The PC Pro Podcast

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Every week the team behind the UK's biggest technology monthly discusses the latest news and issues in computing and mobile tech. Subscribe to the magazine at https://subscribe.pcpro.co.uk

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    • Jun 26, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 3m AVG DURATION
    • 364 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The PC Pro Podcast

    Episode 748: I did pirate it, your honour, but he pirated it first

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025 67:48


    The team discusses a new extended lifeline for Windows 10, a controversial court ruling concerning an AI firm's use of copyright material and a novel scam that inserts malicious content directly into legitimate websites. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the TP-Link Archer BE550, a high-spec Wi-Fi 7 router at a reasonable price.

    Episode 747: Don't sleep on this AI mattress

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2025 66:34


    The team laments the tale of a malfunctioning smart mattress that condemned its owner to a night of shivering misery. We also discuss Donald Trump's surprise move into personal telephony, the latest update to the Apple Vision Pro and concerns over Chinese VPNs. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Chillblast Poseidon Ryzen 9 RTX 5090, a water-cooled gaming PC that costs as much as 17,500 Freddos.

    Episode 746: Don't step in the liquid glass – plus, Stability vs Getty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 63:31


    The team discusses the latest announcements from Apple's annual developer conference, bids an uncertain welcome to Android 16, and debates a major lawsuit concerning the alleged misuse of stock images. We also look over Asus' new Xbox-branded handheld gaming PC, and welcome the AI-powered Dia browser as our Hot Hardware candidate.

    Episode 745: IMEI blocking, CityFibre's 5.5 Gigabit and an £87 bet to fix USB-C

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 56:34


    The team dives into the spat between Apple, Google and the Met Police regarding phone theft in London, and debates whether IMEI blocking is the answer. We also look at CityFibre's rollout of 5.5Gbits/sec broadband and discuss the patchy state of UK connectivity. There's hope as Microsoft attempts to end the confusion around USB-C ports, and we ponder the impact of new Windows features landing in the EU. Our Hot Hardware candidate is a surprisingly good, but unbranded, motorised suction-cup phone mount bought from TikTok.

    Episode 744: Not everyone's getting rich off the AI gold rush

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 63:02


    The team discusses how AI is diminishing the role of human software developers, and asks whether Nick Clegg is justified in his comments on copyright – or whether he's been done dirty by the media. We also ponder whether or not we want our robots to look like humans, and learn how a Star Wars fan site was secretly operated by the CIA. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the IUMAKEVP wireless lavalier microphone – not exactly a prestige brand, but for £22 who's complaining?

    Episode 743: Google gets smarter – and more intrusive

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 65:48


    The team discusses the latest announcements and innovations from the Google I/O conference, an unexpected acquisition for OpenAI and some new ideas for making online ads more obnoxious than ever. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the caberQU, a pocket-sized testing device that can tell you everything you could conceivably want to know about a USB cable.

    Episode 742: Just hangin' with my bots

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 57:08


    The team discusses Mark Zuckerberg's prediction that AI bots will soon become your friends, and ask whether students' use of services like ChatGPT is stunting their education. We also note that Microsoft is now offering extended support for Windows 10 – at a price – and that coffee shops are starting to crack down on extended use of laptops. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Onyx Boox Palma 2, a pocket e-reader that runs Android apps.

    Episode 741: Apple's Airplay Worm, Chinese EVs and Google's AI Ad Push

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 65:44


    This week the team discusses the Apple AirPlay flaw, the latest releases in Microsoft's Surface range and why military staff are parking their Chinese EVs away from the office. We also ponder the ramifications for Google of adding adverts into their AI products.This week's Hot Hardware of the Week nominee is the Bambu Lab AMS

    Episode 740: Is your phone more energy-efficient than a fridge?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 63:18


    The team discusses a major legal smackdown for Apple; new plans to label smartphones with battery life and repairability scores; and the mysterious ongoing cyber-attack on M&S. We also bid a resentful farewell to the first-generation Google Nest thermostat, and vote on whether the Netgear Nighthawk RS100 has what it takes to be crowned Hot Hardware of the Week.

    Episode 739: Take a letter, ChatGPT

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 65:53


    The team discusses the ongoing fallout from the EU's legal sanctions against Apple and Meta, then gets properly stuck into the issues raised by the idea of AI “employees”. We also discuss ongoing legal proposals to force Google to sell off the Chrome browser, and our Hot Hardware candidate is the Anker MagGo power bank, a portable battery that doubles as a MagSafe-compatible wireless charging stand.

    Episode 738: Can the law keep up with social media?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 65:39


    The team discusses a report urging UK authorities to get a grip on social media, along with the latest news from OpenAI and a controversial case of boxed, purchased software being disabled after a server shutdown. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the TP-Link PGW2440 kit, a (relatively) high-speed powerline networking system.

    Episode 737: Trump's Technology Tariffs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 59:03


    Episode 736: Email encryption, Donkey Kong and the LibGen fightback

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 66:36


    This week the team mull over Google's plan for email encryption and the perils of being the best at Donkey Kong. Frankly, he's not as good as Funky Kong, but that's only my opinion.We also discuss the writing community's retaliation to having their works used to train Meta's AI whilst research about the impact of screen use on sleep health forces our hosts to make revelations about their bedtime routine.The Hot Hardware this week is the Eizo FLT FlexScan 23.8” monitor packed with high impact sustainability credentials.The Society of Authors' letter is here

    Episode 735: You have been added to the group chat

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 64:11


    The team discusses the US' embarrassing Signal debacle, the latest boost to OpenAI's image-generation capabilities and a proposal from Meta to offer Brits ad-free Facebook and Instagram services – for a price. We also explore a controversial update that wrecked battery life on out-of-support Pixel phones, and Barry pitches the £159 ErGear standing desk as this week's Hot Hardware candidate.

    Episode 734: Corporate Espionage, EuroStack and Google Gemini.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 71:47


    Join the team this week as they unravel the thrilling spy narrative at the heart of the Deel and Rippling battle. Discover Europe's strategic plans to diversify its tech infrastructure and get the latest scoop on Google Gemini's exciting new features. Plus, our Hot Hardware pick is the ASUS Zenbook DUO laptop, a powerhouse with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and stunning dual 14-inch OLED 3K touchscreens.

    Episode 733: A new CEO for Intel, and batteries get a boost

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 59:14


    The team discusses Framework's latest range of upgradeable, repairable computers, plus Intel's new CEO and a company promising faster charging and a longer lifespan for lithium-ion batteries. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the ProtoArc Tri-Fold Keyboard and Mouse, a full-sized desktop set that folds away for easy portability.

    Episode 732: AI vexes judges, but enlightens conspiracy theorists

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 64:46


    The team discusses ongoing cases of legal representatives relying on untrustworthy AI citations – while welcoming research suggesting that AI could help “deprogram” cult members and conspiracy theorists. We also look over Apple's latest iPad, MacBook Air and Mac Studio models, and ponder how we feel about a new technology designed to neutralise regional accents on support calls. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Ubiquiti UniFi Express 7, a tiny but powerful internet gateway appliance.

    Episode 731: Alexa, let's talk about AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 64:29


    The team discusses the “Make It Fair” campaign, which hopes to see strict rules on the use of copyright material to train AI systems. We also explore Amazon's new Alexa Plus service, HP's intentionally slow customer support and the removal of Apple's data-protection tool in the UK. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Geekom A6, a tiny but powerful desktop PC.

    Episode 730: The quantum chip

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 66:12


    Your quiz: which member of the PC Pro podcast crew became overexcited about Microsoft's quantum chip? Who was damning about IT mis-spends by government bodies? Which team member thinks the most exciting thing about Apple's iPhone 16e is its 5G modem? And who was grumpy about it all? As a clue, you have Jon, Barry, Tim and Rois to choose from. Plus, our Hot Hardware of the week is a NAS drive one podcaster bought that now includes 184TB of usable storage. But no prizes for guessing that one.

    Episode 729: Return of the Snooper's Charter

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 62:03


    The team discusses the UK's demand for Apple to break its own encryption, an unexpected drop in average CPU power, Adobe's amazing new AI-generated video platform, and the man hoping to recover a fortune in Bitcoins from a municipal landfill site. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the AirCard Pro, a credit-card-shaped Bluetooth tracker that'll work with an Apple or Android phone – but not both.

    Episode 728: If you don't like it, have an AI check your contract

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 67:52


    The team discusses Microsoft's crackdown on those running Windows 11 on unapproved hardware, a new AI tool that can help make sense of legalese and Intel's admission that its next-generation AI chip isn't good enough to release. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Netgear Nighthawk RS200, a Wi-Fi 7 router at the knock-down price of £200.

    Episode 727: Some AI engines are free; others come at a hefty price (whether you want them or not)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 66:07


    The team discusses the disruptive emergence of China's open-source DeepSeek AI engine, steep price hikes for Microsoft Office and Amazon's vision for drones over Darlington. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Toybox, a user-friendly 3D printer aimed at kids.

    Episode 726: Is time running out for TikTok?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 59:04


    The team discusses the will-they-won't-they drama of the US TikTok ban, the latest lunacy in the AI industry and UK government proposals to replace physical driving licences with an app. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Anker Prime 250W USB charger, a six-port power supply costing a cool £170.

    Episode 725: You must be 18 or over to download this podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 66:49


    The team discusses plans to force websites to check visitors' ages, drones causing mayhem and Meta's newly relaxed attitude as to whether social media posts are true or not. Our Hot Software candidate is NordVPN – not a new product, but one that Barry Collins recently found a big help on his travels.

    nordvpn barry collins
    Episode 724: Viva Las Vegas! Or, three go slightly loopy at CES

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 60:43


    In a special podcast report – recorded in Las Vegas in the small hours of the morning – Barry Collins, Tim Danton and Jon Honeyball discuss what they've seen at the Consumer Electronics Show 2025. Topics include Nvidia's latest graphics chips, a new generation of mini PCs and upcoming developments in laptop screens, AR glasses and gaming handhelds. The delegates also nominate their Hot Hardware picks of CES – a gaming chair with integrated air conditioning, a hot-swap system for phone batteries and an innovative new desktop appliance for laser engraving.

    Episode 723: Our 2024 Tech Quiz Extravaganza

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 50:27


    Get ready for the PC Pro Podcast's festive quiz extravaganza! Darien Graham-Smith returns as quizmaster, challenging podcast regulars Barry Collins, Tim Danton, Lee Grant, Jon Honeyball, and Rois Ni Thuama on 2024's biggest tech stories. From AI to product launches, our panel will put their tech knowledge to the test.

    Episode 722: New chatbots – more intelligent than ever, and just as artificial

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 64:46


    The team discusses the arrival of new, smarter AI systems – plus one that's accused of endangering impressionable kids. We also welcome an innovative battery technology and cast an eye over the latest hardware offerings from Raspberry Pi. Out Hot Hardware candidate is the HP OmniBook Flip, a slim but versatile laptop that ticks all the boxes.

    Episode 721: Who can save Intel now?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 61:00


    The team discusses the surprise ousting of Intel's CEO, questions the planned merger between Vodafone and Three and asks what dangers might be lurking in an innocent-looking USB cable. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Smartech GoChess Mini, an intelligent chess board that plays against you.

    Episode 720: Microsoft in the crosshairs, just for a change

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 62:36


    The team discusses reports of yet another antitrust investigation in the offing against Microsoft, and the company's latest attempts to get people off Windows 10. We also look at how Google is injecting content onto other people's websites, and consider whether we'd buy a new phone from Huawei that ditches Android in favour of the company's own HarmonyOS Next platform. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Showscreen 14in portable touchscreen, a slimline display that does precisely what you'd expect for under £100.

    Episode 719: The good and the bad of Microsoft's $349 cloud PC

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 66:12


    Microsoft announced that it would be selling companies a $349 black box that's ideal for big rollouts - all you need is a Windows Cloud subscription, a monitor, keyboard and mouse. Jon, Tim and Barry deliver their verdict. Plus all the other highlights from Ignite 2024, Flight Simulator 2024's failure to launch and a business-friendly Moto phone that might just win Tim a hot hardware of the week...

    Episode 718: Tweeters head for bluer skies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 71:22


    The team discusses the accelerating exodus from Elon Musk's social media platform, the EU's latest quarrel with Apple and what's coming in Wi-Fi 8. Lee Grant also walks us through a quartet of sustainability-related news stories, and our Hot Hardware candidate is the tiny but powerful Mac Mini.

    Episode 717: All right, you can keep using Windows 10 – but it'll cost you

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 67:58


    The team asks whether Windows 10 users will pay $30 to keep using the OS for another year, discusses ChatGPT's new search capabilities and ponders whether Intel's latest financial losses are anything to worry about. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Apple Thunderbolt 5 cable, a pricey interconnect with a whole lot of bandwidth.

    Episode 716: Mini PC spooktacular from M4 Mac mini to a Raspberry Pi case

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 63:31


    Tim, Rois and Jon dissect all the just-announced products from Apple, particularly the M4 Mac mini, before discussing why email remains such a danger. Plus, regular listener Geoff Campbell nominates a Raspberry Pi case as the Hot Hardware of the week. It went down rather well...

    Episode 715: Don't blame me, the AI did it!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 63:58


    Regular magazine contributor Olivia Whitcroft joins Barry, Darien and Jon as we discuss a new AI tool that can control your PC, proposals to ban smartphones at school and an acrimonious dispute at WordPress. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Krafted Connex, a pocket-sized multi-adaptor that can be used to charge a variety of devices from a regular USB socket.

    Episode 714: The PC Pro Podcast Live! – Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 62:25


    In the second part of our special live podcast, Barry Collins, Tim Danton, Darien Graham-Smith, Jon Honeyball and Rois ni Thuama look to the future and predict how technology will change the world in the next decade. We also nominate our Hot Hardware picks of the past 30 years, and take questions from the audience on quite a range of themes.

    podcast live barry collins pc pro
    Episode 713: The PC Pro Podcast Live! – Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 48:20


    Part one of a special two-part podcast with a live audience to celebrate 30 years of PC Pro. Barry Collins, Tim Danton, Darien Graham-Smith, Jon Honeyball and Rois ni Thuama look back and discuss the most significant tech innovations and events of the past three decades, before pitting their knowledge against audience members in a short, unseasonal quiz.

    podcast live barry collins pc pro
    Episode 712: Is Microsoft actually listening?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 72:32


    The team discusses all that's new in the Windows 11 24H2 update, explores the innards of the latest iPhone and cautiously welcomes the arrests of four individuals believed to be major players in the murky world of ransomware. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, the biggest and most powerful iPhone ever.

    Episode 711: I'm a subscriber – get me out of here!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 70:34


    The team discusses a new law that should make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions, the latest announcements from Meta's Connect conference and legal woes for celebrity YouTuber MrBeast. Our Hot Hardware candidate is Intel's Lunar Lake SoC, which promises new heights of laptop performance and battery life.

    Episode 710: Exploding pagers, repair with iOS 18 and Microsoft 365 CoPilot Wave 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 71:55


    The team explore some of the technical explanations to the exploding pagers detonated in the Middle East. We examine Apple's iOS18 efforts to satisfy right to repair legislation then try not exhaust ourselves from the excitement of Microsoft Copilot Wave 2.Our Hot Hardware candidate for this week is the Honor Magic 3 phone...or..camera with phone...you decide...

    Episode 709: Meet the new iPhones (intelligence not included)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 66:26


    The team discusses Apple's new iPhone 16 handsets, asks whether AI is really stealing jobs and argues over whether kids should be banned from social media. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Netgear Orbi 770, the first home mesh we've seen to support Wi-Fi 7's multi-band MLO capability.

    Episode 708: Are we over the moon about Intel's latest CPUs – or are they just pie in the sky?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 61:39


    The team discusses the latest launches at IFA, including the new chips that Intel hopes will put it back on the map. We also ask whether the USB Type-A connector is finally on its way out, and whether we need to worry about a new vulnerability discovered in Yubikey security tokens. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the IcyBox IB-180MC-C31, a USB M.2 enclosure that's every bit as versatile as its name implies.

    Episode 707: The Coldest Hot Hardware Ever

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 66:00


    Before we get to the worst hot hardware ever, you will discover the team's take on Telegram's CEO being arrested in France; non-buying-advice thoughts on Nvidia's latest share price; back doors baked into RFID passes; and discover exactly what the Plaud NotePin is. And then you will be swept up in amazement when Barry pitches a mechanical keyboard that he clearly doesn't like much as Hot Hardware of the Week.https://www.plaud.ai/products/notepinhttps://www.hhkeyboard.com/uk/products/hhkb-studio

    Episode 706: If you're looking for “Brand Love”, prepare to be disappointed

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 66:28


    The team discusses the untimely death of British tech mogul Mike Lynch, while Elon Musk flounces out of Brazil and Microsoft prepares to roll out its controversial Windows Recall AI feature. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the MSI Cubi NUC 1M, a powerful PC with a compact case and a (reasonably) modest price.

    Episode 705: Hey Google, why should I buy your new phone?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 64:55


    The team eyes up the new Pixel devices launched at Google's annual “Made by Google” event, asks what Mozilla can do to stay relevant and ponders the news that fresh Windows 11 installations will now have full-device encryption enabled by default. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Keychron K8, a sturdy wireless keyboard with mechanical switches and a charmingly retro colour scheme.

    Episode 704: An old friend returns (to plug her book)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 67:01


    Nicole Kobie joins the podcast to discuss her new book, “The Long History of the Future: Why Tomorrow's Technology Still Isn't Here”. We also discuss the government's shelving of unfunded plans for an AI supercomputer, Elon Musk's latest antics and the significance of a US judgment that finds Google used illegal means to maintain its monopoly on web searches. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Inateck BK2007, an affordable keyboard case for the 2024 iPad Air.

    Episode 703: Who'd want to deepfake this?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 68:03


    The team discusses awkward times for Intel as it sheds jobs and rushes to fix failing chips; we also ponder Reddit's hard line on AI scraping, and welcome upcoming legal protections aimed at preventing companies from cloning our voices and appearances. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Netgear Nighthawk RS300, a Wi-Fi 7 router that you might actually be able to afford.

    Episode 702: Dissecting CrowdStrike

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 71:20


    The team discusses the global CrowdStrike catastrophe, dissects the official word on Intel CPU hiccups and learns why some NVIDIA graphics cards are no longer cool.Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Apple Vision Pro.

    Episode 701: In which nobody alleges anything about anyone's CPUs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 64:56


    The team discusses reports of failing Intel processors, meets Samsung's latest health-inspired wearable and looks forward to a future filled with AI-generated videos and presentations, courtesy of Google. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Unistellar Odyssey Pro Smart Telescope. What, would you have preferred another keyboard?

    Episode 700: Whose content is it anyway?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 64:40


    The team discusses Microsoft's optimistic claim that all material published online is fair game for AI training; ponders reports of TeamViewer being hacked by the Russians; and looks at who's still buying commercial antivirus software. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Tapo D230S1, a smart, subscription-free doorbell-cum-camera.

    Episode 699: Microsoft Teams in the firing line

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 71:45


    On this week's podcast we discuss the EU's legal action against Microsoft for bundling Teams with Office, debate the US government's banning of Kaspersky Internet Security and look at what the UK's major political parties are promising – technology-wise – in their election manifestos. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Surface Laptop 7, the flagbearer of Microsoft's new ARM-powered Copilot+ PC range.

    Episode 698: Skip to 47m 46s for the AI sex robots

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 61:48


    The team ponders rumours of a new, cheaper Apple Vision headset, and debates whether the original Apple Vision Pro has been a flop. We also look at flaky Intel Core i9 processors, welcome the US government's legal action against Adobe and learn about a new social media platform that's intentionally populated by AI bots. Our Hot Hardware candidate is the Unifi U7 Pro Max, the first business access point we've seen with Wi-Fi 7.

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