Are you looking for a new bike computer? We researched the top models on the market before buying 11 of the best for 2019. With so many options and their various features and functions, it can be hard to find the bike computer that meets not only your budget but also your specific needs. From paved and gravel roads to singletrack, the flatlands to the mountain tops, we tested each of these computers and scrutinized every aspect of their design, features, and performance. Whether you want a bike computer for navigation, training, tracking your rides, or all of the above, we hope this detailed comparative review helps you find the model to suit your needs and budget. Garmin Connect AppAfter reviewing the 2019 options, the Garmin Edge 820 still takes the cake, with a staggering list of features and an intuitive interface, reconfirming its spot as our Editors' Choice winner. It is GPS and GLONASS enabled for accurate navigation with mapping, turn-by-turn navigation, and a color touch screen with iPhone-like usability.
The best small mini laptops (11.6 and 10 inch screens) available in 2019 By Andrei Girbea, last updated on June 4, 2019 There are many thin, light and fast ultraportable laptops out there, but for some of you size matters more than anything else when choosing your computer, that’s why a mini laptop might be ideal for you.
(The tap and swipe functionality is a huge improvement over the previous model.) It's packed with features, but the standouts are audio prompts, 16G of memory, and good smartphone integration. The Edge 820 is one of only a few contenders that has an incident detection system, which notifies your contacts in the event of a crash. The 820 is a powerful training tool with Strava Live segments and the ability to pair with ANT+ speed, power, and heart rate sensors for performance analytics and structured workouts through TrainingPeaks. There are far too many features to mention here. The small size, lightweight, and wealth of features make the Edge 820 our favorite bike computer.While we love virtually everything about the Edge 820, testers found the Garmin Connect companion app to be the least user-friendly of the bunch, making programming and initial setup a little more time consuming and frustrating than it could be.
It's also relatively expensive, and if the 820 is too rich for your blood then be sure to check out the Edge 520 Plus. This is an updated version of the Edge 520, which has virtually all of the same features and performance of the 820 without the convenience of the touchscreen and is offered at a lower price.Read review. No mapsOur Best Buy Award goes to the Lezyne Micro C GPS. While it's far from the cheapest product we tested, it's among the least expensive GPS enabled models and offers the most features per dollar and bang for your buck. Lezyne is still a relatively new player in the cycling computer market, but they've been constantly growing and improving their line, bringing them ever closer to the competition.
The Micro C GPS offers connectivity for both Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ sensors with a decent range of performance metrics available for display. Smartphone integration is key to the Micro's design and functionality, and Lezyne's Ally V2 app is straightforward and user-friendly. It also features turn-by-turn navigation and call and text notifications when paired with a compatible smartphone, and it can even do Strava Live segments for training or to snag that elusive KOM. It is impressively small and lightweight and punches way above its weight and size class in terms of performance and features.A simple four-button user interface is easy to master but does not offer the fluid navigation of the touch screen found on the Edge 820 or Edge 1030.
It also lacks the maps found on the more expensive competitors with larger displays, nor does it have the dizzying array of performance metrics found on Wahoo Fitness' ELEMNT BOLT or the maps found on the Garmin Edge 1030. If you're on a budget and don't require maps or the most advanced training features, there's nothing else on the market that offers the level of functionality and versatility of the Micro C GPS at this price.Read review. Lacks GPSWhile the Lezyne Micro C GPS takes our Best Buy award, we recognize that it's still no small investment. Also, many cyclists have no desire to post their rides on social media or compete for KOMs on Strava. Most of us don't work with a coach, and we may not need to track years worth of ride data for analysis. You just like to ride!
The goal of data collection for you is to satisfy your curiosity and challenge yourself to go a bit further on the next ride. If this describes you, then take a look at the Cateye Strada Slim, winner of our Best Buy award for the Casual Cyclist. It's a simple wireless computer that tracks speed, distance, and time. It turns on and off automatically when movement is detected, so all you need to do is get on your bike and ride.Simplicity is the name of the game with the Strada Slim; it has no GPS tracking capability, no navigation features, and no ability to pair with your smartphone or sensors. This is as basic as cycling computers get, a simple heads up display, think of it as a dashboard for your bike.Read review.
Slower startupThe Edge 1030 is the top model in Garmin's range of cycling computers. This is truly an impressive product that is packed with more features than any other model we tested. This advanced cycling computer comes at a price, however, and it is the most expensive model in our test by far. That said, if you're looking for a computer that can do absolutely everything, it has you covered with all the training, navigation, and connected features you could ever possibly need.
Connected features like text and call notifications, Live Track, Group Track, Incident Detection, and auto uploads just scratch the surface of the ways you can use the device with a Bluetooth connection and the Garmin Connect App. Navigation is on a whole new level, with maps, turn by turn directions, round-trip routing, course creation, and more. It is also bursting with training features, like Strava Live segments, training status, structured workouts, and ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensor compatibility. Not only is the Edge 1030 big on features, but it's also physically large, with an intuitive user interface that uses the large color touchscreen and three tactile buttons.The Edge 1030 was a certainly a contender for our Editor's Choice Award, but in the end, testers felt they preferred the slightly smaller, lighter, more streamlined, and somewhat simpler Edge 820.
There's so much going on with the Edge 1030 that most users will barely scratch the surface of its capabilities and we feel that most users will be just as happy while spending significantly less money. It's also worth noting that while this is an amazing GPS cycling computer, the setup, specifically the programming, is less user-friendly than the competition due to the Garmin Connect companion app.Read review. Slower to startupOne of our highest rated GPS enabled cycling computers is the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT BOLT. This contender is full of features that all cyclists will enjoy and offers data and performance analytics that the most obsessed data hungry cyclists will love. Wahoo Fitness may not be the most recognized name in GPS cycling computers, but that is likely to change with their well-designed and integrated line of ELEMNT devices. The ELEMNT BOLT falls in the middle of their range of three models and offers all of the features you could ever ask for, and plenty you probably didn't even know about. This device is enabled to four different satellites for the utmost GPS accuracy, pairs with both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors, and offers Live Tracking, Strava Live segments, and excellent navigation features through the well designed and user-friendly ELEMNT app.
Everything is fully customizable through the app to display the data that is most important to you and believe us when we tell you that there is virtually every bit of data you have ever wanted to collect and analyze available.While testers loved virtually everything about the ELEMNT Bolt, it lost a little ground to the competition for its lack of a color screen and user interface. While the tactile buttons are the easiest to use among the devices with a button-only interface, they can't quite match the ease of use of the touchscreen models. Overall though, we were very impressed with the ELEMNT BOLT, and we think you will be too.Read review.
Multi-function buttonsThe Mega XL is one of Lezyne's newest and best models in their growing line of GPS enabled cycling computers. As its name suggests, it's bigger than the other models in their range, and that includes both the display and the battery life.
With a claimed battery run time of up to 48 hours, the Mega XL blows the other models in this test out of the water for battery life making it one of the best options for super endurance riders, bike packers, and bike touring. It's also unique in that it can be used in either landscape or portrait orientation depending on your preferences. One of our favorite aspects of the Mega XL is the easy setup that is facilitated by the very intuitive and user-friendly Lezyne Ally V2 companion App.
It uses both GPS and Glonass satellites for accuracy, and it can be paired with compatible ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors. It has a wealth of training features including Strava Live segments, performance analytics, and the ability to do structured workouts through TrainingPeaks and Today's Plan.
Like the other Lezyne models we tested, the Mega XL doesn't come with preloaded maps, but you can quickly and easily import maps from the app or the GPS Root website to the device which can be used for offline navigation. Smartphone integration is solid with text and call notifications, Live Track, and wireless data transfers.One of our biggest gripes with the Mega XL is the user-interface in the form of four multi-function buttons. It works, it's just not as straightforward as some of the other models we tested with touchscreens or better button layouts. The display also can't quite match the vibrant color displays found on the Garmin models, but it is relatively clear, bright, and easy to read regardless. Testers were quite impressed with the features and performance of the Mega XL, especially considering the asking price.Read review:Why You Should Trust UsJeremy Benson is a freelance writer and competitive gravel and mountain bike racer based in Truckee, CA. He started mountain biking in the early nineties on rigid bikes on the technical singletrack trails throughout Connecticut. Whether training for racing or riding for fun, Benson spends significant amounts of time in the saddle on his road, gravel, and trail bikes each year.
In 2018, he rode his mountain bike nearly 5,000 miles and 600K vertical feet. He suffers from a mild Strava addiction and can often be found pushing it way too hard regularly while training for endurance gravel and mountain bike races throughout northern California.
Tracking his performance in the pursuit of amateur racing dominance is one of his many obsessions, and he is intimately familiar with cycling computers as a result. A self-proclaimed 'gear nerd', Benson has been testing and reviewing cycling gear for OutdoorGearLab for the past two years. Benson also received input from bike racer Curtis Smith. Smith spent many years racing road, mountain, and cyclocross bikes and used cycling computers religiously to track his performance while training.
Smith resides in South Lake Tahoe, CA with his wife and family and can often be found riding two-wheeled contraptions on the roads and trails in the area.In addition to staying up to date on the most recent product releases, Benson spent hours researching the best cycling computers to incorporate into this review update. After selecting the best new models, he spent countless hours fiddling with each one to test their smartphone integration, connectivity, features, and user-friendliness. After programming and playing with each competitor, we took to the roads and the trails to test each model for accuracy and to see how well those features and functions actually work in the field. Our field testing is also supplemented with hours of testing the user-friendliness of the companion apps, user-interface, creating routes, and dunking each computer in water.Related. Cyclocross racing, the perfect bike computer testing ground.What was once the tool of only the professional cyclist, the bike computer has come a long way in the last 30+ years.
The Avocet 30 was released in 1985 and quickly found its way onto the bars of many professional cyclists' bikes. Avocet created a way for cyclists to accurately track speed, distance, and time of a ride. Tracking training data was of particular importance to the professional cyclist, but over time these gadgets have found their way onto a much broader range of users' rides. If you've just started cycling, you'll probably notice that many riders have some type of cycling computer on their handlebars.Related. Bike Phone Mounts with AppsMounts that attach your phone to your handlebars are now better than ever.
They allow multiple attachment styles at various price points. The downside to phone mounts is that most phones are massive compared to a bike computer.
The upside is that many great fitness tracking apps are either free or very reasonably priced. Top rated models allow your phone to attach and detach from the bars in seconds. Related:ValueOften, the more expensive units typically score better and neither of our Best Buy winners (the Lezyne Super GPS and the Cateye Strada) score particularly high from a performance standpoint, but both give you the basic info for less than half the price of the highest performing models. Our Top Pick-winning ELEMNT BOLT is a top performer and scored nearly as well as models that cost significantly more. It is important to note that the non-GPS enabled units score significantly lower than their GPS enabled counterparts due to their more basic designs, features, and functionality. We took a number of factors into account when rating the ease of use, including startup time, charging and battery life, touchscreen or button interface, screen navigation and ease of uploading workouts to web-based tracking services, and smartphone integration. Of all these factors, we feel the user interface and ease of navigation are the most important.
Below is a breakdown of each area, and analysis of product performance. InterfaceWhen we say interface, we mean the method by which the user interacts with the device. Are buttons used, a touchscreen, or both? How easy is it to navigate through menus and functions? Our highest scoring products are the Garmin Edge 820 and Edge 1030 which are controlled with buttons and a touchscreen. Power on and off, start/stop workout, and lap are controlled by the buttons. The lap and start/stop buttons are located on the lower portion of the case, putting them closest to the rider, for easy access when doing intervals or other training.
The touchscreen interface is excellent and makes the Edge 1030 among the easiest computers to use in our test.Both the Edge 820 and the 1030 have vibrant color touchscreens used to navigate between pages of preselected data during a workout, as well as for all setup, menu functions, and navigation. They both have a capacitive touch display, similar to what is used on most smartphones, so most users will be right at home. In contrast, the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT BOLT uses only buttons, but the quantity, function, and layout of the buttons are excellent, making navigation simple and intuitive.External tactile buttons work when executed well, although we found that the touch screen of the Garmin Edge 820 and Edge 1030 is superior to the button only interface. The Lezyne Super GPS Enhanced, Micro C GPS, and Mega XL are controlled by buttons only, but the multi-function buttons are a bit less user-friendly than those on the competing Garmin Edge 520 Plus or Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT BOLT. The Cateye Velo 7 and the Cateye Strada Slim both require a paperclip or other implement to press small reset/program buttons located on the back of the computer to access setup menus, making them the least user-friendly models we tested. Both the Lezyne Mega XL and the Garmin Edge 520 Plus have button interfaces but the Garmin's button layout is far more intuitive than the Lezyne.
Neither can compare to a touchscreen.Menu layout differs between the touchscreen Garmin Edge 820 and Edge 1030 and the button interface Edge 520 Plus. All have color screens with an intuitive flow, but the navigation of each unit is designed appropriately around the button or touchscreen interface. Overall, navigation is faster on the Edge 820 and 1030, due to speedier scrolling by using finger swipe motions as opposed to tapping buttons to move through data screens.Navigation of the Lezyne Super GPS, Mega XL, and Micro C GPS is simple, but not as intuitive as the Garmin Edge 520 Plus. All of the Lezyne devices have a four-button interface compared to the seven on the Garmin Edge 520, and all of their buttons are multi-function, making it a bit less intuitive to use. Navigation is relatively quick to master on all of the Lezyne computers; it just takes a little practice to master.
The screens vary in size between all of the Lezyne models as well, and while they are relatively easy to read, they can't quite match the vibrant color screens of the Garmin models. The Micro C GPS lives up to its name, and it is small.
It also shares the same controls and button configuration with the Lezyne Super GPS Enhanced.Startup TimeThe faster, the better right? Less time waiting for the unit to start up equals more time to ride. The non-GPS enabled Cateye Strada Slim and Cateye Velo 7 start up automatically when movement is detected. This is an excellent feature — there is nothing worse than realizing you forgot to turn your computer on when you are halfway through a ride kind of makes you feel like it never even happened.
The Garmin units in our review, the Edge 1030, Edge 820, and Edge 520 Plus, must be turned on by pressing the power button. Once powered on, the user selects from Activity Profiles, and the unit needs to acquire a satellite signal. Sounds like a lot, but with frequent use, this only takes 30 seconds or so. All of the Lezyne models are also turned on and off with a power button and both startup within only a few seconds. Wahoo Fitness' ELEMNT BOLT takes a little longer to power up, but the 25 seconds or so it takes has yet to ruin anyone's day. Rides displayed on the Lezyne Ally V2 app. From here they are backed up on your device, auto-synced to Strava, or uploaded to the Lezyne GPS Root website.More commonly, data is transferred via smartphone applications, such as Garmin Connect, Lezyne Ally V2, or the ELEMNT app.
The devices can be set to auto upload ride data following completion of a ride via Bluetooth to their respective web-based services. The Garmin Edge 820, Edge 1030, and Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT BOLT are Wi-Fi enabled and can transfer ride files via Wi-Fi connection. All the Garmin, Lezyne, and Wahoo Fitness devices can be set up to auto sync with Strava as well, via Smart Phone Applications. When it comes to data transfers, the Edge 1030, Edge 820, and ELEMNT BOLT have a leg up on the Edge 520 Plus, Super GPS, and Micro C GPS with Wi-Fi connectivity, but all these devices are easy to set up for wireless data transfer.The Garmin Edge 1030, Edge 820, and Edge 520 Plus use Garmin Connect to pair with a smartphone. The ELEMNT app allows you to customize every aspect of the ELEMNT BOLT to your preferences.The Garmin Connect application is slightly more cumbersome to use than the Lezyne Ally V2 application used by the Mega XL, Super GPS, and Micro C GPS, and Wahoo Fitness' very user-friendly ELEMNT app. Strava segments are more accessible to set and more customizable with Lezyne Ally V2 and ELEMNT than Garmin Connect.
All the platforms have their idiosyncrasies, but we like the Lezyne Ally V2, followed closely by the ELEMNT app, and lastly Garmin Connect.Ease of SetupAll of the models we tested require some setup. Setup should factor into your purchase decision, but keep in mind that more complex products with more features require a bit more time investment up front. Thankfully, for the most part, this is a one-time or occasional hassle.
The difficulty of setting up a computer is largely dependent on how many features and accessories the unit has or is capable of using. So you may notice that the units that score high in our features metric conversely score a bit lower on setup. Setup includes the physical attachment, and the computers come with different styles of mounts. All of the GPS enabled computers come with a similar style of standard quarter-turn mount that attaches directly to the handlebar or stem. The Garmin Edge computers and the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt come with both a standard mount and an out-front mount that extends the computer out in front of the stem in the optimal position. The inclusion of more than one mount style is an added value and makes swapping the computer between bikes much quicker.
Enabling Live Track is among the things you can program through the Connect app.The GPS enabled computers all use a smartphone app, and putting the app on your device and pairing with your computer is essential to fully take advantage of the connected features and for some of the setup. For example, all of the setup for the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT BOLT is done through the well designed and intuitive ELEMNT app. The same goes for the Lezyne computers, their All V2 app is easy to use and handles almost all of the programming and setup.
On the other hand, the majority of the setup of the Garmin models is done on the computer itself.FeaturesBike computers range from simple to extremely complex. When it comes to features, we focus on features that you can use. It should come as no surprise that the Garmin Edge 1030, winner of our Top Pick for Features and Navigation award, is also the most feature-rich unit we tested.
The Edge 1030 is GPS enabled, ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart accessory compatible, has a touchscreen, and has a wealth of training, navigation, and connected features. Our Editor's Choice award-winning Edge 820 follows close behind in the feature department. Both models have too many features to mention here. Connected features are those that work through a connection to your smartphone, typically through the computer's app. Examples of connected features are text and call notifications, activity uploads to fitness tracking apps, and Live Tracking.
Most models of GPS enabled computers have these more basic connected features. The Garmin Edge 1030 takes it to another level, with Group Track, weather, device to device transfers, and rider to rider messaging. All of the Garmin Edge models also have a unique Incident Detection feature that notifies your contacts in the event of a crash.Many of the computers we tested have navigation features that are intended to help you find your way on a ride. Maps, turn by turn directions, and routes are examples of these.
GPS enabled units like the Lezyne Micro C GPS and the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT BOLT have pretty good navigation, but the Garmin Edge 1030 and Edge 820 are the most capable computers in this regard. The Edge 1030, for example, has a large color screen, preloaded maps, a course creator, round-trip routing, Strava routes, turn by turn directions, and audio prompts.
The large color screen on the Edge 1030 has clear and easy to read maps.Cycling computers are also great training tools, and many of them have features designed to help you achieve your fitness and training goals. Strava Live was introduced with the Garmin Edge 520 and is a feature that Strava Premium members can use.
This feature takes your chosen Strava segments and provides prompts before during and after those segments so that you can monitor it as you go. Strava Live is now available on all of the GPS enabled computers in this review. Most GPS enabled computers are also compatible with ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart sensors to monitor heart rate, cadence, speed, and power. Sensors provide the user with quantifiable training information that is essential to improving performance. The Garmin Edge 820 and Edge 520 Plus are two outliers that are only compatible with ANT+ sensors. Some computers can also program workouts or upload them from other apps like Training Peaks.
The Lezyne models can create up to five bike profiles for different bikes and types of cycling. Within each profile, you can customize the data pages to display the most relevant information for the activity at hand. The Garmin Edge models also have numerous activity profiles that are customizable for different types of rides, including indoor cycling.Versatility is about more than just different activity profiles; it also includes mapping and navigation capabilities. Some computers are better for simply tracking your ride and posting it to Strava, while others are powerful navigation tools that can create and routes and help you explore new trails and roads. The Garmin Edge units have the most robust mapping and navigation features, particularly the Edge 1030, and the Edge 820 and the Edge 520 Plus aren't that far behind. The Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt also comes with preloaded maps and offers most of the navigation features of the Garmin units.
The Lezyne computers offer the least in terms of navigation and mapping, although the Mega XL is an improvement over previous models with preloaded maps and the ability to import maps for offline navigation. Testing the versatility of multiple computers at once.The Lezyne computers, the Edge 1030, as well as the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT BOLT also deserve a nod for their compatibility with both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart Sensors. This allows you to pick and choose sensors from a variety of manufacturers. Versatility is essential; it not only makes life easier but can also save you some money. For details on how each product stacks up, we'd recommend browsing our product reviews. Water ResistanceEven if you never intend to venture out on your bike in the rain, sooner or later you may find yourself caught in an unexpected shower.
People on a serious training program will almost certainly be training or racing in inclement weather at some point. So what's going to happen to your expensive gadget when it gets wet?
Well, hopefully, nothing. Therefore, we feel that water resistance is a critical feature of a quality bike computer. No matter your reason for riding with a computer there's a model to suit your needs and budget.
We hope this review helps you find your next bike computer.The type of computer you need for your bike may vary depending on your cycling goals and endeavors. Recording the distance of your ride and obtaining quantifiable information for fitness reasons is possible on almost every contender in this category. GPS technology, smartphone integration, sensor compatibility, and social data tracking are just a few things to take into consideration while on the hunt for the best computer for your bike.
From simple to complex, your options are numerous. We hope this review helps you find the product that best fits your needs.
In this guide to the best business computers of 2019, we show how modern offices can still benefit from desktop PCs.While laptops and smartphones are becoming ever more powerful, and allow us to work while travelling, it's still important to get the best business computers for you and your company’s needs – as there are certain tasks that require the additional power of a traditional PC.When you work in an office all day, there’s nothing quite like a business desktop PC for getting work done. Not the biggest amount of portsThe Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 is an excellent desktop PC for business use, as it combines speed and power with an excellent build quality and reliability which is essential for PCs used for work. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 comes in a range of configurations, with the top-end model boasting a huge amount of power.
This flexibility lets you build a Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 that suits your needs, and there's plenty of room to upgrade and expand this desktop in the future.5. Apple iMac (27-inch, 2019). SSD upgrades are expensiveThere's no denying the solid build quality and sheer design elegance of the Apple iMac all-in-one. If you were setting out to build the most futuristic, glamorous looking office there's no doubt the Apple iMac would be at the top of your shopping list. With the lowest-end model built inside a floating-style 21.5-inch display, even this 'basic' offering is capable of high-end video and photography work. However, it's the 27-inch 2019 model that is really worth of a place on our best business PC list, as it comes with 8th- and 9th-generation desktop-class processors this time around, which sees this elegant all-in-one PC reach that fabled 8-core performance.Read the full review:6.
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Dell Optiplex 3030. Not for every use caseThe proves that business desktops don’t have to be big and bulky. This simple yet powerful device has a small form factor that makes it slot onto desks or in meeting rooms with ease, and with dual-microphones, HP Noise cancellation and specialist conferencing software, it makes it the perfect device for holding meetings on.
The types of desktop PCsA recent development in the desktop PC world has been a modest diversification of the system case. The typical business PC comes in a mini-tower box, which is probably best sited under or next to your desk.But if space is at a premium, a smaller case would be a better choice.
Dell, for example, delivers its Optiplex models in mini tower, 'thin' desktop and 'compact' small form factor sizes, each model offering the same computing power but in a different case.Three other formats that have grown in popularity are:1 All-in-one, otherwise known as AIO, which combine the monitor with the base unit. The move to power-efficient components, the falling price of LCD panels and the ubiquity of touch functionality make AIO an increasingly popular choice for businesses. The all-in-one PC essentially resembles a slightly larger than normal LCD display that contains the processor, hard drive and memory built-in to the screen casing.
The end result is a very elegant, clutter-free desktop PC.2 Ultra-small form factors, otherwise known as net tops or mini PCs, which borrow a lot of their designs (and components) from laptops. They are essentially laptops without a screen, input peripherals and a battery.3 HDMI dongles which have been inspired by tablets and smartphones and often share parts with the latter. These are usually used for display signage or in niche markets. They are usually not powerful enough for most tasks but things are likely to improve by the end of 2016.