Latest news with #MattElliott
CNET
3 days ago
- CNET
Buying Refurbished Tech Can Be a Bargain or a Bust. Here's What to Look For
Buying a new tablet and laptop for school can be expensive. Some of the latest devices cost around $1,000, and those hefty price tags have 78% of shoppers are concerned about big-ticket purchases, according to a recent CNET survey. But there's a workaround that CNET experts stand by -- refurbished tech. When David Carnoy, a CNET executive editor and tech expert, buys refurbished products, they're usually labeled "Like new" or "Very good." "In some cases, you can do well with a previous generation of a premium product that's almost as good as the current model but is well discounted because it's the previous generation," Carnoy said. Buying secondhand devices could save you a fraction of a four-figure retail price on a new device, while still having all the specifications and features you need. But it could be a waste of money if you don't know what to watch out for. Here's what CNET experts advise before you buy. Check the laptop or tablet's battery health first To maximize quality over time, Carnoy recommends checking the battery's condition to make sure it's like new or has recently been replaced. Matt Elliott, CNET senior editor and computer expert, agrees that this is the most important detail to look at. "When a battery starts to go, that really begins to shorten the lifespan of the product and your return on investment," Elliott said. Some laptops have built-in apps and software to check the battery life of a device. For example, if you're buying a MacBook, you can go to the System Settings to check the battery health. If it's "Normal," the battery should be OK. But "Replace Now" and "Replace Soon: alerts should be a cause to pause if you're buying the laptop in that condition. If battery longevity is a top priority, start by looking at the best battery-life laptops to maximize your runtime. Read the warranty and return policy before you buy Most new products come with a one-year limited warranty to cover any defects or software issues. Just as if you were buying new, Carnoy recommends at least a one-year warranty for any used device you buy. Backmarket is one of a few secondhand retailers CNET experts recommend, and it has a one-year limited warranty offered by the seller from the date of delivery. The warranty covers defects, but like most warranties, many instances aren't covered, including any accidents or manufactured parts that you change. Elliott also recommends being aware of the return policy before buying. Backmarket's is 30 days, like most retailers. Read more: The Best Places to Sell Your Used Electronics: 7 Trusted Marketplaces in 2025 Look out for dings and defects in the device Some scratches or features may be worth overlooking, especially if they won't sacrifice the functionality. But Elliott recommends taking a close look at the device before buying. "Read the product description very carefully so you understand the type of wear and tear on the product to prevent being disappointed if it arrives with a scratch, dent or another cosmetic defect," says Elliott. Carnoy bought a refurbished iPad from Best Buy that was in "Fair" condition, but had a steep discount. It had a single scratch mark, but he was able to cover it with a case, so it was worth the cost. In other cases, you may be able to save money by getting the latest version with no dings or defects. "For instance, Sony's current flagship headphone, the WH-1000XM6 costs $450. But Sony still sells the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4, which cost less and are still very good headphones," said Carnoy. But it's always best to look closely at the device and its specifications before you buy. If you're unsatisfied, that's where the return policy can come in handy. Don't ignore back-to-school tech deals Retailers, including Best Buy, Apple, Lenovo and Amazon, all have deals in time for back-to-school, so don't let secondhand tech be your only money-saving strategy. Some retailers may offer deals on new tech that may mean you'll save even more money than buying a used laptop or tablet, and some last for a while. For example, students, parents and educators can choose AirPods or an eligible accessory when buying a Mac or iPad with educational savings through Sept. 30.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
Don't Buy Refurbished Tech for Back-to-School Season Without Reading This First
Back-to-school tech purchases are stressing out most US adults. That's according to a recent CNET survey, which found 78% of shoppers are concerned about big-ticket purchases, like tablets and laptops. The price tag, unexpected tech fees and finding a quality device are a few of the concerns. One way to lower that cost is to buy refurbished tech -- a tech shopping strategy CNET experts stand by. When David Carnoy, a CNET executive editor and tech expert, buys refurbished products, they're usually labeled "Like new" or "Very good." "In some cases, you can do well with a previous generation of a premium product that's almost as good as the current model but is well discounted because it's the previous generation," Carnoy said. Before you buy a laptop from a secondhand seller, there are a few tips that can help you get the best deal and quality, even though it's not the latest and greatest. Here's what to know. Check the battery health first To maximize quality over time, Carnoy recommends checking the battery's condition to make sure it's like new or has recently been replaced. Matt Elliott, CNET senior editor and computer expert, agrees that this is the most important detail to look at. "When a battery starts to go, that really begins to shorten the lifespan of the product and your return on investment," Elliott said. Some laptops have built-in apps and software to check the battery life of a device. For example, if you're buying a MacBook, you can go to the System Settings to check the battery health. If it's "Normal," the battery should be OK. But "Replace Now" and "Replace Soon: alerts should be a cause to pause if you're buying the laptop in that condition. If battery longevity is a top priority, start by looking at the best battery-life laptops to maximize your runtime. Make sure your device has a warranty and return policy Most new products come with a one-year limited warranty to cover any defects or software issues. Just as if you were buying new, Carnoy recommends at least a one-year warranty for any used device you buy. Backmarket is one of a few secondhand retailers CNET experts recommend, and it has a one-year limited warranty offered by the seller from the date of delivery. The warranty covers defects, but like most warranties, many instances aren't covered, including any accidents or manufactured parts that you change. Elliott also recommends being aware of the return policy before buying. Backmarket's is 30 days, like most retailers. Read more: The Best Places to Sell Your Used Electronics: 7 Trusted Marketplaces in 2025 Closely look at the device before buying Some scratches or features may be worth overlooking, especially if they won't sacrifice the functionality. But Elliott recommends taking a close look at the device before buying. "Read the product description very carefully so you understand the type of wear and tear on the product to prevent being disappointed if it arrives with a scratch, dent or another cosmetic defect," says Elliott. Carnoy bought a refurbished iPad from Best Buy that was in "Fair" condition, but had a steep discount. It had a single scratch mark, but he was able to cover it with a case, so it was worth the cost. In other cases, you may be able to save money by getting the latest version with no dings or defects. "For instance, Sony's current flagship headphone, the WH-1000XM6 costs $450. But Sony still sells the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4, which cost less and are still very good headphones," said Carnoy. But it's always best to look closely at the device and its specifications before you buy. If you're unsatisfied, that's where the return policy can come in handy. Don't ignore deals on new tech Retailers, including Best Buy, Apple, Lenovo and Amazon, all have deals in time for back-to-school, so don't let secondhand tech be your only money-saving strategy. Some retailers may offer deals on new tech that may mean you'll save even more money than buying a used laptop or tablet, and some last for a while. For example, students, parents and educators can choose AirPods or an eligible accessory when buying a Mac or iPad with educational savings through Sept. 30.
CNET
02-08-2025
- Business
- CNET
The Microsoft Surface 7-- Our Pick for Best Overall Windows Laptop -- Just Hit Some of the Lowest Prices We've Seen
With back-to-school season kicking off, a new laptop might well be on your supply list. With so many options and price points, it's hard to know what is really worth investing in. One laptop our reviewers have been consistently impressed with is the Microsoft Surface laptop. In fact, it's our pick for best overall Windows laptop. What's even better is that right now Best Buy has both the 13.8-inch and 15-inch models on sale. You can currently pick up the 13.8-inch Surface laptop for $1,000 -- a $200 discount. The 15-inch Surface is also discounted to $1.200, a $300 savings. Upgrade to more memory and you can save even more, up to $400. These are some of the best prices we've seen on the Microsoft Surface 7. Plus, Best Buy has a trade-in program that allows you to bring in an old device for more savings. The exact amount will depend on what you are trading in, but there's potential to save several hundred dollars. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. This laptop has a lot to offer. In his robust review of the Microsoft Surface laptop, Senior Editor Matt Elliott found it to be "beautiful, durable and compact" in the 13.8 inch version. In our big roundup of best Windows laptops, our testers also noted the battery life was exceptional, "The Surface Laptop 7 ran for nearly 20 hours in testing -- that's the longest runtime of any 13- or 14-inch laptop we've ever reviewed -- including the M4 MacBook Air." Both models are the 7th edition, which is the latest model, and feature haptic touchpad and touchscreen. For the $1,000 price point, the 13.8 model has Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB of memory and 512GB SSD. You can upgrade to Snapdragon Elte for $1,100, which is a $300 discount. If you want the 15-inch, it automatically comes with Snapdragon X Elite. For $1,200 you will get 512GB of storage. If you want to upgrade to 1TB of storage for this model, you will save $400, bringing that price down to $1,300. Regardless of the exact configuration you opt for, they are all a great price. One of the lowest we've seen, and just in time for the fall season. If you're not sure if this is the right laptop for you, check out some of our other laptop deals. Why this deal matters Even at the full price, our reviewers sing the praises of this Windows laptop, calling it a rival of the MacBook Air. Picking one up for hundreds of dollars less just sweetens the deal. If you're in the market for a Windows laptop that will last for years, this is your best bet.
Sky News AU
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
‘Thriving in the second half of your life': Former NRL coach Matt Elliott releases new book
Rugby coach and former player Matt Elliott discusses his new book titled 'Winning the Second Half'. 'It's really about thriving in the second half of your life,' Mr Elliott told Sky News Australia. 'It's really written from my own perspective … a toolkit to provide people with things they can do.'
CNET
01-08-2025
- CNET
HP OmniBook X Flip 16 Review: A Poorly Stitched Frankenstein of a 2-in-1
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 6.5 / 10 SCORE HP OmniBook X Flip 16 $1,510 at HP Pros Beautiful 3K OLED display Solid productivity performance Lengthy battery life Cons Stiff price for a machine with integrated graphics Drab design Latticeless keyboard and mechanical touchpad are subpar Gets hot and loud under load HP OmniBook X Flip 16 6.5/10 CNET Score $1,510 at HP A key factor distinguishing Windows PC laptops from their Apple counterparts is that PCs are, inevitably, a sum of their parts. MacBooks are designed inside and out by Apple, including its own M-series processors. In contrast, PC manufacturers rely on component OEMs to turn out the CPUs, GPUs and other pieces from which their machines are constructed. This means that one of the great arts of laptop design is choosing the right parts to marry, then creating a chassis to properly house and cool them. Some machines achieve a gestalt, transcending the potential of their components individually. Others, like HP's 16-inch two-in-one, the OmniBook X Flip 16, fail to find the right recipe and end up being less than the sum of their parts. The OmniBook X Flip 16 is the larger version of the OmniBook X Flip 14, which CNET Senior Editor Matt Elliott found to be a stylish and well-priced midrange two-in-one. Sadly, I'm not nearly as high on its larger sibling. HP OmniBook X Flip 16 Price as reviewed $1,660 Display size/resolution 16-inch 2,880x1,800 120Hz OLED CPU Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Memory 32GB LPDDR5X Graphics Intel Arc 140V Storage 2TB SSD Ports Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Operating system Windows 11 Home Weight 4.2 pounds The OmniBook X Flip 16 is part of HP's revival of its OmniBook branding, which kicked off at the end of 2024 after a 22-year hiatus. OmniBook replaces HP's Pavilion, Envy and Spectre series of consumer laptops, and the Flip suffix means it can convert into tablet mode with a 360-degree display hinge. The X series sits near the top of the OmniBook stack, underneath only the top-end machines in the OmniBook Ultra line. Below the OmniBook X are the OmniBook 3, 5 and 7, ranging from budget machines to midrange productivity laptops. According to HP, the OmniBook X is designed for "creators and AI enthusiasts on the move." There are many configuration options for the model, including either AMD or Intel processors. At its cheapest, the (AMD-powered) OmniBook X Flip 16 can be had for $900 at HP, while my configuration retails for $1,660 and can usually be found discounted for closer to $1,500. The biggest upgrade cost was changing the display from a 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution LCD to an OLED screen for $210. The CPU and memory upgrade from an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V/16GB of RAM to the Ultra 258V/32GB of RAM adds $80, and moving from the default 512GB SSD to 2TB costs $170. The HP OmniBook X Flip 16 starts at £1,030 in the UK and AU$1,899 in Australia. Matt Elliott/CNET HP OmniBook X Flip 16 performance When it comes to performance, the OmniBook X Flip 16 is on par with competing laptops with similar configurations. On the Geekbench 6 benchmark test, it was edged out in single-core and multicore by the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1, which packs an identical CPU. The only place it outperformed its Dell competitor in CPU testing was in the multicore benchmark in Cinemark, but it also lost out in the more holistic PCMark 10 test. It did shine in the Procyon AI Computer Vision test, which evaluates the performance of AI inference engines on PCs/Macs. It finished just ahead of two other two-in-ones I've reviewed recently to have run this test, and it completely outclassed the Acer Swift 16 AI, which features a Core Ultra 9 chip. It's interesting to note that the Core Ultra 9 is built for raw performance and offers only a fraction of the TOPS that you get with the lower-series Core Ultra chip found on the OmniBook X Flip 16. If you're not sure what processor would be good for your needs, check out our Laptop CPU explainer. The Flip 16's four-cell, 68-watt-hour battery also did quite well in our YouTube streaming battery test. It endured for nearly 15 hours, which is plenty of juice to get you through a full workday and beyond, even if you're pushing higher-productivity workloads. That's especially impressive given the power demands of the large, high-resolution OLED. Where the Flip 16 is less impressive is on the heat dissipation side. The slim rubber striping on the underside of the machine leaves very little clearance between the intake vent and whatever surface it's perched on. Bizarrely, there are two grills alongside the keyboard that read as speakers but are, in fact, cooling vents, yet they seem to do very little to help circulate air through the chassis. The result is a lot of heat and significant fan noise, topping out around 38 dB(A) after short stints of heavy loads like triple-A gaming. Matt Elliott/CNET A pretty display with little else to gloat about The exterior design of the OmniBook X Flip 16 can be described, charitably, as understated. Less charitably, it's bland, verging on personalityless. While I rather like the latest iteration of the HP logo, I don't find the black-on-matte-black color visually arresting. In fact, it's extremely generic and forgettable. At 4.2 pounds, the OmniBook X Flip 16 isn't heavy for a 16-inch model, but its size and weight still make it a chore to tote around. And even though it's not overly thick (at a respectable 0.6 of an inch), its size and weight make using the OmniBook X Flip 16 in tablet mode an awkward proposition when used handheld -- it's best suited for table or lap use. Still, it's lighter than the 4.4-pound Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1, but not nearly as lightweight as the 3.3-pound Acer Swift Go 16, which is a traditional laptop and not a two-in-one. Two-in-ones are generally a bit heavier because they have a sturdier, 360-degree hinge, and a touch display also adds a bit of weight because of its added touch layer. Matt Elliott/CNET In an otherwise undistinguished design, the display stands out. It's a gorgeous 3K, 120Hz OLED that delivers a crisp image and an OLED's signature rich color and spectacular contrast. That said, it also suffers from OLED's Achilles' heel, topping out at a scant 397 nits of brightness. This means that you'll likely want to keep the brightness cranked to its maximum setting at all times and that you probably won't be using it extensively outside (at least on sunny days) or in brightly lit settings. Also, while I'll never complain about a high-refresh panel, without a discrete GPU, you're unlikely to be pushing enough frames to properly take advantage of the panel's 120Hz capability. The major disappointment of the design is the keyboard deck. The keyboard itself is a cramped, latticeless affair with big, flat keys. While Matt was a fan of the latticeless design on the OmniBook X Flip 14, as someone whose ideal keyboard is of the clicky, tactile mechanical variety, I prefer some space between my keys. It's too bad that HP couldn't shrink the vents on either side of the keyboard to give more space to the keyboard itself. The keys also offer very little travel, and their flat, undifferentiated texture leads to an unfortunate number of typos. In a 16-inch two-in-one, I'd love to see a keyboard that took better advantage of all that real estate and included at least an abbreviated number pad. Matt Elliott/CNET The touchpad is also subpar. HP has opted for a bog-standard mechanical trackpad that, unlike a haptic alternative, feels cheap and like a missed opportunity. A glass haptic pad would've gone a long way to imparting a premium feel to this premium-priced laptop and displayed an attention to detail that's lacking throughout the Flip 16's design. The fact that the speakers aren't positioned under those two generous grilles by the keyboard, and are instead confined behind two slender slots on the front edge of the keyboard deck, does no favors for the sound quality. While the top-end volume is fairly impressive, the sound quality is not, and if you plan to listen to music or watch films on the Flip 16, I strongly recommend a pair of headphones (ideally noise-canceling to combat the fan noise) or external speakers. Matt Elliott/CNET The webcam is also fairly underwhelming despite its 5-megapixel resolution. It struggles a bit with motion and, while serviceable for work calls or meetings, is disappointing in a machine positioned as a high-end productivity workhorse. It also regularly failed to recognize my face for the Windows Hello sign-in function. HP does include a lightweight pen with the Flip 16, which magnetically attaches to the lower right of the machine when not in use and is USB-C rechargeable. It's a nice addition, though I prefer a dedicated dock; leaving it clamped to the side of the laptop always makes me nervous I'll lose it somewhere. Is the HP OmniBook X Flip 16 worth buying? While the display is impressive and the battery life admirable, the OmniBook X Flip 16 is hamstrung by too many odd choices and disappointing features, making it difficult to recommend. It's also not exactly priced to entice, leaning into territory inhabited by more capable machines (many of which include discrete GPUs, with all the gaming and creative advantages that come with them). For the price of the OmniBook X Flip 16 I tested, if you're not getting a dedicated GPU, then you should rightly expect a better keyboard, touchpad, webcam and speakers. For significantly less than the Flip 16's price, you can grab an Acer Swift Go 16, which also includes a beautiful OLED panel and outperformed the Flip 16 on the majority of our benchmarks. While the Swift can't match the Flip 16 for battery life and doesn't offer two-in-one functionality, it makes for a much cheaper date if you want a big-screen OLED laptop for home use. Hide our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 How we test computers Photo Gallery 1/1 The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computerlike devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments. The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we're currently running on every compatible computer include Primate Labs Geekbench 6, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found on our How We Test Computers page. Hide our expert take Geekbench 6 CPU (multi-core) Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-73) 15867 Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 12388 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250) 11080 Acer Swift 16 AI (SF16-51T) 10993 HP Envy x360 16 10941 HP OmniBook X Flip 16 10919 Lenovo Yoga 7 16 Gen 9 9507 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16 8939 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Geekbench 6 CPU (single-core) Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250) 2760 HP OmniBook X Flip 16 2727 Acer Swift 16 AI (SF16-51T) 2716 Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-73) 2697 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16 2587 HP Envy x360 16 2510 Lenovo Yoga 7 16 Gen 9 2378 Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 2258 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Cinebench 2024 CPU (multi-core) Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 883 Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-73) 815 HP Envy x360 16 748 Acer Swift 16 AI (SF16-51T) 533 HP OmniBook X Flip 16 509 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250) 491 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16 426 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Cinebench 2024 CPU (single-core) Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-73) 124 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250) 122 Acer Swift 16 AI (SF16-51T) 121 HP OmniBook X Flip 16 120 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16 108 Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 103 HP Envy x360 16 100 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance PCMark 10 Pro Edition Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-73) 7263 Acer Swift 16 AI (SF16-51T) 6855 Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 6829 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250) 6805 HP OmniBook X Flip 16 6723 HP Envy x360 16 6671 Lenovo Yoga 7 16 Gen 9 6618 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16 6067 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance 3DMark Time Spy Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 8237 Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-73) 4559 HP OmniBook X Flip 16 4409 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250) 4190 Acer Swift 16 AI (SF16-51T) 4179 HP Envy x360 16 2828 Lenovo Yoga 7 16 Gen 9 2573 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16 1770 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Procyon AI Computer Vision (integer) HP OmniBook X Flip 16 (Intel AI Boost NPU, OpenVINO) 1714 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel AI Boost NPU, OpenVINO) 1660 Acer Swift 16 AI (Intel AI Boost NPU, OpenVINO) 1624 Acer Swift Go 16 (Intel AI Boost NPU, OpenVINO) 720 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Online streaming battery drain test Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16 15:34 HP OmniBook X Flip 16 14:38 Acer Swift 16 AI (SF16-51T) 12:20 Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 11:11 HP Envy x360 16 11:11 Lenovo Yoga 7 16 Gen 9 10:57 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250) 8:58 Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-73) 7:41 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance
