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Dell’s S3225QC OLED monitor won my heart with its in-built sound system, but where did all the ports go?
6:51 am | May 22, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Dell S3225QC: two-minute review

The Dell S3225QC offers a unique value proposition. I want to say that it’s the best value 32-inch all-rounder if you want awesome 4K OLED picture quality and epic integrated sound, backed up by a serviceable 120Hz refresh rate and a satisfying contrasting figure of 1500000:1, but there are a handful of things holding back my praise.

Dell has positioned the S3225QC as an all-rounder, claiming that its mix of features is “perfect for play, school and work” when it was announced back at CES 2025 in January. At first principles I think this monitor is capable of shifting between these different use cases quite well – the 5 x 5W speakers that run across the bottom of the display output brilliant audio, the screen itself doesn’t blur text and is perfect for a mix of writing documents, viewing content and playing games, and the 32-inch size is definitely a boon for blowing up whatever task you're performing.

Backed up by a design that’s fairly inoffensive and doesn’t take up much space on a desk, the S3225QC may be the perfect multitasking display for your home or office. The addition of two USB-C ports on the back and an accessible USB-C port on the front is also very welcome, especially for quickly charging a phone or mouse, or for transferring data to your computer in a pinch. One port pops in and out of the monitor, allowing it to be tucked away when not used.

The USB-C port that pops out from the Dell S3225QC monitor

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Additionally, unlike some OLED monitors, the display doesn’t have annoying care programs – shortly after the monitor is turned off following a lengthy period of use, it’ll automatically shift into refreshing mode, which will take between six and eight minutes. Dell recommends refreshing the pixels every four hours, but I wasn't bugged once about doing this.

However there’s one big thing that’s holding Dell’s new OLED monitor back – its severe lack of ports.

I’m annoyed that the only inputs for displaying audio and video are HDMI and a Display Port-capable USB-C, and my particular use case, as somebody who bases everything they do in their home around a monitor, kind of underscores this as a weakness (so please excuse my incoming tangent). Most streaming services don’t show video in the highest resolution when functioning through a browser, and to watch Andor on Disney+ in all its glory, I wanted to connect my Google TV streamer to the S3225QC.

The Dell S3225QC's sensor close-up

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

But the Google TV Streamer, as you’d expect, uses HDMI to connect to a display – I couldn’t use the Display Port-capable USB-C connection, as the TV Streamer doesn’t output audio and video through its USB-C port, and so my only solution was to physically swap the HDMI cord between my PC and the Streamer.

It’s not the end of the world and indeed the monitor displayed 4K streaming content brilliantly, along with all the things I played, but it begs the question: why are there only two audio/video inputs in the first place? This will surely be an issue for folks in similar positions looking for a more encompassing all-rounder solution, and this lack of connections is anomalous among similarly priced screens.

For people that might have one primary computer connected via HDMI and, separately, a laptop via the DP-Alt USB-C, this is unlikely to be a problem – but still be ready to factor in purchasing a USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to Display Port cable to get over these hurdles depending on what you’re doing at your PC. A quick and easy solution may be an external HDMI splitter.

Dell S3225QC: price and availability

The Dell S3225QC monitor at an angle on a desk

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
  • How much does it cost? $799.99 / £879 / AU$1,299.10
  • When is it available? Available now (not currently listed on Dell US)
  • Where can you get it? Dell's website in the US, UK and Australia

For a monitor that comes with high-quality integrated audio, an OLED panel and a massive 32-inch size, the Dell S3225QC is priced quite competitively. There are very few monitors on the market that are offering this particular combination of features, which makes it difficult to compare, but the feature set is pretty impressive.

The price is slightly undermined by a couple of factors, the foremost being a lack of input ports, with only HDMI and a USB-C (DP-Alt) available. Another is the comparatively low refresh rate for an OLED panel, limited to 120Hz at a maximum 4K resolution. There is, however, a built-in USB hub, so keyboards, mice and other peripherals are able to connect directly to the PC via the monitor’s USB-C ports.

If you’re shopping for an alternative, I’d recommend the MSI MPG 271QRX (a 27-inch gaming OLED monitor with a higher refresh rate) or the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE (a non-OLED 32-inch monitor with similar specs, more ports and a lower price).

  • Value: 5/5

Dell S3225QC: specs

Screen size:

31.6-inch

Aspect ratio:

16:9

Resolution:

3,840 x 2,160 (120Hz)

Brightness:

250 cd/㎡ / 1,000 cd/㎡ HDR peak

Response time:

0.03ms (GTG)

Viewing angle:

178˚/178˚

Contrast ratio:

1,500,000:1

Color support:

1.07B

Inputs:

1X HDMI 2.1, 1X USB-C (5Gbps upstream, Display Port 1.4 alt mode, 90W power delivery), 2X USB-C 5Gbps downstream ports (data, 15W power delivery)

Weight:

10kg (22.05 lbs)

Dell S3225QC: design

The backside of the Dell S3225QC

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
  • Inoffensive design with white colorway
  • Speakers across the entire bottom
  • Nice USB-C placement

The Dell S3225QC is designed to be an all-purpose monitor, and so it has a neutral design without anything too jarring. The monitor is only available in a white colorway with an anti-glare matte OLED panel, sitting atop five integrated speakers.

While this speaker system appears at first glance to have a webcam inbuilt, it’s actually a proximity sensor that detects the user’s distance from the screen and adjusts sound quality accordingly. More on that in the Features section.

The stand has a coarse texture to it and is completely white. It doesn’t take up much room, with the stand consisting of a long cylindrical pole and the monitor footing being a flat rectangle. The monitor doesn’t take up too much room on a desk and has a fair amount of height, tilt and swivel adjustment to it.

The Dell S3225QC monitor switched on

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

One of the USB-C ports physically moves in and out from underneath the monitor, allowing for quick access. It’s an interesting aspect of the monitor that seems a little overdesigned – while popping a component in and out is convenient, I’m confused as to why this needs to move at all.

Surely an immobile USB-C port pointed downward would have achieved the same goal without the risk of getting stuck or broken? The rest of the ports are located around the back, while the monitor’s joystick and power button can be found to the bottom right of the screen’s backside.

  • Design: 4/5

Dell S3225QC: features

The buttons on the back of the Dell S3225QC monitor

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
  • In-built speakers across the bottom
  • Handy USB-C port on the front with upstream/downstream support
  • Only two audio/video input ports (HDMI/DP via USB-C)

The Dell S3225QC is aimed at being an all encompassing display, capable of switching between work and play without a problem. It has a gorgeous screen and a handful of useful USB-C ports across the back and front, though there's a crippling lack of audio/video ports.

The main feature propping up the all-rounder goal is the sound system running across the bottom of the display, which offers enhanced surround-sound audio made possible thanks to its spatial tracking camera. The end product is frankly the best audio I’ve ever heard from a monitor, though I did find that two red lights would often appear on the soundbar, indicating that my head couldn’t be seen by the tracking tech – meaning sound wasn't always able to be optimized for my position. As someone whose home entertainment setup is based around their computer desk, I love monitors with inbuilt audio, so this focus on high-end audio is a win for me.

There’s a USB-C port on the front and the two USB-C ports around the back, one of which doubles as a Display Port alternative for audio/video (AV) signals, meaning you can plug your monitor in with a USB-C port and use it as a second screen. Those regular USB-C ports can serve as sockets for your laptop and keyboard while still using the DP-capable USB-C port for AV. It’s a great alternative to a dedicated USB hub, and that DP-capable USB-C port can even double as a 90W charger, meaning you won’t need a separate power cable for most connected laptops (beastly gaming models excepted).

The Dell S3225QC's ports on the back

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

I liked how well laid-out the inbuilt operating system was, and how easy it was to quickly change settings using the joystick on the back. It’s so fast and responsive that I would often adjust things like audio directly through the monitor.

What burned me the most about the monitor was its lack of any additional HDMI or Display Port sockets. All that’s on offer is a HDMI port (4K@120Hz) and the aforementioned DP-capable USB-C port. Somebody that’s merely switching between a laptop and a desktop PC likely won’t have any issue with the ports that are in use, but for my purposes (I tend to have a Chromecast connected to my screen), the arrangement resulted in an awkward dance of unplugging and plugging in cables constantly. For a monitor billed on versatility and being able to fulfill so many needs, it’s absolutely baffling how limiting it is in its design.

  • Features: 4/5

Dell S3225QC: performance

The Dell S3225QC displaying Assassin's Creed Shadows

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
  • Epic OLED, 4K panel @ 120Hz
  • Deep, rich spatial sound
  • Ideal for productivity, fine for games

It’s tempting to say that the Dell S3225QC makes compromises to service a broad appeal, but I personally don’t think the specs reflect that – the hardware set here is solid.

Dell has sourced its 4K OLED panel from Samsung, and with the Korean tech giant so good at making such screens, it’s a win on all fronts. Colors pop perfectly and as it's OLED, blacks are perfect as they aren’t lit by pixels. A contrast rate of 150,000:1 keeps picture quality accurate, though brightness is limited to a maximum of 250nits/1,000nits HDR peak (a fairly standard figure for an OLED, but low compared to high-end non-OLEDs).

I think the OLED panel is fairly inconsequential when you’re using the monitor for stuff like writing up documents, editing things together or simply when casually browsing the web – and you’ll be better off purchasing a much cheaper display if these are the only things you’re doing. There’s no haziness around typed characters to be seen, but these days you don’t have to go up-market for a clear monitor to do work on.

The Dell S3225QC monitor displaying a clip from Star Wars Andor

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

It’s with stuff like gaming and streaming video that the S3225QC can really pull out the stops. The 120Hz refresh rate might seem a little low for PC gaming, but let me be clear – it’s perfectly fine, and unless you're an especially demanding (or competitive) gamer, 120Hz is more than enough for fast and fluid gameplay. I use a fairly high-performance gaming PC and though in many games I can far exceed a 120 fps framerate, I’ve never been left wanting more.

As we've previously mentioned, the audio system is fitted with a spatial camera that detects how close you are to the screen. With that detected, it then adjusts the sound profile to best suit the distance. In my experience it worked brilliantly, though the sensor certainly suffered when there wasn’t much light (and I tend to keep lights off in my office... I’m a bit of a caveman).

The S3225QC will still deliver rich sound without detecting your distance from the panel, however when the sensor isn’t capable of making that measurement, it displays two dark red lights beside the camera (appearing in the image below as purple). It’s a tad annoying when watching something cinematic in the dark, as the sensor is quite reliant on being in a well-lit environment, but ultimately when it doesn't completely work the results are harmless.

The sensors on the front of the Dell S3225QC

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Should I buy the Dell S3225QC monitor?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

A unique feature set at a fair enough cost makes the Dell S3225QC a screen to consider.

5 / 5

Design

An unassuming white colorway and a nice OLED panel positions the S3225QC well for specific settings.

4 / 5

Performance

There’s no holding the S3225QC back as an all-rounder monitor for work and play.

5 / 5

Features

The inclusion of high-quality speakers across the bottom is nice, but there is a severe lack of HDMI/DP ports.

4 / 5

Average rating

Although we’d like to see more inputs, the Dell S3225QC is likely to be a good fit for folks looking for a one-stop solution monitor.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You’re craving an OLED monitor that isn’t completely gaming-oriented

Dell’s new OLED screen is sure to be a hit among non-gamers looking for gorgeous picture quality, or gamers looking to skip aggressive aesthetics and craving speaker sound.

You want brilliant in-built sound

I’ve never had sound on a monitor impress me more than the S3225QC and it’ll be hard to beat its room-filling audio.

You want an all-encompassing solution

Audio/video inputs for USB-C (DP) and HDMI make the S3225QC uniquely suited for switching between a desktop and laptop setup.

Don't buy it if...

You crave more input freedom

Only offering two audio/video inputs makes the S3225QC a much less capable monitor, especially for one marketed as being all-purpose.

You want to save money

The Dell S3225QC is fairly priced but still doesn’t come cheap and you may be better off saving some money and going with a non-OLED alternative for less.

You want better gaming specs

You’ll find higher refresh rates and lower response times on similarly priced 4K OLED monitors intended for gamers.

Also consider

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF

Want a more gaming-oriented monitor? The Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF is priced similarly and is available as a 27-inch or 32-inch screen.

Read our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF review

Screen size:

27-inch

Aspect ratio:

16:9

Resolution:

3,840 x 2,160

Brightness:

250 cd/㎡ / 1,300 cd/㎡ HDR peak

Response time:

0.03ms (GTG)

Viewing angle:

178˚/178˚

Contrast ratio:

1,000,000:1

Color support:

Max 1B

Inputs:

2X HDMI, 1X Display Port, 2X USB-A, 1X USB-B Upstream, 1X 3.5 headphone jack

Weight:

6.89kg (15.2 Ibs)

MSI MPG 271QRX

Cheaper and fitted with a 2K OLED panel, the MSI MPG 271QRX is a worthwhile solution if you’re not craving such high-end specs.

Read our full MSI MPG 271QRX review

Screen size:

26.5-inch

Aspect ratio:

16:9

Resolution:

2560 x 1440p

Brightness:

250 cd/㎡ / 1,000 cd/㎡ HDR

Response time:

0.03ms (GtG)

Viewing angle:

178˚(R/L), 178˚(U/D)

Contrast ratio:

1500000:1

Color support:

1.07B

Inputs:

1x Display Port, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C (DP alt.) and 90W PD charging, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A 1, 1x USB 2.0 Type-B

Weight:

10.8kg (24 lbs)

Dell UltraSharp 32 4K Thunderbolt Hub

After the USB-C connectivity that the S3225QC offers, but don’t care for OLED or the high-end sound? Dell’s 32-inch Thunderbolt Hub monitor is much cheaper with many more ports on offer.

Read our full Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K Thunderbolt hub review

Screen size:

31.5-inch

Aspect ratio:

16:9

Resolution:

3,840 x 2,160

Brightness:

450 cd/㎡, 500 cd/㎡ HDR peak

Response time:

5ms (GTG)

Viewing angle:

178˚/178˚

Contrast ratio:

3,000:1

Color support:

1.07B

Inputs:

2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x Display Port 1.4 (in/out), 1x HDMI 2.1, 7 USB-A downstream, 3.5mm audio-out

Weight:

9.34kg (20.59 lbs)

How I tested the Dell S3225QC monitor

  • Tested over a couple of weeks
  • Productivity software used include Canva, Photoshop, Google Docs, ClipChamp and Google Sheets
  • Also used for a mix of streaming content and playing video games

During my time with the Dell S3225QC, I tried to use the monitor as a hub for everything I did. This included using it to get work done on my laptop by connecting a MacBook Air to the display via USB-C, but also connecting my gaming computer to it for video games and my Google TV Streamer for movies and TV shows.

Most of my time with my monitor was spent using it for entertainment, playing games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Counter-Strike 2, Wreckfest, Forza Motorsport, R.E.P.O, Marvel Rivals and Star Wars Outlaws, but I also took time to watch plenty of Disney+, Netflix and YouTube content on the display. I also used it for music streaming via Spotify.

Of course the monitor was also used for more casual things – doomscrolling on Bluesky, browsing websites on Chrome and messaging friends on Instagram and Messenger for example.

First review May 2025.

I tried Google’s Android XR prototype and they can’t do much but Meta should still be terrified
2:32 pm | May 21, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Artificial Intelligence Computers Computing Gadgets Software | Comments: Off

The Google Android XR can’t do very much… yet. At Google I/O 2025, I got to wear the new glasses and try some key features – three features exactly – and then my time was up. These Android XR glasses aren’t the future, but I can certainly see the future through them, and my Meta Ray Ban smart glasses can’t match anything I saw.

The Android XR glasses I tried had a single display, and it did not fill the entire lens. The glasses projected onto a small frame in front of my vision that was invisible unless filled with content.

To start, a tiny digital clock showed me the time and local temperature, information drawn from my phone. It was small and unobtrusive enough that I could imagine letting it stay active at the periphery.

Google Gemini is very responsive on this Android XR prototype

Google's Android XR prototype demonstrated at Google I/O 2025

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The first feature I tried was Google Gemini, which is making its way onto every device Google touches. Gemini on the Android XR prototype glasses is already more advanced than what you might have tried on your smartphone.

I approached a painting on the wall and asked Gemini to tell me about it. It described the pointillist artwork and the artist. I said I wanted to look at the art very closely and I asked for suggestions on interesting aspects to consider. It gave me suggestions about pointillism and the artist’s use of color.

The conversation was very natural. Google’s latest voice models for Gemini sound like a real human. The glasses also did a nice job pausing Gemini when somebody else was speaking to me. There wasn’t a long delay or any frustration. When I asked Gemini to resume, it said ‘no problem’ and started up quickly.

That’s a big deal! The responsiveness of smart glasses is a metric I haven’t considered before, but it matters. My Meta Ray Ban Smart Glasses have an AI agent that can look through the camera, but it works very slowly. It responds slowly at first, and then it takes a long time to answer the question. Google’s Gemini on Android XR was much faster and that made it feel more natural.

Google Maps on Android XR wasn’t like any Google Maps I’ve seen

Google's Android XR prototype demonstrated at Google I/O 2025

Celebrities Giannis Antetokounmpo and Dieter Bohn wear Android XR glasses and shake hands with the crowd (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Then I tried Google Maps on the Android XR prototype. I did not get a big map dominating my view. Instead, I got a simple direction sign with an arrow telling me to turn right in a half mile. The coolest part of the whole XR demo was when the sign changed as I moved my head.

If I looked straight down at the ground, I could see a circular map from Google with an arrow showing me where I am and where I should be heading. The map moved smoothly as I turned around in circles to get my bearings. It wasn’t a very large map – about the size of a big cookie (or biscuit for UK friends) in my field of view.

As I lifted my head, the cookie-map moved upward. The Android XR glasses don’t just stick a map in front of my face. The map is an object in space. It is a circle that seems to remain parallel with the floor. If I look straight down, I can see the whole map. As I move my head upward, the map moves up and I see it from a diagonal angle as it lifts higher and higher with my field of view.

By the time I am looking straight ahead, the map has entirely disappeared and has been replaced by the directions and arrow. It’s a very natural way to get an update on my route. Instead of opening and turning on my phone, I just look towards my feet and Android XR shows me where they should be pointing.

Showing off the colorful display with a photograph

Google's Android XR prototype demonstrated at Google I/O 2025

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The final demo I saw was a simple photograph using the camera on the Android XR glasses. After I took the shot, I got a small preview on the display in front of me. It was about 80% transparent, so I could see details clearly, but it didn’t entirely block my view.

Sadly that was all the time Google gave me with the glasses today, and the experience was underwhelming. In fact, my first thought was to wonder if the Google Glass I had in 2014 had the exact same features as today’s Android XR prototype glasses. It was pretty close.

My old Google Glass could take photos and video, but it did not offer a preview on its tiny, head-mounted display. It had Google Maps with turn directions, but it did not have the animation or head-tracking that Android XR offers.

There was obviously no conversational AI like Gemini on Google Glass, and it could not look at what you see and offer information or suggestions. What makes the two similar? They both lack apps and features.

Which comes first, the Android XR software or the smart glasses to run it?

Google's Android XR prototype demonstrated at Google I/O 2025

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Should developers code for a device that doesn’t exist? Or should Google sell smart glasses even though there are no developers yet? Neither. The problem with AR glasses isn’t just a chicken and egg problem of what comes first, the software or the device. That’s because AR hardware isn’t ready to lay eggs. We don’t have a chicken or eggs, so it’s no use debating what comes first.

Google’s Android XR prototype glasses are not the chicken, but they are a fine looking bird. The glasses are incredibly lightweight, considering the display and all the tech inside. They are relatively stylish for now, and Google has great partners lined up in Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.

The display itself is the best smart glasses display I’ve seen, by far. It isn’t huge, but it has a better field of view than the rest; it’s positioned nicely just off-center from your right eye’s field of vision; and the images are bright, colorful (if translucent), and flicker-free.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses reflecting Times Square on author's face

The author in Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses looking dumbfounded (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

When I first saw the time and weather, it was a small bit of text and it didn’t block my view. I could imagine keeping a tiny heads-up display on my glasses all the time, just to give me a quick flash of info.

This is just the start, but it’s a very good start. Other smart glasses haven’t felt like they belonged at the starting line, let alone on retail shelves. Eventually, the display will get bigger, and there will be more software. Or any software, because the feature set felt incredibly limited.

Still, with just Gemini’s impressive new multi-modal capabilities and the intuitive (and very fun) Google Maps on XR, I wouldn’t mind being an early adopter if the price isn’t terrible.

How the Android XR prototype compares to Meta’s Ray Ban Smart Glasses

Ray-Ban meta glasses up close

My Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are mostly just sunglasses now (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Of course, Meta Ray Ban Smart Glasses lack a display, so they can’t do most of this. The Meta Smart Glasses have a camera, but the images are beamed to your phone. From there, your phone can save them to your gallery, or even use the Smart Glasses to broadcast live directly to Facebook. Just Facebook – this is Meta, after all.

With its Android provenance, I’m hoping whatever Android XR smart glasses we get will be much more open than Meta’s gear. It must be. Android XR runs apps, while Meta’s Smart Glasses are run by an app. Google intends Android XR to be a platform. Meta wants to gather information from cameras and microphones you wear on your head.

I’ve had a lot of fun with the Meta Ray Ban Smart Glasses, but I honestly haven’t turned them on and used the features in months. I was already a Ray Ban Wayfarer fan, so I wear them as my sunglasses, but I never had much luck getting the voice recognition to wake up and respond on command. I liked using them as open ear headphones, but not when I’m in New York City and the street noise overpowers them.

I can’t imagine that I will stick with my Meta glasses once there is a full platform with apps and extensibility – the promise of Android XR. I’m not saying that I saw the future in Google’s smart glasses prototype, but I have a much better view of what I want that smart glasses future to look like.

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I’ve been reviewing Dell laptops for years, and I’m still shocked at how much I like the Dell 14 Plus
10:00 pm | May 17, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Windows Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Dell 14 Plus: One-minute review

The Dell 14 Plus is one of the first rebranded Dell laptops to go on sale this year, and despite some growing pains it’s an auspicious start thanks to its solid performance, great portability and style, and an accessible price point.

The new 14 Plus is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $799.99 / £999 / AU$1,298, and features both Intel Lunar Lake and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors. This makes it one of the best laptops for budget-conscious Windows users on the market right now without making too many compromises on style, portability, or features.

What you won’t get with the 14 Plus, however, is a professional workstation or one of the best gaming laptops, as the integrated graphics and processor options don’t have the kind of horsepower to churn through complex workloads like video editing or intense gaming at high settings.

But for those in the market for a new laptop for general productivity or school work, everyday computing tasks, video calls, or video streaming, and which offers good responsiveness, battery life, and portability, the Dell 14 Plus delivers pretty much exactly what you need to get the job done – and it even looks pretty good while doing it.

It’s not perfect (I’ll get to its faults soon enough), but for the price and the performance on offer the 14 Plus is easily one of the best Windows laptops going, and should be at the top of the list for students, remote workers, and just about anyone else who needs a solid notebook PC without breaking the bank.

Dell 14 Plus: Price & availability

A Dell 14 Plus on a desk with its lid facing outward

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much does it cost? Starts at $799.99 / £999 / AU$1,298
  • When is it available? It's available now
  • Where can you get it? You can buy it in the US, UK, and Australia through Dell’s website and other retailers.

The Dell 14 Plus is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $799.99 / £999 / AU$1,298 for its base configuration, the specs of which vary depending on your region, and maxes out at $1,479.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,498.20.

Compared to something like the Acer Swift 14 AI or the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4), the Dell 14 Plus almost always comes in cheaper when similarly specced, and in a couple of instances you get better specs with the 14 Plus for a lower price than competing devices like the Asus Zenbook A14, making it an attractive option for value shoppers who don’t want to sacrifice too much in the way of performance.

  • Value: 5 / 5

Dell 14 Plus: Specs

The internal components of the Dell 14 Plus

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Configurations vary considerably between the US, UK, and Australia
  • Options for both Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors
  • No discrete graphics options

The starting configurations for the Dell 14 Plus vary slightly depending on your region, with the US and Australia sharing the same specs – AMD Ryzen AI 340 CPU with Radeon 849M graphics, 16GB LPDDR5X memory, and a 14-inch FHD+, 300-nit, non-touch display – while the starting setup in the UK uses an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V with second-gen Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of slightly faster LPDDR5X-8533 memory, and a 14-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600p) 300-nit, non-touch IPS display. All starting configs come with 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD storage.

Dell 14 Plus Base Specs

Region

US

UK

Australia

Price:

$799.99 at Dell.com

£999 at Dell.com

AU$1,298 at Dell.com

CPU:

AMD Ryzen AI 5 340

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

AMD Ryzen AI 5 340

GPU:

AMD Radeon 840M Graphics

Intel Arc Xe2 (140V)

AMD Radeon 840M Graphics

Memory:

16GB LPDDR5X-7500

16GB LPDDR5X-8533

16GB LPDDR5X-7500

Storage:

512GB SSD

512GB SSD

512GB SSD

Screen:

14-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1200p), 300-nit, non-touch IPS

14-inch 16:10 2.5K (1600p), 300-nit, non-touch IPS

14-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1200p), 300-nit, non-touch IPS

Ports:

2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack

2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack

Battery (WHr):

64 WHr

64 WHr

64 WHr

Wireless:

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

Camera:

1080p@30fps

1080p@30fps

1080p@30fps

Weight:

3.35 lb (1.52 kg)

3.42 lbs (1.55kg)

3.35 lbs (1.52kg)

Dimensions:

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)

The max spec for the Dell 14 Plus in the US and UK is identical: an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V with Intel Arc graphics, 32GB LPDDR5X memory, 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD, and a 14-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600p) display with 90Hz refresh and 300 nits max brightness. In Australia, the max spec comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with Radeon 840M graphics, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD storage, and a 14-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200p) display with a max brightness of 300 nits.

Dell 14 Plus Top Specs

Region

US

UK

Australia

Price:

$1,479.99 at Dell.com

£1,299 at Dell.com

AU$1,498.20 at Dell.com

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 9 288V

Intel Core Ultra 9 288V

AMD Ryzen AI 7 350

GPU:

Intel Arc Xe2 (140V) Graphics

Intel Arc Xe2 (140V) Graphics

AMD Radeon 840M Graphics

Memory:

32GB LPDDR5X-8533

32GB LPDDR5X-8533

16GB LPDDR5X-7500

Storage:

1TB NVMe SSD

1TB NVMe SSD

1TB NVMe SSD

Screen:

14-inch 16:10 2.5K (1600p), 300 nit, non-touch IPS

14-inch 16:10 2.5K (1600p), 300 nit, non-touch IPS

14-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1200p), 300 nit, non-touch IPS

Ports:

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack

2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack

Battery (WHr):

64 WHr

64 WHr

64 WHr

Wireless:

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

Camera:

1080p@30fps

1080p@30fps

1080p@30fps

Weight:

3.42 lbs (1.55kg)

3.42 lbs (1.55kg)

3.35 lb (1.52 kg)

Dimensions:

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)

The configuration I tested for this review is only available in the US, but the UK has a very similar spec, just with a 512GB SSD rather than the 1TB in my review unit, while Australia doesn't yet have Intel-based coinfigurations for the 14 Plus at all.

Dell 14 Plus Review Unit Specs

Price:

$1,179.99 / £999 / (about AU$1,830, but Intel systems not yet available in Australia)

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

GPU:

Intel Arc Xe2 (140V) Graphics

Memory:

16GB LPDDR5X-8533

Storage:

1TB NVMe SSD (512GB NVMe SSD in UK)

Screen:

14-inch 16:10 2.5K (1600p), 300 nit, non-touch IPS

Ports:

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack

Battery (WHr):

64 WHr

Wireless:

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

Camera:

1080p@30fps

Weight:

3.42 lbs (1.55kg)

Dimensions:

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)

Generally, there aren’t a whole lot of configuration options available for the Dell 14 Plus right now, but the specs you do get – even with the base configurations – are all solid enough for general computing and productivity work, and some models can even manage some modest PC gaming and creative work.

  • Specs: 4 / 5

Dell 14 Plus: Design

The top lid of the Dell 14 Plus

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Thin and light form factor
  • Trackpad can be tricky at times
  • Display isn’t stellar, especially in daylight

The Dell 14 Plus takes a number of design influences from earlier Inspiron laptops and merges them somewhat with the former Dell XPS laptop series, and the end result is a fairly attractive ultrabook for the price.

A Dell 14 Plus on a desk with its lid facing outward

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

It doesn’t have the same kind of premium materials that more expensive laptops use, but the 14 Plus doesn’t necessarily feel like a cheap laptop either. Where its design does disappoint me, though, is its keyboard, trackpad, and display.

The keyboard on a Dell 14 Plus

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The keys on the keyboard aren’t bad, but they’re not really great either, and can sometimes feel stiffer than they should. This problem is compounded by the trackpad that isn’t the smoothest, and I’ve found my fingers catching at times from even the light friction of swiping across its surface.

A Dell 14 Plus open to the TechRadar homepage

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The more ‘premium’ 2.5K display on my review unit works fine in an office environment or when sitting on the couch at home, but its 300 nits peak brightness means that it's hard to use if you’re outside, so if you like to work at an outdoor cafe, or sitting in the grass of a college quad, the display is going to be difficult to see clearly in daylight.

Image 1 of 4

A man sitting in a computer lab

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 2 of 4

The ports on either side of the Dell 14 plus

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 3 of 4

The underside of the Dell 14 Plus

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 4 of 4

A Dell 14 Plus on a desk in front of a house key to demonstrate its thinness

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

You get a decent selection of ports for a laptop this thin and a physical privacy shutter for the webcam, which I love to see. The webcam is 1080p @ 30 fps, which is good enough for most needs, as you can see from my selfie taken with the webcam.

The underside of the Dell 14 Plus

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The down-firing speakers aren’t very good, especially if the laptop is sitting on fabric like bedding. They work, though, and conference calls and general audio is fine in most cases. For music and movies, however, I recommend using headphones or one of the best Bluetooth speakers.

  • Design: 3.5 / 5

Dell 14 Plus: Performance

The Intel Core Ultra 7 sticker on a laptop

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Very good productivity and general computing performance
  • Hardware isn’t suited for intensive workloads like heavy gaming or video editing
  • Lags well behind similarly specced MacBook Air models

The Dell 14 Plus is targeted toward office workers, students, and others who need a responsive everyday device for web browsing, video streaming, and the like. In that regard, this laptop does exactly what it should, and does it well.

That’s not to say it's the best, though, as you can see when comparing its benchmark results against something like the MacBook Air 13 (M4), which comfortably outperforms the 14 Plus at pretty much every task.

But the 14 Plus consistently comes in second or third place against several other competing laptops on the market, including the Acer Swift 14 AI, Asus Zenbook A14, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, while also coming in at a lower price point, making it my top pick for the best student laptop of 2025 so far.

Overall, only the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch with M4 offers better value for your money than the 14 Plus, which is something I really wasn’t expecting when I started working with the 14 Plus earlier this month, but it's a very welcome surprise.

  • Performance: 4 / 5

Dell 14 Plus: Battery Life

The battery life indicator on the Windows corner panel

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How long does it last on a single charge? 13 hours, 24 minutes
  • How long to full charge it to 100%? 2 hours, 30 minutes with the included 65W adapter (1 hour, 4 minutes to charge it to 50%)

If there’s one area in my testing where the Dell 14 Plus came in dead last, it’s battery life, but it’s not as bad as it might sound. While some laptops like the Zenbook A14 can run for just over 18 hours in our Web Surfing Battery Test, the Dell 14 Plus’s nearly 13 and a half hours isn’t terrible, especially given how we were praising laptops like the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 from 2022 for making it longer than eight hours on a single charge.

As for charging time, the 64WHr battery takes a little over an hour to get from fully depleted to 50% using the included 65W USB-C power adapter, but with its Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports capable of higher power delivery, a higher-wattage adapter will speed things up.

  • Battery Life: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Dell 14 Plus?

A Dell 14 Plus on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Dell 14 Plus Scorecard

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

The Dell 14 Plus offers possibly the best value of any Windows laptop at this price.

5 / 5

Specs

The available specs are generally excellent, especially for the price

4 / 5

Design

Aesthetically, the 14 Plus looks more premium than it is, but its keyboard, trackpad, speakers, and display could be better.

3.5 / 5

Performance

General computing and productivity performance are very good, but it falters under medium-intensity workloads, much less heavy-duty ones like gaming.

4 / 5

Battery Life

Not the longest-lasting battery life on the market, but still capable of many hours of use before you need to recharge.

4 / 5

Final Score

The Dell 14 Plus is a solid general-use and productivity notebook that’s great for work or school, but it makes some compromises to keep its price affordable. The trade-off is generally worth it, in the end.

4.1 / 5

Buy the Dell 14 Plus if...

You want solid productivity and general computing performance
For everyday use, school work, and productivity, the Dell 14 Plus is very good, especially for its price.

You want a laptop that doesn’t look too cheap
Aesthetically, the 14 Plus is a pretty great-looking device for the price, though if you look closely, you can spot its shortcomings.

Don't buy it if...

You need a high-performance laptop
If you’re looking to game or do resource-intensive work like video editing, this laptop won’t get the job done.

You want a really good-looking laptop
While the 14 Plus doesn’t look bad, it can't hold a candle to the most recent MacBook Air or Surface Laptop models.

Also consider

If my Dell 14 Plus review has you looking at other options, here are three other laptops you should consider instead...

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
The most recent Apple MacBook Air 13-inch offers much better performance, battery life, and aesthetics than the Dell 14 Plus, though you’ll pay more for it.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review

Acer Swift 14 AI
For roughly the same price as the 14 Plus, the Acer Swift 14 AI with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip offers similar performance as the Dell 14 Plus with better battery life, but still has Windows app compatibility struggles.

Read our full Acer Swift 14 AI review

Asus Zenbook A14
While its performance lags behind the Dell 14 Plus, the battery life on this thing is unreal, making it a great pick for those who need a laptop that can go the distance.

Read the full Asus Zenbook A14 review

How I tested the Dell 14 Plus

  • I spent about two weeks with the Dell 14 Plus
  • I used it mostly for general computing and work tasks
  • I used our standard laptop benchmark suite for testing, along with other productivity and creative apps

I used the Dell 14 Plus for about two weeks both as an everyday laptop and as a dedicated work device. This involved a lot of writing, general productivity work (like Google Sheets), and some light creative work like photo editing in Adobe Photoshop.

I also put it through our standard benchmark testing suite, which includes industry-standard tools like Geekbench 6, 3DMark, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider's built-in gaming benchmark.

I’ve been testing laptops for TechRadar for more than five years, with dozens of reviews under my belt, so I know what a laptop should be capable of at this price point. As a media professional and former student, I’m also the target audience for this kind of laptop, so I’m well positioned to assess the quality of this device.

  • First reviewed May 2025
I tested the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 and think it’s one of the best analog keyboards around – but it’d make a serious dent in my wallet
10:00 pm | May 12, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3: one-minute review

The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is a compact analog keyboard that promises incredibly responsive performance courtesy of its analog switches. Its looks don’t exactly reflect its gaming prowess, but it’s smart and sleek enough to adorn any setup. The black colorway is a little austere, but this is alleviated somewhat by the vibrant RGB backlighting.

Once you get your hands on it, though, you start to realize this is a premium slice of engineering. It’s reasonably light considering how solid it feels, and the double-shot PBT keycaps have a more textured finish than usual, which feels great under the fingertips. Even the included detachable USB cable is made to a high standard.

As you would expect from any of the best gaming keyboards, numerous customization options are available via the SteelSeries GG software – or more specifically, the Engine section within this app. It hurts usability somewhat that Engine opens in a separate window to GG, but this is a minor gripe.

Alongside the typical RGB tweaks and macro creation features, there are a healthy selection of rebinding options, with plenty of media and system shortcuts available, with various adjustable parameters for binding behavior.

Naturally there are various alterations for actuation, with points settable between 0.1mm and 4mm, which is a generous range of travel. You can also toggle rapid trigger and protection modes, while various SOCD settings (called rapid tap here) and dual binding features are available in addition.

This makes Engine a versatile tool and one that’s easy to use, thanks to its clear layout and useful explanations. The visualizer for key actuation, though, doesn’t respond in real time, which is a drawback.

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 excels when it comes to performance. Presses are very tactile and rebound fast, imbuing it with a pleasingly snappy feel, which is great for both gaming and typing.

Hitting certain actuation points is easy too, thanks to the satisfying resistance to the keys which impart just enough feedback without disrupting its light touch.

It’s also comfortable to use, thanks to the indentations of the keycaps, which make it a very tactile board to use while still allowing for easy gliding. The bottom row is very accessible too, especially the space bar, with its low profile making for consistent hits with the tip of your thumb, rather than the edge.

What’s more, the tilt angle, especially when used with the very stable two-stage feet, gave me a comfortable position for typing as well as gaming – although for very long sessions, I would still benefit from using a wrist rest.

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is certainly an expensive keyboard, especially when you consider its small 60% layout and lack of wireless connectivity. However, there’s no denying this is premium hardware, and it performs as well as you could hope an analog board would.

There are a few much cheaper alternatives out there that come quite close to rivaling its performance, but the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is hard to beat if you want the absolute best analog performance.

Close-up of switches underneath keys with RGB lighting on SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini on desk

(Image credit: Future)

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 review: price and availability

  • $179.99 / £174.99 (about AU$282)
  • Available now in black only
  • Very expensive

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 costs $179.99 / £174.99 (about AU$282) and is available now in black only. It comes with a detachable USB-A-to-C cable and a keycap puller. It’s one of the more expensive analog keyboards around – especially when you consider its compact 60% layout and wired-only connectivity.

If you’re looking for a much cheaper alternative, the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra is admirably close to the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 in terms of performance, yet also features multiple wireless connectivity modes. What’s more, it uses TMR rather than the Hall effect sensors of the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, which are considered more accurate, although in truth I couldn’t discern a difference. MonsGeek’s software provides a few more features than Engine, but it suffers from a few usability issues.

Another viable option for budget hunters is the Gamakay TK75HE V2. This is similarly cheap for an analog keyboard, but again comes close to rivaling the performance of more expensive models, including the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3. What’s more, it has a larger 75% layout, which might be more useful for those looking for some productivity prowess as well. However, like the FUN60 Ultra, its software isn’t the best from a usability perspective.

Value: 3 / 5

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 review: specs

Layout

60%

Switch

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

11.5 x 4 x 1.6 inches / 293 x 103 x 40mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Close-up of number keys on SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini, with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 review: design and features

  • Muted looks
  • Solid but light construction
  • Useful customization software

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 doesn’t push the boat out aesthetically. It adopts a rather functional design that’s inoffensive but still sleek enough to work in any environment. The RGB backlighting also helps to offset the somewhat gloomy black finish.

It’s very well made, and the build quality is certainly level with the best keyboards around. It’s quite light for a board that feels this solid and durable, and the double-shot PBT keycaps are an especial highlight, with more texture than others, but feel great under the fingertips. What’s more, their indentations were a perfect fit for my fingers, which improved their tactility and security when hammering away.

The tilt of the layout ensures a comfortable typing position, which is further aided by the two stage feet, which are incredibly stable and offer meaningful differences in angle. This made the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 comfortable for me despite its lack of wrist support; although for longer sessions, I would still prefer to use a rest with the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3.

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 doesn't have an Fn key; instead, you get SteelSeries’ Meta key, which functions in much the same way. There are numerous useful shortcuts available, including those for adjusting actuation points, rapid trigger and other analog functions.

What’s more, these shortcuts are labelled on the keys themselves, which is very helpful, especially on a compact board such as this, lacking as it does arrow keys, a dedicated F row, and the like.

Underneath of SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini with hand holding keycap puller compartment flap, on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 can be further customized using SteelSeries GG – or more specifically, the Engine app within GG. It’s a little inconvenient that the latter opens in a separate window to the former, but this is a small complaint.

You’ll find the usual customizations on offer in Engine, with a generous selection of rebinding options available, including plenty of media and system shortcuts. Five configuration slots are available, and there are even preset configurations for certain games, including one for Counter-Strike 2 created by esports brand FaZe Clan.

Being an analog board, there are plenty of actuation adjustments as well. The actuation point can be set between 0.1 and 4mm, and there’s a rapid trigger toggle with its own accompanying slider to adjust sensitivity within the same range.

A protection mode is also available, which reduces the sensitivity of adjacent keys to prevent mispresses. An SOCD feature called rapid tap is present as well, with different key priority behaviors to choose from when two are pressed simultaneously: you can choose which key always has priority, let whichever is pressed last take precedence, or make neither register. There’s also a dual binding mode, although it’s a little annoying that there’s a separate window for setting up dual actuation first, since both rely on each other.

Overall, however, Engine is laid out clearly and features useful explanations for its various features and settings. However, the visualizer for key actuation is severely lacking, as it doesn’t illustrate presses in real time, which I would’ve appreciated so I could see exactly how my tweaks manifest themselves in practice.

Design & features: 5 / 5

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 review: performance

  • Excellent springy keys
  • Responsive and precise analog switches
  • Great for gaming and typing

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is an excellent performer on pretty much every front. The keys are very light and springy, yet still offer enough dampening and weight lower down in their travel, which helps to provide feedback.

Actuation points are also easy to hit thanks to the tactile switches and relatively long key travel. The space bar is also a highlight thanks to its very satisfying response, and its low profile makes it very easy to hit flush with your thumb tip rather than the edge. In fact, the whole of the bottom row is easy to use, thanks to the slightly concave layout and keycap indentations.

When typing, these indentations are especially useful, offering plenty of security while still allowing for easy gliding around the board. Also, the amount of Meta shortcuts available to access functions reserved for larger layouts makes the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 more viable for mild productivity purposes.

Close-up of USB-C cable connected to SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini, on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

Performance: 5 / 5

Should I buy the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3?

Gamakay TK75HE V2 Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

With a 60% layout and wired-only connectivity, the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 demands a lot, and there are much cheaper rivals around.

3 / 5

Design and features

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is built to an incredibly high standard, and the software for customizing its analog keys is mostly great.

5 / 5

Performance

The analog switches are springy and satisfying, making them great for gaming and typing. It’s hard to find fault here.

5 / 5

Overall

The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 does most things right, thanks to its excellent analog switches and superb build quality. It might be eye-wateringly expensive, but there aren’t many that can outperform it.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want incredible build quality
The board itself and the accompanying software are both expertly engineered. It’s also surprisingly light for something so solid.

You want superlative analog performance
The analog switches are very snappy yet ultra precise, and the layout and feel make it great for gaming and typing.

Don’t buy it if…

You want to save money
The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is very expensive no matter how you slice it – especially when you consider its small layout and wired-only connectivity.

You want wireless connectivity
The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is wired-only, so those who want to go wireless or switch between multiple devices on the fly might want to look elsewhere.

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 review: also consider

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra

Gamakay TK75HE V2

Layout

60%

60%

60%

Switch

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Analog (TMR magnetic)

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Programmable keys

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

11.5 x 4 x 1.6 inches / 293 x 103 x 40mm

Not stated

12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra
If you want analog switches at a fraction of the cost of the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, then the FUN60 Ultra is an excellent choice. Its performance isn’t far behind that of the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, although it’s not quite so satisfying. However, it offers multiple wireless connectivity modes, whereas the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is wired-only. Its software is versatile too, with a few more features than the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 offers, although it’s not as easy to use. The clunky device switching is another drawback, too.

Gamakay TK75HE V2
The TK75HE V2 is very similar to the FUN60 Ultra in many respects, and although it’s perhaps not quite so satisfying to use, it still competes very admirably considering its relatively low price. However, it suffers from the same software issues as the FUN60 Ultra, so it isn’t quite as refined as Engine.

How I tested the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3

  • Tested for a few days
  • Used for gaming and productivity
  • Over a decade of PC gaming experience

I tested the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 for a few days, during which time I used it for gaming and working, on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.

I played Counter-Strike 2, a great game for testing peripherals, given it requires fast and precise inputs. It’s especially useful when playing with analog keyboards, since the need for controlled micro-movements provides the perfect testing ground for the rapid trigger functionality.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I have experienced a great deal of keyboards. I’ve also reviewed a number of them, including other analog and SteelSeries models.

My verdict on Llano’s laptop cooling pad: it may be costly, but it’s also darned frosty
9:20 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Comments: Off

Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad review

The Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad is a premium laptop cooling pad. Its huge 5.5-inch (140mm) fan is capable of spinning at up to dizzying 2,800rpm, meaning it should be perfect for chilling your CPU during heavy workloads. Cheap it certainly isn't, though: costing a cool $119.99 / £129.99 (around AU$190), it's an expensive cooling pad.

However, in return for this princely sum, you get some glacial cooling. I ran a 3DMark Stress Test using our Acer Predator Helios 300 testing laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU. Before the test, the laptop’s ambient temperature sat at 82F / 28C; after running the stress test for 15 minutes with the Llano in place at 2800rpm, the laptop had warmed to only 97F / 36C. That 15F / 8C rise is one of the most impressive results I’ve seen in my time testing laptop cooling pads, and should definitely mean that your laptop will be remain nice and frosty during long gaming sessions.

So, on the plus side, the Llano is more frigid than a blizzard; the downside is it sounds like one, too, with its fans kicking out some gale-force noise. Ten minutes into my benchmarking tests, I used a noise level meter to gauge the sound kicked out by the laptop and the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad set to maximum – it recorded 64dB from head height and 79dB from only a few inches away. This is much louder than many of the best laptop cooling pads, and, according to the Center for Hearing and Communication, it's roughly the same volume as a small blender, so you likely won’t be popular using this in an office environment.

Overall, the design of the Llano is tastefully done – there are no aggressively sharp angles of the type often seen on gaming accessories, and the RGB lighting is restricted to a single, modest bar around the cooling pad's edge; there are four lighting modes you can cycle through. Note that I did find the power cable a little on the short side: my power socket is just to the left of my desk, but the cable plugs in on the right-hand side of the device, which was more of a stretch.

Ergonomically, the Llano Cooling Pad is well thought-out, too: its slope ensure wrists are held at the perfect angle, and its three different height settings should make it easy for you to find the optimum slope for your needs. Be aware that the laptop rests do come very close to sitting exactly where you’ll want to lay your wrists, though – I’m not sure why so many brands think right below the WASD keys is the perfect place for a jutting piece of plastic; but it's a common problem with laptop cooling pads.

Despite this, the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad is a fantastic piece of kit, capable of delivering pretty extreme cooling – and looking good while it does it. Yes, it sounds like an idling jet engine, and getting such performance will cost you a pretty penny. However, it will do an astounding job of keeping your laptop cool during demanding tasks, so if you have the money spare, you really can’t go wrong with it.

The Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad with a laptop on it in front of a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad review: price & availability

  • Released July 30, 2023
  • List price of $119.99 / £129.99 (around AU$190)

Originally released on July 30, 2023, the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad retails for $119.99 / £129.99 (around AU$190) on Amazon. However, it's occasionally available for less: at the time of writing, it was reduced to $92.79 in the US – its lowest ever price. It also dropped down to £103.99 in October in the UK, so it's worth keeping your eyes peeled for potential discounts.

At its full price, the Llano definitely comes in at the premium end of the market, dwarfing the price of affordable cooling pads such as the $19.99 / £20.99 Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad. But on the flip side, it offers far better cooling – some budget options saw our testing laptop temperatures rise by over 68F / 20C, while it was just 46F / 8C with the Llano. For high-intensity gaming or creative work, you may well find that extra spend is well worth it.

The Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad with RGB lighting enabled at a 3/4s angle in front of a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad?

Buy it if…

You want icy cooling
Even during an intensive CPU workout, this laptop cooling pad kept our testing laptop from warming any more than single digits – that’s positively polar cooling.

You want comfortable, ergonomic design
With three height settings, it’s easy to find the perfect angle to support your wrists while using this laptop cooling pad. And its memory foam pad and laptop rests keep your laptop firmly in place.

Don’t buy it if…

You can’t handle a bit of noise
The Llano is no shrinking violet: when it’s hard at work, you’ll definitely hear it. When it’s running at its peak speed of 2800rpm, it hits around 80dB, which is about as loud as a garbage disposal or dishwasher.

You want an explicit gamer aesthetic
While it features stylish RGB lighting, this laptop cooling pad is still pretty discreet. If you fancy something with a much more in-your-face gamer look, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.

A closeup of the ports on the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad.

(Image credit: Future)

Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad review: also consider

Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad
If your budget won't stretch that far, my current pick for affordable laptop cooling pads would have to be the Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad. In the same benchmarking tests run on the Llano, the Liangstar saw our laptop temperature rise from 22.2ºC to 37.5ºC – a rise of just 15.3ºC. Not bad, given it costs just $19.99 / £20.99 / AU$66.91. Read our full Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad review.

How I tested the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad

  • Tested the cooling pad over several days
  • Measured the device’s cooling during a stress test on a gaming laptop
  • Used a sound level meter to assess how much noise it made

When testing the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad, I ran it through TechRadar’s standard benchmarking tests. First, I used a thermal camera to record the temperature of the hottest point of our Acer Predator Helios 300 with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 testing laptop as a baseline. I then ran a 3DMark Stress Test for 15 minutes with the Llano dialled up to its maximum cooling, before recording its new temperature.

I also used a sound level meter to check how much noise the device kicks out while running. Once our stress test had been underway for 10 minutes, I checked the volume of the combined noise of the laptop and cooling pad from a few inches away and from head height. I then compared this to the noise generated by the laptop’s fans alone, when it wasn’t being cooled.

On top of all of this benchmarking data, I made sure I got plenty of experience using the laptop cooler, to assess factors such as comfort, stability and ergonomics. Here I was helped by many years of experience reviewing gadgets and several decades spent gaming on laptops.

I haven’t seen an analog keyboard as cheap as the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra – but its performance surprised me even more after testing it
9:00 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra: one-minute review

The MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra is a compact wireless gaming keyboard with TMR switches, which claim to have greater precision than other analog varieties. It certainly makes a good first impression, with its sleek yet minimal looks, which are accentuated in the white colorway, and makes the RGB appear even more vibrant.

The build quality is also excellent. This is quite a heavy board for the size, which may be a positive or a negative depending on your preferences. But the overall construction is hard to fault.

Thankfully, the FUN60 Ultra isn’t too thick, which makes it more comfortable to use – although, as with most keyboards I’ve tried, some wrist support still would’ve been welcomed for extended sessions.

The PBT keycaps are similarly premium, and feel just as satisfying as you could wish for from any of the best gaming keyboards around, thanks to their smooth texture that offers just enough grip.

However, perhaps the worst aspect of the FUN60 Ultra’s design is the switch for toggling between Windows, Mac, and wired modes. It’s located underneath the Caps Lock, which means removing this keycap every time you want to change modes. What’s more, this switch isn’t labelled and has a different orientation to the manual illustrations, all of which makes knowing which position to select harder than it should be.

The FUN60 Ultra can be customized using the MonsGeek Driver, which offers all the usual gaming keyboard adjustments, alongside plenty of analog-related tweaks. It’s very versatile in this regard, but there are a few issues with it, such as the cumbersome actuation adjustment process, and the uninformative visualizer that accompanies it.

When it comes to performance, however, I found little wrong with the FUN60 Ultra. The keys are snappy and very satisfying to use, with plenty of bounce but enough dampening for enhanced tactility, which is a boon for typing as well as gaming.

Connecting the FUN60 Ultra via the 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth proved easy enough, with no discernible dips in performance over wired play. Switching between wireless and wired modes, though, was more hassle than it should have been.

Battery life seems quite good, with the RGB indicator staying green after a couple of days of varied use. Unfortunately, the software doesn’t provide a percentage, so I wasn’t able to get a precise read on how much remained.

When you consider its relatively low price, the FUN60 Ultra represents great value for those after a high-end analog keyboard experience, as it punches far above its class in terms of performance. It’s slightly cheaper than the Gamakay TK75HE V2, which is one of its closest rivals, although this has a slightly larger layout and is wired only.

For a more luxurious alternative, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is one of the best analog keyboards around, but is considerably more expensive than the FUN60 Ultra, and doesn’t outstrip its performance by as much as the price difference might lead you to believe. So if you’re looking to get into the analog gaming keyboard world, the FUN60 Ultra is a great place to start.

Close-up of escape key on MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra, on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review: price and availability

  • $89.99 / £75.59 / AU$142.54
  • Available now in black and white
  • Very well priced

The FUN60 Ultra costs $89.99 / £75.59 / AU$142.54 and is available now in white and black finishes. It comes with a keycap puller, a switch puller, a 2.4GHz USB-A dongle, and a USB-A-to-C cable. You can also configure it with PBT or PBT-SP keycaps. Wired and Hall effect variants are available as well, with cheaper price tags.

This makes the FUN60 Ultra one of the cheapest analog keyboards you can buy, and has the potential to be one of the best cheap gaming keyboards around. Other budget-friendly examples include the Gamakay TK75HE, which is slightly more expensive and is wired only but has a larger 75% layout. It performs similarly to the FUN60 Ultra, although the keys don’t feel quite as bouncy and therefore satisfying in my view.

If you want something more premium, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is one of the best analog keyboards I’ve experienced, offering very responsive and accurate presses. This also has a larger layout, but is considerably more expensive than the FUN60 Ultra, and the difference in performance isn’t as great as you might expect. However, the FUN60 Ultra is probably the easier board to live with, and the software, while not featuring quite as many tweaks, is still better to use.

Value: 5 / 5

Close-up of side of MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra, on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review: specs

Layout

60%

Switch

Analog (TMR)

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

Not stated

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Close-up of USB-C port on MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra, on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review: design and features

  • Great build quality
  • Bizarre selector switch placement
  • Software isn’t the best engineered

The FUN60 Ultra has a neat and minimalist design, with a few design quirks that hint at its intended audience, such as the (rather pointless) side hook and diagonally cut corners. It looks sleek, and in its white finish, quite vibrant, which is emphasized further by the RGB backlighting.

The overall build quality is excellent, with the chassis feeling reassuringly solid, although it’s quite heavy despite its compact size. There isn’t much tilt angle, and the lack of feet means you won’t be able to adjust this.

Thankfully, though, the body isn’t too thick, so I found it comfortable to use, even without wrist support – although for longer sessions I would benefit from using a rest, and I suspect others would too.

The keycaps feel very premium, as you would expect from their PBT construction. It’s a shame, though, that they’re not labelled with their Fn shortcuts, so you’ll have to keep the manual close by.

One very annoying aspect of the FUN60 Ultra is the fact that the switch for toggling between Windows, Mac, and wired connectivity is located under the Caps Lock, which means you have to remove this keycap every time you want to switch between them.

Why MonsGeek chose this location is beyond me. What’s more, the switch isn’t labelled, and runs vertically rather than horizontally as pictured in the manual, so there’s no way of knowing which side is Windows and which is Mac (for your information, down is Windows, up is Mac).

The FUN60 Ultra can be customized using the MonsGeek Driver. Here you’ll find the typical gaming keyboard features, including a macro creator, a section for altering the RGB backlighting, and key remapping.

Close-up of space bar on MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra, on desk

(Image credit: Future)

The latter offers a reasonable selection of media and system shortcuts, although these aren’t as copious as some gaming keyboards provide. You can bind mouse movements to keys, though, which isn’t a function that’s always present in customization software.

As you’d expect given its analog switches, there are also plenty of actuation adjustments available. You can set the actuation and reset points independently, with a range between 0.1mm and 3.4mm, and there are various modes and features you can use too.

These include a non-stop rapid trigger, continuous trigger and snap tap modes, as well as the ability to bind up to four inputs to a single key, depending on its actuation point and direction of travel. There’s also a rapid trigger stabilizer setting, which prevents unintended inputs when setting very short actuation points.

This makes it a versatile piece of software, with more actuation tweaks than some other software provides. However, the tool isn’t the easiest to use, and I experienced a number of issues with it.

The window can’t be resized, and there are relatively long loading times after making certain changes. I also experienced an issue where the drop-down menus wouldn’t work, requiring a full restart of my PC to rectify – although admittedly, this might’ve been an issue with my particular system rather than with the software itself.

What’s more, while there’s a visualizer to simulate key actuation in real time, this can lag at times, and the color-coded bar representing presses and releases fails to change with the actuation points you set, so its usefulness is somewhat limited. More frustration comes in the form of having to hit a confirm button every time you make these tweaks – and doing so when multiple keys are selected deselects them all (bar one), which only makes the process more cumbersome.

Design & features: 3.5 / 5

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review: performance

  • Bouncy keys
  • Short yet controlled travel
  • Great for typing and gaming

The overall performance of the FUN60 Ultra is very good. The TMR magnetic switches I had in my review unit promise a lot, claiming to be even more accurate than Hall effect ones.

In practice, I can’t say I noticed a huge improvement in this regard, but that’s certainly not to disparage them. They are very snappy and tactile, with just enough dampening to make them very satisfying to hammer away on. In terms of feel, they come close to giving some of the best mechanical keyboards a run for their money. And despite the short travel of the keys, there’s enough resistance to make for controlled presses.

The typing performance is also excellent, largely thanks to the fast rebound of the keys. And while it has a clicky sound, it’s not as loud as some other analog keyboards. I would label the FUN60 Ultra as a great keyboard for productivity, if it wasn’t for the compromised layout, which doesn’t even include arrow keys or a dedicated F row.

Close-up of top right keys on MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra, on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

Connectivity is mostly great, with no dropouts of noticeable lag when using wireless modes. Switching between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz modes on the fly using the relevant Fn shortcuts also proved responsive enough.

However, switching between wireless and wired modes isn’t the easiest, due to the aforementioned location of the selector switch under the Caps Lock. Worse still was the fact that on occasion, the FUN60 Ultra wouldn’t connect to my wired device even with the selector in the right position, requiring me to remove the 2.4GHz dongle from my other device before it would, which only adds to the inconvenience of switching between devices.

Battery life on the FUN60 Ultra seems quite good. After using it for a couple of days, the backlight indicator remained green, which means it at least remained above 90%. However, I can’t be more accurate than this, since there’s no percentage readout in the software.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra?

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

There aren’t many cheaper analog keyboards than this, especially those with TMR sensors.

4 / 5

Design and features

The FUN60 Ultra is solid and premium feeling, although the decision to place the connectivity toggle under the Caps Lock key is baffling. The software offers plenty of tweaks, but it’s not the easiest to use.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The FUN60 Ultra is snappy and with plenty of bounce, with just enough dampening to make it satisfying. Great for gaming and typing.

4.5 / 5

Overall rating

The FUN60 Ultra offers a very compelling package, with top-tier analog switches and build quality at a relatively low price. A few usability issues aside, it’s a great value gaming keyboard all the same.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want responsive, satisfying switches
The analog switches are responsive, and that bouncy feel is great for gaming and typing.

You want to save money
For a wireless keyboard with analog TMR switches and PBT keycaps, the FUN60 Ultra is hard to beat in terms of value for money.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a keyboard for productivity
Despite its excellent typing performance, the 60% layout means you’re missing out on some useful functions, such as arrow keys, F keys, and the home-end cluster.

You want to hot-switch between devices
Switching between wired and wireless devices was needlessly convoluted, and concealing the mode switch beneath the Caps Lock key is one of the worst design choices I’ve come across.

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review: also consider

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra

Gamakay TK75HE V2

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3

Layout

60%

75%

TKL

Switch

Analog (TMR magnetic)

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Programmable keys

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

Not stated

12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm

14 x 5 x 1.7 inches / 355 x 129 x 42mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

Gamakay TK75HE V2
If you’re looking for an analog keyboard without spending large amounts, the TK75HE V2 is another contender in the space. It uses Hall effect rather than TMR sensors in its switches, which in theory are less precise, but you’d be hard pressed to notice the difference. I didn’t find it quite so satisfying in terms of feel, but it still acquits itself very admirably at this price. It does suffer from software issues, however. Read our Gamakay TK75HE V2 review.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
The Apex Pro is a premium analog gaming keyboard in every sense. It has excellent analog switches, offering plenty of precision and responsiveness. The software for customizing is also better than MonsGeek’s, but you’ll certainly have to pay for all these privileges, and the performance isn’t exactly streaks ahead of the FUN60 Ultra’s. But if only the best analog keyboard will do, the Apex Pro is hard to beat. Read our SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review.

How I tested the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra

  • Tested for a few days
  • Used for gaming and typing
  • Plentiful PC gaming experience

I tested the FUN60 Ultra for a few days, during which time I used it for gaming and typing. I also made use of its various connectivity modes, and used it on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines.

I played Counter-Strike 2, which is a great test for peripherals given its need for fast and accurate inputs. It’s also ideal for putting analog switches through their paces, with counter-strafing and other player movements revealing the effectiveness of rapid trigger modes.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and I’ve experienced plenty of keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a number of them, ranging in manufacturer, switch type, and price.

I used the Gamakay TK75HE V2 for gaming and typing, and its analog switches are precise and satisfying – but I wish its software was easier to use
8:00 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Gamakay TK75HE V2: two-minute review

The Gamakay TK75HE V2 is a wired keyboard with Hall effect analog switches that provide snappy and precise inputs, and feature multiple actuation adjustments to tailor key response to your exact preferences.

It sports a minimal aesthetic, which, combined with its compact form, makes it conducive to use in any setting. This aspect is somewhat hampered, however, by the short USB cable, which might fail to reach your PC depending on your setup.

Still, the overall build quality of the TK75HE V2 is impressive, on a level-pegging with some of the best gaming keyboards. The plastic chassis is light yet reassuringly solid, and, although it’s thick at the rear, this tapers off towards the front. The PBT keycaps feel as premium as you could wish for, too.

The two-stage folding feet provide plenty of tilt for getting an ergonomic typing position, although I still found the TK75HE V2 uncomfortable to type with for extended periods, owing to the lack of wrist support needed to offset its elevated height.

A screen is integrated in the bottom right corner of the TK75HE V2, although this is very limited in scope, with actuation adjustments, for instance, missing from its menu. For settings such as these, you’ll need to use the Gamakay Driver.

This PC app allows you make all the usual keyboard customizations, with various rebind options available, alongside macro creation and RGB adjustments. Tweaks for the analog switches are plentiful and accompanied by a handy visualizer to see key response in real time.

However, this visualizer lacks some useful feedback indicators, and has a tendency to lag significantly when making multiple inputs rapidly. What’s more, the app window can’t be resized, and a few explanations lack clarity, while others were cut off from the GUI, which was frustrating.

Thankfully, the tool is usable enough, and the analog adjustments it can make provide a meaningful difference to performance. To game with, the TK75HE V2 is certainly responsive, although I can’t say its 8K polling rate makes much difference in this regard, relative to lower-polling keyboards.

Key presses with the linear Mercury switches installed on my TK75HE V2 were less damped than I was expecting – certainly less so than the ultra-soft tactile Pegasus switches I tried in the mechanical TK75 V2, for instance – but I still found them satisfying to use, whether I was gaming or typing.

The latter was also helped by the shallow, short-traveling Cherry profile keycaps, which makes the TK75HE V2 suited to productivity tasks. However, it really needs a wrist rest to make long sessions comfortable.

The TK75HE V2 has a low price for an analog keyboard, undercutting many of its big name rivals by a huge margin, such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro. However, that keyboard has some of the best analog switches I’ve tried, and offers exceptional gaming performance overall.

But the TK75HE V2 isn’t that far behind in this regard, which makes it a great entry point for those looking to get their fingers on some analog switches. The mechanical TK75 V2 is slightly cheaper but not by much, although this would be a better alternative for those who prefer soft and silent key presses.

Close-up of volume wheel on Gamakay TK75HE V2 on desk with pink wall in background

(Image credit: Future)

Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: price and availability

  • $109.99 / £85 / AU$176
  • Available now in two colorways
  • Cheaper than many analog boards

The TK75HE V2 costs $109.99 / £85 / AU$176 and is available now in two colorways: black and white. It can be configured with two stock switch types: Phoenix, which is silent; or Mercury, which is linear. Additionally, it comes with a USB cable and a keycap puller for hot-swapping purposes.

The TK75HE V2 is more expensive than its mechanical counterpart, the TK75 V2, which has an exquisite typing feel with much more dampening, although this could be due to the tactile Pegasus switches I experienced in that board. However, since it doesn’t use analog switches, there aren’t any actuation adjustments.

If you’re looking for pure analog performance, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL is hard to beat. It’s one of the best keyboards with analog switches in my view, offering incredible precision and responsiveness, but it’s considerably more expensive than the TK75HE V2.

Value score: 5 / 5

Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: specs

Layout

75%

Switch

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Close-up of right side of Gamakay TK75HE V2 on desk with pink wall in background

(Image credit: Future)

Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: design and features

  • Minimal looks
  • Premium feel
  • Versatile but unrefined software

The TK75HE V2 has a rather understated appearance, although this is buoyed somewhat by the bright RGB lighting, which is even more pronounced in the white variant. But overall its minimal aesthetic should fit in well with most setups.

Build quality is also admirable, with the plastic chassis feeling durable yet pleasingly light at the same time. It has a thick depth at the back, but this narrows out at the front, which helps to keep things compact.

This narrowing also improves usability, since the TK75HE V2 doesn’t come with a wrist rest. It does come with a USB cable, but this is disappointingly short and may prove unfeasible for certain setups.

The PBT keycaps feel premium to the touch, with a very subtle texture that doesn’t encroach on their smoothness. It’s slightly inconvenient, however, that the FN shortcuts aren’t labelled on the keys themselves, so you’ll have to refer to the included manual to see what they are.

The volume wheel is well notched to allow for smooth yet controlled jogging, although its click function is a little too stiff for my liking – but this is a minor grievance.

A small screen is also nestled in the bottom right corner, controllable via the volume knob, although I found little use for it since its functionality is quite limited. You can view the runtime and date, as well as CPU usage and temperature – although these latter two failed to take readings, and there’s nothing in the manual to explain how to set this up.

Close-up of exposed switch on Gamakay TK75HE V2 with RGB lighting on

(Image credit: Future)

Rounding out the interface’s capabilities are RGB lighting adjustments and Mac and Windows modes. You can also display your own drawings, but for this you’ll need to download the Gamakay Driver PC app.

This app also contains many other typical gaming keyboard customizations. There are various rebinding options with multiple layers available, although sadly system shortcuts and commands seem to be absent: you can only remap keys to other keys, key combinations with modifiers, or macros you’ve created.

There are also numerous adjustments for the analog switches, though, including independent actuation point sliders for presses and releases. There are also various modes to toggle and configure, such as multi-input, continuous trigger, and others.

Overall, the Gamakay Driver provides an impressive selection of customizations, although some analog-based functions are missing, such as controller emulation. What’s more, the software isn’t without its faults.

Firstly, the app window can’t be resized, which, in my experience at least, can result in cut-offs. There were also certain sections where text explanations weren’t fully rendered.

What’s more, certain explanations were hard to understand, and some occasional odd word choices didn’t help matters either: for example, a button used to select multiple keys for customizing simultaneously is labelled “drag”.

Design & features score: 3.5 / 5

Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: performance

  • Satisfying feedback
  • Not as damped as other keyboards
  • Controlled analog switches

The TK75HE V2 is very capable when it comes to gaming. Its keys are very responsive, although I can’t say the 8K polling rate provided a noticeable improvement in this regard over other boards.

The unit I had came preinstalled with Gamakay’s Mercury switches, which are said to have a linear profile. Their impact might deter some gamers, as they lack the dampening of some of the best mechanical keyboards: they’re more clicky and louder, but there’s still enough cushioning to make them satisfying to use.

What’s more, they feel a little heavier than other analog switches I’ve tried, which works in their favor as their resistance is progressive, feeling lighter at the top but getting heavier as they near the end of their travel.

This makes for controlled presses, and is especially useful when trying to hit certain actuation points. It also means that quickfire presses are easy to execute, which is especially useful when using the Rapid Tap feature – one of the key selling points of analog switches.

The mild indentation of the Cherry profile keys was something I welcomed too, as they allow for a secure positioning while still being amenable to gliding over the board.

Close-up of USB-C port and feet on Gamakay TK75HE V2 on desk with pink wall in background

(Image credit: Future)

This aspect also makes the bottom row readily accessible, as does the subtle concaving of the layout in general. The space bar is pleasingly low too, as it meant I could hit it with the tip of my thumb rather than the edge.

However, one small gripe I have is with the feet, which aren’t stable enough to handle even small shuffles back and forth. This may prove frustrating to those who frequently adjust the position of their keyboard.

Typing performance is also good, with those Mercury switches providing plenty of feedback and bounce, while being controlled at the same time. This allowed for fast and accurate typing – although the drawback is the relatively loud noise they generate.

I found the layout a little cramped at first, but I got used to it quickly. The angle provided by the feet does improve the ergonomics, but I still experienced some discomfort after only a short period; the TK75HE V2 is another keyboard that requires additional wrist support and yet sadly doesn't come with any.

Performance score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Gamakay TK75HE V2?

Gamakay TK75HE V2 Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

You’ll struggle to find many analog keyboards cheaper than this, and its performance and build are impressive for price.

5 / 5

Design and features

The TK75HE V2 is minimal and inoffensive. It’s also well built, although the software, while versatile, isn’t as refined as others.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The analog switches are certainly responsive, and it’s great for both gaming and typing – although wrist support is sorely needed.

4 / 5

Overall

The TK75HE V2 is an impressive keyboard considering its relatively low price tag. The software provides useful customizations, although it’s not the best engineered. If you’re looking for a budget analog keyboard, this should certainly be a contender.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want to hot-swap
You can choose which switches come equipped in your TK75HE V2, but if you ever fancy a change, you can swap them out at any time.

You want analog switches at a good price
There aren’t too many analog boards around at this price, and it doesn’t exactly feel as if you’re skimping on quality.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best software
The Gamakay Driver has plenty to offer, but it’s not always the easiest to work with, thanks to some interface issues.

You want the best comfort
The feet offer a meaningful break angle that makes typing more comfortable, but the TK75HE V2 really needs a wrist rest if you plan on using it for productivity.

Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: also consider

Gamakay TK75HE V2

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3

Gamakay TK75 V2

Layout

75%

TKL

75%

Switch

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Mechanical

Programmable keys

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm

14.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches (approx.) / 368.3 x 139.7 x 38.1mm

12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
The Apex Pro is certainly more expensive than the TK75HE V2, but its analog switches are a dream to use, and its adjustments and accompanying software are great as well. A wireless variant is also available, which is naturally even more expensive, but not by a huge margin. Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review.

Gamakay TK75 V2
If you don’t need analog switches, then Gamakay makes for a great alternative. The tactile Pegasus mechanical switches I experienced in this board had much greater dampening and felt fantastic for both gaming or typing. It’s cheaper than the TK75HE V2 too, although not by much, but that’s fine since both are well-priced considering what they offer. Read our full Gamakay TK75 V2 review.

How I tested the Gamakay TK75HE V2

  • Tested for a few days
  • Used for gaming and working
  • Plentiful keyboard experience

I tested the TK75HE V2 for a few days, during which time I used it for gaming and working on both Windows 10 and 11 machines.

I played Counter-Strike 2, which is a great test for any peripheral due the premium it places on fast and accurate inputs. It’s especially useful when testing analog switches, since counter-strafing can put Rapid Trigger features through their paces.

I have been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I have used a great deal of keyboards. I have also reviewed numerous examples, including those with analog switches and other Gamakay models.

I tested out the Maxtang SXRL-20 mini PC and with this sort of performance, it’s basically as niche as they come
9:47 am | May 11, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

Maxtang SXRL-20: 30-second review

The Mini PC has undergone some transformation since Intel ended its NUC and left the field open for PC makers to define the market for these small machines.

While some brands are still making traditional NUC-inspired designs, Maxtang, with the SXRL-20, has taken its small computer concept in an entirely different direction.

Conceived explicitly for digital signage use, it can drive up to four displays and achieve this with a passively cooled solution for prolonged running. It’s all-metal construction and wall-mounting accessories deliver a robust and made-for-purpose solution that uses an Intel Core i5-class processor to run Windows 11.

This is the same silicon that has been used in NAS boxes. It provides sufficient CPU and GPU power to drive the displays and sufficient storage options to handle a lot of playback media.

With LAN, WIFi, and even LTE connectivity, this system can be easily and remotely accessed to update the content when required.

At a modest price, the only aspect that potential customers need to be aware of is that there isn’t much performance headroom in the SXRL-20 to repurpose it for other duties. This hardware was assembled for a specific job, and not to become a desktop PC if the requirements change. Because of that, this hardware is a little too niche to make it into our best mini PC round-up.

Maxtang SXRL-20

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Maxtang SXRL-20: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? From $429
  • When is it out? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Currently, this machine can be obtained directly from Maxtang and through Amazon

According to the Maxtang specifications, the company intends to make six different versions of this hardware using i3, i5 and i7 class processors.

Maxtang sells the machine directly on a quotation basis, which I’d assume could adjust the unit cost based on volume.

The review machine using the i5-1235u with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD is $479, and the i7-1255u variant with the same amount of memory and storage is $599, available from Amazon.com.

The cheapest option is a $429 machine with just 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, using the i5 processor. That platform can also be had with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $579.

Interestingly, the i7 model is offered with no memory or storage for $469, which might be helpful if you have plenty of DDR4 SODIMM modules and NVMe drives spare.

Europeans can source this hardware from AliExpress with the i5 and i3 models listed, but there are no i7 options. The Core i5-1235U variant with 16GB of RAM and 512GB is £498.45 for UK customers.

As alternatives, there are plenty of Mini PC designs that support dual monitor outputs and up to four using USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, although docks or adapters would be needed to connect them to a typical HDMI TV input.

The problem with the majority of these options is that the machines are actively cooled and need ventilation to remain operational. They also don’t support operational hours in the BIOS.

For the quality of construction and passive cooling model, the price of the SXRL-20 seems reasonable, with the i5 models offering the best value.

  • Value: 4 / 5

Maxtang SXRL-20

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Maxtang SXRL-20: Specs

Maxtang SXRL-20: Design

  • All-metal passively cooled
  • Designed to be mounted
  • Easy internal access

Most mini PC designs follow the old Intel NUC concept of a small box that mounts a 15cm square motherboard with components neatly stacked to keep everything compact. The SXRL-20 is not like that at all.

It has more of a set-top box feel, or even an automotive component aesthetic, with its flattened metal exterior and integrated heatsink fins.

Along with the PC, Maxtang provides two mounting plates made to connect to the underside, lifting the machine a short distance from the mounting surface. That’s ideal for an information booth or digital signage scenario.

Because this hardware won’t typically be sitting on a desk or used directly, with the exception of the wifi antenna BNCs, all the ports are on one edge.

These include four HDMI outs, dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, plus a selection of USB and a COM port. That last feature could be critical, as from this COM port you could easily hang the relay electronics to fire up lights and other hardware via the PC.

There is an option, not in our review hardware, to also have a side-mounted HDMI-in port, which might be helpful if you wish to record the reaction to promotional material or for security purposes.

The machine is powered by a small 90w laptop PSU, which is more than enough to drive this platform and whatever USB peripherals are connected to it.

In this writer’s experience, getting into mini computers can be more challenging than it should be, but this design is as straightforward as it gets. Simply removing six screws from the underside releases that side of the machine providing full access to the internal system, no spudgers required.

Inside is a large mainboard that fills 70% of the internal volume, with spaces for various upgrades and enhancements. There are two SODIMM slots occupied in the review machine with 8GB of Kingston-branded DDR4 modules for 16GB in total. It’s possible to replace these with 32GB modules for a maximum of 64GB.

The M.2 SSD was also a Kingston product, a 512GB SATA SSD, and that slot can take SATA or NVMe drives, but a second M.2 2280 slot is exclusively NVMe.

I’m not sure why Maxtang used an M.2 SATA drive since Kingston doesn’t list these devices for retail; they must be exclusively for OEM customers and industrial use.

The logic behind using it may be to reduce the chance of overheating since this enclosure is entirely passively cooled.

Maxtang SXRL-20

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The WiFi is provided by a now-discontinued Intel AX200NGW controller in a M.2 2230 slot, but alongside that slot is an M.2 2242 slot that could take a second controller. There is also a SIM card slot that I assume requires an LTE modem that uses the spare M.2 2242, and there are four punch-outs on the rear for antennas to be mounted.

With LTE in this unit, reconfiguring it remotely or having it pick up new material to display on an overnight basis would be a breeze.

Overall, this design has two clearly defined objectives: to run without cooling for long periods, and to be easily adaptable should the mission require changes.

It succeeds in both these things, although it’s not something that you would want to repurpose as an Office PC, in case you wondered. While it runs Windows 11, the performance compared to a machine designed for that role is lacklustre for a few reasons I’ll cover in the performance section.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5

Maxtang SXRL-20: Features

  • Intel i5-1235U
  • Iris Xe GPU
  • DDR4 memory

Intel went through a slightly odd phase in which successive generations of its chip designs appeared to make limited headway and, in some respects, went backwards.

One of the most impacted series was the Alder Lake 12th generation, which Intel made for both desktop and mobile platforms. In this context, the chip used in this machine is an Alder Lake-U design that combines Golden Clove P-cores and Gracemont E-cores.

When Intel launched Raptor Lake chips for the 13th generation, these were superseded. With the advent of the Core Ultra series 1 and 2, Alder Lake is four generations behind the current product set.

This particular chip is interesting because it’s found favour in several non-mobile devices, particularly the Ugreen DXP4800 Plus and DXP480T NAS boxes.

Even by Intel’s curious standards, the Intel i5-1235U is an odd processor, but it’s found a number of niches where performance isn’t as important as flexibility.

One advantage it has over the UHD Graphics that the N100 is saddled with is the Iris Xe GPU, although this is hardly something for gaming.

One impressive thing about the Maxtang SXRL-20 is that it has four HDMI outputs, which flies in the face of the Iris Xe specifications. According to Intel, the Iris Xe supports a maximum of three displays, so what Maxtang did to get the fourth one is a mystery. Perhaps it’s an undocumented option, or they mapped one output over two HDMI ports, but it is possible with this machine.

However, depending on what you intend to do with those outputs, there are practical limitations based on the memory that the Iris Xe can map from main memory and the modes it supports. Trying to generate smoothly moving 3D images over all four displays is unrealistic, unless the resolution of each is dramatically reduced.

In theory, the Iris Xe can generate an 8K HDR image over HDMI 2.0, but that’s via a single monitor. If that’s segmented to four displays, then 1080p HDR is possible, and video playback at that level is achievable.

Maxtang SXRL-20

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

My issue with this is that it’s hard to see where the limits of this GPU and CPU combination are without actually trying to execute a specific file or scenario. What doesn’t help is that the Maxtang SXRL-20 uses DDR4, reducing the memory bandwidth for both the CPU and the GPU. It’s worth noting that the Intel i5-1235U can use DDR5 modules, but Maxtang chose not to provide that performance headroom for this hardware.

Clearly, those who designed the SXRL-20 had an objective in mind that it should be able to drive four monitors with four video streams smoothly at the target resolution, and it was deemed that DDR5 wasn’t necessary to deliver that.

The problem is that the use case defined by Maxtang might not be the same as one envisaged by a potential customer.

Overall, the hardware in the SXRL-20 is fit for purpose, but only within some narrow constraints.

  • Features: 4 / 5

Maxtang SXRL-20: Performance

Because of this unusual configuration, I’ve not pitched the Maxtang against another Intel system. It’s a little quicker than the typical N100-based machines, but significantly slower than even a Core-i3 N300 machine, like the Zotac P1430AJ Pico.

The issues here are that this CPU only has one performance core, and all the rest are efficiency. Only the P-core has hyperthreading, giving a total of twelve threads of processing.

Intel revised this design with slightly higher clock speeds for the i5-1335U, and Maxtang has that as an option for this series, but with the same underlying core and cache architecture, it won’t be much better.

What’s important to consider is that this system was specified for a job, displaying promotional graphics and videos, and it has sufficient power to do that without breaking any benchmark records.

By desktop PC standards, the performance of the SATA SSD is slow compared to NVMe drives, but again, not so glacial that it would interfere with the machine’s running.

This wasn’t meant to be used as a desktop PC; therefore, judging it by those standards isn’t helpful. It’s an appliance PC made to run throughout the day and not overheat, which seems well suited to do.

  • Performance: 3.5 / 5

Maxtang SXRL-20

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Maxtang SXRL-20: Final verdict

Maxtang SXRL-20

(Image credit: Maxtang)

The Maxtang SXRL-20 is an interesting system that has more in common with a NAS than a desktop PC. However, given that the objective of delivering digital signage has different priorities, those behind its design approached its construction and specifications from a unique perspective. This hardware was made for a purpose, and it fulfils that brief well.

My only concern is that while the machine is appropriate, I’m unconvinced that using Windows 11 on a customer-facing system is such a great idea.

Given how Microsoft has an unfortunate track record of screwing up its own operating system, and how an ill-considered update might stop this system working, or end up with messages on the screen is a concern. While I’m sure it is possible to lock down a Windows machine to avoid these pitfalls, we’ve all seen Digital Signage with Microsoft enhancements that those running the system wouldn’t care for.

It’s worth noting that on the promotional material for this product, the Ubuntu logo makes an appearance along with the Linux one, so I’m not the only person thinking about this possibility seriously.

Should you buy a Maxtang SXRL-20?

Buy it if...

You like computers to be quiet
The design of this mini PC makes the entire case a radiator, avoiding fans entirely.

You want four monitors connected
With HDMI 2.0, it is possible to connect four screens to this system. But, be realistic about what you intend to show on those screens simultaneously. As the Iris Xe (80eu) isn't a discrete GPU.

Don't buy it if...

You want 4K on lots of screens
The Iris Xe GPU used in this system can drive four displays, but 4K video on four outputs might be beyond it. For those scenarios, you might need a discrete video card on a machine that won't be passively cooled.

You want max power
Unlike a lot of mini PCs I've reviewed, this machine isn't built for absolute performance - it's best for businesses with digital displays. View Deal

For more display essentials, we've rounded up the best digital signage software.

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is too close to the RX 9070 XT to really stand out, but it’s a better value given the market
11:09 am | May 1, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Computing Components Gadgets | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Two-minute review

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is a card that just might be saved by the economic chaos engulfing the GPU market right now.

With 'normal' price inflation pretty much rampant with every current-gen GPU, the price proposition for the RX 9070 might actually make it an appealing pick for gamers who're experiencing sticker shock when looking for the best graphics card for their next GPU upgrade.

That doesn't mean, unfortunately, that the AMD RX 9070 is going to be one of the best cheap graphics cards going, even by comparison with everything else that's launched since the end of 2024. With an MSRP of $549 / £529.99 / AU$1,229, the RX 9070 is still an expensive card, even if it's theoretically in line with your typical 'midrange' offering.

And, with the lack of an AMD reference card that might have helped anchor the RX 9070's price at Team Red's MSRP, you're going to pretty much be at the mercy of third-party manufacturers and retailers who can charge whatever they want for this card.

Comparatively speaking, though, even with price inflation, this is going to be one of the cheaper midrange GPUs of this generation, so if you're looking at a bunch of different GPUs, without question this one is likely to be the cheapest graphics card made by either AMD or Nvidia right now (yes, that's even counting the RTX 5060 Ti, which is already selling for well above 150% of MSRP in many places).

The radeon logo on the AMD Radeon RX 9070

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Does that make this card worth the purchase? Well, that's going to depend on what you're being asked to pay for it. While it's possible to find RX 9070 cards at MSRP, they are rare, and so you're going to have to make a back-of-the-envelope calculation to see if this card is going to offer you the best value in your particular circumstance.

I'm fairly confident, however, that it will. Had I the time to review this card when it first launched in March, I might have scored it lower based on its performance and price proximity to the beefier AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT.

Looking at both of those cards based on their MSRPs, there's no question that the RX 9070 XT is the much better graphics card, so I'd have recommended you spend the extra cash to get that card instead of this one.

Unfortunately, contrary to my hopes, the RX 9070 XT has been scalped almost as badly as the best Nvidia graphics cards of this generation, so that relatively small price difference on paper can be quite large in practice.

Given that reality, for most gamers, the RX 9070 is the best 1440p graphics card going, and can even get you some solid 4K gaming performance for a lot less than you're likely to find the RX 9070 XT or competing Nvidia card, even from the last generation.

If you're looking at this card and the market has returned to sanity and MSRP pricing, then definitely consider going for the RX 9070 XT instead of this card. But barring that happy contingency, given where everything is right now with the GPU market, the RX 9070 is the best AMD graphics card for 1440p gaming, and offers some of the best bang for your (inflationary) buck as you're likely to find today.

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Price & availability

An AMD Radeon RX 9070 sitting on its retail packaging with its fans visible

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much is it? MSRP is $549 / £529.99 / AU$1,229, but retail price will likely be higher
  • When can you get it? The RX 9070 is available now
  • Where is it available? The RX 9070 is available in the US, UK, and Australia

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is available now in the US, UK, and Australia for an MSRP of $549 / £529.99 / AU$1,229, respectively, but the price you'll pay for this card from third-party partners and retailers will likely be higher.

Giving credit where it's due, the RX 9070 is the exact same MSRP as the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE, which you can argue the RX 9070 is replacing. It's also coming in at the same price as the RTX 5070's MSRP, and as I'll get into in a bit, for gaming performance, the RX 9070 offers a better value at MSRP.

Given how the RTX 5070 can rarely be found at MSRP, the RX 9070 is in an even stronger position compared to its competition.

  • Value: 4 / 5

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Specs

The power connector ports on an AMD Radeon RX 9070

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • PCIe 5.0
  • 16GB VRAM
  • Specs & features: 4 / 5

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Design & features

  • No AMD reference card
  • Will be good for SFF cases

In terms of design, the RX 9070 doesn't have a reference card, so the card I reviewed is the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070.

This card, in particular, is fairly straightforward with few frills, but for those who don't want a whole lot of RGB lighting in their PC, this is more of a positive than a negative. RGB fans, however, will have to look at other AMD partner cards for their fix.

The card is a noticeably shorter dual-fan design compared to the longer triple-fan RX 9070 XT cards. That makes the RX 9070 a great option for small form factor PC cases.

  • Design: 3.5 / 5

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Performance

  • About 13% slower than RX 9070 XT
  • Outstanding 1440p gaming performance
  • Decent 4K performance
A note on my data

The charts shown below offer the most recent data I have for the cards tested for this review. They may change over time as more card results are added and cards are retested. The 'average of all cards tested' includes cards not shown in these charts for readability purposes.

When it comes down to performance, the RX 9070 is a very strong graphics card that is somewhat overshadowed by its beefier 9070 XT sibling, but goes toe-to-toe against the RTX 5070 where it counts for most users, which is gaming.

On the synthetic side, the RTX 9070 puts up some incredibly solid numbers, especially in pure rasterization workloads like 3DMark Steel Nomad, beating out the RTX 5070 by 13%. In ray tracing heavy workloads like 3DMark Speed Way, meanwhile, the RX 9070 manages to comes within 95% of the RTX 5070's performance.

As expected though, the RX 9070's creative performance isn't able to keep up with Nvidia's competing RTX 5070, especially in 3D modeling workloads like Blender. If you're looking for a cheap creative workstation GPU, you're going to want to go for the RTX 5070, no question.

But that's not really what this card is about. AMD cards are gaming cards through and through, and as you can see above, at 1440p, the RX 9070 goes blow for blow with Nvidia's midrange card so that the overall average FPS at 1440p is 114 against Nvidia's 115 FPS average (72 FPS to 76 FPS average minimums/1%, respectively).

Likewise, at 4K, the two cards are effectively tied, with the RX 9070 holding a slight 2 FPS edge over the RTX 5070, on average (50 FPS to 51 FPS minimum/1%, respectively).

Putting it all together, one thing in the Nvidia RTX 5070's favor is that it is able to tie things up with the RX 9070 at about 26 fewer watts under load (284W maximum power draw to the RTX 5070's 258W).

That's not the biggest difference, but even 26W extra power can mean the difference between needing to replace your PSU or sticking with the one you have.

Under normal conditions, I'd argue that this would swing things in favor of Nvidia's GPU, but the GPU market is hardly normal right now, and so what you really need to look at is how much you're being asked to pay for either of these cards. Chances are, you're going to be able to find an RX 9070 for a good bit cheaper than the RTX 5070, and so its value to you in the end is likely going to be higher.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the AMD Radeon RX 9070?

A masculine hand holding an AMD Radeon RX 9070

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy the AMD Radeon RX 9070 if...

You want a fantastic 1440p graphics card
The RX 9070 absolutely chews through 1440p gaming with frame rates that can fully saturate most 1440p gaming monitors' refresh rates.

You don't want to spend a fortune on a midrange GPU
While the RX 9070 isn't cheap, necessarily, it's among the cheapest midrange cards you can get, even after factoring in scalping and price inflation.

Don't buy it if...

You want great creative performance
While the RX 9070 is a fantastic gaming graphics card, its creative performance (especially for 3D modeling work) lags behind Nvidia midrange cards.

Also consider

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
The RX 9070 XT is an absolute barnburner of a gaming GPU, offering excellent 4K performance and even better 1440p performance, especially if you can get it close to MSRP.

Read the full AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT review

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070
The RTX 5070 essentially ties the RX 9070 in gaming performance in 1440p and 4K gaming, but has better power efficiency and creative performance.

Read the full Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 review

How I tested the AMD Radeon RX 9070

  • I spent about two weeks with the RX 9070
  • I used my complete GPU testing suite to analyze the card's performance
  • I tested the card in everyday, gaming, creative, and AI workload usage
Test System Specs

Here are the specs on the system I used for testing:

Motherboard: ASRock Z790i Lightning WiFi
CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K
CPU Cooler: Gigabyte Auros Waterforce II 360 ICE
RAM: Corsair Dominator DDR5-6600 (2 x 16GB)
SSD: Samsung 9100 Pro 4TB SSD
PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower PF3 1050W Platinum
Case: Praxis Wetbench

I spent about two weeks with the AMD RX 9070, using it as my primary workstation GPU for creative work and gaming after hours.

I used my updated benchmarking process, which includes using built-in benchmarks on the latest PC games like Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077, and Civilization VII. I also used industry-standard benchmark tools like 3DMark for synthetic testing, while using tools like PugetBench for Creators and Blender Benchmark for creative workload testing.

I've reviewed more than three dozen graphics cards for TechRadar over the past three years, which has included hundreds of hours of dedicated GPU testing, so you can trust that I'm giving you the fullest picture of a graphics card's performance in my reviews.

  • Originally reviewed May 2025
The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is too close to the RX 9070 XT to really stand out, but it’s a better value given the market
11:09 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Computing Components Gadgets | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Two-minute review

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is a card that just might be saved by the economic chaos engulfing the GPU market right now.

With 'normal' price inflation pretty much rampant with every current-gen GPU, the price proposition for the RX 9070 might actually make it an appealing pick for gamers who're experiencing sticker shock when looking for the best graphics card for their next GPU upgrade.

That doesn't mean, unfortunately, that the AMD RX 9070 is going to be one of the best cheap graphics cards going, even by comparison with everything else that's launched since the end of 2024. With an MSRP of $549 / £529.99 / AU$1,229, the RX 9070 is still an expensive card, even if it's theoretically in line with your typical 'midrange' offering.

And, with the lack of an AMD reference card that might have helped anchor the RX 9070's price at Team Red's MSRP, you're going to pretty much be at the mercy of third-party manufacturers and retailers who can charge whatever they want for this card.

Comparatively speaking, though, even with price inflation, this is going to be one of the cheaper midrange GPUs of this generation, so if you're looking at a bunch of different GPUs, without question this one is likely to be the cheapest graphics card made by either AMD or Nvidia right now (yes, that's even counting the RTX 5060 Ti, which is already selling for well above 150% of MSRP in many places).

The radeon logo on the AMD Radeon RX 9070

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Does that make this card worth the purchase? Well, that's going to depend on what you're being asked to pay for it. While it's possible to find RX 9070 cards at MSRP, they are rare, and so you're going to have to make a back-of-the-envelope calculation to see if this card is going to offer you the best value in your particular circumstance.

I'm fairly confident, however, that it will. Had I the time to review this card when it first launched in March, I might have scored it lower based on its performance and price proximity to the beefier AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT.

Looking at both of those cards based on their MSRPs, there's no question that the RX 9070 XT is the much better graphics card, so I'd have recommended you spend the extra cash to get that card instead of this one.

Unfortunately, contrary to my hopes, the RX 9070 XT has been scalped almost as badly as the best Nvidia graphics cards of this generation, so that relatively small price difference on paper can be quite large in practice.

Given that reality, for most gamers, the RX 9070 is the best 1440p graphics card going, and can even get you some solid 4K gaming performance for a lot less than you're likely to find the RX 9070 XT or competing Nvidia card, even from the last generation.

If you're looking at this card and the market has returned to sanity and MSRP pricing, then definitely consider going for the RX 9070 XT instead of this card. But barring that happy contingency, given where everything is right now with the GPU market, the RX 9070 is the best AMD graphics card for 1440p gaming, and offers some of the best bang for your (inflationary) buck as you're likely to find today.

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Price & availability

An AMD Radeon RX 9070 sitting on its retail packaging with its fans visible

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much is it? MSRP is $549 / £529.99 / AU$1,229, but retail price will likely be higher
  • When can you get it? The RX 9070 is available now
  • Where is it available? The RX 9070 is available in the US, UK, and Australia

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is available now in the US, UK, and Australia for an MSRP of $549 / £529.99 / AU$1,229, respectively, but the price you'll pay for this card from third-party partners and retailers will likely be higher.

Giving credit where it's due, the RX 9070 is the exact same MSRP as the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE, which you can argue the RX 9070 is replacing. It's also coming in at the same price as the RTX 5070's MSRP, and as I'll get into in a bit, for gaming performance, the RX 9070 offers a better value at MSRP.

Given how the RTX 5070 can rarely be found at MSRP, the RX 9070 is in an even stronger position compared to its competition.

  • Value: 4 / 5

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Specs

The power connector ports on an AMD Radeon RX 9070

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • PCIe 5.0
  • 16GB VRAM
  • Specs & features: 4 / 5

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Design & features

  • No AMD reference card
  • Will be good for SFF cases

In terms of design, the RX 9070 doesn't have a reference card, so the card I reviewed is the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070.

This card, in particular, is fairly straightforward with few frills, but for those who don't want a whole lot of RGB lighting in their PC, this is more of a positive than a negative. RGB fans, however, will have to look at other AMD partner cards for their fix.

The card is a noticeably shorter dual-fan design compared to the longer triple-fan RX 9070 XT cards. That makes the RX 9070 a great option for small form factor PC cases.

  • Design: 3.5 / 5

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Performance

  • About 13% slower than RX 9070 XT
  • Outstanding 1440p gaming performance
  • Decent 4K performance
A note on my data

The charts shown below offer the most recent data I have for the cards tested for this review. They may change over time as more card results are added and cards are retested. The 'average of all cards tested' includes cards not shown in these charts for readability purposes.

When it comes down to performance, the RX 9070 is a very strong graphics card that is somewhat overshadowed by its beefier 9070 XT sibling, but goes toe-to-toe against the RTX 5070 where it counts for most users, which is gaming.

On the synthetic side, the RTX 9070 puts up some incredibly solid numbers, especially in pure rasterization workloads like 3DMark Steel Nomad, beating out the RTX 5070 by 13%. In ray tracing heavy workloads like 3DMark Speed Way, meanwhile, the RX 9070 manages to comes within 95% of the RTX 5070's performance.

As expected though, the RX 9070's creative performance isn't able to keep up with Nvidia's competing RTX 5070, especially in 3D modeling workloads like Blender. If you're looking for a cheap creative workstation GPU, you're going to want to go for the RTX 5070, no question.

But that's not really what this card is about. AMD cards are gaming cards through and through, and as you can see above, at 1440p, the RX 9070 goes blow for blow with Nvidia's midrange card so that the overall average FPS at 1440p is 114 against Nvidia's 115 FPS average (72 FPS to 76 FPS average minimums/1%, respectively).

Likewise, at 4K, the two cards are effectively tied, with the RX 9070 holding a slight 2 FPS edge over the RTX 5070, on average (50 FPS to 51 FPS minimum/1%, respectively).

Putting it all together, one thing in the Nvidia RTX 5070's favor is that it is able to tie things up with the RX 9070 at about 26 fewer watts under load (284W maximum power draw to the RTX 5070's 258W).

That's not the biggest difference, but even 26W extra power can mean the difference between needing to replace your PSU or sticking with the one you have.

Under normal conditions, I'd argue that this would swing things in favor of Nvidia's GPU, but the GPU market is hardly normal right now, and so what you really need to look at is how much you're being asked to pay for either of these cards. Chances are, you're going to be able to find an RX 9070 for a good bit cheaper than the RTX 5070, and so its value to you in the end is likely going to be higher.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the AMD Radeon RX 9070?

A masculine hand holding an AMD Radeon RX 9070

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy the AMD Radeon RX 9070 if...

You want a fantastic 1440p graphics card
The RX 9070 absolutely chews through 1440p gaming with frame rates that can fully saturate most 1440p gaming monitors' refresh rates.

You don't want to spend a fortune on a midrange GPU
While the RX 9070 isn't cheap, necessarily, it's among the cheapest midrange cards you can get, even after factoring in scalping and price inflation.

Don't buy it if...

You want great creative performance
While the RX 9070 is a fantastic gaming graphics card, its creative performance (especially for 3D modeling work) lags behind Nvidia midrange cards.

Also consider

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
The RX 9070 XT is an absolute barnburner of a gaming GPU, offering excellent 4K performance and even better 1440p performance, especially if you can get it close to MSRP.

Read the full AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT review

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070
The RTX 5070 essentially ties the RX 9070 in gaming performance in 1440p and 4K gaming, but has better power efficiency and creative performance.

Read the full Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 review

How I tested the AMD Radeon RX 9070

  • I spent about two weeks with the RX 9070
  • I used my complete GPU testing suite to analyze the card's performance
  • I tested the card in everyday, gaming, creative, and AI workload usage
Test System Specs

Here are the specs on the system I used for testing:

Motherboard: ASRock Z790i Lightning WiFi
CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K
CPU Cooler: Gigabyte Auros Waterforce II 360 ICE
RAM: Corsair Dominator DDR5-6600 (2 x 16GB)
SSD: Samsung 9100 Pro 4TB SSD
PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower PF3 1050W Platinum
Case: Praxis Wetbench

I spent about two weeks with the AMD RX 9070, using it as my primary workstation GPU for creative work and gaming after hours.

I used my updated benchmarking process, which includes using built-in benchmarks on the latest PC games like Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077, and Civilization VII. I also used industry-standard benchmark tools like 3DMark for synthetic testing, while using tools like PugetBench for Creators and Blender Benchmark for creative workload testing.

I've reviewed more than three dozen graphics cards for TechRadar over the past three years, which has included hundreds of hours of dedicated GPU testing, so you can trust that I'm giving you the fullest picture of a graphics card's performance in my reviews.

  • Originally reviewed May 2025
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