Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface Go 3, Huawei MateBook 14s, and more: ZDNet's reviews roundup

The M1 Max chip proves that Apple Silicon can go toe-to-toe with the most powerful mobile workstations available from rival PC manufacturers. It also brings those extra little Apple touches to the table, such as the outstanding Liquid Retina XDR Display and the laptop's sleek, slimline design.

SEE: Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Max, late 2021) review: Apple supercharges its flagship laptop

The high-quality 220ppi PixelSense screen makes watching videos fun, and the speakers and webcam make for excellent video calls in Teams. But you'll definitely want to pick the higher-spec Core i3 model, and unless you're a Windows 11 fan or really need a particular Android app, Windows 10 might be the better choice until more of the kinks are ironed out. 

SEE: Microsoft Surface Go 3 review: A portable and versatile 2-in-1, but battery life disappoints

There are no deal-breakers, although it would be good to see a privacy cover for the webcam, along with a boost to 1080p resolution. Battery life is good, the keyboard is great to work with, and there's plenty of storage and a powerful processor to keep things going.

SEE: Huawei MateBook 14s (2021) review: A stylish 14-inch laptop with a 90Hz touch screen and good battery life

The Vivobook Pro 16X is solidly built and there's a lot to like under the surface. Battery life is great, the OLED screen is superb, and the keyboard is comfortable to use. The price is high, but content creators may find it well worth the outlay. 

SEE: Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (AMD) review: A 16-inch creator laptop with great battery life

The limited range of TravelMate Spin P4 models may deter business users who prefer to configure their laptops in detail. Nonetheless, the Spin P4 is an attractive and affordable workhorse laptop, with a robust convertible design that equips it well for life on the road.

SEE: Acer TravelMate Spin P4 review: A sturdy and affordable 2-in-1 business convertible

There are some modest changes to the second generation device, including a speedier processor, better cameras and it runs Android 11. In our opinion, Microsoft's second-generation foldable smartphone is off to a cautiously optimistic start.

SEE: Microsoft Surface Duo 2 review in progress: Two weeks in and I'm as confused as I am intrigued

The smaller Note Air2 is easier to tote and considerably cheaper, while the larger and more expensive Max Lumi2 offers more storage space and longer battery life. Whichever device you choose, Onyx will deliver a capable E Ink tablet suitable for creating as well as consuming content.

SEE: Onyx Boox Max Lumi2 & Note Air2, hands on: Capable E-Ink tablets for content consumption and creation

The Realme 8i is something of a mixed bag. On the plus side is the affordable price, the 120Hz screen refresh rate, impressive battery life, dual SIM support plus MicroSD storage expansion, and a competent main camera. On the minus side is relatively slow 18W battery charging, a disappointing speaker and no 5G support. 

SEE: Realme 8i review: An affordable phone with a 120Hz screen and good battery life

With Google Mobile Services onboard, the Honor 50 is a respectable mid-range 5G handset. The design is pleasing, the curved OLED screen is very good, and the 120Hz refresh rate is welcome. We also applaud the absence of big-name, third-party bloatware.

SEE: Honor 50 review: Google Mobile Services put this 5G handset on the mid-range map

The CAT S22 Flip is not designed to take on the Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy world, but it is rugged, functional, and affordable as a dedicated work phone. At $234, it's a good second phone for fieldwork or even a primary phone if you want a large keypad for basic communications.

SEE: CAT S22 Flip review: Rugged, classic Android phone for connectivity in the field

Amazfit continues to offer affordable smartwatches with the powerful Zepp smartphone application. The GTR 3 offers an amazing amount of customization, long battery life, lovely design elements, and extensive health and wellness data.

SEE: Amazfit GTR 3 review: An affordable smartwatch punching higher than its $180 price

The Evolve2 75 is optimized for hybrid work with the ability to work in your home office, on the commute, and at the office with ease. The headset lasts all day, is very comfortable, and offers an optimised audio experience.

SEE: Jabra Evolve2 75 headset review: Optimized for hybrid work with ANC and 24 hour talk time

While earbuds are one option for runners, another is to use bone conduction, so that your ears are open to the sound of vehicles, people, and the environment more generally. Mojawa's latest headset is a great option for runners.

SEE: Mojo 1 bone conduction headset review: Solid bass, reflective back, 8-hour battery

One thing is clear: the Pi Zero 2 W doesn't replace the Raspberry Pi Zero. Instead, it's best to think of it as a third member of the Pi Zero family at a new price point. If you need a low-cost, single-board device, it's well worth the investment. 

SEE: Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W review: Low-cost single-board device gets a quad-core upgrade

At $329.99/£240, the ScoutPro is quite a bit more expensive than other 24,000mAh portable batteries on the market. Pick the ScoutPro if you need to charge two laptops and a slew of other devices at once, or if you expect to use the charge-through option to charge up your laptop and battery at the same time.

SEE: Intelli ScoutPro, hands on: A heavy-duty portable power bank

With home working much more prevalent, a solid mesh Wi-Fi system might be a wise investment. The Linksys Velop WiFi 6 (AX4200) is easy to set up and, while the detailed controls could do with a bit more depth, these may well come as Linksys develops the system further.

SEE: Linksys Velop Mesh WiFi 6 (AX4200) System, hands on: A good mid-range mesh Wi-Fi system