Charles Jefferies

Philadelphia

Contributor at PCMag

Freelance writer and reviewer for @PCMag and others (15 yrs experience); HRIS consultant (benefits/payroll systems) at PDS, Inc.

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Articles

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (7441)

1 month ago | au.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor, Dell's Inspiron 14 Plus (model 7441, starting at $849.99 and $999.99 as tested) serves as a solid, if unremarkable, everyday laptop. Its aluminum design adds a premium feel, and features like a touch screen, Wi-Fi 7, and multiple biometric options come standard. Although it doesn't stand out among midrange slimlines, it's well-rounded enough to be a worthy contender, particularly if you catch it on sale.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

1 month ago | au.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus ($624.99 as tested) elevates Google's Chromebook Plus campaign to new heights. This 15.6-inch laptop boasts a stunning AMOLED screen and an equally dazzling metal design, measuring under half an inch thin and weighing just 2.6 pounds. It also debuts new G (for Google) and Quick Insert keys for a productivity boost.
Acer Swift 14 AI

1 month ago | au.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

Helped by Microsoft's Copilot+ PC push, Qualcomm Snapdragon laptops have taken store shelves by storm. Our testing has shown that they are often solid alternatives to traditional x86 laptops. Acer's Swift 14 AI model SF14-61T-R3U1 (starts at $1,049.99; $1,199.99 as tested) lives up to the reputation these laptops have earned, boasting peppy performance and enough battery life for all-day use. Its high-resolution touch screen and useful port selection are also easy to appreciate.
Dell Pro Rugged 14

1 month ago | uk.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

A laptop built to withstand occasional jostling in a briefcase or a minor keyboard coffee spill is one thing; one ready for outdoor use, pouring rain, vehicle mounting, and extreme temperatures is another. Dell's Pro Rugged 14 (starts at $1,959; approximately $3,821 as tested) is what's known as a semi-rugged laptop and exceeds expectations even for that elite class.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i has an under-screen camera and one of the most beautiful displays we've ever seen, but battery life isn't the best

1 month ago | tomshardware.com | Charles Jefferies

Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 9i redefines ultrabook elegance with its glass-inspired design and innovative webcam. While its battery life isn’t the longest, the trade-off is a dazzling OLED screen. Also save up for adapters, because it has few ports.
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5

1 month ago | me.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

Conventional desktop PCs oblige you to find desk space for a tower, a monitor, and speakers. However, all-in-one (AIO) systems combine all that into a single unit, making them ideal for space-starved workspaces. Lenovo's ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5 targets corporate offices with a mainstream-size 23.8-inch screen and more performance than most users will likely need, thanks to a desktop-grade Intel Core i7 CPU.
Lenovo ThinkStation PX

2 months ago | uk.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

Lenovo's ThinkStation PX (starts at $6,228; approximately $12,223 as tested) is the kind of workstation you’d choose if you plan to launch a satellite or build a skyscraper. It's one of the few models with dual processors, specifically Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs with up to 64 cores each. Combine them with up to 2TB of memory, four top-tier professional graphics cards, and an immense amount of storage, and you'll find virtually no task this powerhouse can't tackle.
Acer Swift 16 AI

2 months ago | uk.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

Simply adding "AI" to a product name isn't enough anymore. Nor, really, is the gimmicky touchpad on Acer's new Swift 16 AI ($1,199.99 as tested), which lights up when using AI apps. Nevertheless, this laptop's impressive OLED touch screen, metal chassis, and all-day battery life make it an attractive option for home and entertainment use.
ECS Liva Z7 Plus

2 months ago | uk.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

The essence of a mini PC is doing more with less, and the ECS Liva Z7 Plus (starting at $499, as a bare-bones model without RAM or SSD) clasps onto this idea, full-embrace. A desktop small enough to fit in your hand, it's ideal for homes, offices, digital signage, kiosks, and factory floors. Powered by one of Intel's "Meteor Lake" Core Ultra mobile processors and featuring bring-your-own memory and storage schemes, it delivers ample performance for productivity tasks and vertical-market work.
Lenovo LOQ Gaming Tower (2025, 17IRR9)

2 months ago | au.pcmag.com | Charles Jefferies

As much as we enjoy reviewing ultra-high-end gaming desktops, most buyers simply lust over those aspirational models and then go and seek out the best value their budget can bear. Enter the Lenovo LOQ Gaming Tower, which provides all the performance you need for everyday 1080p gaming. The latest revision of this LOQ desktop line is dubbed 17IRR9; Lenovo's basic model runs $899.99 MSRP.