Updated: 13 best Mac games: top macOS titles to satisfy your gaming itch

Introduction

Update: At number 12, we've added an open-world sandbox game that may have driven past your radar.

The idea that Macs can't do gaming is an outdated one. Sure, you can't crack open one of Apple's computers and slot a Nvidia GTX 980 inside, but today's iMacs and MacBooks fare much better than they used to thanks to improvements in Intel's integrated graphics solutions and AMD's increasingly powerful mobile GPUs.

Heck, you could even say that casual gaming is more accessible on the Mac thanks to the wide variety of titles available in the App Store. And, though it's nowhere near as eclectic as its Windows equivalent, Steam's library on macOS is growing every day.

Click on to discover the best Mac games available on the Mac App store and elsewhere.

Gabe Carey also contributed to this article

• Once you're done, check out the best PC games

1. XCOM 2

How to get it: App Store

If turn-based strategy is your thing, XCOM 2 is one of the best in its class. Improving upon its predecessor, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2 bears the same ostensibly hopeless setting and makes things only more oppressive by randomizing systems like weapon mods, soldier stat boosts, special ammo, and more in an attempt to throw you off. By trying anything to keep you from survival, XCOM 2 is among the most domineering games on the App Store, and it's all the better as a result.

2. Undertale

How to get it: Steam

As you can probably tell by the graphics, Undertale is an ode to old-school role-playing games akin the earlier Final Fantasy games on the SNES. Heavy on humor and light on system requirements, it's a perfect fit for macOS whether you're on a MacBook or a Mac Pro. If you like cleverly designed boss battles and despise linearity, Undertale is dressed to impress.

Don't let the pixel art style fool you – Undertale is a modern game in every respect save forits visuals. In fact, its rendition of the classic "New Game Plus" mode, which faces you against the consequences of your actions in the previous go-around.

3. Homeworld Remastered

How to get it: App Store

Originally launched in 1999, the influence of real-time strategy classic Homeworld runs deep in the DNA of today's fantasy RTS games. Homeworld went beyond the genre's traditionally flat battlefields by allowing you to position your fleet of spaceships anywhere in a 3D map of space. The extra freedom requires a whole new level of tactical nous, which you'll need if you want to get through its 30-hour campaign without tearing your hair out. When you're not overseeing ship formations and tactics, you'll be monitoring fuel levels, harvesting resources and fighting against gravitational pull to keep your squad together.

4. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

How to get it: App Store

Even a decade later, Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic may be one of the best Star Wars game of all time, thanks to a choose-your-own-path approach that lets you customize a character, make moral choices along the way, and explore the galaxy's ample depth as you desire. It looks and feels a little dated at this point, but it remains the most thorough franchise realization yet.

5. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition

How to get it: App Store

A truly beloved adventure games classic, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition brings the 1990 entry to the Mac App Store with a fresh coat of paint, thanks to enhanced visuals and full voiceover work. You can always switch to the old graphics at any point, and however you play, it's really the rich humor and smart puzzles that make this an enduring favorite.

6. Limbo

How to get it: App Store

Set in a mysterious and monochromatic world, Limbo sends you off into the shadowy 2D space without explanation or prompt, tasking you with guiding a young boy through a series of environmental puzzles. Also one of our best indie games, Limbo is a gripping puzzle/platform adventure that mesmerizes plenty within just a few hours' span, and the one-of-a-kind presentation really makes it memorable.

7. Alien: Isolation - The Collection

How to get it: App Store

If you like survival horror games or movies then you're in luck because Alien: Isolation combines the best of both worlds. By taking the beloved setting and characters of the classic Alien movie franchise, we're greeted with a delightfully terrifying experience reliant on stealth and jump scares to tell its story.

In fact, Creative Assembly paid so much respect to the Alien movies that Isolation almost makes up for the disaster that was Aliens: Colonial Marines.

8. Braid

How to get it: App Store

Braid takes many of its cues from classic platform adventures like Super Mario Bros, but Nintendo's portly plumber never mined the kind of emotional territory that reveals itself over the course of this puzzle-tinged affair. Gorgeous hand-painted visuals and contemplative storytelling help frame the action, which uses a time-manipulating effect to shake up the platform approach.

9. Doom 3

How to get it: App Store

Itching for a bit of big-budget ultra-violence? Doom 3 is the culmination of id Software's legendary first-person shooter franchise, sending you running through dark corridors filled with all sorts of horrifying beasts. Several years after its release, it's no longer the flashiest shooter around, but it still delivers an effective burst of horror at a pretty fantastic price.

10. Life Is Strange

How to get it: App Store

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back? Suddenly faced with the ability to rewind time and overwrite history, Life Is Strange centers around Max Caulfield, a troubled teenager out to protect her best friend Chloe Price from the dangers of reality using her newfound superpower. The overarching plot in Life Is Strange is as endearing as it is riveting.

Sure, you'll roll your eyes at words like "hella" being repeated like a broken record, but by the end of the second episode, the cringe will be overshadowed by twists, turns and cliffhangers that'll leave you on the edge of your seat in anticipation. And, if you're a fan of morality systems, you'll be pleased to know that Life Is Strange features one of the best, with seemingly minuscule choices resulting in major consequences by the end of the game.

What's more, Apple users will rejoice, as Life Is Strange is well-suited to the macOS platform thanks to its barebones system requirements and pick-up-and-play control scheme.

11. Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery

How to get it: App Store

An off-beat but gripping pixel adventure, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP finds you exploring a stunningly imagined fantasy world while you solve puzzles, take in the quirky dialogue, and even engage in occasional boss battles. It's difficult to understand in moments, but that actually adds to its odd charm, making for one seriously memorable quest.

12. Cities: Skylines

How to get it: Steam

The best city builder is now available on Mac. Developed by the team behind transport management sim Cities in Motion, Cities: Skylines sees you take care of everything from building infrastructure to macro and micro management, land planning, traffic routes and collecting garbage. A stunning-looking game, Skylines makes creating a bustling metropolis great fun from start to finish.

13. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition

How to get it: App Store

Though it might be a stretch to expect Grand Theft Auto V on macOS any time soon, the next best thing is available directly through the app store. Originally released back in 2012, Sleeping Dogs launched to critical success because of its Batman Arkham-like combat and innovative leveling system unusually implemented in an open-world game. Unlike similar sandbox games like GTA and Watch Dogs, Sleeping Dogs exhibits a unique settings outside of those inspired by today's United States. As a result, it manages to feel fresh despite the obvious parallels.

14. Human Resource Machine

How to get it: App Store

Like the job itself, coding simulation games are on the rise. And, really, what could be more fun than reproducing one of the most panic-striking career fields as a video game? We kid, we kid. Human Resource Machine was developed by Tomorrow Corporation, comprising the minds behind critically-acclaimed titles World of Goo and Little Inferno, and it shows in its art style and clever puzzle mechanics. Designed as a way to teach newcomers how to code (or refresh the minds of long-time veterans), it's a fun way to learn a new trade, even if it does require a handful of instructional materials found outside the game.

August 05, 2016 at 02:20AM
Kane Fulton

HTC Vive's excellent tracking tech is now open to all headset makers

Valve, the company behind the excellent HTC Vive VR headset, is making its positional tracking technology royalty-free. SteamVR Tracking is Valve's technology that allows VR headsets like the Vive to be tracked accurately.

What this means for you is that more VR headsets will soon be able to accurately track you using the Vive's base stations. This will lead to more full-body VR experiences as developers can accurately track your entire body. Valve also hopes this will help VR gain more traction by lowering the cost of entry for developers.

"We believe that the largest value for our customers and for Valve will come from allowing SteamVR Tracking to proliferate as widely as possible. The existence of more SteamVR-compatible devices will make the SteamVR community more valuable for customers and developers," says Valve in a FAQ.

While SteamVR Tracking is royalty free, developers looking to use the tech will have to shell out $3,000 for a developer kit and in-person training in Seattle, Washington. The dev kit includes two base stations, various sensors and other tools to start making games and VR experiences.

The Oculus Rift also includes tracking technology but hasn't made its technology free to use. The Rift, however, will support the use of up to four tracking sensors, which is arguably more accurate than the Vive's two.

• The best VR headsets 2016

August 05, 2016 at 02:17AM
Lewis Leong

Updated: Buying Guide: Top 10 best workstations (August 2016)

What comes to mind when we say workstation? If you're thinking some big, spaceship-like contraption, you'd traditionally be right. Extra points if you thought of a smaller-than-average office desk.

These days, workstations are sleek and trendy machines that still provide a powerful punch for most applications. They're useful tools for designers, engineers, financial analysts and researchers running more demanding applications, like rendering complex graphics, financial analysis and computations and digital content creation.

• There are even a few amazing options that come in laptop form. Check out our best mobile workstations guide.

But, with so many on the market, what merits do the office 'power users' look for when deciding upon which workstation is the best investment for an increase in productivity, limited downtime and improved reliability?

We've rounded up 10 of what we consider to be the best workstations currently on the market - in no particular order, from the main vendors and then some. From small form factor models to powerhouses, from all-in-ones to one for all, there's bound to be one for you if you're in the market.

• What is the difference between Gaming PCs, Workstation PCs and Desktop PCs?

1. Overclockers Renda OCUK Symphonia Silent

Sound is gold

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 1TB HDD | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 20 x 50 x 45cm

See more Overclockers Renda OCUK Symphonia Silent deals

Great value for money

Great choice of components

No option for dedicated audio card

No mini tower option available

This is a digital audio workstation, one that is primarily aimed at those working in the sound industry and is a product of the collaboration between UK retailer Overclockers and the Music Store Pro. You have an extensive choice of noise-dampened mid-tower cases paired with an Intel Core i5-6600 CPU and an Asus H110-Plus motherboard.

The latter uses audio shielding, dedicated audio PCB layers and premium audio capacitors to improve audio performance. Also on the list are a number of legacy ports (Parallel, VGA, PS2) that will be useful for older audio equipment.

The i5-6600 is equivalent to the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5. Both are Skylake-based with four threads/cores, but the Core i5 model has a lower TDP and a higher turbo frequency, but a smaller cache and a lower processor graphics speed. Overclockers provide a standard three-year warranty (24-month Collect and Return plus 12-month labour only).

2. PC Specialist HEX P K2200i

Powerhouse in disguise

CPU: Intel Core i7-6800K | Graphics: Nvidia Quadro K2200 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 120GB SSD + 1TB HDD | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 43 x 21 x 50cm

See more PC Specialist HEX P K2200i deals

You can send in your own case!

You can use your own OS license

450W PSU is a bit on the short side

Warranty could be better

PC Specialist, unlike others, suggests that you select your main application before pulling up the recommended workstation. In our case, we chose the Maxon Cinema 4D, which brought up the HEX P K2200i. Opt for ANSYS Fluent, a popular simulation software, and a £9,000 workstation rig is suggested to you.

As always with PC Specialist, they only offer one-month collect and return, one-year parts and three-year labour warranty, one of the lowest in the industry but it can be upgraded cheaply.

The three components that shine in this workstation are the Intel Core i7-6800K CPU, the Asus X99-E motherboard and the PNY Quadro K2200 GPU – those three together cost more than £1,000 in the open market. As long as you can live without ECC RAM and the relatively low-rated power supply unit.

3. Scan 3XS Resolve Grading 4K Plus

Absolute power at a price

CPU: Dual Intel Xeon E5-2640 v4 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080, Nvidia Quadro M5000 | RAM: 64GB | Storage: 240GB SSD + 1.2TB SSD | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 23 x 56 x 56cm

See more Scan 3XS Resolve Grading 4K Plus deals

Obscenely powerful

Fine-tuned components

No same day support option

No RAID by default

Bolton-based Scan Computers International is one of the few remaining British system integrators and online retailers that have survived since the days of printed magazines (hello Evesham and Time Computers!). Their custom 3XS workstation series is "hand-crafted, customised and overclocked" and optimised for specific tasks – from trading PCs to Digital Signage.

The Resolve Grading 4K Plus is the top of the range workstation and, as its name alludes to, is a bespoke system for the DaVinci Resolve. This beast pairs up a GeForce GTX 1080 and Quadro M5000 to allow the system to rip through any uncompressed 4K video footage. The workstation comes with a three-year warranty (on parts and labour) with the first year onsite, and 7-day technical support.

4. Apple Mac Pro

Worth an update

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-1650 v2 | Graphics: Dual AMD FirePro D500 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Communications: 802.11ac, Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 25 x 17 x 17cm

See more Apple Mac Pro deals

Ground-breaking design

Very compact

Long in the tooth

Can be tricky to upgrade

An upgrade to the Mac Pro is imminent so you might want to hold on. But when it comes to the quintessential workstation, nothing comes near to this monolith. How Apple has been able to pack so much firepower into such a small volume almost defies the laws of physics. The current model, though, is well past its prime.

It packs a 3-year old Intel Ivy-Bridge Xeon processor with up to 64GB DDR3 ECC RAM and 1TB storage (no RAID option though). Its two AMD FirePro D500 GPUs are likely to be the weakest link in the system, however, and even the top of the range model doesn't meet the minimum requirements to run the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift VR platform. It's also far more expensive than a comparable Windows-based workstation.

Read the full review: Apple Mac Pro

5. HP Z1 G3

A unique specimen

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 | Graphics: Nvidia Quadro M1000M | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Communications: 802.11n, Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 60 x 21 x 55cm

See more HP Z1 G3 deals

Stunning design

4K monitor included

Limited expansion capabilities

Limited use case

There's no equivalent to the HP Z1 G3 on the market. The Z1 family was possibly brought to the market in order to compete with (or at least provide an alternative to) the Apple iMac which doesn't provide the same sort of professional-grade components.

Using a mixture of laptop components (memory and 2.5-inch storage solutions) combined with an enterprise-grade desktop Intel Xeon CPU is an interesting alternative which we'd like others to explore, even in the laptop segment.

For now, the Z1 G3 remains the only viable option if you are looking for a transportable workstation with an all-in-one form factor. Oh and regarding the price, it comes with a 4K monitor, Thunderbolt ports, HP's nifty Remote Graphics Software and a three-year onsite warranty, upgradable to five with defective media retention.

6. HP Z240 SFF

Pint-sized power

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 530 | RAM:8GB | Storage: 1TB HDD | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 34 x 38 x 10cm

See more HP Z240 SFF deals

Surprisingly compact and powerful

A plethora of connectors

No option for a Xeon processor

Card reader is optional

This is HP's entry level workstation and one which is very keenly priced with a very compact form factor (about 11L). It's hard to believe that the Z240 has an Intel Core i7-6700 CPU with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard disk drive. There's even an optical drive. The company's engineers have managed to deliver a system that weighs less than 6Kg and somehow has 20 (yes, 20) connectors and expansion slots (not all of them empty of course).

It even has four DIMM slots to take full advantage of dual-channel technology. As for the rest of the HP workstation family, this one comes with the Remote Graphics Software as well as a three-year onsite warranty bundled. The only major compromise is the fact that it will only take low profile graphics cards. HP also offers the option to buy the workstation for as little as £16 per month excluding VAT.

7. Lenovo ThinkStation P310

Back to basics

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce NVS 310 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 1TB SSHD x 2 | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.5 x 42.6 x 37.6cm

See more Lenovo ThinkStation P310 deals

Affordable

Compact

Flex solution is proprietary

No option for OS-less

Lenovo told us recently that they went back to the drawing board in order to get the new generation of ThinkStation ready. And one of the products to come from this process was the P310, an entry level workstation which is designed to offer the level of customisation and attention to detail usually found on far more expensive products. It has a modular design with integrated handles to help move it around, and inherits the Flex Module from its bigger brothers.

That solution allows users to mix and match the components and parts that they need, and this includes useful legacy ports like FireWire or eSata. The £900 model comes with a three-year onsite warranty, an Intel Xeon E3 CPU, a pair of 1TB hybrid hard disk drives, Windows 10 Pro and a discrete Nvidia NVS 310 graphics card with two DisplayPorts.

8. Lenovo ThinkStation P910

Workstation behemoth

CPU: Dual Intel Xeon E5-2603 v4 | Graphics: Nvidia Quadro K1200 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet x 2 | Dimensions (W x D x H): 20 x 62 x 44.7 cm

See more Lenovo ThinkStation P910 deals

Powerful yet reasonably priced

Highly modular

Flex solution has little value

No option for longer warranties

At the opposite end of Lenovo's portfolio is the mighty P910, a workstation that offers one or two Xeon E5 CPUs; there's no E3 here and definitely no consumer parts. It is expensive, industrial in its looks, yet functional in its design. And when we say expensive, we mean it. A fully specced model with 28 cores, half a terabyte of RAM, six half terabyte SSDs and two Nvidia Quadro M5000 cards in SLI will cost you around £15,000. You can pack even more in, but you will have to do it over the phone.

The P910 uses patented Tri-channel cooling to keep the main components from overheating, which requires fewer fans and should, therefore in theory, translate to less downtime. As for most other workstations, you won't need a single tool to swap components and there are no cables or plugs to worry about.

9. Fujitsu Celsius J550

Quintessentially powerful

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 | Graphics: Nvidia Quadro K2200 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 33 x 34 x 8.9cm

See more Fujitsu Celsius J550 deals

Very compact

Can take a full-size GPU

More expensive than the traditional equivalent form factor

Limited configurability

The small form factor market is attracting more manufacturers as they are vying to shed the bulky and wieldy image of the traditional workstation. Few, if any, however, can pride themselves on designing and manufacturing their products in the same area. Fujitsu can – take the J550.

It can take a Xeon E3 CPU, a full-size professional graphics card, 64GB of RAM, offering up to 13.5TB storage and nearly 20 ports and expansion slots including quite a few legacy ones. Fujitsu is also the only company to offer a three-year warranty (either onsite or bring-in) across the EMEIA region, which spans across the whole of Europe, into Africa and stretches as far as India.

10. Dell Precision Tower 7910

Still going strong

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 | Graphics: Nvidia NVS 310 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 500GB HDD | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 44 x 22 x 55cm

See more Dell Precision Tower 7910 deals

A much wider choice of components

Impressive upgrade capabilities

Older processor and memory type provided by default

Not worth the expense if you don't plan to upgrade

The Precision range is one of the oldest workstation families in this roundup with its roots going back to the late 1990s. Since then a lot has changed with the sheer amount of compute power, storage and memory available. The Precision 7910 is the company's most powerful and scalable workstation allowing dual Xeon CPUs, up to four graphics cards and even liquid cooling to keep things ticking over nicely.

Dell is one of the few to bundle its own endpoint security solutions that combine malware protection, authentication and encryption. It is also one of the few vendors to ship legacy technology (PCI, Serial, PS2) by default. Oh and don't be fooled by the base price (around £2,000). Once you fully load it, expect the price to increase up to twentyfold.

Also consider:

• Gladiator PC, a popular system integrator in the UK that are partner with one of the oldest online tech retailers in the UK, Aria.
• Workstation Specialists, who as their trading name implies, focus entirely on workstations and are based in the UK as well.
• Novatech is another veteran online tech retailer based in the UK. Workstation is a small part of what they do but they do anything from rackmounted models all the way to Tesla workstations.
• InterPro Workstations Ltd, is by comparison, a much younger specialist system builder. Doesn't mean that they are either less ambitious or less capable. No idea whether they are linked with Intergraph's venerable InterPro.
• Another UK-based outfit, Computer Planet, is one of the few vendors we know of that delivers desktop workstations based on AMD's antiquated FX platform. No Opterons here sadly.
• Boxx is a well-known provider of custom workstation solutions and has been around for a fair few years. They produce what they believe are the finest custom workstations and claim to have the best technical support in the industry.
• Despite its name, Serverfactory does workstations as well although they tend to sell Supermicro's brand only – like a few of the names here.
• Arbico made their name in the gaming market but they branched out to cater for a more eclectic professional audience with an interesting propensity to package AMD parts in their workstations.
• Like many here, Broadberry has a finger in storage, servers and even transportables (laptops that look like they were teleported from the 1980's), giving them access to some great workstation partnerships.
• World Of Computers is an unknown quantity like a few vendors here. Located in Cambridge, it provides with an array of workstation products although they're happy to sell consumer components as well.
• Armari has long been associated with expensive and powerful computers. Based in Watford, they offer the ability to truly custom make your own workstation – from the concept to delivery.
• Hertfordshire-based Boston Limited are better known for their servers (including some cool liquid cooled blade ones) but they also have a line of workstations worth discovering.
• If there are any missing UK-based system integrators that specialise in workstation (fixed or mobile), drop me a line in the comments section.

August 04, 2016 at 08:55PM
Desire Athow

Nintendo NX's first games may have leaked, but console won't be as powerful as PS4

Nintendo NX, the company's upcoming new console, is getting a strong triple-A line-up of games, according to a new report.

The latest issue of MCV reports that Nintendo is working on a new Mario game, while Game Freak is said to be creating a Pokémon game.

Both of these will join Zelda: Breath of the Wild, previously announced, and are scheduled to appear within the first six months of the NX being on sale.

MCV also reports that Nintendo has been busy getting third party developers on board, with Sega, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Activision and Warner Bros said to already working on games.

'Between a PS3 and PS4'

Eurogamer recently broke the news that the NX will be a portable console that will connect to a TV when you're at home, and would also have a removable controller. MCV's sources said that the report was "100 per cent accurate".

However, things get a little less impressive later on. According to the report, the graphics of the NX will be "somewhere between a PS3 and PS4," with sources stating that Nintendo is targeting an audience somewhere between smartphone and console gamers.

Which, given everything else that's been leaked so far, sounds spot on. Nintendo has always been more interested in quality experiences than powerful consoles, to its benefit or detriment, and it's made it clear that it will be taking a similar path with the NX.

MCV quotes an exec who has gone on with the machine as saying "It's a nice bit of kit, a bit of a novelty, but a good one."

"It won't appeal to PS4 fans. Nintendo seems set on trying to upgrade smartphone gamers. That's going to be a big job for the marketing department."

Nintendo is set to launch the NX in March 2017, with a reveal rumored for September. The Pokémon game has us particularly intrigued - will it be the full-blown 3D Pokémon adventure we've been waiting so long for? Pretty please?

• Our full Xbox One S review has landed - read it here

August 04, 2016 at 05:06PM
Hugh Langley

Updated: What mouse? 10 best mouses 2016

Introduction

In the fifty-odd years since its invention we've seen the humble mouse improve considerably, with the addition of weight systems, laser sensors and masses of buttons and flashing lights. The best mice combine all these elements in sleek, ergonomic shells or have a unique selling point that justifies their consideration.

Choosing which is the best mouse for you comes down to a number of factors, and all the mice in our round-up come with a range of different features. The following mice (or mouses, if you prefer) are purely for non-gaming activities. If that's your bag, head on over to our best gaming mouse buying guide. Read on to find out what mouse will suit your click-happy digits.

1. Logitech MX Master

The best mouse Logitech has ever made

DPI: 1000 | Interface: Bluetooth (pairs with up to three devices) | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: No | Features: Hand-sculpted comfort contour, Speed-adaptive scroll wheel, Thumb wheel, Darkfield Laster Tracking, Dual Connectivity, Rechargeable battery

See more Logitech MX Master deals

Thumb wheel and adaptive scrolling

Pairs with 3 PCs

It's a lot of money for a mouse

May be a bit big for some

Logitech's flagship is a mighty mouse indeed. Hand-sculpted for comfort, the MX Master connects via Bluetooth or USB dongle and it can pair to up to three devices. The rechargeable battery lasts for up to 40 days and goes from flat to a day of power in four minutes, and you can use it while it's charging. The scroll wheel's a two-state job with click-to-click and unrestricted speedy scrolling, there's a thumbwheel for side-to-side scrolling and you can reprogram the buttons to suit your way of working.

2. Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse

It looks weird, but it feels pretty good

DPI: 1000 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: vertical | Features: No

See more Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse deals

Good for RSI sufferers and prevention

Cheap as chips

Thumb buttons don't work on Macs

Unrefined

Let's get the weird one out of the way first: Anker's mouse sits vertically, so you hold it as if you're shaking hands with someone. It feels strange until suddenly it doesn't: it's comfortable and doesn't make you twist your arm as normal mice do. The price means a few corners have been cut - where other mice are a collection of curves the Anker has a couple of sharp bits to jab the unwary - but it's a good and inexpensive choice for anyone who has or fears RSI.

3. Apple Magic Mouse 2

As ever, Apple thinks different

DPI: 1300 | Interface: Bluetooth | Buttons: 0 | Ergonomic: ambidextrous | Features: multi-touch

See more Apple Magic Mouse 2 deals

Looks fantastic

Multi-touch is clever

Expensive

Spectacularly uncomfortable (for us; your mileage may vary)

It has its critics - including your correspondent, who thinks it's the most spectacularly uncomfortable mouse ever made - but the Magic Mouse has plenty of fans and the second version is a big improvement over the first generation. It boasts a trackpad-like multi-touch surface and moves more smoothly around your desk than the first version, and it doesn't require normal batteries thanks to a built-in rechargeable battery. Unfortunately the position of the Lightning port means you can't use it while it's charging.

4. Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse

Shop around to bag this at a bargain price

DPI: 2500 | Interface: wireless via USB dongle | Buttons: 11 | Ergonomic: right handed | Features: sensitivity switching, performance/endurance modes

See more Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse deals

Fast and accurate

Impressive customisation

Overkill for Office

Don't pay the RRP

While the G602 is clearly aimed at gamers it makes a pretty great mouse for other things too. It runs for up to 250 hours between charges in performance mode and 1440 hours in endurance mode, tracks exceptionally quickly and has programmable controls for its 11 buttons (on PC). Like most Logitech mice it's very comfortable to hold even for protracted periods. You can pay a lot more for mice that aren't as good, but don't pay the £69.99 RRP: at the time of writing it's widely available for £44.99.

5. Logitech Marathon Mouse M705

Get three years from two AAs

DPI: 1000 | Interface: wireless via USB dongle | Buttons: 8 | Ergonomic: right handed | Features: fast scrolling

See more Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 deals

Astonishing battery life

Very comfortable

Software isn't great on the Mac

Better Logitech mice aren't much more expensive

Fancy a wireless mouse that runs for three years between battery changes? The Marathon gets extraordinary life from a pair of AAs, even though it's wireless. The scroll wheel offers hyper-fast scrolling and tilt scrolling and the mouse has the familiar shape Logitech users will know very well - albeit not in quite as extreme a fashion as the more gaming-focused mice in the range. If you're looking for a great all-rounder that won't make hurt your hands, your wallet or your purse this Marathon's worth running.

6. Logitech Performance MX

It's big, but it's also clever

DPI: 1500 | Interface: wireless via USB dongle | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: right handed | Features: fast scroll, tilt scroll

See more Logitech Performance MX deals

Great scrolling

Very comfortable if you have enormous hands

Too big for many

Zoom button prone to accidental presses

The MX Master may be newer and shinier, but the Performance MX is still great. We've been using one as our main mouse ever since it first shipped. It's not great for people with small hands - we've got hands like baseball gloves and it still feels a bit big - but it's a brilliant all-rounder with four thumb buttons, two-state scrolling and Logitech's own dongle. It recharges via the supplied USB cable and its Darkfield tracking works on pretty much any surface, even glass. If you're a giant, this is the mouse for you.

7. Logitech Trackman Marble

Marble madness to make your fingers fly

DPI: 300 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 4 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous design | Features: programmable

See more Logitech Trackman Marble deals

Fast

May reduce risk/pain of RSI

Not everybody likes trackballs

Relatively low DPI

The Trackman Marble might look weird, but it's a very sensible solution: trackballs can deliver smoother movement than normal mice, and because you're flipping with fingers instead of waving your wrist around they can significantly reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury. Older readers will enjoy flashbacks to playing Missile Command in arcades too. It takes a bit of getting used to if you haven't used a trackball before, but the control and comfort mean it's worth the effort.

8. Mad Catz R.A.T. ProX Precision Gaming

Quite possibly the maddest mouse ever made

DPI: 8200/5000 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 10 | Ergonomic: right-handed only | Features: swappable modules, analog strafe

See more Mad Catz R.A.T. ProX Precision Gaming deals

Enormously customisable

Looks like a Transformer

Ruinously expensive

Overkill for most

If you're going to drop £150 on a mouse it might as well be a fun one, and the R.A.T. ProX is definitely that: it's the Transformer of mice, with swappable sensors, swappable scroll wheels, swappable palm rests and what Mad Catz calls "analog strafe", which enables the scroll wheel to act as an analog stick. It looks amazing, costs a fortune and if it were a game it'd be Broforce: ridiculously over-the-top, completely crazy and an absolute hoot.

9. Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600

It's cheap! It's cheerful! It lasts forever!

DPI: 1000 | Interface: Bluetooth | Buttons: 2 | Ergonomic: ambidextrous | Features: No

See more Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 deals

Really, really cheap

Comfortable

Smaller than most mice

Basic

We've a soft spot for the good old Microsoft Mouse, and the 3600 uses Bluetooth to deliver wireless connections without dongles. It runs for up to a year on a single battery and is that rare thing, a mouse that's designed for both left and right handed use. It doesn't have 32 billion buttons, a sensor capable of tracking atoms or the ability to turn into a car and save the universe, but if you want a good, comfortable, reliable mouse to take wherever you go the 3600 is a winner.

10. Razer DeathAdder Chroma

When plain old death isn't enough

DPI: 10,000 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: right handed | Features: lighting effects

See more Razer DeathAdder Chroma deals

Very comfortable

Very accurate

Lighting feels a bit gimmicky

Software can be a bit flaky

You just know that a mouse called the Razer DeathAdder Chroma isn't going to come in pink with My Little Pony stickers. Offering high-end performance for a pretty reasonable price, the Chroma's USP is its 16.8 million-colour lighting effects coupled with a 10,000 dpi optical sensor. It's blazingly fast, exceptionally accurate, offers on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment and looks fantastic, which is probably why it's so popular among e-sports athletes. It also has a seven-foot braided cable, which is handy if your PC is quite far away.

Read the full review: Razer DeathAdder Chroma

August 04, 2016 at 04:23PM
Gary Marshall

Buying Guide: 10 best wireless routers 2016

Introduction

Just about any household with broadband internet will have a wireless router supplied by the service provider – but there are plenty of good reasons to buy a newer, more powerful model.

Your existing router may be a bit long in the tooth, and that means it doesn't have the latest hardware, or support all the modern wireless networking standards, such as 802.11ac, which can deliver much better network speeds and range thanks to directional beamforming, meaning faster downloads and quicker web browsing. Today's top-end models are blisteringly quick, thanks to a technology called NitroQAM.

• Make sense of what's happening to Wi-Fi

You may also be tempted by some of the other recent advances in router technology. Most routers now have powerful software which makes it much easier to manage a home network, for example to accomplish tasks such as creating rules for parental controls, or simply carrying out maintenance tasks. They also come with USB ports to share storage like a NAS, or share printers to any computer in your house.

We've rounded up ten of the best modern 802.11ac routers to give your home wireless network a boost.

1. TP Link Archer AC3200 Wireless Tri-Band Gigabit Router

Six antennas for three wireless networks

Speed: 802.11ac: 2x 1300 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 | Features: Dual 802.11ac networks, 1GHz Dual-core processor with three co-processors, Smart Connect

See more TP Link Archer AC3200 Wireless Tri-Band Gigabit Router deals

Dual wireless networks

Plenty of internal processing power

No faster for single connections than a traditional 802.11ac router

No built-in modem

The idea behind the six antennas on the Archer AC3200 is triple wireless networks for a situation where you might have dozens of computers and mobile gadgets all needing access to wireless resources. It has two 5GHz bands supporting 802.11ac, so when a large transfer is gobbling up all the space on one channel, you can keep other devices running at full speed on the other one.


It's all done through TP-Link's Smart Connect tech that automatically picks the most suitable frequency band to assign to your various devices based on network traffic. The C3200 also brings a clean and simple management interface that provides the usual basic settings page alongside advanced pages for each Wi-Fi band. On the router itself you can initiate WPS, disable LED lights and switch Wi-Fi on and off.

2. Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400

A multi-antenna monster

Speed: 802.11ac: up to 5.3Gbps | Connectivity: 1 x Gigabit WAN port, 8 x Gigabit LAN ports, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0 | Features: Easy setup, Tri-band Wi-Fi technology, MU-MIMO, Seamless Roaming

See more Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 deals

5.3Gbps bandwidth

MU-MIMO compatible

Takes up a lot of space

Looking like a giant mechanical spider, this router is primed for anything from gaming to professional work. The AC5400 is outfitted with a single 2.4GHz band that can reach up to 1000 Mbps, in addition to two 5GHz radios that max out at 2,167Mbps. Together, it adds up to a whopping 5.3Gbps.

This router brings a plethora of features incuding MU-MIMO, a dual-core CPU, beamforming and eight adjustable antennas. Its coolest feature is "Smart Connect", which lets you assign separate SSIDs for the two 5GHz bands, allowing you to have one network purely for your gaming desktop PC, and another for media streaming or professional work, without the two getting in the way.

3. Asus RT-AC88U

4x4 and 1024-QAM deliver the best possible wireless performance

Speed: 802.11ac: 2167Mbps 802.11n: 1000 Mbps | Connectivity: 9x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 2.0 1x USB 3.0 | Features: 1024-QAM, MU-MIMO, WTFast Gamers Private Network, Asus AiProtection, AsusWRT Software

See more Asus RT-AC88U deals

Fastest possible wireless speeds

Comprehensive software interface

Expensive

Requires special hardware to use fastest speeds

The Asus RT-AC88U justifies its above-average pricing with unrivalled record-breaking next-generation 802.11ac wireless performance.

With four antennas and NitroQAM technology, which pushes speeds further still, this router enables wireless performance that can break the 1GB/sec limit.

There's a minor catch - you'll need to invest in a NitroQAM wireless adapter, such as the Asus PCE-AC88, to see those faster speeds.

It's worth it though. Coupled with comprehensive built-in software, a generous array of eight external LAN ports and 100MB/sec performance from its USB 3 port, this router is a champion.

4. Netgear Nighthawk X4S VDSL/ADSL Modem Router D7800

Built-in VDSL modem and 4x4 wireless speeds make this a great all-rounder

Speed: 802.11ac: 1733Mbps, 802.11n: 800 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0, 1x eSATA | Features: VDSL 2 modem

See more Netgear Nighthawk X4S VDSL/ADSL Modem Router D7800 deals

4x4 wireless up to 1733 Mbps for great wireless performance

VDSL 2 modem

Lacks 1024-QAM

Requires special hardware to use fastest speeds

Netgear's D7800 wireless router also has four antennas and can deliver much faster speeds than a standard 802.11ac router, which again, depends on using a compatible adapter or bridge.

It comes with two USB ports and an eSATA connector for a huge amount of connectivity, and a VDSL 2 modem built-in. The software is pretty good too, with a simple Dynamic QOS system to make it easier to manage a home network with a massive amount of devices.

5. Linksys WRT1900ACS

This bright blue box from Linksys is rather impressive

Speed: 802.11ac: 1300 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, eSATA | Features: OpenWRT compatible, LinkSys Smart Wi-Fi support

See more Linksys WRT1900ACS deals

Slick, comprehensive software

Great range and performance with fast USB shared storage

Lacks the nifty 4x4 antenna speeds of some routers

Relatively pricey

With three wireless streams, the Linksys WRT1900ACS is a less expensive proposition than the above quad-stream 802.11ac routers, and while it doesn't offer the same blistering performance, it still packs performance and great software.

Its internals are very powerful. A dual-core 1.6 GHz processor and 512MB of memory drives a great-looking software interface that makes it a doddle to set up and customise a home network, with a built-in VPN, great wireless range as well as fast external connectivity via USB.

6. D Link EXO AC1750 WiFi Router DIR-869

A no-frills option from D-Link that will certainly work well

Speed: 802.11ac: 1300 Mbps, 802.11n: 450 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet | Features: Dual-core processor

See more D Link EXO AC1750 WiFi Router DIR-869 deals

Offers 3x3 802.11ac wireless, compatible with all current laptops and hardware

Slim design

No shared storage

Few other frills, such as a built-in modem

With four wide antennas that look like solar panels, the orange DIR-869 is a mid-range router from D-Link that uses the company's flat, angular design.



It doesn't do anything particularly clever, but is still fast enough to work with the vast majority of all wireless hardware on the market at maximum capacity.



It's a dual-band model with a dual-core processor, driving a minimalist but slick software interface. 2.4GHz up to 450Mbps and and 5GHz up to 1300 Mbps is covered.

7. Asus RT-AC68U

Asus' older performance champion is still a winner

Speed: 802.11ac: 1300 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 | Features: Asus AiProtection, AsusWRT Software

See more Asus RT-AC68U deals

Great software

Great performance and range

Not as fast as its RT-AC88U cousin

No built-in DSL modem

Asus makes great routers with particularly good on-board software, but if your budget can't stretch to the all-singing RT-AC88U, the firm's slightly older RT-AC68U is still rather nifty.

It's a more traditional 3x3 802.11ac model, but with the same software as used on all other Asus networking kit, which is a very good thing. So many small details are covered, from a notification system to simplified updates, that it puts Asus in front of nearly every other manufacturers by some distance.



And with still-excellent wireless performance and range, this older model can now be found for under £150 too.


Read the full review: Asus RT-AC68U

8. Synology Router RT1900ac

Synology's first router meets high expectations

Speed: 802.11ac: 1300 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 | Features: Synology Router Manager software

See more Synology Router RT1900ac deals

Familiar, spectacular software design

SD-card slot is a great idea

Only one USB port

No modem

If you've used a Synology NAS, you'll be familiar with the company's Linux-based software interface that presents a Windows-like environment, with icons, folders and so on with all the settings to configure your hardware.

Synology has gone with the same software design with the Synology Router Manager on the RT1900ac, its first wireless router. Hardware-wise it offers the same sort of thing as other 802.11ac routers, with 1300 Mbps 802.11ac and 600 Mbps 802.11n.

Unsurprisingly, there's also great support for shared storage, with well-designed iOS and Android apps to access files. Uniquely, there's also an SD card slot joining the single USB 3 port for shared external storage.

9. TP-Link Archer C9

Inexpensive but powerful 802.11ac router

Speed: 802.11ac: 1300 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 | Features:

See more TP-Link Archer C9 deals

Great value

Full range of features

Middling USB performance

Not the best range

Although the Archer C9 is relatively inexpensive, there's very little lacking from its specification list.

It supports 1300Mbps 802.11ac wireless speeds that will deliver maximum performance for just about all laptops currently on the market. It has good software, powerful internals and a bright white, inoffensive look that wont look garish in the middle of your living room.

Although the built-in modem only supports DSL, rather than VDSL 2, very little else has been left out, making this a solid value option.

10. AVM Fritz!Box 3490

Advanced software features and good performance

Speed: 802.11ac: 1300 Mbps, 802.11n: 450 Mbps | Connectivity: 4x Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0 | Features: VDSL 2 modem

See more AVM Fritz!Box 3490 deals

Dual USB 3 ports

Advanced software configuration features

Why only 4 ethernet ports?

Features a little sparse compared with some alternatives

AVM's more high-end 802.11ac routers support built-in VOIP hardware and act as a base station for DECT cordless phones, un addition to router and DSL functions. But the Fritz!Box 3490 leaves all those extras behind in favour of affordability and simplicity.



Sporting an unusual red and silver appearance, the recently updated 6.50 software has some features that more technical users will love.

It gives you plenty of control over your home network, such as the ability to scan for local wireless networks that may cause interference, and extensive logging to see exactly how much bandwidth each of your computers is consuming.


Read the full review: AVM Fritz!Box 3490

August 04, 2016 at 03:35PM
Orestis Bastounis

Hands-on review: Sony Xperia X Performance

If it's power you're after, ignore the Sony Xperia X and Sony Xperia XA in the company's 2016 lineup, and focus on the Sony Xperia X Performance.

Like the others in the new X series, the Sony Xperia X Performance is really good at waving all the signs of a flagship phone.

Underneath the hood, though, there's a mix of what you'd expect to find in a top-tier smartphone, along with a few unpleasant surprises.

Design and display

If you're seen one Xperia device within the past few years, you've seen them all. The Xperia X Performance falls neatly into that group, but it's not a bad thing at all.

The eye-grabbing glass and brushed metal design make it enjoyable to look at and its 5.6-inch body fits nicely in the hand.

Especially for those in the United States, where Sony's mobile division is attempting to branch out in a serious way, many haven't spent a considerable amount of time, or any at all, with a Sony smartphone.

Minimalists will love the Xperia X Performance for its subtle design touches. In the rose gold review unit provided to TechRadar by Sony, the brushed metal back and edges nicely play off the slightly curved glass front panel.

The button and port layout is thoughtfully placed around the phone, and are simple to use and access during everyday use.

Given the fashion-forward look of the Xperia X Performance, it's a delightful surprise that it's dust and waterproof with a rating of IP68.

Moving onto the display, here's where a bit of the disappointment settles in. It's a 5-inch FHD screen running at 1920 x 1080. It's totally competent for all sorts of media on and the X-Reality software feature is said to sharpen the image quality. But for as much as this device costs, we expect at least a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution.

And unlike the gorgeous, bezel-free look shown with the Sony Xperia XA, there's a bit of a space between the rim and the screen here. Having spent time with the smaller, more affordable phone, we wish that design element would have translated to the flagship, but alas.

Specs and performance

The spec sheet of the Sony Xperia X Performance is all over the place. At times, it looks every bit as flagship-worthy as its looks and price would indicate. While other times, it seems like a mid-range smartphone making it a bit confusing on the whole, given that this phone is being positioned at the top of the company's 2016 offering.

Sony's Xperia X Performance is stocked with a Snapdragon 820, which brings along with it the Adreno 530 graphics processor. You'll find this hardware at the core of this year's most popular smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S7, LG G5 and more.

Unfortunately, the phone offers 3GB RAM, which should be enough to provide a smooth experience, but we expect more. Not just because this is Sony's top-of-the-line smartphone for 2016, but because it costs so much, too. The Nexus 6P gets along just fine with this amount of memory, but it costs much less.

There are some others specs worth hearing about, including the micro SD support, the 23MP rear-facing camera that promises to be something special, and it's water-resistant build. These features alone are deal breakers for some, so we're glad to see them here.

If we haven't painted the most optimistic picture for the Sony Xperia X Performance, it's because we're not too thrilled about the rest of the components. The 1080p screen. The 2,700mAh battery that offers just a bit more juice than the world's slimmest phone, the Moto Z, which has 2,600mAh.

Now, these choices would be excusable if the Xperia X Performance were competitive in price with some of the unlocked movers-and-shakers, like the OnePlus 3 or Nextbit Robin. But it's not even close.

At US$699 (about £525, AU$922), this phone doubles the price of some more capable options, even costing slightly more than the Samsung Galaxy S7. It's puzzling.

Sony's website even erroneously states that the Xperia X Performance houses a fingerprint sensor within its power button. At least in the United States, it does not.

There's a bright side to all of this, though. During our brief hands-on time with the Xperia X Performance, the experience is still a positive one and we haven't noticed much in the way of slowdown.

This device runs Android Marshmallow 6.0.1, the latest, and probably final, update to the OS before Android Nougat lands in the autumn. We've reached out to see if this device will be on the upgrade list.

If you've used Marshmallow on another Android device, the first thing you'll notice is how different the interface feels with Sony's Xperia phones. It's heavily customized; everything from the icons, to the many, many additional apps installed out of the box. Discounting a few apps that we've already downloaded, there's almost 3GB eaten up by Sony's own apps. Thankfully, you don't need to use these services if you'd rather not.

We look forward to digging into these built-in apps and running it through its benchmark paces for the full review.

Early verdict

On paper, Sony's top-tier device comes with a caveats, namely in the spec and pricing departments. You don't seem to be getting a whole lot for the US$699 price tag.

We'll have to test the device more to find out whether it ends up being worth the cash, but Sony's big push into the US might need a little more "oomph" to make a lasting impact.

August 04, 2016 at 01:17AM
Cameron Faulkner