Eurocom M5 Pro

One year later, Nvidia’s GM204 is still the king of mobile GPUs

Last october, Nvidia wowed the world with its potent new Maxwell 2.0 GPUs, and it pulled a doubleheader by launching the mobile variant right after the desktop parts. Since that time, if you wanted a topperformance gaming notebook, there has only been one question: Do you want GTX 980M, or will GTX 970M suffice? Eurocom’s M5 Pro gives you the power to choose, though our review notebook goes the “more sensible, less extreme” route with a single 970M, and pairs it with a nice 4K Samsung PLS display for good measure.

X out of 10

Windows has leapfrogged nine and gone all the way to ten, but is still missing a trick that Apple sussed years ago

At the time of writing, Windows 10 has just dropped and the verdict from those who’ve tried it appears to be broadly positive. At the very least, it washes away most of the taste of sheer evil that Windows 8 had left in everyone’s mouths. It’s a smart, modern take on Windows, even if it worryingly underpins the theory that Microsoft gets it right precisely every other major update. Hold your breath next time around, then.

Choosing A Monitor. What The Jargon Means

Looking for a new monitor but aren’t sure what all the technical information means? Let us fill you in

If you’re a desktop PC user, you’ll have some form of monitor connected to your system. Laptops, all-in-ones and tablets have no such concern, as they all have their own built-in displays, but the more traditional PC is not so lucky and needs to be accompanied by the ever present monitor.

These have changed greatly over the years, embracing new technology and offering increasingly better image quality, but one thing has remained the same: the confusion many face when it comes to buying a new one.

Best of British. A Celebration of Technological Innovation

Mark Oakley glows with pride as he takes a look at some of the developments, hardware, apps and games that showcase Britain’s technological prowess

If you could indulge me for just a moment, could I ask you to take a look around your computer workspace. Really take a look at it and think about where all the technology that you use everyday comes from. The chances are that the people who put your computer together, shipped your peripherals, buffed up the glass on your monitor, manufactured the console perched on the end of the table, boxed up your hard drive… well, the chances are that they came from all over the world.

Code With AI2. Timer (Part 1)

David Briddock gets into Google’s App Inventor

App Inventor 2 (AI2) is a platform that aims to open up Android app creation to everyone. All you’ll need to begin is a Windows, Mac or Linux PC, a web browser and a Google account.

Ideally you’ll also have an Android smartphone or tablet, but even this isn’t essential to get started.

Free Alternatives To Commercial Software

If you’re on a limited budget or just like free and open-source software, Roland Waddilove has some alternatives to popular commercial software that might be right up your street

Commercial software like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and other applications sell in huge volumes because they’re excellent. They’re also expensive, especially when you look at the long-term costs of using them. Both those examples require monthly or annual subscriptions, and as the years go by the cost mounts up – to more than £1,000 over five years, in fact. Are there any alternatives?

Does The UK Pay More For Tech?

David Crookes look at price differences between the UK and the US, and whether the gap is closing

Brits can be a canny bunch when it comes to saving cash. Hundreds of thousands of people subscribe to weekly money-saving emails, many more use price comparison sites and price trackers, and there are also lots of apps that pick up where we are at any one time and point us to the bargains that are all around us.