printer and have a second USB port free for the dongle that must remain plugged in while running the software. The Procolored software and drivers are delivered on a USB stick so a third USB port is useful. Even then, it took many hours and some assistance by patient Procolored engineers in China before I was printing. Perhaps my problems were down to user error, so I don’t want to put anyone off at this stage, but I do think the software side of things needs improvement and you will need some Windows OS experience to install it. Procolored are still working on Mac software for this product.
Procolored F13 Panda L1800: Operation
(Image credit: Procolored)
Once you’re up and running, printing tee-shirts is fairly straight forward and fun, though I have to admit making a lot of mistakes and misprints along the way. First, you open the Procolored RIP software, adjust your canvass dimensions to suit your shirt size and import your design. When you’ve finished manipulating it with the Photoshop-stye software, hit RIP. If this were a consumer product, that button would be labelled print, but technically, your image is undergoing Raster Image Processing in order to create a bitmap that the printer can read and print.
After a few minutes of printing, you’re rewarded with a warm and moist version of your design on film, which can be sliced off with the integrated cutter. Until the ink is cured, it’s prone to smearing, so you’ll need to be careful as you cover it with the adhesive powder (included). After tipping the excess powder back in the bag, place the film in the oven at 120 degrees. The Procolored oven will automatically rise to this temperature and sound an alarm after 180 seconds when your transfer is cured and ready to remove. It is still a little sticky at this point, so it’s best to get right onto the pressing stage. With your plain garment ironed and waiting on your heat press, place the transfer on it and activate the press. Procolored’s heat press also defaults to the right temperature and automatically re-opens after 45 seconds. Remove your tee-shirt and wait a few minutes for it to cool before peeling away the film to leave the graphic fixed permanently to the fabric.
Procolored F13 Panda L1800: Performance
(Image credit: Procolored)
If you want to print detailed graphics onto fabric with a high-quality finish, you should definitely try the Procolored F13 Panda package. I printed a variety of images onto a variety of textiles to test its performance and was consistently impressed by the results. The five DTF inks are strong colors which combine to make vivid prints with very accurate colors on film and they maintain that boldness when cured and pressed onto garments. What’s more, the colors seem to hold fast after multiple wash cycles. For the test, I used shirts made of 100% organic cotton, a polyester mix and bags made from 100% polyester and found that the initial was the same clean transfer in each case. However, it’s the pieces that fit best in the heat press that transferred the easiest. Items that are larger than the A4-size heat press had to be pressed in stages and a couple of times, the design stretched and failed to transfer.
I chose high resolution test images, and the printer’s 1,400 x 1,400 dpi resolution was able to turn them into crisp graphics, which stay crisp on the cloth. DTF has a resolution advantage over sublimation and thanks to the addition of white ink, DTF printers like this can print on dark fabric with no compromise in quality. Sublimation only works on light fabrics, ideally white. The downside is that DTF requires more equipment for the additional curing stage, but if you can afford and accommodate the curing oven, water-based DTF ink is generally cheaper than sublimation ink.
Procolored F13 Panda L1800: Consumables
(Image credit: Procolored)
The Procolored F13 Panda package ships with a 500g bag of adhesive powder, a roll of PET film, a print head cleaning kit and a set of initial DTF ink (six 250ml bottles). That’s one bottle each of CMYK and two of white, which is more heavily used. Procolored says six 500ml bottles (CMYKWW) of ink can print approximately 800 sheets of A3 (13" x 16") size patterns, or 1,600 sheets of A4 patterns. That much Procolored ink costs around US$300/£200, which seems reasonable, although there’s nothing to stop you buying third party ink which I’ve seen selling for less than $100. In other words, DTF pigment-based ink is affordable and the consumables cost of printing one tee-shirt comes in at well under a dollar a piece.
Procolored F13 Panda L1800: Maintenance
(Image credit: Procolored)
DTF printers need more maintenance than your average inkjet, but luckily the Procolored F13 Panda L1800 will automatically clean its own printhead every 10 hours when left on, consuming about 1ml ink per day. If you’re leaving the printer for more than seven days, however, it’s recommended you empty the ink.
Procolored F13 Panda L1800: Final verdict
(Image credit: Procolored)
There’s a lot to like about the Procolored F13 Panda L1800. The design is logical and appealing and the steel construction feels like it’s built to last. It can print large designs on a 13-inch roll of paper and cut them off with its integrated cutter. I struggled with the Procolored RIP software initially, but once you know what you’re doing, it’s possible to produce enough printed garments per day to satisfy a small business. And the print quality is excellent. By mixing five DTF inks together (CMYKW) it creates vivid and detailed graphics that transfer faithfully onto almost any kind of fabric.
There’s room for improvement too. I found the Windows software unintuitive and it only works while the dongle is inserted. Procolored assured me that Mac software is on the way. The print head is somewhat prone to clogging despite some clever automated ink management and I’d like to see wi-fi and a reset button built into the next edition. There were numerous occasions when the printer wouldn’t connect to my PC, or the ink ran, or the paper slipped, so it’s not perfect. That said, this is a very good DTF printer at a fair price.
Oupes' new Mega 2 portable power station, with a 2048Wh battery capacity and 2500W AC power inverter, brings affordable rechargeable power to the masses.
Specifications
Battery chemistry: LiFePo4
Battery capacity: 2048Wh
Number of charge cycles: Over 3500 before 20% drop
AC output power: 2500W, surge 5400W
Number of AC outlets: 4
Number of USB sockets: 4 Type A, 2 Type C
Number of 12V sockets: 1 Anderson, 1 Cigar lighter, 2 DC 5521
AC inverter efficiency: 86%
Number of power inputs: 2
Fastest charge time: 1 hour
Additional features: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
Weight: 22kg
Based on the proven LiFePo4 Lithium chemistry, the station will provide over 3500 charge cycles before experiencing a 20% drop in battery capacity. The design allows for future battery expansion, enabling up to two additional power packs for a total capacity of over 10kWh.
The unit can fast charge at 1600W, resulting in a full charge in less than two hours. Charging through solar panels yields an even higher rate at 2100W. The Mega 2 has fifteen low-power outputs to accommodate many home uses, and a TT30 socket is an excellent addition for road trips. A snappy mobile app available for Apple and Android allows complete control of the unit while providing helpful insight into output power consumption and the overall health of the station.
(Image credit: Future)
Oupes Mega 2: Pricing and Availability
Oupes’ Mega 2 has an MSRP of $1500 and is available at a special price of $1039 for a limited time, about 2WHr per dollar. Oupes also offers other stations with smaller and larger power capacities. The Mega 3 and 5 offer 3000Wh and 5000Wh, respectively, although they cost more, at $2240 and $3500. The Mega 1, the smallest in the family, offers only a 1kWh battery for $700.
Oupes Mega 2: Design
The Mega 2 ships with four Anderson cables, allowing the station to be used on the road or with solar panels, one AC charging cable, and a user manual. It measures 46cm x 27cm x 31cm and weighs 22kg. The plastic case has two handles on each side, allowing the unit to be moved rapidly from one place to another. Two large fans on the left bring decent airflow to the battery charger and AC inverter.
The Oupes Mega 2 has a powerful battery charger that supports up to 2100W through the solar DC input. With a maximum voltage of 150V, the unit can connect to ten 200W 12V panels, completing a charge cycle in less than two hours. The same input is used to charge the battery with the supplied car cable, but it will take much longer since the power is limited to 100W.
Like other power stations, the front panel hosts a large display and buttons to control the outputs. The LCD is bright and shows the percentage of the battery remaining. Input and output power are also shown but in smaller characters. Protections when the output power exceeds the maximum allowed also appear on the display.
The Mega 2 offers plenty of output options to the user. The low-voltage DC sockets include 12V outputs and the ubiquitous USB Type-A and Type-C. Both USB sockets support quick charge through a higher power profile. The Type-C can output a maximum of 100W, while the Type-A can only output 18W. Two 12V high-power outputs are also available, one supporting an Anderson connector that can output 360W, while the other is a cigar plug capable of 120W.
(Image credit: Future)
Oupes Mega 2: In Use
The AC output is more than capable of powering even the most demanding of household appliances. Rated at 2500W with short bursts of 5400W, the Mega 2 can give 120V at 1500W off four regular AC sockets. A fifth socket provides 2500W of power in a TT30 format, which is convenient on road trips to power a trailer's main electrical outlets.
Oupes has been generous with the charging options available in the Mega 2. Surprisingly, with its 1600W input power, the AC input is not the fastest way. The Anderson DC input supports 2100W and, with appropriate solar panels, can recharge the batteries in less than one hour. The DC input tolerates up to 150V, conveniently accepting ten 12V solar panels in series. The Mega 2 has an extra DC port, which can take an additional 2kWh battery.
Oupes’ mobile app replicates the power station's display functionality. The app initially pairs with a smartphone over Bluetooth and requires entering a QR code. The Mega 2 also includes a Wi-Fi interface, eventually becoming the main communication channel once the Bluetooth step is over. This means user data are transferred to Oupes’ cloud services, and the power station becomes accessible worldwide.
The Mega 2 features several protection mechanisms to prevent battery failures and damage to the station or connected equipment. Over ten error codes can be displayed on the front screen, each with a clear description in the user manual. As with any device that generates a lot of heat, it is recommended that the Mega 2 be kept in a well-ventilated area. With an efficiency of 86%, the unit is in the ballpark for this class of power stations.
Oupes Mega 2: The competition
Oupes' Mega 2 falls into the medium-sized power station with combined output power, AC, and DC, approaching 3kW. The 2kWh LiFePo4 battery brings it to the same level as the Bluetti and Ecoflow flagships. The volume taken by the station is about 26L, a smaller amount compared to the Mega 2’s two main competitors. Similar products have fast charging capabilities, which the Mega 2 excels at with its 2100W DC charge.
The Bluetti AC200L has battery capacity and output power similar to the Mega 2. The Bluetti and Ecoflow brands carry an MSRP higher than an Oupes station since they were the first to use LiFePo4 and have an established brand. Compared to the AC200L, the Mega 2 is also 25% smaller and weighs 22kg compared to the AC200L’s 28kg.
(Image credit: Future)
Oupes Mega 2: Final verdict
The Mega 2 power station from Oupes offers solid competition to Ecoflow and Bluetti products in terms of output power and battery capacity. Being a cheaper solution with similar battery technology, the Mega 2 is a more compact and lighter unit that packs as many, if not more, power outlets. It offers a battery expansion that can reach 10 kWh and is remotely controlled through a mobile app. What is missing is the brand recognition and community support the more well-known brands enjoy.
Buy the Mega 2 if ...
you need a powerful station but have a limited budget.View Deal
Don’t buy if ...
you are looking for the most efficient station around.View Deal
Eureka is a company that I just recently became familiar with. I'm checking out this chair, a desk, and another chair. I also had the opportunity to check out a bookshelf and other gear. So far, even at first glance and my first introduction to this company, they are a premium company in price and quality.
The Eureka Serene-OW (off-white) is a high-end executive office chair in the Eureka lineup. It has a unique design that stands out and attracts attention, unlike any of the best office chairs I have tested— and I've tested many. This chair has an impressive look that you might expect to see in a dramatic action movie, possibly in the office of a main character. The Serene is designed for professionals who seek both luxury and support during long hours of use. Additionally, it features genuine Napa leather and advanced ergonomic adjustments for optimal comfort.
Eureka Serene: Price and Availability
The Eureka Serene-OW is currently priced at $869.99 on sale, and the standard price is $1,199.99. This chair is primarily available on Eureka Ergonomic's website, with varying delivery times and available stock depending on your region.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Eureka Serene: Unboxing and First Impressions
Somehow, even the unboxing process for this chair oozed premium. The packaging was done very well; there were protective inserts and padding. And covers that helped make sure things didn't get scratched. Within the box, some sections include the chair components, instruction manual, and tools for assembly.
I was mesmerized by the cool green colorway when I took the covering off the main chair section. I'm not even a massive fan of green, but this green is the kind of green that feels more like nature and not an artificial green, though it's artificial as it's on a Napa leather chair. Regardless, the point is that this chair is striking when you first see it. It's fascinating and elegant.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Eureka Serene: Design and Build Quality
Not only is this chair bougie looking in design, but I could tell from the first time I touched the chair that legit, premium materials were being used. That said, the frame is sturdy and even rated for 350 lbs, which is wild, but it shows the quality of these materials.
The chair features a modern and professional aesthetic with chrome plated accents and that beautiful green accent color. The seat is made from a high-density molded foam cushion that will provide lasting comfort. Lastly, the base is solid, metal, and has smooth-rolling casters.
My team and I have rotated this chair to spend time with it since it is unique. So far, we all agree that it is exceptionally comfortable, even for those who sit at their desks working an entire day without getting up except out of necessity. The lumbar support minimizes back strain that we occasionally feel in other chairs, even other ergonomic chairs. And, unlike other ergonomic chairs, this chair feels solid and like you are surrounded, but not in a way that leads to claustrophobia, but rather in a way that makes you feel secure and like the chair isn't going to fall apart or break in any way. The Serene features easy height and tilt adjustments, but that's about it when it comes to customization.
I should have realized I was going to miss having adjustable armrests. The Eureka Serene has no adjustments available for the armrests -- they stay put. Granted, they are lovely armrests, comfortable, and even in the right spot about 85% of the time. Still, for those odd 15% times, I miss not being able to make a quick adjustment of the chair arms to reach the maximum comfort for whatever task I am working on or position I am in at that time.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Eureka Serene: Final verdict
The Eureka Serene is a standout choice for executives and professionals who value luxury and ergonomics for their office space. Eureka's Serene combines high-end materials with thoughtful design for optimal comfort and looks. If you are in the market for a high-value chair or if you simply want to
