Microsoft Surface. Laptop Replacement Or Desk Surface?

Can a Microsoft Surface really replace a laptop? Chris Salter investigates

Microsoft released the Surface range of tablets back in 2012. They were tablets, running Windows 8, designed to show the tablet functionality of the Windows 8 system. However, these made use of Windows RT, a full version of Windows 8 that was programmed to work on ARM-based processors and didn't run on the standard x86 processors used in PCs, and so were limited in the ability to work with normal programs. This meant that the Surface didn't really appeal to all but the die hard Windows users and were essentially tablets solely for using Office. Microsoft had written the Office suite to be used on Windows RT and the Nvidia Tegra powered tablets, but the majority of the other software available for computers cannot run on this architecture and therefore was rendered useless. The tablet never really took off, although it did receive reasonable reviews here and there, but the biggest flaw was its incompatibility with new programs.

Alienware Area-51

Eye- watering performance for an eye -watering price

When someone spends big money on a BMW with the same power as, say, a Commodore, there’s this general understanding that the BMW is, in some way, worth the massive premium. There’s a perception (possibly exaggerated) that it has superior engineering, a nicer interior, maybe better handling. Most importantly, it has a badge that tells everyone you’re “getting ahead”. The Bimmer might not actually, empirically be better than the SV6, but the point is that enough people think it is. So the money is at least understandable, if not necessarily worth it.

Intel Core i7-5775C

Intel takes the iGPU lead, for a price

B roadwell has been a long time coming to the desktop, but it’s finally here in the form of Intel’s i7-5775C. It’s the codename for Intel’s move to a 14nm manufacturing process, known as a tick in Intel’s tick/tock cadence, and has been long overdue thanks to production issues. While laptops have benefited from Broadwell’s powersipping process since late 2014, it’s only now that desktop users get to see what all the fuss is about. And while the move to 14nm is impressive, it’s the beefed up Iris Pro graphics in this processor that steals the show.

DrayTek Vigor2925ac Dual-WAN Security Router

A full-featured router with 802.11ac Wi-Fi suitable for the advanced home setup or office

W hen stuffing around with Cisco or Juniper gear isn’t appropriate or too expensive, network engineers tend to get DrayTek equipment instead. DrayTek’s Vigor firmware is generally full featured, relatively easy to setup and the price is quite reasonable. The Vigor2925 is neat little unit that continues the DrayTek tradition of heaps of features at a comparatively low price for both home and business use.