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Hardware round-up: 15 bits of kit we've reviewed in the past month

From the new Apple iPad to a headset for commuters, here's 15 pieces of hardware our reviewers tested in April.
By ZDNET Editors, Contributor
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1 of 15 Jason Cipriani/ZDNet

Apple iPad (2018)

At $329, the sixth-generation iPad is the iPad for most users. It's fast, reliable, and secure. Throw in the $99 Apple Pencil and the functionality expands considerably. The new iPad is a worthy upgrade, or a stellar first tablet for consumers, business users, and, yes, students.

Read our full review

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2 of 15 Huawei

Huawei MateBook X Pro

A solid piece of hardware that appeals to those who want the biggest touchscreen display possible in the smallest form factor, while also enjoying an amazing speaker experience. It is quite expensive compared to competing products and realises its full potential when paired with a Huawei smartphone.

Read our full review

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3 of 15 Dell

Dell XPS 13 9370 (2018)

The latest incarnation of the Dell XPS 13 is a very impressive laptop indeed. The near bezel-free screen is sharp, bright and a pleasure to view, and sound output impresses too. The keyboard is beautifully weighted, and battery life impresses. The only downside is the camera location.

Read our full review

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4 of 15 ZDNet

Huawei P20

The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is a long lasting solid smartphone and the P20 brings all of those experiences in a slightly smaller form factor. However, the Mate 10 Pro has an excellent rear fingerprint sensor and a larger battery, so it may be a better choice for the enterprise. In either case, you can pick up an excellent competitor to Samsung for $650 to $750.

Read our full review

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5 of 15 Fitbit

Fitbit Versa

It's nice to finally have a reliable and affordable alternative to the Apple Watch that works across multiple platforms. We had zero hesitation in recommending the Versa. Welcome to the smartwatch race, Fitbit - it's about time.

Read our full review

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6 of 15 HP

HP ZBook x2 G4 Detachable Workstation

This detachable is a powerhouse for creative types, and has a lot going for it. The bezel shortcuts for pen users are a highlight, and the pen itself is superb. The detachable configuration has been well thought-out and well implemented. However, the audio subsystem is disappointing and moderate battery life will rule out some use cases.

Read our full review

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7 of 15 Dell

Dell 86 4K Interactive Touch Monitor

If you simply need a large, wall-mounted display for conference room presentations, then Dell and other manufacturers do provide alternatives that are considerably less expensive. However, the precise, multi-user touch controls of the Dell 86 make it an attractive option for organisations and workgroups that require a versatile display for collaboration and brainstorming sessions.

Read our full review

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8 of 15 Sony

Sony Xperia XZ2

The redesigned shape and styling of Sony's flagship Xperia XZ2 handset will appeal to some, but we found it slippy to hold and prone to wriggling around on the desk. The camera promises much, but it's tricky to get the most out of 4K video or the super slow-motion mode. Sony's insistence on including non-removable third-party apps is irritating. Finally, battery life is underwhelming.

Read our full review

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9 of 15 Adonit

Adonit Ink Pro

At £79 (inc. VAT, or $89.99), Adonit's Ink Pro is both cheaper than the Surface Pen and more capable. We really liked the page navigation and Cortana control buttons, and the charging dock is as well thought-out as the pen itself. The Ink Pro is well worth considering, especially if you use a Windows tablet without a keyboard attached all the time.

Read our full review

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10 of 15 Huawei

Huawei P20 Pro

A superb handset, with its triple rear camera setup the clear headline-stealer. Elsewhere, performance is great and battery life is among the best we've seen in recent times. Most of the negatives are a little picky, the exception being the fingerprint sensor location. This really should be on the back and not beneath the screen, where it's very awkward to find one-handed.

Read our full review

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11 of 15 Dell

Dell Precision Workstation AIO 5720

This workstation is not without its flaws, but its high-end graphics performance ensures that it's well suited to tasks such as photography, design and illustration work. It's also considerably less expensive than rivals such as the iMac Pro and Microsoft's Surface Studio. And with its relatively easy user repairs and upgrades, it should find favour with budget-conscious IT managers too.

Read our full review

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12 of 15 Nokia

Nokia 2

Overall, the Nokia 2 does the brand no favours. The processor/RAM combination delivers disappointing performance, while 8GB of internal storage means that many users will have to buy a MicroSD card, adding to the outlay. If your budget for a smartphone is around £100, you'd do well to shop around.

Read our full review

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13 of 15 Gemini

Gemini PDA

The Gemini PDA is an impressive device that's reminiscent enough of the old Psion Series 5 to pull its hardware strengths into 2018, while taking advantage of both Android and Linux to deliver a competent computing environment. It deserves to make waves.

Read our full review

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14 of 15 Reolink

Reolink Argus 2

If you need a small, inconspicuous security camera that can be mounted anywhere and accessed from anywhere, the Argus 2 offers pretty good value at £121.99 ($129.99). The optional solar panel costs £26.99 ($29.99).

Read our full review

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15 of 15 Plantronics

Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC

This headset is comfortable to wear and has ergonomically located, sensibly configured neckband controls. The little charge station is handy, and the carry case should prove useful. It's just a pity that the noise cancelling is below par.

Read our full review

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