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The practice of “overclocking,” specifically in regards to PC components, means to deliberately push a component past its manufacturer-established limits to generate improved performance. In layman’s terms, if a particular component is performing at 100% of its capacity, to overclock it would be to push it above that into 110% or even 115% of its capacity. The PC components typically subjected to overclocking are the RAM, CPU, and GPU.
Overclocking your RAM can speed up your PC, and overclocking your CPU can improve your general performance. Meanwhile, overclocking your GPU can increase your PC’s graphical processing capabilities, improving the overall speed and quality at which your PC renders complicated imagery. For example, an overclocked GPU could be helpful for running strenuous video games, as it would increase your framerate and cut down on processing lag.
However, you can’t push something beyond its established limits without incurring some manner of penalty. Overclocking a GPU in short bursts can give you temporary performance improvements, but if you leave your GPU in that state long-term, the increased heat and power load will cause it to wear out much faster than usual. Additionally, your PC may not be able to keep up with the increased performance, not unlike placing a massive engine into a tiny car.
Overclocking a GPU increases power draw for slight performance improvements
The way overclocking works, physically speaking, is by increasing the processing cycles on a GPU, facilitated through an increased electrical consumption. Let’s say your GPU usually performs 50 processing cycles in one second, but you increase that number to 100 in a second. It’d be like if your brain were suddenly capable of processing information at twice the speed it already does. Naturally, you’d be able to figure things out much faster than you could.
Granted, rather than fully doubling the potential, overclocking a GPU will usually only get you performance improvements of around 5-10%, but it’s still a tangible boost. By overclocking a GPU, you increase the speed and precision at which the component does its job, generating visual data. If your PC struggles to render a demanding video or game, overclocking may give it the extra muscle necessary to pull itself over the proverbial finish line.
When it’s in an overclocked state, your GPU will be able to render high-fidelity graphics on a game with higher consistent framerates and less lag, or more quickly render footage from a video editing program. You can’t overclock a GPU from your PC’s default interface, but there are many programs and utilities available like MSI Afterburner that can quickly facilitate it. Keep in mind that this does require some technical knowledge and shouldn’t be performed carelessly, lest you mess up something important.
Over-relying on overclocking can wear your GPU out faster
The idea of pushing one of your PC’s components beyond its established boundaries naturally sounds a little intimidating, and certainly, it’s not a process you should undertake half-heartedly. The good news is that overclocking your GPU will not result in any kind of sudden, catastrophic failure like your PC bursting into flames. However, there are still risks. In order to facilitate the overclocking process, you need to increase your GPU’s power draw. All that extra processing requires more juice, after all.
The problem is that a GPU is only built to safely endure so much electrical influx. If you push that power draw beyond its limits, the greater electrical consumption will cause the GPU to generate noticeably more heat. Heat is the mortal enemy of safe PC operation, with high temperatures causing your components to wear out quickly. Your GPU won’t explode, but expect its overall lifespan to be diminished. It’s also worth noting that your GPU is supposed to work in concert with the rest of your PC’s components.
If you kick it into overdrive, the rest of your PC might not be able to keep up with the GPU’s newly souped-up state. This can lead to unstable performance and glitches, including freezing, crashing, or even data corruption. If you’re really set on overclocking your GPU, the best practice is to keep it to short, controlled bursts when you really need that extra power, such as overclocking a gaming PC for competitive play. If you overclock your GPU and leave it that way long-term, your PC will run itself ragged just trying to perform its usual duties.
Price:$299 / £299 / AU$549 Screen size:21.5 inches Dimensions:21.4 x 13.2 x 1.5in / 54 cm x 34 cm x 3.8 cm Resolution:1080p resolution Connectivity: Matter, Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, Bluetooth Voice assistant:Alexa Camera:13MP Weight:10.7lbs / 4.9kg
Pros
M4 chip delivers top-notch performance
Design is still the best
All-day battery life
Lower price
Cons
– Apple Intelligence is still a mixed bag
If you want yourAlexa smart speakerto do more for you than tell the time and play some tunes, you’ll want to invest in a largersmart displaylike the Echo Show 15 or 21; but which is better?
Amazonannounced the devices just ahead of the official announcement ofAlexa+, Amazon’s new AI upgrade to its ever-popular voice assistant, positioning these larger Echo Show screens as the favored interfaces for its new, agentic AI, so there’s more reasons than ever before to consider a smart display-cum-speaker-cum-TV; deciding which is your only barrier. So, here’s how the two models line up.
TheAmazon EchoShow 15 costs $299 / £299, while the Echo Show 21 is $100 / £100 more expensive, and both are available directly from Amazon.
Both are wall mountable, but if you want a desktop or counter stand you’re looking at $100 / £100 on top of that for the official stand. There are a wide range of compatible VESA mounts available online, however, and our top tip is to find a rotating mount, as both of these screens can be installed in portrait or landscape orientation.
It’s also worth considering the price of Alexa+. By itself, the AI subscription service will be $19.99 as it rolls out in the US, or it’s free as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Global pricing and release plans are to be determined.
Overall, it’s slim pickings between the two screens, with the $100 / £100 difference mostly accounting for screen size. I’d argue the Show 15 is slightly better value as, for less, you get pretty similar specs across the board otherwise.
Modeled after a simple picture frame, the Echo Show 15 and 21 screens are laid on a white mat surrounded by a black frame. Along the top here are its speakers, volume controls as well as two pinhole microphones. There are manual privacy features, too; a microphone mute button that glows red when activated and a privacy shutter that covers the 13MP camera.
You’ll also have to factor in the 1.5m power cable when considering placement, which needs to be inserted into a recess on the back of the display and could limit your options when it comes to positioning your Echo Show. Also included is the Alexa voice remote, which is a neat addition, albeit one that falls a little flat owing to the fact that it can’t be used for skills and services outside of the Fire TV interface.
There’s minimal difference other than size, really, but that can be a big deciding factor. It all comes down to what you want from your smart display; if you want a visuals-first entertainment center, go for the Echo Show 21, whereas if you want a household planner heads-up display in family rooms, go for the Echo Show 15. I’d also say if you’re not planning on wall-mounting your new Echo Show, definitely opt for the 15. The 21-inch version does attach to VESA mount stands, but it takes up an awful lot of space and lacks grace, aesthetically speaking, when stand-mounted.
Winner:Echo Show 15 for its versatility, Echo Show 21 for wall-mounting
Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 21: Performance and display
Both the Echo Show 15 and 21 offer crisp images with a highly reflective 1920 x 1,080 display. The viewing angle for these screens isn’t the best, which is a misstep for devices designed to be glanced at from various places in a room, but provided you don’t place it directly in a sunbeam, you should get by just fine.
Compared to the original Echo Show 15, the audio is much improved, offering surprisingly punchy sound from the two 2-inch woofers and 0.6-inch tweeters. Still, if you’re particular about image and sound quality, it’s an idea to hook up better speakers, as I found the speakers to be modest at best.
The new, auto-framing, 3.3x zoom 13MP camera is a notable improvement for better Alexa Drop-Ins, and that’s paired with the on-board proximity sensor on board, which not only helps to control the screen’s brightness, turning it on when someone approaches the device, but also it’s content. Using facial or voice-recognition, the Echo Show will display content relevant to me – say, a TV show I’m mid-way through watching, but when my partner approaches the screen, it might show him his favorite artist.
In recent years, Amazon has added widgets to its smart displays, allowing you to more easily organise your life with shopping lists and calendars to daily reminders You can also customize the kinds of information you see day-to-day, like local weather reports or smart home favorites to control your home. Worth highlighting is that Alexa+ has its own distinctive UI from what we’ve seen, which only adds to this customizability.
Support is provided for Matter and Thread, which means you can use the Echo Show 15 and 21 as a Zigbee Hub, and setup is just as easy as the rest of Amazon’s Echo range.
The only thing that distinguishes these two models in the performance department, really, is that the pixel density is slightly lower on the Echo Show 21 owing to its larger size; it’s not visible to the untrained eye, though, so I’d call this particular battle a draw.
Winner:Tie
Which one should you buy?
Technically speaking, the Echo Show 15 wins this one due to its versatility and lower price point, but with these two devices being near-identical it’s a pretty close match. Ultimately, it’s as much about what you’ll want to use the devices for; if you want to watch TV and movies and have a nice big screen to display your important updates, the Echo Show 21 is the way to go. For more of a countertop solution with a more lightweight frame, it’s the Echo Show 15.
Of course, all of this could well change once we’ve had some proper hands-on time with Alexa+, depending on how that interface renders; my guess would be, however, that the new AI-bolstered voice assistant won’t be changing the game that drastically.
It seems likeGoogleLabsis launching anew AI toolnearly every week, and this week is no different. Google just launchedDoppl, a free experimental app (currently U.S. only) that takes shopping to the next level by letting users see virtually how the clothes will fit.
Gone are the days of browsing static model images, that may or may not resemble your own body. Now you upload a full-body photo and see how clothes fit on you and — get this — even move, on you. And it’s all powered by AI.
Shopping online and see something you like? Just open the app and follow these steps:
Upload or snap: Choose a photo of yourself. A full body shot is recommended. Then, pick out an outfit fromInstagram, a website, or even an online thrift store catalog, and Doppl overlays the garment onto an animated version of you.
Motion simulation: What makes Doppl different is that, instead of a flat image of you “wearing” the outfit, the app creates a short AI-generated video that shows how the clothes might drape and move as you walk or turn
Save and share: Still deciding if you want to buy? Save your favorite virtual looks or send the AI-generated clips to friends via social media
Google already offers a “Try On” feature in AI Mode Search, but that shows clothing on a static image of yourself and only works within the browser.
Doppl gives users a more realistic preview because you get both the visual accuracy and the added realism of clothing movement—making it feel more like an in-store fit.
Doppl is better than guessing as animated previews help users assess fit, style and flow before buying. Designed for today’s shopper who loves sharing on social media and discovering thrift finds, there’s now no need for users to track brand listings.
Plus, it’s fun and free to use. Now available in the U.S. on iOS or Android, no subscription is required.
How to try it
DownloadDopplfrom the U.S. App Store or Google Play. Upload a full-body photo or use the built-in AI model. Upload outfit images from your gallery or screenshots. Preview the animated look—and save or share your favorites.
Remember, as with any experimental AI app, it’s not perfect. Google warns that fit and visual details might not always be accurate.
Google has mentioned that it intends to expand it internationally, and future updates will likely include more fashion categories, better movement fidelity and refined image-processing algorithms.
Ironing out some wrinkles
Doppl is still in experimental mode, so don’t be surprised if things don’t run smoothly. Some examples of problems I ran into included lagging, glitching or not completing the request at all.
New users may encounter bugs; even uploading a photo of yourself can sometimes trigger an error message.
To improve your experience, try uploading multiple full-body images to give the app more to work with. It also helps to have a few screenshots of outfits ready when you start, so you can jump right into trying things on without delays.
What about privacy?
To power its virtual try-on features, Doppl uses your photos, which may raise eyebrows for some users.
According to Google, the app collects and uses this data to improve its services while applying privacy safeguards to protect user information.
While Google says your data is handled responsibly, it’s worth noting thatany app requiring photo uploadsshould be approached with awareness, especially when personal images are involved.
The takeaway
If you’ve ever wanted to see how a thrifted jacket or an influencer’s outfit might look on you, Doppl’s AI-powered videos offer a surprisingly realistic solution.
It’s a smarter, more personal spin on Google’s Search ‘Try On’ feature — and all you need is your smartphone and perhaps a sense of humor, because it might not always look perfect.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a must-have gamepad for the new console. Much like the original, it provides an astronomically more comfortable gaming experience than the pack-in Joy-Con 2 controllers, and rivals some of the best in the business when it comes to overall feel, build quality, performance, and – of course – battery life, which continues to be best-in-class for any console.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: one-minute review
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller launched alongside the console itself, and I’ve been using it as my go-toSwitch 2gamepad since launch day. While I was already impressed with it at a Switch 2 hands-on preview event a few months back, actually having it at home has solidified it as perhaps my favorite controller of the year.
The mission statement is a simple one: provide an updated version of the excellent Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – easily one of thebest Nintendo Switch controllersfor that original console – while keeping the things players loved about that original model intact. I feel this has mostly been achieved with the Switch 2 Pro Controller.
It’s incredibly comfortable in the hands, sporting simply lovely build quality from chassis to buttons. The thumbsticks are ultra-smooth and responsive, and additions like two remappable buttons on the rear, as well as a headphone jack, are extremely welcome.
Furthermore, theoriginal Pro Controlleris remembered fondly for its frankly absurd battery life, lasting around 40 hours on a single charge. I’m happy to report that’s also the case with the Switch 2 Pro Controller; after three weeks of testing for a few hours most days, I’ve only just seen the low battery warning flash up on my screen.
So what’s holding it back from truly being the greatest of all time? Well, unlike the original Pro Controller, this new model isn’t currently compatible with PC. It’s likely we’ll need to wait for a Steam compatibility update, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this happens in the near future. I also would’ve loved a trigger lock feature, allowing players to switch between digital and analog sensitivities to suit a wider range of genres (analog triggers naturally work better for racing games, for example).
Lastly, Nintendo seemingly remains committed to not having Hall effect thumbsticks, which is a massive shame. What this means is that, eventually, I expect the Switch 2 Pro Controller to develop stick drift. Perhaps not as quickly as the Joy-Con 2 – of which there are already reports of users experiencing drift – but for a controller that costs as much as it does, the lack of sturdier Hall effect thumbsticks hurts. Doubly so, considering the sticks themselves feel fantastic during play.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: price and availability
$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95
Cheaper on average than a set of Joy-Con 2 ($94.99 / £74.99 / AU$139.95)
A price increase in the US bumped it up from the originally planned $79.99
If there’s one potential criticism I can levy at the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it’s that it certainly isn’t cheap.
It’s available to purchase now from Nintendo’s own website as well as stocking retailers for $84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95. US folks have it slightly worse here due to a price increase that’s seen the controller’s RRP pushed up from the original $79.99.
Overall, though, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is cheaper in the US than a pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers ($94.99), while being priced the same as those in the UK (£74.99).
That said, cheaper alternatives do exist in controllers like the8BitDo Ultimate 2($69.99 / £59.99 – around AU$90). This is an exceptional controller that’s well worth looking into, especially as it’s recently received a firmware update to allow for Switch 2 connectivity.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: design and features
Pleasing light gray-on-black aesthetic design
Adds GameChat and GL/GR buttons, as well as a headphone jack
Otherwise, very similar to the original Pro Controller
Put the Switch 2 Pro Controller side by side with the original model, and you’ll notice a lot of similarities. Its large face buttons are about the same size here, the d-pad is very similar, and the controller still uses digital triggers. I think an option for quicker triggers would’ve been nice here, via trigger locks, for genres like racing games. But there are some other upgrades here that I’m very happy about.
The Switch 2 Pro Controller adds some very welcome features. There’s a dedicated GameChat button like we see on the Joy-Con 2 for accessing the console’s bespoke voice chat system. Additionally, you’re getting a 3.5mm headphone jack, which – alarmingly – wasn’t present on the original Pro Controller. Lastly, a pair of GL/GR buttons on the rear of the pad can be remapped on a per-game basis, though I’ll touch more on those in the following performance section.
In terms of looks, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is simple, but pretty eye-catching. The semi-translucent look of the original has been replaced with a matte black shell. Meanwhile, the top that houses the bumpers and triggers – as well as the thumbstick shafts – have taken on a light gray coating that I think looks nice juxtaposed against the otherwise all-black gamepad. I wouldn’t say it’s winning any awards in the aesthetics department, but it’s a simple and elegant design that doesn’t look out of place.
Otherwise, there isn’t much to report on the design front beyond the fact that this is an incredibly comfortable asymmetrical controller that sits firmly in the hands. I find that the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s grips are of a perfect size, and the pad fits snugly in my hands with my index fingers set firmly on the triggers. I felt this way about the original Pro Controller, too, but its successor does feel ever so slightly more refined in this regard.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: Performance
Thumbsticks feel excellent during gameplay
A frankly absurd amount of battery life
GL/GR buttons are actually a godsend
Right away, let’s talk about the thing that most people fondly remember the original Pro Controller for – its seemingly endless battery life. While there have been no noticeable improvements here with the Switch 2 Pro Controller, I can’t exactly say that’s a bad thing.
Yep, you can expect this new model to go the distance with around 40-45 hours of battery life. Since launch, on average, I’ve played my Switch 2 with the Pro Controller for around 1-3 hours daily.
Three weeks later, I have only just seen the low battery warning flash up on my screen. This is absolutely best-in-class battery life that leaves even the best Nintendo Switch controllers in the dust. It is worth noting that such a hefty battery does take some time to charge up again – around 3-4 hours to be exact – but do this overnight via USB-C and you’ll never need to worry about running out of juice.
Otherwise, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is just a joy to play games with. The thumbsticks are the real heroes here, feeling almost impossibly smooth and incredibly responsive during play.
This makes precise platformers likeSuperMario3D World + Bowser’s Furyor white knuckle racers likeF-Zero GXfeel fantastic to play (even if the latter still benefits more from the wireless GameCube controller’s button layout).
My one gripe here would be that the thumbsticks are not Hall effect, with Nintendo seemingly opting once again for more traditional potentiometers. It’s a frustrating commitment that we also see fromSonyandMicrosoftin their first-party pads, and as a result, it’s currently hard to gauge just how long the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s sticks will last before developing drift. That said, the thumbsticks here do feel decidedly sturdier than those on the Joy-Con 2, so I do expect them to last a good deal longer.
However, I think my favorite addition to the Switch 2 Pro Controller has to be the rear GL/GR buttons. We’ve seen remappable buttons like these on countless third-party controllers, but I really like how Nintendo has implemented them. By holding down the Home button while in-game, you’ll bring up a quick menu that lets you assign GL and GR as secondary inputs.
This works on a per-game basis, too, meaning you don’t need to constantly reassign them while you’re hopping from game to game. They can be an absolute lifesaver, too. InThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,for example, I bound the sprint and jump actions to these buttons, letting me still have access to camera controls.
Similarly, inHyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition,binding the left and right d-pad inputs to GL/GR let me cycle through my inventory of items without having to stop moving or adopt an awkward claw grip instead.
Otherwise, you can expect a controller that performs just as well as the original where it counts. Gyro aiming is still incredibly solid and accurate for games likeSplatoon 3,and you still have near-field communication (NFC) support for scanning amiibo figures in your favorite games.
Should I buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller?
Buy it if…
You want a cheaper (and better) Joy-Con 2 alternative Sure, you’re not getting the Joy-Con 2’s fancy directional rumble or their aptitude for co-op play. But given the lower US price point, higher comfort factor, and sublime thumbsticks and GL/GR buttons, the Pro Controller wins out for me.
You prefer wireless play You’re absolutely laughing here, as the Switch 2 Pro Controller seriously goes the distance in terms of battery life, putting in an impressive 40+ hours on an average full charge.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a budget While I wholeheartedly recommend the Switch 2 Pro Controller at its price point, I can’t say it’s exactly cheap. There are more affordable options around $10-$20 cheaper that do a similar job, such as the excellent 8BitDo Ultimate 2, or indeed the original Pro Controller.
You’ve had bad luck with stick drift Without drift-resistant Hall effect sticks, I can’t say for sure just how long the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s thumbsticks will last before developing drift. If you’ve fallen foul of stick drift in the past, you may want to consider some alternatives.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: Also consider
If the Switch 2 Pro Controller isn’t exactly what you’re after, there are a couple of great alternatives for you to consider.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is being re-released in three limited colors and, at the same time, is getting a brand-new camera grip that differs from the older Photography Kit in both design and functionality.
Xiaomi has developed a brand new camera handle for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. (Image source: Xiaomi)
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is getting three limited editions in purple, aquamarine and brown. The flagship was previously only available in white, black and silver. Xiaomi retains the two-part design of the back from the silver variant – one strip is made of silver metal, while the area underneath has a colorful leather cover.
This division gives the smartphone a look vaguely reminiscent of rangefinder cameras of yesteryear. Probably not a coincidence, given that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is primarily aimed at photography enthusiasts. Even more exciting is that Xiaomi has also unveiled a new Photography Kit, which is also available in the three aforementioned colors. This “fashion photography kit” features a much more rounded camera grip, making it appear “softer” and less prominent than the older Photography Kit.
The range of functions has been reduced somewhat – the new camera grip only has a dedicated shutter button that also recognizes when it is half-pressed in order to, for example, lock the autofocus and autoexposure. There is also a button for starting a video recording. Weighing 42 grams, the new grip is also lighter, but likely lacks an integrated battery. Further details on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra can be found in ourdetailed review.
Price and Availability
Xiaomi has not yet confirmed when or at what price the new versions of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra or the new Photography Kit will be launched.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL in a Mous case (left), Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in a Mous case (right), OnePlus 13 (top)
There’s no denying that theiPhone 16 Procounts among thebest camera phonesin 2025, but if you’re not interested in usingApple’s wares, the Android side of the fence has a far more varied and versatile range of alternatives to consider.
Three of the best and brightest right now come from Google, OnePlus, andSamsung, whose 2025 flagships all boast top-tier performance and the latest AI smarts, while also touting some of the finest photographic abilities in the mobile space.
ThePixel 9 Prosports the series’ most advanced imaging hardware, backed by the brand’s ever-impressive AI-enabled post-processing magic. TheOnePlus 13once again features a camera system tuned by famed photography brand Hasselblad, and theGalaxy S25 Ultraoffers a variety of large sensors with Samsung’s richest image and video toolset to date.
Each of the scenarios tested in this comparison will include a category winner, but while one phone might demonstrate technical superiority over its rivals, ultimately, the best phone here depends on which you think took the best photos overall.
Some phones favor accuracy, while others deliver more stylized and striking shots, which might be more to your taste. Read on to see how these three camera kings compare.
Note:Unless otherwise specified, comparison shots in galleries are presented in the following order: Pixel, OnePlus, Galaxy.
Pro controls, 10-bit HDR video, Magic Editor, Best Take, Add Me, Photo Unblur, Motion Mode, Real Tone, Night Sight, Astrophotography, Top Shot, Live HDR+, Video Boost
ProVisual Engine, Reflection removal, Generative fill, Astrophotography, Pro Mode, Pro VideoMode, Dual Recording, Nightography, Instant Slow-mo, Photo Assist, Super HDR, Super Steady video
Let’s start with the camera you’re likely to use the majority of the time: the main sensor. Below are shots taken without edits, as if you’d just opened the camera app, lined up your subject, and hit the shutter.
As a result, we can compare just how each phone’s camera has been tuned to handle everything from white balance and color reproduction to dynamic range and detail.
This brightly backlit statue poses a good challenge for the average camera phone; not just because of the high contrast scene, but as a result of the muted tones of the stonework, which juxtapose the vibrant blue sky and bright clouds behind.
The Pixel produced the most technically impressive shot, with itsHDRalgorithm ensuring detail was retained even in the darkest areas of the scene. Lots of color information was retained, too, with accurate blues and reds in the sky and flag, as well as reflecting off the front of the statue itself.
One criticism would be that, perhaps, the HDR processing is too heavy-handed, resulting in a flatter and less dynamic image.
As for the OnePlus 13, what’s assumed to be a slightly more limited dynamic range, paired with heavier-handed processing, results in a more dramatic shot, with a darker overall appearance and more pronounced shadows.
While the stopped-down (i.e. decreased aperture) scene delivers richer detail in the bright cloud compared to the Pixel, the result is otherwise underexposed, while color depth appears lacking when comparing the RA poster in the right of frame.
Lastly, we have the S25 Ultra’s take: a Goldilocks result, which delivers better processing than the OnePlus but retains more shadows than the Pixel, resulting in a more dynamic image.
While exposure and colors look natural, as we’ve seen before, the large blocks of color – like the sky – highlight issues with image depth, showing obvious colour banding, not present in the Pixel’s images. Nonetheless, the Ultra produces the most appealing shot of the three here.
Winner:Galaxy S25 Ultra
Corner windows
Each phone’s 2x zoom crops in on the main sensor, paired with some post-capture clean-up to produce a final image.
As discovered in ouriPhone 16 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra camera comparison, Pixel shots have a tendency to skew towards magenta hues, while the S25 Ultra’s sport a more true-to-life – but still distinct – green/yellow tint, and that’s apparent here.
The OnePlus’ shot here looks closer to the S25 than the Pixel, but arrives at a distinctly different conclusion with regards to exposure and contrast. It’s more dramatic and interesting, but lacks finesse, especially in the finer details.
Detail capture goes to the Pixel for presenting a more natural-looking image, while the Ultra serves up sharper detail at the expense of looking over-processed.
Winner:Pixel 9 Pro
Chelsea Flower Show
This naturally lit close-up shot of a table arrangement at the Chelsea Flower Show tests for things like color science, depth of field, and lens distortion.
Aside from the fact that I didn’t realize until after the fact that the Pixel focused on the background instead of the foreground, like the other two phones, it performed admirably.
Contrary to expectations, the Pixel stopped down compared to both the OnePlus and Galaxy, resulting in accurate colors but slight underexposure versus the reality of the scene. Dynamic range, too, appears lacking compared to other Pixel shots, suggesting a degree of inconsistency not seen from the other phones’ main sensors.
The OnePlus 13 delivered a brighter and well-colored image, with a natural depth of field. However, the quality of the bokeh (background blur) just wasn’t as well handled as on the Samsung.
The result from the S25 Ultra was otherwise very similar to the OnePlus, although the brand’s penchant for punchy hue robs the shot of authentic color, with the magentas in particular pushing towards fluorescent.
Winner:OnePlus 13
Macro
All three phones possess a dedicated macro shooting mode, which uses their respective ultra-wide sensors to allow you to get as close as 2 (in the case of the OnePlus 13) to 3cm (the Pixel and Galaxy) away from a subject in order to capture minute close-up details.
Below, we’re comparing macro shots of an orange rose, captured using both the dedicated macro mode on each phone and their main sensors.
Ultra-wide
Although accurately colored, the Pixel’s post-processing removed much of the high-contrast information from the image, stripping out specular highlights, resulting in a very flat image.
By contrast, the OnePlus 13 actually did the best job of retaining color information and managing dynamic range, detail, and depth of field.
The S25 Ultra’s result looks pleasing at first blush, save for the fact that it completely miscolored the subject. Its penchant for heavier post-processing results in the sharpest final image, but this comes at the expense of more artifacting and distortion towards the edge of the frame.
Winner:OnePlus 13
Main sensor
It’s a similar story when using these phones’ main sensors; however, the Galaxy S25 Ultra does a much better job of correctly coloring the image. It’s almost as if the algorithm Samsung is using assumes that, as most photos of roses are red, the one in this image should be colored as such, but that’s just speculation on my part.
Nonetheless, the Pixel’s result is still too flat, while the OnePlus delivers the most dynamic and appealing shot overall.
Winner:OnePlus 13
Zoom
If you’re familiar with the last few generations of Samsung’s Ultra series, you’ll know that they come equipped with the most competent optical hardware for telephoto photography.
The S25 Ultra boasts both a 3x and 5x optical telephoto snapper, along with a 100x ceiling, which, although not necessarily usable at full extension, allows for effective long-range capture at magnification below this threshold, all the way down to 10x.
Such powerful photographic hardware doesn’t automatically grant the Galaxy the win, however.
Pixel 9 Pro at 0.5x zoom
Pixel 9 Pro at 1x zoom
Pixel 9 Pro at 2x zoom
Pixel 9 Pro at 5x zoom
Pixel 9 Pro at 10x zoom
Pixel 9 Pro at 30x zoom
The Pixel comes with the most limited focal range of all three phones, topping out at 30x magnification. 30x shots are pretty soft but remain usable, which can’t be said for the peak of its rivals’ respective zoom ranges.
At every focal length before its maximum, the Pixel 9 Pro’s zoom impresses. Even at 10x, you’re getting crisp details, authentic colors, and great dynamic range.
OnePlus 13 at 0.6x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 1x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 2x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 3x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 6x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 10x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 20x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 30x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 60x zoom
OnePlus 13 at 120x zoom
There’s minimal color distortion and impressive management of white balance, exposure, and dynamic range throughout the OnePlus’ zoom.
However, over-processing – especially past 10x magnification – leads to excessive edge detection and erroneous contrast management. The fact that shots at the phone’s maximum 120x zoom range are still usable impresses, though.
Galaxy S25 Ultra at 0.5x zoom
Galaxy S25 Ultra at 1x zoom
Galaxy S25 Ultra at 2x zoom
Galaxy S25 Ultra at 3x zoom
Galaxy S25 Ultra at 5x zoom
Galaxy S25 Ultra at 10x zoom
Galaxy S25 Ultra at 30x zoom
Galaxy S25 Ultra at 100x zoom
Besides its punchier color science, the zoom shots out of the S25 Ultra deliver everything that the Pixel does but across a wider array of focal lengths.
Sure, it’s 100x maximum isn’t readily usable, but Samsung’s post-processing here is more elegant than OnePlus’, meaning it takes the crown.
Winner:Galaxy S25 Ultra
Low light
Modern phones use all sorts of tricks to capture decent images when there’s minimal light available, from longer exposure times to bracketing and compositing.
These three use all these tricks and more to capture worthwhile images in low light. And for reference, the first image below is a representation of how dark it actually was when capturing these images, so you know just how much work each phone has done to produce its resultant shot.
A reference shot for the real-world lighting conditions in this scene
Standard Photo Mode
Imagine you opened your phone’s camera, didn’t switch to Night mode, and just snapped a shot. That’s what this first sample emulates.
The Pixel captured decent detail and color corrected as close as possible to the colors you’d see if these potted plants had been shot in daylight. The OnePlus, meanwhile, nailed the white balance but lacks the same degree of detail retention.
As for the S25 Ultra, heavier processing presents seemingly sharper imagery, even if that results in a slightly more synthetic overall appearance. As for color correction, it presents a similar result to the Pixel, but with increased saturation, resulting in a loss of color accuracy towards the edge of the frame.
Winner:Pixel 9 Pro
Night Mode
You’ll get better Night Mode shots depending on how still you hold each phone, as they can detect hand-shake and shorten exposure time to compensate.
Night Mode images taken in the hand last three seconds in the case of the Pixel and OnePlus, and eight for the Samsung.
However, set these phones down on a flat surface or use a tripod (and in the case of the OnePlus, actively enable Tripod Mode too), and those shutter times jump to 10 and 25 seconds – in the case of the latter two phones, at least. The Pixel seemingly didn’t feel the need to use a longer exposure, making its result all the more impressive.
The main difference between the Pixel’s own standard and Night Mode shots is even more accurate colors and significantly improved fine detail, while the phone also keeps noise and grain in check. And it’s much the same story with the OnePlus 13.
Activating Night mode on the S25 Ultra delivers the most meaningful improvement against its base Photo Mode result, with greater detail capture and more accurate colors. That said, against its rivals, it still lacked the same degree of fidelity overall.
The OnePlus renders a scene with more detail across the entirety of the frame, but the Pixel’s result is in a league of its own.
Winner:Pixel 9 Pro
Astrophotography Mode
Pixel 9 Pro
Galaxy S25 Ultra
If you lock the Pixel and Galaxy down in a tripod, you also gain access to an Astrophotography Mode, designed to let you capture the night sky. This is something the OnePlus 13 lacks entirely.
In the case of the Pixel, the shutter icon in Night Mode changes to show that the option is available. Tapping it results in a protracted capture time of approximately 4 minutes.
The process of taking astrophotography shots on the S25 Ultra is a little less elegant, if only because it isn’t a feature within the phone’s native camera app. Instead, you have to download Samsung’s separate Expert RAW camera app, wherein you’ll find the Astrophotography Mode, with the option to capture short (three-minute), medium (six-minute), and long (12-minute) exposures.
Whilst novel, neither result here is particularly mind-blowing (although I have seen Astrophotography Mode on both phones lead to some impressive results in other scenarios). The Pixel leads on sharpness, while the S25 Ultra’s image is considerably brighter and more vivid, but also much, much softer.
Winner:Tie
Video
Shooting4K60fps footage on a windy, sunny beach proved an interesting challenge for our three Android champs.
All three demonstrated excellent image stabilization and fast autofocus. While it’s a closely run race between the Pixel and the OnePlus, Google’s phone demonstrated better exposure control (you could see the OnePlus stopping up and down, as it tried to compensate for the available light), as well as marginally clearer audio.
Provided you’re comfortable with Samsung’s signature, more saturated look, however, the S25 Ultra delivered the most attractive footage overall. It offers vibrant-but-realistic colors and the most impressive wind noise reduction and voice separation of these rivals, by quite a margin.
Both the Pixel and Galaxy also allow for AI-backed targeted noise reduction after the fact, to further improve audio quality and reduce background din; another feature the OnePlus 13 lacks.
Winner:Galaxy S25 Ultra
Conclusion
Over the seven categories and 12 sets of photos and videos in this comparison, the S25 Ultra proved to be the overall champ, with key strengths in zoom and portrait photography, as well as video capture.
Our guide to thebest camera phonesdescribes Samsung’s flagship as “the best camera phone for influencers,” and I’m inclined to agree with that assessment given its ability to take dramatic photos that explode with color.
The Pixel 9 Pro is great at capturing fine detail without leaving images over-processed; not to mention it continues the series’ long-standing talent for low-light mastery.
Meanwhile, although the OnePlus 13 may still have some catching up to do, it shouldn’t be discounted, considering its talent for macro shots and portrait flexibility.
Ultimately, whichever phone has the right strengths for your needs, there are no bad options here.
Even if you’re cautious, there’s always a chance that a virus could sneak onto your PC. Sure, Windows does have built-in security to block malware, but all it takes is one wrong click. Maybe it’s a sketchy link, a shady browser extension, or a random file from a site you probably shouldn’t have trusted. If your PC is acting weird and showing signs of malware, you might be wondering if a factory reset can fix it.
A factory reset wipes everything on your PC, including your apps, photos, videos, and files. It also reinstalls Windows and puts all your settings back to how they were when you first got the computer. In most cases, a factory reset should get rid of any viruses or malware hanging around. It’ll also make your PC run like new and fix any performance issues or software glitches you’ve been dealing with.
Windows offers more than one way to reset your PC, so it’s important to pick the right one. If you go with the option that keeps your files, it may not fully remove the malware. If you’re on Windows 11, you can head to Settings > System > Recovery. For Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery. Then, click the Reset PC button, and you’ll see two options. Pick the “Remove Everything” option to wipe everything clean.
While doing a factory reset can help remove malware, it may not always work. Some viruses are sneaky enough to survive even a full reset. This usually happens when the malware has infected something deeper, like the BIOS or your motherboard. Since a factory reset doesn’t affect those areas, certain types of viruses can stick around, even after you’ve wiped everything. These are often known as rootkits, and they’re especially good at hiding. A rootkit can let the attacker take full control of your PC and steal your data without much effort.
If your PC keeps crashing with a Blue Screen of Death, or you notice strange changes to your browser or system that you didn’t make, it might be a sign of a rootkit. This kind of malware isn’t very common, but if you feel your PC might be infected, try running the Microsoft Defender’s Offline Scan. It works outside of Windows after a restart, which helps it catch and remove anything trying to hide. Here’s how to run it.
Click the search icon on the taskbar, type “Windows Security”, and hit Enter. Go to the Virus & threat protection tab. Click Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. Finally, click Scan to confirm. The scan should only take about 15 minutes. Your PC will restart during it, so make sure you save anything you’re working on first.
Doing a factory reset deletes all your personal data, so you’ll probably back everything up to a hard drive or flash drive first. But if one of those files is infected with malware, or if the backup drive itself has something nasty on it, the malware could sneak right back in after the reset. Before you copy anything back over, it’s important to scan the backup drive using a different computer.
Malware can also hide in other external devices like a USB hub, printer, or Wi-Fi adapter. That usually only happens if some sketchy, unsigned firmware gets installed. It’s rare, but it’s still worth being careful and protecting your system.
Windows Security does a solid job of protecting your system, but it’s still wise to have an antivirus program just to be safe. Microsoft also suggests keeping your PC up to date with the latest security patches. And, of course, you should follow the best security practices. Try to avoid clicking on suspicious links, don’t open unknown attachments, and only install apps and software from sources you trust. Doing all of this should help keep your PC safe from viruses and other threats.
Sony’sPlayStation Plus subscriptionservice has evolved over the years, initially beginning as a way to get new games each month, then giving access to online multiplayer. Now, the service has built upon both of those features, functioning a lot more likeGame Pass Ultimateand offering a lengthy catalog of games for a monthly fee, although it doesn’t add its own first-party games to the service right away. It still gives you new games each month and enables online play just as before, but now you have the option between Essential, Extra, and Premium for various prices and features.
As subscription prices have gone up, PS Plus might be a bit too much to stay subscribed to all year. Sony doesn’t make it simple to cancel, and there’s a somewhat sinister auto-renew change that may end up costing you.
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
5 minutes
If for whatever reason you want to cancel your PS Plus membership — whether you have the Essential, Extra, or Premium version — you can do so from your smartphone, computer, or a PlayStation console itself. It’s not the most complicated process, but knowing the steps before you start will no doubt save you time. Here’s how to cancel your PlayStation Plus subscription.PlayStation >>>LIP1708 Battery for Sony PlayStation 5 PS5 DualSense Controller CFI-ZCT1W
How to cancel PlayStation Plus on PS5 and PS4
First, you should be aware of how to cancel your subscription from a PS5 system, as it’s the most straightforward. You can also cancel from a PS4 console, and the process is nearly identical to its current-generation counterpart.
Step 1:From the home screen, navigate to theSettingsmenu.
Step 2:SelectUsers and Accounts.
Step 3:From theAccountmenu, selectPayment and subscriptions.
Step 5:Then, selectCancel subscriptionon the bottom left.
Step 6:You’ll be brought to a screen that asks you if you’re sure you want to cancel. SelectConfirm cancellation. This will end your services on the next expiration date, coinciding with however long your subscription is due to last. You’ll be able to enjoy the benefits until that expiration date.
If you don’t currently have access to your PS5 or PS4 system but still want to cancel your PS Plus membership, you can do so via a web browser on a computer and/or smartphone, and it’s pretty simple, thankfully!
Step 1:First, visit theSony Account Management pageand log in using your PlayStation credentials.
Step 2:SelectSubscriptionsfrom the list of menu options on the left. It’ll ask if you want to go to another page, so confirm this to move on to the next step.
Step 3:Once you arrive at the next page, a new list of options will appear on the right side of the screen, one of which isCancel Subscriptionat the bottom.
Previously, there was the option toTurn off Auto Renewthat would prevent you from being charged once your current subscription ran out. Now that this option is gone,Cancel Subscriptionserves that same purpose – it won’t instantly end your subscription. This confusion has caused many users to think they have to wait until the end of their subscription to cancel and end up forgetting and getting charged again.
Step 4:SelectConfirm Cancellationand you’ll be all set.
What happens when you end your PlayStation Plus subscription?
It’s important to be aware of what happens when you cancel your PS Plus membership. After your subscription end date (which is clearly displayed during the cancellation process), you’ll lose access to any games acquired via PS Plus. This means you won’t have access to any of the monthly games, titles from the PS Plus collection, or any games available from the catalog across Essential, Extra, and Premium memberships. You also won’t be able to play online multiplayer (with the exception of free-to-play games).
If you decide to resubscribe, you will gain access to any of the aforementioned games included with PS Plus.
These are the best laptops for students across all budgets and preferences
Picking the best student laptop can be difficult, whatever level of learning you’re at. Balancing value, performance, and battery life is vital, since you’ll need a laptop that can handle a full day of classes and study sessions but won’t break the bank.
We’ve rigorously tested every laptop in this guide for our in-depth review process, including synthetic benchmarks, graphical performance, battery testing, and general real-world use. If a laptop has made it into the list below, you can be confident that it’s been carefully selected by yours truly as a worthwhile inclusion.
Our current number one pick is theApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)- since the release of the M4 models, you can often find this one at a discounted price, but that M3 chip is no slouch, so you’re still getting plenty of bang for your buck. If you’d prefer something even more affordable, theAcer Chromebook Plus 514is a stellar choice. Whichever laptop you decide on, know that you can buy in confidence with batterymap’s combined expertise at your back.
Screen:13.6-inch 2560 x 1664 Liquid Retina display
Storage:Up to 2TB SSD
Reasons to buy
+Excellent performance +Fan-less design +Very good battery life +Lower price
Reasons to avoid
-Base specs are a bit weak -External monitor support feels compromised
Buy it if:
✅ You want great performance:Apple’s M3 chip is a powerhouse, delivering top-notch all-rounder performance with 14+ hours of battery life.
✅ You like to stay on the move:Weighing just 1.24kg, the 13-inch model of Apple’s flagship laptop is easy to take with you wherever you go.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You’re on a tight budget:Although the M3 model is a year old now and can often be found below retail price, it’s still a fairly premium laptop.
❌ You prefer Windows:While macOS is great, some software is only available on Windows, and if you’re used to Microsoft’s OS already, making the switch can be tough.
The M3 MacBook Air 13-inch might be last year’s model, but that’s preciselywhyit takes the crown of the best student laptop. A healthy generational price cut on the 2025 M4-powered model means that you can now frequently pick up the M3 version ofApple’s signature laptop at a discounted price at most retailers.
And here’s the thing: the M3 MacBook Air is still an absolute powerhouse of a laptop. In our review, we gave it a rare five-star score, citing its boosted performance in virtually every area, new AI features, and excellent display. It also boasts solid battery life, around 14 hours in our tests, and is even capable of a bit of gaming – and it does everything without a whisper thanks to its fanless design.
It’s honestly hard not to recommend it, especially since it can now be commonly found at prices comfortably below its $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799 launch price. If you’re willing to wait for a sale event, you can pick one up at a ridiculously low price; our deals hawks recently spotted it on sale forjust $699 at Best Buy. I’m not beating about the bush here: that’s an insane deal, and I’d recommend it to just about any student.
Best for:Budget-minded students who don’t need a lot of power
CPU:Intel Core 3 100U
Graphics:Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
RAM:8GB LPDDR5
Screen:14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10
Storage:128GB UFS
Reasons to buy
+Great performance +Excellent display +Practical port selection
Reasons to avoid
-Keyboard isn’t the most premium -No SD card slot -Can get a little noisy
Buy it if:
✅ You’re after a great value laptop:Despite its low price, this Chromebook punches above its weight.
✅ You want something simple but effective:With decent battery life, speedy performance, and an impressive screen for the price, this laptop is perfect for students.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You need a powerful device:While the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 offers great performance in everyday workloads, we wouldn’t recommend it for more intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.
❌ You want a silent laptop:One of our only key criticisms of this laptop is that the fans can get quite noisy if you’re running more demanding software.
Chromebooks can be an excellent choice for students working with a tight budget, as they’re designed with affordable efficiency in mind. ChromeOS is a less resource-intensiveoperating systemthan Windows or macOS, meaning that a Chromebook can run smoothly even with a less powerful (and therefore cheaper) processor.
Still, theIntelCore 100U CPU at the core of the latestAcerChromebook Plus 514 is leaps and bounds ahead of the feeble chips we’ve seen powering budget Chromebooks of yore. No, it’s not going to run the latest triple-A games or handle complex scientific modeling software, but for straightforward tasks like writing assignments or researching online, our reviewer found it ran smoothly and efficiently, with enough battery life to see you through a full day of classes.
Best for:Students who want a high-quality ChromeOS laptop
CPU:Intel Core i3-N305
Graphics:Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
RAM:8GB LPDDR5
Screen:15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 144Hz, 16:9
Storage:128GB UFS
Reasons to buy
+Great all-round performance +Good display for a Chromebook +Premium build quality
Reasons to avoid
-Small lid opening angle -Not convertible -Typing can feel cramped
Buy it if:
✅ You want one of the best Chromebooks around:With good performance and a premium-feeling design, this sets a new gold standard for Chromebooks.
✅ You like using the cloud:Like most Chromebooks, HP’s Plus model works best when you take advantage of Google’s cloud-powered software suite with Google Drive.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You want a large keyboard:Since it includes a numpad, the keyboard of the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch may feel a little cramped for users with larger hands.
❌ You want to run demanding software:Like most Chromebooks, this laptop simply isn’t well-suited for high-level tasks like 3D rendering or video editing.
If you’re already a ChromeOS lover or are looking to make the leap to Google’s cloud-focused operating system, theHPChromebook Plus 15.6-inch is a solid choice. With strong productivity performance and a battery that gave us more than 11 hours of continuous use in our tests, this feels like a laptop for serious students.
Reviewing this laptop, our Reviews Writer praised its premium-feeling build quality – something of a rarity for a Chromebook, which can often feel a little cheap in the hands – along with its surprisingly good display and quiet cooling fans. He described using the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch to navigate ChromeOS as “a largely seamless experience” – although he did note that the keyboard can feel a little cramped at times, due to the inclusion of a numpad.
Of course, since it’s a Chromebook, it’s not going to be the right choice for students studying creative disciplines like graphic design or videography. If you’re taking a course that doesn’t require the use of intensive software, however – like Business Studies or Creative Writing – this laptop can definitely go the distance.
The best lightweight student laptop
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 (2025)
The best lightweight laptop for students
Specifications
Best for:Students who want something super-portable to use on the go
CPU:Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno X1-45
RAM:16GB LPDDR5X
Screen:13-inch, FHD+ (1920 x 1280) 60Hz PixelSense Touch Display
Storage:256GB SSD
Reasons to buy
+Stunning design +Extremely portable +Fantastic battery life +Great keyboard and trackpad
Reasons to avoid
-MacBook Air M4 offers far better performance -Limited ports -Display is just OK
Buy it if:
✅ You need a super-portable laptop:Incredibly thin and lightweight but still delivering good performance, the Surface Laptop 13-inch is ideal for taking with you on the go.
✅ You want a great Windows laptop:With full support for Copilot+ in Windows 11 and Microsoft’s own close control over the Surface hardware ecosystem, this is one of the best Windows laptops out there.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You’re on a very tight budget:Though not quite as pricey as other premium Ultrabooks, this might be out of reach if you’re seeking something super affordable.
❌ You prefer macOS:Considering the price point, a MacBook Air will give you better overall performance – though it does mean switching over to macOS.
In his review, my American counterpart described the new Surface Laptop 13-inch as “the Purple MacBook I’ve been begging for” – and trust me, he’s been begging for that forquite a while now.
With 17+ hours of continuous battery life, strong performance across productivity workloads, and a wonderfully portable design (weighing just 1.22kg),Microsoftseems to have finally hit its stride with the Surface product line. This is a made-for-Windows Ultrabook with a premium-feeling chassis, offering a very comfortable keyboard along with a high-quality touch display.
John did note that in terms of performance-per-dollar it loses out to the latest M4 MacBook Air, but for users who prefer Windows to macOS, it’s practically perfect. It’s also one of the best ways to use Microsoft’s fancy new Copilot+ AI PC features inWindows 11.
The best laptop for creative students
5. Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4, 2025)
A powerhouse MacBook for students on creative courses
Specifications
Best for:Students working in visual creative disciplines
CPU:Apple M4 (10-core)
Graphics:Integrated 10-core GPU
RAM:Up to 32GB Unified Memory
Screen:15.3-inch 2880 x 1864 Liquid Retina display
✅ You want creative control:With a powerful Apple M4 chip and gorgeous Liquid Retina display, the latest MacBook Air 15-inch is perfect for creative workloads.
✅ You want a premium laptop:The MacBook Air 15-inch remains one of the best-looking laptops on the market, with a high-quality keyboard and great battery life too.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You’re on a budget:With a bigger screen and newer processor, this MacBook Air will cost you a fair bit more than the 13-inch M3 model at the top of our list.
❌ You just need to do simple tasks:If your course primarily involves attending online classes and writing up coursework, any current-gen MacBook is frankly overkill.
As I’ve already noted further up in this guide, some laptops that are great for the average student won’t hold up against the workload of a student studying creative disciplines. Graphic design, photo and video editing, 3D art – all of these need a bit more power than even thebest student Chromebookscan provide.
Enter the MacBook Air 15-inch with Apple M4 chip. A powerful system that packs an improved CPU (10 cores vs 8 cores) over the M3 model, plus a larger battery thanks to the 15-inch chassis, this is a solid choice for anyone who wants plenty of bang for their buck when it comes to running creative software.
Sure, you could opt for aMacBook Proif youreallywant a ton of power at your fingertips, but frankly, the standard M4 chip in the MacBook Air is perfectly capable – and you won’t have to worry about fan noise here, either.
The best 2 in 1 Chromebook for students
6. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360
The best 2-in-1 Chromebook for students
Specifications
Best for:Students who want a lightweight, versatile Chromebook
CPU:Intel Celeron N4500
Graphics:Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
RAM:4GB LPDDR4x
Screen:12.4-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) LED Touch Display
Storage:64GB eMMC
Reasons to buy
+Excellent display +Great build quality +Small form factor
Reasons to avoid
-Less powerful CPU and RAM -Heavy and thick for the size -Unimpressive battery life
Buy it if:
✅ You need a versatile 2-in-1:The low package weight and 360-degree hinge on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 make it a flexible and effective little device.
✅ You prefer looks over performance:Design-wise, this is one of the best-looking compact Chromebooks on the market – but it doesn’t offer high-end performance.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You prefer a larger display:The 12.4-inch touch display on this Samsung Chromebook is actually very sharp and colorful, but it’s certainly on the smaller side.
❌ You need lots of processing power:With only 4GB of RAM, this is probably the least powerful laptop on this list – it puts portability over performance.
While its lower-end internal specs might hold it back from achieving true greatness, theSamsungGalaxy Chromebook 2 360 nonetheless does an admirable job of what it sets out to be: a lightweight, compact, and flexible laptop.
With the smallest display size of any laptop on this list, it’s easy to take with you on the go or hold in your hands when flipped into tablet mode – and despite its small size, the touchscreen is a rather impressive QHD+ panel that places it above many of its Chromebook siblings.
Granted, some sacrifices have been made here to allow that excellent display at the very reasonable $429 / £419 / AU$707 starting price (though you can often find it cheaper than that). In terms of its CPU and RAM, this Chromebook is admittedly one of the weaker devices on this list – but as long as you’re just planning to do basic tasks like word processing and watchingYouTube, you should be fine.
The best 2 in 1 Windows laptop
7. Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (2025)
The best 2-in-1 Windows laptop for students
Specifications
CPU:Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
Graphics:Up to Intel Arc Xe2
RAM:Up to 32GB LPDDR5X
Screen:Up to 14-inch FHD+ (1200p) touchscreen
Storage:Up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe
Reasons to buy
+Very solid productivity and general performance +Affordable +Lightweight
Reasons to avoid
-Not good for high-performance work -Display isn’t good for a 2-in-1
Buy it if:
✅ You want a well-rounded 2-in-1 laptop:With strong performance at a very respectable price point, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is a great all-rounder.
✅ You need longer battery life:Considering that 2-in-1 laptops often struggle with battery life due to their form factor, the 15+ hours of use you get from a single charge is great.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You want something super-cheap:Although the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is very competitively priced for a Windows 2-in-1, there are cheaper laptops out there.
❌ You need a high-quality display:The display on this laptop is decidedly just average, which is a shame considering how well it performs in other areas.
Earlier this year, our US computing editor John reviewed the new Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 and was pleased with its performance, design and price (starting at $649 / £849 / AU$1,498). However, he also noted that he was willing to accept some flaws on the regular Dell 14 Plus clamshell model to keep the price low, but had more issues with the 2-in-1 model. Specifically, John noted in his review that the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1’s display was “okay.”
On a 2-in-1 device, however, where notetaking and collaborating across a table with your classmates are common use cases, the quality of the display matters a lot more than it does on other laptops. That’s not to say the 14-inch IPS panel on the 14 Plus 2-in-1 isbad, it’s just not great, and it’s a compromise that more than a few 2-in-1 fans might not be willing to make.
The other big issue John had with the laptop was its lack of high-end performance, but given the focus on a lower price point with the 14 Plus lineup, you really shouldn’t be expecting more than a productivity and general computing laptop. In that regard, John found the performance more than up for the task, but he definitely recommends against trying to do any serious PC gaming or video editing work on this one.
The best premium laptop for students
8. Dell XPS 13 (2025)
The best premium Ultrabook for college and university
Specifications
Best for:Students with a larger budget who want a premium-feeling device
CPU:Up to 2nd-gen Intel Core Ultra 9
Graphics:Integrated Intel Arc Graphics
RAM:Up to 32GB LPDDR5X
Screen:Up to 13.4-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 60Hz Touch Display
-Not enough ports -Touchpad and touch bar hurt accessibility
Buy it if:
✅ You need best-in-class battery life:With a ridiculously good battery life that almost makes it to a full 24 hours on a single charge, this laptop can go the distance.
✅ You want a strong all-rounder laptop:The Intel Core Ultra chip that powers the Dell XPS 13 is a beast, and the premium build quality and high-end display make it the definitive premium Windows laptop.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You’re on a tight budget:While it’s great value for money in terms of the quality and performance you get, this is a fairly pricey laptop, especially for the more powerful configurations.
❌ You want lots of ports:The biggest criticism we can level at the XPS 13 is that it lacks a good range of physical ports – though this won’t be an issue for many users.
Looking for a laptop that just screams ‘premium’? Look no further: students with some cash to splash who want a high-end device with some real staying power should absolutely spring for the 2025 Dell XPS 13 – perhaps the last XPS 13 we’ll ever see, sadly.
See, Dell is switching up its naming conventions, ditching the XPS brand (a totally insane move, in my humble opinion) in favor of new Plus, Premium, and Pro tiers for its laptops. Despite this, the latest XPS 13 is still available from both Dell and third-party retailers, and it’s still an absolutely gorgeous laptop.
When I reviewed it, I had nothing but praise for its excellent touch display, absolutely phenomenal 24-hour battery life, and strong productivity performance with its Intel Core Ultra processor. My only real criticism is the lack of ports; with just two USB-C ports and nothing else, you’ll want to go fully wireless or invest in a USB hub.
FAQs: How to choose the best student laptop for you
The best student laptop is going to give you the right balance between sufficient performance for productivity tasks, affordability for a student’s budget, and durability to handle the kind of wear-and-tear that a student can put their laptops through – and having it look good never hurts.
But that can be a hard thing for students and families to balance, especially if they aren’t as familiar with computer hardware as they’d like to be. Fortunately, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to get the right student laptop for your needs and budget: check out these frequently asked questions.
How much storage does a student need?
This depends on what type of laptop you decide to pick up, as well as what subject you’re studying. For example, if you’re a creative writing student rocking a straightforward budget laptop, you really don’t need to worry about storage that much. Simple text documents don’t take up much space, and Chromebooks make heavy use of cloud storage via Google Drive anyway. 256GB, 128GB, or even 64GB is fine in these cases.
On the other hand, students studying disciplines that involve using resource-intensive software and large files – think photo and video editing, scientific modeling, and anything that involves rendering 3D files – are going to want a lot more storage. For this, I’d recommend 1TB of SSD storage as the minimum; 2TB is better, and you might even want to consider investing in one of thebest external hard drives.
The same goes for students who plan to install and use lots of programs at once – if you’re like me, and like to keep dozens of games installed on your computer (because I’m chronically indecisive), bear in mind that you’ll want a laptop with storage measured in the TBs rather than the GBs.
Is 4GB RAM enough for a student laptop?
For any Windows or macOS laptop, 4GB is fundamentally not enough RAM for modern use cases. 8GB should be considered the bare minimum for light work on these operating systems; 16GB is better, and has become the de facto new industry standard.
For Chromebooks, things are a little different; the lightweight software ethos of ChromeOS means it can comfortably run well on less powerful hardware, meaning that 4GB of RAM is a more viable option. Still, more RAM is useful for multitasking; I’d recommend springing for 8GB if you’re the sort of person who likes to keep 10+ browser tabs open at once while playing music in the background.
Is a MacBook a good laptop for students?
This is a slightly loaded question, because the best operating system for students (whether that’s Windows 10 or 11, macOS, or ChromeOS) will ultimately come down to which OS the student in question prefers to use. Some of us are married to the effective functionality of Windows; others might prefer the aesthetically pleasing UI of Apple devices, or the Android-esque, streamlined user experience Chromebooks provide.
If you’re already comfortable using a specific operating system, making the leap can be tricky. ChromeOS is arguably the easiest to pick up and use, but changing to MacOS after a decade spent familiarizing yourself with Windows might lead to confusion. Take this into consideration when choosing a new laptop for school or college.
On the hardware side, we’re pleased to say that MacBooks are more competitive than ever. Apple’s fantastic M-series chips are much more capable of running demanding tasks than processors with integrated graphics, making Apple laptops excellent all-rounders for the busy student. However, if you need to run highly intensive software, it’s worth considering a Windows laptop with a dedicated GPU – ideally an Nvidia RTX one – since this will give you a lot more grunt in GPU-accelerated programs.
Which is better for students: a laptop or a desktop?
Simply put, most college-level students will need a laptop for their studies at this stage. While having a computer of some kind is practically a necessity at this point – with the rise of remote learning and content creation among university students – a laptop can be thrown into a rucksack and taken along to lectures and workshops, unlike a desktop PC.
Yes, a desktop will typically offer more processing power and the advantage of a bigger screen, but you can easily end up spending more (especially once you factor in the need for peripherals) and then still find yourself needing a portable device for note-taking and working on the go. If you’ve already got a small tablet or laptop that you can take out and about, you might want to consider buying one of thebest desktop computers, but otherwise, we recommend you get a more capable laptop and use that in lieu of a desktop.
If you don’t remember a time when SSDs didn’t exist, it’s easy to take for granted how much of a difference they make in modern gaming. Before the 2010s, HDDs, the mechanical predecessor of SSDs, were enough to run anything. Yes, including the famously PC-crushing “Crysis”. But HDDs, being mechanical, are prone to failure, often physically bigger, and most importantly, a lot slower than SSDs.
It’s no wonder SSDs quickly replaced HDDs as the default ROM storage component in computers and current-generation consoles. In fact, it’s gotten to the point that an SSD has become a compulsory requirement for some major must-play AAA titles, like “Baldur’s Gate 3,” for example.
Still, it’s not enough to simply have an SSD. While they’re generally better than HDDs, there are still levels to the SSD game, and it all boils down to read and write speed. One of the slowest SSD types, a SATA SSD, for instance, usually has a read and write speed of 200 to 500 MB/s — miles better than the 80 to 160 MB/s you’ll get on standard HDDs. But these are nothing compared to 2,000+ MB/s you can get from an NVMe SSD. You should check out our post on the difference between a SATA and PCIe SSD if you want to learn more about the differences.
But how much do these speeds affect your game? And is there a point where faster write speeds don’t matter anymore?
Since SSDs are primarily where your video game installation files are stored, how can they be important to video game speed? Why isn’t it better to get a large HDD for cheap storage and download all the games you want on it instead of using a smaller and more expensive SSD? You may think, “after all, it’s only for storage, the RAM, GPU, and CPU should do all the real heavy-lifting.” That’s true, but you’re missing one crucial part: loading screens.
When a game loads, it takes the assets and data from your SSD, moves them to the RAM, the graphical assets are then sent to the VRAM, and finally the GPU renders the frame. The movement from SSD to RAM relies heavily on the read and write speeds of your SSD. Many of the newer open-world games use a process called “streaming,” where the world around you is loaded into the RAM, but as you move, the game constantly pulls in textures, models, and sounds from storage. Slow storage will slow down this process, and you may notice stuttering, lag, or even crashes.
This doesn’t mean that your games will load infinitely faster the faster your SSD gets, remember that SSDs are only a part of the loading process. Moving from a SATA SSD to a PCIe SSD can see considerable (up to 35%) loading time improvements depending on the game. However, moving from a PCIe 3.0 to a PCIe 4.0 SSD would make a marginal difference, if any at all. A 5,000 MB/s SSD and a 7,500 MB/s one will give very similar performance in terms of gaming. While these SSDs may read and write faster outside of gaming, other important components like engine optimization also contribute greatly to gaming speeds.
Echo Show 15
Echo Show 15
(Image credit: Google Labs)
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