Testing that reflects day-to-day use

Numbers only matter when they map to real life. This page explains the mixed workloads used across phones, laptops, desktops and accessories, how runs are repeated, and the settings that make the results comparable. Battery tests are set at 200 nits with Wi-Fi on; noise is measured at 50 cm A-weighted; thermals are logged from vendor tools and external probes where possible. Each chart on Vtech is built from these runs so that a score translates to what you will feel at the desk, on the sofa, or on the train.

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Recreate these tasks on your own device

Side projects, essays, matches and meetings form the backbone of modern use. The suite therefore mixes web, office, creation, calls and games rather than chasing a single headline figure. Timers start after a warm boot and end when the task truly finishes—export complete, installer closed, or the call hung up. Where firmware changes affect behaviour, runs are repeated after the update to keep things fair. Notes on drivers, BIOS versions and app builds are kept with the results so you can mirror them.

New readers can begin with the packs below: scripted browser runs, a 10-minute 4K H.264 export timeline, a Lightroom Classic batch of 200 RAWs, and a short Teams call scenario. Each pack lists presets and media so your results line up with ours and small differences—like RAM size or fan curves—become clear rather than confusing.

Workloads that tell the full story

Everyday browsing is tested with a 30-tab sequence that includes video playback and background sync to reveal responsiveness and memory strain. Video calls are measured as a 30-minute Teams session with camera and screen share, logging CPU power, heat around the palm rest, and fan noise.

Creation workloads use real apps and practical presets: a 10-minute 4K export in DaVinci Resolve for GPU stress, a 200-photo export in Lightroom Classic for multitasking, and a timed open-source code build to show CPU and storage throughput together.

Gaming is checked at 1080p and 1440p with realistic settings: esports titles on high, single-player games on balanced presets, and a ray-traced scene where supported. Frame time stability and 30-minute loops highlight whether performance holds up.

Storage and connectivity tests cover a 100 GB game install, a 50 GB file copy between NVMe drives, and a large OneDrive sync over Wi-Fi 6/6E. Battery life is measured in three scenarios—mixed use, offline video playback, and light writing.

Each run includes a 30-minute thermal and noise observation. If results fall within margin of error, comfort, repair options, and long-term support weigh into the recommendation.

Headphones on laptop