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Computers and accessories

Independent and trusted tests, reviews and investigations of computer hardware, software,
networking and accessories.

 
 

Laptops and netbooks

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i_pad

Apple iPad first look

The release of Apple's iPad has caused a media stir. We take a first look.

28 Jan 2010 | No local release date or pricing has yet been announced, though the US version is expected to ship in a couple of months.

Budget laptop

Budget laptops review and compare

We test 10 laptops that give you good bang for your hard-earned buck.

24 Aug 2009 | CHOICE tested 10 budget laptops that provide a good combination of power and features at a reasonable price.

Baby

Netbooks review and compare

We test nine small netbook laptops you can take with you anywhere.

11 Mar 2009 | When Asus launched the first tiny Eee PC notebook computer, aimed at the education market just over a year ago, it unwittingly created a whole new category of computing — netbooks.

Ultraportable

Ultraportable laptops review and compare

Ultraportable laptops can do most of your computing tasks while on the go.

16 Oct 2008 | If you’re always on-the-go and don’t want to leave your home or office behind, you need a laptop that won’t weigh you down — and that’s where the ultraportable category shines.

Laptop

Multimedia notebooks review and compare

Our tests review the latest generation multimedia laptops.

13 Jun 2008 | If you’re looking for a successor to your trusty old desktop computer but don’t want the bulk of a traditional PC, you might want to consider a portable multimedia powerhouse instead.

Laptop

Laptop and notebook buying guide

Buy the laptop you need at the price you can afford.

26 May 2008 | Our report explains all you need to know about processors, memory, hard drives and more, and helps you match your needs with certain specifications.

Asus eee PC laptop review

Asus eee PC laptop review

Fans of Linux will appreciate this new offering from Asus — a linux-based laptop.

9 Apr 2008 | We think that the Eee PC is CCC — cool, compact and cheap. At just under $500, it’s the cheapest full-featured laptop on the market.

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CHOICE Computer Magazine

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| Learn about CHOICE Computer, the only technology magazine designed for beginner and intermediate computer users.

Home office

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Paper shredder

Paper shredders review and compare

Protect your personal information.

10 Apr 2008 | You don’t need to pay a fortune for a good-quality shredder. One model worked just as well as some three times the price.

Office chairs

Choosing a computer chair

A comfortable, supportive chair is a good investment if you spend a long time at your computer.

6 Apr 2005 | Furnishing your study or office may seem trivial in comparison to choosing a desktop but a hasty decision can lead to long-term physical problems.

Monitors and displays

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22 inch and 24 inch monitors

Budget monitors review and compare

Big monitors can outlast your PC and you can pick up a good one for less than $300.

8 Mar 2010 | We tested 16 widescreen displays for performance and ease of use - eight models in the 22-inch class and eight in the 24-inch class.

Measuring monitor

Wide-screen LCD monitors review and compare

Is bigger really better? We test wide-screen LCD monitors to find out.

8 Aug 2008 | These days 17-19 inch screens are considered mid-range sizes, as low prices have put 22-24 inch monitors within the reach of anyone, making them the new desktop kings.

Monitors

Computer monitors buying guide

A good quality monitor can last longer than your computer, and see you through two or three upgrades.

10 Mar 2005 | There are two types of monitor available for home desktops: LCD and CRT.

Networking

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Girl on phone

VoIP routers review and compare

Using VoIP can save you money, but you need the right hardware to do it — so we put seven VoIP capable modem routers to the test.

21 Jan 2009 | There’s a lot of talk about the cost advantages of moving to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), for both long-distance and local calls as well.

Wireless router

Wireless routers review and compare

Cut the tether to your broadband modem and wired network with these 10 wireless routers.

8 Jul 2008 | Wireless networking (Wi-Fi) lets you roam freely anywhere within the range of a wireless access point, also known as a 'hot spot'.

House connection

Homeplug AV review

Creating a home network has just become easier. HomePlug AV takes you where even Wi-Fi can’t reach.

16 Apr 2008 | A new breed of faster powerline devices promises a simple home networking alternative to traditional Ethernet wiring and Wi-Fi.

Peripherals and upgrades

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Multi function printers

All-in-one printers review and compare 2010

Our 2010 update finds that a multifunction printer, while handy, can be expensive to run.

2 Feb 2010 | All-in-one printers combine inkjet printing, copying and scanning functions (some have fax) into one device.

Colour Printers

Colour laser printers review and compare

Personal laser printers can colour your world, but watch out for hidden costs.

14 Dec 2009 | We bought 10 colour laser printers designed for the home and small office and tested for speed and print quality and also compared their ongoing running costs.

Computer ergonomic devices

Ergonomic computer devices review and compare

Are ergonomic devices better for you? We put 10 on trial.

4 Sep 2009 | Specially designed ergonomic devices can be of help to people suffering overuse injuries. CHOICE invited a group of everyday users to see if they could adjust to some of these devices.

multifunction printer

Multifunction printers review and compare 2009

These all-in-one printers may save on space, but they tend to be expensive to run.

19 Mar 2009 | The printers combine inkjet printing, copying and scanning functions (some have fax) into one device.

Chumby

Chumby review

The beanbag that for many may represent the future of the internet.

12 Mar 2009 | It’s small and squeezable, and Chumby is a versatile gadget designed to deliver a constant stream of personalised information updates on any topic.

Classic keyboard

Classic keyboard review

We tried out two modern versions of the ‘classic’ keyboard style for comparison.

3 Feb 2009 | Modern PC keyboards have evolved into many different designs. But how good are they for their basic purpose — typing?

USB and laptop

USB TV tuners review and compare

USB digital TV tuners you can take with you anywhere.

28 Aug 2008 | With a USB digital high-definition TV tuner and a laptop you can take your HDTV on the road and turn your computer into a digital video recorder

Webcams

Webcams review and compare

Webcams are handy for instant messaging, video chats and quick snaps.

30 Jul 2008 | They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so a moving picture must surely be even more valuable — which is probably why webcams have become so popular for personal communication.

Speakers

PC speakers review and compare

We tested 16 speaker systems to see which gives the best boom for your buck.

20 May 2008 | The PC speaker market is 'booming', driven by the growth in high quality multimedia — from music and DVD movies to games and even websites.

CD

CD/DVD repair kits

We tried a range of CD/DVD repair kits and found them less than impressive.

13 May 2008 | Optical discs, such as CDs and DVDs, are fairly fragile and it doesn’t take much damage for them to skip or not play. Grease, dust, exposure to excess heat, and rough handling can all result in damage that may affect playback.

Reliability and pricing

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Man with laptop

CHOICE computer reliabilty survey

How do your desktop and laptop, printer and digital camera stack up?

13 Jan 2009 | The results for this year’s reliability survey are in — the good news is there's been an improvement for some products, but there are a few disappointing figures too.

Brown boxes with price tags

Pricing of computer products not all equal

Are consumers getting a raw deal on the price of locally available computer products?

20 May 2008 | It doesn’t take long for a net-savvy consumer to compare the cost of computer products here and overseas.

Security

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Surge protectors

Surge protectors review and compare

How much do you need to spend to keep your expensive equipment safe?

30 Apr 2009 | They say lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place — but it doesn’t have to. A direct strike on your home can burn out every piece of electrical equipment you have connected.

UPS

Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) review

Beat the blackout blues with these battery backup units.

30 Apr 2009 | The power is gone and with it all your painstaking work - it won't occur if you use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).

Storage

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lead_ExtHDs

External 1TB hard drives review and compare

One terabyte external hard drives – give your PC a welcome capacity boost for less than $200.

8 Jan 2010 | The quickest and most cost-effective way to add massive storage space to your computer system.

Pocket storage

Pocket storage review and compare

We test 20 tiny storage devices to take with you on the move.

16 Jul 2009 | CHOICE tested 20 high capacity micro storage devices to see how they compared in performance and features.

Media hub

Media hubs review and compare

We compare 10 media devices for playing high definition files on your TV.

2 Jul 2009 | These days it seems that just about everything is going digital and high definition (HD), but if you create or download HD content to your computer, how do you get it over to your TV?

Storage

Storage options

Backing up is essential to protect your data, but which medium will you choose?

25 Feb 2008 | It’s all well and good to have a backup plan for preserving your data, but where will you back up your files? What type of storage solution will suit you?

External hard drives

External hard drives review and compare

We tested nine 500GB external hard drives for performance and features

22 Jan 2008 | External hard drives are an easy way to expand the storage capacity of your computer. They’re also great as a backup device as they can be unplugged and moved to another machine, and often come with software that can assit.

Green computing

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Green recycle key on a keyboard

Recycling your old computer

Don't throw out your old computer — recycle it.

28 Oct 2009 | E-waste is a huge global problem that is growing. Recycling programs and sustainable product design are not keeping pace with our apetite for new technology.

Laptop with bamboo and leaf

Computer's energy costs

How much energy is being sucked up by the technology around your home? And what can you do about it?

30 May 2008 | Studies show that many of us simply aren’t aware of just how much energy household electronics consume.

Tutorials and guides

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Mac or PC

Mac or PC - what's best for you?

Should your next computer be a Mac?

11 Oct 2007 | Apple Computer fans are known worldwide as "Mac Evangelists" for their almost fanatical devotion to the brand, but is it just hype or should you really consider a Mac as your next computer?

Desktop computer

Desktop computer buying guide

Thinking of buying a new computer? Here's what to look for.

27 Feb 2007 | Finding the balance between power and value is no easy task. Make sure you bone up on some of the latest tech terms so you won’t be baffled by geek-speak.

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Computer buying checklist

What do you need to get a new computer up and running?

3 Mar 2006 | A new computer is like a clean slate. But if you bought one that was truly blank — with no controlling software, for instance, you’d probably find it next to useless.

 

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Polls
 
 

Which function of an all-in-one printer, after printing, do you use most?

  
48%
 
Copying
  
6%
 
Faxing
  
45%
 
Scanning
  • 1035 votes

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