Articles by Alex Cox

Best alternative operating systems of 2025

By Alex Cox last updated 18 April 25

Updated Check out these unique alternative operating systems you can install on your computer, from the sublime to nostalgic to the bizarre.

Close-up hands counting money American dollars

Best personal finance software of 2025

By Alex Cox last updated 27 March 25

Updated We list the best personal finance software, to make it simple and easy to manage your finances and budget better.

Best Linux terminal emulator of 2025

By Alex Cox last updated 5 December 24

Updated We list the best Linux terminal emulators, to make it simple and easy to manage and input commands on your Linux machine.

Samsung Galaxy Book Go review

By Alex Cox last updated 25 September 24

Phone-like niceties aside, this Windows on ARM laptop is a day-to-day struggle of a machine with an inexcusable screen.

A person in a wheelchair working at a computer.

Best free software for SMBs of 2025

By Alex Cox last updated 18 September 24

Updated We list the best free software for SMB's, to make it simple and easy to run your business using quality free software.

Best business iPad app of 2025

By Alex Cox last updated 30 August 24

Updated We list the best business iPad apps, to make it simple and easy to manage the everyday running of your business from your Apple iPad.

A woman in yellow wearing Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

What is active noise cancellation? Everything you wanted to know about ANC headphones (but were too afraid to ask)

By Alex Cox published 24 June 24

Everything you need to know about active noise cancellation –including how it works and which headphones or earbuds you need to get the best of it.

The iFi xDSD Gryphon on a stool next to a pair of headphones and phone

What is Hi-Res Audio? Lossless music explained (and how to get it)

By Alex Cox published 19 June 24

Everything you need to know about better-than-CD-quality music – including how to get at it.

Asus Zenbook 15 OLED (2023) review: thin, wide and bright

By Alex Cox published 20 June 23

The Asus Zenbook 15 OLED (2023) is a handsome machine indeed - but a catalogue of small niggles (and one big battery-shaped niggle) let it down

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023) on a stool

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023) review: big laptop, big power, big money

By Alex Cox published 8 May 23

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023) will significantly damage your wallet, but there’s no other way to get this kind of power and luxury in a portable package.

Acer Chromebook 514 (2022) review

By Alex Cox published 12 April 23

If you need just enough to make Chrome OS fly, to work all day, and to keep a machine running for some time, the Acer Chromebook 514 (2022) has it - but not much more

Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage test unit on a table

Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage review

By Alex Cox published 13 March 23

Editor's Choice

The all-AMD CPU/GPU combo shows its worth in the Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage. This is a powerhouse performance in a brilliantly designed machine with an excellent screen.

Acer Chromebook 515 review: capable Chromebook, not best for business

By Alex Cox published 28 February 23

The Acer Chromebook 515 is big, bold, and a bit of a bargain

HP Pavilion 15 (2021) review

By Alex Cox last updated 4 August 22

Slim and stable, HP's mid-range laptop isn't perfect but it brings style to the table with a good amount of desktop power

The Lunar Artefacts The Pointer Instrument on a box

Lunar Artefacts The Pointer Instrument review

By Alex Cox published 15 April 22

The last mouse you'll ever need, or a luxury leather extravagance for those with more money than sense?

MSI MPG Trident A 11TG review

By Alex Cox published 18 March 22

MSI's small form factor PC is a speedy gaming performer - but there's a price to pay for its reduced size.

Framework Laptop DIY Edition on a wood desk

Framework Laptop DIY Edition review

By Alex Cox last updated 11 February 22

Framework's repairable, upgradeable debut redefines what a laptop is - if you're even slightly techy, it's great.

a woman on a laptop looking at a corgi dog

7 pet-friendly ways tech can keep your pal happy and healthy in 2022

By Alex Cox last updated 26 January 22

Tech resolutions Top tech for treats, play, and absolutely infuriating your furry friend.

MSI Clutch GM41 Lightweight Wireless review

By Alex Cox published 17 January 22

A light, spritely and almost entirely unexciting mouse which does its job perfectly as long as you don't need extra buttons.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go review

By Alex Cox published 11 January 22

A perfect ChromeOS machine for working anywhere - but one hamstrung by some serious design and component flaws.

How to rip your CDs to FLAC

By Alex Cox last updated 25 November 21

Use Exact Audio Copy to transfer CD tracks to lossless FLAC files – and check your rips to ensure they’re absolutely perfect.

Blue Yeti Microphone review

By Alex Cox last updated 6 September 21

A high-quality stereo microphone for the podcasting generation, but with retro charm.

XPG Xenia 14 on wooden table with desktop

XPG Xenia 14 review

By Alex Cox published 21 July 21

XPG's latest Ultrabook is great looking and fast enough, as long as you're prepared to sacrifice a little.

Zotac Zbox Magnus One ECM73070C review

By Alex Cox published 9 June 21

Recommended

Zotac's miniature marvel is easy to work with and crams in some seriously powerful full-sized PC parts.

HP Envy 14-eb0000na review

By Alex Cox published 19 May 21

Editor's Choice

A laptop that combines compact quality and professional power to make a beautiful and capable whole