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MEET THE TEAM Dominic Sacco
Editor
dominic.sacco@
intentmedia.co.uk @Dom_Sacco
Laura Barnes
Staff Writer
laura.barnes@
intentmedia.co.uk @roradrum
Matthew Jarvis
Staff Writer
matthew.jarvis@intentmedia.co.uk @liquidmatt
Rob Baker
Sales Manager
rob.baker@
intentmedia.co.uk @Roppo_
Carole Eagles
Associate Sales Manager
carole.eagles@intentmedia.co.uk @cazmina2
Andrew Wooden
Managing Editor
andrew.wooden@intentmedia.co.uk @pcr_online
Lisa Carter
Publisher
lisa.carter@
intentmedia.co.uk @lisafosteruk
Alice Sanz
Production Executive
alice.sanz@
intentmedia.co.uk
Dan Bennett Designer
dan.bennett@
intentmedia.co.uk
FEATURES 22 CES Preview 25 The Brit List 30 The Big Interview: Bill Grimsey 33 PCR Awards finalists 37 Interview: Microsoft 41 Interview: Startech 42 Distree preview
RETAIL 45 Retail news 47 Store of the Month: Forum Computers 48 Retail Advisory Board: What does 2014 have in-store? 51 On the frontline 52 Counter insurgent 52 Synaxon Member Profile: Sandtony Consulting 54 Mystery shopper: Tottenham Court Road
Editorial: 01992 535646 Advertising: 01992 535647
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AUDITED CIRCULATION: Average Net Circulation: 14,000
The print edition of PCR is mailed to 10,355 readers.
The magazine reaches a further 3,565 readers digitally via PDF download, Yudu and our dedicated iPad app.
PCR has 100% named circulation and 0% duplication.
www.pcr-online.biz
OUT OF OFFICE 88 In The Hot Seat 89 Industry tweets 90 The Last Word
PRODUCTS 59 Smartphone accessories 65 In-car tech 69 Storage 75 Best reviewed products 79 New products
CONTENTS
REGULARS 7 News 12 Number crunching 14 Appointments 15 Events 16 Opinion 19 TWICE Europe 56 Gaming news
COMMENT NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK
THE CHRISTMAS decorations are down, the mince pies have been swapped for gym passes and the sales are underway – yes, it’s the start of another year. And what better way to celebrate 2014 than with a makeover? Welcome to your new-look issue of PCR. We’ve given the magazine a spruce up and simplified sections to make it even easier for you to digest your monthly dose of news, analysis, product guides and opinion. Speaking of which, you can read more views in a larger section on page 16, so if you’ve got something to shout about (even anonymously – see page 52), get in touch using my email address below. Aside from our biggest features this month (be sure to check out the 50 most influential people in the UK tech channel on page 25, and our chat with retail expert Bill Grimsey on page 30), we’ve added some new areas to
“We now have a dedicated TWICE Europe section where we’ll be bringing you exclusive consumer electronic news.”
highlight parts of the tech trade which you might usually miss, including a handy stats update on page 12 and our store of the month on page 47. We also spent a day at an independent PC retailer to find out what it’s really like running a small business – see page 51. We now have a dedicated TWICE Europe
section starting on page 19, where we’ll be bringing you exclusive consumer electronics news each month. Sign up to the email alerts at
www.pcr-online.biz/twiceeurope to receive the latest stories every day delivered straight to your inbox. We’ll also be looking at the hottest new PCs, tablets and gadgets on page 75, plus your usual sector guides can be found on page 59.
With all this talk of our redesign I almost forgot to mention this month’s cover story – the resurgence of British PC manufacturering. Gaming brand YoYoTech is back with the support of Centerprise and it’s confident that the UK can more than compete with China and its factory lines in the high-end space. Even its competitors agree and look forward to the rivalry. Enjoy the issue, and here’s to a
prosperous New Year.
Dominic.Sacco@
intentmedia.co.uk
PCR January 2014 | 5
WELCOME
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