The WD My Cloud Pro Series PR2100 is part of Western Digital's Pro series of NAS enclosures. It provides two key areas of functionality: centralised backup, that is accessible from anywhere.

The enclosure includes two bays, which allows for a maximum of 28 TB of storage across two 14 TB drives. The drives are easily removable thanks to the quick release mechanism. 

All that is required to facilitate easy sharing, wherever you are in the world, is an internet connection. This is an ideal solution not just for providing a centralised storage solution for one person but also for teams of people, even if they're working around the world.

Compatibility across both Mac and PC makes it perfect for users working across different operating systems.

This device offers one-touch copying functionality thanks to the integrated copy button. This provides an incredible, straight-forward solution for backing up files without requiring interaction with any software. Compatibility with exFAT also means you can plug in a camera or an external hard drive like the My Passport drive and automatically offload everything.

WD My Cloud Pro Series PR2100: Specifications

WD My Cloud Pro Series PR2100: Design & Handling

A sand-blasted metal case is very pleasing to both the eye and the touch. The slightly more premium materials are an upgrade from common plastic alternatives and demonstrate part of what sets WD's professional series apart. The unit itself is compact enough to sit neatly out of the way.

The case is able to accept two drives, enabling a maximum storage capacity of 28 TB. The bays are 100% quick-release, which makes it convenient to swap drives out. I wasn't overly impressed by the mechanism, though, which was rather clunky. The doors must be closed for the drives to click into place, and this required an unnecessary amount of force.

Four illuminated buttons inform users of what is happening under the hood. The power button illuminates when on, and the lights under each bay let you know when they're busy. The final light is for the USB 3.0 port, a great addition for transferring files from flash drives.

The rear of the unit has some additional ports, including a secondary USB 3.0 port, a power supply port, and two gigabit Ethernet ports.

WD My Cloud Pro Series PR2100: Performance

The My Cloud Pro Series PR2100 performs incredibly well, thanks to the Intel Pentium N3710 quad-core 1.6 GHz processor and 4GB of RAM. This hardware does a great job of keeping all file types and sizes moving along relatively quickly but you're not going to be blown away by the speeds. I had the 4 TB setup, which included 2 x 2TB WD20EFAX drives.

We didn't experience any drop-outs on longer transfers and found the device to be both stable and reliable. We were able to transfer around 3GB per minute or a little less if that's a large collection of smaller files.

Whenever I mention NAS drives to people, they often glaze over in confusion. After I explain what they are, there is further confusion about how they would set them up. There are no such problems with the My Cloud Pro Series PR2100. WD provides a super easy-to-use wizard that intuitively leads you through the whole process. 

The interface also does a great job of letting users manage permissions. This is ideal for working within a team environment, and I would imagine even those who are not tech-savvy could work this side of things out.

This NAS performs well and has a host of great features that serve creatives well. It also works great as a passive backup device.

WD My Cloud Pro Series PR2100: Final Verdict

The WD My Cloud Pro Series PR2100is a reliable, capable, and easy-to-use NAS device. Everything from the design to the software interface is designed to make it easy for non-technical people to use. This is a win for most creatives who really just want to focus on the work at hand.

The drive is relatively affordable compared to its competition and the fact that it is compatible with both Max and PC will make it appealing to a wide audience. The Intel Pentium N3710 processor and 4GB of RAM provide enough power to keep your files moving.

Chromebooks are cheap and cheerful laptops for buyers on tight budgets, right? For the most part, they have been. But Google wants to push the whole Chromebook concept upmarket and take on traditional Windows laptops more directly. The idea is to create portable PCs that compete with some of the more affordable entrants in our roll call of the best photo-editing laptops. Enter the new Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402CB.

Asus is one of several big brands partnering with Google on the Chromebook Plus project. The most immediate difference is that this Chromebook is running an Intel x86 chip just like a standard Windows laptop and therefore not the Arm CPU you'd normally expect to see.

It's an Intel Core i3 processor, so still relatively low-end. But there's 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Add in a 14-inch 1080p screen and on paper this looks a lot like a full-feature, if entry-level, Windows laptop.

The software side is where things obviously differ, with Chrome OS rather than Windows installed and various Google apps like Docs, Sheets, and Slides built right into the operating system. So, you don't need an internet connection to do basic work.

Beyond that, there are additional Google-specific niceties, including webcam enhancements, the ability to run Android apps, Google Drive features being fully integrated into the system, and some claims around AI, the latter arguably being more about marketing than substance.

The catch, of course, is that you're not going to be able to run all your legacy Windows apps. How much that matters depends on your existing workflows. If you have Windows licenses or subscriptions you want to carry over, many of them may be non-starters. There are alternatives, including most importantly image editing and video encoding solutions. But the more demanding your workflows, the less likely a Chromebook of any kind is going to be a good fit.

Asus Chromebook Plus: Specifications

Asus Chromebook Plus: Design & Handling

If the idea is a more premium spin on the classic Chromebook concept, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402CB slightly stumbles at the first hurdle. It's reasonably well put together. But the all-plastic chassis hardly feels up market.

You do get a pair of USB-C ports, which is very welcome, plus two USB-A sockets, HDMI and 3.5mm audio. Then there's an integrated 1080p webcam, which is a cut above the usual low-fidelity webcam potato found on many cheap laptops and has a physical shutter for guaranteed privacy. Note, however, it doesn't support facial recognition, nor is there a fingerprint reader. So security is old school. You'll be using a password.

Making matters worse, this is a conspicuously dated portable with thick, unsightly bezels. It's brand new but it looks at least five years old out of the box. Yuck. What's more, there's a little flex and bounce to the keyboard bed, which doesn't exactly help with the quality vibes, and those screen bezels aren't just unsightly, they make for a larger-than-average 14-inch laptop. That said, at 1.44 kg (3.17 lbs) this is a reasonably light 14-inch lappie.

Another arguable downside is the lack of touchscreen functionality. Taken in the round, this is a worthy enough and workmanlike machine, but premium? That's a hard sell, especially with the dowdy styling.

Asus Chromebook Plus: Performance

Up front and center is the Intel Core i3-1215U CPU. It's a proper x86 with two Performance cores and four Efficient cores. Really high-end Intel portables go all the way up to eight Performance and 16 Efficiency cores, so you have to keep your expectations in check.

But those two Performance cores will clock up to 4.4GHz, and combined with the four Efficiency cores, the chip can run eight software threads in parallel (the Performance cores support HyperThreading). So, there's decent performance on offer and enough to comfortably beat any existing Arm-powered Chromebook, though that may change later this year when Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X Elite arrives.

Anyway, for basic image editing tasks, there's sufficient CPU performance. Possibly more of a limitation is the 8GB of system memory. If you like to run with a zillion tabs open in your web browser, for instance, you're going to run out of memory. Likewise, 8GB will be a bit marginal if you're editing really large images.

Another problematic spec item is the 256GB of storage. As reviewed here, it's a UFS flash drive and not a proper M.2 SSD. So, it's far slower than most Windows laptops. You can opt for a 512GB M.2 drive and also a 16GB memory upgrade. We'd recommend pulling the trigger on both. The only problem is that it pushes the price into territory where you might as well just buy a Windows laptop.

You'd still be left with the software limitations, too. Photoshop Express is available in the Google Play store. But it's not as powerful as Photoshop CC and Lightroom is only available as an Android app.

As for the 'AI' pitch Google is making for these Chromebook Plus devices, it's frankly a bit of a stretch. There's no specific AI hardware in this device, so any AI functionality is run up in the cloud and therefore available to any Chromebook.

Still, the 14-inch display has reasonable working elbow room courtesy of its 1080p (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) native resolution. It's not exactly the brightest at 250 nits, but the colors are vibrant enough. The 1080p webcam is a highlight, too. It has far superior video quality than most laptops, even far more expensive models, and boasts operating-system level image processing including background blur and noise cancellation.

You can apply that to any video calling or conferencing application, you don't need app-specific support. Less impressive are the feeble built-in speakers. They're loud enough, but the sound quality is hideously thin and tinny. Yuck.

Finally, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402CB offers better battery life than you might expect given the combination of a modestly-sized 50Whr battery and an Intel CPU. Over 10 hours of video playback is possible. With slightly heavier workloads, that figure will fall, but in most circumstances, it should just about get you through a working day away from the mains.

Asus Chromebook Plus: Verdict

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402CB certainly has the CPU horsepower to take on lower-cost Windows laptops thanks to an Intel Core i3 CPU, with quite a lot of similarly priced laptops configured here with an Intel chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 14-inch 1080p screen. But for any serious workflows, the combination of 8GB of RAM, the slow UFS storage, and the limitations of Chrome OS will begin to tell.

The dated styling doesn't help much either, nor does the fact that for lighter tasks Chrome OS will run just as well on a cheaper and more efficient Arm chip. All told, then, the concept of a premium Chromebook might make sense, but as executed here it's hard to see why you wouldn't just go for a similarly priced Windows laptop.

Alternatives

With the debate and arguments about which platform is best for creatives well and truly over, it’s safe to say that these days you can use both Apple and Windows computers effectively for creative work. There will always be people who prefer one platform over the other for different reasons, but with Windows laptops like MSI Summit E16 Flip Evo - A13MT, creative users can take advantage of features not available in their Apple counterparts.

The MSI Summit E16 Flip Evo is a 2-in-1 Windows 11 laptop that’s aimed at creatives thanks to offering a 16-inch touchscreen with compatibility with the MSI Pen; this effectively turns the laptop into an all-in-one pen display and computer, allowing you to make direct inputs into software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to increase precision and comfort. But, without the requirement for additional hardware.

This is a reasonably powerful laptop with a 13th Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, 1920x1200 IPS screen but like many 2-in-1 Windows laptops, it only offers Intel Iris Xe Graphics. This makes it a mid-range option that should be able to meet the needs of enthusiasts for photo and video editing, and to some degree low-end professional use, but for more demanding professionals more RAM and a discreet graphics card (GPU) would be essential.

The main draw of this laptop is the simple fact that it can be used as both a traditional laptop and a tablet, using either your fingers or the MSI Pen instead of the trackpad or a mouse. And at £1299 this mid-range 2-in-1 is reasonably priced for the enthusiast market. It’s undoubtedly a capable laptop that performs well, but it’s certainly no powerhouse when it comes to processing power.

MSI Summit E16 Flip Evo: Specifications

MSI Summit E16 Flip Evo: Design & Handling

MSI is generally known as one of the higher-end gaming laptop and gaming PC component manufacturers, with design and build quality held in high regard. The Evo Flip Evo is reassuringly well-built and looks refined in matte black with a glossy MSI logo on the lid. It’s a great-looking laptop that sports a large trackpad and a fingerprint reader alongside Windows Hello face recognition, so nothing to complain about here. Although, the matte black body is a fingerprint magnet.

The Flip Evo is a weighty beast at 1.9 kg / 4.19 lbs, but this is an average weight for 16-inch laptops whether Windows or Apple models. It’s just something to bear in mind when purchasing a laptop that you intend to carry around often, and if this weight is problematic you may be better served with a laptop offering a smaller screen size and a consequently lighter weight.

Being a laptop aimed at creatives, the screen itself is just as important as the processing power provided by the internal components. And while the 16-inch 16:10 screen is fantastic in terms of screen real estate, it’s let down by the mediocre 1920x1200 resolution when many current laptops sport QHD or 4K screens. This resolution coupled with the large screen means that you can sometimes see pixelation in software interfaces and images when zoomed in.

The full keyboard is nice and rigid and doesn’t flex during typing. There’s not a great deal of travel in the keys, but the typing experience is comfortable and the fact that there’s a number pad to the right of the Qwerty keyboard is useful. This is a reduced size compared to desktop keyboards with a number pad, but it remains comfortable to use. The keyboard also offers three levels of white backlighting which can be switched off when not needed to conserve battery power. 

When it comes to ports, there are two Thunderbolt 4/DP/USB-C (w/ PD Charging), Two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, an audio combo jack, HDMI 2.0, and a MicroSD Card Reader. The latter is always something of an oddity because, for most people, a full-fat SD card reader is preferable since this is the more common card type for cameras and microSD cards can be used with an SD adaptor.

The ability to PD charge speeds up the process, but this comes at the expense of one of the USB-C ports, so it’s swings and roundabouts here. Battery life is naturally better with less demanding office tasks, web browsing, and watching streaming services, providing enough charge for a day’s use, but this is dramatically reduced to just a few hours when using photo and video editing software that use more hardware resources which, in turn, require more power.

MSI Summit E16 Flip Evo: Performance

In terms of performance; web browsing, using office apps, and performing general tasks, the Flip Evo showed no signs of slowdowns or stuttering, which is to be expected for this type of undemanding use. Loading more demanding apps such as Photoshop, Lightroom and even Davinci Resolve is surprisingly fast. However, when working within these applications, heavier processing loads do take time to render because of the 16GB of RAM and the reduced hardware acceleration as a result of only having an integrated graphics chip.

Davinci Resolve was the slowest when switching between pages and making adjustments, but it’s not painfully slow and this is extremely demanding software. A basic 30-second 4K video took a minute to render, which is pretty good. Lightroom, on the other hand, was by far the best performer, and this is great for enthusiasts since many only use Lightroom for organizing, editing, and outputting their Raw files and JPEGs depending on the file format they capture. 

The 512GB hard drive is on the low-capacity side, so it will fill up quickly and make using an external hard drive a necessity for photo and video storage. This would allow you to use the internal storage mainly for the operating system, applications, and office documents with much lower storage demands to avoid quickly filling up the internal SSD. A 1TB SSD would be better, but 512GB is a workable capacity.

For photo and video editing, a discreet graphics card is always preferable but naturally drives costs higher. For a 2-in-1 laptop with an Nvidia 4060 GPU, the cost of the 2-in-1 laptop roughly doubles with the sweetener being that you typically get more RAM and storage thrown in. But even with the integrated graphics offered by the Flip Evo, 32GB of RAM would make a huge difference to overall performance when it comes to photo and video editing.

In the specs, the screen is advertised as being capable of displaying 100% sRGB. When the screen was calibrated using a Datacolor Sypder X Pro, it was indeed displaying 100% of sRGB. Alongside this, it was displaying 82% of Adobe RGB and 87% of DCI-P3. This is fine for enthusiasts using the Flip Evo for photo editing because you can get by with a screen displaying 82% of Adobe RGB, although this isn’t quite a wide enough color gamut for more demanding users and the most color-critical work. The overall brightness and contrast are also a little lackluster – adequate, but far from outstanding.

The Flip Evo performs well in tablet mode with the screen flipped back at an angle to allow the device to stand up, or fully rotated flat. It’s comfortable to hold in one arm for a short time, but it is a heavy laptop so it doesn’t take long before you feel the need to lay it on your lap with the screen facing towards you. When in tablet mode, the keyboard is disabled so you can’t accidentally press the keys, but this means that you’re unable to use keyboard shortcuts in photo and video editing software, and is annoying if you use them.

You can get by using the menus and toolbar in Photoshop, for instance, and using the MSI Pen is both comfortable and precise alongside providing a tactile editing experience. But I couldn’t help feeling frustrated that I had to fully rely on menus. For changing tools and some settings I simply used the fingers on my left hand while using the pen on my right. The overall experience is akin to using a pen display, but the functionality and general workflow aren’t as efficient.

MSI Summit E16 Flip Evo: Verdict

The MSI Summit E16 Flip Evo is a great productivity and general-use laptop with the ability to handle enthusiast-level photo and video editing. It does struggle with heavy processing tasks in Photoshop, but with Lightroom, it handles Raw file processing much more effectively; many enthusiasts only use Lightroom to organize, edit, and output their Raw or JPEG files with little to no need for Photoshop, and the Flip Evo can comfortably handle this.

To be fair, it can manage what you might call ‘standard’ Photoshop editing and even basic video editing, but it only takes longer to perform the more demanding editing tasks professionals are likely to throw at it. To put things into context, if you’d like a 2-in-1 laptop that’s much more capable, you’d roughly need to double the reasonable cost of $1699 / £1299 of the Flip Evo and once in the $2500 price bracket, you could get a much more powerful ‘standard’ laptop so jumping up to the next 2-in-1 rung isn’t quite so clear cut.

In terms of design and build quality, the Flip Evo can’t be faulted and the matt black body looks sleek and refined. It’s a bit of a fingerprint magnet, but this is often the case with black laptops so nothing out of the ordinary. The large screen is great in terms of size and is as crisp and clear as you can get with a 1920x1200 resolution. It’s a shame it’s not 2560x1600 because this would deliver a significantly improved picture and a wider color gamut, increased contrast and brightness would be a huge bonus.

MSI Summit E16 Flip Evo Alternatives

It is the end of another year, it's the return of pumpkin spice, long nights, holiday sales, and of course the next version of Apple’s processors. After Apple turned the world of computing upside down with the release of its M1 chip, proving the hold Intel had over the high-end processor market could be broken, like clockwork Apple has trotted out a new version of its processors each fall. 

We are now onto the third version of Apple’s in-house silicon, fittingly named the M3, which also comes in an M3 Pro and M3 Max varieties, although those are not my focus this time, this review focuses on the the base M3 chip in the MacBook Pro, which for the first time in several years has had a complete redesign.

Well, not exactly a complete redesign, as it now just follows the design of the previous two generations of M3 Pro/Max MacBooks that have debuted in the last few years. However, Apple has seemed resistant to phase out the base MacBook Pro with the much-maligned touchbar design for the past couple of generations, so it is a welcome sight to see it finally make the jump.

The new version of the MacBook Pro M3 is a fair bit more expensive than the previous version, with Apple adding an additional $300 to the ticket price. The new version is just under an inch larger but otherwise has similar internal specs as the previous model (except trading its M2 chip for M3), it also gets rid of the touch bar for a row of standard keys. I’m not an economist, and maybe I am missing something, but is the new design really that much of a premium?

Apple’s choice of RAM has also caused a stir among reviewers. While Apple will be quick to tout that its unified memory is superior to normal RAM, the base model still comes with an underwhelming 8GB of RAM, I will go into this later in this review, but this might be a sore point for power users. 

As ever with Apple, increasing the specifications of your MacBook Pro feels unnecessarily pricey. To take the RAM from 8GB to 16GB, is another $200, as is upgrading the SSD from 512GB to 1TB. When you can buy a third-party 2TB SSDs (or even larger) for around that price – $200 per 512GB does sting.

How does the MacBook Pro M3 compare?

Depending on how far you can stretch your budget, the base MacBook Pro M3 is actually just a great advert for buying the MacBook Pro M3 Pro. The base price for the MacBook Pro M3 is $1,599, but if you do spec the M3 MacBook up to 16GB of RAM it totals $1,799. The lowest-tier M3 Pro MacBook costs only $200 more ($1,999) but nets you 3 more CPU cores (8 vs 11), 4 more GPU cores (10 vs 14), and a further 2GB of RAM (16 vs 18), and is where I would consider putting my money instead.

For more casual users, if you think you can get away with just 8GB of RAM then the MacBook Air would be my recommendation which offers similar levels of performance for less money. Or it won’t be long until the MacBook Air with M3 is released, usually coming in the spring, if you want to wait to see the M3 performance boost in a cheaper, smaller, and lighter model. The only thing that would really tempt me to the MacBook Pro over the Air is the inclusion of the SD Card slot, which is something I rely on daily, but have managed to work around for the last few years.

MacBook Pro M3: Design & Handling

Apple has been working through the last of its touchbar stock for quite some time, but finally, the base MacBook Pro model joins the rest of the range with the newly designed body, and I couldn’t be happier. I know some people out there are big fans of the touchbar for some specific uses in certain editing apps, and I am currently sitting happily typing this review on a MacBook Pro with a touchbar. I never hated the touchbar and I could always see its potential, but I also never really found a use for it personally (or maybe apps never tried hard enough), but I am mostly glad to see the back of it.

The touchbar has been replaced by a row of function keys, which is more practical, the keyboard has also had a redesign, with black keys on a black background. I don’t like this as much as the keys separated by the chassis color on the previous model as the keys are a little hard to distinguish, and the black picks up grease more. 

The keyboard itself is still beautifully easy to type on, with classic scissor-switch keys and not the horrendous butterfly key experiment from previous MacBooks.

The other new additions that come alongside the new body design are the inclusion of an SD Card slot and HDMI port, both of which will be greatly received by photographers everywhere. I am not sure why the laptop manufacturers collectively decided to banish SD Card readers from their devices, but I am so happy they are making a comeback. I have to copy files several times a day between an SD card and my laptop, and having a dongle dangling near constantly is a huge annoyance.

On the other side of the laptop are two Thunderbolt powered USB-C ports, and the MagSafe charging port. It is a shame to be reduced to just two USB-C ports, although using the laptop over the course of a few weeks, I very rarely needed to plug in more than two USB-C cables, as with the SD card slot, I am now thankfully dongleless. 

I am still not sure about the return of the MagSafe charger and HMDI. My monitor is connected with USB-C, along with it providing power delivery, so the MagSafe port and HDMI are largely redundant and could be better served by additional USB-C ports. However, I appreciate other setups rely far more heavily on HMDI connections. The MagSafe connection still feels like a cash grab for Apple to charge for certifying cables, but I guess it is useful if you are someone who trips on cables a lot.

Lastly, the new design brings the notch the the entry-level MacBook Pro. I know the notch has proved controversial, and while I don’t necessarily love it, after using the laptop for a while, I did completely stop noticing it. I am still confused as to why it is so large when other brands manage to squeeze similar-quality cameras into smaller bezels. 

It still doesn't bring Apple's FaceID system from its iPhones, instead uses a very quick and accurate fingerprint reader over the power key. The quality of the webcam is excellent, and much improved in the previous model’s muddy image.

The screen itself is stunning. This is one of the best screens I have ever used on a laptop, with beautiful color and contrast, editing on this screen is just a joy, and makes my photo and video look better than ever and really shows off more of what my cameras are actually capturing. The screen also gets very bright, which will be of more help when summer rolls around again and I am editing outside, but for the time being, it is coping well under the bright (and slightly annoying) spotlights of a fancy coffee shop.

Entertainment is also better, with movies looking stunning. The speakers on the MacBook Pro are also excellent and have been blasting music at me while I write this review, with good separation between highs and lows, and while the bass isn’t exactly booming, it is punchy enough to be felt. 

MacBook Pro M3: Performance

Firstly, if you are coming from the previous M2 MacBook Pro then you probably won't notice a significant real-world difference between that processor and what the M3 is capable of. The body redesign here with the additional ports would be the main driving factor to upgrade. If you are an M2 user hoping for more processing power, I would recommend looking at going up to the M3 Pro or Max, (or M2 Pro and Max laptops if you can find one at a bargain).

If you are coming from Intel models of the MacBook Pro, then it is an entirely different story, with the M3 chip being an absolute revelation over those older models.

The M3 chip in the MacBook Pro handles all the day-to-day stuff with ease, MacOS has always felt silky smooth to use, even on older Intel chips, but with M3, everything opens that bit faster, opening Chrome, Spotify, or Adobe apps always takes an age to just load on my Intel i7 powered MacBook Pro with that bouncing icon taunting me, but on the M3 MacBook this is near instantaneous.

For photo and video editors looking to use more creative software, the difference between the M3 and older Intel systems is so dramatic I don’t know how I go back to using my Intel-powered laptop. I spend the majority of my computing time in Adobe Lightroom Classic, which is one of the slowest apps even on a good day, but where my i7 MacBook Pro frequently gets hung up on the most simple of tasks like creating previews of images or exporting batches of photos, the M3 MacBook Pro just doesn't really get bogged down.

In exporting images using HandBrake, a dozen 4K videos shot on my phone re-exported as 1080p mp4 files took about a third of the time on the M3 MacBook as it did on my Intel-powered MacBook Pro 13-in. But more importantly, while my Intel MacBook essentially became unusable during the process, I could still use other apps smoothly on the M3 MacBook while the videos processed. 

Where I have a sticking point with the base M3 MacBook Pro is with its standard 8GB of RAM, Apple has provided me with a laptop with 16GB of RAM for testing, which handles everything beautifully. However, I also happen to have my partner’s M2 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM, which although the processor is sensational, it is very easy to bring its RAM to full capacity when running several intensive tasks – such as photo editing. 

Even though the new M3 chip adds more processing power, I would question if this would be enough for editors who are often using PhotoShop, Lightroom, Premiere, or other software all at the same time. For an investment that will still be used years in the future, and as the memory cannot be upgraded at any later stage, I personally would avoid the 8GB RAM model.

The battery life of the MacBook Pro M3 seems endless. While demanding software like Lightroom or Premiere does cause it to drain faster, it outlasts older systems by hours. For productivity and browsing, it excels even more. During a recent full day of travel – typing on Google Docs, doing light photo editing, and streaming lots of YouTube – I returned home with plenty of battery life left.

MacBook Pro M3: Final Verdict

The updated iteration of the base MacBook Pro M3 model marks the most significant step forward in design for several years by reintroducing sought-after features like the SD card and HDMI ports, but also by the introduction of the polarizing screen notch. While the M3 chip boasts incremental improvements over its predecessor, the M2, it is a massive leap forward from existing Intel-based MacBook Pro models.

However, the central issue with this revamped MacBook Pro lies in its place within the lineup. With 8GB of RAM, it might not meet the demands of power users, with the MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip being the one to add to your wishlist. It also makes the MacBook Air the potentially more appealing and economically sensible choice for users who don't require extensive processing power. 

This positioning quandary begs the question of whether this iteration is caught between catering to different user segments, potentially leaving both power users and casual users searching for a more fitting alternative.

Alternatives

The Acer Aspire 5 is directly targeted at the top end of more affordable laptops. The mid-range priced model we are testing here bags you an Intel Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a GeForce RTX 2050. These push the limits of what is possible with a budget to mid-range laptops but fall short of what is required for creatives with more demanding requirements for video editing, 3D editing, or more complex layering and compositing of photos. The 17-inch display is a highlight but it comes at the cost of being much less portable.

Acer Aspire 5: Specifications

Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Processor: Intel Core i7-1260P processor Dodeca-core 2.10 GHz
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 with 4 GB dedicated memory
Display: 17.3" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS
Memory: 16 GB, DDR4 SDRAM
Storage: 1 TB SSD
I/O Ports: HDMI, USB Type-A x3, USB Type-C
Touchpad: Yes
Camera: 1080p webcam
Battery: 8 hour battery run-time
Weight: 2.30 kg
Dimensions: (W x D x H) 40.21, 25.79, 1.99cm

Acer Aspire 5: Key Features

The display on the Aspire 5 is a really good size for all creative applications including photo-editing and video-editing. Even though the increased laptop size doesn’t make it the most portable machine, when you’re set up in your mobile workspace you’ll have no difficulty working with the likes of Photoshop or Lightroom. The screen real estate also makes it possible to carry out a range of other tasks with ease, and having two windows open side by side doesn’t cramp the view too much. 

The Aspire 5 is well equipped with a Type-C USB 4 port which supports Thunderbolt making data transfer incredibly fast. The transferring of files from other devices such as hard drives is therefore not particularly onerous with speeds of up to 40Gbps. The laptop’s USB-A ports can only reach up to 20Gbps so it’s good to have the Thunderbolt option. Photographers and content creators work with SD cards a lot but this machine is not set up for transferring files from these cards directly. The use of a hub or docking station can overcome this though. 

This laptop proudly ships with a GeForce RTX 2050 but I wouldn’t rely on it for any significant graphics performance such as in gaming or more complex video editing and color grading. It’s branded as an RTX card but please don’t expect it to be any good at delivering ray tracing in games or 3D rendering. More on this in the performance section of this review.

This GPU is particularly aimed at lighter laptops that need more graphics computing power than an integrated alternative. The GeForce RTX 2050 therefore delivers the necessary power for working with Photoshop and working in the cloud but not much more.

The plugging in of external displays is made possible through the Type-C USB port but the HDMI port is better suited if you’re wanting to connect to an 8K monitor. This laptop is nowhere near capable enough to run video editing tasks at 4K, and definitely not at 8K.

Acer Aspire 5: Design & Handling

The Aspire 5 focuses first on functionality rather than aesthetics. The keyboard and touchpad are well positioned making it ergonomically pleasant to work with for a range of tasks. 

The materials are primarily plastic which makes the laptop light but not particularly robust when holding it or moving it around. It’s also difficult to open the laptop without two hands which isn’t too much of a problem but it does speak to the slightly clunky quality of the construction. Its plastic body and metal style finish with large bevels give it a rather outdated look, something that is common on a high proportion of budget and mid-range laptops. 

Acer Aspire 5: Photo Performance

The Aspire 5 is definitely a general all-rounder that doesn’t excel in any particular area. Its benchmark scores demonstrate that. The Cinebench scores came in at 532 points for the multi-core CPU and 105 points for the single-core CPU. The Geekbench score for multi-core came in at 6,843 and single-core at 2,071. Its GPU OpenCL score was 36,673. 

I’ve been at pains to say that this is not the machine to choose for video editing but just to prove it, during our Handbrake test, the Acer Aspire 5 transcoded a 10-minute 34-second 4K video to 1080p in 15 minutes 15 seconds. This is particularly slow considering the actual 4K video was only just over 10 minutes. The TUF Gaming F15 carried out the same test in 4 minutes 30 seconds. Encoding videos is a key part of a video editor's workflow and you don't want to be hanging around waiting longer than you have to for this process to be completed.

It’s worth remembering that this laptop is not designed for more intensive and demanding tasks so we shouldn’t be too harsh on it. Home workers wanting a laptop to run office applications, work in the cloud, or do basic photo-editing tasks will not be disappointed. I didn’t experience any performance issues when carrying out day-to-day tasks. Alongside this, the inclusion of a 1TB SSD worked perfectly for quick read-write access of files.

The device never got particularly hot but the fan does seem to be working noticeably hard to achieve this cooling. The noise is something that, at most times, blended into the background but the constant noise wasn’t particularly pleasing. 

Acer Aspire 5: Final Verdict

The Acer Aspire 5 is a mid-range laptop with a hardware spec to match. It is a great generalist but will not deliver if more demanding tasks are required. It is therefore a great option for someone wanting a reliable and semi-powerful machine for home working but not suitable for most photo or video editors. 

If you’re happy foregoing a minimal amount of display size then the Dell Inspiron 16 laptop or Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are great alternatives. They offer similar specs but are a little more affordable. The IdeaPad benefits from an AMD Ryzen CPU and a slightly better graphics card in the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050.

Read more: check out our guide for the best budget laptops for more, or if you want to see the best of the best, take a look at our top picks for the best photo editing laptops and the best laptops for video editing.

With the best laptop webcam built into your computer, you can enjoy great image quality, silky smooth performance and innovative features. And with remote work and virtual meetings as commonplace as ever, for many webcam quality is an essential consideration when choosing a new laptop.

Of course, you don't just buy a laptop for its in-built webcam: you want it to do all sorts of other things too. That's why we test all aspects of the best laptops, to make sure they deliver on all fronts.

In this article we've listed the best laptops that feature great webcams as well as fast performance, great picture quality, and more besides. However, if you'd prefer to stick with your current laptop, then you could alternatively connect a separate exterior webcam (or even mirrorless camera) to your PC, and perhaps use a ring light or other illumination device too.

Our top picks

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Best webcam laptops 

The best laptop webcam overall

The HP Dragonfly G4 is a lot of laptop, and you’ll need to want the entire package to justify its asking price, but you do get one of the best built-in laptop webcams on the market if you do decide to go for it.

The days of low-res webcams are thankfully behind us, but the G4 takes it a step further than 1080p with a 5MP webcam built into the bezel around its 3:2 ratio touchscreen that’s capable of giving a 1440p picture.

The enhanced detail of the camera is great to have, and though it’s not the highest resolution on the market, it also benefits from HP’s excellent software, which allows it to detect and frame the speaker, smooth their appearance, and blur out the background.

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The best Apple laptop webcam

Our reviewer found a lot to love about the latest MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024). The screen is stunning, and the new M4 chip absolutely blows old Intel chip-equipped MacBooks out of the water. Plus when it comes to the webcam, it boasts a high quality 1080p camera.

Overall, this is a hugely powerful laptop, although may be overkill for some many, especially if you're not doing a lot of resource-intensive tasks like photo or video editing. So if you want a 1080p webcam, you may prefer to save a little money and opt for the previous 2023 M3 MacBook Pro, or even the latest M4 iMac.

See our full MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) review

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The best 2-in-1 laptop webcam

A Windows 11 tablet rather than a laptop - the keyboard case is sold separately - the Surface Go 4 is underpowered in its Pentium incarnation unless all you’re doing with it is surfing the web. Luckily, there are upgrades to the CPU, RAM and storage available that turn it from a touchscreen triviality into a seriously useful machine - though you’ll pay for the privilege.

That goes for the webcam too. It’s a 5MP model that’s perfect for 1080p video calls and selfies, and as it’s a tablet there's another 8MP camera on the back too. You also get Windows Hello functionality, where the Surface Go is unlocked using facial recognition.

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The best Chromebook webcam

Chromebooks – laptops that run the lightweight ChromeOS from Google – tend to have lesser specifications than Windows laptops, as all they’re going to be asked to do is run web apps through the Chrome browser. This doesn’t mean they’re any less capable, as there are full office suites and image editing apps available for them, but they’re not expected to work as hard.

This model from HP has a spec that a budget Windows laptop would be envious of, and its 1080p webcam means your video calls should be clear and sharp.

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The best laptop webcam for gamers

The Razer Blade series are all gaming laptops, but having those powerful CPU and GPU chips also makes them better for doing other things, like intensive image or video editing. The 1080p camera found at the top of the Blade 16’s screen should provide excellent image quality, plus it enables Windows Hello functionality. Naturally with so much performance on tap, you'll pay a high price to get your hands on a Blade 16 (and that's before you get tempted by the options list!). But if you want a Windows laptop that'll stay as future-proofed as possible, it may just be a worthwhile investment.

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The best laptop webcam for business meetings

Lenovo’s ThinkPad line - gained with the company bought out IBM’s laptop line - are business-oriented machines with a reputation for having everything you need to be an executive on the move, and that goes for the webcam too.

The display on the X1 Carbon is sharp and bright, and that’s mirrored by the 1080p camera that pierces the screen’s bezel. It’s a Windows Hello compatible model, so you can unlock your laptop with just your face, and while it may not be the cheapest laptop out there it has a very serious specification to match its serious status, easily performing all day in video conferences and office work.

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FAQs

How to choose the best laptop webcams

When choosing a laptop webcam, there are several key factors to consider. First, resolution: look for at least 1080p full HD resolution, as this will provide sharp, detailed video suitable for professional video calls and streaming. Low-light performance is important if you frequently have video calls in dimly lit rooms. Also, consider privacy features like camera shutters or kill switches to disable the webcam when not in use for security. Finally, prioritize laptops with high-quality microphones if you need excellent audio capture.

How we test the best laptop webcams

We put each webcam model through rigorous real-world testing to thoroughly evaluate its performance. We make video calls and participate in virtual conferences using each webcam to assess video and audio quality in real meeting environments. We stream live video using the webcams to judge their suitability for applications like game streaming. We record video of ourselves with the webcams under different scenarios to critically analyze footage quality. We don't just focus on video: audio quality from the webcam's built-in microphones is also carefully evaluated during testing for clarity and noise cancellation.

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Now that we’re long freed from the constraints of shooting on rolls of film we face the problem of returning from a shoot with hundreds of photos to peruse. If you’re a ‘rapid fire’ photographer like me then it will increase the chances of capturing a great shot.  However, the downside to this approach is that we have to scroll through hundreds of shots to find images worth editing and sharing. Apps such as Lightroom Classic help enable us to manually assign star ratings or add color labels as we scroll through our shots so we can filter the images later to find high-rated shots.  However, we may spend more time in this ‘quality control’ stage of our photographic workflow than we do in the far more enjoyable stage of image editing.

Fortunately, there are a collection of photo culling apps that reduce the time and tedium of manually searching for the best shots.  These apps use machine learning to automatically weed out shots that we don’t need to bother with, such as those which are out of focus or are motion blurred due to camera shake. Some of these AI-enhanced apps can also spot the shots where a subject has been caught in mid-blink,  while others can also use AI to gauge the emotion of a photo so that you can add higher start ratings to smiling shots and lower ratings to pouts (or vice versa!).  Thanks to AI assistance these apps will help speed up the culling process so that you can ‘cut to the chase’ and spend your time on editing and sharing your best images.

The best photo culling software

Narrative Select lets you hit the ground running as it quickly analyses a folder of shots imported into the app. You don’t need to spend time uploading or downloading files to or from the cloud as it’s all desktop based. The clean white interface stands out from the dull blacks and grays of other culling apps, enabling you to focus on the colors and tones of your shots. It also features an innovative icon system. Alongside each subject’s face, icons indicate the presence of open or closed eyes and the sharpness of focus (plus a tap of the [/] key gives you a 100% zoom in on the face to double-check quality.).  Select’s AI pops similar shots into groups (or Scenes) and creates a hierarchy inside the group based on focus and open or closed eyes.  Unlike some culling apps Select leaves the star rating/color labeling decisions to you. Only manually rated shots will transfer to your editing app of choice. Narrative Select adds a quick, easy, and effective culling stage to your photographic workflow.

Many of the culling apps in this guide look and behave in a very similar way, grouping similar shots and rejecting obvious problems such as blur. Peakto offers a wider range of criteria to organize your photos after analyzing them with AI. It will generate and assign keyword tags such as HighQualityEyes or PerfectFocus and you can click on these tags to see the relevant shots. However, it can also display images based on their predominant color palette or sort them in grid view according to properties such as Aesthetic Score or People Count. The Panorama view groups shots in categories such as Architecture, Portrait or Street. There’s even a Meme category that gathers shots that should do well on social media.  Peakto can access shots from any location, from a Lightroom Classic catalog to a folder on your hard drive so it can slot into any workflow with ease.

Aftershoot uses AI to help you find your best shots, but you can adjust thresholds so that the AI groups identical shots together or widens the net to create a larger group of similar shots for you to sift through.  You can also get it to be more or less tolerant to blurred shots. None of the shots that are culled are deleted, they are simply not brought to your attention. Aftershoot presents you with a collection of Highlights that are well composed, have strong emotion (smiling faces), are free from blur and have open eyes. You can then quickly share these highlights with your client while you filter through the rest of the photos according to their AI-assigned ratings. All ratings and labels can be read in Lightroom Classic which makes Aftershoot slot nicely into a pro photographer’s workflow. 
Read our full Aftershoot review

PhotoRefine is a powerful photo culling app, but its only available to subscribers of Zenfolio, an online service that enables photographers to promote and sell their work. It’s a downloadable standalone app that doesn’t require a web connection to ‘talk’ to online AI (so you’re not at the mercy of the whims of your WiFi connection). You can choose presets such as Portrait or Wedding to bias the AI to cull certain types of shots. For example, its Portrait preset will assign a star ratings hierarchy based on Sharpen, Eyes Open, Face Focus and Face Happiness (though you can customize these properties to create your own priorities for a higher to lower star rating.)  It occasionally misidentified a tilted down face as having closed eyes, but you can manually override a low rating. As with Aftershoot, PhotoRefine.Ai slots well into a Lightroom workflow by writing its ratings and labels etc. to each shot’s metadata.
Read our full PhotoRefine.ai review

Most of the photo culling software in our guide tends to reject a shot that features the subject with their eyes closed, but in some portraits, the eyes may be closed deliberately. FilterPixel features an ‘Intentional Closed Eyes’ tag that you can apply to find appropriate portraits. You can also filter by a specific camera lens (such as wide angle shots for example).  You can adjust a slider to show a sharper range of shots and a separate slider lets you choose a threshold for Eye Quality. Similar shots are grouped into one thumbnail in the Grid view but you can tap C to view them side by side in Comparison view and manually pick your favourite photo. Unlike other apps FilterPixel leaves it up to you to assign star ratings. It simply organises shots into three categories - Photos Accepted, Duplicates and Rejects.  Some of its rejects looked perfectly good to us but we were able to re-categorise them as ‘Picked’ with a tap of the P key.

This versatile app can apply edits to your photos as well as culling them, but we’ll focus on its culling feature in this buying guide. We must also point out that the beta culling tools aren’t available in the trial version. Imagen accesses images directly from folders or collections in an existing Lightroom Classic catalog (rather than importing them from a folder or memory card into Imagen).  You need to upload your shots to Imagen’s cloud for AI analysis so a strong Wi-Fi connection is essential. Before uploading you can ask Imagen to rate the files via stars or color labels and use a Strict or Loose threshold for grouping similar shots. After Imagen’s AI has completed its analysis you can download the files and view Imagen’s assigned ratings (or labels) directly in Lightroom Classic. Lightroom’s filters then let you find Unique Photos (4 stars) and Keepers (5 stars). Duplicates are rated with 3 stars (but unlike other culling apps they aren’t grouped together into a space-saving thumbnail.)

Apple tries to solve the problem of our iPhone or iPad running out of storage space by enabling us to store low-resolution versions of each photo and video on our mobile device while keeping the original files stored in the cloud, ready to be downloaded if we need to edit and share them. However, sometimes there can be iCloud syncing issue and duplicate shots can take up valuable space. Gemini Photos enables you to track down duplicate (or similar) shots from the comfort and convenience of your iPhone’s display. 

You can view multiple file versions and tick to keep the recommended best ones before deleting the others. The Other category contains shots downloaded from third-party apps or social media feeds. Here you can swipe up to keep a shot or down to delete it which provides a fast and convenient way to clean your photo library and leave space for new images and clips.

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Best photo-editing software

As camera raw files increase in size thanks to ever more densely packed sensors, the processing power required to edit them grows too. The kind of power you need to throw 60MP images around in Lightroom, or run neural-network-based denoising routines in something like Topaz AI, without encountering massive slowdown was once something you only found in desktop computers, but Windows laptops now contain the kind of chips we could only dream of being portable five years ago.

Take the Asus ProArt Studiobook OLED. It has, in the configuration sent to us for review, a 13th-gen Intel i9 processor, 64GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. There's 8TB of fast SSD storage too, split across two drives. Those are the kind of specs you’d expect from a top-end gaming PC or a video-editing workstation, and yet you can carry it with you wherever you go. 

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX  
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB)
RAM: 64GB
Storage: 8TB (2x4TB SSD)
Connectivity: Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, SD Express reader, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm headset jack, Ethernet
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions: 35.6cm x 27.1cm x 2.39 cm 
Weight: 2.4KG

Key Features

Aside from the Dial, there's the usual keyboard and trackpad. The latter is the usual broad, slippery sheet your fingers can dance across in pursuit of a mouse-like experience, and it does well, with just enough of a tactile click when you press down on it. The keyboard is a different matter, as while it has a few millimeters of key travel, and packs in a numpad alongside the letter keys, making the most of the 16in chassis, it takes a few liberties that frequent typists will take a little while to get used to.

Asus plays slightly loose with the accepted sizes, shapes, and positions of the keys, making some, such as Enter, smaller and less tall than we’re used to - though this is understandable on a portable keyboard. It means you’re likely to hit the hashtag key that’s been squeezed in above Enter, and we found ourselves hitting + when we reached for backspace. The cursor keys, which here have a textured top to them to differentiate them from the surrounding buttons, have been slightly squeezed off the bottom row, extending off into the space above the trackpad. 

It’s nothing you won’t get used to with a few weeks’ use, but it can baffle the first-time user who’s wondering where all those + symbols are coming from.

There's an HD webcam built into the slim bezel surrounding the screen that’s also compatible with Windows Hello face recognition, and it also ties into one of Asus’ power-saving features. The laptop recognizes when you’ve walked off or looked away, and will dim the screen or lock the machine accordingly. 

The 16:10 OLED screen has a 3200 x 200 resolution and is touch-sensitive, able to register 4,096 levels of pressure from a stylus. Sadly it doesn’t fold over far enough to make this a 2-in-1, meaning actually using the touchscreen can be awkward as there's not enough stiffness in the hinges to prevent it from retreating away from you if you press on it. There's good color gamut support, with 100% of DCI-P3 displayed.

Just as important for photographers and videographers is the connectivity, and with a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, alongside old-fashioned USB 2.3 Type-A and an SD Express 7.0 slot, plus an HDMI 2.1 and 2.5Gbps Ethernet port on the back. Wireless is taken care of by Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Build & Handling

The Asus ProArt Studiobook OLED isn’t a particularly unusual-looking laptop. It’s a black plastic rectangle in the chunky charcoal black that’s always been popular for electronics, with ports in the usual places and a screen hinge that sits just in from the back, leaving a small shelf sticking out at the rear of the machine.

It’s subtly logo’d, with a ProArt line on the back of the lid, and Studiobook on the underneath of the casing where no one will see it unless it falls on the floor. None of it erupts in RGB colors, though there is a white glow behind the keyboard, leaving the OLED screen to produce most of the light.

The big design peculiarity of the ProArt Studiobook is the Asus Dial, a rotating wheel similar to that provided by Microsoft for its Surface products, only built into the casing of the laptop. It allows you to customize its use, and while it can control things like the screen brightness and sound volume in Windows, when you flip into Photoshop it’s changing the size of brush heads, among other things, while in Premiere Pro it scrubs along the timeline, and in Lightroom it allows you to switch between Develop module tools with a press, before rotating the dial to alter their application.

Performance

The combination of the 24-core Intel i9-13980HS CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU is a potent one, and Asus has given them solid backup with 64GB of fast DDR5 RAM and 8TB of SSD storage across two drives. These are build-to-order options, and cheaper models with lesser specs are available if you just want to take advantage of the OLED screen and Asus Dial.

On the model we were sent, however, Photoshop and Lightroom fairly fly along, There's enough graphics processing power to provide significant hardware acceleration, and the 32 addressable threads mean parallel tasks in Lightroom such as exporting and generating smart previews are given an extra boost. 

The only thing that’s disappointing is the battery life, which is probably to be expected given the power-hungry nature of its components. The chassis isn’t exactly chunky, but neither is it slim, and when you start doing some heavier work such as raw file processing or gaming it drops fast. This isn’t a laptop to take far from a power socket for long periods, and it’s also picky about what it charges from, preferring its own charger or higher-wattage USB-C adapters over those you might use for a phone or tablet.

Verdict

Portable power like this is ideal for anyone shooting photos or videos in the field. It’s got everything you need in one package, including enough storage to empty your memory cards into. It comes at a price, however, though as a laptop that’s versatile, portable, powerful, and with the Dial and touchscreen, has features that a comparable MacBook Pro can’t deliver it must surely rank as one of the best laptops for photo editing right now.

Read more: find out more about the best photo-editing laptops and the best laptops for video editing in our guides.

The laptop industry enjoys putting hot things in small spaces, and the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED we’re sent for review manages to squeeze an Intel i9 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU into a wedge-shaped chassis barely 1.7cm thick. The screen is excellent and it costs less than two grand. 

This is, as you can see from the key specs, a high-performance laptop, but it balances this with a battery that will probably last you all day if you put it to sleep at lunchtime and don’t push it too hard. The 14.5in screen may be a little small for heavy editing sessions, but its ability to connect to external screens through HDMI and Thunderbolt ports means you’ll not be imprisoned in its small window for long.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H
RAM: 32GB
GPU: GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB)
Storage: 1TB SSD
Screen: 14.5in OLED, 2880x1800, 16:10
Connectivity: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x headphones
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5
Dimensions: 32.18 x 22.56 x 1.69mm
Weight: 1.56kg

Compare with the best OLED laptops

Key features

Most of the Zenbook 14X’s important features are concentrated inside, but there are some notable aspects elsewhere. The keyboard is about as good as you’re going to get in a 14in chassis, a tenkeyless chiclet model with 1.4 millimeters of travel, and a particularly large, clear typeface on the keys themselves. The position of the power button - to the left of Delete on the top row - may cause a moment’s pause as you locate it for the first time, but otherwise, everything is conventional including a gentle white backlight.

Particularly splendid is the touchpad, which on first inspection might appear to be uninteresting, just a centered area below the space bar on which you can do the finger ballet required to move a pointer around the screen, but this one has an extra trick, becoming the numpad that’s missing from the keyboard thanks to an illuminated grid of numbers that can be invoked with a press of the corner, while you can add the Windows calculator app using a gesture. It’s very clever, and while it lacks the tactility and familiar position of a real numpad, it goes some way to justifying the existence of an increasingly redundant touchpad on a touchscreen laptop.

There's a decent, but not exactly generous, array of ports around the sides of the Zenbook 14X. A pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports is the big news, with these able to carry out fast data transfer, drive a screen, and charge the laptop. An HDMI 2.1 port sits next to them, along with a headset port. There's no dedicated charging socket, so one Thunderbolt needs to be free to top up the battery, meaning you might need a dock if you’re connecting the laptop to a lot of peripherals. A single USB-A sits on the opposite side to the Thunderbolt ports, and it’s the Gen 2 type that can transfer data at 10Gbps. There's no card reader or Ethernet, though these can easily be added with an adapter.

Build & handling

Despite some attempts at shaking things up with the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED, the laptop clings stubbornly to the clamshell form factor, and when it’s done right it can be a rather wonderful thing indeed. The simple charcoal-grey casing (there’s a sandstone beige available too) of the Zenbook 14X might not be about to win any innovation awards, but it’s got it where it counts thanks to a compact but stiff frame with no noticeable flex if you pick it up by the corner, and enough connectivity to cover most use cases.

The HDR OLED screen is a stand-out feature in a laptop that consistently impresses. Its 14.5in diagonal, 16:10 aspect ratio, and 2880x1800 resolution mean it’s sharp and just about large enough to work on while traveling, though you’re going to want an external monitor for anything that requires a wider perspective. It has a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 600 nits of brightness, as well as covering the sRGB and DCI P3 color gamuts. It’s even Pantone certified. 

The touchscreen has stylus support, but the screen hinge doesn’t allow it to fold back on itself or enter tent mode, though it can lay flat. This reduces the utility of the touchscreen, which is more likely to be used for occasional prodding and markup, as it can’t be cradled like a tablet.

On the top edge of the screen lives a 1080p webcam that’s compatible with Windows Hello, but otherwise it’s relatively unadorned, with nothing visible on the rear of the casing. There is, however, some attractive linework on the back of the lid, which certainly makes a nice change from the usual glowing logo.

Performance

The processor inside this Zenbook 14 is an Intel i9 from the 13th generation ‘Raptor Lake’ series. This means it’s the latest available, at the time of writing, one step newer than the 12th-gen i9 in something like the MSI Creator Z17 and with an attendant performance boost in performance.

That CPU is a 14-core chip, with six performance cores and eight efficient cores. This means you get simultaneous processing of 20 threads, more than enough to make the laptop responsive even when you’ve got lots of applications open at the same time. Generally silent in operation, the cooling system kicks in when processing video or exporting from Lightroom. It’s noticeable, certainly, but we’ve heard much worse elsewhere, though as there are vents to the side and underneath the machine, it may make your lap warm.

Asus backs the CPU up with a mighty 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia graphics chip that, while it’s not going to give you 4K/60 in the latest games, is certainly a step up from the Iris Xe integrated graphics processor on the CPU, especially in applications such as Photoshop and Lightroom that offload so much work to the GPU. Its 4GB of dedicated graphics memory is about the bare minimum you’ll need, and if you’re working on an external 4K display Lightroom may well be looking for more.

Having 1TB of internal SSD storage is really nice to have too, as it means you can store a lot of data - many 128GB memory cards’ worth - without needing to carry an external drive. It’s fast too, using a PCIe 4.0 connection to really get those files moving.

Battery life is very good for a laptop of this size and specification, with the 70Wh cell inside pushing it to slightly more than eight hours of constant light work. This wasn’t stressing it too much, but did keep the screen and Wi-Fi on all the time, so raw image processing that opens the GPU up to full throttle will make you reach for the charging cable much sooner.

Verdict

For most people, the specifications of this laptop are overkill. No one needs an i9, 32GB of RAM and a discrete GPU if they’re browsing the web and playing Stardew Valley all day. However, ultrabooks like these are perfectly targeted at photographers and videographers, as they have the power to download, display and even edit lots of files in the field, and can be taken home and plugged in for a more intensive editing session afterwards.

Being compact and relatively restrained in its design, this would make an excellent system for a photographer, equally at home on location or back in the studio.

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The obvious place to look for an alternative to the Zenbook 14X is the MacBook Pro 13-inch, which costs a few hundred pounds more once you upgrade it to have 24GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Its eight-core M2 processor is a close match for the Core i9-13900H: they’re neck and neck in single-core performance. The i9 actually takes the lead for multi-core tasks due to having more of them, but the M2 trounces it for power efficiency and therefore battery life. The 14in MBP comes with the M2 Pro and Max chips, which are well out in front and cost much more.

Alternatively, a 15in Surface Laptop 5 can be specced with a 12th-gen Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, but this is much closer to £2,500 and doesn’t have the i9’s performance, leaving the Zenbook 14X looking like a bit of a bargain in comparison.

Read More: Find your next editing device with our guides to the best photo-editing laptops, and the best laptops for video editing, or if a desktop is more of your thing, check out the best desktop computers.

First introduced in 2017, after Microsoft successfully managed to turn around its Surface Pro lineup of hybrid devices into a critical and commercial success, it introduced the more traditional Surface Laptop line, showing that it wasn’t just Apple that could make smart-looking devices.

The Surface Laptop was made to show off Microsoft’s Windows 10 S operating system, made for lower-powered machines. Windows 10 S never took off and was quickly shelved, but the product line lives on, and Windows 10S has since contributed to Microsoft's excellent return to form with Windows 11.

The Surface Laptop range differs from the rest of the Surface lineup by offering the most traditional laptop design with a fixed clamshell lid and a comfortable typing experience. This is a departure from Microsoft's more experimental devices such as the detachable hybrid Surface Pro line or the unusual fold-down screen of the Surface Laptop Studio.

The Surface Laptop lineup is now in its 5th generation, with each upgrade not revolutionizing what came before, but instead offering incremental upgrades to keep up with some of the latest developments in technology and processors. After offering a mixed bag of Intel and AMD processors on the previous two generations of Surface Laptops, this year's models are an all-Intel affair. 

With the Surface Pro 4 still being widely available at the time of writing, are the new changes just a little too incremental or is the Surface Pro 5 worth the upgrade?

Specifications

Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB LPDDR5x
SSD: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
Screen: 15” PixelSense touch display, 2496x1664 (201 PPI), 3:2, Individually color-calibrated display, Dolby Vision IQ support
Ports: 1 x USB-C with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-A 3.1, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1 x Surface Connect port
Connections: WiFi 6 802.11ax compatible, Bluetooth Wireless 5.1 technology
Battery: Up to 17 hours of typical device usage
Video/Audio: Windows Hello Face Authentication camera, 720p HD front-facing camera, Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos 4, Dual far-field Studio microphones
Size (LxWxH): 340 x 244 x 14.7 mm
Weight: 1,560 g

Key Features

The Surface Laptop 5 is available with either a 13.5-inch Pixelsense touch screen or a 15-inch Pixelsense touchscreen, the latter of which is the model we are reviewing here. The 15-inch screen is probably the better choice for photo and video editors who may need to fit more on their screen for faster multitasking. Both model's screens however are color calibrated and offer the same 201 PPI.

The Surface Laptop 5 screen is powered by Dolby Vision IQ, which claims an ultra-wide and ultra-vivid color palette, as well as sharper contrast and richer detail. For sound, the Surface Laptop 5 contains Microsoft's OmniSonic speakers, which are tuned with Dolby Atmos 4 technology for a more immersive sound experience. On the front, there is a 720p webcam and a Windows Hello face login array.

The Surface Laptops are powered by 12th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors built on the Intel Evo platform. Both models can be configured to an Intel i7-1255U processor that should be good enough for multitasking and productivity as well as some light photo and video editing.

The Surface Laptop 5 has a single Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, which is capable of being one port for charging, connecting a 4K monitor, and transferring large files quickly. The Laptop 5 also has a single USB-A 3.2 port, as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a proprietary Surface Connector for charging the laptop or connecting up Microsoft's Surface Dock hub.

Microsoft clams up to 17 hours of battery life on the Surface Laptop 5, although expect this will vary quite wildly depending on what you use your laptop for, with common photo editing software, such as Adobe Lightroom, being a big battery drain.

The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 5 has a choice of an Alcantara fabric keyboard in platinum or is available in a metal finish in black, sage, or sandstone colors. The  15-inch model is available in platinum metal or black metal. The model we are testing in his review is the 15-inch platinum metal coloured Surface Laptop 5.

Build & Handling

As always with Microsoft, the build of the Surface Laptop 5 is excellent. Microsoft's laptops come at a slight premium cost and this is clearly shown in their premium design aesthetic and Microsoft's attention to detail. The Surface Laptop is a fantastic-looking device and is a laptop you would be happy to be seen using. The all-metal chassis feels strong and sturdy, and you could confidently throw this into a bag knowing that it will survive trips to school or the office, or a busy day on set.

The keyboard is exceptionally comfortable to type on. The keys are a good size with good separation and have great key travel, I found myself easily gliding through typing out large chunks of text (including parts of this review). The trackpad is also very large, finally a worthy rival to Apple's incredible laptop trackpads. This larger trackpad makes it so much easier to use multitasking gestures, as well as editing software where you might use large strokes or multiple fingers.

The screen is bright and sharp, with a fantastic natural color balance, looking at images on the Surface Laptop 5, they look accurate and true to life, this is an excellent screen for photo editing or any other color-critical work. Microsoft has stuck with quite significant bezels on the Laptop 5, which are starting to look very dated against the competition, with the latest from Dell and Samsung offering a much better screen-to-body ratio. When the rest of the design is so sharp, this really sticks out as lazy or cost costing.

It's great to see this generation of Surface Laptop 5 including a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port as this makes connecting to external 4K monitors or connecting external drives a much faster experience. However, the other selection of ports is falling behind for a modern laptop. Including a USB-A port offers good backward compatibility, but with most devices using USB-C nowadays, and dongles aplenty, it is about time that Microsoft replaces this port with a second Thunderbolt-enabled USB-C port. 

Microsoft Surface connector also has its pros and cons, being magnetized is very useful for quickly attaching and detaching, and won't pull your laptop off the table if you trip on it (although USB-C chargers are unlikely to either). However, on the Surface Laptop 5, I feel this could be space that would be better served by another USB-C port, especially as there are no other ports on the right-hand side of the laptop apart from the surface connect, which makes plugging unmovable peripherals sometimes difficult.

Performance

You can see some benchmarks for the Surface Laptop 5 below. We have compared it to Microsoft's Surface Pro 9, and the Apple MacBook Air, as these represent two premium alternatives that rival the Laptop 5. Both Surface devices use slightly different Intel i7 processors with integrated Intel Xe graphics, while the MacBook uses Apple's integrated CPU/GPU, the Apple M2, none have a dedicated graphics card.

The Surface Laptop 5 in these specs is quite disappointing, falling behind both the Surface Pro and far behind Apple's latest MacBook Air in all categories. The Surface Laptop 5 is very thin and light, but then so are these other two devices, with both managing to squeeze out more performance.

However, benchmarks are different from real-world use, and the Surface Laptop 5 doesn't feel underpowered when completing day-to-day tasks. Navigating through the operating system and opening apps is quick and responsive. In my tests of everyday functionality, I could open and switch between scores of tabs in Chrome, as well as streaming, downloading, and uploading which didn't cause any noticeable slowdown. The Surface Laptop also handled copying in large amounts of pictures and text into Word and working with large datasets in Excel without issue. The Surface Laptop 5 is a fantastic productivity device.

When it comes to photo editing, there were a few more hiccups with the Surface Laptop 5, when editing in Lightroom everything is just a little bit slower than with other laptops in this category. The Surface Laptop 5 didn't fail at any task, it can apply batch edits, gradients, and batch export it doesn't grind to a complete halt, but you can feel the processor strain.

Lacking any dedicated graphics card, it is not really expected to be a video editors laptop, although Apple's M2 silicon is showing what can be done with integrated graphics at around the same cost. When editing videos on Adobe Premiere, there were numerous freezes when trying to scrub through videos and exporting projects. In less resource intense video editor apps, it had an easier time, but with a much more limited scope for editing. The Surface Laptop 5 is fine for very casual video editors, but if you frequently need to edit videos, go for a machine with dedicated graphics such as the Surface Laptop Studio.

Microsoft's recent updates to Windows 11 have made a huge impact on how nice it is to use the Surface Pro 9. The latest version of the Microsoft operating system is much more attractive with updated textures, icons, and graphics. It has taken a long time, but I feel the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 finally has an operating system that befits its beautiful hardware.

The speakers on the Surface Laptop 5 come with a lot of registered trademarks, but Microsoft's Omnisonic technology with Dolby Atmos 4 doesn't add up to a winning sound experience. The speakers are acceptable but lack any considerable bass, and while the volume can get loud, the audio still sounds small. Especially with the 15-inch version of the Surface Laptop, Microsoft had space to do better.

Verdict

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 5 is a fantastic option for anyone design-conscious, who wants a traditional clamshell design Windows laptop that is oozing with style. With a big, sharp, and colorful screen, a fantastic keyboard, and a large trackpad, the Surface Laptop 5 is a joy to use. Although a design overhaul wouldn't go amiss, with its chunky bezels needing reducing and a couple more ports squeezed in.

The Surface Laptop 5 performs very well at productivity tasks, easily handling Office apps for work or school, intensive web browsing, and video streaming, and photographers can be confident in performing light photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop. When it comes to video, the Surface Laptop struggles and keen filmmakers might want to look at options with a dedicated graphics card or an Apple logo.

Read more:

• The best photo-editing laptops
• The best 2-in-1 laptops
• The best laptop docking stations
• The best laptops for video editing

The latest Dell XPS 13 – it's the model number 9315 that we're reviewing here – comes with a lot of heritage as one of the best Dell laptops. The XPS 13 has topped lists of best photo-editing laptops and best student laptops for many years and with good reason. The most recent refresh has a very high standard to live up to.

This time around, the late-2022 version of the laptop has upgraded internals and an even thinner chassis. As is the norm for Dell, you can pick this up in a variety of configurations and colors, but we've explained the review model we were given in detail below as well as the other options available.

The price widgets embedded around this Dell XPS 13 review should give you some idea of the latest deals available on this particular laptop. The Dell XPS typically costs between $799-1349/£949-1849, but at the time of writing you can pick this particular configuration up for around $900/£1,000.

Dell XPS 13 Specifications

CPU: 12th Generation Intel Core i5-1230U, (Configurable to Intel Core i7-1250U)
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB, (Configurable to 8GB, 32GB)
Screen: 13.4-inch, FHD+ 1920x1200, 16;10, touchscreen LED or 13.4-inch, (Configurable to UHD+ 3840x2400 pixel resolution, 16;10, touchscreen LED LCD)
Storage: 512GB SSD, (Configurable to 256GB, 1TB)
Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 with USB-C
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
Camera: 720p
Weight: 1.17 kg
Size: 295 x 199 x 14 mm

Dell XPS 13 Key features

Every laptop is a compromise between power, portability, and price, and it's the middle item in that list that's the main concern of the Dell XPS 13. You're not exactly going to be gaming or chopping up 4K videos on a laptop of this size, but the specs under the hood are relatively respectable given the size constraints, led by that 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1230U processor.

Combine that with 16GB of RAM and you've got a machine that's going to be comfortable navigating around the web, running office applications, and doing some light photo editing. We certainly didn't notice any slowing down with several dozen browser tabs open at once, and if you're realistic about what the laptop is going to be able to do then you won't be disappointed.

If you go for a laptop that's this thin and this light then you do make compromises, as you can see with the port selection – you've got just a couple of USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ones. Dell being Dell, you can get this laptop in a variety of configurations, including a non-touchscreen display and less RAM if you want to save a bit of money.

We think if you're going to pick the Dell XPS 13 as your next laptop, it's going to be because of its compact size and its rather beautiful finish (a subjective call, of course – your mileage may vary). This is a super-compact, super-thin, super-light laptop you can take anywhere, and it's one that feels like a super-premium device as you use it. The typing and trackpad experience is top-notch, for example, and you can tell this costs more than the budget Windows laptops on the market.

The screen is worth a mention too: while it's not the highest resolution, that doesn't matter too much at a 13.4-inch size, and the 16:10 aspect ratio is perfect for working on documents or on the web (while less so for watching widescreen movies). You can get the display with or without touchscreen capabilities – our review unit did come with a touchscreen, which gives you a bit more flexibility in terms of input.

A couple of 2.5W speakers take care of audio duties, and they do better than you might expect – though they're not great, obviously, because of their size. They're fine for watching movies or listening to music as long as you're not too fussy about fidelity, and they impress in terms of keeping a good level of clarity at higher volumes. The integrated 720p webcam is about on the same level: fine for the basics, though if you spend a lot of time on video calls you might want to plug in an external webcam that gives you a higher resolution and some more features.

Dell XPS 13 Build and handling

There's certainly plenty of style and class about the look of the Dell XPS 13, and you can pick it up in the dark, purplish Umber (like our review unit) or a light, silvery Sky color. From the trackpad to the screen hinge to the subtle Dell logo on the back of the laptop lid, Dell has done a really good job in putting this computer together, and in getting it quite as thin and light as it is at the same time.

We like the small rubber rails underneath the laptop for it to sit on, the slightly recessed keyboard, and the minimalism of the aesthetic overall. You can easily pick it up and carry it with one hand, and the lightness of the Dell XPS 13 means that you'll barely notice it in a bag. The screen hinge feels solid and well put together, and even the power cable has a touch of elegance about it.

In use, the Dell XPS 13 really is great to use – although the keyboard is necessarily compact, it never feels cramped. There's also an integrated fingerprint sensor up in the top right corner of the keyboard, making it easier for you to log into Windows. There's also an adjustable backlight for the keys, which is nicely done in a subtle and refined way. We'd say the build, handling, and design are areas where the Dell XPS 13 really excels, and which might make you pick this over something else.

Dell XPS 13 Performance

As we mentioned along with the specs rundown earlier, the Dell XPS 13 comes with a respectable set of specs for everyday computing. Sure, you don't need this sort of power for just web browsing, emailing, and office work, but your life will be better and less frustrating – and you'll be able to wait longer until your next laptop upgrade. Unless you're putting a lot of demands on the Dell XPS 13, you won't notice any lag or sluggishness.

Where the laptop does fall down is in tasks such as gaming, and heavy photo and video editing: if those are important to you, either look elsewhere or get this laptop as a complement to another more powerful computer. In the commonly used PCMark 10 benchmark, we got a score of 4,136 (9,053 Essentials, 6,571 Productivity, 3,668 Digital Content Creation) – which backs up what we've already said. One notable plus point is that the Dell XPS 13 never gets particularly hot on the underside, or particularly loud (even with the fans whirring).

We ran a simple video streaming test on the laptop for one hour: with the audio volume set low and the display brightness set to the maximum, the battery level dropped by 11 percent. That suggests around 9-10 hours of movie watching between charges, with the screen brightness set high – you'll get more if the screen is dimmed. In general use, we were seeing around 5-6 hours of use on a single battery charge, so it'll just about get you through a working day away from the desk.

We did notice some erratic "battery time remaining" estimates in Windows, and an isolated occasion when the battery drained very quickly, which was a little worrying. However, looking around on the web we haven't noticed anyone else reporting this, so we're assuming it was a one-off glitch (and may have been down to something software-related, rather than the laptop itself).

Dell XPS 13 Verdict

We've mentioned the MacBook Air as a competitor for this laptop below, and many people have labeled this as the Windows version of Apple's lightest portable computer. It's an appropriate comparison: both laptops are really well designed, oozing quality in terms of their build and their aesthetics, and offering lightweight computing in a compact package that you can take just about everywhere.

We're not convinced by everything that the Dell XPS 13 offers. The battery life could certainly be better, as could the quality of the webcam and the resolution of the screen. Performance is decent enough for everyday tasks, but you're not going to be able to get through anything really demanding on this laptop, and gaming is out of the question.

Those are the negatives, but there are plenty of positives that in the end tip the balance. It's a laptop that looks gorgeous, that's smooth in operation, that's a pleasure to work on, and that can go to places other, heavier, larger laptops can't reach. In the end that's a pretty appealing deal, and it ensures that the Dell XPS 13 should be appearing on a lot of best laptop lists in the future.

Dell XPS 13 Competitors

Over in Apple land, the Macbook Air M2 is about the same size and price as the Dell XPS 13 – though it runs macOS rather than Windows of course. While the operating system is likely to determine your choice more than anything else, there's a lot to like about the Apple laptop: battery life and processing performance are both great for such a compact laptop, and it stays quiet and cool at all times.

If you're sure you want to stick with Windows, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is absolutely worth a look. It gives you the flexibility of a 2-in-1 form factor that can do double duty as a tablet as well as a laptop, it gives you more power than you might expect for something so thin and light, and it has the advantage of a digital stylus that's going to appeal to digital creatives wanting to be able to work anywhere and everywhere.

Find out more about the current laptops available with our guides to the best photo editing laptops, the best laptops for video editing, the best student laptops, and the best Chromebooks.

Capture One is a direct competitor to Lightroom Classic and similar to the Adobe product in many ways. Like Lightroom, it lets you work from a central image catalog and offers non-destructive editing tools that work seamlessly with raw, TIFF or JPEG images. Like Lightroom, it offers presets (‘Styles’, in Capture One) and both global and local adjustments. There’s very little you can do in one program that you can’t do in the other.

But there are some key differences. Capture One does not offer the creative ecosystem that Adobe does. There is a mobile app, but it’s designed for on-location shooting, editing and client collaboration, not as an entire cloud-based image library – and you’ll need a more expensive All in One subscription to use it. It also doesn’t come with Photoshop or any equivalent photo editor. If you need to do anything with layers, type or design, you’ll still need Photoshop, or Affinity Photo.

So a Capture One subscription doesn’t offer the same scope as the Adobe Photography Plan, but it does offer workflows tailored specifically to professional shooting needs. Tethered shooting, either in the studio or on location, is one of Capture One’s key strengths, together with its ‘Sessions’ workflow that works with images live in session folders on your computer for rapid editing, image selection and approval.

You don’t have to work this way. Capture One also offers ‘Catalogs’ for larger, permanent image collections. The image organizing, searching, and filtering tools are a direct match for Lightroom Classic’s, and Capture One has another trick – it can also offer a ‘managed’ approach where images are imported into the catalog itself and ring-fenced against accidental moving or deletion. Does anyone remember Apple Aperture on the Mac (sigh)? Capture One’s managed catalogs are the closest thing for Mac users.

All of this makes Capture One one of the best photo editing software applications, not to mention one of the best Lightroom alternatives, for professional/commercial photographers at least.

Capture One is clearly designed for professional efficiency, finesse, and image quality, and that’s really what you’re paying for. Amateurs can still get a lot from Capture One, but it doesn’t make any concessions to Insta-friendly effects or headline-grabbing AI tools outside of those that will actually make a difference to pros. Which is kind of refreshing.

Capture One Pro system requirements

Capture One Pro: price

Capture One Pro is available both on subscription and as a perpetual license. The perpetual version is pretty expensive at $317 / £317 (about AU$479) and will be subject to upgrade fees if you want to swap to a newer version at some point. The subscription plans are much cheaper in the short term and probably represent the best option for users who like to get all the updates and new camera support as they arrive. Here are the plans:

Pro: $17 / £15.75 (about AU$26) per month, bought annually

All in One, which adds the mobile app and other benefits: $22.93 / £22.83 (about AU$35) per month, bought annually

Studio, designed for heavy commercial studio/client use: $45.75 / 41.58 (about AU$69) per month, bought annually

Capture One Pro: interface and usability

Everything in Capture One happens in a single window. There are no separate modules, like Lightroom Classic has, and no distinct ‘browse’ and ‘editing panels. Instead, it has a set of tool tabs in the left sidebar that cover everything from folder browsing to image filtering, from adjustments to lens corrections. The main screen area can be used either as a Viewer for editing or a Browser for displaying the current folder or album thumbnails – and very likely you’ll want to keep both visible at once.

There’s a lot going on in Capture One’s left sidebar, so it could be a little daunting for new users. The payback comes later when you start to appreciate its efficiency and its endless customizability. Capture One doesn’t really make any concessions for beginners, but that’s not who it’s for.

You can create custom tabs, add whatever tools you like to any of the tabs, and even drag panels off the sidebar to float on the screen as palettes to stay visible as you work. It’s a great system.

Capture One’s masking tools and adjustment layers also deserve a special mention. They work like Photoshop’s adjustment layers and might prove easier to grasp than Lightroom’s list of masks and sub-masks. Each adjustment layer offers practically the entire set of adjustments in Capture One, not like the limited subset in Lightroom, and each layer can store a mask created with as a linear mask, radial mask, ‘Magic Mask’, freehand brush tool (with or without auto-masking) and AI subject-detection masks.

You can also subtract areas from masks. For example, you could use a linear mask to darken a bright sky and then use the AI ‘subtract’ tool to hover over trees or buildings to instantly remove them from the mask.

Capture One Pro: performance

Capture One’s raw processing is excellent. With full-frame cameras and moderate ISO settings, you might not notice much difference, but it’s much ‘kinder’ to smaller-sensor APS-C or Micro Four Thirds cameras than Adobe Camera Raw, which tends to produce a coarser noise pattern and rather less fine detail. I shoot with MFT cameras a lot, and if you open a raw file from one of these cameras in Lightroom you could quickly decide the MFT format just isn’t quite good enough. Do the same in Capture One and you’ll decide the results are very good indeed. The right software can make more of a difference than you think, and Capture One’s ability to render fine detail and low noise at the same time could be a decisive factor.

Capture One also carries out color adjustments with both strength and subtlety. I’ve never quite been able to recreate its smooth tonal transitions after color editing in Lightroom, with or without its new Point Color tool. The same goes for black-and-white conversions.

Capture One does not, however, have an equivalent of Adobe’s AI Enhance noise reduction process, now integrated into Lightroom with no need for a separate DNG file anymore. Fair play to Adobe for that one.

Capture One has also seen rapid development of its AI masking tools. It can identify subjects and backgrounds, or objects and areas, just by hovering the mouse over them. The masks it creates are accurate and well-blended, and if you do see any edge effects, the ‘Refine’ tool does a remarkable job of smoothing them over.

It’s also worth mentioning Capture One’s ’Style Brushes’ and keyboard shortcut adjustments – for example, you can just hold down the Q key and scroll with the mouse to change the exposure ‘live’. You think it’s a small thing when you first try it, but before long, you’re using it all the time.

Capture One Pro: verdict

Capture One is all about workflow, quality, and efficiency. You wouldn’t buy it to save money or just on the basis of its features. It doesn’t store all your photos in the cloud, it doesn’t come with a big collection of funky presets or AI resizing, AI denoising, AI sky replacement, or generative AI object removal. If that’s what you want, then the Adobe Photography Plan is far better.

Capture One is going to seem expensive to a lot of photographers who aren’t comfortable paying this much for software, but this is a fast, powerful, and very capable professional tool, which is a business investment like any other. If it saves you just a few hours a week or wows a top client on a shoot, it’s paid for itself. It’s also a beautiful space for organizing, browsing, and working on your photos.

Alternatives

Dell has a long and illustrious history with XPS laptops, started in 1993, the XPS series offers the best performance possible in the most attractively designed and portable form factor from a Dell machine.

In 2012 Dell completely revamped its XPS line of laptops, adding an all metal chassis, with elements of carbon fiber weaving, but also included a premium near bezelless screen. This proved to be a massive hit both critically and commercially, and launched Dell's XPS range of laptops as the ones to beat.

In 2018 Dell expanded the XPS lineup from traditional clamshell laptops to include a new hybrid 2-in-1 laptop and tablet device that still runs full Windows OS. There have been 3 generations of XPS 2-in-1s so far, with previous generations of the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1s having a 360º hinge, however now, Dell has decided to take the keyboard off altogether. 

Dell has stiff competition for the best 2-in-1 laptop, with most manufacturers offering compelling devices, none more so than the latest iteration of the device that started it all, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9.

So how does Dell stack up in an increasingly popular field of computing?

Specifications

Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1230U or 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1250U
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB or 16GB, 4267MHz LPDDR4x
SSD: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
Display: 13inch touch display, 3:2, 3K (2880x1920), GorillaGlass Victus, active pen support, 500-Nit peak brightness
Cameras: Rear camera 2160p at 30 fps, front facing camera 1080p at 30fps
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) with DisplayPort and Power Delivery
Battery: 49.5 Wh with 44W charger
Size (HxWxD): 7.4mm x 292.5mm x 201.2mm
Weight: 736g (1.3kg with keyboard folio)

Key features

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 comes with Windows 11, the latest update for Windows improving on a lot of what went wrong in the previous couple of generations and making a lot of very welcome visual changes to bring it up to date. Dell gives the option of an Intel i5 or i7 processor, both of these come with Intel Xe Graphics. If you plan to use your device for photo or video editing, then the i7 should be the minimum processor you aim for. 

The XPS 13 2-in-1 has a stunning 13-inch 3K screen with vivid balanced colors that cover 100% sRGB color gamut. The Dell comes with an XPS stylus that has 4096 points of pressure for an accurate drawing experience. The stylus can snap magnetically onto the top of the tablet to charge wirelessly. 

The 2-in-1 packs in WiFi 6E for faster downloads and uploads for those editing and working on large files on the go. Although this does require compatible 6E WiFi routers which are not yet widely implemented by a lot of ISPs. And for wired connections, the Dell packs two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 for lightning-fast file transfers.

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 comes with the XPS Folio, which is Dell's detachable keyboard cover case, that also functions as a tent-like stand that props the tablet up in its laptop form factor. The keyboard has larger keys than previous Dell keyboards, and the keys are even backlit for typing in low light. The XPS Folio has what Dell calls a spacious touchpad, which is still nothing like the space you get on an Apple laptop, but it is good for a hybrid device of this nature.

Build and handling

The tablet portion of this 2-in-1 is beautiful, made of premium aluminium it looks classy and expensive. The edges of the tablet are very square, which might not be to everyone's taste, but it gives the tablet a very symmetrical appearance and works very nicely with its four perfectly balanced and small screen bezels.

The tablet without the keyboard doesn't feel too heavy to carry around and work with on the go. When the keyboard and back cover are added, this does make the device noticeably heavier, with the XPS Folio around two-thirds of the weight of the tablet. The whole package is slightly heavier than a Macbook Air.

Dell is known for its stunning screens, and the XPS 2-in-1 doesn't let it down. The screen is sharp and saturated, with deep rich colour, but maintaining a good colour balance, this is a beautiful screen to watch movies and edit photos on.

The main issues the Dell XPS 2-in-1 has are with its detachable keyboard Folio, which leaves a mostly frustrating experience. The main fault being with its stand that keeps the device upright. The stand folds in two places, forming a sort of tent that the tablet is rested against, and is supported with magnets that are meant to lock the stand into place, with two different viewing angles.

These magnets are simply not reliable enough to hold the tablet, and I found after thinking I had locked the tablet in place, it just came crashing down onto the table due to it being slightly misaligned. The stand is fiddly and frustrating, still, no manufacturers have come close to touching the Surface Pro hinge and kickstand.

The whole XPS Folio, both keyboard and stand are also one piece, so the keyboard cannot be disconnected independently while leaving the stand portion. The keyboard can fold back under the tablet, but this is an inelegant solution that exposes the keys to debris and marks from the surface it is on.

A very confusing quirk is when the keyboard is folded back 360°, it turns off the tablet (maybe due to its magnets) so if you want to walk around using the Dell XPS 2-in-1, you will need to pull it off the folio first, or just let the keyboard section dangle.

The saving grace of the keyboard is that it does look fantastic, I really like the minimalist uniform design, but is keys are very flat with no separation between them, the key travel is fine, but as someone who types a lot for a living, I made a lot more mistakes typing on this keyboard, although this might be a keyboard you eventually get used to.

The Dell has a rear-facing camera, which is a nice if probably unnecessary feature for most people, but it produces some decent-quality video if you want to share quick clips in a chat. The front-facing camera is clear and sharp with good lighting for video calls. The speakers are a little muddled, lacking a huge amount of range, but they are fine for watching videos on the move or clearly hearing participants in a video call. 

Performance

The main competitor for the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is the Surface Pro 9, and you can see a comparison of their benchmarks in the table below. Just on the benchmarks alone, there is not much to separate these two hybrids, both devices have Intel i7 processors and Intel Iris graphics. The Dell comes out on top on both Geekbench and Cinebench single-core tasks, but loses out to the Surface Pro 9 at multicore tasks and in graphical prowess, but only marginally. 

In truth, with similar benchmarks like these, you are unlikely to see any real-world differences, and in my testing, both devices performed admirably. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is very quick and agile, opening programs and files in a flash, and flying through web browsing and video streaming. The processor handles productivity tasks like Microsoft Word and Powerpoint with no issues at all. This would make an absolutely fantastic device for remote working or for students.

When it comes to photo and video editing, the Dell XPS 2-in-1 is surprisingly efficient. When tested using Adobe Photoshop, the Dell handled a lot of complex tasks well including working on files with multiple layers or using the liquify tool with only a few minor pauses. In Adobe Lightroom, applying auto-masking was very fast and gradients were almost instantaneous. Exporting large batches of RAW files to JPEGs did push the processor to its limits slowing down the device and limiting its use temporarily, although this is not uncommon for devices in this category.

When using Adobe Premiere Pro, the Dell found this a little more of a challenge, with frequent pauses scrubbing through videos or applying transitions or layers. Without a dedicated graphics card, this is really no surprise, but it is very welcome that video editing can be done on this device while on the go, even if a little more slowly.

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is not a worthy replacement for any dedicated editing computer, but it is the perfect companion for editing as you travel.

Verdict

My willingness to recommend the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is as fluctuating as its form factor. The Dell is a 2-in-1, but only 1-in-1 is a real winner. On one hand, Dell has managed to produce a fantastic-looking device, with a beautiful sharp, saturated, and balanced screen, that also packs in enough power to be an excellent productivity machine and even cope with photo and video editing. 

On the other hand, the keyboard folio is a huge frustration. The keyboard is a lot of style over some questionable substance, with the flat borderless keys being more difficult to type on quickly. Propped up with occasionally temperamental magnets, it is finicky to get open and set up, and often just gets in the way.

However, the design and substance of the tablet win out, as well as its price being very competitive for the quality of the device. If you are looking for a remote working or remote editing 2-in-1 hybrid device, you will find a lot to love with the Dell XPS 2-in-1.

For more on the best computing devices for editing, you can check out our guides to the best photo editing laptops and the best laptops for video editing. Or if you are looking for a more powerful editing machine, you can see our guide for the best desktop computer for photo editing.

Larger laptops with their increased screen size often make for the best photo-editing laptops and the best laptops for video editing. Apple's top entry in this category has for the past several years been the MacBook Pro 16 and now they are back with a refresh with an all-new and all-powerful chip.

Since its announcement in November 2020, with the M1 chip in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini, Apple Silicon has been upending the world of computing, with its headline-grabbing speeds and efficiency due to its tight integration between hardware and software. Apple ditched Intel and moved on to a mobile architecture based on designs from ARM, this opened up its devices of all sizes to share one processor, and allow native iPhone apps to run on Mac.

As we saw in the first generation of Apple Silicon, the M1 Pro, and an M1 Max chips were big spec improvements on its base chips, aimed at creative professionals. Apple has repeated history with the new and improved versions of its second generation M2 chip – the M2 Pro and M2 Max. The latter of which will be tested out in this review in the latest MacBook Pro 16.

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Specifications

Processor: Apple M2 Max chip with 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU
Configurable to: M2 Pro with 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU, Apple M2 Max with 12-core CPU and 30-core GPU
Screen: 16.2in Liquid Retina XDR display, 3456x2234 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch
Display Technology: 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,000 nits sustained brightness, 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone technology, ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Memory: 32GB unified memory
Configurable to: 16GB (M2 Pro), 32GB (M2 Pro or M2 Max), 64GB (M2 Max), or 96GB (M2 Max with 38-core GPU)
Battery: 100wH battery, 140W MagSafe power adapter
SSD: 1TB
Configurable to: 512GB (M2 Pro), 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB (M2 Max)
Ports: SDXC card slot, HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port, 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
Connections: WiFi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3
Size: 1.68 x 35.57 x 24.81 cm
Weight: 2.16 kg (M2 Max), 2.15kg (M2 Pro)

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Key features

Apple has designed what it is calling the most powerful chip yet in its just over two-year-old endeavors into making its own in-house processors, and on paper, the M2 Max is a beast. Able to be configured up to an absolutely monstrous 38-core GPU, 96GB of unified memory, and 400GB/s memory bandwidth.

The Macbook Pro 16 can also be configured with a less powerful M2 Pro or M2 Max processor, sharing the same 12 CPU cores, but differing in graphical power, with the M2 Pro having a 19-core GPU or the M2 Max with a 30-core GPU option. The M2 Max has a base level of 32GB of unified memory, although there is the option to upgrade this all the way to 96GB of RAM, which is incredible, but more than almost anyone will need.

Apple claims that the new 16-inch M2 max can be up to 2.5x faster in photo editing in Adobe Photoshop and 6.5x faster in video editing in Final Cut Pro than the previous Intel i9 model with a Radeon Pro 5600M graphics card from AMD.

The model I am testing here is the MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max with a 12-core GPU, 38 graphics cores, and 32GM of RAM. This calibration currently is listed on Apple’s store for $3,499/£3,749.

The clue is in the name, the MacBook Pro 16 screen measures 16.2in, with a pixel count of 3456x2234 and a density of 254ppi. The screens use Apple's Liquid Retina XDR panels, which enable a much more comprehensive dynamic range and a broader range of colors. Each screen is color-calibrated at the factory for accurate color grading, photography, and design work. ProMotion, a technology found on the latest iPhone Pro models, boosts the screen refresh rate to 120Hz, making movement on the screen much more fluid and videos smoother.

After a very long time of Apple putting very sub-par webcams in its premium laptops, it has got the message, and the MacBook Pro 16 has a 1080p webcam and a studio-quality three-mic array. The Macbook Pro 16 is also equipped with a six-speaker setup that supports Dolby Atmos.

Port lovers everywhere will be thrilled that Apple has also decided to get go back on its all-USB-C designs. While the laptop still features 3 Thunderbolt 4 enabled USB-C ports, it also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI output, and for creatives everywhere, the MacBook Pro 16 has a full sizes SD card slot.

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Build and handling

Apple overhauled the look of its top-end MacBook Pros last year, and it has stuck to those design principles in this year's iteration. Again, the laptop is an aluminum unibody design, although it differs from past generations by being much more rounded instead of wedge-shaped. 

This makes the laptop look and feel considerably thicker and more substantial than the previous design of the MacBook Pro 16 from the Intel era. Although the design still looks and feels very nice, with premium finishes everywhere, it is just noticeably bulkier when placed next to the older 16-inch model.

Unsurprisingly for anyone who has used Apple's scissor-switch keyboard before, the keyboard on the new MacBook Pro 16 is excellent. Keys are really well spaced, and have a good amount of travel and spring to them, with the additional size of the chassis providing more wrist rest, this really is one of the best laptops to type on for long periods.

Banished hopefully forever is the touch bar, with the standard function keys of MacBooks past returning to the top row, which is a much better solution. The fingerprint reader and power button combo have remained, which has proved to be a very fast and easy method to sign in, and it hasn’t given me any rejections yet. It also has a larger key and indented center which makes finding the reader that much faster and easier. 

The keyboard uses black keys on a painted black background, which looks pretty stylish, but I found in dimmer light or at quick glances I find it makes the keys harder to distinguish from one another. Backlighting helps, but the MacBook Pro 13 or MacBook Air’s body-colored borders around each key is much easier to see in a pinch.

It is still disappointing to not see Apple's FaceID make its way to its laptops, which arguably there is space for in the increased size of the MacBook Pro notch.

The notch at the top of the screen has proved pretty divisive, but it is still around. Other manufacturers such as Dell in their XPS 13 range of laptops have demonstrated that a webcam (and facial recognition system) can be squeezed into the tiniest of bezels, so it really does just feel like this MacBook Pro has a notch just because it is an Apple design 'thing'.

The return of the ports on MacBook Pros might be just as important as the new all-powerful processors. The MacBook Pro 16 still sports three Thunderbolt 4 capable USB-C slots, but the fourth port from previous devices has been replaced with a MagSafe magnetic connector for charging.

This makes sense to me as a heavy editor, I spend so much of my time with my MacBook connected to power that I always had a dedicated USB-C port for charging anyway. Those in a pinch (most likely forgot to pack their MagSafe charger) can also still charge the latest MacBooks with any USB-C charger, with varying results based on its power.

The addition of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a huge boon for audiophiles and audio editors, who want to connect headphones via a dedicated wire. And most exciting for content creators, in one of Apple's smartest moves, the MacBook Pro 16 welcomes back the full-sized SD card slot, which will free a lot of camera users from their dongle nightmares.

If a HDMI port is really necessary is up for debate, with USB-C becoming the default way to connect to most monitors while also powering them through the same cable, there are no specific benefits to HDMI. But it does offer a level of backward compatibility that I am sure some people will appreciate. 

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Performance

We ran a series of benchmarking tests on the new MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max, the results of which you can find below:

In the benchmarks, you can see that the M2 Max has slight gains on the M2 Pro in the CPU tasks, which will offer slightly faster over the cheaper chip, on normal processing tasks, although you can see huge gains when it comes to graphical processing power, with the M2 Max racking up a colossal score on the Geekbench OpenCL test.

It gets more interesting when you compare the M2 Max to the base level M2 in the most recent MacBook Air, with the M2 Max (and the M2 Pro) making huge gains on multi-core performance. And compared to the i7 and AMD Radeon combo in the older MacBook Pro 16 from 2019, there is really no competition, with even the base M2 beating it on scores, and the M2 Max destroying it in both processing and graphics power.

Leaving behind the benchmarks, when using the M2 Max, you can feel its power. After using Intel-powered MacBook Pros as my daily driver for the past few years, it was immediately noticeable how fast the new chips are. Just simple tasks like opening Safari or Pages, which would usually take a few seconds, are now almost instantaneous.

I performed my usual content creator tests, exporting a batch of 200 edited RAW files to JPEG in Adobe Lightroom, exporting a 10-minute 4K video in Apple ProRes using iMovie, and opening 10 RAW files at once in Adobe Photoshop. The M2 Max performed all of these with unbelievable ease. Usually, on my Intel i7 MacBook, exporting photos or videos dominate the processing power so much that there is nothing to do except walk away until it is finished, on the MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max, I carried on working as if it wasn't even exporting.

I found the hard drive speeds to be fine, in my tests they were not better than rival machines or even older MacBooks, but they were not worse. It copied files at about the same rate as the Surface Studio Laptop. And this might be a problem to some who expect all areas of the MacBook Pro to advance at the same rate as Apple Silicon, but unless absolute speed is critical to your work, then this is not something you will likely notice.

The speakers on the MacBook Pro 16 blew me away, they are the best speakers I have personally heard on a laptop. They offer a very rounded sound, with good treble, and clear highs and lows, vocals in songs are very clear and the bass is surprisingly strong, although still lacks that pounding you get from a dedicated speaker.

The webcam is a huge improvement over the terrible webcams that Apple continues to put in their 13-inch Macbook Pro, with a sharp, clear, and well-lit picture that no longer smudges and smooths all my features in Meet calls. I also had no complaints from anyone on my call about my audio, but it also didn’t come off as better than anyone else’s on other devices.

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Verdict

The MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max is an absolute monster of a laptop, it will tear through anything you can throw at it and still be ready for more. Unfortunately, it also comes with a monstrous price, with the M2 Pro Max starting at $3,299/£3,499 for the 30-core GPU version and $3,499/£3,749 for the maxed-out 38-core GPU. Figures that are truly quite hard to recommend spending. 

What the M2 Max gives you in terms of raw power for content creation is amazing, but I am reluctant to say it is a worthy upgrade over what can be achieved with Apple's M2 or M2 Pro chip, both of which can save you a lot of money. Only users who need the absolute no compromise best for their workflow will use the M2 Max to its full potential. The MacBook Pro is also available with an M2 Pro processor, which is a better option for photographers and videographers who want a bigger MacBook, but don't have deep pockets.

Processor debate aside, the MacBook Pro 16 is a fantastic laptop, with a lot going for it from the beautiful color-accurate screen, booming speakers, sharp webcams, and excellent keyboard and trackpad, it is a very worthy upgrade for anyone using Intel-based MacBooks.

If the latest MacBook Pro isn't right for your needs (or budget!) these are the best photo editing laptops, and the best laptops for video editing. Or if you want the additional power a desktop can bring, check out our guide to the best desktop computer for photo editing. 

The first Microsoft Surface device wasn't a runaway success, in fact, Microsoft had to take a billion-dollar write-down on unsold products, but it did introduce us to the idea of it the detachable laptop and tablet hybrid for the first time. 

It took a few further attempts for Microsoft to finally make a version of the Surface Pro that was worth buying, but with each iteration, they have slowly improved on every aspect of the surface Pro until we have got to where we are today - The Surface Pro 9.

After Microsoft showed how it was done, every Windows computer manufacturer now has a Surface Pro imitator, with a huge variety of the best 2-in-1 laptops available. You could argue even Apple is getting in on the action by maneuvering its iPad Pro to be more and more aimed at a hybrid productivity device rather than a dedicated tablet.

There are a couple of different Surface Pro 9 models. The one we are looking at today is based on Intel's processors. Microsoft also makes a Surface Pro 9 with 5G that is built on an ARM-based processor developed between Microsoft and Qualcomm, called the Microsoft SQ3, which we will cover in a separate review.

With so much fresh competition in the detachable and 2-in-1 space, have Microsoft managed to stay ahead of the game that they started, and is the Surface Pro 9 the best detachable hybrid you can currently buy?

Specifications

Processor: 12th gen Intel iCore i5 or i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe graphics
RAM: 8GB, 16 GB, 32 GB (LPDDR5)
SSD: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Screen: 13-inch pixel sense flow display, adaptive color, 10-point multitouch, Dolby Vision IQ
Resolution: 2880 x 1920, 267 PPI, 120hz dynamic refresh rate
Battery: up to 15.5 hours
Cameras: front facing 1080p full HD, rear camera 10MP 4K video
Sound: 2w stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, dual far-field studio microphones
Connections: 2x USB-C with thunderbolt 4, Surface Connection port, Type Cover port
Network: Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Size: 287 x 209 x 9.3 mm
Weight: 879g, without Type Cover or Surface Slim Pen

Key Features

The Surface Pro 9 has a 13-inch Pixel Sense touch screen that is compatible with Surface Pens including the latest Surface Slim Pen 2. The screen has a pixel resolution of 2,880x1,920 with a density of 267PPI, support for Dolby Vision IQ, and supports a dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hz for smoother movement when scrolling and in graphical content. There is also adaptive color management, which will adapt the colors on the screen based on the ambient light of the room to decrease eye strain in dim environments. The screen also has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for added scratch protection.

One of the best things about the Surface range is its screen aspect ratio of 3:2, which makes it perfect for viewing documents on word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. 3:2 is also the default ratio for photos from many digital cameras which makes it perfect for editing.

The Surface Pro 9 comes with a 12th-generation Intel core i5 or i7 processor, and Intel's Iris Xe graphics. The Intel Surface is also configurable with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of RAM and hard drive sizes from 256GB up to 1 TB.

Whilst the Surface Pro 9 is offered in optional configurations starting with an i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, and this might be tempting as it is the cheapest option. If you plan to use this device heavily, especially for photo and video editing, it will struggle. An Intel i7 and 16 GB of RAM are the minimum recommendations for this machine for a good editing experience.

Microsoft rate the battery of the Surface Pro 9 for up to 15.5 hours of typical device usage, which includes internet browsing and watching videos saved on your hard drive, but don't expect to reach that if you include streaming or any photo or video editing.

The Surface Pro 9 has a Windows Hello face authentication camera on the front which can log you into your computer with just your face, it is capable of 1080p full HD video for high-quality video calls and is paired with dual far-field studio microphones and two stereo speakers which are tuned with Dolby atmos. The Surface Pro 9 also has a rear-facing 10-megapixel autofocus camera which is capable of up to 4K video. 

For connectivity, the Surface Pro 9 has the latest Wi-Fi 6E speeds enabling it to connect to the fastest possible Wi-Fi, although this does require a 6E compatible Wi-Fi router. The surface Pro 9 also has the latest in Bluetooth technology with Bluetooth 5.1.

Build & Handling

Microsoft hasn't changed the design of the Surface Pro much in the last few years, although, if it ain't broke don't fix it, with the Surface Pro devices being some of the nicest looking and best-designed devices around. The latest iteration has slightly more rounded sides but otherwise follows the same design pattern as the previous surface devices. 

The main feature of the design is still its kickstand and hinge on the back of the device. This is something that Microsoft nailed quite early with the Surface and has not been replicated by any other manufacturer anywhere near as well. The hinge is strong and stable and allows you to position the tablet anywhere from almost upright for typing to flat on the table for a slightly raised drawing position.

The port selection on the Surface Pro 9 is still very disappointing. There are only two USB-C ports, although they do support Thunderbolt 4. They are both located on one side and there is a proprietary surface charger connector on the other, this charger connection can't be used for anything else (unless you use a Surface Dock). As a device that would be perfect for content creators on the go, two ports just really aren't enough, it would be fantastic to see Microsoft retire the Surface Connect port in exchange for another USB-C, and add an SD card slot to the Surface Pro line.

Behind the kickstand, there is a small removable cover with a very clever magnetic hatch that hides the Surface Pro 9 hard drive. This hard drive is completely user replaceable so could make for quickly upgrading or swapping between different work or personal laptop setups, and is a really nice touch from Microsoft in a world where upgrading most hardware parts in consumer devices is nearly impossible.

The bezels on the left and right (in landscape) on the Surface Pro 9 are very small, while at the top of the bottom (again, landscape) they still remain larger, this is to house the webcam at the top and at the bottom for the surface keyboard to rest. This looks totally fine when the keyboard is attached, but when it's used as a tablet the screen symmetry is slightly off which spoils the overall design somewhat.

Speaking of the surface keyboard, which, for whatever reason is still an optional accessory, I am using the Alcantara fabric keyboard which just feels exceptionally nice to hold. The keyboard is incredibly slim but still manages to have a really good level of key travel on the full-size keyboard, the stability of the keyboard when typing won't suit heavy typers as it does still have a little flex and wobble, but it is a great keyboard for on the move. The trackpad is okay, if a little small, it also requires quite firm presses which aren't always easy when you are not using the device on a firm surface.

In the Surface Type Cover, there is a small notch for the latest variation of the Surface Slim Pen (again, an optional purchase). This is where the pen sits when not in use which also wirelessly charges the pen, which is an exceptionally clever design. Although this does mean that you cannot own the Surface Slim Pen without owning the Surface Type Cover, or buying another pen charging accessory.

Performance

You can see some benchmarks for the Surface Pro's Intel i7 processor and Iris Xe graphics below. This is a very slim and compact device so it is not expected to be a benchmark champion, however, it performs admirably against similar devices, beating the Dell XPS 13 detachable in multi-core and OpenCL graphics tasks. The Surface Pro 9 also manages to hold its own against the entry-level M2 processor in Apple's MacBook Air, showing Apple isn't as far ahead as it would have you believe.

In practice, the Surface Pro 9 flies through tasks such as web browsing, streaming, downloading and uploading files, and office tasks like word processing. When it comes to more intensive tasks like photo editing, the Surface Pro 9 handles Lightroom and Photoshop well. 

It isn't the fastest device to do heavy photo editing work on, but at the same time it didn't struggle too much and I managed to edit and export a large batch of photos in Lightroom in good time, although large exports did slow down the Surface and prevent much else being done at the same time. 

This won't be a suitable replacement for any computer doing large volumes of image editing, but it is the perfect companion for editing as you travel.

The Surface Pro 9 did struggle more with video editing but managed to do okay. There were a few slowdowns and freezes when trying to scrub quickly through videos on Adobe Premiere and when exporting the finished project, it rendered the rest of the computer unusable until it finished. This is very normal for computers that don't have dedicated graphics cards, and not surprising for this light and compact hybrid.

Microsoft's recent updates to Windows 11 have made a huge impact on how nice it is to use the Surface Pro 9. The latest version of the Microsoft operating system is much more attractive with updated textures, icons, and graphics. It has taken a long time, but I feel the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 finally has an operating system that befits its beautiful hardware.

The touch screen is fast and accurate, when writing with the optional Surface Slim Pen, the tracking and inking were some of the best I have used. Windows 11 is much better for touch than the previous version, however, it is still a desktop operating system first, and I found a lot of the icons and gestures for touch are still a little too small and fiddly, and I often went back to the trackpad.

The speakers in the Surface Pro 9 are very good, although don't expect anything too special as they are still tablet speakers. They offer a good range of sound with clear vocals in songs, the bass is lacking but overall this is a good system to watch videos on the go, but it won't be replacing your home cinema.

Verdict

The Surface Pro 9 is still a device that is hard to pin into any category. If you're looking for a heavy-use laptop, or an uncomplicated tablet, this isn't for you. This is not the best device for either, but it currently is the device that does both of these things the best.

A very well-built and beautiful device with a kickstand and hinge that still reigns supreme in the 2-in-1 world. If you choose to buy the Surface Type Cover and Surface Slim Pen (which you really should) then this is a fantastic productivity device for on the move.

The surface Pro 9 is deceptively powerful from its compact form factor. Not struggling to get through any productivity tasks thrown at it and even managing to handle a good amount of photo and video editing with aplomb. 

• The best photo-editing laptops 
• The best 2-in-1 laptops
• The best laptop docking stations
• The best laptops for video editing

The question of the best laptop for photo editing used to be simpler, with most of the top computers using a lot of the same internal components, including processors from behemoth Intel, with the separation in devices coming either in design or operating system preference.

Apple Silicon refers to Apple ditching Intel's x86 processors and instead using its own custom-designed ARM-based processors for its Mac computers. Apple Silicon has set the world of computing alight, with its headline-grabbing speeds and efficiency.

The first Apple Silicon Mac was the M1 chip which debuted in November 2020 in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini. Apple Silicon has already delivered improved performance and battery life, due to better integration and optimization between Mac hardware and software. Apple Silicon also allows Mac computers to natively run iOS (iPhone) apps.

Apple is now back with the new and improved versions of its second-generation M2 chip, with the latest evolutions of the M2 Pro and M2 Max. In this review, I'll be testing out the M2 Pro chip in the latest Apple MacBook Pro 14.

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Specifications

Processor: Apple M2 Pro chip with 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU
Configurable to: M2 Pro with 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU, Apple M2 Max with 12-core CPU and 30-core GPU, or M2 Max with 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU
Screen: 14.2in Liquid Retina XDR display, 3024x1964 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch
Display Technology: 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,000 nits sustained brightness, 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone technology, ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Memory: 16GB unified memory
Configurable to: 32GB (M2 Pro or M2 Max), 64GB (M2 Max), or 96GB (M2 Max with 38-core GPU)
Battery: 70wH battery, 67W/96W MagSafe power adapter
SSD: 512GB
Configurable to: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB
Ports: SDXC card slot, HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port, 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
Connections: WiFi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3
Size: 1.55 x 31.26 x 22.12 cm
Weight: from 1.60 kg

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Key features

The headline feature of the latest Macbook Pro 14 is its new M2 Pro or M2 Max processor, this is the absolute latest silicon from Apple’s own in-house chip design team. Both chips have up a to 12-core CPU, with the M2 Pro also being able to be configured with up to 19-core GPU, 32GB of unified memory, and a 200GB/s memory bandwidth. The M2 Max is able to have an absolutely monstrous up to 38-core GPU, 96GB of unified memory, and 400GB/s memory bandwidth.

By Apple’s own metrics, it claims that the latest M2 chips are up to 3x faster for photo editing and 15.7x faster for video editing than the last Intel-equipped MacBook Pro, which admittedly was released three years ago.

The model I am testing here is the M2 Pro with a 12-core GPU, 19 graphics cores, and a boosted 32GM of RAM. This calibration currently is listed on Apple’s store for $2,899/£3,099.

As the name suggests the MacBook Pro 14 screen measures 14.2in, with a pixel ratio of 3024x1964 and 254ppi. The screens have been upgraded too, now using Liquid Retina XDR panels, this enables a much wider dynamic range and a broader range of colors, with each display being factory-calibrated color grading, photography, and design. The screens also feature ProMotion found on the latest iPhones, which boosts the screen to 120Hz, making movement on the screen much more fluid.

For those of us that now spend a lot of our work day on video calls, the Pro 14 has a 1080p webcam and a three-mic array, with what Apple claims are professional-level microphones. The laptop is also equipped with a six-speaker setup that supports Dolby Atmos.

Creatives everywhere rejoiced last year at the news that Apple was adding an SD card slot back on its Pro models, as well as a headphone jack for sound editors and audiophiles. The laptop also features the return of MagSafe charging, three USB-C cables with Thunderbolt 4, and a 2.1 spec HDMI connection.

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Build and handling

The new MacBook Pro 14 is very stylish as expected from an Apple device. The laptop is almost physically unchanged from last year's revamped 14in model, which is fine, redesigns don’t need to happen every generation. For those coming from Intel models, the shape is much more rounded than the 13in Pro with all sharp edges nixed.

The shape just feels chunkier than the 13in M2 model. If this is entirely a design choice or a necessity for the M2 Pro or M2 Max chips being physically larger, or requiring more cooling it is unclear, but the rounded shape and thicker body make it feel much more substantial in size than the 13in MacBook Pro with its more svelte wedged design.

The keyboard is excellent, and MacBook keyboards really are some of the best around for typing on, (let's confine the butterfly keys to history). Also banished hopefully forever is the touch bar, with Apple continuing to use the tried and tested row of function keys. The fingerprint reader is very fast and hasn’t given me many rejections yet, the larger key and depressed center make finding the reader that much easier.

The keyboard still continues to be black keys on a painted black background, which I find a divisive choice, I don't dislike the look, but I find it makes the keys harder to distinguish from one another, sure they have backlighting, but the MacBook Pro 13 or MacBook Air’s border around each key is much easier to see in dark environments.

The notch at the top of the screen, while doesn’t really affect use all that much, is still just an annoying addition. Dell has already shown several years ago that a webcam (as well as an entire Windows Hello array) can be tucked into the tiniest of bezels, so it really does just feel like this MacBook Pro has a notch just because it is an Apple 'thing'.

The port selection continues to be terrific, with three separate Thunderbolt-equipped USB-C slots, I never found myself without enough connections, especially as the power has returned to the MagSafe connector, freeing up a USB-C that would usually be used for power. The SD card slot is also a hugely welcome addition for a photographer and videographer who is constantly forgetting to pack dongles.

I question the need for a HDMI port, with both video upstream and downstream, and power over one USB-C cable starting to become the norm with modern monitors. For connecting to other screens HDMI to USB-C cables are cheap and effective.

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Performance

We ran a series of benchmarking tests on the new MacBook Pro 14 with M2 Pro, the results of which you can find below:

You can see in the benchmarks that not only has the M2 Pro managed to make gains on the M2 released less than a year ago in the MacBook Air, but when you compare it to an Intel i7-powered machine from 2019, the improvements are truly incredible, with it being absolutely creamed on CPU benchmark tasks, especially when it comes to graphics tasks, with the Intel Iris Plus looking very obsolete.

Benchmarks are one thing, but how does this translate to real-world experience? Well, this Mac simply flies! I threw a couple of tests at it, exporting a batch of 200 edited RAW files to JPEG in Adobe Lightroom, exporting a 4K video in Apple ProRes using iMovie, and editing 10 RAW files at once in Adobe Photoshop. The M2 handled all of these with uncanny ease, still allowing several other tasks to be completed at the same time. The Intel i7 MacBook I compared it to ground to a halt several times during the same task, rendering the whole computer unusable until it finished.

Much of the negative press around these latest MacBooks seem to be complaining about the 'slow' SSD hard drives. I copy a lot of folders of mixed media files both to and from external drives and on the internal SSD as well as export photos and videos. Anecdotally, I cannot notice any perceptible difference between the write speeds of this MacBook Pro 14 and other machines I regularly use. Unless minor speed differences are absolutely critical for your work, I would say this is just not a problem.

The speakers on the MacBook Pro 14 are some of the best I have ever used on a laptop, or really any device, and are only surpassed in quality by the larger MacBook Pro 16. They offer a very rich sound, with a lot of nuisance between the highs and lows, vocals in songs are very clear and the bass is punchy but lacks a true rumble.

The webcam is a huge improvement over the terrible webcams that Apple continues to put in their 13in Macbook Pro, with a sharp, clear, and well-lit picture that no longer smudges and smooths all my features in Meet calls. I also had no complaints from anyone on my call about my audio, but it also didn’t come off as better than anyone else’s on other devices.

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Verdict

If I was rating this based solely on the M2 Pro silicon that resides inside the MacBook Pro 14 then I would not hesitate to give this laptop the full five stars, as the processor is just unbelievably good. Apple has a habit of going overboard with its marketing claims, but in this case, there is just nothing that competes in the same league as the M2 Pro in this form factor. For photographers and videographers, this will just power through your work, all without completely tanking your battery life.

A lot of the overall design of the MacBook Pro 14 bothers me. I don’t like the rounded thicker feeling chassis, the notch, or the keyboard color scheme, and small touches like the laser cut ‘Apple MacBook Pro’ on the base feels a little tacky. But the abundant port selection and return of the function keys go some way to making up for its other design shortcomings.

However, it is clear the MacBook Pro 14 with M2 Pro is the ultimate creator's companion, probably the best small-ish laptop on the market right now, and an almost necessary upgrade for anyone working on Intel-powered machines from previous generations. However, this power does not come cheap starting at over $2000/£2000 for the base model, start saving now.

If the latest MacBook Pro isn't right for your needs (or budget!) these are the best photo editing laptops, and the best laptops for video editing. Or if you want the additional power a desktop can bring, check out our guide to the best desktop computer for photo editing. 

Our aim in this guide is to help you find the best Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch deals available on the latest 2023 models with the M2 Pro chips.

It's not always easy finding the best deal on Apple products, but if you buy at the right time or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium laptops. 

We know that the best MacBooks may never be as cheap as their PC equivalents, but that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of the best laptops available today. They also offer excellent value for money in the long run over other laptops that you may need to replace every couple of years.

And the good news is that MacBook deals are relatively regular. The most significant reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

The new MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M2 Pro chip is capable of transforming pro workflows across a wide range of applications, from art to science to app development. Users looking to upgrade from Intel-based Mac models will experience even more dramatic improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, and overall productivity. MacBook Pro also maintains performance whether users are plugged in or on battery.

With the new MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro chip users are able to take advantage of lightning speed in render-heavy applications, while image processing is up to 80 percent faster.

This new MacBook Pro 16-inch with M2 Pro features a 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 percent greater performance over M1 Pro. 

This new MacBook also allows for up to 32GB of unified memory to in installed, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed and thanks to its next-generation GPU with up to 38 cores, it can deliver up to up to 30 percent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 percent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing, making this the perfect machine for professional content creators on the go.

Preorder MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro at Apple UK

• The best MacBooks for photo editing
• The best Mac webcams
• Best MacBook Air docking stations
• Best monitors for MacBook Pro
• Best Mac external hard drive
• The best dock for MacBook Pro
• Best Macbook screen protectors
• Best Macbook chargers

Our aim in this guide is to help you find the best 2023 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch deals available with the top-performing M2 Max chips.

It's not always easy finding the best deal on Apple products, but if you buy at the right time or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium laptops. 

We know that the best MacBooks may never be as cheap as their PC equivalents, but that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of the best laptops available today. They also offer excellent value for money in the long run over other laptops that you may need to replace every couple of years.

And the good news is that MacBook deals are relatively regular. The most significant reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

Preorder MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max at Apple UK

The new MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M2 Max chip is capable of transforming pro workflows across a wide range of applications, from art to science to app development. Users looking to upgrade from Intel-based Mac models will experience even more dramatic improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, and overall productivity. MacBook Pro also maintains performance whether users are plugged in or on battery.

With the new MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max chip users are able to take advantage of lightning speed in render-heavy applications, while image processing is up to 80 percent faster.

This new MacBook Pro 16-inch with M2 Pro features a 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 percent greater performance over M1 Pro. 

This new MacBook also allows for up to 32GB of unified memory to in installed, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed and thanks to its next-generation GPU with up to 38 cores, it can deliver up to up to 30 percent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 percent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing, making this the perfect machine for professional content creators on the go.

Read more:

Best MacBooks
Best iMacs
Best Macbook Air docking stations
Best monitor for Mac mini
Best Macbook screen protectors
The best Mac webcams
The best Mac printers
Best Mac keyboard 

Our aim in this guide is to help you find the best Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch deals available on the M2 Max chips.

It's not always easy finding the best deal on Apple products, but if you buy at the right time or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium laptops. 

We know that the best MacBooks may never be as cheap as their PC equivalents, but that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of the best laptops available today. They also offer excellent value for money in the long run over other laptops that you may need to replace every couple of years.

And the good news is that MacBook deals are relatively regular. The most significant reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

Preorder MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Max at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Max at Apple UK

The new MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M2 Max chip is capable of transforming pro workflows across a wide range of applications, from art to science to app development. Users looking to upgrade from Intel-based Mac models will experience even more dramatic improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, and overall productivity. MacBook Pro also maintains performance whether users are plugged in or on battery.

With the new MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro chip users are able to take advantage of lightning speed in render-heavy applications, while image processing is up to 80 percent faster.

This new MacBook Pro 14-inch with M2 Pro features a 10 or 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 percent greater performance over M1 Pro. 

This new MacBook also allows for up to 32GB of unified memory to in installed, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed and thanks to its next-generation GPU with up to 19 cores, it can deliver up to up to 30 percent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 percent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing, making this the perfect machine for professional content creators on the go.

Read more:

Best MacBooks
Best iMacs
Best Macbook Air docking stations
Best monitor for Mac mini
Best Macbook screen protectors
The best Mac webcams
The best Mac printers

Our aim in this guide is to help you find the best Apple MacBook Pro 14-ich deals available on the M2 Pro chip.

It's not always easy to find the best deal on Apple products, but if you buy at the right time or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium laptops.

We know that the best MacBooks may never be as cheap as their PC equivalents, but that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of the best laptops available today. They also offer excellent value for money in the long run over other laptops that you may need to replace every couple of years.

And the good news is that MacBook deals are relatively regular. The most significant reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

Preorder MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro at Apple UK

The new MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M2 Pro chip is capable of transforming pro workflows across a wide range of applications, from art to science to app development. Users looking to upgrade from Intel-based Mac models will experience even more dramatic improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, and overall productivity. The MacBook Pro also maintains performance whether you're plugged in or running on the battery.

With the new MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro chip, users are able to take advantage of lightning-speed in render-heavy applications, while image processing is up to 80 percent faster.

This new MacBook Pro 14-inch with M2 Pro features a 10 or 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 percent greater performance over M1 Pro. 

This new MacBook also allows for up to 32GB of unified memory to in installed, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed and thanks to its next-generation GPU with up to 19 cores, it can deliver up to up to 30 percent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 percent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing, making this the perfect machine for professional content creators on the go.

Preorder MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro at Apple UK

The MobileStudio Pro is a multi-tasker’s dream. The pen computer lets you take your work on the go, and has the processing power to enable you to run multiple 2D, 3D and video-editing software at the same time. Available in 13in and 16in options, it’s the perfect choice for professional artists, photographers, and designers – but with prices starting at $2,599.95, you had better make sure it’s the workstation for you.

Inside the box, you’ll receive a power pack and cable, a quick start guide, a cleaning cloth, and one of its biggest selling points – the top-of-its-class Pro Pen 2, with case, nibs, and color rings. 

The Pro Pen 2 really makes the drawing experience feel natural on the MobileStudio Pro, as there is virtually no lag and no parallax. The matte screen of the tablet adds to the authentic drawing experience as well as boasting an Ultra HD display from a powerful 4GB GDDR5 graphics card.

Specifications

Display size: 15.6in (39.6cm) display 

Resolution: Ultra HD (3,840px x 2,160px)

Processor: Intel® CoreTM i7  

Memory: 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM

As a tablet computer, it’s incredibly lightweight with a sturdy, sleek design and a silicone grip. The forward-facing 5MP camera sits on the opposite side and the Intel® RealDenseTM 3D capture camera sits on the rear, making it a perfect tool to find assets and inspiration wherever you are. 

On the front, you’ll find the multi-touch ExpressKeys, which are fully customizable and application-specific, although the set-up interface could be more intuitive. Once set up though, it means you don’t need to also have a wireless keyboard with you to work effectively. However, the onboard buttons aren’t really a substitute for a keyboard’s worth of shortcuts, especially in Photoshop.

Wacom has plenty of accessories on offer as extras, but one of the biggest bugbears of the MobileStudio Pro is that it does not come with a case or a stand. Another drawback might be that, apart from one audio input, the device only uses USB-C. There are three of these ports on the side and these are also used for charging. The Wacom link is sold separately but does enable you to convert to your preferred cable and also link with a Mac if desired.

Verdict

On the whole, the Wacom MobileStudio Pro is a very impressive device with only minor surmountable drawbacks. The price is high and on a busy day the battery might scrape 2.5 hours, but if you are someone who enjoys working on the go without switching between several devices and requires the reliability, multi-functionality and processing speed of a quality computer, then this could definitely be for you.

Read also our guide to the best drawing tablets for photo editing, and our rundown of the best Wacom tablets

Apple iPhone 15 rumors are gathering pace now. We've heard that the new phone is alleged to feature a new-look curved metal frame, and a new leak says the phone will have haptic buttons on the side, too. 

It's thought that Apple might get rid of physical buttons (the mechanical volume and power buttons) on its next high-end iPhones in 2021, to make for a slightly larger differentiation between Pro and non-Pro handsets. The benefit of this is that there would be fewer entry points for dirt and water to get into the handset (you can read more on haptics further down).

The new intel comes courtesy of MacRumors, which has published that Apple supplier Cirrus Logic’s CEO John Forsyth confirmed the company’s high-performance mixed-signal chips (which includes haptic drivers for iPhone’s Taptic Engine) will come to market in the second half of next year – matching it up to the iPhone 15’s expected September 2023 launch.

If you've missed the latest rumors, catch up with everything we know so far about the Apple iPhone 15.

iPhone 15 latest leaks

Further intel unearthed by MacRumors comes via an investor note from Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O'Malley, who are quoted as writing: “The biggest change to our thinking here is to model $1 of new content in the IP15 Pro models. To be clear, the company hasn't said much here other than that the chip is mixed signal and not in the power domain. When looking at potential use cases, the largest change in new iPhone models next year is the removal of the buttons.” 

Obviously, we can never be sure when it comes to leaks and rumors, but these sources seem sound to us and it’s not the first time we’ve seen the rumor either. Last month, prolific Apple leaker, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted saying the same – this just holds a lot more weight now MacRumours has brought the additional sources of information into the limelight.

What are haptic buttons?

Rather than physical buttons, haptic buttons are essentially just bits of software that provide touch to communicate with camera phone users, through vibrations, motion, and the perceived application of pressing a button – just like you would on a traditional button. 

Smartphone users who own a device which haptic buttons, such as the Google Pixel 7 Pro, are essentially pressing into a hard surface, but they are getting the feel and feedback of pressing a physical button. 

While mechanical buttons need some physical space to move and work within a smartphone, haptic buttons require none as they are software based. This means no holes in the frame are needed, so manufacturers can create completely sealed devices and bring closed-frame smartphones to the market instead. Obviously, sealed devices are less prone to breakage and don’t have any holes in them to potentially allow dirt, water, etc. to get inside and cause damage. 

iPhone 15: Rumors so far

According to a recent rumor we can’t expect the long-awaited Apple chip to debut until at least 2025 and so Qualcomm is predicted to remain the supplier of modems for all iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models instead. Currently, then, it’s expected that all iPhone 15 models will be powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X70 modem, which was announced in February.

The X70 supports up to 10 Gbps download speeds (as does the Snapdragon X65 modem in iPhone 14 models but boasts added artificial intelligence capabilities for faster average speeds, improved coverage, lower latency, better signal quality, and importantly up to 60% better power efficiency.

@LeaksApplePro has already spread several iPhone 15 rumors, including the Dynamic Island to stop being a Pro exclusive and feature in all models instead, and all models in the iPhone 15 series ditching the Lightning port in favor of USB Type-C. 

The Apple iPhone 14 sees the newer SoC on the Pro model only and @LeaksApplePro says this will also be the case next year with standard iPhone 15 models getting the A16 Bionic and the Pro models featuring an all-new A17 one. 

It’s alleged, again by @LeaksApplePro that Apple will use a new naming scheme for the iPhone15 and that the Pro Max label could be dropped. This would mean we would get iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Ultra – potentially in titanium. Additionally, this leak says that the 6.7-inch Ultra model (which would replace the Pro Max as we know the range now) could have exclusive features in addition to the larger display.

Finally, the prolific leaker has also shared that Apple may be working on 8K video recording support and that the tech giant is looking to improve battery life for the new series. It’s rumored that on the iPhone 15 Ultra model, Apple is aiming for the battery to last 3-4 hours longer.

iPhone 15 Pro: Release date

There’s plenty of time for a slew of leaks and rumors before the iPhone 15 family launches. We expect this to be in September 2023, as this is in line with Apple’s standard launch timeframe – remember, the iPhone 14 launch was in September 2022 – but of course, we can't be sure until there's an official announcement.

Wondering which iPhone 14 model to buy? Check out our iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro comparison guide to all four new models. You might also like the best iPhone for photography.

The best budget laptops perform somewhat of a magic trick; offering impressive performance for photo editing and home working while remaining affordable. Gone are the days when a tight budget meant settling for sluggish processors and unusable displays. Modern budget laptops pack surprisingly capable hardware, with many featuring decent multi-core processors, adequate RAM, and crisp displays that handle color-sensitive tasks well.

We've put our expert reviewers to work, and they've compiled this comprehensive list of the best budget laptops on the market today. While they might not match premium models in build quality or cutting-edge specs, these wallet-friendly options deliver remarkable value.

In the list below, you'll find our expert selection of the best cheap laptops available today. Or you could just skip ahead to our number one pick, the HP Pavilion 16, which can be had for around $600.

The Quick List

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Best budget laptops 

Best budget laptop overall

HP's Pavilion range is packed with budget-friendly, yet well-specced models that are great for a variety of tasks, including home-working. Various screen sizes are available. The 16-inch option is the largest, but a bigger screen area makes editing significantly more comfortable. You'll then need to choose the right processor and RAM configurations: but we recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 / Intel Core Ultra 5-based machines, as these offer the best balance of power at a reasonable price. HP offers faster options, but the price will then rise way above what we'd class as a budget laptop

8GB of RAM is the minimum available for the current Pavilion 16 range, and this is good enough for light photo editing. If you need to edit bigger images, 16GB is a safer bet, while 32GB can be specced with some Pavilion 16 versions, although this will tie you into a much pricier machine overall.

Connectivity is decent for the price point, with 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A and HDMI. The 16-inch screen can be specced in 1920 x 1200 or 2560 x 1600 resolutions, but both are IPS-based, so your photos will be displayed at their best.

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Best budget laptop with OLED screen

Here's something special: an affordable laptop, but one sporting a premium OLED screen. The 15.6" display in the VivoBook 16 has a super-high 3200x2000 resolution and a commendable 550-nit max brightness, along with 100% DCI-P3 color support and a Delta-E color accuracy of less than 1 - that's simply amazing, and perfect for precise image or video editing.

A huge range of processor and RAM configurations are available, but we reckon an AMD Ryzen 5 version is a good sweet spot for performance at an affordable price. 8GB RAM is standard, but to keep your machine a little more future-proofed, you'd be wise to spec it up 16GB.

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Best budget 2-in-1 laptop

Fancy a laptop and tablet in one? The Inspiron 14 5000 2-in-1’s 14-inch Full HD screen can flip round and pivot so that it rests on the back of the machine, creating a decent, if somewhat thick, tablet computer.

The touch-sensitive screen means you can start drawing or painting with a stylus to edit your photos. The display is IPS-based, so it looks good as well. When you’re ready, just flip the screen back up and round, and you have a working laptop with keyboard at your disposal.

Under the hood is a potent Intel Core i5-10210U quad-core CPU: it’s clocked at 1.6GHz, but the machine’s boost mode enables it to reach up to 4.2GHz. Add 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, and the performance specs are not too shabby at all.

If there’s a penalty to choosing this machine, it’s the relatively compact 14-inch screen, which is fine for working on text documents but somewhat cramped if you’re editing images. But if you prioritize portability and versatility, the compromise may be worth it.

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Best Chromebook

Rather than running Windows or macOS, this budget laptop uses the ChromeOS operating system, created by Google. Its aim is to offer a super-simple framework on which you can download and run from the Google Play Store, just you can with an Android phone or tablet. Available software includes Photoshop Express and Lightroom Mobile, plus Google's own Snapseed.

Despite its low price, the screen uses an IPS panel, so you can trust that viewing angles and contrast will be dependable. Make sure you get the Full HD configuration, though: yes, you can save money by choosing a poorer-quality screen, but we don’t think the saving is enough to justify the drop in quality.

The processor options plus 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage all bring you to the conclusion that this is far more a machine for web browsing, YouTube watching and image viewing than a machine for regular image-editing; but the price and the impressive 11-hour battery life compensate, as long as you know what you’re getting into.

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Best budget laptop for style

Asus's VivoBook range offers a lot of options, including sub-brands like the VivoBook Go, which can make choosing the best model for you rather confusing. Pay close attention to the specs, however, and you can end up with a 15.6-inch model that has a good-quality IPS screen in Full HD resolution, providing wide viewing angles and reliable contrast. You can find several VivoBook S15 configurations that can give you this option, but always check thoroughly before you commit to tapping the Buy button.

There are several processor options, as you’d expect, but we reckon the quad-core Intel Core i5 gives the best balance of price and performance. You’ll usually find that the S15 is specced with a respectable 8GB of RAM and a speedy but low-capacity 256GB SSD. It’s also quite easy on the eye.

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FAQs

How to choose the best budget laptop

When you’re looking for a laptop on a budget, we understand that it can be tempting to pick out the cheapest possible machine, but you might end up tripping yourself up in the long run. Even simply browsing the web can consume a lot of RAM (computer memory). In fact, with 15 Chrome tabs open and no other apps running, 31% of the 16GB of RAM on my own laptop has already been consumed. So we would recommend going for the best budget laptop that has at least 8GB of RAM.

For storage, we would recommend going for a laptop that features a 128GB SSD or greater: this should be enough for all of your apps (unless you're a dedicated gamer as well as a photographer, in which case a 256GB SSD should be the bare minimum). If you need extra storage in the future, you can easily pick up an external hard drive or portable SSD. This is a much more affordable option than configuring your new laptop with an equivalent amount of extra internal storage at the point of purchase.

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How we test laptops

When reviewing a laptop, we assess its internal hardware features, build quality, ergonomics, performance in a variety of usage scenarios, value for money, and its overall suitability for its target buyer. Although we'll evaluate a laptop with a typical user in mind, we will also pay particular attention to the perspective of photo and video enthusiasts, with special focus given to screen quality and color space coverage. Where possible, a monitor calibrator will be used to measure a laptop's display performance to assess whether it matches a manufacturer's claims, and software benchmarks like GeekBench are used to measure a laptop's processor and graphics card capabilities.

Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World

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My team of reviewers and I have played with all of the major photo editing software suites from the likes of Adobe, Affinity, DxO, and more. So, whether you’re a beginner who’s only ever heard of Photoshop, a student who’s looking for the cheapest software solution or a professional photographer who simply wants the best photo editing software money can buy, my guide has got you covered.

The best photo editing software for you isn’t necessarily the most expensive or feature-rich option. If you’re a prolific photographer, you may opt for a batch-editing program, like Adobe Lightroom Classic or Capture One. If you require the best image quality possible, you’ll want to invest in the most powerful Raw image processors, such as DxO PhotoLab. And if you spend your time retouching or compositing imagery, then traditional layer-based editing applications such as Adobe Photoshop are the way to go.

And that’s before you consider the emergence of AI-powered editing software such as Radiant Photo 2, which seeks to take the legwork out of laborious edits, or Skylum Luminar Neo, which can convincingly replace a sky at the click of a button. If you’re new to the best photo editing software, all of this can sound a bit daunting. Thankfully, there are beginner-friendly options, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, too.

Of course, price has always been a bugbear with image-editing software, but all budgets are catered for nowadays, with many companies opting for subscription-based packages that allow you to split the cost. But if you don’t want to have to commit to yet another subscription service, examples such as ON1 Photo RAW still allow you to pay outright. Many options also offer free trials so you can find out firsthand if a particular package is the right fit, and in the case of RawTherapee and Affinity the software itself is entirely free.

The Quick List

Best photo editing software in 2026

Best photo editing software overall

If you’re a prolific image editor, like me, then batch editing will dramatically reduce the time you spend in front of your computer. And in my opinion, batch editing doesn’t get much better on Mac than Lightroom Classic. Unlike Photoshop – which requires you to tackle each image more or less separately – Adobe Lightroom Classic allows you to speedily organize, edit, and print in batches. And since it’s not layer-based, it presents a more streamlined editing experience overall.

Adobe offers two versions of Lightroom: Lightroom Classic and Lightroom. Classic is the desktop-centric version (the other being cloud-centric), which means original files are stored locally on your computer, an external hard drive, or a local server. For this reason, Lightroom Classic is undoubtedly my recommendation for those working with big, high-resolution files, terabytes of data, or anyone who doesn’t have regular access to reliable and/or fast Internet.

Lightroom Classic’s file management workflow will prove confusing for newcomers, but editing images is much more intuitive than Photoshop – think a much more in-depth Camera Raw. And now, with access to a range of AI-powered tools, including state–of-the-art masking, object removal, and extremely competent denoising, I find myself having to dip into Photoshop less and less.

Another boon for Lightroom Classic is that its status as the industry standard makes it a great platform for a huge variety of plug-ins, such as DxO Nik Collection 8 and Skylum Luminar Neo.

Read our full Adobe Lightroom Classic review.

Best photo editing software for beginners

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2025’s headline updates are – as I expected – powered by AI. And I’m pleased to report that the new Remove tool and Depth Blur filter are impressive additions. It comes with a separate Elements Organizer application which is a useful way to streamline your workflow, but if you want to import RAW files you have to download free additional software, which isn’t particularly well communicated.

When you do get to editing RAW files, the options are extremely basic. And yet, as you’d expect from Adobe software, you do get good results. If you’re a JPEG photographer or would like to get more out of your camera phone’s photos, Photoshop Elements 2025 is easier to recommend. There are plenty of features, they’re just not always as deep or easy to find as I’d like.

Ultimately, it might feel dated at times, but I still think Adobe Photoshop Elements is the best gateway into image editing for complete beginners. It eases you into the Adobe ecosystem – where you’re statistically most likely to end up – and while software such as Affinity Photo 2 and ON1 Photo RAW offer much better value, Photoshop Elements’ simplified feature set is – if at times a little confusing – still more accessible.

Read our full Adobe Photoshop Elements 2025 review.

Best Photoshop alternative

Affinity’s first release under the Canva banner has brought with it a fresh new look and a free-for-everyone model. That’s right, you can access the best Photoshop alternative entirely for free. Well, I say entirely, some AI tools are hidden behind a paywall. However, these are existing Canva AI tools that require a Canva subscription, so they’re an indirect purchase, and worry not, Affinity alone is more than powerful enough for most creatives.

What you’re getting for your (lack of) money is the same fully-fledged, layer-based Photoshop-alike the photography industry has come to know and love, and more, much more. You see, Affinity now combines Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher in a single application that can handle photo editing, vector design, and page layout combined. I was a little worried that this all-in-one ethos would feel a little cluttered and difficult to navigate, but tabs on the top toolbar for ‘Vector’, ‘Pixel’ (photo editing), and ‘Layout’ meant that I had no problem staying in my lane.

While Affinity remains a very faithful alternative to Photoshop’s tried-and-tested workflow, it isn’t for everyone. If you like to work in layers and on one image at a time, it’s fantastic, but if you’re searching for software that will enable you to organize your library and power through batch edits, this isn’t it. It doesn’t hold your hand, either, meaning it isn’t the most accessible software for beginners.

Ultimately, I wish I had access to this caliber of free software when I was studying photography at college. If you’re looking for a free alternative to Photoshop, Affinity is all that and more. If you don’t need (or want) to pay for Canva’s AI tools, you’re left with an old-school, layer-based editor that will either be right up your alley or not your cup of tea. In the saturated photo editing software market, that’s no bad thing.

Read the full Affinity review.

Best photo editing software for RAW processing

If you’re looking to turn out the best-quality RAW edits, image by image, the DXO PhotoLab 8 Elite is a great choice. This is a serious piece of editing software that’s probably not the best choice for beginners but will afford professionals and serious enthusiasts looking to pore over every image, extreme levels of control.

Its lens corrections capabilities boast more depth than its competitors and if you’re prone to working at high ISOs, DXO’s proprietary DeepPRIME XD2s noise-reduction technology is – in my humble opinion – unrivaled.

DXO PhotoLab 8 does sit behind the curve somewhat when it comes to AI-powered tools. But then again, its dense range of features will likely appeal to those with a more hand-crafted approach to photo editing.

And while the software doesn’t come cheap, it’s only sold as a perpetual license – a big plus if you loathe subscriptions – with discounted upgrade prices for existing users. The software is also available in a cut-down Essentials guise, so be sure to check the version before making a purchase.

For more details read our DxO PhotoLab 8 review.

Best Lightroom alternative

Capture One is a complete alternative to Lightroom Classic in that there’s very little it can’t do that the Adobe software can, and vice versa. As such, it’s become a popular alternative for serious enthusiasts and professional creatives alike, and a firm favorite among studio professionals, thanks to its unrivalled tethering workflow.

Despite the similarities to Lightroom, there are no modules. Everything is controlled via a single window, making its extensive feature set easily accessible. And while this information-heavy interface may prove daunting for beginners, that’s not Capture One’s demographic.

The software’s image organizing, searching, and filtering tools are all dead ringers for Lightroom Classic’s, but I’m a fan of Capture One’s ‘managed’ approach, where images can be imported into the catalog and ring-fenced against accidental moving or deletion.

Capture One really does excel as a RAW-image processor, and as Digital Camera World’s resident APS-C and Micro Four Thirds user, Rod Lawton, mentions in his review: “it’s much ‘kinder’ to smaller-sensor APS-C or Micro Four Thirds cameras than Adobe Camera Raw”. And I, personally, rate Capture One’s color-editing tools as some of the best in the biz.

While the software does feature some impressive AI masking and retouching tools, it doesn’t currently offer AI noise reduction, like Lightroom’s excellent AI Denoise, nor does it feature mod cons like generative object removal. It’s also more expensive than Adobe’s single-app Lightroom plan, and doesn’t boast the value of Adobe’s Photography Plan, which also includes Photoshop. However, Capture One’s pricing structure does offer the flexibility of a subscription or perpetual license.

Capture One is the best Lightroom alternative on the market. If you don’t need Adobe’s creative ecosystem and Lightroom Classic’s excellent AI Denoise, it’s definitely worth trying. If you’re a studio professional who uses tethering, it’s a no-brainer.

Read the full Capture One Pro review.

Best creative photo editing software

Ask the person on the street to name a piece of photo editing software, and they’ll undoubtedly say “Photoshop.” I’ve sunk more hours into Adobe Photoshop over the years than the rest of this list put together, and that’s because it’s the OG – the program by which all photo editing software is judged.

Nowadays, its layer-based architecture can feel a little archaic for standard photo edits in comparison to slicker applications such as Lightroom and Capture One. And that’s because Photoshop isn’t just a photo-editing tool; it’s also a design tool. That’s why the majority of my editing workflow is completed in Lightroom Classic. I only turn to Photoshop for more complex edits, such as compositing or multiple masking tasks.

While layer-based competitors like Affinity have commandeered some of its market share – and with good reason – Adobe’s flagship still reigns supreme. Despite its many hats, Photoshop’s interface remains clean and straightforward to use, although I’d stop short of calling it beginner-friendly. I’ve also found it to be better optimized than many non-Adobe applications, at least for the various Mac computers I’ve used over the years.

Photoshop’s support for selections, masks, and layers is unmatched, making it the tool of choice for complex composite image processing, but most recent advancements have centered around AI. So much so, if you don’t use it, you may begin to feel a little left out. Generative AI, in particular, is a big focus, and it’s worth pointing out that generative usage does cost credits. How many free credits you get each month will depend on your plan.

Still, regular ‘free’ updates are a huge positive of Adobe’s controversial subscription model. No, it’s not a perpetual license, but incremental updates are all part of the subscription, so you never have to worry about getting left behind.

Read the full Adobe Photoshop review.

Best AI photo editing software

Don’t confuse Radiant Photo 2’s AI-powered features with generative AI. This editing suite enhances what’s already there, it doesn’t add anything. The result is a natural edit that’s not always associated with AI editing software. Better yet, you’re free to tweak the AI-infused results how you see fit. Radiant Photo 2 does exactly what it’s intended to do, which is help speed up your editing workflow, without forcing you to relinquish control.

You can expect improved results nine times out of ten, as Radiant Photo 2 identifies the subject of an image and works its automated magic. And while it can be used standalone, Adobe users will be pleased to know that it can also be used as a plug-in for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.

And my shots, edited with Radiant Photo 2, really did look the part. Several packages are available, so you can tailor the product to your needs, but with prices ranging from £79 / $79 to £349 / $349, things can get rather expensive. But if the AI workflow can save you time, it could work out to be a great investment. Ultimately, Radiant Photo 2 is easy to use and turns out great-looking images, without removing your creative discretion. And with the option for a 30-day free trial, you can see how the AI behaves for yourself.

Read our full Radiant Photo 2 review.

Best cheap photo editing software

While I wouldn’t recommend ON1 Photo RAW to professionals or serious enthusiasts, it’s a great choice for casual and beginner photographers on a budget. It’s a capable photo editing software solution that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. But it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny quite as well as the examples higher on my list.

Clearly, the 2025 edition of ON1 Photo RAW has gone all in on AI. In fact, almost all of its major updates involve generative AI, such as Generative Erase, Generative Crop and AI Depth Masks. And while this feature set is impressively broad, it doesn’t always hit the mark.

As a RAW-image editor, it’s certainly capable, but doesn’t reach the heady heights of DXO PhotoLab 8, Capture One and Adobe’s flagship titles. A standout feature, though, is the Effects tab. This is a veritable goldmine of film effects, borders, light leaks and more, with the ability to tweak each effect further.

It’s worth remembering that ON1 Photo RAW is an all-in-one photo editing package – which covers you for photo organizing, editing and effects – at a very competitive price point. Simply put, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better blend of features and bang for your buck.

Read our full ON1 Photo RAW 2025 review.

Best photo editing software plug-in

DxO’s Nik Collection is a bundle of seven plug-ins that are typically used in conjunction with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom Classic, and Capture One, but can also be used standalone. If you opt for the latter, be aware that it cannot process RAW files, so you’ll need a ‘host’ program to convert your RAW files to JPEGs or TIFFs.

I personally think that the meat of what’s on offer here is the excellent Analog Efex, Color Efex, Silver Efex, and HDR Efex. That leaves three plug-ins that I found considerably less useful: Dfine feels slightly dated, Sharpener is arguably too specialist for most users, and Viveza’s color adjustments feel somewhat redundant for those already working in Lightroom and Photoshop.

It’s a testament to the aforementioned ‘fab four’ plug-ins, then, that I deem Nik Collection 8 worthy of a perfect score. These plug-ins justify the price of admission, alone, so anything else really is a bonus. Analog Efex, Color Efex, Silver Efex, and HDR Efex all offer a rich and varied set of image effects that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

To find out more about each plug-in, you can check out the review, but at a glance, Analog Efex allows you to apply lo-fi effects to recreate the look of old cameras, Color Efex boasts 50 color-enhancing filters and 20 image presets, Silver Efex is perhaps the most coveted black-and-white converter on the market, and HDR Efex allows you to merge bracketed exposures or add HDR-style adjustment to single images.

A core upgrade in this year’s offering is enhanced Photoshop integration, allowing you to work on masks seamlessly between Photoshop and your chosen plug-in, as well as the introduction of a customizable and dockable Photoshop panel. Color Efex and Silver Efex – arguably the heart of the suite – have also received enhancements, resulting in quite simply the best version of Nik Collection yet.

Read the full DxO Nik Collection 8 review.

Best photo editing software for cloud editing

Adobe Lightroom (formerly Lightroom CC) is a cloud-centric editing application and not to be confused with the desktop-centric Lightroom Classic. I think it’s an excellent choice for those who like to work across multiple devices, have reliable Internet access, and don’t work predominantly with ultra-high-resolution files.

Where Lightroom Classic’s file-management system can be daunting for newcomers, Lightroom does away with multiple Catalogs, making image organization simpler and more accessible. Originally, Lightroom was purely cloud-based, but Adobe has relaxed this constraint, allowing users to access and edit images locally.

Similarly, you can now create smart albums, which makes organizing large image libraries much easier. It’s also now possible to open images from Lightroom into any external image editor, when you could previously only use Photoshop.

Performance-wise, Lightroom is everything you’d expect from an Adobe RAW image editor. Some X-Trans photographers still prefer alternative image editors, but for the vast majority, Adobe’s ecosystem is hard to beat, and Lightroom is no exception. And yes, Lightroom has Adobe’s excellent AI Denoise option and AI masking tools.

Lightroom’s cloud-based workflow also pairs seamlessly with the Lightroom app, allowing you to edit across devices with ease. Ultimately, just because Lightroom Classic tends to be the preserve of professionals doesn’t mean that Lightroom is inferior. If you use a mobile workflow and enjoy the convenience of working in the cloud, Lightroom is a great choice.

Read the full Adobe Lightroom review.

Best sky replacement

The AI photo editing pioneer is no longer the only AI kid on the block, but its intelligent tools still provide solid results (for the most part), and it still boasts the best sky replacement tool on the market. It’s versatile, too. From retouching portraits, adding sunrays to landscapes, and sharpening soft imagery, Luminar Neo’s scope is broad enough to suit most photography interests. And if you want to start tweaking sliders and learn the basics of manual photo editing, it does that, too.

I think Luminar Neo is best suited to photographers with little to no editing experience who want to achieve decent results without having to learn the complicated workflow of a more professional editing suite, or enthusiast photographers who want a no-fuss solution so they can turn around images quickly and efficiently.

The recent fall update has boosted what the software has to offer, with some significant new tools, including the ability to restore and colorize old photos in just a few clicks, and an impressive new, dimensional-lighting tool, which I personally have found very useful. In addition, Luminar Neo is now cross-platform, meaning you can start a project on Luminar Mobile and seamlessly transition to the desktop application. It’s a shame this wasn’t available before, but it’s a welcome upgrade nonetheless.

That said, Luminar Neo’s interface can still be quite intimidating for photo-editing newbies, and it could be slicker. For example, lens corrections aren’t automatically added to RAW files, and for some reason, Generative AI tools are found in the Catalog panel, as opposed to the editing panel.

All that aside, Luminar Neo’s AI tools are solid and sometimes excellent, the perpetual license (albeit with just one year of updates) will be a boon for some, and the ability to make manual edits provides room for beginners to grow. It’s also worth noting that cross-device editing between the desktop version and Luminar Mobile has (at the time of writing) just been rolled out, making this a good choice for content creators on the go.

Read the full Skylum Luminar Neo review.

Best free photo editing software

RawTherapee is free raw processing software in a similar vein to Adobe Lightroom Classic. And you know what, its jam-packed feature set and very respectable image quality means I spent most of my time forgetting it was free.

Now, it’s by no means perfect. Getting to grips with the interface takes time thanks to some curiously positioned controls and overcomplicated processes, but it’s all here, and some adjustments provide even more control than Lightroom.

The interface comprises three main sections: Editor, Queue, and File Browser. I don’t think the File Browser is as good as Lightroom’s Library, but all the functions you’d expect are here. You edit files in the Editor section, akin to Lightroom’s Develop module. Interestingly, the software will attempt to automatically edit a Raw file to match the camera’s JPEG, and while it never produced a result I was happy to immediately export, it does provide a starting point that may be particularly useful to software editing newcomers. The Queue section is where your finished images end up, so you can batch export.

RawTherapee’s adjustment controls are so extensive, they’re arguably too complicated at times and I did experience lagging slider effects and images that took a while to load. But ultimately, this is free software that’s able to provide a professional-grade workflow. And that’s mighty impressive in my book.

Read our full RawTherapee review.

Honorable mentions

How to choose the best photo editing software

With so many photo editing possibilities, it doesn't take long to figure out that one application alone is unlikely to meet all those needs. You can find more help on what to look for in the best photo editing software at the bottom of this page.

Today, there are many more options than just Adobe Photoshop. Adobe's Photography Plan includes Photoshop and Lightroom, which cover a lot more ground between them – but there are still plenty of non-Adobe rivals that can match their scope.

If you want advanced black-and-white effects, retro/analog filters, HDR merging, or one of a dozen other specialized 'looks', you're often better off using a custom-made plug-in or a different application.

Remember, though, it's not just about the software. The best photo-editing laptops, desktop computers, and monitors for photo editing can help you process images quickly and accurately, while the best external hard drives store your finished works locally and safely.

How I test photo editing software

Here are six factors my fellow reviewers and I evaluate when testing photo editing software. Think of this as a checklist. You might not need all of these features, but we do take them into account in our reviews.

1. Powerful retouching, masking and compositing tools: This is traditional Photoshop territory, and if you need to create complex illustrations or carry out detailed retouching and repair work, a program like Photoshop (or Affinity Photo) is likely to be your first stop.

2. Image organizing and cataloging tools: The more photos we take, the more organization they need. At the start of the digital imaging revolution, the novelty of being able to edit images caught everyone's attention, but now the task of keeping images organized, searchable and shareable has become increasingly important.

3. Non-destructive editing: Do you have to process or 'develop' RAW files before you can edit them? In Photoshop you do, via Adobe Camera RAW, but an increasing number of rival programs offer seamless RAW processing alongside JPEG and TIFF images. What's more, you can 'roll back' or change your edits at any time.

4. High-quality raw processing: All RAW processing tools are NOT the same. Adobe's RAW processing (in Lightroom and Adobe Camera RAW) is used by millions, but the results certainly aren't the best. If RAW processing quality matters to you, then you'll want to know how well it works.

5. One-click creative presets: Very often, the problem for photographers is not knowing how to do something, but knowing WHAT to do. That's where programs with an extensive library of one-click presets can give you a real head-start, showing you how your images could look using adjustments you might not even have thought of.

6. Beginner friendliness: Software has certainly moved on and many photo editors are now much more novice-friendly than they used to be. The more technical photo editors on the market may offer more tools and give better results in expert hands, but if you're just starting out and you're baffled by all the jargon, a basic beginner-friendly program may be a much better choice than a more advanced one, even if, technically, it's not as good.

7. Value for money and buying options. When we look at software, we evaluate how it compares to similar programs on the market, and how you can pay for it. Subscriptions are unpopular with some, but that’s the way the world is heading. A few of the programs in our list are available as single-fee licenses, but more and more publishers favor subscriptions – Capture One looks to be choosing them in 2023, and Skylum has practically finished
the transition

DxO PhotoLab 6 is the latest version of a program designed for high-end RAW processing and lens corrections with a strong emphasis on technical accuracy in both color and detail rendition.

It’s basically a combined photo browser, raw processor and editing tool that can take you from a folder full of raw files straight from your camera to edited, corrected and enhanced images tuned just how you want them with a set of very powerful overall adjustment tools, and local adjustments, which mean you may not need any other photo editor –  though you can launch other programs from within PhotoLab if you need to.

PhotoLab 6 is a fully non-destructive photo editor. It works on raw files seamlessly with no ‘processing’ or ‘developing phase. It can also work on JPEG and TIFF images, though you get most benefit with raw files. All your adjustments can be changed, removed or added to in the future, and you can also create ‘virtual copies’ to try out different adjustments without having to physically duplicate your original files.

It's certainly one of the best photo editing software applications there is right now for desktop users, and its hardware requirements aren't especially demanding so the best photo editing laptops won't have any trouble running it. 

System requirements

Mac
OS: macOS 11.6 (Big Sur) or higher (macOS 12.0 (Monterey) recommended)
CPU: Any (Intel Core Processor with 6 cores or higher, or Apple Silicon recommended
RAM: 8 GBRAM (16GB recommended)
Disk space: 4GB (6GB recommended)
Graphics (recommended): AMD Radeon Pro 580X or better for Intel Macs 

PC
OS: Microsoft Windows 10 version 20H2 or higher (64-bit, and still supported by Microsoft)
CPU: Any CPU supporting SSE 4.1 (Intel Core processor with 6+ cores or better, or AMD Ryzen recommended)
RAM: 8GB (16GB recommended)
Disk space: 4GB (6GB recommended)
Graphics (recommended): NVIDIA RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 6600 or better with latest drivers 

Key features

PhotoLab 6 is primarily a high-end raw processing and editing program, but some steady evolution through successive versions means that its turned into something more.

One of the key new features in PhotoLab 6 is the ability to ‘nest’ Projects in the PhotoLibrary window in a hierarchical folder system. Previously, you could only have a simple linear list of Projects.

Projects are DxO’s term for Albums. Before, they were useful perhaps for short term tasks but little more, but the new ability to organize and structure Projects means that overnight the PhotoLibrary module has changed from being a simple Adobe Bridge style folder browser into a proper organizing/cataloguing tool. This is boosted by support for additional EXIF and IPTC data tags. It’s not quite in the same league as Lightroom, say, but it may be all that most photographers need.

Another new feature is DeepPRIME XD processing – the ‘XD’ stands for ‘eXtreme Detail’. It’s an evolution of DxO’s already highly impressive DeepPRIME noise reduction for high ISO images, and DxO has found a way to recover even more detail from high-ISO images with almost no visible noise. It honestly is spectacularly good. The only downside is that it’s processor intensive, so you cannot see the effect ‘live’ over the whole image, only a small preview window, and you have to Export an image, as a TIFF or a JPEG, say, to apply the process. 

In our version, too, it looks as if Fujifilm X-Trans raw files don’t yet have DeepPRIME XD support – but it’s only recently that PhotoLab has introduced X-Trans support in the first place, so Fujifilm users should still be reasonably happy.

DxO has also introduced new, upgraded Retouch tool. A key feature of this is that you can now rotate, scale or transform your clone ‘source, so that if you need to replace a window in a building, say, and the only source you can use is a smaller one nearby, you can now manipulate it to fit the dimensions of the window you want to replace.

PhotoLab 6 has a new, wider working color space too – an indication that DxO takes color management very seriously. It offers ‘soft proofing’ for different output devices too.

So what is PhotoLab 6? You could look at it two ways – as a massively more powerful Adobe Bridge/Adobe Camera Raw replacement, or as a Lightroom alternative with better tools, better output and no tedious import process. 

Design and interface

PhotoLab 6 has two windows. The first, the PhotoLibrary window, is where you browse and organize your images. You can view them as thumbnails or as larger previews. What you see is a full directory tree of the folders on your computer, and you can use this to move images around as required or organize them into Projects. This is basically DxO’s word ‘for ‘albums’. They are a way of collecting images together without moving them on your computer. 

If you double-click on an image it opens in the Customize window, which is where you do the serious editing work. A vertical toolbar on the right side of the screen shows all the available tools panels. There are quite a few, but they have been arranged in tabs which are loosely themed as exposure, color and detail adjustments, for example. There’s even a search field at the top to help you quickly find a panel you already known the name of.

Along the top of the window is a set of tools for cropping, perspective correction, zooming and panning, adding a local adjustment and more.

It looks technical, but it’s all logically arranged and, as with most software, you’ll find yourself using a handful of tools more than any others and you’ll quickly work out where these are. Better still, given DxO’s automatic lens corrections, tonal optimizations and preset looks, you might find that many of your images don’t need any further manual adjustments anyway.

Like all non-destructive editors, PhotoLab stores all the adjustments you make but does not apply them directly to your original images. Your adjustments are only visible within PhotoLab. You have to use the Export feature to generate TIFF or JPEG images ready for sharing or editing in other software.

Quality of results

PhotoLab 6 really is the best, or at least one of the best programs out there for raw processing quality. Its lens corrections are applied automatically as the images are first viewed and the previews are generated, so you rarely have to get involved in that at all – except to download new profiles when prompted. 

We’re used to software correcting lens distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration automatically, but PhotoLab 6 goes further in correcting edge softness too – the difference in quality, especially at the frame edges, is clear to see. The more ‘average’ your camera and lenses, the bigger the improvement.

The DeepPRIME XD processing is pretty spectacular. It can smooth out, sharpen up and restore detail to high-ISO images so successfully that you’re left checking the image EXIF data to make sure there’s been no mistake – it will change your mind about what you think your camera is capable of.

PhotoLab 6’s local adjustment tools deserve a mention too. It doesn’t offer. the AI-powered subject masking now appearing in other software, but its auto-masking control point adjustments are just as effective and very controllable too.

DxO is keen to dovetail its software with photographers' existing workflows where possible, so rather than pitching PhotoLab 6 as a Lightroom alternative, it's also made it work as a Lightroom add-on. If you decide you need a hike in quality from PhotoLab's own lens corrections and noise control, you can send your raw original. from Lightroom to PhotoLab, process it with DxO's tools, then have it round-tripped back to Lightroom.

Verdict

PhotoLab 6 can get technical, and it’s not really a quick-fix tool for Instagram posts. What it is, however, is a very powerful, very precise and very effective photo editor that delivers results every bit as good as the best of its rivals, and often a clear step above.

PhotoLab 6 Elite, the version we’d recommend, is at the upper end of the price spectrum, and you’ll need to shell out more again if you want DxO’s FilmPack 6 or ViewPoint 4 add-ons. So be it. This is software designed for quality, not cost-saving.

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To celebrate 10 years of its Surface products, Microsoft has launched a trio of new Surface computers: Surface Pro 9, Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Studio 2+

Surface Pro 9

The Surface Pro is arguably the most innovative product in Microsoft's extensive Surface product line-up. Where other 2-in-1 laptops can often be little more than a laptop with a screen that can hinge back through 360 degrees to form a thick 'tablet', Surface Pro has always been designed to more closely resemble a tablet form factor. The device can then be converted into a genuine laptop alternative with the addition of a slim keyboard attachment, while a multi-angle kickstand props up the display.

The Surface Pro 9 is outwardly similar to its predecessors, with premium aluminium casing and a choice of color finishes. The 13-inch PixelSense display is available with a 120Hz refresh rate, along with an under-screen HD camera and Omnisonic speakers. Microsoft's custom G6 chip is said to improve pen input fidelity with tactile signals, which combined with the new Ink Focus in Microsoft OneNote, or the upcoming GoodNotes app, using the pen input should feel more like using a conventional pen on paper. Power comes from either 12th-gen Intel Core processors, or the more mobile-orientated Microsoft SQ 3 powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon.

Intel-based Surface Pro 9s are verified as Intel Evo laptops, meaning they conform to strict criteria that ensures smooth, powerful performance while also maintaining all-day battery life. Performance is touted as being increased by 50% over the Surface Pro 8, with the addition of Thunderbolt 4 enabling faster data transfer speeds, as well as the option to attach an external graphics card.

Surface Pro 9 laptops equipped with the Microsoft SQ 3 processor get fast 5G connectivity, an even longer battery life - up to 19 hours - as well as new AI features made possible by an all-new Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Capable of more than 15 trillion calculations per second, the NPU in Surface Pro 9 is said to "drive new experiences with Windows Studio effects".

Surface Laptop 5

Where Surface Pro 9 is a Windows PC-based tablet that can convert to a laptop, the Surface Laptop 5 is simply that - a traditional laptop - albeit a thin, light and ultra-efficient one. Like the latest Surface Pro, Surface Laptop 5 utilizes Intel 12th-gen processors, giving the same 50% speed boost, Intel Evo certification, and the addition of Thunderbolt 4 connectivity for the first time.

Two display sizes are available: 13.5 inch, and 15 inch, with both boasting Dolby Vision IQ for enhanced image quality, while the speaker setup now gets Dolby Atmos 3D for a more immersive soundstage. The front-facing HD camera and Studio Microphones are capable of adjusting camera exposure to any lighting conditions, while the anodized aluminium exterior is complemented by new color options.

Surface Studio 2+

It's been four whole years since the Surface Studio 2 was revealed, so its replacement is long overdue. One reason why development has been slow is the Surface Studio has very little competition, as it's unlike pretty much any other desktop computer. Its centerpiece is a beautiful and expansive 28-inch 3:2 display with not only touch sensitivity, but also pen input, which helped make the Surface Studio a dream machine for graphic artists.

The display is mounted on a 'Zero Gravity Hinge' that allows it to be positioned at any angle from vertical, right down to near-horizontal for an almost lay-flat drawing mode. The base of the hinge houses the computing components, and its here where Surface Studio 2+ differs most from the old 'Studio 2. An updated Intel Core i7 H Series processor delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance, while the inclusion of GeForce RTX 3060 discrete graphics is said to double the graphics performance. The display, cameras, Studio Mics and ports are also improved, and you now get Thunderbolt 4 as standard.

As well as the three new Surface computers, Microsoft is also improving Windows 11 so you can access iPhone photos and videos right from the Windows photo app thanks to a new iCloud for Windows app (available November). Microsoft has also announced that Apple Music and the Apple TV app will launch on Windows next year.

Furthermore, Microsoft is set to launch a new graphic design app as part of its Microsoft 365 package. 'Microsoft Designer' is an AI-driven app that utilises DALL∙E 2 intelligence to harness the power of cloud-based AI, along with your own content and ideas, to automatically generate a variety of unique images and designs. The technology is also set to be incorporated into Microsoft Bing search and the Edge web browser.

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When the new iPad Pro 2022 models didn’t launch alongside the iPhone 14 family earlier this month, every man and his dog started to predict we would see the new models launched in October, instead. Indeed, this looks very likely and we are expecting see updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ models, which we predict will replace the current Pro-grade iPad generations next month. Here’s everything we know about them so far… 

New M2 chip

Excitingly, Apple is said to have upgraded this year’s iPad Pro models to upgraded to the latest M2 processor –  the same CPU as the M1 but boasting more GPU cores and speed improvements. The two Pro models are also said to come with mini-LED screens (previously exclusive to the 12.9-inch model), according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who is respected tipster. This information is also corroborated by Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with a great track record for Apple intel, (via iMore), making it even more likely to be true. 

Multiple sources are claiming that the iPad Pro 2022 models will adopt MagSafe, which allows connection, via magnets, to clip-on peripherals like magnetic chargers, stands and cases. 

Back in June, a Bloomberg report said that as well as MagSafe, we could see the tablet with a glass back and supporting both wireless and reverse wireless charging. We aren’t 100% sure on this one but it is possible, or it could perhaps feature a partial glass back. 

As well as MagSafe charging to match the iPhones, it’s expected that the iPad Pro 2022 models will also feature a better battery life, which will be welcome. 

iPad 2022  

The most affordable iPad in the range, the 10.2-inch non-Pro model is expected to be upgraded arguably more than the Pro models. Rather than a Lightning port, it is said to have a USB-C, which will take it on-line with the other Apple iPads. According to rumor, screen size could increase to 10.5 inches or 10.9 inches and get a boost in resolution. It won’t see the M2 chip like the Pro models but it is expected to get an upgrade to the A14 Bionic chip.  

Again according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, (via his Power On newsletter) both yet-to-be announced iPad Pro models are likely to be released, with other remaining 2022 products, “via press releases, updates to its website and briefings with select members of the press" rather than a digital launch event. 

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If you're in the market for a new laptop for video or photo editing then you can't go wrong with the XPS series from Dell. This Dell XPS 13 comes with an 11th generation Core i7-1165G7 processor with 4 cores, 8 threads, and turbo boosting up to an impressive 4.7 Ghz - meaning it will tackle all your editing needs with ease.

This impressive laptop has also received an impressive $500 off for a limited time only, so your better order now to avoid disappointment - so far, this is the best laptop deal in our Memorial Day camera sales

Equipped with an impressive 13.4" 3.5K OLED display with a resolution of 3456 x 2160 and 400 nit brightness, this XPS 13 is the perfect partner for any photographer or editor who's always on the go. With a minimal footprint this laptop packs a punch with its 11th gen core i7 Intel processor, along with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, no matter what you want it to tackle it can chomp thorough intense photoshoot editing with ease and store all your best photos while out on the open road. 

Now with a limited-time $500 reduction, this Dell XPS 13 is an amazing deal for $1,419 and is our top laptop in our Memorial Day camera sales.

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We make no secret of it, but the Apple Mac Mini is our top choice as best desktop computer for photo editing. It is its miniature design, and creative credentials that make it a superb solution for those that are looking for a home computing solutions - for remote working, for home schooling, or just to keep yourself entertained during lockdown!

We have spotted this great Memorial Day deal on the Apple Mac Mini at B&H, which gets you the late 2018 version of this personal computer for a very reasonable $599. There is a 2020 Mac Mini M1 version of this computer out now, but if you are looking to get a computer for the best price you can - then this little baby will save you a few bucks - but don't delay as this deal ends midnight today.

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This Mac mini is powered by an 8th Gen Coffee Lake 3.6 GHz Intel Core i3 Quad-Core processor, while 8GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 RAM helps to ensure smooth multitasking and also allows the computer to quickly access frequently used files and programs. The system memory can be upgraded to a maximum of 64GB.

Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 delivers a sharp, clear picture, and you'll be able to output video to an external display using the system's Thunderbolt 3 ports, which feature native DisplayPort output, or use the built-in HDMI 2.0 port. Up to three 4K displays are supported between any two Thunderbolt 3 ports and the HDMI port, or you can connect one 5K display and one 4K display.

For storage of your files, this Mac mini is equipped with a 256GB PCIe SSD that has a sequential read speed of up to 3.4 GB/s.

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We spotted this awesome deal from Best Buy on Black Friday - but it is back again and is an ideal choice for those studying remotely, or working at home! Now you can own a Microsoft Surface Pro 7 for just $699! It usually sells for $959 – so you save a huge $260 on a next-generation laptop!

The Surface Pro 7 features a 12.3-inch touch screen, Intel Core i3, 4GB memory, 128GB SSD. And it comes with a black cover and is the Platinum finish.

The Surface Pro 7 adapts to the way you work; it's a laptop but also a tablet. And with a laptop-class Intel Core processor, and all-day battery, it's a powerhouse of a hybrid laptop.

And if you'd rather find your own laptop, but you're not quite sure what to look for, this check out our handy guide to the best laptops for photo-editing.

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Until November 2nd, you can save $200 on selected 13.5" Surface Laptops. Eligible models include Sandstone, Black, Cobalt Blue and Platinum colors, and depending on the color you choose, nearly every spec configuration can be had with the $200 discount. The only model not included in the deal is the entry-level $999.99 model, but we reckon its 128GB SSD storage is just too restrictive for long-term use.

Our top bang-per-buck choice would be the 13.5" Intel Core i7 Surface Laptop 3 with 16GB RAM and a 256GB SSD. Usually this option would be $1,599.99, but with the $200 discount, it could be yours for a very tempting $1,399.99.

Read more: best laptops for photographers

Why Surface Laptop 3? With its vibrant 13.5" 2256 x 1504 PixelSense display, your get a stunning screen to show off your images and videos, while the latest 10th-gen quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors combined speed and exceptional power efficiency. 8GB or 16GB of RAM is available, though you'll really need to go for 16GB to stay reasonably futureproofed. Storage options include SSDs in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities. But the arguably the biggest appeal with the Surface Laptop is its portability. At just 14.5mm thick and 1.29kg, it's Microsoft's answer to the MacBook Air, and is just as portable. If you're after a super thin and light Windows laptop with up to 11.5 hours battery life, now's the time to buy a Surface Laptop 3.

Read more: best laptops for video editing

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Microsoft has announced the new Surface Book 3, the latest in its line of tablet-laptop hybrids – and the company is pulling no punches, shouting that the newest Surface is "our most powerful laptop ever".

The announcement for Surface Book 3 comes just days after Apple revealed its latest 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it is clear that Microsoft is gunning for the pole position held by its rival in both the 13- and 15-inch categories. 

Microsoft promises that the new Surface is designed with professionals in mind to deliver "desktop-level performance from anywhere", specifically citing Adobe workflows, positioning this as the best tablet for photographers. 

Indeed, the Surface Book 3 can deliver double the performance of the Surface Book 2, with 10th Generation Intel Core i5 / i7 processors and either Nvidia GeForce GTX (which has the horsepower to play Xbox Game Pass titles in 1080p at 60 frames per second) or Quadro RTX GPUs, along with 32GB of RAM and Microsoft's fastest ever SSDs with up to 2TB capacity.

Better yet, Microsoft claims up to 17.5 hours of battery life for the 15-inch model, with 15.5 hours for the 13.5-inch – though we're sure that intensive Photoshop and Lightroom use will take a big chunk out of that. 

In terms of the physical specs, the 13.5-inch Surface Book 3 measures 312 mm x 232 mm x 13-23 mm and weighs 1,534g (including keyboard) for the i5 version, with the i7 coming in at 312 mm x 232 mm x 15-23 mm and 1,642 g. The 15-inch model, meanwhile, measures 343 mm x 251 mm x 15-23 mm and weighs in at 1,905g.

Both Surface Book 3s feature a 3:2 PixelSense Display with 1600:1 contrast ratio and 10-point multi-touch G5, the smaller model having 3000 x 2000 resolution (267 PPI) and the larger 3240 x 2160, (260 PPI). All versions have a 5MP front-facing camera and 8MP primary autofocus camera, each capable of 1080p video.

The Microsoft Surface Book 3 13-inch starts at $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,649 and will be available 21 May, while the 15-inch model starts at $2,299 / £2,199 / AU$3,699 and availability commences 05 June.

Pre-order the Microsoft Surface Book 3

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Apple has announced its latest version of its 13-inch MacBook Pro, which promises  double the storage,  faster performance, and a new  Magic Keyboard for 2020.

The MacBook Pro family is one of the best photo-editing laptops, and is loved by photographers and videomakers the world over. And although some of the best MacBooks have larger screens, the 13-inch baby of the Pro range has a great deal of appeal for those of us that want to carry around their laptop in a messenger bag or camera backpack.

The  13-inch MacBook Pro 2020 doubles the storage offerings across the whole range, so you start with 256GB minimum, with read speeds up to 3 GB/s. But options allow you to set yourself up with a whopping 4TB of SSD storage.

• See also: Best monitors for MacBook Pro

As we would have expected, Apple's new Magic Keyboard makes its way onto the 13-inch model for the first time (having already been incorporated into the latest MacBook Air and 16in MacBook Pro). This replaces the unpopular butterfly keyboard - and is generally accepted as giving a much better typing experience.

In terms of graphics, the news MacBook Pro offers Intel Iris Plus , which is promises 80 percent faster performance over the previous 13-inch MacBook Pro – which will be particularly useful when editing 4K video.

The basic 13in MacBook Pro 2020 comes with quad-core 8th-Gen processor, but there is the option of 10th-Gen quad-core chip with turbo boost speeds up to 4.1GHz. The 13-inch MacBook Pro continues to have two Thunderbolt 3  in its most budget form, and you need to opt for the £1,799/$1,799 configuration if you want four ports.

The starting price  is $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$1,999 for 13-inch model with a 1.4GHz quad-core 8th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The new MacBook Pro can be bought now, with shipping due to commence later this week. 

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If your laptop is struggling to cope with the sudden increase in demand from your new working-from-home situation, then you might need to think about investing in an updated model. Luckily, there are some fantastic laptop deals around, including this impressive $200 discount on the HP Spectre x360 13-ap0013dx Full HD Touchscreen Laptop.

This HP Spectre laptop is powered by an Intel Core i7-8565U processor and features 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD (Solid State Drive). It also runs Windows 10 Home and comes in an attractive Ash Silver finish.

• Read more: Everything photographers need to work from home

If you're specifically looking for a laptop that will make working from home easier, this HP Spectre laptop features an HP Wide Vision FHD IR Webcam, complete with an 88º wide-angle field of view. This is guaranteed to make your next Zoom meeting even easier! It also has HP Quad Speakers, HP Audio Boost and custom tuning by the experts at Bang & Olufsen, which will help take your audio experience to the next level. 

The HP Spectre x360 13-ap0013dx Full HD Touchscreen Laptop has a Full HD Micro-Edge Display with Corning Gorilla Glass NBT to help protect your screen from any knocks or scrapes. It also has two USB-C 3.1 Type A ports so you can connect your devices to your laptop quickly and easily.

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The USB Implementation Forum has revealed the final specifications for the upcoming USB 4 standard. The big news is that, at 40Gbit/s, it’ll be twice as fast as the current fastest version of USB 3.2. The specs are very similar to the Thunderbolt 3 standard, largely because USB 4 is based on Intel’s Thunderbolt protocol.

USB 4 devices are expected to be available in 2020, with USB 4 itself being backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, and USB versions as old as USB 2.0. The connector is the reversible Type-C plug to which we’re now getting well accustomed, enabling cross-compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 ports.

While computing equipment manufacturers will likely be quick to adopt USB 4 in their products, camera manufacturers are almost certainly going to be slower to the party, given their reluctance to incorporate USB 3. Take, for instance, the Nikon D7500. Even though this DSLR was released as recently as 2017, it still makes do with a USB 2.0 connection - a full six years after USB 3.0 was introduced.

Time for a rant...

Possibly even more exciting than the speed boost provided by USB 4 will be that, for at least a brief period of bliss, order will be restored to the USB numbering convention.

As it stands, the recent renumbering and re-renumbering of USB 3 generations is getting ridiculous. First there was USB 3.0, launched in 2011, with a 5Gbit/s transfer speed - great, no confusion there. This was then improved upon by USB 3.1 in 2013, which, at 10Gbit/s, was twice as fast as USB 3.0. All well and good.

But then, for some unfathomable reason, both versions received a name change, with USB 3.0 becoming USB 3.1 Gen 1, and USB 3.1 becoming USB 3.1 Gen 2. Confused yet? Well, there’s more!

Now everything’s changed yet again, with USB 3.1 Gen 1 renamed USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2 now being USB 3.2 Gen 2, and these are joined by a new (genuinely new, not just a name change), 20GBit/s version of USB 3.2. You might imagine this would be called USB 3.2 Gen 3. Oh no, far too logical. This 20Gbit/s revision has actually been labelled USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2, so called because it uses dual data lanes to achieve the doubled speed over 10GBit USB 3.2 Gen 2.

Hopefully USB 4 will put this naming insanity firmly in the past. 

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Wacom has released a new tablet, the Wacom MobileStudio Pro16. This graphic tablet computer hybrid will have a 15.6" display, Wacom Pro Pen 2 compatibility, a fingerprint sensor and a 4K screen. Running Windows 10 Pro and powered by Intel, this tablet is squarely targeted at on-the-go professionals and digital content designers.  

An update to the MobileStudio Pro 16 that Wacom released two years ago, the tablet's processor has been updated from dual core to quad core and has been given Thunderbolt 3 connections for a speedier user experience. Thunderbolt 3 has a maximum throughput of 40 Gb/s when used with compatible devices. 

• Read more: Best graphics tablets | Best Wacom tablets

The display also has an etched glass surface that's designed to simulate the resistance of pen on paper. Interestingly, you'll also be able to use touch gestures to navigate through menus. 

With an ultra high-resolution 3840 x 2160 UHD display and 85% Adobe RGB coverage, Wacom have stuffed this MobileStudio Pro 16 update with as many tantalizing features as possible. 

The new MobileStudio Pro 16 will come with the Wacom Pro Pen 2, which is four times more pressure sensitive and accurate than its predecessor. In addition, it doesn't require any batteries or recharging - which will be a welcome feature for busy professionals. 

The MobileStudio Pro 16 will also have a USB Type-C port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and an SD card reader. In addition, it has a 5MP front camera and an 8MP rear camera, which is perfect for snapping quick photos on-the-go. 

The tablet will have a 5.5 hour operating battery life, which is a slight improvement on the previous version's 5 hours. 

If you're interested in investing in the MobileStudio Pro 16, you can pre-order the tablet for around £3,200 ($3,500). However, just be aware that because Wacom haven't updated the actual name of the product, if you see the tablet on sale for less than £3,000 ($3,000), you're likely looking at the old version. Hopefully, this will be resolved once the latest update has been fully released.

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Just days after the announcement of Huawei Mate X, the world’s first foldable camera phone, and the Huawei Mate 20 X 5G, Google has announced that Huawei will be losing access to updates for the Android operating system.

Reported by the BBC, this follows the Trump administration adding Huawei to its “entity list” of of blacklisted firms that American companies will require a licence to trade with, following a number of escalating tensions that has seen the company facing almost two dozen criminal charges in the USA.

Google said it was “complying with the order and reviewing the implications”. The ban could also affect a number of other firms that Huawei relies upon for its smartphones, including Intel, Qualcomm, Xilinx and Broadcom, all of which make processors.

Several countries have raised concerns that the 5G technology incorporated in Huawei’s new phones could be used for covert surveillance by the Chinese government. Huawei has vehemently denied this. 

What does this mean for you?

If you’re currently using a Huawei smartphone such as the P30 Pro or Mate 20 Pro, don’t worry – they’re not going to turn into expensive bricks anytime soon. 

You’ll still be able to update your apps, apply security fixes and use Google-owned apps such as Maps and YouTube. Huawei is still able to use the version of Android that’s available through an open-source licence.

However, later this year Google is planning to release the next version of Android, and here is where you could run into problems, as it may not be made available to Huawei handsets. Future Huawei phones may also not be able to use the aforementioned Google-owned apps, or have access to the Google Play Store.

For the time being though, the firm is committed to looking after its current users – “We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally,” it said in a statement.

What’s the future for Huawei? At the moment it’s uncertain, though it’s safe to say the smartphone giant isn’t disappearing any time soon. In a statement to Japanese media, Huawei chief executive Ren Zhengfei said the firm had been anticipating this move and preparing for it.

Assuming the ban is not lifted or altered in any way, the firm plans to push ahead with becoming self-reliant in terms, producing its own parts for future phones and developing its own app gallery.

What this means for the future of smartphones more generally is uncertain – we could see the start of more phone manufacturers becoming less reliant on Google if Huawei makes a success of going it alone, and Huawei may also face setbacks in its ongoing competition with Samsung. We’ll keep you updated as we hear more.

Read more:

Huawei Mate X: the world's first foldable 5G camera phone

Huawei launches its first 5G handset, the Huawei Mate 20 X 5G

Huawei P30 Pro vs Huawei Mate 20 Pro: how do the cameras compare?

Digital Camera’s May 2019 issue comes with a one-year subscription to ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2018, but we’re hearing that some readers have experienced difficulty registering their copies. 

If you have been affected, then just drop us a line at digitalcamera@futurenet.com with 'ACDSee Photo Studio' in the subject line and we’ll send you a licence key via return email. 

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2018 is a powerful digital asset manager and raw image editor with layers. 

It works on 64-bit Windows only, and our promotion gives you a licence that lasts one year from the date of activation. 

Your computer system will need to be running Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10 with the following hardware requirements: Intel  Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 processor (2 GHz or faster), 2GB RAM (6GB recommended) and 2GB of available hard disk space. 

Here's what Photo Studio Ultimate 2018 can do 

ACDSee Studio is a powerful photo editor that gives you full control over your images. You can organise, share, enhance and edit with the five versatile and accessible modes inside the software. 

The download provided with this issue is the Ultimate 2018 edition, which gives you access to the full range of ACDSee Photo Studio tools. ACDSee Photo Studio is available to buy as an outright purchase or via an affordable annual subscription that entitles you to any updates during your subscription period. 

Five different modes let you work on your photos in different ways. Manage Mode, for example, is where you can organise and share your image collection, with tools to help you categorise and tag photos so you can easily find them later. 

Think of Edit Mode as the ‘Photoshop’ space inside ACDSee Studio: this is where you can get creative with filters and layers. There’s a whole set of Adjustment Layers that enable you to apply effects non-destructively, plus Layer Masks to control where the effect is applied. 

Develop Mode offers a different way to edit your photos – one that’s more analogous to Lightroom. ACDSee Photo Studio is able to import raw files from hundreds of different camera models; here’s where you can work with that rough data, manipulating exposure, colour, sharpening and more to craft the perfect image. 

As well as essential exposure settings, Develop Mode lets you transform your photos with a variety of effects. Apply a Photo Effect preset, add a colour overlay, introduce a post-crop vignette, and more. 

Edit Mode has a comprehensive selection of filters you can apply to your photos. They’re grouped by theme to enable you to find a filter quickly based on what you want to achieve. Add elements such as text to your image; adjust its size and shape; work with light; edit the colours; and play with detail. 

ACDSee Studio is designed to make sophisticated editing as simple and accessible as possible. For example,  the Color EQ filter uses simple colour-based sliders to enable you to adjust the hues in your scene. 

For full details of how to download the software, see page 70 of Digital Camera magazine's Spring issue. 

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