Top 5 tips when buying business laptops

Introduction

Laptops are far more common now than they ever were in businesses and enterprises. Falling prices as well as a clear focus from the component vendors on thin-and-light laptops and a drive to decrease in power consumption means that there's barely any difference, price wise, between laptops and desktops of equivalent specifications, once you throw in the peripherals. Below are five things you need to bear in mind when buying a business laptop.

• Check out our best business laptop roundup.
• In partnership with PC World Business

What level of support do you need?

Before you even contemplate looking at the finer details of the purchase, one needs to consider the level of support needed. Smaller vendors often offer one-year warranty, sometimes with onsite support but more often than not, that's return to base (i.e. you need to send it back to the vendor) which is obviously not ideal if downtime is not an option.

Most global vendors (Acer, Lenovo, Dell, Fujitsu, Panasonic, HP) offer a more comprehensive warranty package with their laptops with some offering a three-year, onsite next business day support by default. Check out whether you need accidental coverage or coverage outside your country; some offer support in countries as far as India.

• In partnership with PC World Business
• 10 reasons why business laptops are better than consumer notebooks

How about a docking station?

If you plan to use your laptop on the move a lot, then it does make sense to consider a docking station which allows you to connect your device to a number of peripherals (like a keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor) in one swift move. Dedicated docking stations (one that fit one range of laptops) tend to be more expensive but usually require only one cable.

Generic docking stations tend to be more affordable and are compatible with various laptop ranges which makes them more attractive if you plan to change laptop on a regular basis. But you will lose the one-connection option that make dedicated docks so attractive. Alternatively, consider getting an extra charger and leaving it home.

• 10 essential features your next business laptop should absolutely have
• In partnership with PC World Business

Consider the monitor

The future of external displays is 4K so make sure that your laptop supports it should you plan to have an external monitor at work or elsewhere. This means checking that your laptop either comes with a HDMI 2.0 port or a DisplayPort connector. Another option is to consider a docking station that offers either of these connectors.

Using a 4K monitor can transform the way you work by offering four times the resolution of full HD, perfect for multi-tasking on several documents. It can also help improve your workflow by allowing you to work on several devices at the same time while cutting down on the number of monitors needed.

• Why 4K displays make sense for businesses
• In partnership with PC World Business

Consider your priorities

Battery life and processing power do not go hand in hand. That's an unfortunate truth; the fastest laptops like the MSI WT72 6QN workstation tend to have very short battery life despite sporting massive batteries.

Throw in the market's obsessive quest for thinness and it's no wonder that many are often disappointed by their laptops because they are either powerful but with a short battery life or vice versa. Finding the right balance means that you will identify how long you can stay away from mains and what kind of processing power do you really need (hint: look at the applications you use most often). While there is no real alternative to a powerful CPU, extra memory and a fast SSD can often help.

• Top 10 best mobile workstations of 2016
• In partnership with PC World Business

Accessorize your laptop

Explore the upgrade options that are available for your laptop should you have access to them. Opt for a 4G/LTE internal modem should you have the option. Not only do they allow you to be connected when you're far from a Wi-Fi Hotspot, they often cost less than having to buy a separate dongle, use less power and are unlocked – plus you don't run of risk of breaking one USB port.

Check whether you can get a removable/second battery which may allow you to last longer away from the mains. Security options are also worth considering; these include hard drives with default encryption, fingerprint or palm readers as well as NFC/SmartCard readers.

• Why not read our top 5 tips when buying a business laptop.
• In partnership with PC World Business

August 30, 2016 at 04:06PM
Desire Athow

Rumour: Upcoming PS4 'Slim' will support faster 5GHz Wi-Fi

Information surrounding Sony's as-yet-unconfirmed 'Slim' PS4 continues to roll in, with the latest rumour revealing that the upcoming console will be receiving a major boost to its Wi-Fi functionality.

According to PS4Daily, which posted a leaked scan of what is said to be the console's manual, the updated PS4 will support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless frequencies, allowing the console to theoretically receive stronger and faster wireless signals in the less-congested 5GHz band. By comparison, the current PS4 console only supports 2.4GHz frequencies.

The leaked manual states that "this product has been designed to minimise the effect of other devices using the same range," however, it continues to state that "in some cases interference from other devices may reduce the connection speed, shorten the signal range or cause the connection to be terminated unexpectedly."

Though the added connectivity should make for a better Remote Play experience, it should also be noted that the 5GHz frequency is more likely to be blocked by thick walls than a 2.4GHz signal. The leaked manual suggests that users "only use 5GHz band wireless equipment indoors," which should really disappoint all those people that play their games in the back yard...

If your home layout doesn't allow for a clear 5GHz connections, don't worry – the updated PS4 is a dual-band device, so you can still drop back to using the 2.4GHz band in those situations.

• That 'slim' PS4 is also getting a redesigned controller, according to new video

August 30, 2016 at 11:35AM
Stephen Lambrechts

Buying Guide: The 10 best Xbox One accessories 2016

Best Xbox One accessories

With the Xbox One approaching its third birthday, Microsoft and its hardware partners have better realized what the console is (and isn't). The Kinect is almost a dirty word, while controllers and storage solutions have been refined to fit what discerning Xbox gamers want.

Whether you're using your Xbox One for video streaming, dominating noobs online, or keeping the ultimate digital collection of Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, you'll likely find an accessory here that fits your needs.

• See also: Best PS4 accessories

1. Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller

Meet the pricey, pro-level controller for Xbox One and Windows 10

See more Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller deals

Incredibly comfortable

Hair triggers

Interchangeable sticks

Not rechargeable

The Xbox One controller is already a pretty solid piece of hardware, improving on the Xbox 360's controller that became the industry standard. Somehow, Microsoft managed even further improvement in the form of the Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller.

There's swappable thumbsticks and directional pads that offer up a better feel than the standard Xbox One controller, as well as quick-hit triggers to help out in the most high-impact shooters. While it's pretty pricy for a pad at almost three times the cost of a standard controller, you definitely get what you pay for with this premium piece of hardware.

Read the full review: Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller

2. Xbox One Play and Charge Kit

Stop throwing away money on batteries and picking up dead controllers

Price: USD: $25 / GBP: £20 / AUD: $40
Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK | Mighty Ape

While there is some benefit to having the Xbox One controller use standard batteries (like not having to worry about having a controller-free console in a few years when the other platforms controller batteries start dying and the platform manufacturers have moved on), the process of switching out AA batteries every few weeks can be maddening.

If you yearn for some simplicity, though, the Xbox One Play and Charge Kit puts the Xbox One Controller on the same playing field as the competition. Just put the simple battery back where you'd put the batteries and use a micro-USB cable to keep the controller fresh when you run out of juice.

3. Xbox One Media Remote

The best (cheapest) way to make your Xbox One feel like a grown-up streamer

See more Xbox One Media Remote deals

Sleek design

...it's a remote?

Should've been included with console

Ever since the PlayStation 2 put a DVD player in the homes of millions, one constant has remained this millennium; using a controller to watch videos on consoles is the worst. If you're using your Xbox One as a streamer, Blu-ray player, and TV watcher, the Xbox One Media Remote is a great way to watch all of your favorite content without fumbling to remember the proper controller command to bring up closed captions or time remaining.

This remote is perfectly sized to fit every important command (including volume options that controllers and Xbox One Smartglass cant handle), is very sleek, and has a backlight that's perfect for home theaters and late-night video-watching.

4. Turtle Beach Ear Force XO One

Get all the benefits of a surround sound system without the mess

Price: USD: $80 / GBP: £40 / AUD: $130
Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK | Mighty Ape

When it comes to console headsets, there's a tricky line to tow between quality and affordability, and the Turtle Beach Ear Force XO One hits that line the best. Unless you're up for paying in the triple digits for an online audio solution, the XO One is the best option to mix top-of-the-line stereo sound game audio with high-fidelity chat abilities so that you can deliver (and hear) commands without the worry of audio drop.

On top of all that, it's one of the most comfortable cans on the market, so you won't feel like cutting your gaming sessions short on account of head squeeze.

5. Xbox Live Gold 12 Month Membership

Live Gold isn't just about multiplayer anymore, get on-board

Price (annual): USD: $60 / GBP: £40 / AUD: $90
Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK | EB Games

Over the last decade-plus, Xbox Live has been synonymous with Xbox consoles; if you want to get the most out of your Xbox 360 or Xbox One, having Xbox Live to play online with friends is tantamount. Even if you don't play games online regularly, there's still a lot of value that comes with this subscription.

On top of weekly discounts, Xbox Live members also get a pair of free Xbox One games (and another pair of backwards-compatible Xbox 360 games) to keep as long as their Xbox Live subscription stays valid. It's a great deal that ensures you'll rarely even have to pick up new games, given the breadth and depth of freebies that come to Xbox Live on a monthly basis.

6. Xbox One Chatpad

Send messages in a snap

Price: USD: $35 / GBP: £30 / AUD: $55
Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK | Mighty Ape

Sometimes, a voice message won't do and you've got to send some words to your Xbox cohorts. So what do you do? Painfully trudge through the UI keyboard to slowly...type...out... each... word? Pull up your phone and dive through a series of Smartglass menus to text your fellow players? Wouldn't it be great if you had a keyboard handy at all times?

That's why the Xbox One Chatpad is so darn handy. Sending messages is a snap, even in the dark thanks to the backlit mini-keyboard. Sending longer messages to friends or redeeming one of the Xbox One's insane 25-character redemption codes is a heck of a lot easier with this sweet add-on that fits flush with your controller.

7. Xbox One Digital TV Tuner

A great, low-cost way to consume all your media through your Xbox One

See more Xbox One Digital TV Tuner deals

Basic OTA stations on Xbox One

Makes OneGuide WAY better

A little on the expensive side

Outside of sports apps, it's tough to keep up with live events via the Xbox One. If you're a cord-cutter who still wants to stay in the conversation when network shows, specials, and sporting events air, the Digital TV Tuner is key to connecting.

If you've got a halfway decent antenna, connecting it to this tuner will allow you to pull in over-the-air channels with the benefit of the Xbox One's snazzy UI to navigate through TV listings. If you've got hard drive space, Microsoft is promising the ability to DVR programs later this year, making this little piece of tech even more valuable.

8. Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter

An ingenious way to let you use your own headset or headphones

See more Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter deals

Works with all headsets

Convenient controls

Comes built into new controllers

Whether you've got an old reliable headset that saw you through some Xbox 360 battles or want your PC gaming headset to pull double duty, you'll need something to get a non-official headset working with the Xbox One's proprietary controller connector.

Thankfully, there's the Xbox One Headset Adaptor that allows one to plug a standard wired gaming headset on the Xbox One console. It also helps things out by centralizing the headset commands right underneath the controller. No longer will you have to feel around on your headset's wires to find the volume and muting controls; it's all right there on the controller no matter what headset you've got connected.

9. Nyko Data Bank

Expandable storage whenever you need it

Price: USD: $40 / GBP: £50 / AUD: $60
Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK | Mighty Ape

With new backwards-compatible hits from the Xbox 360 generation adding to the Xbox One's vast game library on a daily basis, it's tough to find space to fit all of your digital wares. While you can buy external drives, if you're the kind of person who keeps space hard drives around for your personal computer, you can use the Nyko Data Bank to attach cheaper 3.5-inch drives to the Xbox One.

Fitting sleekly in-line with the console itself, you can use the Data Bank in conjunction with the Xbox One's internal drive to dedicate multiple terabytes of storage to your console's size. It's an easy swap too, so you can add more drives as this console generation continues.

10. Seagate Game Drive

The guaranteed a solution to your storage ills

Price: USD: $100 / GBP: £80 / AUD: $90
Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK | Mighty Ape

Even with the streamlined simplicity that consoles offer, sometimes storage can be tricky, especially given the sheer variety of external hard drives on the market. Will a hard drive get enough power from the console to run properly? Is the speed up to snuff enough to play full games at a proper clip? Sometimes reliability and peace of mind is worth spending a little more for, which is why Seagate's official external drive is worth seeking out.

Beyond the snazzy look and logo, you're guaranteed a solution to your storage ills and a hard drive that will work right out of the box. If you've ever had to futz around formatting your drive and crossing your fingers that your console will recognize it, the Game Drive is a breath of fresh air.

August 30, 2016 at 10:45AM
Dave Rudden

Apple's non-iPhone plans reportedly include new MacBooks and iPad enhancements

Looks like the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch 2 aren't all we have to look forward to from Apple in the coming months.

A report from the reputable Mark Gurman and Jungah Lee of Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, signals new Macs are in the offing for later this year, while enhanced software features for the iPad could arrive has early as the first half of 2017.

Apple is said to be preparing updates to the iMac desktop, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops, along with a sharp 5K monitor that'll come all by itself.

LG is reportedly working with Apple on the new monitor. Its arrival would mark the iPhone maker's return to the standalone display biz after discontinuing its Thunderbolt Display earlier this year.

As we've heard rumored for the MacBook Pro, the upgraded MacBook Air will reportedly feature a USB-C port, while future shoppers can pick up a version of the 5K iMac monitor with an AMD GPU.

Neither development is all that surprising given the current computing landscape, but considering the high-performance punch of a 5K display and that Apple has left all but one MacBook untouched over the last year, any upgrade is welcome.

The report also reaffirms an earlier Gurman filing that a thinner MacBook Pro will feature a strip of capacitive touch keys beneath its display. An interesting note - apparently the strip will display commands specific to the application you're using, such as controls tailored to Safari and iMovie.

iPad goes pro

Turning to the iPad, while sales have consistently slipped, Apple has seen the amount spent per tablet rise thanks to its iPad Pro.

Clearly, that's planted the seed to offer more robust capabilities for professionals who are willing to pay more, because that's the direction Apple is said to be headed with its tablet.

New iPad software enhancements will look to appeal to the professional crowd, Bloomberg notes, and include such back-end improvements as greater OS support for the tablet's stylus, a.k.a. the Apple Pencil.

Right now, apps that support the Pencil are few and far between, so Apple hopes to expand its capabilities to such services as Mail, Safari and iMessage with the update.

Apple could push out the new features as part of an iOS 10 bump in the first half of the New Year, or it could wait until it lifts the veil on iOS 11 (or whatever its next mobile operating system is called) to introduce the features.

The report also includes some morsels on faster and smoother display tech for the iPad, though we likely won't see a new Apple tablet until sometime next year.

Apple is holding an event on September 7 to introduce its new iPhone, and potentially an upgraded Apple Watch. We'll also have the official launch of iOS 10, Bloomberg says, but chances are we won't see the new desktops, laptops and monitor at the event.

• Look out for the iPhone 7 Plus on September 7, too

August 30, 2016 at 07:39AM
Michelle Fitzsimmons

Microsoft finally patches Surface Pro 3 battery problem

A serious battery bug plaguing Surface Pro 3 users has finally been fixed by Microsoft. The company released an update for the tablet a month ago, but didn't include a fix for the battery bug.

Today's update fixes the problem where the Surface Pro 3's battery wasn't being fully utilized because a bug incorrectly reported lower capacities.

"Think of this like a fuel gauge in a car, where the car looks to the fuel gauge to determine how much to fill the tank," writes Microsoft in a FAQ. "In this case, if the fuel gauge isn't working right, the car would also not be able to fill the tank—even though the tank is fine."

The problem has been going on for the past several months, with Surface Pro 3 users complaining about shorter than expected battery life. Some users reportedly couldn't last more than an hour on a charge. For reference, Microsoft claims the Surface Pro 3 gets up to nine hours of use.

Download the update

Today's update fixes the misreporting of actual battery capacity, but will take several charge and discharge cycles to correct itself.

To get the update, bring up the Start menu and find the Settings app. Click on "Update & security" and then "Windows Update." Click "Check for updates" and you should see an update called "System Firmware Update - 8/29/2016."

Make sure your computer is plugged in while this update occurs, otherwise you may corrupt the firmware. You'll want to reboot once more after Windows launches to ensure the new battery firmware takes effect.

Microsoft didn't say what took so long for the fix, but Surface Pro 3 users no longer need to fear straying from the plug.

• Check out the latest Surface Pro 5 rumors

August 30, 2016 at 06:30AM
Lewis Leong

Microsoft teases a black Surface Book 2 on Instagram

Samsung's latest gaming monitors have curves and Quantum Dots

Samsung is seriously getting into gaming with a pair of curved CFG70 monitors designed to keep up with competitive multiplayer.

Available in 24- and 27-inch screen sizes, the Samsung CFG70 gaming monitors promise to deliver silky smooth full HD gaming with 1ms response time. A Samsung rep also explained how the monitor is programmed to refresh the picture by dividing up the display into quarters, whereas most gaming monitors refresh globally.

To help reduce flickering, the display also incorporates AMD's FreeSync technology to ensure the screen refresh rate is synchronized up to 144Hz.

Samsung has also brought along the same Quantum Dot technology that powers its Super Ultra High-Definition TVs to the CFG70-series. This grants the gaming monitors the ability to display 125% of the sRGB spectrum while bringing greater depth to blacks and colors.

Beyond an impressive display panel, Samsung wants to set itself apart from other gaming monitors with a unique display stand.

Rather utilizing a traditional slide-and-lock stand, the CFG70 has a ball-and-joint mechanism that allows the neck to seamlessly tilt, adjust height, rotate, and pivot, all without moving the base. It's was surprisingly thin and sturdy, and it felt less jerky when adjusting the screen in our short hands on time with the monitors.

The CFG70 also incorporates interactive LED "Arena Lighting" to provide a richer gaming experience by pulsing with the action.

The 24- and 27-inch Samsung CFG70 gaming monitors will be available later this year for $399 (about £300, AU$530) and $499 (about £380, AU$660), respectively. Samsung also told us that these two gaming monitors are just part one of a plan to announce 10 gaming displays.

Cinema screen

On top of a new pair of gaming monitors, Samsung has announced its most curved display yet with the 34-inch CF791.

With a curvature rating of 1,500R and a 21:9 aspect ratio, Samsung claims it's the curviest screen in the world, which translates to an even more immersive picture that truly wraps around your entire field of view.

And it's quite a picture to behold thanks to its 3,440 x 1,440 resolution and Samsung's Quantum Dot technology. We only saw the monitor in a short preview, but we definitely have to say it's one of the prettiest displays we've ever seen with sharp detail, vibrant colors and plenty of contrast to boot.

A few additional features built-in USB dock with two ports and dual 7-watt speakers. The only potential downside we see is the 4ms response rate might not make it the best display to use for gaming.

The 34-inch Samsung CF791 ultra-wide curved monitor will also be available later this year for $999 (about £760, AU$1,320).

• Check out the best monitors and displays on the market

August 28, 2016 at 09:00PM
Kevin Lee