Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.
Latest articles by Tony Polanco

I just tested the world’s fastest OLED gaming monitor — and its refresh rates are insane
By Tony Polanco published
RecommendedThe LG UltraGear 27GX79B-B impresses with its high refresh rates. While it’s fast and offers high HDR brightness, it’s only for competitive gamers.

Nvidia RTX 5070 laptop GPU gets 12GB VRAM — here’s why it's a game-changer
By Tony Polanco published
Nvidia has officially announced the RTX 5070 laptop GPU with 12GB of GDDR7 VRAM. This could be a huge win for mid-range gaming laptops.

I'm a lifelong gamer, and I can't wait to try the Steam Controller — 3 reasons why
By Tony Polanco published
The Steam Controller arrives on May 4, and I can't wait to try it. Here are the top 3 reasons why this could be the best PC game controller yet.

Steam Controller reviews are in: 'I can’t imagine playing my PC games with anything else'
By Tony Polanco published
The first reviews of the Steam Controller have gone live. Here's what tech reviewers have to say about Valve's latest peripheral.

I played Saros for a week and it still didn’t make me a roguelike convert
By Tony Polanco published
I really wanted to like Saros, but after a week of play, this beautiful PS5 roguelite still couldn’t win me over. A must-buy for Returnal fans, but it's not for me.

'At this level, those numbers aren’t for us gamers': Why 720Hz gaming monitors might be overkill
By Tony Polanco published
Are insanely high refresh rates for gaming monitors worth it? We asked experts if they provide real benefits for gamers or if it's just manufacturers flexing.

PS5 vs. PS5 Pro: Which console should you buy in 2026?
By Tony Polanco published
After Sony’s latest PS5 price hikes, which console should you buy: base PS5 or PS5 Pro? We compare new prices, performance, gaming PCs, and whether to wait for PS6.

The Acer Swift 16 AI’s touchpad is just too large, but its performance and OLED display won me over
By Tony Polanco published
RecommendedThe Acer Swift 16 AI delivers stellar performance and battery life in one of the lightest 16-inch notebooks. Its large touchpad can be gimmicky, but the laptop’s strengths mostly override its faults.

Panther Lake handhelds could put AMD on notice, but there’s a big hurdle to overcome
By Tony Polanco published
Rumors claim that Intel could unveil its reported Panther Lake handheld chips during Computex 2026. While that's exciting, there's one huge potential catch.

Watch out, AMD — Intel’s Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme handheld chips expected for Computex reveal
By Tony Polanco published
A new report from VideoCardz claims that Intel will officially announce its Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme handheld chips during Computex 2026. Here's what we know.

Buying a laptop in 2026 is complicated — here's a survival guide to help you make the best choice
By Tony Polanco published
Buying a laptop in 2026 is complicated thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis. Here are some tips to help you decide whether to buy a new laptop now or wait.

I just tested this keyboard that’s also a Windows computer — and it’s like a modern Commodore 64
By Tony Polanco published
The HP EliteBoard G1a might look like a keyboard, but it's actually a full Windows PC. While unique and functional, it's for niche use cases.

I just tested this $349 Alienware gaming monitor — and it's so good that I'm buying 2 for myself
By Tony Polanco published
Editor's ChoiceThe Alienware AW2726DM delivers thanks to its smooth performance and sharp OLED display. For $349, it's the best value gaming monitor right now.

I just tested the $599 MacBook Neo vs a $799 Windows laptop — and Apple still blows it away
By Tony Polanco last updated
We compare the MacBook Neo against the HP Omnibook 5 Flip to see which laptop is the better value.

Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop could pack an OLED panel — but how much will it cost?
By Tony Polanco published
A new report claims that next Microsoft Surface PCs are arriving this spring, and the Surface Laptop 8 will get an OLED upgrade. Here's what we've heard.

I just tested Alienware’s new $349 gaming monitor — and it’s too good to be true
By Tony Polanco published
The Alienware AW2726DM might only be $349, but it packs all the features you'd need for an awesome gaming experience. Here are my initial thoughts.

Handheld gaming prices are out of control — 3 models for 2026 I recommend under $700
By Tony Polanco published
Gaming handhelds are more expensive than ever, but you can still buy an affordable unit. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect gaming handheld.

Pragmata is my favorite surprise game of 2026 — and another GOTY contender from Capcom
By Tony Polanco published
From its clever combat, heartfelt sci-fi story, and stunning visuals, Pragmata won me over. Capcom’s latest is easily one of my favorite games this year.

I just tested the Dell XPS 16 and it’s my new favorite Windows laptop
By Tony Polanco published
The Dell XPS 16 (2026) is a fine return to form, thanks to its updated chassis, powerful performance, and strong battery life, all of which make it one of the best Windows laptops you can buy.

I’ve used a MacBook as my primary computer for two weeks — and I’m not going back to Windows
By Tony Polanco published
This is how I turned a MacBook into my main computer using a USB-C dock and key Mac apps while still keeping my Windows PC for serious gaming.

Best student computers in 2026: Our top PCs tested and rated
By Darragh Murphy last updated
From dorm-ready desktops to slick all-in-ones for art and photography students, these are the best student computers.

An Nvidia N1 CPU reportedly spotted on engineering motherboard — Computex announcement could be imminent
By Tony Polanco last updated
A listing on a Chinese resale platform may offer a glimpse of an Nvidia N1. Here's what we know.

Best iPad cases in 2026
By Tony Polanco last updated
The Apple iPad remains one of the best tablets on the market, and you’ll want to keep it safe with one of the best Apple iPad cases.
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