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HP Spectre 13

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When the original MacBook Air launched back in 2011, Intel set out on a mission to change what Windows laptops looked like. Until then, Windows laptops were notoriously un-cool, cheap and shoddy devices – the antithesis of what the HP Spectre 13 would be. This has all resulted in the best Ultrabooks , and several years later, the best laptops are getting thinner, lighter and more powerful every day – the Ultrabook has reached a level of near-perfection that we haven’t seen from the MacBook Air in years. To prove the Ultrabook’s domination, HP sent us the Spectre 13 to test. And, coming in at only 0.41 inches thin, the HP Spectre 13 has reached levels of perfection that the MacBook Air hasn’t seen in a long time. What’s more, the HP Spectre 13 can do all of this without compromising on performance or value. Price and availability You’ll find the HP Spectre 13 for $1,499, and it rivals the $1,349 (about £1,000, AU$1,760) Dell XPS 13 . However, as of this writing, it looks like the...

Google Pixelbook

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We wouldn’t be surprised if there was renewed interest in the Google Pixelbook, what with everything it can do these days. A true hybrid in every way, the Google Pixelbook has a lot to offer, both in compatibility and performance, that the similarly priced Chromebook Pixel never could. The Google Pixelbook isn’t just the best Chromebooks out there, but it’s one of the best 2-in-1 laptops period. It gives you something that comparable Windows 10 laptops just can’t – the Pixelbook offers a taste of Android , while still keeping the features and design of Chrome OS intact. With the Google Pixelbook, the tech giant has packed a ton of modern aesthetic into a maturing form factor, something that’s mirrored in the new Google Pixel Slate . The stylus – which is sadly sold separately – makes the Pixelbook experience a lot better, too, as it removes the hassle you might expect from using Android apps on a laptop. On top of the fact that the Google Pixelbook can transform into a tablet – th...

Lenovo Yoga 920 review

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There are so many excellent touchscreen laptops out there right now, and Lenovo might have topped them all with the Lenovo Yoga 920 – the long awaited follow up to the Lenovo Yoga 910. The Lenovo Yoga 920 retains the 360 degree hinge of its predecessor, but expands on it with Thunderbolt 3, a reasonably placed webcam and lengthier battery life. However, now that the best 2-in-1 laptops are pretty much everywhere, including the sublime Surface Book 2, does the Lenovo Yoga 920 stand out? Well, yes, it does – but, read on to see why it stands out from the rest of the convertible crowd. Price and availability As with other 2-in-1 devices, the Lenovo Yoga 920 comes in different configurations, though thankfully Lenovo hasn't gone overboard by offering a confusing array of options. The base model comes with an Intel Core i5-8250U processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, a 13.9-inch 1080p touchscreen and an Active Pen stylus, and costs $1,199 / £1,199. This model is available in the US and ...

Microsoft Surface Studio

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While the high cost of entry might have turned you off at launch, the Surface Studio has created a niche for itself among professionals and creatives alike. For anyone reluctant to take the plunge into an all-in-one PC running full-fat Windows 10 , the Surface Studio tries to convince enterprise users and IT professionals alike by allowing them to use custom scripts while updating. Competent software might not be your idea of a good time, and we can’t blame you, but there’s a lot beneath the surface. The Surface Studio merges the speedy performance of the best PCs with the flexibility inherent in the best 2-in-1 laptops . Yeah, it’s not going to be the first touchscreen desktop, but it’s the first one that can transform into a virtual drafting table, thanks to its Zero Gravity Hinge. The hockey puck-like Surface Dial can also go a long way to set the Surface Studio apart from the pack, too. It can’t be denied that the Surface Studio is an expensive PC, which could turn you away. For...

Asus ZenBook 3

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Over time, the best Ultrabooks keep getting lighter, thinner and more importantly, more powerful every single year, and the Asus ZenBook 3 is a great example. Who doesn’t want a faster laptop that can handle everything you can throw at it? It’s a compelling sales pitch made by the likes of the Apple MacBook Air and the Dell XPS 13 . And, while these thin and light laptops are certainly more expensive, we think it’s worth not having your back yelling at you for hauling around a 15-inch behemoth wherever you go. When you opt for an Ultrabook as thin and light as the Asus ZenBook 3, you’ll have to make some compromises. Ports can just disappear and battery life takes a nosedive. This is all definitely true about the Asus ZenBook 3, but it’s outweighed by how beautiful this device is – we still find ourselves staring at the gorgeous display after frantically checking our bags to make sure we didn’t abandon it on a desk somewhere. Price and availability  In the US, the ZenBook 3 s...

Lenovo Miix 510

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The Lenovo Miix 510, like the best Windows tablets , isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. There’s a wide range of devices with detachable keyboards that use Windows 10 as a tablet and desktop OS – even Microsoft has a couple. And, while the Surface Pro 6 is Microsoft’s latest, the Lenovo Miix 510 is closer to the Acer Swift Alpha 12 or the Surface Pro 4 . The Lenovo Miix 510 follows the Miix 700 (yeah, we know), and it features a 7th-generation Kaby Lake processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. There are cheaper options out there, but trust us – this is the model to get. The design of the Lenovo Miix 510 revolves around two watchband-style hinges that give you more flexibility and control than the Surface Pro when it comes to the kickstand and display. The included keyboard cover – something not even included in the Surface Pro – is a nice touch, too. Similar to previous Miix tablets, the latest comes with an active pen, too. Styluses have a lot more functionality these days, than...

HP Spectre x360 15 (2018)

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The HP Spectre line of Ultrabooks has always been a balancing act between notebooks that are both ultra portable and ultra powerful. The HP Spectre x360 leans more on the latter category, with a flexible hinge, stylus support and a fingerprint sensor. Beyond that, the Intel Kaby Lake Refresh processors are just gravy. With a beautiful 4K touchscreen and a stylus, the HP Spectre x360 15 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops on the market. It even has long enough battery life to make it a worthwhile purchase for the classroom and office alike. The HP Spectre x360 15 is the kind of device that basically every PC manufacturer on the planet carries, with products like the Microsoft Surface Book 2 and the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 . But, with all this competition, it can be difficult to stand out. How does the HP Spectre x360 15 compare to its competitors? Let’s find out.  Price and availability This particular model of the Spectre x360 in the US is currently priced at $1,399 (about £1,055,...