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This one’s for the dinosaurs
Do you remember Packard Bell? If you do – how are you holding up? Back giving you grief yet? Any stray grey hairs to speak of?
It’s been over 20 years since the popular/populist consumer tech brand collapsed in the US, and nearly as long since it vanished from shelves at Currys PC World and Dixons (another relic of a bygone age) here in the UK. Owner Acer has jealously guarded the Packard Bell name since then, happy to let it gather dust and fade into obscurity.
Until now, that is. That’s right: Packard Bell is back, with a new range of budget laptops, feature phones, uh, turntables and um, food steamers. I wish I was kidding. Head of Reviews Jonathan Bray is in Berlin at IFA 2026 with the full scoop.
Speaking of which: IFA press previews are underway, and my crack team is on the show floor as we speak, so keep an eye on our newsletters this week for the latest announcements from the annual home & tech trade show.
I’m finishing today’s newsletter with a duo of marvellous reviews from our Home Editor Gareth Thomas: the affordable John Lewis High Power Handheld Fan, which literally blew Gareth away in every respect; and the budget Melitta Optima Timer, which (mostly) proves that you can brew good coffee for under £100.
Latest News - IFA 2026
Acer revives the Packard Bell name with a range of colourful devices
Packard Bell is back with an eclectic mix of new releases, including a laptop, a turntable and – bizarrely – a lunchbox. Head of Reviews Jonathan Bray (who still vividly remembers the brand at its peak) caught a glimpse at this year’s IFA trade show in Berlin
HANDS ON
Huawei’s new watches double down on hypertension tracking
The latest Huawei wearables are more accurate than most consumer cuffs – and you can use them to measure blood pressure while exercising
HANDS ON
Acer’s Dual Play Mini is a gaming handheld/laptop
Acer's crazy hybrid combines the features of a portable games console and a laptop in one bizarre-looking package - here are our first impressions
Buying Guide of the Week
Our favourite power banks for on-the-go charging
Whether you’re stranded far from a wall socket or just plain lazy, a power bank is an essential rucksack item. We’ve tested literally hundreds over the years to help you find the right model for your needs and budget
Anker Prime A110A
★★★★★
Best overall: We love this high-capacity beast of a power bank for its rapid charging speeds and useful digital display
£179
Iniu SnapGo Air
★★★★
Best for wireless charging: This is a sleek, lightweight power bank that works flawlessly with iPhones and other Qi2.2-ready handsets£55 £50
Latest Reviews
John Lewis delivers the best handheld fan of 2026
Home Editor Gareth Thomas ranks John Lewis’ new High Power Handheld Fan above both the Shark ChillPill and the Dyson HushJet, this summer’s trendiest portable cooling tech. The fact that it’s £75-£100 cheaper than both – and yet not noticeably weaker – is the main draw here, Gareth writes
Melitta’s Optima Timer filter machine is simple but effective
Basic but extremely affordable, the £85 Melitta Optima Timer is a good entry point into the world of filter coffee, writes our Home Editor Gareth Thomas. But a plasticky build and some slightly irritating issues with the built-in timer and hot plate hold this machine back from a full recommendation
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