In the not-so-distant past, the tech industry grappled with lockdowns and chip shortages, leading to scarcity and prolonged delays in product launches. Fast forward to 2023, and the scene has undergone a remarkable transformation. A tidal wave of cutting-edge technology has surged into the market, creating a continuous flow of product releases that captivated tech enthusiasts and consumers alike.
Amidst this abundance, only a handful of standout products managed to secure the coveted Editors’ Choice award, distinguishing themselves as the epitome of excellence. In the midst of this bustling and competitive landscape, we proudly present the crème de la crème — the Best PC Hardware and Software of 2023. These products have made significant contributions, setting new benchmarks in innovation and performance within the dynamic tech realm.
Let’s delve into the remarkable achievements and advancements that have shaped the tech narrative, recognizing the exceptional impact of these top-tier products.
In the laptop category, the Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630 emerged as a standout choice. Whether for gaming or productivity, this laptop offers a versatile performance. Boasting a large high-refresh-rate display, a fast fingerprint reader, robust battery life, and reliable performance, the Inspiron Plus 16 is equipped to handle a range of tasks. Even gaming is on the table, thanks to the inclusion of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. With a durable aluminum chassis and an impressive 11-hour battery life, the Dell Inspiron Plus 16 clinches its position as the top notebook of 2023.
Best desktop PC: Falcon Northwest FragBox
For desktop PCs, the Falcon Northwest FragBox takes the crown. Described as the single best desktop PC ever tested, the FragBox impresses not just with its internal components but also with its small, cool, and quiet custom chassis. Representing the epitome of boutique custom PCs, the FragBox combines extreme power with a superior buying experience, excellent warranty, and meticulous craftsmanship. While not a budget-friendly option, its perfection makes it a compelling choice for those seeking the best in desktop computing.
Best gaming handheld: Asus ROG Ally
In the realm of gaming handhelds, Asus introduces the ROG Ally, competing in a space dominated by Valve’s Steam Deck. With a beautiful 1080p 120Hz adaptive-sync screen and a potent AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the ROG Ally proves its viability. Running on Windows provides a differentiator, allowing users flexibility with various launchers and game compatibility. Despite some downsides, the Asus ROG Ally stands out, especially for users seeking an alternative to the Steam Deck.
Best CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K
In a relatively quiet year for desktop CPU launches, Intel’s Core i7-14700K managed to shine. Despite the subdued atmosphere, this CPU secured its place as the best choice for 2023. Offering strong gaming performance, it edged out its competition by incorporating four additional efficiency cores. The balance between content creation tasks and gaming, coupled with the availability of cost-effective motherboards and RAM, makes the Core i7-14700K a well-rounded and appealing option.
Best antivirus: Norton 360 Deluxe
Navigating the complexities of online threats requires robust antivirus software, and Norton 360 Deluxe takes the lead in 2023. Going beyond traditional virus protection, Norton 360 Deluxe covers a wide range of online dangers, including malicious websites, network vulnerabilities, and weak passwords. Priced at $120 per year (often discounted for the first year), it offers a comprehensive suite with features like dark web monitoring, password management, VPN services, parental controls, and 50GB of cloud storage. With rivals often charging more for similar features, Norton 360 Deluxe stands as a reliable and cost-effective choice.
Best SSD: Corsair MP700 Pro
In the realm of solid-state drives (SSDs), the Corsair MP700 Pro stands out as the best in the PCIe 5.0 category. Debuting in a year that brought unprecedented speeds with PCIe 5.0 SSDs, the MP700 Pro shines with scintillatingly fast performance and a substantial 2GB-per-TB DRAM cache. Although it comes at a premium price, the speed and reliability make it worth every penny, especially for users regularly handling massive files.
Best password manager: Dashlane
Password security is paramount in the digital age, and Dashlane emerges as the best password manager for 2023. Known for its user-friendly interface and robust features, Dashlane simplifies online security, offering not just password creation and storage but also dark web monitoring and VPN access for its premium tier. While pricing has been a factor, Dashlane addressed this by introducing a more affordable Advanced plan, making it an accessible and comprehensive solution for users looking to enhance their online security.
Best Chromebook: Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip
In the world of Chromebooks, the Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip takes the spotlight. Its standout feature? An impressive 19-hour battery life, which sets it apart in a crowded market. Beyond battery life, the CM34 Flip boasts a spacious touchpad, a 1200p display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 1080p webcam. These features, combined with its competitive pricing, make the Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip the top choice for users seeking a reliable and long-lasting Chromebook.
Best Thunderbolt dock: Sonnet Echo 13 Triple 4K
Selecting the best Thunderbolt dock posed a challenge, but the Sonnet Echo 13 Triple 4K emerged as the standout choice. Utilizing DisplayLink technology, the Echo 13 offers stability and cost-effectiveness, with a wide range of display options. While facing a minor audio glitch, Sonnet’s dock compensates with power, flexibility, and a two-year warranty, making it the preferred option in a competitive field.
Best VPN: ExpressVPN
Choosing the best VPN requires consideration of factors like privacy, ease of use, server spread, and speed. In 2023, ExpressVPN continues to reign supreme as the top VPN. Recognized for its consistent speed, wide device support, and ability to unblock streaming services, ExpressVPN stands out across various usage scenarios. Regular third-party audits reinforce its privacy claims, making it a reliable choice for users prioritizing security and online anonymity.
Best keyboard: Razer BlackWidow V4 75%
In the keyboard category, the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% breaks through conventions, offering a unique blend of premium features and gaming capabilities. Despite its unconventional product name, the BlackWidow V4 impresses with excellent switches and mech community-inspired modifications. Razer’s focus on providing both premium and gaming-grade features positions the BlackWidow V4 as a standout choice in a market filled with options.
Best graphics card: AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
While the heavy hitters in the graphics card category launched in the previous year, the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT remains the star of 2023. With exceptional 1440p gaming performance, a generous 16GB of memory, and support for AMD’s Smart Access Memory feature, the RX 7800 XT outshines its competitors in the mid-range GPU segment. Offering a compelling alternative to Nvidia’s offerings, the RX 7800 XT delivers strong performance at a competitive price.
Best PDF editor: Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
In the realm of PDF editors, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC maintains its undisputed position as the champion. Acknowledged as the industry standard, Acrobat Pro DC offers a comprehensive set of tools for editing, creating, reviewing, and securing PDFs. The continual improvement and upgrades, combined with a cloud subscription option and mobile app support, reinforce Adobe’s commitment to providing a top-tier PDF editing experience. The subscription-based model ensures users have access to the latest features and versions, making Acrobat Pro DC a reliable choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Best monitor: Philips Creator Series 27E2F7901
Premium features at an affordable price define the Philips Creator Series 27E2F7901 as the best monitor for the majority of users. Priced at $499, this monitor offers a 4K IPS Black panel for a sharp image with excellent color accuracy. Its USB-C connectivity with Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode adds versatility, allowing users to charge laptops and daisy-chain a second monitor. With Adaptive Sync for gamers, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a feature-rich design, the 27E2F7901 excels in general use, providing a well-balanced and cost-effective option.
Best gaming mouse: Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed
Razer’s Viper V3 HyperSpeed claims the title of the best gaming mouse for FPS enthusiasts. Equipped with a speedy 30K Razer Focus Pro Optical Sensor, a high-back precision design, and strategically positioned eight buttons, the Viper V3 excels in gaming performance. With lightning-quick responsiveness and the option to enhance it further with the 4,000Hz HyperPolling dongle, this mouse offers a winning combination of simplicity and high performance. Its unpretentious design, simple connectivity, and AA battery slot make it a reliable choice for gamers seeking precision and speed.
Best remote desktop software: TeamViewer and RemotePC by iDrive
Choosing the best remote desktop software brings a dual recommendation for 2023. For individual users or occasional remote desktop needs, TeamViewer stands out as a free and easy-to-use solution. Known for its simplicity and comprehensive feature set, TeamViewer facilitates remote desktop use without hassle.
On the premium end, RemotePC by iDrive emerges as an excellent choice for businesses, especially those with diverse operating systems. Offering a rich feature set, including servers for major desktop OSes, drag-and-drop file transfers, multi-monitor support, screen recording, whiteboard, remote sound, printing, and more, RemotePC delivers versatility and reliability. Its affordability further positions it as a top-tier solution in the competitive remote desktop software landscape.
Best gaming laptop: Acer Predator Triton 17X
Closing the list is the Acer Predator Triton 17X, securing the title of the best gaming laptop. Boasting a 17-inch display with a rapid 240Hz refresh rate, a powerful RTX 4090 GPU, and a diverse port selection, the Triton 17X stands as a gaming behemoth. Outperforming competitors in graphics benchmarks, including the MSI Titan GT77 HX 13V, this gaming laptop offers an unparalleled gaming experience. With a robust feature set and exceptional performance, the Acer Predator Triton 17X caters to gamers seeking the epitome of portable gaming power.
Best USB-C Hub / Dongle: Dockcase 10-in-1 USB-C Dock
In the realm of USB-C hubs, the Dockcase 10-in-1 USB-C Dock earns the title of the favorite USB-C hub for the year. While perhaps impractical for many users due to its price and extensive diagnostic features, it caters to tech enthusiasts. Connecting to a USB-C port, the Dockcase reports diagnostic information on a tiny LCD screen, offering professional insights. Despite being niche, its unique features make it a standout choice for users who value in-depth diagnostics in their USB-C hub.
These selections represent the pinnacle of technology in 2023, showcasing innovation, performance, and versatility across various categories. Congratulations to the winners, who have truly earned their place in the spotlight amidst a competitive and dynamic tech landscape.
