The PC Pro Podcast

This week the team discuss the state of computing within the UK education sector, the forthcoming trio of gaming goodies from Valve: the Steam Controller, Steam Machine and Steam Frame then take a look at a new virtual production studio built by Sony Professional.Our Hot Hardware of the Week nominee is Blackmagic Camera ProDock

The team discusses the pleasant surprise of Affinity making its creative software suite completely free, an unfortunate bug in Windows 10 and the smalltown data-centre boom. We also look at a new approach to manufacturing chips that packs in the transistors more densely than ever before, and welcome the Logitech MX Master 4 mouse as our Hot Hardware candidate.To learn more about the data-centre controversy, read the report that Lee was referring to: https://stpp.fordschool.umich.edu/sites/stpp/files/2025-07/stpp-data-centers-2025.pdf

There's no getting away from the march of AI this week, whether it's Elon Musk's AI-generated Grokipedia, how OpenAI is dealing with searches related to suicide (and more), the sweeping loss of jobs thanks to AI or Adobe's move to embrace other image-generation models beside its own.Too much AI for your liking? Luckily, our Hot Hardware this week has nothing to do with artificial intelligence. Instead, Barry nominates the Raspberry Pi 500+, a Raspberry Pi PC baked into a mechanical keyboard.

The team discusses the massive AWS failure that took down some of the internet’s biggest sites and services, and look forward to the AI-powered future of Windows. We also search our feelings about Amazon’s increasing use of automation to replace human workers, and try out OpenAI’s new ChatGPT-powered web browser. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the BOOX Note Max, an A4-sized e-Ink tablet for reading and note-taking.

This week the team discuss Windows 10's role in the battle against software obsolescence, Clearview's slap down by the Information Commissioner’s Office, Equity's fight with AI and a return to pen and ink for British business.Our Hot Hardware of the Week nominee is the Unifi UNAS-2

The team discusses Qualcomm’s acquisition of Arduino, and AMD’s new partnership with OpenAI. We also look at the rise of AI-powered web browsing, plus Apple’s latest anti-Microsoft video. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Philips Brilliance 5K monitor, a feature-packed, high-quality display that costs less than you might expect.

The team discusses new smart home devices from both Amazon and Google, Spotify’s crackdown on AI-generated content, an experimental digital DJ for YouTube and the snazzy Raspberry Pi 500+. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the HiMont Kids Camera Instant Print, a fun little digital camera that produces receipt-style thermal printouts of whatever you choose to snap.

The team dives into LinkedIn's controversial policy change allowing AI to use member data, igniting concerns around consent and privacy. They discuss Nvidia's hefty investment in Intel, hinting at exciting developments in the tech landscape. Meta's smart glasses face technical hiccups during demos, revealing their limitations. Plus, a unique story about hacking San Francisco's parking system and Austria's shift to LibreOffice for cost savings adds to the mix. Don’t miss their review of the Devolo Wi-Fi 6 Router 3600 5G!

The team discusses Google’s big investment in a new UK data centre – and the concomitant environmental cost. We also share frank opinions of Apple’s latest OS updates and find out what people are really using ChatGPT for. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the MSI Modern MD342CQPW, a dirt-cheap 34in widescreen monitor that’s perfect for working with multiple documents or driving a simulated truck across Europe.

The latest iPhone 17 features a sleek design with improved thermal management and photography advancements. There's buzz about the ultra-thin iPhone Air, but concerns arise over its practicality. Highlights from IFA showcase innovations from Acer and Lenovo alongside Google's ongoing legal woes. The podcast also tackles the alarming drop of Gen Z in tech roles due to automation. Humorously, it contrasts heavy tech issues with the perils of doom scrolling. Meanwhile, the UniFi SuperLink promises to revolutionize IoT connectivity but raises questions about durability and integration.