PC Pro – Issue 358, July 2024

Inside PC Pro Issue 358

PC Pro Issue 358 for July 2024 lands with the magazine’s usual blend of rigorous reviews, practical computing advice, and sharp opinion. The issue is built around a simple question: where is personal technology heading next, and what do real users actually want from it? From Windows 12 wishlists to AI tools you can use today, this issue balances big-picture thinking with hands-on hardware testing.

Windows 12: What Readers Want 💻

The cover feature turns to Microsoft’s next major operating system. PC Pro asked contributors and readers what they want from Windows 12, and the answers are direct: expert-level control, fewer ads, stronger ransomware protection, better support for home workers, and dozens of other demands. The article captures a mood of frustration and hope — not simply a list of features, but a snapshot of what PC users want from the platform they rely on every day.

10 Ways ChatGPT Can Transform Your Life 🧠

Nik Rawlinson takes on the AI hype with a practical feature on ten ways ChatGPT can help with everyday tasks. The focus is on real-world usefulness: productivity, planning, learning, travel, entertainment, and more. It’s a grounded look at how AI assistants can fit into daily routines without promising magic.

NAS Drives: Backups Made Serious ⚙️

A major Labs test puts 13 NAS drives through their paces, with models starting from around £180. The group covers every major brand and explains how these devices can do far more than back up files. With ransomware a constant threat, the issue makes a strong case that a NAS is one of the most practical upgrades you can make — and it notes the stark statistic that only 10% of people back up their data daily.

Reviews: iPad Pro M4, Handheld PCs, and More 📱

The review section is stacked. Apple’s iPad Pro (M4) earns the Review of the Month, with the magazine weighing it against the iPad Air (M2) and the Apple Pencil Pro. Elsewhere, handheld PCs such as the Valve Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, and Asus ROG Ally are tested for productivity as well as gaming. There are also laptops, monitors, smartphones like the Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A35/A55, desktop scanners, and the Rabbit R1.

Regulars, Opinion, and Futures

Beyond the headlines, Issue 358 includes editor Tim Danton’s take on Microsoft’s Copilot push, viewpoints from regular columnists, readers’ letters, and a look at the future of tech. The Futures section revisits the Atari 400 and profiles ten intriguing characters from tech history whose work helped shape AI, driverless cars, VR, robots, and facial recognition.

Why This Issue Matters

PC Pro has long been a magazine for people who want to understand not just what technology does, but how it fits into work, home, and everyday life. Issue 358 continues that tradition with clear testing, useful context, and writing that respects the reader’s time. If you follow PC hardware, Windows, AI tools, or the wider consumer tech landscape, this issue offers a well-rounded snapshot of where things stand in July 2024.