APC

For people who love technology, APC is unique: it's the world's longest-published monthly tech magazine. Launched in May 1980, we were there when Apple's Macintosh and IBM's PC were born, and have been at the forefront of tech ever since. With a combination of insights, testing and tutorials APC lets you stay up-to-date with tech as it changes the world.

APC

Memories of cheap memory • Damn you, AI…

Exclusive downloads • Your free full-version apps as a thanks for reading APC. These exclusive downloads will only be available for a limited time, from 15/12/25 to 01/02/26. Download these APC exclusives free from: www.apcmag.com/exclusives

News • Everything you need to know from the month in tech

Full Steam ahead • Valve stuns the gaming world with the all-new Steam Machine and VR headset.

The Steam Frame

From GPT to HBM – how the AI boom is causing the next tech crisis. • Mark Williams watches in horror as the Stargate opens, sucking the memory market through a wormhole.

The Steam Machine looks great, but the price isn’t right • Valve needs to rethink pricing if it wants to challenge consoles.

Tech firms have learned marketing lessons from fast-food companies • But Jon Honeyball is increasingly disappointed by the goods.

GADGETS • Unnecessary but desirable things

Can humanoid robots work? • Nicole Kobie introduces five humanoid robots that want to take our jobs, although only one has succeeded – so far.

REVIEWS • Expert reviews and recommendations to help you buy with confidence

Asus Prime Case AP202 • Asus’ new mATX PC case looks pretty in pictures, but does function match its form?

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W • Asus has made a stupid-fast, 720Hz gaming monitor using new Tandem OLED technology.

Gigabyte M27UP • A dual-mode, 4K gaming monitor that doesn’t cost the Earth? Count us interested.

Samsung ViewFinity S8 37 • A 16:9 37-incher for productivity at a nice price.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max • For photos and videos there’s really no better choice.

Apple iPhone 17 • The 17 offers more for your money than the others in Apple’s new range.

Google Pixel Watch 4 • The new King of Android smart watches.

Apple iPhone Air • For many, this could be the most desirable iPhone of them all.

Apple Watch Series 11 • The standard Apple Watch gets welcome upgrades.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 • A big watch with big features.

Apple Watch SE 3 • The perfect set of essentials.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold • Buying a phone is often a game of compromises, as we find here.

Google Play Games on PC • A world of (often) good free games awaits.

RapidWeaver Elements • A website builder that’s made for pros but is surprisingly accessible.

Microphones • A whole host of new streaming microphones are here, so it’s time for Andy Edser to sort the sonic superstars from the aural nightmares.

COULD THIS $170 PI RUN YOUR OFFICE? • Barry Collins spends a week working on a Raspberry Pi… and rather likes it.

Electric air dusters • From canned air to electric dusters – Lindsay Handmer presents a practical guide.

WHAT’S NEW IN MICROSOFT WORD • The world’s best-known word processor just keeps on gaining new capabilities. Nik Rawlinson checks out the latest features you might have missed.

FIVE THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT QR CODES • There’s more to these little mosaics than meets the eye; Darien Graham-Smith discovers it’s hip to be square.

MICROSOFT DEFENDER vs THE WORLD’S BEST SECURITY SUITES • WITH MICROSOFT’S TOOL NOW OFFERING SOLID PROTECTION YEAR UPON YEAR, WE FIND OUT WHICH OF THE SECURITY SUITES JUSTIFIES...