There may be two main CPU manufacturers, but picking the right processor is anything but simple. We put 51 CPUs through their paces

A range of cut-down Core 2 Duo processors that are fine for everyday tasks.

A diverse family including some stellar CPUs and numerous also-rans.

A cheap, lightweight choice for single-core applications, but you get the performance you pay for.

A smartly engineered processor, but for today’s applications it’s lacking in bang per buck.

An old standard, but one that still provides decent performance at a great price.

Stack your system full of software without paying a penny, with our guide to essential downloads

A significant overhaul and a great camera. At this price it’s the best all-round package on the market

Fast but disappointing card that delivers only small benefits over its predecessors for a significant price premium.

A superbly easy-to-use and feature-laden compact camera that’s well worth the price.

A superbly easy-to-use and feature-laden compact camera that’s well worth the price. Same titanium shell as before, with a lowlight ability.

David Fearon introduces 3D models and rendering

Canon’s SLR fails to make the enormous splash of its predecessors, but it’s still a great camera in its own right.

We've put AMD and Intel’s new processors to the test, and there's one clear winner.

Can Intel steal Phenom's performance thunder with this top-end quad core chip?

David Fearon pulls apart the tiny notebook, and asks why Intel and Microsoft can't match the excitement.

A world first on the desktop, Phenom is good but a long way from outstanding.

This first of a new generation is only a little faster than the old, but its potential is clearly huge

We test AMD’s first quad-core processor for both speed and power efficiency