2021 - Organizer

9:09 pm | November 19, 2021

Editor's Note

• Original review date: October 2019
• Launch price: Starts at $749 / £799 / AU$1,249
• Target price now: No longer available

Update – September 2024: At five years old, it shouldn't be surprising that the Surface Pro 7 is no longer available for purchase - and frankly, you wouldn't want to buy one now anyway.

That's because the latest model, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, is an absolute beast compared to this outdated version of Microsoft's signature Windows tablet. The newfound power of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip, combined with Microsoft's improved Prism emulation for running Windows on Arm-based processors, has arguably made the Pro 11 the best Surface device ever - a far cry from the rather wonky SQ-series chips powering older Surface devices like this.

Of course, those newfound powers and updated design (plus half a decade of inflation...) mean that the Surface Pro 11 is a bit pricier, starting at $999.99 /£1,049.99 / AU$1,899.99. For my money, though, it's well worth the new price - as someone who bought a first-generation Surface way back in 2012, I'm over the moon to see the product line finally achieve greatness.

Original review follows.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Two-Minute Review

We had hoped the Surface Pro 7 would have fixed all the issues that the Surface Pro 6 had when it was released. But its successor unfortunately does not do much to right the ship and establish itself as one of the best tablets. This was the perfect opportunity to get the product line back on course but this update ends up falling short where it matters.

That’s not to say that there are no improvements here. The Surface Pro 7 comes with an increasingly important USB-C port as well as some updated components. But, there’s not much else beyond that making this a hard device to recommend unless you want to stick with the Surface Pro line and have an outdated model. In fact, if you’re willing to spend the extra cash, the newer release, Surface Pro 8, is the better machine.

As with the Surface Laptop 4, this shows that Microsoft can still make great portables when it makes the effort. It’s just that the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 comes up short. If you’re on a budget, however, you could potentially get it at a good price now that a newer model is available.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Price and Availability

Spec sheet

Here is the Surface Pro 7 configuration sent to TechRadar for review:

CPU: 1.1GHz Intel Core i5-1035G4 (quad-core, 6MB cache, up to 3.7GHz boost)
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
RAM: 8GB DDR4x
Screen: 12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824 PixelSense display (Contrast ratio: 1,500:1, 100% sRGB color, 10-point multi-touch, 3:2 aspect ratio)
Storage: 256GB SSD
Ports: 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB-C 3.1, microSDXC card reader (UHS-I), headphone/mic jack
Connectivity: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 (2 x 2 MIMO), Bluetooth 5
Cameras: 8MP rear-facing, auto-focus camera (1080p HD); 5MP front-facing, 1080p HD camera
Weight: 1.7 pounds (771g)
Size: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches (292 x 201 x 8.5mm; W x D x H)

The new Surface Pro 7 starts at $749 / £799 / AU$1,249 as with previous versions and comes without the Type Cover ($129, £149, AU$249) and Surface Pen ($99, £99, AU$139) included. That means this price is fairly par for the course.

That base configuration gets you an Intel Core i3 processor (CPU) 4GB of memory (RAM) and a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD), with the latter points upgradeable to as much as 16GB and 1TB capacity, respectively.

This pricing, again, is inherited from previous versions, but it's still not a great deal when you're spending upwards of 1,000 bucks or quid to get the full experience with the accessories that are still sold separately.

The Surface Pro 7 that we’re reviewing here will cost you $1,199 in the US. Again, that’s without the Surface Pen and Type Cover that Microsoft has included in our review sample. To get the full Surface Pro experience at this configuration, you’ll be spending around $1,460 in the US.

That said, a similarly configured 12.9-inch iPad Pro – with 256GB of storage, the Smart Keyboard Folio, and second-generation Apple Pencil – originally cost around $1,480 in the US. Apple is just as guilty for selling accessories separately that are arguably central to the experience.

So it doesn’t look like Microsoft is way out with its pricing, and you’re getting a full mobile PC with Microsoft’s tablet option, but it’s nevertheless a bit egregious.

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The display bezels are awfully thick for a tablet in 2019. (Image credit: Future)

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The Surface Pen is still not included in the box. (Image credit: Future)

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Not much has changed about the Surface Pro 7 design from last year’s model. (Image credit: Future)

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The Type Cover keyboard now has deeper-feeling travel as well as a bouncier feel as our fingers leave the keys. (Image credit: Future)

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The touchscreen is just as sharp, vibrant and responsive to touch as the previous generation. (Image credit: Future)

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The device still measures 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches (292 x 201 x 8.5mm). (Image credit: Future)

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The tablet also still comes in the same matte black and silver aluminum finishes. (Image credit: Future)

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This is essentially the same Surface Pro you’ve known for years. (Image credit: Future)

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We appreciate the Alcantara fabric that makes a return with this Type Cover. (Image credit: Future)

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Microsoft has finally included a USB-C port. (Image credit: Future)

Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Design

Microsoft may have finally included a USB-C port, but absolutely nothing else has changed about the Surface Pro 7 design from last year’s model. The device still measures 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches (292 x 201 x 8.5mm) and weighs 1.7 pounds (770g). The tablet also still comes in the same matte black and silver aluminum finishes.

The tablet's touchscreen still comes in at 12.3 inches on the diagonal with a 2,736 x 1,824 resolution (267 pixels per inch) and 3:2 aspect ratio. It's just as sharp, vibrant and responsive to touch as the previous generation, which was already quite impressive. But, again, this specification hasn’t changed in years, and could use an update at least in features, such as HDR and enhanced color gamut coverage. Also, the bezels are awfully thick for a tablet of this price in 2019.

Now having issued practically the same tablet for two years, it’s becoming clear that either Microsoft has reached its limits on the original Surface Pro design, which is unlikely, or the company is simply no longer interested in tweaking the Surface Pro any more – except for tinkering with the Pro X.

Instead, it feels like Microsoft is far more inspired by its upcoming dual-screen devices, which will likely herald the future of the company’s hardware design – depending on how successful they are.

As for the most major Surface Pro 7 design change, we get USB-C at long last, but it’s on the USB 3.1 standard and not Thunderbolt 3. With that, you get the versatility of this new connection without the raw throughput of the Thunderbolt 3 technology.

Apple and countless other competitors at similar price points have widely adopted Thunderbolt 3, which makes its absence in the Surface Pro 7 more glaring. While Apple didn't including it in the iPad Pro, it did with the similarly-priced 13-inch MacBook Pro, for example.

Now, Microsoft has improved the device's studio microphones for stronger accuracy when using Cortana with your voice, but that's such a minor improvement it's hardly worth mentioning.

In Microsoft’s favor, however, the Type Cover keyboard now has deeper-feeling travel as well as a bouncier feel as our fingers leave the keys. This is an upgrade for sure, though will certainly be an adjustment for longtime Surface Pro users – at least for a few minutes. Meanwhile, the Type Cover’s touchpad remains unchanged, and is just as smooth and responsive to the touch as ever.

We also appreciate the Alcantara fabric that makes a return with this Type Cover, which appears and feels to be more tightly woven than before. Hopefully this will make the fabric more stain resistant, as Microsoft claims.

All told, this is essentially the same Surface Pro you’ve known for years, only now it features a more versatile USB-C port in lieu of a DisplayPort connection. Why not drop the original USB-A as well for another USB-C? Who knows. There is a lot that could have been done to improve this product at the same price that simply wasn’t done, so forgive us for being nonplussed by the Surface Pro 7 design and feel.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Performance

Benchmarks

Here’s how the Surface Pro 7 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

PCMark 8 Home: 3,312
Geekbench 4 (Single-Core): 5,904; (Multi-Core): 17,512
Cinebench CPU: 559; Graphics: 61 fps
PCMark 8 Battery Life: 3 hours and 12 minutes
TechRadar Battery Life Test: 6 hours and 2 minutes

The Surface Pro 7 was the first of its kind using one of Intel’s 10-nanometer (nm) processors (CPUs) across all specifications, and the numbers certainly show that.

With that in mind, expect a device that’s much faster at processing both everyday tasks and more commonplace ones, not to mention stronger graphics potential now with Intel Iris Plus graphics over an Intel UHD graphics processor (GPU).

The latter should contribute to stronger media streaming, especially at higher resolutions, as well as a slightly expanded gaming profile.

The Surface Pro 6 of 2018 employed a 14nm Intel Core CPU, which was fine for the job (and arguably still is), but this CPU has brought that transistor size down to 10nm, which means more transistors in the same overall CPU die space. Basically, with more transistors comes better performance, and it shows in the numbers.

For example, the Surface Pro 7 gets an impressive 25% boost in the Geekbench 4 multi-core test over the Surface Pro 6. Likewise, the Cinebench graphics test sees a 15% increase in performance in Pro 7 versus Pro 6, hitting the almighty 60 frames per second mark.

Could you expect to game on the Surface Pro 7? Sure, as Intel promises smooth 1080p gaming from its latest CPUs, but we certainly wouldn't buy this tablet for that purpose. You might be able to get Fortnite to a playable frame rate at 1080p, but why bother when you could grab a solid gaming laptop for the same price?

In short, this tablet is going to chew through all ordinary computing tasks, and serve as a fine portable multitasker to boot that can handle the odd gaming session over lunch. The additional graphics brunt should also serve digital artists well to boot. It’s all in all a major bump forward in performance that power users will definitely see, but that the average user likely won’t notice.

Battery life

Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Battery Life

However, when it comes to lasting power, we’re not seeing the same levels of battery life exhibited by the previous generation Surface Pro and its 14nm Intel Core CPU. In our tests, the Surface Pro 7 fell more than two hours short of the 8 hours and 45 minutes that the 2018 Pro 6 achieved in our local battery rundown test.

Likewise, the Surface Pro 7 came up more than 45 minutes short of the PCMark 8 battery test, with the Pro 6 clocking in at a straight 4 hours.

You would normally expect battery life to increase when moving to supposedly more efficient processor architecture. However, Core i5 and i7 versions of Intel’s CPUs made major boosts to graphical performance, which could come at the expense of battery life.

Hardware manufacturers and software makers – of which Microsoft is both – have had half a decade now to optimize their products around Intel’s 14nm silicon. They’ve likely had a fraction of that time to prepare for and adapt to Intel’s 10nm chips, and this could explain why the Surface Pro 7's battery life is worse than the previous model's.

Oddly enough, if it’s peak battery life you’re after, you may be better off picking up one of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 6 models. That is, at least until the company improves the Surface Pro 7 battery life via firmware patches, which is entirely possible, and we'd argue quite likely.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Software and Features

Like just about every Surface before it, the Surface Pro 7 isn’t necessarily feature-rich or has many key pieces of software to discuss, which has its pros and cons. The major pro here is that there is practically no bloatware on this tablet at all, as it’s issued directly from Microsoft.

Another pro is the Windows Hello facial recognition, which uses the tablet’s infrared camera next to its webcam, and is as speedy and accurate as before. Once again, we can open the tablet from its Type Cover and it’s already logged us into Windows 10. Talk about instant-on performance.

However, there is basically nothing else in the way of distinctive software and features. If it’s on this tablet, you can get it on any other Windows 10 tablet. That includes the Your Phone feature, which allows you to sync up an Android phone with Windows to see and respond to text messages, edit calendar entries or even take calls.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Our Verdict

All things considered, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is one of the company’s most powerful Surface tablets. However, that boost in power appears to come at a cost to battery life.

If you’re willing to wait for those battery life improvements to come, and you don’t necessarily need all day staying power, then by all means jump in on the most technologically advanced Surface ever. But, know that those technological gains aren’t exactly massive, and come at the expense of other aspects of performance, specifically battery.

We honestly would have expected a bit more advancements from the seventh Surface Pro tablet. USB-C is nice, but for a device at this price should be Thunderbolt 3, and the display bezels are awfully thick for a tablet in 2019. It appears that Microsoft has saved all of this year’s advancements for its Pro X, which is a shame for anyone looking to pay the same price. In short, the Surface Pro 7 isn’t far enough of a leap over the Pro 6 for us to recommend it to either upgraders or folks just getting into Microsoft’s tablet.

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First reviewed November 2019

How We Test

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

SpeedLine POS: Pricing

Despite the fact that the SpeedLine POS system is designed specifically with pizza outlets in mind, it doesn't have an off-the-shelf pricing system. Naturally this is largely down to the fact that businesses vary in size, have varying numbers of staff who will use the point of sale system and different customer needs to boot.

If you’re interested in exploring the capabilities of this pizza POS system then it’s a good idea to sign up for a demo in the first instance. This will let you see the SpeedLine POS software in action, how the SpeedLine POS hardware could work in your own business environment and also check that it will integrate with any other systems your outlet may be running.

The major benefit of the SpeedLine POS system is that it’s an all-in-one solution, which means that you’ll be able to get software, hardware and the whole thing installed via one source. Of course, what you actually get depends on your business needs as well as the complexity of your menu and ordering options, along with how many terminals will be required.

You could therefore find that a custom quote from the SpeedLine POS sales team might seem higher than some other providers, but the initial cost is tempered by the fact that there are no on-going subscription fees. So, while there may be a seemingly sizeable outlay early on, there is the opportunity to claw back this value over a longer period of time.

SpeedLine POS: Perks

As part of your POS search, it's useful to keep in mind the perks you get from partnering with a pizza delivery-specific POS such as SpeedLine and its dedicated tools including:

✔ SpeedLine LiveMaps visual dispatch

✔ SpeedDine online ordering

✔ SpeedLine Pay

✔ SpeedLine Inventory

✔ SpeedLine Menu Designer Topping Matrix

In addition SpeedLine POS empowers your team to easily keep on top of common pizza business tasks, such as the following:

Monitor delivery statistics all day
Cut costs with accurate forecasts and schedule planning
Ensure accurate street addresses
Flag side orders to avoid missed items on deliveries
Improve rate of on-time deliveries
Make more with consistent delivery zones and fees

SpeedLine POS: Features

The pizza delivery business, and indeed the whole food delivery landscape have changed dramatically since COVID-19 arrived. As a result, it's now more important than ever to ensure you have the right POS system for your pizza delivery requirements.

The SpeedLine POS system has therefore been carefully adapted to better handle pizza deliveries in the wake of the pandemic. SpeedLine has tweaked its POS system to meet customer requests for a wider range of alternative delivery and pick-up options. Much of this development work has resulted in the SpeedLine POS system requiring much less physical contact with the end customer.

At the same time, however, the system is now much more efficient. A combination of neat SpeedLine POS integrations, the beefed up SpeedLine POS hardware and software, plus a much-improved SpeedLine POS app, has produced a much more rounded end user-experience.

SpeedLine POS is now able to better support customer needs having also introduced SpeedLine Pay, which allows restaurants and takeout businesses to offer the ability to pay at the table, curbside and also on delivery.

Crucially for pizza delivery businesses the new SpeedLine Pay system also tackles common security and payment issues, with the ability to handle fraudulent and card-not-present transactional issues more effectively.

SpeedLine Pay works by pairing with an EMV card reader using either a Windows-based tablet or an iOS device. This automatically offers more freedom for the customer, allowing them to pay at their table, in a vehicle or on pickup using tap to pay simplicity. As a result, SpeedLine POS offers more credit card security for both business and customer, while also reducing transaction fee overheads for the former.

SpeedLine POS: Interface and in use

SpeedLine POS monitor and display screen — The SpeedLine POS interface is user-friendly yet incredibly powerful (Image Credit: SpeedLine) (Image credit: SpeedLine)

The SpeedLine POS, including the SpeedLine POS software and SpeedLine POS hardware respectively, will be installed locally. While it’s not a cloud-based arrangement and interface is slightly dated in design, using it everyday is still very quick and easy. You get off to a head start because the SpeedLine staff can set up and implement the point of sale system for you.

Once that’s in place the SpeedLine POS system enjoys much praise for its powerful but easy to use software design. Most obviously, the point of sale interface offers control over online ordering and menu management, but it’s also a great tool for managing inventory, allowing outlets to forecast demand, along with offering a huge array of customizable options.

For example, the online ordering and delivery journey includes everything needed for staff to process requests in a fast and efficient manner. There are detailed delivery reports, automated customer messaging about the status of orders, a practical visual dispatch feature that boosts delivery efficiency and, of course, simple everyday tools including the option that allows customers to pay at the door using their credit card.

Crucially, SpeedLine POS possesses a formidable suite of delivery dispatch and driver management tools. The great thing about using this map-based system is that it allows staff to coordinate deliveries and their respective drivers much more effectively using the simple but slick on-screen interface.

This is complimented by the SpeedLine POS on-screen menu system, which whilst it is certainly busy, offers unrivalled management of pizza-making ingredients plus all of those ancillaries, such as soda, sides and so on.

SpeedLine POS: Support

A very big part of the appeal with the SpeedLine POS system is its beefy levels of support. Although this point of sale system might not be the cheapest to initially implement, SpeedLine POS enjoys frequent praise from its customers and a lot of that is based around the levels of support on offer.

The support journey starts early on, and after working with the sales team to ensure you’ve got the right package there follows a series of steps from support staff to get things up and running. SpeedLine POS integration will need the help of some experts, and this comes as part of the package.

For product support there’s the opportunity to speak to an in-house and fully qualified technician, toll-free and this is offered 365 days a year. The SpeedLine support options are flexible too, with a standard SpeedLine Support subscription offering unlimited support along with system upgrades, which is seen as a ‘best value’ option by many.

Meanwhile, if you have multiple stores, it may be advantageous to use your own IT staff to offer second level support after receiving full training from SpeedLine, which comes with certification too.

There’s SpeedLine Live Assist too, which can connect with your POS stations remotely to tackle any technical issues or help with staff training. Crucially, alongside using secure access for any technical hands-on help, all installation work and training is covered by specialists who are QIR certified. This means that they have been trained by the PCI Security Standards Council to meet its specific guidelines.

SpeedLine POS delivery map tracking software — The dynamic map system in SpeedLine POS allows tracking of both drivers and their deliveries (Image Credit: SpeedLine) (Image credit: SpeedLine)

Let’s also not forget the SpeedLine POS customer support website, which is an online hub that comes packed with greats resources. There are training tutorials and videos, documentation, critical update advisories, constantly updated guides showcasing new features and functions plus the option to order more hardware and software if your business is expanding.

Rounding things out is the Premiere Support Services option from SpeedLine POS. This can be really useful if you need to make frequent menu changes, or add upgrades to systems. The service offers one hour of menu changes per month, for each of your stores that are in operation. It’s a feature that’s worth thinking about if you’re looking for someone to help take the strain.

SpeedLine POS: Security

SpeedLine POS can be used to process payments via major payment gateways such as Worldpay and Monetra and that’s good news for security. Any transactions processed use end-to-end encryption, plus there’s the added benefit of flexibility.

Speedline POS is a secure POS system that's EMV and PCI compliant — SpeedLine POS has the added advantage of great support, installation and training (Image Credit: SpeedLine) (Image credit: SpeedLine)

With customers wanting more ways to pay you can use secure processing no matter if they’re making an in-person payment, an online order, want to use a mobile wallet or prefer to pay by credit card when their food gets delivered.

With security being of such a concern for both businesses and customers alike it’s also reassuring to know that the SpeedLine POS system is fully PCI and EMV compliant. This provides additional reassurance to those ordering food through your outlet while your business gets the benefit of secure and fully-encrypted payment processing.

The competition

Aloha POS Systems: Aloha POS Essentials and Silver Hardware — (Image credit: Aloha POS Systems)

If you’re looking for the best POS system for pizza shop requirements, either to upgrade or for a new food delivery venture then SpeedLine POS is certainly one to consider. However, there are alternatives out there, alongside the best POS systems aimed at a wider market.

The main difference to consider about SpeedLine POS is that it’s not a cloud-based system. This might be perfect for some needs, but if you’re running a pizza delivery operation that requires a cloud POS it’s also worth considering the likes of Revel POS, NCR's Aloha POS, the Upserve POS and Toast's point of sale system.

Similarly, TouchBistro is worthy of a look too, although this is tailored more to restaurants rather than catering businesses dealing with customer deliveries in mind.

Much the same can be said for Lightspeed POS, which has more of the same beefy features and functionality that makes it suitable for use in the catering industry and, in particular, the restaurant sector.

Final verdict: Is Speedline the right bite for your business?

Business team in suits eat pizza together — (Image credit: Getty Images)

SpeedLine POS is very clearly a niche point of sale product, but the seemingly small slice of the market it serves is huge. Pizza delivery has and continues to be a big business opportunity thanks to low cost fresh ingredients and high mark-up, so having the right point of sale system in place is crucial. We like the way that SpeedLine POS has a raft of features and functions that can boost efficiency and make the customer experience a better one.

We’ve been really impressed with the level of positivity shown towards SpeedLine POS support staff too. The help with integration and ongoing support once the SpeedLine POS is in place is hugely impressive.

Day-to-day features such as being able to dynamically modify menus, often with SpeedLine POS support assistance and the ability to collate reams of customer data with ease, also makes it appealing.

While there is a reasonable cost involved with the implementation of a point of sale system like this one, any pizza delivery business looking for a non-cloud based setup that’s easy to use will doubtless warm to SpeedLine POS. It’s certainly got plenty going for it.

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) review

1:08 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Macbooks | Tags: CPU, RAM | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is now several years old, but it still remains one of the best laptops you can buy today. Why? Well, it's almost all thanks to the Apple M1 processor it launched with. This was Apple's first highly-acclaimed, impressively powerful ARM-based chip, under its hood, giving it just the right boost it’s long deserved, after years of being powered by Intel chips.

The M1 chip inside this MacBook Air proved that Apple could make its own chips that didn't just match what the likes of Intel and AMD were putting out - but it could surpass them as well. The performance of the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) was incredibly impressive when it launched, and it still remains an excellent performer today.

Sure, Apple has now released a successor, the MacBook Air (M2, 2022), which comes with hardware improvements and a brilliant new design, and it's also since launched new M3 MacBooks (though no MacBook Air... yet), but as the years have gone on, the M1 MacBook Air has dropped in price, making an already great value laptop (which launched at $999 / £999 / AU$1,599) even better value.

It also continues to run applications well, and supports macOS Sonoma, the latest version of Apple's operating system. Its long battery life, which is again down to the M1 chip, which is impressively efficient, remains ahead of many more modern (and expensive) Windows 11 laptops as well.

That's why Apple, with a break from tradition, has continued to sell the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), even after the release of its M2-powered successor.

Price-wise, Apple nailed it at launch, undercutting a lot of Windows-powered ultrabooks. Of course, this certainly isn't a cheap laptop, but nor does it feel overpriced, especially compared to its similarly specced rivals - something that Apple has been accused of in the past. However, nearly four years after it was released, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) has enjoyed several price cuts (especially when the M2 version later launched), so if you can get it in a sale, this is even better value for money, and is one of the reasons we also recommend it as one of the best laptops for students as well.

Apple has also been accused of caring more about aesthetics of its products than the actual features and functions, but with the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), we actually think the opposite is true. This is because while the MacBook Air has some huge changes on the inside - most noticeably the M1 chip - on the outside, nothing has really changed.

So, this model looks (and feels) just like the previous model (and the model before that). For people who love the look of the MacBook Air, this may be good news, but we feel it's a bit of a missed opportunity. The M1-based MacBook Air is such a revolutionary and exciting device, we'd have loved to have seen Apple take a few risks with the design as well, even if it was just by making it lighter, or slimming the bezels down that surround the screen. Funnily enough, this is exactly what Apple did do with the M2 MacBook Air, which came with an overhauled design - but also a higher price tag.

When it comes to performance of the M1 MacBook Air, however, we have no qualms. The M1 has proved to be a complete beast that puts Intel to shame in many respects. During our time with the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), we were incredibly impressed with how it performed.

macOS runs well, and the visual overhaul of the operating system offers a nice change, while still feeling familiar. The fact that both new and legacy apps run well on the M1 chip is very commendable, and so far there don't seem to be any issues with running apps built for Intel Macs using Rosetta 2, the tool used by Apple to allow older Mac apps to run on the M1. Also, the fact that you can now run thousands of iOS apps and games pretty much flawlessly is a huge win as well.

Battery life also seems to be fantastic, and the fanless design is nice, as it means the laptop runs silently; we do have our concerns about how it manages heat, however.

In the end, we'd have liked Apple to have been a bit more ambitious with the design of the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) – a bold reinvention of the laptop to match the internal hardware and software overhauls would have made this an even more exciting device.

Apple MacBook Air (M1,2020) on a gray surface — (Image credit: Future)

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020): Price and availability

Starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,599
Cheaper than Windows alternatives

Spec sheet

Here is the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) configuration sent to TechRadar for review:

CPU: Apple M1 (8-core)
Graphics: Integrated 7-core GPU
RAM: 8GB Unified PDDR4X-4266 MHz SDRAM
Screen: 13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 Retina True Tone display (backlit LED, IPS)
Storage: 256GB PCIe SSD
Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5
Camera: 720p FaceTime HD webcam
Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.29kg)
Size: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61cm; W x D x H)

Prices for the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) start at $999 / £999 / AU$1,599. As usual, there are a number of specifications available at launch, and you can further customize these to get the MacBook Air (2020) that best suits your needs and budget.

The base model features an M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD.

There's also a higher-specced model, priced at $1,249 / £1,249 / AU$1,949, which has an M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. So, for that extra money you're getting an additional core in the GPU, and double the storage.

You can also configure these models to have 16GB of RAM (for $200 / £200 / AU$300 extra), and up to 2TB of SSD storage (for $800 / £800 / AU$1,200).

For comparison, the MacBook Air (2020) launched earlier in 2020 also started at $999 / £999 / AU$1,599, which was actually cheaper than the launch price of the MacBook Air (2019).

So you're getting the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) for the same price as the earlier model, which we commend Apple for. If you bought a MacBook Air a few months ago, however, you may feel a little annoyed that it’s already outdated.

That $999 / £999 / AU$1,599 entry point isn’t just the cheapest way of getting an Apple laptop; it’s an incredibly competitive price point that undercuts many of the best 13-inch laptops running Windows 10, such as the Dell XPS 13. If you thought Apple’s laptops were overpriced compared to the competition, think again.

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020): Design

Thin and light design
Completely silent when in use

We've mentioned how, thanks to its competitive price, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is helping challenge people’s preconceptions about MacBooks – but the MacBook Air, along with the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) and Mac mini (M1, 2020), also offer strong rebuttals to the criticism, often leveled at the Apple, that its products are more style than substance.

People often dismiss Apple as making products that look good, but that don’t do anything particularly revolutionary when it comes to the actual hardware. With the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), however, it's the complete opposite.

With this laptop, Apple has actually done some really exciting things on the inside – switching to its own M1 chip, and building macOS Big Sur from the ground up to take advantage of it – while leaving the actual design of the device completely unchanged. This is both good news and bad news.

First, the good news. For many people, the iconic design of the MacBook Air is pretty much perfect, so they don't see the need for any radical change. At the same time, by simply offering minor spec bumps every year, the MacBook Air was in danger of being outclassed by more ambitious rivals. So, by concentrating on revolutionizing the hardware of the MacBook Air, and not tinkering with the design, Apple is doing something many of its critics have argued it should do: focus on the unglamorous, yet essential, stuff.

But what about the bad news? Well, because the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) promises to be such a big revolution, the fact that it looks – and feels – exactly the same as previous MacBook Airs is a little disappointing, to put it mildly.

The MacBook Air (M1, 2020)’s dimensions of 0.16–0.63 x 11.97 x 8.36 inches (0.41–1.61 x 30.41 x 21.24cm) and weight of 2.8 pounds (1.29kg) are exactly the same as those of both the MacBook Air (2020) and the 2019 model, and virtually the same as those of the 2018 Air, which is a bit lighter.

On the outside, then, this MacBook Air looks identical to the three previous models – and it means that the excitement that comes with pulling the MacBook Air from its packaging is somewhat dulled, particular if you've owned one of those earlier machines.

There had been rumors that the move to Apple’s own silicon would result in lighter devices, but this isn't the case. One big design change that has been enabled by the M1 chip, though, is that the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is now fanless. This means the internals keep cool enough under workloads without the need for fans to kick in and cool them down. There’s a catch to this (which we’ll get to in a bit), but it means the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) runs virtually silently, and it’s very impressive.

The lack of fans could have allowed Apple to make the MacBook Air thinner and lighter, so it’s interesting that it remains the same size and weight as its predecessors.

On opening up the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) you’re again presented with a sight that's familiar, and in a good way. The best addition to the previous MacBook Air’s design, the Magic Keyboard, is again included here. It really is a lovely keyboard to work on, feeling tactile and responsive despite how flat the keys are.

A Touch ID button is again situated above the keyboard, and it remains the best fingerprint scanner we’ve used on a laptop. Too many of the fingerprint scanners on Windows laptops struggle to log us in reliably, but the Touch ID button here logged us in successfully pretty much every time, even when we’d not completely covered the scanner with a finger.

The screen is also virtually the same as the one on the MacBook Air (2020), except for one big difference. So, it’s still 13.3 inches with a 400-nit LED backlit display, and a Retina display of 2560 x 1600 resolution, and comes with Apple's True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature on the screen based on the ambient light.

What’s new here is that the MacBook Air (M1, 2020)’s screen now supports the P3 wide color gamut, which results in more accurate, true-to-life images. P3 support used to be only found in the more expensive MacBook Pros, so it’s great to see Apple bring this feature to its more affordable MacBook Air lineup. If you’re a photographer or video editor who requires accurate colors, you no longer have to automatically go for a MacBook Pro.

The screen is also surrounded by those big thick bezels that have been a staple of the MacBook Air’s design for ages now, and which leave this laptop feeling a little dated. Devices such as the Dell XPS 13 and the Huawei MateBook X (2020) offer incredibly thin bezels around the display, and not only does it make these devices look more modern, it means the makers can actually reduce the overall size of the laptop further while offering the same-size screen.

Yep, you read that right: we think Huawei has the edge over Apple when it comes to thin and light laptop design. Strange times indeed.

The webcam above the screen is also unchanged from last time, with the same 720p FaceTime webcam. The 720p resolution feels distinctly outdated when most competitors offer 1080p, and with more people spending more time working from home these days, we’d have liked Apple to have given the webcam a boost.

However, the company claims that thanks to the M1 chip, the image signal processor has been overhauled, giving the webcam supposedly better noise reduction and dynamic range, along with auto white balance. We’ve only used the webcam for a limited time so far, and it seemed fine, if not mind-blowing.

Port-wise you get the same two Thunderbolt 3 ports and an audio jack as on recent MacBook Airs. The Thunderbolt 3 ports support charging, and can be used to power external monitors, and transfer data up to 40Gb/s. We’re glad to see that Apple’s move to its own M1 chip, rather than Intel, hasn't meant the loss of the Thunderbolt ports (Thunderbolt is an interface developed by Intel).

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020): Performance

Excellent performance
Can now run iOS apps as well

As soon as we began using the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) we were impressed. It boots up quickly (an additional benefit of the M1 chip), Big Sur feels fast and responsive, and the look for the operating system really impresses. The interface has a more modern look, with bright, vibrant colors that really show off the MacBook Air's screen. It's also less cluttered, so you're not overwhelmed by icons and options, while the Control Center has been redesigned based on the version in iOS. It looks neater, and it's easier to use.

Benchmarks

Here’s how the Apple MacBook Air (M1,2020) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Cinebench R23 CPU: Single-Core: 1,493; Multi-core: 6,586
Geekbench 5 Single-Core: 1,729; Multi-Core: 7,583
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 11 hours and 15 minutes

All applications that you usually run in macOS on Intel-based MacBooks should work fine with the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), thanks to some software wizardry using Apple's Rosetta 2 tool, which allows apps to run on the new architecture.

We tried a mix of both new apps built for the M1 chip, as well as legacy apps built for Intel Macs, and running via Rosetta, and there was no noticeable difference in terms of performance. The fact that you can seamlessly run older apps on the MacBook Air really is commendable – the M1 chip is based on ARM architecture, and one of the biggest drawbacks of Windows 10 on devices running on ARM-based chips is that you're limited to running only ARM-compatible apps from the Windows Store. There's a rather sparse selection of these, and this severely limits the usability of these devices. Microsoft needs to come up with its own Rosetta, pronto.

Not only can you run pretty much any existing Mac app on the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), but thanks to the M1 chip using similar architecture to iPhones, you can now run any iOS app or game as well. This brings a huge amount of new tools to the MacBook, and is genuinely exciting. iOS apps and games are more feature-rich and graphically impressive than ever before, and having access to these could be a game-changer. We played a few iOS games, and they ran perfectly on the MacBook Air – suddenly, the MacBook has become a decent gaming machine.

We were able to have quite a few apps running all at once, swapping between them with ease, and the Apple MacBook Air (M1,2020) kept up brilliantly. Throughout our tests it felt fast and capable. Moving a large 14GB file from an external SSD took less than a minute, for example. This really does feel like a fast and spritely machine.

Apple claims the MacBook Air is three times faster than other laptops in its class, and faster than 98% of PC laptops sold in the past year. It also says the neural engine is nine times faster than the one in the previous MacBook Air, and its SSD is up to twice as fast thanks to the M1 and the latest flash technology.

One thing to note is that the fanless design of the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) could mean that performance is throttled when it's performing demanding tasks over long periods of time. Because there are no fans to stop it overheating, the only thing it can do is reduce the performance of the components – known as throttling – to control temperatures.

In fact, that’s why pros may want to go for the MacBook Pro 13-inch. It has the same M1 chip as the MacBook Air, but it has fans, which means it can be used for intensive tasks over longer periods of time, without, Apple claims, throttling.

However, in our tests we didn't notice any major incidents of throttling, and as you can see from the benchmark tests, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) came impressively close to the performance of the more expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020).

In both Geekbench 5 and Cinebench, the single-core performance of the MacBook Air was pretty much on par with the MacBook Pro, and multi-core scores weren't that much different either.

This is great news for the MacBook Air - and slightly less good news for the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020). Because the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is such a good laptop, it almost makes the MacBook Pro feel unnecessary. Performance seemed pretty similar in our day-to-day use, and we even played around with 8K video editing in Final Cut Pro, and while Apple seems keen to stress that the Air is capable of 4K video editing - it actually did a great job at 8K as well, allowing us to scrub through multiple 8K sources with ease. Very impressive.

So, with that boost in performance, along with the P3 color gamut support, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is a brilliant choice for video editors who want a more affordable laptop than the MacBook Pro. It makes the MacBook Pro 13-inch a slightly harder to justify purchase, though it does have a few key features that the Air misses, such as the TouchBar and better cooling. Having both MacBooks churning through high intensity tasks for long periods of time should show a bigger performance gap in the Pro's favor. But for most people, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), will offer plenty of power and performance.

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020): Battery life

Very impressive battery life
Lasts around four hours longer than previous model

As for battery life, we knew that the 'Apple silicon' would be more power-efficient, so it's no surprise to find that the MacBook Air has the longest battery life of any MacBook Air yet – up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing, or up to 18 hours of video, according to Apple.

We’ve been very impressed with the MacBook Air’s battery life – even after a few hours of work (and web browsing), the battery only dropped a few percentage points, and even if you leave it on standby for a day and come back to it, the battery level remains high.

In our official battery test, where we run a looped 1080p video at 50% brightness until the battery dies, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) lasted a very impressive 11 hours and 15 minutes.

That's a lot longer than the previous model lasted in the same tests (7 hours 55 minutes), and it just beats the latest Dell XPS 13 as well (11 hours 1 minute).

This means you should be easily able to go a full work day (and more) without needing to charge the MacBook Air - though obviously the battery will deplete quicker if you're doing more intensive tasks with it.

It doesn't quite reach the huge 13 hours and 22 minutes the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) managed, but we can’t imagine anyone having any complaints with the MacBook Air (M1, 2020)’s battery life.

Should I buy the Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)?

Apple MacBook Air M1 being used by a photographer — (Image credit: Apple)

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Amazon Kindle Oasis review

2:53 pm | November 17, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers eReaders Gadgets Tablets | Tags: Australia, FREE, UK, USA | Comments: Off

Editor's Note

• Original review date: August 2019
• No refresh on the horizon
• Launch price: $249 / £229 / AU$399
• Now with limited availability

Updated: January 2024. One of the most expensive Kindle devices around, the Amazon Kindle Oasis remains one of the best premium ereaders around. It's a little long in the tooth now, having been released way back in 2019. But with no refresh on the horizon, likely due the the Kindle Paperwhite offering a great ereader experience, the Oasis is still relevant in 2024. It's availability appears to be limited however, so you may have to go hunting to find it in some regions. Nevertheless, the Kindle Oasis is still worth your consideration, though for most people the Paperwhite may be the better bet. The rest of this review remains as previously published.

Amazon Kindle Oasis: One-minute review

The Kindle Oasis devices are Amazon's top-of-the-line ereaders, and the most recent one is this 2019 model. If you want a luxury reading experience (and don’t want those large, expensive, lumps of dead tree known as a ‘book’), the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) is where you should look.

In Amazon's hierarchy, the base Amazon Kindle sits as the most affordable device, with its basic screen, limited storage space and few features, and the Kindle Paperwhite bumps up the screen resolution and storage space and adding a few tricks like waterproofing. This Oasis is technically the top Kindle, though the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has lots of its features and is two years newer.

The Oasis has a range of features you won’t find in lesser ereaders, like its high-quality display and the range of customization options for screen color and brightness. The fact that you’re plugged into the Amazon Store doesn’t hurt either.

But how much value do you put on this experience? Are you willing to splash out on such an expensive device when you’re going to have to buy the books on top? We think for many people the Kindle Oasis is going to be prohibitively expensive.

Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Price and availability

Given the status of the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) as Amazon’s most premium ereader, you should be prepared to wince at its $249.99 / £229.99 / AU$399 / AED 999 price tag. That’s for 8GB onboard memory; if you want 32GB storage the price goes up to $279.99 / £259.99 / AU$449 / AED 1,099.

There’s also a version with 32GB memory and free 4G for downloading books on the go in limited markets, which will set you back $349.99 / £319.99 / AU$559.

In comparison, the base Kindle costs $89.99 / £69.99 / AU$139 / AED359 for 4GB storage, and the Kindle Paperwhite will set you back $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$199 / AED649 for 8GB memory, so even the cheapest Oasis is still a big step up from the Paperwhite.

DEAL: try Kindle Unlimited for FREE in USA | UK | Australia

Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Design

The Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) doesn’t follow the mini-tablet design of most ereaders – one half of the device is noticeable thicker than the other, which gives you a ridge down the back so that it’s easier to hold (in theory).

In practice, we found the ridge wasn’t quite thick enough to offer a comfortable hold – at 8.4mm thick, it’s only 5mm thicker than the 3.4mm of the main body, which doesn’t provide a deep enough ridge to really get your fingers into. We found the Kindle Oasis a little hard to hold when only using this ridge, so we wouldn’t recommend it depending on what position you like to sit in to read.

The Kindle Oasis (2019)’s other dimensions are 159 x 141mm, so it wouldn’t be big compared to a tablet, but its display is bigger than those of the other Kindles – more on the display later.

One of the more ‘premium’ features of the device is the metal build, which you won’t find in other Kindles. This makes it feel more hardy, which offsets the fact the 3.4mm part of the device, and its relatively lightweight of 188g, can make it feel a little delicate – the overall effect is a device the looks and feels sleek.

The device is also water resistant, with its IPX8 rating meaning that in theory it can survive being immersed in two metres of water for a whole hour. We can’t imagine that you’d want to take it underwater for that long, but it’ll certainly be fine if you accidentally drop it in the bath while reading, or get it splashed here and there.

Something a little less premium is the micro USB charging port, as most tablets and smartphones have done away with it in favor of USB-C, which is faster for charging. You’re not going to be using that much power with an ereader, so it’s not a huge issue, but we could do without the inconvenience of swapping out the charging cables we use for the rest of our devices.

There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack either, nor loudspeakers, so if you want to listen to audiobooks you’re going to need to use Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

There are two buttons on the right of the Kindle Oasis, used for skipping forward or backwards through pages. It felt a lot more snappy using these to turn pages than touching the screen, due both to the fact they’re in positions that fall naturally under the fingers, and also because pages turned quicker when we pressed the buttons than when we touched the screen.

There were occasions, however, when the buttons didn’t register our touch, and other times they did but the device stuttered before the next page loaded, prompting us to press again then accidentally skip pages. This often happened when reading books that were complicated in terms of their layout and design, like comic books and our own PDFs, and we didn’t notice it as much for text-based books.

It’s worth noting that for the most part, the design is exactly the same as the previous generation of Kindle Oasis, and that ereader costs quite a bit less now.

Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Display

The display is where you’re seeing the main improvements on the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019), as there are quite a few additions and changes that improve its quality, and the reading experience.

The display is 7 inches diagonally, which is bigger than the 6-inch screens in the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite, so you can fit more words or comic book frames on the screen at once, and it’s also higher quality, with 300 pixels per inch, so content looks good too.

This screen is backlit by 25 LEDs, a big jump over the 12 LEDs in the 2017 Kindle Oasis, and you can see the different – max brightness is really high, so you can read in a variety of situations, and there’s better contrast between light and dark, which makes comic books in particular more vivid.

The brightness can be changed through the easily-accessible settings menu, but there’s also the option to have it automatically change depending on your environment, as on many smartphones.

It’s in the settings menu that you’ll find another of the Kindle Oasis’ big new features, in the form of the ‘warmness’ light setting. This gives the display an orange hue, which makes it more comfortable to look at during night-time reading, and protects your eyes over long reading binges.

The feature is primarily designed to make it more comfortable to read at night, but we also found that when we used it on a low setting we could read more easily in daylight. There’s not a huge range when you change the warmth, but it’s an appreciated upgrade anyway.

The refresh rate of the screen is appropriate – being an ereader display, you’re not seeing as snappy a refresh as on a smartphone screen, but it was far from slow. When zooming into parts of a document we could see the zoom increments, and this made it easier to zoom to the right part of the file.

Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Battery life

Amazon estimates that the battery in the Kindle Oasis (2019) will last you for six weeks, but that’s with a few caveats: to achieve that figure you’ll need to limit your reading to half an hour a day, keep Bluetooth turned off, and the brightness setting on 13, which is roughly half brightness.

While that might sound slightly limiting, in practice, if you’re going to be reading for an hour or so daily, and with the display a little brighter than Amazon recommends, your ereader is still going to take a fair few weeks to run flat, and this is exactly what we found in our testing.

We read for a good two-three hours daily, and it took about a week for the battery to drop down to 50% – that’s roughly the rate of battery consumption quoted by Amazon. In short, the battery life is pretty impressive – this thing will last you for ages.

This is one of the perks of E Ink, as the tech uses barely any battery power to show content on the screen, and it’s certainly an eco-friendly alternative to reading books on your smartphone.

Charging via the micro USB port isn’t exactly snappy though – we found it took a few hours to charge the Oasis up to full power, but this doesn’t really matter too much if you’re only going to be powering up once in a blue moon.

Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Software

The Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) runs on software that’s very tightly integrated with the Amazon Store – so much so that it can be easy to get confused between which books you own as part of your library, and which are suggestions from Amazon.

Once you get the hang of the software, though, it’s easy to find your way between the home page, your library, the settings, the store, and everything else you’ll need.

As is the case with ereaders in general, it’s not the snappiest device in the world, and it can often take quite a while to navigate through menus. This sluggishness can be particularly annoying when you’re trying to type, but it’s a price you pay for using a device that’s optimized for reading books rather than for smooth navigation of the user interface.

cheap kindle oasis sale prices deals — (Image credit: Amazon)

As on other Kindles, you there are a few useful features you’ll find in the Oasis that make it a useful reading tool. One of these is the ability to change text fonts for ebooks, so if you absolutely must read your books in a sans serif font, you’re set. You can also change the page spacing, margins, and orientation, to fully customize your reading experience.

Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Features

The Amazon Store is the biggest collection of ebooks around, so you’re almost certainly going to find the fiction or non-fiction book, comic book or audiobook with relative ease.

If you’re a keen reader you may be interested in Amazon Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service available in some parts of the world that lets you ‘rent’ ebooks. It costs $9.99 / £7.99 / AU$13.99 per month, and you can download and store up to 10 books or comics at any one time, so it’s perfect for quick readers.

Kindle Unlimited is particularly good for fans of comic books and graphic novels, as those are typically quite quick to get through but the physical versions cost quite a bit; and the Kindle library has many of the classics, so you can use Kindle Unlimited to make your way through lots of titles quickly.

The selection of books on Kindle Unlimited is rather limited, certainly compared to the standard Kindle store, but it’s great for classic novels like War of the Worlds and 10,000 Leagues Under The Sea, as well as comic books, and a smattering of other titles you may not have heard of but might want to try.

Depending on your tastes and reading habits, Amazon Kindle Unlimited may or may not be worth the regular outlay for you, so do have a look at which titles are supported before you commit.

Alternatively, Amazon Prime members can use Prime Reading, which is like Prime Video in that it offers you free reading of certain ebooks as part of your Prime membership.

You can access both of these services from your Kindle or computer browser, as well as the standard library of books which you can buy, and overall we were able to find any book we wanted.

Should I buy the Amazon Kindle Oasis?

The Amazon Kindle Oasis is for people who value their reading experience above all else, and are willing to throw a good chunk of money at a device that will deliver that experience.

Should you buy it?

If you’re in the market for a premium ereader you could do worse than the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019), but it’s not much of a jump in quality over the previous-gen Amazon Kindle Oasis, which has now had a price reduction thanks to there being an upgrade on the market.

If the upgraded screen quality appeals to you, and you’re willing to stump up the cash for it, buy the new Kindle Oasis – but if you can take or leave those features, the older version will serve you just as well.

First reviewed: August 2019

DEAL: try Kindle Unlimited for FREE in USA | UK | Australia

Competition

Kindle Paperwhite

If the high price tag of the Kindle Oasis puts you off somewhat, then you might want to take a step down in the Kindle range and look at the Paperwhite. It’s a simpler device in terms of build quality and screen customization options, but it has all the features and functions of the Kindle, so you’ll be able to read your books just as easily.

Read our in-depth Kindle Paperwhite review

Kobo Forma

Kobo is one of the best-known competitors to Amazon, and the Forma is basically its equivalent of the Oasis. Kobo’s ebook store may not quite rival Amazon’s in terms of choice, but it’s a sturdy device with a very long battery life.

Read our in-depth Kobo Forma review

Google Play Books

You don’t need to pay for an ereader at all if you have a smartphone, as the Google Play Books app, which is available on Android and iOS devices, is free, and gives you access to millions of cheap or affordable books. Of course, your smartphone doesn’t make for as great a reading experience as an ereader, but it’s certainly a more economical solution.

Ooma Office VoIP service review

6:11 pm | November 15, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone & Communications Pro | Comments: Off

Ooma Office VoIP for businesses was designed for smaller companies with just a few employees, meaning the software is extremely easy to use, which might help in the ranking of the best VoIP services.

On the other hand, Ooma Office doesn’t have all of the advanced features you might expect as your business scales up. So, it may not be the best VoIP service if you plan to grow your operations and expand your staff pool.

Sign up to Ooma Office

One thing we're keenly aware of at TechRadar is that every business has very specific – and often quite different – needs, and so making broad-based recommendations for software is very hard. In that spirit, we recommend checking out some of Roma's rivals, like GoTo Connect, 8x8, and Zoom, to make sure you're getting the best.

In our Ooma Office review, we’ll cover everything you need to know to decide if this VoIP service is right for your business. Let's dive in.

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Ooma Office pricing October 2022 — (Image credit: Ooma)

Ooma Office VoIP: Plans and pricing

Ooma Office starts at $19.95 per user per month, and offers a wide variety of VoIP features, including call routing, digital voicemail, and multi-device ringing. However, the basic plan doesn’t include the Ooma Office desktop app, call recording, or voicemail transcription.

For those features, you’ll need the Ooma Office Pro plan, which costs $24.95 per user per month and adds video conferencing via the desktop app and enhanced robocall blocking, as well as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 integrations. For a lot more features and not a lot more money, we think this mid-tier plan represents the best value for money.

Sitting at the top is Pro Plus, which costs $29.95 per user per month. While it’s refreshing to see a fairly small price gap between Ooma’s cheapest and most expensive plans (compared with other VoIP rivals where you can expect to pay double for the most expensive), it’s not the most feature-filled option out there.

The highlights of Pro Plus include call queuing, support for hot desking, and salesforce integration.

For those features, you’ll need the Ooma Office Pro plan, which costs $24.95 per user per month. This plan also adds video conferencing via the desktop app and enhanced robocall blocking.

We recommend checking out the Ooma pricing page to see the specific features your organisation might need, and which plan they belong to.

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Ooma Office features October 2022 — (Image credit: Ooma)

Ooma Office VoIP: Features

All users get access to the Ooma Office phone service through an Ooma-enabled desktop phone. You can also place and receive calls using your smartphone with the Ooma Office mobile app. The service also supports SMS text messages.

One of the key features within Ooma Office is the ability to create ring groups. These come in handy if you have multiple employees who could answer a specific call. For example, your sales team and your customer service team could each have their own ring group.

When someone calls a number associated with a ring group, all phones in the group can ring simultaneously, so that anyone can answer right away. Alternatively, you can set up the ring group so that one phone rings first, and then the call switches to ringing another phone if no one picks up. This sort of customization on a relatively cheap service for small businesses is pretty noteworthy.

Ooma Office’s virtual receptionist dovetails nicely with ring groups. With the virtual receptionist, you can play a recorded message for customers when they call your business and present options for different extensions to dial.

The virtual receptionist enables customers to dial a specific extension if they’re familiar with your company and want to bypass a ring group. Helpfully, you can have different messages play depending on whether a call comes in during or after business hours.

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Unfortunately, some features that many small businesses would consider essential are restricted to Pro users. For instance, you cannot place calls from your computer without the desktop app, which is only available with a Pro subscription.

You also need a Pro subscription to record calls or to read transcripts of your voicemail messages. Maybe more fortunately, as we’ve already touched upon, is the fact that upgrading between the three tiers of subscription only costs an additional $5 each, which is respectably low.

Ooma Office falls severely short of the mark when it comes to reporting and integration. This VoIP service doesn’t have a dedicated administration dashboard, and there is no way to track call volume or duration. In fact, you can’t easily see how many calls have been placed to a specific employee or ring group. For a small business or a startup, this might not be a key priority, but as things start to grow, gathering analytics will prove to be vital.

In previous versions of this review, we complained about the lack of third-party integrations. This time around, Ooma has fixed this issue with the introduction of Office 365 and Google integrations for Pro, and salesforce integration for Pro Plus, but this still leaves Ooma behind some key rivals offering way more in terms of additional tools.

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Ooma Office review — (Image credit: Ooma Office)

Ooma Office VoIP: User interface

The thing we liked best about Ooma Office is that it’s incredibly easy to use. You can configure your account settings online, and it only takes a few minutes to add all of your business's users and extensions. Setting up more complex options like ring groups and the virtual receptionist is fast and easy, too.

We found that most settings within Ooma Office could be customized. For example, when setting up ring groups, you can choose how long one phone should ring before the call moves on to the next extension in the group. You can also create an unlimited number of custom recordings for the virtual receptionist.

Ooma Office Pro users will be very happy with the desktop app, which supports a centralized company directory, and can launch an audio or video conference with coworkers in just a few clicks. There’s also an option to host a company-wide speed dial, although this gets less useful as the number of people in your company grows.

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Ooma Office VoIP: Support

Ooma offers 24/7 support for business users by phone, email, and live chat.

The company also has a very thorough online support center, where you’ll find detailed tutorials for how to set up your phone network, as well as videos walking you through how to use key features like ring groups and the virtual receptionist.

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Ooma Office VoIP: Security

All calls between two devices using Ooma Office are fully encrypted, and the service also encrypts video calls.

Still, we think Ooma Office could do more to keep your account and communications secure. The platform doesn’t offer two-factor authentication, so there’s very little to protect your phone network if your password is stolen.

In addition, you can password-protect video meetings, but you cannot lock a meeting room so that new users can’t enter without being approved first.

As more and more VoIP companies venture into the video conferencing market, Ooma seems a little left behind in this respect.

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Ooma Office VoIP: The competition

At $24.95 per user per month, Ooma Office Pro isn’t particularly cheap or expensive, and because of that, there is a lot of competition. We think there are many more robust VoIP services for small businesses for a similar price.

For example, the Nextiva Essential package for SMB teams of 5-19 is much less at $21.95 per user per month (when paid annually). Of course, it comes with less service features than the Nextiva Professional package which is $25.95 per user per month on an annual basis.

But price isn't everything. Another competitor known for their quality service is, GoTo Connect, which also costs a smidge more at $27 per user per month if you have at least five users.

GoTo Connect offers call recording, video conferencing, an incredibly flexible call routing system, and integrations for enterprise-scale software like Salesforce. In addition, administrators can access detailed reports about the call volume your business is getting and where those calls are coming from.

We also recommend checking out RingCentral, Zoom, 8x8, Aircall, Vonage, and some of our other picks for the best VoIP services.

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Ooma Office VoIP: Final verdict

Ooma Office is a straightforward VoIP service that can be good for small businesses with just a handful of employees. It offers a virtual receptionist for incoming calls, supports video conferencing, and is very easy to use.

However, given that Ooma Office isn’t a budget VoIP service, we were disappointed with what it doesn’t offer. The administrative and reporting tools are minimal, and integrations with popular office applications are far from extensive, too.

Overall, we think that competing VoIP services offer more value for growing small businesses than Ooma Office.

Sign up to Ooma Office

Norton LifeLock remains a strong contender in the identity theft protection market

9:49 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Security | Comments: Off

Our series on identity theft protection apps will evaluate the features, pricing options, competition, and also the overall value of using each app. However, these are not full hands-on reviews since evaluating identity theft protection apps is almost impossible. It would require several months of testing, purposefully hacking accounts to see if the protection app works, handing over personally identifiable information, performing multiple credit checks, and risking exposure of the reviewer’s personally identifiable information.

Undoubtedly, Norton is synonymous with online consumer security and safety. In 1982, Norton LifeLock's predecessor, Symantec, was established. The brand's prominence stems from its renowned antivirus software, which comes preinstalled on many PCs. Despite potential skepticism, the Norton LifeLock identity theft protection app provides reassurance. Trusting this software with personal information is facilitated by the brand's reputation and the company's established presence.

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Norton LifeLock: Plans and pricing

Norton LifeLock offers a range of plans designed to protect individuals and families from identity theft, often bundled with Norton 360's cybersecurity features. The core LifeLock plans typically include Standard, Ultimate Plus, and Advantage, each offering varying levels of identity monitoring, credit monitoring, and Million Dollar Protection Package coverage, which provides reimbursement for stolen funds, personal expense compensation, and coverage for lawyers and experts.

For individuals, these plans offer increasing benefits, from basic alerts and dark web monitoring in the Standard plan to comprehensive three-bureau credit monitoring, bank and investment account alerts, home title monitoring, and social media monitoring in the Ultimate Plus plan. Each plan is available for individuals and can also be expanded to cover Families (2 adults) or families with kids (2 adults + up to 5 kids), providing tailored protection for multiple members.

Many of these LifeLock plans can be bundled with Norton 360, which provides device security (including antivirus, VPN, password manager, cloud backup, etc.) for a specified number of devices or unlimited devices with the Ultimate Plus bundle. This creates an all-in-one cybersecurity and identity theft protection solution. Pricing for these plans varies depending on whether they are purchased monthly or annually, with annual subscriptions typically offering a discounted rate for the first year. Features like Genie Scam Protection Pro, which uses AI to detect scams in texts and emails, are also becoming integrated into these comprehensive offerings.

Norton LifeLock: Interface

The Norton LifeLock Standard plan is an entry-level option for identity theft protection, focusing on essential monitoring and recovery features. Key benefits include the Million Dollar Protection Package, which offers up to $1 million to lawyers and experts to help resolve identity theft, plus reimbursement of up to $25,000 for stolen funds and up to $25,000 for personal expense compensation. The plan also provides Identity and Social Security Number alerts, notifying you if your information is used for credit or service applications. Dark Web Monitoring actively patrols hard-to-find dark websites and forums to alert you if your personal information is discovered. Additionally, a Privacy Monitor helps reduce the public exposure of your data by scanning common people-search websites and assisting with opt-out requests. It also includes Utility Account Creation Monitoring, which alerts you if someone attempts to open a utility account in your name. For an individual, the LifeLock Standard plan is generally priced at $11.99 per month or a discounted $89.99 for the first year when paid annually (which averages to $7.50 per month for the first year, renewing at $124.99/year). Family plans are also available, with varying pricing for "2 adults" or "2 adults + up to 5 kids." For instance, the "2 adults" plan costs approximately $23.99 per month or $149.87 for the first year when paid annually, while the "2 adults + 5 kids" plan costs around $35.99 per month or $221.87 for the first year when paid annually. It's important to note that these prices are often introductory and may increase upon renewal.

The Norton LifeLock Advantage plan significantly builds upon the foundational protection offered by the Standard plan, providing enhanced coverage and additional monitoring features for a higher level of identity theft defense. While both plans include **Identity and Social Security Number alerts**, **Dark Web Monitoring**, **Privacy Monitor**, and **Utility Account Creation Monitoring**, the Advantage plan significantly enhances the financial safeguards.

One of the most notable differences is the increase in the Million Dollar Protection™ Package reimbursement limits. With LifeLock Advantage, the Stolen Funds Reimbursement jumps from $25,000 in the Standard plan to $100,000. Similarly, Personal Expense Compensation also increases from $25,000 to $100,000. The coverage for Lawyers and Experts remains at up to $1 million in both plans.

Beyond the financial uplift, Advantage introduces new monitoring capabilities. It adds Credit Reports & Credit Scores (One-bureau, Monthly), allowing for more frequent insights into your credit activity, whereas Standard does not include credit reports or scores. It also includes Credit Alerts, such as Phone Takeover Monitoring and Alerts on Crimes Committed in Your Name, which are not present in the Standard plan. Furthermore, LifeLock Advantage includes Identity Lock, specifically for your TransUnion credit file and payday loans, offering an active way to help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

In terms of pricing, the LifeLock Advantage plan is typically priced at $22.99 per month or a discounted $179.88 for the first year when paid annually (which averages to $14.99 per month for the first year, renewing at $239.99 per year). For families, the "2 adults" plan costs approximately $45.99 per month or $287.88 for the first year annually (renewing at $479.99/year). The "2 adults + 5 kids" plan is around $57.99 per month or $359.88 for the first year annually (renewing at $579.99/year). As with the Standard plan, these introductory prices are often subject to increase upon renewal.

The Norton LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan represents the pinnacle of identity theft protection offered by LifeLock, providing the most comprehensive features and the highest levels of coverage. It takes all the benefits of the Standard and Advantage plans and significantly amplifies them.

The most significant upgrade in Ultimate Plus is the Million Dollar Protection™ Package. While the Lawyers and Experts coverage remains at up to $1 million, both the Stolen Funds Reimbursement and Personal Expense Compensation are boosted dramatically to up to $1 million each. This is a substantial increase from the $25,000 in Standard and $100,000 in Advantage, offering unparalleled financial protection in the event of severe identity theft.

Beyond increased reimbursement, Ultimate Plus significantly expands monitoring capabilities. It includes Three-Bureau Credit Monitoring (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), along with Annual Three-Bureau Credit Reports and Scores, providing a comprehensive view of your credit health across all major bureaus. This is a significant improvement over the Advantage plan's one-bureau monitoring. Furthermore, Ultimate Plus adds 401(k) and Investment Account Alerts, as well as Home Title Monitoring, protecting these critical assets from fraudulent activity. It also offers Social Media Monitoring, which helps detect imposter accounts, inappropriate content, and potential scams involving your social media profiles. The plan also typically includes enhanced support, such as 24/7 live member support with priority access. Some newer integrations also feature Genie Scam Protection Pro, an AI-powered tool to help detect and protect against sophisticated online scams, including those delivered via email and SMS.

In terms of pricing, the LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan is generally priced at $34.99 per month or a discounted $239.88 for the first year when paid annually (averaging $19.99 per month for the first year, with a renewal rate of $339.99 per year). For families, the "2 adults" plan costs approximately $69.99 per month or $395.88 for the first year annually (renewing at $679.99/year). The "2 adults + 5 kids" plan is the most expensive, typically around $79.99 per month or $467.88 for the first year annually (renewing at $799.99/year). As with the other plans, these introductory prices are subject to substantially higher renewal costs. When bundled with Norton 360, Ultimate Plus often includes security for an unlimited number of devices and a larger amount of cloud backup storage, providing a truly all-encompassing protection suite.

Norton LifeLock: Features

LifeLock offers a suite of features designed to safeguard users' sensitive information. These features are comparable to those provided by similar programs such as IdentityForce and IDShield. However, LifeLock stands out by presenting these features within a meticulously crafted, user-friendly interface. The interface's design reflects a deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to delivering a seamless experience.

One key aspect of LifeLock's interface is its simplicity. The layout is clean and uncluttered, with each feature clearly labeled and easy to find. This simplicity makes it easy for users to navigate the program and access the tools they need quickly and efficiently.

Another strength of LifeLock's interface is its intuitiveness. The program's features are organized in a logical way that follows the natural flow of a user's thought process. This intuitiveness minimizes the need for users to refer to manuals or tutorials, making it easy for them to get started with LifeLock right away.

In addition to its simplicity and intuitiveness, LifeLock's interface is also most certainly visually appealing. The program features a modern, minimalist design that is both attractive and professional. This aesthetic appeal enhances the user experience, making it more enjoyable and satisfying to use LifeLock.

LifeLock's interface exemplifies the program's dedication to providing an exceptional user experience. By harmonizing simplicity, intuitiveness, and visual allure, LifeLock has crafted an interface that effortlessly allows users to safeguard their sensitive information, fostering peace of mind.

Furthermore, the interface of LifeLock is arguably easier to use, and also cleaner, which means you’ll often find more of the options available with less clicks.

Norton LifeLock: The competition

Similar to tech giants like Facebook and Google, Norton LifeLock stands out as a security firm with unparalleled immediate brand awareness, especially regarding consumer safety. Factors contributing to this recognition include its extensive advertising campaigns on network television and its long-standing presence in the industry. For those who have used computers during the early Windows and Mac eras, the Norton name likely holds familiarity and trust.

In the realm of identity theft protection apps, competitors must contend with the highly respected Norton brand, renowned for its cybersecurity offerings. While lesser-known options such as IdentityForce and IDShield provide similar features, they lack the widespread recognition of Norton. ADT, known for its physical home security solutions, also offers an identity theft protection app, but it falls short in terms of household recognition when compared to Norton.

LifeLock shares many similarities with IdentityForce and IDShield in terms of its features. The premium tier of LifeLock stands out with exclusive offerings such as 401K protection, crime tracking tools under your name, and monitoring across all three major credit agencies. Additionally, the Advantage plan and above provide exceptional features like TransUnion Credit Lock and PayDay Loan Lock services, making LifeLock a compelling choice for identity protection.

In the realm of identity theft protection, IDShield differentiates itself from its rival LifeLock by providing various exclusive features. Notably, IDShield's mobile application integrates social media monitoring, a crucial aspect in the current digital landscape where personal information is frequently shared publicly. This additional layer of protection empowers users to oversee their online presence and promptly respond to potential threats, ensuring enhanced security and peace of mind.

One of IDShield's strengths lies in its collaboration with criminal justice professionals. This valuable service offers users expert insights and guidance through the intricate legal system in the event of identity theft. Criminal justice professionals can provide valuable advice on effectively reporting the crime, acquiring official police reports, and assisting users in understanding the various steps involved in the legal process. This collaboration ensures that users receive comprehensive support throughout their journey to restore their identity and seek justice.

In contrast to LifeLock's premium plans, which lack monitoring and tracking features, IDShield offers these features as part of its more affordable plans. This strategic move by IDShield makes comprehensive protection accessible to a wider range of users, enabling them to enjoy robust security without exceeding their budget.

Standing out as a compelling option for individuals seeking comprehensive identity theft protection, IDShield offers competitive pricing and additional features. Its focus on social media monitoring, discussions with criminal justice professionals, and inclusive pricing plans empowers users to effectively safeguard their personal information. This sets IDShield apart from its competitors and provides users with the tools they need to protect their identity.

Norton LifeLock: Support

All LifeLock plans provide round-the-clock live support, with a toll-free number prominently displayed on their website, which we certainly appreciate. While there's no chat, email, or support portal, the top-tier plan offers higher priority support.

While there are blog articles and answers to frequently asked questions, the website lacks video content, whitepapers and webinars.

Norton LifeLock: Final verdict

Norton LifeLock operates in a highly competitive landscape, where it faces numerous challenges from various identity theft protection software providers. In this crowded market, the ability to stand out is crucial, and brand awareness plays a pivotal role in differentiating Norton LifeLock from its many rivals. Recognized as a leader in cybersecurity, Norton LifeLock benefits from a strong reputation, built over years of trust and reliability.

One notable challenge for Norton LifeLock is the complexity of its paid plans. Customers are presented with a wide array of options, each tailored to different security needs and family sizes. This multitude of choices can be overwhelming for potential users, leading to confusion about which plan best meets their specific requirements. For families or individuals unfamiliar with identity theft protection services, this complexity could be a significant deterrent, potentially driving them to seek simpler alternatives from competitors.

However, despite this potential drawback, Norton LifeLock excels in the area of user experience. Its interface is meticulously designed, characterized by a clean and intuitive layout that prioritizes user-friendliness. All features are organized logically, allowing customers to easily navigate through various tools and resources without feeling lost or frustrated. This commitment to a seamless user experience not only enhances customer satisfaction but also fosters a sense of confidence in the software’s capabilities.

Moreover, Norton LifeLock offers a range of educational resources and support materials, helping customers better understand how to protect their identities online. These resources contribute significantly to the company’s value proposition, as they empower users with knowledge and tools to safeguard their personal information proactively.

Overall, while Norton LifeLock certainly faces tough competition in the identity theft protection market, its strong brand recognition and exceptionally designed user interface serve as formidable competitive advantages. Nevertheless, simplifying the selection process for its paid plans could greatly enhance the customer experience, making it easier for potential clients to identify and choose the most suitable security solutions for their needs. By addressing this complexity, Norton LifeLock could capture a broader audience and solidify its position as a top choice for identity theft protection.

We've also featured the best identity theft protection, best antivirus and best VPN

Bitdefender Premium VPN review

7:26 pm | November 11, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

With global connectivity and increased security, the importance of daily Internet access cannot be overstated. There is a growing need to secure one's internet access, which is why so many people are turning to the best VPNs, which protect your identity from online threats and hide your IP address from intruders and hackers.

It’s here where Bitdefender Premium VPN sits. You may have heard of Bitdefender, one of the world's largest cybersecurity technology companies, and its VPN offering is a product powered by the impressive standalone VPN service Hotspot Shield.

As such, Bitdefender employs Hotspot Shield's Catapult Hydra protocol, which is one of the fastest VPN tunneling protocols available on the market. Available through Bitdefender’s official app, it includes core essentials, with P2P support and a VPN kill switch to protect you if the VPN connection drops. There’s also AES 256-bit key encryption to ensure complete online anonymity. Bitdefender VPN boasts 4,000 servers in 49 countries.

You can try Bitdefender Premium VPN by clicking here

Bitdefender Premium VPN: Pricing & plans

Bitdefender Premium VPN in action — (Image credit: Bitdefender)

Bitdefender Premium price starts at $6.99 per month. To save up to 40%, consider using the discounted annual subscription for the first year for $29.99, which works out at around $2.50 a month. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee if the service doesn't work out for you. Payments can be made by MasterCard, PayPal, or bank transfer.

Alternatively, you can try the Bitdefender free VPN. However, this is only accessible if you have an active security package with the provider. On the free plan, daily traffic is capped at 200MB, with no ability to select a location, so it won't be of much use if you’re looking to access geo-restricted content online. Additionally, you can connect up to ten devices, including those running Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Bitdefender Premium VPN: Privacy & encryption

Nearly every common VPN website claims that "No Loging" however there is frequently a privacy policy that either provides very little information about any specifics or indicates that the firm does, in fact, log some of your information.

Bitdefender Premium VPN does not have complete control over its service logging policies because its software works by connecting to Hotspot Shield servers via the Hotspot Shield network. The company’s basic privacy statement explains what information is collected and how it is used:

“We collect for this service only randomly generated or hashed user and device IDs, IP addresses, and randomly generated tokens to establish a VPN connection for the sole purpose of providing the VPN service. For this service, we use AnchorFree as a data processor who processes data on behalf of Bitdefender in accordance with Bitdefender's instructions and for the sole purpose of providing VPN services to users."

When we checked the Hotspot Shield privacy policy for more information, we were reassured that there is no monitoring of your web traffic or browsing history. However, data such as your browser type, device settings, network information, and more are logged in. While this does not allow the company to see anything of what you're doing online, it is definitely more than you will find with the majority of the competition.

With support for the Advanced Encryption Standard, employing a 256-bit version of it, the privacy tool is impenetrable even to the most powerful modern computers and ensures complete online anonymity. The VPN also uses the superfast catapult hydra protocol so when you browse the internet your IP address is rerouted. Also, you won’t find any Domain Name System (DNS), Web Real-time Communication, or other leaks when using Bitdefender Premium VPN.

Bitdefender Premium VPN: Streaming

Netflix menu showing popular shows — (Image credit: Netflix)

Bitdefender Premium VPN is sold mostly for the sake of encrypting your data and allowing you to anonymously browse the internet. But the website does claim that you can unlock media, videos, and messages from all over the world - it’s just a shame it doesn't.

In our tests, we found this is certainly no streaming VPN. In fact, it’s terrible for at it. It doesn't work with top sites like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime. On the other hand, we were able to access BBC iPlayer when we connected to the UK server. If you’re looking for the best VPNs for Netflix and the like, we recommend ExpressVPN, as connections are great, it features lightning-fast speeds, and it’s simple to use across all apps.

We noticed that popular torrent applications like BitTorrent and Vuze are compatible with all of its servers and the VPN allows P2P transmission, so you may have better luck using it as a VPN for torrenting.

Bitdefender Premium VPN: Speed & experience

In our testing, we discovered that the download speed peaked at 54.65Mbps when Bitfinder’s VPN was turned off.

When we turned it on, we found speeds decreased to 18.68mpbs, well below average. To be honest, since the release of WireGuard, Bitdefender VPN isn't as fast as providers like NordVPN, CyberGhost, and IPVanish that reach about 880Mbps.

Bitdefender Premium VPN: Customer support

The Bitdefender support staff can be contacted via phone, live chat, email, and phone. It should be noted that this is the general support team for all of Bitdefender's products and services, not just Premium VPN.

And that’s a concern. Getting support from the support team may be simple, but we’re not sure a company that sells antivirus software with a VPN on the side can provide the kind of support offered by specialist providers.

Bitdefender Premium VPN: Apps

If you've ever used Bitdefender antivirus software, you're probably already aware of Linux's absence from it. Its VPN is the same - there is no Linux application. But there are programs for Windows and Mac, with mobile VPN apps for Android and iOS.

Windows

The Windows interface for Bitdefender Premium VPN is clear and easy to use with useful settings such as the kill switch, which blocks internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. Although the location list lacks favorites or previously used servers for easier reconnection, it allows switching locations without disconnecting the current connection. Desktop notifications also let you know when you're protected and when you're not.

The UI is recognizable with its sizable blue Connect button, the name of the location you are currently selecting, and, if you click it, a list of more locations to choose from.There is a search box, but no cities are provided (just countries), and there are no server load figures or ping times to help you in choosing.

The UI of the macOS version remains the same, but features have been drastically reduced, and split tunneling and the most advanced auto-connect options are no longer available. It leaves you with a stripped-down version, but it still has the kill switch and it is still usable.

We were surprised to find a kill switch here - historically iOS apps have lacked the most features due to strict Apple policies that make make adding features a challenge. Bitdefender’s iOS VPN app looks and feels very similar to its desktop counterpart, so it's just as simple to use, but suffers from the same flaws: a basic location list, no cities, limited server information, and no favorites system to help reduce scrolling.

Although essentially identical to the iOS version, the Android version includes additional features that are unique to it. The mobile app can block local network traffic, by doing this, your phone becomes invisible to other Wi-Fi-connected devices, this might deter some attackers who are waiting in public hotspots.

The fact that mobile apps work well for simple tasks may explain why users give them such high ratings. We believe, however, that they have a long way to go before they can compete with the best in the field.

Bitdefender Premium VPN: Alternatives

Although Bitdefender is an excellent VPN service, it lacks some features provided by the market's leading VPN providers, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark. They do cost more, but provide plenty of tools, features, thousands of servers, and ultimately more bang for your buck. .

Verdict

If you want something cheap, fast, and with a familiar name the Bitdefender Premium VPN is for you. But it’s worth noting that the extent of their logging is unclear, no VPN audit reports are published, and streaming isn't one of their strengths.

While Bitdefender is an excellent antivirus provider, its VPN isn’t the same, falling short of the advanced features and smart design found in the market leaders.

Best business VPNs: Keep employees secure online

Bluehost WonderSuite website builder review 2025

6:51 pm | November 10, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Website Building | Tags: AI, SSL | Comments: Off

Bluehost WonderSuite is an AI platform that makes it easier to build websites on WordPress.org's open-source CMS. It offers a compelling alternative for those who find traditional WordPress sites too complex to manage, but still want to benefit from its flexbility.

We have spent thousands of hours testing 140+ of the best website builders. While it's true that Wix remains our top pick for 2025, Bluehost's revamped website builder deserves serious consideration among WordPress users.

In this guide, we run through everything you need to know about Bluehost's dedicated AI website builder.

Bluehost WonderSuite: 2-minute review

Bluehost WonderSuite is an AI-powered tool that simplifies creating WordPress websites. It combines several smart tools to guide users from setup to design and content creation. We found the onboarding experience very helpful. It collects your information upfront and uses it throughout your site.

Since 2003, Bluehost has been a trusted web hosting provider powering over 2 million websites. As one of the few hosting companies recommended by WordPress.org, the company used its expertise to create this solution. WonderSuite comes with all Bluehost WordPress hosting plans, making it accessible for beginners and small businesses.

During testing, we liked how WonderSuite’s AI guidance reduced common frustrations in WordPress site building. The drag-and-drop interface and pre-designed templates let you create a professional website in minutes, with no coding skills needed. The AI assistant offers help right when you need it, so you don’t have to search for answers.

However, we noticed some limitations. While WonderSuite makes WordPress easier to use, it offers fewer template options than some dedicated builders. Also, some users report inconsistent customer support, which can be frustrating when you need assistance. Overall, WonderSuite is a big step in making WordPress more accessible for beginners while keeping its powerful features.

What is Bluehost WonderSuite?

Bluehost WonderSuite is like a friendly helper for creating a WordPress website. It’s perfect for beginners who have never built one before. This toolset uses AI to make WordPress, a sometimes tricky platform, much easier to use.

Think of WonderSuite as your personal website assistant. It asks questions about your site and uses your answers to build it for you. For instance, when you enter your social media links during setup, WonderSuite adds them to your website and optimizes them for search engines. It takes care of almost every technical task, so you don’t have to worry.

The suite is a combination of different tools: WonderStart guides you through setup, WonderTheme offers customizable designs, WonderBlocks provides ready-made content sections for your pages, and WonderHelp gives AI-powered support when you need it. Together, these tools simplify the complex process of building and maintaining a WordPress site from scratch.

Features

Bluehost WonderSuite offers many features that simplify WordPress for beginners while keeping its powerful capabilities. The suite combines AI guidance with easy design tools, making WordPress more approachable. It smartly uses information gathered during onboarding for various site tasks, like search engine optimization and social media integration.

This feature set is aimed at small to medium businesses, bloggers, and entrepreneurs who want WordPress's flexibility without a steep learning curve. We were impressed by how WonderSuite connects complex WordPress functions with user-friendly website builders, making it accessible for beginners. AI assistance gives help right when you need it, so you don’t have to search for answers.

While the platform performs its main features well, we noticed some limits in template options compared to website builders like Wix. The customer support experience can be inconsistent, which may frustrate users needing help. We also wished for more advanced AI content generation tools, although Bluehost is reportedly developing WonderAssist for this purpose.

With pricing starting at just $1.99 per month for the Basic plan, the value is strong. WonderSuite comes with all Bluehost WordPress hosting plans at no extra cost, making it a great choice for beginners and small businesses. The ecommerce features in the premium plans ($7.45/month) offer good value for online stores, with WonderCart providing extensive sales and promotional tools.

Tools

Bluehost WonderSuite templates — WonderTheme is a flexible, block-based WordPress theme created by YITH. It serves as the base for your website design. (Image credit: Bluehost)

Bluehost WonderSuite offers powerful tools for building WordPress websites. Each tool focuses on a part of the website creation process, from setup to management and optimization. Here are the key tools in this suite:

WonderStart

WonderStart offers a personalized onboarding experience that speeds up website creation through smart data collection. It asks specific questions about your website goals and preferences. This information is then used during other stages of building your site. For example, if you enter social media handles during setup, WonderStart optimizes them for SEO and adds them to your site's social buttons. This saves you from entering the same information multiple times across different sections.

WonderTheme

WonderTheme is a flexible, block-based WordPress theme created by YITH. It serves as the base for your website design. The drag-and-drop builder lets you create beautiful, customized websites without needing coding skills. It provides pre-set theme styles, color palettes, font options, and various header and menu layouts to build your brand identity. The theme works well with WordPress’s full-site editing, giving you a true WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) experience to design your site in real-time.

WonderBlocks

WonderBlocks features a rich library of block patterns and page templates filled with images and suggested text based on your inputs from WonderStart. These pre-designed sections can be easily dragged and dropped onto your pages. This makes it easy to create visually appealing layouts without design skills. The patterns and templates fit your website’s purpose and can be customized to match your style. This tool speeds up page creation while ensuring a professional look.

WonderHelp

WonderHelp is an AI-driven guide that supports users throughout their WordPress site-building journey. Instead of searching external sites for WordPress questions, WonderHelp offers step-by-step guides within the site builder. This helps users tackle common challenges and learn WordPress features without leaving their dashboard. The AI assistant guides users on tasks from creating blog posts to optimizing pages, making it a great resource for beginners facing WordPress's complexities.

WonderCart

WonderCart is a unique ecommerce tool designed for online store owners who want to boost sales with advanced marketing features. It's part of Bluehost's Online Store packages and combines cross-selling and upselling in one solution. The sales and promotions section stands out, letting users create campaigns like product discounts and free shipping easily. WonderCart also simplifies payment processing, supporting multiple providers like PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. It removes the need for separate plugins to handle different parts of your online store.

Ease of use

Bluehost WonderSuite onboarding — WonderSuite's clean interface doesn’t overwhelm new users with choices. (Image credit: Bluehost)

Bluehost WonderSuite makes WordPress easy for beginners. The modern, clean interface doesn’t overwhelm new users with choices. During testing, we noticed the onboarding process was smooth. WonderStart asks questions about your website goals and tailors the experience based on your answers. This cuts out many technical decisions that can confuse beginners.

The learning curve is much easier than traditional WordPress. Instead of the usual dashboard filled with menus, users go through a step-by-step visual guide. The AI-powered help offers support right when you need it. For example, if you want to create a blog, WonderHelp gives specific instructions in the builder instead of sending you to outside documents. This keeps users focused on building their site rather than tackling complex systems.

The drag-and-drop feature works well across the platform. Users can easily customize layouts without needing to code. WonderBlocks makes adding elements like hero sections and testimonials as easy as clicking and dragging, speeding up the design process. Even those with no website experience can create professional-looking pages in minutes, thanks to the intuitive WYSIWYG editor that shows real-time changes.

Accessibility is a key focus in the design. The interface has clear visual hierarchies and simple navigation paths. It balances simplicity and functionality well, removing unnecessary complexity while still providing access to WordPress's powerful features.

However, WonderSuite uses Yoast's open-source React component library for its interface. This creates a consistent design that differs from the standard WordPress admin. While some users might find the switch between WonderSuite’s interface and other WordPress parts jarring, this visual style helps new users see which parts belong to the new platform versus standard WordPress.

Pricing

Plan	Starting rate (paid annually)	Renewal rate (paid annually)
Basic	$2.95/mo	$11.99/mo
Choice Plus	$3.95/mo	$15.99/mo
Pro	$13.95/mo	$28.99/mo

You can save on your Bluehost subscription by checking out our list of the best Bluehost promo codes.

Bluehost WonderSuite pricing — Bluehost WonderSuite is part of all Bluehost WordPress hosting plans. (Image credit: Bluehost)

Pricing and plans explained

Bluehost WonderSuite is part of all Bluehost WordPress hosting plans, so it doesn't add any extra costs to your existing subscription. The Basic plan starts at $2.95 per month (renewing at $11.99/month). It includes WonderSuite, a free domain for one year, a free SSL certificate, and 10GB of storage. This plan is great for personal blogs or simple business sites.

For more resources, the Choice Plus plan costs $3.95/month (renewing at $15.99/month). It offers 20GB of storage and allows unlimited websites. Next is the Pro plan at $13.95/month (renewing at $28.99/month).

All plans have promotional pricing for the first term, with rates increasing upon renewal. This practice is common in web hosting but can lead to high renewal rates, sometimes more than five times the introductory price. If you’re sure about staying with the platform, consider a longer initial term of 12 to 36 months to save more.

Overall, Bluehost WonderSuite's pricing is competitive in the WordPress hosting market. The AI-powered tools it offers simplify the website-building process. Including WonderSuite at no extra cost across all plans makes it appealing for beginners. It provides WordPress’s flexibility without the usual learning curve or the need for multiple premium plugins.

Security

Bluehost's products all benefit from strong security measures. It offers free SSL certificates on all plans. This ensures encrypted connections between visitors and your website. During testing, we liked the automatic WordPress core updates. These updates help keep sites secure without needing manual work. They protect against known vulnerabilities. Higher-tier plans also include SiteLock Lite, which offers basic malware scanning and removal.

While Bluehost has solid basic security, advanced features like daily backups cost extra. Users must upgrade to higher-tier plans for these options. The company has SOC 2 Type II certification for its data centers. This shows compliance with strict security standards to protect customer data. For added protection, Bluehost offers CodeGuard as an add-on service for $2.99/month. It provides daily automated backups and one-click restoration, making it a smart choice for business websites where data loss can be costly.

Customer support

Bluehost WonderSuite support center — Bluehost also has a large knowledge base with tutorials, guides, and FAQs on WonderSuite. (Image credit: Bluehost)

Bluehost provides 24/7 customer support on all plans through live chat, phone, and email. In our tests, the support team showed good knowledge of WonderSuite's features. However, response times varied based on the time of day and the complexity of our questions. Live chat was the fastest for quick issues, connecting us with an agent in 5-10 minutes. Phone support sometimes had longer wait times during busy hours.

The WonderHelp tool acts as a first line of support, offering guidance that often removes the need for customer service. We found this AI assistant very useful for common WordPress and WonderSuite questions. Bluehost also has a large knowledge base with tutorials, guides, and FAQs on WonderSuite, which helped with self-guided troubleshooting.

One downside is that some users have reported mixed experiences with Bluehost's support, especially during busy times. While our interactions were mostly positive, we noted that some technical issues needed escalation to specialized teams, which could delay resolutions. Users that may need extensive support might find better value in higher-tier plans, as they receive priority assistance compared to Basic plan subscribers.

Alternatives

In the website builder market, Bluehost WonderSuite sits somewhere between WordPress hosting solutions like DreamHost and all-in-one website builders like Wix. It's great for small to medium businesses, bloggers, and entrepreneurs seeking WordPress's flexibility without the usual learning curve. If you want to build a WordPress site with little technical hassle, WonderSuite offers a strong package that few competitors match.

The main competitors to Bluehost WonderSuite are WordPress-focused hosts like SiteGround, DreamHost, and Hostinger. Hostinger even offers a competing website building solution. However, Bluehost's AI-powered approach with WonderSuite gives a more guided experience, especially helpful for beginners. If you're considering WP Engine, Bluehost offers a more budget-friendly option with similar WordPress features.

Bluehost and Hostinger are also fairly comparable in price. Both with introductory rates starting around $3/mo with a jump to around $12 a month after that. We would recommend checking out both options before making a decision.

If you're open to options beyond WordPress, Wix is our top pick for 2025. It’s a comprehensive website builder with its own AI tools. Wix has more design flexibility and a larger template library, but you lose some ownership and portability benefits that come with an open-source platform. Squarespace is another worthy alternative, especially if you want a website builder that is going to help your site really stand out from the screen. We have created a full Bluehost website builder vs Squarespace comparison so you can learn more.

For those starting their online journey and prioritizing simplicity, WonderSuite offers a good mix of ease and the long-term benefits of WordPress. Its AI-guided approach lowers many barriers while providing a website that can grow with your needs. This is unlike some limited website builders that may force you to start over as your requirements change.

Bluehost website builder: Summary

Bluehost WonderSuite makes WordPress easy and accessible with its AI tools and guided help. Our tests showed it connects WordPress's power with the ease of dedicated website builders. There are some limits in template choices and customer support, but the overall value is strong. This is especially true for beginners and small businesses that want WordPress's flexibility without a steep learning curve.

WonderSuite is included at no extra cost in all Bluehost WordPress hosting plans. This makes it a great choice for anyone wanting to create a professional website without coding skills. For those who want WordPress without its usual complexities, WonderSuite offers a smooth path to getting online.

Looking for an alternative AI powered website builder? Check out our best AI website builders.

Bluehost WonderSuite: FAQs

How is Bluehost different from WordPress?

When it comes to the difference between WordPress and Bluehost, the answer is pretty simple. Bluehost is a web hosting provider that offers website builder capabilities, while WordPress is a fully hosted content management system (CMS).

Do I get an SSL with my Bluehost website?

Yes, Bluehost offers a free SSL certificate on all of its hosting/website builder plans. This will help boost site security and increase overall trust in your website from users.

Is Bluehost website builder any good?

We found Bluehost to be a very useful website builder for those looking to create a WordPress website and have no clue where to begin or how to do it. You can create any type of website with Bluehost, from a portfolio site to an ecommerce store.

Is Bluehost's website builder good for beginners?

The short answer is yes. Bluehost is a popular choice for beginnings starting out their online journey. The tool includes 24/7 customer support, promises 99.9% uptime and has 1-click WordPress install, which will enable beginners to build their website with ease.

Is Bluehost billed monthly or annually?

Unfortunately, Bluehost doesn't offer monthly payment options for its cheap shared hosting or managed WordPress hosting. However, you can choose month-to-month billing with Bluehost's VPS or dedicated hosting plans.

For Bluehost's website builder plans, you have the option to commit to 12 months or 36 months.

Do I get a free domain with Bluehost?

Yes, you get a free domain for the first year with Bluehost. However, after that year it will renew at an additional cost. The renewal cost can sometimes come at a premium, making it more expensive over the long term than opting for an independent domain registrar.

It is important to monitor potential renewal costs when picking your domain to ensure it remains affordable over time.

What email does Bluehost use?

Bluehost offers the same three individual webmail clients you will see on most mainstream web hosting providers: Roundcube, Horde, and SquirrelMail.

Is Bluehost’s website builder secure?

Yes, Bluehost offers a good level of security as a hosting and website builder provider. When you pick Bluehost you get a free SSL certificate, malware scanning, and automatic backups, giving you peace of mind that your website is secure.

Bluehost also offers SiteLock for additional protection. This platform will scan your website every day to identify potential vulnerabilities and protect against threats.

Is Bluehost good for blogging?

Bluehost is great for bloggers because of its simplicity, great support and excellent interface. You can quite literally have your blog up and running in minutes. Bluehost is also the recommended web hosting provider by WordPress, a top quality blogging platform.

Does Bluehost offer refunds?

You can cancel your hosting plan within the first 30 days for a full refund, and if you cancel within 30 days, you receive a full refund on your hosting service only. The money-back guarantee does not apply to most add-on products, such as domains, given the unique nature of their costs.

Do I own my domain name with Bluehost?

You can register new domain names and transfer domains you already own right inside your Bluehost account. Please note that once you have registered a domain name with Bluehost, it cannot be cancelled for a refund.

NordPass Review: Is it safe?

5:33 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Security | Comments: Off

Are you still using insecure passwords that put your online accounts at risk? With so many data breaches, leveling up your password security game is time.

NordPass, from the makers of the popular NordVPN, is one of the best password managers that combines robust security features with a user-friendly interface. From its zero-knowledge encryption to multi-factor authentication and passkey support, NordPass ensures your passwords stay locked down tight.

But it's not just about security. NordPass makes password management a breeze with autofill, secure sharing, password health checks, and more. Whether you're an individual or a business, NordPass has flexible pricing plans to meet your needs, including a free tier.

The best part? NordPass strikes the perfect balance between robust security and convenience, making it a top choice for anyone looking to safeguard their online life. It also offers some excellent features that businesses can utilize to enhance their credential security, which you can read about at the bottom of this review.

Learn more about how NordPass can simplify your digital life while fortifying your defenses. Read on.

Interested in NordPass? Check out the website here

NordPass: Plans and pricing

There is a free tier with NordPass, which isn't always a given with password managers. It gets you storage for an unlimited number of passwords, which you can access from anywhere, but you’ll only be allowed one signed-in session at a time, so if you alternate between your phone and your computer, you’ll be kicked out each time you change your device.

It won't detect weak or reused passwords, and it won't scan the web for data breaches, which some competitor companies do even at this free level. It also won't let you mask your email or securely store files within the app.

NordPass Premium pricing — (Image credit: NordPass)

The Premium account turns all those features on and costs $1.99 per month for annual commitments, or $1.49 per month for a two year commitment. It also allows you to use trusted sharing, which grants access to trusted contacts in case of emergencies.

NordPass Family plan pricing — (Image credit: NordPass)

The top personal tier is the Family plan, which you can buy for as little as $3.69 per month on the one year plan, or $2.79 per month for the two year commitment. You'll get six accounts with this product alongside all of the features included with the Premium product. Both of these plans are also available with two-year commitments, which means you can save a bit more money if you’re willing to pay upfront.

It’s also worth mentioning that some countries, including major markets like Australia and Canada, will see pricing in USD. Despite this, billing will still occur in local currencies.

NordPass Business pricing — (Image credit: NordPass)

NordPass's standard Business product starts at $3.99 per user per month for the one year plan, or $3.59 per user per month for the two year plan, and can handle up to 150 users, so it's ideal for small and medium businesses. This time, it’s advertised in USD globally, but each country will pay in local currencies. You get all the features we've mentioned alongside a security dashboard, the option to deploy company-wide settings, and Google Workplace SSO. The business product also includes team management features, like company-wide settings deployment and real-time monitoring. If you need more than 150 users, NordPass prompts you to contact the sales department for a quote.

NordPass Enterprise pricing — (Image credit: NordPass)

The conventional business product doesn’t require a dedicated account manager or face-to-face onboarding. If you'd like those features, more SSO options, and user provisioning via Active Directory, you'll need the Enterprise product, and you'll again have to contact NordPass directly to get a quote.

In all cases, you can get a more significant discount via the NordPass promo codes that always are available to new users.

Unfortunately, Nord Security doesn’t offer bundles with its VPN service, NordVPN, which is a missed opportunity because other companies like Dashlane do.

NordPass: Setup

NordPass is a well-regarded password manager developed by the cybersecurity experts behind NordVPN. With a strong focus on security and a user-friendly interface, it offers a reliable way to manage passwords. If you've chosen NordPass as your digital vault, here's your step-by-step guide to setting it up.

To begin with, NordPass, head to the NordPass website and create an account. You can sign up with your email, and you'll need to create a master password. This master password is the key to unlocking your vault, so ensure it's strong and memorable. NordPass doesn't have access to this password, so remember it, or your vault will become inaccessible.

With your account ready, download the NordPass application for your device. NordPass supports various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. After downloading and installing the app, sign in with the NordPass credentials that you just created.

Once you're in, NordPass can import passwords from your previous password manager or browser. This step can save you a considerable amount of time, as manually adding each password can be tedious. NordPass typically provides a guide for importing data to help you through the process.

Now it's time to explore NordPass features. Familiarize yourself with the user interface and see how to add and manage passwords. Try out the auto-fill and auto-save functionalities by logging into a few of your accounts to see how smoothly NordPass operates.

If you have various types of data you want to keep secure, NordPass allows you to store not just passwords but also notes, credit card information, and even personal details for quickly filling out forms online. Each entry is encrypted, ensuring your sensitive information remains private.

To enhance security further, consider setting up two-factor authentication (2FA). NordPass supports several 2FA methods, adding an extra layer of protection to your account. With 2FA enabled, accessing your vault requires something you know (your master password) and something you have (such as a code from your phone).

NordPass also offers a secure password generator tool, which you should use to create new, complex passwords for your accounts. To boost online security, update any weak passwords, replacing them with intense, randomly generated ones from NordPass.

Finally, download and install the NordPass browser extensions for a seamless browsing experience. Whether you're using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, the NordPass extension can help you auto-fill passwords, save new login credentials, and access your vault quickly.

By now, your NordPass account should be fully operational. As you continue using NordPass, it's essential to review your vault for outdated information regularly and also take advantage of any new features that NordPass may release. With the NordPass setup complete, you can know that managing your passwords is now secure and straightforward.

NordPass features — (Image credit: NordPass)

NordPass: Interface and performance

Everything about the NordPass interface is smooth and elegant, from the initial sign-up page to the apps you'll install as you get the software set up – it's actually one of the most polished experiences we've seen, and the same its true of other Nord Security products. Everything is built to be user-friendly and accessible, so it's a password manager that will suit users at all levels of technical know-how.

The software does a really good job of hiding itself away in the background and only popping up discreetly when needed, and we had no complaints in terms of getting our passwords synced across multiple devices (it only takes a second or two usually).

The helpful touches spread throughout were much appreciated. You can customize generated passwords by length or by turning off characters that can be misread as something else, for example). Following this theme, you can even streamline online shopping by letting NordPass input your credit card details and shipping info for a smoother checkout. It’s even possible to switch between different Nordpass accounts without compromising your security, so if you need to manage work and personal life separately, it’s easily done.

When it comes to managing your account, logging in and accessing your settings, passwords, and other stored information is very straightforward. We appreciate the clean interface that is well laid out, and easy to use.

Previously, we mentioned that it would be nice to be able to tag or otherwise sort different types of credentials, but this has now been addressed. Folders allow you to separate categories, for example social media, online shopping, and banking.

There’s a separate area for payment details, but it would be a nice addition to see a dedicated area for IDs, such as driving licenses and passports. These are the sorts of documents that you don’t carry every day, but when booking a flight, you might unexpectedly need to call on them.

The app's extra features are just as easy to use. Look to the bottom-right of the app and you'll find a password generator, password health assessment module, and a data breach scanner, and they're all as straightforward as the app's main functions.

NordPass: Passkeys

As more and more websites begin to add passkeys as a login option, password managers are beginning to commit to their adoption, but NordPass has actually already integrated passkey support, making it one of the first.

The desktop application, NordPass Web Vault, and Firefox and Chrome-based browser extensions are already compatible with passkeys, but Safari users will have to wait for a future release to be included. Mobile support is also coming as soon as software makers open up passkeys to third parties.

Passkeys are saved in a separate location from regular passwords, and chances are you’ll still have a vault full of passwords for a long time to come because the few websites that are adopting passkeys are just using them as secondary login methods.

Passkey login and passwordless authentication for accessing NordPass is also in the works, but details are limited at the moment.

NordPass password security tool — (Image credit: NordPass)

NordPass: Security

As you would expect from a developer that also offers a VPN, NordPass has a tight security setup. For a start it deploys a zero-knowledge approach, with end-to-end encryption for your password backups and data syncing – that means not even the NordPass team can see the data that you've got saved.

The increasingly well-respected XChaCha20 encryption algorithm is used, which is also a favorite of companies like Google and Cloudflare: it goes up to 256-bit encryption and is seen (by some at least) as a more future-proof solution than the AES-256 encryption commonly used elsewhere.

Biometric security can be added where supported – FaceID or Touch ID on Apple hardware, Windows Hello on a Windows machine, or a fingerprint reader for other smartphones. Two-factor authentication is supported for your NordPass account and the accounts you're storing passwords for. You're also able to use OTP generators or USB sticks to activate multi-factor authentication for added security.

NordPass also operated a blog which it uses to publicize important security tips alongside product announcements. The most common passwords page is particularly revealing, and even some less obvious passwords are at risk of being guessed in a matter of seconds.

NordPass Help Center — (Image credit: NordPass)

NordPass: Support

NordPass has an extensive Help Center that covers a gamut of topics. From helping you start with NordPass, managing your passwords, or troubleshooting common issues, the Help Center is your first go-to resource. The articles are detailed, easy to understand, and provide step-by-step guidance, making them an invaluable self-service tool.

For more personalized support, NordPass users can reach out via email. Whether you're encountering a specific issue or have a question that needs to be covered in the Help Center, the NordPass support team is ready to assist. Users can expect thoughtful, precise, and prompt responses. This channel is beneficial for complex issues that require detailed explanations.

NordPass takes its user support significantly with its 24/7 live chat service. This option is perfect for users looking for instant assistance. Whether you're struggling with installing NordPass, facing syncing issues, or need guidance on setting up a family account, the live chat team is always at your disposal. The immediacy and efficiency of live chat support ensure that users can resolve their issues without significant downtime.

Recognizing the power of social media in today's communication landscape, NordPass also offers support through its social media platforms. Users can reach out to NordPass through channels like Twitter for quick questions or updates on service status. This not only makes support accessible but also allows users to stay connected and informed about any new features or updates.

The NordPass Community Forum is a platform where users can share tips solutions, and engage in discussions related to NordPass. While not directly managed by the NordPass support team, these forums are monitored, and staff occasionally chime in. It's a great place to learn from other users’ experiences and share your own, fostering a sense of community among NordPass users.

For users keen on understanding and navigating through potential security issues, NordPass provides security advisories. These advisories detail any discovered vulnerabilities and the company’s steps to address them. It's a testament to NordPass's commitment to transparency and security.

As you can see, NordPass goes above and beyond to ensure that their users receive the support they need when they need it. Through a multi-channel support approach, NordPass caters to the varied preferences and requirements of its user base, ensuring a smooth and secure user experience.

NordPass: The competition

NordPass is one of the most prominent password managers around and, as such, it faces loads of strong competition. Apps like LastPass are good alternatives with similar feature sets and pricing structures, and you'd be well-served by either of those tools.

If you'd like something more affordable but admittedly more basic, a product like mSecure will get the job done – it doesn't have the business options or the high-end features of NordPass, but it ticks mainstream boxes and it's cheaper.

If you’re after the security associated with a company that’s also made a name for itself in the VPN world, then Dashlane or Proton Pass would be good alternatives.

NordPass: Final verdict

We're impressed with what we've seen of NordPass during our testing, and we think it's a great choice for individuals and small-to-mid-sized companies. It balances an aesthetically pleasing design with some useful features and advanced security protection, and it holds up well when you compare it against anything else on the market.

Pricing is competitive, and it's nice to see a free tier available. Negatively, it doesn't have more advanced tools like Wi-Fi syncing and Dark Web scanning, but that shouldn't put you off unless you're looking for a password manager with every possible feature.

NordPass Business

NordPass Business: Team and Admin features

Business users get a cloud-based admin console to control and regulate password management for their organizations.

As an admin, you can use this console to exercise comprehensive control over user access and permissions. You can also use it to manage and monitor user activities, and ensure that your business’ security policies are enforced consistently.

NordPass Business offers three distinct roles for users to help segregate duties, and control access within the organization.

The Owner has the most privileges, and can manage all aspects of the organization. Then there’s Admin who can access the admin panel, and most of its management functions, but cannot grant or revoke the owner’s rights. Finally, there’s the User whose access is restricted to the NordPass password manager app.

NordPass for Business lets you organize your users in groups, for instance, based on the departments, or projects in the company. You can then share an item with a group, which is automatically made available to all of the group’s members.

In addition to groups, users can also share anything they’ve saved in their vaults, including login credentials, passkeys, secure notes, and more, with other users as well. These shared items can be permission-limited, and there are multiple access levels a user can choose from. Users can hand out full edit permissions, or restrict access to just reshare, or view the shared details.

NordPass business features — (Image credit: NordPass)

NordPass for Business also enables admins to define company-wide password policies to enforce strong password requirements. Admins can keep the length of the password between 8 and 60 characters, mandate the use of uppercase letters, digits, and special characters. They can also ensure users are made to change passwords either after 30, 60, 90,or 180 days.

To ensure adherence to the password policy, admins can monitor compliance from the admin panel as well. The panel also has an activity log that tracks actions, such as credential use, and admin panel activity, for every user. The log can be filtered for a particular time period, and/or user.

NordPass Business: Integrations and Compatibility

NordPass for Business offers several integrations for organizations of all sizes.

The first and foremost of these is its support for several popular Single Sign-On (SSO) and the best identity providers, including Okta, Entra ID, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Active Directory Federation Service (ADFS).

These help NordPass for Business streamline the authentication process, and also enhance security by reducing the number of credentials your users need to manage. Once enabled, users in your organization can log in using their existing corporate credentials.

Remember though, the Business plan only includes support for Google Workspace SSO. If you need to plug in Okta, Entra ID, or ADFS, you’ll need to subscribe to the Enterprise plan.

To help ensure your company maintains compliance with industry standards, NordPass for Business integrates with platforms like Vanta, and Splunk. While Vanta helps fuse the password manager with your compliance workflows, the latter, which is only available as part of the Enterprise plan, feeds NordPass activity logs into the data analysis platform, for enhanced security monitoring and analysis.

The Enterprise plan also offers an Activity Logs API that enables organizations to integrate activity log data from the password manager with their own Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems and other tools. In addition to monitoring, and reporting for internal purposes, this also helps in compliance with standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.

NordPass Business: Ease of Use and Deployment

Just like its desktop apps and browser plugins for end users, the cloud-based admin panel of NordPass for Business has a clear, and intuitive user interface.

On first launch, the interface will list the most important tasks that must be completed, which is a wonderful way to help new admins take charge of their password management solution.

You’ll be asked to review your policies, both for passwords as we’ve described above, as well as for guest sharing. The latter must be explicitly enabled if you want to allow users in your organization to share passwords and other items with people outside your business, like partners, customers, or contractors.

You can also allow your users to export their passwords, and other items as a CSV file, from the policies section. One interesting option you should enable from under here is email masking. This feature allows your users to generate alternative email addresses to sign up for online services, concealing their true identity, and mitigating phishing attempts..

Next up, you should turn on SSO before you onboard and invite users from across your organization. All your users should also install the NordPass browser extension to import their passwords.

You can also choose to skip the process, and jump right into the Dashboard of the admin panel. From the dashboard you can review the number of users added or invited into the platform. For more control over the users, head to the Members section from where you can arrange users into groups, earmark their access levels, and even invite new ones, or remove existing ones.

Even without SSO, the process for onboarding users is rather straightforward. You can either invite users by specifically mentioning the email address of the users you want to invite, or uploading a CSV or text file with email addresses. Or, you can mention one or more domain names, and anyone with an email address from these domains will be able to join via an invite link.

In either case, the users will receive a link to create their NordPass for Business account, after which they’ll be added into the platform.

One of the most critical areas that you as admins must frequent is the Password Health dashboard. It helps identify weak, reused, or old passwords. There’s also the Data Breach Scanner that scans the dark web for compromised emails, or passwords linked to your company’s domain.

There’s also the Sharing Hub, currently under beta testing, that gives you details about all the shared items within your organization, whether they are shared internally, or externally.

All things considered, the admin panel is a logically laid out interface that gives a good overview of the use of the password management system by employees in your organization.

We've featured the best password recovery software.

What to look for in a password manager

The primary purpose of a password manager is to keep your passwords secure, so top-notch security features are non-negotiable. Look for a manager that offers strong encryption standards, such as AES-256, to ensure your data is safe from prying eyes. Two-factor authentication (2FA) can add an extra layer of security, requiring not just a password and username but also something only the user has on them, like a piece of information or a physical device.

A password manager should make your life easier, not harder. A user-friendly interface that allows you to easily store, retrieve, and organize your passwords can save you time and frustration. Whether it’s a desktop app, mobile app, or browser extension, ensure the user experience is smooth and intuitive.

In today’s interconnected world, we access our accounts from multiple devices like smartphones, tablets, and PCs. A good password manager should be compatible across various platforms and devices, allowing you to access your passwords, whether on an iPhone in the morning or a Windows PC in the evening.

One of the perks of using a password manager is that it can generate strong and unique passwords for you, bypassing the temptation to use easily guessable passwords. Look for a manager with a built-in password generator, which can create complex passwords that are tough for hackers to crack.

A password manager should streamline your browsing experience by automatically filling in your login information when you visit sites and apps. Additionally, look for an auto-save feature that prompts you to save new passwords as you create them, ensuring your password vault is always up-to-date.

While many free password managers offer basic features, investing in a paid version can provide enhanced security and additional features. Evaluate the pricing plans to find one that fits your budget and meets your security needs. Remember, the cost of a password manager is minuscule compared to the potential loss from a cyberattack.

Even with the most intuitive platforms, questions or issues can arise. Good customer support can be invaluable, offering help through resources like FAQs, forums, email support, or live chat. Before committing to a password manager, check out their support options.

Lastly, read the provider’s privacy policy to understand how your data will be used and protected. A trustworthy password manager should have a straightforward policy that ensures they do not misuse your data or provide it to third parties without consent.

Choosing the right password manager is a crucial step in securing your digital life. By considering these features, you can find a tool that not only keeps your passwords safe but also enhances your online experience. Remember, in cybersecurity, being proactive is always better than being reactive.

StrongVPN review

8:13 pm | November 9, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

StrongVPN began offering VPN services in 2005 and now has over 950 VPN servers spread across 30 countries and 59 cities, with a diverse mix of locations to help make up the difference. The VPN provider boasts two servers in Africa and none in countries with repressive internet policies like China and Russia.

However, StrongVPN is based in the United States, which is one of the least privacy-friendly countries in the world. As an active member of the Five Eyes countries, if US authorities want user information from the company, they can obtain it with a warrant.

StrongVPN SugarSync Offer — StrongVPN gives users 250GB of cloud storage from SugarSync when they sign up (Image credit: StrongVPN)

Pricing & plans

Although you can get a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s no free trial and no free VPN version, so there’s no way to test the service without handing over your card details. Subscriptions to the service are billed monthly or annually.

A one-month subscription costs $10.99 and includes 250GB of cloud storage, while a 12-month subscription costs $69.99. This includes the same amount of storage space, and additionally, you have the choice of connecting 12 devices at once.

StrongVPN accepts American Express, Mastercard, PayPal, Alipay, and Visa as their payment options. The absence of cryptocurrencies or other anonymous payment options is disappointing.

Privacy & encryption

StrongVPN adheres to a strict code of privacy. It does not record information about your IP address, bandwidth usage, timestamps, or online activity. Your email address and payment information are the only pieces of personal information that the VPN requests when you create an account.

The company makes an effort to assist by summarizing its privacy policy up front with the following points:

- A zero-logging VPN service that won’t track or store your data while connected

- The only personal information collected is used for account setup

- Personal information isn’t sold to third parties

Our main issue with StrongVPN's logging policy is that it lacks an external VPN audit, which would properly confirm the company's claim that no logs are kept.

It is crucial to remember that StrongVPN is headquartered in the US, a country that is a part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance (a group of countries that share surveillance data with each other). This could compromise your privacy because StrongVPN would be obligated to provide your information to the US government upon request.

Theoretically, this shouldn't be a problem, because it doesn't keep any logs and won't have any information to turn over. But it’s no longer sufficient to state “we don’t do bad stuff”, so we would advise you to proceed with caution when using this VPN. Alternatively, switch to a VPN like ExpressVPN, which is transparent and has had their system publicly audited to prove their privacy credentials.

Streaming

The StrongVPN website claims it's the “Best streaming VPN”, but we found otherwise when we tested it.

We were unable to use any of StrongVPN's UK servers to access BBC iPlayer. In our tests with US Netflix, we encountered no problems and were able to use the VPN for Netflix streams - however, we were unable to unblock any other Netflix region.

With no luck, we tested over 10 libraries. Disney+ was also available to watch, and Amazon Prime was also available. But, since all of StrongVPN's servers are suitable for P2P use, we have no complaints when it comes to using the VPN for torrenting.

Speed

While all VPNs will, in some way, slow down your connection, the best ones have a negligible effect that prevents lags or buffering. Furthermore, speed may vary depending on your location, connection, and internet provider. Fast connections are almost as important as a service's security and privacy.

We put StrongVPN to the test by using two 1Gbps connections US and UK. Speeds in the US using OpenVPN were 230-240Mbps. In the US, IKEv2 speeds increased to 260-280Mbps.

We strongly advise using the latest WireGuard protocol if you want to maximize your speeds, as this makes StrongVPN fast, but not the fastest VPN on the market. We consistently received speeds of 270–300 Mbps in the US and 450–500 Mbps in the UK, depending on the test.

Support

You can contact the company's knowledgeable customer service representatives 24/7 via live chat, on the phone during the company’s office hours between 9am and 5pm CT (UTC -6), Monday through Friday, or by sending a thorough online request. You'll receive a reply by email in less than an hour.

For anyone interested in the company or the VPN industry in general, StrongVPN has a blog section. You can refer to the collection of articles on the help site if you run into any issues while installing and using the service. The support site is searchable by keyword and contains categories like setup instructions, technical support, billing assistance, FAQs.

StrongVPN Windows Menu — This is the interface of StrongVPN's Windows client (Image credit: StrongVPN)

Apps

We set up StrongVPN on a Windows PC and an Android smartphone. The Windows app for StrongVPN can be downloaded from their website, and the Android app can be downloaded from Play Store. We found it was very easy to install both the desktop and mobile VPN apps, taking just a couple of clicks. The apps were also very simple to use and understand.

The world map that greets you can be found on both the Windows and Android apps' user interfaces. Your actual location and two buttons one for the ‘Best Available’ location feature and the other for connecting to the server are immediately visible.

If you choose the ‘Best Available’ option, the server closest to you will be chosen, but if you want to access other servers, you can do so by clicking the Connect button rather than ‘best available. For each native and non-native device that StrongVPN supports, there are also step-by-step connection guides with screenshots available on the company's website, so even if you're not too tech-savvy you'll be able to figure it out.

Alternatives to Strong VPN

NordVPN

NordVPN offers a plethora of convenience, privacy, and security features. Your security is covered by ad blocking, DNS leak protection, strong encryption, and a VPN kill switch. It is also a very user-friendly service because it offers dedicated P2P servers and native apps for all popular platforms.

Read our full NordVPN review

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has excellent security and privacy procedures. For users' privacy, this configuration essentially ensures that no residual data (logs) can exist on the system's hard drives. All VPN servers boot from read-only disks and operate on volatile memory (RAM).

Read our full ExpressVPN review

CyberGhost

With a user-friendly platform, CyberGhost is one of the best. with a wealth of practical VPN features. The software never causes your computer to run slowly, is easy to use, and is free. In addition, it provides extensive P2P and torrent functionality and gives you access to more than 1200 servers spread across more than 50 nations. Features of the software include web browsing, anonymous browsing, remote access, DNS leak protection, and more. Up to five devices can be used simultaneously under one account. As a result, you can defend your mobile devices and the computers in your home.

Read our full CyberGhost review

Verdict

Although not entirely up to the level of something like ExpressVPN, Strong VPN is still worth checking out.

With apps and setup guides to make it work almost anywhere, the VPN excels at platform coverage. Even though WireGuard speeds are subpar and its apps aren't the best, many people will find it fast enough, and the service appears to be reasonably priced if you plan to use the included SugarSync cloud storage.

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