Articles by Rael Hornby, Content Editor

Rael Hornby, potentially influenced by far too many LucasArts titles at an early age, once thought he’d grow up to be a mighty pirate. However, after several interventions with close friends and family members, you’re now much more likely to see his name attached to the bylines of tech articles. While not maintaining a double life as an aspiring writer by day and indie game dev by night, you’ll find him sat in a corner somewhere muttering to himself about microtransactions or hunting down promising indie games on Twitter.

Articles by: Rael Hornby

3D render of a computer processor surrounded by various computing components and circuitry on a purple background. The processor has 'Laptop Silicon Survey 2025' branding - Image is a part of the Laptop Mag Silicon Survey 2025 special issue.

Silicon Survey 2025

By Madeline Ricchiuto, Rael Hornby last updated 4 February 25

Laptop Mag's Silicon Survey meets the architects behind the architecture that powers our favorite portable tech. Catch exclusive interviews with Apple, AMD, Intel, Qualcomm, Nvidia, and more as we learn how their silicon will shape the future of CPUs and GPUs.

Opera's Air browser wants to be the antidote to doomscrolling — but does it actually work?

By Rael Hornby published 4 February 25

Is Opera Air the most relaxing web browser ever? I took Opera Air for a spin to find out.

Windows 11 may have just kickstarted 2025's biggest comeback story

By Rael Hornby published 3 February 25

After months of decline to Windows 10, Windows 11 is on the up-and-up once more.

Two undeniable reasons to upgrade to Windows 11 now (or buy a new Windows laptop)

By Rael Hornby published 1 February 25

Windows 10 support ends in October, but now may be the best time to upgrade to Windows 11 or buy a new laptop.

"Truly magical" ChatGPT feature comes to Microsoft Copilot — and it's completely free

By Rael Hornby published 31 January 25

Forget DeepSeek, Microsoft is bringing the power of OpenAI's o1 reasoning model to Copilot for free.

Microsoft reveals new Surface and Surface Pro laptops with up to 22 hours of battery life

By Rael Hornby published 30 January 25

Microsoft's first Intel-powered Copilot+ Surface for Business computers arrive in February

DeepSeek's success has painted a huge TikTok-shaped target on its back

By Rael Hornby published 28 January 25

DeepSeek's success may be short-lived and follow in the footsteps of other Chinese brands like Huawei and TikTok.

DeepSeek: The best ChatGPT alternative or a hotbed of dubious claims?

By Rael Hornby published 27 January 25

ChatGPT may face its stiffest competition yet with DeepSeek, but the AI model that seems to do so much right raises a strange amount of questions.

A workman on a ladder painting over a Windows 11 image with a Windows 12 image.

Microsoft 365 Office didn't need a rebrand but Windows 11 desperately does

By Rael Hornby published 21 January 25

As Microsoft rebrand 365 Office, it feels like a distraction from a wider issue with Windows 11.

The ROG Ally dominates the handheld gaming space, can Asus do the same with VR headsets?

By Rael Hornby published 20 January 25

Asus ROG's "Tarius" VR headset details emerge as we anticipate the first non-Meta Quest headsets to run HorizonOS

Black and white photo of a man with mustache wearing AR smart glasses and a hoodie.

Smart glasses make me look like the Unabomber, but that's a you problem in 2025

By Rael Hornby published 19 January 25

Smart glasses can look a bit odd, and carry a bit of stigma following the unsuccessful launch of Google Glass, but any fuss in 2025 is much ado about nothing.

Nintendo Switch 2 handheld gaming console

The Switch 2 gives off major "I'm not a kid anymore, mom" vibes, and I'm all for it.

By Rael Hornby published 17 January 25

The Switch 2's new look is bland to some but hints at Nintendo's exciting game-ready hardware.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with S Pen on the back laying screen down on a green wooden wagon

Samsung Galaxy S25 may get its own Dynamic Island, but a good one

By Rael Hornby published 16 January 25

A recent Samsung Galaxy S25 leak refocuses attention on One UI 7's "Now Bar." Could it become the Dynamic Island for Android?

Dell XPS 13 9345 (Snapdragon X Elite) open on a white background

Best Windows laptops for January 2025: Tested, reviewed, and ranked

By Sean Riley, Rael Hornby published 15 January 25

Laptop Mag tests and reviews over 100 laptops annually to find the best ones for you, regardless of your budget or needs. Our regularly updated guide will show you the best Windows laptops in 2025.

Windows 10 retail box casting a shadow on a blue backdrop

Microsoft is making Windows 10 users an offer they (probably) can't refuse

By Rael Hornby published 15 January 25

Microsoft reminds Windows 10 users that they have a "limited time" to upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

Everything we're excited to see from Apple in 2025: New MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, and more

By Rael Hornby published 14 January 25

A look ahead to what (and when) to expect from Apple in 2025, including the M5 MacBook, iPhone SE 4, and new iPhone 17 "Air."

5 PC games we’re excited for in 2025 — plus our favorite new gaming laptops to go with them

By Rami Tabari published 11 January 25

Between new games and gaming laptops, here’s a look at what’s coming in 2025 and what we’re most excited about.

Razer Monitor Stand Chroma, an ergonomic monitor stand and USB-C hub combo with Chroma RGB lighting.

Razer's monitor stand and USB-C hub combo is a fun reminder that you can never have too much RGB

By Rael Hornby published 10 January 25

The company's Monitor Stand Chroma adds ergonomic support and gamer flair to smaller setups.

I'm hot and cold over Razer's new gaming chair — but it could lead to something incredible

By Rael Hornby published 9 January 25

Razer's Project Arielle makes me think the company is unknowingly wandering into a 4D gaming wonderland.

Halliday DigiWindow smart glasses display tech

Heads-up: A new smart glasses trend is taking over CES 2025

By Rael Hornby published 8 January 25

The heads-up display is making the leap from games to real life, and you won't want to miss it.

Valve Steam Deck showing the Nvidia GeForce NOW cloud-based game streaming service.

Nvidia GeForce NOW just made the Steam Deck and Quest 3 headsets gaming powerhouses

By Rael Hornby published 7 January 25

Nvidia's cloud-gaming platform will bring thousands of PC games to Steam Deck handhelds and Meta Quest headsets with RTX 4080-level graphics.

Halliday AI Glasses split into components with a white outline on a purple to blue gradient backdrop.

These AI smart glasses just blew away my favorite Ray-Ban Meta frames at CES 2025

By Rael Hornby published 6 January 25

Halliday smart glasses push the boundaries of wearable AI and smart glasses tech and look to release early this year.

The best external DVD drives in 2025: Optical drives for CDs, DVDs, or Blu-Rays

By Rael Hornby last updated 4 January 25

There’s life in the old drive, yet!

3D render of a person wearing a Meta Quest 3 VR/Mixed Reality headset tripping over an extension cable in a cluttered living room.

12 rules for life every Meta Quest owner should know

By Rael Hornby published 4 January 25

Handy advice for new Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S owners on getting to grips with VR and Mixed Reality

Dear Apple, it's 2025, where’s my MacBook SE?

By Rael Hornby published 3 January 25

One of the more interesting MacBook rumors failed to pan out in 2024, but what about 2025?

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