THE MASSIVE COMPUTER YOU CAN FOLD UP AND TAKE WITH YOU

Look, I get it, that headline was ridiculous. What I was trying to do was relay my first impression of the Dell XPS 15 9500. It felt huge, enormous. Not in a bad way. More like a, "Whoa! I bet there's nothing I can't do with a laptop like this!" kind of way.

The picture won't do it justice...

See? You can't really tell how awesomely large it is there. You need something for scale, like an elephant, or an Empire State building, or a rugby field or something.

I want to make it clear; the XPS 15 is not ugly or clumsy. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's not even bulky. But it's really big. Although it's slim even when closed, it weighs in at over two kilograms so you probably won't won't to be carrying it around all day.

In saying that, it's beautiful - especially in Frost White as pictured here. This is the first complete redesign on the XPS 15 in five years and it actually means that despite the 15.6-inch display, the device is more like the size of most other 14-inch laptops. This is thanks to the Infinity-Edge nature of the screen - the bezels are truly tiny, just a few millimetres thick. Everything about this machine exudes a premium build quality - aluminium lid and chassis, soft-touch carbon fibre palmrest. The hinge mechanism is rock solid and the keyboard is nicely spaced out with impressive travel and response for laptop keys.

Dell has added a fingerprint sensor under the blank power-on key, top-right. This works quickly for Windows Hello logins - but so does the camera for face unlock which I find even more convenient.

Some have criticised the camera quality on the XPS 15 but I think these people were just desperate to find something negative to write about. Sure, I've come across the odd laptop with a better camera than this one but not many. You may not end up with the clearest image at your next video meeting but at least the lens is positively miniscule - virtually invisible on that tiny top bezel. One genuine downside is there's no physical privacy shutter as found on some other machines. Personally, this doesn't bother me at all but I know some people fear being spied on by Big Tech. To those people I have some simple advice; type, "turn off camera" into the search box. It's not difficult, folks.

The display is now taller; 16:10 as opposed to the 16:9 of the previous model. These more square aspect ratios seem to be taking over and it's not surprising - a taller screen is reflected on the other half of the device with more palm space and room for a larger trackpad - and to be sure, the trackpad on this laptop is by far the biggest I've ever used. This means more accuracy and control - which is ideal with all the extra screen real estate you now have to play with thanks to that 16:10 aspect.

The huge screen is simply breathtaking the first time you open the XPS 15 up. I immediately felt like I was sitting at a desktop, not a portable PC. My review device is configured with the UHD+ 3840x2400 touch display and it's outstanding. It'd better be - it costs another $600 to upgrade from the FHD+ 1920x1200 non-touch option. The viewing experience is unrivalled - combine the sheer size of the screen with the quad speaker array and you have the best portable Netflix viewer money can buy.

The sound is genuinely top-class, thanks in no small part to Dell moving two of the speakers to the left and right of the keyboard. This vastly beefed-up, upward firing array creates a convincing 3D soundscape with plenty of volume and bass response.

But really, what the new XPS 15 is all about is the 10th-Gen Intel i7 processor running the whole show. My configuration teams the i7 with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid state drive and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 1650 graphics card. That's a lot of letters and numbers and abbreviations but what it all boils down to is the new XPS 15 simply sails through any task (or multi-tasks) I throw at it. Think hot knife through butter. There's been a lot of hype lately about Intel's competitors challenging its position as the benchmark chip-maker to beat but if the sublime performance of the XPS 15 is anything to go by, Intel has nothing to worry about just yet.

Browsing, streaming, gaming, launching apps, downloading, uploading, editing - this is a creative's dream portable workstation. There are 2 USB-C Thunderbolt ports and a USB-C 3.1 port - and you can plug the 130W charger into any of them - very convenient being able to connect from either side. What's less convenient is the battery life - it's always going to be an issue running a display this big and this good. Sure, you can turn things off and limit various processes to squeeze a few extra hours out of it but nobody's shutting down their WiFi to save a bit of battery. It's far from the worst I've used but it's not going to last you through a long-haul flight either. Luckily, there aren't really a lot of long-haul flights happening right now so that probably doesn't matter. The power supply (also all white) isn't particularly compact but it does come with a nice long lead. Again, very convenient.

If you're worried about a lack of USB-A connectivity, don't - Dell includes a very nice adapter in the box with a full-sized HDMI port on it too. There's still a full sized SD card slot - great news for you video editors out there - and an audio jack as well.

In short, there is absolutely nothing I have wanted to do with this computer I haven't been able to. We're talking top-of-the-line build quality, faultless 10th-Gen Intel performance and above all else, a massive, stunningly beautiful screen - oh, and let's not forget the biggest trackpad I've ever seen. If I could dream a laptop up, it wouldn't be too different to this one.

In the configuration I'm using, the XPS 15 will set you back $4698.99 - that ain't chicken feed but it might be the most powerful, all-round best looking and best performing laptop on the market.

Click here for more information and pricing on the Dell XPS 15 9500.

YOU MAKE IT SO DAMN EASY

Well here we are, trying to get the WiFi working again.

Just when you think everything's humming along nicely, you install another smart device that just won't connect. Or working from home means you need better coverage in the attic where the kids can't find you. Or worst case scenario, you've moved and your old gear just doesn't cut it anymore.

Or really worst case scenario - your ex-partner was the one who had all the tech know-how and now you don't know why the internet isn't working.

Can there not just be something that basically sets itself up and above all else, works? Is that too much to ask?...

"What is that featureless white blob?" you may well be wondering. Believe it or not, it's a WiFi router and it may be the best one I've used yet.

The Google Nest WiFi router is not new. In fact, it's been available in many markets around the world since last year. It is new to New Zealand though and after using it for a week or so I'm pretty miffed we've been missing out for so long.

The Google Nest router takes what was already working pretty well with the original Google WiFi system and beefs things up considerably - which might seem surprising given this thing isn't much bigger than a softball. The claim is the Nest router offers up to 25% more coverage at up to twice the speeds of its 2016 predecessor and the really good news is, like the original, this is a mesh-capable device and it's fully backwards compatible with those original Google WiFi systems.

But let's keep it simple; plug it into your modem, power it up and look for it using the Google Home app on your phone. This is the same app you will have used to set up your Chromecast and any other smart devices you control with Google Assistant. From that point it's pretty foolproof; the app provides a few easy-to-follow instructions in plain language and a friendly font. Not only does the the Nest router fire up quickly, setup is done in just a minute or so. It really is the most efficient installation you could ask for.

In fact, if you're on fibre, Google has configured its New Zealand Nest devices to plug directly into the Chorus network terminal in your home, eliminating the need for a separate modem at all. You see, everything they do is focused on ease of use.

This end-user-first philosophy is definitely borne out in my real-world testing so far. When I first measured connection speeds they were fast but nothing to write home about. Except, they were fast everywhere - all over my large, two-storey, four-bedroom home. The coverage is pretty exceptional - especially given the subtle, uber-minimalist design of this device. No external antennae required.

Not only is my home two levels but it's built on a sloping section which means there's actual dirt between the router and some of the places I want the WiFi to reach. Not ideal. And although the coverage from the Google Nest is outstanding, it still struggles to penetrate literal hillside. Luckily, as already mentioned, like its predecessor it's a mesh device and you can add other WiFi points to the same network to extend your coverage. I've set up other mesh networks before and it can involve complicated pairing processes involving lots of plugging, unplugging and rebooting.

The Google Nest Wifi experience makes mesh networking laughingly easy. Plug in the extra router where you need it, switch it on, find it on the Google Home app and it will pretty much do the rest for you. With just two Nest routers I have all the WiFi I need in every corner of my house; from my deck upstairs to my security cameras out the front.

You could argue this is not the most future-proof device - already a year old and no WiFi-6 capability. My counter-argument (and Google's) is there aren't all that many WiFi-6 devices in your average household yet and Google has pledged to push through software updates as often as required. Speaking with a member of the Google design team, he claimed the router quickly learns which connected devices need WiFi priority, without giving out too many technical details about exactly how this works. The important thing is, it does indeed work. I know because I've used it.

Google also sells a Nest Wifi Point, which not is not only a mesh extender but works as a smart speaker too but unfortunately it's not widely available in New Zealand yet so I haven't been able to try it. This means shelling out for another Nest WiFi router to create your own mesh network although there is another way.

Later this month Orcon will be supplying all its naked fibre customers with Google Nest WiFi as their default router. What's more, if you decide you need to mesh things up, you'll be able to add a second Nest device for just $5 a month. Not bad going for the most user-friendly WiFi I've ever experienced.

Finally, I can't emphasise enough how good-looking this thing is - and by that I mean hardly noticeable at all. Not only is it very small, it's completely white (or "Snow") as is the power cable and included ethernet lead. This means if it's sitting on a white cabinet or against a white wall, it's virtually invisible. Sadly, there is a small LED status light at the base. Yes, you can adjust the brightness of this little dot using the app but for some reason you can't turn it off completely. I hate little lights. The power plug is slightly oversized too, which might cause issues if you're trying to fit it in next to other plugs on a multiboard. Which you probably will be.

A couple of weird design flaws given how sublimely everything else looks and works. If you're looking to upgrade your router, get this one. If you're looking to change ISP's - go with Orcon and you'll get one for free. This isn't an ad, it's an honest recommendation. In terms of range, ease of use and plain old good looks, Google Nest WiFi is the best I've used.

The Google Nest WiFi router is available from leading retailers for $299.

THIS WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE SENSE

When it comes to fitness trackers, I've been a Fitbit fan for years.

Not that that makes me very unique - Fitbit basically invented the smart wearable category and as a result, millions of people around the world have come to rely on Fitbit devices to stay on top of their exercise routines and goals.

The Fitbit app is surely one of the most well regarded. It's evolved into a user-friendly mine of  health and fitness information, constantly updating with every sync from any paired device.

I have one slight hesitation though. Since Fitbit has introduced a smartwatch variant at the top of its range, it's impossible to avoid comparisons to watches from other manufacturers and for a long time it's been fair to say in terms of high-end smartwatch functionality, the Fitbit options have often fallen a bit short.

Great trackers. Average smarts. Is 2020 the turning point?...

There couldn't be a more aptly named device than the Fitbit Sense. Fitbit has thrown in about every sensor possible, yet this is still a very compact, slim device, attractive enough in its Versa-like squircle form factor available in Lunar White/Soft Gold or Carbon/Graphite as pictured above - both options featuring surgical-grade stainless steel bezels. Size-wise, they've probably hit a bit of a sweet spot with this one; not too oversized for a narrow wrist, not too delicate for those of us with more thickset limbs. This negates the need for a choice of two sizes as offered by some other brands - don't worry, both small and large strap options are included in the box.

That "Infinity" band is indeed "velvety soft" as described on the website, easy to put on and take off, lightweight and comfortable in all conditions; heat, moisture and importantly for any Fitbit, comfy enough to wear to bed. The release mechanism has been improved again, making swapping out the strap for something more sporty - or more elegant - a total breeze.

For all the new sensors on board, which we'll come to shortly, there are no actual buttons on the Sense, just a capacitive receiver on the left-hand side. Actually, to be specific, this virtual button (more of a recessed slot) is on the lower half of the left-hand side. This guarantees no accidental presses but I've found I've really had to train myself to almost lift the watch off my wrist with my right thumb to access it consistently - fine for single presses (go back) but to hold down (customiseable shortcut) or double-tap (bring up a screen of four favourite shorcuts) is definitely a bit more fiddly.

Other than that, navigation is all about swiping and tapping the AMOLED display. In my experience the screen hasn't always been ultra-responsive, although not laggy enough to be frustrating and as usual for a Fitbit, it's always super clear and easy to read the full-colour display in all lighting conditions, inside or out.

Fitbit's smartwatch operating system has persistently been its weakness; in the past slow, clunky and not much content. I sat down with Fitbit's Regional Director, Shaun Colligan to work through some of the new features the Sense brings to your wrist and I complimented him on the dramatically improved software experience...

"The core to everything we do is really about those health outcomes... ...Our whole operating system is all about innovating and evolution and it's something we're getting better at all the time."

It's true - generally when setting up a new Fitibit smartwatch you're first faced with installing an update - this used to be via bluetooth but even once you were able to connect directly to your WiFi, it was still excruciatingly slow and would often fail halfway through meaning you'd have to start all over again.

Yes, I had to update the Sense before doing anything else but the process is definitely smoother than ever. In fact, the connection between the device and my phone is now totally reliable and notifications come through consistently and promptly. These should be minimum expectations from a $580 smartwatch of course but it hasn't always been that way.

Installing clock faces and apps has historically been a bit painful too.  Colligan says there are now more choices than ever...

"We have 720-plus apps in our store, there's over 10,000 clock faces... ...but the primary focus of our devices is about delivering those health insights and outcomes for our customers."

You can now install five favourite clock faces at once, meaning you can swap between them instantly. That's good. Some you have to pay for - fine. But don't say you might charge me for a watch face, let me install it without charging me, then tell me I can use it for an hour before I'll have to pay to keep using it. That's just plain annoying.

But let's not get bogged down with which face to choose, let's talk about all the hardware packed into the sense. There's a redesigned multi-path heart-rate sensor, altimeter, 3-axis accelerometer, ambient light sensor and built-in GPS.

That GPS is probably the fastest and most consistent on-board GPS I've used to date - accurately mapping my workouts complete with 1km splits, colour-coded workout zones and different pace zones all clearly displayed in the Fitbit app. This wealth of data is recorded whether you have your phone with you or not.

There's a gyroscope for swim tracking - the Sense is water resistant to 50 metres - and for ASB customers you can use NFC to make contactless payments. I wish my bank would sign up with Fitbit too.

All this stuff is a logical evolution of what I already considered to be the most versatile and accurate sports tracking technology available. But Sense has now transcended mere fitness and is firmly focused on general health and wellbeing.

This is immediately evident through prompts to conduct regular EDA scans and manual logging of your stress levels - a mindfulness exercise that immediately makes me feel more centred and focused on important things we often forget... like breathing. Yes, there are guided breathing exercises too.

Fitbit has always led the pack when it comes to sleep tracking and the Sense goes several steps further. By wearing it overnight you can also track fluctuations in skin temperature and blood oxygen. Over several nights the Sense creates a baseline so you can watch out for any major variations; given the current health crisis, this is a pretty great early warning system when you may be suffering from symptoms you're not even aware of.

Unfortunately, Fitbit has yet to receive approval from local regulatory authorities to activate the Sense's ECG functionality in New Zealand, although this has now gone live in Europe and the U.S. For now, Colligan assures me features like this aren't far away in this part of the world.

I get the feeling this is a very futureproofed device indeed. There's a speaker and mic. In theory, this not only allows you to communicate with Alexa to set timers, start workouts and operate any enabled smart devices but Google Assistant is also scheduled to be added as an option soon.

In practice, when I first set up my Sense, Alexa responded very well and I was able to do things like turn lights on and off just by talking to my wrist. Since then sometimes it works, sometimes I get a "connection lost" window, so it looks like there are a few bugs to work out there before we can go a step further, making and receiving phone calls directly via the Sense itself - another feature apparently on the way.

Colligan talked about a six day battery life and yes, that's probably possible depending on which features you keep turned on and how many workouts you're tracking. I've found battery life in the real world is more like a full two or three days if you want to stretch things out - but a daily topup is probably your best bet as it charges extremely quickly so it's no inconvenience to pop it on the user-friendly magnetic charger while you're doing something that doesn't need tracking - like taking a shower. (I don't think it tracks your showers yet... maybe in a future update?)

Yes, the Sense is definitely built for the future, broadening Fitbit's focus from exercise and fitness to a much wider emphasis on health and wellbeing - certainly a timely progression given the current challenges we all face. It's a pity not all the functionality has been activated for us here in New Zealand yet but given this is the most feature-packed Fitbit I've ever used, there's certainly plenty to be going on with in the meantime.

Click here for more information and pricing on the Fitbit Sense.