Areas of Expertise
The Technology I Use
I have a Lenovo ThinkPad T14 laptop that's my work daily driver, an HP Pavilion Aero 13 as my primary personal laptop, and an Asus ProArt P16 for detailed photo work. (I also have an older Dell XPS 13, which now stays at home full-time.) For storage testing, I rely on our three custom-built Windows testbeds in PC Labs, as well as a 2024 MacBook Pro.
My primary home monitor is a BenQ EX2780Q, a gaming monitor with a great sound system and excellent image quality. I use that panel for writing, watching videos, and working with photos. I also have an HP 27 Curved Display—one of the first general-purpose curved monitors—which I have paired with an Acer Aspire desktop computer. My multifunction printer is an Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Small-in-One. I also own an Epson Perfection V39 flatbed scanner, which I use for photos and short documents, and a Canon Selphy CP1300 small-format photo printer for turning out snapshots.
My first cell phone, in 2006, was a Motorola Razr; since then, it’s been all iPhones—I currently have an iPhone 15 Pro. I use my iPhone a lot for casual photography, though I also use a Sony DSC-RX100 VII and a Canon G5 X Mark II for everyday shooting. For much of my travel photography and astrophotography, I use either a Sony A7r II or A7 III, paired with a variety of lenses ranging from a Sony 14mm f/1.8 prime to a Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS zoom lens. I also pair the A7r with a RedCat 51 for deep-sky star shooting. For astrophotography, I also use the Seestar S30 and S50 and the Unistellar Odyssey smart telescopes, which are essentially astronomical cameras controlled through one’s mobile device.
Recent Articles By Tony Hoffman
These 3 Prime Day Monitors Deals Are Absolutely Unbeatable, I Should Know, I've Tested Hundreds of Them
From a rolling 4K smart display to a stealth mini-screen, save up to 31% on the top Prime Day display markdowns worth your money—personally tested and approved.
These Are the Best SSD Deals From Prime Day, and I Should Know, I've Tested Over 100 of Them
SSD prices are through the roof and aren't coming down, so Amazon's Big Deal Days are your rare chance to score a deal. These are the best I've found, with discounts up to 33% off.
The Best Portable Monitors for 2026
Whether you're a traveling exec, a graphic designer, or a gamer, a portable second monitor can add an extra dimension to your work or play. We've tested most of the major models and have recommendations for every type of user.
The Best Scanners for 2026
Need to scan family photos, piles of documents, or expense receipts? Our experts have tested the best options for every scanning scenario.
The Best External Hard Drives and SSDs for Mac in 2026
Running out of storage space, or looking for a smart way to back up your Mac? We've tested the top options to help you choose the best Apple-friendly SSD or hard drive for your needs.