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The Asus Zenbook S 16 is built from a mysterious new material – but does this space-age laptop live up to the hype?
11:00 am | August 6, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Windows Laptops | Tags: | Comments: Off

Asus Zenbook S 16: Two-minute review

The Zenbook S 16 photographed on a dark marble surface with potted plants in the background.

(Image credit: Future)

The Asus Zenbook laptop line has long been one of my favorites, sitting among the best ultrabooks alongside rivals like Dell's XPS series and the LG Gram collection. Now, Asus has given its premium laptop lineup a fresh lease on life, thanks to AMD's mighty new Ryzen AI chips and the magic of something called 'ceraluminum'.

I'll get further into that mysterious new material further down in this review, but here's the short version: the lid of the new Asus Zenbook S 16 is made from a futuristic composite of aluminum and ceramic, giving it a soft matte feel while also being more durable, lighter, and fingerprint-resistant than the traditional aluminum and plastic used in the construction of most modern laptops.

Of course, a fancy outer casing doesn't guarantee you're getting a high-quality product. But the Zenbook S 16 delivers a premium experience in other areas too, with great performance across a variety of workloads and a generally very comfortable user experience.

The Zenbook S 16 photographed on a dark marble surface with potted plants in the background.

(Image credit: Future)

Although I always spend at least a full workweek using any laptop I review in lieu of my regular daily driver (the ever-faithful HP Spectre x360), I was actually forced to use this laptop for a few days. See, my boiler needed replacing, and unfortunately, it's situated in my home office - meaning that for two days, I was jettisoned from my desktop setup to the breakfast bar downstairs while the installation engineer resolved my lack of hot water.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a creature of habit, and was initially unhappy to be displaced from my usual workstation. But honestly, I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't drop Asus a line politely asking (read: begging) to keep this Zenbook. The 16-inch OLED touchscreen is gorgeous, and the large touchpad and keyboard make for a very comfortable user experience. It's perhaps the closest I've felt to using a MacBook Pro while actually on a Windows laptop - and while I'm a known macOS hater, I've always maintained that Apple's Mac products are very well-designed devices.

Starting at $1,599 / £1,499 / AU$2,999, the Zenbook S 16 isn't exactly cheap, but for that price tag, you're getting some pretty impressive performance and a really, really nice piece of physical hardware. I'll dig into the details more in the Price and Availability section, but the key takeaway here is that the value proposition is solid.

There's only one real drawback here, in my opinion: the battery life. It's perfectly serviceable, don't get me wrong, but it's nothing spectacular within the current market space. Still, it'll last you through a full day's work and then some - so as long as you don't mind putting it on charge overnight.

Asus Zenbook S 16: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? Starts at $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,999
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

With a price tag starting at $1,599 / £1,499 / AU$2,999, the Asus Zenbook S 16 certainly leans towards the premium end of the market, but you're getting plenty of bang for your buck here.

There are a few different configurations, with the main difference being the Ryzen processor model and the amount of RAM. Every model comes with the same 3K OLED display and 1TB of storage - a 2TB model would've been nice, but at least the SSD is user-upgradable. The base configuration, priced as above, comes with a Ryzen AI 7 350 chip and 24GB of RAM (an unusual amount, but still better than the more commonplace 16GB industry standard).

The Zenbook S 16 photographed on a dark marble surface with potted plants in the background.

(Image credit: Future)

My review unit is a higher-end model, featuring a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and 32GB of RAM, and it will cost you $1,799 / £1,599 - and at the time of writing, this model unfortunately isn't available in Australia. I say 'unfortunately' here because for my money, that extra $200 / £100 is well worth it for the internal hardware upgrade.

For comparison, a 16-inch MacBook Pro will cost you $2,499 / £2,499 / AU$3,999 - and that's just for the base M4 Pro model. Granted, there's no denying that Apple's pro-grade laptop can offer better performance in many areas than this Zenbook, but the point stands that the Zenbook S 16 is very good value for money.

  • Price score: 4.5/5

Asus Zenbook S 16: Specs

Asus Zenbook S 16

CPU

Up to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

GPU

Up to AMD Radeon 890M

RAM

Up to 32GB LPDDR5X

Display

16-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 120Hz

Storage

Up to 1TB SSD

Ports

2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, 1x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3,5mm combi audio jack

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Weight

1.5kg / 3.31lbs

Dimension

35.4 x 24.3 x 1.29cm / 13.9 x 9.6 x 0.51 inches

Asus Zenbook S 16: Design

The Zenbook S 16 photographed on a dark marble surface with potted plants in the background.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Super comfortable keyboard and trackpad
  • Ceraluminum casing is impressive
  • Surprisingly lightweight

Aesthetically speaking, this is undeniably one gorgeous laptop. With the 'Scandinavian White' colorway, it feels as clean and striking as any of the best laptops. The back of the screen is not only made from Asus's fancy ceraluminum material, but it also has a kintsugi-inspired pattern of sharp lines inlaid in silver, which strikes the perfect balance between eye-catching and minimalist.

A little more about that revolutionary new material, though: you can read about my first time encountering ceraluminum right here, but I'll give you a quick breakdown in case you don't feel like reading a whole different article. It's created by electrochemically bonding aluminum with a ceramic component, producing a strong plated material with a matte surface that feels like unglazed pottery to the touch.

The best thing about this is that it brings the lightweight, durable nature of aluminum - a popular choice among manufacturers when it comes to laptop construction - while also providing a grippier surface that is more resilient against both damage and smudging from fingerprints. I've criticized more than a few laptops over the years for being 'fingerprint magnets', and happily that doesn't apply here. The whole thing feels impressively sturdy despite being very thin and light for a 16-inch laptop.

The Zenbook S 16 photographed on a dark marble surface with potted plants in the background.

(Image credit: Future)

Opening up the lid, you're met with a more conventionally constructed aluminum keyboard housing, with a large glass touchpad and nicely spaced keys that make it very comfortable to type on. I also found the touchpad to be sensitive and responsive, with a firm click, although I typically prefer to connect a wireless mouse when using laptops.

Above the keyboard, a wide cooling grille sits with a subtle Asus logo in the corner. The keys are backlit with white LEDs, which can be set to three different brightness levels; it's not often I take much time to comment on keyboard backlighting, but the Zenbook S 16's is particularly vibrant.

Speaking of vibrancy, the display on this laptop is fantastic, offering rich color and sharp contrast thanks to its 3K OLED panel. While the maximum brightness isn't quite as high as I've seen on some other OLED laptops, it's certainly bright enough to use in well-lit environments, and it's also a touchscreen. Somewhat surprisingly, this display has a 120Hz refresh rate, a pleasing upgrade from the 60Hz panels you see on most non-gaming laptops.

In terms of physical connectivity, we've got a good selection of ports here, including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and even an SD card reader - the latter of which may be a boon for photographers when combined with the excellent display. Lastly, the speakers are quite good, providing detailed audio for both music and dialogue - it's perhaps lacking a tiny bit of kick in the bass department compared to some laptops I've seen, but overall I really can't complain about the speaker quality.

  • Design score: 5/5

Asus Zenbook S 16: Performance

  • Solid all-rounder performance
  • NPU provides support for AI features in Windows
  • Playing games is certainly an option, though it's no gaming laptop

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a powerful chip backed with 32GB of RAM in my review unit, and I'm pleased to say it performs admirably. General responsiveness is great and everyday tasks run smoothly, to the point where anyone who just wants a laptop for office work could probably consider downgrading to a Ryzen AI 7 model.

When it comes to more demanding workloads, the Zenbook S 16 offers good performance across a variety of areas, including 3D rendering, AI functionality, and gaming. Sure, it's not going to beat out an actual gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU, but the AMD Radeon 890M integrated graphics are surprisingly competent even in more demanding games, provided you're willing to dial back the graphical settings a bit and turn on AMD's FSR 3.0 resolution upscaling mode.

Asus Zenbook S 16 review: Benchmarks

Here's how the Asus Zenbook S 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 34,618; Fire Strike: 8,516; Time Spy: 4,407; Steel Nomad: 889
Cinebench R23: Multi-core: 13,441; Single-core: 1,953
Geekbench 6.4: Multicore: 14,102; Single-core: 2,845
Geekbench AI: Single Precision Score: 2,359; Half Precision Score: 1,217; Quantized Score: 4,811
PCMark 10: 6,827
Crossmark: Overall: 1,744; Productivity: 1,637; Creativity: 1,940; Responsiveness: 1,537
Sid Meier's Civilization VII: (1080p, Medium, No Upscaling): 45fps; (1800p, High, No Upscaling): 16fps; (1800p, High, Balanced FSR 3 Upscaling): 22fps
Cyberpunk 2077: (1080p, Medium, No Upscaling): 22fps; (1800p, Ultra, No Upscaling): 6fps; (1800p, Ultra, Balanced FSR 3 Upscaling): 10fps
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 14 hours, 55 minutes

In real-world testing, I had no issues whatsoever with the performance of the Zenbook S 16. Running Spotify in the background while working across 20+ open Chrome tabs didn't cause the slightest bit of slowdown, and image editing in GIMP 3.0 was smooth and effective - a far cry from the rather sluggish experience I get when trying to edit images on my usual laptop.

AI performance is also reasonably good; again, you're ideally going to want to spring for a laptop with a dedicated Nvidia GPU if you want to be running serious AI workloads locally, like producing your own language models, but for running the local aspects of something like Microsoft's Copilot+ AI assistant, the average user will have no problems.

The Zenbook S 16 photographed on a dark marble surface with potted plants in the background.

(Image credit: Future)

To dig into that gaming performance a little more (there's overlap here with other 3D rendering and modeling software), I needed to drop the resolution to FHD+ rather than the native 3K and enable AMD's FSR 3 upscaling to make most games playable - this machine isn't coming close to any of the best gaming laptops - but for anyone who just wants to play casual titles or indie games on their off-time, the Zenbook S 16 is more capable than I had expected. I used it for a spot of Stardew Valley after work on multiple occasions, which unsurprisingly ran great.

In Civilization VII, I was easily able to get a decent framerate at 1200p, while the infamously hardware-demanding Cyberpunk 2077 was completely unplayable at native 1800p but produced an fps of 35 at 1200p with Low settings and FSR 3's Performance mode enabled (and frankly, even with those settings, this game still looks bloody fantastic). It's a true testament to the power of AMD's resolution upscaling tech for integrated GPUs; I'm quietly awed by the fact that a game like Cyberpunk is playable at all on an ultrabook like this.

I will note that the fans on the Zenbook S 16 get a tad noisy when you're running more intensive software - it's nothing too onerous, and I found it ran quietly during regular tasks like web browsing, but be aware that you might want headphones to play games on it. It's worth adding that the laptop didn't get uncomfortably hot at any point (aside from directly on the vent above the keyboard), even during stress testing.

The Zenbook S 16 photographed on a dark marble surface with potted plants in the background.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Asus Zenbook S 16: Battery

The battery life on the Zenbook S 16 is pretty good. That's almost all I can really say about it; it's not mind-blowing, beaten out by several competitors, but it's still sufficient for a full day's work (or two) without needing to plug in provided you turn off the keyboard backlight and don't work at maximum brightness.

In our battery life test, which involves running a looped video file at 50% brightness, the Zenbook S 16 ran out of juice just shy of the 15-hour mark, which for a 16-inch OLED laptop is respectable, if unspectacular. In real-world use situations, I was getting between 10 and 12 hours out of it at a time on average, and it holds its charge remarkably well when not in use.

Since it charges via USB-C, you can easily make use of other charging cables, though the supplied 65W adapter provides fast-charging capabilities that provide 50% battery charge in a little over half an hour.

  • Battery score: 4/5

Should you buy the Asus Zenbook S 16?

Notes

Rating

Value

It's no budget machine, but the price-to-performance ratio here is great.

4.5/5

Design

A stylish and robust design combined with a comfortable user experience makes for a truly premium-feeling laptop.

5/5

Performance

Performance is solid across productivity, creative, and gaming workloads, with good responsiveness and fans that only kick in when you're running demanding programs.

4.5/5

Battery

The battery can comfortably run for more than an 8-hour workday, though it is beaten out by some competing laptops.

4/5

Total

While the pre-installed Asus software is a bit annoying, this is a fantastic laptop that delivers a great aesthetic and strong performance at a sensible price point.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want a laptop that looks great
Between its sleek shell, excellent display, and pleasantly understated keyboard backlighting, the Zenbook S 16 is certainly an aesthetically pleasing laptop.

You want something thin but powerful
Despite its relatively light overall weight (for a 16-inch laptop) and thin chassis, the next-gen Ryzen chip inside this Zenbook is fantastic for productivity workloads and can even handle some light gaming.

You want to use Windows 11's AI features
Since this is a 'Copilot+ PC' with a built-in NPU and a dedicated button for summoning Microsoft's AI assistant, it's a solid pick for anyone who wants an AI laptop.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a tight budget
The price tag on the Zenbook S 16 is actually very reasonable for the specs, but it's certainly not a cheap laptop.

You want the best in battery life
While this Zenbook's battery is alright, there are competitors that do a better job - and if you really want ridiculously good battery life, a smaller laptop is usually the way to go.

Also Consider

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro)
Beating the Zenbook S 16 in both performance and battery life, Apple's latest MacBook Pro 16-inch is a staunch competitor - though bear in mind that it'll cost you more, and macOS isn't for everyone.

Read our full Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch review

Dell XPS 17
If you're looking for a similar premium-feeling laptop but with an even larger screen, the Dell XPS 17 is arguably the best 17-inch laptop out there right now.

Read our full Dell XPS 17 review

How I tested the Asus Zenbook S 16

  • Replaced my regular laptop with the Zenbook S 16 for several weeks
  • Used the laptop both for day-to-day work and personal projects
  • Ran it through our full suite of benchmarks, plus some extra tests

As is typical for my laptop review process, I swapped out my daily driver for the Asus Zenbook S 16 - and actually ended up liking it so much that I kept using it after my usual week or two of real-world testing. Asus, if I could keep this one, that would be great...

This involved all my day-to-day work, which is mostly emailing, word processing, web research, and image editing, plus some work on personal projects and a bit of gaming in my off hours. I also ran our suite of benchmarking and battery tests to provide a clearer image of the Zenbook S 16's overall performance.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2025

I’ve tested more than a hundred laptops in my career, and the Dell 16 Premium is the only MacBook Pro rival worth considering
5:00 pm | August 2, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Windows Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Dell 16 Premium: One-minute review

The Dell 16 Premium is Dell’s newest flagship machine for professionals, creatives, and developers who demand a blend of portability, performance, and polish, and it has a pretty high bar to clear.

Its predecessor, the Dell XPS 16, was consistently one of the best laptops produced in every year it was available, and a lot of XPS fans were disappointed to hear about its rebranding. But, at the end of the day, that’s really all it is, as the 16 Premium is everything people loved about the XPS 16 in recent years along with some fancy new tricks.

Starting at $1,799.99 / £1,699 / AU$4,379.10, the Dell 16 Premium isn’t necessarily cheap, but it is fairly in line with similar creative-focused laptops like the MacBook Pro, and given how often Dell has sales on its laptops, you can often find it for much cheaper than the competition.

There are a few configuration options available, but you do start off with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H CPU with Intel Arc 140V graphics, 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 16.3-inch non-touch 2K display. From there, you can add in RTX 5050, RTX 5060, and RTX 5070 GPUs, depending on the region, and configure it up to 64GB memory and 4TB SSD storage (though these options will limit which GPU you can pick).

Right now, the Dell 16 Premium is on sale starting at $1,549.99 in the US, while the review configuration is available for $2,799.99, a $400 discount.View Deal

What truly sets it apart, though, is the outstanding 16.3-inch 4K OLED touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate, perfect for high-res content creation, editing, and media consumption, though the OLED display will substantially cut into the device’s battery life.

With premium build quality, great speakers, and modern I/O, this laptop nails almost everything it sets out to do, though its borderless touchpad and keyless function bar design remain controversial.

All that said, chances are you’re really looking for performance with this laptop, and here, the unit I reviewed often ran circles around the competing MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Pro, especially in creative workloads where the MacBook Pro’s strong industry reputation does a lot of heavy lifting. In this regard, the Dell 16 Premium is easily the best laptop for creative pros who want MacBook Pro performance on a Windows 11 device.

Dell 16 Premium: Price & availability

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • How much does it cost? Starts at $1,799.99 / £1,699 / AU$4,379.10
  • 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 16 Premium is available now in the US, UK, and Australia through Dell’s official website and major retailers. Prices start at $1,799 in the US, £1,699 in the UK, and AU$4,379.10 in Australia.

Upgrading the configuration can significantly increase the price, but even when the price is maxed out, the highest level configuration is still substantially less than a competing MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Pro, much less one with an M4 Max chip.

  • Value: 4 / 5

Dell 16 Premium: Specs

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Up to RTX 5070 GPU
  • Up to Thunderbolt 5
  • Wi-Fi 7

Dell offers multiple configurations of the Dell 16 Premium laptop across different regions. The starting models include a Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, 512GB SSD, and integrated Intel Arc graphics (Australia starts with an RTX 5050 GPU), as well as a 2K IPS non-touch display.

Dell 16 Premium Base Specs

US

UK

Australia

Price

$1,799.99 at Dell.com

£1,699 at Dell.com

AU$5,353.60 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

GPU

Integrated Intel Arc 140T

Integrated Intel Arc 140T

Nvidia RTX 5050

Memory

16GB LPDDR5x - 7467MT/s

16GB LPDDR5x - 7467MT/s

16GB LPDDR5x - 7467MT/s

Storage

512GB PCIe NVMe

512GB PCIe NVMe

512GB PCIe NVMe

Display

16.3-inch non-touch 2K IPS 120Hz

16.3-inch non-touch 2K IPS 120Hz

16.3-inch non-touch 2K IPS 120Hz

Ports

1 x 3.5mm combo jack, 3 x Thunderbolt 4 Gen 2 (DP 2.1, Power Delivery), 1 x microSDXC 7.1

1 x 3.5mm combo jack, 3 x Thunderbolt 4 Gen 2 (DP 2.1, Power Delivery), 1 x microSDXC 7.1

1 x 3.5mm combo jack, 3 x Thunderbolt 4 Gen 2 (DP 2.1, Power Delivery), 1 x microSDXC 7.1

Battery

99.5WHr

99.5WHr

99.5WHr

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4

Camera

1080p IR camera

1080p IR camera

1080p IR camera

Weight

4.56 lbs | 2.06kg

4.56 lbs | 2.06kg

4.56 lbs | 2.06kg

Dimensions

14.1 x 9.4 x 0.75 ins | 358.1 x 240 x 19mm

14.1 x 9.4 x 0.75 ins | 358.1 x 240 x 19mm

14.1 x 9.4 x 0.75 ins | 358.1 x 240 x 19mm

The max spec on the 16 Premium vary by region, with the US topping out at an RTX 5070 GPU, which also comes with three Thunderbolt 5 ports rather than the three Thunderbolt 4 ports on RTX 5060 models and lower. In the UK and Australia, there are no RTX 5070 configurations available yet, but they do max out with a 4TB PCIe SSD. All models max out at a UHD+ (2400p) OLED panel with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage.

Dell 16 Premium Max Specs

US

UK

Australia

Price

$3,199.99 at Dell.com

£2,899 at Dell.com

AU$7,089.50 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5070

Nvidia RTX 5060

Nvidia RTX 5060

Memory

32GB LPDDR5x - 8400MT/s

32GB LPDDR5x - 7467MT/s

32GB LPDDR5x - 7467MT/s

Storage

1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Display

16.3-inch Touch 4K OLED 120Hz

16.3-inch Touch 4K OLED 120Hz

16.3-inch Touch 4K OLED 120Hz

Ports

1 x 3.5mm combo jack, 3 x Thunderbolt 5 (DP 2.1, Power Delivery), 1 x microSDXC 7.1

1 x 3.5mm combo jack, 3 x Thunderbolt 4 Gen 2 (DP 2.1, Power Delivery), 1 x microSDXC 7.1

1 x 3.5mm combo jack, 3 x Thunderbolt 4 Gen 2 (DP 2.1, Power Delivery), 1 x microSDXC 7.1

Battery

99.5WHr

99.5WHr

99.5WHr

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4

Camera

1080p IR camera

1080p IR camera

1080p IR camera

Weight

4.65 lbs | 2.11kg

4.65 lbs | 2.11kg

4.65 lbs | 2.11kg

Dimensions

14.1 x 9.4 x 0.75 ins | 358.1 x 240 x 19mm

14.1 x 9.4 x 0.75 ins | 358.1 x 240 x 19mm

14.1 x 9.4 x 0.75 ins | 358.1 x 240 x 19mm

All configurations come with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, a substantial boost over the rival MacBook Pro 16-inch, as well as a microSDXC 7.1 slot.

The configuration I tested for review is the maximum configuration available in the US.

  • Specs: 5 / 5

Dell 16 Premium: Design

  • Gorgeous OLED display
  • Excellent port selection
  • Trackpad and function key row still controversial

Design-wise, there is little difference between the Dell 16 Premium and the Dell XPS 16 it replaces. The same borderless trackpad and keyless function bar remain from the XPS, and for the most part, the form factor is essentially unchanged.

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The touchbar is definitely one of the more controversial design choices of the Dell 16 Premium, held over from the earlier XPS redesign from 2023. It's a bit of an accessibility challenge for those who struggle with low vision, as the only thing that indicates where a given function key is is a backlit label on a completely smooth and flat glossy surface.

Even if you don't have limited vision though, if there's an especially bright light (say, a sunny day outside), finding any given F-key might be challenging.

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Likewise, the borderless trackpad isn't great either, and for similar reasons. It takes some time to learn and figure out where exactly the trackpad is, but once you do, it works pretty well.

The keyboard is ok. It's never been the best feature on the Dell XPS line, but it's not terrible and functions well enough.

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

For ports, you get at least three Thunderbolt 4 Gen 2 ports, a MicroSD card slot, and a 3.5mm combo jack. This is about as much as you can expect on a chassis this size, and while it would be nice to have a USB-A port, there is an adapter dongle that you can buy while configuring your laptop (about $35) that lets you get HDMI 2.0 and USB-A 3.0 connectivity if your have a mouse and monitor that require it.

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The audio is pretty good on the 16 Premium, largely thanks to the top-firing speakers, but it's not spectacular. If you plan on working on audio projects, a headset would be advised.

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The webcam is a 1080p IR camera, meaning that it's compatible with Windows Hello, and it's fairly good for video conferencing and the like. That said, it lacks a physical privacy shutter, which isn't really acceptable in 2025, so I have to take some points off for that.

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

While it might seem like I have a lot of complaints about the design of the 16 Premium, I only highlight the above issues because they are somewhat controversial in some corners, as is the rebranding away from XPS to Premium.

I get those concerns, but in my estimation, this is an exceptionally built laptop, and the issues I have with it don't detract that much from the overall quality of the device. If you opt for the OLED panel rather than the base IPS, pretty much every other consideration feels like nitpicking for a device that looks and feels great—better than the MacBook Pro in many ways.

  • Design: 4 / 5

Dell 16 Premium: Performance

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Often outperforms the MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Pro
  • Discrete RTX GPU embarrasses the MacBook Pro in several workloads
  • Not a bad gaming laptop either

Ultimately, if you're paying this much for this laptop, performance is going to be front of mind, especially since this is really targeted toward the MacBook Pro creative crowd.

In that regard, the 16 Premium might even be a better creative laptop than the MacBook Pro 16-inch, despite the strong performance of the MacBook Pro 16-inch in some areas.

In terms of synthetic CPU performance, the MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Pro greatly outperforms the Dell 16 Premium in workloads like GeekBench 6.4.

However, once you start adding in real-world tests that actually test its performance in workloads creatives and gamers are actually interested in, the MacBook Pro only wins out in our PugetBench Photoshop benchmarks. Otherwise, the RTX 5070 GPU in the 16 Premium wrecks the MacBook Pro 16-inch just about everywhere else.

Now, the MacBook Pro 16-inch can be configured with an M4 Max chip, which might substantially change the comparative assessment, but it would add more than a grand to the price you'd pay compared to the best Dell 16 Premium.

Plus, even though the MacBook Pro 16 can now play Cyberpunk 2077 natively, Macs just aren't serious PC gaming devices. They've come a long way in recent years, but you simply don't have anything concerns about that with the Dell 16 Premium. If a game is on Steam, the Dell 16 Premium will be able to play it, something that even the best MacBook will never be able to claim.

  • Performance: 5 / 5

Dell 16 Premium: Battery Life

  • How long does it last on a single charge? 5 hours, 18 minutes

So, there is a major caveat when it comes to battery life on the 16 Premium unit I tested. OLED displays are notoriously unforgiving toward battery life. Add in the power-hungry RTX 5070 GPU, and we are really talking about battery life that is just slightly better than you'd find with the best gaming laptops.

With a max battery life of about 9 hours, according to Dell, the OLED configuration cannot keep pace with the MacBook Pro 16-inch, which can make it about 20 hours on a charge in our testing. In my testing, the Dell 16 Premium only gets about 5 hours in mixed use, and at best, about 2.5 hours under heavy load.

Of course, the MacBook Pro 16-inch isn't going to make it 20 hours if it's playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider or rendering a 4K video overnight on battery power, so the difference between the two laptops is probably closer than my tests show. But there's no getting around the fact that the MacBook Pro 16-inch is going to last far longer than the Dell 16 Premium, and that's something to consider.

  • Battery Life: 3 / 5

Should you buy the Dell 16 Premium?

A Dell 16 Premium on a table

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Dell 16 Premium Scorecard

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

Premium priced, but delivers excellent performance and features

4 / 5

Specs

Lots of options, including powerful GPUs with Thunderbolt 5 and a gorgeous OLED display.

5 / 5

Design

Though it has great port selection, display, and aesthetics, there are legacy issues from its XPS heritage.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Simply outstanding performance across every workload, beating out the MacBook Pro 16-inch in all but a few cases.

5 / 5

Battery Life

Not great if you get an OLED panel, but better than other similar laptops with its specs.

3 / 5

Final Score

On balance, if the Dell 16 Premium fixed some of its design issues, it would be a true MacBook Pro killer, but it does battle Apple's best to a draw.

4.3 / 5

Buy the Dell 16 Premium if...

You want a high-performance laptop with discrete graphics
With up to an RTX 5070, the Dell 16 Premium has outstanding configuration options for top-tier performance.

You need a stunning OLED display for creative work
The OLED display option is simply gorgeous and fantastic for creative pros.

Don't buy it if...

You need long battery life
The battery life on the 16 Premium is not great, but it's in line with what you'd expect for an OLED laptop.

You're on a tight budget
The base spec for this laptop starts out expensive and only gets pricier the better you configure it.

Also consider

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch
If you're considering the Dell 16 Premium, the only other laptop worth considering is the MacBook Pro 16-inch, especially if you're a creative pro.

Read our full Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) review

How I tested the Dell 16 Premium

  • I spent about two weeks with the Dell 16 Premium
  • I used it for everyday work and creative tasks
  • I ran it through our standard battery of benchmark tests

I used the Dell 16 Premium for everyday work and creative tasks for about two weeks, including writing this review and editing all the photos therein on the device.

I put it through our standard battery of benchmark tests, as well as used it for everything from creative work to gaming to really push it to its limits.

I've tested several dozen laptops for TechRadar over the past several years, so I am very familiar with what makes a laptop a great value for its market, and my extensive experience gives me insight that lets me better assess its benchmark results.

  • First reviewed August 2025
Huion’s huge drawing tablet aced most tests I threw at it, but let me down where it matters most
12:45 pm |

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

Huion Kamvas Pro 19: one-minute review

The Huion Kamvas Pro 19 is a drawing tablet with a huge 19-inch screen, 4K resolution and wide color gamut offering 99% sRGB, 96% Adobe RGB and 98% DCI-P3 coverage. While its $1,099 / £1,099 list price is hardly chump change, you can often get it cheaper, and that price includes a range of accessories, including a shortcut remote, stylus box with two styluses, and a selection of cables. So, is it worth the investment? Well, it would be – if it wasn’t for one fairly critical flaw.

Whether I was sketching or blending colors with paint-like brushes, using the Kamvas 19 Pro was seriously smooth. Not only is it without parallax and completely jitter-free, but it can also register strokes at a steep angle of up to 60 degrees, making it easy to trace wide arcs and circles. Its driver software offers a decent amount of customization, despite not always being the most intuitive to use, and the shortcut remote made accessing all my go-to tools and menu items a breeze.

When it comes to its design, though, the Kamvas Pro 19 is more of a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong: its screen is capable of seriously impressive color and a detailed 4K resolution, and it's ergonomic enough that I always felt comfortable using it. Unfortunately, it gets marked far too easily, in a way I’ve never seen from the best drawing tablets. After roughly eight hours of sketching, the screen was covered with scrapes and scuffs – while these rubbed off with a screen wipe, it does make me worry that eventually this kind of wear will become permanent.

Aside from this tendency to mark the display, the Huion’s two styluses are actually very decent. They’re lightweight and easy to hold, even during long scribbling sessions, and their programmable shortcut keys minimize the number of times you have to shift to another input. Their customizable pressure sensitivity is also excellent, although I wouldn’t put too much stock in the advertised 16K pressure levels – I’ve honestly never been able to tell much difference in practice from devices that offer 8K.

On paper, the Huion Kamvas Pro 19 is a very decent device, offering great performance and accessories for a pretty reasonable price. Certainly, with sale prices sometimes offering it for as little as $939 / £879, it is a pretty tempting package. But, try as I might, I can’t ignore how susceptible to wear that screen seems to be. In light of that, you may well find that a device like the XPPen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2 is a sounder investment long term.

A closeup of the bottom of the Huion Kamvas Pro 19's screen featuring artwork of recolored fireworks.

(Image credit: Future / Josh Russell)

Huion Kamvas Pro 19 review: price and availability

  • Launched January 5, 2024
  • Retails for $1,099 / £1,099

Released on January 5, 2024, the Huion Kamvas Pro 19 is available to buy now. While its list price is $1,099 / £1,099, you’re unlikely to pay that – at the time of writing, Huion has it on sale for $939 / £879.

Included for that price is the drawing tablet itself, the Huion Keydial Mini shortcut tool, pen box, Battery-Free Pen PW600, Battery-Free Slim Pen PW600S, and all the cabling you’ll need. If you’re buying in the UK, you’ll get Huion’s Adjustable Stand ST100A bundled in as a free gift, but unfortunately, you’ll have to pay $29.99 for this if you’re in the US.

All told, though, this is a pretty competitive price when compared to some of the other mid-range drawing tablets I’ve reviewed in recent months. For example, the similarly specced XPPen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2 has a list price of $899.99 / £899.99 / AU$1,499.99, while the seriously talented Xencelabs Pen Display 16 goes for $999 / £969 (around AU$1,597) – and that’s without all the accessories that come in the fully kitted out, $1,299 / £1,199 (around AU$2,080) Bundle edition. So the Kamvas Pro 19 is pretty on the money in terms of value.

The side of the Huion Kamvas Pro 19, showing off its ports and stand.

(Image credit: Future)

Huion Kamvas Pro 19 review: specs

Dimensions

17.7 x 10.7 x 0.8 inches (448.9 x 272.4 x 21.3mm)

Active drawing area

14.1 x 9.1 inches (409 x 230mm)

Weight

2kg

Display resolution

3840 x 2160

Pressure levels

16,384

Compatibility

Windows 10 or later; macOS 10.12 or later; Android 6.0 or later; Linux(Ubuntu 20.04 LTS)

An image of a nautilus shell on the Huion Kamvas Pro 19, in front of a pink background.

(Image credit: Future / Josh Russell)

Huion Kamvas Pro 19 review: design

  • Display offers gorgeous color but could be brighter
  • Screen scuffs and marks to an inexcusable degree
  • Good range of accessories

Given the price, the Huion Kamvas Pro 19’s display is pretty impressive, making any art I worked on look pleasingly crisp and well-defined. With a 3840 x 2160 resolution across an 18.4-inch screen, it has a pixel density of 238ppi – that’s essentially the same as the slightly pricier XPPen Artist Pro 19, although it’s a fair bit lower than the 275ppi offered by the smaller and spendier Xencelabs Pen Display 16.

While touching up and recoloring some photography in Photoshop, I was impressed by how boldly it expressed colors, with reds, greens and blues in particular looking deliciously punchy thanks to its color gamut coverage of 99% sRGB / 96% Adobe RGB / 98% DCI P3. It’s not quite as bright as some rivals, however: its 220-nit typical brightness is bested by both the XPPen and Xencelabs above, which can hit 250 nits and 300 nits respectively.

There’s more to a drawing tablet than meets the eye, though: how it feels is also important. And while the Kamvas Pro 19’s anti-glare etched glass does a decent job of keeping reflections at bay, I didn’t find its texture to be that impressive. Rather than offering a paper-like bite when sketching, I could barely feel the grain of the glass at all. The only time it really became noticeable was when I was moving the stylus toward the top left, meaning the haptic feedback the display gave was often inconsistent.

The Huion Kamvas Pro 19 screen, showing various scuffs and marks built up during drawing sessions.

(Image credit: Future)

But there was an even bigger issue with the glass – and it’s the source of my only significant reservation about Huion’s slate. While using the erasers on the styluses, I quickly noticed that they seemed to be leaving marks on the glass, which isn’t ideal given how often you might find yourself correcting mistakes. However, it was only when I turned the screen off after a long session of sketching that I noticed the extent of the scraping; the glass was covered with marks from both the stylus nibs and erasers. These can be wiped away, at least superficially, but it does concern me that the glass will eventually sustain permanent wear.

Fortunately, elsewhere, the build quality feels a lot more robust, with the main body of the device feeling sturdy and well put together. At 2kg, it is hefty enough that you may not be all that comfortable sitting it on your lap, but it does have built-in feet that raise it to a nicely ergonomic 20-degree angle. Several height options would have helped me find the absolute best angle, though. To really maximize the ergonomics here, a deeper bezel might have provided more room to rest my wrist. As it was, I felt its 0.78-inch (2cm) screen borders didn’t give me quite enough space to lean on.

Accompanying its two styluses – the three-button Pen PW600 and two-button Slim Pen PW600S – is a supply of standard and felt nibs, as well as a nib changing tool. You also get a Bluetooth-powered shortcut remote, the Keydial Mini, and all of the cabling you’ll need. It doesn’t include any clips for you to rest the styluses or a carry case, but you can get a free stand when you buy it in the UK, which definitely feels like a decent bonus.

When it comes to cabling, the Kamvas allows you to go maximalist or strip things right back. On the upper end of the scale, you can plug the supplied 3-in-2 adapter into your drawing tablet’s power and data ports, then hook the other end into your computer’s USB and HDMI ports and the mains. This will allow you to both sketch and record the slate’s video output to your hard drive. Alternatively, you can simply plug it directly into the mains and hook it up to your laptop – and thanks to its 40W reverse charging, it can charge your laptop in the process, meaning that’s one less cable on your desk.

  • Design score: 3 / 5

A man's hand holding a stylus and recoloring an image of fireworks on the Huion Kamvas Pro 19, in front of a pink background.

(Image credit: Future / Josh Russell)

Huion Kamvas Pro 19 review: performance

  • Accurate strokes without parallax or jitter
  • Shortcut remote works well
  • Some user unfriendly quirks to driver software

Carrying out some line tests, I found the Kamvas Pro 19 to be accurate. There's no discernible parallax between the nib of the stylus and the brushes on screen, which is fortunate, as I couldn’t see any obvious way to recalibrate this in the drivers. While there is a little lag when moving the nib quickly, I didn’t find this to be a huge issue in maintaining accurate strokes.

When I got started with some actual artwork, the Kamvas Pro 19 felt fluid and responsive, allowing me to sketch out a nautilus shell with remarkable accuracy. While it didn’t feel quite as natural as when drawing on the Xencelabs Pen Display 16, it was able to register the stylus at up to 60 degrees, making tracing wide, fluid circles and spirals a snap. Additionally, the pressure sensitivity made blending colors using an oil-paint brush a cinch, with that vibrant screen making the pastel peaches and pinks look bold and brilliant.

The Keydial Mini shortcut remote makes it far easier to trigger various functions, without having to reach for the keyboard or mouse. Each key has a wide range of assignable shortcuts – including key combos, mouse click or scroll wheel functions, launching apps, media controls, or system-level functions like show desktop or launch mission control – while the wheel can be assigned to various functions from zooming and scrolling to adjusting parameters like brush size or flow.

The Huion Keydial Mini shortcut remote.

(Image credit: Future)

Broadly speaking, these made it much easier to interact with menus and manipulate the canvas, although I did experience some slightly odd behavior when it came to assigning shortcuts in the driver software. Once you’ve entered a title or key combination, there’s no way to leave the field, and clicking either ‘X’ button wipes what you’ve entered. It took some trial and error for me to work out that you have to just click away from the window to save the shortcut, which is an odd bit of UX design.

Elsewhere, the driver software lets you further customize various settings. You can assign additional shortcuts to the buttons on the styluses. As well as the options listed above for the Keydial Mini, you can also trigger precision mode – this focuses input from the whole screen onto a tiny area for fine control – pan & scroll, and Fixed Pressure Sensitivity, a handy function that holds pressure at the current level when the button is pressed. You can also tailor the styluses’ pressure curves to your needs, choosing between five settings, from soft to hard, or shaping your own curve.

  • Performance score: 4.5 / 5

The Huion Kamvas Pro 19's stylus case.

(Image credit: Future)

Huion Kamvas Pro 19 review: stylus

  • Both styluses are light and ergonomic
  • Increased 16K pressure levels probably unnoticeable for most people
  • The erasers are great – if you ignore how they mark the screen

The Huion Kamvas Pro 19’s styluses are well-designed and feel comfortable in the hand. No small part of this is due to their light weight and ergonomic shape, both of which make them comfortable to use for long drawing sessions. As a result, I didn’t experience any cramping or strain even when working on artwork for hours at a time. Sadly, they’re not quite as well weighted as XPPen’s X3 Pro Roller Stylus – with its center of gravity right where you grip it, that stylus felt almost weightless when pitching or spinning – but Huion’s pens are still easy to manipulate.

Both the Pen PW600 and the Slim Pen PW600S are capable of recognizing 16,384 pressure levels. That sounds seriously impressive, but I wouldn’t put much stock in this; in practice, I’ve rarely been able to distinguish any difference between 16K and 8K pressure sensitivity. The styluses are remarkably responsive, though, fluidly reproducing the weight of your hand. Using the most extreme curves, I did occasionally find it hard to maintain an even pressure, but that’s inevitable: every slight wobble of your hand is exposed at that high a sensitivity.

Buttons on the styluses are well-placed and make triggering shortcuts a breeze. Yes, I occasionally accidentally triggered them with my fat fingers, but this is an issue I’ve found with most styluses I’ve used, so I’m not going to hold this against Huion. if you find this particularly distracting, you can disable the shortcuts in Huion’s driver software.

The inclusion of an eraser on each of the styluses is appreciated as well, as I much prefer the tactile act of erasing with the stylus tip. However, as I mentioned above, the materials of the erasers are hard enough that they tend to mark the screen – this feels like it could become a real issue over time, and isn’t something I experienced with the erasers on Xencelabs’ pens.

  • Stylus score: 4 / 5

The top right of the Huion Kamvas Pro 19's screen, featuring the Adobe Photoshop color picker.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Huion Kamvas Pro 19?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Ergonomic and comfortable to use, richly colored 4K display – but the screen gets far too easily scuffed for my liking.

3 / 5

Performance

No noticeable parallax or jitter, generous 60-degree tilt recognition, easy-to-use shortcut remote, some odd software quirks in the driver.

4.5 / 5

Stylus

Lightweight and comfortable to hold, handy shortcut keys and eraser, 16K pressure levels hard to differentiate from 8K.

4 / 5

Value

Competitive price, good range of accessories – but is it worth the cost if it eventually succumbs to screen damage?

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want an expansive, colorful display
At 18.4 inches, the Huion Kamvas Pro 19 gives you a huge amount of drawing room. And its wide color gamut means you can be sure every hue you use is as accurate as possible.

You don’t want to be tied down with excess cabling
Not only can you hook up the Huion Kamvas Pro 19 with just one power cable and one USB-C cable, but it also offers 40W reverse charging, meaning you don’t need another cable to keep your laptop juiced.

Don’t buy it if…

You care about having a pristine screen
As I remarked above, my test unit’s display got scuffed pretty quickly during use, particularly while using the styluses’ erasers. If the idea of marks on your drawing tablet sets off alarm bells for you, look elsewhere – or at least pick up a screen protector for it.

You want the brightest display for your spend
With its 220-nit screen, the Kamvas Pro 19 is hardly a dim bulb. But several of its rivals are capable of a typical brightness of at least 250 nits, making them easier to view in stronger light.

The top right corner of the Huion Kamvas Pro 19, showing off its power button and stand.

(Image credit: Future)

Huion Kamvas Pro 19 review: also consider

Huion Kamvas Pro 19

XPPen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2

Xencelabs Pen Display 16

Dimensions

17.7 x 10.7 x 0.8 inches (448.9 x 272.4 x 21.3mm)

18.1 x 12.1 x 0.8 inches (460 x 306.6 x 21.5mm)

16.1 x 10.2 x 0.47 inches (410 x 259.4 x 12mm)

Active drawing area

14.1 x 9.1 inches (409 x 230mm)

16.1 x 9.1 inches (409 x 230mm)

13.55 x 7.6 inches (344.2 x 193.6mm)

Weight

2kg

4.91 lbs (2.23kg)

2.67 lbs (1.21kg)

Display resolution

3840 x 2160

3840 x 2160 pixels

3840 x 2160 pixels

Pressure levels

16,384

16,384

8,192

Compatibility

Windows 10 or later; macOS 10.12 or later; Android 6.0 or later; Linux(Ubuntu 20.04 LTS)

Windows 7 or later; macOS 10.13 or later (latest update); Android (USB3.1 DP1.2); Chrome OS 88 (or later); Linux

PC: Windows 7 or later (latest service pack/build); macOS 10.13 or later (latest update); Linux - Ubuntu 14.04 or above, Debian 9.5, CentOS 7.0 or above, RedHat 7.0 or above

XPPen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2
The XPPen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2 rocks pretty similar specs to the Huion Kamvas Pro 19, without costing much more. It offers great color reproduction, an expansive 19-inch display, an identical 4K resolution, two wonderfully well-balanced styluses and a shortcut remote. But the clincher is that its screen doesn’t get scuffed or marked as easily as the Kamvas Pro 19, making it a more reliable choice. Read my full XPPen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2 review.

Xencelabs Pen Display 16
While more expensive than either the Huion or the XPPen once you’ve picked up all its accessories, the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 is still a dream drawing tablet. I was seriously impressed with its lightweight portable build, higher pixel density, 300-nit brightness when mains powered and fantastic accessories, ranging from its super-reliable shortcut remote to the packaged carry case. Read my full Xencelabs Pen Display 16 review.

How I tested the Huion Kamvas Pro 19

  • Tested it over several weeks
  • Conducted multiple line tests
  • Used it to work on both sketches and retouching photos

I spent several weeks putting the Huion Kamvas Pro 19 through its paces. First, I used it for a range of line tests to help me assess its accuracy, check its tilt recognition and monitor for issues like parallax or jitter. Additionally, I spent some time tweaking its driver settings to see the kind of control this gave me over the styluses’ pressure sensitivity and various shortcut buttons.

From there, I started creating artworks in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Sketching out a nautilus shell helped me get a sense of how it performed when creating line drawings and using various paint-style brushes. On top of this, I used the Kamvas Pro 19 to touch up several photos, which helped me assess both its utility and its color accuracy.

Having spent several decades creating digital artwork, I’ve got a large amount of experience creating vector art and manipulating photos. On top of this, I spent many years as the editor of a print magazine, meaning I’m well-versed in assessing how well digital artwork performs in terms of color and resolution when compared to printed proofs.

I test gaming PCs for a living, and I was more impressed by the build and performance of the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) than I was expecting
11:18 pm | July 31, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming PCs | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Two-minute review

The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is an ideal PC for the kind of gamer interested in building a gaming desktop, but finds picking parts and the process of assembly overwhelming. The price does reflect that, as you could conceivably save a few bucks doing everything yourself.

That said, the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is a well-built and organized machine that’s easy to get into for future upgrades, while offering the convenience that the best gaming PCs provide. And with the powerful internals, it can do just about whatever one could want.

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

You’ll find that some of the best desktops with higher spec’ed CPUs and GPUs have more oomph, but that’s more important if you’re rendering video or 3D projects. For gaming, what this desktop has to offer is more than enough.

As long as you’re willing to cover the price tag, there’s little to fault here. My only nitpick is that there isn’t a clear way to expand internally as opposed to swapping and upgrading parts. This might be minor for many people, but for those who haven’t built a PC, this might be a sticking point.

After all, this kind of desktop is going to be more appealing to those who don’t want to go with the usual pre-built machines and their proprietary parts, but aren’t yet ready to build their own.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Price & availability

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

How much does it cost? $2,033 (about £1539 / AU$3,162)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US

The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition), along with the other models on offer, is only available in the US. And since this model only has one configuration, it has one price: $2,033 (about £1539 / AU$3,162). NZXT does have a controversial PC rental option called NZXT Flex that is essentially like leasing a gaming PC available to consumers, but that doesn’t seem to be available for this model.

The price tag of this model is not cheap, but it’s not surprising either. If you want to build your own, getting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 will set you back at least $549 / £549 / AU$1,109 if not more (especially if you live in the US with impending tariffs). That’s a quarter of the cost of this computer just in the GPU.

Consider that the RTX 5070 is not quite the upgrade over the previous generation’s 4070 Super one would expect, you can get most of the way there performance-wise with something like the Alienware Aurora R16, which ran for $1,749 / £1,349 / around AU$2,670 at launch and is still available at certain retailers at a discount. It is a little older, but it’s also a little more compact.

However, if you compare the NZXT model reviewed here to the current version of the Maingear MG-1 (our review is from last year so the components are older), which costs $2,049 for a similar model, specifically with a Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, 16GB RGB DDR5 6000MT/s, and 1TB SSD, you can see that the NZXT Player PC is not overpriced. It does come with more RAM than the Maingear MG-1, though the MG-1 comes with more customization options, including a completely personalized front panel.

  • Value: 4 / 5

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Specs

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The NZXT lineup is interesting insofar that there are a number of models in the company’s prebuilt lineup totaling twelve unique listings, but they all revolve around three models – the Player: One, Player: Two, and, of course, Player: Three – differentiated by the case.

Of course, they’re all slightly different with a range of CPUs, GPUs, and so forth. The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) uses the H5 Flow case that the Player: One and Player: One Prime uses. This model reviewed here is the most powerful NZXT model with this case with a 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, and 32GB of RAM, not to mention 2TB SSD storage. There’s not really any customizations here, so you have to choose the model that fits your budget and performance needs.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) specs

Price:

$1,999.99

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF

Graphics:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070

RAM:

32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5 5200MHz

Storage:

2TB NVMe M.2 SSD

Ports:

Front I/O: 1x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, 1x Headset Audio Jack

Back I/O: 6x USB 3.2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Type-C, DisplayPort, Mic In / Line In / Line Out

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth

On the bright side, there’s plenty of after-the-fact customization available with the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) since the parts are standardized, such as a Z890 motherboard. And getting inside the desktop is very simple, which I’ll get into in the next section.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Design

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • Lots of venting
  • Tool-less tempered glass side panel
  • No clear expansion slots inside

The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) uses the black version of the company’s H5 Flow case (the case itself is also available in white), which is a compact mid-tower ATX form, measuring 18.31 x 8.86 x 16.93 inches (465 x 225 x 430 mm). The “Flow” in its name refers to all of the venting covering the front, top, back, and bottom of the case to keep things cool.

Most of the case is a very durable galvanized steel (SGCC), but the side panel is made of tempered glass so you can easily see what’s inside. And the internals are arranged very cleanly in a way that’s fairly aesthetically pleasing. Most of the wiring is hidden or fed into a compartment at the bottom that’s separated by a steel plate so that you can only see it through the venting near the bottom of the case.

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

It’s worth noting that the top fans do have some backlighting but the NZXT Player PC does not come with RGB lighting despite the fact that this case is available with RGB. At least, the side panel is also a nice touch because it allows tool less entry, allowing for easy upgrades and swaps without having to grab a screwdriver.

As far as ports go, there’s quite the selection. There’s a USB-C, USB-A, and headphone jack on top of the case next to the power button. And on the back, there’s an additional six USB-A along with two USB-C ports, three audio jacks, and, a bit more unusually, it has attachments for an included Wi-Fi Antenna that helps boost its Wi-Fi 7 support.

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

All in all, it’s a pretty impressive-looking PC. Being very nitpicky, it’s not apparent where any expansion slots are for upgrades. I didn’t see any additional places for an SSD either on the motherboard or anywhere else inside the case even though there’s plenty of space.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Performance

A NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) sitting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • Powerful internal components
  • Easily runs performance-heavy games
  • Stays fairly cool under duress
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) CPU benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

Geekbench 6.4 Single-core

3,081

Geekbench 6.4 Multi-core

18,984

Crossmark Overall

2,298

Crossmark Productivity

2,159

Crossmark Creativity

2,495

Crossmark Responsiveness

2,166

Unless there’s some poorly planned layout or issues with a case that cause overheating, you can usually tell how a gaming PC will perform almost completely based on the internal components.

Considering, then, that the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) has an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF with 20 cores and 20 threads as well as 25 TOPS, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, and 32GB of DDR5 5200Hz RAM, it’s no surprise that it’s able to run all the latest games at or near the highest settings.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) GPU benchmarks

Benchmarks

Score

3DMark Fire Strike

45,049

3DMark Time Spy

21,414

3DMark Fire Strike Ultra

14,727

3DMark Time Spy Extreme

10,943

3DMark Speed Way

5,855

3DMark Steel Nomad

4,967

3DMark Port Royal

14,139

I’ve had no issues not only playing games like South of Midnight, Monster Hunter Wilds, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Cyberpunk 2077 but running them at High or Ultra settings on an ultrawide 5K monitor with HDR on, which requires quite a bit of power in and of itself. I didn’t have any issues with screen tearing, stuttering, or any other performance-related issues. And all the games stayed at the 165Hz refresh rate the monitor supports.

NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) gaming benchmarks

Game

Average FPS

Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p)

60

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p)

70

Monster Hunter Wilds (Max, 1080p)

83

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Very high, 1080p)

201

Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)

182

It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve never had Cyberpunk 2077 boot up as quickly as it did on this PC. Speaking of that game, it’s still a very demanding title with all its updates for newer tech like DLSS 4.

Yet, running the game only pushed the system a little, and the overall affair stayed fairly cool, thanks to the various fans placed around inside the case.

  • Performance: 5 / 5

Should I buy the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition)?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The price tag is high, but it’s what one would expect for a computer sporting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU.

4 / 5

Design

Tool-less entry, lots of venting, and a durable, clean build are all part of the package. Too bad, expansion slots aren’t well marked and you can’t upgrade to RGB.

4.5 / 5

Performance

There’s little to fault when it comes to performance as the desktop can do it all gaming-wise.

4.5 / 5

Average rating

It’s a little pricey, but the convenience, durability, and performance are all worth it.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a powerful gaming PC
The NZXT Player PC reviewed here has enough power to handle any gaming situation. Whether you want something capable of supporting a 5K ultrawide monitor, high ray tracing, DLSS 4, and any other performance-heavy technologies, this PC can do it.

You want easy upgradability
Sure, there’s only one configuration out of the gate. But, once you have the PC in hand, its tool-less entry and use of standardized parts make upgrading the CPU, GPU, RAM, or anything else pretty straightforward.

You want an attractive-looking PC
With all the ventilation, tempered glass side panel, and clean, organized internal setup, this is an attractive, if straightforward-looking desktop.

Don't buy it if...

You want lots of options
While you can certainly upgrade quite easily after the fact, you can’t do so or customize when purchasing. If that’s important to you out of the gate, then you should probably look elsewhere.

You’re on a budget
As good as the NZXT Player PC is, it’s not cheap. There are other options, including within the company’s own product line, that are more affordable. You just have to be willing to go with less powerful components.

Also Consider

If our NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) review has you considering other options, here are two desktops to consider...

Alienware Aurora R16
The Alienware Aurora R16 is compact with great port selection, more than adequate ventilation, and, most importantly, excellent performance. It does have an aesthetic that can’t decide if it’s for professional settings or gamers, but that’s a small complaint. Though the R16 has been discontinued by Dell, it’s available through some online retailers and at a discount.

Read our full Alienware Aurora R16 review

Maingear MG-1
The Maingear MG-1 is powerful if pricey, and comes with a lot of customization options – many more than NZXT including the ability to get a personalized front panel. Of course, depending on the upgrades, it can get very expensive, but, as they say, you get what you pay for.

Read our full Maingear MG-1 review

How I tested the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition)

  • Tested for a couple of weeks
  • Used it for heavy gaming
  • Spent some time looking at the build

I used the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) for a couple of weeks, mainly using it for heavy gaming. I poked around inside the desktop to get an idea of the quality of the parts, as well as explored the software to see what tricks this desktop had up its sleeves.

The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is a gaming PC that’s ideal for the kind of person who wants all the benefits of building one’s own desktop, but doesn’t want to for the headaches that come with doing so. It has the kind of quality control and clean build that one doesn’t always see in prebuilts, while making it convenient to get inside and swap out parts.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed July 2025
I tested an outrageous Acer Predator laptop with Nvidia 5090 GPU, and I wish I could recommend it, but I just can’t at this price
12:10 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI: Two-minute review

The Acer Predator Helios 18 AI is a top-tier gaming laptop with a phenomenal spec that’s sure to whet the appetites of even casual gamers. Despite what lurks inside, its exterior is remarkably restrained. At 18 inches, it's obviously very large, but the black finish and lack of branding keep its profile reasonably low. However, that large rear protrusion and ostentatious RGB lighting give away its intentions.

I think Acer has done well to keep the Predator Helios 18 AI as slender as possible. Of course, this is all relative given the size of laptop we’re dealing with here, but it’s impressively thin for the most part, although it thickens at the rear.

Build quality is also excellent, equaling the best gaming laptops in this regard. Premium materials are employed everywhere, and the hinge for the lid is smooth and easy to operate, while offering plenty of stability once set.

The keyboard is tactile and snappy, and the generous spacing of the keys makes it easy to type and game on the Predator Helios 18 AI. The number pad somewhat compromises the layout, though, with the space bar paying the highest price; it’s a little too short for my liking.

On the other hand, the large trackpad does a fine job of not interfering while using the keyboard, with accidental contact failing to register in my experience. It’s also very smooth and accurate, should you wish to use it over one of the best gaming mice.

Considering its mighty spec, the Predator Helios 18 AI performs as well as you might expect. Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom: The Dark Ages ran with aplomb, each delivering fps figures in the hundreds with maximum graphics settings, including those for ray tracing.

Rear of Acer Predator Helios 18 AI open on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

You will have to endure constant fan noise when gaming, but thankfully this isn’t egregious when the default Balanced mode is selected in the Predator Sense app. The Predator Helios 18 AI also generates a fair amount of heat, which can spread to the sides and the keyboard after a while. Again, though, this isn’t bad enough to cause an issue.

The biggest price you’ll have to pay for all this performance is… well, the price. Starting at $3,000, the Predator Helios 18 AI is incredibly expensive. I struggle to think who’ll need such a large and powerful laptop, and be willing to pay this much for one.

Of course, the entire gaming laptop market is a premium one, but there are better value alternatives out there if you don’t need an 18-inch display and triple-digit frame rates, such as the excellent Razer Blade 16 (2025) or the MSI Katana 15 (2023), the latter of which we think is currently the best budget gaming laptop around.

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Price & Availability

  • Starts from $2,999.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$7,299
  • Hugely expensive
  • Better value alternatives

The Predator Helios 18 AI starts from $2,999.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$7,299 and is available now. It comes with spare WASD and arrow keys, as well as a thermal pad upgrade kit for the RAM.

You don’t need me to tell you what an eye-watering sum this is. It’s understandable considering the spec, and my review unit was even more outlandish, equipped with a 3840 x 2400 display and 192GB of RAM(!).

Prices are similar to the Razer Blade, which performs similarly too. If you want something that’s even better value, the MSI Katana 15 (2023) is, in our view, one of the best budget gaming laptops around, if you’re happy to game at 1080p.

  • Value: 2.5 / 5

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Specs

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Specs

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Base Config

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Review Config

Price

$2,999.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$7299

TBC

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores), 2.70 GHz

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores), 2.70 GHz

GPU

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB)

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 (24GB)

RAM

64GB DDR5

192GB DDR5

Storage

2TB PCIe NVMe SED SSD

2TB PCIe NVMe SED SSD

Display

18-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600), 16:10 ComfyView (Matte), 250Hz, IPS

18-inch WQUXGA (3840 x 2400), 16:10 ComfyView (Matte), 250Hz, IPS

Ports and Connectivity

3 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x SD card, 1 x HDMI, 1 x 3.5mm audio in/out; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

3 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x SD card, 1 x HDMI, 1 x 3.5mm audio in/out; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Battery

99Wh

99Wh

Dimensions

401 x 308 x 29.6mm

401 x 308 x 29.6mm

Weight

3.5kg / 7.7lbs

3.5kg / 7.7lbs

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Design

Close-up of left side ports on Acer Predator Helios 18 AI open on desk

(Image credit: Future)
  • Large but surprisingly thin
  • Relatively understated
  • Excellent build quality

Given its large display size, the Predator Helios 18 AI is a reasonably understated gaming laptop. The rear bulge that extends beyond the lid hinge gives it some distinction, and the RGB lighting can light up the whole unit like a Christmas tree if you want it to (the bar that runs along the front edge and wraps around the side is especially striking). But switch this off and you’ll struggle to tell it apart from the best business laptops.

It’s quite bulky, although I think the Predator Helios 18 AI does an admirable job of keeping its dimensions contained considering the beastly components that lay within. The front end is reasonably thin, but thickens as it moves towards the back. This increased size does allow for larger vent openings, though, so it’s a worthy sacrifice to improve cooling performance.

The overall build quality is hard to fault. All the materials that are used look and feel premium and durable. The lid is also impressively smooth to operate yet remains sufficiently stable when set in position.

Underneath you’ll find three feet that run across the width of the Predator Helios 18 AI, and they provide plenty of grip on desktop surfaces. They also raise the chassis from the surface by a significant degree, again allowing for improved ventilation.

There are plenty of ports on the Predator Helios 18 AI. On the left, you’ll find an ethernet and a USB-A port, as well as an SD card slot and a 3.5mm audio in/ out jack. On the right are two more USB-A ports, which is a sensible location considering this is where you’ll likely be connecting external peripherals.

On the rear are two USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a large power cable port. As you would imagine, the power supply is large, but unfortunately the cable running from the brick to the jack end is quite short. Owing to my setup, this meant I had to keep the brick on my desk rather than placing it on the floor, which was quite the inconvenience.

  • Design: 4 / 5

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Performance

Close-up of rear ports on Acer Predator Helios 18 AI open on desk

(Image credit: Future)
  • Fantastic AAA performance
  • Vibrant and sharp display
  • Some fan noise and heat

Gaming with the Predator Helios 18 AI didn’t get off to a particularly auspicious start. When I ran Cyberpunk 2077 for the first time, the game’s benchmark function recorded a disappointing 42fps, with the maximum 3840 x 2400 resolution and Ray Tracing: Ultra preset selected.

Some tinkering with the graphics settings resulted in modest improvements to performance, but it wasn’t until after restarting the game a couple of times that things suddenly improved: I started getting about 100fps, even in busy in-game environments, without lowering the resolution or any other graphical settings.

Similar figures were achieved when I played Doom: The Dark Ages, although I did have to change the DLSS mode from Auto to Ultra Performance to get there. Thankfully, this made no discernible difference to the image quality.

And on that front, both games looked fantastic on the WQUXGA display. Colors were accurate and vibrant, if very slightly washed-out. This is a common issue on many IPS displays, but here the effect did little to detract from the awesomeness of the visuals.

The ultra-high 3840 x 2400 resolution in my review unit offered incredible levels of sharpness, while the high response times resulted in super-smooth gameplay. It’s also capable of very high brightness levels, which helps to keep pesky reflections at bay.

Close-up of trackpad on Acer Predator Helios 18 AI open on desk

(Image credit: Future)
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Benchmarks

Here's how the Acer Predator Helios 18 AI performed in our series of benchmark tests:

Geekbench 6.2:
Single - 2,803
Multi - 16,720
Cinebench R24:
Single - 125 13.89x
Multi - 1,728
3DMark:
Fire Strike - 36,158
Time Spy - 17,341
Port Royal - 12,994
Night Raid - 60,951
PCMark10:
8,885
Cyberpunk 2077:
1080p Low - 469fps
1080p Ultra - 361fps
1080p Ray Tracing: Overdrive - 128fps
Battery test:
Movie playback - 3 hours and 2 minutes
PCMark10 (Gaming) - 1 hour 27 minutes

Fan noise is constant when gaming on the Predator Helios 18 AI, but I didn’t find it distractingly loud. The volume increases considerably if you set the Predator Sense profile to Performance mode, though – then you’ll really need one of the best PC gaming headsets to drown out the noise.

The Predator Helios 18 AI does a good job of keeping temperatures down. Its underside doesn’t get too hot, although over time heat leaks out of both sides, which can be a little distracting for your mouse hand. After a couple of hours of gaming, I noticed the bottom of the keyboard became quite hot, too, especially around the space bar.

It wasn’t hot enough to make using the keyboard a problem, though. And what’s more, the keyboard on the Predator Helios 18 AI is great to game with. The keys are clicky but damped enough to make them tactile.

They’re a little on the small side (although they’re generously spaced apart), owing to the inclusion of the aforementioned number pad. This compromises the layout somewhat – especially the space bar, which isn’t as long as I would’ve liked, and therefore somewhat awkward to hit with my left thumb.

The trackpad on the Predator Helios 18 AI is large and very smooth, making it easy to use. Mercifully, it also appears unaffected by contact with the sides of your palms, meaning it won’t accidentally register movements while your hands lean over it to use the keyboard.

  • Performance: 5 / 5

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Battery Life

Close-up of keyboard with RGB lighting on Acer Predator Helios 18 AI

(Image credit: Future)
  • Large 99Wh capacity
  • Underwhelming longevity
  • Quick to charge

The battery life of the Predator Helios 18 AI isn't particularly impressive. Despite its 99Wh capacity, it lasted just under 90 minutes PCMark10's battery test for gaming scenarios.

This makes it considerably worse than the Razer Blade 16 (2025), which managed about an hour more, but much better than the MSI Katana 15 (2023), which didn’t even last one hour.

Charging the Predator Helios 18 AI back up to full is a surprisingly quick process, though – and given the size of the power brick, you would hope it would be.

  • Battery Life: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Predator Helios 18 AI?

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Predator Helios 18 AI is incredibly expensive, and only worth it if you need the absolute best gaming performance in laptop form.

2.5 / 5

Design

The Predator Helios 18 AI is very large, but is admirably thin considering what’s inside. It’s brilliantly made, too, and the RGB lighting is tastefully vibrant.

4 / 5

Performance

My review unit had an RTX 5090 and an Intel Core Ultra 9, so naturally its performance is out of this world. The display is excellent, too.

5 / 5

Battery Life

The Predator Helios 18 AI can't last an especially long time, but at least it's capable of replenishing quickly.

3.5 / 5

Total

There’s no denying this is a ferocious gaming machine; you can’t really ask for more from a gaming laptop. But the astronomical price puts it beyond the reach of many gamers, and there are many better value propositions out there.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want the best portable performance
With Nvidia RTX 5000 series GPUs available, the Predator Helios 18 AI can achieve astonishing fps figures, while the CPU and configurable RAM are equally capable components.

You want a large display
At 18 inches, the screen is more than big enough for laptop gaming, and renders AAA titles in all their glory.

Don't buy it if...

You want to save money
You’ll need plenty of cash to buy even the base model, and there are better value options out there.

You want a truly portable device
You’ll want something much smaller and lighter than the Acer Predator Helios 18 AI if you’re constantly on the go.

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Also Consider

Razer Blade 16 (2025)
We were already big fans of the Razer Blade 14 from 2024, but the Blade 16 (2025) surpasses it in many ways. Like the Predator Helios 18 AI, it too can be equipped with an RTX 5090, and is built to a similarly high standard. It’s a shame there’s no 4K option this time round, though, and it’s still about as expensive as the Predator Helios 18 AI. Read our full Razer Blade 16 (2025) review.

MSI Katana 15 (2023)
Our current pick as the best gaming laptop for those on a budget, the MSI Katana 15 (2023) gets the balance right between price and performance, impressing us with its 1080p gaming. The trackpad and battery life might be weak points, but these are areas in gaming laptops where we’re willing to forgive shortcomings. As your first foray into the sector, it’s a great place to start. Read our full MSI Katana 15 (2023) review.

How I tested the Predator Helios 18 AI

  • Tested for a few days
  • Played AAA games
  • Extensive PC gaming experience

I tested the Predator Helios 18 AI for a few days, during which time I played games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom: The Dark Ages, both AAA titles that provide stern tests for rigs owing to their demanding, cutting-edge graphics.

I also ran TechRadar’s series of benchmarking tests, including a battery test where I played a movie on a continuous loop until the Predator Helios 18 AI shut down.

I have been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I have experienced a number of systems and components. I have also reviewed laptops previously, as well as copious amounts of gaming hardware.

Psylo browser review
4:52 pm | July 24, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Browsers Computers Computing Gadgets Internet | Comments: Off

For years now, there’s been an online arms race between companies that want to know everything about what you do online, and companies that are trying to stop all these intrusive logging and tracking technologies.

We, as consumers, have a fairly limited privacy-boosting toolbox. Think antivirus apps and today's best VPNs.

But now there’s something new. Something we haven’t seen in a while. A new web-browser called Psylo. While the name might bring up memories of a certain terrible movie featuring a seven-foot-tall dreadlocked alien, the name is a play on the core functionality – the ability to have multiple tabs within one browser, each one completely isolated from the others, and each with its own IP address.

So how does Psylo stand up against today's best secure web browsers? We’re going to take a look and see just what Psylo brings to the table.

Features

User privacy is at the heart of what Psylo does, and a small but focused set of features reflects that. The main feature of this mobile browser is the concept of tab isolation.

This "silo" system means that every tab is isolated from the others, so websites can only attempt to track what you’re doing in that single silo rather than following you around the internet.

Another big driver for Psylo’s developers was to combat browser fingerprinting. Browser fingerprinting works by identifying all the specific ways in which your particular device’s setup is unique. This is done by looking at the apps and extensions you have, what hardware you’re running, where in the world you are, what timezone you’re in, and even the size of your browser window.

No two individual setups are the same, which means, just like a human fingerprint, these details can be used to identify and track a specific user.

Psylo works to foil this fingerprinting by changing your browser's time zone and language to match the location of the proxy server you’re connected to, making it harder for websites to identify and track where you are in the world. It also works to stop another form of tracking called canvas fingerprinting by implementing canvas randomization, all of which makes your unique fingerprint that much harder to pick out from all the others.

An image of the Psylo interface on an iPhone

(Image credit: Shaun Rockwood)

Psylo is also a no-logs provider. The only information it holds about you is your subscriber number, which it needs to confirm whether or not you’ve paid. It can also see when you’re connected and how much data you’re using, so that it can track your monthly bandwidth allowance. It doesn’t store your browsing history, IP address, or any other kinds of information that might be used to identify you.

Finally, unlike many other browsers these days, you don’t need to worry about Psylo trying to shoehorn in an AI assistant. It’s a browser first and foremost. Oh, and because it’s subscription-supported, you don’t need to worry that it'll overload you with adverts or sell your personal data on to third parties.

Server network

An image showing a list of Psylo's servers in the UK, Germany and Japan

(Image credit: Shaun Rockwood)

Psylo would not work without the network of private proxies that underpin it. The Mysk Private Proxy Network is made up of 40+ servers around the world. While a proxy server usually does not offer the same level of added encryption that you find with a VPN, it still works to anonymize your identity.

Psylo works in partnership with the well-known VPN service Proton VPN to provide the exit nodes for its connections. This means that any website you access through Psylo will see your traffic coming from a Proton VPN IP address.

An additional benefit here is that, because you’re using only Proton VPN’s IP addresses, you’ll still be able to access websites that block or restrict traffic coming from an IP address that’s associated with a datacenter, as these are often connected to fraudulent activity.

These servers are key to Psylo’s functionality, and you must pick a proxy server to connect to before you can create a new silo within the browser.

Apps

As Psylo is built using Apple’s WebKit, it’s currently only available for iPad and iPhone users, though the developers do hope to bring us an Android version in the future.

You can find Psylo in the App Store. Installation is as straightforward as any other app, and the iPad and iPhone apps are laid out the same, so it’s easy to swap from one device to the other.

An image displaying Psylo's tabs within the app.

(Image credit: Shaun Rockwood)

The app is minimalist and simple. Once you’ve created your silos, they’re laid out for you. You tap to open that particular silo and, if you tap and hold, you'll see options to edit the silo details, copy the URL and deep link, or delete that silo.

Other than that, you have a plus sign to add more, and the traditional cogwheel icon to access the settings menu. The settings menu shows your bandwidth usage, subscription details, and you can choose to have the silo tabs show the website address and/or the proxy IP address.

You can also access Mysk’s social media, send an email to the support team, and view the FAQ, Privacy Policy, and TOS.

Ease of use

The Psylo interface could be charitably described as “minimalist”. After you’ve got the app installed and you’ve signed up for a subscription, you’re dropped into an empty black workspace (or a white workspace if you’re not using dark mode on your device), with an invitation to create your first silo.

An image showing the setup process for a silo within Psylo.

(Image credit: Shaun Rockwood)

You need to enter a name, the website address you want to connect to, and then choose a proxy server. You can also give each silo an individual icon and color. Advanced options are tucked into a sub-menu, but it’s unlikely your average user will need these.

It only takes a click to access the silo, and the website you’ve chosen is loaded up automatically. It’s pretty easy to get to grips with, though it’s unlikely this is the sort of browser that would appeal to a beginner or even the average internet user. This is a product targeting someone who values privacy above all else.

Speed and performance

Psylo is a browser designed to interact with websites, and it’s very good at doing so. It renders even image-heavy websites like Amazon’s storefront in a couple of seconds, but it’s not really designed or intended to be used for streaming content, torrenting, or downloading large files.

Its speed tests were remarkably consistent, but also very much on the slower end of things. We tested the UK, US, and Australia proxy servers on a 1 Gb connection, and every test returned a speed just above 21 Mbps.

That’s more than enough for most things when it comes to using the internet and interacting with online apps, but if you’re thinking about doing anything bandwidth-intensive, there are better options than Psylo.

An image depicting Psylo's speed test results.

(Image credit: Shaun Rockwood)

To put these results into context, a download speed of 25 Mbps is recommended for streaming 4K content, so it’s unlikely this is a browser you’d want to use for your movie marathon. Then again, this isn’t really what Psylo is designed for, so we don’t consider these results to be a mark against it.

Unblocking

As mentioned above, Psylo is not really designed with accessing streaming content in mind, and as such, it struggles with the big streaming sites. Trying to access Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video resulted in a prompt to download the specific platform’s app to view content, and the Paramount+ website refused to load at all when connected to either the UK or US proxy servers.

When connected to BBC iPlayer, it detected that our IP address was not in the UK and refused to display any content, even with the UK proxy server connected. This suggests there might be some issues with accessing geo-restricted content. We’ve raised the issue with Psylo’s tech support team, and they are going to look into it, but for now it’s just something to bear in mind.

Privacy and Security

With such a focus on user privacy and security, you would hope that the company’s terms of service and privacy policy reflect that, and Psylo does not disappoint.

Both documents are written in plain, easy-to-understand English and are up front about the information the company collects from you when you sign up for, and use, the product.

Psylo collects your Apple subscription identifier so it knows if you have a valid subscription or not, your App Store region, how much bandwidth you’re using, and timestamps. All uploaded or downloaded data is aggregated by the hour and is rounded to the nearest 50 Mb, making it all the more difficult to identify a specific user. Psylo also does not collect any sort of personally identifiable information (PII), IP addresses, or logs of website visits.

Each of Psylo’s nodes runs an HTTPS proxy server that routes traffic between the silos you create and the target websites via a Proton VPN exit node. These proxy servers can’t see the content of what you’re doing online, but they do see the destination address. Psylo’s no-log policy guarantees that none of this data is logged or stored.

Psylo’s privacy policy is also one of the rare ones that specifies exactly what happens to any stored data once you stop using the service, and how long it will take the company to delete any information it does collect, such as bandwidth data or the details of your subscription.

Psylo is impressively open about the nuts and bolts of its service, despite not being an official open-source product. You can even see a diagram of the system architecture on the Mysk Inc. blog.

Customer support

Psylo has an FAQ available within the app, which goes into detail about the service, including limits on bandwidth, number of silos, details of the no-logs policy, etc. There is also email support, as well as accounts on Bluesky and X/Twitter that you can reach out to with any questions.

At the moment, there’s no live chat support or AI chatbot, but we found the support team responsive and helpful when we reached out during our testing.

An image showing the settings page of Psylo, focused on the support section.

(Image credit: Shaun Rockwood)

Pricing and plans

Psylo is available with a monthly or annual subscription. A monthly subscription is currently £9.99 in the UK ($9.99 in the US), and an annual subscription will cost £99.99 (or $99.99). Psylo is running a deal at present that'll net you 30% off an annual sub, but there’s no getting around the fact that Psylo is one of the more expensive options out there.

£99.99 puts Psylo in the same price bracket as Brave VPN’s annual subscription, which was already nearly twice as much as an annual subscription with a VPN provider like Proton VPN, Surfshark, or even Express VPN, though the month-by-month cost is cheaper than some.

A 7-day free trial is available for users who sign up for the annual subscription, while users who opt to pay monthly get 3 days free to decide if the product is right for them before any money is taken.

Should you use Psylo?

Psylo is an interesting product with some strong selling points and an impressive commitment to user privacy, especially defeating browser fingerprinting. There are some alternatives on the market that can be used to obtain a similar result, but none are quite as effective or as elegant as Psylo and often require both multiple apps as well as a fair degree of technical know-how to make them work properly.

The biggest issue is the subscription cost. In a world where it seems almost everyone has their hand out asking users to cough up for an ongoing subscription, wallets are more strained than they ever have been, and an expensive, niche product like Psylo is likely only going to appeal to a specific subset of people.

All this said, we feel that Psylo is a fast, effective product that does exactly what it sets out to do. If you’re someone who values their privacy above all else and you don’t mind paying for it, then Psylo deserves a place as part of your privacy toolkit.

Alternatives to Psylo

  • The Brave browser is a product with a commitment to user privacy, through what it calls “Shields”. These are designed to block trackers, cross-site cookies, and alert you to phishing or malware risks. It also works to defeat browser fingerprinting by blocking browser-language and font fingerprinting as well as randomizing and/or removing browser features to make you harder to track. Brave also comes with a built-in VPN that requires a subscription to use.
  • Aloha is a privacy-first browser with a built-in VPN. It also features an advert, tracker, and malware blocking, along with a no-logs commitment; however, it does not appear to have any specific measures to defeat browser fingerprinting. So, if that's a specific concern, you'd be better off looking at one of the other alternatives. The free version also comes with adverts that can be removed by signing up for a paid subscription.
  • LibreWolf is another browser that was based on the Firefox browser, but this one comes with far tougher security out of the box. It’s a little on the bare-bones side and offers little in the way of added features beyond the basics, but as with Psylo, this is a browser you use for a very specific reason. Librewolf comes with uBlock built in and offers strong protection against web tracking and browser fingerprinting. The absence of any sort of subscription makes it a tempting alternative.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Google Chrome Enterprise Review: Features, Usage, and Competition
1:49 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Browsers Chrome Computers Computing Gadgets Internet | Comments: Off

Chrome Enterprise is Google’s enterprise-centric version of its popular Chrome browser. With Chrome Enterprise, businesses get the ability to remotely manage the browser and its various aspects, for all their employees across the company.

They can, for instance, manage and control the use of web apps, and extensions, and can influence all kinds of browser settings. Chrome Enterprise also offers several security controls, protects against malware and phishing attempts, and even offers data loss prevention functionality.

This is especially useful these days as web browsers have emerged as a doorway to cyberattacks. In fact, several security reports have shown that a majority of security breaches hit companies through their browsers.

This doesn’t come as a surprise since the growth of cloud-based applications, and powerful SaaS platforms, combined with the accelerated adoption of remote working, has helped transform the web browser into an all-in-one workstation.

Here’s everything you want to know about Chrome Enterprise and whether it’s the best web browser for your business.

Chrome Enterprise: Features

Google Chrome enterprise browser review

(Image credit: Google)

Chrome Enterprise is built around the Chrome web browser and inherits all its security features, and productivity enhancements.

For instance, Chrome Enterprise too runs every web page and web app in an isolated environment of its own to protect other tabs against malicious code. You also get Google’s Gemini AI to help create content and summarize information, as well as improve your search with Google Lens.

Besides the regular browser features, Chrome Enterprise also gets you a cloud-based management and reporting interface for free in the form of Chrome Enterprise Core.

After signing up for Chrome Enterprise Core, IT admins can control how your employees use their browsers, from a single console, irrespective of whether they use Windows machines, Linux distros, MacBooks, and Macs, or even iOS and Android devices.

The IT department can segregate browsers into multiple groups for fine-tuned control. This allows them to define and implement different policies for different departments, different job profiles, and even different offices. They can, for instance, mandate certain extensions for the sales team, while disabling them for remote developers.

Google Chrome enterprise browser review

(Image credit: Google)

Talking of extensions, you can use Chrome Enterprise Core to allow, block, force-install or pin Chrome extensions, and even enable your employees to request extensions. IT admins can also remotely send commands to the browser, for example, to delete browser caches or cookies, and tweak all kinds of settings.

In addition to controlling the browsers, Chrome Enterprise also offers detailed reports on the browser’s deployment and use across your organization. You get the ability to view all versions of Chrome installed in your company, along with all the installed web apps and extensions. It’ll also help you keep track of things such as browser crashes, password reuse and more.

For more advanced security and data protections, you can subscribe to Chrome Enterprise Premium, which costs $6/user/month. This will get you additional controls to enforce policies, detailed security reporting functions, and more.

Chrome Enterprise: Privacy

Google Chrome enterprise browser review

(Image credit: Google)

The biggest advantage with Chrome Enterprise is that it enables centralized browser management. This helps reduce privacy risks by enabling knowledgeable IT admins make informed decisions on behalf of the employees, not all of whom will be well-versed with the dangers lurking on the web.

Chrome Enterprise benefits from Chrome’s malware and phishing protections, and will also prevent users from visiting harmful sites. It’ll also help the IT department keep an eye on the use of extensions and their behavior, for instance, if they are accessing cookies.

Chrome Enterprise also helps cure some of Chrome’s nefarious privacy-invading features. For instance, it’ll help you control your users’ ad privacy settings, and override whether the browser sends usage statistics and crash-related data to Google.

This is especially useful as depending on how it’s configured, the usage stats include details such as memory usage, button clicks, as well as web page URLs and other personal information. Similarly, crash reports contain system information at the time of the crash, and even URLs, and personal information depending on what the user was doing when the crash reporting was activated.

Google Chrome enterprise browser review

(Image credit: Google)

Chrome Enterprise: Ease of use

The management console of Chrome Enterprise Core is fairly intuitive and easy to navigate, which, Google claims, makes it accessible to IT admins of varying technical skill levels. It helps IT define and enforce policies and browser configurations across different operating systems and devices using a point-and-click interface that’s easy on the eyes.

It also helps ease the process of managing a large number of devices, as all browser settings and policies are controlled from a single console.

The cloud-based management console has interactive setup guides that’ll take admins through the entire setup and configuration process. The process to enroll browsers is straightforward and well-documented with detailed OS-specific instructions.

Chrome Enterprise: Competitors

Chrome Enterprise is built around the regular Google Chrome browser, and has all the features you’d expect from a modern desktop and mobile web browser. As an everyday browser, it’s right up there with the best such as Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and their ilk.

The primary competition for Chrome Enterprise Core comes from other enterprise-focused browser management solutions. Different enterprise browsers have different capabilities and go about securing the browser differently.

One of the first enterprise browsers in the market was Island. While Chrome Enterprise takes pride in its management capabilities, especially for large-scale deployments, Island offers fairly detailed reports about how the users are using the web, as well as granular security controls.

Other popular enterprise browsers include the Citrix Enterprise Browser whose USP is its seamless integration with the Citrix Workspace platform. There’s also Microsoft Edge for Business that similarly offers tight integration with Microsoft 365 applications like Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive.

In addition to standalone browsers, you also get products that operate much like browser extensions. They are designed to make regular internet browsers act like enterprise browsers. Solutions like LayerX Enterprise Browser Extension, and Red Access add extra security layers to your existing browser, saving your employees the effort to switch to a completely new browser.

Chrome Enterprise: Final verdict

Chrome Enterprise offers the familiarity of the Chrome web browser along with the centrally managed advantages of an enterprise browser.

You can sign up for Chrome Enterprise Core for $0, which makes it affordable to even the smallest of organizations. Chrome Enterprise is a good option for businesses with mixed device environments, and even more so for those that need to strengthen their BYOD policies.

The product’s central management console is fairly intuitive and well-documented for IT admins, and presents a familiar user experience to end users. Combined with its no-cost tier Chrome Enterprise presents itself as a must-try option for any business looking for an enterprise browser.

Try secure private browsing with the best VPN service.

The Ugreen M571 wireless vertical mouse changed the way I work at my desk and it’s a fantastic cheap alternative to premium options
7:49 am | July 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Mice Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse: two-minute review

Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse from the side

(Image credit: TechRadar/Max Delaney)

The Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse is an attractive, affordable alternative to more expensive options from brands like Logitech, making it a compelling option for those seeking ergonomic benefits without the price tag.

In contrast to traditional mice that often compel the wrist into a pronated (or palm-down) position, this model boasts a 57º near-vertical angle to it's 'sail'. This design encourages a neutral, handshake-like wrist position that I found significantly more comfortable when using a mouse for extended periods.

While the Logitech Lift is considered the best vertical mouse on the market, this Ugreen model offers a key point of differentiation – its size. Many vertical mice, including the Lift, have a small frame. I have bigger mitts, and my pinky finger is often sliding around on the desk with the mouse, rather than resting on it.

The Ugreen M571 offers a much wider base and larger frame overall, very reminiscent to the Logitech MX Vertical. This allows for stable movement across a wider range of hand sizes, as your entire hand, including your little finger, remains on the pointer. This Ugreen model's overall larger size doesn't make it unsuitable for smaller hands, though, as the main grip area is shaped to accommodate almost any hand size.

Ugreen M571 Ergonomic Mouse in-hand

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

From unboxing (where you'll find little more than the mouse itself and a warranty booklet) to daily use, the experience with using this mouse is simple and straightforward. For me, that was a good thing. However, for those that do require more advanced functions, like the ability to customize their mouse for keyboard-free use, this will be a significant downside.

When I'm not tapping away on the keyboard, I generally only need my mouse for the most basic of uses and I found the M571 to be fantastic for my needs. Ugreen boasts that the mouse offers "99% silent click and scroll" and, while neither the clicks nor the scroller are truly silent, they are heavily subdued. It’s also incredibly easy to scroll and left or right click without changing the position of your hand or fingers, maintaining that ergonomic posture.

One key negative regarding its design is its cheap feel. Made entirely of hard plastic, this is most noticeable in its palm grip, which features only a rippled design instead of the rubberized grips found on some more expensive competitors. While it's not slippery, it's the same material as the rest of the mouse and I found this grip area could become greasy after long periods of use. I imagine this would become even more of an issue for those living in warmer climates.

Beyond its core ergonomic feel, the particular model of M571 I tested for this review (SKU number 55916) is a slightly cheaper option that only connects via the wireless USB dongle. Spending a bit more can get you a version with both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, which could be a must-have for anyone planning on using it with a laptop – particularly MacBook owners, which no longer have the necessary USB-A port you’d need to use the included 2.4GHz wireless dongle.

The underside/battery compartment of the Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

Convenience aside, I found the 2.4GHz connection to be reliable and, even in a busy tech-focused office space filled with dozens of wireless devices, I didn’t experience any interference with connectivity.

The mouse is powered by a single AA battery and after using it for several hours a few days a week for two months, I've seen no signs of depletion. This suggests the mouse should last for months of daily use before the battery will need to be replaced.

A slightly confusing design choice with the Ugreen Vertical Mouse is that it offers a dedicated mode for both Windows and Mac systems. This is toggled via a switch on the bottom of the device, and the changes affect the two side buttons that sit above the thumb rest. In Windows mode, those buttons control your browser’s forward and backward functions, but on Mac they switch applications. I tested exclusively on a Mac and found this feature quite useful for quickly switching to Slack to reply to teammates, though it still seems like a potentially unnecessary addition.

When it comes to the feel of the buttons, I found the main left and right clicks were soft and quite sensitive, although I could still lift and move the mouse without accidentally clicking. I personally liked their feel, despite them not providing a lot of tactile feedback.

The two thumb-side buttons are similar; they offer a satisfyingly deep press without feeling mushy. The scroll wheel is also slightly notched, rather than completely smooth, making it both harder to slip off and easier to control when making shorter scrolls that require a touch more accuracy.

The M571’s optical sensor offers up to 4,000 DPI tracking, making it suitable for any regular application and even arguably providing high enough sensitivity for fast-twitch gaming. You can also reduce the DPI to three levels (1,000, 1,600 or 2,000) for times when different levels of accuracy are required. This is easily done with one press of the middle button that sits below the scroller.

Using the M571 ergonomic mouse with my MacBook

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

While I had no issues during my review period, the M571’s all-plastic construction and light weight do suggest that heavy daily users might see wear and tear sooner than with a more robust, pricier alternative. Witnessing the minimal wear on my colleagues' more expensive Logitech Lift, it’s clear that high-quality materials can be more important for a mouse than one might think. The M571’s finish could also get grimy after intense work or play sessions that result in sweaty fingers.

However, given its affordable price, it's hard to complain too much about these shortcomings. The M571 is an excellent option for those looking to try a vertical mouse for the first time without spending three or four times its price on a top-tier option. Costing just a fraction of the Logitech Lift, it offers fantastic value for some small concessions.

Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse review: Price & availability

The face of the Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
  • Cheapest model: AU$34.99 for the 2.4GHz wireless via USB dongle
  • £22.99 / AU$39.99 for the more advanced dual-connectivity model
  • Similar model available in the US for $29.99

The Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse is an incredibly affordable option, making it an excellent entry-level choice for those new to vertical mice. I personally prefer its feel compared to a regular mouse, though it won't be for everyone.

Its affordability makes it an even more attractive prospect, allowing users to try a vertical mouse before committing to a more expensive alternative. And, it's available to users across the world thanks to its wide availability on Amazon.

However, do note that the $29.99 model available in the US differs slightly from the model I tested, the Bluetooth-enabled version of which is available in both the UK and Australia. While it boasts the same specs – with both Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4GHz connectivity – it features ridges in the thumb area that the others lack.

Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse review: Specs

The battery compartment of the Ugreen M571 Vertical mouse

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
Specifications

Interface

2.4GHz wireless via included USB dongle (other versions offer Bluetooth, depending on your region)

Ergonomics

57° vertical angle, right-handed ergonomic design

Buttons

5 (two main, two thumb and DPI control + scroller)

DPI

Up to 4,000 (four levels)

Power

1 x AA battery

Weight

106g tested (130g with AA battery)

Should you buy the Ugreen M571 Wireless Vertical Mouse?

The thumb rest on the M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Whether you opt for this dongle-only model or its Bluetooth-enhanced sibling, the value is undeniable. Offering solid connection, quiet clicking and excellent speeds for the price of a few coffees.

5 / 5

Design

Ergonomically, the design of this mouse was excellent. However, its larger frame might make it better suited for medium to large-sized hands and it's made with cheap material.

4 / 5

Perfomance

Offering 4 different DPI levels up to 4,000, this mouse is able to handle some fast-paced gaming as well as day-to-day work.

3.5 / 5

Overall

The Ugreen M571 Vertical Ergonomic Mouse is very good for its price, but it lacks features like remappable buttons, and its inexpensive build means it likely won't stand the test of time. Still, it excels as an entry point to using vertical mice.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You experience wrist strain

I found the 57º vertical angle of this mouse genuinely effective at promoting a natural hand and wrist position, significantly reducing discomfort during long hours of use. It's well worth a try if you struggle with normal mice.

You're on a tight budget

This mouse offers excellent ergonomic benefits and versatile connectivity at a fraction of the cost of premium alternatives. Even if you don't necessarily want a vertical mouse, its value is hard to ignore.

You have larger hands

While I've used the Logitech Lift and other vertical mice with little issue, this mouse is made for medium to large hands, and I found it very comfortable to hold and use.

Don't buy it if...

You want a more versatile mouse

This is a very simple device, offering only the bare minimum functions while better situating your wrist for long sessions of use. However, some people may prefer to spend more on a mouse with additional buttons and functionality.

You require high-end durability

The plastic build, while contributing to its low price, may not hold up to years of heavy daily use as well as some higher-priced alternatives. It could be worth spending more upfront if you're confident a vertical mouse is suitable for you.

You prefer a rechargeable mouse

This mouse uses a single AA battery, meaning you'll need to keep spares or factor in replacements. However, the alkaline battery we tested with did last fantastically well.

Also consider

Front view of Logitech Lift Mouse

(Image credit: Future)

Logitech Lift

If your budget allows, the Logitech Lift offers a similar ergonomic vertical design with a more premium feel, a rechargeable battery and potentially better software customization for advanced users. It's often lauded for its comfortable fit for smaller to medium hands.

Read our full Logitech Lift Ergonomic Vertical Mouse review

Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse Ergonomic

Yes, Logitech boasts another vertical mouse in its arsenal. It's a little long in the tooth, but this 2018 model is still an ergonomic mouse worth considering thanks to its comfortable design, multiple connection options and built-in four-month battery.

Read our full Logitech MX Vertical review

Logitech MX Master 3S

While not a vertical mouse, the MX Master 3S is a top-tier ergonomic mouse for productivity, featuring a sculpted design that supports the hand, an exceptional MagSpeed scroll wheel and extensive customization options. It's a pricier mouse, but offers a more feature-rich experience for those prioritizing productivity and advanced functionality.

Read our full Logitech MX Master 3S wireless mouse

I’ve tested laptops for years, and the Alienware 16 Area-51 is easily one of the best gaming laptops ever made
7:00 pm | July 19, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Alienware 16 Area-51: Two-minute review

There are only a few gaming laptop releases that’ll impress buyers this year as much as the Alienware 16 Area-51. Everything about this work of premium art and technology oozes perfection.

Though the configuration I reviewed came out to around $3,249.99 / £3,349 / AU$5,497.80, there’s plenty of scalability in terms of both price and component options, with systems starting at $1,999.99 / £2,149.01 / AU$4,198.70.

The design alone places this as one of the best gaming laptops going, thanks to a futuristically sleek design that mirrors its desktop sibling with “fluid contours and soft surfaces” that blends nice angles, lovely multi-zone customizable lighting, smart port placement, clever ventilation, a clear glass panel on the bottom to show of the internals, and much more.

The phenomenal design philosophy is matched with gaming performance that’ll impress enthusiasts and competitive gamers alike. All of that power is pumped out through a 16-inch 2560x1600 display that offers a 240Hz refresh rate as well.

However, holding the display back significantly is the image quality. Despite featuring 100% DCI-P3, 500 nits of brightness, and Nvidia G-Sync, images lack crispness and can come off as smudged a bit as well. Thankfully, the Dolby Atmos-certified speakers provide great, nuanced sound for gaming alongside general music listening.

That doesn’t even count the amount of extras that are featured on the Area-51 16, such as the option to have a full RGB mechanical keyboard, which makes it to where serious players don’t have to use a USB slot and lug an extra keyboard around.

Even outside of gaming, the mechanical keyboard makes general computing tasks a thrill thanks to how fantastic keystrokes feel. In a cool touch, the touchpad itself glows with customizable lighting too.

All of this greatness does come at the cost of borderline abysmal battery life, which comes with the territory of most high-end gaming laptops.

Those in need of more juice for long flights or times without a nearby electrical socket may be in some trouble. Regardless, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is out of this world when it comes to laptop gaming.

Alienware 16 Area-51: Price & availability

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

How much does it cost? Starting at $1,999.99 / £2,149.01 / AU$4,198.70

When is it available? Available now

Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Alienware 16 Area-51 is now available through Dell’s online store and other digital retailers, starting at $1999.99 / £2,149.01 / AU$4,198.70. Buyers in the US, UK, and Australia can choose from a range of configurations and options tailored to their Windows gaming needs.

My review unit was configured with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD Storage comes in at $2,849.99 / £3,298.99 / AU$5,497.80. Other features include the 4K web camera and mechanical keyboard options.

While not the most expensive laptop in its size class, it's not the cheapest either, but its starting price is very good for a laptop with this kind of premium feel.

  • Value: 4 / 5

Alienware 16 Area-51: Specs

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Alienware Area-51 16 (Lowest Configuration)

Alienware Area-51 16 (Review)

Alienware Area-51 16 (Highest Configuration)

Price:

$1,999.99 at Dell.com | £2,149.01 at Dell.com | AU$4,198.70 at Dell.com

$2,849.99 at Dell.com | £3,298.99 at Dell.com | AU$5,497.80 at Dell.com

$5,499.99 at Dell.com | £5,779 at Dell.com | AU$$8,847.30 at Dell.com

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 255HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 275HX

Graphics:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

RAM:

16GB DDR5-6400MT/s

32GB DDR5-6400MT/s

64GB DDR5-6400MT/s

Screen:

16" WQXGA 2560x1600 240Hz 3ms 100% DCI-P3 500 nit, NVIDIA G-SYNC + Advanced Optimus

16" WQXGA 2560x1600 240Hz 3ms 100% DCI-P3 500 nit, NVIDIA G-SYNC + Advanced Optimus

16" WQXGA 2560x1600 240Hz 3ms 100% DCI-P3 500 nit, NVIDIA G-SYNC + Advanced Optimus

Storage:

1TB SSD

1TB SSD

12TB (3 x 4TB) PCIe SSD (4TB PCIe SSD in Australia)

Ports:

1X SD Card Slot, 1 x 3.5mm Headset Jack, 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 x HDMI 2.1

1X SD Card Slot, 1 x 3.5mm Headset Jack, 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 x HDMI 2.1

1X SD Card Slot, 1 x 3.5mm Headset Jack, 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 x HDMI 2.1

Wireless:

Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 (2x2 320Hz) MIMO 802.11be Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.4

Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 (2x2 320Hz) MIMO 802.11be Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.4

Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 (2x2 320Hz) MIMO 802.11be Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.4

Camera:

1080P Webcam

4K Webcam

4K Webcam

Weight:

7.49 lbs | 3.40 kg

7.49 lbs | 3.40 kg

7.49 lbs | 3.40 kg

Dimensions:

14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 ins | 365 x 290 x 28.5mm (W x D x H)

14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 ins | 365 x 290 x 28.5mm (W x D x H)

14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 ins | 365 x 290 x 28.5mm (W x D x H)

Alienware 16 Area-51: Design

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Sleek, rounded design with a beautiful liquid teal colorway and RGB lighting nearly everywhere
  • Nice rear port selection and SD Card slot
  • Comfortable experience with the mechanical keyboard

As noted before—and it bears repeating—the Alienware 16 Area-51’s design is truly breathtaking. From the moment you unbox it, the spaceship-inspired curves and sleek, dark liquid teal finish immediately signal a premium, high-end machine that stands out in any setting. While closed, there are some noticeable design choices that truly set this gaming laptop apart from others.

Every angle of the Area-51 16 is picturesque from top to bottom. This includes the top panel featuring the standard Alienware logo that is backlit by customizable RGB.

At the bottom, you get to see the laptop’s Cryo-Chamber structure, allowing direct airflow to the laptop’s core components. This also raises the device for both comfort and larger air intake. For added measure, there’s a clear Gorilla Glass panel showing the AlienFX fans that also has customizable lighting.

A nice selection of ports is located on the rear, which offsets the display hinge by about a few inches. That portion also features a customizable RGB light ring that circles it from top to bottom, too.

This allows access to three USB-A, two USB-C with Thunderbolt, a single HDMI port, and a power port. Those are joined on the left side by an SD Card slot and a 3.5mm headset jack. Smartly designed V-Rail edges make opening and closing the gaming laptop a smooth

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

When opened, the display offers either an FHD or a 4K webcam at the top. Below, the mechanical keyboard provides a satisfying feel for both gaming and typing, complete with customizable RGB lighting, and is flanked by a speaker system with two 2W woofers, two 2W tweeters, and Dolby Atmos certification.

The smooth, precision glass touchpad at the bottom also features customizable RGB lighting, adding to the laptop’s premium, tailored experience. Usage is made extra comfortable through a pillowed palm rest, which helps when gaming or when doing general web browsing tasks for long periods.

The Alienware Area-51 16 is just so thoughtful in the engineering and design. There’s a visual appeal and functional enhancements that elevate the ownership experience here in ways that feel luxurious yet cool.

  • Design: 5 / 5

Alienware 16 Area-51: Performance

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Incredible power for modern AAA games with high frame rates
  • Can control power output through Alienware Command Center
  • Display performance is awesome though image quality suffers
Alienware 16 Area-51 CPU benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

Geekbench 6.4 Single-core

3,126

Geekbench 6.4 Multi-core

20,498

Crossmark Overall

2,338

Crossmark Productivity

2,173

Crossmark Creativity

2,587

Crossmark Responsiveness

2,145

Gaming and high-end creative task performance match the design perfectly on the Alienware 16 Area-51. The Intel Core Ultra 9, Nvidia RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD in my configuration was probably the ideal way to make the most of the 16-inch 2560x1600 resolution display when it comes to configuration options.

I was able to play all the latest, visually arresting AAA games at 60+ frames per second without problems using Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth: Wukong, Forza Motorsport (2023), Doom: The Dark Ages, and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

Alienware 16 Area-51 GPU benchmarks

Benchmarks

Score

3DMark Fire Strike

37,813

3DMark Time Spy

21,070

3DMark Fire Strike Ultra

14,073

3DMark Time Spy Extreme

10,558

3DMark Speed Way

5,613

3DMark Steel Nomad

5,142

3DMark Port Royal

13,966

There are ways to push frame rates even higher thanks to Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology. The base configuration option is great for 1080p and 1440p gaming, while the max configuration is good enough for 4K gaming if users plan on connecting to a compatible monitor.

The Area-51 16-inch is powerful enough to edit high-resolution photo and video content without any problems in apps like Adobe Premiere and Photoshop.

Despite pushing the Area-51 16-inch to max capabilities, I didn’t hear much fan noise and it didn’t get too hot, mostly thanks to the Area-51 16-inch's Cryotech cooling and smart vent placement.

Game

Average FPS

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Ultra, 1080p)

52

Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p)

58

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p)

63

Monster Hunter Wilds (Max, 1080p)

83

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Very high, 1080p)

183

Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)

201

Like other Alienware devices, the Command Center app is a great way to augment power delivery to focus on a quieter fan speed, focus on battery (though it doesn’t help much), and full-on performance power. Other features of the Command Center include the ability to manage various game settings alongside customizing the various RGB lighting zones around the gaming laptop.

Gaming and the display performance are good enough to make me forget how average-looking the display is when it comes to image quality, suffering from washed-out colors that aren’t very crisp.

  • Performance: 5 / 5

Alienware 16 Area-51: Battery life

  • General computing tasks usage will give around 4 hours of usage between charges
  • Trying to game is only going to provide about two hours

Gaming laptops at this level rarely excel in battery life, and the Alienware 16 Area-51 is no exception. In our PCMark 10 gaming battery test, it lasted around two hours, typical for machines in this category.

More disappointing is its performance in everyday tasks: during our Battery Informant Web Surfing test, it managed just over four hours with power-saving settings like reduced RGB lighting and lower brightness.

With lighting and medium volume levels on, the battery dipped to roughly three hours before needing a recharge. It would be nice to see the power-focused sect of gaming laptops reach the level of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14.

On the positive side, the Alienware Battery Defender technology promises to balance power consumption with temperature monitoring to give the battery a longer life.

Charging takes a little over a few hours to reach full battery life, and there isn’t any quick charging. The power adapter brick is also pretty large as well so be mindful when traveling.

  • Battery life: 3 / 5

Should I buy the Alienware 16 Area-51?

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Gaming laptops are expensive by nature but the lower configuration versions of the Alienware 16 Area-51 do come at an attractive price.

4 / 5

Design

Between the smooth sleek chassis with lovely RGB lighting everywhere, port placements, fan placement and see-through bottom, this is the coolest looking gaming laptop ever made. This is the perfect match of form and function.

5 / 5

Performance

No matter which configuration you choose, you’re getting top-tier components that offer impressive scalability in performance options.

5 / 5

Battery

Battery life is pretty average so users are going to have to make sure they are near some power outlet.

3 / 5

Average rating

Image quality and battery life issues aside, this gaming laptop is worth every penny.

4.25 / 5

Buy the Alienware 16 Area-51 if...

You require one of the best-designed gaming laptops available
The Alienware 16 Area-51 is beautifully designed with a lovely chassis, properly placed ports, and awesome RGB lighting.

You need premium performance
Various configurations for top-of-the-line Intel Core CPUs and Nvidia RTX 50 series GPUs mean a variety of performance options.

You want some good extras
Great sounding speakers and a mechanical keyboard mean that serious gamers don’t have to use a USB port for an external one.

Don't buy it if...

You need better image quality
Though the performance of the 16-inch display is great, colors aren’t crisp and can feel a bit washed out. This means that gamers who are on the creative content side may have some issues.

You want better battery life
Gaming laptops aren’t usually known for their battery life, so expect similar results with the Area-51 16-inch.

Also Consider

If our Alienware Area-51 16 has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...

Razer Blade 14 (2024) review

Though it may not have the colorful lighting of the Area-51 16 and loses about two inches of display real estate, the Razer Blade 14 is a powerhouse that’s also portable.

Read the review here

MSI Katana 15

Anyone looking for an ultra-affordable gaming laptop that’s good for 1080p gaming performance should definitely check out the MSI Katana 15.

Read the review here

How I tested the Alienware 16 Area-51

  • Tested the gaming laptop over the course of a week
  • Games tested include Forza Motorsport (2023), Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II and Doom: The Dark Ages among others
  • General computing tasks include Tidal, Google Chrome and Adobe Suite

During my week with the Alienware 16 Area-51, I spent my time split between work during the day and gaming at night.

During the day, I used Google Chrome for web browsing, Gmail, Docs, and Sheets. Other software used includes Tidal to test speakers and Adobe Suite software like Photoshop, alongside Premiere Pro for creative tasks.

Outside of standard benchmark tests for games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong, I tested out plenty of modern games, including Forza Motorsport (2023), Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, and Doom: The Dark Ages. I also managed to handle a few video conferences, which allowed me to test out the webcam as well.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed July 2025
After a couple of weeks testing the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, I found its performance and screen impressive, but its battery life? Not so much
7:33 am | July 18, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Two-minute review

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is an ideal desktop replacement with more than enough power to take on just about everything in PC gaming spaces and at max settings for the most part.

While there are some situations you might need to bring some settings down a smidge (cough*Cyberpunk 2077*cough), that’s only really due to the higher resolution OLED panel that only requires a bit of power.

Starting at $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999, the Legion Pro 7i comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs, a 16-inch 2560 x 1600p OLED display, and up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and 2TB PCIe SSD storage.

Along with the performance and OLED screen are a nice assortment of ports, a full keyboard, and a responsive touchpad that is, unfortunately, not ideally aligned.

For some, especially those who don’t take their gaming laptops on the road all that much, this might be among the best gaming laptops out there. But poor battery life might make one take pause if you plan on getting a laptop that you want to use regularly untethered.

Still, if you have the cash and don’t plan on transporting your gaming laptop often (or have a big backpack), the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is worth a look, especially if you want a larger 16-inch screen for your gaming experience.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Price and availability

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • How much does it cost? Starting at $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i might not be Lenovo’s most expensive gaming laptop – that honor goes to the Legion Pro 9i – but it’s still very expensive. Its most affordable price is a sizable $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999.

Starting out with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD, pricing goes up from there. The review unit I have, upgraded with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 and 2TB SSD, costs $3,559.99 / £2,990.00 / AU$6,839.00, while the maxed-out configuration of Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and 2TB SSD is a jaw-dropping $4,424.49 / £3,900.00 / AU$7,079.00.

As expensive as the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is, larger gaming laptops tend to come with an even heftier price tag. The Origin EON17-X v2 I reviewed last year started at $3,400.00 (about £2,610.00 / AU$5,120.00) for a configuration of Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, 16GB of RAM, and a 17-inch 1440p@240Hz screen.

Of course, you can customize the lid on the EON17-X v2 with whatever design you want, but this does make the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i look affordable in comparison.

  • Price: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Specs

The underside of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

No matter which configuration you choose, the CPU you get is the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a 24-core/24-thread processor with a peak frequency of 5.4GHz.

However, there is some wiggle room with the GPU where you can choose from an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, or RTX 5090, 32GB or 64GB RAM, and between 1TB or 2TB SSD storage.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i base configuration

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i review configuration

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i max configuration

Price:

$2,909.99 / £2,799.99 / AU$4,999.00

$3,559.99 / £2,990.00 / AU$6,839.00

$4,424.49 / £3,900.00 / AU$7,079.00

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Graphics:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

RAM:

32GB DDR5

32GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen:

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

Storage:

1TB SSD

2TB SSD

2TB SSD

Ports:

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Camera:

720p with e-privacy shutter

720p with e-privacy shutter

720p with e-privacy shutter

Weight:

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Dimensions:

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

Considering that the base configuration is still fairly expensive, it’s no wonder that all the configurations keep the more premium appointments. Specifically, no matter what you do, you’ll get that OLED 1600p @ 240Hz panel with HDR 1000.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Design

The right-side ports on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • This is a big computer
  • Large keyboard, touchpad aligned to the left
  • Lots of ports including Thunderbolt 4

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is big. It is a 16-inch laptop, after all. It’s fairly imposing in its matte “Eclipse Black” finish with only Legion emblazoned on the back of the lid and Lenovo in silver on the top back as flourishes. It’s also a little over an inch at its thickest.

This is not the most portable of gaming laptops. So, while it makes for a great desktop replacement, leave plenty of space in your backpack if you plan on getting this.

The left-side ports on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Almost all the venting is underneath and back, so you don’t have to worry about hot air being blown onto you when gaming, assuming you’re using a mouse situated next to the laptop.

Besides the large 16-inch OLED screen, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i comes with a full-size keyboard complete with a ten-key numpad. There aren’t any standalone hotkeys, but plenty of keys have secondary functions, so I didn’t really miss them.

The keyboard of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The keycaps have a quality feel to them with a concave shape and textured feel that makes typing a relative pleasure. I do find the keyboard to feel a little big for some reason and find myself sometimes pressing the wrong button when reaching (mainly when gaming).

The touchpad is not oversized, but it’s set off to the left, which makes sense as the keyboard with the Numpad pushes the natural hand placement to the left as well. However, I’m not a fan of the touchpad’s placement – I would prefer it to be a bit more centered. At least, it’s accurate and responsive.

If you do want to use the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i as a desktop replacement, you’ll be happy to know that the port selection is fairly plentiful. It comes with an HDMI 2.1 port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, and a USB-C port, both of which support DisplayPort 2.1. There are also three USB-A ports and an Ethernet one, along with an eShutter button for privacy’s sake.

  • Design: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Performance

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table playing a game

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • Strong performance that’s limited somewhat by the power-hungry panel
  • Can run most games at max settings with speedy results
  • Sound quality is pretty good

Considering the powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and higher-end Nvidia 5000-series GPUs – I tested the model with an RTX 5080 – not to mention a minimum of 32GB of RAM, the gaming performance here is going to be quite robust.

Now, all that hardware has to power the 16-inch OLED panel which has a 2560 x 1600p resolution with a refresh rate of 240Hz. That panel also manages 500 nits of brightness and has HDR 1000 True Black support.

So, that can knock off up to 20 or 30 fps from the Lenovo Legion 7i’s performance if you want to take full advantage of this laptop’s display. It’s worth noting that it also achieves a DCI-P3 of 100%, making this a sharp looking, vibrant display. I definitely preferred running games like South of Midnight, Starfield, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Cyberpunk 2077 at that higher resolution.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Synthetic Benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

Geekbench 6.4 Single Core

3,103

Geekbench 6.4 Multi Core

19,829

Crossmark Overall

2,163

Crossmark Productivity

1,998

Crossmark Creativity

2,525

Crossmark Responsiveness

1,727

25GB File Copy Transfer Rate (MB/s)

2,030.38

3DMark Fire Strike

34,434

3DMark Time Spy

16,928

3DMark Fire Strike Ultra

11,388

3DMark Time Spy Extreme

8,337

3DMark Speed Way

4,301

3DMark Steel Nomad

3,999

3DMark Port Royal

10,958

Speaking of, I was able to run all those games at basically max settings, including Ray Tracing where applicable, with smooth results and crisp, clear images. I didn’t experience any skipping, stuttering, or screen tearing. Any way you cut it, this is a powerful gaming laptop that will hold up.

If you look at our benchmarks, you can get a solid idea of what to expect. Cyberpunk 2077 with everything maxed will look good and will be smooth enough, but won’t really take advantage of that high refresh rate as it gets just an okay 30 fps on average on 1600p, so if you plan on playing at the display's native resolution, make sure to use DLSS for the best experience.

However, there are plenty of games where I can achieve up to and above 100 fps even before compromising on settings.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gaming Benchmarks

Game & settings

Frames per second

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Ultra High, 1080p)

45 fps

Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p)

45 fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p)

50 fps

Metro: Exodus (Extreme, 1080p)

63 fps

Monster Hunter Wilds (Very High, 1080p)

73 fps

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Very High, 1080p)

163 fps

Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)

144 fps

Web Surfing Battery Informant

4:37

PCMark 10 Gaming Battery Test

1:36

As mentioned before, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i has a four-speaker system. I didn’t mention that it supports Nahimic Audio, so you get some spatial audio support. Laptops often have mediocre audio at best, but this one sounds pretty good.

Besides the usual caveat that laptop speakers will never surpass dedicated headphones or speakers, the sound is full with plenty of clarity. There’s not a lot of rumble (to be expected, of course), but there’s not anything else missing from the frequency range.

Lastly, the webcam with its 5MP resolution looks good and is pretty smooth to boot. If you get this laptop to stream, you might not need to get a dedicated webcam. It’s also nice that it has a privacy eShutter button.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Battery life

  • Suffers from the typical short battery life of a gaming laptop
  • Doesn’t do a great job of retaining charge while in sleep mode
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Battery Test Results

Web Surfing Battery Informant

4:37 hours

PCMark 10 Gaming Battery Test

1:36 hours

The battery life on gaming laptops is typically not all that great. There are some exceptions, but a powerhouse sporting a 16-inch OLED screen with a 1600p resolution is not going to be one of them.

For proof, just look at our benchmarks. In our web surfing test, it lasted a whopping four and a half hours. That’s not great, but this isn’t a new MacBook Air that lasts almost 15 hours, nor is it supposed to be.

It’s not surprising that in the PCMark 10 gaming benchmark, it lasts just over an hour and a half. If you want extended cordless gaming, you should probably get a Steam Deck (or one of its competitors).

A little more concerning and a little more unexpected is the fact that the battery runs down even when in sleep mode. Now, this is not atypical, but there are plenty of laptops that don’t drop down to 35% battery life after being unplugged for a day, even though they haven’t been used.

  • Battery life: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i?

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i scorecard

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

It may start at a hefty two grand asking price, but that’s not unusual for large screen gaming laptops.

4 / 5

Design

This laptop is massive, making it more of a desktop replacement than a portable gaming machine. At least, it has plenty of ports.

4 / 5

Performance

The gaming performance here is pretty great, only really limited by the fact that it also has to power an OLED screen.

4.5 / 5

Battery Life

The battery life is not great, though about what one would expect with a gaming powerhouse. However, it could do better holding a charge when asleep.

3.5 / 5

Final score

Despite a high cost and low battery life, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a very powerful machine, ideal for those wanting a gaming desktop replacement.

4 / 5

Buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i if...

You want a powerful desktop replacement
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is quite big, and it’s quite powerful. If you’re looking for something that can replace a gaming desktop, this model is more than capable.

You want an OLED screen
The OLED screen here comes with a higher resolution and frame rate, not to mention strong HDR support and DCI-P3 color coverage. If you want a good OLED screen with your gaming laptop, you’re certainly getting it here.

You can afford it
This laptop has the latest and greatest powerful components (at least for a laptop), so it comes with a hefty price tag. Consider this one if money is no object.

Don't buy it if...

You have a limited budget
If you have limited cash for a gaming laptop, then the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is going to be out of your price range, considering its starting price is around 2K.

You want good battery life
Gaming laptops typically don’t have good battery life, and this laptop is no different. If you want one that can last a while without being plugged in, there’s a short list of options out there that don’t include this one.

How I tested the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

  • Tested for a couple weeks
  • Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
  • Played different types of games

I used the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i for a couple of weeks, playing all sorts of games including Battlefield 2042, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Cyberpunk 2077, to get a feel for what this laptop is capable of.

I tried them at max settings, including Ray Tracing where applicable, mainly Cyberpunk, to see where their limitations are. I wrote most of this article on it and used it for some day-to-day browsing and streaming.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is ideal for gamers who want a desktop replacement that can handle just about everything gaming-wise and have the budget to afford that kind of gaming rig.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

  • First reviewed July 2025
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