The best chainsaw

By Doug Mahoney

This post was done in partnership with The Sweethome, a buyer’s guide to the best homewares. When readers choose to buy The Sweethome’s independently chosen editorial picks, they may earn affiliate commissions that support their work. Read the full article here.

The best chainsaw for most people is the cordless Ego Power+ 16″ Chainsaw, a decision we reached after spending five days in the New Hampshire woods with six chainsaws, and having a pro tree worker with 14 years’ experience use them on the job for an additional three days this summer. He couldn’t have been more clear in his judgment: “The Ego is definitely the best one.”

The Ego is powered by a battery, so compared with a gas chainsaw, it’s far simpler to start, easier to maintain, quieter, and doesn’t emit exhaust. For power, it’s comparable to a 30 cc to 40 cc gas-powered saw, which is small on the chainsaw spectrum, but is the recommended size for general property maintenance, storm cleanup, and light firewood work. Unlike many of the other cordless saws we tested, the Ego had little problem cutting through oak, maple, and even a 17-inch-thick pine. The battery has a long run time, giving us over 60 cuts through a 7-by-7 block of fir—and the only other cordless tool this capable costs about $150 more. For ease of use, it has a tool-free chain tensioner, a feature usually found on premium gas saws. Last, the battery included with the Ego is compatible with the company’s mower and string trimmer, both of which we also recommend.

Who this is for

Chainsaws are expensive and dangerous and not everybody needs one. We have more thoughts on chainsaw safety, as well as some details on the protective gear you must wear any time you pick one up, in our full guide. If you’re undecided about if you do need a chainsaw, start out doing your lighter pruning work and tree maintenance with the peace and quiet of a well-made, sharp, quick-cutting pruning saw.

If a pruning saw isn’t cutting it (so to speak) and you need to do work on a larger scale, a chainsaw becomes essential. The saws we recommend are general-purpose, light-duty saws for regular property maintenance, storm cleanup, and light firewood work. These are quality saws, but, again, they’re on the small side of the chainsaw spectrum, so they’re not designed to spend day after day, week after week felling 40-foot trees. They have solid capabilities and can take down a fairly large tree (during testing we successfully felled and cut a 17-inch-thick pine), but they’re really designed for lighter yard work. Because of their smaller size, they’re also safer and easier to maneuver than larger saws.

How we picked and tested

The tested saws. Photo: Doug Mahoney

The best chainsaw for most people is a cordless battery-powered saw. These have power equivalent to a gas saw in the 30 cc to 40 cc range, which is on the small side for a chainsaw, but more than adequate for general home use. Cordless chainsaws avoid the hassles inherent with a gas-powered tool, including pull-starting, maintenance, and prepping for winter storage. They’re also considerably quieter and don’t emit exhaust, and the weight is roughly the same (usually between 12 and 14 pounds). Though going cordless over gas costs more, we feel that it’s a trade-off worth making due to the long-term simplicity inherent in a cordless tool. Battery life is a concern with any cordless tool, but a decent cordless saw should handle a considerable amount of light cutting.

In choosing saws to test, we zeroed in on ones with a tool-free chain tensioner. Instead of a specialized, easy-to-misplace tool, tool-free tensioners employ knobs or dials built into the saw itself. Using this criteria, we dismissed tools from Husqvarna, Ryobi, Greenworks, and Echo. We avoided top-handled saws, which are smaller and have only a cumbersome single handle in line with the bar, and corded electric saws, because they need to be tethered to an outlet. That’s often inconvenient—and worse, it renders them useless if you need them after a bad storm has knocked out power (and knocked down trees).

Out in the woods testing the saws. Photo: Doug Mahoney

We evaluated the saws in a number of settings. First, we looked at battery life by making cuts through a block of fir 4-by-4s (totaling a 7-inch-square of solid wood) until the batteries emptied. During this test, we also timed five cuts from each saw and averaged them to get a sense of their cutting speed.

Second, we took the saws into the woods of New Hampshire and spent five days getting a jump on next year’s firewood situation. As part of this, we took down a number of small, medium, and large trees, limbed them, and cut them into 16-inch lengths. We also cleaned up a lot of deadwood and did some lighter brush clearing. This process had us testing the saws on softwoods like pine and fir as well as more dense wood like oak and maple. While using the saws, we kept an eye on ergonomics, maneuverability, and overall ease of use.

After this, we put the saws in the hands of Jon Lounsbury, a professional tree worker since 2002. He used the saws for three days on a clearing project where he and his crew worked with trees up to 7 inches in diameter. He also spent time cutting up firewood with each saw.

We did all of our testing with the factory chains on the saws. In most cases they were manufactured by Oregon, and in all cases they were anti-kickback chains. (Anti-kickback chains are designed to reduce the chances of the chain catching on the wood, which can cause the bar to very quickly jerk back toward the user’s torso and head.) Other chains are available that can alter and increase performance, but as Springer told us, with an entry-level saw no one is going to take off the chain. Regular chains have a much deeper bite and though they remove more material, they’re more prone to kickback—a situation worth avoiding.

Our pick

The best chainsaw for most people, the Ego Power+ 16″ Chainsaw. Photo: Doug Mahoney

After all the tests were done, all of the trees were down, and all the sawdust mushed into the mud, we recommend the cordless Ego Power+ 16 Chainsaw as the best option for yard maintenance, light firewood work, and storm cleanup. It’s a great combination of power, run time, convenience, and cost. It’s a cordless saw, so it has none of the upkeep, noise, or exhaust of a gas engine, but it doesn’t skimp on power, cutting just as well as a high-end gas model of similar size.

Of the tested saws, the Ego’s battery had the best run time and fastest cuts (tied with a saw typically priced $150 more) and is compatible with a number of other tools we recommend. On a single charge, it made 62 cuts through the 7-by-7 block of fir, considerably more than the majority of the tested cordless saws. The Ego has a convenient tool-free chain-tensioning system with oversized dials that was easy to use even while wearing gloves, which wasn’t the case with many of the other saws we tested. It’s also among the least expensive cordless saws with a tool-free tensioner (and priced about the same as a high-end gas saw). All of these reasons are why Lounsbury told us, “The Ego is definitely the best one.”

The cordless nature of the Ego makes it much easier to maintain. It doesn’t require storing gas in your garage, any engine maintenance, or fussy winterizing. As Clint DeBoer of Pro Tool Reviews wrote in his review, homeowners “may appreciate the ease-of-use afforded by a tool that will never require a spark plug change or special fuel stabilizers to carry it through winter.”

The one thing that Lounsbury didn’t like about the Ego is that the bar-oil reservoir has a small filter on it, which really slows down the filling process. The filter is meant to catch any gunk or debris from falling into the reservoir, so it has a good reason for being there, but Lounsbury said that he’s in the habit of just wiping the area clean before taking the cap off. We tested the saws in the middle of summer, but Lounsbury said that using cold-weather bar oil is going to compound the problem because it’s so thick. “Imagine pouring honey through that filter.” He said, “If this was my saw, I’d cut the filter right out of there.” The good news is that the filter can be removed along with the cap.

The Ego also stalled out from time to time, especially when we were pushing the saw through thicker, harder wood. Among the cordless tools tested, the Sun Joe, Oregon, and Ryobi saws stalled more often, but the more expensive DeWalt hardly ever stalled out. It’s easy enough to start the Ego back up, so it’s more of a nuisance than anything else, but it is a reminder that the saw does have an upper power limit.

Runner-up

Our runner-up: The DeWalt 40V Max XR 16″ Chainsaw (DCCS690H1). Photo: Doug Mahoney

If the Ego isn’t available, we also like the DeWalt 40V Max XR 16″ Chainsaw (DCCS690H1). It offers similar run time and cutting speed as the Ego, and stalled out less often during tough jobs. We also liked how the chain got up to its top speed faster than the others. On the downside, the safety switch is awkward to use, the cap to the bar-oil reservoir is poorly designed, and, unlike the Ego, it usually ran out of bar oil before the battery died, which had us constantly checking the level while we worked. It’s also a very expensive saw, typically about $150 more than the Ego.

Both the DeWalt and Ego made the same number of cuts through the fir beam (62) and the large pine out in the woods (17). They also matched results during the timed cuts through the 7-by-7-inch fir block (8 seconds). With lighter cuts, like tree limbs and smaller-diameter trees, the two saws felt equal, but during more aggressive work, like the 17-inch pine, the DeWalt stalled less often.

Despite its issues, the DeWalt delivers when it comes to power and run time. It’s just too expensive to be our primary recommendation. With the battery life and power being so similar to the Ego’s, we feel that the needs of most people would be satisfied with the less expensive saw.

Care and maintenance

Any chainsaw requires a little bit of upkeep, even a cordless one. But as Springer said, “Unlike a lawnmower, a chainsaw requires constant attention”—whether it’s cordless or gas-powered. By this, he’s talking about chain tensioning and bar oil.

Bar oil is poured into a reservoir in the saw, from where it slowly “leaks” onto the chain through a hole. This lubricates and cools the chain as it’s cutting. We found that with the cordless Ego, a tank of oil ran out at about the same time the battery did. Springer’s advice is to not only keep the tank filled, but to also “make sure the hole is clear enough that it’s actually oiling.” Sawdust and gunk can block the delivery hole, shutting off the flow of oil. The owners manual should have specifics on this.

Also, the chain needs to be kept at the correct tension for efficient cutting. New chains do stretch, so this is something to keep a close eye on when you first get a saw. The owners manuals all go into the specifics of adjusting the chain tension.

Lastly, keep your chain sharp. This means keeping it away from the ground, as one swipe against dirt and rocks can really destroy the chain’s cutting edges. Files and sharpening kits are available; another option is to get two or three chains and rotate in a new one when one gets dull. Most hardware stores and service dealers have sharpening services if you don’t want to do it yourself.

This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from The Sweethome: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

Toyota has eyes on ZipCar-style vehicle leasing services

ZipCar-style car sharing services, where you pay to rent a vehicle by the hour, are already a thing across much of the US. But Toyota is looking into the idea of individuals being able to lease out their own cars on an hourly basis to make some extra cash. The manufacturer has teamed up with a startup called Getaround to begin a limited trial of the proposition at the start of next year. In order to make that work, however, the company has had to work out an easy way of enabling third parties to access your ride. That’s where the Smart Key Box, or SKB, comes in.

The Smart Key Box is a new gadget from Toyota that’s designed to be installed into your vehicle with almost no muss or fuss. It’s essentially a way of avoiding having to hand your key to strangers, who instead will get a code sent to their smartphones. That device will then interact with the SKB over Bluetooth, enabling them to open the doors and start the engine at the tap of a screen. Toyota’s Smart Center will manage the marketplace element of this, and will manage the reservation system on behalf of the users.

The pilot program will take place in San Francisco this January, and will also involve a leasing program for users who pay off their lease with car-sharing charges. If successful, Toyota will consider expanding the service to other places, including Japan. After all, some of its biggest rivals are already working on competing products, such as GM’s Maven service.

Source: Toyota

Is tech billionaire Peter Thiel prepping for a life in politics?

“I occasionally get involved, but don’t want to make it a full time thing.”

That was how Peter Thiel answered a question about his future in politics today. But, after he spent roughly 15 minutes delivering what amounted to a polite version of Donald Trump’s stump speech to the National Press Club, it’s a little hard to take him at his word.

Peter Thiel would hardly be the first major player in Silicon Valley to try and make the leap into politics. Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina both took a stab at getting into government.

For months now Thiel has found (or placed) himself in the center of a firestorm around politics, both personal and national. Today’s speech in front of the Press Club, and the follow up interview with Thomas Burr of the Salt Lake Tribune and president of the National Press Club, was the first time he publicly defended his $1.25 million donation to Trump’s campaign following the release of an Access Hollywood tape. In that now-infamous tape the candidate brags of being able to sexually assault women because of his fame. That Thiel would brush off those comments as unacceptable, then immediately suggest that sexual assault is not a reason to deny Trump your vote is not surprising: This is a man who wrote in 1996 that many instances of date rape are “seductions that are later regretted.” Though, he has since apologized for those words.

What was surprising was that Thiel’s speech sounded at times, less like an endorsement of Trump, and more like the first awkward steps of a man preparing to take his show on the road. It was several minutes before he even mentioned Donald Trump by name. Thiel spent the first chunk of his address railing against the cost of healthcare in America, government waste, foreign wars and stagnant household income. While he did eventually get to addressing his support for Trump (“I don’t think voters pull the lever in order to endorse a candidates flaws… we judge the leadership of our country to have failed”), he spent most of his time talking about his personal political views and what he sees wrong with this country.

Thiel railed against military intervention, free trade and attacked the democratic party. He even suggested that Hillary Clinton might lead us to a nuclear confrontation with Russia. He also spent significant time testing out what he hoped would be a signature talking point: “bubbles” and “bubble thinking.” The baby boomer tendency to embrace bubbles is what led to the collapse of the housing market and our seemingly intractable conflict in Iraq, he says. He even briefly seemed to acknowledge that Trump’s candidacy was unprecedented… to put it politely: “No matter how crazy this election seems, it is less crazy than the condition of our country.”

He also called out Silicon Valley for being disconnected from the rest of the country. He says where he lives people are doing “just great.” But quickly pointed out that most people don’t live in the San Francisco Bay and “most Americans haven’t been part of that prosperity.” He pointed to this as the reason why voters embraced Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. And he may have inadvertently illustrated just how out of touch Silicon Valley types are when he complained that a poor “single-digit millionaire like Hulk Hogan” has “no effective access to our legal system.”

Now, much of this speech could simply be taken out on the road to support Trump, and there’s a good chance it will. But Thiel is clearly looking to the future, and one that likely doesn’t involve a president Trump. “No matter what happens in this election, what Trump represents isn’t crazy and it’s not going away.”

During his interview Thiel said that the media made a mistake in taking Donald Trump “literally” but not “seriously.” Maybe he’s right on the latter point (the former is a conversation for another day). But I’m having the opposite problem with Thiel after today’s speech. I do take him seriously when he says, “I think my future is going to continue to be in the tech industry, that’s what I’m good at,” but I certainly don’t take him literally.

Become a CompTIA certified IT professional with hundreds off this comprehensive training bundle

Getting started in the IT field can be difficult at the beginning. There is so much that you should know, so many certifications that you will want to have, and it can get quite expensive in a short amount of time. You could spend lots of money and time to learn the basics and get started, or you could do it in your free time at an affordable price.

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• CompTIA A+ certification is widely in demand globally, as it offers the initial momentum to get into the technology vertical
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• CompTIA Cloud Essentials Professional certification demonstrates one’s knowledge on cloud from a business & technical perspective

Normally priced at over $4000, this huge 98% savings is something you won’t want to pass up. You’ll have the materials you need to get tons of certifications and jump start your IT career. The information can be accessed online or on your phone, and it will be available for two years, so you can study at your own leisure.

If you are seriously considering a change in careers, you’ll want to grab this bundle at just $60 instead of its regular $4100 price tag.

See at Android Central Digital Offers

Halloween Home Screen Theme Roundup

This is Halloween! This is Halloween! Smartphones scream in the dead of night!

This is Halloween, everybody pick a theme! Trick or treat till the app is gonna crash in fright!

You’ve probably got a costume for tonight, right? Well, do you have one for your phone? You don’t want to leave your most important device out of the fun, do you? Especially when you can make your Android phone look like anything, from an old iPhone to a Pokedex and everything in between. Android themes are amazing, and there’s no better time to try one of our many Android themes than Halloween! So dress up your phone! Who knows? Maybe you’ll like it so much you keep these decorations up ’til Christmas.

Star Wars

Speaking of Christmas, we’ve got Rogue One coming up, and while we’re saving some new themes for closer to release day, there’s nothing saying you can’t rock our Rebel Alliance themes until then! We’ve also got a Sith theme for our friends on the dark side, and the most adorable BB-8 theme you can raise a torch to!

Star Wars Themes

Pokémon Go

Valor, Instinct, Mystic, we love all trainers and their Pokémon, though some are clearly better than others. (coughcoughMysticcoughcough) In this spirit, we have home screen themes to show off your team spirit as you enjoy the spirited event going on right now in the game. And for those seeking peace between the teams, we have a little something for you, too!

Pokémon Go Themes

Finding Dory

Want a theme for your phone that’s both adorable and functional? This Finding Dory theme takes advantage of Google Keep’s colors and widgets to make a theme that’ll help you be a little less forgetful than Dory as you struggle to remember which houses you still need to hit and which to avoid.

Finding Dory Theme

Captain America Civil War

We got Cap. We got Iron Man. We got Spidey. We got Panther. We got Widow. Whichever side of Marvel’s Civil War you fall on, there’s a theme for you, and these themes are amazing every single day of the year, but they add an extra touch of AWESOME to your costumes for tonight.

Captain America Civil War Themes

. Superman

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s ANDROID! Okay, these themes don’t come with utility belts or capes, but they are amazing themes for the Dark Knight and Man of Steel that you can rock on Halloween or any other night of the year. Because you’re Batman!

Batman vs. Superman Themes

Suicide Squad

I dunno if anyone else is still humming the soundtrack from Suicide Squad of if it’s just me, but Harley’s theme is playful, colorful, and ever so slightly crazy, so it’s perfect for Halloween! Deadshot’s muted theme is both deadly efficient and drop-dead beautiful. So be a bad guy this holiday and get your Suicide Squad on with these lovely themes.

Suicide Squad Themes

Deadpool

Deadpool treats every day like it’s Halloween: he dresses up in a sexy costume, tricks a bunch of bad guys, and tries stealing treats from everyone he can. This is perhaps the most complex theme we’ve ever done, but hey, if you’re willing to give Maximum Effort, this fourth-wall-breaking theme might just be for you.

Deadpool Theme

iPhone

Halloween’s a wonderful night for getting in costume and tricking people, so grab your Android, slap this iPhone theme on it, and go see how long it takes your friends to realize they’ve been had. Bonus points if you can show them how awesome Android’s home screens can look by switching back to a more creative theme once their minds have been blown.

iPhone Theme

Windows Phone

Say what you will about Windows Phone, dressing your Android up as one for Halloween can also lead to some fun pranks. Also, considering the robust Android offering Microsoft offers, this could also be a gateway into some of their apps you’d never considered (or known). No Ninja Cat costume is complete without one!

Windows Phone Theme

MrMobile

Our favorite tech reviewing YouTuber MrMobile was honored with his own home screen theme shortly after his launch earlier this year. If you wanna go to a party as MrMobile, get some gel in your hair, a Star Trek communicator and this theme on your phone. Stay mobile, my friends.

MrMobile Theme

Which Apple MacBook is best for you? MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro?

Decided you want an Apple laptop, but you’re not sure which one is the right one for you? You’ve come to the right place. With seven MacBook models available before you even consider configuration options, it’s not an easy decision, or a simple one.

This feature rounds up all the MacBooks models offered through Apple, from the 12-inch MacBook to the new 15-inch MacBook Pro, to help you work out what each model offers, how much they cost, how they can be configured and what their pros and cons are.

Read on to find out which Apple MacBook is the one for you.

Quick summary

The MacBook is the smallest, lightest and most portable MacBook available, but it is also the most restrictive in terms of ports and power.

The MacBook Air is the cheapest MacBook available overall, and the lightest option for those after a little more power, larger screen and the convenience of ports. Its screen isn’t as impressive as any of the other options but it does offer the longest battery life.

The MacBook Pro (2015) 13-inch is the cheapest way to get your hands on the more powerful Pro range of MacBooks, and it offers ports, along with a Retina display. It’s larger and heavier than the new Pro models though so less portable than the likes of the Air.

The MacBook Pro (2016) 13-inch without Touch Bar is lighter and smaller than the older 13-inch Pro model, while offering more storage as standard and a brighter display. It doesn’t offer the Touch Bar or Touch ID, and although it has two Thunderbolt 3 ports instead of a single USB Type-C port like the MacBook, it is still restrictive in the port department.

The MacBook Pro (2016) 13-inch with Touch Bar is the model for those who want the power, the new lighter design, Touch Bar and Touch ID functionality, as well as more Thunderbolt 3 ports. It comes at a cost though, with a starting price of £300 more than the model without the Touch Bar.

The MacBook Pro (2015) 15-inch is the cheapest way to get your hands on an even larger Pro model, with all the ports still intact and a Retina display. As with the older 13-inch model though, it is larger and heavier than the new Pro models, storage configuration tops out at 1TB and its screen isn’t as bright as the new Pros.

The MacBook Pro (2016) with Touch Bar is the king of the MacBooks with the best power and largest storage options, biggest screen, new design and the Touch Bar and Touch ID features. It is also the most expensive however and this probably isn’t the MacBook you’ll want if you’re constantly on the move.

Apple

Apple MacBook

• Dimensions: 280.5 x 196.5 x 35-131mm, 920g
• Display: 12-inches, 2304 x 1440 (226ppi), 300nits brightness
• Connections: One USB Type-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery: 10 hours
• Price: From £1249 to £1684

The MacBook is the smallest, lightest and most portable of the MacBook family, but it has the smallest display and it’s not as powerful as the MacBook Air or any of the MacBook Pro models.

The base model features a 1.1GHz Intel Core m3 processor and 256GB of storage, while the highest spec available offers a 1.3GHz Intel Core m7 processor and 512GB of storage. All configurations have Intel HD Graphics 515 and 8GB of RAM.

The MacBook only has one USB Type-C port, which supports charging, USB 3.1, Native DisplayPort 1.2 video output, VGA output and HDMI video output. This means it isn’t the most convenient MacBook for those that need to connect lots of devices, whether that’s a camera, or an adapter to allow for the transfer of images from an SD card.

It comes in Rose Gold, Space Grey, Gold and Silver colour options, all of which have a 480p FaceTime camera.

• Apple MacBook (2016) review: Is port-free still the future?

Apple

Apple MacBook Air

• Dimensions: 325 x 227 x 30-170mm, 1.35kg
• Display: 13.3-inches, 1400 x 900 (125ppi)
• Connections: Two USB 3 ports, Thunderbolt 2 port, MagSafe power port, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery: 12 hours
• Price: From £949 to £1409

The MacBook Air is the oldest of the MacBook family and although it is no longer the slimmest, it is the lightest MacBook available for those after power and a larger display. It is also the cheapest MacBook and the only one to start under the £1000 mark.

The base model has a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 128GB of storage, while the top-spec available has a 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 chip and 512GB of storage. All model configurations feature Intel HD Graphics 6000 and 8GB of RAM. 

The MacBook Air is a lot more flexible than the MacBook when it comes to ports, meaning you’ll not only be able to pop in an SD card to transfer images, but you’ll be able to charge your MacBook Air while doing so, or connecting to another device. For some, one port on the MacBook will be enough, for others it will be a pain, which is where the Air steps in.

The MacBook Air comes in Silver and it features a 720p FaceTime camera, meaning video calls will be crisper than on the MacBook.

• Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (2013) review

Apple

Apple MacBook Pro (2015)

• Dimensions: 314 x 219 x 180mm, 1.58kg
• Display: 13.3-inches, 2560 x 1600 (226ppi), 300nits brightness
• Connections: Two USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, MagSafe 2 power port, HDMI port, SDXC card slot 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery: 10 hours
• Price: From £1249 to £2419

The MacBook Pro family now consists of five options and last year’s 13-inch MacBook Pro is the cheapest in the Pro portfolio. It is heavier and larger than the MacBook, MacBook Air, and the two newer 13-inch MacBook Pros, but it retains those connections, which may come in useful for some.

The base model has a 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The top-specced model available has a 3.1GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM. All configurations feature Intel Iris Graphics 6000.

Like the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro (2015) features more flexibility than the MacBook when it comes to ports, as we mentioned. It adds a HDMI port, along with an extra Thunderbolt 2 port to its features in comparison to the MacBook Air.

The MacBook Pro (2015) comes in Silver and it has a 720p FaceTime camera, like the MacBook Air.

• Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina display (early 2015) review: May the Force be with you
• Apple MacBook Pro (2016) vs MacBook Pro (2015): What’s the difference?

Apple

Apple MacBook Pro (2016) – Without Touch Bar and Touch ID

• Dimensions: 304.1 x 212.4 x 149mm, 1.37kg
• Display: 13.3-inches, 2560 x 1600 (226ppi), 500nits brightness
• Connections: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery: 10 hours
• Price: From £1449 to £2439

This year’s 13-inch MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar is the model for those who want the power, aren’t fussed about the lack of ports and don’t want the Touch Bar and Touch ID, or perhaps don’t have the budget for them.

The base model has a 2.0GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The top-of-the-range model has a 2.4GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. All configurations have Intel Iris Graphics 540.

Like the MacBook, this 13-inch MacBook Pro lacks in the port department, though it does have two Thunderbolt 3 ports over one USB Type-C port, meaning you’ll at least be able to charge it, while connecting to another device. 

The MacBook Pro (2016) without Touch Bar and Touch ID is available in Silver or Space Gray, comes with a 720p FaceTime camera like last year’s MacBook Pro and Air and has two microphones.

• Apple MacBook Pro (2016) preview: Air apparent
• Apple MacBook Pro (2016) vs Apple MacBook Air: What’s the difference?

Apple

Apple MacBook Pro (2016) – With Touch Bar and Touch ID

• Dimensions: 304.1 x 212.4 x 149mm, 1.37kg
• Display: 13.3-inches, 2560 x 1600 (226ppi), 500nits brightness
• Connections: Four Thunderbolt 3 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery: 10 hours
• Price: From £1749 to £2759

This year’s 13-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar is for those who want the power and the latest features, but still in a compact and easily portable device.

The base model has a 2.9GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The top-specced model has a 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. All configurations have Intel Iris Graphics 550.

Like the MacBook and MacBook Pro without Touch Bar, this 13-inch MacBook Pro says bye-bye to the ports again. It does however offer more than the previous two models, with four Thunderbolt 3 ports. You’ll still need adapters to transfer images from an SD card for example, but the extra ports will allow you to do more simultaneously than you could do with the MacBook especially, but also the MacBook Pro without Touch Bar.

The MacBook Pro (2016) with Touch Bar and Touch ID is available in Silver or Space Gray, comes with a 720p FaceTime camera and has three microphones.

• Apple MacBook Pro (2016) with Touch Bar: Thinner, brighter, faster, and very touchy feely

Apple

Apple MacBook Pro (2015)

• Dimensions: 358.9 x 247.1 x 180mm, 2.04kg
• Display: 15.4-inches, 2880 x 1800 (220ppi), 300nits brightness
• Connections: Two USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, MagSafe 2 power port, HDMI port, SDXC card slot 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery: 9 hours
• Price: From £1899 to £2709

Last year’s 15-inch MacBook Pro the cheaper option for those who want the power, larger screen and the ports, but aren’t necessarily as fussed about the latest and greatest features.

The base model has a 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 processor and 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The top-specced model available has a 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 processor and 1TB of storage. All configurations feature 16GB of RAM and Intel Iris Pro Graphics.

Like the MacBook Pro (2015) 13-inch, the MacBook Pro (2015) 15-inch features more flexibility than the MacBook and new MacBook Pros when it comes to ports, as we mentioned. It adds a HDMI port, along with an extra Thunderbolt 2 port to its features in comparison to the MacBook Air.

The MacBook Pro (2015) comes in Silver, has a 720p FaceTime camera, like the MacBook Air and offers two microphones.

• Apple MacBook Pro (2016) vs MacBook Pro (2015): What’s the difference?

Apple

Apple MacBook Pro (2016) – With Touch Bar and Touch ID

• Dimensions: 349.3 x 240.7 x 155mm, 1.83kg
• Display: 15.4-inches, 2880 x 1800 (220ppi), 500nits brightness
• Connections: Four Thunderbolt 3 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery: 10 hours
• Price: From £2349 to £4049

The new 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and Touch ID is MacBook for those after the power, the large screen and the latest and greatest features Apple has to offer. You’ll need the budget with this one though. 

The base model has a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 256GB of storage and Radeon Pro 450 graphics. The top-specced model available has a 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 2TB of storage and Radeon Pro 460 graphics. All configurations feature 16GB of RAM.

As with the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2016), you’ll need to make sure you allow for buying any adapters you might need because the ports are limited to just Thunderbolt 3, though you at least get a few extra compared to the MacBook’s singular USB Type-C port and the two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the new MacBook Pro without Touch Bar.

The MacBook Pro (2016) comes in Silver and Space Grey, has three microphones, and it has a 720p FaceTime camera, like all the other MacBooks, except the 12-inch MacBook.

• Apple MacBook Pro (2016) with Touch Bar: Thinner, brighter, faster, and very touchy feely
• Here’s how much the new MacBook Pro will cost you in new adapters and cables

Nintendo Switch: Is this the NX console we’d hoped for?

Nintendo has announced that it will hold a dedicated presentation event for its next games console on 13 January next year, ahead of a March release. But we already know what to expect.

That’s because the gaming giant already revealed the Nintendo Switch in a teaser trailer in mid October and, from what we’ve seen so far, we’re in for some exciting times.

The trailer shows a device that can adapt and change like a Transformer from a home console to a handheld gaming portable with add-ons and clips. It also shows a games console that can even be played by two-players when out and about.

But does it show a console that can mix it with the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One? And how about the PS4 Pro or next year’s Project Scorpio?

We take a look at what we know so far about the Nintendo Switch, based on what we’ve seen and the nuggets of information gleaned so far in order to give our initial impressions. We don’t have all the specifications or information at our disposal yet, nor have we played with the console ourselves, but considering we’ve bought and coveted every Nintendo games console since the NES, we’d like to share our gut feelings.

• Nintendo Switch: Release date, specs and everything you need to know
• Nintendo NX is called… Nintendo Switch: New console revealed in stunning trailer
• Nintendo Switch games: The games revealed so far and what we’d like to see

Nintendo Switch concept

The idea behind the Nintendo Switch is interesting if not unique. The Japanese gaming giant would have us believe it’s a totally original concept, but the idea of gaming on tablet-style device while travelling, to then hook it up to a television when at home is not new: the Nvidia Shield tablet (reviewed here) can effectively do the same.

The device that’s already available links with a very reasonable, low latency game controller and you can hook it up to a TV using a HDMI lead. Plus, thanks to its Tegra K1 processor, it is capable of console-like graphics.

We suspect and hope the Switch is considerably more powerful however, and the idea of clipping controls either side of the display will make for a more effective gaming device; kind-of like a Wii U GamePad with muscles.

The proper TV dock is a more elegant solution too – you don’t have to fiddle with cables. And we think the docking station will have its own tech inside, with many rumours suggesting that the Switch is capable of 4K video output for Netflix and the like.

Most importantly, the Switch looks like something we’d happily play with at home or outside. Whether we’d fancy gaming with friends using a tiny half of a Joy-Con controller is an altogether different kettle of fish, but it’s something we’ll only really find out when the console is available to test.

Nintendo

Nintendo Switch design

If there was anything disappointing about the console shown in the teaser trailer it’s that it looks like a dog. Literally. The Joy-Con controller, when connected to a home gaming device, looks strangely like a floppy-eared mutt. And the dark grey elements of the rest of the hardware make it look dull and uninspiring.

Yes, Nintendo consoles of yesteryear wore grey plastic exteriors like a badge of honour, but we’ve moved on since then. You wouldn’t settle for a shiny new Apple device in grey would you? What’s that, Space Grey you say?

Seriously though. While a normal home games console can afford to look practical rather than pretty, Nintendo wants you to carry the Switch around with you yet has seemingly taken a British autumn as its design inspiration. Cold and grey.

Hopefully – and likely – the games will be colourful enough to compensate.

Nintendo Switch touchscreen display

One part of the tech that has us a little baffled for now relates to its built-in screen. Although Nintendo is yet to confirm it, the current train of thought is that it has a touchscreen display (with a screen size of 6.2-inches being touted).

That’s great and makes sense given the DS family of handhelds and the Wii U GamePad have all been touch-enabled in the past, but what happens when the device is docked? If games rely on the touchscreen to operate, how will they work when the Switch is docked?

Some have suggested that at least one of the two Joy-Con controllers could double as pointer device in order to play touchscreen games on a TV, but having experience of that kind of solution on Android TVs before, it’s hardly ideal. We think developers will need to build different control methods into their games, only using touch as an extended feature rather than necessity.

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers

The detachable Joy-Con controllers will undoubtedly improve gaming on the hoof, when clipped to the sides of the screen, but we’re less enamoured by the home gamepad solution proposed by Nintendo. They clip around a central pad for home control, but when constructed it just looks unweildy and chunky to hold comfortably.

Again, we’ll reserve judgement for when we fully go hands-on, but from the trailer, the Xbox One controller it is not.

Nintendo

Nintendo Switch games

Like all Nintendo consoles, the Wii U included, the Switch will undoubtedly have some of the best first-party games known to man.

Rumour suggested that an all-new Mario game will launch with the machine next year, and a platformer starring the rotund plumber is shown in the teaser. We thought it looked like Super Mario 3D World ourselves, maybe an enhanced version, but there wasn’t enough footage to know for sure.

A Mario Kart also features, but that definitely looks like the Wii U game already available.

One thing’s for sure, the list of supporting developers and publishers vastly outweighs the Wii U equivalent. Electronic Arts, for example, pulled out of supporting the Wii U early doors but is keen to stress it will be releasing Switch titles.

Hopefully, all of the third-party companies listed by Nintendo mean that the console will be on a par with the PS4 and Xbox One in number of games released. That in itself can make this machine more successful than the last.

Nintendo Switch price

Although we have some reservations, we’re optimistic that the Nintendo Switch will be a valid and valued competitor in the games market going forward. There are certainly enough Ninty fans out there to drive sales if the end product is attractive enough.

The one element that can have the biggest sway though is price. If Nintendo manages to price its new machine cleverly, it’ll have a good chance against its rivals.

Unfortunately, initial indications are that the Switch could be priced higher than many would hope. A senior executive at the company previously stated that Nintendo would not make a loss on the machine, pricing it realistically for the amount of tech you get. And if you watch the teaser trailer again, the absence of children is notable. Indeed, everyone in the video looks like they could afford a more lifestyle product.

Conclusion

Naturally, we’re taking a stab in the dark with much of the above. Our impressions are entirely based on a device we’ve only seen in a three-minute commercial after all. But we are enthusiastic to find out more.

And considering that we are also big fans of the Wii U, regardless of its failings, Nintendo doesn’t have much to do to convince us that the Switch will be something we shall happily accept into our living rooms.