Brian Westover

Saint Anthony, United States

Lead Analyst and AI Columnist at PCMag

Techie. Search nerd. All around geek. Lead PC analyst and AI columnist at @PCMag. (Formerly at @tomsguide and @laptopmag.)

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Articles

In Its 2025 Surfaces, Microsoft Is Still Sweet on Snapdragon X. But Why?

1 week ago | pcmag.com | Brian Westover

Microsoft has two new Surface products for 2025, a new pair of Copilot+ PCs with the latest AI features and cool new colors. However, I was surprised to see that Microsoft again went exclusively with Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors in these new machines. Sure, back in January, new enterprise Surface models came out, dubbed Surface for Business, with Intel Core Ultra 200V ("Lunar Lake") silicon.
Trick Out Your Dish! The Complete Guide to Starlink Accessories and Mounts

1 week ago | pcmag.com | Brian Westover

Joining the satellite internet revolution? Some optional accessories will make your installation smoother. Here's a look at all the official Starlink and Starlink Mini accessories for mounting, cabling, and carrying, plus tips from our Starlink expert.
MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo A2VM

1 week ago | uk.pcmag.com | Brian Westover

MSI's latest crack at AI PCs is the super-mobile Prestige 13 AI+ Evo A2VM laptop (starts at $1,399.99; $1,499.99 as tested), the latest in a string of capable Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. But while the AI hype train chugs along, this sleek machine promises more than just buzzwords. From its premium magnesium alloy construction and eye-popping OLED display to its rich connectivity, peppy performance, and all-day battery life, the Prestige 13 provides much more than a sprinkle of AI magic.
MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo A2VM Review: AI-Enhanced Computing on the Go

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Brian Westover

9 hours agoI Love This Hidden iPhone Camera Trick for Stunning Long-Exposure PhotosYour iPhone can already take beautiful, dreamy long-exposure photos. Here's how to do it. If you've ever seen artistic photos of waterfalls or rivers where the water is blurred to look like flowing ribbons, then you already know the beautiful effect of a long exposure photo.
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition

3 weeks ago | uk.pcmag.com | Brian Westover

The 15-inch business laptop is an unusual breed these days, but there's one important holdout—Lenovo's ThinkPad line. I know what you're asking right now: Another review of a boxy black Lenovo workhorse? But hear me out. The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition ($1,599 to start; $2,069 as tested) is nothing like the ThinkPad you're picturing in your mind.
Starlink vs. Hughesnet vs. Viasat: Which Satellite Internet Provider Is Best?

4 weeks ago | uk.pcmag.com | Brian Westover

First Off: What Is Starlink? Starlink is a satellite internet system developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX that uses a vast network of more than 6,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and self-adjusting receiver dishes to provide high-speed internet. The speeds range from 50Mbps to 200Mbps. The system is becoming increasingly popular among users worldwide, with an estimated 5 million subscribers from various regions, including more than 1.4 million in the US.
Starlink vs. Hughesnet vs. Viasat: Which Satellite Internet Provider Is Best?

4 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Brian Westover

2 hours agoThe combined effect of sea level rise and land subsidence puts densely populated areas at risk Global mean sea level has risen about 21-24 centimeters (8-9 inches) since 1880. Staggeringly, somewhere around 10 cm of that rise has happened in the past 30 years, and the rate at which sea levels are …
Cheap Laptops on the Chopping Block: With Tariffs Looming, Should You Buy Now?

1 month ago | pcmag.com | Brian Westover

President Donald Trump's recent wave of tariffs on, well, pretty much everything is poised to hit the computing world hard. The sweeping new trade policy aims to raise revenue and revive American manufacturing while correcting perceived trade imbalances. However, one near-certain side effect? Thousands of products will increase in price as businesses look to offset costs.
Do Trump Tariffs Signal the End of the Cheap PC?

1 month ago | uk.pcmag.com | Brian Westover

President Donald Trump's recent wave of tariffs on, well, pretty much everything is poised to hit the computing world hard. The sweeping new trade policy aims to raise revenue and revive American manufacturing while correcting perceived trade imbalances. However, one near-certain side effect? Thousands of products will increase in price as businesses look to offset costs.
The Best Laptops for 2025

1 month ago | uk.pcmag.com | Brian Westover |Joe Osborne

Details, details, and more details! Buying the best laptop for you can be maddening, given all the specifications and features you'll encounter in your search. Which class of laptops is best for you depends on your budget and how you plan to use it. Take a systematic approach when shopping—here's how to make a smart pick. What Are the Types of Laptops You Can Buy? Let's start with a rundown of the main types of laptops on today's market.