PC Pro

PC Pro is the UK’s number one IT monthly magazine and offers readers a healthy variety of tech news updates, tests, reviews, best buys and even bonus software in every issue. The editorial team are experts in their field and they’re dedicated to creating the most authoritative reviews and keeping you up to speed on the latest technology developments.

Could 2026 be the year when tech finally tackles its problems?

PC Pro

The VPN hunt is on • As regulators look to sharpen the Online Safety Bill, VPNs are now in their sights

Geekom launches its first laptop • Taiwanese mini PC builder releases first portable computer

6 things to watch for in 2026 • What to expect from the year ahead in the tech industry

The A-List • The best products on the market, as picked by our editors

Live long and prosper? • There are lessons for the transhumanist movement to learn from science fiction, but look to Frankenstein and Ex Machina rather than Star Trek

The ICO clearly isn’t fit for purpose • Experts have called for an inquiry into the Information Commissioner’s Office – and they couldn’t be more right

Regulate before it’s too late • Rather than rely on market forces, we might all be better off letting companies grow so big that governments are forced to step in

Readers’ comments • Your views and feedback from email and the web

Readers’ poll • Imagine a world where one tech company ruled supreme. Who would you want it to be and why?

10 GREAT AI TOOLS FOR 2026 • FROM EDITING VIDEOS LIKE WORD DOCUMENTS TO CREATING YOUR OWN BROWSER GAMES, BARRY COLLINS HIGHLIGHTS TEN BRILLIANT AI TOOLS YOU’LL WANT TO EXPLOIT IN THE YEAR AHEAD

AFFINITY THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE FREE CREATIVE SUITE • EDIT PHOTOS, CREATE CLEAN VECTOR IMAGES AND PUT TOGETHER PROFESSIONAL MULTI-PAGE DOCUMENTS: NIK RAWLINSON INTRODUCES THE AMAZING POWERS OF THE NEW FREE AFFINITY APP

Bag a software bargain • Don’t pay full price for software when we can offer you huge reductions on genuine products

WHAT THE HAPPENED TO THE INTERNET? • THE INTERNET HAS BEEN DRAGGED DOWN BY ENSHITTIFICATION, ACCORDING TO CORY DOCTOROW. IAIN THOMSON SITS DOWN WITH HIM TO DISCUSS WHAT WENT WRONG – AND HOW WE FIGHT BACK.

DO YOU STILL NEED BACKUP IN 2026? • With modern cloud services and solid-state storage, you might think traditional backup methods are obsolete, but Darien Graham-Smith urges you not to risk your data

Dell Pro Max Tower T2 Desktop • This sturdy and understated workstation will deliver the goods in lightly threaded workloads

How we test

Medion Erazer Hunter X30 • A basic chassis for the price, but you can’t argue with the quality of the hardware within or the price

CyberPowerPC Ultra R5RX • Easy on the eyes and the ears, this is a great choice for 1440p gaming with not a wasted pound in sight

MSI Cubi Z AI 8M • A solid and unassuming mini PC that’s particularly well suited to offices thanks to MSI’s UK-based support

Beelink SER9 Pro (Ryzen 7 H 255) • The novel AMD Ryzen 7 H 255 processor delivers strong all-round performance in a well-built system

HP OmniBook X Flip 14 • HP continues to flip the rules on what to expect for around a grand, making this our top choice for 14in convertibles

HP OmniBook X Flip 16 • HP pairs a gorgeous OLED touchscreen with a smart 2-in-1 design – the result is a superb everyday laptop

Your bonus software • We scour the globe to negotiate the best software deals for our readers, from extended licences to full programs you don’t need to pay a penny for. Here’s this month’s lineup

BenQ PV3200U • Great colour coverage, integrated 2.1 speakers and a handy puck, but beware of this monitor’s limitations

BenQ...