Julian Horsey

Julian Horsey covers technology with a maker’s mindset, focusing on how new hardware is built, modified and used in real life rather than on launch hype alone. He concentrates on hands-on domains like PC gaming gear, Raspberry Pi and other single-board computers, 3D printing and crowdfunded gadgets, and his pieces explain what these products enable users to do, not just what the spec sheet says.

Raspberry Pi projects and single-board computing

Raspberry Pi and similar boards sit at the centre of Horsey’s coverage. He writes regularly about new Raspberry Pi hardware, cases, HATs and project kits, highlighting how they can be used for home automation, retro gaming, media centres and edge computing projects. His articles often break down the capabilities of compact boards and accessories in practical terms—processing power, connectivity, expansion options and thermal management—so readers can quickly see which combinations work for specific builds.

He frequently covers step-by-step or project-oriented hardware, such as kits that turn a Raspberry Pi into a handheld console, network-attached storage box or smart display. In these pieces he focuses on the build experience and the resulting functionality, paying close attention to enclosure design, cooling, I/O layout and ease of assembly. He also tracks the ecosystem around these boards, including add-on modules, power solutions and compact displays, which makes his writing useful for anyone planning multi-component systems rather than buying a single sealed device.

PC gaming hardware and controllers

PC gaming is another recurring thread in Horsey’s work, especially where hardware meets input and control. In his piece on Valve’s Steam Controller, for example, he explores how unconventional input hardware reshapes the way people interact with PC games, emphasising configurability, haptics and ergonomics rather than only raw performance. That same perspective runs through his coverage of gaming mice, keyboards, headsets, handheld gaming PCs and displays, where he explains how form factor, latency, sensor choices and software support change the playing experience.

His reporting on gaming gear tends to be concrete and use-case driven: he notes which products are aimed at competitive players, living-room setups or portable gaming, and he often points out when niche devices—such as unusual controllers or compact streaming rigs—unlock new ways to play or broadcast. Instead of treating hardware as status symbols, he concentrates on control schemes, comfort over long sessions and the learning curve of advanced features, which makes his gaming coverage more about capability and less about lifestyle branding.

3D printing, CNC and maker tools

Horsey devotes substantial attention to 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines and related maker tools. His articles in this area typically explain build volume, motion systems, extrusion technology, materials support and firmware in straightforward language, connecting those details to real-world outcomes like print quality, reliability and maintenance needs. He often highlights upgrade paths and ecosystem strength—nozzles, beds, enclosures, slicer software—so readers can assess whether a machine fits into an existing workshop setup.

He also follows experimental and prosumer devices, including multi-material printers, compact CNC mills and hybrid machines that combine functions. In these pieces he is quick to point out trade-offs: speed versus precision, ease of use versus tunability, consumer-friendly design versus hackability. This emphasis on trade-offs, and on whether a tool is better suited to beginners, hobbyists or experienced makers, distinguishes his coverage from generic gadget roundups that treat all machines as interchangeable.

Crowdfunded gadgets, dev kits and compact PCs

Crowdfunding campaigns and early-stage hardware are another signature strand in Horsey’s output. He routinely covers Kickstarter- and Indiegogo-backed gadgets, especially compact PCs, development kits, niche controllers and productivity devices. His write-ups typically call out the core idea, the hardware platform, expansion options and the kinds of projects the device is meant to support, while also noting pricing tiers and delivery timelines.

Alongside crowdfunded hardware, he tracks mini PCs, stick computers and other small-form-factor systems that sit between hobbyist boards and full desktops. Here he focuses on processor selection, memory and storage configurations, display and I/O support, and power consumption, framing these devices as building blocks for home labs, media setups or embedded applications. Across this coverage he maintains a consistently practical, engineering-aware tone: he is interested in what can be built with a device, how it integrates with existing tools, and whether its design choices make sense for its intended use.

Across all these beats, Horsey’s writing style is concise and specification-rich, but anchored in concrete use cases rather than abstract benchmarks. He rarely strays into broad industry commentary; instead, he stays close to the workbench and the desktop, explaining how specific pieces of hardware shape gaming, making and everyday computing for technically curious readers.