The PC Pro Podcast

Real-Worlder Rois Ni Thauma rejoins the podcast as we discuss a cyber-attack that caused shop freezers to overheat, Microsoft’s efforts to make Windows 11 feel more responsive on systems with 8GB of RAM and Google’s admission that its AI summaries are less profitable than traditional search. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Asus ZenWiFi BN12, a new wireless mesh with Wi-Fi 8.

The team discusses the surprisingly low-key debut of the touchscreen MacBook Pro and ponders reports of mechanical problems with the first batch of iPhone Duo handsets. We also ask whether it’s wise to buy shares in Anthropic, and whether 60,000 Microsoft employees would do well to accept the company’s “voluntary exit offer”. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Leatherman Wave Plus, a stylish but pricey pocket tool.

The team discusses a major vulnerability in the ubiquitous PHP utility, mulls over the fallout of a Google Cloud outage in the UK and looks forward to a world where most AI workloads take place on our own devices rather than in data centres. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Synology DS925neo+, a desktop NAS appliance aimed at small businesses on a tight budget.

The team discusses Apple’s multi-pronged foray into AI smart home devices, welcomes Amazon’s new range of Google Play-enabled tablets and laments technology failures that could have prevented music students from getting the grades they deserved. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Jackery Explorer 2000 V2, a heavyweight portable power bank with enough juice to roast a whole chicken.

This week, the team chews over BT's potential rescue bid for TalkTalk and OpenAI's agents running amok on Wikipedia. We also chat about ArtCraft's similarities to Adobe Creative Cloud and the security vulnerability discovered in the ASOS shopping app.
Our Hot Hardware of the Week candidate is the Bambu Lab A1 3D Printer.