Darien Graham-Smith
Darien began his IT career in the 1990s as a systems engineer, later becoming an IT project manager. His formative experiences included upgrading a major multinational from token-ring networking to Ethernet, and migrating a travelling sales force from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95.
He subsequently spent some years acting as a one-man IT department for a small publishing company, before moving into journalism himself. He is now a regular contributor to IT Pro, specialising in networking and security, and serves as associate editor of PC Pro magazine with particular responsibility for business reviews and features.
You can email Darien at darien@pcpro.co.uk, or follow him on Twitter at @dariengs.
Latest articles by Darien Graham-Smith
![Hand holding SSD m2 in front of motherboard background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7S37jYKFFjSW5Zkh5CgxnD-320-80.jpg)
Can you use an SSD in a NAS?
By Darien Graham-Smith last updated
In-depth A quick guide on how to use an SSD in a NAS drive, and whether it's a good idea
![The ITPro recommended main image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s8HTSrsfLEVdJify5kukm5-320-80.png)
Best business video conferencing software 2024
By Darien Graham-Smith last updated
Best We round up the best free and paid-for cloud-based video conferencing apps for mobile and desktop
![The Zoom logo on the ITPro background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HcQGmMWbANgK8Z8dUWyriT-320-80.jpg)
Zoom review: Easy video conferencing, plus plenty of clever features and add-ons
By Darien Graham-Smith last updated
Reviews With integrated calendaring and messaging, a smart AI Companion, and a huge library of extensions, Zoom has much to offer businesses of all sizes
![woman typing on laptop with security symbols superimposed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/94YTsoVbWrYUMd4Aff5XzG-320-80.jpg)
Best business antivirus
By Darien Graham-Smith last updated
Best To help you find the ideal antivirus platform for your company, we analyzed some of the best business antivirus platforms of today
![The Cisco WebEx logo on the ITPro background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GhCrByYhfT99Lb4UAQqEBJ-320-80.jpg)
Cisco WebEx review: A powerful high-end videoconferencing solution with useful AI features
By Darien Graham-Smith last updated
Reviews Wide-ranging platform support and numerous advanced features make Webex a strong choice for companies that place a high value on communications
![The Google Meet icon on the ITPro background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ekaBg8YbqFH8Vtkb9B8pUS-320-80.jpg)
Google Meet review
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews A simple but fully functional service that comes with a low price and neat integration with Google Workspace
![The Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security icon on the ITPro background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RdGGBj7ZayKm4iRJJdiq2E-320-80.jpg)
Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security review
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews With a broad range of security functions, Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security is a strong choice for small teams
![The Eset Protect antivirus logo on the ITPro background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CsNX2hPr5MwHTQMvvWUFtV-320-80.jpg)
Eset Protect antivirus review
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews An impressive security suite with extensive management options and reliable all-round protection
![The Avast Business Security logo on the ITPro background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cfAQtTVmkczQ6oYJ5sxB4j-320-80.jpg)
Avast Business Security review: Strong, affordable protection for smaller businesses
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews With an excellent antivirus engine and easy management, Avast Business Security is a great solution for SMBs wanting to shore up and centralize their protection
![A photograph of the Qnap TS-h1283XU-RP overlaid with the IT Pro Recommended award logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GH8EbazymNb9qCQJhQLQy5-320-80.jpg)
Best rackmount NAS 2024: Find the rack storage solution that’s right for you
By Darien Graham-Smith last updated
Best Seeking out the best rackmount NAS for your business can unlock a range of long-term benefits - here are six of the best options available
![The D-Link Switch on the ITPro background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sQQcAQrfrMBpxfzbtBNiYK-320-80.png)
D-Link DMS-1100-10TP network switch review: A very affordable way to deliver a speed boost
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews This 2.5GbE PoE+ switch is ideal for smaller businesses on a budget
![The Bluetooth logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PasBDeeQLLHnCuyZ7cr4fc-320-80.jpg)
What is Bluetooth and how does it work? Everything you need to know
By Darien Graham-Smith published
In-depth We examine how the different Bluetooth standards compare, and how users can get the most from their Bluetooth devices
![Graphic of a CPU on a mult-coloured computerised motherboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dAuT4ZL5fpQ4dyLSmwFfyF-320-80.jpg)
What's the difference between ARM and x86?
By Darien Graham-Smith published
In-depth Apple, AMD, and Intel take significantly different approaches to building CPUs, with varied processor designs carrying significant implications for performance
![Firefox vs Chrome vs Edge: Browser logos, with a video-game-styled 'versus' initialism in the middle, on a purple background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iQTQ7akHBxZhGtVdTuiHhi-320-80.jpg)
Chrome vs Firefox vs Microsoft Edge
By Darien Graham-Smith last updated
Vs Firefox vs Edge vs Chrome - discover which comes out on top in the ultimate battle to crown the very best browser
![The Netgear Nighthawk 300 on the ITPro background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CdswJXiATyHa6Lxotwx9P-320-80.jpg)
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 review
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews The Nighthawk RAXE300 is not quite as powerful as its top-of-the-range sibling, but still a hugely fast and versatile Wi-Fi 6E router
![The Netgear Orbi RBK850 in black and white](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o4SdbhxcYWpbtnBeNrrRwh-320-80.png)
Netgear Orbi RBK863S review: A fine mesh three years ago
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews A decent Wi-Fi 6 mesh, but the only thing that's exceptional about this Orbi system is the price
![The Linksys Hydra Pro 6E router](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MMDBqk5fnhXTPdrJjwZmxZ-320-80.png)
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E review: An overpriced and middling router
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews Strong hardware specs sadly don't translate to real-world performance, on either Wi-Fi 6 or 6E
![Rows of Ethernet cables plugged into a server](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oNRvdWSgerXdDgLBzJKCd7-320-80.jpg)
Why Ethernet will always beat Wi-Fi
By Darien Graham-Smith published
In-depth Although Wi-Fi has some advantages, if you’re looking for a fast, reliable network, there’s still nothing better than good old-fashioned cables
![Three units of the Mercusys Halo H80X](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5nsQLrhiKoR4a6W4xrDBw3-320-80.png)
Mercusys Halo H80X review: Without question the best-value mesh around
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews This unfancy Wi-Fi 6 mesh provides all the performance and coverage you're likely to need at an excellent price
![A close-up photo of a person installing a stick of RAM onto a motherboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FNBG6qYPU7ntrnsdoXqJhc-320-80.jpg)
DDR4 vs DDR5 RAM: Is it worth upgrading?
By Darien Graham-Smith published
In-depth The latest generation of memory has hit the mainstream, but how much more can DDR5 RAM boost performance versus DDR4 RAM units?
![A keyboard key with a picture of a bin imprinted onto it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fiUchvn5SkxQtWgLLJXwYj-320-80.jpg)
What is secure deletion?
By Darien Graham-Smith published
In-depth Want to ensure your deleted data can’t be recovered and abused? We explore how secure deletion works, and how you can best protect your information
![Huawei's Wi-Fi Mesh 7 unit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jWjkMudzqVLjtEwBj6W2f3-320-80.png)
Huawei Wi-Fi Mesh 7: A likeable mesh with decent performance
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews It's not particularly glitzy or ridiculously fast, but this mesh is a simple, solid performer
![A photograph of the Linksys Atlas Pro 6 system](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sUfquBGjCLwaDUMwrUYz6Q-320-80.jpg)
Linksys Atlas Pro 6 review: True wireless freedom
By Darien Graham-Smith published
Reviews This neat mesh provides faster, wider coverage than we’d expect from a dual-band system, at a decent price