Plug computers

The latest mini computers make your tower PC look like the Empire State Building

What are they?

Mini PCs entirely contained within a case the size of a power adapter. They plug into and are powered by an electrical socket. They’ve been around since 2009, but mostly only for Ubuntu, the Linux distribution that requires less processor power than Windows, and is therefore better suited to such a small machine. They’ve only had niche appeal so far, but that may soon change.

Bring your project to life on Kickstarter

Got an idea for a technology project or product? Professional fundraiser Lise Smith reveals how to find funding on Kickstarter to make it a reality

Kickstarter is the perfect platform for getting your app, service or other technology project of the ground. Recently, products such as the Pebble Time smartwatch have attracted US$20.3 million from more than 78,000 backers keen to get the device of the starting blocks, while the Exploding Kittens card game met its US$10,000 funding goal in only eight minutes. More than US$1.6 billion have been pledged through the site since launch, with a current funding success rate for new projects of around 40%. So how can you ensure that your project ends up in that 40% category with a full funding thermometer?

What’s the most effective way to boost your network?

Killing dead spots, extending your range, boosting speeds – there are many reasons to upgrade your home or small-office network. We explain how

Stronger signals and longer range might be at the heart of many home and small-office network upgrades, but more of us are pushing our networks harder than ever before.

ASUS VivoPC VM62 Mini PC

Full- featured computer in a small footprint with plenty of customisation options

Small computers are nifty. They can provide a full desktop PC experience where the physical space for a traditional tower case would be cumbersome or impractical. In the past, a tiny form factor meant weak specs and woeful performance - but the ASUS VivoPC VM62 platform brings compact size and low power consumption together with performance and a reasonable price.

Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay 8TB

Intended for home use, this NAS certainly packs in a lot of storage capacity and is also media-friendly

T he Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay 8TB is a consumer NAS device for the home. It has a minimalist design, piano black finish and set-top box dimensions. The appeal for home users lies in its ease of use, and its combination of media sharing and backup capabilities.

Gigabyte GV-N98TG1 GAMING-6GD

The version of the GTX 980 Ti we’re reviewing here is slightly di…erent to most of the GTX 980 Ti products currently on sale though, as it’s been given the full Gigabyte overclocking treatment. This comes with a small price premium, so let’s see what extra goodies the $60 premium brings with it.

Linksys Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router EA8500

Fantastic technology but a tad pricey for the moment

The Linksys Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router EA8500 addresses the problems faced by multi-device households. The router itself is an imposing piece of kit, occupying same amount of desk space as a laptop, with four large, removal antennae. Housed within the chassis is a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 512MB DDR3 RAM, and 128MB flash memory, providing substance to match its looks.

Virtual Reality: The Time Has Come

The once-bitten, twice-shy Jack Schofield thought VR was pure hype. Here, he reveals why the virtual revolution could be just months away

It’s been almost 30 years since Dr Jonathan D Waldern founded a tiny company called W Industries to develop a “virtual-reality” system – which included a head-mounted display (HMD), data gloves, a tracking system, and associated software. I still have vivid memories of trying a prototype. How could I refuse an invitation to experience the future?