It's time for TechRadar's annual tech awards, and this year we're doing it differently. For the first time, we have a complete set of categories where the winners are chosen 100% by you, the TechRadar readers.
The TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 comprises nearly 100 categories, but we know that not everyone is interested in voting in every one, so on this page you can vote in just our Phones and Cameras categories.
These include tablets, ereaders, drones and more, as well as various phones and cameras awards. You can vote in the survey just below — or follow the links to see other specific categories, or to vote on the full list instead.
The shortlists were chosen by TechRadar's editors based on the best products we've tested or the most popular products of the year. You'll need to vote before 00:01am PST / 03:01am EST / 08:01am BST on Wednesday October 7th 2026 for it to be counted.
Once the deadline has passed at 00:01am PST / 03:01am EST / 08:01am BST on Wednesday October 7th 2026, we'll tally your votes to find the winners in each category.
We'll announce the winners in our big TechRadar Awards 2026 Week, starting Monday October 19th. We'll reveal the winners of the Reader's Choice Awards, as well as the winners of our TechRadar Product of the Year Awards, which are chosen solely by our expert judges.
How many products will do the double? We'll be curious to see — but right now, all you can do is vote for what you think should win, so vote away!
This is a phone-sized ereader with a 6.13-inch screen
Key upgrades include Android 16, stylus support, and a more premium build
If you’re in the market for a phone-sized ereader, you now have another option to consider, as the Boox Palma 3 has just been unveiled — and this successor to the Onyx Boox Palma 2 has some of the key features found on the rival ViWoods AiPaper Reader.
For one thing, just like the ViWoods device, the Boox Palma 3 now has a premium build, with an anodized aluminum frame and a textured fiberglass backplate in place of its plasticky predecessor.
And it’s also had an Android upgrade, launching with a ViWoods AiPaper Reader-matching Android 16, which is up from Android 13 on the Boox Palma 2 and Android 15 on the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro.
For me, that’s particularly important, as Android versions don’t tend to get updated on these sorts of devices, so you’re typically stuck with whatever software they launch with; old versions of software can mean security issues, and app incompatibility problems can crop up sooner.
Beyond that, the Boox Palma 3 also benefits from active stylus support, so you can use it with the Boox InkSense Plus stylus. The AiPaper Reader doesn’t have stylus support, nor does it come with a camera, whereas here you get a 16MP one, so those are two potential advantages of the Boox Palma 3.
Personally, I’m not sure I’d want to use a stylus on a device this small, nor do I have much use for a camera on an ereader — but it could be handy for scanning documents, if you’re so inclined.
(Image credit: Onyx)
Similar specs and a heavier build
That camera and the rest of the specs, though, are largely in line with those of the Boox Palma 2, including a 6.13-inch 824 x 1648 e-paper touchscreen with 300 pixels per inch, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a microSD card slot, a front light (supporting both warm and cold color tones), a 3,950mAh battery, a USB-C port, a fingerprint sensor, a speaker, and microphones.
But despite being marginally smaller than the Boox Palma 2 at 159 x 78 x 7.8mm, the Palma 3 is actually 25g heavier at 195g.
That also makes it heavier than the 138g ViWoods AiPaper Reader and the 170g Boox Palma 2 Pro — the latter of which additionally gives you a color screen and an extra 2GB of RAM.
So, this may not be a complete home run — or a total upgrade for anyone who owns the Palma 2 Pro.
Indeed, the Palma 3 is actually priced lower than the Palma 2 Pro, coming in at $339.99 (around £250 / AU$475), though a launch discount softens that price to an even lower $319.99 (roughly £235 / AU$450).
There’s no confirmed pricing for other regions yet, but for reference, while the Palma 2 has been discontinued, the Palma 2 Pro sells for $399.99 / $379.99 / AU$679, and its rival, the ViWoods AiPaper Reader, retails for $279 / £254.99 / AU$399.12.
You also can’t actually buy the Boox Palma 3 yet, but the company lists it as coming soon.
Lenovo has started teasing YOGA Pro 15 Spark, a new China-market laptop built around NVIDIA’s RTX Spark platform. The company has not yet revealed the full domestic configuration or pricing, but the latest teaser suggests that more details are coming soon.
The new laptop is closely related to Lenovo’s recently announced AI laptop Yoga Pro 9n, which debuted internationally at IFA 2026. Lenovo lists the Yoga Pro 9n as a 15-inch premium creator laptop powered by NVIDIA RTX Spark, while the Chinese-market version is called the YOGA Pro 15 Spark.
YOGA Pro 15 Spark Brings RTX Spark to China
The YOGA Pro 15 Spark has now entered the domestic preheating phase, indicating that Lenovo is preparing to introduce its NVIDIA RTX Spark-powered laptop to the Chinese market.
Rather than relying on a conventional Intel or AMD processor paired with a separate graphics card, the RTX Spark platform combines a Grace CPU and Blackwell RTX GPU into a single superchip. Lenovo says the platform is designed for demanding local AI workloads, content creation and software development.
This architecture is one of the most notable aspects of the new Yoga laptop because the CPU and GPU can share a large pool of unified memory. That design is particularly relevant to AI applications that require substantial memory capacity.
NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X Targets Local AI Workloads
The RTX Spark N1X platform used by Lenovo’s announced systems can integrate a 20-core NVIDIA Grace CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU containing up to 6,144 CUDA cores. The platform can also support up to 128GB of unified memory and deliver up to 1 PFLOPS of AI performance at FP4 precision, according to Lenovo’s China-market information.
For users, the significance goes beyond raw specifications. Large unified memory capacity can allow the CPU and GPU to access the same memory pool, making the architecture particularly suited to running demanding AI models locally rather than depending entirely on cloud processing.
NVIDIA has also described RTX Spark PCs as Windows-on-Arm systems, with the first machines scheduled to arrive in October 2026.
The International Yoga Pro 9n Already Has a 15.3-Inch OLED Display
Lenovo’s international Yoga Pro 9n provides an indication of what to expect from the China-market YOGA Pro 15 Spark.
The Yoga Pro 9n features a 15.3-inch 2.5K OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 165Hz. It can also be configured with up to 128GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 4TB of storage. Lenovo positions the machine toward creators and developers who need high local computing performance.
The laptop also uses an aluminum chassis and measures as little as 16.7mm thick, while its cooling architecture supports an 80W TDP configuration.
However, Lenovo has not yet confirmed whether every specification of the international Yoga Pro 9n will carry over unchanged to the Chinese YOGA Pro 15 Spark.
More Details Expected Soon
At this stage, Lenovo has confirmed the domestic preheating of the YOGA Pro 15 Spark, but key details such as its Chinese pricing, exact configuration and retail launch date have not yet been announced.
The new model could become an interesting option for users looking for a relatively portable laptop capable of handling local AI workloads, creative applications and GPU-accelerated tasks.
For now, the main takeaway is clear: Lenovo is bringing its RTX Spark N1X-powered Yoga platform to the Chinese market, with the YOGA Pro 15 Spark expected to receive more official details in the near future.
Lenovo’s upcoming Lenovo Googlebook 15 is shaping up to be a very different kind of Google-powered laptop. Leaked specifications point to a 15.3-inch 120Hz OLED touchscreen, Intel’s Core Ultra 5 325 processor, up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 70Wh battery. The combination suggests that Lenovo is targeting users who want more than the basic hardware traditionally associated with Chromebooks.
The laptop is expected to become one of the first devices built around Google’s new Googlebook Panther Lake processor platform. Lenovo has not yet confirmed the final retail price or complete launch details, so the specifications below should still be treated as leaked information until the company makes an official announcement.
Lenovo Googlebook 15 specifications
The reported configuration puts the Googlebook 15 firmly in the premium laptop category.
The Googlebook 15 laptop lineup reportedly uses a 15.3-inch OLED touchscreen with a 2880 × 1800 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio.
The 120Hz refresh rate is particularly notable. Instead of positioning the machine as an inexpensive web-focused notebook, Lenovo appears to be giving it a display specification normally associated with more expensive Windows laptops.
The panel is also reported to reach 500 nits and cover 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. That combination should make the Googlebook 15 more appealing for photo and video viewing, creative work and general multimedia use.
For everyday productivity, the 16:10 format also provides more vertical workspace than a traditional 16:9 laptop display.
Core Ultra 5 325 and up to 32GB RAM
Performance is another area where the Googlebook 15 moves beyond the usual entry-level Chromebook formula.
The leaked configuration points to Intel’s Core Ultra 5 325 processor, paired with integrated graphics. Buyers are reportedly expected to have a choice between 16GB and 32GB of LPDDR5X memory.
Storage options are said to include 256GB and 512GB SSD configurations.
The higher 32GB memory option could be particularly useful if Googlebook is intended to handle heavier multitasking, Android applications and AI-assisted workloads rather than simply running browser-based tasks.
Googlebook 15 brings a different keyboard and design
Lenovo is reportedly giving the laptop several visual and functional details designed specifically for the Googlebook platform.
One of the most unusual additions is a dedicated Google “G” key positioned between the Fn and Alt keys. Its final software function has not been fully explained, but the key could become an important shortcut for Google services or AI features.
The lid is also expected to feature a multicolor LED strip known as Glowbar. Rather than being purely decorative, the lighting system can reportedly provide visual information related to power and charging status.
The laptop is said to use a large haptic touchpad measuring approximately 150 × 95mm, while the keyboard is backlit.
Security and video-call features
The Googlebook 15 also appears to take security and communication more seriously than a basic Chromebook.
The power button is reportedly integrated with a fingerprint reader, while the laptop is expected to support Google’s facial authentication system.
For video calls, Lenovo is reportedly using a 5MP RGB webcam with dual microphones. A physical privacy shutter is also included, allowing users to cover the camera when it is not in use.
Audio is handled by four speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
Plenty of ports for a thin 15-inch laptop
Despite its relatively slim chassis, the reported port selection is fairly comprehensive.
The laptop is expected to have two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-A port, HDMI 2.0 and a 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack.
Wireless connectivity reportedly includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
This combination makes the Googlebook 15 more flexible for users who connect external displays, storage devices and other accessories.
70Wh battery and lightweight design
The reported 70Wh battery is another interesting part of the specification.
Lenovo is said to target up to 11 hours of battery life under its own testing conditions. That figure should not be interpreted as guaranteed real-world runtime, since display brightness, refresh rate, applications, wireless connections and workload can all affect battery performance.
More impressive is the reported weight. Despite its 15.3-inch display, the laptop is expected to weigh around 1.29kg and measure approximately 15.9mm thick.
That would make the Googlebook 15 relatively portable for a large-screen notebook.
Why the Googlebook 15 matters
The most interesting part of the Googlebook 15 is not any single specification. It is the overall hardware combination.
A 120Hz OLED touchscreen , Core Ultra 5 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7 and a 70Wh battery place the machine well above the basic hardware profile that consumers traditionally associate with Chromebooks.
The Googlebook platform also appears designed around Google’s broader ecosystem, including Gemini AI features and closer Android integration.
That means Lenovo’s new laptop could be aimed at users who want the simplicity of Google’s software environment without accepting entry-level laptop hardware.
This is also why the Googlebook 15 may be more interesting than a conventional Chromebook upgrade. Its value will ultimately depend on how well Googlebook OS takes advantage of the more powerful hardware.
Lenovo Googlebook 15 release date and price
Lenovo has not yet announced a final retail price for the Googlebook 15.
The laptop is expected to arrive this autumn, with Googlebook hardware expected to receive more attention as Google reveals additional details about the platform.
For now, the leaked specifications suggest that Lenovo is preparing a premium large-screen Googlebook rather than another budget-focused Chromebook.
The combination of a 120Hz OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 5 325, up to 32GB of RAM, modern connectivity and Google-focused software could make the Lenovo Googlebook 15 one of the more interesting new laptops in the emerging Googlebook category.
Until Lenovo officially confirms the specifications, however, pricing, availability and final software features should be considered unconfirmed.
Whenever the time comes around to upgrade your phone, tablet, or laptop, you don’t necessarily have to go for the latest (and most expensive) model. You can take the refurbished route instead.
Refurbished tech sits somewhere between brand new and used, although the exact definition depends on where you’re buying from. Typically, these devices will have been returned after a certain period of use, though the length of that period and the extent of the use can vary from gadget to gadget.
What you always get with refurbished devices is a guarantee that they’ve been professionally inspected, cleaned up, and (where necessary) repaired. They’ll come with a warranty of sorts too, so you can be confident they’re not going to fail out of the box. They are often a year or two (at least) behind the latest gadget releases as well.
Crucially, these items will cost you significantly less than buying new, and there’s a good chance they’ll last almost as long too. At the very least, it’s worth looking around to check out current models and prices—here’s how to do it.
The best refurbished tech you can buy
Phones are pretty much the perfect gadget if you’re wanting to take the refurbished route. A constant, annual cycle of new models hitting the market means old models being sold on, and lots of different places to buy from. Any refurbished marketplace you come across will likely have a phones section. You can throw in tablets here too, which are again regularly updated and widely available.
What’s more, year-on-year phone and tablet upgrades are more iterative than they used to be. You’re not really missing out too much by having a phone design or a tablet spec that’s a year or two old—these devices are well supported with software updates for many years by Apple, Google, Samsung, and other manufacturers. That means you don’t need to worry about your refurbished bargain becoming obsolete soon after you’ve bought it.
Laptops are another product category well suited to being refurbished. There’s an even greater choice than with phones and tablets when it comes to specs, designs, and screen sizes, which means you’re likely to be able to find something that fits your requirements without too much searching.
Apple will sell you refurbished iPhones directly. Screenshot: Apple
Games consoles can be bought refurbished too. Here the refresh cycle is much slower—there were seven years between the PS4 and the PS5, and we’re still waiting for the PS6—so you’re not really buying outdated tech, just pre-owned. Older consoles often show up on refurb portals as well, if you want to do some retro gaming.
The tricks to finding a good refurbished gadget deal are all common sense: Buy from a reputable outlet (see below), look particularly closely at the details given for the item condition and the included warranty, and shop around several sites for the best deal.
Give some thought to timing as well. Phones in particular are usually released on a predictable schedule—Google, Samsung, Apple, and others all tend to launch new handsets at the same time each year. So if you’re hearing rumors about product refreshes, you might want to wait until they’ve arrived. It’s always going to have a knock-on effect on the refurbished market, and you might be able to get a later model.
Where to find the best refurbished tech
There are plenty of places to find refurbished tech online, which tells you that plenty of shoppers see the appeal—and gives you the chance to compare prices and save as much money as you can. To begin with, Apple, Google, and Samsung all have official stores for refurbished tech, with one-year warranties as standard.
If you’re looking at third-party refurbished tech stores, BackMarket has one of the widest range of gadgets. You’ll find phones, tablets, laptops, consoles, speakers, headphones, smartwatches and more here, and some significant discounts too. As well as a one-year warranty as standard, the site also has a free 30-day returns policy, in case you change your mind about what you’ve bought.
Don’t discount eBay from your searches either. Yes, there are lots of individuals selling old tech here that’s way past its best, but there are also real manufacturers and reliable third-party stores selling refurbished kit through the portal too, covering every category you can imagine—one way to get started on your refurb search is to click the Brand Outlet link at the top, though you can also run a general search.
BackMarket offers a wide range of refurbished tech. Screenshot: Backmarket
Then there’s Swappa, which is another well-respected source of refurbished gadgets. It has a mix of used and refurbished items, and a mix of individuals and professional tech sellers, so be sure to read the listings carefully to know what you’re getting. Reassuringly, all the listings are reviewed by Swappa staff, and the condition of gadgets (plus details of any warranty) have to be clearly stated.
Also worth a look is Amazon Renewed, especially if you’re already used to the Amazon shopping experience, because everything works in the same way. The condition of items and the warranties attached to them can vary, but everything comes with a 90-day guarantee window for returning items if you need to.
Ideally, it’s best to be checking multiple different sites in your search for the best refurbished tech—there isn’t the same consistency of pricing as you’ll find on something that’s brand new, so you can compare different offers against each other (just be sure to check on what else you get for the price, in terms of returns policies and extras).
ⓘWe may earn a commission when you buy through our links. This helps support MacSources and keeps our content free. Thank you!
The HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 combines an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 240Hz 1600p display in a powerful desktop replacement.
I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s I knew the pain of a computer modem connecting to the internet back then. My first computer was an HP Pavilion and that little gray box was my gateway to a bigger world than my small town. I learned about design and “music downloading” on that machine. It was my first computer and it started my journey into the world of technology.
This review is from the perspective of a Mac user who enjoys gaming on a PC. I don’t live in the world of PC hardware but I do enjoy it and I wanted to share my experience with the HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 with you.
My first computer was an HP Pavilion. That little gray box was my introduction to the world of technology, and I spent countless hours exploring what it could do. I learned about design, discovered the joys of “music downloading,” and started developing an interest in technology that has stuck with me ever since. Looking back, that first HP computer really was the beginning of my journey into the world of technology.
A few years ago, I found myself getting pulled into gaming again with Call of Duty: Mobile. Playing that title really made me enjoy competitive multiplayer games again, and I began looking at other gaming options. I eventually added a high-end gaming PC to my setup and started investigating gaming laptops that could provide a similar experience without giving up the performance I wanted.
That brings me to the HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16. With its high-end Intel processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 240Hz display, this is about as far removed from that little gray HP Pavilion as you can get. I was curious to see what HP could deliver in a gaming laptop with this much hardware packed into it.
About the HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16
The HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is a high-performance gaming laptop designed for users who want desktop-class performance in a portable form factor. It combines powerful Intel Core Ultra processors with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs, fast DDR5 memory, high-speed SSD storage, and a high-refresh-rate display.
The configuration I tested features an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU with 24GB of dedicated memory, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD. It also features a 16-inch 2500 x 1600 display with a 240Hz refresh rate, providing a combination of high resolution and fast motion that is well suited to gaming and other demanding applications.
Beyond its performance hardware, the OMEN MAX 16 includes a full-size keyboard with customizable RGB lighting, an illuminated light strip beneath the chassis, integrated speakers with Dolby Atmos support, a 1080p webcam, and connectivity designed to support a wide range of peripherals and accessories.
With its combination of high-end hardware and gaming-focused features, the OMEN MAX 16 is aimed at users who need substantial performance for gaming, content creation, demanding applications, and everyday productivity.
Keyboard: Full-size gaming keyboard with RGB backlighting
Lighting: Customizable RGB keyboard lighting and under-chassis lighting
Audio: Integrated speakers with Dolby Atmos support
Webcam: 1080p camera
Microphone: Integrated microphone
Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi
USB-C: USB-C connectivity with support for external storage and peripherals
Performance: Designed for high-performance gaming, content creation, multitasking, and demanding applications
Pricing & Availability
The MSRP for the HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is $4,699.99 but at the time of publishing it is being offered for $3,899.99 from hp.com or $4,399.00 on Amazon.
User Experience
My initial experience with the HP OMEN MAX 16 was very positive, particularly when it came to performance and responsiveness. However, there is one thing that became immediately apparent when I started handling the laptop: this is a very large and very heavy machine.
HP lists the OMEN MAX 16 at 6.56 pounds, and you can definitely feel that weight when carrying it. The laptop is also quite chunky compared with more conventional 16-inch laptops. This isn’t a machine that I would casually toss into a bag and carry around all day.
That said, the size makes considerably more sense when you consider what HP is trying to accomplish. The OMEN MAX 16 is essentially designed to serve as a desktop replacement for gaming. Rather than having to build a traditional gaming desktop, monitor, keyboard, and other peripherals, you can have a complete high-performance gaming system contained in a single device.
That portability is still useful, particularly if you need to take your gaming system with you when traveling. You get the computer, display, keyboard, speakers, and other essential components in one package. However, “portable” is probably a better description than “easy to carry.”
The power adapter adds to that consideration. It is also quite large, which isn’t surprising given the amount of power required by the OMEN MAX 16’s high-end hardware. When you’re packing the laptop for a trip, you’re not just accounting for a 6.56-pound computer. You also need to find room for a substantial power adapter.
For me, this is one of the most important things potential buyers should consider. If you’re looking for a laptop that you can easily carry between meetings, classes, coffee shops, or other locations throughout the day, the OMEN MAX 16 is probably not the ideal choice. If you’re looking for a desktop gaming replacement that can be moved when necessary, its size and weight are much easier to justify.
Setting up the laptop as a new Windows 11 PC was relatively straightforward. It took approximately one minute to reach the Windows update process, followed by about 11 minutes of updates and another 17 minutes and 37 seconds to finalize and complete those updates. Once setup was finished, I allowed approximately seven additional minutes for further updates.
I skipped Microsoft’s optional personalization, phone integration, and phone photo backup features and declined the Microsoft 365 and cloud storage offers. This gave me a relatively clean starting point for testing the laptop.
The OMEN MAX 16 remained quiet during basic productivity work, with the fans generally staying off. The fans became audible during intensive benchmarking, multitasking, and gaming, although I didn’t find them particularly loud. The rear of the laptop did become noticeably warm after extended benchmark testing.
The keyboard was responsive, and I had no issues with key recognition during normal typing. However, the compact layout took some adjustment. HP has fit a full-size keyboard into the 16-inch chassis, leaving relatively little space between some of the keys. I frequently found myself reaching for Backspace and accidentally pressing Num Lock instead. The trackpad is also positioned slightly off-center because of the keyboard layout.
The RGB lighting is one of my favorite design elements. The keyboard backlighting looks excellent, and the illuminated strip underneath the laptop adds another nice gaming-oriented touch.
The 16-inch 2500 x 1600 display also made a good first impression. I confirmed its 240Hz maximum refresh rate using the UFO Test, which reported four pixels per frame at 960 pixels per second. The high refresh rate makes movement and scrolling feel very smooth, while the high resolution provides plenty of detail for everyday work and entertainment.
The speakers were another pleasant surprise. I tested them with a Dolby Atmos sound test and 32-bit high-resolution music. Audio was clear, well balanced, and surprisingly loud. Even at approximately 50% volume, the speakers produced plenty of sound, with music, voices, and sound effects all remaining well balanced.
Finally, I tested out the built-in 1080p webcam. It performed adequately for video calls, while the microphone was better than average for a laptop. Both should be perfectly suitable for regular video conferencing.
Benchmark Performance
Benchmarking a laptop like the HP OMEN MAX 16 is a little different from testing a typical productivity machine. This is a system built around high-end hardware, so I wanted to see how the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD performed when put through a variety of workloads.
I used Geekbench 7 for general CPU and GPU performance, Geekbench AI for machine learning workloads, Cinebench to put the processor through a rendering workload, FurMark to stress the graphics hardware, and CrystalDiskMark to evaluate the SSD. The results were generally what I would expect from a laptop with this level of hardware, although they also highlighted just how much heat and power this system can generate when it’s pushed.
Geekbench 7
Geekbench 7 provides a useful look at both single-core and multi-core CPU performance, along with GPU compute performance. I find this combination particularly useful because it gives us an idea of how the laptop should handle everything from everyday applications to workloads that can take advantage of multiple CPU cores or the dedicated graphics processor.
The OMEN MAX 16 produced the following scores:
Single-Core: 2,709
Multi-Core: 18,921
OpenCL: 191,623
The single-core score of 2,709 is a strong result and reflects the performance available from Intel’s Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. For everyday tasks, this means there is plenty of processing power available for things like launching applications, browsing the web, working with documents, and switching between applications.
The multi-core score is where the OMEN MAX 16 really starts to show what it was built for. Its score of 18,921 demonstrates that the processor has plenty of muscle for workloads that can use multiple cores at the same time. Video encoding, rendering, compiling software, and heavy multitasking are all areas where this kind of performance can be useful.
The OpenCL score of 191,623 is on another level compared with the integrated graphics found in most laptops. The RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is a dedicated graphics processor with 24GB of VRAM, and that makes a substantial difference when applications can take advantage of the GPU.
This isn’t a laptop where the graphics processor is simply there to handle the display and occasional light GPU workloads. There is enough graphics horsepower here for demanding creative applications, 3D workloads, GPU acceleration, and gaming. I’ll take a closer look at gaming performance later in the review.
Geekbench AI
I also ran Geekbench AI to see how the OMEN MAX 16 handled workloads specifically designed around artificial intelligence and machine learning. This is an increasingly relevant area for modern PCs, particularly systems equipped with processors and GPUs designed to accelerate AI workloads.
The results were:
Single Precision: 3,814
Half Precision: 1,607
Quantized: 7,016
The quantized result was the strongest of the three. Quantized workloads use lower-precision numerical formats, which can reduce the amount of data that needs to be processed and can be particularly useful for certain AI inference workloads.
These numbers are interesting, but I wouldn’t use Geekbench AI alone to determine how well the OMEN MAX 16 will perform with a particular AI application. AI performance can vary significantly depending on the software, framework, precision being used, and whether the workload is running on the CPU, GPU, or another accelerator.
What is more important here is the hardware available to the system. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides substantial CPU performance, while the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU has 24GB of dedicated VRAM. That combination gives the OMEN MAX 16 considerably more flexibility for local AI applications and other memory-intensive workloads than a typical laptop.
For someone experimenting with local AI tools, using AI-assisted applications, or working with workloads that can take advantage of NVIDIA GPU acceleration, there is a lot of hardware available here. The 24GB of VRAM is particularly noteworthy because memory capacity can become a limitation with larger AI models and other demanding GPU workloads.
Cinebench
Cinebench gives us another way to evaluate the processor by putting it through a rendering workload. I ran both the single-thread and multi-thread tests to see how the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus handled workloads using one core versus multiple cores.
The results were:
Single Thread: 570
Multi Thread: 5,695
The single-thread score of 570 is consistent with the strong single-core performance seen in Geekbench 7. Applications that aren’t designed to spread work across many processor cores should still have plenty of CPU performance available.
The multi-thread score of 5,695 is more representative of what this processor can do when it’s allowed to use its available resources. Rendering, video production, compiling, and other heavily threaded workloads can put considerable demand on a CPU, and the OMEN MAX 16 handled the Cinebench workload with the kind of performance I would expect from a high-end gaming laptop.
There was a noticeable difference in how the laptop behaved during these heavier tests, though. As I mentioned, the fans kicked on when the system was under significant load, and the back of the laptop became particularly warm. That’s an important part of the experience with a system like this because the hardware is capable of generating considerably more heat when it is being pushed than it does during normal productivity use.
FurMark
Since the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is one of the biggest reasons to buy the OMEN MAX 16, I wanted to put the graphics hardware through a dedicated stress test as well. FurMark is designed to place a heavy load on the GPU, making it useful for seeing how the system responds when the graphics hardware is pushed hard.
Here are the results:
1920 x 1080: 13,453 points
2560 x 1440: 10,055 points
As expected, the score decreased when moving to the higher resolution because the GPU has substantially more pixels to process. Even so, the results demonstrate the amount of graphics performance available from the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU.
The 24GB of dedicated VRAM is also worth mentioning. That’s an unusually large amount of graphics memory for a laptop and gives the OMEN MAX 16 plenty of room for high-resolution gaming and demanding GPU-accelerated applications.
FurMark also reinforced what I noticed during the CPU benchmarks. The cooling system becomes much more active under heavy workloads, and the rear portion of the laptop gets quite warm. I didn’t take actual temperature measurements during testing, so I don’t want to assign a specific temperature to it, but the heat was definitely noticeable.
CrystalDiskMark
The 2TB SK hynix PCB01 SSD was another component I wanted to test. Storage speed isn’t necessarily as exciting as CPU or GPU performance, but it has a noticeable effect on things like application launches, file transfers, game loading, and working with large files.
CrystalDiskMark produced the following results:
Test
Read
Write
SEQ 1MiB Q8T1
12,255.08 MB/s
12,131.65 MB/s
SEQ 1MiB Q1T1
5,547.83 MB/s
2,326.02 MB/s
RND 4KiB Q32T1
615.48 MB/s
745.66 MB/s
RND 4KiB Q1T1
79.72 MB/s
140.66 MB/s
The sequential Q8T1 results were particularly impressive, with read and write speeds both exceeding 12,000 MB/s in that particular test. The Q1T1 results were lower, especially on the write side, which is a good reminder that SSD performance can vary significantly depending on the type of workload being measured.
In everyday use, the important thing is that this is a very fast SSD. Windows feels responsive, applications launch quickly, and the system is well equipped to handle large files and other storage-intensive tasks. With 2TB of capacity, there’s also a reasonable amount of space for applications, games, and media without immediately having to add additional storage.
What Do the Results Tell Us?
The benchmark results reinforce what I noticed from the moment I started using the OMEN MAX 16. This is a laptop that has been built around performance first.
The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides excellent CPU performance, while the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is capable of handling workloads that would be completely out of reach for the integrated graphics found in most mainstream laptops. Add 32GB of DDR5 memory and a very fast 2TB SSD, and there isn’t much about the hardware configuration that feels compromised.
The results also help explain why the OMEN MAX 16 is such a large and heavy laptop. All of this hardware needs power and cooling. That’s the tradeoff with this particular design. The benchmarks show that the OMEN MAX 16 has the performance to justify that size. Whether that tradeoff makes sense for you will depend largely on how you plan to use it.
Gaming Performance
Of course, a gaming laptop can have impressive benchmark numbers, but what really matters is how it performs when you’re actually playing games. With the OMEN MAX 16, I spent time playing several different titles to get a better feel for how well its hardware translates into real-world gaming performance.
I tested Gears of War, Call of Duty, and The Finals, giving me a good mix of AAA games, competitive multiplayer, and graphics-intensive titles. I played the games on the OMEN MAX 16’s native 2560 x 1600 resolution and focused on how the system handled gameplay, graphics quality, frame rates, and overall responsiveness. The only thing I added was a gaming mouse rather than using the trackpad.
Gears of War
Gears of War was a good starting point because it gave me an opportunity to see how the OMEN MAX 16 handled a modern AAA title without immediately jumping into one of the most demanding games available.
The RTX 5090 Laptop GPU had no problem handling the game, and the combination of high-end graphics hardware and the Core Ultra 9 processor made for a very smooth experience. I was able to enjoy the game with high-quality graphics without feeling like I needed to make significant compromises to get good performance.
The 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display also worked particularly well here. I’ve found that games like Gears benefit from the additional detail provided by the higher resolution, and the 240Hz refresh rate kept movement looking smooth during both exploration and combat.
This was a good indication that the OMEN MAX 16 isn’t simply capable of running games. It has enough hardware to let you take advantage of the display’s resolution and refresh rate at the same time.
Call of Duty
The next title I tested was Call of Duty. It was probably the game I was most interested in testing because high frame rates are essential for me when I play a first-person shooter. The OMEN MAX 16’s combination of the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU and Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is well suited to this type of workload.
Playing Call of Duty on the OMEN MAX 16 was extremely responsive. Movement was smooth, aiming felt precise, and I never felt like the system was struggling to keep up with what was happening on screen.
The Finals
The Finals gave me another opportunity to push the system with a fast-paced multiplayer game that can put considerable demands on both the CPU and GPU.
The OMEN MAX 16 handled the game very well. The combination of fast gameplay, detailed environments, effects, and destruction didn’t present a problem for the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. Gameplay remained smooth, and I didn’t experience the type of performance issues that would make me want to significantly reduce the graphics settings.
I also appreciated the display here. The 2560 x 1600 resolution provides plenty of detail, while the 240Hz refresh rate is well suited to the quick movement and action that The Finals delivers.
The system’s cooling became more noticeable during extended gaming sessions, as I would expect from a laptop with this much hardware packed inside it. The fans were audible when the system was working hard, but I didn’t find them excessively loud. The rear of the laptop also became quite warm.
Gaming Performance Overall
After spending time with all three games, I came away with the impression that the OMEN MAX 16 delivers exactly what I would expect from a laptop built around an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. The benchmark results suggested that it was going to be powerful, but actually playing games made the difference much more apparent.
Gears of War, Call of Duty, and The Finals all ran comfortably. HP essentially built a desktop gaming system that you can pick up and take somewhere else.
Conclusion
The HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is the kind of gaming laptop that makes it easy to understand why someone would choose a laptop over a traditional gaming desktop. It packs an impressive amount of hardware into a single machine. While it’s a heavy laptop, HP has designed the OMEN MAX 16 as a desktop replacement, and in that context, the size makes considerably more sense.
For me, the HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 succeeds because it doesn’t try to disguise what it is. It’s big, heavy, expensive, and extremely powerful. If you want a gaming laptop that can genuinely serve as your primary gaming computer and still be moved when necessary, this is an impressive option. Just make sure you’re comfortable carrying all of that performance with you.
A report from an overseas publication claims that the prices for the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Ultra might go up this year.
It's suggested that the prices for Samsung's next tablets have shot up by ~€200, and there's a chance the U.S. could see a similar trend.
Recent Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra rumors suggested there could be a 16/1TB variant; however, the current rumors do away with that theory, and the ongoing memory issues could be the cause (much like the higher pricing
Rumors continue late this week about Samsung's next tablets. Whether it's to be expected or not, it's been alleged that a price hike is on the way.
A WinFuture report highlighted allegations about the Galaxy Tab S12 series' price. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra will reportedly feature two storage configurations for each variant (Wi-Fi and 5G). The publication cites its "retail sources" in stating the Tab S12 Ultra could cost €1,539 and €1,739 for its 12/256GB and 12/512GB versions. When it comes to the 5G variant of this tablet, rumors claim €1,689 and €1,889 price tags.
On the other hand, there's the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus. The publication claims it will feature the same storage configs as the Ultra. Its prices are rumored to be €1,299 and €1,499. As usual, Samsung will rework the pricing to "better suit" the region; however, we still might be in for a price hike in the U.S.
WinFuture mentions that the alleged prices in Europe are roughly €200 higher than the Tab S11 series. There's a chance Samsung could raise the cost of its next tablets similarly in the U.S. and other regions. For context, the Tab S11 is $699, while the Tab S11 Ultra is $949. If we're to see similar hikes, we might see a Tab S12 Plus closer to $900, while an Ultra could just cross $1,100. But, as always, this is speculative for now.
The trail continues
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Galaxy Tab S12 series leaks have been sporadic this year. These rumors have continued to claim that Samsung is opting for two models: a Plus and an Ultra. The Tab S12 Ultra had its details leaked in July, suggesting a tablet that's largely similar to its S11 counterpart. A similar thin build, camera notch, and a 14.6-inch display were mentioned. What's more, the Ultra model could feature an 11,600mAh battery.
One thing has changed with these rumors. The publication today (Sept 10) did not mention a 16/1TB configuration for the Ultra. Previous rumors suggested it could reach these attractive heights; however, we know the ongoing RAM situation that's affecting all of tech. That could be a major cause for the no-show, as well as these purported price hikes.
When the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus' "live images" surfaced, that model also looked pretty much the same. The device was spotted with rather thick bezels around its display.
Android Central's Take
I'd imagine the U.S. market would follow suit if these price hike rumors are to be believed. If anything, I'd say a $100 to $200 increase is in the cards. We are expecting these tablets to appear any week now. We've crossed into September, and that's usually when we start expecting the next tablets from Samsung.
ALLDOCUBE has officially introduced the Coolplay Pad Pro 2, a new Android tablet aimed at users who want a larger screen without giving up cellular connectivity. The tablet combines a 12.1-inch high-resolution display, a 10,000mAh battery, 4G dual-SIM support and Android 16-based software, making it an interesting option in the Android tablet market.”
The tablet is priced at 1,299 yuan (about $182) for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage configuration. During the initial sales period, buyers can also receive an 80-yuan discount coupon, bringing the effective price down to 1,219 yuan.
12.1-Inch 2.5K Display With 90Hz Refresh Rate
The Coolplay Pad Pro 2 focuses heavily on its large display. It features a 12.1-inch IPS panel with a 2.5K resolution and 90Hz refresh rate, providing more screen space for video streaming, web browsing, gaming and productivity tasks.
The panel uses an in-cell fully laminated design, which helps reduce the gap between the display layers. This can make content appear closer to the surface while also improving the overall viewing experience compared with a conventional non-laminated screen.
For a tablet in this price range, the combination of a 2.5K resolution and 90Hz refresh rate gives the Coolplay Pad Pro 2 a more capable multimedia setup than a basic entry-level Android tablet.
Helio G100 Chip and 8GB RAM
Powering the tablet is MediaTek’s Helio G100 octa-core processor, with a maximum clock speed of 2.2GHz. ALLDOCUBE says the device scores more than 500,000 points in AnTuTu, although real-world performance will naturally vary depending on software, temperature and testing conditions.
The standard configuration includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS storage. Users who need additional space can expand the storage with a TF card supporting capacities of up to 1TB.
This hardware combination should be suitable for everyday activities such as browsing, video playback, social apps, office work and casual gaming. More demanding games may require lower graphics settings to maintain consistent performance.
4G Connectivity With Dual SIM Support
One of the tablet’s biggest selling points is its cellular connectivity. Unlike Wi-Fi-only tablets, the Coolplay Pad Pro 2 supports 4G connectivity with dual-SIM support, allowing it to stay online without relying on a nearby Wi-Fi network.
The tablet supports voice calls, SMS messaging and mobile data through major domestic carriers. This makes it more versatile for users who want a tablet that can remain connected without relying on a nearby Wi-Fi network.
For commuters, travelers or users who prefer a large screen for communication and mobile internet, the 4G functionality could be one of the device’s most practical features.
10,000mAh Battery and 33W Charging
The Coolplay Pad Pro 2 packs a 10,000mAh battery, giving the tablet a substantial power reserve for a large-screen device.
Charging is supported through 33W PD fast charging with PPS protocol support. However, the tablet does not include a charging adapter in the standard package, so buyers may need to purchase a compatible charger separately.
The large battery should be particularly useful for users who frequently watch videos, browse the web or use mobile data away from a power outlet.
Cameras and Quad-Speaker Audio
For photography and video calls, the tablet features an 8-megapixel front camera and a 16-megapixel rear camera with autofocus.
The rear autofocus camera can be useful for scanning documents, capturing notes or taking quick photos, while the front camera is positioned more toward video calls and everyday communication.
Audio is handled by a four-speaker system with BOX-style acoustic chambers, paired with a digital amplifier chip. The quad-speaker setup is intended to provide a wider audio experience when watching movies, listening to music or playing games.
7.45mm Body and Android 16-Based Software
Despite its large battery and 12.1-inch display, the Coolplay Pad Pro 2 has a body thickness of 7.45mm. The tablet runs ALLDOCUBE OS, a customized interface based on Android 16.
The software gives the tablet a newer Android foundation while providing ALLDOCUBE’s own system experience. Combined with the large display, cellular connectivity and expandable storage, the device is positioned as a multifunctional tablet rather than simply a media-consumption product.
ALLDOCUBE Coolplay Pad Pro 2: Who Is It For?
The Coolplay Pad Pro 2 takes a straightforward approach: a large 12.1-inch 2.5K display, 90Hz refresh rate, 10,000mAh battery and 4G dual-SIM connectivity are combined into a relatively affordable Android tablet.
Its 4G calling and dual-SIM support could be especially appealing to buyers who want a standalone tablet for mobile data and communication. Meanwhile, the 2.5K 90Hz panel and quad-speaker system make it better suited to entertainment than many entry-level tablets.
At 1,299 yuan, or 1,219 yuan after the launch discount, the Coolplay Pad Pro 2 could be an interesting option for users prioritizing screen size, battery capacity and cellular connectivity over flagship-level processing power.
Google has officially removed the Pixel Tablet from its online store after listing it as out of stock.
The Pixel Tablet has also disappeared from major retailers including Amazon and Best Buy.
Google reportedly canceled plans for second- and third-generation Pixel Tablets due to sales and profitability concerns.
Existing Pixel Tablet owners will continue receiving software updates until mid-2028 despite the lineup's end.
The Pixel Tablet is finally dead. Like, properly dead dead.
Google launched the Pixel Tablet back in 2023 as a hybrid device that could work as both a traditional Android tablet and a smart home display when placed on its charging dock. At $499, the Pixel Tablet offered a pretty interesting combination on paper, but reactions to the device were mixed after launch.
Google reportedly had plans for a second-generation Pixel Tablet in 2025 and even a third-generation model in 2027. But amid poor sales and profitability concerns, the company reportedly pulled the plug on those plans back in 2024. Despite that, the original Pixel Tablet remained available through the Google Store and retailers for quite some time. Until now.
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
As spotted by Jetstream, Google has officially removed the Pixel Tablet from the Google Store. The tablet was listed as "out of stock" until a few days ago, but the product page has now been removed altogether, effectively confirming that Google is done selling the device. The Pixel Tablet has also disappeared from retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy.
That means there's now no official way to buy a new Pixel Tablet. You may still be able to find remaining stock through smaller online retailers or pick one up from a reseller, but Google's own inventory is officially gone.
The good news for existing Pixel Tablet owners is that software support isn't ending anytime soon. Google is expected to continue supporting the device with updates until mid-2028. But unless Google decides to resurrect its tablet ambitions again, there won't be another Pixel Tablet waiting to replace it.
The Pixel Tablet was an interesting idea. Having one device that could work as both an Android tablet and a smart home display made plenty of sense, especially inside Google's ecosystem. Unfortunately, the idea never really took off.
So, RIP Pixel Tablet. This time, it looks like it's actually over.
TL;DR: Amazon just dropped a bunch of Fire tablet deals for kids and adults alike, but they're selling out fast.
Tablets are nearly as essential as smartphones in this day and age, but finding a good deal on one of these devices can be a challenge. Fortunately, if you're in the market for a new couch companion, you're in luck: Amazon is slashing prices on several models from its popular Fire line of tablets, including 50% off the Fire HD 10, which is my personal favorite.
Amazon Fire tablets aren't exactly beasts of performance, but they're great tools if you need a reliable device for streaming, casual gaming, or surfing the web. Indeed, these tablets are all about simplicity, with bright displays, great battery life, and an approachable price tag. What else could you need?
The Fire HD 10 is the Amazon tablet that I'd recommend for most people in 2026. The device boasts a lovely 10.1-inch 1080p display that's perfect for streaming and video calls, plus you get Dolby Atmos support with stereo speakers, expandable storage to 1TB, and up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Grab the Amazon Fire HD 10 with 32GB of onboard storage right now and you'll score a whopping 50% off your purchase. This particular model comes with lockscreen ads, but you can upgrade to the ad-free version (with 64GB of storage) for $119.99. View Deal
If you need something a bit smaller and more portable, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is a great choice. This tablet features an 8-inch HD display with an ultra-thin design, 64GB of onboard storage (expandable up to 1TB), and a 13-hour battery straight out of the box.
Grab the 64GB configuration with lockscreen ads and Amazon will knock a straight 35% off the purchase price. You can also order the ad-free version for a 31% discount. View Deal
The Fire HD 8 Kids Pro takes the foundation of the standard Amazon Fire HD 8 and adds a rugged, kid-friendly case, a bunch of customizable parental controls, and a six-month subscription to Amazon Kids Plus. Grab the 64GB version of the tablet and you'll score a straight 44% discount, no strings attached. View Deal
Which Amazon Fire tablet should you buy?
It depends on how you plan you use your tablet. If you need something compact and portable for road trips or long flights, look no further than the Fire HD 8. If, on the other hand, you enjoy large screens for streaming, gaming, or reading, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is likely the better choice.
Regardless of the cheap Android tablet you buy, you can rest easy knowing that you're getting an Amazon tablet with great battery life, fast performance, and a price that won't break your budget.
A Apple parece estar preparando seus sistemas para a nova leva de produtos que será lançada em breve. A menos de 24 horas do evento “Surprise and shine” (“Surpreendente e brilhante”), a empresa adicionou nada menos que 37 novos identificadores de hardware ao seu backend, abrangendo iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches e outros dispositivos.
A descoberta foi feita por Aaron Perris. No X, ele compartilhou todos os identificadores, sendo sete deles relacionados a iPhones.
A bunch of upcoming Apple device identifiers have been found on Apple’s backend. Interestingly, there are 7 iPhone models listed. We only know of 6.
O número chama atenção pois, até o momento, os rumores dão conta de seis modelos compondo a futura linha: “iPhone 18 Pro”, “iPhone 18 Pro Max” e “iPhone Ultra”, além dos “iPhone 18”, “iPhone Air 2” e “iPhone 18e” — os três últimos, segundo as notícias, só serão lançados no ano que vem.
Isso, porém, não significa necessariamente que a Apple esteja preparando um sétimo iPhone do qual nunca ouvimos falar. O identificador pode muito bem ser simplesmente uma variante de um dos modelos já esperados — como, por exemplo, uma configuração específica do “iPhone Ultra” destinada à China.
Além dos iPhones, a lista inclui nove identificadores de Macs, oito de iPads, nove de Apple Watches, um de Apple TV e três associados à categoria “HomeAccessory”, utilizada internamente pela Apple para produtos domésticos.
Lembrando que, no evento de amanhã, a Apple muito provavelmente lançará produtos como o “Apple Watch Series 12”, o “Apple Watch Ultra 4”, uma nova geração da Apple TV e, quem sabe, o aguardado hub inteligente para a casa — além dos iPhones, é claro. Novos Macs (como um iMac com chip M6 e a estreia dos “MacBooks Ultra”) e iPads (como o iPad mini com tela OLED), contudo, não são esperados para esta semana.
The debut of a new MacVoices’ series, Foreshadowing Tech, examines how science fiction has influenced real-world technology using 2001: A Space Odyssey and 2010: The Year We Made Contact as the first case study. Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, and Marty Jencius discuss the depictions of various technologies, and how they measure up to the current state of things, including space travel, tablets, biometrics, HAL, AI, cryosleep, movie aesthetics, and the lasting cultural impact of both films.
Lenovo Legion has officially announced the release of the AI tablet Lenovo Legion Y700 Infinity on August 25th at 19:00. Judging from the previous promotion schedule, the Lenovo Legion Cloud Gaming handheld device C700 is also expected to make an appearance at the same event.
This gaming tablet is now available for pre-order. Pre-order users can enjoy a series of exclusive first-sale benefits worth up to / over 2,000 yuan, including 6-month interest-free financing, value-added exchange and replacement services, screen breakage insurance, battery extended warranty, etc.
Previous promotional information indicates that the Infinity model Y700 will be equipped with the Qualcomm 5th-generation Snapdragon 8 Supreme Plus mobile platform, featuring an 8.4″ WQXGA 165Hz OLED screen with uniform width on all four sides, LPDDR5T-10667 memory and UFS 4.1 Pro storage, support for built-in SIM cards and removable SIM cards, and a three-stage RGB ring 50MP rear camera.
At Kurd Qaburstan in northern Mesopotamia, archaeologists are finding the kind of evidence that allows a destroyed city to be read from several directions at once. Cuneiform tablets, administrative sealings, a fortified wall and human remains are appearing together in layers associated with the ancient city of Qabra. The project, led by researchers from the […]
Whether you're just starting high school or finishing up your college Master's Program, a good note-taking tablet can make all the difference in class success. The latest note-taking tablets from companies like TCL and Boox sport technology that looks and feels a lot like paper, but each gives you all the best features of a modern smart device.
If you've never used a digital note-taking device, know that these are tablet-sized (not e-reader size), so you probably won't want to hold them up for long periods. They are also both powered by Android and include the Google Play Store, so you can download all your favorite apps.
The TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER and the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II both ship with styluses that magnetically attach to the side of the tablet, so you can take notes anytime you need to. Whether that's bedside journaling or attempting to jot down everything important during a lecture, both tablets will give you quick access to recording and handwritten notes, and I've spent the last week putting these two through rigorous tests to find out which should be in your backpack this year.
Not all ePaper is created equally
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
E Ink is the most common type of ePaper display you'll find today, but TCL's NXTPAPER displays give it a run for its money in several ways. The TCL Note A1 features a special type of NXTPAPER display that works just as well for black-and-white notes as it does for YouTube videos.
The matte display is wonderful for cutting glare from those annoying overhead classroom lights, and the fluid 120Hz refresh rate feels fast and smooth. This makes using apps feel like any normal Android tablet, and it may prove nicer for note-taking for people who want something smoother than E Ink.
While these tablets are primarily designed for handwriting, you can also use any virtual keyboard you choose. I always love using Gboard, but typing on it always feels slow on E Ink. NXTPAPER is fast and fluid and feels like typing on a normal tablet.
Nicholas Sutrich / Android CentralNicholas Sutrich / Android Central
But that's about where the positives end and where the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II's E Ink display takes over. One of the inherent advantages of E Ink is that it doesn't need a backlight to illuminate the screen. It's got one just in case you need it, but I rarely find that I need to use it.
If I'm taking notes outside, the Boox Go is the clear winner. That black-and-white E Ink display perfectly absorbs and reflects sunlight, so you can see the display even better in direct sunlight than elsewhere. The built-in front light also gets extremely dim when you need it, which I found important for lecture rooms that can sometimes be too dim.
The TCL Note A1's display is really only easy to see in moderate indoor lighting. It doesn't get bright enough to see outdoors, and it doesn't get dim enough to comfortably use in a low-lit room. There's also no dark mode, curiously enough, which probably would have helped a lot in those dim rooms.
Both displays' lights are fully flicker-free, but TCL's NXTPAPER display uses something called temporal dithering to enhance the colors. This effect can give some people splitting headaches, and since there's no way to disable it, I can't recommend the tablet for anyone sensitive to dithering.
That makes the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II the best display of the two, despite the advantages that color and a faster refresh rate on the NXTPAPER might otherwise seem.
Note-taking gets leveled up
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Displays affect more than just readability, too. Boox's E Ink technology looks a lot more like traditional paper and pen, but typing on the display isn't as nice since the refresh rate is lower. Likewise, typing on the TCL Note A1 feels smoother, but I wouldn't say there's any meaningful latency difference when writing.
In fact, I far prefer writing on the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II because the stylus feels like writing with a marker, and the display's textured surface also feels uniquely wonderful to swipe on. TCL's Note A1 stylus offers an incredibly unique built-in haptic engine (yes, into the stylus!), but writing on the screen still feels too much like writing on glass for my liking.
Taking notes is faster on the Boox Go, and I find the default note styles and options are better than TCL's. Both companies offer some great template options to get you started, as well.
Nicholas Sutrich / Android CentralNicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Boox also offers a superb handwriting-to-text engine that even understands my terrible chicken-scratch writing. TCL offers some truly fantastic AI writing tools built in, but curiously doesn't offer a direct handwriting-to-text option — the only way to achieve this is to have TCL's AI rewrite your notes, which isn't always preferable.
But TCL offers a suite of AI tools that Boox simply does not. If you're a student who enjoys utilizing AI to help give you better writing, summarize your notes, make things searchable, or even add live transcription of lectures to your notes, TCL is the easy winner in this category. The Boox Go can record audio directly to a note, but there's no transcription option at all, something I thought was very odd in this day and age.
Lastly, the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II passes all Google Play Integrity tests, which means any apps that require an extra layer of security (think banking apps) run just fine on it. TCL's Note A1 doesn't pass any of them, which I thought was curious. I haven't run into issues with normal apps on TCL's tablet, but there are undoubtedly some more secure ones that simply won't work on it.
Boox to replace your notebooks
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
While the TCL Note A1 offers far better built-in AI tools and a faster refresh rate, I like everything else about the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II better. This even includes the hardware design, as the TCL Note A1 feels like a heavy iPad while the Boox Go is sleeker, lighter, and more ergonomic, with curved sides that rest comfortably in my hands, a lighter overall weight, and a luxurious vegan leather back.
Boox and TCL are running a back-to-school sale this month to sweeten this deal further. The Boox Go bundle I'm using is currently $40 off, while the TCL Note A1 is $50 off. This still makes the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II $100 cheaper than the TCL Note A1, and that's easily enough of a reason for me to recommend it.
Boox
Go 10.3 Lumi Gen II
Boox's latest E Ink tablet ships with a brilliant stylus that feels like writing on paper with a marker. It's got an impressively light and thin frame, with ergonomic curves and a vegan leather back. With support for 26 file formats, great note-taking software, and full Google Play Support with Android 15 built-in, you'll love toting this around school instead of 45lbs of books on your back.
TL;DR: the TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER tablet just dropped in the United States, and it already has a $100 discount at Amazon.
It took a while for TCL to release its newest Android tablet in the United States, but now the Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER is here with an impressive launch discount in tow.
For a limited time, you can score $100 off the 256GB device by clipping the coupon on Amazon's product page. If you want to save even more, you can go with the 128GB version and pay as little as $219 for the device (provided you have an Amazon Prime account).
It's rare for a brand new tablet to receive a straight discount at launch — especially since the Tab A1 Plus was already pretty affordable — but TCL has never been one to play by the rules.
TCL has produced a lot of cheap tablets, but the Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER might be its greatest creation yet. The device boasts an eye-friendly display with smooth performance and an included stylus, and you can already save $100 by clipping the coupon at Amazon.View Deal
Whether you need a new tablet for Back to School season, a presentation at work, or as a road trip companion, the TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER is a great pick that won't break the bank.
Straight out of the box, the device boasts a unique 12.2-inch display that's specifically designed to reduce eye strain, letting you instantly switch into Ink Paper or Color Paper mode as needed.
The tablet comes with a stylus for drawing and taking notes, a solid Snapdragon processor, and a huge 10,000mAh battery, all of which are rare specs for a device in this price range. You also get stereo speakers, some onboard AI features, and 256GB of storage (up to 2TB when you expand using microSD).
The Tab A1 Plus may not be the most powerful Android tablet ever built, but if you're concerned about eye strain and you want a device that offers good old-fashioned bang for the buck, it's pretty unmatched. And with a $100 launch discount knocking the price down to only $299.99, the TCL device is really starting to feel like a no-brainer purchase in 2026.
Login
