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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 Work Laptops for 2025

Got work to do? Laptops built for business are thinner and more powerful than ever. Find your next mobile work companion: Check out our favorite business laptops, backed by our deep-dive reviews.

By Brian Westover & Tom Brant
Best Work Laptops

The Best Scanners for 2025

Whether you need to scan family photos, piles of documents, or expense receipts, a scanner out there is built for the task. Here's how to shop for the right one, plus the top performers in our lab testing.

By Tony Hoffman & Tom Brant
A scanner on a desk

SSD vs. HDD: What's the Difference?

Solid-state drives have replaced hard disk drives as the storage of choice in just about all new PCs, but some situations still call for old-school platter drives. Here's how to decide which is best for your needs.

By Tom Brant
An SDD and a HDD in front of a colorful background

The Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2025

These days, your wireless router is not just your lifeline to the internet, but also to your job. Here's what you need to build a snappy home Wi-Fi network, along with reviews of the best Wi-Fi routers we've tested for a range of needs and budgets.

By John R. Delaney & Tom Brant
Wi-Fi router on green background

The Best Portable Scanners for 2025

Whether you're scanning specialized items, keeping your luggage light, or yearning to be free of cables and cords, you'll find the perfect portable scanner in this guide. (We've tested all the major models.)

By John Burek & Tom Brant
A manual-feed scanner and a sheetfed scanner side by side