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Alun Taylor

Over the past decade, Alun has written on a freelance basis for several publications on subjects ranging from mobile technology to audio kit and from electric cars to industrial heritage. He usually leans towards the Android and Linux side of any argument. Prior to becoming a technology writer, he worked for a major international record company – quite what either job has to do with his degree in Early Medieval History is a bit of a grey area. An adopted Mancunian, Alun divides his time between writing, loitering on the periphery of the music business and dealing with his deranged Norwegian Elkhound.

Recent articles by Alun Taylor

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 front, at an angle
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3: A price hike too far
Ultraportable laptops

Microsoft’s baby laptop continues to be a thing of quality and beauty, but the new model is a touch too expensive

799 inc VAT (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
Chillblast Phantom16 review teaser
Chillblast Phantom 16 review: Mostly impressive
Gaming laptops

It may not use the latest generation CPU and GPU but the Chillblast Phantom 16 still packs a punch

1699 (inc VAT)
Acer Nitro 17 review teaser
Acer Nitro 17: A perfectly balanced gaming laptop
Gaming laptops

Acer’s latest 17in Nitro has few faults worthy of mention and offers great value for money

1350 (inc VAT)
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 - front head on, open
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: A new age for Chromebooks
Chromebooks

Chromebook Plus guarantees modern silicon, decent storage and memory without a big price hike

429 inc VAT
Asus Vivobook S15 OLED review: A solid overall laptop
Laptops

An attempt to reinvent the basic 15.6in laptop with a rather fine OLED display. It’s not cheap, but it is a cut above the competition

1299 inc VAT
Dell XPS 13 Plus: A truly revolutionary laptop
Laptops

Dell overhauls its much-vaunted XPS design and the result is gorgeous, ultra-portable and remarkably powerful

2004 inc VAT
Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Edition: 3D or not 3D?
Laptops

The recent update to the 3D engine is impressive, but more high-quality games are needed

3700 (Inc VAT)
MSI Katana 15 review: Let down by its display
Gaming laptops

A drab screen and small battery knock the shine off an otherwise decent compact gaming laptop

1199 (Inc VAT)
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 (2023) review: State of the art
Gaming laptops

Blistering performance, a great display and in-your-face aesthetic make the Scar 16 the quintessential gaming laptop

3400 (inc VAT)
The best gaming laptops to buy in 2023
Gaming laptops

Gaming on the go has never been easier. Here are our pick of the best gaming laptops for every budget