Stories by Brian Nadel

  • Review: The Intel Compute Stick - the ultimate mobile PC

    Stick PCs -- computers contained in a device no larger than a USB key and which, when mated with a monitor, become full desktop PCs -- have been around for a while. However, they have recently started to gain more visibility, primarily because of their ultra-portability, minimal power/space needs and ease of use. They may not be very useful for things like airline flights, but they open the way for carrying around presentations, creating public kiosks and allowing you to use another's computer without needing to access their data (or allowing them to accidentally access yours).

  • Asus ZenBook UX305 vs. Dell XPS 13: Thin, light and powerful

    If Apple's new 12-in. Retina MacBook is any indication, the laptop is no longer considered an endangered species -- as long as it's slim and lightweight. However, while the new MacBook is extraordinarily portable and comes with an impressive display, it's garnered a bit of criticism because of its single USB port (which does double duty as a power port) and lack of SD card slots. On the other hand, two new Windows 8.1 systems have recently shipped that not only push the thin-and-light envelope, but offer enough features to make them suitable for both personal and business use.

  • Break me if you can: 4 rugged tablets put to the test

    It's a cruel world out there for tablets: Every day, there's the possibility they will be dropped, knocked, spilled on or just shaken around. And that's just in a normal business day -- if you use your tablet outdoors, while traveling or in a work zone, the odds of a disaster go up precipitously.

  • 4 Windows tablet/keyboard combos take on the Surface Pro

    Microsoft's <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9248650/Surface_Pro_3_deep_dive_review_Has_Microsoft_finally_got_it_right_">Surface Pro 3</a> has gotten a lot of attention as a way to bridge the gap between tablets and traditional notebooks. Its snap-on keyboard and pull-out rear stand tries to offer the best of both worlds, but with a 12-in. screen and weighing 1.8 lbs. (without its keyboard cover), the Surface Pro is not as light as it could be, particularly for nomadic workers. And starting at $800 for a system equipped with an Intel i3 with 64GB plus $130 for the Type Cover, it is not an inexpensive system.