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Tom Brant

Deputy Managing Editor

My Experience

I’m the deputy managing editor of the hardware team at PCMag.com. Reading this during the day? Then you've caught me testing gear and editing reviews of laptops, desktop PCs, and tons of other personal tech. (Reading this at night? Then I’m probably dreaming about all those cool products.) I’ve covered the consumer tech world as an editor, reporter, and analyst since 2015.

I’ve evaluated the performance, value, and features of hundreds of personal tech devices and services, from laptops to Wi-Fi hotspots and everything in between. I’ve also covered the launches of dozens of groundbreaking technologies, from hyperloop test tracks in the desert to the latest silicon from Apple and Intel.

I've appeared on CBS News, in USA Today, and at many other outlets to offer analysis on breaking technology news.

Before I joined the tech-journalism ranks, I wrote on topics as diverse as Borneo's rain forests, Middle Eastern airlines, and Big Data's role in presidential elections. A graduate of Middlebury College, I also have a master's degree in journalism and French Studies from New York University.

My Areas of Expertise

  • Laptops, desktops, and tablet PCs

  • Data manipulation and content creation software

  • CPUs and graphics processors

  • Wi-Fi networking and smart home tech

The Technology I Use

While most people buy a phone or laptop and stick with it for years, I’m lucky enough to use devices based on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows daily as part of my job. As a result, I cycle through lots of tech in addition to my IT-issue work laptop. (Yes, that's a ThinkPad.) Personally, I’ve also owned a lot of tech products both cutting-edge and cringeworthy, from the Nintendo GameCube and the original MacBook to the Palm m105 and the CueCat.

Recent Articles by Tom Brant

The Best Laptops for 2023

Whether you want a simple budget PC, a productivity workhorse, or a screamer of a gaming notebook, our deep-dive guide has all the advice you need, along with our top product picks in every major laptop category.

By Tom Brant  & Joe Osborne

The Best Dell Laptops for 2023

Need a budget laptop for the kids? Or seeking a powerful one for design work or gaming? Dell sells a huge variety of laptops. We help you decode the different lines and present the top performers (and values) in our testing.

By Tom Brant  & Matthew Buzzi

The Best Business Desktops for 2023

Not all employees need or want laptops. If you're in the market for desktop PCs for your company—whether a handful or a whole fleet—start with our buying advice and top-rated product recommendations. We'll help you maximize your PC-buying ROI.

By Tom Brant

The Best Desktop Computers for 2023

Whether classic towers, sleek all-in-ones, or space-saving mini PCs, today's desktops pack neater designs and more value than ever. See our recent favorites based on our deep-dive reviews, plus all the shopping advice you need.

By Tom Brant

Wi-Fi 7 Arrives on Netgear's Big and Tall Nighthawk RS700 Router

In the market for cutting-edge wireless networking? Now you can skip the still-new Wi-Fi 6 entirely and head straight to the future: Wi-Fi 7.

By Tom Brant