Friday, November 30, 2018

Best Nintendo Switch games 2018: must-have games at home and on the go

What is a console without its games? As novel and versatile as the Nintendo Switch is as a piece of hardware, it's the software that makes it, and the last two years has seen a steady release of AAA blockbusters, indie darlings, and everything in-between come to the Switch eShop for gamers to enjoy.

The likes of Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2 and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle all helped the Nintendo Switch make a statement in its first few months on sale, and the games selection has only got better since then. Most recently, Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee graced our Nintendo portable to bring us back to the schoolyard days, and Super Smash Bros Ultimate is due out any day now.

All these first-party games are great, and if Nintendo used to have problems getting third-party titles on board, that's not the case anymore. From the open-world Skyrim and gore-fest Doom to smaller experimental titles like Little Nightmares and Owlboy, the Nintendo platform has blossomed to host a wide array of incredible games.

But with so many great titles out there, how can you narrow down your options? Well, we've done our best to bring together the very best titles to have come to the Switch so far – all of which are available to download or buy right now - that we're calling the best Nintendo Switch games 2018 ... at least for the next month or two.

If you're not seeing a game that's grabbing your attention today, we're constantly trying the latest and greatest Nintendo Switch games, so do keep checking back for updates as we expand the list.

Watch our review of the Nintendo Switch below!

If the idea of throwing around the ol' Pokeball gives you the warm and fuzzies, check out Pokemon Let's Go: Pikachu and Eevee. Basically a re-imagining of Pokemon Yellow Version, Pikachu and Eevee take you through the Kanto region on your quest to become the Pokemon Master. Eight gym leaders, four elite masters and dozens of members of Team Rocket stand in your way, but as long as you can keep the rock, paper, scissors-esque battling system in mind, these games are a light-hearted stroll down memory lane. 

That said, it's not the perfected version of the formula that Pokemon Stars could be when it releases in 2019, but for now it's hands down the best Pokemon game on the Nintendo Switch, and one that will easily keep us entertained for the next few months until we hear more Pokemon news at E3 2019. 

Fan of old-school 16-bit RPGs? Wish they could get a HD facelift without losing the pixel-perfect magic of the 90s era? Octopath Traveller may be the Nintendo Switch game you'd dreamed for a time machine for as a kid.

Channeling the magic of the early Final Fantasy games (and published by Square Enix, naturally), it melds pixel art with polygonal environments, like a love letter to the role playing games of old.

Picking up the story of one of 8 uniquely-talented adventurers, there's an epic world saving story to follow, a clever turn-based combat system to master and a great voice-acted script to enjoy too. Fantastic fun.

While we're all waiting for a new Metroid Prime game to land on the Nintendo Switch, you can still get your side-scrolling Metroidvania fix with the superb Hollow Knight.

You know the score – you're placed in the center of a sprawling map that slowly reveals its scale as you unlock new abilities to traverse increasingly difficult traps, and take on ever-more monstrous foes. Secrets sit around every corner, and the sense of satisfaction you get when you backtrack to a previously-inaccessible location once armed with the right skills is unsurpassed in all of gaming.

Hollow Knight separates itself from other Metroidvania titles with its distinct art style (mysterious underground bug city? Count us in), and its nods to the Dark Souls series, with tough boss fights and the strangely aloof citizens of its subterranean setting. Easily one of the best Nintendo Switch games around.

Captain Toad Treasure Tracker is a real gem in the Nintendo Switch game pile. A re-release of the well-received Wii U title, Captain Toad is an action puzzle game that puts you in the shoes of the Mushroom Kingdom's most lovable sidekick.

While puzzles are a bit on the easier side for older 'kids' who might be playing (a term we'll use loosely here), pint-sized adventurers will have to use their noodle to collect items without running into the paths of enemies. It's good, clean, IQ-enhancing fun – which is the best kind of fun! 

Freshly-added to the Nintendo Switch line-up of games, if Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy is just half as popular on the Switch as it was for the PS4 it's bound to do very, very well. Maybe it's everyone's current love of nostalgia from their earlier days?

Whatever the case, the remaster of Crash Bandicoot is very likely to pull at your heart strings. It has everything you knew and loved from the original game, but enhanced and revamped, and there are plenty of new levels and adventures that have been added to make this a better experience than ever.

Mario and his crew are some of the most talented fictional characters in the known universe. They can golf, they can compete at the Olympics, some of them are doctors, plumbers and princesses. And now they play tennis, too, in this excellent Nintendo Switch game.

Mario Tennis Aces has been heralded as a combination of Super Smash Bros. and the old Mario Tennis games released on the Nintendo GameCube and N64. To that end, gameplay is lightning-quick and requires superb reflexes. 

The big changes this time around are the new super moves that cause rackets to break and balls to fly to nigh unreachable spots on the court. They add a new layer of strategy to the long-running Mario sport franchise and fun, too. Pick this one up at your earliest opportunity.

Golden bananas, rickety minecarts and cranky kongs – the king of the gaming apes, Donkey Kong, is back! And it's already one of the best Nintendo Switch games out there.

If you've previously been a Wii U owner, this may well feel like a very familiar adventure, as Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is actually a remake of that system's simian-themed platformer. 

The Switch version is easily the definitive version of the game though, bringing not only with it the Switch's signature handheld play, but also a new 'Funky Mode' that lets you take control of Funky Kong, a returning character who is just that little bit faster and able to leap just that little bit further, making a very challenging platformer a tad easier for the smaller cheeky monkeys in your family.

Star Allies is Kirby's debut on Switch – and it's a good one, even if it is largely your familiar Kirby fare. Fans of Kirby's previous adventures will recognize the colorful side-scrolling platformer gameplay and enemy absorbing powers, but there's a new mechanic which allows Kirby to throw hearts at enemies and recruit up to three of them to his side to be controlled by either AI or real-life friends. 

Though it's not the most engaging single-player game, and might not leave long-time fans as satisfied as they might have hoped, Star Allies is a co-op experience that shouldn't be missed, especially if you're looking for a game to play with your kids. 

Part software, part hardware, Nintendo Labo is a must-have for anyone who enjoys Nintendo's more quirky and play-focused ideas.

Build your own cardboard toys, play games with them, explore how they work and reprogram them to do what you want. With Nintendo Labo the only real limit is your patience and imagination: build a fishing rod and catch a shark, build a piano and control a musical cat choir, built a robot and, well, become a robot. It's all possible with Labo. 

Nintendo Labo is certainly one of the more original and even educational releases we've seen in years and it can only be played on the Nintendo Switch. It's easily one of the best 'games' for the device.

Not everyone would have had the chance to enjoy Bayonetta 2 when it was first released back in 2014, thanks to its Wii U exclusivity. Fortunately, it's now a Nintendo Switch game too, finally giving it the reach it deserves. 

Bayonetta 2 is an excellent game, with fast-paced and satisfying combat, jaw-dropping animations and frankly outstanding fashion choices. Even better, when you purchase a physical copy of Bayonetta 2, you'll also receive a free download code for the original game.

More than anything, this is a great way to prepare for Bayonetta 3, which has been confirmed as being in development for the Switch. 

Super Mario Odyssey is Mario's first real outing on the Nintendo Switch and he makes his debut in style. Odyssey is a 3D sandbox adventure that sees Mario travel between a wide range of worlds to save Princess Peach from the nefarious and maritally-minded Bowser. 

Giving the old formula a bit of a refresh, this game sees the traditional Power Ups replaced with a new companion for Mario called Cappy. This sentient hat is Mario's weapon and friend and he can be used to possess enemies and objects to solve puzzles and defeat foes.

In our full review for Super Mario Odyssey we called this game "one of Mario's finest adventures in recent memory" and recommend that you play it now – it's instantly one of the best Nintendo Switch games out there.

If you decide to pick the game up for yourself, don't forget to check out our tips and tricks guide to help you get started.  

Even for a series like The Legend of Zelda which rarely puts a foot wrong, Breath of the Wild is an absolutely phenomenal game on the Nintendo Switch.

While past Zelda games have stuck pretty closely to the formula established by Ocarina of Time (the series' 3D debut), Breath of the Wild throws much of the established wisdom away. 

Rather than having a pre-defined order you must use to approach each major mission, Breath of the Wild opens the entire map up to you almost immediately, allowing you to approach the game in whatever order you see fit. You can spend hours just climbing trees and brewing elixirs, or you can even head straight to the game’s final boss if you're feeling a little more confident. 

Away from Breath of the Wild's unique structure, it's the puzzles themselves that make the game feel the most satisfying. While previous games rigidly allow for a single solution to each puzzle, BotW's physics-based problem solving means that there are often multiple solutions to each challenge depending on how you combine your various skills. 

The result is a game that feels incredibly broad in scope, with so many little touches to discover that it’s hard not to fall in love with this long-running series all over again.

Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U was already one of the best entries in the franchise, and the Nintendo Switch version is no different.

At its core the game offers the same excellent racing as the Wii U original, but there are also a number of new additions for this version of the arcade racer. 

You've got the return of battle mode, new characters, all the previously released DLC tracks, and the ability to hold two special items at a time to add an extra layer of strategy to your racing.

The new game is also a great way of playing the game in multiplayer. You can play online, in split-screen with up to four players, or link up to eight consoles together to play multiplayer wirelessly (where you can also play with up to two players per console). 

It's a versatile release, and well worth picking up for anyone who missed out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around.

If you want to satisfy your arcade racing itch then Fast RMX is the game for you, and is a fantastic fit for the Switch. 

With one part Wipeout and two parts F-Zero, the game has you racing futuristic hovercraft round a series of implausible tracks at breakneck speeds. 

Fast RMX's main gimmick is that at any point your craft has either an orange or a blue polarity, which match with speed power-ups that are spread around the track. By switching your polarity as you race, you can maximize the benefits these power-ups bring. 

It’s a neat feature, but it's overshadowed by how technically capable this game is. It looks fantastic whether you're playing it in portable or console mode, where it will run at a solid 60 frames-per-second. 

It might not have the charm of its Mario-themed competitor, but Fast RMX is a great game for anyone seeking fast-paced arcade racing thrills.

Splatoon was the closest Nintendo has ever allowed itself to get to an online shooter, and it did so by fundamentally turning the genre on its head. 

That means no guns, no bullets, and ultimately no death. Instead, you play as characters with paint guns tasked with covering the map in your team's colors. 

You can kill (well, 'splat') your enemies, but you do so only in service of buying yourself time to paint more of the map without your opponents (and their painting) getting in the way. 

While Splatoon 2 is technically a sequel, in truth it's more of the same. 

That's not necessarily a bad thing. The original game was tightly designed and well-balanced, and while the sequel makes some minor tweaks to the gameplay, the same Nintendo charm is still present in spades. 

If you never played the original then Splatoon 2 is an easy game to recommend, but even if you did then it might be worth jumping in again to revisit it on Nintendo's portable system. For our money it's certainly one of the best Nintendo Switch games you can pick up.

If ever there was a game to show off how useful the new Joy-Con controllers can be it's SnipperClips. 

Best enjoyed in co-op mode, the game tasks you with cutting pieces out of your geometric-shaped partner in order to solve physics-based puzzles. 

Although the puzzles themselves deftly tread a fine line between approachability and challenge, the real joy in the game is the slapstick that results as you muddle your way through each level. 

You'll never conclusively beat a level; it will always feel as though you've barely scraped through, but the tension this creates makes for some fantastic fun.

Bandai Namco's Little Nightmares is a big adventure on Nintendo Switch. First released on consoles and PC in 2017, this new take on the horror genre is a welcome addition to Nintendo's portable console. 

Players take up the role of a young girl called Six, who is trapped in the Maw, a terrifying place filled with monsters that are larger than life. Across a range of platforming levels, players must help Six overcome her small stature and escape the Maw.

Little Nightmares is a game with a palpable atmosphere – the different levels and their respective monsters are grim and frightening, and we frequently found ourselves tense and holding our breath as we tried to get through a level. It's unusual to get such a thrill from such thoughtful and quiet gameplay. 

The Nintendo Switch release of the game is the Complete Edition, and contains all three DLC releases, the last of which was launched in February 2018. 

Anyone who loves classic point-and-click adventure stories such as Broken Sword and Monkey Island will certainly want to direct their attention towards this recent release from LucasArts veteran Ron Gilbert.

Mechanically, the game works like the classics of the genre with lots of slow-paced obtuse puzzle solving and verb-list clicking. Even visually it's very similar to the games that have influenced it. 

If you're tired of playing the same classics on repeat, pick up Thimbleweed Park for your Nintendo Switch for an excellent new addition to the point-and-click genre. You'll travel back to 1987 for a neo-noir adventure that you won't want to leave.

It's tough to know what genre to describe Arms as: at its core, the game is a fighting game where you attempt to land punches on your opponent using giant extendible arms. Punch-Out this is not. 

What first appeared to be a slightly gimmicky title made to show off the Nintendo Switch's motion-sensing controllers actually turned out to have a surprising amount of depth and strategy to it, leading to some frantic multiplayer battles. 

Nicely, the whole game can also be played with more traditional buttons rather than control schemes, so you don't have to get caught flailing your arms around on the bus when you play it as a portable game. 

Over twenty years after its original release it's hard to know what more can be written about one of the most influential fighting games of all time. It easily jumps int our list of the best Nintendo Switch games you can buy right now.

Ultra Street Fighter 2 is essentially the same Street Fighter 2 that's been continuously re-released on every console under the sun. Technically this version is based on Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo from 1994, which added super and air combos to the base game, but unless you're a die-hard fan this likely won't mean too much to you. 

So don't go into this expecting a wildly different game from what you've played before. This is a traditional Street Fighter experience through and through, and the console's form-factor makes it perfect for quick multiplayer sessions. 

Overcooked was one of the breakout indie hits of 2016, and now it's come to the Nintendo Switch in fantastic style. 

There game is best played with a group of friends, which is perfect considering you always have at least two controllers with your Switch. 

But what do you actually do? In essence you play as a group of chefs trying desperately to cook meals without your customers getting angry or your kitchen catching on fire. 

With each person only able to do one thing at a time, and most meals requiring multiple stages of preparation, this forces you to split tasks up between you. The problem is that every task proceeds at a slightly different pace, meaning you're constantly having to change your plans to deal with problems as they arise. 

It's frantic, it's great with friends, and it's a perfect fit for the Switch – one of the best experiences we've enjoyed on the console.

Shovel Knight is not a new game – it saw its first release way back in 2014 on the PC after it was funded on Kickstarter, and since then versions have appeared on everything from the Vita to the PS4, the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U. 

But that doesn’t make it any less of a great game on the Nintendo Switch, where its 2D side-scrolling is as tight and responsive as ever. 

Chances are you've played Shovel Knight on one system or another in previous years, but if you've yet to take the game on the go, or better yet if you’re looking to try its newest expansion pack, 'Specter of Torment', then the Switch is as good a place as any to satisfy your Shovel cravings.

Another home console classic now given a new lease of life on Switch is LA Noire. It's unusual to see 18-rated games on Nintendo consoles, but it's nevertheless exciting that the Switch is building up a more mature library.

Created by Rockstar, LA Noire is a 1940s detective title which puts players in the smart leather shoes of Cole Phelps. As Phelps, you'll dive into the seedy underbelly of LA, solving a variety of cases across the LAPD's Homicide, Vice and Arson divisions.

Aside from letting you take a great game on the go, the Switch version of LA Noire has some neat features such as motion control support. This means you can pick up evidence at crime scenes and inspect it from every angle using the Joy-Con controllers. 

Read more of our thoughts on LA Noire for the Nintendo Switch

The legendary and hugely addictive dungeon-crawler finally come to the Switch. Sure, you've been able to play the game on PC, Xbox and Playstation for a good few years now – with over 30 million copies sold across all platforms, and a rumored Netflix TV series in the works – but this is the first time Blizzard's medieval fantasy RPG has gone portable.

You pick one of seven distinct character classes and begin your wayward journey to take on the lord of terror himself, Diablo. Somehow accessible with satisfying depth to the gameplay, Diablo 3 strikes a perfect balance between hardcore and more casual gaming.

The addictive loot system and character upgrades will keep you coming back again and again. And with the newly-added convenience of carrying about wherever you are, the Switch port makes a great case for grinding on the go. 

Whether you're new to the series or just want another Diablo fix, this is one of the best titles available on the Switch right now.

Although it's not a port, Super Bomberman R might as well be for all the changes it makes to the traditional Bomberman formula. 

For all intents and purposes, this is classic Bomberman. You run around a maze dropping bombs, all the while trying to avoid getting caught in the subsequent explosions caused by both yourself and your opponents. 

Super Bomberman R does try to mix up the formula a little by offering a single-player campaign, but at just a couple of hours long it's not especially engaging. 

Nope, this is a game that’s all about that multiplayer, where you can play with up to eight players locally or online. It's here the game feels most at home, and for the most part its every bit as good as the classic Bombermans that have proceeded it. 

The biggest problem is the game's price, which is the same as big budget triple-A games like The Legend of Zelda. For a multiplayer-only experience that’s a little bit steep, but if you see the game discounted anywhere then this is an excellent game to have on your Nintendo Switch.

This crossover has surprised a lot of people, us included. Though Nintendo's Mario and Ubisoft's Rabbid rabbits doesn't seem like a combination that should work it really does.

This is a turn-based tactical game and it's incredibly fun to play thanks to gameplay that's satisfyingly complex and deep without being overly difficult – though the difficulty increases, it's in a gradual way that doesn't result in feelings of being overwhelmed. 

Mario Rabbids is also just a lovely game to look at – the level design is consistently fantastic and the world and its characters are adorable and colorful. Joining up with Mario lends Ubisoft's Rabbids a charm they've lacked until now, while Mario and co benefit from the partnership by gaining a bit more of a silly sense of humor which really benefits the Nintendo image. 

With this partnership, Nintendo has managed to secure another appealing exclusive for the Switch, and one of the top games for the console.

Stardew Valley is one of those games that always felt like it was supposed to be on a Nintendo console, and we couldn't have been happier when it was released recently for the Switch.

If you've ever played a Harvest Moon game, you’re already familiar with the premise of Stardew Valley: it's an addictive farming simulator which sees you interact with townees to the point where you can literally marry them.

Stardew Valley isn't just one thing though, it's a whole bunch of things at once. You can engage in crafting, fishing, cooking and even exploring procedurally-generated caves to mine for items and even take on monstrous enemies. 

However, do keep in mind your health and energy, as you'll need to make sure your character is in tip-top shape in order to avoid suffering from exhaustion – lose health and you lose a considerable amount of money and items you’ve worked hard to attained. Stardew Valley will have you hooked for hours on end, for better or worse. (Better, definitely better.)

Skyrim might be a game that's six years old, but the portability of the Nintendo Switch makes it feel fresh again. What was once an exclusively home console and PC experience can now be played on your commute and there's no denying that holding the wild world of Skyrim in the palm of your hand is exhilarating. 

For a touch of novelty, the game also supports the console's Joy-Con motion controls so you can swing your sword and draw your bow in real life. It's a whole new way to play.

This is the full open world Skyrim experience for the Nintendo Switch, including all DLC, so we're very confident in declaring it one of the best Switch games right now.

Read more about our thoughts on Skyrim's arrival on Switch.

It's not often you get to put a free game on the Nintendo Switch list but Fortnite Battle Royale is giving us this chance. We'd be amazed if you hadn't heard of it, but Fortnite: Battle Royale is the free-to-play hit from Epic Games which throws you into an online Battle Royale where you must fight and build to be the last person standing. 

The game was announced and launched on the Nintendo eShop during E3 2018. If you've not had the chance to play the Battle Royale phenomenon, the Nintendo Switch offers one of the most convenient ways to do it – especially if you find a smartphone screen just a little bit too small to truly play at your best. And if you already have an account you can move seamlessly between your Nintendo Switch, smartphone, PC and Xbox console. 

If you're a fan of Final Fantasy, then you'll love this new version that's just landed on the Nintendo Switch. It's specially developed for the Switch (hence the 'Pocket Edition' in the title) and allows you to explore the world and characters from the fantasy franchise across ten different chapters that follow the story of Noctis, the crown prince of Lucis, on an adventure to his wedding to the Lady Lunafreya of Tenebrae.

And last in our list of the best Nintendo Switch games currently competing for your money, we have Super Mario Party. When it comes to casual co-op gaming there's not much better out there, and it shows the Switch game catalog continuing to grow and get stronger over time.

This is the latest in a long line of Super Mario Party games of course, but the 3D board game mechanics remain tight and engaging, and the game hides plenty of secrets and surprises along the way for you to discover. Most importantly, it's enjoyable to play, and keeps you coming back.



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CES 2019: what to expect from the world's biggest annual tech event

CES 2019 is approaching, fast. Soon the 'leaks' will begin, and before you know it we'll be hearing full-blown announcements for things like new speakers, headphones, smart devices and TV screens before the holidays. But, even if we get a few scraps ahead of time, come January, it will be all eyes on Las Vegas. 

That's because, like every year, Sin City will play host to the gadget extravanganza formerly known of the Consumer Electronics Show, now called CES. It's the time of year where tech innovators from all over the world gather together to announce the latest and greatest in smartphones, wearables, TV and audio tech, with new laptops, tablets and smart cars filling row after row of booths at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

Last January, Sin City saw innovation in droves at CES 2018, from Samsung's 146-inch modular MicroLED TV, The Wall, and the incredible HTC Vive Pro to LG's rollable 65-inch OLED TV and the Huawei Mate 10 Pro. It's the world's biggest tech show, and it's poised to become even bigger in 2019.

Can't wait until opening day on Tuesday, January 8 2019?  Then read on. We've got all the details, predictions and postulations for what you can expect to see at CES 2019.

[Update: Speaking of pre-show announcements, LG has already debuted the Alpha 9 (Gen. 2) processor that will power its 2019 OLED TVs - a good indication that its B-, C-, E-, G- and W-Series screens will live on to see another year. We'll keep you posted as more news leaks ahead of the show, and you can scroll down to see everything we've heard so far about CES 2019.]

What and when is CES 2019?  

CES is a four-day event that in 2019 runs from 10 am PT on Tuesday, 8 January through Friday, 11 January. It's been taking place since 1967 and is staged by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), a trade organization that represents over 2,000 consumer tech companies in the U.S. 

Though it gets a lot of attention from the world’s media, this is not an event where the public can go see the latest tech. Unlike the IFA exhibition in Berlin each August, the CES is open only to the electronics trade, as well as journalists, bloggers and plenty of blaggers. (You know who you are...) 

How big exactly is CES?  It's huge. If you're going for the first time, go on a few five-mile walks in the preceding weeks. Seriously, it's hiking boots-big. There are 2.75 million net square feet of exhibit space. Eleven venues. 24 product categories. Some company's booths are vast and complex, while other, smaller firms grab a table in one of the 25 marketplaces. 

In terms of footfall, the CES attracts about 180,000 people from 155 countries, as well as 6,500 media, who visit 4,500 exhibiting companies. All the biggest tech companies in the world gather ... well, except for Apple.  

Where will CES 2019 take place?

Since 1978 the CES has been staged in Las Vegas. Why? Hotel rooms, all 150,000 of them, and counting. The main venue is the Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center (LVCC), which is a short (and very busy) monorail ride from The Strip, where most of the hotels are. 

Along with the nearby Westgate Las Vegas and Renaissance Las Vegas, this is referred to as Tech East. This is where most of the major booths are. Tech West (comprising the Sands Expo, The Venetian, The Palazzo, Wynn Las Vegas, and Encore) is where you'll find hi-fi and audio. At Tech South (ARIA, Park MGM/Park Theater and Vdara) you'll see VR, AR, and gaming. There are shuttle buses between the venues, but it's best to stay put for the day at one of the three areas to avoid the traffic. 

When do all the announcements happen?

Although the weeks before the CES are packed with rumors and reports of what may or may not be launched or announced at the CES, it's not until Sunday, January 6 and Monday, January 7 – the two days before the show opens – that there will be any concrete news. These are the two media days, and they're when the all-important press conferences are held, and consequently when a lot of the headlines are written. 

Sunday is typically light on news, and in 2019 it's Monday that will see the big companies' press conferences at the Mandalay Bay Hotel at the south end of The Strip. In 2019, confirmed press conferences include Hisense, Hyundai, Intel, LG, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony, TCL, and Toyota. 

As for whom is actually giving these nail-biting presentations, the first will come from LG on Monday, 7 January; its President and Chief Technology Officer Dr. I.P. Park will discuss AI and 'self-evolving' products … and a foldable phone? 

January 8 will see keynotes from IBM Chairman, President and CEO Ginni Rometty (trust, AI and quantum) and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg (5G), while January 9 has AMD's president and CEO Dr. Lisa Su discuss next-gen computing.  

CES 2019 predictions: What's going to be announced

Just give the attendance list a cursory glance and you'll see that a lot of bases are covered at CES - you'll find AR and VR, voice control, connected cars, robotics, smart home, smart cities, health, wellness, sleep, sports, accessories companies, and everything in between. 

However, in 2019 there are some trends that are likely to dominate. 

The most obvious will be voice control. "Well definitely see more smart speakers with screens," says Jack Wetherill, Principal Consultant: Home Electronics at Futuresource, who also thinks CES will see voice creep into more and more product categories, such as soundbars possibly from Samsung, Sony and LG. The TV remote control could finally begin its death throes. 

"There has already been one TV with far-field microphones in the set itself," says Wetherill, referring to Toshiba's upcoming OLED, 4K HDR, and Full HD smart ranges with Alexa built in. CES could also see the spread of Netflix Calibrated Mode beyond some Sony TVs. 

Headphones will also get chatty. "A new Alexa development kit from Qualcomm means we'll see more integration of voice into headphones," says Wetherill. "We're waiting for headphones that respond to a wake-word, and while that probably won't emerge at CES 2019, we will see true wireless earphones with longer battery life – it would be logical if Sony brought more ‘true wireless’ products at CES." 

Another trend will be foldable displays, with the Samsung Galaxy X likely to feature alongside LG’s foldable. 

However, foldables could go much deeper than mere phones. "Where we’re expecting real change is laptops and tablets," says Tom Morrod, Senior Research Director, IHS Markit. "We are expecting to see foldable laptops with OLED screens that extend across the entire keyboard area – this means you could open them up to monitor size, or to book format, or use them as a normal laptop format with the keyboard as half of the touch panel." But how, exactly, Android and Windows adapt their OS for foldable devices will be interesting. Last but not least, connected cars at CES 2019 could also see integrated OLEDs to replace wing mirrors.

Want specific predictions for each company? We've got those, too!

Aircharge at CES 2019

Wireless charging is on the up, and the CES will definitely see three new products from Aircharge; a Fast Wireless Charger 10W, Fast Dual Charger 10W, and a PS4 DualShock 4 Wireless Adaptor. Both chargers will deliver 10W fast wireless charging, including both Apple and Samsung fast wireless charging. 

AMD at CES 2019

Semiconductor company AMD has already said that it intends to show-off in Las Vegas its 3rd-gen Ryzen processors and new graphics products.  

Asus at CES 2019

How about a high-end 10-inch Chrome OS tablet? That's what AndroidHeadlines.com reports that ASUS will be using CES 2019 to announce.  

Canon at CES 2019

CanonRumors.co reports that CES 2019 could see the unveiling of a Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III – complete with a new image sensor and a longer zoom range – and possibly a G9 X Mark III.  

Intel at CES 2019

Is Nvidia about to get a serious challenge in the high-end graphics card market? If reports from Anthony Garreffa at TweakTown are anything to go by, a discrete graphics card could be coming from Intel.  

A photo of an LG robot

LG at CES 2019

It's confirmed, LG will definitely have TVs at CES 2019. We can safely say that because the Korean-based electronics manufacturer already announced the Alpha 9 (Gen. 2) TV processor that will power its 2019 OLED TVs. Details were sparse on how it would significantly improve this year's Alpha 9, but it could be saving that for CES. 

Will bring more 'ThinQ' branded smart home products? Probably. However, there are also rumors that LG's CES 2019 keynote will see the unveiling of a foldable phone. Either way, look out for pre-Christmas, pre-CES announcements of B-lister products – it's an annual tradition from LG's predictable Comms team.  

Royole at CES 2019

The world's first foldable phone? That could well come at CES from Royole, which recently teased the FlexPai, the 7.8-inch AMOLED screen that folds in half. 

Samsung at CES 2019

A CES launch for the previously announced Samsung Galaxy Home smart speaker – compete with Bixby – seems a shoo-in, but will Samsung launch its Galaxy X foldable phone? "While the full Samsung launch might be at Mobile World Congress we could instead see the Samsung Galaxy S10 launched at CES, which won’t be foldable but will have 5G and triple camera, plus a new notch design on the front panel," says Tom Morrod, Senior Research Director, IHS Markit. 

We will also almost certainly see Samsung refresh its TV line-up, which will mean more advanced QLED TVs (though probably not a new version of the recent 85-inch Q900R 8K QLED TV). However, if a recent patent filing is anything to go by, we could see a transparent TV. Since Samsung is often launching design-led screens, that wouldn't be a surprise.  

Sony at CES 2019

There's likely to be an almighty rush to launch the first 5G-ready phones in 2019, and Sony’s desire to be first-to-market could mean that the CES 2019 sees the appearance of a 5G Xperia phone. 

It's also possible that Sony will use CES 2019 to launch its 5.9-inch XA3 and 5.7-inch Xperia L3 budget phones, according to KnowYourMobile.com. Sony may also launch a smart speaker-with-a-screen, following in LG's footsteps.  

Spotify at CES 2019

The streaming service doesn't normally deal in hardware, but could Spotify use CES 2019 to launch its own voice search interface to compete with Amazon Echo and Google Home? Spotify has suites reserved at the Wynn Encore …   

One thing’s for sure, after CES 2019 the world of tech won’t ever be the same.  

  • New year, new tech – check out all our coverage of CES straight from Las Vegas, the greatest gadget show on Earth 


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iPhone battery acting up? Better have it replaced by December 31

Hard to believe it was almost a year ago that Apple finally offered cheaper battery replacement in older iPhones to make up for slowing their processors (the so-called “BatteryGate”). Apple began started the offer days into January 2018, but only for a year - which means you should act fast before it expires on December 31.

If you own an iPhone SE, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, or X and think your battery is run down, you can replace the battery for a discounted $29 (down from the previous rate of $79). 

When the new year rolls over, most older iPhone battery replacements will go up to $49, while the newer iPhone X will cost $69, per MacRumors

The iPhone XS and XS Max aren’t covered because they weren’t released until long after the scandal, and they’re still under warranty anyway.

Discounted after discovery 

As older batteries started wearing down, iPhones started shutting down when they failed to provide processors enough juice to maintain performance at peak usage. Apple introduced a feature in iOS 10.2.1 back in January 2017 that would quietly throttle performance if iPhones had depleted capacity in order to prevent these random crashes - but they didn’t tell users.

Instead, the feature - called Peak Performance Capability - was discovered in late 2017, leading to an uproar as users learned their devices were throttled without their knowledge or permission. 

If you want to replace your older phone’s battery at reduced price, take your phone to an Apple store, Apple-authorized retailer or send it in via Apple’s support site.



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Smartphone vs Camera: Do Millennials Even Want a DSLR Anymore?

https://ift.tt/2noMJm3 cameras continue to get better, thanks to better hardware and powerful software.

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Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+ Reportedly Get Second One UI Beta Update; Galaxy Note 9 Users Now Able to Sign Up

https://ift.tt/154AwVo has now gone ahead and released the second One UI beta that comes with certain bug fixes and improvements.

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South Korea Indicts Group for Leaking Samsung Display Tech to Chinese Firm

https://ift.tt/2AAf3Jf, which produces automated equipment to make mobile phone display panels, denied any wrongdoing.

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Moto X4 Now Receiving Stable Android 9.0 Pie Update: Report

https://ift.tt/2nxrLmA reportedly kicked off a soak test earlier this month to test Android Pie on the Moto X4.

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Oppo’s Foldable Phone to Be Announced as Soon as MWC 2019: Report

https://ift.tt/2kYs8lM is reportedly working on its own foldable smartphone and is gearing up to announce it as soon as MWC 2019 in February next year.

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A Company Few Know Is About to Dethrone Intel

https://ift.tt/2E2NbkZ TSMC has scores of customers, including tech giants Apple and Qualcomm, second-tier players like AMD, and minnows such as Ampere Computing.

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Honor 8C Review

https://ift.tt/2FcxsND 8C features a 19:9 display, AI-enhanced cameras, and a 4,000mAh battery. Does it have what what it takes to keep the competition at bay? Find out in our full review.

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Huawei to Open 100 Experience Zones in India by 2019

https://ift.tt/2kQgYmh on Wednesday said it would set up 100 exclusive experience zones through its retail partners by 2019.

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Huawei Nova 4 Bezel-Less Design Said to Be Shown Off in Live Stream, Concept Render Released

https://ift.tt/2kQgYmh is reportedly gearing up to unveil its first-ever smartphone, the Nova 4, with an all-screen design and a hole to fit in the selfie camera.

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Nokia 7 Plus Update Brings November Android Security Patch, New Camera App With Google Lens Integration: Reports

https://ift.tt/wEcZxH new software update for the Nokia 7 Plus carries version 3.39B and is 462.8MB in size.

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Honor 8C With Snapdragon 632 SoC, AI-Backed Selfie Camera Launched in India: Price, Specifications

https://ift.tt/2FcxsND 8C price in India starts at Rs. 11,999 for the base 4GB/ 32GB storage model.

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Realme U1 vs Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro

https://ift.tt/2NZCRuZ U1 vs Redmi Note 6 Pro vs ZenFone Max Pro M1 — the new Realme U1 takes on popular phones in the sub-Rs. 15,000 price segment.

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Nubia Red Magic Mars Gaming Phone With Up to 10GB RAM, Shoulder Buttons Launched: Price, Specifications

https://ift.tt/2m3Bz49 sub-brand Nubia has launched the all-new Red Magic Mars gaming smartphone in China

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Nokia 8.1 Alleged Promotional Posters Leaked Ahead of December 5 Launch

https://ift.tt/2ht6lVG 8.1 is all set to become HMD Global’s next smartphone at an official unveiling expected sometime early next month.

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InMotion extends its $2.95 per month web hosting bargain - but only until Monday

We love it when a bargain becomes available on a web hosting service. And we really love it when the discount is on our number one favorite web hosting service. That's exactly what happened on Cyber Monday, and we've now found out that the special offer has been extended for another few days.

It comes from InMotion, which has reduced its premium web hosting plans in excess of 50%. And the really exciting thing (for us, at least) is that the better than half price rate is EXCLUSIVELY for TechRadar readers.

So what's the deal? It's 57% off InMotion Power, which is the company's best value plan. That takes the monthly price down to a mere $2.95 (around £2.30) when you sign up for a three year plan. With that, you get all the premium web hosting features you could need for a small business (or very serious hobby).

We're talking themes, templates, SSD storage, SSL and a free domain all thrown in. InMotion Power gets you not one, not two, but six websites, unlimited emails, marketing tools, a security suite, unlimited bandwidth and unlimited storage. All this plus turbo charged speeds.

But remember, this web hosting deal is now set to end on Monday December 3. So if you know that you're going to need a new website for you or your SME, it would pay dividends to get it sorted with InMotion this weekend.

Our EXCLUSIVE InMotion Power web hosting discount:

In addition to that, TechRadar readers can also get a 53% reduction on InMotion Pro - its most premium subscription - at a discounted rate of $7.49 (roughly £5.90) per month. Pro is an obvious upgrade for developers and growing businesses, as it adds unlimited websites doubled performance speeds and additional support in to the mix. 



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Best touchscreen laptops 2018: the best touchsceen laptops we've tapped this year

Whether you like it or not, you can’t deny that the touchscreen has completely changed the laptop scene. From more touch-friendly operating systems like Windows 10 and Chrome OS to the explosion of drawing apps, there are more reasons than ever to have a touchscreen on the best laptops than ever before, and the best 2-in-1 laptops surging popularity does nothing but confirm this.

It might seem like every laptop that’s come out in the last couple years has a touchscreen – and while that’s pretty much true, they’re not all created equal. While most will detect when you simply scroll up or down a web page with your finger, the best touchscreen laptops will be tuned for precise digital pen usage and will even have some specialized features.

Keeping this in mind, we went ahead and found all the best touchscreen laptops for everyone – from digital artists to note takers. Whether you need to be a part of the touchscreen revolution, you’re looking to upgrade to the next best thing, or you’re just looking for some tech-savvy gifts just in time for the holidays – you’ve come to the right place.

Over the last few years, Microsoft has been hard at work creating some of the best touchscreen laptops on the market. Devices like the Surface Pro 6, the Surface Book 2, all of these are brilliant devices. However, the new Surface Laptop 2 takes the traditional laptop form factor and merges it flawlessly with touchscreen technology in the most compelling way we’ve seen in a while. Not only is is a beautiful display, packed in a gorgeous chassis, but it has the hardware to back it up. Some may lament the absence of Thunderbolt 3, but when it does so many things right, it’s hard not to love the Surface Laptop 2.

Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2

The Samsung Chromebook Pro can be likened to an extremely large Samsung Note device in that it has a stowable stylus and a fantastic touchscreen for handwriting notes. What’s better, every single thing you write down on the Samsung Chromebook Pro is saved to Google Keep, which then digitizes your handwriting into a text document for easy searching afterwards. And, when you take into consideration its access to the Google Play Store for all the best Android apps, it isn’t hard to see why this is one of the best touchscreen laptops. 

Read the full review: Samsung Chromebook Pro

  • This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Microsoft Surface Pro 

The HP Spectre x360 manages to strike a perfect balance between tablet and laptop. As a tablet, it has brilliantly slim bezels for consuming all sorts of content, and is light enough to hold for long stretches. Then, as a laptop, it features amazing battery life that will last you throughout the day and you won’t find another laptop with a keyboard this tactile. 

If you want a laptop that has a ton of screen real estate and the power to back it up, you’re going to want to pay attention to the new 13.9-inch Lenovo Yoga 920. It sports the same 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity as the Surface Pro 6, but on a larger 4K display. This sharp-looking 2-in-1 laptop brings a touch of class, too, with a unique watchband hinge and fully metal build. You’ll have a hard time finding a better touchscreen laptop in 2018.

Read the hand-on review: Lenovo Yoga 920

The Surface Book 2 15 inch not only offers the same great touch and pen experience as the Surface Pro, but it also features a larger screen and extremely more beefy hardware. Thanks to its quad-core processor and potent discrete GPU, it’s ready to handle your most demanding art projects, and will even allow you to play the best PC games

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch)



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The best Windows tablets 2018: all of the top Windows tablets reviewed

In 2018, the best Windows 10 tablets keep getting more and more compelling. They’re not just great tablets for consuming content, but because of their lightweight and powerful nature, they make for some of the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy today. The best Windows tablets are truly the best of both worlds.

You can do so many different things with the top Windows tablets. From thin and light beauties like the Acer Switch 5 to power-heavy bests like the Surface Pro 6 – the best Windows tablets have something for everyone. And, if you were waiting for a cheaper Surface device, the new Surface Go is right up your alley. Plus, the Surface Pro 6 is finally here.

That’s why we decided it was time to find all the best Windows tablets on the market today. No matter what you need to get done, you can find the best Windows tablet for you right here on this list. So, let’s dive into everything the best Windows tablets can achieve.

For years, Microsoft’s Surface Pro lineup has been the ideal of what the best Windows tablets should strive for. And, while it doesn’t bring anything especially new to the table, it does iterate in a meaningful way, with more powerful hardware and a sleek black color option that looks stunning. It still doesn’t come with the Surface Pen or the Type Cover, but that’s unfortunately to be expected these days. Either way, it’s the best Windows tablet on the market right now.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6

A budget Surface device has been demanded by users for years, but the wait is finally over. The Microsoft Surface Go is simply the best Windows tablet for anyone that wants to work on the go. Thin, light, portable and elegant without costing a fortune, Microsoft has packed in everything they could in a device at a low price point. And, if you’re a student, or just someone that wants to consume some media while traveling, you can’t go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Go – you can even play some of the best laptop games on an airplane.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go 

If you want the versatility that the Surface Pro offers, but don’t want to pay the exorbitant price that a competent model asks, you might want to check out the Acer Switch 5. You’ll lose a bit in screen resolution and sound quality, but you’re saving hundreds of dollars. The Acer Switch 5 is one of the best Windows tablets for any students or professionals who need to get work done on the go, and save some cash at the same time.

Read the full review: Acer Switch 5 

Best Windows tablets

While it features a 6th generation Intel processor, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is a knockout 12-inch tablet that manages to be thinner and lighter than most Windows tablets. It also has a beautiful AMOLED screen that you won’t find on any other Windows device, plus a pair of high-quality speakers that sound better than most other tablet speakers. The keyboard is a bit iffy, but if you’re looking for a tablet to watch some Netflix on, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is the best windows tablet for you. 

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy TabPro S

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Microsoft Surface Go

The HP Spectre x2 was originally created to be a budget version of the Surface Pro. However, HP has redesigned this Windows tablet to vie for Microsoft’s premium crown. In many ways, we have to admit it succeeds. The HP Spectre x2 rocks a 7th-generation Kaby Lake Core i7 processor at a lower price point – it even looks cooler. It gets better  – the Active Pen and keyboard come with the HP Spectre x2, which is more than can be said for the Surface Pro. 

Read our full review: HP Spectre x2

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article



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The best rugged laptops of 2018: we test drop-proof laptops for working outside

The Windows 10 October 2018 Update may have made working on your computer easier than ever, but if your workload requires something a bit more durable, you’re going to need one of the best rugged laptops. We went ahead and scoured the web for the best laptops that can withstand the toughest places on Earth – the top rugged laptops can handle basically everything that can happen on the planet. 

The best rugged laptops will have rigid, durable chassis that can withstand high pressure, extreme drops and even exposure to water without a care in the world. You shouldn’t have to worry even if you drop it off a building into a lake – as long as you retrieve it quickly enough.

Still, the top rugged laptops need to be good, well, laptops. They need enough power to get your work done – what good is a rugged laptop if you can’t actually use it, right?

So, whether you work on a busy work site, travel to the most extreme places on earth or even if you’re just clumsy, we’ll help you find the best rugged laptops you can buy today. We’ve even included our exclusive price comparison tool, so that when you go out looking for the rugged laptop of choice, you’ll be able to find the best deals, just like that.

The Dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme is the best rugged laptop on the market today. And, while it’s kind of old at this point, it’s still a well designed rugged laptop that meets military standard requirements. It features a rigid magnesium alloy build, shock absorbent case, is IP65 certified against dust, sand and water and can even withstand extreme temperatures. It even features respectable specs, as well. And, like the rest of Dell’s catalog, you’ll be able to configure the Dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme however you like.

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Panasonic Toughbook CF-33  

Dell may be a mainstream laptop manufacturer, but it still makes the best rugged laptops around. The Dell Latitude 14 Rugged is a fantastic machine that combines a tough outer shell with components that are pretty powerful for the category – including an Intel Core i5 processor and dedicated AMD Radeon graphics. The display looks decent, with a matte finish that makes it comfortable to use outdoors – which is probably where you’ll use it. It’s the less ‘extreme’ version of the Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme which sits at the top of our list of the best rugged laptops. 

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Panasonic Toughbook CF-33  

If you want one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but you don’t want something that feels like it’s going to snap in half the first chance it gets – the Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is for you. This 2-in-1 has a flexibility that most rugged laptops just don’t. If you need something that’s easy to carry while you do stock takes and jot down notes, then tablet mode will work wonders. Then, if you need to type up some documents, you can attach the keyboard and comfortably type away. It may be expensive, but it’s one of the only 2-in-1 laptops that can actually take a beating. 

You might think the HP ProBook x360 11 G1 EE is a normal laptop at first glance. However, once you dive deeper, you’ll see there’s more than meets the eye. While it isn’t designed for big drops and dangerous environments, it's still one of the best rugged laptops for most everyday users – it’s built to withstand more knocks, drops and liquids than the everyday laptop. This is due to an industrial rubberised body, spill resistant keyboard and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 display. It’s not going to be as robust as some of the other rugged laptops on this list, but it’s easily portable and the screen can be flipped – making it a rugged 2-in-1 laptop.

Similar to the HP ProBook x360 we mentioned earlier, the Lenovo ThinkPad 11e is more like a standard laptop that just so happens to be a bit rugged. Still, you can just tell that Lenovo has put effort into the construction of this device, as it includes more robust inputs, and can survive drops of up to 90cm. It also features military specifications, that make this a laptop that can survive the harshest conditions. What’s more, it’s affordable, while still offering enough processing power for everyday tasks.



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Best laptops for kids: the top laptops for kids in elementary school and beyond

These days, having one of the best laptops is critically important, even for children. The best laptops for kids will usually be rugged and cheap tablets, but your children will eventually outgrow these, requiring something a bit more traditional. Whether it’s for school or for play, you’ll need to find the top laptop for kids.

You don’t have to be stuck with Windows, though – the best Chromebooks are some of the best laptops for kids, as they feature large, durable displays that are great for writing up book reports and doing homework. Most of them can install Android apps and games, too, for a bit of downtime here and there. Not to mention that they’re really cheap – just like all of the top laptops for kids.

So, how do you decide which of the best laptops for kids is right for your little one? Well, we here at TechRadar have you covered – we went ahead and listed all the top laptops for kids.

So, we’ll help you find the best laptops for kids– from low prices to ruggedized frames and even rigid parental controls. We may not have tested or reviewed all the laptops here, but we’re laptop experts, and these are all exceptional laptops for kids.

Dell Chromebook 11 3180

This entry-level Chromebook from Dell is, by our measure, the best laptop for kids you can buy today. This Chromebook’s 11-inch frame may be tiny, but so is your little one. What’s more impressive are its classroom tools, like an activity light that allows kids to digitally raise their hands. Plus, it has a ‘kid-proof’ sealed, spill-resistant keyboard and rubber sides. The excellent price is worth noting, too. Plus, Chrome OS is historically easy for parental controls as well as malware protection. 

Read the full review of a predecessor: Dell Chromebook 11 

Lenovo IdeaPad 120S

If you’re more accustomed to Windows 10, or even if your kid likes it, we find the Lenovo IdeaPad 120S to be among the best laptops for kids – especially at this bargain price. The laptop is mildly ruggedized to survive slips and drops, and even features a USB-C port for a bit of future-proofing. You can also trust that this device will be free of bloatware that can distract your child. That’s enough in our book to recommend this laptop to pretty much every parent – especially for Windows 10 families.

Read the full review of a predecessor: Lenovo IdeaPad 100S 

If you have kids that are just starting to have to write up papers for class, and you want to get them something that won’t break the first time it gets dropped, you might want to consider the Acer Chromebook Spin 11. Not only does it have competent specs and a surprisingly comfortable keyboard, it’s also a 2-in-1. This means it can be used to play some Android games when all the homework is done. The display is a bit dim, and it’s not going to blow you away with its performance, but it’s cheap, durable and it’ll last a while. 

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11 

Acer Chromebook 15

When your kids approach or enter double-digit years, they might end up needing something a bit more robust to support them through larger projects (and sharper streaming). Acer’s latest 15-inch Chromebook will bring serious sophistication to your kid’s computing experience, from its design to its features, like a full HD display, fast USB 3.0 connections and an HDR webcam. However, this laptop is ideal for adolescents on account of its larger size and lack of kid-proof features in exchange for a more luxury experience at a great price. 

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15 

Asus Transformer Mini T102HA

If your kid demands a tablet, but you’d like them to master the traditional computer as well, this Windows 10 tablet set is the most impressive we’ve seen in a minute, especially for the price. This tablet brings plenty of power and ports to the table – not to mention a fingerprint sensor, stylus and keyboard cover – all in the box. This is all topped off with a whopping 11 hours of battery life. If your kids are just too used to tablets to make the jump to a traditional laptop, then this here is the best option, especially for the price. 

Read the full review: Asus Transformer Mini T102HA

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Lenovo IdeaPad 120S 

MacBook Air

There will come a time when your kids aren’t that little anymore, and they’ll need a laptop to match. However, we know parents aren’t made of money. That’s why the 2015 MacBook Air is one of the best laptops for kids in late primary, secondary or post-secondary school. It’s not the newest MacBook on the block, sure, but it’s the cheapest Apple laptop you can find today. Plus, it’s got great battery life, a smooth operating system and it’s thin and light. Plus, MacBooks are famous for outlasting most Windows laptops – and this one in particular should last your little ones for years to come. 

Read the full review: MacBook Air 



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