The PC Pro Podcast

Real-Worlder Rois Ni Thauma rejoins the podcast as we discuss a cyber-attack that caused shop freezers to overheat, Microsoft’s efforts to make Windows 11 feel more responsive on systems with 8GB of RAM and Google’s admission that its AI summaries are less profitable than traditional search. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Asus ZenWiFi BN12, a new wireless mesh with Wi-Fi 8.

The team discusses the surprisingly low-key debut of the touchscreen MacBook Pro and ponders reports of mechanical problems with the first batch of iPhone Duo handsets. We also ask whether it’s wise to buy shares in Anthropic, and whether 60,000 Microsoft employees would do well to accept the company’s “voluntary exit offer”. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Leatherman Wave Plus, a stylish but pricey pocket tool.

The team discusses a major vulnerability in the ubiquitous PHP utility, mulls over the fallout of a Google Cloud outage in the UK and looks forward to a world where most AI workloads take place on our own devices rather than in data centres. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Synology DS925neo+, a desktop NAS appliance aimed at small businesses on a tight budget.

The team discusses Apple’s multi-pronged foray into AI smart home devices, welcomes Amazon’s new range of Google Play-enabled tablets and laments technology failures that could have prevented music students from getting the grades they deserved. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Jackery Explorer 2000 V2, a heavyweight portable power bank with enough juice to roast a whole chicken.

This week, the team chews over BT's potential rescue bid for TalkTalk and OpenAI's agents running amok on Wikipedia. We also chat about ArtCraft's similarities to Adobe Creative Cloud and the security vulnerability discovered in the ASOS shopping app.Our Hot Hardware of the Week candidate is the Bambu Lab A1 3D Printer.

The team tries to figure out what the hell ChatGPT’s new “Dots” are supposed to be, bids farewell to the Copilot+ PC and shares concerns over the rise of AI-powered dynamic pricing. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Acer Swift Air 14, a laptop offering a premium feel and decent performance for a penny under £700.

The team gives a puzzled welcome to Google’s new “Googlebook” laptops, and a more cautious one to Meta’s new Muse AI assistant. We also explore why mobile coverage is actually getting worse in major UK cities, and look at a possible way to reduce the energy consumption and cooling requirements of data centres. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the iPhone 18 Pro Max, so calibrate your expectations accordingly.

This week, Barry Collins, Jon Honeyball and Lee Grant decide if the brakes need to be deployed on AI development. We also look at a study saying that teenage reading standards have dropped and then debate Baroness Benjamin's bill to apply licensing to social media.Our Hot Hardware of the Week candidate is the OpenRun Pro 2 from Shokz

The team discusses the newly unveiled iPhone Duo, along with other announcements from John Ternus’ first major event as Apple CEO. We also ponder whether employers are right to incentivise the use of AI, and debate whether OpenAI acted properly in the way it went about solving a major mathematical puzzle. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the TP-Link Archer BN800, a new high-end router with an integrated power supply.

The team welcomes incoming Apple boss John Ternus, ponders warnings that AI could wreck financial systems and gapes incredulously at Sony’s attempt to argue in court that digital assets cannot be owned. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Coros Pace Pro, a serious sports watch with a long battery life and plenty of premium features.