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Chris Merriman

Chris Merriman has been writing about technology since the 1990s for a variety of titles including Computer Shopper, MSN, TechRadar, Tom’s Guide and The Inquirer, where he broke a number of major tech news stories that were picked up globally.  He has appeared on BBC, Sky News and Al Jazeera and was the resident tech expert at TalkRadio for a number of years. In between times, he has also been a consultant for several major tech firms.

Chris is fascinated by automation and the internet of things, as well as the evolution of the ways we communicate in the digital era. He's also a frequent contributor to IT Pro's software guides, including Windows operating systems. Other specialisms include storage, peripherals, and web apps, and any gadget he’s allowed to take apart and fiddle with, preferably after throwing away the box, manual and receipt.

Bose Videobar VB-S review: A great videobar with jarring caveats
The Bose Videobar VB from the side
video conferencing

Bose Videobar VB-S review: A great videobar with jarring caveats

A video conferencing bar that's excellent in many ways, but could have been so much more
6 Feb 2023
The organisations pushing hybrid work to new extremes
A woman working on the edge of a cliff overlooking a beautiful lake
flexible working

The organisations pushing hybrid work to new extremes

From pub-working to lockdown drills, businesses and workers alike are pushing hybrid work arrangements to the limit
23 Dec 2022
Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 Convertible Review: Standard setting for a 2-in-1 device
Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 Convertible front-view
Laptops

Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 Convertible Review: Standard setting for a 2-in-1 device

A 2-in-1 with spectacular performance and a sleek design that puts it in the rare breed of a foldable that can go toe-to-toe with a conventional lapto…
9 Dec 2022
Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 Convertible review gallery
Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 Convertible front-view
Hardware

Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 Convertible review gallery

Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 Convertible review gallery
9 Dec 2022
How to fix the 'blue screen of death' (BSOD) in Windows 11
A screenshot of the Blue Screen of Death error in Microsoft Windows 11
Microsoft Windows

How to fix the 'blue screen of death' (BSOD) in Windows 11

While frustrating to encounter, learning how to fix the 'blue screen of death' (BSOD) in Windows 11 is fairly straightforward
22 Nov 2022
How to boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode
Screenshot of Windows 11's recovery settings menu
Microsoft Windows

How to boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode

Long-time Windows users will already be familiar with the feature, but novices may not be aware of how to boot in safe mode, especially in Windows 11
15 Nov 2022
How to set up a virtual LAN (VLAN)
Ethernet cables connected to the back of a server
Network & Internet

How to set up a virtual LAN (VLAN)

We explain what a VLAN is and break down the steps you need to take to establish one in your organisation
9 Nov 2022
Oppo Find X5 Pro review: An Android powerhouse fit for business
Oppo Find X5 Pro camera array
Mobile Phones

Oppo Find X5 Pro review: An Android powerhouse fit for business

Oppo's international reputation comes of age with a true flagship device combining the best of Android with some unique extras
24 Oct 2022
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022) Laptop Review: A powerful ultraportable with unnecessary gimmicks
The lid on Dell's XPS 13 (2022)
Laptops

Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022) Laptop Review: A powerful ultraportable with unnecessary gimmicks

A superb thin and light laptop let down by middling battery life and a slightly gimmicky keyboard
18 Oct 2022
Oppo Find X5 Pro review gallery
The Oppo Find X5 Pro's display
Mobile Phones

Oppo Find X5 Pro review gallery

Photos of the Oppo Find X5 Pro
13 Oct 2022
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022) review gallery
The lid on Dell's XPS 13 (2022)
Laptops

Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022) review gallery

Photos of Dell's XPS 13 (2022)
13 Oct 2022
Windows 10 vs Windows 11: Is Windows 10 or 11 better for your business?
Two laptops sat one in front of the other with Windows 10 and Windows 11 logos displayed
operating systems

Windows 10 vs Windows 11: Is Windows 10 or 11 better for your business?

Windows 10 is by far the most popular operating system, but is it worth upgrading your business to Windows 11?
11 Oct 2022
How to check RAM speed and size on your computer
A close-up photo of a person installing a stick of RAM onto a motherboard
Laptops

How to check RAM speed and size on your computer

It's always useful to know how to check RAM speed on your PC, especially if you want to upgrade performance
15 Jul 2022
Ankerwork B600 Video Bar review: Perfect for home or office
A photograph of the Ankerwork B600 Video Bar mounted on a monitor
video conferencing

Ankerwork B600 Video Bar review: Perfect for home or office

A near perfect all-in-one solution for video conferencing at home or the office
5 Jul 2022
Windows 11 Home vs Pro: What's the difference for business users?
The brand graphic for Windows 11 showing a light mode and dark mode side by side, split with a yellow line. The text Windows 11 Home appears on the left, and Windows 11 Pro on the right
operating systems

Windows 11 Home vs Pro: What's the difference for business users?

A comparison of the various features and tools available across Windows 11's Home and Pro versions
20 Jun 2022
Why are USB cable standards so tangled?
A photograph of a drawer full of tangled cables
Hardware

Why are USB cable standards so tangled?

The harder the industry tries to standardise, the more muddled it gets
19 May 2022
What is Wi-Fi 6?
A photograph of a man connecting his smartphone to a Wi-Fi router
wifi & hotspots

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 will revolutionise networking - albeit very slowly
17 May 2022
How to connect one, two or more monitors to your laptop
The USB-C cable resting beside a USB-C port on a laptop
Laptops

How to connect one, two or more monitors to your laptop

The definitive guide to connecting multiple displays to your laptop using a variety of cable types, and using USB C to connect to an external monitor
8 Apr 2022
HP OfficeJet Pro 9012e review: Jack of all trades
A photograph of the HP OfficeJet 9012e
peripherals

HP OfficeJet Pro 9012e review: Jack of all trades

A feature-packed SOHO MFP, let down by slow, noisy, glitchy performance
6 Jan 2022
Brother MFC-J4540DW review: Office-quality printing at home
A photograph of the Brother MFC-J4540DW
Hardware

Brother MFC-J4540DW review: Office-quality printing at home

An inkjet MFP for home-based staff that shows promise in a new category
22 Oct 2021
Canon PIXMA GM2050 Inkjet Monochrome Printer review: Less is more
A photograph of the Canon PIXMA GM2050 Inkjet Monochrome Printer
peripherals

Canon PIXMA GM2050 Inkjet Monochrome Printer review: Less is more

A stripped down solution for reliable black and white printing
8 Jul 2021
How to reset your iPhone passcode
Mobile

How to reset your iPhone passcode

Our helpful guide to getting past the awkward problem of forgetting your phone's passcode
24 Jun 2020
The autopsy of Windows 7
Windows 7 logo in orange
Microsoft Windows

The autopsy of Windows 7

Report of a postmortem examination
29 Feb 2020
WD My Cloud Pro PR2100: A solid and capable SOHO NAS drive
network attached storage (NAS)

WD My Cloud Pro PR2100: A solid and capable SOHO NAS drive

A reliable new entry to the stalwart range, but file transfer speeds are still not as fast as other brands
26 Apr 2018
TP-Link TL-SG1016D 16-Port Unmanaged Gigabit Switch
Network & Internet

TP-Link TL-SG1016D 16-Port Unmanaged Gigabit Switch

A trusted model that now represents a reliable budget buy
31 Jan 2018
Adata SC660H review
solid state storage (SSD)

Adata SC660H review

Lighter than its rivals and a fraction of the price of other 3D-NAND equipped drives, Adata offers incredible value for money
19 Jan 2018
G-Technology Slim SSD USB-C review
solid state storage (SSD)

G-Technology Slim SSD USB-C review

Designed with Apple in mind, but worthy of consideration for Windows users too
18 Jan 2018
WD My Passport SSD review
solid state storage (SSD)

WD My Passport SSD review

An impressive basic device that utilises flash to reduce size and increase speed
18 Jan 2018