Articles by Andrew E. Freedman, Senior Editor

Andrew oversees laptop and desktop coverage and keeps up with the latest news in tech and gaming. His work has been published in Kotaku, PCMag, Complex, Tom’s Guide and Laptop Mag, among others. He fondly remembers his first computer: a Gateway that still lives in a spare room in his parents' home, albeit without an internet connection. When he’s not writing about tech, you can find him playing video games, checking social media and waiting for the next Marvel movie. Follow him on Threads @FreedmanAE and BlueSky @andrewfreedman.net. You can send him tips on Signal: andrewfreedman.01

Articles by: Andrew E. Freedman

Qualcomm details Snapdragon C specs for $300 laptops for the first time — claims 67% faster performance on battery than Intel N250, AC performance remains a mystery (updated)

By Andrew E. Freedman Last updated 13 August 26

Qualcomm has detailed the specs for its Snapdragon C processor, with 8 cores and claimed "all-day" battery life.

Best Laptops 2026: Our benchmarked picks for productivity, portability, and battery life

By Andrew E. Freedman Last updated 5 August 26

We test dozens of laptops a year for their performance, screen quality, and battery life, to find the best laptops right now across Windows, macOS, Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm notebooks.

Best Gaming PCs of 2026 — the top PCs we've benchmarked and reviewed

By Andrew E. Freedman Last updated 4 August 26

We test the best gaming PCs with our typical gauntlet of real-world and synthetic benchmarks to measure overall prebuilt system performance.

Best Gaming Laptops 2026: Tested and reviewed

By Andrew E. Freedman Last updated 3 August 26

Here are our favorite gaming laptops for every need, based on our testing and reviews.

A Mac Mini server is running headless in my closet — it manages my photo library and handles my backups

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 30 July 26

When I wanted to get more serious about backing up my family's data, I bought a refurbished Mac Mini and set it running headless in my closet. It's right for me.

Testing laptops on battery life and AC power

Testing laptops on battery and AC power — Comparing Intel, Qualcomm, Apple, and AMD

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 29 July 26

We tested laptops with processors from Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple to see the differences in how they perform on and off the charger.

Apple launches official program for leasing Macs as AI price crunch bites — 24- and 36-month leasing options provided by Klarna

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 28 July 26

Apple launched its Upgrade program in the US, a partnership with Klarna to lease Macs along with iPads, Watches, and iPhones.

Framework Laptop 13 Pro review: It cleans up nice

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 27 July 26

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro is its most solidly built laptop ever, with a bright display and long battery life sweetening the deal — if you can afford it.

Framework nearly doubles memory pricing for 32GB, 64GB Laptop 13 Pro overnight — CEO says absorbing LPCAMM2 supplier hikes would put 'our ability to operate at real financial risk'

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 22 July 26

The company is making adjustments to some existing pre-orders.

Best Handheld Gaming PCs 2026: Windows and Steam Decks tested

By Andrew E. Freedman Last updated 16 July 26

Here are our favorite handheld gaming PCs, based on our testing and reviews.

Apple sues OpenAI over alleged theft of trade secrets — claims company mentored incoming employees on bringing confidential information

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 10 July 26

Apple sued OpenAI, including its own former employees, over the theft of trade secrets as both companies build up AI hardware businesses.

Microsoft 'resets' Xbox by cutting 3,200 jobs this year, divesting five game studios — firm cites 'margins that are 3-10x lower than comparable platform and publishing businesses'

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 6 July 26

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced that Microsoft's gaming division will cut 3,200 jobs throughout FY27 and is spinning out studios but not canceling any games.

Steam Machine interview full transcript: Valve engineers discuss $1,049 pricing, compact design, component shortages, and Windows support

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 6 July 26

Premium Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais and Yazan Aldehayyat talked to Tom's Hardware about the Steam Machine, it's pricing, engineering, and even Windows support.

Xbox reportedly testing a way to digitize physical games in the wake of PlayStation killing game discs — feature said to go back to Xbox One-era games

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 1 July 26

Microsoft is reportedly testing a feature to digitize physical games going back to the Xbox One with digital copies tied to the owner of the physical disc.

Microsoft's flagship Windows PC lineup will drop reportedly drop budget options — firm prunes Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 30 June 26

Microsoft is further pruning its Surface line, with the Surface Laptop Go 3 and Surface Go 4 going out of stock without clear follow-ups.

Best College Laptops: Tested Picks for Research, Writing, Gaming and More

By Andrew E. Freedman Last updated 26 June 26

College laptops fit for any student.

Valve engineers talk Steam Machine, pricing, and the benefits of massive heatsinks — explain why Valve hardware needs to be a 'self-sustained program'

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 22 June 26

We talked to Valve engineers Pierre-Loup Griffais and Yazan Aldehayyat ahead of the Steam Machine's launch to learn more about its pricing, engineering, and how the company is handling availability.

Valve opens Steam Machine reservations — details $1,049 starting price, randomized queue to stop scalpers, and limited inventory

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 22 June 26

In a blog post, Valve explained its new randomized reservation systems, new tactics to stop scalpers, and why it has limited inventory.

Valve Steam Machine review: Couch gaming unboxed, but not always at 4K

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 22 June 26

Valve's Steam Machine is nice box to play PC games on your TV, and is well-designed. But you're not getting the latest hardware, despite a starting price above $1,000.

Best budget gaming laptops of 2026: The best cheap laptops we've tested and benchmarked

By Andrew E. Freedman Last updated 17 June 26

We benchmarked budget gaming laptops to help you get the most for your money.

Microsoft debuts Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with new jade green color and Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 chips — refreshed devices start at $1,499 with 16GB of RAM

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 16 June 26

Microsoft is updating the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop using the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 chips, along with haptic feedback on the Laptop's touchpad and a new jade color.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Coming in fast and hot

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 11 June 26

The Razer Blade 18 is a large gaming rig with an 18-inch dual-mode display and strong performance, but it runs hot and is very expensive.

Apple demonstrates cross-platform Siri upgrades in macOS 27 Golden Gate at WWDC — update brings Liquid Glass improvements and unifies AI strategy

By Andrew E. Freedman, Brandon Hill Published 8 June 26

At WWDC, Apple revealed its upcoming macOS update, macOS 27 Golden Gate, with a more refined Liquid Glass design and cross-platform Siri and Apple Intelligence features.

8GB of RAM is back on laptops — companies are lowering memory offerings to make affordable notebooks during component crisis

By Andrew E. Freedman Published 4 June 26

At Computex, Dell and Acer both introduced systems starting with 8GB of RAM to compete with the MacBook Neo, following a rush to 16GB systems in the last two years to bolster local AI.

Best of Computex 2026: Innovating despite disruptions

By The Editors of Tom's Hardware Published 4 June 26

From affordable premium laptops to next-gen handhelds, and Nvidia bringing its Spark to Windows on Arm, these are the 11 best products introduced at this year’s show.

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