Technology Reviews

Reviews

Tech review: Galaxy A50 

Are you a mid-level employee in an office with subsidised staff smartphones? Then take a good, hard look at this new Galaxy A50 model from Samsung. Because there's a very strong chance that this is what you're getting next as your replacement handset. Why? Because it ticks many of the boxes that company decision-makers like. And by many, I mean one: it's relatively cheap - about a third of the price of Samsung's top flagship models (the ones the company directors get).

Tech review: Canon Powershot G7X 

Canon has unveiled two new Powershot cameras and a high-end travel lens for its new full-frame mirrorless system.

Tech review: Microsoft Intellimouse 

I know what you're thinking. A mouse? He's reviewing a mouse? Yep, a mouse.

Review: Seat EXS 

What is it?

Tech review: Samsung Galaxy S10E 

If you're hankering after a new high-end Android smartphone and are wondering whether you can 'make do' with something that sits just below the flagship models, Samsung's new Galaxy S10e model is worth looking at.

Adrian Weckler: How to go Pro with your business-friendly tablet this summer 

Surface Studio 2: Microsoft PC gets 'oohs' and 'aahs' 

In the last 10 years, I don't think there has been a Windows PC I would seriously have considered as a replacement for my iMac. Until now, that is.

Tech Review: Best mid-range phones 

Tech Review: Google Pixel 3A XL - €479 

Google has a new, very impressive mid-range smartphone out. I've been putting the Pixel 3a XL through its paces over the last fortnight. Here's an overview.

Tech review: Canon Eos 250D 

Canon's new Eos 250D is a decent new higher entry-level camera that borrows some of the good bits from more expensive, bigger Canon DSLR models in recent years.

Five of the best: business laptops that put in the extra hours 

While much attention is given these days to which flagship phone is best, work laptops are still a critical part of our business lives.

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problems 

Question: I am looking to change my phone. I'm interested in photography and have a small Canon which you recommended some time ago, but I now have a problem with my back and shoulders and...

Tech review: Panasonic aims for vloggers with new Lumix G90 camera 

Panasonic says that its new Lumix G90 (€1,069 body-only or €1,259 with a 12-60mm kit lens) is perfect for video bloggers.

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problems 

Question: I'm finally changing my laptop after nine years. It's served me well, but my MacBook Pro's battery and screen are just fading now. Should I stick with Apple or is there anything else out...

WATCH: Review – Canon’s new Eos RP mirrorless camera 

Tech review: Canon Eos RP 

CANON is back. The company that has been under siege by mirrorless rivals has finally come out with a competitively-priced full-frame mirrorless camera that will prove to be a compelling option for much of the current DSLR market, especially Canon shooters.

Tech review: Lumix LX100 II 

When Panasonic’s first LX100 came out, I loved it. Here was a camera that seemed to be a good fusion of everything photographic enthusiasts love. It was a real camera in a pocketable format. I used one for over a year, bringing it on travels or on my person around town for serendipitous opportunities.

Tech review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6 

Buying a laptop has never involved so many choices. Do you want a traditional or touchscreen model? A 'two in one' or 'convertible'? Or what about a work-friendly 'pro tablet'?

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problems 

Question: I've decided I want to train for a marathon next year. I want to get a decent sports smartwatch to help encourage myself. Is one of the tracker devices enough or is it worth getting...

Ask Adrian: Our technology editor tackles your trickiest tech problem 

Question: Hi, can you recommend the best camera (but not the most expensive) for a beginner? It's mainly for taking photos of a new baby. I'm looking at the Olympus Pen, but is Canon any good? I'd...

Tech Review: Huawei Mate 20 Pro 

What is the ultimate high-end work phone? Indeed, what is a work phone these days?

Tech review: Apple Watch Series 4 

Some people still wonder if a smartwatch is for them. Apple's new model makes a compelling case. The new Series 4 Watch is a major step up in almost every way from the Series 3 model, itself a decent smartwatch.

Review: Apple's excellent new iPad is a real Pro and ever closer to a laptop replacement 

Apple has a new portable computer that it believes will strongly appeal to professionals and creative types. But do people yet see the iPad Pro as a...

Tech review: Canon Eos R 

Canon has finally produced a full-frame mirrorless camera. But is it worth the attention of professionals?

Tech Review: Google Pixel 3 XL 

GOOGLE'S new Pixel 3 XL is clearly a flagship contender with some excellent features and a very good camera. But it may not have a killer distinct feature to make it stand out from its immediate rivals. And the fact that it is stuck with a single rear camera lens will count against it for those...

Tech review: Fujifilm X-T3 

Is this the best non full-frame camera on the market? If your main use for it is photography rather than video, it certainly feels like it.

Tech review: Why it's worth stretching your laptop budget to get your hands on this Yoga 

You generally get what you pay for with a laptop. If you can afford it, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga really is top-of-the-line stuff. It has a best-in-class...

And if you're in need of a 'proper' camera... 

From scenery to selfie - putting smartphone cameras in sharp focus 

Tech review: Thin but sturdy Elitebook hits right business note as HP ups its game in laptop market 

In many ways, laptops are now like cars: they vary a lot less than they used to. That said, there are still some differences worth paying attention to.

Tech review: Amazon looking good with Echo Spot but audio quality is limited 

Smart speakers are probably the fastest-growing new gadget in our homes. While Google recently launched its Home speaker, Amazon has had an...

Reviewed: DJI's latest drone and Bang and Olufsen's bluetooth speaker 

DJI now dominates drone sales because their models are generally the best around. I’m a fairly avid user, having purchased two myself over the last two years – the miniature Spark last year and...

Tech Review: Fun photos in an instant as Fujifilm ups game 

There's something special about instant camera prints.

iPhone v Samsung v Huawei: which is best? 

Tech review: Cheaper Huawei P20 beats most rivals on price and features 

This review column recently rated Huawei's P20 Pro (€899) as the best cameraphone out there at present. But Huawei also has a highly impressive...

Tech review: Sony knocks Canon and Nikon off perches with A7 Mark iii 

If I was choosing a photography ecosystem based on a 'full frame' body, I'd be very tempted to choose Sony's A7 Mark iii.

Tech review: Jabra headset works for office chat but too small to block noise 

With most phones now moving away from 3.5mm headphone sockets, wireless headphones are becoming a lot more popular. Sitting atop this...

Adrian Weckler on Nokia 7 Plus: 'In an age of unbelievable phone cameras, this is very good for a mid-tier model' 

Last year, when I reviewed the Nokia 8 flagship phone, I was a little underwhelmed. No such...

Tech Review: Google's Wifi speeds up home's far corners 

Despite the wonders of modern home wifi, many of us find at least one spot around the place where the signal falls off a little or a lot. It's not entirely obvious what to do in this scenario, other than...

Adrian Weckler: Tablets are a funny breed...but the new iPad blows most other rivals away 

Tablets are a funny breed of computer. On one hand, they are the natural inheritors for casual use - web browsing, email and media consumption -...

Tech Review: Sony's Xperia XZ2 fails to keep pace with rivals' flagship devices 

Sony has always made decent smartphones with great cameras. Of late, however, it has been falling behind the competition.

Tech Review: Canon's M50: the 'M' may as well stand for 'meh' 

Like the photographic equivalent of an oil tanker, Canon is ever-so-slowly turning itself around to focus more prominently on mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. It has no real...

Tech Review: Pixel perfect: Huawei leapfrogs rivals as P20 Pro becomes top cameraphone 

What will your next phone be? An Apple, a Samsung or ... a Huawei?

Tech Review: pricey Sony headphones fail to impress despite excellent record in noise-cancelling field 

With most phones now moving away from 3.5mm headphone sockets, wireless headphones are becoming a lot more popular.

Review: The new Panasonic Lumix GH5S 

If Panasonic wants a new catchphrase for its new Lumix GH5S, let me offer the following: ‘Come for the video, stay for the stills’.

Adrian Weckler review: Huawei P20 Pro appears to have muscled its way to the top of the camera phone podium 

A couple of years ago, phones killed off compact cameras.

Tech Review: Low-light shots a highlight as Panasonic offers best of both worlds 

If Panasonic wants a new catchphrase for its new Lumix GH5S, let me offer the following: 'Come for the video, stay for the stills'.

Tech Review: Samsung S9 camera puts it in the frame for top spot 

Samsung has unveiled its new Galaxy S9 and S9+ flagship smartphones.

Tech Review: Sony Xperia XA2 is a solid mid-range phone with a good camera 

Mobile World Congress kicks off next week and, with it, a host of new smartphones from the main manufacturers will be unveiled. Getting in...

The clever and easy way to set about creating a smart home of the future from scratch 

Talk of 'connected' or 'smart' homes often causes eyes to roll. It's not just the ludicrous cost that such concepts have historically had, with their...

The little tube that adds real oomph to speakers system 

Now that smart speakers such as Amazon's Echo and Apple's HomePod (which isn't yet available in the Irish market) are coming on stream, is there a future for 'dumb' standalone speakers?