We are entering another exciting phase for PC processors, particularly if you’re a content creator. While the mid-range pendulum swung back to Intel in our workstations Labs, AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series promises huge potential for content creation. Here, I put it through its paces in Armari’s Magnetar M16R7-1300G3.

Armari has, of course, opted for the top Ryzen 9 7950X for its system. Unlike the Intel Core i9-12900K chips that proved so popular in the Labs, the Ryzen 9 has 16 full-speed cores rather than eight, alongside eight low-power ones. And the 7950X provides a base clock of 4.5GHz across all its cores, with an incredible maximum Boost frequency of 5.7GHz, so it should hurtle through any task with a multithreaded bias.

The Ryzen 7000 series is AMD’s first to support DDR5, with Armari providing a generous 64GB complement of 5,600MHz Corsair Vengeance Black DDR5 as two 32GB DIMMs. This runs at 4,800MHz on the system, but enables the processor’s dual-channel memory capability. It also leaves two DIMM slots free on the Asus X670E ProArt-Creator WiFi motherboard, to make an upgrade to 128GB possible – but this will drop the DIMM operating speed to 3,600MHz.

One area where AMD hasn’t had the upper hand for some years is professional graphics. Nevertheless, Armari sticks with AMD here, via a Radeon Pro W6800 graphics card that sports a hefty 3,840 Stream processors and 32GB of GDDR6 frame buffer. The latter operates at 512GB/sec, a little behind Nvidia’s latest and greatest, but there’s no shortage of connectivity, with six mini DisplayPort 1.4 connectors enabling up to two 8K displays or six 5K ones.

Armari hasn’t gone to town with storage, unlike the £16,000 Scan 3XS GWP-ME A1128T. Just a single drive is included, but it’s a potent one. The 2TB WD SN850 Gen4 M.2 SSD SN850 delivered a sustained reading throughput of 7,050MB/sec in CrystalDiskMark 8, with writing at 5,248MB/sec, making this the fastest single NVMe drive we’ve tested.

If you need secondary storage for large media files, the chassis includes four 3.5in/2.5in easy swap backplanes and drive sleds, which you can switch out when the system is powered down and the side panel off. The case is one of Armari’s secrets, as the firm custom-designs its own. The Magnetar M60 Gen3 chassis has loads of cooling, including a side mount for the CPU liquid system, replete with a trio of 120mm fans.

Despite all this, the Magnetar isn’t a power hog. It consumes 90W when idle, pushing up to 370W when rendering a scene in Blender using both the CPU and GPU. If you run the CPU, GPU and memory all at maximum it consumes 530W, which still isn’t terrible considering how much processing power you’re getting in return. And since Armari has included a hefty 1,300W power supply, you can be confident the system will stay stable even under maximum load.

You may want to make full use of that maximum load, too, because this workstation has outrageous power. The Magnetar was a stunningly quick system in every CPU-related test I threw at it. The score of 773 in the PC Pro benchmarks would have beaten every system in the most recent Labs, and even surpasses the excellent Scan 3XS GWP-ME A1128T with its 64-core Threadripper processor.

Underlining the CPU’s potency is a Cinebench R23 multicore result of 37,170, which trounces a pair of 24-core Intel Xeon Gold processors and would even beat a 32-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. The single-core result of 2,093 is on a par with that of the Intel Core i9-13900K in the Scan Vengeance 3XS – except the Ryzen 9 7950X has 16 cores capable of this speed, where the Intel chip only has eight. To further underline the AMD chip’s power, the Blender Gooseberry render only took 293 seconds using the CPU.

The single area of weakness is the graphics acceleration, but only relatively. With 3D modelling and animation, using SPECviewperf 2020 the AMD Radeon Pro W6800 achieved 174 in 3dsmax-07 and 456 in maya-06, which are great results, but Nvidia’s Quadro A4500 will surpass the latter. With CAD/CAM, the scores were 99 in catia-06, 133 in creo-03, 431 in snx-04 and 259 in solidworks-05. All good results, but again the A4500 holds the advantage here.

Nevertheless, the Magnetar is an unquestionably capable workstation that can slice through every kind of content creation task, be it modelling and design or rendering the results out to a file. Armari has delivered the AMD platform in its habitual efficient, solid build. The price is high, but the amount of power you get from this 16-core processor workstation is phenomenal.

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I write this review a few days after the Spain and Portugal electricity blackouts, this showed how reliant our societies are on electric power. The blackouts, perhaps the worst in recent memory in some places lasted up to 23 hours. One of the biggest sale items at the time being portable power banks as people were desperate to keep small electronic devices powered.

However, even these small power banks only have around 10,000mAh and can only power devices that often use a form of USB charging. This leaves anything running on 240v mains electricity often without power such as fridges and freezers.

Having reviewed the best portable power stations from varying brands across the years, the noted mainstays of the industry was a copy and paste with few tweaks here and features there. Nearly all of them were of a large boxlike design often with a status screen, varying power in and outputs and maybe an app. Portable only in the sense that you could pick it up and cart it off elsewhere, but some of them were bulky and pushing north of 20kgs in weight.

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 is almost no different except in this package you get not just the portable power station, but also a portable solar panel as a combo, however both are available for purchase separately as the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station and Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel.

We start on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station part of the combo.

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2: Portable Power Station

Packaging

Starting with the Explorer 2000 Power Station, I opened the cardboard box to be presented with an orange box and helpful pull-out handles, removing this gave us a nice orange box, the sort you would see on shop shelves to market the product to you.

The back of the box shows that this power station has a capacity of 2042Wh or 45.6Ah from its Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) cells, its in and output rates and some basic specifications.

Opening this orange box gives us the accessories tray consisting of only the AC power cable and manual. I do want to point out I was very impressed with the orange box packaging using only sturdy corrugated cardboard with a felt liner, no plastics in this box whatsoever.

The power station

Once the power station was removed from the box, I noted its dimensions being on average about the same size here and there as other power stations I had reviewed in the past.

A quick visual inspection, I noted that all the output ports are at the front, the sides have ventilation slots with the AC and DC input ports on the right side. The back was plain save, for an information label and the bottom had large, wide sturdy rubberized feet.

One notable feature was the large carry handle on the top, possibly one of the best ones I had seen on any portable power stations as these are heavy with the Jackery weighing in at 17.5kgs (38.6lbs). The handle can be stowed away when not in use.

We will start discussing the output ports, all of which can be found on the front of the Jackery. The on/off switch can be found to the left of the screen which after a short press powers the unit on.

On the other side of the screen is a “Light” button which illuminates the small light, the white round disc, to the light button’s right. This light can be used as an emergency light source, it can be cycled from steady on dim, bright and SOS mode.

Below the lights are the AC power sockets, in this model the UK type G socket. Other models featured in the past had three or four but this only has two. The inverter Jackery has provided is capable of providing a pure sine wave to closely mimic that of the grids alternating current. It has a maximum wattage output of 2200W but can support a brief surge peak of 4400W should it be necessary. The sockets can be turned on or off using the small button labelled “AC” to the right.

To the left of the sockets are a column of three USB power outputs, two USB-C and one USB-A. The top USB-C has a max draw of 30W, the middle USB-C 100W and the lower USB-A only 18W draw.

Above the USB outputs is the 12V DC output capable of a 10A draw. The USB and 12V DC outputs can be switched on and off by the small button to the right of the USB outputs.

Curiously, all the outputs have no covers such as the rubberized ones we often see on other power stations. This means that the Explorer 2000 has no IP rating. An odd choice for a product marketed for on-the-go power to be charged by solar so long as its dry.

In the upper center is a small status screen that shows all the useful information that you will need at glance.

In the center is the remaining battery percentage surrounded by a battery power indicator, to the left in the input wattage and time to full charge and to the right is the output, also in wattage and remaining time until the battery is fully discharged.

To the top left is the status symbols for WiFi, Bluetooth and different modes, to the top right is the AC power indicator for 110 or 240v and 50 or 60Hz AC. Bottom left is the method of charge symbols for mains, car or solar charging and lastly to the bottom right are the various fault symbols.

To the side of the Explorer 2000 are the input sockets of which there are only three and none of the have covers or any ingress protection. That said, I was glad to see that the mains input was via the standard IEC14 socket. The other two were the DC inputs which worried me as I had not seen these kinds of DC inputs on previous power stations from other brands.

Using the product

I used the Explorer 2000 on a few tasks through the house, this included running a Ninja Double Stack air fryer which drew a max of 1600W cooking for about 25 minutes, the Explorer 2000 had no problem powering this going from 100% to 80%.

I then used it for my steam generator iron which drew a max 2100W, again the Explorer 2000 had no issues powering this along but I did hear the fan (for the first) kicking in. That said the fan is incredibly quiet, barely audible even, more so outside. My quick 45-minute ironing session took the battery from 80% down to 40%.

The handle made transporting the battery around the home easier than some of the others I have used in the past making it not feel too heavy.

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2: The SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel

Now moving onto the Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel

Packaging

The Solar panels were shipped in a rather flat looking box covered in a glossy sleeve, removing this we came to the brown box containing the panels.

The panels were wrapped in bubble wrap and pulling it out was fairly easy as the handles are at the very top.

The only items in the box are the panels, cable and manual. I started with the cable as this is the main interface between the panels and the Explorer 2000.

To say I am a little disappointed with the cable wouldn’t be a stretch. Solar panels such as those large ones mounted on homes and even smaller flexible ones from other brands often use the industry standard MC4 connectors.

Not so here, the SolarSaga’s output is via a proprietary socket and plug and on the other end is another non industry standard socket and plug, the cable has two adapters so that you can use either the DC 8020 or DC 7909 plugs. The industry standard is often the XT60 plug seen on so many other power stations.

This means that you cannot use these panels on other power station brands or charge the Explorer 2000 with an aftermarket set of panels without the use of adapters. Furthermore, if you lose or damage the SolarSaga cable, you’re stuck. The UK, US and other international Jackery websites do not list the cable for separate purchase, so ensure that you look after it.

The only plus of the cable is that on the end towards the battery is a small box containing a USB-A and USB-C charging ports.

The panels themselves are non-ridged panels with a max peak output of 200W over 4 panels (50W per panel) with a Open Circuit voltage peak of 25V. The panels are kept together with a series of press studs on the corners and the legs are kept in place by Velcro pads. Once side of the panels has the main circuit bar were the cable plugs into.

Once fully unfurled and opened up the panels take a surprising amount of room, fully extended measures 235cm or 92.5inches. I found these panels a little fiddly to get up and running as the legs are only on the end panels leaving the two in the middle to sag a little

To assist with aligning the panels with the sun, Jackery have thoughtfully included a Sun angle indicator on one of the ends of the panels, all you have to do is align the panels until shadow dot is in the middle of the white circle.

Once all connected you simply leave, it, occasionally moving the panels as the day goes by to ensure that they are at the optimum angle and face to the sun. During the day I monitored the input from the panels into battery and saw an average of 165W during the day with peaks hitting 180W. Solar panels rarely, if ever, hit their advertised peak output so the amounts I saw were about right.

On a recent, sunny day I set the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 up, between 1015Hrs and 1815Hrs, some 8 hours’ worth of charging, occasionally turning and re-angling the panels, the Explorer 2000 v2 went from 29% to 70%. It wasn’t a perfect test by any means, as during the latter part of the day the shade from my garden fences cast shade on the panels.

During the solar charge test, the Explorer 2000 stated an estimate 9 to 10 hours of solar charging needed to reach 100%. Of note there are two DC sockets and the SolarSaga 200 only used one of them, the manual does state that two SolarSaga 200s can be paired to double the charge rate thereby halving the time to charge fully.

Once I set up the Jackery Explorer 2000, I delved into, you guessed it, the app. A quick app download, registration and I was in. Adding the battery to the app was a simple and quick affair.

On the home screen you are greeted by your Jackery products, on this occasion the Explorer 2000 and state of charge.

Tapping on the battery led me to the main status screen of the battery showing is state of charge, inputs, outputs, WiFi signal strength, temperature and some basic controls.

Tapping on the cog on the top right led to more in depth controls and settings and through this the product specifications.

Using the app, I did find it somewhat laggy. I would click on say the USB icon to switch on USB charging and it would take about 5 seconds before the icon lit up and my phone acknowledging charge. Sometimes I found I had to click back to leave the battery status page and then click back into the battery to see that it had done what I asked of it.

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2: Final Verdict

Another solid product by Jackery and if recent events are anything to go by, maybe having one of these at home isn’t a bad idea after all. An old saying comes to mind “I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it”.

High output and high storage mean that this is excellent for most home uses in an emergency or using off peak charging to use during the day.

The only cons are that the SolarSaga cable is proprietary and not available anywhere else and a somewhat at time slaggy app.

We've compiled a list of the best laptop power banks.

The USG LITE 60AX is Zyxel’s latest secure small business router. As with other Zyxel appliances, the hardware and software setup is straightforward. The device includes two 2.5G Ethernet ports, four 1G ports, and a 4x4 Wi-Fi 6 radio. It connects seamlessly to the Nebula mobile app through the WAN, providing control and status of the network over the cloud.

Under the hood, a Quad-core ARM CPU with one gigabyte of RAM guarantees excellent packet processing times even with multiple clients connected to the unit. The firewall does not provide a serial console port, while status LEDs at the back hinder troubleshooting as they are hidden. The plastic unit can topple easily when many connections are made to the backports. The lack of mounting holes and heat dissipation vents means the firewall can only be placed on a flat surface.

Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: Price and Availability

The USG LITE 60AX costs $199 and comes with a five-year warranty. For this price, the user gets the basic Zyxel firewall package, including remote access from the cloud. Enterprise features such as SSH access require a premium license, which costs $456 annually. The smaller firewall version, the SCR 50AXE, supports Wi-Fi 6E for the same price but features a weaker processor.

Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: Design

The Zyxel 60AX ships in a large box with only one RJ45 cable and a 12V AC power block. The white plastic case is recycled and has a red front tab to match Zyxel’s colors. It measures 16 cm by 6.5 cm by 2.3 cm for a weight of 700 g. The case lies flat or upright on a table, with no mounting hole. A small plastic tab at the bottom rotates to become the router’s stand, keeping it stable when cables are plugged into the back. A multicolor LED hiding beneath the red plastic tab shows the router's state.

The built-in switch offers two 2.5GbE ports for WAN and LAN connections and four gigabit LAN ports. Each port has a pair of LEDs to show link status and speed. A recessed button enables resetting the unit if it becomes unstable or slow. The router's power consumption maxes out at 31W. An AX6000 class access point with speeds up to 1.2 Gbits/sec on the 2.4GHz radio and 4.8 Gbits/sec on the 5GHz channel makes accessing the Internet a breeze, even with multiple clients connected simultaneously.

Under the hood, the 60AX features one application processor for the firewall and router. The design is based entirely on Mediatek’s chipsets and includes an MT7986 ARM-based quad-core CPU, two radio transceivers, and a high-performance seven-port switch. A one-gigabyte DRAM provides data storage for the processor while 512MB of NAND flash holds the router application and supporting software.

Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: In use

The 60AX offers protection against hackers and ransomware beyond what a regular router typically provides. The subscription-free software includes an intrusion blocker and a firewall that filters access based on ports and IP addresses. The device also consists of the ever-useful ad blocker and cloud accessibility, allowing control from anywhere with an internet connection.

The installation is simple and allows the router to be used in minutes. Thanks to a Bluetooth interface, the setup is done with a smartphone, similarly to any Zyxel appliance. The mobile app, available on Android and iOS phones, scans a QR code at the bottom of the case. The router is then ready to be used with a few clicks. A firmware upgrade step might be necessary at the end of the setup.

The 60AX acts as a security router between the Internet provider’s modem and the LAN, actively monitoring and filtering inbound and outbound packets with a throughput of up to 2 Gbps, decreasing to 300 Mbps when used as a VPN. The router offers up to four VLANs, which is somewhat limited compared to competitive products. The 60AX consumes about 25W under normal load, with four devices actively surfing the net, which increases to a maximum of 31W when the CPU is under stress.

Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: Competition

The Zyxel 60AX security router competes directly with firewall products like the Firewalla Gold. Zyxel's advantage is the router’s seamless integration into the Nebula cloud. The price is also competitive, at less than $200. The 60AX has a built-in Wi-Fi 6 4x4 radio, which the Gold does not have. This firewall not only filters out unwelcome access but also acts as an Ethernet switch and a Wi-Fi access point, which makes $200 look like a bargain.

Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: Final Verdict

The 60AX bundle features that cost several times more than the unit. First, the firewall goes beyond content and attack filtering with additional extras such as a built-in AdBlocker. A Wi-Fi 6 access point and a multi-gig Ethernet switch are also included. The user eventually saves on the electricity bill and space compared to having multiple items to do what the 60AX is doing.

On the negative side, Zyxel could have chosen a newer Wi-Fi standard, such as 6E. We also are not a fan of the round casing, which topples over more than the average switch.

Buy the Zyxel 60AX if ... you need an all-in-one router with a built-in firewall and priced reasonably well.

Don’t get the 60AX if ... you want a speedy Wi-Fi 7 connection or three or more 2.5 Gb ports.

We've listed the best secure routers.

Nobody that I know likes clutter. That could be in their house, in their office, in their vehicle, or on their desk. My workspace is one of the few things I have autonomous control over, meaning I can keep it exactly how I want it (and not have it messed with by my kids, co-workers, etc.) I usually run a laptop, but when I get the opportunity to run desktop units, I prefer them to be the smaller platform size because then I can hide them somewhere in my workstation rather than have a giant tower on, under, or around my desk.

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny is a mini PC workstation that can be tucked away and hidden out of sight, making for an incredibly smooth workspace. On top of the size benefit, the P3 Tiny is also a decently powerful machine, making it a potential secret powerhouse for some.

One of the secrets of a small machine in the business world is for workstations you don't want to see, for example, digital signage, front desks, doctors' offices, classroom digital setups, projectors, and so on. They're great if used the right way, and if they are powerful enough. And this one might be one of the best mini PC workstations for that.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Unboxing & first impressions

Lenovo is one of those brands with consistent unboxing for their gear. Granted, they are not recognized worldwide for their unboxing experience, like Apple, but they have a decent unboxing experience every time. Nothing will be misplaced, damaged, or in weird boxes in boxes; it just makes sense.

I noticed right away that there is a VESA mount included, making it super easy to do exactly what I would do with this computer and mount it away. For a lot of mini PCs, the goal is to keep it tucked away out of sight as much as possible.

Right off the bat, I want to compare this TechRadar's top mini computer, the Mac mini. Compared to the older generations, anything before the M4, it's comparable. It has a more squared-off shape, but it's similar in size. Now, if you compare it to the new M4 Mac mini, the P3 Tiny does not look so tiny, but compared to the vast majority of desktop PCs, this computer holds to its name consistently.

Outside of just sizing, the ThinkStation P3 Tiny has great ports overall and is relatively robust for its size. The port layout lends itself to easy access, and it's great to see that Lenovo has included both HDMI and DisplayPort on the back. Sadly, there is no Thunderbolt or USB4 support, but the more I think about it, the less it is necessary for a business computer like this to have those high-speed transfers, so maybe that's not a massive loss.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Design & build quality

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny meets MIL-STD-810H durability standards in a small little frame with great ports and an included Vesa bracket to toss on the back of a display. The tool's free access for easy upgrades and maintenance sets this computer apart from sealed computers like the Mac mini. The P3 Tiny has a modular design, allowing for component upgrades and customization to fit each user's needs.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: In use

My team and I tested this machine for the last few weeks and were impressed. It handled benchmarking software like UL Procyon and others without an issue, it can support up to six displays with the proper discrete GPU configuration, it can be VESA mounted behind a display, it has great ports, and it can run Windows 11 Pro allowing for super easy native remote desktop (if not, Google Chrome Remote Desktop, Teamviewer, or others) making this an excellent computer for AVL systems, tucking the laptop away and running a large display for signage, projectors, customer interfaces, and so on. This machine can run up to six displays with discrete GPU configurations.

All around, this machine is impressive for its size. Consider the ThinkStation P3 Tiny for a front desk setup, a doctor's office, a display system, a minimalist workstation, and many more. This computer can get 90% of jobs done well, without much frustration or issue.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny is an impressive compact workstation with enough power, ports, and performance to shine in most scenarios. It's excellent for those who need to save on space while maximizing their output (both workload and visual). If you're looking for a computer that can tuck away and be out of sight or help expand what you can see with up to six outputs, consider the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny for your next purchase.

For more high-powered PCs, we've rounded up the best workstations and the best mobile workstations.

Depending on your role in the professional world, your day-to-day routine could change quite a bit. If you're like me, your daily tasks vary from admin to project management, emails, web work, AI work, contract signing, spreadsheets, and beyond. When my days are this well-rounded, having a machine that can adjust to my needs is helpful. In one meeting, I could be typing up a document for a team; the next, I could be drawing out a mind map for a team brainstorming, and so on. With the ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5, my one machine can do it all -- at least in theory. But does it rank among the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops we've reviewed?

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5: Unboxing & first impressions

In my time, I've unboxed quite a few Lenovo ThinkPads, let alone Lenovo machines. All of them look about the same. This one was no different. It has good packaging with protective materials; it includes a 65W USB-C power adapter and an integrated stylus with a home within the computer.

I have owned and heavily used iPads for years, so the idea of an integrated stylus, not one magnetically hanging off the end, is a nice change-up. Another piece I just mentioned is that Lenovo chose to use the popular USB-C connection for this computer, not a proprietary charger or an awful barrel connector.

Right off the bat, this business laptop looks and feels like a professional ThinkPad model. At the same time, I do like the matte black finish. It looks stylish and accessible, and I can take this to whatever meetings I may have that day or in whatever job I may have. It's compact and lightweight, making it super easy to carry around, meaning that I would take it around, unlike some super hefty computers I have tested.

The keyboard is functional, comfortable, and familiar, reminding me of every other ThinkPad keyboard in a good way. It's responsive and reliable, and it has good key travel for what it is, allowing for high accuracy levels.

The hinge mechanism is one of the most vital for a 2-in-1 machine. If this hinge is stiff, it will directly detriment the 2-in-1 features. Thankfully, the hinge works great and is easy to use, flying back around without a problem.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5: Design & build quality

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 has a sleek design, as mentioned; it's got a sturdy magnesium alloy construction, a 360-degree hinge to allow for the 2-in-1 features of folding around and turning into a tablet form, an integrated stylus, an excellent keyboard, and a quality touchpad. It's a great machine in specs.

However, the two main areas I wish it were a little better would be the screen and the battery. The screen is mediocre, but sadly, as most would think of it, it's still good enough for the professional business world. Most of the business world is still rocking 1080p monitors, and they don't think twice. So this monitor is more than satisfactory.

The built-in stylus feels solid, though I'm sure there are going to be plenty of people who lose this stylus, regardless of just how secure this is in the stylus garage.

The hinge works well, though I am nervous about it breaking. But for everyday use, it feels quite lovely to fold this device around and use it as a tablet or back around as a tent for displays or as normal as a laptop.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5: In use

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 is an easy device to take from the office, home, coffee shop, and back to the office again.

It's excellent at handling everyday tasks, though I wouldn't be too far away from any outlets or without one of my portable power stations. Another reason for needing multiple daily charges may be for those heavy users or those who run a large program.

My team benchmarked this machine, and it did not score very well. But that doesn't mean it's automatically a bad machine.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 is a highly portable and flexible machine that can adapt to whatever working mode you need, whether you need to write, mark up a document, draw, present, or read. For an office professional, that flexibility could make a huge difference.

However, this laptop isn't perfect. The screen is nothing special, and the battery life is not the best. So, as long as you don't need an incredibly long battery life or a high-resolution screen, this device is a good one to consider.

We've tested out the best 2-in-1 laptops for the best of both worlds

I remember seeing this monitor on the front step of my home/studio. I don't know how a mortal could have carried this alone. Perhaps the poor Fed-Ex driver had a buddy that day. Regardless, this monitor is massive, making the box much larger. Once I had my wife help move the monitor inside, I got to testing this 49in curved business monitor as soon as possible.

Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30: Unboxing & first impressions

I'll admit it: I couldn't carry this monitor on my own, not without risking damage to the monitor or my home. So, I grabbed my wife to help carry this monitor down to my home office. I got it set up and added it to my testing desk and immediately realized how large this was and how nearly impossible it would be to get a fair test in this space.

So, I reached out to a friend, and we finished the unboxing session in his home studio. The box had all the cables expected, including DP cables, USB-A to USB-B cables, a Thunderbolt cable, and the proper documentation. Much like mine, getting the box into his house took two people, assuming you wouldn't want to scrape up your home or workspace. But, once unboxed, we could have one person unpack the rest of the monitor. The assembly was straightforward to work with.

At first glance, this monitor would be super gimmicky and poor. There was no way in my head that a monitor with these specs would work well, or at least not in a way that would make me want to use it.

However, I was proven wrong after using this for the first few minutes. This monitor is fantastic. It's high quality, minimalist, and has great ports. I have come to love it all around. The build itself is high-quality, including the base, the casing for the monitor, and the little bump-out port pieces.

If you choose to use the stand, it has pretty smooth adjustments for tilt, swivel, and height and does a good job holding up this behemoth of a display.

Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30: Design & build quality

Though this monitor is huge, it's huge in all the right places. It's also quite slim when it comes to monitor depth, which is precisely what you want in a rather expensive monitor in 2025. The build quality, paired with this display's overall weight and size, make it feel like it's made well. It's heavy enough to feel like it's a quality display, but not so heavy that it's a burden to have it.

The sleek design has narrow bezels, which help give it a more modern, minimalist look; though calling something this large a minimalist item feels wrong, the styling is minimalist. In addition, the included stand provides good ergonomic adjustments while holding this beast of a display up.

Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30: In use

The first time we set up this display, we were very weary of it. It's massive; how can it still be worth having for business and productivity? It took about 5 minutes or less for us to change our opinion on this display and fall in love with it. The color accuracy and consistency are excellent for any creative task we tested, whether video editing, photo editing, music production, or whatever else we could throw at it. When switching out your device and running the display, the built-in KVM switch is an absolute dream. You won't need to go around switching displays or unplugging something. Instead, you can plug multiple devices into the built-in switching ports and easily swap between devices.

Another way that this monitor has been incredible is for productivity. Because I can fit so much on the screen, I can have an entire project's worth of reference material simultaneously and at a size I can read. It makes my otherwise 13-16-inch screen (depending on the laptop I am using that day) feel super restrictive. With the ThinkVision P49w-30, I have two decent-sized monitors in one; without dealing with bezels or managing multiple desktops, I can keep everything simple.

For creative tasks, the colors are great. Still, they may not be the most accurate, so if you are strictly a photo editor or color grader, this is probably not your display. Still, for music producers or video editors, there is so much timeline screen real estate that this could give you a view of most of your project's timeline at once, again with a decent-sized preview and controls window, too.

Just for kicks and giggles, mainly because some of my team and I are really into Formula 1, we tried a racing simulator on this, and when I say it made playing any other way feel cheap and pathetic, I mean it. We were able to see side mirrors off to the side like we should, have a full visor in front of us, and feel more immersed in the game than we ever had before.

Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30 stands out as a top-tier ultra-wide monitor tailored to professionals who wish for extensive screen space and versatile connectivity.

Its premium features and performance make it a worthy investment for enhancing productivity, and its connectivity options make this an excellent solution for Mac, PC, programmer, project manager, music producer, video editor, online marketer, administrative assistant, and so on.

The only downside is the price and the fact that I wish it could be more than 60Hz, but I barely even notice that it's only 60Hz, and if I were using this for business, as intended, I wouldn't notice. In short, all I have to say about this monitor regarding the professional/business workspace is, yes, please.

For more content creation essentials, we've reviewed the best monitors for photo editing and the best monitors for video editing.

Branch is known for its simple elegance regarding office hardware. They have some great chairs, some fantastic desks, and so on. The Four Leg Standing Desk is no exception to this rule. Much like the Branch range of office chairs and desks I have reviewed, this model is done well and done right.

It's minimalist, elegant, easy to set up, easy to use, and has stood the test of time as my team and I have been putting this desk to the real-world test for the past 173 days.

When I say putting to the test, I genuinely mean it. This standing desk has been the primary and nearly everyday workstation for one of my team members for over four months (at the time of writing this), and so far, there have been zero complaints other than his height. This team member is 6'4" tall, well above the average height. His only complaint is that he wishes it would get taller, but that would not be the problem for most people. Outside of that, this desk has worked without error or stutter.

Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: Unboxing & first impressions

The Branch Four Leg Standing Desk came in a secure and well-protected package, with parts precisely packed away in clearly labeled and organized bags making every bolt and screw easy to find and assemble. I could build this desk by myself in about 37 minutes, and since I got a slightly smaller size, I could flip it over without any problem whatsoever.

The desk surface feels premium, durable, and easy to clean, all necessary in a quality desk setup. The frame is made of metal and has some openings in the pipes, so grouping cables to feed into the frame itself is easy and painless. The frame components are also quite heavy-duty -- even with the cutouts -- adding to the stability and reliability of the desk.

The controller sits within the desk on the bottom right of the desktop. This is different from what we usually see with the controller on the face of the desk, mounted underneath with a small faceplate. Nevertheless, it's a welcome adjustment, helping keep the front of the desk clean and allowing for easy access.

This desk is elegant and simple enough to easily add into nearly any room of your home or apartment, whether that is your dining room, guest room, bedroom, or living room. It could also fit beautifully in a co-working space or private office at an office building or company.

Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: Design & build quality

Most of the best standing desks I have tested have a two-leg design, either in a T-Shape or a C-Shape. This desk, however, is a four-legged design. It reminds me of the ultra-premium-priced Beflo Tenon but at a fraction of the cost. The overall build quality of the desk is high. It feels premium, like it will last for a while and withstand some damage without a premium price tag.

I opted for white legs with a light wood top because I wanted something more modern and timeless, and I am happy that I did. Because of this choice in the colorway, this desk can fit just about anywhere, thanks to its modern and minimalistic design.

The desktop is smooth to the touch, easy to clean, and scratch-resistant, though I won't take a knife or sharp edge to it soon to prove that. The desk changes position smoothly, quietly, and quickly, all without a wobble and at the ease of pressing a button.

Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: In use

As I mentioned, my team has used this desk nearly daily for the last 173 days while writing this article. Over time, we have noticed that this desk fits perfectly; it works seamlessly, is clean and straightforward, and has been consistently reliable. Even at max height, there is no noticeable wobble, which is wild to think about, and even if we get into an intense typing session, we don't notice any rocking or wobble.

Even after being used heavily, this desk still looks as good as new without a desk mat. It's held up to daily mouse movements, keyboard movements, coffee cups, soda cans, water bottles, etc. Over the last few months, the only complaint my team has made is that since he is so tall, he wishes it could get a bit taller at maximum height.

Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: Final verdict

The Branch Four Leg Standing Desk is a wonderful choice for professionals who need a reliable, stable, functional, and widely usable desk option. This desk, as mentioned, works great in a professional setting or for a home office thanks to the colorway options, the sleek design, and the modern taste. The motors are quiet, the shape is rounded, and the design is clean enough to fit into any space you may need to outfit. If you are looking for a quality desk to add to your arsenal, start a home office for the first time, or outfit a workspace, this standing desk is a great option to consider, especially if you prefer the elegant four-legged style.

To help you get comfortable in your workspace, we've reviewed the best standing desk mats you can get.

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 is the newest model of the ThinkPad E14 lineup, and it's the budget offering to get into this popular lineup of business computers.

It's not the very best ThinkPad around - I didn't find it the most powerful or possessing the best battery life; it's not the sleekest or the most featured. But what it is well noted for is that it is a good budget laptop. It's an excellent price for a computer, especially one with one of the most well-known badging on it.

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: Unboxing & first impressions

Unpacking this computer was pretty straightforward. It came with standard Lenovo packaging and minimal accessories. It had the charger, some documentation, and the laptop, that is all.

The charger Lenovo sent is a 65W USB-C Charger, which was a lovely thing to find. Instead of a specific barrel connector or those odd proprietary and unique chargers, forcing you to always carry a second charger. With USB-C, all of the newest devices and cables can work; this charger can also charge my phone and other devices.

Upon first impression, I was able to note pretty quickly that this is a budget laptop. While it is clearly a ThinkPad laptop, it is also clearly a budget version. It looks like a very basic and very generic laptop overall, which, for this tier of laptop, was expected. It's a tad heavier than I expected it to be at first glance, but not in any way that is unbearable or odd.

The keyboard looks like a ThinkPad, it has the little red dot TouchPoint in the middle, with a left and right click button positioned at the top of the touchpad. For a budget laptop for writers, it's a decent model. Lastly, the display is about what I expected, being good enough to get some work done, but nothing remarkable at all.

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: Design & build quality

The laptop looks like a business laptop; I'll give it that. It looks like a model that you'd see if you're in a professional workspace, in a business class at the local university, or even a library. It looks like something used in a professional scenario, albeit one where high performance is unnecessary.

It has a sturdy chassis with ports on the left and right sides, though I wish there were a Thunderbolt port, or at least the USB-C, non-Thunderbolt port, on the right side. The keyboard is comfortable enough to write a lengthy email or use for basic daily tasks, especially for the money. The TrackPoint and touchpad are responsive and can be adjusted easily to be more or less sensitive based on your needs.

Lastly, speaking of IO, there is an ethernet port, an HDMI port, and the USB-C, USB-A, and headphone jack, giving this computer more ports than most modern laptops.

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: In use

By now, this is not my favorite laptop, but I will say it's a known budget laptop. If you're looking for the dream machine that can power through it all, this isn't it. But if you are looking for a cheap machine that passes all of the tests that Lenovo does so well, then by all means, this computer is worth considering. But, know that opening programs are a tad laggy; the webcam is pretty cheap, too, and the speakers are rough.

During testing, my team and I noticed that, especially in comparison to faster laptops, we frequently double-click on the E14 due to a lack of responsiveness, resulting in unintended clicks once the first page loads. Granted, we are used to high-end, flagship computers, but this one can still be slow for some applications.

Another thing we noticed is that while this did have great port offerings, we didn't love the location of the ports; we would have much rather had one of the USB-C ports be on the right side.

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 is a budget, entry-level, basic business laptop that serves as an accessible entry point into the otherwise popular ThinkPad Ecosystem. It looks, feels, and works like a ThinkPad, but the performance, display, and abilities trade-offs show that this is not the regular ThinkPad you see and read about.

Looking to save? We've rounded up more of the best budget laptops you can get right now.