Dec 30, 2025
3 min read
What notebooks and smartphones do editors use?We will reveal it and ask your mobile friends!
Books and cell phones From the editors: We travel with these devices - and what do you use?
After showcasing our editors' personal desktop hardware, today we find out what laptops, smartphones and tablets they use and why.And how and why?Tell us and other interested people in the community!
This is a mobile phone company
Bed at home, balcony, cafe, trade show or train: mobile work is part of everyday life and fast search in modern times.But when they're not sitting in front of a desktop computer, what tools does the editorial team use to do their daily work?
And what does the community look like from a production perspective?Do you want to work on a regular or (ultra)portable desktop in all situations and environments?Feel free to write your preference in the comments.The editorial team is looking forward to a lively debate.
Wolfgang – Asus ZenBook S14 + Pixel 8a
Me and notebooks...they don't really go together.Let's be honest: I probably use my laptop 30 days a year.And then often for half an hour.I need it mostly for commuting home and when I'm at a trade show.That's it.On the other hand, if I'm at home or at work, I only use desktop computers.
But if I ever need a laptop, the biggest role is battery life.It should be as long as possible.And yes, even if it is rare, it should be fun to choose a notebook ...
Due to both requirements, many small notebooks are questionable, so this year I used the not very expensive Asus Zenbook S14 (test).Yes, for a small notebook during the year... But if, then, or something like that.
There is definitely something wrong with the Zenbook S14.Battery life is very long in all conditions thanks to Intel Lunar Lake, performance is good, the OLED screen is great, the keyboard and lighting work well, and the trackpad does what I want.The biggest problem with the Zenbook is turning off the "cool" pilot features as quickly as possible.I don't need them.
A cell phone is "one of those things" for me too.What I need here is long battery life and internet ... what I don't need is everything else. Yes, of course, there must be an application, but unlike a PC, I am far from a power user.So, I don't know much about these things.I am currently using a Google Pixel 8a, which has served me well for over a year.I only need about 3 percent of what the device can do, but surely someone else will do the same - right?
Jan-Frederik Timm - Ha Apple
After Millennini's turn, I was recorded on the Apple IPod (I have been awarded the machine's old manufacturer's dimensions in that year. With a Nabiary SSD Strable Space worth its weight, I, as a macOS, changed Windows five years ago.
For a year and a half I've been using the big sister model of Wolfgang's Asus Zenbook S14, Zenbook S16 with AMD Strix Point (test) - a notebook with Pascal;Even in light color.
It's compact, strong, durable - and the "Ceraluminum" chassis that Asus advertises so aggressively is stunning.In terms of design, sensitivity, durability and strength.The connectivity you need for everyday life is right there.The only thing I missed was iMessage in the system - but you can't get everything.
* I miss iMessage (and AirDrop).Because with an iPhone 15 Pro in your pocket, you can't travel without Apple on your mobile.I bought the iPhone 16 Pro after it was released.Because the iPhone 16 Pro was 100 euros cheaper and the “innovations” of its successor were not worth the extra money.It cannot be an older version to avoid being excluded from Apple Intelligence.So far I haven't even enabled Apple Intelligence.
Nicolas - MacBook Air M2 + iPhone 17 Pro Max
The 13-inch MacBook Air M2 launched in June 2022 is still part of the daily mobile life.The maximum battery capacity is currently only 87 percent, but the battery condition is still "normal" and the notebook can accompany me all day without charging.
Since even the latest MacBook Air with M4 (test) did not offer a significantly better experience for my personal needs, I continue to use the 2022 model. I don't like the keyboard and trackpad of the Windows counterparts as much as the Apple ones, and both input devices have so far caused no problems even after intensive use.The M2 remains powerful enough to write articles, edit some images, and occasionally edit videos in iMovie.I'll probably be jealous of the MacBook Pro when it comes to the screen and speakers, but I prefer the mobility of the MacBook Air.
The smartphone uses the current iPhone 17 Pro Max (test).I actually like the size of the iPhone 17 Pro better, but I need a bigger battery for the Max model, especially for appointments and trade shows where a lot of photos are taken.The new telephoto lens represents a big improvement over before. I transfer photos and videos quickly and without loss of quality to my MacBook Air using AirDrop. This is where the ecosystem clearly pays off.
Frank Hüber - Apple and the triple vision
MacBook Pro 16 with Apple M1 Pro gave up the ghost this year.Frequent damage and graphic errors indicate the end of the board, but replacing the logic board is no longer financially feasible.So a replacement is needed.
When the MacBook Pro 16 was the second MacBook in a row with problems, the choice came back to Apple - from Apple's point of view, connecting with the ecosystem worked;yes, Jan, I hear you...
Since the MacBook Pro 16, despite all its advantages, has proven to be extremely cumbersome when traveling, this time we chose a MacBook Air 13 with M4 (test).Considerably smaller and above all lighter (and cheaper!), it now also meets the requirements for portable devices that are placed on it in everyday life.But, consciously connected to an ecosystem, the task for 2026 is to integrate Windows more closely into everyday life.
An Apple iPhone 17 Pro was used as a smartphone for a few weeks, although the iPhone 16 Pro (trade-in) was bought more or less with thought due to the new and annoying model with the 5x camera.However, the irony of upgrading to the trifold version and having a tablet with you when you're on the move.
The lack of equipment in Germany and the terrible purchase price are the main reasons why this does not happen later.tomer will both change at some point in the fold so far speaking against the manufacturers becoming more involved in this area.
Michael - old typewriter
I usually write mobile test reports, but I have to work through the message in different windows or apps most of the time, so I don't enjoy writing the most.I also don't want to be without my big monitor.
If I'm not working on a desktop, I prefer to use my old ThinkPad x121e from Lenovo.The notebook was completely under normal use when I bought it - two browser tabs were open and the "machine" reached its limit.But even after 14 years, I still think it's the best digital typewriter I've ever owned.
It's small, still has a long battery life, the keyboard is still nice and cool, especially when used in a purely office environment (like nervous training, even the slightest fan noise freaks me out).
Meanwhile, I tried it two years ago on a MacBook Air M2 that was available at the time due to passive cooling, but it never overheated – mainly because of the reflective screen. To be honest, I never even bothered to use the laptop, and six months later I was happy to replace it with the then popular and well-equipped Lenovo T14 AMD. But thanks to the X121e, it spent most of its time in the cabinet. I'm just a creature of habit.
If I need to look something up on my mobile, I use either my Galaxy Tab S6 Lite or my little old iPad Air 3. With a data volume of 120 GB, I don't have to worry about volume.
Another thing to note: while most of my colleagues listen to music on their cell phones, I may be among the dying people who still use a dedicated music streaming device.Whenever I leave the house, I have a now 15-year-old Cowon D2+ with me, which I absolutely love.Unfortunately, Cowon hasn't released a new device in a while, so I expect the player to be with me for a long time - it will be hard to find a replacement.
John Weichmann - Apple through and through
After the sins of discount stores in my youth and buying a convertible early in my education, I'm now in the Apple camp.The first-generation MacBook Air met the requirements because it was lightweight, had a good keyboard, and lasted a long time.Due to my hobby (photography), two MacBook Pro models followed before the last one this year, which, as with Frank, was replaced by the current MacBook Air M4 (test).iPad Pro is also frequently used for mobile photo editing 12.9" M1 (test).
However, I prefer to work behind a desk.Working on very low cafe tables, on my knees or on the showroom floor is not for me (anymore).In addition to the mentioned aspects, it is also the whole interaction of the ecosystem that makes my work much easier.
My full-time job recently switched from a desktop mini to a laptop.I'm also very happy with the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, which has a magnesium body and LTE support.As for smartphones, I've been an Apple follower since the iPhone 5. Before this, I only had one smartphone (HTC Desire HD (beta)).I've always liked the look of the iPhone 12 Mini (beta), and I've used three models of the iPhone 12 Mini (beta), but last year I switched to the iPhone 15 (beta) because there was only one USB-C port.Most of all, however, I mourn another phone - for me, it's the Samsung SGH-U900 Soul.The noble workmanship, slider construction and touch control panel caused a sensation at the time.
Fabian - ripe apple
If I'm the next editor with the full Apple suite, I'll worry a bit about the outward appearance - but it is what it is. The story begins in 2012, when I was a student and saved enough money for a used iPhone 4.My first smartphone lasted until the iPhone 6, which lasted until the iPhone 12 Pro.And that “Pacific Blue” device is now in its sixth year for me.
For a few weeks this year, I've been thinking about upgrading to 17 Pro as the 128GB of storage space is slowly running out.I also like the look of the dark blue model and the cameras are laughing at me.But I finally decided to do it.On the one hand, the added value compared to 12 Pro is too small for me.Social media, mobile games and videos on smartphones are for me and I try to spend as little time as possible with my phone in my hands.The 17 Pro would certainly be providing the wrong incentives here.Plus, Tim Apple stuck his head a little deeper up the ass of the orange fascist in the White House this year.“Do not buy” is simply better.
Things are similar to the tablet;here I use it behind an ipad Pro (11 inch) from 2020. The trap is mostly in the evening, the tablet is a bit annoying in the dark.
But even here, the price of a new iPad is simply too high for me if it again requires 1TB of storage for me to continue to comfortably use the tablet as a digital photo album.At that time I bought a new 1TB model for 950 euros, but today new models start at just under 2000 euros.I don't see it.And the bonus is that I spend less time on YouTube because I find myself picking up a book more often.
Unfortunately, the notebook thing is not so easy to deal with.I rely on a mobile computer for my studies and work on a computer base.Additionally, I use it to edit photos from my camera.The use is sometimes just as intense.Strong battery life and a good display were very important to me.So last year I changed from my old MacBook Pro (15 inches) to the version from 2018 with an M3 chip, this time only 14 inches.
In practice, I prefer the narrower form factor because I can still connect screens at home.I am still completely satisfied with this device and see no reason to upgrade.And I hope it stays that way for a few more years.Because as I said: now I don't want to buy Apple products.
