Articles by Rael Hornby, Content Editor

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

Articles by: Rael Hornby

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

By Rael Hornby published 27 January 25

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

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 21 January 25

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 20 January 25

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

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 19 January 25

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

Nintendo Switch 2 handheld gaming console

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

By Rael Hornby published 17 January 25

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

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 16 January 25

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

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

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

By Sean Riley, Rael Hornby published 15 January 25

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

Windows 10 retail box casting a shadow on a blue backdrop

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

By Rael Hornby published 15 January 25

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 14 January 25

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

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

By Rami Tabari published 11 January 25

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

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 10 January 25

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 9 January 25

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

Halliday DigiWindow smart glasses display tech

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

By Rael Hornby published 8 January 25

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

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 7 January 25

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

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 6 January 25

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

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

12 rules for life every Meta Quest owner should know

By Rael Hornby published 4 January 25

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

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

By Rael Hornby published 3 January 25

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

3D render of the iPhone SE 4 and iPad mini 7 based on information gathered from rumors and leaks. Two iPhone SE 4 smartphones sit on top of an iPad mini 7, one is facing up to show its display, the other is facing down to show its back and camera array.

The most impactful iPhone SE 4 change may be what's on the box, not what's in it

By Rael Hornby published 2 January 25

Could the iPhone 16E branding mean more reliable budget iPhone releases in the future?

Image of a white Valve Steam Deck limited edition handheld gaming PC.

Valve's SteamOS could be 2025's biggest winner, powering new VR and handheld gaming hardware

By Rael Hornby published 1 January 25

This year could see Valve's Linux-based operating system come into its own and feature on a range of first and third-party hardware.

Laptop Mag's Biggest AI Moments in 2024 image showing various leaders in the AI industry in a punk-pop-art scrapbook art style on a colorful pastel background.

The 24 biggest AI moments of 2024: A Laptop Mag countdown

By Rael Hornby, Stevie Bonifield last updated 31 December 24

A curated series of events that defined AI’s impact this year — and possibly in the years to come.

Latest Switch 2 rumor may reveal when gamers can claim Nintendo's next-gen handheld

By Rael Hornby published 31 December 24

A fresh report claims we will see the Switch 2 in March 2025, but is it likely?

The Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3s headsets sitting on a couch and coffee table with two pairs of controllers

VR headsets are mainstream, and I'm tired of pretending they're not

By Rael Hornby published 30 December 24

From Meta Quest to Vision Pro, VR and mixed reality headsets have more than earned their place in the limelight of the mainstream.

What to expect at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025: Galaxy Ring 2, Project Moohan, Galaxy S25-Series, and Galaxy AI

By Rael Hornby published 27 December 24

Everything we expect, and hope, to see during Samsung's January 2025 Galaxy Unpacked showcase.

Pimax seems confident in its Vision Pro-like Dream Air VR headset. Me? Not so much

By Rael Hornby published 26 December 24

Pimax's latest VR headset looks to be a real premium challenger to Apple's Vision Pro and Samsung's Project Moohan. But can the company deliver?

Sam Altman asked ChatGPT users what they want to see in 2025, and dropped some clues about what to expect

By Rael Hornby published 26 December 24

OpenAI's CEO took to X to hear what people want from ChatGPT in 2025, and his replies are full of clues about what to expect.

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