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The open-source phenomenon OpenClaw kicked off a craze for the "personal agent", in turn sparking a massive ecosystem of specialized "claw" variations across the agentic AI developer landscape.

Questions about whether you should trust an agent with your schedule, personal information and decision making aside, Nvidia's launch of NemoClaw laid out a strong case for a similar shift for the corporate sector.

For organizations cautiously mapping out their AI roadmaps, Nvidia’s insertion into this space purports to deliver a highly credible, production-ready path forward by layering enterprise-grade reliability over raw autonomous power.

Now a few months post-launch, the dust has settled just enough to say what this means for the space, particularly what it means for the future of autonomous workflows.

OpenAI Buys ‘Lightning in a Bottle’

OpenClaw’s journey to enterprise infrastructure was a wild ride. The project originally launched in November 2025 under the moniker "ClawdBot" as a playful side project relying on Anthropic’s Claude model. Following a stern cease-and-desist letter and several quickfire rebrands, the project reemerged as OpenClaw.

It perfectly addressed the unmet market demand for action-oriented AI assistants that could persistently write code, browse the web, and chain complex tasks over days without human intervention.

It quickly became the fastest-growing open-source community in GitHub history. While big players like Meta actively expanded its own footprint by purchasing alternative agent systems like Manus AI, OpenClaw caught lightning in a bottle, culminating in creator Peter Steinberger joining OpenAI to help safely bring autonomous agents to the mainstream public.

Structuring the Enterprise Shield: What is NemoClaw?

As successful as this was for Steinburger, the real changes in the industry followed shortly after. Enter Nvidia, with its sizable chequebook and “NemoClaw,” which functions as an enterprise distribution of, or wrapper built directly on top, OpenClaw.

The stack installs via a single command and answers the important question: “Can I trust this AI agent with the kind of access I am about to give it?” The idea is to deliver the vital security architecture corporate IT departments require before deploying autonomous agents near live production systems.

Its creation and distribution proves that agentic AI needs an enterprise-grade foundation — wrapping agent frameworks with infrastructure, guardrails, and policy enforcement is becoming essential. It signals a move toward “AI operating systems” — platforms that don’t just enable intelligence, but also control how that intelligence behaves.

This is likely to become the standard model: open innovation at the edge, with structured governance layered on top.

Nvidia's Dispersed Strategy for the Agent Mesh

The AI community's reaction to NemoClaw highlights a fascinating shift in how infrastructure leaders approach market dominance. Rather than locking developers into a closed stack, Nvidia is deploying a highly flexible, dispersed strategy as NemoClaw does not require Nvidia silicon to execute.

While it is naturally optimized to leverage Nvidia's robust edge systems (and why wouldn't it be), it plays nice across the broader infrastructure ecosystem. This is exactly the sort of vertical integration play that you would expect from Nvidia with its dominance of the GPU market being so unopposed.

The Peak Appetite for AI Accountability

The corporate appetite for hard guardrails has reached an absolute fever pitch. According to a recent research report, 95% of enterprises are actively holding back from scaling their AI projects purely due to safety anxieties.

These concerns are validated by severe operational risks: unconstrained autonomous agents are notorious for "shadow AI" data exposure, introducing undetected "privilege creep" via SaaS applications, or even completely deleting, contaminating, or compromising vital database instances through unrestricted "God-mode" access.

With horror stories of loosely governed AI agents wiping out entire companies databases, guardrails arriving with the sheer commercial heft and legitimacy of Nvidia are uniquely positioned to give CISOs the peace of mind they need to finally greenlight production.

The Path Forward: Collaboration Over Conflict

Ultimately, the trajectory of OpenClaw proves that independent, boundary-pushing software can still fundamentally rewrite the computing landscape overnight. Yet, Nvidia's subsequent rollout of NemoClaw emphasizes that the industry can no longer focus purely on raw intelligence or reasoning capability.

Without rigid, predictable boundaries, autonomous agency is simply an unmanageable corporate liability.

The true agentic renaissance depends entirely on collaborative, cross-industry guardrails. By actively fostering initiatives like the Nemotron Coalition — which unites rivals like Mistral AI and Perplexity to co-develop secure base models — the tech sector is showing it can build a future where AI capability and AI accountability finally move in perfect lockstep.

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We're halfway though 2026, and this year has already delivered some of the best soundbars we've seen — or rather, heard. The standout amongst the models we've tested is the "phenomenal" Samsung HW-Q990H — one of a select group of 5-star products, thanks to its "powerful, engaging and detailed sound profile", straightforward setup and strong connectivity options. Another winner was the LG Sound Suite Immersive Suite 7 Pro. If you're yearning for some "phenomenal rumbling bass", this is the soundbar for you.

Those are both premium picks, but we also reviewed a couple of brilliant budget options. The Klipsch Flexus Core 100 comes in at a fraction of the price of that Samsung model, and while its soundscape is understandably less expansive, it still impressed us by delivering clear dialogue, strong bass, and a useful, responsive display.

The rather utilitarian-looking Zvox AccuVoice AV855 also stood out from the pack; this bar is especially designed to make dialogue easier to hear. It's built especially for those with hearing impairments, but will appeal to anyone who's sick of having to turn on the subtitles on just to understand what's happening.

Scroll down to see all my picks. Hit the 'View details' button for a summary of what we thought about each one, plus a link to our full review.

Super soundbars

Samsung HW-Q990H

Read our full review

LG Sound Suite Immersive Suite 7 Pro

Read our full review

ZVOX AccuVoice AV855

Read our full review

Pros

• Extreme dialog boosting
• Plenty of fine-tuning via the remote
• Good port selection
• Can get loud

Cons

• Default audio sounds a bit mid-rangey / boxy
• Spatial Audio is too subtle
• No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi music streaming

Bluesound Pulse Cinema Mini

Read our full review

Klipsch Flexus Core 100

Read our full review

LG Sound Suite H7

Read our full review

Yamaha True X Surround 90A

Read our full review

Portable power stations have become one of the smartest purchases for campers, road trippers, and anyone wanting reliable backup power at home.

The Anker Solix C300X Portable Power Station is currently on sale for $330 (was $390) at Best Buy. It comes with a foldable 60W solar panel, giving you everything you need to recharge away from the grid.

And when I say portable, I really mean it. I think of this as the middle-ground between a heavy-duty power bank and a full-sized power station. Its compact size and impressive feature set make it an excellent choice for the summer.

Today's top portable power station deal

This compact portable power station combines a 288Wh lithium iron phosphate battery with a foldable 60W solar panel, multiple charging ports, 300W output, and lightweight portability for camping, travel, and emergency backup power.View Deal

The built-in 288Wh lithium iron phosphate battery delivers 300W of continuous power, with Anker's SurgePad technology supporting peaks of up to 600W for devices that need extra power when starting up.

That's enough to keep phones, laptops, cameras, drones, lights, portable coolers, and many other everyday essentials running when you're away from mains electricity.

One of the biggest advantages of this bundle is the included 60W solar panel. Its foldable, book-style design makes it easy to carry, while solar charging lets you top up the battery wherever the sun is shining.

Anker says the bundle can recharge to 80% in around 2.5 hours under suitable solar conditions.

The power station offers eight output ports, including three AC outlets, three USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a 12V DC output, making it easy to charge several devices at the same time without needing extra adapters.

Despite everything packed inside, the unit weighs just 9.1 pounds, so it's easy to carry between your car, campsite, cabin, or home. The lithium iron phosphate battery is rated for 3,000 charge cycles, offering years of dependable use.

Backed by a generous five-year warranty, the Anker Solix C300X is a practical portable power solution for outdoor adventures and emergency backup alike.

While you're here, take a look at our roundup of the best portable power stations.

• See all power stations and power banks at Best Buy

Chinese robotics firm Agibot has launched a range of humanoid robots designed to look, move, and sound like human beings in the UK business-to-business (B2B) market.

The Shanghai-based company, founded in 2023 by two former Huawei engineers, hosted a launch event in London on June 30, 2026, with several of its A3 full-sized humanoid and X2 half-size humanoid robots in attendance, as well as current and prospective business partners.

An Agibot X3 cutting some serious shapes (it doesn't do 'the robot' though) (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

The robots — all controlled by humans with smartphones and DualSense controllers — were deployed at several demo stations in the event space.

One X2 humanoid robot was set up to dance to peppy music, cutting some serious shapes for a constant crowd, while another in a Harry Kane shirt kicked a football into a net. A third wore a suit of (admittedly very cool) Gundam-style armor, demonstrating the robots’ potential for customization.

This Gundam-style armor was designed to show the X2 robot's customization potential (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

As for the full-sized A3 humanoid — less expressive than its smaller sibling, with sharper angles and a rather blank circle in place of the X2’s animated ‘eyes’ — a unit was made available to greet guests and for photo opportunities.

In a presentation at the UK launch event, Agibot co-founder and COO Daniel Jiang said: “The robot business is the AI business. Robots should understand you, know what you say, talk to you, and work for you.”

Indeed, at the launch event, the word ‘robot’ was as common as the phrase ‘embodied AI’, as Agibot representatives attempted to position the firm’s product range as a signifier of a new technological era: the ‘fourth industrial revolution.’

The Agibot X2 was the clear star of the show, and by far the firm's best-represented product (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

In a later talk, co-founder and R&D president Yan Xiong said: “Of the products I’ve worked on, embodied AI is the most exciting and inspiring. Through three intelligences in one body, robots can become human-like.”

The three intelligences in question control interaction, locomotion, and manipulation, powered by on-device AI models that communicate with cloud servers. It seems that Agibot sees itself as an AI company first and foremost, and is allocating its resources in kind: “Our main focus is the research and development of the three intelligences, taking up 75% of our R&D staff, and 80 per cent of our R&D budget.”

The Agibot A3 was demoed on-stage as the firm's flagship product (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

That’s not to say that the firm's humanoid robots aren’t profoundly impressive. The units are made mainly of magnesium alloy, with titanium reinforcements at pressure points to ensure rigidity. The A3 weighs 55kg, which is pretty reasonable when you consider its 5-foot-8-inch (173cm) height, and lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge of its 1152W battery.

In comparison, the 4-foot-3-inch (131cm) X2 weighs 39kg and lasts for two hours. The units communicate with the internet via dual-module, dual-SIM 5G.

Also present were units from Agibot's D1 quadruped range, inexplicably programmed to do backflips on command, as well as G2-series industrial robots and C5 cleaning robots. The top-tier D1 model, the D1 MaxPro, has a carrying capacity of 50kg, while only weighing 68kg itself.

Don't call them dogs: Agibot never described its D1-series robots in canine terms (Image credit: Jamie Richards Future)

Agibot is young but quickly increasing its production capacity. It recently rolled out its 15,000th unit, having passed 10,000 units just three months earlier, and has already deployed its G2 industrial robots in China’s Longcheer electronics factory. Indeed, much of the event was dedicated to promoting possible use cases for each model in industries like construction, live entertainment, and the corporate world.

Having shaken hands with the X2 and watched the D1 wave its ‘paw’ and, again, perform several perfect backflips, I have to admit that I’m still stunned by Agibot's range of robots. The firm’s launch has done nothing to allay my many concerns about AI, but it’s still almost unbelievable to see actual droids walking around.

It’s clear that Agibot wants its robots to be relatable — the dance moves, handshakes, and free kicks are obviously an effort to instill some kind of affection in a crowd of possible customers. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find the X2 wildly entertaining, even though I know it's just metal and plastic — but that’s the power of pattern recognition.

The Agibot X2 has nothing of its own to say yet, but with further development towards autonomy, that could soon change (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

If Agibot can make strides towards its professed goal of autonomous operation, then we really aren’t too far away from having a real-life C3PO on our hands.

It’s early days, but the firm’s leadership sounds committed. In his presentation, Yan Xiong said: “Scaling to mass production is the first hurdle to mature the embodied AI industry. After we achieve mass production, the next step is to bring our portfolio to commercial availability."

“AI should not be confined behind screens,” he later added, “it must be brought into the physical world.”

If you're heading to college this fall, don't make the mistake of buying a laptop that's only good for taking notes and browsing the web. Courses increasingly rely on AI tools, creative software, and demanding applications, so you should invest in something far more powerful than a Chromebook.

Right now, the MSI Katana 15 HX is down to $1134 (was $1319) at Amazon, saving you $185. That's an excellent price for a laptop featuring an Intel Core i7-14650HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and a spacious 1TB NVMe SSD.

The MSI Katana 15 HX laptop combines workstation-class hardware with a high-resolution display, making it an excellent choice for students who want a laptop capable of handling demanding workloads alongside everyday coursework.

Today's top laptop deal

Powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics, this laptop pairs a color-accurate 15.6-inch QHD 165Hz display with 16GB DDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD for demanding creative workloads.View Deal

A portable powerhouse

In our review we said the laptop was a "great option" that "balances design and performance with a relatively affordable price."

At the heart of the system is Intel's 14th Gen Core i7-14650HX processor, paired with Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU based on the Blackwell architecture.

Together they deliver the performance needed for AI workloads, video editing, 3D rendering, CAD software, photography, and other demanding creative applications.

The 16GB of DDR5 memory keeps multitasking smooth, while the 1TB NVMe SSD provides plenty of room for large projects, applications, and media libraries.

Support for ray tracing and DLSS 4 also helps boost supported professional workflows and GPU-intensive tasks.

The 15.6-inch QHD display offers a sharp 2560 x 1440 resolution with a fast 165Hz refresh rate, making scrolling, animation, and video playback feel silky smooth.

With 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, it's also well suited to photo editing, video production, and other color-sensitive work.

Keeping everything running efficiently is MSI's Cooler Boost 5 cooling system, which combines dual fans with multiple heat pipes to help maintain stable performance during extended workloads.

A customizable four-zone RGB keyboard, highlighted WASD keys, and a full numeric keypad make it equally comfortable for productivity and creative work.

It comes with Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, HDMI output supporting up to 8K displays, USB-A ports, and Gigabit Ethernet, making it easy to connect high-resolution monitors, fast external storage, and other peripherals.

MSI AI Engine and Windows Copilot also help optimize performance for different workloads.

With a powerful processor, one of Nvidia's newest laptop GPUs, a color-accurate QHD display, plenty of fast memory, and a spacious SSD, this is an excellent laptop deal for students, creative professionals, and anyone looking for desktop-class performance in a portable package.

For further choices, look at our round up of the best student laptops and best business laptops you can buy.

Also consider: More RTX laptops for students

Available at Walmart, this 18-inch Asus powerhouse combines an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics, 32GB DDR5 memory, a 1TB SSD, and a stunning 240Hz Nebula display for demanding creative and professional workloads.View Deal

Also available at Walmart, this Lenovo laptop pairs an Intel Core i7-14700HX processor with Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics, 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a color-rich 165Hz OLED display.View Deal

Available at Best Buy, HP's 16-inch laptop combines an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics, 16GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and a vibrant 2.5K 165Hz OLED display for demanding creative workloads.View Deal

• See all student laptops at Amazon

• A Reddit user manually upgraded their MacBook’s storage chips
• The process involved soldering, 12 hours and ‘some nerves’
• The move saved them $2,200 after Apple recently increased its prices

How much is too much to pay for laptop storage? After Apple’s shocking price rises, things might feel so bad that you’re tempted to roll up your sleeves and perform an emergency DIY upgrade job on your MacBook. That’s exactly what one Apple fan did — and they saved themselves a cool $2,200 in the process.

Posting on Reddit, user arduinoRPi4 explained how they took their MacBook Pro with 2TB of storage and boosted it all the way to 8TB, quadrupling their available storage with a serious improvement that means they can “store anything I want.” They spent “around $800” on parts, which saved them $2,200 (around £1,650 / AU$3,170) compared the exorbitant $3,000 (about £2,240 / AU$4,320) it would have cost to pay Apple for a similar upgrade.

Of course, this being Apple, opening a MacBook Pro and increasing its storage yourself is far from straightforward. The post revealed that it took them 12 hours “and some nerves” to make the change — and no wonder, as doing so requires removing the existing storage modules from the MacBook Pro’s mainboard and soldering alternative chips in their place.

As well as that, the poster indicated that they had to “fill in the power components on the other side as well” in order to complete the upgrade. “That was really hell,” they admitted, adding that these parts “are TINY packages.”

All the work was done while they were on vacation in Shenzhen, China, where they “borrowed a lab from a friend who does component level repair.” They used a hot air station and microscope soldering and stencils to do the work, which involved soldering power management integrated circuits into place, followed by 4TB of NAND storage chips on each side of the laptop for a total of 8TB.

‘It looks like excellent work’arduinoRPi4 on RedditarduinoRPi4 on Reddit

If you’ve got the resolve, patience and skill for a spot of laptop surgery like this, the savings can be enormous. A 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max chip and 2TB of storage will set you back $4,099 / £4,099 / AU$6,399 at Apple’s increased prices. Change the storage to 8TB and that tweak will add a hefty $3,000 to your bill, bringing the total to an eye-watering $7,099 / £7,099 / AU$10,899.

The difference is even starker when you apply this change to Apple’s entry-level MacBook Pro. A 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip and 2TB of storage currently costs $2,499 / £2,499 / AU$3,949. Add 8TB of storage and the total shoots up by a colossal $4,600. That’s partly due to the expensive storage addition and partly because it requires changing the M5 chip to an M5 Max, which is the only chip that can be configured with 8TB of storage.

A $3,000 upgrade is well out of reach for most MacBook buyers (much less a $4,600 one), so it should perhaps be unsurprising that an enterprising user with plenty of experience and a little time on their hands felt motivated to manually upgrade their storage.

Most posters in the thread were highly impressed with their work, with comments like “very impressive, I could never” being typical. One user was especially effusive in their praise, saying “This kind of work blows my mind.”

That said, other users weren’t happy that a task like this is even needed at all. “Crazy that you have to go this level of modifying just to upgrade your storage,” said one, indicating that Apple’s increased storage prices are not exactly the most popular move it’s ever made.

But with the artificial intelligence (AI) goldrush pushing up component prices worldwide and Apple unwilling to compromise its famously high margins, increased costs are here to stay, at least for the time being. And while that’s still the case, there will probably be plenty more people willing to take on the considerable task of upgrading their laptop’s storage with a few off-the-shelf components and a soldering iron to hand.

• Marshall unveils Acton IV and Stanmore IV speakers
• Redesigned bass port, repositioned cables and tweaked speaker array
• Sadly, there's no Woburn IV in sight yet

It's been four years since Marshall revamped its home speaker line-up, and so fourth-generation models of the Marshall Stanmore, Marshall Acton and Marshall Woburn are certainly due.

In the words of Meat Loaf, two out of three ain't bad, because the former amp company (which now seems to focus solely on consumer tech) has just unveiled the brand-new Acton IV and Stanmore IV speakers.

These two new speakers are on sale now, and because we're keen we've already got a Marshall Acton IV review hot off the press for you — ie. the slightly smaller and cheaper of the two. It costs $299.99 / £259.99 (AU$430), while the Stanmore IV is a little more expensive at $399.99 / £349.99 (about AU$700).

And what about the top-end member of the family, the Woburn? There doesn't seem to be a new-generation version of this model. Perhaps it was stuck in traffic on the M1?

(To explain that joke for those outside the UK, Stanmore and Acton are both boroughs in London, while Woburn is a town outside of it. The M1 is the freeway passing it, and congestion jokes are a stalwart part of British humor. Feel free to trot this one out down at the local bar/ watering hole; I don't need any credit).

Fourth-gen upgrades abound

(Image credit: Future)

The Acton and Stanmore IV both bring a few improvements over the third-gen models.

These include support for Auracast, upgraded tweeters for a sparkling high-end, a redesigned bass port for increased airflow, and cables which plug into the bottom of the speaker instead of the side.

This latter was an interesting move, and it was done to allow the speakers to be backed right up against the wall. In theory, then, they'll fit into a cabinet or cupboard much better.

Beyond that, you're largely getting a package that'll be familiar to Marshall fans, especially with the amp-esque design and style. They're both still compatible with the brand's control app, as well as the M-button for controls, and retain the various connection options including Bluetooth, RCA and aux.

In previous reviews of Marshall's home speakers, we praised the bass performance and audio detail (thanks to a previous bass port redesign), but wished they could stream music over Wi-Fi, or offered voice assistance. Sadly, these particular perks have not been added for the new models — but we can still hope that they might arrive with the Woburn, right?

Marshall Acton IV review

Marshall has refreshed its mid-sized home speaker, which promises enhanced bass, dynamic loudness tech and improved tweeters, among other things. Yes, the Marshall Acton IV looks to be quite the improvement over its predecessor, and after testing it for myself, I have to say, it certainly makes good on its promises.

Let’s start by taking a look at the tech specs. The Acton IV features a single 60W woofer alongside two 25W tweeters, helping it to produce powerful and energetic audio. It also has a frequency response of 37Hz-38kHz, meaning it can extend down seriously deep for such a compact speaker — and you can really feel the bass… more on that later.

One standout difference between the Acton IV and its predecessor is its inclusion of RCA connectivity. This makes it a great option for hooking it up to turntables, for instance, and it’s easy to switch between Bluetooth and RCA mode with the built-in source controls. 3.5mm connectivity is back too, if you want to access lossless audio — something I always look out for when testing the best Bluetooth speakers.

Although these connectivity options are all very welcome, it would have been great to see Wi-Fi playback, given that this is a speaker most people will likely keep at home. Streaming using your home's Wi-Fi network is ideal for such speakers because it provides an even more stable, higher-resoltuion quality than Bluetooth can offer, and means that notification sounds on your source device don’t play through your speaker. Still, there is LDAC this time out — something that Marshall has been keen to integrate into its consumer audio products recently, as we saw with the Marshall Milton ANC. This opens up higher-res wireless playback over Bluetooth (provided you've got a source device that supports it), and it works great if you’re streaming on platforms such as Tidal, for instance.

Despite the omission of Wi-Fi, the Acton IV does include Auracast, enabling you to create a multi-room setup with other products from the brand, such as the Marshall Heston 120 soundbar and Marshall Stanmore IV. Some older models, like the Marshall Acton III can also join the Auracast multi-room setup with the Marshall Heddon streaming hub.

I was also interested to find that the Acton IV connects to the newer ‘Marshall’ app, which has so far been restricted to the brand’s TV audio gear. It feels more intuitive and detailed than the standard app, and features a five-band equalizer, which enables you to set three presets of your liking. You can also customize the speaker’s M button to cycle between these. The app also enables you to cycle between different sources, optimize audio with a placement compensation tool, set a standby timer, and adjust the brightness of the speaker’s LED indicators. Good stuff.

One thing that may dissuade some from picking up the Acton IV is that it lacks baked-in voice assistant support. This means that it can’t act like a smart home speaker in the way that a Sonos model would, say.

(Image credit: Future)

But, by now, you must be wondering: just how good does the Marshall Acton IV sound? Well it’s good news, because it sounds pretty great. Something that instantly struck me, is that the speaker has a very exciting sound signature, with attention-grabbing and relatively prominent bass, as well as energetic, forward-sounding treble.

This was great for livelier genres like dance tracks. For instance, in Get It On by Jansons, higher-pitched drums came through with serious bite, hitting with speed and precision. Meanwhile, pumping bass came through with great impact without ever overshadowing vocal chops and synths in the mid-range. Even with some deeper house tracks, I was truly wowed by the Acton IV’s bass extension. It can reach down into deep dark depths with great confidence, and even the sub-bass was full-sounding and seismic.

Luckily, the Acton IV continued to perform well with more laid-back tracks. In Ned Doheny’s Sing To Me, soulful vocals were nicely weighted, and came through with solid clarity. They weren’t separated to the point that they occupied a unique pocket in the mix, although when I bumped things up in the mid-range, they had a little more space to express themselves. Bass definitely remained fairly weighty, and although this gave the tune a pleasantly funky edge, some may prefer to mess around with different EQ settings.

It’s also worth noting that the Acton IV has a stereo sound configuration, rather than the basic mono that a lot of Bluetooth speakers use. While it doesn’t produce the most amazing stereo imaging I’ve ever experienced, this is understandable for a smaller-sized speaker. In All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix, vocals were well-defined in the left channel, and percussion expanded well beyond the Acton IV’s limited confines. With LDAC on, I also appreciated the speakers attention to detail, with small vocal quirks and subtle percussive elements illuminated to impressive effect.

My main critique of the Acton IV’s audio output relates to its control at higher volumes. Despite including the dynamic loudness tech seen on the Marshall Kilburn III, for instance, I found that the speaker could sound a tad harsh at high volumes. At 90% and above, compression was more noticeable, with highs turning slightly shrill and bass lacking the control I’d experienced at mid-volumes. It's pretty standard for speakers to compress towards maximum loudness, though, and if you’re looking for meatier sound, the mightier Stanmore IV is available.

(Image credit: Future)

Moving on to an area where Marshall speakers always excel now: design. The Acton IV looks very similar to its predecessor, but that’s no bad thing. It has enticing faux leather casing, a neat speaker grille, and a gorgeous golden control panel. Its amp-inspired aesthetic makes it feel like just as much of a statement piece as it is a great-sounding speaker.

The buttons and control knobs are also highly responsive and satisfying to use, and there are even onboard EQ controls for the bass and treble if you want to make some changes on the fly.

But it’s time to address the most crucial question of all: is the Marshall Acton IV worth the money? Let’s start by looking at its price. The Acton IV comes in at $299.99 / £259.99 (AU$430). That’s by no means cheap, and puts the speaker in competition with the Wi-Fi equipped Sonos Play and home speakers like the JBL Authentics 200.

I’d argue that the Acton IV certainly sounds up to scratch for this money. It offers mighty yet refined bass, clean and detailed mids, and vivid highs. It's also decently powerful, and would make a great fit for a small or medium-sized space. However, the lack of Wi-Fi playback may prove to be a deal-breaker for some — it’s the connectivity method many will favor for home speaker use, and again offers better quality and seamlessness than Bluetooth.

Still, its brilliant design, solid set of features and, of course, impressive audio capabilities, means this is still a great home speaker. All in all, I’d recommend the Acton IV if you want a powerful and stylish speaker, even if you’re a little limited on space. If you want something more portable, the Marshall Kilburn III is a great alternative, though, coming with a handle, 50-hour battery life, and waterproofing at a very similar cost.

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Acton IV review: price & release date

• $299.99 / £259.99 (AU$430)
• First released July 2026

The Marshall Acton IV was released in July 2026, just short of four years after its predecessor came to market. It launched alongside the Marshall Stanmore IV, which is essentially just a larger variant of the Acton. It comes in at $299.99 / £259.99 (AU$430), representing a slight price bump in the US, but continuity in the UK, if we’re comparing it against the Acton III.

Marshall Acton IV review: specs

Weight

5.8lbs / 2.6kg

Dimensions

10.24 x 6.73 x 5.91 inches / 260 x 171 x 150 mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm, RCA

Speaker drivers

1x 4-inch 60W woofer, 2x 0.75-inch 25W tweeters

Waterproofing

Not stated

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Marshall Acton IV?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Nifty app and RCA is a welcome addition, but lacks Wi-Fi playback.

4/5

Performance

Fantastic bass extension and vivid highs with clean mids, some compression at top volumes though.

4.5/5

Design

Brilliant looking speaker with retro, amp-inspired aesthetic.

4.5/5

Value

Not the cheapest, but performance and build help it to earn price.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want a stylish home speaker
Something that stands out with Marshall speakers every time is their design. And the Acton IV is no exception. Its faux leather outer casing, its golden details, its eye-catching grille… it all comes together to make a truly stellar-looking speaker.

You want great sound in a (relatively) compact model
Although the Acton IV is hardly the largest home speaker out there, it really does sound great. It has fantastic bass extension, with clean and hard-hitting low end. Highs are articulate and vibrant too, although mids still get plenty of space to shine. The LDAC codec also helps you access a more detailed listen.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a speaker to take on the road
The Marshall Acton IV is designed for home use. Therefore, it needs to be plugged into the mains to be used, and its lack of a handle, rechargeable battery, or waterproofing, means you’re better off with a model like the Marshall Kilburn III for on-the-go audio.

You want a smart speaker with Wi-Fi
Although the Acton IV is designed for home use, it misses out on some of the properties of a smart speaker, like voice-assistant compatibility and Wi-Fi connectivity for the most seamless playback around.

Marshall Acton IV review: also consider

Marshall Acton IV

Sonos Era 100 SL

WiiM Sound

Price

$299.99 / £259.99 (AU$430)

$189 / £169 / AU$289

$299 / £299 / AU$499

Weight

5.8lbs / 2.6kg

4.3lbs / 2kg

5.5lbs / 2.5kg

Dimensions

10.24 x 6.73 x 5.91 inches / 260 x 171 x 150mm

7.2 x 4.7 x 5.1 inches / 182.5 x 120 x 130.5mm

5.7 x 5.7 x 7.5 inches / 146 x 146 x 193mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm, RCA

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm

Speaker drivers

1x 4-inch 60W woofer, 2x 0.75-inch 25W tweeters

2 x angled tweeters, 1 x mid-woofer

2x tweeters, 1x woofer

Sonos Era 100 SL
Want a Sonos home speaker at an easy-to-stomach price? Then the Era 100 SL is an ideal option. It has Wi-Fi playback, precise and detailed sound, and a gorgeous look, making it well worth its modest price tag. Read our full Sonos Era 100 SL review.

WiiM Sound
Another great Wi-Fi equipped speaker is the WiiM sound, and it sits at a very similar price as the Acton IV. The WiiM sound supplies fantastic sound quality, has a unique and intuitive touchscreen, and voice assistant support. Read our full WiiM Sound review.

How I tested the Marshall Acton IV

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested across multiple days
• Used at our dedicated music testing space at Future Labs
• Mainly streamed music over Tidal

I spent days testing the Marshall Acton IV, listening to hours worth of music, testing its various features, and exhausting every option available in its companion app.

For the most part, I tested the Acton IV in our dedicated music testing room at Future Labs, where I mainly streamed tunes via Tidal on my Xiaomi 17. I started by playing tracks in our TechRadar reference playlist — which features songs from a wide variety of genres — but I also bumped a bunch of tunes from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar. I’ve reviewed all sorts of tech, from premium wireless headphones like the Sony 1000X The Collexion through to Dolby Atmos soundbars such as the JBL Bar 1300MK2. I’ve also tested more than 50 Bluetooth speakers, including lots of Marshall models, such as the Marshall Middleton II and Kilburn III.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: July 2026

The recent Apple price hike has sent the cost of the latest iPads spiralling in recent weeks. For the foreseeable future, it's looking like iPad deals may be tougher to come by for Apple fans on a budget.

Not all is lost, however, as I've just spotted a fantastic deal on a slightly older iPad Air model at Best Buy. Right now, you can get the still-great iPad Air 11 with the M3 chipset for $499 (was $749) thanks to a $250 price cut at the retailer.

While it's no longer the latest model, the M3 iteration is just one generation behind. It's still an excellent tablet by almost any metric I can think of — performance, design, display, and even battery life.

I haven't seen the latest Apple iPad Air M4 drop below $749 since the price hikes were announced a few weeks ago. Subsequently, deals on the last-gen devices are looking increasingly attractive. If you can snatch a decent clearance deal (like this Best Buy listing), then it's definitely worth considering.

Today's best Apple iPad Air deal

Best Buy's latest deal on the Apple iPad 11 M3 offers a significant price cut on this still-great tablet. While it's no longer the latest generation, the iPad Air M3 still holds up well in 2026, with a design and display that are functionally identical to the latest model. The chipset is a little slower, but it's still more than enough for even relatively intensive applications. Today's discount at Best Buy offers an impressive $250 off this device, with the option to trade in for even greater savings.View Deal

• See more: check out all of today's tablet deals at Best Buy

Is the iPad Air M3 still worth buying?

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The M3 is an older model now, but it's still an excellent tablet by any metric in 2026. The latest model features a quicker chipset (up to 30%) and more RAM, but in terms of display and overall design, it's virtually identical to the M3 version.

Both feature standard 60Hz Liquid Retina LED displays with 500-600 nits of max brightness. That's perfect for everyday browsing, streaming, or taking notes and doodling with the Apple Pencil. If you're just doing the basics, then there's really no reason to stretch for the latest model — the M3 is more than capable and will save you significantly.

Where the latest M4 chipset model pulls ahead is in things like heavy video rendering tasks, high-end gaming, or AI integration. As a newer model, it should also get one more year of guaranteed software updates over the M3 iteration. Apple typically supports iPads for five to seven years with major iOS updates, for the record.

• Google is adding more toggles to Android backups, so you can control exactly what gets backed up
• However, the company is also now counting everything in the backup towards your Google account storage
• This change is rolling out now, starting with new Google accounts

Android backups are changing in two small but significant ways starting from today (July 7) — and one of these changes will be more appreciated than the other.

Let's start with the good news: you can now take more granular control over what actually gets backed up, with individual on/off toggles being added for ‘SMS & MMS messages’, ‘Call history’, and ‘Device settings’.

So, you can choose whether you actually care about saving each of those things, so that you can restore them if you ever set up a new phone.

More control is nice, but presumably, the reason Google has made this change is that all of these things will now also count towards your Google account storage.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Stealing your storage

Previously, when you backed up an Android phone, Google would only count the images and videos in Google Photos and MMS messages towards your account storage. Now, SMS messages, call history, and device settings are also being counted, meaning your backups will take up more of your valuable cloud storage data.

And that’s unfortunate, since for free, Google only gives users 15GB — or as little as 5GB for new accounts that don’t register a phone number. And that free allowance isn’t just for Android backups, it’s also shared with Gmail and Google Drive, so it’s easy to eat through even without SMS messages and the like counting towards it.

So, where before you could back up SMS messages, call history, and device settings without giving it a second thought, you might now want to be a bit more selective about what’s backed up — hence why these new toggles have been added (or at least we think that's the reason).

The good news is that this change shouldn’t make a big difference to how much storage your Android backups use, with a Google spokesperson telling 9to5Google that “we expect this to only add 40MB on average.” Still, it all adds up, and could mean users have to move to paid storage plans sooner than they might otherwise.

If you’re an existing Android owner, you might not see these changes yet, with Google said to be rolling them out over the coming months. But new accounts should be subject to these restrictions — and benefit from the new toggles — immediately.

Geekom GeekBook M16: 30-second review

Geekom's GeekBook M16 is a business laptop designed for - as the company states, "enterprise pro, a developer, or an AI enthusiast." You can add general content creators (but not creative professionals) into that mix.

I mostly agree with that, although it's not the AI machine it could've been due to the limitations of the Core Ultra 9 chip it's using.

It's an interesting budget machine in the space. A nicely built, machined chassis that handles general computing tasks well.

Given the $899 price point, there is only one USB4 port, the webcam is only 2MP, and the keyboard and touchpad aren’t the best quality.

That said, the underlying platform is solid, even if you can’t expand the memory, and with a USB 4.0 port, it can be attached to a Dock if you need more ports or more than two displays.

Geekom includes a basic USB-C Dock in the box, so those who need a wired LAN port won’t need a full Dock or adapter.

This isn’t the best business laptop I’ve tested, but it's far from the worst, and demonstrates that you can get relatively recent platforms in these form factors if you are prepared to compromise on some aspects.

Geekom GeekBook M16: Price and availability

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• How much does it cost? From $899
• When is it out? Available now in the USA
• Where can you get it? Direct from Geekom or online retailers

The Geekom GeekBook M16 can be bought directly from Geekom or via online retailers like Amazon.com and Best Buy. Prices start at $899.

TechRadar Pro readers can save an extra 8% when purchasing direct from Geekom or on Amazon when using the code TRGBM168.

The laptop pairs the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.

• Value: 4 / 5

Geekom GeekBook M16: Specs

Item

Spec

Hardware:

Geekom GeekBook M16

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 185H (16 Cores, 22 Threads, 5.1 GHz)

GPU:

Intel Arc GPU

NPU:

Intel AI Boost (35 TOPS CPU+NPU+GPU)

RAM:

16GB LPDDR5 (no upgrades)

Storage:

512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD + M.2 2230 free slot

Screen:

16.0-inch IPS LCD, 2560 × 1600 (16:10)

Ports:

1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) , 2 × USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.0, Audio Combo Jack

Camera:

2MP (1080p) Windows Hello compliant

Networking:

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions:

14.0 x 9.8 x 0.66in (355 x 250 x 16.7mm)

Weight:

3.8 lbs (1.73 kg)

OS:

Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed)

Battery:

99.99Wh Battery

Power supply:

100W (20V 5A)

Geekom GeekBook M16: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Magnesium-aluminium chassis
• Diverges from the retail model
• Ports aren't labelled

The M16 is essentially the same machine as the GeekBook X16 Pro, but it comes with only a single SKU that offers less memory and storage. There may be some minor cosmetic differences, like the M16 doesn’t have a MicroSD card slot, but the core components are common, I suspect.

Geekom has machined the GeekBook M16 from a single piece of magnesium alloy, and that heritage shows in the finish.

The Titanium Gray coating feels warm rather than cold to the touch, and there is no flex anywhere across the lid or the keyboard deck. While not the highest quality finish, it doesn’t feel cheap either.

Where the design pitch starts to wobble is the weight. The review unit weighs a whopping 1.73kg on the scales, nearly half a kilogram heavier than the X16 Pro, and that difference is obvious the moment you lift it one-handed. A laptop sold on featherweight portability should not feel like this in the hand.

This weight discrepancy between this and the X16 Pro, I’m confident, is down to the battery that Geekom used in the review hardware, since very little else has changed.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Port selection is generous for something this slim, with two USB-C connections, two USB-A, a full-size HDMI, and a headphone jack.

The frustration is that none of them is labelled with a speed. One USB-C runs at USB4 and the other only at USB 3.2, and there is no visual way to tell which is which, short of plugging something in and checking. For a laptop aimed at people who might use a fast external drive or a high-bandwidth dock, that is a genuine oversight from Geekom, and worth calling out plainly rather than glossing over.

The keyboard includes a full number pad, which is a genuine convenience on a 16-inch chassis and something plenty of rivals leave out. Typing feel is a little on the spongy side rather than crisp, so anyone coming from a firmer keyboard may need a short adjustment period.

The keyboard is workable, but I’m less convinced by the trackpad. It does the job for general navigation and gestures, but it does not feel as refined as the rest of the machine, and precision clicking is not its strong suit.

Those buying a 16-inch laptop clearly want a good display, and the IPS panel on this machine offers 2.5K resolution, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 120Hz refresh rate. That extra vertical space suits spreadsheets, documents and code far better than a standard 16:9 screen, and scrolling feels smooth thanks to the higher refresh rate.

Geekom quotes 100 per cent sRGB coverage, which is close enough for everyday creative work without needing a color-calibrated reference screen.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Since many business machines get small upgrades during their working life, I like to take the backs off laptops to see what is possible on that front.

Removing the underside requires removing nine screws with a T5 screwdriver, but once they’re out, it's relatively easy to detach. Inside, the battery can be replaced, and there is an unoccupied M.2 2230 slot.

While the 2230 drive is an easy upgrade, the primary slot is 2280, so I’d probably recommend cloning the supplied drive to a larger one using that slot first.

The capacities of M.2 2230 aren’t great right now.

Also, these days, all memory comes pre-soldered, so the RAM in this system is the maximum it will ever have, even if the processors used on it can address 96GB.

Overall, this is one of those designs that is somewhat bland and lacks any sort of signature feature, but for many customers, that’s exactly what they want.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Design: 3.5 / 5

Geekom GeekBook M16: Hardware

• Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
• Modest AI capability
• Wasted PCIe lanes

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is the flagship chip from Intel's first Core Ultra family, known internally as Meteor Lake. It packs sixteen cores across three types: six performance cores, eight efficiency cores and two low-power efficiency cores, giving it real flexibility between raw speed and battery-sensitive multitasking.

Turbo clocks reach 5.1 GHz, and in daily use, that translates into a chip that handles heavy browser sessions, office work, and moderate creative tasks without complaint. Cinebench multicore scores sit comfortably above a thousand points, proof that the hybrid layout genuinely pays off rather than existing purely as a marketing slide.

Graphics duties fall to an integrated Arc GPU built from eight Xe cores, clocked up to 2.35GHz. This was the point where Meteor Lake felt like a proper step forward. Games at modest settings run smoothly, video timelines scrub without stutter, and general graphical work feels far removed from the older Iris chips it replaced. It will never trouble a discrete GPU, but for a laptop chip doing double duty as a workstation and a light gaming machine, it earns its keep.

Then there is the NPU, which Intel calls AI Boost on this silicon. On its own, the dedicated neural engine delivers around 11 TOPS. Add contributions from the CPU and GPU, and Intel quotes a platform total of 35 TOPS. That was a genuinely new capability when Meteor Lake launched, letting local AI tasks like background blur, transcription and some generative features run without leaning on the cloud.

The trouble is that time moves fast in Silicon. Microsoft set the bar for its Copilot Plus program at 40 TOPS from the NPU alone, and the 185H simply does not reach it.

Intel's 200 series chips, split between Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake depending on the segment, push NPU performance well past 40 TOPS on the Lunar Lake side. The newer 300 series, built on Panther Lake, goes further still, pairing a stronger NPU with a genuine jump in graphics performance too.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

So is the 185H still worth having? Yes, with a clear head about what it is.

It remains a strong general-purpose chip for everyday work, and its Arc graphics still beat plenty of rivals from its own generation. What it is not is a true Copilot Plus chip, and anyone chasing the latest on device AI features should look at the newer series instead. Judged simply as a capable, well-rounded laptop processor for typical work, there is still very little to complain about here. It has aged into a dependable middle child rather than a has-been, useful for exactly the sort of laptop you might have in front of you now.

Where this design isn’t well-served is that the Core Ultra 9 supports 28 PCI lanes (PCI 5.0 and 4.0), and the ports provided use hardly any of them. Given how much unused PCIe bandwidth was available, why is only one USB-C port USB4 spec? This chipset does support Thunderbolt, and if this were a Mini PC at this price point, I’d be expecting that, but only one USB4 port is poor considering the small army of unused PCIe lanes.

When I look at the number of mini PCs and laptops using this Meteor Lake silicon, I’m inclined to conclude that Intel made far too many of these wafers and now has unused bins clogging the channel they use to move 200- and 300-series chips.

If that’s an accurate analysis, then we’re likely to see more machines like the M16, where Intel attempts to off-load them before they’re four generations back.

• Hardware: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Geekom GeekBook M16: Performance

Laptops

 

Geekom GeekBook M16

Acer Swift Edge 14 AI

CPU

 

Intel Core Ultra 9 185H

Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

Cores/Threads

 

16C 22T

8C 8T

TPD

 

45W

17W-37W

RAM

 

16GB LPDDR5

32GB LPDDR5X

SSD

 

512 GB KINGSTON OM8TAP4512K1

1TB Kingston OM8PGP4102Q

Graphics

 

Intel Arc Graphics

Intel Arc 140V

NPU

 

Intel AI Boost (11 TOPS)

Intel NPU (47 TOPS)

3DMark

WildLife

18,030

20,983

 

FireStrike

7177

8003

 

TimeSpy

3815

4065

 

Steel Nomad.L

2638

2989

CineBench24

Single

94

120

 

Multi

631

389

 

Ratio

6.70

3.24

GeekBench 6

Single

2337

2757

 

Multi

12104

11148

 

OpenCL

33402

29692

 

Vulkan

35602

33890

CrystalDIsk

Read MB/s

5979

4805

 

Write  MB/s

3756

3905

PCMark 10

Office

8133

8206

 

Battery

23h 21m

18h 28m

Battery

Whr

77

65

 

PSU

100W

100W

WEI

Score

8.2

8.8

My comparison machine, the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI, is a smaller display option, but it uses a newer 200 series processor, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V.

As is evident, the improvements Intel made between Meteor Lake and Luna Lake weren’t subtle, and the Core i7 on the Acer performs better pretty much across the board. It’s dramatically better on single-core exercise, even if in some situations the GPU utilisation is slightly better on the older chip.

And, for those wondering about 300 series silicon, like the Intel Core Ultra 7 355 on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Enterprise Edition, I recently covered, it performs even better.

There is no ‘golden age’ of mobile processors to discover, and the newest ones are genuinely better in almost every respect.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

In testing, this machine lasted 23 hours and 21 minutes, and that’s better than the extra 12Whr of battery capacity the M16 has over the Swift Edge 14 AI might suggest.

I think a factor in this is the amount of RAM, since keeping 32GB of RAM alive for the life of the battery probably uses more power than the 16GB on the M16 consumes. It’s one of the few ways that having less RAM is actually an advantage.

What isn’t covered in these benchmarks is AI, and that’s lucky for the GeekBook, because it would get slapped by any 200 or 300 series processor, even a Core Ultra 5.

Overall, if you are looking for a workman-like system that has decent battery life and performs adequately on office tasks, the GeekBook M16 ticks enough boxes. But it’s not a machine for power users or creatives, unsurprisingly.

For those interested in the screen, I gave it a full analysis using the Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra, and it was better than I’d anticipated for a side-lit IPS screen.

The gamut representation was 98% sRGB and 78% AdobeRGB and P3, which is fine. The brightness is capped at just over 300 nits, and the contrast is at about 1060:1.

The weaknesses of this panel are a mediocre tone response and poor white point accuracy.

But the usual challenges of luminance and colour uniformity aren’t a big issue here.

Overall, the screen is better than I’ve seen on some big-name brands, even if it can’t compete with the AMLOED displays that some products rock.

• Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Geekom GeekBook M16: Final verdict

Customers of Geekom getting the M16 are getting a much cheaper machine than the spec might suggest. It is roughly the same chassis, screen and platform as the X16 Pro, but with less memory and storage, but 23% more battery.

This is an interesting option for those wanting a reasonably punchy machine but without burning the budget down entirely with the latest processor platforms.

The only thing I’d like to see from this brand is more attention to detail, especially in respect of labelling ports. This would have been less of an issue if both USB-C ports had been USB4, and there are few valid excuses I’d take for why they aren't.

Those points aside, and a trackpad that might have been better, there are many positive things about this design that only a few years ago might have been described as a flagship model.

It isn’t super-cheap, but with rising memory and storage costs, hardware under this lid might look like more of a bargain as time goes by. And, compared with 200 and 300 series machines, it's definitely on the budget-friendly side of the line.

Where I’d be careful with this hardware is deploying it to a student, because it's difficult to assess how much abuse it can take, and carrying this all day might prove tiring.

Should you buy a Geekom GeekBook M16?

Value

Competitively priced for the specification

4/5

Design

Lightweight magnesium chassis, but it needed more USB4

3.5/5

Hardware

Intel Core Ultra 100 Series CPU, and a massive battery for long runtime.

3.5/5

Performance

Not cutting-edge Intel tech, but good enough for many tasks

4/5

Overall

A practical system with enough battery for a long working day that’s less than $900

4/5

Buy it if...

Battery life is important for your workflow
With nearly 100Whr of battery, this machine runs for an inordinately long time on a full charge, and it’s much more than the typical 60-80Whr that most machines using the same Intel platform get given. Having a battery capacity that can run this machine actively for nearly a day is impressive.

You're on a budget
While alternatives typically go for a Core Ultra 5 or 7, this one has the full Core Ultra 9 processor, and that adds cores and performance. The only caveat is that these 100 series chips aren’t great for local AI, and the 16GB RAM capacity is also an LLM limitation.

Don't buy it if...

You need a highly portable machine
If you travel regularly and are sensitive to weight, a laptop that weighs 3.8 lbs or 1.73kg is excessive. Its associated charger doesn’t add much extra, considering it outputs 100W, but that’s the only light at the end of this tunnel.

You like to upgrade

The 16GB LPDDR5 memory is soldered onto the mainboard and cannot be upgraded. Users looking for long-term flexibility or future-proofing may find this limiting, especially if workloads grow more demanding over time.View Deal

Titus Welliver is a busy man these days. The actor is about to star in new MGM+ series The Westies, which is a fictional take on the misadventures of the real-life Irish-American crime family of the same name.

Welliver plays the FBI agent responsible for tracking the gang down. For the hardcore fans among us, it's fitting casting, as the role isn't that far removed from the character we know him best for: Detective Hieronymus 'Harry' Bosch.

Since 2014, Welliver has played the role across the main Bosch series, spinoff Bosch: Legacy, and spinoff of a spinoff, Ballard.

Here's where things get really exciting for crime drama fans. Not only is Welliver confirmed to return for new episodes of Ballard season 2, which is rumored to release later in the year, but Bosch creators are currently planning for a "standalone movie."

'We've got some ideas'

"I do three episodes of Ballard per season, so I've just finished doing that," Welliver tells me ahead of The Westies' debut on July 12. "And MGM+ is doing the Bosch prequel, Start of Watch. Cameron Monaghan is playing young Harry at the very beginning of his career as a uniform cop... but I have nothing to do with that."

This isn't too surprising, with developments on Start of Watch already being widely reported. The series doesn't have a release date as of yet, but we can expect it sometime between late 2026 and early 2027.

Welliver continued: "Michael Connelly (Bosch author), Henrik Bastin (executive producer), other people and I have some ideas about a possible standalone film. We've not seen the end of Harry Bosch, that's for sure... I will say that much."

If a standalone movie is only an idea at this point, it makes sense that we don't have any further details yet (for one, it hasn't even been greenlit).

If it does go ahead, we can perhaps expect it to look like action movies featuring the two famous fictional Jacks: the Jack Ryan movies, starring John Krasinski, and the Jack Reacher movies, which starred Tom Cruise.

At this point, it's all speculation. But I trust that Welliver's parting words about us not having seen the last of Bosch are referring to something other than his appearances in Ballard... call it a hunch.

In the meantime, you can stream Bosch, Bosch: Legacy and Ballard on Prime Video.

• A developer has created an AI reader tool that replicates Tom Riddle's diary from Harry Potter
• It uses an image-input LLM that reads your handwritten messages as PNGs
• The creator keeps the tool's interface simple, but it's not the easiest to install

Harry Potter fans listen up: someone has managed to develop a feature that lets you speak to Lord Voldemort himself through one of the best ereaders — well, kind of.

Canadian developer Maxime Rivest used Claude Fable 5 to reimagine Tom Riddle’s famous diary from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as an interactive AI mod feature for the reMarkable Paper Pro — and the result is pretty impressive.

Just as how the diary is featured in the book and the 2002 movie, ‘Riddle’ allows you to write a message on your ereader using the stylus, and, after a brief pause, your message will then fade into the paper. Then, a reply will shortly appear on the ereader in an animated cursive font similar to Tom Riddle’s — mimicking the feel that someone is writing back to you from a different realm.

It looks pretty clever, doesn’t it? Well, it’s all thanks to the magic powers of AI.

I love it when technology feels like magic. pic.twitter.com/7wbjyhyL8DJuly 4, 2026

Rivest, who used the reMarkable Paper Pro’s on-device software development kit to create the tool, says he wanted to design an interactive AI experience that felt as though you were writing in a regular notebook. There are no touchscreens, keyboards, or animated chat bubbles involved, instead he sticks to simplicity.

The feature is built with an image-input compatible LLM, so when you hand-write your note or question, this reads your message as a PNG which is then sent to the AI model. From there, it generates a reply and sends it back to the E Ink display. According to its GitHub listing, ‘Riddle’ works with OpenAI, OpenRouter, and Groq APIs, and local servers that support image input.

That said, downloading it isn’t the easiest. For starters it only works on the reMarkable Paper Pro in developer mode with a launcher installed. The tool’s GitHub page also states the following:

“This modifies your device. It runs as root, stops the vendor UI (in takeover mode), and drives the e-ink engine directly. It has only been tested on a reMarkable Paper Pro (ferrari, aarch64, OS 3.26-3.27). It may not work on other models or OS versions, and you use it entirely at your own risk. Not affiliated with reMarkable AS. Keep SSH access working before you install anything — that is your escape hatch.”

Since Rivest shared his video demo, it’s garnered a handful of responses that are equal parts amazed and spooked. One user on Reddit says that reMarkable should consider adding this as a flagship tool for their next-gen ereader.

Rivest has been just as active with replying to online comments, noting that this is “just [his] first chapter with the project. Alongside his ‘Riddle’ tool, Rivest also unveiled an interactive Marauder’s Map feature that he's developed, another artifact taken from the world of Harry Potter.

• 97% have implemented AI, but 47% are waiting for meaningful AI ROI to be realized
• 79% say key operation decisions still require manual intervention
• AI could seriously help Q4 shopping habits

New research has claimed even though nearly all (97%) retailers have implemented AI in some form, more than two-thirds (69%) say they only respond to operational problems after those issues have already affected commercial performance, implying that most aren't planning ahead.

As a result, nearly half (47%) are still waiting to see measurable returns on investment from their AI spend, the report from UiPath found.

This comes as many struggle with the same challenges that have plagued AI adoption for years, with 42% still struggling with poor data visibility.

AI adoption is high, ROI is low

A third (35%) of UK retail leaders even continue to blame legacy technology for slowing them down, despite years of studies and reports implying that complex tech stacks and poor data quality are among the biggest blockers to successful AI. Delayed decision-making and inventory inaccuracies also contribute to delayed and unsuccessful AI rollouts.

Poor tech even extends to inefficiencies today, with four in five (79%) retailers saying most, almost all or all key operation decisions still require manual intervention, slowing response times and limiting AI's realistic impact.

"Often, businesses blame supply chain disruption when the real problem is that they’re making decisions with incomplete or outdated information," Retail Director Catherine Frame wrote.

UiPath says the companies that will see the most success with AI will be the ones who achieve "operational excellence," rather than the ones that blindly invest in AI. In other words, the same solid data and tech foundations that reports have been calling for for years.

Looking ahead, margin protection looks to be one of the biggest commercial risks as we enter the final quarter of the year, and the biggest one for commerce – while companies will struggle to achieve "operational excellence" and effective AI by then, it certainly highlights a major area where AI could support.

It's here: Amazon's 2026 Prime Day sale in Australia is officially live, with thousands of deals on everything from coffee makers, robot vacuums and smart home devices to Apple products, smartwatches and more.

• Shop Amazon's full Prime Day sale

As a TechRadar veteran of 10 years, I've covered every single Amazon sale we've had in Australia since the online retail giant made its debut in December 2017, and I've learnt a thing or two on how to quickly find the best tech deals that are actually worth spending on. I'm also leveraging my entire team's expertise on finding the best products at worthwhile prices. Between us, we've already dug up 100+ deals on day one, and we still have a full week of shopping ahead of us!

There are amazing Prime Day deals on Apple products, and we've also got a dedicated collection of the best Garmin deals too. You can also take a look at our picks of the best Prime Day vacuum deals or the best Prime Day headphone deals, while our list of the best Prime Day coffee machine deals will have you salivating.

Other deal highlights on day one include the AirPods Pro 3 for just AU$299 and a whopping 73% off the Dreame X40 Ultra robot vacuum.

I'll be covering the entire sale live, so stick with me, dear reader, while I bring you more highlights all through till Monday, July 13, when Prime Day officially ends. Just be sure you have a Prime membership as most of the discounts below list the exclusive prices for subscribers. You can sign up now and get a 30-day free trial that you can cancel any time.

Amazon quick linksToday's best deals

Already quite affordable, this Blink video doorbell can rival anything from the more expensive Ring line, while also offering a long battery life and IP65 weatherproofing. Also included is the Sync Module that you'll need to make everything work, but you will need to take into account that it requires a Blink Subscription Plan if you want all its functions at your fingertips.View Deal

This is just the previous Fire TV Stick 4K rebranded to a new name. So if you already have the original, there's no need to upgrade, but for a first-time customer, you get Wi-Fi 6 support and a fast processor so you can get to your favourite streaming content that much quicker. All Fire TV Sticks now get you access to XBox Game Pass, so you don't need a console to play if you already have a subscription.View Deal

Securing a spot on our list of the best air fryers, our reviewer said this innovative model from Ninja was the "air fryer of my dreams". It takes a familiar double drawer design, but stacks them on top of each other, resulting in a smaller footprint. Performance is exemplary, but just make sure the food you put in isn't that big, as the drawers themselves are on the smaller side at 4.75L each.View Deal

The Kindle Colorsoft is one of the best ereaders with a colour display, even offering a feature to make the hues more vivid. While I wouldn't recommend at full price, this discount makes it the best Kindle deal yet since it's down to a record-low price.
If you'd like more storage than the 16GB version, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is also 27% off to AU$326.View Deal

This is the biggest discount currently on Apple's latest noise-cancelling buds. So if you've been keen to upgrade from an older pair of AirPods 2 or 3, they are worth a look. If you're a Pro 2 user, though, it's not worth the upgrade. Check out our review for the full story, but the new features include heart-rate monitoring and even better ANC than before.View Deal

We called it "the best Apple Watch for most people" in our Apple Watch SE 3 review, applauding its speedy performance and classically-modern looks. Sitting comfortably within our guide to the best Apple Watch, it matches the Series 11 and Ultra 3 in speed, has a solid battery life and compact design without feeling like a budget offering.View Deal

Best deals under AU$100

We may not have tested these buds ourselves here at TechRadar, but it’s hard to ignore the 100K customer reviews on Amazon. While often discounted to this price, if you’re after dependable Bluetooth buds on a budget, these are a great option.View Deal

This entry-level doorbell has a two-year battery life, meaning you won't have to worry about hardwiring if you're renting. It also has a 150° head-to-toe view, can automatically send you parcel and person alerts, and help keep your worries at bay with continuous live view. It's also remarkably affordable right now but something has to be said for 2K footage, which the slightly more expensive Blink listed above gets you.View Deal

Read our review for the full scoop, but the Blink Outdoor 4 is an affordable home security camera from Amazon with the ability to last up to two years off batteries. It comes with an easy-to-use app and fairly good camera quality via a 1080p lens, and can store video when paired with a Blink Sync module.View Deal

Boasting a 12,000dpi 'Hero' sensor, as well as 6 programmable buttons, a 250-hour battery and onboard memory for your settings, the Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse is ideal for competitive play. Want to know more? Check out our review. View Deal

If you don't enjoy flossing the traditional way, use the power of water instead. Removing plaque using three different water pressure settings, this handy flosser will clean out those hard-to-reach gaps that your toothbrush can't. Plus, it's cordless, meaning you can take it on your travels too.View Deal

Sure, it's a wired controller, but this gamepad is simple to use and durable, with drift-free hall effect analog sticks. In fact, the base of the sticks also have RGB, which is fantastic at this price. Being wired, however, means this isn't ideal for couch play, but if you're a PC gamer at your desk, it'll do wonderfully well.View Deal

If you're after a really good electric toothbrush that won't cost an arm and a leg (or some teeth), then this is it. It's an entry-level oscillating brush, which means it rotates at fast speeds and may not be ideal for people with sensitive or bleeding gums as that movement can be harsh, but it sure does remove a heck of a lot of plaque and keeps your teeth healthy. View Deal

This portable espresso machine is a fantastic option for those constantly on the move. It uses Nespresso pods and made such good coffee that it earned a 4-star review from us. And while already affordable for what it can do, it's now cheaper still and, honestly, a very tempting impulse buy.View Deal

This drip-style coffee maker lets you wake up to a fresh pot of coffee every morning and it will even keep it warm all morning for those cold days working from home. You can program it to brew at a specific time and even adjust the strength of your brew. View Deal

This little pod machine is very popular among TechRadar's Aussie team. We've had past and present staff say how much they love it, and they'd even buy it at full price. With a very compact footprint and plenty of Vertuo pods to choose from, you'll get delicious coffee at just the press of a button.View Deal

Our 1More Sonoflow review praised the comfort of the headphones, as well as the excellent active noise cancelling and up to 70 hours of battery life. Honestly, at this price, it's excellent value for everyday listening.View Deal

Headphones & speakers

These AirPods lack active noise cancellation but you still get great audio and personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking without having to pay too much. Additionally, a battery life of up to five hours on a single charge and 30 hours with the included carry case will keep you listening for longer.
Prefer noise cancellation as well? Grab the AirPods 4 with ANC for AU$219 (or 27% off).View Deal

Offering poised and revealing sound, along with excellent comfort and microphone quality, this saving is one to consider if you've been on the hunt for a quality pair of earbuds. Though noise cancellation and battery life could use some work, we awarded these earbuds a TechRadar Recommends seal of approval in our Technics EAH-AZ80 review.View Deal

Offering “incredible sound”, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have all the power and quality you’d expect from a Bose-branded item while providing the benefits of an open-ear form factor. The Immersive sound is excellent, and there’s also up to seven hours of play time and up to 48 hours of standby time. They simply just work and work very well.View Deal

We gave these stunning earbuds 4.5 stars in our review as they have class-leading audio handling and impeccable sound quality that rivals the best wireless earbuds. With balanced sound, effective ANC and a great battery life, these Sennheiser buds will make any audiophile smile. View Deal

Read our review for the full lowdown on why these are the ideal runners headphones. Importantly, this Pro 2 version that improves the sound quality by combining the bone conduction tech with an air conduction speaker. This discount beats the price from Black Friday last year.View Deal

Nearly as good as the gen 1 QuietComfort Ultra, the SC misses out on the Immersive Audio mode. There'll also be a little difference in sound quality as they process sound differently, but it's still excellent, as is the ANC performance. You'll also get a soft case for this foldable headphone rather than the hard one for the more expensive set.View Deal

The 5th-gen version is out now, but it's our Sennheiser Momentum 4 review that scored a full five stars, where we called these headphones "unbeatable". With active noise-cancellation, 60-hours of battery life and excellent sound quality, there are few pairs that can compete with the Momentum 4.View Deal

The original QC Ultra was already an excellent set of ANC cans, which sadly got knocked off its perch as the best by Sony's XM6 headphones. But these 2025 Bose QC Ultras reassert the brand's true mastery of sound and noise cancellation. Offering lively, engaging sound and Immersive Audio for a spatial treatment to any tune, I think they also look rather dapper. View Deal

Admittedly this isn't a fantastic price on an older Apple product, but not listing this discounted premium headphones just doesn't feel right considering how popular they can be. Sure, Apple's in-ear buds are arguably even more popular, but the cans are also coveted and cheaper than the gen 2 model.View Deal

I saw a small discount on Apple's latest release of its over-ear cans during EOFY at another retailer, but this is definitely a better offer. So, what's different and are they worth the cash? Well, if you're an Apple fan, then yes, they are, but the only thing new here is the H2 chip that offers better noise cancellation, voice isolation, adaptive audio and improved head gestures. Yeah, the only thing different...View Deal

This Bluetooth speaker has a 30W output, supports aptX, is waterproof, and can have two units paired together for stereo. All that for around the hundred-dollar mark is excellent value in my books.View Deal

This floatable Bluetooth speaker is perfect for the poolside party, with up to 15 hours of playtime and very decent 45m connectivity range. It promises bassy, punchy and yet a clear 360º soundstage.View Deal

Clean, detailed sound, full protection against dust and water and all packaged in a gorgeous body, the Bose SoundLink Flex is a Bluetooth speaker you'll want to take with you everywhere you go.View Deal

The JBL Flip 7 outperforms its predecessor, getting a full five stars in our review. The sound is a lot punchier than before and that's without compromising details across the range. It even gets a bigger battery to last you up to 16 hours and makes a case for itself at a very good price indeed.View Deal

Not only can the Charge 6 last up to 28 hours on a single charge, but it can also be used as a power bank to top up your devices via its USB-C port. Sound quality is energetic and detailed in equal measure, and it’s built to withstand virtually anything you wish to throw at it. View Deal

Offering bold sound that doesn't distort at high volumes, an attractive design and a brilliant 24-hour battery life, the JBL Xtreme 4 Bluetooth speaker is well worth considering if you've been looking or a powerful music player.View Deal

It might be expensive compared to other Bluetooth speakers you can get, but if you want big and punchy sound, this is the party speaker you should reach for. It will even charge your handheld devices for you thanks to its two-way USB-C port. Bose wraps up excellent sound quality and an enjoyable user experience in an attractive, outdoor-friendly package.View Deal

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Vacuum cleaners

We haven't tested this cordless vacuum ourselves but user reviews are glowing and I think that says something. For quick and daily vacuuming, this is great and excellent value and is currently back to its all-time low price on Amazon.View Deal

Scoring almost five stars in our Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review, we called this vacuum "a wonder". Versatile, powerful, offering automatic power adjustment and equally good at cleaning hard floors as it is on carpet, this is one of the best vacuums on the market, at a stellar price.View Deal

This Roborock wet-dry vacuum will leave your hard floors sparkling clean thanks to powerful suction and effective cleaning. It can get up close to edges and the whole body can lay completely flat to help getting underneath tricky to reach places. This price is equal to the lowest we have seen on Amazon and is a great saving on an excellent floor washer – read our review for more info.View Deal

In our Dreame L10s Ultra review, we called this handy little gadget a "a robot vacuum powerhouse" that will "do as it's told" – what more do you want from a robot vacuum? Seeing a massive discount (and one of the lowest prices we have seen on Amazon), this ultra machine automatically detects floor types, empties itself, has a useful onboard camera and an intuitive mobile app.View Deal

Where this Dreame differs from all the others on this page is that if you don't want it to mop (do a vacuum-only run), it can drop its mop pads in the base station by itself. It's also pretty powerful and scored 4 stars in our Dreame X40 Ultra review. It's now two generations old but I'd still recommend it today, especially at this price. View Deal

This is the robovac I would consider buying if I didn't already have a high-end Dreame machine that's been cleaning my home like... a dream. This Roborock is slimlined to crawl under furniture (no navigation puck here), and can raise not just its mop pads, but its side brush to avoid scattering and excessive tangling. Its headline act, however, has to be its cleaning prowess — our Roborock Saros 10R review didn't score 4.5 stars for nothing!View Deal

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Coffee machines

We've just got this bean-to-cup espresso machine in for review, but if the Philips LatteGo 5500 is anything to go by, we have high hopes. This machine can make 12 coffee-based drinks and uses a clever milk frothing system to create delicious coffee time after time. View Deal

This at-home espresso machine is perfect for hobbyist baristas and coffee connoisseurs alike and has long held a position on our round-up of the best espresso machines for good reason. This manual coffee machine streamlines the brewing process from beans to latte with its integrated conical burr grinder, steam wand and precise espresso extraction. View Deal

We rate the Vertuo Creatista as the best Nespresso machine out there thanks to its use of the Vertuo pods, which come in a range of cup and mug sizes and an integrated milk frother. It performs exceptionally well, too, and will brew your morning cuppa in no time at all.View Deal

It's an expensive machine but we like it so much that it scored 4.5 stars in our De'Longhi Eletta Explore review. Capable of making both hot and cold coffee brews, this bean-to-cup machine produces delicious results, although it's not without its quirks. Our reviewer thought its water tank design was a little annoying and wasn't too thrilled with the two-carafe milk system, but if those aren't going to be issues for you, this could be a good investment.View Deal

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Air fryers

This big air fryer has multiple accessories to keep clean, but there's no denying this Sunbeam unit is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It's capable of cooking in separate zones, complete with separate trays to maximise the space or one huge 11.4L zone. Food is roasted to perfection, whether it's a full chicken or small portions of fries or vegetables.View Deal

We haven't tested Philips' dual basket air fryer, but considering how much we've loved the brand's other kitchen appliances, it's hard to not make a mention of this offer. This 9L air fryer has drawers of different sizes, which makes it easy to cook a main and a side together, and promises to sync cooking times if needed. View Deal

This compact air fryer packs 1700W of power into a portable design, with two borosilicate glassware containers that serve as both frying baskets and serving dishes. The borosilicate means they can also withstand extreme temperatures, making it easy to take your favourite foods from frozen to crispy, and it's safer to use than any non-stick basket. The Crispi also comes with two removable crisping grates and two snap-on container lids for easy food-storage post-feast.View Deal

Ever cooked with steam in an air fryer? Now you can with this Philips two-drawer air fryer. In my Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket XXL Air Fryer Steam review, I said that it cooks everything really well, but there are some caveats to keep in mind when it comes to the use of steam. Still, it's absolutely worth the investment if you want to upgrade from an old air fryer and you have the space for it.View Deal

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Other home appliances

It's got a cult-like following and two members of our own staff are massive fans. If you love your chilled desserts – ice creams, gelatos, smoothies – but want to control your calorie intake, you really should consider getting the Ninja Creami. This Deluxe edition gets you three containers, which is great value at this price.View Deal

The Ninja Slushi lets you skip the ice and still enjoy perfectly smooth icy drinks with very little effort. Whether you're craving a frappe, smoothie, or even a cheeky spiked slushi, its multiple drink modes have you covered. Check out our Ninja Slushi review for the full rundown. View Deal

While we haven't tested the Vitamix Ascent 2300i for ourselves here at TechRadar, our colleagues at T3 love it, calling it a "real quality blender that will last longer than most things in your home" in their review. The only downside was the asking price. Now, though, the price has dropped considerably.View Deal

We might be in the middle of winter, but there's no denying some parts of Australia need a good fan year round. This Vornado model creates tornado-like air flow that circulates around the room. Note that this is the smallest model in the range, ideal for bedrooms. View Deal

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Personal care

Whisk away facial hair in one smooth motion using Manscaped's Beard Hedger beard trimmer. With 20 length settings, edge trimming capabilities and a fully waterproof body, you'll be perfecting your stubble in no time. We have seen this trimmer go lower in price before, but we think it's such a talented performer that we felt compelled to include it here.View Deal

Fitted with a flexible head, this shaver is designed to glide against the shape of your face, while onboard sensors will allow it to adapt the cutting power to your beard's length. Speaking of which, it's got 5 length settings to suit different needs and it holds its own while in the shower too. View Deal

The Dreame Gleame hair dryer is an even more affordable alternative to the bigger brands. Its motor spins at a mighty fast 110,000 RPM for fast airflow and quick drying, plus built-in ion technology results in smooth, shiny hair. Not to mention, the slim, lightweight build make it comfortable to hold. View Deal

This very significant price drop might well tempt you to get yourself what is arguably one of the best hair dryers money can buy. There are a plethora of sensors here that make sure your scalp remains healthy, automatically adjusting heat and airflow depending on how far away the dryer is from your head. You also get a bunch of magnetic attachments for a styled blow dry too.View Deal

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Home entertainment & Hi-Fi

The Amazon Fire TV Cube combines all the benefits of a streaming device with Alexa support. It works as a smart speaker so you can control your smart home devices with it, but it also provides access to every streaming app you can think of. Throw in Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos, and it’s everything you could want. So why not grab a streaming device that's also a smart speaker?View Deal

It's often the #1 bestselling soundbar on Amazon and that doesn't surprise me in the least. It was very well received by experts at its price point when it launched in 2023, and has remained a top option for users too. And at this price, it's a fantastic budget option with Dolby Atmos support, plenty of bass and a wide soundstage.View Deal

In our Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review, we said this soundbar rivals the Sonos Arc, which is the best Sonos soundbar we've tried. The Smart Ultra is compact, beautifully built, and offers plenty of control options to go with its wide, detailed sound. View Deal

This Sony Bluetooth turntable is as fuss-free as they come with regard to setup and getting your favourite vinyl records spinning. Whether you're playing via wired or wireless speakers, it delivers a delightfully musical sound that will satisfy vinyl beginners or those looking for a more hands-off approach. View Deal

We haven't reviewed these KEF bookshelf speakers, but our esteemed colleagues at What Hi-Fi? have and deem them to "set the performance standard for stereo speakers anywhere close to this price". They're pretty forgiving when it comes to partnering amplifiers, so if you have a home hi-fi setup in need of a upgrade, this could be the one you're looking for. View Deal

This UST projector from AWOL Vision does require some manual input to set it up correctly, but once it's done, you'll be treated to a glorious, bright image. It supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and because of a lack of built-in streaming apps, an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is included. And don't be fooled by the 15% price drop — it's actually a 39% discount as the RRP is AU$5,599.View Deal

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Phones, tablets & accessories

I have a feeling the price of this budget phone will drop but that's not a promise, it's a hope. It's still worth it at this price, as long as you don't need the most powerful phone with all the bells and whistles. We called it a "competent all-rounder" in our Samsung Galaxy A57 review, but we also noted that it will not wow you.View Deal

This Motorola handset is packed full of value if you don't need the latest and bestest phone on the market. For your money, you get a vivid display, impressive battery life and very good everyday performance. Don't expect it to handle heavy gaming, but its plenty for the average user.View Deal

Announced in October 2024, this compact iPad has a decently powerful chip under the hood, and this exceptional discount is icing on the Apple. With Apple Pencil and Smart Folio support, this 8.3-inch slate is not just portable, but would be a handy device to have if you're working on the go.View Deal

The 2024 Paperwhite remains one of the best Kindles you can get. Its E Ink Carta 1300 screen is fantastic, page turns are quick and we gave it 4 stars in our review. My only complaint with it is that a significant chunk of its 16GB storage is taken up by the OS, which isn't really a deal breaker.View Deal

With more storage, a brighter screen and wireless charging, the Paperwhite Signature Edition is arguably better value than the base model above if you think you'll make full use of the storage and its wireless charging capabilities. If not, you're better off going with the standard Paperwhite.View Deal

Kindles are known for their reading capabilities, but with the Kindle Scribe, you get that and a whole lot more. With a wide range of writing features, you can take notes, create sketches and brainstorm like a pro. I love its 10.2-inch glare-free screen with an ambient light sensor, and it's battery life is excellent too. It's now the previous-gen model, but arguably better value than the 2025 3rd-gen release. View Deal

Samsung's answer to the AirTag, the SmartTag 2 works with select Samsung phones to help you find mislaid items. It has a built-in hole for easier attachments, up to 700 days of battery life and it's water-resistant. If you're always losing stuff, this is a worthy investment.View Deal

The latest release of the popular AirTag comes with a better locator sound and more precise location tracker than previously, making this the Bluetooth tracker to get for Apple users. While the single unit is discounted to AU$39, the 4-pack is better value as it brings the price of each AirTag to AU$32.75.View Deal

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Power banks & chargers

This compact mid-sized power bank is a great option for fast charging your phone on longer trips where a smaller capacity power bank won't cut it. The T2055 is one of our top-rated options in our best power bank buyers guide, and is a sweet deal at this price. View Deal

The INIU B64 is one of our favourite power banks, and while this isn't quite the lowest price we've seen (that was AU$95.99), there's still good bang for buck here. The B64 has up to a massive 140W output for fast charging anything from a phone to a laptop or portable gaming device. The large 27,000mAh (99.9Wh) capacity is (just) flight safe, it can charge three devices at once and is backed by a long three-year warranty.View Deal

At one of the lowest prices we have seen, this is a great deal for a premium power bank. The Anker 737 gets excellent results in our best power banks guide, and has a 140W output, a 24,000 mAh capacity (86.4Wh, so flight safe) and an excellent 85% efficiency. View Deal

This neat little charger doesn’t take up much space and offers USB-A and USB-C ports, capable of fast charging most base model phones from Apple, Google and Samsung. It won’t achieve the maximum wattage requirements of fast charging on more high-end models (such as the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at 37W, or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus/Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max at 45W), but it’s a handy travel solution.View Deal

Outputting a maximum of 65W via either one of its USB-C ports (and a maximum of 22.5W via its USB-A port), this charger isn’t just capable of fast charging top iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices at the highest speed, it’s also worth considering as a laptop charger replacement with its compact size, provided you have a sufficiently capable USB-C cable and your laptop can charge via said cable.View Deal

A 100W charger might seem overkill, but if you’re thinking of simultaneously charging a laptop, phone, set of earbuds and a smartwatch, this is certainly a device to consider. The two top-most USB-C ports can output at a maximum of 100W, while the bottom USB-C port delivers up to 30W and the USB-A port up to 22.5W.View Deal

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Fitness trackers & smartwatches

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a worthwhile fitness device for folks that don’t like the feeling of a watch. Water resistant at up to 100 metres and available in three colours, the Galaxy Ring can track steps, sleep, heart rate and more. It comes with a charging cradle, with the Ring capable of lasting up to seven days on a full charge. Remember to try the sizing kit first.View Deal

We called this the best smart ring for battery life (rated up to 12 days + a further 150 days with the charging case) while also being a more affordable option than Oura and Samsung at full price. The Gen 2 added a sleep apnoea tracker to make up for the price hike over its predecessor. Again, be sure to source the sizing kit first as not all smart rings are made the same.View Deal

This is a fantastic price for a fantastic smartwatch that we awarded four stars in our Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro review. Yes, it looks like an Apple Watch, but it also acts like one, offering excellent battery life, accurate health tracking and a bright display. Plus, perhaps most importantly, it plays nicely with both iOS and Android devices.View Deal

One of the best-looking hybrid smart watches on the market, blending analog and digital design layouts, the Scanwatch 2 is probably your best bet if you want a classic design and some of the health tracking features of a typical smart watch. In our Withings ScanWatch 2 review, we found that the companion app was quite easy to use and we liked the inclusion of a skin temperature tracker, though we would have liked some more smart features and the small digital display may not be for everyone.View Deal

An upgraded version of a watch we proudly awarded five stars, this handy fitness tracker features solar power charging, allowing it to last much longer than the standard model. It's a rugged wrist piece and it's intended for heavy-duty activities.View Deal

The 'S' in the name stands for 'small', meaning this specific Garmin was made for petite wrists and features a 42mm vibrant OLED display. You also get Multiband GPS, an intuitive menu navigation, excellent battery life, plenty of Garmin fitness features... and, oh, did I mention the OLED display?View Deal

If you want the most powerful wearable from Apple, then this one is it. Built for the outdoors, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can compete with some of the best Garmin watches, just made to work with an iPhone. Precise GPS, custom workout tracking and so much more, it's perfect for all athletes.View Deal

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Cameras

This is Canon's first compact camera in years, picking up where the fabulous and popular PowerShot G7 X series left off. It features a brand-new 22.3MP 1.4-inch sensor that boasts Canon's trusty Dual Pixel CMOS II autofocus and it has an integrated fan to keep things cool for the content creator. With plenty of grunt under the hood, this is the best price yet on this relatively new camera.View Deal

You may not have heard of this brand and dismiss it out of hand but, for its price, our colleagues at Digital Camera World rated it with a 4-star score in their review. Even at full price, it represents excellent value, offering a front screen that even a GoPro doesn't get you. Admittedly its image quality lacks against the big players, but we have it on good authority that it's reliable, easy to use and comes with plenty of accessories in the box.View Deal

This point-and-shoot camera fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, and makes content creation as easy as possible. You quite literally just need to point and shoot. There are just a few control buttons on the rear, but the tiny 2-inch flip-up touchscreen adds functionality too. It's capable of 4K/30p videos and 20MP stills. View Deal

With some serious grunt under the hood of this palm-friendly camera, you get AI-powered subject tracking, up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range and even 4K/120p slo-mo recording. This camera has since been succeeded by the 6th-gen model but it's still a fabulous shot (pardon the pun).View Deal

While it's not a huge upgrade over the previous model, the TG-6 is no longer available to buy, making this the best choice if you'd like a near-indestructible camera that you can take underwater.View Deal

This might be an entry-level camera but it has some advanced features. Anyone who wants to shoot wildlife or sports will be thrilled with the 40fps burst speed, and it inherits some of the tracking precision from Canon's higher-end cameras too. With a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, it's one of the lightest cameras available today and represents excellent value for a beginner even though this isn't the best price it's been.View Deal

It's been cheaper than this before, but this is still a fantastic saving on an excellent Nikon full-framer. The 24.6MP sensor can shoot at up to 120fps, records 6K video, has built-in image stabilisation and has dual card slots, including one for a CFexpress device to make full use of its speed.View Deal

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Dash cams

Holding a spot on our list of the best dash cams, the Vantrue E1 is super compact, yet is capable of recording clear, detailed footage day and night. A comprehensive mobile, PC and Mac app allows for easy footage transfers and built-in GPS ensures you know exactly where any incidents take place.View Deal

We call this an "all-round surveillance solution" in our 70mai Dash Cam A510 review, due to it including both front-facing and rear-facing cameras in the box. They're quality cameras, too, recording 2.7K footage from the front and 1080p at the back, complete with wide fields of view. Built-in GPS, 360º rotation for in-car recording and easy install only add to its appeal.View Deal

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PC peripherals

The Logitech MX Master range have been some of my favourite mice of all time, thanks to the ergonomic design, multiple customisable buttons, and a second scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling (or for flicking through multiple browser tabs). This version is Bluetooth-only, meaning it doesn’t have the Logi Bolt USB dongle and a USB-C charging cable included in the box.View Deal

The most striking feature of this mechanical keyboard is its thinness, but it also comes with the promise of sub-1ms latency and 8,000Hz hyper-polling. In our review we praised the K100 Air's durability, great actuation and high polling, while bemoaning the high price of this slab. And yeah: it's expensive, so good thing there's a discount.View Deal

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Modems & routers

This TP-Link Deco XE75 mesh system is great for smaller homes or apartments, as its Wi-Fi 6E tri-band connectivity allows it to better avoid congestion by using the newly unlocked 6GHz band, plus it has a range of improved technologies that better handle crowded airwaves.View Deal

If you aren't keen on the Google mesh Wi-Fi system listed above, consider Amazon's own Eero 6+ three-pack instead. You should read our full review to get the complete picture, but we gave the Eero 6+ 4 stars, and noted that the Wi-Fi performance was excellent, the pricing is good and it's easy to use. View Deal

The latest eero Wi-Fi 7 mesh router is down to the lowest price we have seen on Amazon. We don't have a review yet, but our friends over at Tom's Guide rated it 4-stars. It's a Wi-Fi 7 model designed for high-speed wireless and wired networks and includes dual 5GbE ports. You can also grab it in a three pack for AU$899.99, which works out at just AU$299 per node. View Deal

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Gaming hardware

This deal offers you a significant saving on the new, higher price on Meta's best 'affordable' headset, and a close second to its best ever headset according to our resident VR headset tester. In fact, he thinks it's the second-best headset anyone can buy from any brand, and it's only a more tempting offer thanks to this limited-time deal.View Deal

One of the best gaming mice available right now, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is an exceptionally lightweight and capable device, with a long-lasting battery life, five programmable buttons and a 32K DPI sensor. View Deal

A nice 21% off deal on a 27-inch OLED gaming monitor, bringing it down to the lowest price we have seen on Amazon. It features a 180Hz panel capable of a 4K resolution. We awarded four and a half stars to this screen in our Alienware 27 AW2725Q review, and were impressed with its sharp visuals and HDR performance.View Deal

This OLED monitor comes with a gigantic 34.2-inch curved screen that boasts a 240Hz refresh rate and a lightning fast 0.03ms response time. It’s capable of producing gorgeous darkness with DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification, and offers a 3440 x 1440 resolution.View Deal

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Smart home

This little speaker might be priced higher than the older Echo Dot models, but then it takes what Amazon's palm-sized smart speakers can do to the, well, max. It improves on sound with higher bass than the previous Echo Dot to make streaming music a much better experience. View Deal

Want to make your home movies more immersive? This Govee backlight and camera system effectively extends the on-screen image beyond its bezelled confines and accurately tracks colours and flashes to the wall behind. It can also sync with music to dance along to your favourite tunes. Note that this is designed for 55 to 65-inch TVs.View Deal

This 8-inch smart display will need to be wall-mounted and it gives you control of thousands of smart home devices that work over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other connectivity standards like Zigbee, Matter and Thread. You can stream video, even security footage, start routines, add widgets and a heck of a lot more you can't with a regular Echo Show — now at its lowest price yet.View Deal

The price of what is one of the best video doorbells you can get in Australia has been fluctuating a lot on Amazon, and it's been down to AU$145 previously. It's easy to install, offers clear footage even at night and features facial recognition. Recording automatically begins when motion is detected, or when its button is pressed, plus it will let you know when packages have been left outside your door.View Deal

I much prefer this design of the newest Echo Show 8 smart display, now powered by a AZ3 Pro chip for better performance and 15% more screen real estate than previous generations. It's a much better smart hub now, with Alexa at your beck and call (and fingertips) — down to a record-low price as well.View Deal

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Services & software

Amazon Kindle Unlimited: three months free, then AU$13.99p/m
Kindle Unlimited is a great service if you read a lot of books or can't settle on just one genre. It provides access to a near never-ending supply of fiction and non-fiction, including biographies, self-help books, and foreign language novels. There are even audiobooks — though they're not as high quality as Audible. View Deal

Audible: three months free, then AU$8.99p/m
Prefer to listen to stories rather than read? Then you’ll prefer this deal over the Kindle Unlimited deal above. Audible gives you the chance to listen to thousands of Originals as well as plenty of other hot titles. You also get to keep any purchase you make if you decide to cancel your subscription.View Deal

Music Unlimited: four months free, then AU$13.99p/m
No ad breaks, just music, podcasts and audiobooks. You can stream in high resolution and experience spatial audio for a full four months, and you can cancel any time if you don't want to pay the ongoing monthly subscription. You will need to be a new Music Unlimited subscriber, however, to take advantage of this offer.View Deal

Here's something different. If you're a photographer and you've been spending a lot on your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, this discount on an annual Photography Plan might ease that expenditure a little. It shaves a considerable chunk off the one plan and gets you both Photoshop and Lightroom. Note that this will auto-renew at full price if not cancelled in time.View Deal

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Welcome to day one of Amazon's weeklong Prime Day event. Yes, another 7-day sale, which begs the question: can we really please just start calling it Prime Week now?

No matter the name, day one always has the best and most exciting deals, so my team and I are looking forward to sharing our favourite offers throughout the day. We'll continue to do so through the entirety of the sale, of course.

Something to keep in mind while shopping today's sale is that the hottest offers will sell out before the sale is over. My advice: if you see a record-low price on an item you want, add it to your cart and check out before it's too late.

Let's start with the freebies, shall we?

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Freebies: yes, in the plural. Because there isn't just one free thing to enjoy, but three, depending on your personal preference for reading or listening. You can sign up for one, or two or, heck, why not all three?! After all, freebies!

OK, enough waffling – I'll get to the point.

You can get Music Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited and Audible for free right now — or rather with extended free trials if you're a new or returning customer. You get three months free of Kindle Unlimited and Audible, but Music Unlimited is arguably better value with four months free and includes audiobooks too.

That's a lot of reading and listening if you ask me. I've already signed up for Kindle Unlimited and am enjoying the Bill Bryson-edited Seeing Further: The Story of Science and the Royal Society (yeah, I'm a history and science nerd).

Audible: three months free, then AU$8.99/m
Amazon Kindle Unlimited: three months free, then AU$13.99/m
Amazon Music Unlimited: four months free, then AU$13.99/m

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Free DoorDash, anyone?

(Image credit: Amazon)

Of course there's more free stuff during Prime Day!

In fact, this one is a perk for all Prime members (even existing ones), but you will need to remember to claim it before the offer ends later this year.

Current or new Prime members get free DoorDash deliveries for the next two years (as well as other DashPass benefits). A typical 2-year DashPass subscription would cost you AU$192, so this is massive savings right here.

This perk can be redeemed via the offer page on Amazon, and you have until November 14, 2026 to do so. Plenty of time, but don't forget about it!

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A soundbar for your desk?

(Image credit: BlueAnt)

Let's face it, the built-in speakers in your laptop and monitor just doesn't sound great, and I'm sure you've been tempted to upgrade to proper speakers for your desk.

Bookshelf speakers are usually my go-to over those smaller ones we've grown up with, but they can take precious desk real estate — so that setup may not work for everyone.

But what if you can add a soundbar underneath your monitor, just like your TV in the living room? Thankfully, you can with BlueAnt's Soundblade under-monitor soundbar. It has 120W power for rich audio and deep bass, and there are plenty of connectivity options like Bluetooth or a 3.5mm Aux jack. BlueAnt is also an Australian company, if that's something important to you.

The best part is it's discounted by a whopping 69% off to just AU$94 for Prime Day!

BlueAnt Soundblade under-monitor soundbar: was AU$299 now AU$94

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Alexa, is there an Echo inside the car?

(Image credit: Amazon)

You don't need the latest automobile technology to gets some smarts in a car. The Amazon Echo Auto makes it easy to add hands-free Alexa to your older car, letting you stay connected and entertained while you drive. With Alexa on the go, you can ask for directions, play your favourite music, switch podcasts, listen to audiobooks, or even make calls.

I should note that the Echo Auto may not be compatible with all old cars. Thankfully Amazon has a handy list of models you can check before you make a purchase like this. Even if you don't need it, perhaps a loved one would find it handy – it could be a thoughtful gift.

Thanks to its five built-in microphones, it picks up your voice clearly over road noise, air conditioning, or even chatty passengers. If you use Android, this is a great travel companion, and right now, it's available at 63% off, which is a record-low price for the latest release (AU$2 less than what it was last week).

Echo Auto: AU$99 AU$37

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An unmissable AirPods deal

(Image credit: Apple / Future)

Well, I'm happy to be proven wrong, but I'm already calling this AU$130 saving on the sublime AirPods Pro 3 as the best deal of Amazon Prime Day this year. That's a new all-time low price in Australia, and it makes Apple's flagship earbuds even more compelling.

The latest generation of Apple's ubiquitous 'buds deliver their best sound yet alongside class-leading ANC performance. The fit has been vastly improved too, with the Pro 3s feeling even more secure in the ear. The improved fit helps ensure the built-in heart rate monitor works as intended too — yep, these in-ears can monitor your pulse, making them even more versatile as a great set of workout headphones (they're fully water- and sweatproof too).

Throw in spatial audio support and up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, and you have yourself a truly wonderful set of earbuds that are a must-consider for any iPhone owner.

Apple AirPods Pro 3: was AU$429 AU$299

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Complete coffee convenience

(Image credit: Philips / TechRadar)

Coffee machines come in a wide range of styles to suit all budgets. For sheer convenience however, you can't go wrong with a fully automatic machine, and the Philips LatteGo 4400 Series is a fantastic example.

This compact machine is great for smaller households, owing to its two profiles to store drink preferences. It can make 12 coffee-based drinks, including iced options, and each is produced to perfection.

• View all the latest Prime Day coffee machine deals

It also features a milk frothing system, although as you'll read in our Philips LatteGo 4400 Series review, the results are mixed. I should also point out that this machine did drop to AU$594 during the Big Smile Sale earlier this year, but that was thanks to an extra AU$125 coupon provided by Amazon. That coupon hasn't appeared this time around, but a 39% saving on a machine that will up your at-home coffee game is still well worth checking out.

Philips 4400 Series LatteGo: AU$1,199 now AU$689

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The iPad deal that ain't mini

(Image credit: Apple)

If you're keen on an iPad that you can use while on the move or when travelling, then the iPad mini is for you and, better yet, there's a very generous 30% off on the A17 Pro model (2024 release) with both Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity. The latter would definitely be useful when working on the go. There's also a good 256GB of storage on board for this variant.

In our Apple iPad mini A17 Pro (2024) review, we praised the new tablet's "pocket-friendly design" and "ability to support Apple Intelligence". It works well as a note-taking device, ereader, web browser, streaming machine, and even a bit of a games console. It's honestly such a lovely little tablet.

Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro; 256GB, Cellular): AU$1,399 now AU$983

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Suck up these savings — 78% off a robovac

(Image credit: Ecovacs)

This year's Prime Day sale is proving you don't have to spend top dollar to find a good robot vacuum and this is one of the biggest discounts I've seen so far — a whopping 78% off on a Deebot.

It's the mid-range Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro, with 11,000Pa of suction and an all-in-one dock that takes care of most of the ongoing maintenance too. It's not the most powerful robovac on the market, but if you mostly have hard floors, this will serve you just fine at a very remarkable price indeed.

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro: AU$1,999 now AU$449

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Is an Echo speaker worth it?

(Image credit: Future)

As some of the most affordable smart speakers on the market, I think an Echo can be handy. Not only will they play your favourite music, podcast or audiobook (even directly via Audible), they all come with a mic to help you interact with Alexa. And that's truly where the 'worth' really lies.

At their price point, they're affordable smart home hubs that you can use to automate your lights and home security cameras (you can view the footage on your phone). You can ask about the weather, get step-by-step help with recipes, ask to be woken up at a certain time in the morning, set a timer, create shopping lists, and so much more — all without the need to lift a finger, just speak and you shall be heard.

The newest versions of the Echo speakers also have better sound than the older models, so you can even dumb them down to be plain ol' speakers, but you can stream directly from your favourite app (although Amazon Music Unlimited is free for four months!).

If I had to recommend, I'd suggest the Echo Dot Max as it comes with excellent audio for its size, as well as solid smart home specs and sensors. And at a discounted price of AU$113 (AU$6 less than the early Prime Day deal we've already seen), it's excellent value. Note that Alexa+ hasn't yet been launched in Australia.

Amazon Echo Dot Max: AU$199 now AU$113

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Cheap buys: 50 deals under AU$50

Looking for the affordable deals on Amazon? My colleague has spent all morning carefully curating some excellent Prime Day deals all under AU$50.

If you thought you won't get a lot for that kind of cash, think again. From decent earbuds to power banks, even keyboards and even smart home products are available for not a lot of cash.

So take a look — I'm sure you'll find something you never thought you needed.

See our collection of 50 Prime Day deals under AU$50

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Death Star. What a prescient turn of phrase.

(Image credit: Lego)

The Death Star is arguably the most iconic superweapon in all of sci-fi and the Disney Plus show (and Rogue One prequel) Andor has made it a lot more menacing than ever before, with the series depicting some of the work that went behind building the planet-killing space station.

And that intimidating feel translates well in Lego's newest iteration of the Death Star, the 9,023-piece Ultimate Collection Series set that stands about 70cm high and 79cm wide. It also has 38 minifigures, including iconic characters like Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Emperor Palpatine, as well as working lifts and a miniature imperial shuttle.

It's not a perfect set — it's a diorama that's shaped like a flat disc than a spherical model like the older models, and the back isn't completely flush either for easy display. It's also the most expensive Lego Star Wars set to date at a staggering AU$1,499 RRP.

Still, this massive set is a great showcase of several iconic scenes from the classic movie franchise, and is a must-have for any Lego Star Wars UCS collector. It also helps that Amazon is selling it for an all-time low price of AU$1,139, which should make the Lego UCS Death Star more palatable.

Lego Star Wars Death Star 75619: was AU$1,499 now AU$1,139

Kindle Scribe Colorsoft now out — should you buy it?

(Image credit: Amazon)

It took a while for Amazon to release the next generation of Kindle Scribe epaper writing tablets in Australia, but all the new models are now available for pre-order... and they're all more expensive than either of the older Scribes. Even the new Kindle Scribe without frontlight costs a lot more than I expected!

So, are any of them worth it? Well, not unless you really need a 10-inch epaper writing tablet. And even power users like me don't need a colour display either. Even if we did, there are alternatives to consider that offer different pros and cons that might suit a user better at a similar or lower price.

I've been using the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft since June 26 and it's, well, fine. It didn't blow my mind and other than the ability to connect to Google Drive, reading on an E Ink Kaleido 3 screen was just 'fine'. Colour E Ink just isn't there yet. And I don't need to use a different ink colour when I write, black is perfectly sufficient.

As much as I really want to love the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, I wouldn't buy it at full price.

Take a look at what the latest Kindle Scribes offer

Instead, if you're really keen on a digital notebook, I would whole-heartedly recommend the 2nd-generation Kindle Scribe that's now down to an all-time low price. Other than a few extra notebook templates and extra cloud connectivity options, you won't miss out on much.

Kindle Scribe (2024): AU$649 now AU$424

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• AdGuard VPN is available to download directly from the Microsoft Store
• This isn't a new version, just an easier way to install and manage the app
• The standalone installer on AdGuard's website remains available

Finding and setting up AdGuard VPN on Windows just became a little less fiddly.

The app has arrived on the Microsoft Store, letting users on Windows 10 and later find, install, and update the app in the same place they already get everything else.

Until now, Windows VPN users had to visit AdGuard's website, download a standalone installer, and run it manually. That route still works, but the Store listing trims the process down to a couple of clicks and folds AdGuard VPN into the background update system Windows handles automatically.

Crucially, this is not a rebuilt or redesigned app. The provider stresses it's the same AdGuard VPN people already use, simply served through a more convenient channel.

The move follows AdGuard's recent arrival on the Mac App Store, continuing a busy stretch of platform expansion for the Cyprus-based provider.

What the Microsoft Store listing changes

(Image credit: AdGuard)

For users, this change is mainly about convenience. We all know how to get one of the best VPN apps from an app store: open the Store page, search for the app, and click install.

From there, the app can update automatically in the background alongside your other Store apps, so you're less likely to end up on an outdated build.

Discovery is another big win, as downloading through Microsoft's marketplace means you're getting the official, verified build.

Fake and copycat VPN listings have become a genuine problem recently, and security researchers have repeatedly warned that attackers disguise malware as trusted VPN brands. Even legitimate providers like Proton VPN and X-VPN have been impersonated, so a single authentic listing reduces the risk of grabbing a lookalike.

There's also easier app management, since installs, updates, and reinstalls all live in one familiar spot, plus the ability to read and leave reviews directly on the Store page.

Billing and the standalone installer stay put

Even if you download through the Microsoft Store, subscriptions are still handled directly through AdGuard. This keeps your plan under your own control and avoids store billing lock-in, along with the flexible subscription options AdGuard offers on its own site.

And, if you prefer downloading software directly, nothing is being taken away. The standalone installer on AdGuard's website remains available for anyone who'd rather skip the Store entirely.

It's a small but sensible addition to an app that already leans on AdGuard's own open-source VPN protocol, designed to disguise VPN traffic as ordinary HTTPS to slip past firewalls and network blocks. A paid subscription still covers up to 10 devices at once with AES-256 encryption, whichever way you choose to install it.

• New data from battery analytics company Recurrent has been released
• It shows the average EV retains 95% of its original battery capacity
• Battery replacement rates have dropped dramatically over recent years

A new study from battery analytics company Recurrent has revealed that the average electric vehicle retains up to 95% of its original driving capacity after five years on the road.

Although early EV manufacturers were concerned that battery packs would degrade to the point where they would need replacing, the data is now showing that the cells are dramatically out-performing original predictions.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the findings point to the fact that advances in battery chemistry, thermal management systems, and vehicle software have significantly improved battery longevity, allowing EVs to effectively travel the same sort of distances as their ICE counterparts without the need for a battery pack replacement.

Recurrent’s statistics state that roughly one in 12 electric vehicles built between 2011 and 2016 required battery replacements. For EVs produced from 2022 onward, that figure has dropped dramatically to just 0.3 percent.

While the report notes that frequent high-powered DC charging can accelerate battery degradation compared with regular charging from slower, domestic outlets, Digital Trends reveals that data from Geotab shows batteries frequently charged at high power still retain about 89.7 percent of their original capacity after several years.

As a result, EV owners are finding their batteries are retaining more capacity, even after very high mileage, than originally predicted.

The Wall Street Journal report cites a UK-based EV dealer whose five-year-old Tesla Model 3 has clocked up 247,000 miles, yet the estimated range is only a few miles less than the official WLTP figure when new.

Analysis: Used EVs require transparent battery health information

(Image credit: Tesla)

Despite several recent reports dispelling the myth that EV batteries degrade to a point that they are near-useless after a few years, consumer confidence remains low when it comes to the issue.

Digital Trends claims that a 2025 survey by AutoPacific found that fears over expensive battery replacements remain the leading reason many prospective buyers avoid electric vehicles in the US.

As such, it is extremely important that used electric vehicles are advertised with a clear and transparent battery health certificate that allows buyers to quickly and easily assess how maximum range might be impacted by any degradation.

A number of used car dealers are already signed up to independently certified EV battery diagnostics schemes, such as those from Generational and Dekra in the UK, but many are calling for an industry-wide standard.

A poll conducted by Startline finance back in 2025 found that nine in 10 used car dealers said the used electric car sector needs an industry-wide scheme for battery health tests.

On top of this, 78% believed that battery health is an essential consideration for most electric car buyers

Getting started with smart home can feel intimidating, not least because it feels like there's sure to be a hefty cost involved. It doesn't have to be that way, though. I asked the TechRadar team for their top affordable smart home recommendations, and they came through with some real winners. All the gadgets featured below come with the stamp of approval from TechRadar, will make your home that little bit more convenient, and won't cost you more than $50 / £50. Hit the 'View details' button to learn more about each one.

Budget-friendly smart home

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

This is the most basic of Amazon's smart speakers, and a great entry point into the world of smart home gadgets. I use mine as a cooking timer, weather checker, alarm clock, and speaker... and to call my phone when I can't find it. However, that's far from the limit of what you could use it for — through it, you can access everything Alexa+ has to offer.

Read our full review

Pros

• Better sound quality than previous models
• New tap gestures
• Room temperature sensor

Cons

• No 3.5mm port
• Incremental upgrade if you have other dots

Philips Hue Essential Smart Bulb

Regular Philips Hue bulbs are expensive, but its Essential range comes in at around half the price, with very few compromises in performance (specifically: they can't get quite as dim, and have a narrower white light color range). They're ideal for experimenting with smart lighting, and because they're compatible with the main range, you can mix-and-match.

Read our full review

Pros

• Much more affordable than regular Philips Hue lights
• Very good color reproduction
• Fully compatible with Philips Hue app and accessories
• All Essential bulbs offer tuneable white and colored light

Cons

• Dimmable to 2% brightness, compared to 0.2% for a regular Philips Hue bulb
• Only three bulb types available
• Darker 'halo' sometimes visible around top of bulb

SwitchBot Smart Switch

This matchbox-sized gadget sticks to any 'dumb' device with physical switch, and has a mechanical arm that can reach out to turn it on and off. It can work on almost anything that's operated by a physical switch — think light switches, heaters, fans and so on. The companion app has scheduling features, and is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and IFTTT.

Read our full review

Pros

• Versatile
• Easy scheduling
• Turns dumb devices smart

Cons

• Hub required for voice control
• Unattractive
• Setup can be fiddly

Blink Wired Doorbell 2K+

The Blink brand is better known for its security cameras, but it also makes a small range of video doorbells. Of these, the Wired Doorbell 2K+ is the best budget-friendly option. For a pleasingly affordable price, it offers 2K video, a wide field of view. There is a battery-powered alternative, but the general consensus is the wired version is far superior for long-term effectiveness and convenience, and well worth the hassle of wiring it into your door (if you have a standard doorbell already in place, this should be a straightforward process).

Blink Mini 2K+

This affordable home security camera is compact, reliable, and delivers good-quality video. It comes from one of the best-known home security brands, and because said brand is now owned by Amazon, you can expect seamless integration with the Alexa ecosystem. Basic functionality is included, but be aware that more advanced features — such as the ability to filter motion alerts by person or vehicle — require a paid-for subscription.

Read our full review

Pros

• Very small
• Decent 2K video quality
• Competitively priced

Cons

• Needs to be installed close to mains power
• Only works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
• Have to pay a monthly subscription for full functionality

Eve Energy Smart Plug & Power Meter

This smart plug can be used to monitor how much energy the device connected to it is using, and how much it's costing you, thus providing a handy way to keep an eye on energy use. The companion app also enables you to switch the plug on and off, and set schedules to do so automatically, but there's a catch: if you want to be able to do this while you're away from home, you'll need a HomePod Mini or Apple TV 4K in your home to act as a hub. For that reason, it's best suited to those looking to buy into Apple's smart home ecosystem.

Read our full review

Pros

• Energy monitoring
• HomeKit integration
• Thread smart home support

Cons

• No Alexa or Google Assistant support
• Requires a HomePod or Apple TV for control when away from home

GE Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Bulb

The GE Cync Lighting Dynamic Effects Smart Bulbs are a lesser-known smart lighting option. They're budget-friendly and there's no central hub needed — even for the advanced features. They deliver an impressive range of colors and effects, and they're compatible with Alexa and Google Home.

Read our full review

Pros

• Wide range of colors and effects
• App is easy to use
• Alexa and Google Home support

Cons

• Not Matter or HomeKit certified
• A little pricier than a lot of the competition

Govee Smart Air Purifier Lite

This compact Govee purifier is ideal for popping on a desktop or dresser, and when we tested it we were impressed with how effective it was at freshening up our reviewer's living room. You can control it via a companion app — enabling you to switch it on and off while you're away from home — and there's also voice control for extra convenience.

Read our full review

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• Small and lightweight
• Smart features
• Useful onboard custom mode

Cons

• Aromatherapy was underwhelming
• No automated purifying
• No washable pre-filter

• Valve shares open-source files for an e-paper screen for Steam Machine
• Anyone can download, edit, and share the files
• The screen can attach to the Steam Machine's body and show useful information

I have to admit, after Valve announced the $1,049 / £879 (around AU$1,500) price of the Steam Machine, my excitement for the compact gaming PC plummeted – but a recent move by the company has gone some way to restoring my faith.

As Brad Lynch pointed out on Twitter, Valve has shared the instructions, 3D print files, software and list of needed materials for people to build their own e-paper display that can be attached to the body of the Steam Machine, which can then be used to show information such as the temperatures and performance of the PC’s components.

Valve uploaded the full BOM list, 3D print files, and instructions for those who want to build their own E-Ink faceplate for the Steam Machine“Inkterface” was first shown off alongside the initial Steam Hardware announcements last yearhttps://t.co/9uylbczqg2 pic.twitter.com/MirrJP34LlJuly 2, 2026

Dubbed the ‘inkterface’, this second screen turns the Steam Machine into a retro-looking PC, and it’s a great reminder of why PC gaming can be so fun, as well as why, despite having its own issues, Valve continues to be one of the most interesting companies in the gaming industry.

This is what Valve suggests you need:

• 1 x Adafruit ESP32 Feather with 2MB PSRAM
• 1 x Adafruit eInk Breakout Friend
• 1 x Adafruit 5.83" Monochrome eInk Panel
• 13 x M2.5 x 5mm Pan Head Machine Screws
  • McMaster
  • Amazon
• 4 x 1/4" x 1/4" x 3/16" Stepped Magnet SB443-OUT

Do it yourself

The fact that Valve is sharing these files and instructions as open source is very commendable, as it means anyone can use them and change, update, and improve them without paying a penny – as long as you have the appropriate tools and materials.

I can’t imagine Sony or Nintendo supporting, let alone encouraging, their customers to modify their consoles. Valve’s embracing of open-source (see also its use of Linux for SteamOS) shows that while it’s taking a console-like approach in some areas with the Steam Machine, it hasn’t completely abandoned the openness and customizability of PC gaming.

Being able to build your own rig, tweaking and modding your PC, is one of the things I love the most about PC gaming, so it’s great to see that Valve hasn’t completely abandoned its PC roots. Offering ways to add weird, quirky, but also useful, parts to the Steam Machine suddenly makes it a lot more interesting.

Of course, I still think building your own compact gaming PC and installing SteamOS to make your own Steam Machine is a better-value (and more fun) way of doing things, and, again, it’s a testament to how open PC gaming can be.

Even if you don’t have the time, materials or inclination to build your own ‘inkterface’ display for your Steam Machine, you’ll still be able to benefit, as other builders, and even retailers, will be able to make their own and sell them.

The future success of the Steam Machine, then, could hinge on its hackability, which could also be the key to prolonging its lifespan. While I’m not entirely sold on it yet, this does go some way to making the high price a bit easier to swallow.

MSI Raider 16 Max HX: Two-minute review

MSI has something of a mixed history with gaming laptops. I've reviewed quite a few products from the Taiwanese computer hardware brand, and in the past, I've championed MSI for its ability to provide high-performance products with very competitive price tags.

Unfortunately, it seems that the ongoing RAM crisis has caused MSI's latest high-end gaming laptop, the Raider 16 Max HX, to take a hit in this department. Needless to say, this laptop is very far from cheap, with my review configuration clocking in at a steep $4,299 / £3,999 (around AU$6,235).

I'll dig more into the pricing details further down in this review, but the days of wallet-friendly gaming laptops are truly over. That's not a pure criticism of MSI, but I'll admit I balk a bit less at a sky-high price tag on something like Razer's Blade 18; at least Razer gear has always cost a premium, while MSI has frequently offered comparable specs at more reasonable prices.

(Image credit: Future)

Setting aside the price tag for a moment, though: is this a good gaming laptop? Well, for the most part, I'd say yes. Performance is strong across the board, with an Intel Core Ultra processor and Nvidia RTX 5000 GPU combined with 32GB of RAM to deliver high framerates in games and power through creative workloads. It's well-equipped for AI-focused workloads too, if you're looking for a device that can pull double duty for both work and play.

The VESA-validated QHD+ screen is bright and colorful, with optional OLED models available in some regions. The chassis is pretty chunky – I certainly wouldn't recommend the Raider 16 Max HX to anyone looking for a laptop they can easily take on the go – but it makes good use of that size, with a full-scale keyboard that doesn't feel cramped in use and a great selection of ports for physical connectivity.

Pricing aside, my main criticism of the MSI Raider 16 Max HX is the overall build quality. The plastic outer casing and screen hinge feel sturdy enough, but the keyboard housing has far too much flex on firm keypresses, and the touchpad is frankly abysmal, feeling like it might break if I pressed down too hard.

I'll delve more into these issues in the design section of this review, but I will say this here: they're not absolute dealbreakers. For starters, you should really be using one of the best gaming mice with any gaming laptop anyway, so the weak touchpad shouldn't actually be a huge problem for actual gaming. Overall, I did quite like the Raider 16 Max HX – it's simply difficult to recommend such a high-end laptop in the current hardware climate.

MSI Raider 16 Max HX review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Starts from $2,999 / £2,249 (around AU$4,350)
• Available now in the US and UK
• Higher-end configurations get expensive fast

Even the base configuration of the MSI Raider 16 Max HX isn't cheap, starting out at $2,999 / £2,249 (around AU$4,350) for a version with the Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a less powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU.

The review unit I received from MSI is a high-spec model, packing an RTX 5090 and Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor along with 32GB of RAM. This configuration will set you back a rather eye-watering $4,299 / £3,999 (around AU$6,235). There's also a middle-ground model, which uses the RTX 5080, and a few interstitial configurations that swap out the CPU, RAM, or display for slightly different components (including the aforementioned optional OLED display).

In short, it ain't cheap. Sure, you can find more expensive laptops out there, but not many of them. I can't comment on it with absolute confidence since I was sent an RTX 5090 version, but my past experiences with laptop RTX 5070 Ti GPUs lead me to suspect that the lower-end models might actually provide slightly more bang for your buck than the top-spec configurations.

MSI Raider 16 Max HX review: Specs

Base spec

Max spec (review config)

Price

$2,999 / £2,249 (around AU$4,350)

$4,299 / £3,999 (around AU$6,235)

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus

Graphics

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

RAM

16GB DDR5

32GB DDR5

Display

16-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600p), 240Hz, IPS

16-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600p), 240Hz, IPS (OLED optional)

Storage

1TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4

2TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4

Ports and Connectivity

3x USB-A (3.2 Gen2), 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x SD card reader, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

3x USB-A (3.2 Gen2), 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x SD card reader, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Battery

91.8Whr

91.8Whr

Weight

5.73lbs / 2.60kg

5.73lbs / ​2.60kg

Dimensions

10.6 x 14.3 x 1.1 inches / 26.9 x 36.3 x 2.89 cm

10.6 x 14.3 x 1.1 inches / 26.9 x 36.3 x 2.89 cm

MSI Raider 16 Max HX review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Large, bulky 'gamer' design
• Bright, colorful display
• Plenty of ports and good cooling

Make no mistake, this is a gaming laptop through and through. From the translucent WASD keys to the patterned lid and RGB lightbar across the front of the chassis, the MSI Raider 16 Max HX absolutely screams 'gaming aesthetics' – so it might not be the laptop for you if you want something you can take into a serious office environment as well as gaming at home.

This advice goes double, in fact, because the Raider 16 Max HX is a bit of a chunky device, which hurts its portability. Weighing more than two and a half kilos and measuring over an inch thick with the lid closed, it's far from a lightweight laptop.

That being said, I won't knock the score down for the bulky chassis. MSI has made good use of the extra size, squeezing in a full-size RGB-backlit keyboard with a numpad, yet the main key spread doesn't feel cramped – I found it pretty good for typing, with decent spacing and a reasonable amount of travel. Unfortunately, the aforementioned flex in the keyboard housing gives a slightly spongy feel on firm presses, which may turn some users off.

(Image credit: Future)

The large chassis has some other bonuses, too; you get a rich selection of physical ports here, which I'm always pleased to see. In addition to multiple USB-A and USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports, you also get HDMI for connecting a second display and an SD card reader – potentially excellent for digital photographers or filmmakers who want to use their laptop both for gaming and editing work.

A bulkier design also allows for superior cooling. I'll dig into this more in the performance section, but long story short: this Raider has a pretty solid cooling solution, utilizing a triple-fan design with five large exhaust vents that help keep the laptop from getting too warm even during lengthy gaming binges. Considering that some gaming laptops can get pretty toasty when running graphically demanding titles, this is a good inclusion.

There's also a degree of upgrade flexibility here, with a removable underside panel that lets you swap in a new SSD (with an empty slot) or upgrade the RAM should you so desire. This isn't an uncommon sight in modern gaming laptops, but I always appreciate the option to boost my system a little.

Moving over to the display, it certainly feels like it belongs on a high-end laptop, delivering good maximum brightness and color reproduction even on the default IPS panel in my review unit (certain high-spec configurations swap this out for an even more vivid OLED panel instead). The QHD+ (1600p) resolution and 240Hz refresh rate are ideal for gaming – especially if you're into fast-paced esports games that demand a high framerate, like Counter-Strike or Valorant.

(Image credit: Future)

Above the display sits a 1080p webcam, which also includes a physical privacy shutter. In my opinion, physical shutters or camera killswitches should be mandatory in laptops, so I'm glad to see one included here.

I really do need to address the touchpad. This might be one of the worst-feeling touchpads I've ever seen on a 'premium' laptop; in fact, I've legitimately seen better pads on budget-friendly Chromebooks. Clicks feel wobbly and unsatisfying, the whole housing flexes far too much even on less forceful presses, and right-clicks sometimes fail to register unless your finger is in the extreme bottom-right corner of the pad.

It's just... bad. I acknowledge that in practice, this won't be a massive issue since all but the most unhinged PC gamers will always use a mouse over a touchpad, but considering that my review model costs in excess of four thousand US dollars, it feels egregiously poor quality.

Lastly, the speakers and microphone are decent but unspectacular. You could find a gaming laptop with superior audio features, but I won't mark the Raider 16 Max HX down for that, because much like the touchpad situation, any sensible PC gamer will be using a gaming headset anyway.

MSI Raider 16 Max HX review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Powerful AAA gaming performance
• Also good for creative and AI workloads
• Fans do get noisy

Razer Blade 18 (2026) benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 92,257; Fire Strike: 39,894; Steel Nomad: 6,203; Speed Way: 6,254; Solar Bay: 111,156
Geekbench 6: Multicore: 20,638; Single-core: 3,114
Cinebench R24: Single Core: 134; Multi Core: 2,229
Crossmark: Overall: 2,402; Productivity: 2,195; Creativity: 2,729; Responsiveness: 2,148
Passmark Overall: 15,144; CPU: 64,888; 2D Graphics: 1,016; 3D Graphics: 30,528; Memory: 3,730; Disk: 43,681
BlackMagicDisk: Read: 4,790MB/s; Write: 3,314MB/s
HandBrake 4K to 1080p: 119.5fps
Civilization VII: (Max resolution, AMD FSR 3, High): 209fps; (1080p, High): 219fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: (Max resolution, Highest, Balanced upscaling): 228fps; (1080p, Highest, SMAA x4): 209fps
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness: (1080p, Ultra): 98fps; (Max Resolution, Ultra): 80fps
Cyberpunk 2077: (Max resolution, Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 132fps; (1080p, Ray Tracing: Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 108fps; (1080p, Ultra): 146fps
Marvel Rivals: (Max resolution, Balanced upscaling, Ultra): 798ps; (1200p, Low): 175fps
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 8 hours and 11 minutes

Shocking nobody, my RTX 5090-toting review unit of the MSI Raider 16 Max HX blasted through our benchmarking tests with aplomb, delivering top-notch performance throughout.

Naturally, that meant excellent framerates in a range of triple-A games; in addition to the ones visible in that boxout, I also tested Marathon, Elden Ring, Warframe, and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, and they all looked fantastic on the QHD+ display.

It was even able to average exactly 60 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 with the Ray Tracing Overdrive preset at the Raider's native 1600p resolution, using only Balanced DLSS upscaling with no frame generation – a notoriously demanding benchmark that batters many of the best gaming laptops.

(Image credit: Future)

So, both synthetic and real-world gaming tests went smoothly – but what about creative workloads? Well, the Raider 16 Max HX delivers on that front too, handily matching (and even exceeding, in some tests) the scores achieved by Razer's most recent Blade 18 with the same GPU. 3D rendering, video editing, statistical modelling, LLM training... you name it, the Raider can handle it.

The Intel Core Ultra 290HX Plus in my review unit is also a beast, delivering solid performance across both single- and multi-core workloads. For anyone looking to play CPU-bound games like large-scale management sims, strategy, and 4X titles, this ensures you won't encounter CPU bottlenecks that hamper performance.

I would note that during intensive workloads (predominantly games and creative software), the fans do get fairly loud. They're not the noisiest I've ever heard in a gaming laptop, but it's something potential buyers may want to bear in mind if they're planning to use the Raider in shared spaces, because they do have quite a noticeable whine that almost completely drowned out the fans of my nearby desktop PC during benchmarking. A good headset should insulate your ears from this noise, at least.

It also offers pleasingly fast SSD read and write speeds – which, in fairness, is something I would fully expect from a laptop in this price range, but is good to see nonetheless. Creative professionals who regularly work with large file sizes will appreciate how quickly you can transfer your files around.

(Image credit: Future)

Since this is an Nvidia RTX 5000 laptop, regardless of which configuration you purchase, you're also getting the full suite of performance-boosting software tools inside the newly redesigned (and hugely improved) Nvidia App. That naturally includes DLSS resolution upscaling, but also up to 4x frame generation – though I'd personally recommend sticking to 2x for now, for better visual fidelity – as well as features like Nvidia Reflex, in-depth system monitoring, and AI-powered filters like RTX HDR.

Unfortunately, it seems MSI couldn't resist cramming in a load of their own software as well, and to be brutally honest, this is mostly bloatware. The default MSI Center tool is... fine, I guess, letting you customize the RGB lighting as well as tweak system performance presets, but it's hardly groundbreaking stuff. Add in Norton 360 antivirus, Nahimic audio, the Intel Killer network tool, SteelSeries GG, MSI True Color, MSI App Player, and all the Windows Store nonsense Microsoft insists on pre-installing with Windows 11, and it all becomes quite annoying.

Mercifully, you can uninstall the majority of this garbage, or simply do a clean Windows install when you first set it up. But I'm never going to stop being mildly irritated by laptop manufacturers cramming as much software as possible into their devices – especially when some of them are literally mirrored by base functionality within Windows itself.

MSI Raider 16 Max HX review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

• Great for a gaming laptop
• Good at auto-switching to the iGPU
• Can be charged via USB-C or bundled adapter

MSI has evidently pulled some funky witchcraft with the Raider 16 Max HX, because it cleared the 8-hour mark in our video playback test – an exceedingly rare sight for a gaming laptop.

Okay, there aren't actually any magic spells involved here; the trick is in the new Intel Core Ultra chip that powers this Raider, which offers stellar power efficiency compared to older CPUs from the likes of Intel and AMD. Of course, the GPU will guzzle power when you're gaming (in my online gaming test playing Marathon on the Raider 16 Max HX, it drained from full charge to 10% in just over two hours, which is still decent), but the laptop will automatically switch to the Intel chip's integrated graphics when not running graphically-intensive software in order to conserve battery life.

I also found that it held charge very well, still packing more than 50% after sitting on my desk for several days following my initial unboxing and photography. You can charge it via the (very chunky) bundled adapter, or use any appropriate USB-C charger for slower but more portable charging if you ever opt to take it out of its usual desktop-replacement environment.

Should I buy the MSI Raider 16 Max HX?Razer Blade 18 (2026): Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Very expensive considering some of the build quality missteps, especially for higher-spec configurations – even if you could feasibly spend more on an RTX 5000 gaming laptop.

3.5 / 5

Design

Offers a fairly durable build with lots of ports and an very good display, but the bulky chassis, RGB-heavy gamer aesthetic, and terrible trackpad might ruin it for some potential buyers.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Best-in-class performance across both gaming and creative workloads, with an effective cooling solution that prevents the keyboard from getting too warm even during intense gaming sessions.

5 / 5

Battery life

Very impressive for a gaming laptop, with more than two hours of triple-A gaming or more than 8 hours of basic everyday use.

4.5 / 5

Total Score

The Raider 16 Max HX is a solid desktop-replacement offering from MSI, provided you can stomach the price tag.

4.125 / 5

Buy the MSI Raider 16 Max HX if…

You want best-in-class performance
The RTX 5090 configuration of the Raider 16 Max HX is an absolute monster when it comes to gaming performance, and can function as a professional workstation too.

You're a creative and a gamer
The high-spec components, VESA-validated QHD+ display, and broad port selection make the Raider 16 Max HX a decent choice for digital creatives who also want to play games on the side.

Don't buy it if…

You want something portable
The Raider is undeniably a chunky unit, serving far better as a static desktop-replacement system than a gaming device for taking on the go.

You’re on a tight budget
Even the lowest-spec configuration of the Raider 16 Max HX will set you back a few thousand bucks; sadly, gone are the days when you could easily get a good gaming laptop for under $1,000.View Deal

MSI Raider 16 Max HX review: Also consider

MSI Stealth A16 AI+
A similarly powerful but significantly more compact and portable gaming laptop, MSI's own Stealth A16 AI+ also packs a selection of RTX 5000 configurations, but trades out an Intel CPU for the latest AMD Ryzen fare instead. Read our full MSI Stealth A16 AI+ review.

Asus V16
If the price of the Raider 16 Max HX made you balk while reading this review, my current top pick for laptop gamers on a budget is the Asus V16, which offers very respectable performance without breaking the bank. Read our full Asus V16 review.

How I tested the MSI Raider 16 Max HX

(Image credit: Future)

• Replaced my usual system for 10 days
• Used for gaming and other tasks
• 8+ years of experience reviewing dozens of laptops

As usual for my laptop review process, I used the MSI Raider 16 Max HX as a replacement for my usual laptop and desktop PC, putting it through its paces in everything from gaming to my everyday work at TechRadar.

Naturally, I also ran the Raider through our synthetic and gaming benchmark testing suite as seen in the Performance section of this review, as well as playing several other games (just for fun!) which included Marathon, Warframe, Elden Ring, and my long-running obsession Slay the Spire 2 – though of course, that last one is hardly a hardware stress test, since it can literally run on my phone.

I've been a PC gamer since my tender pre-teen years, starting out on my dad's boxy beige home office desktop, and I've been a professional tech journalist reviewing all kinds of laptops and PC tech for nearly a decade now, starting out at Maximum PC magazine before making the jump to digital journalism and joining the TechRadar team. I've personally reviewed more than seventy laptops, so you can trust that my knowledge and experience give you reliable insights into the quality of the products I write about.

• First reviewed: July 2026
• Read more about how we test