In India, the Momo Challenge has reportedly claimed the life of two children.
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Facebook is bringing its promised 'Clear History' tool by later this year, says report
This will make it harder for Facebook to collect data from third-party apps and target users with ads.
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Redmi Note 7 and Note 7 Pro to launch in India today: When and where to watch
Redmi Note 7 arguably offers some amazing features for its price including a 48 MP primary camera.
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TikTok threatens Facebook's hegemony, surpasses 1 billion installs on iOS and Android
TikTok's total new users for January reached 71.3 million worldwide, excluding Android users in China.
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Redmi Note 7 to launch in India on 28 February: Here's what we know so far
Redmi Note 7 has also been rumoured to launch alongside the Redmi Note 7 Pro and Redmi Go.
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Samsung Galaxy M30 with Infinity-U display, 5,000 mAh battery launched at Rs 14,990
Samsung Galaxy M30 with 6.4-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-U display to release in India on 5 March
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Samsung Galaxy A50, Galaxy A30, Galaxy A10 launch: Here's everything we know
Samsung Galaxy A-series with minimal bezel notch-style display to debut in India on 28 February,
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MWC 2019: An 18,000 mAh battery featuring smartphone that could turn into a weapon
With a thickness of 18 mm, the Energizer Power Max P18K Pop is more than 3 times the size of an iPhone.
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Spotify vs Apple Music vs JioSaavn vs Gaana vs Google Music: A comparison of services
Spotify bags the title of the most subscribed music streaming platform in the world at 207 million.
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Spotify wants to change the piracy-mindset in India with its freemium model
Considering Spotify has come late to the party, it has taken measures to ensure that its offering is localised to Indian tastes and pockets.
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OnePlus announces plan to work with chip-maker Qualcomm on 5G trials in India
OnePlus claims it will be among the first OEMs' to launch a Snapdragon 855 smartphone in India.
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Vivo X27 reportedly pops-up on TENAA with 48 MP camera, 8 GB RAM, Android 9 Pie
The phone is listed to feature a 6.39-inch AMOLED display and come in two storage options.
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YouTube Kids is not safe for kids, is host to violent, disturbing content: Report
A clip that looks like an innocent cartoon, shows a man giving advice on how to properly slit a wrist.
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Samsung Galaxy A10, Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 launched in India starting at Rs 8,490
Announced earlier this week during MWC 2019, Samsung’s refreshed Galaxy A-series has made its way to India. The Galaxy A10, Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 will majorly target offline buyers with features such as the u-shaped notch, triple cameras and in-display fingerprint sensor.
Samsung Galaxy A10, Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 specifications
The Galaxy A10 features a 6.2-inch HD+ display with a waterdrop style notch on the front. It is powered by Exynos 7884 chipset with an octa-core CPU clocked at 1.6GHz. The A10 will be available with 2GB of RAM and 32GB storage.
It sports a 13MP camera on the rear which has an f/1.9 aperture along with a front-facing 5MP camera for selfies.
Samsung Galaxy A30 is the mid-range phone out of the three and has a 6.4-inch Full HD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels) Super AMOLED display. The A30 sports a u-shaped notch on the front which gives the screen a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It features two cameras on the rear which consists of a primary 16MP camera and a secondary 5MP depth-sensing camera.
The A30 is powered by Exynos 7904 chipset which also powers the distant cousins, Galaxy M20 and M30. It has an octa-core CPU and will be offered with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Buyers will also have an option to increase the storage by up to 512GB via microSD card.
The Galaxy A50 is the more premium out of the lot as it comes with features like an in-display fingerprint sensor, triple cameras among others. It uses the same Super AMOLED panel as the A30 but has three cameras on the back. These consists of a primary 25MP sensor, 5MP depth sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide angle camera. On the front, there’s a 25MP camera for selfies.
It is powered by Exynos 9610 chipset that uses an octa-core CPU and is backed by 4GB/6GB RAM and 64GB of storage.
The Galaxy A10, Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 come with 4,000mAh battery but only the A30 and A50 supports fast charging via 15w adapter provided in-the-box.
Samsung Galaxy A10, Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 price and availability
Samsung has priced the Galaxy A-series starting at Rs 8,490 for the A10 with 2GB of RAM and 32GB storage. The Galaxy A30 is priced at Rs 16,990 for the 4GB RAM variant with 64GB storage.
The A50 is being offered with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage at Rs 19,990 while the 6GB RAM variant will go on sale at Rs 22,990.
Samsung Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 will go on sale for the first time starting March 2 across India, while the Galaxy A10 will be available somewhere down the line around March 20. All the three phones will also be available to purchase from online retailers.
- Also Read: Hands on: Samsung Galaxy M30 review
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The best SIM-only plans in Australia: updated February 2019
When it comes to mobile plans, those that come bundled with a handset tend to steal the limelight, but if you've already got a phone you're happy with, then SIM-only plans present an excellent opportunity to save some money.
As the name implies, a SIM-only plan is any plan that doesn't bundle in a phone, whether it's on a 12-month contract or a no lock-in situation where you simply pay month-to-month, there is often a great deal of value to be found in these plans.
To make it even easier for you, we've gone through each of the SIM-only providers available to Aussies right now and have hand-picked the best deals we've come across, whether they're big on data, low on cost, or an excellent middle-ground overall.
- Discover our picks for the best outright mobile phones on the planet
Editor's pick: Best SIM-only plan under $25
Editor's pick: Best SIM-only plans under $40
Live-updated SIM-only deals: Plans under $40
Editor's pick: Best premium SIM-only plans
Live-updated SIM-only deals: Plans over $40
Should I go SIM-only?
If you a) want to save some money; b) don't want to be tied into a lengthy contract; c) already own a perfectly fine phone; or d) all of the above, then going SIM-only is well worth considering. In fact, you're probably in one of two situations if your thoughts are turning to a SIM-only mobile plan:
- You're coming to the end of your contract and your network is calling you a million times a day to get you to upgrade. Well if your phone is dying a death or you just fancy a change, head to our best mobile phones deal page to see what bargains are lurking, but otherwise going SIM only on your current phone is a no-brainer. You'll wind up paying much less than you are under contract, and you can stick to a rolling 30 day contract so that if your circumstances change, you can get out of the arrangement tout suite.
- It's time for a shiny new smartphone and you want to get the best value humanly possible. You'll have to find a few hundred bucks up front for the handset (be sure to check our SIM free comparison chart) but box clever and you'll end up paying less over the next 24 months (see below). Plus, if you're a commitment-phobe, most SIM-only plans don't require you to sign up for two years like you would with a normal contract.
What SIM card size do I need?
There are three sizes of SIM card that you can get for your phone, and the one you need will depend on your handset. It's been a while since the traditional, so-called standard SIM (15 x 25mm) has genuinely been the staple in new phones. Instead, any phone you've bought within the last five or so years is much more likely to require a micro (12 x 15mm) or nano (8.8 x 12.3mm) SIM – the iPhone 5 was Apple's first mobile with a nano SIM, while Samsung began using the smallest size in its Galaxy S6.
Before you purchase your new SIM, double-check the manufacturer's website to see what size you require. And if you're simply not sure, most networks now simply send out a triple SIM, so you'll get one of each size.
What contract length should I get?
Unlike with a contract, there's a lot more flexibility available when it comes to how long your SIM-only plan will last. Two year commitments are virtually unheard of, with the norm being either one year or rolling one month contracts for ultimate flexibility. You can often get better prices if you tie yourself in for 12 months, especially on larger data tariffs. But sticking to one month at a time means that you can effectively hand pick a new plan to suit you every 30 days or so.
How much data do I need?
Because you can change your plan up more regularly than a normal, lengthier contract, it's less crucial to get this nailed from the start. But if you're thinking of grabbing a 12-monther or just put a personal pride on getting things right first time, then we'll help you pick out the sweet spot of data for you.
Firstly, check your phone to see how much data you've been using to date, and whether you have the tendency to use more than your current allowance every month. Then, if you're still unsure, check out our guidance:
- 0-1GB Tiny amounts of data on SIM only plans could be a blessing or a curse. If you're putting it in a rarely used phone that will scarcely be away from wi-fi then you're quids in. But if you end up with one because your head's turned by the incredible price, then you could end up paying more if you continually go over your allowance.
- 2-3GB For anybody who needs data for little more than the occasional Google Maps route planning, 2GB and 3GB plans come cheap and give you much more freedom to check the football scores and scroll Facebook away from the wi-fi without danger.
- 4-8GB If you can't leave the house without having a music streaming service like Spotify pouring into your ears, then it might be worth paying for some extra GBs of data.
- 10-16GB This is a significant amount of data and some networks offer it for a very appetising price. Whether streaming music, downloading podcasts, watching social media videos, or all three is your thing - you should be covered.
- 20-30GB Only smartphone junkies that need regular (and hefty) data fixes need bother with this avalanche of GBs. You'll be able to rinse Netflix, Spotify and online games without too much fear of topping out.
Do I need unlimited calls and texts?
Call it practicality, call it greediness, call it what you want - it's human nature to want 'unlimited' anything if offered. But you should think genuinely about whether you really need it in a world where the likes of WhatsApp and Skype let you call and text for free over wi-fi or 4G. If you decide that a few thousand monthly minutes and texts should do you, then you could shave off some cash from your bill.
The SIM-only plans on this page are checked regularly, so make sure you visit often if you want to get the most up-to-date information on the plans that are currently available!
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The best Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus plans and prices in Australia
If you're looking to stretch that gorgeous Infinity Display even further than what the Samsung Galaxy S9 is already offering, then you'll be wanting to track down its bigger sibling, the Galaxy S9 Plus.
On this page, we've brought together the best plans, prices, and deals available on the plus-sized Android powerhouse so you don't have to trawl through the countless options yourself.
Of course, if you want the handset without the strings attached, you can purchase the Galaxy S9 Plus from Samsung directly.
Whether it's huge data you're after, or the cheapest possible plan to net you the S9 Plus, we've got you covered. We'll also list the plan that offers the best overall value, and if you're deadset on any carrier in particular, we've picked out the exemplar offerings from each of Australia's major networks.
See also: Galaxy S9 Plus review | Galaxy S9 review
The best Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus plans
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Enterprises look to optimize cloud spend as costs grow
As enterprise cloud spending increases, optimizing existing cloud use for cost savings is the top initiative for organizations for the third year in a row according to a new report from Flexera.
The RightScale 2019 State of the Cloud report was compiled using responses from 786 technology professionals with 58 percent classifying themselves as enterprise customers.
The report highlighted the fact that 64 percent of organizations still consider optimizing cloud costs as their top initiative which is up from 58 percent in 2018.
- Google launches hybrid cloud beta
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- What you need to know to exploit the cloud
When it came to the top growing public cloud services, containers as a service, machine learning, stream processing and serverless took the top spots.
Cloud trends
The use of Docker containers for enterprise workloads continues to grow with adoption increasing to 57 percent from 49 percent in 2018. However, the cloud orchestration tool Kubernetes achieved the fastest growth increasing from 27 percent to 48 percent adoption.
RightScale also found that 84 percent of enterprises have a multi-cloud strategy while 61 percent of small to mid-sized businesses do. Overall, respondents reported that they were using an average of 4.9 public and private clouds.
Flexera's CEO Jim Ryan provided further insight on the report's findings in a statement, saying:
“The data from the RightScale 2019 State of the Cloud Report by Flexera is consistent with what we’re hearing from our C-level customers: managing the rapid increase in cloud use requires new capabilities for cost optimization and IT governance. With multi-cloud as the strategy of choice, most enterprises are already spending over $1 million a year in public cloud. As a result, optimizing costs is the top cloud priority for the third year in a row, and governance is the top challenge.”
Via ZDNet
- We've also highlighted the best cloud computing services
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Huawei P30 Pro leak provides first look at phone's four rear cameras
Last week, Huawei CEO Richard Yu confirmed via Weibo that the company's upcoming P30 Pro smartphone would sport four rear cameras.
Now, we have what could be our very first look at the device and its quad camera array, thanks to some official-looking leaked images from German tech site WinFuture.
As you can see from the images below, the Huawei P30 Pro will reportedly see three of its rear cameras arranged in one line, with a flash and fourth camera lens placed just to the right of it in a way that resembles an exclamation mark.
- Huawei P30 and P30 Pro tipped to focus on the cameras
- Huawei P30 screen resolution may have just been leaked
- Huawei P30 Pro case renders show four rear cameras
Along with some nifty new color options, the leaked pictures also show off a tiny notch on the front of the phone, Samsung-style curved glass and some almost non-existent bezels.
WinFuture also offers some speculation regarding the handset's photographic prowess, suggesting a lens with 10x optical zoom capability.
If you look closely at the phone's third lens, you'll notice a square-shaped sensor, much like the one Oppo revealed this week at MWC 2019 which also boasts 10x lossless zoom technology.
As always, we won't know for sure until the P30 and P30 Pro are officially revealed, which is confirmed to occur at Huawei's upcoming Paris event on March 26, 2019.
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Motorola exec says company is working on foldable phone
Motorola has been working on foldable phones, according to an interview with a company executive, and they don’t intend to release one later than other competitors. Whether that means later this year or next is unclear, but all the rumors around the company’s foldable plans now seem a bit more plausible.
"We started to work on foldables a long time ago," Motorola VP of Global Product Dery told Engadget in an interview. "And we have been doing a lot of iteration."
A Wall Street Journal report early this year alleged that Motorola was working on a foldable phone that would reuse the famous Razr name and retail for $1,500 (about £1,170, AU$2,010). The report gave a slew of other very particular details, like Verizon and US exclusivity, though it claimed the phone would be ready by at least February, which hasn’t happened.
- Our hands-on with the Huawei Mate X foldable phone at MWC 2019
- Everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy Fold
- All the best phones we saw at MWC 2019
Dery didn’t outright confirm or deny details from that report, or in any way mention the Razr name. Instead, he gave somewhat vague comments that, nevertheless, still point toward deliberate design choices coalescing into a Motorola foldable phone we may eventually get.
Two screens, or three?
Dery seemed to qualify a lot of his statements in the hypothetical - if Motorola was working on a foldable, then the company wouldn’t intend to “put the display outside,” he told Engadget, citing all the scratches an outward-facing, plastic screen would suffer.
Ergo, the company is focusing first on a clamshell-fold device, with an inward-facing primary screen akin to the Samsung Galaxy Fold, though we’ve no idea how similar Motorola’s new foldable phone will end up being. But the phonemaker is also looking at a dual-hinge device that folds twice for three separate ‘screen’ surfaces, though this is apparently too technically complex for Motorola’s first foldable.
When, exactly, will that arrive? Motorola has "no intention of coming later than everybody else in the market," Dery told Engadget. With the Galaxy Fold launching in April and the Huawei Mate X arriving sometime mid-2019, the market will start filling up in the coming months.
- MWC (Mobile World Congress) is the world’s largest showcase for the mobile industry, stuffed full of the newest phones, tablets, wearables and more. TechRadar is reporting live from Barcelona all week to bring you the very latest from the show floor. Head to our dedicated MWC 2019 hub to see all the new releases, along with TechRadar’s world-class analysis and buying advice about your next phone.
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Last chance: vote now in the 2019 Australian PC Awards!
UPDATE 28/02/2019: Voting in the second annual Australian PC Awards closes today at 5pm on the dot! To have your say on which PC products and manufacturers of 2018 are award-worthy, click here to vote – by doing so, you could even win a great PC hardware prize!
If you're reading this story, we reckon there's a pretty good chance you’re the type of person who’s passionate about technology – and PC gear in particular – and that’s exactly why we’d like to invite you to vote in this year’s Australian PC Awards. By casting your ballot, you could even win a fantastic prize from the likes of Razer, Thermaltake, Corsair or QNAP!
As tech-lovers ourselves, we feel it’s only right that the hard work and clever design that goes into making the gear you love is properly rewarded, so if you’ve had fantastic experiences with a company or a particular product that stands out from the rest, we want to hear about it.
The Awards cover many categories, including all of today’s key components and peripherals, alongside the PCs we buy and use and the companies that make them. We have shortlisted the finalists for what we think are the best products that came out during 2018, but we’re leaving it up to you to select the best of the best.
It's simple to vote – just head to www.australianpcawards.com.au and cast your ballot before 5pm (AEDST) on Thursday, February 28. The winners will be announced at a special gala awards night on Thursday, March 21 and we'll post all the winners here on the 22nd.
So jump in, have your say, and get a chance to win a snazzy tech prize (including all the gear pictured below) for taking part.
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BlackBerry sues Twitter for stealing its ideas
It was only a year ago that former phone manufacturer BlackBerry sued Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp over messaging patents. Within months, Facebook countersued BlackBerry for similar reasons.
Those two cases are still in litigation, but BlackBerry has taken the fight to new levels, this time by filing a patent infringement lawsuit against Twitter.
According to the complaint filed, BlackBerry claims Twitter has infringed on six of its patents covering notifications and mobile advertising.
- BlackBerry KeyOne review
- BlackBerry Key2 LE review
- BlackBerry’s Secure technology could silence your smart speaker
Same-same but different
While BlackBerry sued Facebook for things like tagging people in photos, combining mobile gaming and messaging, use of cryptographic techniques for security, and status updates designed to optimize battery life, the former phone maker claims Twitter “created mobile messaging applications that co-opt BlackBerry’s innovations, using a number of the innovative user interface and functionality enhancing features that made BlackBerry’s products such a critical and commercial success in the first place”.
As per the 98-page complaint, available to read on Crackberry (the news site and forum for BlackBerry users), the company states that Twitter’s use of “BlackBerry’s mobile messaging innovations” has “resulted in a substantial and undeserved windfall”.
After trying to resolve the matter out of court, BlackBerry is now seeking “adequate compensation” for the use of its intellectual property.
[Via TechCrunch]
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Best turntables 2019: the best record players for any budget
Best Turntables Buying Guide: Welcome to TechRadar's round-up of the best turntables (also known as record players) you can buy in 2019.
Whether you've got lots of old records collecting dust in the attic, or you're a keen member of the vinyl revival movement, turntables can be a fantastic investment.
While the idea of a turntable might call images of the '60s and '70s to mind, you'll find that most modern turntables are pretty well-equipped with the latest tech – i.e. Bluetooth built-in or USB output that allows output records straight to your PC, meaning you can listen to your vinyls anywhere.
One downside it that, as a result of all of these new products and tricky naming conventions, the market for the best turntables can be more confusing than a college cover band (we're looking in your direction AB/CD), but stick with us and we’ll find the best turntable for you.
To start, we'll walk you through all the little details that go into choosing the best turntable for your listening needs and budget. Do you want to go on the high end with a belt drive? Or how about a more user-friendly direct drive turntable? What about phono preamps? Do you need one?
All of these questions will be answered right here, so don’t worry, you’ll be absorbed in all of your favorite albums before you know it.
[Update: Recently we got a chance to test out the next evolution in the world of turntables - the Cambridge Audio Alva TT - a wireless player with aptX HD built-in. It will arrive in the UK and US starting in April of this year. In the meantime, don't miss our full Cambridge Audio Alva TT review.]
What is a good turntable to buy?
On of the most vital components to look for when you’re shopping for the best turntable is how well damped it is.
Damping is essentially the method by which manufacturers combat vibrations – whether internal or external. They do this through the use of different motor configurations, and through the use of various components.
Most of the time, belt-driven turntables are going to be a lot quieter and offer higher fidelity than their direct drive brethren – as direct drive turntables have a motor that is directly connected to the platter. However, there are some great direct drive turntables out there, so don’t write them off quite yet.
Your own personal needs are important too, though, so don’t forget about them. If you’re just starting out, you probably don’t need to be fooling around with a complex turntable with an adjustable vertical tracking angle, anti-skate and azimuth. Do you want to rip your vinyl to your digital library? If so, look for a turntable with a USB output and reliable software to get the job done.
What's the best turntable?
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB is the best introductory turntable for aspiring vinyl enthusiasts. Out of the box, it features the ability to play 33 ⅓, 45 and 78 RPM, this means there will never be an album you can’t play. There’s also a built-in phono preamp so you never have to worry about finding one on your own.
New record collectors will love the easy setup and features while more vetted users will love the option to dial in the vertical tracking angle, tracking force and easily replaceable headshell. Sure, it looks like a Technics SL-1200 ripoff but at a fraction of the price, it’s entirely worth it.
The AT-LP120-USB also comes with a USB output that allows you to record your record collection if you want. To put it simply, this deck strikes the perfect balance of ease of use for beginners while still including some more advanced features for you to grow into.
If you’re not looking to drop a fortune on the best turntable in the world and don’t necessarily care about squeezing every last drop of fidelity from your LPs, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is a perfect starting point. It’s portable, can play most vinyl and is by far the most inexpensive turntable we have on this list. It’s also totally automatic, meaning it’ll queue a record and return the arm to resting position without requiring a manual lever.
The only caveat with a turntable this cheap is that it won’t grow with you as your vinyl collection expands. The built-in phono preamp means you’re stuck with it, however you can replace the needle once it wears out.
While there are cheaper, poorly engineered turntables on the market, it’s not worth it, as you risk damaging your precious records with poorly aligned and improperly weighted tonearms. Vinyl is expensive so we recommend the AT-LP60 for beginners just looking to get started.
The Denon DP-300F is a gorgeous turntable that sounds just as good as it looks. The included DSN-85 cartridge isn’t the most accurate but it nevertheless manages to make your music sound airy and reasonably detailed, especially for it’s price.You’ll need to spend a lot more cash to hear more detail.
While the DP-300F lacks the USB outputs of some of the turntables listed here, it’s still a great starting turntable for anyone who doesn’t want to manually queue their albums or have a habit of falling asleep while listening to music. The Denon’s automatic start/stop feature means your needle won’t be worn down at the end of the record as the arm immediately returns when an album is done.
Build quality is decent for an all-plastic turntable, but its buttons feel cheap – a minor problem but shouldn't be a deal-breaker for you. If the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB doesn’t fit your aesthetic, consider the Denon DP-300F instead.
Read the full review: Denon DP-300F
The Fluance RT81 is an excellent starter turntable for the enthusiast. It’s simple to set up and use for newbies but you can switch out the cartridge to squeeze out more performance later on. Newbies also won’t have to worry about getting a separate phono preamp, as one is built in. However, you can turn it off if you want to use a better external preamp.
The only downside is that Fluance’s advertised “auto-off” feature simply turns off the platter, preventing excessive needle wear but you’ll still have to return the arm to its resting place yourself. You’ll also have to manually queue records, which isn’t a deal breaker by any means but is something to consider for those looking for a fully automatic turntable. The Denon DP-300F is a great choice for those looking for a fully automated record listening experience.
Read the full review: Fluance RT81
From here on out things start to get a little bit more ‘real’: The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is in the runnings to be the best entry-level hi-fi turntables you can buy.
While vinyl newcomers may cringe at the price, the Debut Carbon is really an incredible bargain. For the money, you get an very well made deck that’s damped properly for fantastic sound quality. The carbon fiber tonearm is lightweight and stiff, and is usually reserved for turntables costing much more.
The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is for the budding enthusiast that’s committed to the record collecting hobby and because of that commitment, it doesn’t feature niceties like an auto-returning tonearm, buttons for changing speed or an included phono preamp. Newbies may be turned off by the manual changing of the belt position to change speeds and the lack of an included preamp. However, if you want to extract more detail and resolution from your records than the cheaper options on this list, or if you want to get started on the path of being a true vinyl collector, the Debut Carbon is probably your best bet.
Read the full review: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon
There’s a lot of debate whether the Rega Planar 1 or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is the best entry-level hi-fi turntable. It’s a close match and there are no clear winners, each providing an excellent starting place for audiophiles on a budget.
While the Rega may lack the fancy carbon tone arm of the Pro-Ject, the Planar 1 still sounds excellent and is well damped with its phenolic resin platter. And for newbies, the Rega Planar 1 is still easy to setup, though you’ll have to provide your own phono preamp.
Ultimately, the Rega Planar 1 just sounds so good that it’s hard to fault it too much. Vocals are revealing and you can hear the texture from instruments like the violin. The included Rega Carbon cartridge isn’t anything special but manages to be a great match for the turntable. It’s a tough choice between the Planar 1 and the Debut Carbon but you can’t go wrong with either.
The Marantz TT-15S1 costs a serious bit of change, but you’re actually getting a killer bargain. The Clearaudio Virtuoso included with the turntable is $1000 when purchased separately. Additionally, you get a killer tonearm and gorgeous turntable at a price that’s definitely an investment, but not unreasonable.
So what does the Marantz TT-15S1 get you over the competition? Attention to detail. Just about every part of the turntable has been poured over to be the best it can be for the price. The fit and finish are excellent and it’s a pleasure to handle the high-quality components. This is a turntable you’ll find yourself admiring its visual and audible qualities.
Newbies should not get this turntable as it requires more knowledge to set up properly than the entry-level turntables on this list. But if you’re ready to take your record collecting and listening to the next level, the Marantz TT-15S1 is the perfect place to start.
Read the full review: Marantz TT-15S1
If the Clearaudio Concept and Marantz TT-15S1 seem familiar, that’s because the Marantz was built by Clearaudio to Marantz’s specifications. This means everything about the excellent build quality of the Marantz carries over to the Clearaudio Concept (i.e. this is a turntable that is as gorgeous as it sounds).
One small but notable difference between the Marantz and the Clearaudio is the ability to play 78 rpm records. While most people will never come across 78s, it’s nice to know that the Clearaudio Concept is capable of playing them. The Concept also has a handy speed dial on the plinth, meaning you don’t have to swap the belt position manually.
As for negatives, the Clearaudio Concept has no notable flaws. Yes, it’s expensive but you’re still getting a bargain in this price range. The included Clearaudio Concept moving-coil cartridge costs $1,000 by itself. Yep!
Read the review: Clearaudio Concept
The Sony PS-HX500 is a great entry-level turntable for those just getting started with record collecting. Its standout feature is its ability to record Hi-Res audio from its USB output in 96kHz/24bit resolution. This is an excellent feature for those looking to digitize their records.
In terms of sound quality, the Sony PS-HX500 sound spacious and provides good detail. However, the included needle sounds a bit harsh and sibilant at times and lacks the resolution of more expensive cartridges.
While some may like the minimalist design of the Sony, it’s utterly forgettable and its plastic build leaves a lot to be desired. Handling the turntable on a daily basis leaves us wanting more premium materials that don’t rattle.
- Want to listen to digital music instead? Check out our list of the best MP3 players.
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Making Tax Digital could make UK SMEs billions
A new report has laid out a digital roadmap that could catalyze up to a £57bn productivity payout for UK SMEs over five years.
The UK government's Making Tax Digital initiative (MTD), to digitize VAT in April of this year, will lead to annual benefit of £6.9bn or £46bn over five years in net gains in turnover and growth for the UK economy.
Volterra Partners' report titled, The Productivity Payout: UK Small Businesses and the Digital Economy, provides the first of its kind economic model built on predicted behaviors of small business owners as a result of social and financial drivers.
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According to the report, once businesses integrate technology to become MTD compliant, a 'digital snowball' effect is likely to occur as they experience spill-over benefits that will drive increases in SMEs' levels of productivity.
Impact of MTD on SMEs
While there are huge gains to be made from the adoption of digitization of traditional business practices, research from QuickBooks has revealed that one in five SMEs are still unaware of MTD and its associated impact.
The impact for each type of small business in the UK is substantial with MTD delivering a spill-over increase in productivity regardless of a company's size. For sole traders, the predicted average net gain in annual revenue is £1,900 while a traditonal small business with 10-49 employees can expect to see an average increase of £18,000 to their top line growth.
VP and UK Country Manager at Intuit QuickBooks, Chris Evans offered further insight on the report's findings, saying:
“Now is the time for small businesses to embrace digital with unabated optimism. Today’s report highlights that a digital-led approach will be transformational for small businesses, who are the backbone of the UK economy. For those businesses, the transition to digital will not be without stumbling blocks. However, it presents a huge opportunity to streamline operations, drive efficiencies and simplify tax. It will enhance cashflow management and allow them to get paid faster and access capital to grow, powering prosperity across the UK.”
- We've also highlighted the best accounting software
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Best business projectors of 2019
Welcome to our list of the best business projectors in 2019. On this page you'll find the top business projectors that will help you make the most of your presentations, either in the office or out on the road.
If you regularly make presentations, or you need to show your PC or laptop screen with an audience, then this list will help. The best business projectors will produce large projections with bright and vibrant colors that will help your presentations and meetings really pop and keep your audience engaged.
For this list of the best business projectors of 2019 we’ve selected a wide range of projectors, from compact devices that are easy to travel with, to full-featured business projectors that feature a broader range of ports and high-end image fidelity.
As well as listing the best business projectors, we also have our very own price comparison tool that will help you find the best prices as well.
Buying one of the best business projectors will mean looking for different features than buying a projector for entertainment, so high resolutions and millions of inputs aren’t going to be quite as important as they would otherwise be.
Unfortunately, plenty of offices often cheap out in when buying business projectors, or don't put in enough research, which leads to headaches for years to come. Don't make this mistakes: review our favorite options for your office's projector unit.
Sure, we've reviewed some portable projectors, and many in this roundup qualify as portable, but the Philips PicoPix PPX4010 is impressively small. So small, that you wonder what use case demands it be that small, aside from it being able to easily fit into a your briefcase, or even a jacket pocket.
Philips has created a projector so small it could be used to surprise unsuspecting co-workers who were blissfully unaware that a meeting was in their future.
Selling for an affordable price, it features an easy setup and is able to project content only drawing power via USB. Unlike Philips older PicoPix mini projectors (some of which have appeared on this very list), the Philips PicoPix PPX4010 has a 100 lumens brighness, which means it doesn't have to be used in pitch black conditions to see, though it's still not as bright as full-size projectors.
If your meetings are rarely in the same location, you're going to want a no-nonsense projector that's easy to carry. For that, we can recommend the Epson EB-S04. Weighing in at 2.4kg (5.3 pounds), and measuring 297 x 234 x 77mm, it also comes with a carry case included, which makes this a great business projector for people often out on the road. It supports connecting via USB, WiFi, VGA, HDMI, or the mobile MHL. Not only is it easy to move around with, it's extremely easy to use, so much so that booting and choosing your input source only took a mere 34 seconds in our testing. This is all with an intensely strong lamp, which maxes out at 3000 lumens.
It is ideal for those who need a simple, portable projector for anything except for streaming video – we experienced quality issues there, with output being either grainy or stuttering. So it's not the best projector for watching films on, but as a business projector, it's excellent.
If you're a small-to-medium-sized business, and need a projector for holding presentations in small rooms, then the ViewSonic PA503S is a brilliant choice. While its 800 x 600 SVGA resolution falls short of full HD, it's enough to display vibrant images, reports and spreadsheets on a wall or projection screen. It's got plenty of inputs, is easy to use, and is nice and bright as well.
It also comes with a SuperEco mode that dims the brightness by up to 70%. This makes it more energy efficient (and therefore cheaper to run), while also prolonging the life of the bulb.
The ML750e by Optoma may not be the smallest projector we're talking about here, but it's a lot more powerful than the pocket-sized PicoPix from Phillips. It weighs in at an ultraportable 380g with a small footprint that makes this easy to carry around. The differences in size between this and the PicoPix are negligible for the power you get in return: a 700 Lumens lamp that lets you present in rooms that aren't completely darkened.
Not only is it port-rich with one MHL-ready HDMI input, a USB 2.0 slot for thumbdrives, a universal I/O slot, and a microSD card slot, but the ML550 handled our 90-inch test screen with impressive results, and peaked at a 60-inch-or-so size. Much like the ViewSonic PLED-W800, though, the ML750e had us grumbling because you need to buy a dongle for Wi-Fi access. which felt as arcane at the time of this projector's release as it does today. And in another moment that felt anachronistic, there is no way to work with the projector via a smartphone or tablet.
Usually when you choose a portable business projector you have to make a few sacrifices in order to have such a small device – but that's not the case with the Epson EB-S41.
Epson has an excellent reputation with business projectors, and it has brought much of its expertise to the EB-S41. Its 3,300 lumen brightness is much brighter than many other portable projectors, and means you have more flexibility when setting up the EB-S31 in environments where there is still ambient light.
The EB-S41 is small and light enough to carry around with you on business trips, but it also has a very large projection size – up to 300 inches – which makes this an incredibly versatile portable business projector.
The LG Minibeam PH550G is a brilliant business projector for people who often work on the road thanks to its compact size. It's also wireless as well, allowing you to connect a smartphone or tablet to it, and showcase your presentations or media quickly and easily.
This is great for impromptu meetings, and despite its small stature, it offers brilliant image and sound quality. If you're after a business projector that will wow audiences in huge keynote addresses, then this isn't the projector for you – it's relatively dim and lack resolution – but for presentations when out on the road, this is easily one of the best.
If you're looking for the jack of most-trades option, Epson's EB-X11 is a good place to start. The EB-X11 fits into the middle of the pack, with enough features to make most take it seriously. Measuring just 295 x 228 x 77mm (W x D x H) and weighing 2.3kg, the EB-X11 is easy to move between conference rooms, or even buildings.
One feature we were particularly keen on is the lens cover that instantly shuts off the lamp and speakers. The lamp inside the EB-X11 is more adaptable than some because of its relatively high brightness rating of 2600 lumens.
Unfortunately it comes with a handful of flaws. The machine only projects to the 4:3 aspect ratio, and when you're showing photos (likely with black bars above and below, thanks to that ratio) you're not going to see the sharpest reproduction thanks to the projector's low resolution.
Unlike other projectors we've talked about in this round-up, the USB slot on the EB-X11 can only handle photos, and the machine has no Wi-Fi options. If all of those red flags aren't enough to dissuade you, and poor audio quality wouldn't either, then still consider the EB-X11.
- Read our Epson EB-X11 review
The Asus ZenBeam E1 is a beautifully designed pocket projector that's small and light enough to carry around with you if you often make presentations on the road.
Despite its small size, it can project images up to 120 inches in size, and it has a built-in 6,000mAh battery that can power the projector for up to 5 hours, which makes it rather flexible, as you don't have to worry about finding a plug socket to power the device. In a rather nice touch, the projector can also double as a power bank for other mobile devices.
The Asus ZenBeam E1 isn't the most powerful portable projector, but its versatility, ease of setup and eye catching design gives it a place on our list of best business projectors.
Although it's less expensive than other ViewSonic models mentioned here, the ViewSonic PLED-W800 still performs well. It earns its price tag thanks to its ultra-portability, weighing in at 830g and measuring 175 x 138 x 51.5mm (W x D x H).
With a lamp that can reach up to 800 lumens, you can still run a presentation in whatever room you can bring it to, provided you can shade the windows and lower the lighting. It comes with an SD Card slot, a USB slot, an MHL-ready HDMI input (for connecting DVD/Blu-ray players and also smartphones/tablets) and a VGA input for laptops.
Much like other portable projectors we talk about here, just because you can pass video through this unit doesn't mean you should. For its price, though, making you pay even more for an optional Wi-Fi dongle (ViewSonic recommends its PJ-WPD-200, which brings Miracast and DLNA compatibility) feels like you're getting nickel and dimed.
If presenting Microsoft Office documents is a large part of your practice, and it probably is, the PLED-W800 should stand out thanks to native support for presenting Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files directly from a USB stick or SD card.
- Read our Viewsonic PLED-W800 review
If you really want to wow at presentations, or turn a whole wall into an interactive whiteboard for brainstorming sessions, then the Epson BrightLink 685Wi is definitely worth considering.
It's an interactive projector that allows people to draw, write and modify the items it projects onto a screen. It comes with a range of software to help you create these impressive projections, and can wirelessly connect to a huge range of devices.
The Epson BrightLink 685Wi certainly isn't cheap, but it's a decent investment if you're looking for a business projector that can be used in a large number of innovative ways.
- Want something more cinema-focussed? Check out the best home projectors for 2018
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The best scanners of 2019: top picks for duplicating and digitising documents
They may not be in vogue anymore, but if you’re looking for the best scanner to buy in 2019, you've come to the right place. Sure, all-in-one printers that offer scanning features offer a worthwhile alternative to standard scanners for home users, but if you work in a business that relies on fast, high quality scanning, then you're still going to want to buy the best standalone scanner.
To help you with this important purchase, we've collected together five of the best scanners you can buy in 2019, and each device on this list is ideal for both personal and business use.
These devices cover a wide range of use cases and will transform how users handle their document management processes. At the same time, our price comparison tool will compare prices from a number of online retailers to make sure you get the very best deals when buying a new scanner. That means you can take full advantage of all the deals online.
If you’re in the market for one of the best scanners for your office or home, any of the scanners we’ve gathered up in this list will make sure you have a dependable and great-performing device.
- Also check out our list of the 10 best office apps for Android
Document scanners are all about being able to process large amounts of documents in a trustworthy, seamless and intuitive fashion, and being able to integrate the information collected in existing document management systems. You're almost certainly looking at a sheet-fed scanner rather than a flatbed one, and there are plenty of models on the market to fit most needs including, at the very high-end, devices that can scan A3 sheets and perform 30,000 scans per day.
The Panasonic KV-S1027C represents an ideal middle ground in that it's fairly affordable but delivers the sort of performance you'd expect from a more expensive model. It scans up to 45 pages per minute, has a USB 3.0 port and can scan anything from embossed ID cards to passports. Add in a 100-sheet ADF, integrated ISIS/WIA/TWAIN drivers and a three-year warranty as standard and you have a pretty compelling offering.
Flatbed scanners are the only way to go should you want a versatile unit to scan photos at high resolution, and the Canoscan 9000F Mark II ticks all the right boxes. It might be three-years-old but like the scanner market in general, there hasn't been a lot of meaningful innovation in this particular arena.
The 9000F offers a scanning resolution of up to 9600x9600 dpi for film/slides and a quarter of that for photo and documents, all at 48-bit. It can handle negatives and filmstrips thanks to a built-in adaptor. It doesn't require warm-up time and can also scan straight to a number of cloud-based services. It might be a tad bigger than its cousins (many of which would be using CMOS rather than CCD technology) but features like FARE (Film Automatic Retouching and Enhancement) will more than make up for that.
The most important feature in a network scanner is the presence of an Ethernet port. Many high-end document scanners will have one by default since they're expected to service more than one person. The better models will offer a fast scanning speed coupled with integrated drivers, high daily duty cycles, the ability to scan to multiple destinations and a decent size document sheet feeder.
The Epson Workforce DS-860N offers all this and more – there's a five-year warranty as default, and the ability to scan oversized folded documents (e.g. A3). It can scan at up to 65 pages per minute at a resolution of up to 600 dpi, with a daily duty cycle of 6,000 sheets. Two other smart features include colour enhance or colour dropout which either highlights or removes a particular colour from the scanned document.
SMBs must be flexible, and the same is true for the office equipment they use, which is why the ideal scanner for a small business may well be one that combines scanning, printing and, more often than not, faxing. Purists might not agree, but a single unit that can handle all these essential business functions is often a better option than having dedicated devices, especially if you are a one-man-band or a small team.
The HP Officejet 7612 is near that sweet spot: it copies, scans and faxes, has an Ethernet port and offers Wi-Fi, scans up to A3 size (and to several destinations) and doesn't cost the Earth. Users will love the fact that it supports both Mac and Linux, and that it sports a large touchscreen control panel.
A portable scanner is all about compromises – you swap the convenience of having a large flatbed area for mobility. The best models will do duplex scanning (the ability to scan both sides of a sheet), scan more than one page at a time, offer macOS and Windows compatibility and a decent software package. Optionally, they can be battery-powered, offer Wi-Fi and the ability to scan to the cloud.
The ADW-1600W from Brother fits the bill in terms of cramming features in – despite its diminutive size, this device sports an LCD touchscreen, a 20-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF), and can scan up to 18 pages per minute. It also comes with built-in TWAIN and ISIS drivers, a USB port and Wi-Fi connectivity. Surprisingly, it even supports Linux and has a clever slot allowing you to scan plastic IDs.
- Check out our list of the best printers of 2018
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The best business headphones and earphones in 2019
Welcome to our list of the best business headphones and earphones money can buy in 2019. The picks in this list will help you make and receive calls no matter how noisy the office you're working in is.
We've picked these best business headphones and earphones as they have features designed to make voice and video calls crisp and clear. That means the headphones in this list have top-of-the-range microphones for excellent recording quality, along with noise cancelling, which means the people you're speaking to won't hear any background noise.
Of course, you'll want to be able to hear who you're talking to as clearly as possible, so the best business headphones on this page also offer high-end audio quality as well, but without costing the earth.
We've assembled a list of the best business headphones and earphones, making it easier than ever for you to make the right choice – a choice which isn't always easy, considering the huge range of headphones and earphones out there.
So which headphones are the best for business users? Read on to find out what our picks are, and don't forget to use our price comparison tool to help you get the best deals for these amazing business headphones and earphones.
- Once you've got your business headphones, make sure you check out our list of the best video conferencing services
The Philips Fidelio X2s are a superb pair of headphones offering premium comfort and build quality with a sound that rivals even the most vaunted audiophile cans.
Their comfortable design means they can be worn for long periods of time while working thanks to the memory foam construction of the earpads.
Read the full review: Philips Fidelio X2
Bose has finally brought its fantastic noise-cancelling technology to a pair of wireless headphones, and it's done so without any of the traditional drawbacks of wireless headphones – they sound great, and their battery life is long enough for even the longest video meeting. Going wireless with your business headphones means you have less clutter on your desk, freeing you up for more important things when on an important call.
At $349.95 (£289.95) the QC35s sit firmly at the premium end of the spectrum, but if you want the best noise-cancelling headphones available right now then you can't get any better.
Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 35
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 offer insane battery life, great sound quality and good active noise cancellation for the business man or woman in your life. They may not offer the best noise cancellation – especially compared to the Bose QuietComfort 35s or the Fidelio NC1 – but at only $200 (£230, AU$250) it’s hard to think of a better travel headphone for the price.
Ultimately, with the BackBeat Pro 2, you’re getting a travel headphone with incredible battery life, supreme comfort, the ability to pair two device as one and, most importantly, good sound quality for the cost.
Read our full review: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
These no-holds-barred wireless headphones are oozing with positive qualities, but for many, they're almost prohibitively expensive. However, if you're an audio lover that can spare the expense, do not hesitate on this comfortable, hard-working set of headphones that will likely last for years.
Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum Wireless
If you'd rather some in-ear earphones for your business dealings, then the RHA T10i is the first set you should consider for one simple reason: the sound quality is incredible, thanks to the snug seal created when the headphones are stuck in your ear. Plus the bass is also robust for such small earphones.
The RHA T10i look slick with a metal finish around the drivers and around the cable as well. They also come with several replacement tips if the defaults don't fit your ear canal. They're more expensive than other earbuds on the list, but there's good reason they feautre at the top of our business earphones selection.
Read the full review: RHA T10i
If you're in the market for the best in-ear headphones, you should really be looking at Shure's entire catalog of truly excellent in-ear options. Of them all, however, our current favorites are the Shure SE215s – they're not the top-tier performers from the audio company, but we think they offer the best performance-to-price ratio of any of Shure's headsets.
Sure, the headphones look great in their futuristic-looking translucent, space grey color, but the best bit is that you can snag the Shure SE215s for ~$100.
Read the full review: Shure SE215
Life is full of trade-offs, and it's the same with the Bose QuietControl 30s. On the plus side you get a level of noise cancellation that’s on a par with the brand's over-ear headphones, but the compromise here is on sound quality, which is simply not as good as that of other in-ear or over-ear headphones we’ve tried.
However, if you're going to be using these on video or voice calls in a noisy office, then these are definitely worth considering.
Read the full review: Bose QuietControl 30
The V-Moda Forza offer a lot – they sound good, are built to last, and have an innovative modular design that we really like is like nothing we’ve seen before on an earbud. The Forza, therefore, are perfect for anyone who wants headphones that can do it all, from working out to taking these with you on the morning commute to the office.
Sure, they're not the most balanced sounding or highest resolution, but the water resistance and modular design of the Forza make them a pretty compelling option.
Read the full review: V-Moda Forza
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The best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks in 2019
Welcome to our list of the best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks , where we look at the easy and portable ways to charge your laptop in 2019.
When looking for the best portable laptop battery charger, you want something that stores enough charge to top up - or completely replenish - your laptop's battery when it's critically low. The best laptop battery charger should mean you're never having to frantically search for a power socket when working while travelling.
You won’t have to worry about getting stranded in the middle of nowhere when you buy one of the best portable laptop chargers. With these convenient devices, you can make sure you can always get your work done – no matter where you are.
With the Mophie Powerstation AC, high power output is the name of the game. This portable laptop battery charger is able to power a 15-inch MacBook Pro. Meanwhile, the USB-C port is rated at 30W with a USB-PD label, meaning its one of the few batteries capable of fast charging an iPhone X or iPhone 8.
If you have a newer laptop, and find yourself running out of juice throughout the day, the Omni 20 USB-C might be for you. Not only does it have an insanely high capacity, but it also allows charging of multiple USB-C devices simultaneously. So, if you’re working and you need to charge your Nintendo Switch and a mobile device, you go for it. Plus, the Omni 20 also serves as a USB hub, clearing out some extra storage space in your bag.
- This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Mophie Powerstation AC
The PowerAdd Pilot Pro2 doesn’t just come with 10 connectors that cover most of the laptops on the market today, but it’s backed by a two-year warranty. That means you can use the 23MAh/85Wh capacity without worry. The Pilot Pro2 is also light enough to carry around wherever you go, coming in under 560g. The only thing that holds it back is that it doesn’t have any USB-C connectors, so if you have a modern Ultrabook or MacBook, you may want to go elsewhere, otherwise you’ll have to carry a separate power supply to keep the battery charger backed up.
As technology marches forward, new laptops need less power to function. This is especially ture for high-end laptops like the MacBook Pro, HP Elite x2, Huawei Matebook Pro X or the Dell XPS 13. For all of these devices, and more, USB-C is king – the RAVPower uses this revolutionary connector to deliver up to 30W of power, which should be plenty for the best Ultrabooks. You can recharge it using a 30W wall charger that can also be used to power compatible laptops – very handy, indeed.
The MaxOak MacBook Charger is a perfect example of a laptop battery charger that goes the extra mile to make sure that it matches the expectations of its audience. This portable laptop charger has all the hallmarks of an Apple device, without the logo – but that’s what those Apple stickers are for – with a matching brushed aluminum finish.
It’s the second most capacious portable laptop battery charger on this list, but its huge amount of juice comes with a catch – it carries so much power that at least one airline has outright banned it, so bear that in mind if you plan to use this charger while traveling. It’s also pretty heavy at almost 1kg and will cater to most MacBooks, but nothing else.
This is the only charger in this list that targets Microsoft’s popular Surface range by offering the appropriate DC output voltage (12V and 15V). It comes with a generous five ports, four of which allow you to charge other 5V devices (that includes anything from other power banks to tablets and smartphones).
What’s especially interesting about the Qi-infinity Upgraded Powerbank is the addition of fast-charging through Qualcomm’s Qi tech. You’ll be able to charge the new MacBook as well, but no traditional laptops that rely on a 19V DC output. Just keep in mind that its capacity of 35Ah may not be allowed on some airlines, similar to the MaxOak devices above and below.
- This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and australian readers, check out a fine alternative in the RAVPower RP-PB058
The K2 is the world’s second highest mountain and it is fitting – to some extent – that MaxOak named this battery after that lofty peak. After all, at 50Ah, this is the biggest battery on our list and one that is also the heaviest of the lot. It supports laptops up to 60W (3A, 20V) as well as fast-charging.
Note that it takes up to eight hours to charge the battery and that can only be achieved via a proprietary charger. Sadly, it doesn’t carry a USB Type-C connector – which makes it useless for newer laptops – and you won’t be able to lug it around on the plane (as with the previous two peripherals, the massive capacity here may mean it’s banned on some flights).
Sandberg's Powerbank is neither the cheapest nor the most powerful around. However, it does come with a couple of features that make it a rather enticing option. It outputs to a number of voltages (12V, 16V, 19V and 20V), automatically choosing the right one depending on the device which is connected.
There are also two USB ports, and they’re hardwired to output 5V. You’ll also get 12 different charge tips, but if you have one of the best Ultrabooks that need a USB Type-C port for charging, you’ll be out of luck. It also features a premium brushed aluminum finish, with bright blue LED status lights that clearly indicate the amount of juice left, or how close the battery is to being charged.
- This product is only available in the UK and Australia at the time of this writing. US readers, check out a fine alternative in the MaxOak K2.
If you are looking for a versatile laptop charger, then do consider this RavPower offering. It is by far the most expensive model on our list, but this Reddot award winner carries a feature that no one has replicated till now. It has an AC output that can deliver up to 100W of power – yes, this could even power a TV if needed.
Note that you will probably need an adaptor (there’s one bundled) because the power bank can only accommodate two-prong plugs. You will be able to take it on a commercial flight, but you will not be able to recharge it via USB.
Dell sells the Power Companion with various battery capacities. It is more compact than the RAVPower models, and the unit looks like a Dell power brick that charges your laptop. When you're at your desk, you can daisy-chain to recharge the Power Companion and your Dell laptop by connecting your Dell charging brick to the Power Companion, and then connecting it to your notebook.
Dell's Power Companion is a far sleeker battery pack if your office relies on Dell Inspiron, Latitude, XPS or Venue laptops and tablets, with the added benefit that it has extra USB ports should you need them.
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