April, 2024 - Organizer

Kobo Libra Colour review: twice improved for better reading and writing

8:43 am | April 10, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers eReaders Gadgets Tablets | Tags: Google Drive | Comments: Off

Kobo Libra Colour: Two-minute review

In April 2023, I wrote an article about how I wanted a small-screen ereader with a color display and writing features. It seems like Japanese-Canadian ereader maker Kobo heard me, releasing what I wanted – well, almost – in the Kobo Libra Colour. I would have loved an 8-inch device, but then I’ve been a fan of Kobo’s Libra line of 7-inch ereaders since the first one was launched in 2019. They’ve been TechRadar’s pick of the best ereaders since then, including the Kobo Libra 2 from 2021.

The trend continues with the Kobo Libra Colour, which is a double-whammy upgrade over its predecessor.

The Libra Colour looks identical to the Libra 2, which I think is great – why fix something that isn’t broken? The page-turn buttons and the slightly curved thicker bezel make the ereader really comfortable to hold and use in one hand. What’s new, though, is its display.

As the name indicates, the Kobo Libra Colour gets the E Ink Kaleido 3 screen that supports 4,096 hues, and is currently the best color e-paper display being used on consumer devices.

I compared the Libra Colour with what I would consider its biggest rival, the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C, and thanks to the smaller size of the screen (7 inches vs 7.8 inches), text and images on the Libra Colour are sharper and the colors slightly more saturated even though they both use the same screen technology. While I admit I prefer the slightly larger screen for note-taking, the 7-inch Libra Colour is the sweet spot when it comes to portability. It's also a lot lighter than its competition.

While the color display alone would make it a worthy update, Kobo didn’t seem to be satisfied with just one new feature – the company also gave the Libra Colour writing capabilities. It inherits all the notebook features from the Kobo Sage and Kobo Elipsa 2E, but now lets you add some color to your notes. You can choose the ink and highlight colors, plus the type of pen, the thickness of the nib and more. And the handwriting recognition is something I’ve not been able to fault for a long time, but that, of course, depends on how badly you tend to scribble.

Writing on the Libra Colour is different to how it feels like on the Kobo Sage or the Elipsa 2E – it’s a lot smoother, not at all like writing on actual paper. It’s not quite as good as writing on the Amazon Kindle Scribe either – it feels like you're gliding over excessively smooth plastic and is my only complaint with this device.

Reading and writing in color takes a little extra power, so Kobo has updated the processor too, now using a 2GHz CPU compared to the 1GHz we saw in the Libra 2. And, of course, the same features can drain the battery, so the capacity here is larger as well, going from a 1,500mAh pack to 2,050mAh.

You still get 32GB of (non-expandable) storage, Bluetooth support so you can listen to audiobooks, and USB-C charging that debuted with the Libra 2 in 2021.

And you get all this for not a lot more than what the Libra 2 retails for at the time of writing, which is something I have to give Kobo credit for. This is arguably one of the more affordable color note-taking tablets on the market now and offers excellent value, just like its predecessor.

Neal Sephenson's Zodiac book cover displayed in color on the Kobo Libra Colour ereader — While not as saturated as you'd see on an LCD screen, the Kobo Libra Colour displays colors well on its e-paper screen (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Kobo Libra Colour review: Price and availability

Launch price of $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$359.95
Available to purchase off shelves from April 30, 2024
Kobo Stylus 2 and sleepcover sold separately

Available in two colors – black and white – the Kobo Libra Colour is quite competitively priced at $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$359.95. That, as I’ve just mentioned, makes it a lot more affordable than some of its competition. However, it doesn’t ship with a stylus, so if you want to take full advantage of the Libra Colour’s new features, you’ll need to invest an additional $69.99 / £69.95 / AU$119.95 for the Kobo Stylus 2. The good thing about this pen is that it charges via USB-C, so there’s no ongoing battery costs to worry about.

Even with the price of the stylus piled on, it’s still cheaper than the likes of the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C, which is currently my pick for the best color ereader and retails for $450 / £450 / AU$765. That said, it’s hard comparing the two as the Onyx ships with a capacitive stylus, has a bigger 7.8-inch screen, has 64GB of storage (compared to 32GB in the Libra Colour) and a 5,000mAh battery that’s double of what Kobo offers in its biggest ereader.

Another point of comparison would be the 7.8-inch PocketBook InkPad Color 3 that will set you back $329 / £345 / AU$595 and not offer you any writing features.

Long story short, the Kobo Libra Colour, just like its predecessor, is pretty good value. To add a little more comparison, the Kobo Libra 2 currently retails for $189.99 / £169.99 / AU$319.95 at full price, so it really isn't a huge leap in price.

The My Books tab on the Kobo Libra Colour ereader — You can choose to view your library as a list or as a gallery in the My Books tab (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Kobo Libra Colour review: Specs

Kobo Libra Colour review: Design and display

Identical body to the Kobo Libra 2
7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 touchscreen
Magnetic edge to hold the (optional) stylus

For someone who’s used the previous two Kobo Libra ereaders, I will admit to initially being a little disappointed that the design hasn’t changed over the Libra 2. That’s only because I’ve been seeing it since 2019, but I’ll also be the first to admit that it’s one of the most ergonomic designs I've used in an ereader.

Built for single-hand use, the edge of the thicker bezel is still slightly curved upward, with the two page-turn buttons perfectly placed to provide a comfortable grip. The back panel is textured, which adds to the secure grip, and the power switch on the rear is still the same round, concave. Also inherited from the Libra 2 is the round, white indicator light that glows when you pop a USB-C cable into the charging port. The entire thing is still encased in plastic, which is made from 80% recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastics.

It’s quite impressive that Kobo has managed to keep the weight of the device down despite using a larger capacity battery in the Libra Colour. It weighs just 199.5g without a case, which is lighter than the Libra 2 that tips the scales at 215g.

The slightly curved edge on the thicker bezel of the Kobo Libra Colour ereader — Subtle design elements make the Kobo Libra Colour quite ergonomic (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

For anyone who’s planning on using the new Libra Colour for note-taking and scribbling, Kobo has ensured the stylus stays magnetically secure on the edge of the slim bezel. I’ve complained previously that this magnetic edge on some ereaders isn’t always very secure, but it seems quite strong here.

Speaking of the pen: it’s recommended that you use the Kobo Stylus 2 with the Libra Colour, which is the only one of Kobo’s pens that will stick to the side of the device. That said, the older Kobo Stylus will also work on the Libra Colour, but can’t be secured magnetically and requires a single AAAA battery. The Stylus 2, on the other hand, charges via USB-C and is, thus, lighter.

What stands out from a design perspective is the screen – it can display colors! It still retains the 7-inch screen size of the other Libra devices, but utilizes the E Ink Kaleido 3 display that I’ve seen in other color ereaders like the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C and the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C. While this screen tech can display 4,096 colors, they don’t appear as saturated as they look on a phone, laptop or tablet – they’re a little muted in comparison, but that’s the limitation of the e-paper screen technology.

The 7-inch screen on the Libra Colour, however, makes the colors look a touch truer as compared to what you’d see on a 7.8-inch or larger e-apaper screen, even when the bigger devices share the same screen tech and resolution. This is because on the smaller screen the pixels are packed more tightly together, providing more contrast. You get 150ppi resolution when reading in color (as with all other color ereaders using this screen), but it’s 300ppi when you’re viewing something in black and white, which is standard for monochrome ebook readers.

Textured rear panel on the Kobo Libra Colour ereader — A textured rear panel adds to the Kobo Libra Colour's grip (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While Onyx uses a glass sheet as the top layer of its display, Kobo seems to have adopted plastic – one way to keep costs low. This top layer is very smooth, which you can feel when writing on the device and the experience of scribbling on the Libra Colour is likely going to take some getting used to. It feels like you’re writing over a sheet of very smooth plastic, with no friction at all and I can't say I'm a fan.

As with all the more premium Kobo ereaders, the Libra Colour screen is also lit up with ComfortLight Pro which, when set to, automatically changes the light hue from cool to warmer tones as the day progresses. This reduces the amount of blue light hitting your eye closer to bedtime.

One issue I’ve had previously with some ereaders, particularly with a black chassis, are oily fingerprint smudges. I was sent the white colorway of the Libra Colour for this review which, like the Libra 2, shows no such thing. I haven’t seen the black version of this device so can’t tell for sure whether this will be an issue or not, but I didn’t have this problem with the Libra H2O, so I’m going to hope not.

USB-C port on the side of the Kobo Libra Colour ereader — The USB-C port can be used to charge the device or transfer files (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Kobo Libra Colour review: User interface

Easy-to-use, streamlined interface
Full suite of Kobo’s writing features
Notes easily exported to Google Drive and Dropbox

I’ve always been a fan of Kobo’s user interface – it’s streamlined, very easy to navigate and wrap your head around. It only takes minutes to figure your way around if you’ve never used a Kobo device before. That hasn’t changed but, for the Libra line, there is one major difference to the interface.

There is now the My Notebooks tab smack bang in the center of the bottom navigation bar. This gives you the full suite of Kobo’s writing features, including the Advanced Notebooks that I said made the Kobo Elipsa 2E a better note-taker than the Amazon Kindle Scribe. I will admit that writing on a 7-inch screen, particularly if there’s a lot to jot down, can feel a little constricted, but then I have been using the 10-inch Kobo Elipsa 2E as my everyday ereader and note-taker for the last few months, so dropping down to a smaller notebook size is my bias and may not bother other users.

The other change to the interface is the addition of color… and I don’t mean the book covers displayed on the home screen. Every time you select a tab from the bottom navigation bar, it changes color from black to brown. In fact, if you’re downloading books – whether from Dropbox, Google Drive or the Kobo Store – the status bar is also the same color. That’s a nice touch that I haven’t seen in other color ereaders I’ve tested.

Everything else about the Libra Colour is quintessential Kobo – good file format support, including EPUBs that Amazon requires you to jump through hoops to read on a Kindle. There are a total of 10 document file types that Kobo supports by default, and this includes text and comic formats. There are also four image files supported. The only audio file support, though, is for Kobo’s own audiobooks that you can download from the Kobo Store or via a subscription to Kobo Plus. Note that Kobo Plus isn’t available in all markets that Kobo operates in, but it is in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and select European countries.

A person making brightness adjustments on the Kobo Libra Colour ereader — Kobo's user interface is very easy to wrap your head around (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this review, you can sign into either Dropbox or Google Drive to help transfer books. The partnership with Google is relatively new, so Kobo has a single-page instruction sheet (in PDF) already in the device’s library. It’s very seamless to use either cloud service, and that also holds true for transferring any notes or notebooks. The latter can also be accessed via the Kobo app on your phone if you need any of them in a pinch.

Unlike the newer monochrome Kobo devices like the Sage and Elipsa 2E, there is no dark mode on the Libra Colour because the E Ink screen used doesn’t support it and, if you want to see colors, you aren’t going to need it. However, there are amber LEDs that allow you to change the white light hue to warmer tones if you want to cut down on blue light. And you can easily adjust this by tapping on top of the screen to bring up the quick controls. Like the previous Libra 2 and the newer models, you can set the light temperature to change automatically at a specific time in the evening or night. You can also slide up and down the left edge of the screen to change brightness.

OverDrive, as with all Kobo ereaders, is still baked in and despite it being replaced by Libby on mobile, it is still supported on the e-ink tablets. This means, if your local public library also has OverDrive support, you can borrow digital books and magazines directly from your device without having to leave home – you just need a library card.

A drawing in color on the Kobo Libra Colour ereader — Writing and drawing on the Kobo Libra Colour feels like the stylus is gliding (or slipping) over very smooth plastic (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Pocket support is also integrated into the Libra Colour. This is a browser plugin that allows you to save online articles to read later – you just sign into your Pocket account on the Kobo and you’ll have access to anything you’ve previously saved.

Auto-rotation is also available, so you can read in either portrait or landscape mode. This can get a little annoying, though, as a small change in angle when holding the device can change the orientation of the page you’re on. So you can lock the orientation to one or the other to prevent this from happening.

Admittedly Onyx Boox devices give you plenty more options when it comes to customization and functionality within the user interface, but I think they’re overkill and it takes a steep learning curve to get the hang of it all.

Highlights and handwritten annotations on the Kobo Libra Colour ereader — You can highlight passages in color and add handwritten annotations to books on the Kobo Libra Colour (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Kobo Libra Colour review: Performance

Sharp display, with good colors due to screen size
Excellent handwriting recognition
Very responsive, but a couple of functions have a significant lag

Adding features to a tech product means it’s going to need some extra power to make sure things run smoothly and Kobo has done that by upgrading the processor for the Libra Colour. Instead of the previous 1GHz CPU, it’s now 2GHz and that seems to do the trick. After two weeks with the Libra Colour, I’ve had nothing to complain about, although there are two very specific functions that suffer from a significant lag.

Opening an ebook from either the home screen or the My Books page keeps you waiting about 7-10 seconds before something happens. Similarly, the Back To Home button on the top left corner of a page also takes a few seconds to initiate. I’m putting this down to teething problems for now and it’s a software issue, so I think it’s likely fixable via a firmware update.

Everything else, though, runs smoothly. There’s no lag when writing and drawing, neither are there any when triggering a page turn either via the buttons or tapping on the screen. Using the onscreen keyboard is also quite good.

Kobo Libra Colour and the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C displaying the same book cover — The Kobo Libra Colour's smaller size makes colors appear a touch more saturated than on a larger screen like the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I’ve tested color ereaders before in the 7.8-inch size category as well as 10-inch, and I’ve come to expect a lack of saturation when viewing in color. The Libra Colour exceeded my expectations, not because Kobo is doing anything differently, but because the smaller screen packs the pixels more tightly, adding more contrast which, in turn, gives some images depth and better saturation. 7 inches isn’t ideal for reading comics and graphic novels, but just to see better color saturation I would recommend it. Even highlight colors available when reading a title – which are the same across all color-screen ereaders – look a touch more saturated in comparison to larger-screen devices.

One thing that Kobo has always done well is handwriting recognition and that’s been brought over to the Libra Colour. This feature only works in the Advanced Notebooks when you want to digitize your scribbles, but it can even recognize sub- and superscripts. I had two other colleagues try this feature and Kobo almost aced it each time – it misspelt only one word that no human was able to decipher anyway.

Kobo Libra Colour ereader handwriting recognition test — Handwriting recognition on the Kobo Libra Colour is spot on most of the time (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

During my limited time with the Libra Colour, I experienced no ghosting – something that bothers me no end with Onyx ereaders. Two weeks with the device, however, may not be enough to say for sure that ghosting won’t be a problem, and I would expect some along the way. Still, I am impressed.

Additional functionality with a better CPU needs to be matched with enough battery life to keep an ereader going for weeks as opposed to days. So Kobo has upped the battery capacity in the Libra Colour to 2,050mAh compared to 1,500mAh in the Libra 2. This got me about 14 hours of use in total.

My testing was a little sporadic, averaging about 45 minutes of use over each day over two weeks (sometimes a little more, sometimes less). I started using the device straight out of the box at 82% battery life and didn’t top up till it hit 19% after two weeks. I’d say that’s pretty good, considering I was writing, reading and listening to audiobooks via Bluetooth. I had Wi-Fi on all the time, the screen was set at 20% brightness, and a refresh set to every 5 pages. It’s also important to note that a page refresh occurs more frequently when writing, and every erase triggers another refresh too. So the bigger battery capacity is definitely working in Kobo’s favor here.

Topping up via the USB-C port is quick, but like the previous Kobos, trickle charging kicks in at about 96%. It took the Libra Colour about 55 minutes to go from 19% to 96%, then another 45 minutes to top up completely. While it might seem annoying to have to wait that long for just a tiny bit more charge, trickle charging can preserve the battery, adding to its overall lifespan.

Should I buy the Kobo Libra Colour?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

I think the Kobo Libra Colour is the Japanese-Canadian brand’s best device yet, but if you’re not convinced and need alternatives, take a look at the two options below, including a specs comparison with this ereader.

How I tested the Kobo Libra Colour

A hand holding the Kobo Libra Colour ereader to read — The Kobo Stylus 2 can stay magnetically secure to the slim edge of the Kobo Libra Colour (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Used as main reading and writing device for two weeks
Listened to audiobooks via a Kobo Plus subscription
Used Google Drive to transfer files, including notes written on the device

My regular e-ink device is the Kobo Elipsa 2E, but switching to the Libra Colour was just a matter of signing into my Kobo account to sync all my ebooks, notes and also access my Kobo Plus subscription.

I also have an existing library of ebooks in the EPUB format saved in Google Drive, so signing into that via the Libra Colour’s More tab gave me instant access to those, from where I saved a handful of titles to read on the device.

While I can’t draw to save my life, I did some random scribbling on the device – both while reading a book as well as in notebooks. I even got some colleagues to try the handwriting recognition feature.

I have an existing Kobo Plus subscription which gave me access to audiobooks on the Libra Colour, and I spent about 20 minutes listening to one title during my testing of the device.

All new notes and annotations that I made on the Libra Colour automatically updated to my Kobo Elipsa 2E as soon as it connected to Wi-Fi, giving me access across multiple devices.

BenQ X3100i 4K projector: one-minute review

The BenQ X3100i is the company’s latest top-of-the-line gaming projector and boasts a 4K DLP chip that can switch to 1080p to deliver a highly responsive 240Hz refresh rate. Between that and its bright 4LED light source, this $2,399 (around £1,900 / AU$3,690) projector has plenty to distinguish it among the best 4K projectors.

It all comes packed into a somewhat stylish, albeit plastic cube that is at least trendier than the many office space-esque projectors on the market. With plenty of setup options and optical adjustments, the X3100I is a powerful projection system with an edge over some of its more fashionably built competitors.

The X3100i won’t be the best option for folks who prioritize watching TV and movies, but it does a great job at that task. And given its gaming chops, it’s an easy choice for gamers who also want a home theater projector.

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: price and release date

Release date: November 2023
MSRP: $2,399 (around £1,900 / AU$3,690)

The BenQ X3100i is available now for $2,399 (around £1,900 / AU$3,690). It’s still a very recent model, so it hasn’t seen major price shifts or deals during sales events.

BenQ X3100i on table facing front — The BenQ X3100i is large for a portable projector but can be easily moved from room to room (Image credit: Future)

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: Specs

BenQ X3100i close up of manual controls — Manual controls let you dial in focus, zoom, and vertical lens shift (Image credit: Future)

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: design and features

Good, but not stunning looks
Flexible optical adjustments
Potent speakers

The BenQ X3100i is a modestly sized cube of a projector, with almost square dimensions. BenQ adds a touch of style by using an interesting pattern of cutouts for venting plus a dark finish on the front that’s accented in orange. That said, it’s virtually identical to the earlier BenQ X3000i and X1300i. It’s hard to ignore that the projector’s chassis is made from plastic — similar to any office projector — but the X3100i’s design flourishes give it a bit more visual appeal than models from Epson or Optoma.

For some projectors, a more stylish design has meant fewer optical controls, but BenQ hasn’t omitted them. It has a physical dial to vertically shift the lens, plus optical zoom and focus control rings. Digital adjustments are becoming commonplace on projectors, but these sacrifice actual picture resolution, which is why the BenQ X3100i’s optical adjustments are a great addition. It does have digital keystone adjustments, but since these add latency, hardcore gamers had best avoid them.

BenQ’s setup features don’t stop there. The projector has two adjustable feet up front to help angle it just right. Cleverly, it includes attachable feet and a rubber bumper should you want to set the projector upside down someplace like a high shelf. Since there’s a vertical offset to the lens, high placements require the X3100i to be upside-down, and these design features let you do that without having to opt for ceiling mounting.

BenQ includes a fairly basic remote for easy navigation of the projector's menus and the menus of an attached streaming stick. The side panel controls are handy if you can’t find your remote and want to make adjustments in a pinch, but they’re cheap-feeling and not very responsive.

The included streaming stick is a basic Android TV dongle that tucks into a compartment inside the projector with a built-in HDMI port and a micro USB power connector. Annoyingly, It doesn’t come pre-installed, forcing you to unscrew the projector’s top cover to insert it.

The battery compartment of the included remote control is also difficult to get into. BenQ stretched the cover across almost the remote’s whole length, and it's tricky to grasp it.

In addition to the internal HDMI port, the BenQ X3100i includes two more HDMI ports on the rear, including one that supports eARC. There are also 3.5mm analog and optical digital audio outputs, so your connection options are well covered. The projector’s built-in speakers are surprisingly potent and they provided impactful sound before maxing out in my 200-square-foot room.

Design and features score: 3.5/5

BenQ X3100i showing Avatar 2 on screen

The BenQ's focus is on gaming performance, but it also does a great job displaying movies (Image credit: Future)

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: picture and sound quality

Bright 4K picture
Flexible and responsive gaming options
Somewhat finicky HDR

The BenQ X3100i’s compact size hides mighty capabilities. A 4LED light source pipes out a rated 3,300 ANSI Lumens, working with a single DLP chip to produce a bright, crisp, and colorful 4K image. Movies and TV look awesome with this projector, especially when viewed on a 100-inch or larger screen.

If you want to make the most of it, you’ll want to pair the BenQ X3100i with a different streaming stick such as the Roku Streaming Stick Plus or Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. The included one didn’t seem to deliver HDR, and a third-party option was also inconsistent when displaying movies and shows with HDR, taking a lot of fussing around to get the projector’s settings right.

All the same, the BenQ X3100i is up to the task of providing a killer image. It may not deliver the same rich color as triple-laser projectors like the Hisense PX2 Pro, which shoots for full coverage of the huge Rec. 2020 color space, but its color is still impressive. (BenQ's specifications cite 100% UHDA-P3 color space coverage.)

Gaming performance is a key aspect of the BenQ X3100i, which can run 4K at 60Hz or 1080p at 240Hz. With that option, if I wanted luscious visuals, I could select 4K, and then if getting sweaty in Overwatch 2, flip over to 240Hz mode. The projector’s DLP chip is incredibly responsive. Whipping around the battlefield and snapping at different targets was a breeze, and it was made all the better by the fact that targets can be downright huge with a large projected image.

Regardless of what picture mode I used (save the unsightly Bright setting), the BenQ maintained a relatively consistent noise level, with fans whirring quietly and never ramping up madly to disrupt my experience.

Picture quality score: 4/5

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: value

$2,399 is premium territory
Respectable capabilities for the price

The BenQ X3100i may not be a class leader in any category, but it’s a flexible option that finds ways to give you more for your money and is a respectable projector for home theaters and gaming dens alike. Its $2,399 price tag may put it at odds with other projectors that can game or entertain equally well, but few can do both at the level BenQ achieves here.

Value score: 4.5/5

BenQ X3100i hidden compartment for streaming stick — The hidden compartment that holds the included Android TV streaming dongle (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the BenQ X3100i 4K projector?

BenQ X3100i Android TV interface — The X3100i's Android TV smart interface provides popular streaming apps including Netflix (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider...

Hisense PX2 Pro
Ultra short throw projectors like the Hisense PX2 Pro are a great option if you want a big image from a setup that takes up minimal space. It's not the same gaming powerhouse as the BenQ X3100i, but it does look great with both games and movies. Here's our full Hisense PX2 Pro review.

BenQ X3100i showing first person shooter game onscreen — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the BenQ X3100i 4K projector

Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
Viewed with a variety of media and formats
I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the BenQ X3100i at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it challenged by ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, and ambient noise that the projector and its speaker system had to overcome. The projector was tested both on a bare, white wall and with an Akia Screens CineWhite screen and was presented with streamed HDR and non-HDR content, as well as PC gameplay.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models that I and my colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

First reviewed: April 2024

Google unveils Axion, its first Arm-based CPU for data centers

9:09 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Today Google has announced its first Arm-based CPU for data centers, most likely responding to Amazon's Arm chips that power that giant's data centers. Google's chip is called Axion, and it was designed using Arm's Neoverse V2 CPU. Axion performs 30% better than the fastest general-purpose Arm-based instances available for cloud computing today, and also has 50% better performance and up to 60% better energy efficiency than "comparable current-generation x86-based instances", Google says. Soon, Google services like BigTable, Spanner, BigQuery, Blobstore, Pub/Sub, Google Earth...

Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 review

8:02 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Integral Crypto Dual: 30-second review

The Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is designed with an ultra-tough rubberized exterior as a simple way to keep your valuable digital data safe and offline. The USB key itself is rugged by design, with a tough rubberized exterior helping to protect the delicate inner electronics from knocks and bashes. As long as the protective cap is in place, it's also IPX8 waterproof, which goes beyond the physical protective abilities of many other secure storage keys.

Beneath the hood of this USB key, things get interesting. The secure read-only DVD section of the drive contains the core system and acts as a gateway to the storage section of the drive.

When the key arrives, a short setup process is required. Like all the best secure drives we've tested, this interface looks like a throwback to the late '90s and early 2000s. Despite the outdated interface design, the setup is easy, and once done, you can be confident that any data stored on the key will be safe and secure behind that password protection.

What makes this key stand out is the dual-layer protection, meaning that the key has two passwords, one for an administrator and the other for the user. If you're an individual, the master password option may not be needed, but for organizations, this is a great feature.

As a simple, secure USB key solution, this is one of the best flash drives for individuals and businesses who want additional protection for their files.

Integral Crypto Dual: Pricing and availability

How much does it cost? $109
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is widely available from many electronics retailers, including Amazon. Expect to pay around £110 for the 64GB version and as little as £45 for the 8GB version. Some capacities, such as the smaller 4GB version, are difficult to find.

Value: 4/5

Integral Crypto Dual: Benchmark

In benchmark tests, the Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 put in a great performance, reaching read speeds up to 165.58MB/s and write speeds up to 130.92MB/s, these far exceeded those stated by Integral, albeit over a short period of time.

Integral Crypto Dual: Specs

Integral Crypto Dual: Build and Handling

The Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is ultra-compact, styled along the lines of usual USB keys, featuring the main body with the USB connector, in this case, a Type-A, and the protective cap.

While the design appears standard with its rubberized exterior, indicating it is more than just a standard USB key, a deeper examination of its construction reveals that the exterior is more than just a rubberized casing.

To ensure the greatest security for your data, the key has been triple-layer waterproofed. This not only protects the crypto drive against knocks and drops but also against attempts to physically break into the drive or damage it when submerged in water. Inside, the actual electronics are firstly sealed in epoxy resin, then enclosed in a hardened inner case, and finally encased in a rubberized silicone outer casing.

In terms of compatibility, the drive works with both Mac and PC systems and features the common USB Type-A 3.0 connector, ensuring maximum backward compatibility. Unlike some other drives, this is a one-off purchase; you buy the drive, and there's no need for additional software or any type of subscription.

Design: 3.5/5

Integral Crypto Dual: Features

The big selling point for the Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is its dual-level protection. This essentially means there are two passwords: one for the admin and one for the user. This feature allows businesses to distribute the drive to employees who need to transport sensitive data. The user or employee can have a unique password, and the business can set an administrative password. If the user forgets their password, an administrator can easily log in and reset it, which is very useful.

Several security features enhance the safety of the data contained within. First, the password must be entered each time the drive is inserted into a computer. If the drive is left idle for 10 minutes, the computer's screen saver starts, the drive is unplugged, or there's a power failure, a password is required when the drive is reinserted.

Unlike software-protected drives, the Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 employs FIPS 140-2 Level 3 protection, a high-level information security standard approved by the U.S. Government and trusted by legal, finance, government, and healthcare industries. This involves mandatory AES 256-bit hardware encryption, which is significantly more secure than software encryption.

This level of protection also safeguards against brute-force password attacks. If such an attack is detected, all data is automatically erased after six failed access attempts. When this occurs, all data on the drive and the encryption key are securely destroyed, and the Crypto Drive is reset.

Features: 4/5

Integral Crypto Dual: Performance

Accessing the drive when initially inserted into the USB port is more complex than with some other keys, with the pop-up interface being less user-friendly than most. The small screen that appears uses small icons to illustrate functions, although not clearly. After a few clicks around, you realize that it's the unlocked icon next to the words "Password, Yes" that actually takes you through to the password screen. Once your password is entered, the storage section of the drive becomes accessible. What's also annoying is that once you have signed in, you need to keep the pop-up window open; closing it will shut down the drive, meaning you'll need to log in again to re-enter.

Once in, the storage space functions like any other USB storage device: drag your items onto it, and they copy across safely. This makes it ideal for presentations, passwords, and financial documents you want to avoid falling into the wrong hands. It's also very handy for sending private documents through the post, knowing that if the key gets lost, no one else will be able to break in and access your financial documents or anything else.

When it comes to speed, the USB 3.2 Gen 1 technology ensures a decent transfer rate, with the following results in our benchmark tests.

Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Integral Crypto Dual?

The Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is a USB Key designed for high-level data security. It's an excellent choice if you require a way to carry sensitive information that can only be accessed by means of a password. Features such as dual-password access and hardware encryption will both appeal to businesses that require that extra level of security, but equally to individuals who may want to keep private documents or passwords secure.

However, the Integral Crypto Dual is more expensive than standard USB drives, and the dated user interface, while it doesn't affect the drive's use, is a sticking point. If your priority is top-level security with physical and electronic safeguards, then this USB drive is a great choice. For general use or less critical data storage, more cost-effective solutions are out there.

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For more storage options, we've tested the best portable SSDs

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB review

7:50 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: One-minute review

Considering that this MicroSD card is quite literally the size of your thumbnail, the 1.5TB of storage it contains is unbelievable. However, while such an amount of storage might have seemed excessive a year or two ago, with the prevalence of game save data and screen capture, as well as the latest digital cameras and other media devices becoming increasingly storage-hungry, this increase in capacity is welcome.

As the card is small, there's really little to it outwardly, except that in the blister pack comes the small MicroSD card and a standard SD card adapter. This means that it is compatible not only with mobile phones but also with cameras, drones, consoles, and computers.

The size means that there isn't much room for design aside from the basic branding, speed ratings, and capacity. As this card adheres to all MicroSD card standards, the size and design are set to ensure compatibility.

In the tests, the card was used in both DJI drones and GoPro Hero12 Black action cameras, which had easy compatibility for each and were able to keep up with the 4K video data capture demands that these devices required. We've tested many of the best MicroSD cards, and there were a few older action cameras where the card was inserted but not recognized, so it's worth checking the capacity limit for the device; however, all recent releases worked without issue.

In use, the card kept up with recording 4K video on the GoPro Hero12 Black without issue, and the V30 class rating was more than sufficient for the task.

In the speed tests, it's possible to see where this card's performance lies; compared to the latest high-speed cards, the V30 rating is a little slower than the latest V60 or V90 cards. But then, you have all that capacity, and most devices that take MicroSD cards don't process the amount of data that the faster cards can currently cope with.

The Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB is also exceptionally well priced when compared to the competition, so unless you require really high-speed transfer rates, this card will more than meet the demands. At an outstanding price, there really is little not to like about this one.

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Pricing and availability

How much does it cost? $154
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB microSDXC UHS-I Card is available in different capacities, including 1.5TB, 1TB, 512GB, 256GB, and 128 GB. The 1.5TB version looked at in this review is ideal for Action cameras, drones, gaming devices, smartphones, and tablets and is available for purchase at Amazon.

The card is widely available, but the price may vary. It can be purchased from retailers such as Amazon.

Value: 4/5

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Benchmark

The Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB microSD card performed well in the benchmark tests, nearing its maximum read speed of 100MB/s and exceeding the expected write speed of 50MB/s. In all tests, it consistently achieved read and write speeds around 90MB/s and 85MB/s, respectively, demonstrating a decent ability to handle large files both in capture and playback when it comes to video.

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Specs

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Build and Handling

The Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB microSDXC UHS-I Card conforms to the small-form-factor MicroSD format, which is favoured by mobile devices, action cameras, tablets, game consoles, and drones. Measuring 71.5 x 43.5 x 8mm and weighing just 1 gram, its build and handling adhere to standard conventions.

The exterior is plastic, featuring the Integral logo, Video speed class, and older speed class ratings of U3 and Class 10, which signify its capability to meet the demands of most devices. For mobile device users, the card's compliance with the A2 standard assures that the data access speed is sufficient for most applications.

Although designed for versatile use and compatible with various devices, the card's subdued colour and minimal text suggest a primary design focus for mobile device usage rather than for action cameras, drones, or consoles. This is less about speed and more because, in these latter devices, the card is frequently moved from the device to a computer, and brightly coloured cards are preferred to aid in locating them if dropped.

A noteworthy design element is the UHS-I interface, identifiable by the single row of connectors. While most devices support UHS-I rather than UHS-II, this distinction is important for ensuring compatibility.

Design: 4/5

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Performance

The packaging and literature for this card highlight its design for use with tablets, phones, action cameras, drones, and gaming, which just about covers all bases. However, upon examining the design, capacity, and speed, this card excels as a mass storage solution for mobile devices.

The primary reason for this suitability is the need for colour; as any action camera or drone user will know, a brightly coloured MicroSD card is essential, as anything less is prone to be dropped and lost.

The small Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB card fits without issue into various devices, including drones, cameras, and phones. It is easily recognized and formatted on all modern devices. In use, there are no issues, and the card's write speed keeps up with the demands of cameras and devices as required.

When reviewing images and footage, the card's access speed matched its write speed, enabling smooth video-on-demand playback.

In benchmarking tests, the Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB microSD card performed better than expected. Integral highlights a read speed of up to 100MB/s and a write speed of 50MB/s on the card's packaging and product page. Speeds reached up to 97.88 MB/s for reading and 89.31 MB/s for writing in CrystalDiskMark results, nearly hitting the upper limit and exceeding the quoted write speed. This level of speed ensured that high-definition video from the DJI Mavic 3 Pro and GoPro Hero12 Black was recorded and played back smoothly, proving the card's suitability for action cameras and drones and its ideal use as a storage solution for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

The card's performance in AJA, ATTO, and AS SSD benchmarks, with read and write speeds around the 90 MB/s and 85 MB/s marks, respectively, further highlighted its reliability in handling large files. This makes it particularly effective for managing a broad array of media files, from 4K videos to high-resolution photographs and extensive music collections for those not streaming.

Performance: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB?

1.5TB of storage on such a small card is hard to believe, yet the Integral handles that storage with ease and provides decent performance and plenty of storage capacity.

While this card has decent transfer speeds, it is limited by the V30 class, which it far exceeds in the tests; however, it's worth bearing in mind that over sustained and continual use, the performance and the speeds seen in this test will not be guaranteed. So if you need fast, quick access, then this card is outstanding, and while it will cope with transfer speeds that push the card's abilities, if you need that performance, you should be looking at a V60 or V90 card.

If you're looking to store and access large data files, the Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB is a well-balanced option offering fast access and transfer speeds, which will ultimately reduce your time spent waiting for files to open or transfer. Whether it's for professional use, where quick access to large project files is crucial, or for personal use, where seamless media playback and transfer are required, this card meets the demands of most users.

1.5TB of storage on such a small card is hard to believe, yet the Integral Ultima Pro handles that storage with ease, providing decent performance and ample storage capacity.

While this card has decent transfer speeds, it is limited by the V30 class, which it far exceeds in tests. However, the performance and speeds seen in these tests may not be guaranteed over sustained use. So, if you need fast, quick access, this card is outstanding, but if you require consistently high performance, you should consider a V60 or V90 card.

If you're looking to store and access large data files, the Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB is a well-balanced option offering fast access and transfer speeds. This will ultimately reduce the time you spend waiting for files to open or transfer. Whether it's for professional use, where quick access to large project files is crucial, or for personal use, where seamless media playback and transfer are required, this card meets the demands of most users.

How I tested the Lexar Play microSDXC 1TB

For this test the card was used in several different devices all of which support the exFAT. Before starting this test the card was reformated to give the greatest compatibility for the real world tests and also for testing through the benchmarking software.

The softare used included the latest versions of CrystalDiskMark, Atto, AS SSD and AJA benchmarks, noting the best scores achieved in each. They are all free and can be downloaded by anyone. After the standard benchmarks I then use the card in a variety of tech, including a GoPro Hero12 Black, Insta360 Ace Pro and DJI Mavic 3 to ensure compatibility and performance over a sustained period. I then transfer a folder of files, roughly 10GB in size, to get a rough idea of real life performance.

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Need more storage? We tested the best portable SSDs for extra back-up

Lexar SL500 portable SSD review

7:39 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: ATTO, SSD | Comments: Off

Lexar SL500: 30-second review

Specs

Capacity: 512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen2x2
Performance: Speed up to 2000MB/s read, up to 1800MB/s write
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 50°C
Storage Temperature: -40°C to 85°C
Dimensions (L x W x H): 85mm x 54mm x 7.8mm (The thinnest part is 4.8mm)
Weight: 43g
System Supported: Mac OSX 10.6+, Windows 11/10/7/8, Android 4.4+, Harmony OS
Warranty: 5-year limited warranty

The Lexar SL500 is part of a new generation of ultra-slim portable SSDs that traditionally appeal to videographers and imaging professionals needing to travel light while maintaining sufficient capacity and speed to edit images and video files on the move. Lexar, a company with a long history in the photographic sector, is known for its flash memory cards, which are popular among professionals.

This SSD stands out as one of the slimmest and most lightweight options available, and for video editors and photographers pairing it with any of the best video editing laptops or best laptops for photo editing, the small form factor and weight are significant advantages. The key selling point is its lightweight design, and the metal casing, while stylish, is reassuringly tough.

This makes it an excellent choice for linking to cameras that need additional storage, such as the Blackmagic 6K. In an interesting twist, it can also be linked in with the iPhone 15 Pro and Max and used to store Apple Pro Res recording at up to 4K 60FPS—this takes iPhone filmmaking to a new and interesting level.

When used on a PC, the speeds with the write cache switched off are impressive. We've tested loads of the best portable SSDs, and and even when reformatted for macOS, the transfer speeds here settle around the 1000MB/s mark. Under sustained load, such as editing 4K video, the drive keeps up with the pace, and the transfer speeds ensure smooth editing with plenty of headroom and storage. Heat is well managed, and considering the compact size, this drive delivers impressive performance.

Lexar SL500: Price & availability

Lexar SL500 Portable SSD Review — (Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Lexar SL500 Portable SSD is widely available from retailers and can be purchased directly through the Lexar website, Amazon.com, and many other retail sites.

Score: 3.5/5

Lexar SL500: Design & build

At 4.8mm thick, the main body of the slim portable SSD features a solid aluminium unibody design, giving the drive a smooth, minimalist look and enhancing its durability. The drive includes only a single USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C connector, with a short cable provided in the box. Due to its size and weight, the drive may not initially sit flat on the desktop, with the cable's strength elevating one end. However, a bit of wiggling and rebending the cable can allow the drive to lay flush.

The lightweight design means that despite some curvature in the drive's design, velcro can easily be attached, enabling the drive to be affixed to the back of, say, the best video editing monitor. This setup offers a convenient way to move around with your laptop with the drive attached without the concern of it dangling freely from the cable and becoming detached. The slight curve of the casing is also practical, making it easy to grip and remove the drive when needed.

This SSD is one of the smallest portable SSDs available. It measures 85mm x 54mm x 7.8mm, with the thinnest part curving down to 4.8mm, and weighs 43g (excluding the cable). Impressively, the drive comes in various capacities, including 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and a large 4TB option.

Design & build: 4/5

Lexar SL500: Performance

Benchmarks

CrystalDiskMark: read: 1034.20MB/s Write: 942.07MB/s
AJA: read: 952MB/s Write: 866MB/s
ATTO: read: 984.05MB/s Write: 907.80MB/s
AS SSD: read: 917.05MB/s Write: 818.62MB/s

What really stands out about this portable SSD is its size. It can slip into a backpack or jacket's side pocket without adding weight or bulk, although the relatively short cable must still be managed. Once connected, the Type-C cable easily links the drive to a Mac or PC, and the included Lexar DataShield software enables password security, a prudent feature for a portable device that might be lost or stolen.

The drive's out-of-the-box transfer speeds are impressive, and it can be reformatted from the ultra-compatible ExFAT to a more secure format for Mac or PC. The drive's speed is notable, with excellent performance in both reading and writing. With write caching turned on (the default setting), transfer speeds reach around 1,000MB/s, below the advertised speeds, but a significant increase is observed once write caching is switched off.

For general file storage, the drive's performance is outstanding, with a 140GB file transfer completed in about three minutes on the Mac, during which the drive remained cool to the touch. For video and image editing tasks in Photoshop, no issues were encountered when handling large files from cameras like the Canon R5 C and Sony A7 IV. In more demanding video editing scenarios with Final Cut Pro X, the drive maintained impressive performance, keeping up with the application's demands even though it did not match the advertised speed. During these intensive tasks, the drive's temperature increased but not excessively.

One of the most interesting features of this drive is that it is fully compatible with Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Max. This means that you can plug it directly into the USB Type-C port to record Apple Pro Res at up to 4K 60FPS. This feature enables far greater flexibility for iPhone film makers when it comes to grading in post with higher-quality video and far greater potential for the footage. Given this compatibility with Apple devices, it may be one of the best external hard drives for Mac users.

Overall, this compact storage solution delivers outstanding performance. Its small size makes it convenient and easy to mount onto the back of a laptop screen without concern.

Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Lexar SL500?

As an all-around portable SSD, its small size and variety of capacity options make this a discreet and easy choice. The minimal size and weight will appeal broadly, as it takes up very little room in the pocket of a jacket or bag, making it an ideal partner for imaging professionals.

The cable's weight influences its position on a desktop, but with a little Velcro, this drive can be perfectly attached to the back of a monitor. This feature is particularly beneficial for those on the move, working in various locations like trains, coffee shops, or hotdesking around an office, as it ensures the safety of the driver's connection during movement.

Although small pen drives with large capacity options are available, this dedicated drive offers sustained performance, making it an ideal choice for activities that require fast transfer speeds and reliable access to data. It is particularly suited for those in the video sector who demand reliable file access and need storage that is safe, secure, and lightweight enough to be easily transported in a busy environment without excessive concern about cables disconnecting.

iPhone 15 Pro and Max users will also benefit from the connection to greater storage when shooting video in the Apple ProRes format. This is a superb, slightly unique feature. There's the issue of how to attach the drive comfortably, but ultimately, it pushes the function and features of the iPhone 15 Pro even further. In real terms, the video that you can store on an iPhone with around 70GB of storage goes from 18 minutes to 1,183 minutes with the 2TB drive attached.

Overall, considering the capacity, size, and speed, this is an outstanding SSD that will suit many uses but will find particular appeal with photographers and videographers.

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Using the Lexar SL500 to store creative assets? We tested the best monitors for photo editing

nubia Flip global pre-orders open as well

7:37 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Alongside its launch in China, nubia Flip is also making its global debut. The clamshell foldable will start at $499 in its 8/256GB trim making it the most affordable foldable to date. Nubia will also sell a 12/512GB version for $699. Both versions of the nubia Flip are now available for pre-order directly from the official nubia store. The initial wave of countries where you can scoop up a nubia Flip includes Australia, Chile, Egypt, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab...

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Kobo Libra Colour: Two-minute review

Kobo Libra Colour review: Price and availability

Kobo Libra Colour review: Specs

Kobo Libra Colour review: Design and display

Kobo Libra Colour review: User interface

Kobo Libra Colour review: Performance

Should I buy the Kobo Libra Colour?

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BenQ X3100i 4K projector: one-minute review

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: price and release date

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: Specs

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: design and features

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: picture and sound quality

BenQ X3100i 4K projector review: value

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How I tested the BenQ X3100i 4K projector

Integral Crypto Dual: 30-second review

Integral Crypto Dual: Pricing and availability

Integral Crypto Dual: Benchmark

Integral Crypto Dual: Specs

Integral Crypto Dual: Build and Handling

Integral Crypto Dual: Features

Integral Crypto Dual: Performance

Should I buy the Integral Crypto Dual?

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: One-minute review

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Pricing and availability

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Benchmark

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Specs

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Build and Handling

Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB: Performance

Should I buy the Integral Ultima Pro 1.5TB?

How I tested the Lexar Play microSDXC 1TB

Lexar SL500: 30-second review

Lexar SL500: Price & availability

Lexar SL500: Design & build

Lexar SL500: Performance

Should you buy the Lexar SL500?

Buy it if...

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