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Best multi-screen monitors for productivity and gaming

Best multi-screen monitors for productivity and gaming

Best for: Productivity perfection and curves to boot
Having recently unboxed, assembled (very simple, by the way) and hoisted this impressively sculpted offering from Philips, I can confirm that the new 34B2U3600C is an absolute beast. Tiltable and coming complete with a height adjustable – what I'm going to call – slider stand, it's at moments like that in a reviewer's life that they question the adequacy of the size of their desk.
Subtitled the 'Curved Business Monitor', it's most definitely curved, to a perfect 1500R degree to allow for a more immersive experience and ease of multimedia viewing, and it also most definitely means business, with a 34-inch, 21:9 aspect ratio VA LCD that comes packing a resolution of a razor sharp WQHD (3440 x 1440-pixels), married to a contrast ratio of 3500:1, a brightness of an illuminating 300cd/m2, response time of 4ms, and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. A spectacular set of specs, without a doubt, that mean this 'beast' can let you multiscreen your way through work and then instantly relieve any stresses of the corporate day in some online arena of savage combat or, should you be so inclined, behind the wheel of a classic 1987 Toyota Corolla Levin GT-Apex in Tokyo Xtreme Racing.
As briefly mentioned above, the Philips is a breeze to put together, featuring a screw-on stand base that takes mere seconds to secure to the arm, which then simply clicks securely into the back of the monitor – less than a minute, door-to-door. From that point on you can change the height of the monitor through 180mm, swivel through -/+180-degrees, and tilt through -5/30-degrees to achieve the absolute Goldilocks Zone of computing comfort.
Capable of connecting to two devices simultaneously with 'MultiView', once hooked up you can opt to go PIP (Picture-in-Picture) or PBP (Picture-by-Picture), the latter option splitting the display down the middle to act as two separate screens.
Connection-wise, the Philips is an embarrassment of options, racking up 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB-C (90W, DP Alt), 4x USB data ports, 1x 3.5mm audio output and 1x Ethernet RJ45 connection, so everything you could need is amply provided, while a built-in a Smart KVM switch lets you flip between sources with a simple click and utilise a single keyboard and mouse.
Finally, for the eyes there's 'Flicker-free tech', 'Low Blue Light', and 'Light Sensor', and for the ears there's 2x 5W speakers, so that's every multiscreen box well and truly ticked, making the Philips 34B2U3600C the absolute full-package at a price that seems far too reasonable for such a full spectrum of specs.

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What I Own: At 22 and 23, we bought a run down London four-bed for £910,000
What I Own: At 22 and 23, we bought a run down London four-bed for £910,000

Metro

time13 hours ago

  • Metro

What I Own: At 22 and 23, we bought a run down London four-bed for £910,000

Welcome back to What I Own – Metro's property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder. Nick Toteda and his long-term partner, Ant Cushion, originally bought a home in Canada, where Nick is from, before relocating in London. When they initially looked at their South West London four-bed in 2022, they were turned off by just how much work would need to be done. After a lot of reflection — and a second viewing — they decided to take a chance on a property that would need some TLC. They bought their house for £910,000, making it the last one on their street to sell for under £1,000,000. They've since spent a further £200,000 to renovate. Here's what they had to say about their property journey… You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. We're Nick (25) and Ant (26), a married couple and content creators. We share our life with our audience of more than 4,500,000. Our journey began with documenting our long-distance relationship between Canada and the UK. Since then, we've developed a love of renovating homes. We bought our property in South West London in 2022, but it needed a full renovation. After nearly a year of transforming it, which cost just under £200,000, we officially moved in, in 2023. We were incredibly lucky to secure the last house on our street to sell for under £1,000,000. Our property cost us £910,000. The house was in a derelict condition and had been sitting on the market for months. It had pretty much everything wrong with it except, thankfully, no foundational issues or subsidence. It was severely damp, almost every wall had blown plaster, and many of the original floor joists were completely rotten. There were places where you could feel the floors bowing beneath your feet. Despite all that, we tried to preserve as much original character as possible, such as the corbels in the entrance hallway and the cornices, but unfortunately, a lot of the original features were simply too far gone to salvage. We opted for a 20% deposit of £180,000. It was important to us that our monthly mortgage payments were manageable in the long term. Our mortgage is around £3,200 per month, and our other costs, such as insurance, heating, water, electricity, internet, and smaller household subscriptions like security systems, make up the remaining £500 to £800. We try to keep a close eye on everything, and we've found that being proactive with utilities and home maintenance helps keep costs from creeping up. We' both started working at a young age, so had about 10 years of savings each under our belts. Over time, we've also invested in ISAs and stocks, making sure our savings were growing rather than just sitting idle. In addition to that, we originally got on the property ladder in 2020 in Canada. Our first home wasn't in quite the right neighbourhood for us, so we sold it just four months later. Not long after, we bought another home, which we really loved. But then we decided to move back to the UK, and sold that home too. 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12 best Father's Day gifts on Amazon for the dad who has everything
12 best Father's Day gifts on Amazon for the dad who has everything

NBC News

timea day ago

  • NBC News

12 best Father's Day gifts on Amazon for the dad who has everything

Being faced with a ton of brands can actually make finding the best Father's Day gift overwhelming. This is what makes Amazon so helpful when you're in a dilemma: The retailer has a varied lineup of ideas for Father's Day gifts, including ones across categories like tech, small kitchen appliances, apparel and much more, many of which are on sale and eligible for expedited shipping with a Prime membership. Plus, Amazon sells products from top brands like Apple, Anker, Lego and other NBC Select favorites. The holiday falls on June 15 this year, and Amazon also has a disclaimer confirming if your gift will arrive before Father's Day. Below, we rounded up the best Father's Day gifts on Amazon to consider this year. The best Amazon Father's Day gift ideas in 2025 Below, I've rounded up the best Father's Day gift ideas on Amazon for each and every type of father, including products we've reviewed in the past along with some NBC Select staff favorites. 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This set comes with two USA Pickleball Association-approved paddles, made from a lightweight fiberglass and polypropylene material that helps to reduce vibrations and give your dad a stable strike on the court, according to the brand. The paddles also have ergonomic, sweat-absorbing handles, and come with four outdoor pickle balls, two grip tapes, and a carry bag to store everything in. Gifts under $100 Apple Airtag The Apple Airtag is our pick for the best iOS Bluetooth tracker for our NBC Select Travel Awards because of how easy to use and versatile it is. Rabinowitz says he uses his Airtags for every kind of travel, including short commutes and longer vacations. It pairs easily with Apple's FindMy app, which can help pinpoint the precise location of your tag within 30 feet, or the general location if it's outside of that range, according to the brand. Plus, Fernandez puts an Airtag in his wallet (with a holder) to prevent losing it when traveling abroad. 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Gifts $100 and up Amazon Kindle Paperwhite This is our pick for best overall e-reader because of its user-friendly design, and how easy and enjoyable it made reading — 'Using a Kindle single-handedly changed the way I read,' says NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider. The screen's brightness can be adjusted to your dad's preferred color settings, and the e-reader can also hold audiobooks (just in case your dad prefers to listen to his books instead). It's lightweight, compact and has no glare, making it the ideal pick for your favorite book-loving dad. This bird feeder is great for both bird watching experts and amateurs. It has a built-in battery and a camera with 1080P resolution, so your dad can view birds 24/7, according to the brand. It uses Wi-Fi connectivity that allows it to be installed without any outlets, and connects to the Birdfy app, which includes feeder footage and more. Aura Digital Picture Frame Digital photo frames are a great way to display memories, and this Aura frame is one of the very best. It's easy to set up using Wi-Fi, and your dad can easily add photos and videos from his phone to the frame using the Aura app, according to the brand. It has an HD display and unlimited storage, and your dad can also invite others to share photos to the frame as well. You can even pre-load the frame with your favorite family photos as a fun surprise for him to unwrap. Not only are these one of Sony's best over-ear headphones, they're also an NBC Select Wellness Awards winner. They're lightweight and comfortable with a great sound quality, and can last for up to 30 hours with a fully-charged battery, according to the brand. The headphones also have a very powerful active noise cancellation setting. Why trust NBC Select? I'm an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select who has given dozens of gift ideas for a variety of holidays and occasions, including the best zodiac gifts, aesthetic gifts, and fun-size gifts. For this article, I researched products across shopping categories on Amazon like tech, wellness, kitchen, outdoors and more, including previously-covered NBC Select staff favorites, and compiled the best gifts for dads to consider this year.

Brits are flocking to this ‘eclectic' suburb where homes are £63,000 cheaper
Brits are flocking to this ‘eclectic' suburb where homes are £63,000 cheaper

Metro

timea day ago

  • Metro

Brits are flocking to this ‘eclectic' suburb where homes are £63,000 cheaper

Slightly south of Rochdale lies the Greater Manchester town of Heywood, famous for its historical connections to both the cotton and mining trades. Fast forward to 2025, though, and it's become the number one UK hotspot for property sales, with prices well below the average (£63,029, to be precise). Over the last year, the housing market has been booming in Heywood, with an 88% increase in sales in the last 12 months alone. In fact, May 2025 was the busiest month for house purchases in more than three years, as figures like these haven't been seen since March 2022. It isn't just Heywood that's thriving, though, as Pudsey in West Yorkshire was given second place with an 85% increase, while Wilmslow in Cheshire came in at 66%, Irvine in Ayrshire 63%, and Rushden in Northamptonshire 61%. Just for good measure, the study also crunched the numbers in London, where it was Barnet that came up trumps with a 68% increase. You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Naturally, the average asking price was painfully more expensive than Greater Manchester at £735,218, according to Rightmove's figures. There was also representation from Kingston-upon-Thames with a 52% increase, while Tottenham and Mitcham came in at 51% and 49%. Thinking of relocating? Heywood is steeped in history and even has the impressive East Lancashire Railway, where train enthusiasts can ride a steam train. The line spans 12 miles and seven stops, with a hop-on, hop-off policy allowing travellers to explore the nearby market towns. Heywood is also inundated with green spaces, including Queen's Park, a Grade II-listed area that was awarded a Green Flag in 2020. If you fancy a longer walk, there's also the Hopwood Woodlands Circular or the Thirlmere Way, which even features an aqueduct along the route. Perfect for foodies, local businesses congregate at Heywood Market – touted as the 'heart of the community.' There are more than 30 independent stalls on offer here, from local butchers to fishmongers and bakers. It's positive news on the housing front, as according to Rightmove, the average home in Heywood went for £201,102 over the last year, while the asking prices tend to reach £205,221. That's miles below the typical going rate across the UK, which is currently £268,250, as data from Zoopla shows. Heywood might've gathered some mixed reviews over the years, but there are plenty of locals singing its praises. Over on the r/Manchester Subreddit, @ziradael shared that they grew up in the area – and they still live just down the road. They note that there are some 'very nice' areas with plenty 'going for it.' 'Bearded Baristas is a fab coffee shop. There are some great independent clothes shops and a couple of supermarkets, and I actually go to a couple of the local pubs every so often,' they penned. 'The town is quite diverse and people on the whole [are] very friendly. You may occasionally encounter some muppets but they are everywhere…also close to brilliant hikes and countryside.' Over on Facebook, local Damien Greenhalgh said that Heywood has 'strong community spirit' and 'decent outdoor green areas,' while it's been described as 'eclectic' elsewhere. As for neighbouring Rochdale, one Redditor described the town as 'beautiful from a nature perspective,' referencing the surrounding hills and dales. @atbenny added that the 'outskirts are lovely' and a mere '10 minutes into the wilderness of the Pennines,' while @CityofNorden said despite its 'bad rep,' there are 'plenty of decent areas and pubs.' More Trending 'Some of my favourite places are Greenbooth Reservoir and the moors around it,' they penned, further recommending Ashworth Valley Waterfall and Hollingworth Lake. Wondering about commuting in from Manchester? There's a direct bus from Heywood all the way through to Piccadilly Gardens. Simply hop on the 163, and you'll be there in just over 30 minutes. View More » There's also the option of taking the bus to Rochdale train station and taking the train to Manchester Victoria in 15 minutes. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The UK's most affordable seaside town is a 'paradise' with £220,000 average house prices MORE: Nearly half of landlords plan to raise rents by £888 this year MORE: Rachel Reeves reveals £15,000,000,000 transport projects – here's what we know

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