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That's completely understandable, but not always accurate. We at PCWorld have tested a ton of USB-C cables and can say with certainty not all of them are made the same. In fact, there can be huge performance differences among cables when it comes to both charging and transferring data.
Hands-on evaluation of numerous cables ranging from the biggest, most-recognizable brand-names to the cheapest of the cheap has revealed some clear winners, which I highlight below.
Why you should trust me: PCWorld has been testing hardware since the 1980s and I've been poking and prodding PC components since I cracked open my Commodore VIC-20 in junior high school to see why it stopped working (who uses aluminum-coated cardboard that frays as an RF shield? Commodore, that's who). I've also been a professional journalist for more than three decades and started my stint at PCWorld as an intern in 1993.
For my USB-C cable reviews, I don't rely on consumer reviews like some "reviewers" — I purchase the cables retail and personally test each one of them, examining the resistance, how they are physically wired, and query the embedded eMarker (if it has one), and then performance test them where appropriate for charge rates, transfer rates, and display support. My picks are separated into two groups to avoid any confusion: USB-C cables that are best for charging, and those best for both charging and fast data transfer.
For more information you can refer to our guide on how to buy a USB-C cable on Amazon without losi
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In May, Microsoft will host its annual Build conference in Seattle. Microsoft will open that conference with a presentation from chief executive Satya Nadella to "share our AI vision across hardware and software," according to Microsoft. That presentation is expected to introduce the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 5 for consumers, both featuring Qualcomm's surprisingly powerful Snapdragon X Elite processor, based on the Arm architecture. Microsoft has already launched versions of both devices with Intel processors inside, for businesses.
But it's the "software" version of Microsoft's AI vision that's intriguing. Microsoft's last feature update of Windows 11 may have introduced AI PCs, but Microsoft is moving more aggressively to a future where AI is more tightly integrated into the operating system. Microsoft appears to have a more formal definition of an "AI PC" waiting in the wings, and we know that it includes a
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Why you should trust us: Hey, it's in our name. PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We've been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who've applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We're also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Looking for sweet discounts? Check out our regularly updated roundup of the best laptop deals available right now.
Updated April 18, 2024: We replaced the Best Content Creation Laptop, the Dell XPS 17 (2023), with the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra and added the Acer Chromebook 516 GE as the Best Gaming Chromebook. We also updated our list of recent laptop reviews.
The best laptops we've tested
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Price When Reviewed$1,999
Best Prices Today: Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
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 Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.5 update to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its launch. The public beta comes two weeks after Apple released the first public beta.
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As a dedicated gaming monitor, the XG49WCR fits the bill, essentially working as two 27-inch 1440p curved panels shoved into one. It's also fast enough to make even the most powerful gaming PC sweat at its maximum 5120×1440 resolution, with a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. If you want a monitor to show you as much of a game as possible, as fast as possible, this is it.
But the screen isn't limited to just gaming. It has a rich suite of connectivity options, with DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C covering video, plus 90 watts of USB power delivery for gaming laptops. The built-in USB hub can handle external gadgets, including a standard Ethernet port, and the monitor has side-by-side input modes as well as an integrated KVM switch. Oh, and two five-watt speakers as well, but seriously, just use headphones or real speakers instead.
The only real downside to the design is its VA panel, which is speedy, but far less accurate for fine colors than IPS. I wouldn't count on this monitor for editing work in Photoshop, for example. But that's a pretty fair trade-off for the retail price, and an absolute steal at this discount.
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 Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after Apple released the first betas.
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The Dragonfly Pro is HP's premiere consumer laptop design, boasting a sleek .72-inch-thin body made of aluminum and magnesium with a bright 14-inch IPS touchscreen standard. But it's also a surprisingly practical machine. While it's a bit heavier than other laptops in this category at 2.42 pounds, it's packing some serious tech thanks to a Ryzen 7 CPU, a roomy 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage.
HP didn't skimp on the trim, either. Reviewer Brendan Nystedt was impressed by the laptop's great speakers and solid battery life, and it has a 5-megapixel webcam with infrared sensors for Windows Hello face unlocking. If the laptop has a weakness, it's port selection: Three USB-C ports are flexible on their own, but a lack of USB-A, dedicated video-out, and a headphone jack mean you'll probably want to travel with a USB-C dongle in your bag.
B&H Photo's sale doesn't have an end date, which means that it's probably limited to a select number of units on-hand. This is a killer sale on a killer laptop, so if you're interested, grab it before this deal disappears.
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The Acer Gaming XV340CK monitor is a bit on the basic side, but it has it where it counts: a quality panel. Unlike some budget ultrawides, this one's using a 3440×1440 resolution with an IPS display, instead of the cheaper TN or VA panels. That means that it's big and sharp enough to show off the best graphics, while also being color-accurate enough for some photo editing work. And with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, it can handle fast-paced multiplayer games just as well.
The monitor also packs a standard VESA mount for use with monitor arms, two HDMI and two DisplayPort inputs for use with multiple machines, and a pair of USB-A 3.0 ports for accessories. It also has a couple of 3-watt speakers, but, um, don't use those, get some real speakers or just use headphones instead. Normally $300, today Newegg has this monitor on sale for a fantastic $239.99.
Get this 34-inch Acer I
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While it's not universally the case, many businesses actively using Macs for work may not be paying enough attention to ensuring those devices are secured, according to cloud security provider Qualys, which estimates that just over half of Macs remain unprotected by recent security patches.
To read this article in full, please click here
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