Big, heavy and expensive, the Acer Predator Helios 18 brings together a collection of components that will challenge anything else on the market today

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Our Verdict

This laptop is big, heavy and hot, and that’s because it’s supremely capable when it comes to both gaming and creative work. Having a GPU this powerful in a portable PC is going to be very useful for some users, but they’ll have to pay the same amount as a 16in MacBook Pro for the privilege, and that may send some into the warm embrace of Apple. If you can put up with the weight and the sound of the fans, this is a top desktop replacement machine that, thanks to its big screen, will be bent to all kinds of creative tasks. Yes, it is technically portable, but its weight and power draw count against it in this situation, and you should look elsewhere if you want something you can sling in a backpack.

For

• Powerful
• Stable
• Large screen

Against

• Heavy
• Hot
• Expensive
• Acer Predator Helios 18 review: Key specificationsSpecs as tested
• CPU:Intel Core i9 14-900HX Graphics:Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 (16GB) Memory:32GB DDR5Screen SIZE:18in IPSResolution:2560 x 1600p
• Refresh rate:250Hz
• Colour coverage (stated):100% P3
• Storage:2TB SSD, microSD
• Connectivity:Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
• Dimensions:29 x 404 x 312mm
• Weight:3.25kg
• Design & build
• This is a big and heavy laptop. You’re going to need a bigger bag if you want to carry it around, but its biggest draw will be as a desktop replacement, whose only travel is between your desk and the cupboard when you tidy up. The machine’s gaming heritage is seen not only in the GPU-heavy specs, but also in the RGB lighting in the keyboard, screen-back logo and the bar below the hinge. Overall, it’s not too aggressive a design, being mostly black, and the lighting can be turned off. It also makes an obnoxious noise at startup, even if you’ve muted it in Windows – you’ll need to open Acer’s own control software to turn this off.
• As a large laptop, fewer compromises have had to be made in terms of port placement, and they’re all readily accessible. Having the HDMI and charging connectors on the back of the chassis rather than the side is a good idea for a desktop replacement, as they mean fewer cables snaking across your desk to get in the way, but the Ethernet socket hasn’t joined them. It’s a spring-loaded slimline port that may start to annoy if in regular use, but as it’s ‘only’ a gigabit port, and the machine has Wi-Fi 7 on board that can potentially beat it in terms of speed, it may be redundant.
• The weight of the Helios 18 means it’s very stable on a desk, and the extra screen size is always welcome. We suspect, however, that this laptop will spend much of its life hooked up to an external monitor and purchased in the interests of a tidy studio rather than portable gaming, but fortunately it excels in this role
• 
• Features
• At the slightly-more-than-1440p 16:10 resolution that’s known as WQXGA, the mini-LED IPS screen on the Helios 18 does a good job of showing you what’s going on. An immediate upgrade would be to plug it into one of thebest 4K OLED screens, or maybe anice ultrawide, to really get the best out of the GPU, but as it is this is a well featured machine. For some reason, the Helios 18 refused to play nicely with the Datacolor Spyder software we use for checking a display’s brightness and gamut, so we’ll have to take Acer’s word for it that it can display 100% of the P3 colour gamut.
• The extra space afforded by the 18-inch laptop’s chassis means there’s no cramped keyboard or tiny trackpad to worry about. There are full-size keys and a numpad, with none of the odd space-saving key layouts that can trip you up if you’re not used to them. There are no creative-software-specific features such as the ASUS dial on their Studiobooks, but plenty of USB ports to connect external devices to. The machine tops out at USB 3.2 Gen 2 – that’s the 10Gbps one for those not up on the confusing nomenclature – so there’s none of the usefulness of USB4 or Thunderbolt here, but you can use the Type-C ports in DisplayPort mode to complement the HDMI.
• Battery life comes out at a bit more than four and a half hours in our tests, which keep the screen on and run through a loop of common computing tasks. That’s respectable for a gaming laptop, and will be helped by the larger chassis allowing for a bigger battery to be packed inside. Ramp up the power for gaming, or anything that uses the GPU, and you’ll see that figure drop like a stone.Who is it for?It’s for gamers, obviously, but laptops like this have huge potential for creative work. They can blitz through 2D and3D rendering, bring their power to bear on still andmoving images, and the generative AI tools inPhotoshop, orLightroomdenoising, are no problem at all. That huge GPU gives the Helios 18 an advantage over just about everything else when it comes to applying effects and keeping the screen moving, whether you’re rendering aliens to shoot at or just to look at.

• Should I buy it?
• Buy it if:•You want a desktop replacement•
• You need that GPU•You don’t mind the noise
• Don’t buy it if:•
• Actual portability is a concern•Something cheaper will do the job•
• You’d prefer a Mac

The entry-level Pixel 8 might not get the same attention that the Pixel 8 Pro does, but due to its low price and impressive specs, that really needs to change.

 key takeaways

• ThePixel 8offers a flagship-level experience with Google’s latest AI and machine learning features, all for under $700. Right now.
• With fast performance, amazing cameras, and Google’s Actua display, it’s one of the best smartphone deals available.
• Compared to similarly priced phones, like the Nothing Phone 2, the Pixel 8 is a far better value.

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The Google Pixel 8 Pro might be getting all the attention nowadays (especially since it’s the first handset to gain access toGoogle’s new Gemini AI model), but the standard Pixel 8 might be the real MVP of Google’s lineup this year.

A big reason why this is such a compelling option is the Tensor G3 chip, Google’s latest in-house processor that powers all of the Pixel 8’s AI and machine learning features. It’s not just a solid Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 alternative but a monumental reason why the Pixel 8 is such a great phone.

The chip powers all the Google Pixel-ness of the Pixel 8, from transcribing voices in the Recorder app to letting you edit photos to your heart’s content with the AI-powered Magic Editor. The Google Assistant also takes advantage of the G3 to process your voice quicker and even summarize web pages for quickly consuming information. Alongside powering Google’s HDR pipeline for photography, ensuring Android 14 is slick and smooth, the G3 is one of the most capable smartphone chips on the market. And when paired with 8GB of RAM, you’ll never have a slow day.

The display is another huge reason to get this phone. The Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch Actua display is a bit smaller than the screen on the Pixel 7, but that makes it easier to hold in one hand. It’s also stunning to look at; with a Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 2,000 nits of peak brightness, it’s one of the brightest and clearest displays on the market. Plus, it’s OLED, so colors are vibrant, and inky blacks are plentiful.

Look beyond the display, and you’ll find a good-looking phone crafted out of aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus. Featuring Google’s signature camera bar on the back and thin bezels around the display, the Pixel 8 is a stunner among other sub-$700 phones. It’s also IP68-certified for dust and water resistance, and it comes in three nice finishes: Obsidian (black), Hazel (kinda green), and Rose (more of a golden peach, in my opinion).

When it comes to Pixel phones, there are two areas you have to talk about: cameras and software.

On the camera front, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP main shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are both excellent performers in broad daylight and at night. The cameras easily match or outpace what you’d get with an iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra in terms of clarity, detail, and sharpness, while colors are often far more accurate than they ever have been on a Pixel phone. 

You also get all of the camera chops that the Pixel name carries like astrophotography, Super ResZoom, dual exposure controls, and Ultra HDR. That’s on top of other features like Best Take and Magic Editor that make these cameras the smartest you’ll find. Plus, video quality has been vastly improved over previous Pixels — it’s flat-out comparable to the iPhone.

On the software side, Google’s Pixel experience atop Android 14 remains my favorite way to interact with Android. It’s clean and minimal and gives you a warm, inviting feeling that no other Android skin can mimic. You get all the features of Android 14, like customizable lock screens, better security, larger fonts, and improved notifications, along with all of the Pixel features you could ask for, such as Call Screen, Now Playing, Direct My Call, AI-generated wallpapers, and –of course –the Pixel Launcher.

The Pixel 8 can also last all day on a charge thanks to the 4,575 mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy usage, I typically end days with 30-40 percent in the tank, which means anyone using the phone a bit less could stretch it out to last a day and a half. Plus, you get 30W fast charging to juice back up as well as Qi wireless charging.

 buying advice

You’re not going to find a much better value than the Pixel 8. From the gorgeous display and design to the speedy performance and amazing cameras, Google’s standard flagship phone stands on its own with an impeccable balance of high-end features for a lower price than other flagships.

Also: Google Pixel 9, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold: Specs, features, and everything else we know so far

   The closest competition happens to be theGalaxy S23 FEandNothing Phone (2), two devices that are perfectly worthy of a spot in your pocket but don’t offer the same value as the Pixel 8. Google’s phone is a proper flagship with seven years of software support, the latest AI features, and the company’s latest camera tricks. The Phone (2) and S23 FE are high-end mid-rangers that balance specs and price well but don’t feel as high-end as the Pixel does.

Microsoft Surface Pro X

I already included the Surface Pro 9 on this list, but the Surface Pro X deserves its own callout. The Pro 9 and Pro X share the same design along with keyboard and stylus support. What makes the Pro X different is that it’s powered by Microsoft’s SQ1 or SQ2 ARM-based processor. That’s the same kind of processor architecture that’s used by Apple in its Apple Silicon chips currently found in the iPad Pro and several Macs.

The benefits of moving to an ARM processor are seen in battery life and, in the case of the Pro X at least, the addition of LTE connectivity. However, there are some downsides. One of which is that apps need to be rebuilt to support ARM processors, instead of the tried and true Intel or AMD processors Microsoft uses in the rest of its Surface products.

Review: Microsoft Surface Pro X

Verified customers say that if you want a tablet that has LTE connectivity so that you can work from anywhere, the Pro X is worth considering.

Microsoft Surface Pro X tech specs: Display:13-inch PixelSense display | Processor: Microsoft SQ 1 or SQ 2 | Storage:128GB SSD | Memory: 8GB LPDDR4x | Cameras: 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video, 10.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4k video | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.28 inches | Connections: 2 USB-C, Surface Connect port, Surface Keyboard port, nano SIM | Battery: 15 hours

Factors to consider when choosing the best large tablet

Even though there aren’t many options for tablets with large displays, we considered a few key points while comparing models:

• Price: While we can expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars for a basic tablet, tablets with large screens and/or premium components and features can cost thousands.
• Storage: Because having a tablet that you can’t actually use is no fun. I chose large-screen tablets that had varying levels of internal storage as well as microSD card expansion slots.
• Connectivity: While Wi-Fi connectivity is now standard for tablets and other mobile devices, it may also be worth looking at tablets that also support LTE cellular data for when Wi-Fi networks are unavailable. This feature is great for mobile professionals who may not always be able to access traditional internet networks.
• Weight: Large screens are all fine and dandy, but if the tablet is a pain to carry around, it’s not going to get used much. I made sure to choose large-screen tablets that were still on the lightweight side for better portability.
• What are the different tablet sizes?
• Tablets range in size from small to large. Small tablets are usually five to seven inches. Mid-size tablets have a screen ranging from nine to 11 inches. Then, there are large tablets with screen sizes from 12–14 inches.
• Keep in mind that the larger the tablet, the heavier it will usually be.

Does the size of a tablet matter?

• Yes, the size tablet you choose definitely matters. A tablet’s screen size determines its portability, how much you can zoom in and out, and how it feels to hold it and work on it. Bigger doesn’t always mean best, but large-screen tablets are handy if you plan on using a tablet as a laptop replacement.

Do I need a keyboard and stylus for a large-screen tablet?

• Neither accessory is a requirement. It all depends on how you plan to use the tablet. If you’re going to use it for watching movies, playing games, or reading books, a keyboard isn’t required.
• However, if you plan on using it as a weekend replacement for your laptop, or for school, then, yes, you’ll need to spend the extra money on one. You can get Bluetooth options online or at electronic stores, and they’re perfect traveling companions for when you want to work or play on the go.

Is there really that big of a difference between Android and iPadOS?

• There is a big difference in terms of the quantity and quality of apps that are available for iPadOS over Android. Apple and third-party developers have spent years fine-tuning the experience on the larger display device.
• Google has all but admitted it gave up on making Android tablets, and developers have taken the company’s lead. You’ll find a lot of apps you can install and use, but ultimately they’re nothing more than the phone version of the app, and many just don’t work as they should.

When do tablets go on sale?

• The best time to snag a deal on a tablet is during big sales events like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. In addition, some brands have their own events, such as Discover Samsung, where tablets and other devices are discounted on Samsung’s website.

This solid all-rounder packs a 12th-generation Core i5 CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 graphics and delivers all-day battery life.

Honor MagicBook 14 (2022)

pros and cons

Pros

• 12th-gen Core i5 CPU
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 option
• All-day battery life
• Competitive price

Cons

• 300 nits screen
• 720p webcam
• Disappointing speakers
• Honoris known primarily as a smartphone manufacturer, but the Chinese company’s portfolio extends to tablets such as the excellentHonor Pad 8, wearables (bands, watches and earbuds) and the MagicBook range of 14-inch, 15-inch and 16-inch laptops.
  The Honor MagicBook 14 (2022), This buys you a 12-core (4 Performance, 8 Efficient) Intel Core i5-12500H processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. A model with discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 graphics .
• 

  The build is very solid, and the aluminium shell should prove resistant to knocks and scratches in the normal course of events. The 1.58kg weight, while on the high side for a 14-inch laptop, didn’t trouble me as I carried this device around in my rucksack. At 16.9mm thick it’s not super-thin either, but the chassis does allow room for a full-size HDMI port and USB-A on the right side, plus a pair of USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headset jack on the left. One of the USB-C ports is used to charge the laptop. 

  The 14-inch screen sits in bezels thin enough to earn a claimed screen-to-body ratio of 88.15%, and there’s a 720p webcam above the screen. The screen’s resolution of 2,160 by 1,440 pixels means content is sharp and clear although its 300 nits maximum brightness is on the low side. Still, I found it perfectly adequate for indoor working. The 170° viewing angle meant I could easily share content with someone sitting to one side of me. 

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   Keys have 1.5mm of travel and there’s a combined power button/fingerprint reader in the top right corner.

My review unit had a US keyboard layout, but otherwise I found it efficient and comfortable to use. There’s 1.5mm of key travel and good bounce-back, and the gentle clicking generated by typing should suit those who like to work in relative quiet. There is a fingerprint sensor in the upper right of the keyboard, integrated into the power button. The touchpad is responsive and easy to get to grips with, and as large as the wrist rest allows. 

The Honor MagicBook 14 (2022) performed well for the mainstream knowledge-worker tasks I threw at it during testing, the array of ports is quite strong, and battery life was good. If you’re looking for a workhorse laptop for everyday usage, and can find it on sale, the MagicBook 14 is worth considering.

The disappointing feature as far as the user experience is concerned is the speaker system. Their grilles are on the underside of the chassis, which muffles the sound when you’re working with the laptop on your lap or any softer surface. Top volume isn’t as high as it could be, and there’s a fuzziness to the sound output that makes music listening a little disappointing. The speakers are fine for spoken-word content, but if you’re looking for a strong audio performer for after-hours entertainment, you might want to look elsewhere. 

  The 75Wh battery is specified as good for 15 hours of 1080p local video playback. My experience during testing suggests that 10 hours of battery life might be closer to the mark. Still, that ought to be enough for a productive day away from mains power. Honor has launched a system called OS Turbo, which can recognise usage scenarios and adjust power consumption accordingly. According to the company, this can reduce power consumption by up to 20%. Honor provides a 135W charger, which it says can take the battery from empty to 100% in 80 minutes.

Honor MagicBook (2022) specifications

OS	Windows 11 Home
Processor	Intel Core i5-12500H
GPU	Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 (4GB)
RAM	16GB
Storage	512GB
Display	14-inch, 2160 x 1440 (3:2, 185ppi), 300 nits, 1500:1, 100% sRGB
Ports & slots	2x USB-C (10Gbps), USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI, 3.5mm audio in/out
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	5.2
Keyboard	full size, 1.5mm key travel
Touchpad	5-point multi-touch, 120mm x 72.2mm
Webcam	720p
Fingerprint reader	integrated in power button
Audio	2x speakers, 2x mics
Battery	75Wh
Applications	Honor Magic-link/PC Manager
Dimensions	307.51mm x 227.56mm x 16.9mm
Weight	1.58kg
In the box	MagicBook 14, USB-C power adapter, quick-start guide, warranty card
Price	€999.90 (16GB/512GB/Intel Iris Xe Graphics), €1,199.90 (16GB/512GB/Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050)

Meaningful changes under the hood and clever display capabilities make the latest Galaxy flip phone one of the best on the market.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 6 is thinner and lighter than ever, with flattened edges that give the phone an industrial feel in the hand. Samsung is selling the Z Flip this year in a multitude of pastel colors: Blue, Mint, Yellow, Silver Shadow, White, Peach, and Crafted Black. For a little more personality, the camera rings are accented with the color you choose.

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The camera system has gotten perhaps the biggest boost from last year’s model, with an improved 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide. Samsung tells me it decided to stick with an ultra-wide camera instead of switching to a telephoto lens like competing phone maker Motorola because it allows users to take better group photos, and I agree. The ultra-wide sensor should serve users better when taking photos of taller and wider landscapes.

The most fascinating camera improvement is the new AI-powered Auto Zoom feature, which automatically detects how many people are in a frame, as well as potential background objects you may want to keep in the shot (think Eiffel Tower, the name of a storefront, etc.) and repositions accordingly.

Now, the funner part: the outer display, or, as Samsung calls it, Flex Window. It’s the same 3.4-inch screen as last year’s model, but the company’s baked in some whimsical elements:

• Interactive Wallpapershave animations that you tap, drag, and shake the phone to interact with. One of my favorites had various emojis that would tumble around as you rotated the device.
• Photo Ambient applies a weather and/or color temperature filter, depending on your time and location.
• Generative Wallpaperlets you create new wallpapers by selecting key theme words.
• You can quickly respond to text messages withSuggested Replies, which pull context from previous conversations and formulate replies based on your texting style.
• Like the larger Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, you can use dual-screenInterpreter Modefor live translations between two languages.
• New Flex Window widgets include Samsung Health, SmartThings, Reminder, and News.
• 
• Ultimately, the outer display, where Samsung has the most room to innovate, feels more functional than before, and users who were already drawn to the customizability of the Z Flip are likely to appreciate the new changes. There’s even an improved Flipsuit case that, when clipped onto the back of the phone, automatically changes the wallpaper to match its design via NFC. Plus, with wireless charging, the case’s LED should light up whenever you fold and unfold the device.Stay tuned to ZDNET for a deeper dive into theSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. For now,withseveral promotions and offersalready active.

HP’s Envy x360 2-in-1 (2024) stands apart from the crowd with a well-optimized set of hardware, brilliant display, and a competitive price point.

  key takeaways

• TheHP Envy x360 2-in-1 (2024)is available from HP.
• It has one of the most gorgeous displays I’ve seen on a 2-in-1, with a suite of solid hardware.  
• Configuration swapping can be buggy, and it’s on the heavier side. 

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A host of new 2-in-1 laptops have already launched in 2024, as the form factor’s popularity continues to grow. More and more laptop diehards (myself included) who have previously been unwilling to commit to a tablet are getting on board with convertibles, which give you the best of both worlds.

The HP Envy x360 16″ 2-in-1 shows up to the party with all the features that consumers actually want in a convertible: a gorgeous display, beefy speakers, and a suite of hardware to back it up, resulting in solid performance and a satisfying media experience at a mid-range price point.

Yes, a 16-inch screen is large when used as a tablet. A little unwieldy, even. The OLED display on this laptop is so good that it doesn’t matter to me. In fact, it could be bigger, and I would still happily tote it around.

The Envy x360 features a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution OLED touchscreen with a variable 120Hz refresh rate and edge-to-edge glass that results in a smooth-as-silk visual experience. The 500-nit brightness is more than enough for normal use, and the glossy finish looks gorgeous (but may not be for everyone, because fingerprints are a thing).

Video playback is vibrant, smooth, and sharp, with a realistic depth of color and contrast. HP also advertises the Envy x360 as an “IMAX certified” laptop, one of the first of its kind. It earned this certification for its ability to display IMAX-formatted content in its original 1.43:1 or 1.90:1 aspect ratio. While a flashy designation, this is a laptop we’re talking about here; it’s still a 16-inch screen. It does look good, though — I’ll give it that. 

The audio is also decent. While it may seem that the two vents on either side of the keyboard are speakers, audio actually originates from the dualDTS:X ultra bar-shaped speakers on the back of the device. There isn’t a lot of bass, but mid-frequency audio and dialogue sound crisp and clear and held their own when I played Netflix in a noisy kitchen.

Regarding the hardware, the Envy x360 is positioned just below HP’s Spectre line of laptops to provide great performance that serves most users’ needs. We reviewed the2024 Spectre x360earlier this year and found it has truly next-gen hardware with the cutting-edge “Meteor Lake” AI processor, but it will run you hundreds of dollars more.

 buying advice

TheHP Envy x360 16 (2024)is priced well for an upper-mid-tier device with a gorgeous display and solid performance. Creators will love this laptop’s flexible form factor and impressive battery life. After using it for a few weeks, I can say that it’s my favorite big-screen 2-in-1, despite its quirks. This is a laptop for work as much as it is for entertainment, and if you’re looking for a 2-in-1 laptop, you have to consider the Envy x360.

If you’re looking for a smaller option, consider HP’s 2024 Spectre x360, which has a 14-inch display. For something more adventurous, check out theLenovo Yoga Book 9i, which has two displays.

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