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The £189 Dell PC
Low on price, big on features
Moore’s Law at 50: prediction
or self-fulfilling prophecy?
Where’s my smart home?
The problem with the Internet of Things
The amazing tablet Nokia
doesn’t want you to buy
C@ntrol MSS
WELCOME PAGE
BY THE TIME
you read this,
it will be around two-and-a-
half months since Windows
10 was finally released. We
saw our first set of
Windows 10 desktop PCs
last month, but it’s taken a
bit longer for the first laptops to arrive. It
seems it has taken manufacturers a little
more time to get Windows 10 working
properly with the wide variety of modern
laptop designs, with their high-pixel-density
displays and detachable touchscreens.
Enough Windows 10-certified laptops
have now arrived for us to put together a
comprehensive group test. One of the
laptops we’ve tested this month ships with
Windows 10, while the others come with
Windows 8 and, with one exception,
upgrade flawlessly to Microsoft’s latest
operating system. We’ve reviewed powerful
general-purpose models, versatile
convertibles, incredible-value netbooks and
a selection of hybrids: PCs that are both a
tablet and a laptop in one. With prices from
£160 to £700, there’s a specification and
design here for you, starting on page 78.
Gordon Moore. Businessman, Intel
co-founder, multi-billionaire. He’s quite a
chap, but he’s probably best known for his
Welcome!
CONTACT US
Editor
Chris Finnamore
chris@computershopper.co.uk
Features Editor
Seth Barton
seth@computershopper.co.uk
Product Editor
Tom Morgan
tom@computershopper.co.uk
Senior Reporter
Katharine Byrne
katharine@computershopper.co.uk
Senior Staff Writer
Michael Passingham
michael@computershopper.co.uk
Senior Staff Writer
Richard Easton
richard@computershopper.co.uk
DESIGN
Art Editor
Colin Mackleworth
CONTRIBUTORS
Bill Bagnall, Gareth Beach, Mike Bedford, Mel Croucher, Kay
Ewbank, Steve Haines, Simon Handby, Gordon Holmes, Nicole
Kobie, Ben Pitt, Heather Reeves, David Robinson, Clive Webster
ADVERTISING
Email
ads.shopper@dennis.co.uk
Group Advertising Manager
Andrea Mason
020 7907 6662
Advertising Manager
Charlotte Milligan
020 7907 6642
COVER GIFT CONTACT
Chris Wiles
coverdiscs@computershopper.co.uk
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tel 0844 844 0031 / 01795 592905 Web
www.subsinfo.co.uk
UK £44.99, Europe £70, Rest of world £90
PHOTOGRAPHY
Henry Carter, James Walker, Natalie Tkachuk, Svetlana Bardarska
Cover photography
Adrian Volcinschi
LICENSING AND SYNDICATION
Ryan Chambers 020 7907 6132
Ryan_Chambers@dennis.co.uk
Licensing, Reprints, Eprints: Wright’s Media 0800 051 8327
MANAGEMENT
Tel 020 7907 6000
Group Editor
David Ludlow
david@computershopper.co.uk
Group Managing Director
Ian Westwood
Managing Director
John Garewal
Group Advertising Director
Julian Lloyd-Evans
Circulation Director
Martin Belson
Finance Director
Brett Reynolds
Group Finance Director
Ian Leggett
Chief Executive
James Tye
Company Founder
Felix Dennis
PRINTING
Printed by Polestar, Bicester, Oxon
Distributors Seymour 020 7429 4000
LIABILITY
While every care was taken preparing this magazine, the publishers
cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information or any
consequence arising from it. All judgements are based on equipment
available to
Computer Shopper
at the time of review. ‘Value for money’
comments are based on UK prices at time of review.
Computer Shopper
takes no responsibility for the content of
external websites whose addresses are published in the magazine.
COMPUTER SHOPPER INCORPORATES UPGRADE SHOPPER,
GAMES SHOPPER, INTERNET SHOPPER, MOBILE SHOPPER, PC
SHOPPER, PORTABLE SHOPPER AND SOFTWARE SHOPPER
eponymous Law. The gist is that the number
of transistors on a mainstream processor,
and therefore the chip’s processing power,
will double every year. This prediction has
held remarkably true for half a century – but
is it really a prediction or, if the processor
industry actually saw the Law as simply a
target to follow, did it hold back progress?
We investigate, starting on page 94.
From operating systems to smartphones,
the tech industry certainly loves a bit of
hype. Recently, a great deal of buzz has
surrounded a three-letter acronym: IoT, or
the Internet of Things. This is the process of
connecting everyday objects to the internet
to enhance their capabilities; from washing
machines to heating controls to light
switches, the IoT is meant to bring you a
fully-connected smart home to make your
life infinitely easier.
But where are these smart homes?
Outside of purpose-built show homes,
we’ve never seen one. From page 102, we
investigate why the smart home and the
Internet of Things have been so slow to take
off, and see if the IoT is destined to remain
the Next Big Thing in perpetuity.
Chris Finnamore,
Editor
chris@computershopper.co.uk
Following on from Moore’s Law, what tech laws
do you think will hold true for the future?
BT’s Law: Broadband speeds
will increase threefold every
year everywhere apart from
your street
Microsoft’s Law: Your
computer will always update
and reboot at the least
convenient time
Moreismore Law: Phones
will continue to grow in
size until we’re all walking
around with Motorola DynaTACs
Snore’s Law: Product
launches will get ever
longer and duller until the
entire audience falls asleep
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Chris Finnamore
Seth Barton
MEET
THE
TEAM
Shopper’s Law: The
cheapest UK retailer for a
given product will always run
out of stock just after we go to press
Steve’s Law: If Apple gives
an already-common feature or
component a fancy name, it
must have invented it
Law of diminishing returns:
Each year’s model will be 50%
more expensive but only 10%
better than the last
A DENNIS PUBLICATION
Computer Shopper
is published by Dennis Publishing Ltd, 30 Cleveland
Street, London W1T 4JD. Company registered in England. All material
© Dennis Publishing Limited licensed by Felden 2015, and may not be
reproduced in whole or part without the consent of the publishers.
ISSN 0955-8578
© Copyright Dennis Publishing Limited
David Ludlow
Tom Morgan
SUBSCRIBE
AND SAVE
Katharine Byrne
Richard Easton
Michael Passingham
CALL 0844 844 0031
OR SEE PAGE 126
3
ISSUE 334
|
COMPUTER SHOPPER
|
DECEMBER 2015
Contents
p
74
p
35
p
78
Issue 334
December 2015
p
94
p
28
p
102
Features
94
50 years of Moore’s Law
It’s half a century since Gordon Moore made
his famous pronouncement that the number
of transistors in a microprocessor would
double every year. But was it a prediction, or
simply a target followed by the industry?
Regulars
6
Letters
Your regular missives of wit and wisdom
News
Our monthly round-up of the latest
technological events
16
Newsfile
From wasps to Python, there’s no venomous
animal
David Robinson
can’t handle
10
Under Development
Learn
128
Boost Windows 10 battery life
131
Use Windows 10’s Safe Mode
132
Business Help
Our resident expert answers those persistent
software queries
Step this way for all your hardware and
Windows problems
We show you how to use your NAS to listen to
your music anywhere in the world for free
The buzz around the Internet of Things shows
no sign of abating, but is it all hype? We go in
search of the elusive connected smart home
102
Where’s my smart home?
12
Cybercop
110
Ultra HD explained
Data breaches by hackers are getting more
frequent and much more serious. At least
the government is doing something to help,
says
Gordon Holmes
Full HD is so 2006. The future is Ultra HD. But
what exactly is it, how can you get it and is it
worth buying a new TV for? We find out
We can’t get no satisfaction at
Computer
Shopper,
as the frustrated
Mel, Chris, Tom
and
Katharine
demonstrate
14
Rants & Raves
134
Helpfile
Planning what will happen to our data after we
die is something we all need to think about.
We explain the steps you need to take to
safeguard your online legacy
114
Data after death
22
InDepth
136
Advanced Projects
119
Ultimate guide to Instagram
Fancy importing a hard-to-buy bit of
electronic kit to the UK? Don’t hand over
your cash until you’ve read our guide to
grey imports
139
Multimedia Expert
It’s not just for hipsters and youngsters;
Instagram is a great way for anyone to shoot
photos and video and share them online. We
show you how to get the most out of it
146
Zygote
In a world where Noel Edmonds flogs
immortality, your fridge gives your Gmail
account to hackers and Vodafone spies on
holidaymakers, the only protection is a stun
gun-equipped iPhone case, says
Zygote
If you want to create something really special,
you should use a professional printing service.
Ben Pitt
explains all you need to know
124
Faceblock
143
App Creative
Quark’s DesignPad app is a great way to create
impressive publishing layouts on your iPad, as
Ben Pitt
demonstrates
Facebook may be a great way to keep in touch,
but there’s always the danger you’ll be hassled
by people you’d rather ignore or annoyed by
friends posting drivel. We show you how to
control who has access to your posts and the
degree of nonsense you have to endure
4
DECEMBER 2015
|
COMPUTER SHOPPER
|
ISSUE 334
p
78
p
CONTENTS
102
p
119
p
114
p
94
p
78
Reviews
24
This month’s hot product
The third iteration of Motorola’s excellent Moto G smartphone
continues to impress, even if the price has risen yet again
Group Test
78
Windows 10 laptops
It’s taken a while, but we’re finally starting
to see laptops certified to work with
Windows 10. We’ve tested 10 laptops of
all different shapes and sizes, with prices
ranging from £160 to £700. Whether you
want a general-
purpose laptop, a
netbook or a
laptop/tablet
hybrid, there’s a
model here for you
26
Handhelds
Nokia’s N1 (p28) is a great Android tablet – but
you’ll have to jump through hoops to get one
53
Networks
Nest’s first IP camera is delightfully easy to use
thanks to a comprehensive smartphone app
We test two PCs from Dell and Wired2Fire at
opposite ends of the power spectrum
32
PCs & Laptops
54
Storage
Toshiba’s Canvio AeroCast is perfect for adding
storage to desktop or mobile devices
36
Photography
Fujifilm’s X-T10 (p38) concentrates on what’s
important: producing magnificent still images
39
Displays
MSI’s Radeon R7 370 shows how stock
graphics card overclocks are a great way to
get extra performance
56
Components
BenQ’s EW2750ZL (p40) proves you don’t have
to spend a fortune to get great image quality
59
Software
42
Home Cinema
Corel’s PaintShop Pro finally gets high-quality
Raw processing, giving it a leg up over the
competition
74
Your software*
Give yourself peace of mind and
automate the backup process with the
easy-to-use O&O AutoBackup 4.
The Philips 55PFT6510/12 (p44) is a feature-
packed set powered by Android TV
62
Games
47
Audio
Pump up the volume with a Bluetooth speaker
from the Ministry of Sound
We infiltrate 1980s Afghanistan in the name
of world peace, in the fabulous Metal Gear
Solid V: The Phantom Pain
48
Video
64
Best Buys
An action cam with every accessory imaginable
Looking for the best kit we’ve reviewed
recently? It’s all in our Best Buys section
6
FULL
PA
EDITION ONLY
CKAGES
52
Printers & Scanners
Canon’s Pixma MX495 doesn’t sacrifice image
quality or performance for its extra features
72
How We Test
Our comprehensive tests, ratings and
awards explained
*
FREE SOFTWARE
ISSUE 334
|
COMPUTER SHOPPER
|
DECEMBER 2015
5

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