PC Pro Magazine - January 2023

In this issue

YOUNG DEVELOPER OF THE MONTH
Like many a 15-year-old, Alistair Smith didn’t want to do his homework. Unlike his counterparts, though, he used his coding skills to cheat the system. This is his story.

HOTTEST STORY OF THE MONTH
So how do you spot energy-hungry devices, as we put on the cover this month? With the help of an infrared camera. Paul Ockenden explains all from p111..

PC PRO Christmas Gift Guide

WHETHER YOU’RE BUYING FOR SOMEONE ELSE OR JUST NEED TO LEAVE A SUBTLE HINT FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO DOZENS OF GREAT TECH GIFTS FOR THIS CHRISTMAS

10+ mins

AMD Ryzen 7000 series

A brilliant set of technological advances add to these chips' appeal, but they require a big up-front investment

10+ mins

Intel 13th gen Core desktop processors

A lukewarm upgrade on paper, but in practice this is a stunning performance leap for a single generation

6 mins

Intel Core i5-13600K

Nudging into i7 territory for performance, this is a brilliant all-rounder for a great price

1 min

Intel Core i7-13700K

A fine chip, but choose the i5-13600K unless you'll measurably benefit from those two extra P-cores

1 min

Intel Core i9-13900K

Intel's top-end and highly overclockable chip comes at a heavy premium, but it's worth it

1 min

Google Pixel 7 Pro

A superb all-round phone that is only likely to improve with software updates, and the price is absolutely right

6 mins

Google Pixel 7

It's hard not to miss the Pixel 7 Pro's high-end features, but this is still a great-value premium device

3 mins

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

A solid option for those after a bigger iPhone, but Apple is in danger of pricing itself out of the market

3 mins

Apple Watch Ultra

The best Apple Watch yet, with a bright, large screen and a bunch of features to attract fitness fanatics

3 mins

Apple Watch Series 8

A minor update that offers little over the 7, and it is distinctly outshone by the Watch Ultra

1 min

CRUCIAL P3

At current prices the WD Blue SN5/0 makes a better choice, but find the P3 for less and that could change

2 mins

ADATA LEGEND 840

A perfectly sound drive but it has tough competition this month, and its £140 price is simply too high

1 min

CRUCIAL P3 PLUS

A 1TB Gen4 drive for a good price, but it misses out on award thanks to the cheaper WD Black SN770

1 min

CRUCIAL P5 PLUS

Just like the Crucial P3 Plus, this speedy drive is ousted from the top spot due to an even better WD rival

1 min

SSD sizes explained

How to decode the strings of numbers used to describe M.2 drives

2 mins

KINGSTON KC3000

This Gen4 SSD was worth waiting for: it offers superb value for money if you don't need cutting-edge speeds

2 mins

SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS

Quite simply too expensive for a Gen3 drive, meaning there are few reasons to choose it over rivals

1 min

PCI-E Gen3 vs PCI-E Gen4

How much difference does a generation make?

1 min

SEAGATE FIRECUDA 530

A great choice for the most demanding users, but if you don't need blazing speeds then you can save some cash

2 mins

SAMSUNG 980 PRO

A fast Gen4 drive, but with speedy and cheaper rivals there's no justification for the premium being charged

1 min

WD BLACK SN750

This positively ancient Gen3 drive still holds its own, especially if your PC doesn't include a Gen4 slot

1 min

SEAGATE FIRECUDA BESKARINGOT

A special edition for fans of The Mandalorian, and you pay a premium, but there's no denying the quality

1 min

WD BLACK SN770

A blazingly fast drive in day-to-day use coupled with a great price make this a superb-value choice

1 min

WD BLACK SN850

A staggeringly fast PCI-E Gen4 drive that's the obvious choice for the most demanding users

1 min

WD GREEN SATA

Cheap, but the performance penalty of SATA rather than PCI Express means we can't recommend it

1 min

Read all stories from PC Pro

PC Pro Magazine Description:

The UK's biggest selling PC monthly magazine, and your source of professional IT news, reviews and tests. Combining in–depth industry comment and analysis with rigorous product testing.