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In true Google fashion, the tech giant is not afraid to terminate hardware devices when it feels they have run their course. In 2024, at least seven products entered Google’s graveyard, including the Chromecast line of digital media players. In 2025, the Mountain View-headquartered company has once again put two well-loved devices on its chopping block — the Next Protect Smart Smoke and CoAlarm and the Nest x Yale Smart Lock.
Google announced the discontinuation of the smart home devices in March 2025, saying the move is part of a broader initiative to build “a platform that all device makers and developers can use to spur innovation in the home.” In other words, it is narrowing down its existing lineup of hardware while doubling down on its more modern ecosystem. This comes on the heels of the sudden demotion of Google Assistant to make way for Gemini on most mobile devices. Then, there’s the addition of new features on the Google Home app, designed to change the way users connect the hub app to their smart devices. Unbeknownst to many, the update leaves behind older devices that still heavily rely on the legacy Nest app, which appears to be on its last legs.
Even before the announcement, there was a foreshadowing about the fate of the two smart home devices. Discussions on Reddit revealed that the Nest Protect had been increasingly difficult to purchase for months, with the Google store limiting orders to just one unit per customer.
Devices replacing the Nest Protect and Nest x Yale Lock
While the discontinuation and changes may feel like the end of an era for Google’s 2010s tech, the tech giant gave assurance that it is still committed to providing consumers with a streamlined and intelligent smart home experience. The company even announced two new devices that will replace the outgoing Nest Protect Smart Smoke and Nest x Yale Smart Lock.
Through a collaboration with First Alert, Google is rolling out the First Alert Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Scheduled to launch in North America sometime in late 2025, the new alarm system will be compatible with both the Google Home app and existing Nest Protect devices. Meanwhile, Google is once again partnering with Yale for its next-generation smart lock, called the Yale Smart Lock with Matter, which is arriving in summer 2025.
The new smart lock has big shoes to fill, considering the Nest x Yale Smart Lock landed our top picks for smart lock brands in 2024. Like the outgoing device, the new smart lock offers keyless entry and remote access. But unlike its predecessor, it will work across all Matter-enabled ecosystems, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Home.
The new devices will come at a time when Google is still sorting out its smart home ecosystem. Their compatibility with Nest Protect will give the platform a lifeline for the time being. As such, Nest Protect devices will continue to receive software and security updates.
ANintendo Switch 2user reportedly got his brand-new console banned by Nintendo after buying used Switch 1 games and patching them on his console. According toReddituser dmanthey, they purchased four used titles off the Facebook marketplace, inserted them into the Switch 2, and had them all updated. When they turned on their handhelds the following day, they received a message saying that they were restricted from Nintendo’s online services and that they couldn’t even download the games they had already bought.
Fortunately for dmanthey, Nintendo had a quick resolution for them. Once they discovered the issue, they went to the Nintendo Support website and were immediately able to talk to a human. It was there that the company confirmed that their console was indeed banned because of the use of pirated games. Nevertheless, they were able to prove their innocence by pulling up the Facebook Marketplace listing for their games and sending the photos of their purchased cartridges. According to the Redditor, the process was painless and fast, and it was “so much easier than getting support fromMicrosoftorSony.” By showing these things, you can prove to Nintendo that you purchased the games in good faith and that you were duped. Other users warned, though, that this isn’t always a guaranteed resolution.
Nintendo is known for being protective of its intellectual property and delivers harsh penalties to anyone caught violating it. We’ve already had several reports of users gettingbanned for using Mig Flash, even on their own ROMs. And while it’s not true that getting banned turns your Switch 2 into a brick, it will still prevent you from accessing the company’s online services, which severely restricts its features and usability.
This issue highlights the problem of buying second-hand games, as an unscrupulous seller can copy the game they’re selling to anothermicroSD Express Card you can easily buyin many places, and then sell the original cartridge as a used game. Since doing this copies all game information, including the original’s unique identification number, Nintendo can detect if two copies of that specific game are loaded simultaneously anywhere in the world, telling them that it was pirated. They will then proceed and ban the specific console where the pirated game was loaded, disallowing the console from connecting to Nintendo’s online services and serving as a deterrent to other gamers who are even thinking of getting a pirated Nintendo title.
Thankfully, it seems that Nintendo is making it easier for those who have been victimized by getting banned permanently, quickly reversing the decision if they show proof that they have been duped. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether they can still play with the used game cartridges they purchased, or if these are considered pirated copies that could result in another console ban if used.
We review a lot of laptops. Only the most exceptional earn a spot on this list.
Whether you’re cranking out school projects, diving into your favorite games, or binge-watching late into the night, your laptop should keep up with you–not the other way around. But let’s be real. Picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Do you need a big screen? Dedicated graphics? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve tested all the picks below ourselves, so you’re getting real recommendations backed on hands-on experience.
We’ve cut through the clutter to bring you the top picks across every category–from sleek, no-fussChromebookstopowerhouse gaming machines.
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is a terrific laptop for most people. The vibrant OLED screen looks great, it’s fast thanks to the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, it’s light enough to toss in a backpack at 2.82 pounds, and the battery lasts all day. If you want a laptop that nails the basics and still looks sharp, this one’s tough to beat — and it’s quite darn affordable for the performance and quality on offer, too.
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED: Further considerations
The Zenbook 14 OLED isn’t perfect. It’s missing some ports (no Ethernet and not many USB-A) and the shiny OLED screen can be a pain to use outside or in bright rooms. But overall, the good stuff drastically outweighs the downsides.
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a great (affordable!) choice if all you need are the basics. It’ll run everyday tasks like surfing the web or writing emails, and the 12 hour battery life isn’t half bad.
The appeal mostly lies in its value, though. While more expensive laptops nail the polish and the speed, the budget variety is strictly about what’s functional and that’s exactly what you’re getting here. It’s a good option for students or anyone seeking a reliable, no-frills machine under $500.
You’ll also find a surprisingly generous port selection on the Acer Aspire Go 15–USB-A on both sides, a USB-C, an HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Kensington lock. That’s more than what some laptops get twice the price.
Acer Aspire Go 15: Further considerations
Like many laptops in the budget category, the Aspire Go 15’s got a few trade-offs to be aware of. The chassis is made of plastic, though that’s part of what keeps the cost down–cheaper materials. It also weighs a little over four pounds. Sure it’s not the lightest machine in the world, but this is such a minor nitpick and it’s still fine for day-to-day portability. The 1920×1080 display also isn’t very bright, but it’s sharp enough for day to day usability.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition – Best battery life
Pros
Over 24 hours of battery life (in our standard test)
Good build quality
Snappy desktop performance
2-in-1 experience with pen
Cons
On the expensive side
Lunar Lake’s low multithreaded performance is an issue for some workflows
Who should buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1?
If you want a laptop that just keeps on trucking along, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 blew us away with its crazy-long battery life. PCWorld clocked it at up to 25 hours, so you won’t be stuck hunting for outlets throughout the day.
Stamina aside, it’s also very portable at under three pounds. Add in the flexible 2-in-1 design and a seriously good keyboard, and you’ve got a laptop built to keep up with real life stuff.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1: Further considerations
There’s a lot to love here, but it’s not cheap ($2,336 as tested). And if you want a built-in SD card reader, for instance, you’ll need to pick up a dongle. But if you need a professional laptop that truly lasts, this is it.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Best Chromebook
Pros
Zippy processor performance
Nice keyboard
A wide array of connectivity options
Chic design
Cons
Battery life isn’t competitive
The display’s 16:9 aspect ratio feels a little cramped
Who should buy the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?
If you’re in the market for a reliable, good-looking Chromebook for everyday use, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has it all. This machine will run daily tasks just fine thanks to its Intel i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. The 14-inch 1080p display also looks sharp, and the 1080p webcam is perfect for Zoom calls.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Further considerations
While the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 offers smooth performance and a pretty design, there are minor trade-offs to be aware of like the non-competitive battery life (13 hours) and the lack of a touchscreen. You’ll also need to be comfortable with ChromeOS. If you prefer Windows or macOS, we’d recommend looking elsewhere.
MacBook Air (M3) – Best MacBook
Pros
Excellent battery life
256GB SSD is now two NAND chips, maintaining performance
Cons
Expensive memory upgrades
Dual external display support requires closed lid
Who should buy the MacBook Air (M3)?
The MacBook Air (M3) is a great choice if you want a powerful, quiet Mac without the Pro price. Starting at $1,299, it handles everyday tasks and light creative work smoothly with the fast M3 chip. The battery lasts up to 19 hours, easily powering through a full day. Its 15-inch Liquid Retina display is sharp and colorful, though it’s not quite as bright as the MacBook Pro model’s. Plus, it’s thin and light (just over three pounds), making it super portable.
MacBook Air (M3): Further considerations
If you need powerful performance for 3D rendering or video editing, the MacBook Pro is a better option than the Air. For most folks, though, the MacBook Air (M3) offers pretty good performance, long battery life, and a chic design.
Lenovo Legion 5i – Best gaming laptop
Pros
Great GeForce RTX 4060 performance
Good build quality
Nice cooling and vent positioning
Cons
Display is a little dim
Who should buy the Lenovo Legion 5i?
Want solid gaming performance without breaking the bank? The Lenovo Legion 5i hits that sweet spot. It’s rocking an Intel Core i9 CPU and an RTX 4060 GPU, so expect high frame rates on modern games at 1080p. Plus, that 165Hz screen? Makes everything look sharp and buttery smooth.
Lenovo Legion 5i: Further considerations
There are some nice extras worth noting. The first is a 1080p webcam with a physical shutter and the second is a full-sized keyboard with a number pad. It might not seem like much on paper, but these things are important and further add to the value as a whole.
Acer Nitro V 16 – Best budget gaming laptop
Pros
Fast performance
Fast 165Hz display with good colors
Cons
Fully plastic build
Mushy keyboard
Who should buy the Acer Nitro V 16?
Anyone that wants good performance and a fast display for around $1,000 needs to check out the Acer Nitro V 16. Stuffed with an RTX 4060 GPU and an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, it comfortably runs modern titles on the higher graphics settings.
Acer Nitro V 16: Further considerations
The thing about the Nitro V 16 is that it really leans into the gamer aesthetic with its sharp lines and glowing keyboard. If you dig that style, cool. If not, this might not be the laptop for you. The battery life lasts about four hours, which is typical for a laptop in this category, but you probably can’t game untethered–at least not for very long!
Asus ProArt P16 – Best content creation laptop
Pros
Big touchpad with virtual scroll wheel
Gorgeous 4K OLED display
More connectivity than the competition
Good battery life
Cons
Chassis is light, but doesn’t look remarkable
CPU performance falls behind the best
Can get hot under load
Who should buy the Asus ProArt P16?
If it’s laser-sharp visuals and raw power you’re after, the Asus ProArt P16 delivers. The 16-inch 3840×2400 display is perfect for photo editing, watching movies, or design work. It’s also rocking an Intel Core i9 CPU and an RTX 4070 GPU, which is the kind of power you’ll need for something like video production. Battery life is strong too, lasting over nine hours, and it supports lightning fast USB 4.0 transfers.
Asus ProArt P16: Further considerations
Performance and display quality are the standout features here, of course, but understated design deserves a mention too. Some may find the all-black chassis too plain while others find it elegant. Also, under heavy workloads, the chassis can run a little warm.
Microsoft Surface Pro (2025) – Best ultraportable
Pros
Compact and well-built
Good office performance
All Copilot Plus features available
Good battery life
Cons
Narrow screen to work on
No HDR support
No charger included
Who should buy the Microsoft Surface Pro (2025)?
If you’re always bouncing between places—on the train, working from coffee shops, or just working around the house—the Surface Pro 2025 is kind of perfect. It’s super light (1.51 pounds!) and still powerful enough to handle all the usual stuff like emails and Zoom calls.
With its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus CPU, it’s great for anyone who wants something that works like a laptop but feels like a tablet. You can doodle or get work done, all without feeling like you’re lugging around a heavy brick.
Microsoft Surface Pro (2025): Further considerations
The compact screen won’t suit everyone for full-time multitasking, and there are only two USB-C ports (you’ll want a dock or hub). Also, while battery life can stretch surprisingly far, it varies widely. Expect around two hours at full brightness under heavy use or up to 19 hours with lighter tasks.
Still, if your work mostly lives in the cloud and you value portability above raw power, this is the best ultraportable Windows device you can get right now.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo – Best 2-in-1 laptop
Pros
Spectacular battery life
Attractive and robust design
Plenty of RAM and solid-state storage for the price
Cons
Cramped keyboard and touchpad
IPS touchscreen’s image quality doesn’t stand out
Lackluster CPU and GPU performance
Who should buy the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo?
Anyone seeking a versatile 2-in-1 laptop with long battery life will love what the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo brings to the table. Its nearly 21-hour battery life ensures productivity throughout the day without needing another charge up. The included MSI Pen2 stylus and bright display make it an especially strong choice for creatives and note takers.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Further considerations
The chassis is primarily plastic, which isn’t a huge deal in the short term, but durability may be affected over time. The keyboard’s also got a compact layout, which may be uncomfortable if you’ve got bigger hands, and the audio quality is average at best.
Framework Laptop 13 (2025) – Best laptop for upgrading
Pros
Repairable and upgradeable
Great keyboard
Display is easy on the eyes
Cons
High up-front cost
Battery life lags way behind
Not quite seamless design
Who should buy the Framework Laptop 13 (2025)?
Need a laptop that’s super easy to upgrade and tough enough to stick around? The Framework Laptop 13 (2025) is where it’s at. You can swap out pretty much anything—RAM, storage, even the motherboard if you want. It runs on an AMD Ryzen AI 300 processor and is slim enough to toss in your bag and go wherever.
Framework Laptop 13 (2025): Further considerations
The price might sting a bit upfront, and the built-in graphics are okay for everyday stuff, but don’t expect to game on it. Battery life’s decent, but nothing groundbreaking.
How to choose the best laptop
What’s the best laptop style?
Regular ones are fine for everyday stuff. 2-in-1s are cool because the screen flips around. Chromebooks are cheap and good if you mostly do web browsing.
How much power?
Depends on what you’re doing. For basic web or email, an Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 3 works fine. If you’re into video editing or creative stuff, an i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9 is better. And if you’re handling heavy 4K editing or lots of apps, a Ryzen 9 is your best bet.
Discrete graphics vs. integrated graphics?
If you’re gaming or editing videos, you want a proper graphics card (like Nvidia or AMD) for better performance. But if you’re just browsing or watching stuff, the built-in integrated graphics work just fine.
How much RAM?
8GB of RAM is plenty for most stuff. If you’re gaming, 16GB is better, and 32GB will keep you covered for a while. Content creators should try to get as much RAM as they can.
What’s the right display size?
If you’re doing video editing or a bunch of media stuff, go for a bigger screen, like 15 to 17 inches. But for most people, 13 to 14 inches hits the sweet spot. Bigger screens mean heavier laptops, so 13 or 14 inches is usually the best combination of portability and value.
Battery-life expectations
If you’re gonna carry your laptop around, try to get one that lasts 10 to 12 hours on a charge. That’s usually enough for a long flight or a full day of classes. Some of the new Snapdragon laptops are even crushing that, withone going up to 25 hours thanks to their super-efficient chips. Just remember, bigger batteries usually mean heavier laptops.
Laptop pricing guide
Good laptops usually run $500 to $750, but if you’re on a budget, Chromebooks or basic business laptops under $500 work fine. Around $750 to $1,000 gets you better screens and more power. Over $1,000 means premium build and performance.
Gaming laptops cost more (expect $1,000+ for decent 1080p gaming). Better graphics and features can push prices into the thousands, but $1,200 to $2,000 usually gets you a powerful rig.
Don’t forget the ports
I like laptops with lots of ports so you don’t need adapters. Having both USB-C and USB-A is great, and an HDMI port is a bonus and super handy for hooking up to a monitor.
Not all monitors are created equal. They come in different display specifications that match every need. For casual use, you could get away with just the standard 16:9 monitors. They’re just right for when you need a screen larger than your laptop that can still easily fit in your cramped workstation. But if you often multitask, design graphics, or edit spreadsheets and feel that 16:9 is too cramped, then that’s a clear sign to upgrade your computer monitor. In that case, an ultra-wide or super-widescreen monitor might just be what you need.
At first, you might think that the ultra-wide and super-widescreen are just a minor distinction in monitor naming, but they’re actually very different from each other. What sets these two monitor types apart is the aspect ratio. An ultra-wide monitor has a 21:9 aspect ratio, usually with resolutions like 2560×1080 and 3440×1440. A super-widescreen monitor, on the other hand, offers an aspect ratio of 32:9, with common resolutions being 3840×1080 and 5120×1440.
The benefits of ultra-wide and super-widescreen monitors
Compared to standard 16:9 monitors, the typical ultra-wide monitor offers an extra 35% of screen real estate. This means you will be able to fit three windows side-by-side, as opposed to just two with a 16:9 screen. With the wider view, ultra-wide monitors are particularly handy in applications like multitasking, 3D image creation, and even medical image analysis.
Meanwhile, a super-widescreen monitor is wide enough to replace a dual-monitor setup with two 16:9 screens, helping you work comfortably without the awkward thick bezel in the middle and complicated cable management. If you don’t like using the entire screen for just one application, you can readily open two windows without needing to resize them. Each will feel like it’s on its own full HD screen, making it seem as if you’re really working on two separate monitors. Application-wise, gamers especially enjoy using a super-widescreen as it gives them a more panoramic view of the setting. But super-widescreen monitors are great anywhere you’d normally use two 16:9 screens.
Many major PC monitor brands like ASUS, Dell, and Samsung offer both ultra-wide and super-widescreen monitors, although the former is more common. You’ll typically have limited options for the super-widescreen variant.
GPUs are the undisputed crown jewels of any gaming PC. While single GPU setups are the norm today, it wasn’t long ago that gaming PCs stacked two, three, or even four GPUs. Apart from making the PC look like an absolute beast, the multiple GPUs delivered performance boosts in graphically intensive tasks. Both NVIDIA and AMD offered solutions to support multiple GPU configurations, promising significant frame rate boosts at higher resolutions — the most sought-after features for any gamer. Despite their performance improvements, dual GPUs are now a relic of the past.
The key driver for their demise was their bad return on investment. Using two GPUs in unison didn’t double the performance, but it certainly cost twice as much as a single GPU. Additionally, game developers needed to go the extra mile and optimize their games for multiple GPUs. As support from both manufacturers and game developers dwindled, the gaming industry ditched dual GPU setups and pivoted to single GPU builds. Let’s revisit the once-popular dual GPUs and the reasons that led to their downfall despite the performance improvements.
NVIDIA’s SLI (Scalable Link Interface), which later became the NVLink, offered better dual GPU performance over the previous PCIe-based solutions. However, even that could not force dual GPUs into widespread adoption. Multi-GPU setups remained an enthusiast-only thing throughout their history, mostly due to their poor returns. GPUs have always been and are still an expensive component of any gaming PC. The most powerful graphics card on the market can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Stacking multiple of these can quickly drive up the overall cost of the PC. However, the performance gains came nowhere close to the massive increase in cost.
At best, a dual GPU setup could offer 50% more performance than a single GPU in some of the most optimized games. The performance gains went further down as you added more than two GPUs to a build. Additionally, stacking multiple power-hungry GPUs often required a powerful power supply, resulting in inflated electricity bills. Multiple GPUs also generate a significant amount of heat, requiring more effective cooling methods for your gaming PC, which further increases the overall cost of the build. The minor performance boost didn’t quite justify the outrageous cost of building a dual GPU PC.
Additionally, most modern GPUs , such as NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 or AMD’s 7900 XTX, can handle 4K gaming on their own, eliminating the need for an additional GPU.
The performance advantage largely depended on game developers
Even after spending a fortune on GPUs, your PC didn’t perform any better in games unless the developer specifically designed it to utilize the other GPUs. While many popular titles supported dual GPUs, a large chunk of titles chose to ignore the technology altogether. Out of the supported titles, finding a properly optimized game that effectively utilized the GPUs was a rare feat. Many poorly optimized games theoretically offered better frame rates but were notorious for microstutters. The constant microstutters led to inconsistent gameplay that felt worse than the single-GPU experience, despite the higher frame rate. Ask any gamer, and they would happily take a constant 30 FPS gameplay over 60 FPS with micro stutters.
The final nail in the coffin was NVIDIA’s decision to ditch NVlink in 2021 and pivot to AI features like DLSS. As manufacturer support thinned, the already unviable dual GPUs made even less sense for gamers.
The question of whether overclocking can damage your CPU is nothing new, having been a topic of debate for years among hardcore gamers, tech buffs, PC DIY builders, and content creators alike. To some, it is one way to speed up your computer’s processor without breaking the bank for costly upgrades. And that may be true: Overclocking your computer can increase its CPU’s processing power, forcing it to operate faster than it was originally designed to.
Even so, cranking up your processor can come at a cost — sometimes a high one. Overclocking means you’re pushing your CPU harder than the manufacturer intended, and more often than not, it’s your hardware that gets to feel the real effects. But some may argue that it all depends on how hard you push it.
The impact could be minimal for a mild overclock with effective cooling, in which case, we’re talking perhaps three years or less off your CPU’s lifespan. However, these numbers are anecdotal and may vary widely among different experts and different rigs. What everyone agrees on is that it’s only when you go overboard with the heat and voltage that the effects can be dire, and potentially take your CPU out of commission. Before you even think about safe overclocking, determine if your CPU can support overclocking in the first place, and consider the risks that come with it.
The moment your CPU starts pulling off double shifts, the first repercussion is heat, which gradually erodes the silicon in your computer and leads to premature wear and tear. It’s quite simple: More speed equals more heat, which you’ll notice even if you have one of the best CPU coolers out there. Mild overclocking with good cooling is fine, but anything else — like tuning up the voltage and failing to monitor temperatures — will result in unstable boots, random crashes, or having to detune your overclock to maintain operation.
You may also begin to notice inconsistent performance after overclocking your CPU. This could include programs not running as they should, freezing during heavy tasks like rendering and gaming, or even the system just crashing out of the blue. Your computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) may also be affected by the high voltage and heat, causing visual glitches such as odd patterns or lines on your screen, flickering, or even total graphics failure while rendering.
Overclocking doesn’t necessarily need to be risky — many people claim to have had cranked-up PCs for years without issue. It’s all about doing it carefully with a clear and tested approach, and figuring out how to deal with the heat.
Stock coolers definitely won’t cut it when your PC is consistently running hotter, so you’re going to have to go the extra mile of getting a more capable PC cooler for the extra heat. You could even go for a top-quality liquid cooling system or all-in-one cooler. If you’d like to push things even further, you could add active cooling for your VRMs, too. That’s not strictly a must-have, but would make sense as an enthusiast-level upgrade. In other words, if it helps your PC cool, it’s worth having.
Make sure you truly understand what your processor is capable of before you begin making any hardware changes. Even within the same model line, each chip is unique in its own right. The same applies to motherboards, some of which come with stronger power supply systems, heat sinks, beefy VRMs, and even support for overclocking at the BIOS level. Keep your expectations realistic, your system cool, and your changes gradual, and overclocking should be fine.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) is back for another year, and it’s about time I got to play with one.
One of my favorite laptops of last year has been updated for 2025, and these are my initial thoughts.
Alotof laptops have graced my desk in the last few years, and most quietly fade into obscurity as I move on to newer and more interesting machines. There have been a few machines that carved out a place in my brain, though, and the successor to one such laptop is finally here.
WhenI reviewed the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024), I boldly proclaimed it the “best 14-inchgaming laptopever,” and I stood by that.ASUShas now updated the Zephyrus G14 for 2025 with newAMDandNVIDIAhardware, and made an interesting decision along the way.
I’ve been waiting for months, and Ifinallyhave the brand-new ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) on my desk — but can it hold on to its crown? After all,I recently reviewed the redesigned Razer Blade 14 (2025), and I praised that laptop on almost every front.
Ahead of my full, in-depth review, here are my initial thoughts on the brand-new Zephyrus G14, one of my most anticipated laptops of the year.
The new Zephyrus G14 shares a lot with its predecessor, but now comes in two colors.
ASUS redesigned the Zephyrus G14 in 2024, and as I noted in my original review, the company prioritized a better balance between performance and portability. I wholeheartedly agreed with that decision.
In 2025, ASUS is unsurprisingly keeping to the same design, which I loved last year and still love 12 months later. However, ASUS has taken a unique two-pronged approach to the Zephyrus G14 this year.
There are actually two versions of the new Zephyrus G14, depending on what’s important to you.
ASUS updated the Zephyrus G14 with the latestAMD Ryzen AIandNVIDIA GeForceRTX 50-series hardware, which improves performance, efficiency, andAIsmarts in one fell swoop. In fact, the new Zephyrus G14 is a full-blownCopilot+ PCand benefits from all the latest and greatestAI PCfeatures.
That’s just for the higher-end configurations, though, which come with their own trade-off. There’s a second version of the Zephyrus G14, too, which rocks the same overall design, features, and 2.8K/120Hz OLED display… but it’s not quite the same laptop.
ASUS didn’t need to overhaul this design, and I’m glad it didn’t.
However, the new Zephyrus G14 is noticeably thicker… At least with most configurations.
You can see the new thermal hood design, which uses thicker fans for superior cooling versus last year.
If you want the true “2025” upgrade for the Zephyrus G14, you also have to accept a thicker laptop. ASUS adopted a similar thermal hood design asRazerwith the new Blade 14/16 laptops, but went the opposite direction — instead of making the Zephyrus G14 thinner, ASUS added support for more powerful (and therefore hotter) discrete GPUs.
Last year’s Zephyrus G14 was around 16mm in thickness, and the new 2025 model is around 2mm thicker in some places — but it can handle up to anNVIDIA GeForceRTX 5080 (which is a little crazy for a 14-inch laptop).
If you want the exact design as last year, you can still do that! The entry-level Zephyrus G14 isnota Copilot+ PC, though, relying on the uncommonAMDRyzen 9 270 and up to a GeForce RTX 5070 GPU. It’s absolutely less powerful and a little less future-proofed, but some will prefer the sleeker design.
It’s a unique approach, but now there’s a Zephyrus G14 for both sides.
A large box with a smaller box inside… This is pretty much identical to last year.(
The lack of plastic and annoyingly “artistic” packaging designs makes the Zephyrus G14 nice to open, though.
I love that you can get the Zephyrus G14 in the “Eclipse Grey” that was exclusive to the G16 last year.
It’s still a really good looking laptop, but I did immediately notice the added bulk.
Unboxing the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) is a nearly identical experience to last year, in that you’ll be greeted with your typical, large ROG box with a much smaller box inside of it (and a third box just for the proprietary 200W charger).
There’s still a distinct lack of plastic and few weird obstructions to getting to the laptop, though, so I’ve no complaints. I will note, however, that I immediately questioned if ASUS had made the Zephyrus G14 thicker — even after not handling last year’s version for around six months.
My instincts were correct, as the new Zephyrus G14 is noticeably chunkier to help cool the more intense GPU options. Whether ASUS made the right decision here will have to wait until my full review.
How does the Zephyrus G14 compare to the Razer Blade 14?
I can’t hold on to the Razer Blade 14, but I still got some comparisons.
Razer caught up with ASUS in thinness with the new Blade 14… just for ASUS to voluntarily add on a couple milimeters.
Both laptops still basically rock the same ports, just laid out slightly differently.
You can see the similarities between ASUS’ and Razer’s thermal solutions — but ASUS went big where Razer went slim.
WhenI discussed whether the average person should consider buying the ultra-premium Razer Blade 14 (2025), one of my most prominent counterpoints was the existence of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14.
After all, the Zephyrus G14 is a direct competitor for the Blade 14, but consistently undercuts Razer’s offering in pricing while only (at first glance) compromising on sheer build quality.
The ROG Zephyrus G14 still has the edge in pricing over the Blade 14, but I’ll need more time to decide if ASUS’ approach is superior.
Now that I’ve had some time with both 2025 iterations, how does the latest ROG Zephyrus G14 compare to the redesigned Blade 14? It’s mostly the same story, but with an interesting twist.
Razer caught up with ASUS in terms of slimness and weight with its latest Blade 14, and it’s an impressive (but much more expensive) laptop. On the other hand, ASUS made a thicker (but still lighter) laptop that now offers a higher performance ceiling.
I’ll admit that Razer’s build quality is still superior, but whether you prefer portability or power, the Zephyrus G14 still has the edge in pricing. I’ll need to spend a lot more time with the latest Zephyrus G14 to ascertain if it’s still a viable, more affordable alternative to Razer’s 14-inch flagship, though.
Should I buy the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)?
I already have a great feeling about the new Zephyrus G14.
On one hand, most of what I loved about 2024’s ROG Zephyrus G14 has carried over into this year’s version. On the other hand, you can interpret the lack of change as stagnation, and pair that with the uncertainty surrounding the shift in design principles.
After a few hours with the brand-new Zephyrus G14, I’m feeling very positive overall, but I also feel that slight apprehension around ASUS attempting to shove GPUs typically exclusive to 16/18-inch laptops into a 14-inch chassis. The new Zephyrus G14 is thicker and heavier, and whether that actually translates to better performance is a question dependent on my continued testing.
A full, in-depth review of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) will be coming in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, I have been loving what I’ve experienced so far. If you don’t mind the loss of AI features and would rather stick to what worked so well last year,the entry-level ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) is available for$1,799.99 at Best Buy.
I’m willing to take the bet on the thicker, smarter, and more powerful Zephyrus G14, though,with my review configuration running for$2,499.99 at Best Buyor$2,499.99 at ASUS. If you’re unsure, just wait for my complete thoughts in the coming weeks.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 arguably gets its biggest upgrades in years, with the changes making this flip-style phone even more versatile. Highlights include robust cameras features, helpful multimodal AI functionality, and support for Samsung DeX.
Pros
+Bigger Flex Window display
+Now supports Samsung DeX
+Price remains the same
+Multimodal AI thanks to Flex Mode
Cons
-Cameras are essentially unchanged
For years I’ve always tried to convince myself to pick Samsung’s Z Flip phones as one of my daily drivers, but they’ve always come up short. This time, however, that could change thanks to the huge upgrades that theGalaxy Z Flip 7is getting.
Samsung’s foldable flip phone receives a big makeover complete with larger inner and outer screens, more Galaxy AI features, bigger battery, and — for the first time ever in the series —Samsung DeXsupport. Everyone knows this is theone request I’ve been asking, so it took seven generations of the Flip for Samsung to finally add it.
What’s better is that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 remains at the same $1,099 starting price as last year’sGalaxy Z Flip 6, while also undercutting the $1,299Motorola Razr Ultra (2025), currently thebest foldable phoneyou can buy.
But Samsung’s not just introducing just one flip-style phone. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is joined by the cheaperGalaxy Z Flip 7 FE.
I honestly think that the Z Flip 7 is as close to perfect when it comes to flip-style phones. I’ve spent some hands-on time with Sammy’s new flip phones, and there’s a lot that could get you excited for this year’s batch.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on review: Price and availability
Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which sees a U.S. price hike, I’m really happy Samsung’s keeping the price of the Z Flip 7 at $1,099. At this price, I would argue that Samsung’s phone has a clear advantage over the pricier Razr Ultra (2025) — just as long as the new phone’s processing and battery performances don’t disappoint. The $1,099 price comes with 256GB of storage and it’s available in four colors (Blue Shadow, Coralred, Jetblack, and Mint).
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE has a lower $899 starting price, but it comes with 128GB of storage and your choice of either white or black. I’m not sure how I feel about this, especially given how the cheaper FE has a lot of similarities with last year’s Z Flip 6. Plus, it’s nowhere as competitively priced as theMotorola Razr (2025)at $699.
I was hoping for more of a price gap between the Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE because $200 just isn’t enough. Regardless, both phones are available for pre-order starting today (July 9) — with full availability starting on July 25.
Almost instantly I’m drawn to the larger 4.1-inch Flex Window on the outside of the Z Flip 7. It’s bigger for sure than the Z Flip 6’s 3.4-inch panel, but I like how the screen goes all the way to the edges this time around and wraps around the cameras — plus it helps that there’s an ever so tiny bezel around it. This size increase definitely makes it much more usable than before, which I’ll explain more when talking about the phone’s software.
Although it’s not as noticeable, the Z Flip 7 technically grows in size and is a smidge wider than the Z Flip 6. Another minuscule difference is how the corners are less rounded than before, but apart from these changes, the new model looks just like last year’s Flip.
Samsung says that its new Amor FlexHinge is much more durable, but it’s hard to say for sure if that’s true. Yes, I find its snapping action much more responsive than the hinge on the Z Flip 7 FE, but the crease where the main display folds in half is still noticeable.
One area where Samsung is doing a better job than anyone else is supplying the Z Flip 7 with a wealth of accessories, including newFlipSuit casesthat not only protect the phone, but also add custom wallpapers when they’re installed. Most of them are static wallpapers, but there’s one that I saw that’s dynamic and made it feel like I was playing a pinball machine with the Flex Window.
As for the Z Flip 7 FE’s design, it looks and feels a lot like the Z Flip 6 — down to the notch design with its Flex Window. It feels solidly constructed, but the hinge seems to be stiffer than what I’d like. On top of that, you only have black and white colors to choose from.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on review: Display
Just as before, the 4.1-inch Flex Window on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 can be customized to include a bunch of different widgets. However, it’s still annoying that this panel doesn’t run full apps natively like the cover display on the Razr line. This means you’ll still have to download the Good Lock app. It’s one inconvenience that’s worth pursuing because many apps in Android 16 are customized to fit better on different screens.
The Z Flip 7’s 6.9-inch inner display looks just as gorgeous as ever, complete with wide viewing angles, punch looking colors, and plenty of detail. At just the right angle, however, I can still make out the crease running through the phone, which isn’t terrible especially compared to notebook style foldables.
Due to the Z Flip 7’s narrower design than your standard slate, it does cause videos to have black bars to the left and right in landscape — which can expand to fill out the entire screen with a pinch gesture. So far, I have no complaints about the display, but I’m hoping it turns out to be brighter.
The Z Flip 7 FE essentially has the same display as the Z Flip 6, right down to the sizes. As noted above, the Flex Window still has the same notch cutout as before, but it still gets the same level of utility that lets me take selfies using the rear cameras. The 6.7-inch main display looks just as good as the one on the Z Flip 7, complete with the same saturated color tones and viewing angles.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on review: Cameras
On paper, it doesn’t look like Samsung has upgraded the cameras — so it appears to be the same 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide combination. Even if the sensors are unchanged, I’m optimistic that the performance will be improved thanks to Samsung’s updated ProVisual Engine and support for 10-bit HDR video. Likewise, Samsung claims optical-like quality with 2x zoom with the main camera.
The Z Flip 7 could be the ultimate camera phone for content creators thanks in large part to how I can lean on the Flex Window to shoot videos of myself with the superior rear cameras instead of the 10MP selfie cam on the main display. Camera enthusiasts will love the rich modes and manual controls this camera phone offers, including portrait video and pro video, that make it a lot more versatile when I can activate a preview with the Flex Window while using the main screen.
Among the new camera tricks included this year is Auto Zoom with the Flex Cam, which lets the camera automatically pick the best cameras to ensure everyone in the shot is in frame. I tested it out by placing the phone on a table with the Flex Cam pointing upward while I moved around. Not only did Auto Zoom track me, but it also will switch between the main and ultrawide cameras to fit everyone.
Curiously, the Z Flip 7 FE packs a similar 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide, along with a 10MP selfie camera. Functionally, it has the same useful features as the Z Flip 7, but obviously you’re working with a smaller outer screen — which isn’t a deal breaker.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on review: Performance
Ever since the first model, Samsung has leaned onQualcomm’s chips to power its Z Flip line. That changes this year because for the first time ever in the series, Samsung’s using its in-house Exynos chips instead. That means anExynos 2500and 2400 for the Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE, respectively.
I’m not sure how this could impact performance one either phone, but it’s something to pay attention to given the class-leading performance of the Snapdragon 8 Elite that won’t feature in the latest Flips. So far, though, the Flip 7 feels snappy running different tasks — but that could change once I actually use it.
I have the same sentiments about theExynos 2400 that’s powering the FE, which is actually made using a 4nm process instead of the 3nm one with the Exynos 2500.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on review: Battery life and charging
With its larger size, the Z Flip 7 gets a larger 4,300 mAh battery — up from the Z Flip 6’s 4,000 mAh power pack. Now, what’s going to be critical will be the power efficiency features offered by the Exynos 2500.
I’m confident that the larger capacity alone is enough to propel the new model’s battery life over last year’s Z Flip 6, but the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is going to need a lot to break past the Motorola Razr Ultra’s mark of 15 hours and 42 minutes in our battery benchmark test. The Z Flip 6 came in well under at 11 hours and 1 minute running the same test.
It doesn’t appear like Samsung has changed the charging speeds for the Z Flip 7, so it’s still stuck on the same 25W wired charging speed as before. Samsung hasn’t disclosed the wireless charging speed, but I suspect it’s the same 15W speed featured on the Z Flip 6.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on review: Software and AI
The biggest selling point with most flagships these days centers around the amount of AI features they come with — and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is no exception. For starters, the new model gains the same newGalaxy AI featuresthat were introduced by theGalaxy S25line earlier this year. They consist of theNow Brief,Now Bar,cross app actions, and my favorite, multimodal AI.
Fundamentally, I can run Gemini Live and let it access my Galaxy Z Flip 7 camera to see what I’m seeing and proceed to ask it questions. But since this is a flip-style phone, it’s a lot like having Samantha — the AI chatbot in the2013 film “Her”— that Joaquin Phoenix carries around in his shirt pocket to interact with the real world. I really dig this level of interaction with Gemini, especially when it can be helpful for a number of things.
I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time with the new One UI 8 interface that’s running on top of Android 16 on the Z Flip 7, but it carries a lot of the staple features that I’m used to seeing with Samsung’s phones. For example, it’s really big on multi-tasking with features like split screen.
More importantly, the Z Flip 7 is finally getting the one feature I’ve been asking for years — Samsung DeX. This opens up a whole new experience that the series has never seen before, so I’m eager to see what changes, if any, Samsung makes with this version.
In my even shorter time with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, the software appears mostly identical to the Flip 7. One UI 8 looks and feels identical, including new additions like the Now Brief, the same widgets for the Flew Window display, and the various Flex Modes to capture content with the cameras. The only thing it’s missing is Samsung DeX support.
More time is needed to get a good idea of how the software works, but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s shaping out to be a rich experience that caters to productivity, entertainment, and content creation.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on review: Outlook
Considering how there’s been stiff competition with foldable phones the last couple of years, it’s nice to see that Samsung has finally responded in a big way with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. By choosing to keep the new model’s price unchanged, while adding bigger upgrades that I feel are the most substantial to date, Samsung has a strong chance at convincing people to adopt a foldable.
I’m particularly stoked about Samsung DeX and its multimodal AI, but I’m still a little apprehensive about the chipset switch to Exynos silicon. Depending on how our testing goes, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 has the potential of pulling ahead of the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) — and I think it’s the better foldable against the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
As much as I’m happy for Samsung to bring to market a lower cost Flip, I’m really torn about where the FE model is supposed to fit in the lineup. Samsung certainly will have a harder time convincing people to choose the FE over the standard Flip 7, but it’s even more confusing that the new low-cost model doesn’t offer any additional incentives to differentiate it against the Flip 6.
Apple has just released the iOS 26 developer beta 3 update
This adjusts the Liquid Glass design to make it less transparent
It’s not the first time Apple has tweaked Liquid Glass in iOS 26
WhenAppleunveilediOS 26at itsWWDC 2025 eventin June, the thing on everyone’s lips was theLiquid Glass redesign. This has brought glassy effects to Apple’s operating systems and has divided opinion in a big way, but the latest iOS 26 beta looks to have dialed it back significantly – and I’m glad to see it.
Compared to previous betas, iOS 26 beta 3 has added a little more opacity to interface elements, reducing their transparency in the process. Toolbars and buttons are now a bit more solid, making it harder to see what lies beneath them.
That addresses one of the key criticisms of Liquid Glass so far: that it’s too difficult to read top-level elements when text or images are visible beneath them. By adding more opacity, Apple has gone some way to putting that right.
This is not the first time Apple has tweaked Liquid Glass. In iOS 26 beta 2, the companyreduced the translucencyof buttons and boxes in the Control Center, which were especially difficult to read in previous releases. There will no doubt be further adjustments before iOS 26 launches fully in the fall.
Liquid Glass in the Apple Music app. The updated version in iOS 26 beta 3 is on the right.
Liquid Glass in the Apple Books app. The updated version in iOS 26 beta 3 is on the right.
I’m a fan of Liquid Glass, but I prefer it inmacOS Tahoethan in iOS 26, simply because the larger screens you get on a Mac versus an iPhone mean there are fewer overlapping elements, That enables macOS to avoid some of the worst legibility issues that plague iOS 26.
Despite iOS 26 beta 3 making things a little more readable, not everyone is a fan of the change. For example, writing on X, Apple punditSam Kohlwrote that “iOS 26 beta 3 completely nerfs Liquid Glass,” adding that “it looks so much cheaper now and feels like Apple is backtracking on their original vision.”
With plenty of time until the full release of iOS 26, we can expect Apple to make more changes as the year progresses. Hopefully, that will give it time to get Liquid Glass right – or at least make it a little more legible.
The keyboard is one of the most important devices of your computer, allowing you to give commands for the different operations you want to perform. Most keyboards these days come with 104 alphanumeric keys as a de facto standard, one of which is the Fn key. While the function of most of the other keys, like the Esc and Print Scrn keys, is self-explanatory, the same can’t be said about the Fn key. It will be hard for someone who is new to the computer world to figure out what exactly the Fn key on the keyboard does.
Similar to Shift, Ctrl, and Alt on Windows and Command on Mac, the Fn is a modifier key, meaning it is used in combination with other keys to change their usual function. The Fn key is also known as the function key, and on Windows and most Mac keyboards, you’ll find it located in the bottom-left corner of your keyboard. However, on some large-size Mac keyboards that feature a numeric pad, you’ll find the Fn key in the middle, next to the Home and End keys. Also, on newer MacBooks and Apple keyboards, the Fn icon has been replaced by the Globe icon instead of the Fn key, but don’t worry, they both are the same thing.
Interestingly, the Fn key performs different functions on both Windows and Mac. If you are someone switching from Windows to Mac or vice versa, it might take some time to get used to the Fn key functionality on the OS you’re using. So, let’s check out how the Fn key behavior differs on Windows and Mac.
How does the Fn key behavior differ between Mac and Windows?
On both Windows and Mac, the Fn key is usually used in combination with the F keys. On Windows, when you press the Fn key along with the F1-F12 keys, your computer will perform the hardware functions that are usually embedded on these keys. For instance, you will find the volume up icon embedded on the F8 key, meaning pressing the Fn and F8 keys together will increase your system volume. However, if you press the F1-F12 keys alone, i.e., without the Fn key, then they’ll perform their standard functions. For instance, pressing the F5 key refreshes the webpage.
The Fn key functionality is completely opposite on Mac. You don’t need to press the F1-F12 keys along with the Fn key to perform the hardware functions. For instance, if you want to increase volume on a Mac, then you simply need to hit the F12 key, not Fn+F12. However, there are certain apps that have their own separate function associated with the F1-F12 keys. To ensure you don’t end up using the hardware function of the F1-F12 keys when you actually want to use their functions for a particular app, you need to follow these steps:
Open System Settings and choose Keyboard.
Click Keyboard Shortcuts and then Function Keys.
Enable the “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” toggle.
Now, using the F1-F12 keys alone will perform the function that these keys have associated with the app you’re using. If you want to use the hardware function of these keys, you will have to use them along with the Fn key. That means you’ll now have to press Fn+F12 to increase the volume.
How to change what action does the Fn key perform when used independently?
Although the Fn key is a modifier key, meaning it is usually used in combination with other keys on your keyboard, you can also use it separately to perform a certain function. However, this option is only available for Mac users. On Windows, you can’t use the Fn key separately to perform any action. That said, to customize the Fn key behavior settings on Mac, follow these steps:
Open System Settings on your Mac and choose Keyboard from the left sidebar.
Click the drop-down icon next to the Press Fn key to option and select the action you want the Fn key to perform when pressed separately.
You can choose between changing the input source, showing emojis & symbols, or starting the dictation. Similar to Windows, if you don’t want the Fn key to perform any action when used independently, you can choose the Do Nothing option from the drop-down menu.
The new Zephyrus G14 shares a lot with its predecessor, but now comes in two colors.
However, the new Zephyrus G14 is noticeably thicker… At least with most configurations.
