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Adobe Fill & Sign (2024) review
8:25 pm | May 9, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: , | Comments: Off

The PDF format is pretty much ubiquitous, and is ideally designed to preserve the layout of a document, which also makes it perfect when requesting someone to interact with it, like say filling in forms or signing contracts. As it’s an open standard, there’s a plethora of apps and services that allow you to do just that. 

But why go hunting for some third party software, when the creators of one of the best PDF editors (and the original, no less) provide an online service for that very purpose. We put Adobe Fill & Sign to the test.  

Adobe Fill & Sign: Pricing & plans

  • A free service, although you won’t be able to access it without logging in or creating a new Adobe account (which is also free to do).

Adobe’s eSignature software service is free, but you can’t get away from creating an account if you don’t already have one. Signing up will give you access to other Adobe services (both paid and free). You just can’t use Fill & Sign without one. You can login with your Apple ID, Facebook or Google accounts, but if you’d rather keep your digital selves separate, an email address will do just fine. Once sorted, all the tools necessary to make Fill & Sign work will become available to you.

The free PDF form-filler is available online by clicking here.  

  • Pricing & plans: 4.5/5

Adobe Fill & Sign: Filling and signing

Adobe Fill & Sign PDF form-filler during our review

Adobe Fill & Sign will automatically detect fields in properly formatted documents, but failing that you can always add your own (Image credit: Adobe)
  • Easy to use tools to fill and sign a PDF, with a few additional options like sharing, commenting and requesting signatures.

Using Fill & Sign, you’ll find yourself in a recognizable interface. To the right of the page are your uploaded documents, a small toolbar to its left, and a sidebar on the left.

Editable fields should be automatically selectable. You can find out if that’s the case by mousing over one of them. If your cursor changes from an arrow to an edit prompt, you’re good to go: simply click on the field and start typing. Thankfully, you’re able to create text fields if the PDF you need to work with lacks the above.

Other available tools include being able to add comments to your document, whether by highlighting a section, or creating a text field for that purpose, highlighting, underlining or striking through existing text, and drawing freehand.

This is above and beyond what you would need to simply fill in a form, but it’s highly useful should amendments need to be made prior to finalizing the deal. You also have the ability to send your document on to others for them to fill in and sign. 

When it comes to actually signing a form, the interface recognises which field needs your signature (or, as before, if it doesn’t, you can add such a field from the toolbar), and overlays the signature tools: by default, you type in your name and Adobe Acrobat will use a cursive font to simulate handwriting.

Alternatively, select ‘Draw’ to use your mouse or trackpad to attempt to sign that way. It’s never the most sensitive of methods, but it does have the virtue of being more unique than a cursive font. Finally, there’s ‘Image’. If you have a signature on file, upload it, and you’re done.

Once you’ve got a signature on the site, you don’t need to create another: just add that one to all the documents you’ll need to sign.

While you’re there, you’ll also find a place to create your initials. The process is exactly the same but will be saved as a separate file, enabling you to sign and initialize any PDF at will.

Adobe Fill & Sign: Additional features

Adobe Fill & Sign PDF form-filler during our review

AI is everywhere these days, and Adobe’s Fill & Sign service includes a handy version (currently in Beta) (Image credit: Adobe)
  • Aside from the AI assistant (which is currently in beta), everything else is locked behind a paywall. Great if you’re curious, frustrating if you aren’t.

When you click on the Adobe icon, top left of the page, you’ll be taken to your ‘Home’. From there you’ll see all the documents you’ve worked with, along with a series of available tools, most of which we’ve already explored, but there are a few additional ones that are worth mentioning, if only so you know what to expect.

One of these is the AI Assistant (currently in beta, but usable). Like all AI tools, your mileage will vary, but we found it a useful tool to grab a quick summary of a file. Best of all, it doesn’t just work with PDF documents, but can also open and interact with Word, PowerPoint, TXT and RTF formats. Definitely worth having a look, especially since it’s free and as long as you don’t mind AI crawling through your data.

The other features look intriguing, as they allow you to edit and manipulate existing PDFs, but sadly - as you might’ve expected - you’ll need to pay to play with these. Even the tools designed to convert a PDF to other formats, such as those from Microsoft Office, are restricted in that way, although we were able to use it once. Maybe that was the ‘try before you buy’ sample. It did allow us to turn a PDF into a Word document, even giving us access to multiple text editing tools. But if it only works once at that tier level, it’s not really the most useful of services. It’s a shame as even the best free PDF editors we’ve tested often allow you to convert files without charge.  

  • Additional features: 2.5/5

Adobe Fill & Sign: Final verdict

Adobe Fill & Sign PDF form-filler during our review

Aside from filling a document yourself, you can send it to others for them to fill it in too (Image credit: Adobe)
  • A good, simple and efficient service, that doesn’t really need to show you tools that are only available to paying customers.

It’s easy to get lost in the Adobe Acrobat service, and get disillusioned that everything seems to be behind a paywall, but that’s really because the Fill & Sign service has a very narrow focus. Yes, other tools are dangled in front of you and will certainly entice some, but if all you need is an online service to upload your PDFs to, fill them in, sign them, insert comments, share them with others, and maybe even get them to sign them themselves, then this works exactly as you would expect. 

For some power-users, however, Adobe Acrobat Sign or the best Adobe Sign alternatives may suit workflows better. For quick and easy form-filling, it does the job well. Maybe it would be good if Adobe didn’t try and get potential new customers to buy a subscription for more potential goodies, but otherwise, it’s a very simple and efficient tool that works well.

Adobe Fill & Sign: Scorecard

Should I buy?

Adobe Fill & Sign PDF form-filler during our review

Visit Adobe’s Fill & Sign service, and upload a document to get started (Image credit: Adobe)

Buy it if...

You need a simple online service to fill in a PDFs, and enjoy a few extra goodies bundled in for free.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t like online services, especially those which only seem to be there to entice you to get a subscription service to access additional tools.


Adobe Fonts (2024) review
8:05 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Fonts! We all love fonts. Whether it’s to write a letter with something more unique than Helvetica, Arial or Times New Roman, or you’re looking for a defining new brand identity, fonts are crucial to our designing lives. 

We’ve tried out many of the best font resources free and paid, reviewed the best fonts for websites. Can’t get enough of ‘em. Even Google has its own selection of fonts, easily accessible and usable - so it’s little surprise Adobe would also have a selection available to its subscribers. But how does it compare? We put Adobe Fonts to the test.  

Adobe Fonts: Pricing & plans

  • Over 20,000 typefaces are bundled with most Adobe subscription packages, but there’s also a free option to gain access to around 1,500 fonts

As with most Adobe products, you’ll need a subscription to use Fonts - if you’re already a subscriber, there’s a good chance you already have access to it, as it’s included in many of Creative Cloud packages. As a rule of thumb, as long as you subscribe to at least one app (not a collection of models or stock for instance), you should have Fonts bundled in. You can check this by clicking on the subscription’s ‘see plan & pricing details’ link.

However, there is a free option. By signing in with an Adobe ID (if you haven’t already), you gain access to 1,500 of Adobe’s fonts at no extra charge. Yes, that’s around 7.5% of the entire collection, but it’s certainly better than nothing.

  • Pricing & plans: 4/5

Adobe Fonts: The website

Adobe Fonts during our tests

The Recommendations page shows you information and font that should be tailored to your needs (Image credit: Adobe)
  • A busy interface with many ways to find the exact font you’re after, either following the latest trends, using keywords, searching through specific foundries, the choice is vast

Adobe Fonts have their own dedicated website - you can check it out by clicking here

The home page displays the latest releases, along with a list of currently popular fonts, other interesting categories, and of course, a blog. There’s also a menu tab at the top and a search field. Everything you need to find the right typeface you’re looking for. 

If you have a subscription, the process is very simple: browse, look for what you like, then click on the font’s ‘add family’ button. This will make the font available in the Creative Cloud (CC) app. 

Without a subscription, you can still browse through Adobe’s collection but you might get frustrated seeing rows after rows of fonts which are ‘available in CC’, so make sure you untick ‘Show fonts available with Creative Cloud’, top left of the interface, to only be shown what’s free.

In either situation, once you’ve added the font, it’s yours to use in any Adobe app you have installed on your computer instantly. However, if you need to make it available to all software you use, there’s one more step that’s needed. It’s time to venture to the Creative Cloud app.

  • The website: 4/5

Adobe Fonts: The app

Adobe Fonts during our tests

Once you’ve chosen a new typeface, it’s instantly added to the Creative Cloud app (Image credit: Adobe)
  • Creative Cloud is the hub of everything Adobe on your computer, including its fonts; you can uninstall them from there and make them available to all software, not just the Adobe titles

The Creative Cloud app is the control center for all of Adobe’s apps installed on your computer. You can check which ones you have from there, uninstall those you no longer need, install new ones, update others, and of course, as is the focus of this review, this is where you get to see all the Adobe fonts you have on your machine.

All those you’ve added from the website are instantly shown here, but as mentioned above, can only be used with Adobe apps - for now. Click on each font’s download button to install it in such a way that other apps can now take advantage of them.

There is however a major difference between these fonts and those you might get from elsewhere: take the Mac as an example. All fonts usually get installed and managed via the Font Book app, except for the Adobe ones. These reside elsewhere, likely due to their permanent link to your subscription status, so a little trip to Font Book would not reveal those newly installed fonts, even though other apps can use them as expected. If you like to know where everything goes on your machine, that can be a bit frustrating, but on the plus side, the system works, and it works well: all fonts are instantly available, and you don’t even need to restart the apps you use to take advantage of them.

  • The app: 4/5

Adobe Fonts: Rights & licensing

Adobe Fonts during our tests

In order to use the font in apps made by companies other than Adobe, you need to install them from the Creative Cloud app (Image credit: Adobe)
  • You can use Adobe Fonts for personal and commercial projects - as long as you keep your subscription active

So, now that you’ve got Adobe Fonts installed on your computer, what can you do with them? Put simply, as long as your subscription is still active, you can use them in as many personal and commercial projects as you please. Cancel your subscription however, and as you’d expect, those rights go away.

If you download a lot of fonts and use them in non-Adobe apps, it’s also worth checking Creative Cloud every now and then to see if they’re still installed: every few months the app runs checks on your installed fonts, and if it decides they haven’t been used in a while, they’re quietly uninstalled during the background clean up process. So, if all of a sudden your favorite font no longer works in third party apps, that will probably be the reason why.

If that sounds like a bit of a pain, that’s because it is, but shrinking your font collection is done to optimize performance. Plus, you don’t need to venture back to the website to get them again: just take a look in Creative Clouds’ ‘Previously Added’ tab, where all uninstalled fonts will be. Adobe Fonts cannot be shared between users, unless of course those users have their own Adobe subscription.

  • Rights & licensing: 4/5

Adobe Fonts: Scorecard

Should I buy?

Adobe Fonts during our tests

Adobe’s Fonts are organized by categories, but are also easy to find through tags, search phrases, a trending list, and so on (Image credit: Adobe)

Buy it if...

You’re looking for new and original fonts curated by Adobe, through a well designed system that hasn’t glitched on us once.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t use Adobe apps and would rather get your fonts from other companies, likely those that don’t force you to subscribe to use their typefaces. 


Sihoo Doro S300 ergonomic chair review
5:50 pm |

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

Sihoo has introduced a new "gravity-defying" office chair that aims to redefine what it means to have the best ergonomic chair in the market. 

I've had the opportunity to test many of the best office chairs, including simple, cheap, and high-end chairs. The Sihoo Doro S300 is their most advanced ergonomic chair yet, designed to provide a weightless experience, full-body support, and dynamic lumbar support.

Sihoo Doro S300: Unboxing & first Impressions

Upon opening the box, I immediately noticed that this chair was unlike any other I had encountered. Some chairs come in one piece, while others require only a few main pieces to connect. However, this one was exceptional in every way. 

The back pieces were distinct, the chair was pretty heavy, and there were significantly more springs and adjustments than I am used to seeing in chairs. Additionally, there felt like quite a large number of pieces to assemble, taking me about 45 minutes to assemble, which is quite long.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Once I had finished assembling everything, I agreed with the marketing promotion that this chair appeared to defy gravity and resembled a space chair. The chair has a great look and a sophisticated design, making it highly customizable to suit the preferences and dimensions of virtually any user, which is excellent. Most chairs with lumbar support have a single lumbar section that spans the width of the backrest. 

This chair uniquely has two sections that hold your lower back in place on the left and right. I spent a few minutes dialing in my preferred tension settings and other height and armrest settings while getting used to the lower back support. In full transparency, it took a moment to get used to it, but I loved it once I got used to the feeling of this dual dynamic lumbar support.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Sihoo Doro S300: Design & build quality

Specs

Seat Depth: 17.13 - 18.11in

Seat Height: 18.11 - 21.65in

Weight Load: 300lb

Warranty: Extended 5-year warranty

This chair's overall design is unique, futuristic, and highly adjustable. The main selling points that Sihoo totes for this chair include their Anti-Gravity Mechanism, Dual Dynamic Lumbar Support, Cloud-like Mesh with Italian Velvet, and Premium Independent Backrest. In short, these incredible Aerospace-grade materials make the Doro S300 stand out, even among other Sihoo chairs.

Besides the design, game changers are two main elements that stood out to me. Firstly, the dual lumbar support provides lumbar support and helps align you with the center of the chair. This helps to cradle your back in the best way possible. It's as though you have some helping hands cradling the area of the back that usually hurts people like me the most, and it is highly appreciated. Secondly, the spring seat support significantly improves over column-based or no suspensions. Like a car, this chair has suspension, cushions my drop as I sit down, and adjusts, helping support my weight even if I sit unevenly. Most chairs I have tested have no suspension like this or a simple column-based solution that is far from as good.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Sihoo Doro S300: In use

I've used this chair daily at one of my workspaces for a few months. In that time, I have gotten comfortable and used to how this chair feels and how I feel using it, and I have firmed up a pretty solid feeling about it overall. 

The backrest and back support are among the best I have experienced. This chair holds me while I sit without forcing me to sit a certain way, which is truly impressive. It supports my lower back and mid-to-upper back very well.

The armrests on Sihoo chairs have always been a problem for me. I am used to armrests that can lock in place, but the Sihoo chairs I have reviewed, including the Sihoo Doro-C300, have highly movable armrests. While this is great for adjusting them to the perfect position, the problem is that they need to stay in place. This makes it difficult to lean on them because the armrest moves the second I add weight with a slight angle to the pressure I am adding.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

One more note, neither positive nor negative, is that this chair could have a headrest. If you like head support, this chair gives upper back support but stops around the neck area on me. For this workspace, I am okay with having a chair without a headrest; however, I would miss having one in my home office, where I relax and kick back to read. 

Lastly, the build quality of this chair has been fantastic over the last few months. I used tours heavily for a while to get a complete picture of how they work and what I do and don't like about them, and this chair has given me zero problems outside of the armrests being a bit too mobile. They have improved the armrests since my Doro-C300, but they are still too mobile for my liking. Outside, this chair has not creaked, slipped, worn, or shown any other sign of poor assembly or design.

Sihoo Doro S300

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Sihoo Doro S300: Final verdict

The Sihoo Doro S300 is a high-quality ergonomic office chair. As mentioned, I have one frustration with this chair: the armrests do not lock in place. Other than that, this chair has been incredible for my workspace. It provides all-day comfort, supports me well, and looks gorgeous.

Sihoo promotes this chair as a space-like gravity-defying chair, and after trying it out for a few months, I can agree. Especially for the money, this chair is worth considering for your workspace.


Kitting out the office? We put the best standing desks to the test. 

Bluetti AC200L power station review
5:48 pm |

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

The Bluetti AC200L promises an expandable power station solution. Boasting a 2400W AC output (or 3600W in Power Lifting Mode), does it provide the ideal back-up power supply? We put the Bluetti AC200L power station to the test.  

Bluetti AC200L: Packaging

The Bluetti AC200L came in a large plain looking cardboard box with wrap-around plastic straps and additional cardboard edge protectors.

You couldn’t exactly call this a portable power station. In total the Bluetti AC200L including packaging weighed in a hefty 33kg, so would need two people to move it comfortably and safely.

Inside the outer box was another, equally plain looking cardboard box only with the product name attached to it. Note that you must keep this second box in order to honour the warranty, also getting this second box out of the first was a task in and of itself.

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

Opening the main box revealed the documentation and small sack of accessory wires.

The Bluetti AC200L itself was wrapped in a plastic sheath and sandwiched between two large polystyrene bumpers, top and bottom. Once out I was able to take stock of what was provided other than the Bluetti AC200L and documentation.

  • AC power cord with UK plug to charge the Bluetti AC200L
  • A 12v car cigarette plug to XT90 connector
  • A MC4 connectors to XT90
  • XT90 connector to DC plug;
  • A small grounding screw

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

Bluetti AC200L: Fit & feel

The Bluetti AC200L came with a 55% rate which is normal for its LiFePO4 chemistry for storage and transport.

The Bluetti AC200L weighs in at around 28kgs, it is made of a dark grey plastic material with a pretty stripey like texture all around, it comes with large rubberised feet to allow it to feel planted on any relatively flat surface.

Part of its design (and it does need it) are two very large carry handles on either side to ease with transportation.

The front and left side are the main working parts of the battery that consumers would interact with various sockets and ports for charging and using.

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

At the front of the unit are the following:

4 x UK sockets providing 230v with a total combined sustained output of 2400w

2 x USB-C both capable of outputting 100w each

2 x USB-A 18W max each

1 x 12v (max 10A) car charger port

1 x 48v DC (max 8A) normally used for RVs

Power on/off button and;

Lastly the large information LCD display screen

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

At the side are the following ports:

AC input (proprietary socket)

DC Input (proprietary socket)

And a Battery expansion port

Also on this side are the circuit breaker and a grounding pole

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

All sockets have captive rubber gaskets over them however the Bluetti AC200L itself does not have an IP rating. 

Bluetti AC200L: In use

Having taken receipt of the Bluetti AC200L the first thing I wanted to do was charge it to 100% and here is where I spotted the first design flaw. The AC and DC charging ports are proprietary sockets, so don’t go losing those charging cables. Furthermore when trying to plug the AC cable in which has three pins corresponding to live, neutral and earth, the socket and plug is keyed to prevent crossing the lines but without a clear indication as to which way “UP” is supposed to be, I spent a good few seconds twisting the plug to get the key right before plugging the AC cord it.

There are numbers embossed on the AC, corresponding to each pin and socket, but they are very small and hard to see, especially in low light conditions. Scroll through the gallery below to see the AC example.

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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

I also noted that the DC input has a proprietary socket, again keyed to prevent crossing the negative and positive without a clear indication as to where up is on the plug itself. The plug has a single piece of cable attached to it terminating in a XT90 female connector. From that you then plug in a male XT90 terminating with either the Solar Panel MC4 connector or 12V car charger plug. 

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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

I found Bluetti’s decision to use proprietary plugs and sockets for the AC and DC charging on the ACC200L an odd choice. If you were to lose either or both cables then you would have to source them directly from Bluetti. At my last look the AC power cable for the AC200L isn’t available on Bluetti’s UK website, but one for the AC300 retails at £29.99.

It would have made more sense to just have a common AC power socket like those found on common desktop computers such as the IEC C14 and for DC just to incorporate the XT90 plug in the body of the battery, other competitor batteries and battery brands do it.

I noted that at left on normal charging mode the unit drew down 1200kWh, it charged the unit within an hour with a quiet yet audible fan whirr. There are other modes of charging, Turbo for when you want the unit ready as soon as possible and Silent which keeps the internal fan off at the cost of a slower charging speed.

The Bluetti AC200L can be charged from multiple sources and even allows through charging where it can provide power to a device whilst itself is charging. Of course, it can be charged from the grid using the provided AC charging cable, it can be charged via DC using the provided cable and the plugging into the female XT90 connector the appropriate DC input, be it the DC car charger or Solar Panels from the MC4 connectors provided. Alternatively, it can also be charged from a car battery with a separately available cable with crocodile clips.

Once fully charged I was able to use it, the first task I performed with it was to use it for one of the most mundane household tasks, which also draws the most electrical energy, Ironing.

It was then I noted a major flaw. It is evident that the 230v socket section was designed with either US or EU style plugs in mind where the cord comes straight out unlike UK plugs where the cord comes out the bottom. This means that whilst the bottom two sockets and their rubber covers fit UK plugs without issue, the top sockets won’t. The rubber cover for the top sockets are positioned above the sockets, the sockets are turned 180 degrees so that the earth pin is now at the bottom and this means that where the cord would normally come out the bottom, it now goes upwards causing it to foul with the rubber cover. Whilst you could force it in this may place undue stress on the cord or the rubber cover.

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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

Using a power Steam Generator iron, I completed a one and a half hours’ worth of ironing with the iron drawing up to 2200W at times. This brought the battery from 100% to 40%, the Bluetti AC200L was able to do this without breaking a sweat. 

Charging the battery back up again, I was then able to use it to cook various food stuffs in our air fryer, again the Bluetti AC200L provided the energy needed to run such a high demand item. It ran our under-counter freezer no problem however I was unable to test the duration but in an emergency power outage it would be a good go-to product.

With regards to its combined 2400W output, according to the documentation it can actually (albeit briefly) output 3600W and a “power lifting” mode for use on high resistive loads such as kettles, this must be set manually using the buttons and is not to be on default.

I noted that one of its useful features would be to charge it up overnight on cheaper electricity, then use it about the house during the day (weight withstanding) to reduce the dependence on peak price electricity.

The large LCD display screen was very useful in monitoring live energy input/output from all sources, the screen displays percentage of battery remaining, roughly in time how much is left depending on the discharge as well as what the battery is dis/charging at and where.

Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)

There is an app available for the battery allowing you to monitor DC in/out, AC in /out and various other features to configure. The AC200L has a Bluetooth connection for local use and even Wi-Fi for remote use. Some will like the app functionality; others won't and frankly it's just another app in the catalogue of apps on most phones. 

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Bluetti app in use during our review

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti app in use during our review

(Image credit: Bluetti)

Also of note is a battery expansion port which can be used to extend the capacity of the AC200L, there are separately available Bluetti B210, 230 and 300 expansion batteries available. Sadly, whilst the AC200L does have the expansion port which can have current flowing both ways for dis/charge, it cannot be used as part of an excess Solar store system for a residential home, despite Bluetti having a Solar micro inverter and battery charger (the A80 and D100S respectively), these are not compatible with the AC200L.

A shame really and possibly a missed opportunity, competitor products such as the EcoFlow PowerStream allows you use most of their battery line ups to do just this, though not yet available in the UK, rumours are it’s coming soon.

A noted and useful feature is that this battery can be used as a UPS providing power to equipment in the event of a grid power loss with near instant switchover and true sine wave output as some equip is sensitive to stepped wave inputs.

Should I buy the Bluetti AC200L

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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
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Bluetti AC200L during our testing process

(Image credit: Bluetti)
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 review
4:26 pm |

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

Type: color A3 inkjet printer 

Functions: Print only 

Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet 

Data storage slots: None    

Print speed: 25ppm (mono) 

Paper capacity: 500 sheets

Print quality: 4,800 x 2,400 dpi

Scan quality: 1,200 x 2,400 dpi

Apple AirPrint: yes 

Consumables included: 4x setup cartridges (350 mono pages, 300 color)

Dimensions/Weight: 515 x 400 x 298 mm (WxDxH)/13.5kg

The big Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is a wide-format inkjet printer that uses vivid DURABrite Ultra pigment inks to churn out a high volume of glossy color pages at print-shop quality. With two 250-sheet input trays and XXL-yield ink cartridges available, it could suit a microbusiness or SMB with a busy and varied workflow. 

Despite its impressive capacity, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is competitively priced at around US$250 (about £210). There’s no fancy touchscreen interface, but it does have 5GHz Wi-Fi with AirPrint compatibility, a rapid print rate of 25ppm (pages per minute) and the ability to print on any size of paper or card up to A3+. But is it one of the best small business printers? Can it produce just about any kind of brochure or handout with a professional finish? We put it to the test.  

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Design & build

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

What looks like a very large black box is actually a reasonably compact inkjet printer, given that it can handle A3+ size paper and store a whole ream of it in its twin paper trays. To load Tabloid or A3 sheets, you need to extend the paper drawers so it actually gets bigger, but it’s still way smaller than any wide-format laser printer. 

Above the paper trays is the output tray and then the tilting control panel with its 6.1cm color LCD. Unfortunately, that display is not a touchscreen, so you’ll have to press the buttons alongside to operate it. At the back are connections for USB and Ethernet cables and a flap on top at the rear reveals the multipurpose input tray. This is especially useful for one-off print jobs because the paper path from here is quite flat, making it possible to print onto quite thick card. 

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 hinges open to reveal the four DURABrite inkjet cartridges. The supplied setup carts do not contain much ink, as is so often the case, but you can buy XXL carts which contain enough to yield up to 2,200 pages. 

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Features & specifications

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

Being a mid-price print-only device, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 doesn’t bother with premium features like a touchscreen interface, NFC connectivity and a front USB Host port, but instead concentrates on specifications that will boost productivity and performance, such as the dual paper trays, rapid print speed and high print resolution. 

The PrecisionCore printhead has a more dense nozzle array than cheaper Epson printers, with 256 nozzles per color and 800 for black. They deliver an image resolution of 4,800 x 2,400 DPI. And unlike Epson’s EcoTank range of ink tank printers, which uses soluble dye inks, the inks in this WorkForce printer are all pigment based. That makes printouts more durable and faster drying to better suit a busy office.

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

There are three paper trays in all, with the two main trays each holding up to 250 sheets of Tabloid or A3. Being an inkjet, it can print on a very wide selection of media, including coated photo paper, envelopes and thick card. 5GHz Wi-Fi is built in, with Wi-Fi Direct and AirPrint compatibility.

It prints quite quickly for an inkjet, with the rate for simplex monochrome pages given as 25ppm (pages per minute) and 12ppm for color pages. That’s slower than a laser printer of course, but the heat-free inkjet technology means there is no warm-up time so the FPOT (first page out time) is faster than your average laser.

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Setup & operation

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

The bundled setup instructions are very clear, but you won’t need them because when you turn on the printer for the first time, messages will appear on its display telling you exactly what to do. Setting the date and time is a bit tedious using the buttons and operating this printer would certainly be quicker with a touchscreen interface. 

However, I didn’t have any problems working with the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310, and its three convenient paper trays and prompt printing made it very easy to use. There’s also a decent companion app called Epson Smart Panel for monitoring and controlling the printer remotely.  

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Performance

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 performed well in all of our tests. It printed as quickly as advertised with no paper jams or misprints. In fact, it managed to print on considerably heavier paper than Epson recommends. Thanks to the relatively flat paper path from the rear multipurpose tray, I was able to feed through some pretty thick card with satisfying results.

Pages of plain text emerge at a steady rate in auto duplex mode and the bold black pigment looks very professional on plain paper. Turning to mixed color documents, the results are similarly striking. Using pigment-based C/M/Y inks in suspension instead of the more usual soluble dye-based inks, means the pages dry faster and the colors stand out more. The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is great for eye-catching brochures. It’s also pretty good at photographs. Feed it some glossy photo paper and you’ll get some near print-shop quality snaps back. It can’t match Epson’s photo printer range for image quality, which tend to use five or six dye-based inks to achieve a more natural finish than this office printer can manage, but it’s still impressive. 

Best of all, it can print on A3+ paper, so turning out vivid posters is quick and easy. However, we burned through the ink in our setup cartridges pretty quickly, so while the performance was undoubtedly strong, it comes at a cost. 

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Final verdict

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 during our tests in a home office

(Image credit: Epson )

This cartridge inkjet printer might not suit every small business, it’s not the absolute best printer we’ve ever tested, and it’s never going to be competitive when it comes to CCP (cost per page), but for those that need to print large professional-looking brochures on a regular basis, it could be ideal. The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 prints quickly and well. Those fast-drying DURABrite pigment inks look great on a wide variety of media, including the kind of thick card that would choke most printers. 

With two separate paper trays, each of them able to hold 250 sheets of A3/Tabloid paper and another multipurpose tray at the rear, this high-capacity printer is very convenient to use. It’s a pity there’s no touchscreen interface, or NFC reader, but that won’t stop us from highly recommending this capable color inkjet.  


We tested the best A3 printers and these are our favorite models

Flexiroam review
2:54 pm |

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

Flexiroam is an eSIM provider that offers connectivity across 200+ countries around the world. While its plans are more expensive than most providers, Flexiroam has a few standout features that set it apart, like the ability to ship a physical SIM to your location if your phone isn’t eSIM compatible.

This provider boasts reasonable speeds and decent coverage across most locations, though the lack of carrier information disclosure before you purchase a plan can be a downside for some. It also provides an alternative to WiFi tethering that eats less cell phone battery, by enabling users to share data directly through the app.

Flexiroam: Plans and pricing

Flexiroam offers a variety of eSIM plans catering to different travel needs, with a global plan starting at just $9 for 7 days. Here’s a breakdown of popular options: 

Prices are often higher compared to competitors, but the option to choose multiple carrier options per location is a good addition.  

Flexiroam: Features

Flexiroam offers a few distinct features to improve the user experience, here are the ones we liked the best during our time with it:

Free eSIM

Flexiroam offers a free eSIM to every new user of the platform, with the added option to get free data plans each time you refer a friend to the company. That way, you can save money on international connectivity if you’re a frequent traveler. 

Network Switching

Flexiroam's modern eSIM technology enables users to switch between mobile operators seamlessly via remote service provisioning. You always have uninterrupted access to the internet, even when visiting regions too remote for your primary carrier.

FlexiShare Functionality

FlexiShare is a unique feature offered by Flexiroam that allows users to share their data plans with others through the Flexiroam X app. This is a great alternative to WiFi tethering because it doesn’t eat away at your cell phone battery at the same speed. 

Flexiroam: Installation

Flexiroam installation

(Image credit: Flexiroam)

Flexiroam offers a straightforward onboarding process for its eSIM service. The entire process takes just a few minutes to complete.

Once the eSIM plan is purchased, users receive a QR code or eSIM profile via email. They can then install the eSIM by simply scanning the QR code using their device's camera or following the provided instructions to download the eSIM profile.

The first-time setup process is entirely digital, performed through your phone’s settings. There is also an in-app guide to help you along if you feel confused. Flexiroam eSIMs activate automatically upon reaching your travel destination, so there is no unintended data loss.

Flexiroam: Coverage and speed

Flexiroam offers coverage in over 200 countries and regions, partnering with multiple local service providers in each country for the best possible performance. 

In terms of data speeds, some users have reported issues with slow connections or throttling, particularly in certain destinations like Japan. Compared to other eSIM providers, Flexiroam's coverage exceeds even Airalo. However, Airalo partners with local telecom providers directly, which can lead to better speeds.

While Flexiroam offers a wide variety of plans with different validity periods, plans can be priced highly in certain countries. Since you can’t see carrier information before purchasing a plan, experience in remote locations can be a hit or a miss.

Flexiroam: Support

Flexiroam support

(Image credit: Flexiroam)

Flexiroam offers several customer support channels, including email (support@flexiroam.com), social media (Facebook, Instagram), messaging apps (Line, WhatsApp), and in-app support through the Flexiroam X app.

However, the customer support team gets mixed reviews for responsiveness. Many customers have reported challenges with timely assistance and issue resolution, so there’s surely room for improvement.

Unfortunately, there’s no phone support, which further complicates matters for users requiring an immediate solution. However, Flexiroam appears to be actively working on enhancing its customer support. In response to negative reviews, representatives have reached out to customers directly to offer a speedy resolution.

Flexiroam: Final verdict

Flexiroam is a solid choice for an eSIM provider, offering extensive global coverage, a user-friendly app, and a variety of plans to suit different needs. Standout features, like the app-based data-sharing functionality and the multiple carrier choices per location, further polish its offering. 

However, customer support is a significant downside of this platform. While the company seems to be working to resolve that, plans still remain expensive compared to other providers.

Flexiroam: FAQs

What does Flexiroam do?

Flexiroam provides eSIM (embedded SIM) solutions that allow users to access mobile data services in over 200 countries without the need for physical SIM cards. It also provides global deployment and connectivity solutions for IoT devices. 

How long does it take to activate Flexiroam?

Flexiroam’s activation process is estimated to take around 10 minutes. eSIMs are usable as soon as the activation process is completed. Plans can be purchased up to 3 months in advance. 

Where is Flexiroam based?

Flexiroam has offices in several locations, but its headquarters are located in Australia. Its plans are accessible throughout the world, however, with support for multiple global payment methods. 

Airhub review
2:34 pm |

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

Airhub is an eSIM provider that offers mobile data plans in over 190 countries and regions worldwide. Founded in 2020, Airhub has served over 500,000 users to date. It offers a diverse selection of local, regional, and global data plans — some with unlimited data. 

With an average rating of 4.5 across different app stores, Airhub is one of the few eSIM providers with voice calling and text messaging features across several regions. You get an international number which you can use to keep in touch with people even when you don’t have access to data.

Airhub is reliable and cost-effective, although a few reviews mention minor drawbacks with its first-time activation process and single sign-on functionality. These issues are easy to resolve, however, as the support team is quite responsive.

Airhub: Plans and pricing

Airhub offers competitively priced eSIM plans starting at as low as $3 for a seven-day validity period. Many plans offer international numbers with voice and text facilities along with data. Here are some popular examples: 

While some regions like Latin America may have limited coverage, Airhub's plan variety and affordable rates still make them an attractive option for international travelers. 

Airhub: Features

Airhub stands out among eSIM providers for its feature-rich offerings, thanks to strategic partnerships with reputed telecom providers like AT&T and O2:

Network Switching

Airhub's innovative network-switching feature ensures you always have the strongest signal available, regardless of your location. This sets it apart from competitors like Airalo, whose plans are tied to a single network per country, often leading to unreliable connections in remote areas.

Voucher Program

If you’re a small retailer or mobile shop, you can take advantage of the Voucher Program to become one of Airhub’s licensed distribution partners. It’s a great way for small businesses to diversify their revenue streams without physically shipping SIM cards to customers. 

Plan Variety

Airhub offers up to 15 plan varieties per country, often including local voice minutes, text messaging, and international phone numbers. This flexibility allows users to choose a plan that precisely fits their travel needs and budget, unlike the limiting plans offered by many other competitors.

Airhub: Installation

Airhub installation

(Image credit: Airhub)

Getting started is easy. Just visit the Airhub website and purchase an eSIM plan. Buying a plan is as simple as choosing your destination, data package, and validity period. 

Once you've completed your purchase, Airhub sends you an activation code with instructions to activate the eSIM on your device. The process rarely takes longer than two minutes. You can choose to activate your eSIM immediately or keep it installed without activating it until your travel dates.

If you have questions about specific plans, the onboarding process, or your device’s compatibility, Airhub’s customer service team is there to answer any questions round the clock.  

Airhub: Coverage and speed

Airhub's coverage spans over 190 countries and regions worldwide, offering reliable connectivity to travelers. The company partners with local networks to design cost-effective plans, ensuring better regional coverage and pricing compared to some competitors. 

However, Airhub's coverage in Latin America is limited, with fewer plan options and several unsupported countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia. 

In terms of data speeds, Airhub generally provides 4G LTE coverage, with some plans offering 5G in select countries like Thailand. While most users report reliable connections and fast speeds, a few reviews mention occasional inconsistencies or throttling issues.

Compared to other eSIM providers, Airhub stands out for its wide variety of plans tailored to specific regions, often including voice minutes and text messaging. While competitors like Airalo boast broader global coverage, Airhub's regional focus allows for more competitive pricing and plan flexibility in the areas it serves.

Airhub: Support

Airhub support

(Image credit: Airhub)

Airhub offers several customer support channels, including live chat and email. However, user reviews mention that response times across these channels can be inconsistent.

Some users report positive experiences, praising the quick turnaround time and helpful support staff. On the other hand, others have expressed frustration about late replies, changing support representatives, and unresolved issues.

There’s also a detailed FAQ for users to look for solutions to common problems. Some of these contain step-by-step instructions to diagnose and resolve even technical errors. But if you need a professional, email and chat are the only options because this provider does not offer phone support.

Airhub: Final verdict

Out of all the eSIM providers we have reviewed, Airhub is the one with the biggest plan variety. They range from region to global, short-term to long-term. It’s also one of the few eSIM companies offering voice minutes and international numbers.

However, Airhub's inconsistent customer support and limited coverage in some regions could be a drawback for some users. Still, we feel that it’s a solid choice whose benefits outweigh the disadvantages in the end.

Airhub: FAQs

How do I activate my eSIM on AirHub?

Airhub has a straightforward onboarding process with clear instructions to guide you through everything. To install and activate the eSIM, follow these steps:

1. Purchase an eSIM data plan from the Airhub website or app. Select your destination, choose a plan, and complete the checkout process. You will receive an email with a QR code and installation instructions.

2. On your phone, go to Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data. Make sure the Airhub eSIM is turned on.

3. Set the Airhub eSIM to be used for Cellular Data and turn on Data Roaming.

4. Scan the QR code provided in the email to install the eSIM profile. Alternatively, you can enter the activation code manually in your phone's cellular settings.

5. Once installed, the eSIM may show "Activating" for some time, especially if you are not yet in the destination country. This is normal and the activation will complete once you are in the coverage area.

6. You can manage your eSIM by logging into the Airhub app. From there you can check data usage, top up, or make changes to your plan.

What is the convenience fee for Airhub?

Airhub charges a convenience fee of 3.5% on the purchase price of each transaction, which is usually a small amount of $1-2 charged by their payment processing partner. 

Where is AirHub eSIM based?

Airhub is owned and managed by Gighub Inc., a company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States. However, Airhub offers eSIM plans for travelers around the globe. 

Dell Precision 7875 Tower review
1:07 pm |

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

In a world driven by technology, with GenerativeAI and creative work growing in demand daily and the need for powerful servers in tech companies worldwide, Dell continues to stand strong as a pillar in the computing community. High-quality computers to handle the growing computing demands have never been more critical.

The Precision 7875 Tower Workstation is an incredibly versatile machine. Its base price of $3,299 can be scaled up to a fully loaded $38,904.67 beast of a machine. Unlike even the best business computers I have experienced, this workstation can handle anything thrown at it and more.

Dell Precision 7875

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Dell Precision 7875: Unboxing & first impressions

While I was initially unboxing this workstation, it was a powerhouse. I immediately noticed the sheer weight of the computer and quickly recognized the understated yet professional design of the case. It's not flashy and loud like what is trendy in the custom PC or gaming PC world, with RGB lights everywhere and gaudy components. This is a professional workstation, and it looks sleek, minimal, and functional.

The second big thing I noticed was dual (NVIDIA® RTX™ 6000 Ada, 48 GB GDDR6, 4 DP) graphics cards. Third, I saw an intense power cable in both cable thickness and plug. Most computers, laptop bricks, and monitors (except Apple) all utilize standard C13 IEC power cables. However, this Precision 7875 Tower Workstation uses a C19 connector and C20 inlet to allow for higher amperage and, therefore, more power to the computer.

After booting up, I was reminded that my Precision 7875 Tower has been equipped with Windows 11 Pro (currently version 23H2) and that it has 128GB of RAM installed to work hand in hand with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX (96-Cores).

Dell Precision 7875

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Dell Precision 7875: Design & build quality

As I briefly mentioned, this workstation is simple yet robust. It's well-built, has excellent ports, and is a professional workhorse just by looking at it. If looking directly at the front of the unit, the left side has a panel that can be removed to expand to utilize the six expansion bays quickly. There are also two SATA/M.2 Flex bays on the front of the tower, a place for a slim optical drive, and a handful of USB-C and USB-A ports that are all USB 3.2, plus an SD-Card slot, power button, hard-drive activity light, and a headphone and microphone combo port.

Specs

As Tested

Processor: AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX (384 MB cache, 96 cores, 192 threads, 2.5GHz to 5.1GHz, 350 W)

RAM: 128 GB: 8 x 16 GB, DDR5

Storage: 1 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD

Graphics: Dual NVIDIA® RTX™ 6000 Ada, 48 GB GDDR6, 4 DP

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

On the back, I was thrilled that my unit had some expansion ports filled. With those expanded ports, my Precision 7875 has a power port (C20 Inlet for 1350 W PSU), an audio jack, two RJ45 ethernet ports on the top (1 GB and 10 GB), two more 10GbE NIC ethernet ports built into the Intel X710 network card, three more USB-C 3.2 ports, three more USB-A 3.2 ports, and eight display ports split between two graphics cards.

Though this computer is an absolute beast in components, ability, ports, and power, it is still a standard-size desktop tower. All components are relatively easy to navigate around and expand, which is more than I can say for some competitors.

Dell Precision 7875

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Dell Precision 7875: In use

While testing the Dell Precision 7875, I attempted to run every benchmark I could throw at this machine - I wanted to know if it really was one of the best workstations or were appearances deceptive? Ironically, several tests I use to benchmark PCs failed due to too many cores. After fiddling with the number of cores to allow PCMark and others to use, I finally got some testing done.

I noticed right away that even while being tested, it takes quite a bit to get the Precision 7875 to break a sweat. During the entire testing process, I barely even heard the fans kick on. Now, granted, if I were utilizing this in its intended purpose to be my machine to work with GenerativeAI, intense programming, or creative apps for an extended period, I might have gotten this computer to give me more than what felt like a mere sigh, but that's impressive in and of itself.

Dell Precision 7875

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Navigating around applications, web browsing, working on documents, and other daily admin tasks are an absolute breeze. Even jumping back to other high-powered computers I am testing, they feel slow after working on the Dell Precision 7875. The port offering is incredible, and I appreciate that I can use this computer vertically or horizontally due to the rubber feet that Dell has included all around the case.

Another huge component of this computer's ease of use is that it has just about everything I could need already built in. It has a high-speed Wi-Fi module, an SD Card slot, a large number of USB-C and even USB-A ports, an absurd number of Display Ports, headphone jacks, plenty of Ethernet Ports, and even a disk drive, not to mention how helpful it is to have onboard storage that I would have to work hard to fill.

Dell Precision 7875

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

This computer is designed for those who need a high-powered, best-of-the-best computer that can handle the most demanding applications and workflows.

Dell Precision 7875: Final verdict

The Dell Precision 7875 is a fantastic option for professionals who need a robust and reliable workstation. Dell engineered it to handle the most demanding programs and workflows, making the expensive investment worth the price for those who require unmatched performance and dependability. 

Yes, it is not for everyone; it may not even be for most people. However, if you are a part of the demographic that needs the best regarding your choice in Windows-based workstations, you should check out the Dell Precision 7875 Tower and try kitting it out to fit your needs and wants.


We tested the best business laptops - and these are our top picks for a productivity boost

SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB review
12:12 pm |

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

SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB: 30-second review

Specs

Capacities available: 4TB, 8TB, 16TB
Size: 99.2mm x 99.2mm x 40.2mm
Weight: 268g
Enclosure material: Plastic
Connector: USB-C
Technology: SSD
Warranty (in years): 3-Year Limited Warranty
Rated R/W speeds (MB/s): Up to 1000MB/s / 900MB/s
Software bundle: Acronis True Image for Western Digital backup software

The SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB is small and quiet, unlike traditional boxy and large desktop storage drives that are commonplace in workspaces worldwide. It is altogether smaller and more stylish, with an ultrafast internal 8TB SSD and a promise of a 16TB version to be released later this year.

The drive is, in principle, a straightforward desktop drive for use with a single computer with a USB Type-C connection to ensure speed and an external power source provided through a standard AC socket rather than drawing BUS power from the computer's USB ports.

In use, the drive is simple enough. It is plug-and-play for most computing systems and arrives formatted in the ExFat file system. This means that it's easy to swap between Mac and PC systems if required; if not, it can be reformatted into one of the more secure options, such as NTFS or APFS, which will also boost the performance and some computing options for those systems.

This drive will really appeal to laptop users who are often limited on internal space. The Desk Drive not only expands the space for large-scale 3D, image, and video projects but also offers transfer speeds through the USB Type-C connection so that it can be used as a working drive as well as for archiving files.

Like any of the best portable SSDs we've tested, once connected, the drive will appear as any other external drive. It can be used for file backup with Time Machine on the Mac or Acronis True Image on the PC. Alternatively, it can be used as a straight storage drive with an off-site solution. The beauty here is that the transfer rates are at a speed that the drive and capacity are not only sufficient for archiving your files but also as a viable working drive for large file types such as video, image, and 3D.

As large-capacity storage solutions go, the SanDisk Desk Drive perfectly balances speed, capacity, and price, making it ideal for any home or small office as a fast, reliable storage solution.

SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB: Price & availability

SanDisk Desk Drive

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB has a SRP £663.99 / $699.99, and the smaller 4TB version is available for SRP £359.99 / $379.99. Later in the year, a 16TB version will also be available, although the price is still to be confirmed. The drive is widely available and can be purchased directly from Western Digital

  • Score: 4.5/5

SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB: Design & build

SanDisk Desk Drive

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB is considerably smaller than most desktop hard drives, which makes it easy to place on the desk or neatly under the monitor. The actual design is simple, and with the slightly concaved top rather than flat, it seems perfectly formed for small office items such as paperclips and coins!

The size and shape also make it easy to pick up and move, and at 268g, it has just enough weight to act as a convenient paperweight when not in use. That weight also helps with positioning it around the desk, meaning that while lightweight, it's not lightweight enough to be easily knocked from position.

Connection-wise, the drive features a single USB Type-C connection directly into the machine and an AC power socket that fits directly into a standard AC wall socket in the same way as any traditional desktop drive. These two cables keep things relatively neat at the back with no mess of extra cables. Unlike some larger drives, there are no additional USB ports for linking, pass-through, or hub features; this is simply a direct external drive for use by an individual at their desk.

Once the drive is in position and connected to power and the desktop, it quickly appears on the Mac desktop or can be accessed through Windows, depending on your system of choice. The drive comes preformatted in the ExFat file system for maximum compatibility but can be reformatted quickly to suit your preferred system. If you use both, you can stick with ExFat.

Once done, the drive can be used as with any other desktop drive or linked into a backup solution such as Time Machine on the Mac or with Acronis True Image for Western Digital backup software, which can be downloaded from the Western Digital website.

  • Score: 4.5/5

SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB: Features

SanDisk Desk Drive

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB offers plenty of storage capacity, with the 8TB version that we're looking at in this review being suitable for most medium-sized usage individuals who might shoot images and video as part of their workload and need the speed to access those files quickly as well as archive them with the ability to gain access to them at speed without the need to dig through a server. The 4TB version, although smaller, is still a substantial capacity and would be better suited to those working with documents and the occasional use of image and video files. The larger 16TB version would be ideal for videographers in small businesses who just need plenty of storage to back up their projects after an edit or need the additional capacity for working projects.

One of the features that really makes the SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB stand out is the fast transfer speeds, with read speeds of up to 1,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 900 MB/s, making it significantly faster than traditional desktop hard disk drives and many of the other solutions offered by Western Digital at present.

For many users, the SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB will also make a perfect solution for backing up all their work through applications such as Apple Time Machine or the downloadable Acronis True Image for Western Digital software. Both of these applications can be used to back up your desktop machine to the SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB to ensure that you always have two local copies of your files. Of course, it's always good practice, especially in a business environment, to have another backup of your files either to a NAS or off-site cloud solution.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Desk Drive is its small size, which makes it far easier to position than many of the more traditional desktop hard drives. The fact that it also utilizes its own power supply means that its performance is more consistent than that of portable external hard drives.

Out of the box, the SanDisk Desk Drive comes in the exFAT file format, which is compatible with both Windows and macOS systems. It uses a USB Type-C connection for connectivity.

Finally, the drive comes with a three-year limited warranty to ensure that your investment is sound for at least a few years.

  • Score 4.5/5

SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB: Performance

SanDisk Desk Drive

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

CrystalDiskMark: read: 1032.48MB/s Write: 1010.49MB/s
AJA: read: 898MB/s Write: 868MB/s
ATTO: read: 939.42MB/s Write: 929.15MB/s
AS SSD: 984.62MB/s Write: 961.50MB/s

When it came to testing the drive, the advertised transfer speeds offered a few more options than more traditional HDD desktop drives. So, alongside the speed tests, the drive was used as a working drive for some of the best video editing software and best photo editors available to see if it could facilitate the delivery of large files and complex computing.

Starting with using the drive on a PC with Adobe Photoshop and copying 1TB of image files from an OWC CFExpress Type-B card, the transfer rate was impressive. Files crossed over through the Atlas CFexpress 4.0 Type B reader in a little under two minutes.

In use, the drive worked perfectly for photography, with the speed of downloading the image files from a CFExpress Type-B card to the storage helping to speed up the workflow. A full selection of files from a day's shoot, some 1200 files, both JPEG and RAW, could be downloaded in a little under two minutes. When opening Adobe Bridge to browse the files, the application and drive worked fast enough for the thumbnails to generate and display in good time; likewise, opening and saving files was seamless without pause or delay.

Switching to the more intensive video workflow and again using 4K video captured on the Canon EOS R5 C, the drive fed the files to Final Cut Pro at a rate that enabled smooth video editing without dropped frames. The machine (MacBook Pro 16-inch M1) started to struggle with projects greater than 10 minutes in length rather than any issue with the speed of the content delivery from the drive.

To back up the real-world tests, where the small drive performed well, the benchmark tests also showed impressive results across the board, with the overall transfer rates exceeding those stated by Western Digital.

When it comes to other features, the SanDisk Desk Drive is somewhat limited - you have access to all the backup features offered by the Acronis True Image software, and this is simple to use. On the drive are installed link files for both Mac and PC, and although these are executable files, they simply take you to the download page on the Western Digital website. Once there, you scroll down to the download link for the Mac or PC version - it's simple enough, but the downloads page is generic for all of their products, so not all software on this page is appropriate for this drive, which is worth noting.

While Acronis is a great piece of software, and the implementation here is excellent, enabling you to set source and destination locations for your files, this software really is about the backup of files rather than management. When it comes to security the software does enable you to do a clean wipe of the drive, however, if you're storing sensitive data on the drive there is no default facility to do this other than using a third party software option. For a drive of this type, some type of integral security would have been nice to see. 

Likewise, simplicity makes this drive easy to use. As a desktop drive, it will probably be plugged either directly into a hub or the machine it's being used by. It would have been nice to see an additional USB Type-C port so other accessories or card readers could be daisy-chained into the drive.

However, the pure simplicity of the design and ease of use is what should make this drive so appealing to anyone running a small or home office looking for decent amounts of storage capacity. 

  • Score: 4/5

Should you buy the SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB?

The SanDisk Desk Drive 8TB is best suited for professionals in creative industries who handle large media files regularly and require quick, reliable access. It's also a great choice for those needing a robust backup solution for important data, combining speed with large capacity in a user-friendly format. This drive excels in environments where speed and capacity are critical, making it ideal for photographers, videographers, and digital artists.

SanDisk Desk Drive

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...


We've tested the best laptops for photo editing - and here's the ones we recommend checking out

easySIM review
2:40 pm | May 8, 2024

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easySim.global is a UK-based eSIM provider that launched in July 2023 as part of the easy® family of brands founded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. It provides affordable prepaid data eSIMs for travelers in over 150 countries worldwide, saving them over 95% in costs over physical SIM card providers.

While a few complaints note minor connectivity issues, easySIM generally offers reliable coverage through Tier 1 networks across all 150+ countries within its platform. 

It’s a relatively new player in the eSIM market compared to brands like Airalo, Nomad, or Airhub. Still, the company has made significant strides in popularity thanks to the consistent performance and helpful customer support team.

easySIM: Plans and pricing

easySIM claims to provide savings of up to 95% compared to standard roaming charges across 150+ countries. Here are some of its most popular plans: 

Unfortunately, there are no plans that allow users to group multiple locations together. Users visiting multiple countries will need to get separate plans. 

easySIM: Features

During our time with easySIM, we found several additional features that we liked:

Business eSIM

For corporate customers, easySIM.global provides a dedicated business eSIM solution with standout features like a company wallet for easy expense management, spend alerts, and hotspot tethering for productivity on the go. 

Travel Guides

easySIM goes beyond just offering eSIM services by maintaining detailed travel guides for various destinations it covers. These guides cover topics like top attractions, money-saving tips, and seasonal recommendations, adding value for customers planning their trips.

Trusted Network

As a member of the easy® family founded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, easySIM benefits from the trust and reliability associated with companies like easyJet and easyHotel. While it’s a relatively new player in the eSIM market, users of the company’s other products are familiar with their dedication to customer service

easySIM: Installation

Purchasing and activating an easySIM is a straightforward process. After checking that your phone supports eSIM technology, you can simply purchase your preferred plan from easySim.global. Once purchased, you receive a QR code via email which you scan to install the eSIM profile on your device.

Onboarding is fully digital, with detailed setup guides provided for both iOS and Android. Upon arriving at your destination, just enable data roaming on the eSIM and ensure that easySIM is set as the default for cellular data. The data bundle activates automatically when you connect to a local network.

For first-time use, it's recommended to disable data roaming on your home SIM to avoid unexpected charges. If you encounter any issues, restarting your device or manually selecting a network can often resolve connectivity problems.

easySIM: Coverage and speed

easySIM offers coverage across more than 150 countries worldwide by partnering with tier-1 network operators in each region. This allows them to provide reliable service on par with major local carriers. Popular destinations include:

  • Canada
  • United States
  • France
  • Germany
  • UAE
  • Morocco
  • Egypt

Coverage is excellent in most places, with the company clearly indicating which providers it works within each region. Moreover, easySIM delivers 4G/5G speeds in almost every country. One particular review notes 100+ Mbps download speeds on Australia's Telstra network.

easySIM takes a multi-carrier approach in many countries, which provides a significant coverage advantage over single-network eSIMs. While some rivals like Airalo offer similar speeds, easySIM's pricing allows for much more savings compared to roaming carriers.

easySIM: Support

easySIM support

(Image credit: easySIM )

easySIM.global offers a few different channels for support, ensuring users can get help when needed. The primary support method is via email, with a dedicated support email address provided on their website. It also offers a comprehensive FAQ section that addresses common questions and issues.

Customer reviews suggest that easySIM's support team is highly efficient, even if there are no phone support options available. Most reviews note wait times of no longer than 30 minutes.

The company also provides detailed setup guides and troubleshooting tips on the website, which can help users resolve issues independently. easySIM has also started offering chat support via a chatbot called Barry, which can redirect you to human support staff if needed.

easySIM: Final verdict

easySIM's key strengths include its association with the trusted easy® brand family, competitive pricing, and tier-1 network partnerships across more than 150 countries. While its coverage may not be as extensive as Airalo or Airhub, the network speeds and connection quality more than make up for it if you aren’t visiting very remote destinations.

This provider is also well-suited for business travelers, given the company wallet and tethering support across most plans. Sadly, there aren’t any plans offering voice minutes or an international number, so users have to rely on data to make calls and send messages through platforms like WhatsApp.

easySIM: FAQs

How does easySIM work?

easySIM is an eSIM (embedded digital SIM) service that provides low-cost prepaid mobile data for travelers around the world. It partners with tier-1 network operators in each country to offer reliable coverage at speeds up to 5G where available. 

Do I turn off roaming when using easySIM?

When using an easySIM data plan while traveling, you should turn off data roaming for your primary carrier's SIM to avoid unintended roaming charges. This can be found in the Cellular/Mobile Data settings of your phone under Data Roaming. 

Is it safe to use easySIM?

While no technology is 100% immune to threats, eSIMs are designed with strong security measures. Moreover, easySIM utilizes a secure cloud-based infrastructure to provide a high standard of data safety and protection. 

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