Darien Graham-Smith

wifi & hotspots

Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 review: Outstanding, but possibly overkill

The first 802.11ax mesh system leaves its rivals in the dust – but does anyone actually need it?

2 Jul 2020

cyber security

Keep yourself protected with our list of the best security suites

With more malware lurking in the shadows than ever before, it’s critical that you keep yourself safe

4 Jun 2020

Laptops

LG Gram 17 (2020) review: Do it for the Gram

Not the fastest performer, but this plus-sized laptop has a fantastic screen and is astonishingly light

2 Jun 2020

routers

Google Nest Wifi review: A solid improvement, but not for long

Seamlessly combines mesh Wi-Fi and smart speaker functions, but other solutions are faster and more versatile

14 Feb 2020

Laptops

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2019) review: Flipping brilliant

A superb laptop by any measure – its convertible design is simply the icing on the case

20 Jan 2020

wifi & hotspots

Asus RT-AX88U review: The next step in Wi-Fi technology

Wi-Fi 6 finally hits the mainstream, and it’s as fantastic as it is expensive

29 Jul 2019

Microsoft Windows

8 killer new Windows 10 features for 2019

Android phone mirroring, smoother updates and a sandbox to test suspicious files all come part of the latest Windows 10 refresh

24 Jun 2019

wifi & hotspots

The cable-free household is already here... if we want it

WiGig is a technology that missed the boat, but with a little push it could yet be transformative

25 May 2019

wifi & hotspots

AmpliFi Instant Home Mesh Wi-Fi review

Don't let the name fool you - this simple mesh system is ideal for small businesses

19 Apr 2019

wifi & hotspots

Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream review: A meaty slab of a router

This mammoth piece of hardware delivers the good when it comes to performance

27 Mar 2019

Security

McAfee Internet Security 2019 review: Redemption at last

The old dog has finally learnt some new tricks

8 Mar 2019

Security

Panda Free Antivirus review: Bamboo-zle the hackers

Panda remains our top choice for free AV protection, with a fresh look and less pushy reminders

6 Mar 2019

antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus review: Capable but annoying

A feature-packed offering, but prepare to be peppered with prompts to upgrade

28 Feb 2019

Security

Bitdefender Internet Security 2019 review

We miss the Autopilot mode, but otherwise this 2019 update sticks to Bitdefender’s core strengths

22 Feb 2019

wifi & hotspots

Synology RT2600ac review

This router has one of the nicest web consoles around, with tons of nifty features to boot

19 Feb 2019

Security

Kaspersky Internet Security 2019 review: Unbeatable value

Old reliable does it again, with supreme effectiveness, extensive features and minimal performance impact

12 Feb 2019

Microsoft Windows

It's time for Microsoft to deactivate its kill switch

Free software advocates warned us about the dangers of product activation - and they were right

12 Jan 2019

user experience (UX)

Is Google the best way to shop online? I’m not buying it

Google’s sponsored Shopping service lets users down – we should demand better

22 Dec 2018

Technology

Sooner or later, new tech turns us all into old fogeys

Computer systems are constantly evolving and changing; our brains, and our expectations, not so much

13 Oct 2018

Microsoft Windows

The best Registry hacks for fixing annoying Windows features

Some of the best tweaks you can safely make to the Registry to enhance your OS experience

24 Sep 2018

Hardware

Looking back, my 3D-printing dream was never a goer

In this increasingly cynical age, it's getting harder to buy into seductive visions of the future

22 Sep 2018

Microsoft Windows

A hacker's guide to the Windows Registry

Demystifying the Registry so that you can take full control of Microsoft's OS

10 Sep 2018

Mobile

We needn't reinvent books – but they can be smarter

Calls to jazz up the humble book may sound naive, but we can create a better reader experience

8 Sep 2018

virtual private network (VPN)

IPVanish review: A very versatile and vibrant VPN

Slick and speedy, with in-depth options that techies will love, but note the lack of support for US Netflix

5 Sep 2018

wifi & hotspots

Tenda Nova MW3 review: Cheap but very cheerful mesh Wi-Fi

The cheapest mesh wireless kit we’ve come across: what it loses in speed, it makes up for in convenience

15 Aug 2018

wifi & hotspots

Zyxel Multy X review: Screamingly fast mesh Wi-Fi

Wide coverage and great speeds for an attractive price

15 Aug 2018

email providers

Email isn't dying - it's about to show its true value

Instant messaging may be all the rage, but the advent of GDPR highlights the strengths of email

14 Jul 2018

operating systems

Apple might achieve what Windows 10 never could

Putting the same chips into MacBooks and iPhones opens up exciting possibilities

16 Jun 2018

antivirus

Block viruses by all means, but leave the ethics to me

Security software has an important job, but it's hard to trust a tool that oversteps its role

19 May 2018

Server & storage

We're creating more data than we can cope with

The problem isn't just storage – it's how to organise and manage an ever-growing hoard of files

17 Mar 2018

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)

Whatever happened to IPv6?

It was the talk of the town a few years ago, but we now appear to have enough IP addresses for everyone – what happened?

2 Mar 2018

Apple iPhone X held in the hand with colourful wallpaper

Mobile

Is the iPhone X worth a grand? Only you can answer that

Don’t listen to the cynics: there’s nothing wrong with lusting after the latest shiny gadget

10 Feb 2018

network attached storage (NAS)

Synology DS216j review

For those who don’t want to pay for bells and whistles, this cost-effective little box covers all the basics

11 Jan 2018

solid state storage (SSD)

Getting Windows onto your new SSD

Whether you want to start afresh or migrate from an existing disk, here’s how to make the move

8 Dec 2017

solid state storage (SSD)

How to pick the perfect SSD for your needs and budget

Not all SSDs are created equal. If you’re choosing which drive to buy, there are several key points to consider

22 Sep 2017

Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 review: Outstanding, but possibly overkill

Keep yourself protected with our list of the best security suites

LG Gram 17 (2020) review: Do it for the Gram

Google Nest Wifi review: A solid improvement, but not for long

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2019) review: Flipping brilliant

Asus RT-AX88U review: The next step in Wi-Fi technology

Get the IT Pro newsletter

Get the free daily newsletter from IT Pro, delivering the latest news, reviews, insights and case studies

8 killer new Windows 10 features for 2019

The cable-free household is already here... if we want it

AmpliFi Instant Home Mesh Wi-Fi review

Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream review: A meaty slab of a router

McAfee Internet Security 2019 review: Redemption at last

Panda Free Antivirus review: Bamboo-zle the hackers

Avast Free Antivirus review: Capable but annoying

Bitdefender Internet Security 2019 review

Synology RT2600ac review

Kaspersky Internet Security 2019 review: Unbeatable value

It's time for Microsoft to deactivate its kill switch

Is Google the best way to shop online? I’m not buying it

Sooner or later, new tech turns us all into old fogeys

The best Registry hacks for fixing annoying Windows features

Looking back, my 3D-printing dream was never a goer

A hacker's guide to the Windows Registry

We needn't reinvent books – but they can be smarter

IPVanish review: A very versatile and vibrant VPN

Tenda Nova MW3 review: Cheap but very cheerful mesh Wi-Fi

Zyxel Multy X review: Screamingly fast mesh Wi-Fi

Email isn't dying - it's about to show its true value

Apple might achieve what Windows 10 never could

Block viruses by all means, but leave the ethics to me

We're creating more data than we can cope with

Whatever happened to IPv6?

Is the iPhone X worth a grand? Only you can answer that

Synology DS216j review

Getting Windows onto your new SSD

How to pick the perfect SSD for your needs and budget