Apple records

Mac users beware. The war against privacy intrusions has just begun.

War is over, if you want it. Maybe that was pure optimism from John Lennon, but the same need not be true of privacy. Contrary to what people with vested interests may tell you, our new internet age does not have to mean privacy is over. It just means you have be vigilant for the unending dirty tricks that keep rearing to pull personal information from you for whatever reason.

There is a constant battle between businesses and governments on the one side, and the private individual and his or her dignity on the other. This was brought to mind by some surprising changes in Apple’s new desktop operating system.

CorelDRAW Home & Student Suite X7

A comprehensive graphic-design suite at a bargain price.

While many high-end graphics suites only offer reduced prices to those who can prove they’re currently in education, CorelDRAW Home & Student Suite X7 is available to everyone. It costs under £100 and is identical to the £480 professional edition, except it’s missing Corel Website Creator and a few features only very advanced users will miss.

This makes it a great option for hobbyists, whether you’re already a wizard with a graphics tablet or simply keen to try your hand at new skills. Plus, you can install it on up to three computers in your household.

Canon PIXMA MG5650

Canon's latest home MFP looks smart and performs well.

The Canon Pixma MG5650 is a multifunction printer (MFP), which means it prints, scans and copies. It offers plenty of features including duplex printing, wireless connectivity and the ability to scan and print without the need for a computer. It’s a stylish device made of high-quality plastic. While it has a colour display, it isn’t touch sensitive and the controls can be a little confusing due to the somewhat convoluted on-screen menus.