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Nintendo is set to discontinue its Gold Points rewards scheme
From March 24, 2025, you’ll no longer be able to earn them
However, points you earn now will be redeemable for another 12 months
Nintendo has confirmed it will be winding down its eShop Gold Points rewards scheme next month.
The announcement was made over on the officialMy Nintendo website, confirming that the earning of Gold Points will be discontinued on March 24, 2025. At the time of writing, the website is currently returning an error for that page. But an FAQ (sourced byGo Nintendo) provides more details, reading:
“Beginning at 9:30 p.m. PDT on 3/24/2025, users will no longer be able to earn My Nintendo Gold Points. Gold Points will no longer be earned for digital purchases on Nintendo eShop after 9:30 p.m. PDT on 3/24/2025.
“Gold Points will no longer be earned on physical games that release after 3/24/2025. For physical games that released on or before 3/24/2025, Gold Points may still be earned by registering eligible titles within one year from the original release date of the game.
“All earned Gold Points will continue to be valid and redeemable for 12 months after they are issued. Please note that there are no changes to how you redeem the Gold Points you already earned.”
Suspiciously, this is happening about a week and a half ahead of April 2’s scheduledNintendo Switch 2Direct. Nintendo currently hasn’t announced a replacement for the Gold Points rewards scheme, but there is a chance the company could be implementing a new system for when its new console arrives later this year.
If not, then that’s definitely a shame. Gold Points are a pretty great way of saving cash on digital eShop purchases. Like PlayStation Rewards, Gold Points are added to your Nintendo account after registering a physical game or purchasing a game digitally on the eShop. Over time, this lets players save a substantial amount on thebest Nintendo Switch games.
Nintendo has confirmed that Nintendo accounts will transfer to Nintendo Switch 2, so, could a bigger Nintendo eShop overhaul be on the way? Let’s hope so, because it definitely needs one.
Older Intel CPUs are still supported with 24H2, despite some reports claiming otherwise
Some reports mistakenly claimed Windows 11 24H2 has dropped support for Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th-gen CPUs
Microsoft has made it clear this isn’t the case
The confusion arose due to a support document which is correct, but aimed at PC makers, so it only applies to new, not existing, Windows 11 systems
Windows 11hasn’t dropped support for some olderIntelprocessors with its latest incarnation, the (rather problematic) 24H2 update, despite some reports that are floating around claiming this is the case.
Windows Latestbrings this clarification, complete with word fromMicrosoftthat these older Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th-generation processors are still fully compatible with Windows 11 24H2, and nothing has changed in that respect.
So where did this errant idea originate? It came from an official list of supported CPUs for Windows 11, which was indeed very recently updated for the 24H2 release, whereupon the mentioned Intel chips were removed.
However, the key point is that this is a support document that lists processors that are okay to use for laptop and PC manufacturers in their new Windows 11 devices. The text clearly states: “OEMs [PC makers] may use the following CPUs for new Windows 11 devices.”
There’s a clear difference between CPUs recommended to go in new Windows 11 PCs, and chips that are inexisting PCs which are supported by Windows 11. Something has changed in the former case – those mentioned Intel processors are now considered too out of date to be included with a new machine packing 24H2 (even though they’re still technically okay) – but nothing has changed in the latter case with existing devices.
In short, you’ll be fine to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 if you’re using an Intel 8th, 9th, or 10th-gen chip, there’s no need to worry on that score.
Windows Latest received a clarification direct from Microsoft with a statement that the “requirements haven’t changed” for Windows 11 24H2, and indeed they haven’t been modified since the OS was first released.
In a separate support article elsewhere on the Windows Hardware Development portal, regarding the CPU requirements for Windows 11 which are provided, Microsoft also notes: “Changes to the processors listed do not indicate or impact a customer’s existing Windows support and are intended for OEMs to determine processors which may be used in new Windows devices.”
Analysis: It’s easy to see where confusion crept in
That clears up the matter definitively, then. That said, there is something of an oddity in that theWindows 11 system requirements page– the official effort for consumers – links across to a ‘list of approved CPUs’ which is the aforementioned recommendations for OEMs, not consumers.
So, Microsoft could do with tidying up its support literature here, as it’s easy to see how someone might become confused. If you don’t read the full text of the article, you won’t spot the reference to OEMs (and who reads everything these days?).
What are you supposed to do, then, as a consumer wondering about the exact CPU requirements for Windows 11? Well, Microsoft evidently doesn’t want you poring over any lists of supported processors, and instead recommends you run thePC Health Check app– which admittedly is an easy and hassle-free way to see if your computer does indeed support Windows 11. (Also checking for every possible requirement, not just the processor).
I’d still recommend Microsoft cleans up the mentioned support documentation, though, to ensure that any possible confusion is kept to a minimum, because clearly, as this episode illustrates, there’s some room for befuddlement.
It’s one step closer to having a computer in my pocket
I don’t understand why we don’t have computers that fit in our pockets. Oh wait, we do — they’re called smartphones. So why am I still lugging around a laptop every day to work?
This is exactly the reason why I’ve leaned onSamsung DeXso much on my Galaxy phones that support it. There’s no kidding thatDeX is one of the most underrated phone featuresaround, but I really find value in how it sort of replicates the desktop PC experience with its ability to run multiple apps simultaneously whenever I connect my phone to an external monitor. I’ve purposefully left my laptop at home on days when I have to commute to the office thanks to this.
However, I stumbled upon a hidden feature in myPixel 9 Pro XLthat gives me a similar desktop PC-like experience — and I’m stoked about it. After spending a week with it, I hope thatGooglewill make it a native feature for all Android phones.
Not quite as polished as DeX, but usable
Google’s desktop mode isn’t polished at all, which is why it’s accessible only once developer mode is enabled. Still, it gets the job done for most things I need to do on a daily basis. Once I’ve connected my Pixel 9 Pro XL to my monitor at work (through a USB-C hub, which also has a mouse and keyboard connected to it), Google’s desktop mode launches after I select the on-screen message on my phone to mirror my screen.
Similar to Samsung’s DeX, this desktop-like environment lets me multitask a lot better than on my phone. This is due to how I can run multiple apps simultaneously and resize their respective windows in such a way where I can feasibly run upwards of four apps. Try doing that on any phone! You can’t.
And since this mode lets me use my mouse and keyboard, my productivity is amplified over what I could traditionally do on just my phone. However, I wouldn’t go far to say it would totally replace my laptop. That’s because it can’t quite handle all the stuff I rely on to get my work done. For example, there are severalChromescripts I use for work which aren’t available to me on my phone.
There are also other oddities in the interface, like how it can’t automatically tile windows and how it doesn’t support common keyboard shortcuts (like Alt + Tab for quick switching apps). It’s more of a manual affair with this interface, which is why Samsung DeX feels like a more polished interface.
In order to access this hidden mode, you have to enable a few settings hidden in Developer Mode. You just need to head on over to theSettings > About Phone > Build Number, then proceed to taprepeatedlyon the build number until a message appears saying that you’re now a developer.
2. Enable settings for Desktop Mode
From there, you’ll want to navigate to Settings > System > Developer options. Now scroll down all the way to the bottom of the list and toggle on the following options: Enable Freeform Windows, Force activities to be resizable, Enable freeform windows on secondary display, and Enable non-resizable in multi window.
Even though it’s not necessary, I would recommend installing theTaskbar appas well because the native one in the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s desktop mode is broken. There’s a button to access the apps panel, but the home and back functions are strangely hidden. They’re there towards the bottom edge of the panel because those actions happen when I press on those corresponding areas.
Using the Taskbar app allows me to better juggle around all the apps, versus manually relaunching each one from the apps panel whenever I minimize windows.
Clearly there’s still a lot of work needed before this desktop PC-like interface can convince me it’s just as good as Samsung DeX. Nevertheless, the foundation is here and I hope that Google continues to develop this because I’ve also found out that it supports touchscreen displays.
Google has a long way to go before this desktop mode matches Samsung’s DeX, but making it a native feature for other Android makers to add on to and enhance could make for a worthwhile experience in those times I don’t want to lug around my laptop.
Now Playing may have been busted for months, with no fix in sight
(Image credit: Google)
One of the most useful hidden features in Google’s Pixel phones is the “Now Playing” function. When enabled, it can detect any music playing nearby, and display song information on your lock screen. Unfortunately, users are reporting that the feature has been broken for months, with no news on when that might change.
Some Pixel owners have been discussing this issue at great length over onReddit, with the original poster expressing confusion as to why theirPixel 6was only able to recognize two songs throughout a four-hour road trip.
Others have chimed in with their own experiences, including noting that thePixel 9 Prosuffers the same issues — “horrendously bad compared to earlier iterations.” Another lamented the fact that Now Playing has lost its reliability, and “doesn’t show up half the time,” plus a few choice words we can’t repeat here.
In response to this, one Redditor mentioned that the Now Playing icon is often missing from the lock screen, but songs are still being listed in the history. I’ve never used Now Playing, instead preferring to be old-school with my music identification — opting for apps like Shazam.
But I did give Now Playing a go on my Pixel 9 Pro. It mostly worked, but I will caveat with the fact that it wasn’t perfectly seamless. Not to mention the fact I have no idea how good Now Playing was in the past, which Reddit users clearly do.
What I found was that Now Playing was able to identify big name artists and songs, but struggled with smaller ones — including cover bands that are all the rage on my YouTube feed.
So while my Pixel could identify the likes of AC/DC or The Weeknd, it got a number of smaller YouTubers completely wrong. Assuming it was able to identify them at all. Now Playing was also pretty slow to update, and needed a good 30-60 seconds of music to update the lockscreen.
Granted I’ve only just set the feature up, and only just downloaded Now Playing’s music database to my phone. From what people on variousReddit threadsare saying, the problems only arose after a period of frequent use. Whether Now Playing simply gives up after a while, or if I’m just on a lucky streak, isn’t clear.
Android Authoritynotes that Google did release an update to Android System Intelligence to fix some of the problems last month — promising “bug fixes and improvements to Pixel Now Playing Album Art feature.”
However, that doesn’t seem to have fixed the problem. Other users have recommended clearing the System Intelligence cache, which can be done inSettings > Apps > All Apps > Android System Intelligence > Storage & Cache > Clear cache.
If that doesn’t work, then there isn’t much more that can be done until Google tackles the problem with a future update. In the meantime you may just need to rely on other music identification apps like Shazam, or by asking Google Assistant.
Amazon is removing the Download & Transfer via USB option on Kindles
The feature hadn’t appeared on the latest models
It’s likely that the move is to combat ebook piracy
I’ve owned and loved some of thebest Kindlesin the series sinceAmazonfirst introduced the ereader, but using these devices can feel somewhat restrictive – especially now Amazon is killing off a useful USB file transfer feature.
As reported byThe Verge, the Download & Transfer via USB option is going away on February 26. That means you’ll no longer be able to download ebooks purchased from Amazon, and then move them to yourKindleover a wired USB connection.
The feature isn’t actually available on the latest generation of Kindles, pushed out last year, but all other models are going to be affected. Amazon doesn’t give a reason for the move, but it’s almost certainly to crack down on ebook piracy.
Using fairly simple tools available online, users could download purchased ebooks from Amazon, crack the DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection on them, and send them to other devices or distribute them widely on the web. That will no longer be possible.
As is often the case, efforts to battle digital pirates means rule-abiding users lose out. This means ebooks can no longer be saved on computers as backups, or moved over without a Wi-Fi connection, which gave Kindle owners some extra flexibility.
It’s worth bearing in mind that Amazon does occasionally remove ebooks from its catalog, or replace them with modified versions. Now more than ever, users are going to be at the whims of what Amazon decides to make available.
You will still be able to move ebooks over via Wi-Fi of course, as well as transfer files to your Kindle via USB and software such as Calibre. It’s specifically the ability to download purchases from the Amazon website to a computer that’s disappearing.
This also gets closer to fully killing off the older AZW3 format for Amazon ebooks: it’s been replaced by the newer KFX format, which is much harder to crack in terms of its DRM, and which is now used in most situations (except downloads to a computer).
APS-C cameras from the Fujifilm X100VI to the Canon EOS R100 still have a lot to offer
Most camera shoppers look at specifications like megapixels, but there’s a feature that can often be even more important: the type of camera sensor. A popular option is APS-C, a sensor size that balances image quality with price. But, to the novice photographer, that camera spec looks like a confusing alphabet soup that inevitably begs the question, what is an APS-C camera?
An APS-C camera is a digital camera that uses a sensor that’s smaller thana full-frame sensorbut larger thanMicro Four Thirds. This mid-size sensor is the Goldilocks of camera sensors – not too small, but not too expensive either.
The term, which stands for Advanced Photo System Type C, originates from photography’s film era but today is more often used to describe a class of digital cameras. The exact size of the APS-C sensor varies slightly by manufacturer but measures roughly 23mm by 15mm.
This comparison shows how an APS-C sensor compares to full frame, as well as how it crops the image
That’s about 1.5 times smaller than a full-frame sensor. Full frame sensors are considered the standard for professional cameras.
Because APS-C cameras have sensors that are slightly smaller than full frame, the lenses appear to be cropped. Compared to the larger full frame, an APS-C sensor crops off the edges, which is why APS-C cameras are also referred to as crop sensor cameras.
The Sony A6700 on the left has an APS-C sensor while the Sony A7c on the right has a larger full-frame sensor
Most photographers will tell you that the larger the sensor is, the better – and that’s mostly true. A larger sensor will produce less grain and gather more light than a smaller one, among other benefits. But, an APS-C can have some advantages over full frame.
The first is the crop factor. Because APS-C cameras crop the edges off a full frame, the lenses appear to me more “zoomed in” than on a full frame camera. An APS-C camera has a 1.5x crop factor. Many full frame camera lenses will still work on an APS-C camera (provided you purchase the correct mount), but that lens will have a 1.5x cropped view on it when compared to putting that same lens on a full frame camera.
What does that mean? It means that a 50mm lens becomes a 75mm lens on an APS-C camera, which means the photo appears to be taken at a closer distance because those image edges are cropped off. If you are taking pictures of a far away subject, as is often the case with wildlife or sports, that crop factor can actually be an advantage because your lens appears to reach a bit farther.
However, don’t buy a crop sensor camera just for that added reach. Why? Because if you really want that reach, you canuse a full frame camera in crop mode, or crop the images later inLightroomorPhotoshop. You lose some resolution, but by turning the crop mode on a full frame camera on and off you can effectively have the benefits of both full frame and crop sensor from one camera.
The other big advantage of an APS-C camera is the cost. Crop sensor cameras tend to cost less thanfull frame cameras. That’s not always the case, as with entry-level options like thePanasonic Lumix S9compared to the advancedFujifilm X-H2, but for the most part crop sensor cameras cost less.
Another perk? Often APS-C cameras can be more compact than full-frame cameras. Some APS-C cameras with large grips can feel more like full-frame cameras, however.
The Canon EOS R100 is a budget-friendly APS-C camera
While APS-C are more affordable and give lenses more reach, the full frame sensor is considered the professional standard. A larger sensor lets in more light, so full frame cameras have an advantage in dark scenarios.
Full frame cameras will also produce more background blur orbokeh. And if you want to take an ultra-wide shot of a landscape, the crop factor on APS-C cameras becomes a disadvantage, cropping off the widest edges, rather than an advantage like with telephoto lenses.
Are APS-C cameras worth it?
TheNikon Z50is a compact APS-C camera
While full-frame cameras have more light-gathering abilities, the APS-C camera is the sweet spot for many photographers to get a camera at a reasonable price that still takes excellent images. If you want the best possible image quality and have a large budget, you’ll probably lean towards full frame. But if you want the best balance between features and price, you’ll want to consider an APS-C camera.
Many of the best mirrorless cameras are APS-C – and even some popular compact cameras like theFujifilm X100VI. APS-C cameras have more light gathering power than Micro Four Thirds, but tend to cost less than full frame cameras.
While the full frame camera category has more professional cameras, don’t believe the myth that professional photographers have to use full frame cameras. I’m a professional wedding and portrait photographer and I shoot withFujifilmAPS-C cameras. I chose Fujifilm for the colors, and the APS-C sensor is still plenty big enough, especially since I traded my full-frame f/2.8 lens for an f/1.0 and f/1.2 primes so I could compensate for the smaller sensor.
Let’s be real — nobody buys a Chromebook for gaming. Their true strengths lie in the simplicity and efficiency for workers and students, alongside being good for binge-watching to your heart’s content.
But for playing games? That’s a “no” from me. Even when Google promoted its laptops as being the “ultimate cloud gaming machine” a few years back (thead with Michelle Rodriguezstill runs through my mind), they couldn’t stand up to thebest gaming laptopssporting the latest in gaming-focused specs.
Not even theAcer Chromebook 516 GE($649), which isspecificallymade for gaming, could compete with the raw might of, say, anAsus ROG Zephyrus G14($1,999). Considering their price differences, though, that’s to be expected. But here’s the thing: wouldn’t it be great to play the latest games on a more generally affordable lineup of laptops? Of course, and Chromebooks present that chance.
Since 2011, I’ve seen Google’s laptops evolve — delivering better performance, greater connectivity and now a new category of beefier notebooks: Chromebook Plus. Surely, the best Chromebooks of today could manage to pull off decent gaming performance, right?
Well, that’s what I hoped, and after using a Chromebook as my main way to play games, I can say that the results are mixed. Ultimately, though, I was surprised by what was on offer, even if it still has a long way to go.
While these laptops aren’t made for gaming, you might be surprised to know that there are several ways to boot up a game on a Chromebook. There are plenty of compatible gaming apps on the Google Play Store, cloud gaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and GeForce Now and yes, you can alsoinstall Steam on a Chromebook.
Each delivers a variety of titles new and old, fromIndiana Jones and the Great Circleto Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Great, the games are here, but the real question is: can a Chromebook handle them?
I booted up aSamsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, a fine laptop with an excellent 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) AMOLED display and the following specs: Intel Core i3 100U CPU, Intel Graphics, 8GB DDR5X RAM and 256GB for storage. Not exactly beefy, but it meets the minimum requirements to play Steam on a Chromebook — and that’s enough for me.
I tried playing games in each category, with the Play Store being the easiest — and my most viable — option.
AsApple continues to make gaming good on Macs, Google has quietly been populating its Play Store on Chromebooks with a strong catalog of Android games. NotResident Evil 4-type good, but more in the classic and addictive, popular titles type of way.
There’s everything from Roblox and Among Us to Dead Cells, Stardew Valley and Loop Hero. There are even all-time classics like GTA: San Andreas, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Final Fantasy III 3D Remake. Then there are addictive card-based titles such as Balatro, Slay the Spire and Marvel Snap.
These games may not be high-quality blockbuster hits that we see on Steam, but they’re popular games that I would spend dozens of hours sinking my thumbs into regardless of the gaming device I play them on.
I booted up Balatro first, and it worked like a charm. It’s not exactly a demanding title, and it’s easily playable on many smartphones. Still, seeing as this break-out hit is even on a PS5, you bet this is the kind of game many gamers are checking out, and having this easily playable on a Chromebook is a major bonus.
I continued with the low-demanding title streak by playing the all-time classic RPG Chrono Trigger, made way back in 1995. And yes, now a full 30 years later, it can be played on a Chromebook. Hardly a surprise, but it’s an engaging title to play on a Chromebook nevertheless.
Now, I decided to up the stakes a tad. I installed Call of Duty Mobile to see how well the Galaxy Chromebook Plus could handle 3D rendering, but I never got past the launch screen. Every time I opened the app, it would automatically force quit shortly after showing logos for a split second. Even after looking at the minimal troubleshooters online, like reinstalling the app, none of it worked. Apparently, it only works on certain Chromebooks, and one of them isn’t mine.
So Genshin Impact it is. Not my general cup of tea, but a popular title fit for any gaming device. Unfortunately, though, to no avail. After what took over an hour to download the game and compile shaders, I was treated to the opening cinematic, where I could also choose my character. Afterward, though, it crashed. After booting it up multiple times, it kept crashing. Of course, this leads me to believe this isn’t made for 3D graphics.
All in all, a Chromebook does have a nice selection of games to play from the Play Store, unless they demand the third dimension. One point of annoyance: Netflix has a great catalog of gaming apps to download that are included in subscriptions. Unfortunately, none of these apps are compatible with Chromebooks, which is a shame seeing as there are games like Dead Cells, Oxenfree, Katana Zero, Into the Breach and more.
If it’s the latest AAA titles you want, a Chromebook can provide — but only through cloud gaming. Chromebooks don’t have the specs to pull off premium gaming features like Nvidia’s ray tracing or DLSS 4 to boost frame rates, but they can stream games from a gaming PC that does.
More than anything, this all depends on your internet speeds and Wi-Fi connections. The gamer-ready Acer Chromebook 516 GE even comes with an Ethernet port for uninterrupted streaming. However, with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus’Wi-Fi 6Econnectivity (althoughWi-Fi 7is preferred), along with my home network’s internet speeds (up to 500Mbps), it should be enough to stream games on.
Lo and behold, it is! After using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in a Chrome browser, I could scroll through a library of top-sellers, and that includes the updated Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. The thing is, these games need a controller to get going. A shame, seeing as there is a perfectly good keyboard here for certain titles, but a PS5 DualSense controller does the trick.
Without any installs, I tried out the latest, upscaled edition of Ryu Hayabusa’s action-packed adventure. At first, visuals and gameplay were super smooth, and I was slicing, dicing and Izuna Dropping enemies without any lag. Then, as the on-screen action got more chaotic with waves of foes, the game dropped quality and stuttered far too frequently. As any fan of the fast-paced action franchise would know, this is not the way to play Ninja Gaiden.
I then tried Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and had a far better time. Perhaps it’s the slower pace of action-adventure’s stealth sections, exploration and combat, but I was able to get through an entire level without any hiccups. A tiny stutter here and there, but nothing game-breaking. That’s genuinely impressive, especially for a laptop that would never be able to handle such a game on its own.
Cloud gaming is a great option for Chromebooks, as Microsoft appears to have put the legwork in to make its cloud gaming a more viable service for gamers over the years. While titles that require minimal input lag aren’t a great match, more slow-paced games, even like Persona 3 Reloaded or Citizen Sleeper. Of course, though, this all depends on your internet speeds.
As a quick note: I tried to use Nvidia’s cloud-gaming service GeForce Now as a free user, trying out Ghostrunner. However, not being a paying subscriber myself, I didn’t get the best experience. In fact, it barely ran a few minutes before the directional inputs spun out of control (as evidenced below).
Steam on Chromebooks is a step forward
Steam for Chromebooks has been around for a while now, and even though it’s still in beta, Valve’s gaming client looks good on a Chromebook. It’s easy to install for Chromebooks that meet theminimum requirements, and it’s the full Steam package you’d expect on Windows. There are still a few issues, but overall, you can install and play games from your library as usual.
Well, therightgames. There’s no chance my Chromebook could run the likes of Cyberpunk 2077. I even tried playing one of my favorite titles of 2024, Anger Foot, which doesn’t require demanding specs, and it didn’t stand a chance of getting to the title screen before shutting down.
Instead, I stuck to more 2D indie games, such as Hotline Miami. This worked without a hitch, and gameplay was even snappy and smooth — two things required in this fast-paced top-down shooter.
Using Steam to game on a Chromebook is more trial and error, and depends entirely on the specs of a Chromebook, like any gaming PC. I can’t imagine all games will work, especially ones that push the limits of having 8GB of RAM, but for those classic titles and more pixelated games, Chromebooks can pull it off.
So, this leads back to the all important question…
Is gaming on a Chromebook any good now?
Truthfully, I don’t think gaming on a Chromebook is a terrible option anymore. At one point, I had no faith in what a Chromebook could offer, and couldn’t fathom trying to game on one. Seeing as the main focus of these laptops is for education and workers using web-based applications, gaming hasn’t been a high priority.
However, that doesn’t mean games can’t be played on one. Set your expectations, and you’ll be happily playing popular titles that don’t require an RTX 50-series GPU or equivalent. There are plenty of classic RPGs on the Play Store and Steam worth investing time into, and the latest Chromebooksshouldbe able to handle it all.
Moreover, cloud gaming is better than ever, and if you have a decent internet connection (and a controller), you can game to your heart’s content with the latest titles that come to Game Pass — and there are quite a few.
Will I continue to game on a Chromebook? Unlikely, especially when I have a proper gaming laptop and PS5 at hand. But for those interested in an affordable Chromebook and wondering if it’s possible to game on it, yes, you can. You’ll get a far better experience on a value gaming laptop like theAsus TUF Gaming A14, but if you’re looking to keep things cheap and cheery, Chromebooks aren’t the worst shout.
We test every Apple Pencil model vs Logitech Crayon to see which is the best iPad stylus.
(Image credit: Apple Pencil vs Logitech Crayon)
Apple Pencilvs Logitech Crayon – the ultimate battle of the smart styluses, but which is best? While there are a host ofApplePencils to pick from (including this year’s swanky new Apple Pencil Pro) it can be tricky to decide which to pick to accompany thebest drawing tablets, especially when compared to the humble yet powerful Logitech Crayon.
We’ve already reviewed the latest version of theLogitech Crayonand the newApple Pencil Pro, but each has its own unique pros and cons. If it’s compatibility that you’re after, you might require the more mature Apple Pencil 1,2 or USB-C options for older iPad, Air and Mini generations.
In all of its iterations, the Apple Pencil is an elegant object, designed very much to mimic a designer pencil, even down to its circular design and carefully tapered tip (rather than, say, a stepped lip where the tup enters the pen body, as many designers have lived with perfectly well on styluses for years).
When it comes to the first version, its elegance at times slightly interferes with its practicality, though not in ways that are major problems: to stop it rolling off desks, Apple has weighted it slightly, which is quite clever, but isn’t 100% effective, since enough momentum just overcomes this and it still rolls. And there’s an end cap covering the charging plug that’s held on by magnets, which is fine when writing/drawing with it (and fun to fiddle with), but is still not too hard to pop off and lose.
The Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Pencil Pro both feature a flat edge for magnetic charging, solving the rolling issue. There’s no magnetic cap either, so no risk of losing that.
The Logitech Crayon is designed with the classroom in mind as much as work, and it shows – it’s chunkier than the Apple Pencil, it’s squared off so it never rolls (and its cross section is roughly rectangular rather than circular), and it has a flappy plastic cover for its charging port that can’t be lost.
That plastic comes in a choice of fun/kiddy-looking orange on a grey body, or there’s a grey plastic on grey body version that’s actually quite reserved.
The Crayon also appears to be more durable than the Pencil – we’d expect to take being sat on better, or dropped, though we’ve never actually broken a Pencil this way ourselves.
Winner: Apple Pencil 2, Apple Pencil Pro, Logitech Crayon
When it comes to performance, there’s one major difference you need to know about: the Apple Pencil has pressure sensitivity, and the Logitech Crayon doesn’t. The Apple Pencil Pro also boasts added features like barrel roll which allows you to change the orientation of shaped tools, squeeze for easy switching and customisation, and even haptic feedback.
Both styluses write or draw with the same level of precision (technically speaking), and they both include tilt detection, enabling some artistic tool control in that sense. But the Crayon simply doesn’t handle pressure at all, while the Apple Pencil is great for fine-grained pressure sensitivity.
You probably know already whether this is a deal-breaker for you. If you just want to take notes on it, pressure sensitivity isn’t required (though some ink-mimicking notes apps do make use of it for a more natural look) and the Crayon is perfectly functional. If you’re planning to use a stylus for the precision application of effects in photo editing apps, then pressure sensitivity isn’t a requirement.
But for professional art, you need it. That the Crayon draws with the same level of precision as the Apple Pencil doesn’t matter if you can’t control the lines as finely, since you end up drawing so much more crudely, because that’s all the stylus is capable of.
Illustrators looking to do anything more than highly basic outlines should avoid the Crayon and go for the Apple Pencil. For everyone else, you can decide if you want the potential of making use of pressure sensitivity in the future.
Though the Crayon is larger than the Pencil, there’s not too much difference between them ergonomically. The way the Pencil’s size copies real pencils will be a boon for some, but plenty of people will equally prefer a chunker grip that they’ve become used to withWacomstyluses (though the Crayon is still only thick in one dimension, so isn’t quite the same as a big rubbery Wacom grip).
The Apple Pencil 1 has a glossy exterior, which can easily become a little slick with oils from your skin – Apple fixed this with a matte finish on all later models. The Crayon has a more matter-feeling finish, and the extra size helps you to keep a strong grip too.
For those doing fine and precise work, the Apple Pencil is more easily manipulated in tiny ways (and gets in the way of what you’re looking at a little less) so when combined with its pressure sensitivity, it becomes even more the artists’ choice.
But for those who want to be able to take notes or annotate while on the move, the extra grip of the Crayon may be more welcome – though, as we said, it’s not a huge difference. It will be more of a benefit for kids (who are, again, a key audience for the Crayon) lacking as fine motor control as adults.
Winner: Apple Pencil 2, Apple Pencil Pro
For those who want to be able to take notes or annotate while on the move, the extra grip of the Crayon may be more welcome(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Pencil vs Logitech Crayon: Charge
The older generations of Apple Pencil are famous for their slightly ridiculous charging system. With a Lightning connector under the cap, you can plug this into an iPad’s Lightning port to charge from the iPad’s battery.
The 2nd Gen Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro mitigate this stress with seamless wireless charging. Simply place the pencil on the magnetic storage strip and it’ll charge the stylus when it’s not in use. They both boast up to 12 hours of continuous use with storage and charging combined they’ll always be ready to use when you’re on the go.
The 1st Gen Logitech Crayon has a regular Lightning port on it for charging, so you can use the same cable as your iPad without any need for an adapter. The 2nd Gen boasts a USB-C charging port for pairing with newer iPad models which isn’t as seamless as Apple’s wireless charging capabilities. However, the Logitech Crayon has an off button, so you can be sure it’s not wasting battery when it’s waiting in your bag between uses, and it also powers off automatically after 30 mins of non-use.
It gives you around 7.5 hours of charge in total from a full battery – notably less than the Pencil, but it has a triple light system to let you know how charged it is, which is great extra affordance that the Pencil doesn’t have (though you can use Apple’s ‘Battery’ widget on the iPad to check the Pencil’s current levels).
Winner: Apple Pencil 2, Apple Pencil Pro
The Apple Pencil is famous for its slightly ridiculous charging system(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Pencil vs Logitech Crayon: Compatibility
The Logitech Crayon is interesting for compatibility because it works with every single iPad currently available, including the new iPad Pros that work with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil. It also works with the 10.2-inch iPad, the previous 9.7-inch iPad model with Apple Pencil support, the current iPad mini, and the currentiPad Air.
However, there’s no support for older iPads than these, so if you have an old-designiPad Pro, the Crayon is not an option.
As for the Apple Pencil, compatibility depends on which iPad you have. In fact, the compatibility so ridiculously confusing that instead of attempting to write it out here, I’m just going to show you Apple’s own chart (below), which, let’s be honest, hardly simplifies things at all.
Winner: Logitech Crayon
Thanks, Apple… (Image credit: Apple)
The Logitech Crayon works with every single iPad currently available(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Pencil vs Logitech Crayon: Price
The original Apple Pencil costs $89, while both versions of the Logitech Crayon cost $69.95. The Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Pencil Pro will both set you back$199
The extra money for the Apple Pencil gets you extra hours of battery life (though, as we say, because the Crayon is better at preserving battery, it’s hard to say exactly how beneficial that will be in practice), but most importantly it gets you pressure sensitivity.
For artists, there’s no question that this is worth the higher price. For everyone else, it’s a judgment call – we think the added value of the Pencil is certainly worth the price upgrade if you choose to go for it, though.
Winner: Logitech Crayon
For artists, there’s no question that the Apple Pencil is worth the higher price(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Pencil vs Logitech Crayon: Replacement tips
Both of these styluses have replaceable tips, but while the Apple Pencil comes with an extra tip, the Crayon doesn’t, so that’s another small extra value win for the Pencil.
Here’s an oddity, though: Logitech sells extra tips for the Crayon in packs of three for $14.99 in the US… but availability in other countries seems to be lacking, or non-existent. The good news is that users online report that Apple’s own replacement Pencil tips work in the Crayon, but it’s still not an ideal situation.
Apple’s tips cost $19 for a four-pack, which is fine for value, particularly since they last really well. Exactly how well they last will depend on your use, but the nice smooth glass of the iPad is quite kind on the tips, and it’s normal for them to last two years. However, using a screen protector can reduce that a lot, depending on the finish of it.
Winner: Apple Pencil (all models)
Apple Pencil vs Logitech Crayon: Storage
The Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Pencil Pro’s magnetic storage capabilities are a natural winner over the Logitech Crayon. With easy on the go access (and the added bonus of charging and pairing) the Apple Pencil is an excellent choice for artists (or anyone that has a habit of misplacing their stylus pens).
The Logitech Crayon doesn’t have any kind of official way to handily store it on or with the iPad. Various iPad cases will have Apple Pencil storage built in, so you can buy one that fixes this oversight, but not so much with the Crayon. The storage is “knowing which pocket you put it into in your bag”.
Winner: Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Pencil Pro
(Image credit: Apple, Logitech)
Apple Pencil vs Logitech Crayon: Conclusion
If you’re looking to do remotely serious art on your iPad, you want the Apple Pencil, there no question there. Pressure sensitivity is non-negotiable.
Beyond that, there’s not that much to choose between them. They’ll both work as well for each other at note taking or precision tool selection, though even then some apps can take advantage of the pressure sensitivity – it’s just not as much of a dealbreaker.
They both have advantages over the other when it comes to aspects such as design or charging/battery life.
The Logitech Crayon is cheaper, but we suspect most people go for the more adult-looking Apple Pencil and it’s familiar pen-like design.
Drawing tablet and pen display titan Wacom has completely refreshed its premium range of Intuos Pro tablets
The thin and light tablets look like great options for photographers and illustrators on the go(Image credit: Wacom)
Wacom has rocked thebest drawing tabletsmarket by announcing a complete redesign of its flagship Intuos Pro range. The Intuos Pro is a mainstay of thebest Wacom tabletsand with its new chip and digitizer set, Wacom claims the tablet boasts its “most accurate pen stroke (…) and intuitive controls in an ultra-slim, compact design.” It also features an improved battery life over the Intuos Pro 2017.
Wacom says the Windows and Mac-compatible tablets have been redesigned inside and out, with the most noticeable difference being physical controls positioned along the top of the tablet, rather than to one side, to better accommodate left-handed users. Another big update is the inclusion of the Pro Pen 3, found in the Cintiq Pro, Wacom’s flagship range of pen displays.
With three different sizes of tablet, you can select the Wacom Intuos Pro that suits your workflow best(Image credit: Wacom)
The Pro Pen 3 is said to provide Wacom’s “most sensitive, accurate, and natural pen performance,” while it can be customized with different grips, button configurations, nibs, and even weight adjustments, and doesn’t contain any batteries, removing the need for charging. It’s also Wacom’s first professional creative pen tablet that will work with older Wacom pro pens or a stylus made with EMR technology from Pilot, Lamy, or Staedtler.
The new Intuos Pro tablets boast enhanced ergonomics, thanks to the repositioning of mechanical dials and ExpressKeys, again, designed to better accommodate both right- and left-handed users, while also being customized for use with specific applications. The medium and large tablets have ten ExpressKeys and two dials, while the small tablet has five ExpressKeys and one dial. Each tablet is also extremely thin. All sizes boast a very sleight 0.16-0.28in (4 to 7mm) graduated thickness, with a sleek magnesium-alloy back.
The Wacom Intuos Pro features the customizable Wacom Pro Pen 3 (Image credit: Wacom)
Intuos Pro drawing tablet sizes
Intuos Pro Small
Intuos Pro Medium
Intuos Pro Large
Dimensions
8.5 x 6.4in (215 x 163mm)
11.5 x 8.1in (291 x 206mm)
14.8 x 10in (377 x 253mm)
Dimensions (active area)
7.4 x 4.1in (187 x 105mm)
10.4 x 5.8in (263 x 148mm)
13.7 x 7.7in (349 x 195 mm)
Weight
8.47oz (240g)
14.50oz (411g)
23.28oz (660g)
Pen pressure levels
8,192
8,192
8,192
Physical controls
5 ExpressKeys, 1 dial
10 ExpressKeys, 2 dials
10 ExpressKeys, 2 dials
The new Intuos Pro range can be paired and charged with the included USB-C to A cable or via Bluetooth 5.3. A useful enhancement is the tablets’ ability to pair to two computers simultaneously, making it easier to switch from one device to another, while a connector button allows users to “switch between the wired connection and either wireless computer,” so you can bring a third device into the mix. Wacom rates the tablets to provide 16 hours of battery when fully charged.
The tablets come with free trials of Clip Studio Paint, MASV andCapture One, as well as access to Wacom’s digital rights management tool, Yuify, so artists can protect their work via a micromark in conjunction with compatible software. The range is compatible with Windows 10 (or later) and macOS 13 (or later).
The tablets are set to launch in March and will be priced as follows: Intuos Pro Small, $249.95, Intuos Pro Medium, $379.95, and Intuos Pro Large, $499.95.
Microsoft’s Copilot Voice has been upgraded with 40 new languages
The AI has also improved its real-time responses
Microsoft wants to encourage people to engage with Copilot in their everyday lives
MicrosoftCopilot Voice has become a lot more cosmopolitan. The AI assistant has added support for 40 new languages and improved its real-time responses in a bid to make conversations feel more natural and comfortable for users.
Copilot Voice debuted in October, adding a vocal component to the AI, but with more power than the previous standard form of voice assistant. It can handle multi-turn conversations, recognize interruptions, and even adjust its tone based on emotional cues. It’s also free, which is a pretty big selling point in a world where AI subscriptions are becoming the norm.OpenAIhas Advanced Voice Mode forChatGPT, whileGoogle’s Gemini Liveoffers its vocal interface.
The expanded language support is a big deal, especially for users outside of English-speaking markets. Whether you’re switching between languages or simply want an assistant who understands your native tongue better, this is a welcome change. This also points to Microsoft’s strategy for making Copilot more of an international AI assistant through the Voice feature.
Another key improvement is in real-time information retrieval. Voice assistants have always had a slight lag when pulling information from the web, often leaving users waiting while the AI “thinks.” With this update, Copilot Voice is now much faster and more responsive when answering questions, making interactions feel smoother and more natural. No more awkward pauses while you wait for an answer to a simple question.
The update also highlights Microsoft’s efforts to enhance Copilot’s place as a digital assistant, not just a glorified search engine. Copilot Voice might succeed after the failure of Cortana as Microsoft’s AI voice assistant. The gap between what people expect from an AI assistant and what they actually get is closing, and voice AI tools will likely be a major facet.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
