This review first appeared in issue 358 of PC Pro.
As its name suggests, the Flashstor 6 is an all-flash NAS enclosure, with space for up to six NVMe SSDs. It’s aimed mostly at enthusiast use in the home, so comes with useful multimedia features such as HDMI and S/PDIF audio outputs. It’s well specified elsewhere, too, with a pair of 2.5GbE network ports, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports and two USB-A 2 ports. The supplied 4GB of memory is upgradable to 16GB.
It doesn’t have any hard disk slots, but you could add bulk storage with up to two Asustor AS6004U expansion units, each accepting up to four 3.5in SATA drives. If six SSDs isn’t enough, for £744 inc VAT (from Amazon) you could choose the 12-slot Flashstor 12, which is otherwise broadly the same.
Most NAS enclosures offer tool-free setup, but you’ll need a screwdriver to pop off the cover here, while each NVMe just clips in. The FS6706T supports the same range of RAID formats you’d expect from any six-bay device, though we tested it using two 1TB WD Black SSDs, arranged in a RAID1 array. Asustor’s ADM software defaults to the EXT4 file system, but you can choose Btrfs.
(Image credit: Future)
It will come as no surprise that the FS6706T performed strongly. We tested it with a single 2.5GbE connection, over which it comfortably outpaced any NAS limited by a 1GbE connection. That said, it didn’t eclipse disk-based 2.5GbE devices, with Asustor’s own Nimbustor 4 Gen2 proving slightly quicker. As with the Nimbustor 4, this NAS was inexplicably slow on the PCMark 10 Data Drive benchmark, but made up for it with quick real-world copy times in Windows 11. It’s worth pointing out that this device might have been even faster if we’d been able to test it with a six-drive RAID5 array.
While you could use this NAS as the hub for a small business, it’s far more likely to see use as a multimedia store and server for demanding home users and gamers. It’s well suited to this role, with Asustor’s App Central offering an amazing 273 apps, spanning everything including content, download and media management, along with productivity, surveillance and streaming.
This NAS has the horsepower to transcode video content without getting bogged down, so it’s even suitable for a household with a few power users. However, its lack of disk support makes it less flexible than the Nimbustor 4 Gen2, which accepts up to four disks and four NVMe SSDs, and proved just as fast in our tests. In most cases, we’d pay the extra £80 for that.
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite has been our pick of the best Kindle for a very long time as it's managed to balance price and features quite well. The 12th generation Paperwhite maintains that same ethos to some degree, gaining a brand-new display that leverages the latest E Ink Carta 1300 screen tech.
This not only adds a touch more contrast, which makes the text on the screen darker and thus easier to read, but it also makes page turns a smidge quicker. Honestly, in real-world use, you won't find it all that different from the 11th-generation Kindle Paperwhite, but you will if you have them both side by side and look really carefully. So while I won't say it's a massive upgrade over the 2021 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, it's definitely worth upgrading if you're using an older Kindle.
I also appreciate the couple of millimeters more of display I get on the 2024 Paperwhite, which is now a 7-inch screen compared to the previous 6.8-inch, but again, it's not really that significant.
What is a little significant is the slight performance boost that Amazon has managed to inject into the 12th-gen Paperwhite. During my testing, I had no issues whatsoever – page turns were near instantaneous, I had absolutely no slowing down even after hours of reading, not a single instance of ghosting and, importantly, the battery life is truly impressive. After three weeks of use, I am yet to charge the Paperwhite for the first time.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
My biggest issue is the Paperwhite's design: the rear panel is so darn smooth, that I often feel like it's slipping through my fingers. That means I'm trying to grip it tighter, which means my thumbs are extended further over the display and the number of accidental touches I have are a little annoying. Admittedly a case will solve that problem, but that's an additional cost to tack onto what is already an expensive ereader.
So while it still builds a case for still being the best Kindle, I think the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) might represent better value for some users, offering more storage, some resistance to salt water and the option for wireless charging.
Amazon's penchant for hiking up the price of its Kindles with each new generation is disappointing. While I'm struggling to justify the cost of the base Amazon Kindle 2024, I suppose I can get behind the 12th-gen Paperwhite's price hike over its predecessor, but I'm not entirely convinced it represents good value anymore. This is compounded by the fact that, in some markets (like Australia), none of the 2024 Kindles support Audible playback.
A Signature Edition is available for a higher price but double the storage
As I've said above, Amazon keeps increasing the price of its Kindles with each new release and that means at $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$299, the 12th-generation Paperwhite is the most expensive yet and, in my humble opinion, no longer very good value. And that's the price of the ad-supported version in the US and UK (Australia gets only the ad-free model). If you don't want ads on your lock screen, you're shelling out $179.99 / £159.99 in the US and UK respectively.
You could argue that this price is fine for a 7-inch ereader with 16GB of storage, but for a little more money – $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$359.95 to be precise – you can get a color ereader with a screen of the same size, double the storage, a more ergonomic design (with page-turn buttons) and, importantly, writing capabilities with the Kobo Libra Colour. I suppose I might even be inclined to pay $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329 for the 2024 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition for the metallic colors, double the storage and wireless charging, as well as performance just as good as the standard Paperwhite.
If you don't want all that, you can save money by opting for the Kobo Clara BW ($129.99 / £119.99 / AU$239.95), which gets you the exact same display, just in 6 inches, and very similar specs as the Paperwhite.
• Value score: 3.5 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) review: Specs
Amazon has stopped listing some specs for its ereaders, so I have no idea what CPU the Paperwhite is using or the battery capacity.
Available in 3 colors in the US and UK, only one in Australia
Sharp, crisp 7-inch display
Very slim design with no grip
Hey, Amazon, what exactly has Australia done to not deserve the new colorways of the standard Paperwhite? I'm a little annoyed that I get only the black model Down Under (where I am based) and is the version I was sent for this review. It's not a huge complaint, but I do admit to a little FOMO. Other markets can get the Paperwhite in new Jade and Raspberry options.
Nothing else has really changed in terms of design, although the standard Paperwhite is now 7 inches (compared to the 11th generation's 6.8 inches). The body remains plastic which, incidentally, has some recycled materials in it – not as much as Kobo uses, though.
The plastic chassis does make the Paperwhite look cheaper than its price tag, but the real issue for me is the rear panel. It's so smooth that I can feel it slip through my fingers (literally) when the bus or train I'm on brakes suddenly. I love how slim it is, but that too exacerbates the lack of grip, making it far from ergonomic.
To compensate for its slipperiness, I found myself holding the device with my thumb on the screen itself as the side bezels are still very slim. As nice as that looks, it's not ideal for single-hand use and I kept suffering from accidental page turns from my finger on the screen. It's possible this won't affect all users, but it is an annoyance to me.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Given how easy it might be to drop the standard Paperwhite, I'm glad it retains its IPX8 waterproof rating, which means it can stay submerged in 2 meters of water for up to an hour. Just don't drop it in the sea as the salt water will corrode the USB-C port first and, if it seeps in, will start eating away at the motherboard too. The Signature Edition, on the other hand, will survive a quick dunk in the sea.
The rounded corners and edges will be familiar to any Kindle user, as will the be power button on the lower edge. This placement of the power button bothers one of my colleagues, but I don't have any issues with it. In fact, I love the little feedback it gives when pressed. Beside the power button, in the center of the bottom edge, is the USB-C port for charging.
The only embellishments on the device are the word 'Kindle' on the lower bezel and the Amazon logo on the rear panel. As with most black ereaders and tablets, the 2024 Paperwhite is a smudge magnet, but I suspect the two colorways will also suffer similarly. The black one, in fact, begins to look very scruffy within days of use – even just leaving it on a table, it will pick up dust and the texture of the plastic is such that it's hard to wipe away.
If that bothers you like it does me, I think a case becomes a must, and it will add a little extra grip too, but it is an additional cost to bear.
The rear plastic panel is very smooth and is a magnet for smudges and dust (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The shift to the 7-inch display has allowed Amazon to update the display to the latest E Ink Carta 1300 technology, which adds more contrast to the text on the screen. The resolution remains at 300ppi though, which is standard and plenty for such a device. The screen supports a dark mode, has 16 levels of grayscale and hits a maximum brightness of 94 nits.
Compared to the 2024 entry-level Kindle, the Paperwhite has a naturally warmer hue (much like paper) which, when combined with the amber LED lights, can make the display very yellow indeed. It might look odd to someone who's not used an ereader with adjustable light temperatures, but it helps the eyes from getting strained too much. If you're like me, who reads for four to five hours a day (mostly at night), you'll appreciate the yellower screen. The LEDs do a good job of evenly lighting the entire display – I found no shadows or areas of excessive brightness during my testing.
• Design & display score: 3.5 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) review: User interface
Linux-based operating system
16GB of storage, but only 11.5GB available for use
Easy-to-use UX, but home screen can feel cluttered
One theory I have for why the Kindles became so popular so quickly is their user-friendly interface. They've always been simple devices, with not a lot of extraneous options in Settings, and that ethos is still maintained today.
If you're already familiar with a Kindle, you won't find anything new on the 2024 Paperwhite. Even if you've never used a Kindle before, it won't take long to wrap your head around it, with setup being as simple as following the prompts on the screen. Once you've set up your Amazon account and logged in, there are only two tabs to explore – the Home screen and the Library.
I personally find the Kindle Home screen unnecessarily cluttered, constantly pushing me into the Kindle Store. If that doesn't bother you, it's a good starting point for finding your next read. However, keep in mind that once you start getting your content from the Kindle Store, you're stuck within Amazon's walled garden.
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
You can sideload books of course, but you will need to jump through some hoops as Amazon no longer allows you to plug in a Kindle to drag-and-drop files via a wired connection. You will need to use the Send To Kindle platform, which allows you to wirelessly add content to your Kindles via cloud sync. The good news is that if you ever change (or upgrade) your Kindle, even your sideloaded titles will remain synced to your Amazon account and you can just tap them individually in the Library app of your new Kindle to download them again.
There's no specific tab for Settings, but swipe downwards from the top of the screen and you'll be presented with a few options, including turning on dark mode, cloud sync, flight mode and, of course, accessing all the Settings options.
The different Settings are simple and quite literally bare bones, although please note that if you are in Australia or any other region where there's no Audible support on the 2024 Kindles, you won't even see Bluetooth as a connectivity option (which is available in the US and UK).
There's decent file support on the Kindle now, although, with MOBI now mostly dead, Amazon has had to relent and allow native EPUB support, which is the format most ebooks come in.
As part of the Amazon ecosystem, Goodreads is available on all Kindles and American users will be able to borrow library books too. The latter option is, however, not available anywhere else.
• User interface score: 4 / 5
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The warm light setting is good for long hours of reading (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The warm light setting is good for long hours of reading (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Excellent battery life, even at higher brightness levels
Ereaders are such simple devices that there's really no benchmarking to run to determine performance. However, as someone who's tested several of the most recent ebook readers, it's fair to say I can judge by doing a comparison with the competition.
The 2024 standard Paperwhite wins in terms of screen responsiveness speed and overall performance over even the Onyx Boox Go series ereaders and the Kobo Clara BW too. The former, incidentally, has a more powerful processor than what Amazon has typically used for its Kindles (although the current CPU has not been revealed) and yet the Paperwhite surpasses the Boox Go 6 (which I have been testing alongside this).
Page turns are near instantaneous and not once did I have issues with ghosting (where a very light impression of the previous page remains on screen after a page turn). Reading graphic novels on its an absolute pleasure, especially since the Frame view also opens instantly when you double-tap.
Like the entry-level 2024 Kindle, I think the performance boost is purely software-based rather than being a new CPU. It could be both, too, but Amazon isn't revealing what chipset it's using under the hood here.
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Reading graphic novels on the 2024 Paperwhite is fantastic because... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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..the Frame View feature expands each individual frame on the page (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I'm using the massive operating system as the basis of my performance theory here. As with the base 2024 Kindle, the OS on the Paperwhite takes up 4.5GB of the total 16GB storage available on the device – if memory serves, that's 2GB more than on the 11th generation Paperwhite.
While I am miffed about the lower available storage on the Paperwhite (which reduces its per-dollar value), I'm glad for whatever boost Amazon has given the tablet. Typing via the on-screen keyboard when setting up my Wi-Fi network or any other touchscreen functionality was seamless and quick. And by 'quick' I mean it's as good as it's ever gotten on an e-paper screen – don't expect the same performance as your phone or multimedia tablet.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
What's probably the most impressive feat is the 2024 Paperwhite's battery life. I've had it for about three weeks now and I started using it immediately out of the box at 72%. Three weeks later it was just at 45%, and that's with about 2-3 hours of reading and the screen brightness level at 8 (warm light level of 4). Admittedly that's a low brightness setting that won't put too much pressure on the battery, but I only charged the Paperwhite once, just to see how quickly it topped up. At this rate, I could eke out at least 10 weeks of use between charges, more if I don't read as much as I usually do.
Amazon claims it will take the 12th-gen Paperwhite under 2.5 hours to go from empty to full when using a 9W power adaptor. That sounds about right to me – plugged into the USB-A port of my 65W charger (which offers up to 22.5W of power) and using a USB-A to C cable, it went from 32% to 50% in about 20 minutes. That might have been a touch faster if I was using a USB-C to C cable, but that was being used on another device at the time of testing. Still, that's not bad numbers at all.
• Performance score: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Should I buy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)?
Buy it if...
You're upgrading from an old Kindle If you've been holding on to a very old Kindle that's on its last legs and it's time for an upgrade, the 2024 Paperwhite is a worthy option if you want to stick with Amazon.
You want the best in e-ink technology The E Ink Carta 1300 on the 2024 Paperwhite is fantastic. Not only is it the best grayscale e-paper display yet, but Amazon has optimized it well and made it snappier than before.
You'd love a lightweight 7-inch ereader For its size, the Paperwhite feels ridiculously light in the hand, despite being a couple of grams heavier than the previous model (hey, the added millimeters have to go somewhere!). I'm just not quite sold on its ergonomics.
Don't buy it if...
You're already using the 2021 Paperwhite (11th generation) Yes, the screen is better, but other than that, there's not a whole lot that's different. The older model is still pretty good when it comes to performance and, in real-world use, the slightly faster screen response time of the 2024 edition won't feel very different.
Value for money matters to you While its price tag can be justified to some extent, you can get much more value from something like the Kobo Libra Colour. And if you happen to live outside the US, the Kindle won't even let you borrow library books and, in some markets, there's no Audible support either.
You'd prefer a color ereader If you read comics, manga or graphic novels more, then a color ereader might be the better investment. After all, they were meant to be viewed in color. The Frame View feature on a Kindle makes it even better for graphic novel readers, which makes a strong case for the Kindle Colorsoft.
Also consider
Kobo Clara BW Sporting the same screen tech, just in a 6-inch size, the Kobo Clara BW was previously my pick of the best mid-range ereader because it's not exactly 'cheap'. Other than its screen size, it shares most of the specs of the Paperwhite, which makes it good value even compared to the entry-level Kindle 2024 model and, arguably, is now the best budget ereader. Read my in-depth Kobo Clara BW review for more details
Kobo Libra Colour In the 7-inch screen size class, the Kobo Libra Colour is the best ereader overall. It balances price and features remarkably well, plus it's a lot more ergonomic than the Paperwhite. It's also got stylus support if you wish to use the writing features, but you will need to buy that separately. Even then, I still think it represents better value for money than the Paperwhite. Read my full Kobo Libra Colour review to find out more
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) Admittedly it's more expensive than the standard Kindle, but the loss of 4.5GB to the OS on it makes me think there's better value in opting for the Signature Edition. Double the storage and the option of wireless charging justifies the higher price tag better, although I will admit the wireless charging is a little superfluous. Read our full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) review to learn more
How I tested the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Used daily for three weeks to read
Borrowed titles from the Prime Reading service, plus downloaded existing books already available in my Amazon account
Tested battery life at various brightness levels
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
As soon as I received the 2024 Paperwhite for this review, I logged into my Amazon account, which promptly gave me access to my existing library that was cloud-synced when I sideloaded titles onto an older device. All I had to do was tap on the ebooks I wanted on the Paperwhite (so none of the ones I'd already finished reading) and I was off.
Unfortunately, because I'm based in Australia, I have no Audible access on any of the new Kindles, so I cannot comment on how easy it would be to pair Bluetooth headphones, but I hope it's smooth and once paired, you should be able to listen to audiobooks if you have a subscription.
I read on the Paperwhite daily for the three-week period I set aside for testing, spending about 2-3 hours each day with it. I used the Paperwhite at various light settings to check how that affected the battery drain.
The Formovie Cinema Edge is a follow-up on the well-regarded Formovie Theater, a projector that gained fame upon release for its Dolby Vision high dynamic range support – a rare feature among the best 4K projectors. Rather than being a shiny, new upgrade, the Cinema Edge is a pared-down model with a lower price. While it launched at around $2,199 (about £1,420 / AU$2,775), it has since settled at $1,799, making it a true budget ultra short throw (UST) projector offering.
The Formovie Cinema Edge's ALPD ((Advanced Laser Phosphor Display) laser light engine delivers a reasonably bright and sharp 4K image that looks great in the dark, and decent in well-lit environments. It has Google TV for streaming and a pair of 15-watt speakers, giving you a complete package, though both elements could perform better.
While it’s relatively cheap compared to other examples of the best ultra short throw projectors, the Formovie Cinema Edge has serious competition. I recently reviewed the Hisense PX3-Pro ($3,500), and the difference in image quality between the two is stark, with the dazzling brightness, color, and contrast of the PX3-Pro’s picture beating the Formovie Cinema Edge hands-down. The PX3-Pro is considerably more expensive, but even the older but still available Hisense PX2-Pro (around $2,000) has a better-looking picture.
Formovie Cinema Edge review: price and release date
Release date: September 2024
MSRP: $2,499
The Formovie Cinema Edge’s pricing is a bit all over the place. It launched at a $2,199 (about £1,650 / AU$3,250) pre-order price, though Formovie lists the retail price at $2499. Meanwhile, both Amazon and ProjectorScreen.com in the US now have the price listed at $1,799 – a steep decrease.
The Cinema Edge's laser light engine viewed from top (Image credit: Future)
Formovie Cinema Edge review: Specs
Connections include 3 HDMI 2.1 ports (1 with eARC) (Image credit: Future)
Formovie Cinema Edge review: design and features
All-in-one design for a simple theater setup
Front adjustable feet limit angle corrections
Google TV cumbersome to navigate
The Formovie Cinema Edge is a compact UST projector standing just over 3.5 inches tall. Width is 17.95 inches and it’s a little over a foot deep. With a 0.22:1 throw ratio, it can sit extra close to the wall, with only a 33 cm distance needed to project a 120-inch picture.
The Formovie Cinema Edge sits on three feet with only the front two offering height adjustments. This means unless you’ve got a stand and wall that sit perfectly perpendicular (or at just over a 90-degree angle) to each other, you’ll need an adjustable console underneath the projector. The projector does support digital keystone adjustments, but these should be used only after making physical adjustments, as digital keystone processing increases latency and reduces picture resolution.
The Cinema Edge packs in the Google TV smart TV interface and 30-watt speakers, letting you quickly get up and running with all your cinema needs. That said, all-in-one packages can struggle to do everything well.
The processor running Google TV on the Formovie Cinema Edge is fairly weak. It stumbles when opening settings while content is playing, and that can be trouble if you’re trying to tweak picture settings while evaluating the impact of your adjustments on the picture. Navigating the operating system can prove a little tedious as well. Sluggishness is a common ailment for projectors running Android or Google TV, and the Cinema Edge falls prey to it.
It’s small fries, but if you’re hoping to take the Formovie Cinema Edge out of the box, set it down, and experience its magic right away, you’ll need to temper your expectations. The configuration, regardless of whether you’re going for the full Google TV streaming experience or just basic HDMI input setup, takes a long time.
Around the back, you’ll find enough HDMI 2.1 ports for a solid home theater setup, including support for eARC on one of them. Optical digital audio output is also available. A pair of USB ports are located on the back, providing power for a streaming stick or external storage for local media playback.
Like many laser projectors, the Formovie Cinema Edge has a feature that detects when someone gets too close to the laser output and automatically dims the display. It promptly activates, though oddly doesn’t go as black as on some others.
Design and features score: 4/5
The Cinema Edge's picture quality shines in a dark viewing environment (Image credit: Future)
Formovie Cinema Edge review: picture quality
1900 ISO lumens plenty for dim and dark environments
Not as color-rich as RGB laser competitors
Motion smoothing by default, but picture controls to compensate
The Formovie Cinema Edge readily projects a 100-inch picture with crisp 4K detail. It looks best in a very dim or dark room, though it’s also bright enough to watch some content during the daytime. RuPauls’ Drag Race, for instance, is typically bright, and it’s easy to watch even in a well-lit room, though sunlight can still be a bit much.
Contrast is also fairly strong. Alien was a joy to watch, with the intricate, H.R. Giger-designed mechanical details of the ship shining brightly while the nooks and crannies sank effectively into darkness.
Alas, the Formovie Cinema Edge is a simple ALPD projector that doesn’t deliver the same color richness of the Formovie Theater or Hisense’s PX3-Pro, both of which are specced to achieve around 100% of BT.2020 color gamut coverage. Watching Avatar 2, it was painfully apparent how much more drab the visuals were by comparison, with the many blue hues looking dull and the flora and fauna throughout failing to exude their characteristic vibrance. This isn’t to say the Formovie Cinema Edge looks bad, but there are better options on the market for picture quality.
I also noticed plenty of blown-out highlights in the earlier scenes after the Sully family joins the water tribe in Avatar 2. The Formovie Theater had some tone mapping issues in our hands-on testing, and it appears that’s the case again here. HDR is also limited to HDR10 and HLG on the Cinema Edge – there’s no Dolby Vision or HDR10+.
The Formovie Cinema Edge has a fairly aggressive motion smoothing feature (called MJC) enabled in most of its picture settings by default. It’s not the worst-looking implementation of motion smoothing I’ve seen, but it looks better set to Low or disabled outright. Either way, the projector can struggle a bit with motion. Fight sequences looked choppy at times with or without MJC enabled. At Low, it subtly smooths out camera motion, though action can still look a little overdone.
For what it’s worth, the Formovie Cinema Edge includes a veritable trove of picture settings to adjust. It does little to explain what any of them are, though, so it may be difficult to dial in things to your liking. Thankfully, the picture generally looks good without getting into the weeds.
The sound put out by the Formovie Cinema Edge’s modest built-in speakers isn’t explosive, but they deliver a half-decent volume level for a small living room. The soundstage isn’t very wide, and there’s no deep bass, but it’s fine for casual viewing. For a more serious movie-viewing setup, external speakers will be an obvious upgrade.
Picture quality score: 3.5/5
The Cinema Edge comes with a basic remote control to operate its Google TV interface (Image credit: Future)
Formovie Cinema Edge review: value
Good value at the current reduced price
Older UST projectors pose a competitive threat
The Formovie Cinema Edge has a suggested retail price of $2,499, but that has since been reduced to $1,799. This discounted price is essential to the value of the projector, as it goes up against the Hisense PX2-Pro, which is now cheaper thanks to the launch of the PX3-Pro. It also faces off against Formovie’s higher-end projector, the Formovie Theater, which has also fallen in price since its launch, now seeing discounts as low as $2,299.
Value score: 3/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Formovie Cinema Edge?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want a compact projector: The Formovie Cinema Edge is small and sits close to the wall, giving you a big picture without taking up much space.
You want advanced picture customization: If you know just how you like images to look and don’t mind fiddling with settings, the Formovie Cinema Edge has plenty for you to dig through to adjust the picture to your liking.
Don’t buy it if…
You want comprehensive HDR support: The Cinema Edge doesn't have extended color gamut coverage and it lacks HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR support.
You want the best all-in-one projector: While the Cinema Edge has a good picture, decent speakers, and okay streaming capabilities, demanding viewers may end up wanting an external streamer and speakers, which will add to the price.
Also consider...
Hisense PX2-Pro The Hisense PX2-Pro has better picture quality and features but costs at least $200 more. It also uses the Google TV smart interface for streaming. It's a less compact option than the Formovie, and its built-in speakers don't offer any better sound quality.
Epson LS650 The Epson LS650 uses a 3LCD laser light source to beam a bright 3,600 lumens image, though its color isn't any better than the Formovie and the built-in Android TV system is worse than Formovie's Google TV platform. Both projectors are currently priced at the same level.
Hisense PX3-Pro The Hisense PX3-Pro is our choice as the best ultra short throw projector for most people. It has a brighter, more color-rich picture than the Formovie and more comprehensive HDR support. At just over $3,000, it’s somewhat on the pricey side, though it’s much less so than other UST projectors from Samsung and LG.
Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade
I tested the Formovie Cinema Edge at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with both SDR and 4K HDR streamed content.
My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models that I and my colleagues at TechRadar have tested.
I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.
The Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) is a big step up in every way. It’s a big step up from the basic Kindle Paperwhite, though the existence of the Kindle Colorsoft begs the question of whether we could see a color Kindle Scribe in the hopefully near future. This Scribe is a big upgrade from the last Kindle Scribe (2022), with new AI features that – shock of all shocks – are incredibly useful. It also gets an unfortunate price increase, but there’s no doubt the improved features warrant a higher price.
The funny thing about the Kindle Scribe is that it could just be a large-screen e-reader and I’d be happy with it… although for a hundred dollars or pounds less, maybe. Adding the pen and writing capabilities felt like an afterthought with the last Scribe, but it’s clear that Amazon has put considerable thought and effort into improving the experience this time around.
The new AI features are so good that I actually asked Amazon why it didn’t just hide the fact that it’s AI. I’d almost prefer not knowing that AI is recognizing my handwriting better than any other device I’ve used, or creating useful summaries of my notes and notebooks. If Amazon just told me this was something the Kindle Scribe could do, for that alone I would have been thankful.
Kindle Scribe (2024), left next to the reMarkable 2 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Instead, there’s an AI button, with the familiar stars that brands have started using to denote AI features. The Kindle Scribe can’t handle the AI chores itself, so there’s a slight delay as it sends my scribbles to the cloud. It’s worth the short wait, because the AI can interpret my worst chicken scratch, even when I forget letters or misspell words or use obscure proper nouns. It’s kind of remarkable what this writing tablet can do. And talking of remarkable…
It still feels like the Scribe could offer more writing tools, especially compared to the likes of the reMarkable 2 or an Onyx Boox Go 10.3 tablet running Android. It could use more pen styles and pen options; and you can never offer enough background templates to write on.
Amazon is addressing demand for the latter in a unique way: by offering templates as books in the Kindle book store. Since the Kindle Scribe launched the store has included a ‘write-on’ books section, and Amazon has been steadily offering its own titles for $0.99 or for free, depending on your membership. You can find daily planners, gratitude journals, and even score sheets for family game night; all created by Amazon, and all compatible with the writing tools on the Kindle Scribe.
What about writing in other books? That was a big problem with the last Kindle Scribe, and Amazon is edging closer to a solution. You can’t free-write in any book you like, but you can place a small ‘canvas’ for text and drawing anywhere on the page. Your Kindle will remember where you put each canvas, and then you can write next to the text. The text moves out of the way, and you can take notes on what you’re reading. It’s not perfect, but it’s much closer to what I want from a Kindle with a pen.
Writing on a book using the canvas tool (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The Kindle Scribe (2024) has a deceptively simple new design that looks more stately and professional than before, but Amazon has pulled off an amazing trick. All of the old accessories work with the new Scribe. The same folios and cases work with both the Kindle Scribe (2024) and Scribe (2022), as well as the pen. My new Scribe stuck firmly to the magnetic folio I got with my old Scribe.
What a delight! It’s much more common to see writing tablet makers ditch the last generation and make you buy all new stuff. Kudos to Amazon for doubling the size of its ecosystem with two devices that fit every accessory, instead of cutting it in half.
The price increase hurts, there’s no doubt, and if you only wanted the Kindle Scribe as a large-screen e-reader, I’d suggest buying the older Scribe (2022) instead, especially if you can get a deal. The screen is just as sharp, and it’s excellent for reading.
If you want to write on your tablet, the new Kindle Scribe (2024) is much better than before, and for many reasons – its handwriting recognition, note-summary features, and the growing library of write-on books – the Amazon Kindle Scribe is the best writing tablet you can buy.
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review: price and availability
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
$399.99 / £379.99 / AU$649 for 16GB with Premium Pen
$449.99 / $429.99 / AU$729 for 64GB and Metallic Jade color
Get the Metallic Jade color, it’s gorgeous. Sorry, let me start from the beginning. The Kindle Scribe starts at 16GB of storage with a boring Tungsten grey color that isn’t so bad, but it isn’t green. You can get the Kindle Scribe with 32GB or 64GB of storage, and then there’s the aforementioned beautiful Metallic Jade color that is really a standout hue, but it’s only available on the most expensive model with 64GB of storage, and besides more storage capacity there are no other benefits to getting that model.
The new Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) is also more expensive than the old Kindle Scribe no matter which storage option you choose. Why does that matter? Because it’s gone from being slightly less expensive than an Apple iPad 10.9 to slightly more expensive than an iPad (in the US and Australia, at least). That feels like a move that needs to be justified by a much better device.
It’s not just a little better; it’s a lot better. It’s a whole new level of better. It’s enough to justify a price increase, I think, because this is no longer a big e-reader with some doodling features tucked away. This is a full-fledged writing tablet, and it does some things better than any other writing tablet I’ve seen.
So what has Amazon improved? Is it thinner and lighter? Nope. Bigger screen? By a decimal point. Oh, it must be in color now, I heard there was a color Kindle. Sorry, maybe next time!
If I ask nicely can I please haz color Kindle Scribe? (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
I’m going to give you three guesses as to which big feature Amazon added to the Kindle Scribe… yep, right first time, it’s AI. Except… it’s good?! It’s really good. It’s so good, I almost wish Amazon hadn’t told me the Kindle Scribe uses AI. I didn’t need to know! I could just think my new Scribe got much better at handwriting recognition on its own, by learning. Okay, that’s actually what AI is.
Does it compete with the reMarkable 2? I’ll get to that later, but the reMarkable 2 is similarly priced at $399 / £399 / AU$679, which is probably not a coincidence. The Amazon Kindle Scribe doesn’t give you the religious writing experience and Zen organization of the reMarkable, but that’s probably a good thing for most Kindle buyers.
Anyway, for $50 / £50 / AU$80 more than the base model Kindle Scribe you can have 64GB of storage instead of 16GB, and you can also have the Metallic Jade color, the color of my review sample. It’s stellar. The white border around the page gives the Scribe a more professional and polished look, and the Jade color really sparkles.
Thankfully, every model gets the so-called Premium Pen, which gives you a rubbery eraser tip. The old model had a cheap pen and you had to buy this upgrade, so that’s another justification for the price increase.
Value score: 4 / 5
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review: Specs
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Nearly identical size and shape to the last model, and that’s great
Screen is more sharp than competing writing tablets
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review: display
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
E Ink display retains sharpness at larger size
Brighter than the competition by far
The Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) uses an E Ink display that's very similar to the Kindle Paperwhite's, with the same 300ppi pixel density, making it incredibly sharp for reading printed text. To compare, Apple’s latest iPad Pro 11-inch uses Apple’s most advanced display ever, and it’s only 264ppi.
What’s even more remark… noteworthy is that none of the other writing tablet competitors come close, likely because they aren’t as focused on reading as they are on writing. The reMarkable 2 uses a display with only 226ppi.
A Kindle Scribe (2022) next to the Kobo Elipsa 2E (Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)
The Kindle Scribe is also the brightest writing tablet you’ll find. The Scribe is brighter than the Kobo Elipsa 2E, another E Ink tablet that's the same size, and it’s much brighter than the new reMarkable Paper Pro, which uses minimal lighting to be visible in darkness. The Kindle Scribe can get bright, and the light can also get warm if you want to read at night and avoid blue light.
Display score: 5 / 5
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review: design
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Looks bigger than before, even though it’s not
More refined without changing much
The Kindle Scribe is a refined, premium Kindle, which is a relief, considering the higher price. Amazon’s smaller e-reader, the Kindle Paperwhite, is plastic, which makes it lightweight, durable, and an inexpensive way to take hundreds of books on a month-long vacation. It also feels kind of cheap. The Kindle Scribe, on the other hand, is a super-slim slip of metal with a premium finish and dainty feet at the back corners. I wish more Kindle devices were like this.
The last Kindle Scribe was a lot like this, just a bit more boring. It came in a dark grey, which looked professional in metal, but it lacked character. The new Kindle Scribe has a white border around the E Ink that makes the display feel more like paper, and the whole device looks more like an electronic notebook than it did before.
The power button and USB-C port are both on the side of the device, which is hard to remember but it never got in the way, like the bottom-facing power button on the Kindle Paperwhite.
A reMarkable 2 from the side... yes, it's very thin (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The Kindle Scribe is very thin. It’s only 5.7mm thick, compared to the iPad 10.9 at 7mm or the positively chunky Kobo Elipsa 2E, which is a 7.5mm porker. Of course, the reMarkable 2 stands out like a supermodel at only 4.7mm, but the reMarkable has absolutely no lighting on board. You can’t use it in the dark. It needs to eat something, the room is growing dim.
The Kindle Scribe (2024), left, next to the Kindle Scribe (2022) (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
One of the most remarka… astonishing discoveries I made during my review period concerned the folio case. I forgot to request one from Amazon, but I discovered that the old cases are now listed as compatible with both the Kindle Scribe (2022) and Scribe (2024). What?! A tablet maker releasing a new tablet that fits in the old cases? My older leather magnet cover folio worked perfectly. All the little feet lined up.
This is almost unheard of in the world of consumer electronics, and Amazon should be commended for it. I know a few reMarkable Paper Pro owners who are fuming that they have to buy a whole new Type Folio and cover for their new tablets.
Design score: 5 / 5
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review: software
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
It’s got AI... wait, hear me out, it’s actually pretty great
Like the rest of this Kindle, the AI doesn’t try to do too much
The Kindle Scribe is essentially a gigantic book with a pen attached, so there are very specific things I want it to do, and it doesn’t need to do much else. I want to read, write, and take notes. Everything else is a bonus, or a feature that helps me with my reading, writing, and thinking.
The last Kindle Scribe was missing one key feature, and Amazon has found an elegant solution that I appreciate. I wanted to write in my books, but that’s actually a really tough request, as there are legal rights issues that make writing in an e-book a tricky issue. I’ve seen two solutions to this problem, and I like Amazon’s best.
The Kobo e-readers with a pen will let you write in a book, directly in the book itself. The Kobo remembers your notation and where you put it. The problem is, the book is electronic. It changes depending on how you size the text, or other factors. When you change your e-book on a Kobo, it gives you a little indicator that a note exists around that location in the book. Then you have the e-reader return the page to the way it was, handwritten note and all. Ta-da! You’ve written in an e-book!
With the Kindle Scribe (2024), Amazon has created a new 'canvas' tool concept. When you're reading a book, you can use the pen and start writing anywhere. The Kindle Scribe draws a small box on the page, and all of your writing is contained within this. The size of the box is determined by what you write, and there's also a tool that lets you create a large box first, and then write in it.
When you resize text, the box stays near the point in the book where you added it. You can’t underline individual words this way, or circle specific turns of phrase, but I still like it. I think it’s a good compromise that acknowledges that the medium is electronic. If I want to write on a page with a pen, I have paper books for that, but we need a new idea that is extensible and flexible, and this is a good start.
And that’s it! Amazon has fixed my biggest complaint about the Kindle Scribe (2022). So, we can all go home now, right? Wait… what is that button at the top of the device? It looks like the stars that companies use to denote AI features. Is that AI on my Kindle? What? And why?
Asking the AI to read my handwriting (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Calm down, me. Amazon has thankfully used a very light touch in adding AI to the Kindle Scribe, and as I said earlier, you wouldn’t even know it was using AI if Amazon didn’t tell you. The Kindle Scribe basically has only two AI tricks.
The first is handwriting recognition. Amazon is calling this writing refinement, but that’s inaccurate. It’s just handwriting recognition that works exceptionally well, better than I’ve ever seen on a writing tablet before. Then, it gives you a typed version of whatever you wrote, along with some clever fonts that look a bit like bubbly handwriting.
The other AI tool is note summaries. Once the software has recognized what you’ve written, it uses AI to create a summary, and these two tools together provide an excellent one-two boost for taking notes during meetings and classes, and then maybe sharing or reviewing your notes later.
And that’s it on the AI front. The Kindle Scribe (2024) is not using generative AI to draw for me, and it’s not telling me what to write. Amazon is only using AI to make one existing tool better, with handwriting recognition, and to add more utility to my note-taking with summaries. I hope it stops there.
You can make this summary the first page or the last page (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
It does leave me with a burning question though, and it was one I caught Amazon off-guard with. The Kindle Scribe can’t run large language models on the device (at the edge of your network as Qualcomm likes to say), it offloads every request to the cloud.
How much power does it all consume? How much power does it take to respond to my request, and how much power was consumed in training the models used to help improve my handwriting?
Amazon didn’t have an answer, because AI is not part of its sustainability commitment, but this is a question I’m going to be asking any device maker that uses generative AI to improve features. Is the cost of AI really worth the improvements? It’s unclear, but I worry that it is not.
Software score: 4 / 5
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review: performance
Waiting for the AI to do its thing in the cloud (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Reading features are just as good as ever
Writing tools can be buggy, and AI is slow, but worthwhile
The Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) is almost two tablets in one, a dedicated reading tablet on one hand and a writing and journaling tablet on the other, except the two meet in the middle more than ever before. This is still a tablet that leans towards books, but the new writing tools make it incredibly useful for notes as well.
Still, the closer you stay to reading books, the more satisfying you’ll find the Kindle Scribe's performance. Reading is just as fast as on the latest Kindle Paperwhite, which got a performance boost that makes menus and page-turns more swift.
Taking notes and basic writing works as expected, and the Kindle Scribe falls somewhere between the reMarkable 2 and the Kobo Elipsa in replicating the feel of writing on paper. It feels good with the Scribe, especially erasing with the new rubber-tipped pen. It's a nice touch.
I found that writing in books was mostly a good experience, but there are still some kinks. When I put my pen to the page to write a note the canvas tool drew a box for me with no trouble. However, when I selected the canvas tool to draw my box first I often ended up wiping out whole pages of text with a big canvas. Maybe a software update could fix this.
There are only four pens on the Kindle Scribe, with five thicknesses each (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Once you start using the AI tools, prepare for a delay. A long delay. The Kindle Scribe has to communicate with Amazon’s cloud for every request and response, and this isn’t a smartphone, with devoted networking equipment of every flavor. It can take many seconds to get a response from Amazon’s brain in the sky.
Is it worth the wait? If you were expecting an AI on board that would translate your scribblings into calligraphy, then you’ll be disappointed. If you don’t mind waiting a couple of beats after a long meeting while the computer makes your notes look pretty, it’s no trouble at all.
During my review period it took the Kindle Scribe up to 40 seconds to read a full page of my terrible handwriting and return a typed version, but it's arguably worth the wait. The Kindle’s version was so good that if it missed a word I was unable to go back and read my own handwriting well enough to figure out what I'd actually written. The Scribe with Amazon AI could read my own handwriting better than I could.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review: battery
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Lasts as long as a Kindle Paperwhite for basic reading only
Writing drains the battery, but talking to the cloud is worse
If you never use the Kindle Scribe (2024), it could last forever. The more you do with it – and Amazon has given us a lot more to do with it – the faster the battery will drain. This sounds obvious, but the new features Amazon has added are going to make a big difference if you use them often.
Amazon offers lofty battery claims for the Kindle Scribe (2024) that sound just like those it makes for the Kindle Paperwhite: 12 weeks of reading (asterisk). Or three weeks of writing (asterisk). I’m not sure who could write for three weeks straight.
The catch, of course, is that you get those 12 weeks of battery life only if you read for just 30 minutes every day with the screen brightness set to 13 (the max is 24). You can write for 30 minutes a day for three weeks. That’s great! But what about the AI?
Amazon’s battery estimate accounts for the Wi-Fi being turned off, and using the AI features requires Wi-Fi. I’m not sure how much power the Kindle Scribe uses in between, but using AI features will drain the battery faster. I’ve only had my Kindle Scribe for a week and I’ve used the AI features a handful of times. It hasn’t made a huge difference yet, but I wasn’t really expecting three weeks of writing.
Unfortunately, the Kindle Scribe (2024) also charges very slowly. If you plug the USB-C port into a wall charger with 9W of power or more, it will charge fully in 2.5 hours. I didn’t try to charge it using my laptop’s USB-C ports, but Amazon says that process will take nine hours to fully charge the Kindle Scribe.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)?
Buy it if...
You want a Kindle that you can write on At its heart, the Kindle Scribe offers a simple, elegant proposition. You love the Kindle, now you can write in one
You want a writing tablet but your handwriting is terrible Did you think computers would never be able to read your unique handicraft? I’ll bet this one can
You’ve were waiting for the last Kindle Scribe to get better Putting AI aside, Amazon fixed the biggest issues I had with the past Kindle Scribe. This one is great, no major complaints
Don't buy it if...
You are devoted to the feel of a fine pen on luxury paper This isn’t a reMarkable tablet. If writing is a religious experience for you, that’s the one
You want apps to help organize your writing The Kindle Scribe is good as electronic paper, but if you want apps, you need an iPad or Onyx Boox tablet. Instead, you get write-on books from the Kindle store
You have a problem with AI The environmental impact of using cloud-based AI and major LLMs is still unclear, and it’s best to proceed with caution and diligence if we’re concerned about the environmental impact
Also consider
reMarkable 2 The reMarkable 2 and reMarkable Paper Pro are writing tablets for restraint. They have very few features beyond excellent writing tools, and reMarkable prides itself on saying no to extraneous additions, like a clock. Read our in-depth reMarkable 2 review
Kobo Elipsa 2E The Kobo Elipsa 2E gives you more writing tools, but its pen needs to be charged, its screen doesn’t feel as nice, and its E Ink display isn’t as sharp for reading. Still, if your books aren’t all from Amazon, it’s worth a look. Read our in-depth Kobo Elipsa 2E review
How I tested the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Testing period - one week
Subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, Comixology Unlimited, Libby through OverDrive
Tested books, meeting notes, AI recognition, comics, audiobooks
I used the Kindle Colorsoft one week before I published my review. During that time, I read The Princess Bride by William Goldman, I listened to parts of The Return of the King from Audible, and I took extensive notes during work meetings, which I do not usually do but I’m testing a writing tablet so I was extra.
I read Attack on Titan in black and white on the Kindle. I read during the day and before bed, adjusting the color temperature to the time of day. I read in bed, on the couch, on the train, but not in the bathtub, because this Kindle is not water resistant like the smaller e-reader Kindle devices.
I tested the AI features by having the Kindle Scribe refine and then summarize meeting notes from work meetings. I wrote a few brief stories and had the Kindle Scribe refine those from my terrible handwriting. I had my teenage son write a few words on the Kindle Scribe in his own handwriting and had the AI refine his writing as well.
I wrote on books purchased from the Kindle Store using the new Canvas tool. I read and downloaded books from Amazon Kindle as well as books I got from my local library using Libby and the OverDrive book system.
I tested the web browsing features by visiting TechRadar and reading articles at our own site. It wasn’t a great experience. I connected Bluetooth headphones, Pixel Buds Pro, and listened to Audible audiobooks. I used the Kindle Scribe without a case for the entirety of my review, but discovered it fit perfectly in my older Kindle Scribe (2022) case just in time to take photos at the end.
A good starter deck should be easy to use and sound decent without breaking the bank. The House of Marley Revolution does both, with an added dose of sustainable style that makes it one of the best-value Bluetooth turntables we’ve tested.
Made with eco-friendly components, the Revolution sets itself apart from your average budget turntable's plastic build. There’s a reassuring weight to its construction, while the materials lend it a quality feel which belies the cost. The base is wrapped in fabric woven from recycled resources, while the distinctive bamboo plinth makes a statement wherever you place it.
Pre-calibrated out of the box, setting up the Revolution is as simple as dropping the felt mat on the platter and attaching the counterweight to the tone arm. You can wire up for easy analog audio or push the Bluetooth button for wireless pairing. Then you’re good to go. It’s all incredibly straightforward. This plug-and-play approach won’t appeal to hi-fi enthusiasts, but it makes for a hassle-free vinyl experience that’s ideal for first-time listeners.
The same goes for the audio output: this isn’t the kind of deck that needs to be paired with high-end hi-fi separates. If you’ve got a picky ear, there’s plenty to be picked at. Mids can be muddy, for example, and we detected some distortion in the treble at times. Then again, hooked up to House of Marley’s Uplift Bookshelf Speakers (sold separately – although you'll find tempting bundle deals), the sound was more than dynamic enough for everyday listening, with a surprising fullness to the low end in particular.
It won’t trouble the best turntables for audio quality. But if you want an entry-level Bluetooth deck that looks good, sounds decent and is foolproof to operate, we think the Revolution offers fantastic value.
House of Marley Revolution: price & release date
(Image credit: Future / Chris Rowlands)
Launched in September 2024
Available now for $169.99 / £149.99 / A$199
The House of Marley Revolution turntable was released in September 2024. It joins the Stir It Up and Stir It Up Lux decks in the sustainable brand’s turntable line-up. Priced at $169.99 / £149.99 / A$199, it sits very much in entry-level category.
The Revolution turntable can also be bought bundled together with House of Marley’s wired Uplift Bookshelf Speakers ($179.99 / £199.99 / A$349) or a Get Together Duo wireless stereo pair (£249.99) in the UK.
Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT review: Specs
House of Marley Revolution: design
(Image credit: Future / Chris Rowlands)
Plinth made from renewable bamboo
Dust cover made from post-consumer plastic
Unit wrapped in sustainable Rewind fabric
House of Marley has made its name with audio gear crafted from sustainable materials – and the Revolution is no exception. This is a turntable that does its bit for the planet. The built-in dust cover is made from post-consumer plastic, while that unmissable plinth uses renewable bamboo. The body of the unit is clad in Rewind fabric, which is woven from reclaimed cotton and hemp, with recycled rPET.
More than a fad, these materials make the Revolution a genuinely distinctive turntable, especially compared with the generic plastic build of many budget decks. The grain pattern on the plinth might not appeal to minimalists, but it gives the Revolution an organic look seldom seen in modern audio products. Similarly, the fabric wrap lends the base a nicely tactile finish, albeit one that might attract dust over time.
There are still clues that this is an entry-level turntable: the section at the base of the tonearm is plastic and there’s more flex there than you’d get from a deck at twice the price. But on the whole, the Revolution doesn’t feel cheap. It helps that there’s a good weight to the unit. It’s also obvious that House of Marley’s design team has paid plenty of attention to detail, right down to the subtle red, yellow and green stripes found on the headshell.
Design score: 4.5/5
House of Marley Revolution: features and setup
(Image credit: Future / Chris Rowlands)
Plug-and-play setup with arm counterbalance
Wired or wireless speaker connectivity
Pre-calibrated tracking force and anti-skate
As you’d expect from a starter deck, the Revolution is a cinch to set up. The only assembly that’s really required is to slide the counterbalance onto the tone arm and screw it in place. Otherwise, the Revolution is the definition of a plug-and-play turntable. Tracking force and anti-skate come pre-calibrated out of the box, so all you need to do is connect a set of speakers and you’re away.
You can wire in a pair of separates for a full analog setup, using either the RCA line out or passive speaker jacks on the rear. Alternatively, the Revolution’s Bluetooth support lets you output audio wirelessly. House of Marley offers the Revolution as a bundle with its Uplift (wired) or Get Together (wireless) bookshelf speakers, but it works just as well with your existing audio kit. Put a Bluetooth speaker into pairing mode, press the Bluetooth button on the turntable and – in our experience – it will find and pair within 10 seconds.
Controls are kept to a bare minimum, with the power knob doubling up as a volume control, in addition to a three-speed playback setting and tonearm lift lever. There’s also a switch to toggle Bluetooth in and out. With Bluetooth set as an input, you can pair it with a source device, allowing you to stream music via the turntable to your wired hi-fi speakers – a useful feature if you don’t have another way to connect your separates to a streaming service.
Features and setup score: 4/5
House of Marley Revolution: audio performance
(Image credit: Future / Chris Rowlands)
Replaceable Audio-Technica AT3600L stylus
Stream to and from Bluetooth devices
Quality is fine for everyday listening
Lift the tonearm over a record and the platter will start spinning automatically. Lower it and you’ll be rewarded with audio that’s surprisingly rich for a budget deck. Your choice of speakers will naturally have an impact on the sound signature, but output quality from the Revolution is perfectly serviceable for everyday listening.
Wired up to House of Marley’s Uplift Bookshelf Speakers, there was a nice dynamism to the playback. Albums of all genres sounded lively, from Radiohead’s OK Computer to Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. There’s a surprising amount of weight to the low end as well, which means your records are never at risk of sounding flat. Playing Barry Can’t Swim’s When Will We Land? on a Friday afternoon certainly got the house moving.
That bass actually proved too much when paired with the JBL Authentics 200 over Bluetooth. It could be that House of Marley has tuned the output to suit its own speakers, but the lower frequencies were too punchy to enjoy in that particular setup, crowding out the upper range. That isn’t the case when the Revolution is connected to the Uplift speakers, which deliver a relatively balanced listen for the money.
All of this is caveated by the fact that the Revolution is by no means a hi-fi-quality turntable. Audiophiles will find plenty to sniff at. The mids are easily muddied, for example, especially on complex tracks. Listening to AM by the Arctic Monkeys, detail was quickly lost on heavier numbers. Treble can also be quite harsh at times and we picked up a fair bit of distortion at the top end.
This isn't a deck capable of doing justice to high-end stereo speakers, but nor is it priced like one. More expensive turntables will give you a fuller and more dynamic listen, but if you want an affordable first deck to spin records on a daily basis, you can do worse than the Revolution.
Interestingly, we picked up that the Revolution ran ever so slightly slow compared with digital tracks, although not enough that you’d notice unless you were timing for it.
Audio performance score: 3.5/5
House of Marley Revolution: value
(Image credit: Future / Chris Rowlands)
Distinctive design and decent build at a fair price
Sounds quality is reasonable for the cost
If you’re looking for a straightforward turntable at a palatable price, we think the House of Marley Revolution gets close to the value sweet spot. There are some cheaper Bluetooth turntables out there, but none with the same style and build quality as the Revolution.
It’s not a perfect product by any means. This isn’t one for serious audiophiles, but it ticks all the right boxes for a reasonably priced starter deck. You get a solid construction, simple setup and distinctive design, plus the flexibility of wired or wireless connectivity.
There are plenty of turntables that sound better and the Revolution’s audio shortcomings would be laid bare if paired with some of the best stereo speakers. But team it up with a matching set from House of Marley and you’ve got a reliable setup for spinning records on a daily basis, with audio quality that’s rich enough for easy listening.
Value score: 4/5
Should you buy the House of Marley Revolution?
Buy it if...
You want a distinctive turntable A bamboo plinth and Rewind fabric body wrap help the Revolution to cut a dash on any sideboard, while a recycled plastic dust cover adds to its unique eco credentials.
You need something simple to use A plug-and-play turntable that’s pre-calibrated out of the box, the Revolution makes it easy to get your records on. Setup is straightforward and Bluetooth connectivity is seamless.
You’d like the option of wired or wireless Giving you useful flexibility, the Revolution lets you enjoy playback via wires or Bluetooth. Hook it up to House of Marley’s Uplift or Get Together speakers, or use your own.
Don't buy it if...
You want the very best sound quality The Revolution represents excellent value, with surprisingly dynamic sound for the price. That said, muddy mids and a dash of treble distortion mean quality isn’t perfect for hi-fi enthusiasts.
You want a flexible setup Designed with simplicity in mind, the Revolution keeps things streamlined. You can’t adjust the tracking force or anti-skate, and while the stylus is replaceable, you can’t upgrade the cartridge.
You want perfect playback During our tests, the Revolution ran a touch slow at times. Not enough to notice unless you’re listening very closely, but still an imperfection which could distract the keenest ears.
Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT: Also consider
Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT Our favorite budget Bluetooth turntable will set you back a fair bit more than the Revolution and you’ll have to live with a plastic chassis. That said, it also benefits from fully automatic operation, as well as superior sound quality. Read our Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT review here.
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon If you have ambitions of becoming a vinyl enthusiast, we recommend the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon for your first deck. It costs more, but your reward is a gorgeous aluminium build and solid hi-fi credentials, including fantastic sound quality. Read our Pro-Ject Debut Carbon review here.
How I tested the House of Marley Revolution
(Image credit: Future / Chris Rowlands)
Tested for three weeks
Used as my primary turntable in living room
Tested using House of Marley’s Uplift Bookshelf Speakers
I installed the House of Marley Revolution in my living room for the best part of a month. It was used on a daily basis to spin records of all genres. I paired it with House of Marley’s wired Uplift Bookshelf Speakers, as well as testing its wireless capabilities by connecting it to my JBL Authentics 200 via Bluetooth. I listened keenly to tracks that I know well, to get a feel for how the Revolution handled specific details, as well as its overall character.
Open-world gacha game, Infinity Nikki, is the fifth entry in the Nikki series. The franchise, developed by Papergames / Infold Games, was previously available on mobile devices only. In fact, the series had completely flown under my radar until late September when I got the chance to play the Infinity Nikki demo at the Tokyo Game Show.
Review info
Platform reviewed: PC Available on: PC, PlayStation 5, iOS, Android Release date: December 5, 2024
What intrigued me back then was the notion that this free-to-play game would allow me to progress at a leisurely pace and have a stress-free time, without worrying too much about leveling characters and gear just to take on tough bosses. This concept is almost antithetical to what I’ve experienced in titles like Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, Wuthering Waves, and others, where “pulling for meta characters” and “min-maxing stats” are tantamount to improving your chances at completing late-game content.
Fortunately, Infinity Nikki managed to exceed my expectations, thanks to its gorgeous visuals and exploration beats, some of which reminded me of other successful titles. However, it does suffer from a few pitfalls, most notably those related to the series’ use of mobile game-focused ideas.
Welcome to Miraland
(Image credit: Infold Games)
Infinity Nikki’s campaign begins as the titular character, along with her cat companion Momo, are sent to a magical realm known as Miraland. This leads to an isekai-style romp that takes them to nearly half a dozen explorable regions in search of the fabled Miracle Outfits.
These zones of Miraland include the city of Florawish, where I learned more about the setting, as well as the green fields of Breezy Meadows. Later, I marveled at the sights of the Abandoned District, a region consisting of multiple towering islands that are only reachable by gliding across tornado-filled seas.
Likewise, there’s the Wishing Woods, a forest that’s dotted with several twisting pathways, tall treetops, and thorny vines. Regions also have their own uniquely themed dungeons, such as a power plant in the sewers and a runaway train with scarecrow-esque ghosts.
Infinity Nikki’s themes and cartoony designs tend to be bright, vibrant, and vivid, as though the whole experience is meant to be a joyful celebration. Even the theme song performed by Jessie J, 'Together Till Infinity,' which plays whenever I launch the game, is so upbeat that I can’t help but tap my feet to the tune. But what makes the world truly come to life is the use of various environmental features to aid in traversing these aforementioned regions.
For instance, there are giant birds and paper cranes that give you a good vantage point of your surroundings. Do you want to reach a distant island? You can do that by passing through floating rings that are suspended in mid-air. Need to get to the top of a mountain? There might be a seal that could toss you over yonder. And, yes, there’s also a bike that you can ride across hills and fields.
However, the main downside is that comical and silly themes also cause Infinity Nikki's narrative arc to falter. Although some story beats have a more serious tone – such as Florawish villagers falling into a coma or hopeful wishes being stolen – some ideas just weren’t compelling and several supporting characters were plainly unremarkable.
Runway modeling and runaway spending
(Image credit: Infold Games)
The Nikki series is known for its dress-up mechanics and Infinity Nikki is no exception, given that there are several outfits that grant unique abilities. Early on, I obtained attires that allowed Nikki to glide in mid-air, pet animals, catch bugs, fish in rivers, and even fix electrical panels. Later in the game, I actually made a dress that caused Nikki to shrink so I could control Momo instead.
These ability dresses, as well as many others that I found during my travels, can be used in Styling Contests and the Mira Crown. In these activities, I was graded based on Nikki’s clothing score or whim, denoted by attributes like ‘Sweet’, ‘Cool’, ‘Elegant’, and bonus points from cosmetic frills. All of these make for a very engaging gameplay loop that involves finding new outfits and then upgrading them to increase their stats, so you can defeat faction leaders and grab additional rewards.
The above concepts are complemented by a handy wardrobe menu where I mixed and matched clothing parts, hairstyles, and makeup. From dazzling ball gowns, fluffy jackets, shimmering tiaras, and high-heeled stilettos, to colorful blushes, peculiar accessories, floating neon effects, and alternative designs, there are a thousand ways to showcase your sense of fashion. Moreover, the game has an amazing Photo Mode feature that has numerous poses and effects, all to shine a spotlight on your style as you progress.
However, the most glaring issue here is actually tied to the gacha system itself. While cash purchases are disabled in the Infinity Nikki build that I played, I was still able to check out the in-game store and banner. The most telling fixture is that full outfit sets from gacha banners consist of nine or more parts, making it extremely unlikely to get a full set within your first few ‘pulls’ (i.e. gacha attempts). In my case, I spent diamonds, a standard in-game currency, on 100 pulls, and I still wasn’t able to get a complete 5-star set.
It goes without saying that players who are after all the item pieces might feel compelled to spend more money. While the ‘pity system’ helps guarantee a 5-star reward every 20 pulls, I feel that this would exacerbate the problem further.
Countless collectibles and content for the constantly curious
(Image credit: Infold Games)
Another facet that bolsters Infinity Nikki’s quirks and charms is the countless collectibles and side content to discover in Miraland. There are collectibles known as Whimstars which are used to unlock outfits and perks in the Heart of Infinity, a skill tree with dozens of interconnected nodes.
Obtaining Whimstars tends to be an effortful and enjoyable endeavor. Some require running around to pick up fragments or looking for a star-shaped graffiti that’s hidden in the environment, while others are embedded in magical creatures that you should pet or catch. There are also those that are found in mini-domains with puzzles, akin to shrines in The Legend of Zelda games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Aside from Whimstars, there are orbs known as Dews of Inspiration, which are vastly more numerous. These are given to a friendly dragon named Kilo the Cadenceborn, who then provides you with extra attires. Additionally, there are side quests where you look for the correct Photo Mode locations, missing perfumes, and historical sites, as well as countless treasure chests to unlock.
In the same vein, there are ways to quickly farm for resources, including Realm Challenges that grant bling currency (i.e. gold) and a “Dig Pear Pal” panel where you passively earn items after enough hours have elapsed. All in all, even if you’re not focusing on the main quest, Infinity Nikki still provides many tasks that enrich the sense of discovery.
Combat conundrums and timegating troubles
(Image credit: Infold Games)
One feature of Infinity Nikki that’s sure to be contentious is its combat system, or rather the very simplistic and lackluster way in which it’s presented. After all, this is meant to be a cozy game, right? Sadly, Nikki’s main offensive move is just an extremely basic projectile attack that travels in a straight line, and most enemies can be defeated in a single hit. Coincidentally, certain foes, including bosses, have relatively simple, repetitive, and easily telegraphed attack patterns. Combat is unchallenging to a fault that it’s something I tuned out most of the time while exploring.
Still, combat woes don’t hold a candle to the most egregious of all of Infinity Nikki’s flaws: its mobile game-style approach to timegating. To clarify, there’s already content that causes you to use up energy. But there are also portions of the campaign where you need to increase your Stylist Rank just to receive the next main quest objective. The Stylist Rank requires not just the overall tally of your progress, such as Whimstars collected, total number of outfits acquired, and so on, but also Daily Wishes.
(Image credit: Infold Games)
A few hours into Infinity Nikki’s campaign, I chanced upon a flying paper crane that gave me a breathtaking view of the town of Florawish. This and other magical modes of transport made exploration more rewarding.
Daily Wishes, as the term implies, come from the daily tasks you complete. Here’s the kicker: these cap at 500 points each day, but some of the overall requirements are not divisible by 500 (i.e. 1,100, 1,600, 2,100 points, and so on). A good example was when I encountered a progress-blocking bug as part of a quest. It took a while for that bug to get fixed and, once I had completed the quest, I was really eager to see what was next in store. Only then did I realize that I lacked points from dailies, so I had no choice but to wait for the next reset.
Timegating also extends to Insights, which are gathering and combat-specific tallies. As you pet animals, catch fish/bugs, take out enemies, and gather resources, you earn Insight points for upgradable perks. However, once you’ve done too many of these actions in a single day, you no longer earn the actual points.
Initially, I thought that these systems were put in place to combat gaming addiction. However, as the days passed, I began to think that these create an adverse effect where players feel more invested since they have no choice but to log in repeatedly. As such, even if Infinity Nikki does have brilliant ideas that kept me entertained, it still suffers from the same pitfalls that characterize forced time investment in mobile and live service games.
(Image credit: Infold Games)
Should you play Infinity Nikki?
Play it if...
You enjoy open-world games Miraland is home to all sorts of wonderful and whimsical creatures, and there are many collectibles to discover in various regions.View Deal
You prefer casual-friendly and comfortable gameplay From petting cute animals to playing dress-up to receive rewards, the activities in Infinity Nikki tend to be relaxing and stress-free.View Deal
Don't play it if...
You’re looking for challenging combat The combat system in the game is rather dull and uninspired. Don’t expect a challenge from most enemies and bosses.View Deal
You dislike timegating mechanics At certain points, you’ll have no choice but to wait for the next daily reset just to finish some tasks, all to increase your rank and receive the next quest objective.View Deal
Accessibility
Infinity Nikki doesn’t have much in the way of accessibility features. At best, there are player view assists that cause the camera to pan automatically whenever your character is moving, falling through the air, or fighting enemies. There’s also an Enable Jump Guide Line option that creates a shining glyph below your character so you know where you’d land. Lastly, there’s an option to respawn Nikki in case she gets stuck in the environment.
(Image credit: Infold Games)
How I reviewed Infinity Nikki
I played Infinity Nikki on a TCL P755 TV at 4K resolution and mostly high settings. My gaming PC has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, Intel Core i9-10900K CPU, and 32GB of RAM. I used a Razer Viper Mini mouse and a locally-made keyboard, as well as a Logitech F710 wireless controller.
My progress as of the time of this writing is around 40 hours across six days, and I was able to reach the main story chapter that takes place in the Whispering Woods. On days when I encountered progress-blocking bugs and gameplay mechanics, I opted to tackle side quests and look for collectibles just to get a good grasp of open-world exploration features.
This review first appeared in issue 358 of PC Pro.
Hot on the heels of the Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D I reviewed last month comes Acer’s spin on the same concept. Both are 27in 4K monitors that can jump between 2D and 3D modes, allowing developers to view creations on demand. No need for special glasses or VR goggles; just render and go.
It’s a marriage of hardware and software, and I’ll tackle the hardware first. One pivotal inclusion is a pair of eye-tracking cameras; here, they sit in the top bezel rather than the bottom (Lenovo’s choice), and they work equally well. The second hardware component is a 3D lens that sits above the panel and projects pixels to the left and right eyes as needed. A 3D engine built into the monitor’s electronics takes control of what’s beamed where.
While Lenovo includes a fine pair of speakers in the ThinkVision, they’re nothing compared to the duo beneath the main body of the SpatialLabs 27 View Pro. These provide superb stereo separation in normal use, but their skills come to the fore when you activate Acer’s aptly named Immerse Audio app. This plants you straight into the action, with the only missing direction being from behind you.
The SpatialLabs 27 View Pro is a fine monitor for 2D as well as 3D work(Image credit: Future)
The 3D experience
Acer supplies an app called SpatialLabs Experience Center Professional with this monitor, and it’s your direct route to activating 3D effects. The main menu offers you three options: SpatialLabs Go, SpatialLabs Model Viewer and SpatialLabs Player.
SpatialLabs Player is the simplest, as its role is simply to let you turn side-by-side videos into stereoscopic 3D. A YouTube search will bring up a bunch of example videos that have been shot at two angles – one for the left eye, one for the right – and you’ll be impressed by the effects, if not the plotlines. Most of the best videos are ads.
With few movies created in 3D, SpatialLabs Go is there to turn 2D content into 3D in real-time.
It’s designed to work across all apps, so long as they’re in full-screen view, and weirdly that includes Teams,Google Meet and Facebook. But the obvious examples are photos and videos.
I rarely found the effect compelling, but it works best when the engine can clearly detect what’s up close and what’s in the background. Bokeh effects are great, for example, while your shots of the Grand Canyon will look flat even if you head into the settings to maximize the 3D effect.
Developers can design 3D games on the monitor but they can’t play them(Image credit: Future)
Super models
In reality, nobody is going to buy this monitor unless they create or view 3D models for professional reasons. Acer, like Lenovo, imagines that its core audience will be architects, 3D developers and CAD designers, which is why it has created plugins for a wide range of 3D software. At the time of writing, this list consists of 3ds Max, Fusion 360, Blender, Inventor, Cura, Revit, SketchUp, Navisworks, ArchiCad, Rhino 3D, Solidworks, form Z, Zbrush, CDB and Bentley iTwin. You can also export scenes from any 3D software that includes an Unreal Datasmith exporter plugin.
You can view pre-made models directly using the SpatialLabs Model Viewer, which is effectively an integration with Sketchfab. Open Model Viewer and you can view a bunch of pre-selected models and maneuver them as if they were sitting in front of you. You can also play around with lighting and backgrounds to add to the realism.
There’s especially good news for Maya users, who can use PiStage to transform their model into 3D while still being able to edit the original file in Maya. So you could work on two screens: one for editing, one for viewing. You’ll need a heavyweight workstation to cope with this, though, while all the other tasks only need a moderately powerful system. For example, my ageing Surface Book with an Nvidia GTX 1650 coped fine, I just needed to wait a few seconds for processing the image.
If you want to know more, there’s an excellent Q&A about the SpatialLabs 27 View Pro online at tinyurl.com/358acerfaq, while the user guide, currently stretching to 56 pages, is at tinyurl.com/358acerguide.
Acer has created plugins for a wide range of 3D software(Image credit: Future)
What, no games?
You’ll notice that I haven’t mentioned games yet. Ironically, developers can design 3D games on the SpatialLabs 27 View Pro but they can’t play them. That’s because Acer wants gamers to buy the Predator SpatialLabs View 27, which includes Acer’s TrueGame software: this allows you to launch supported games to run in 3D. The Predator is due out later this year at an estimated price of £2,199.
I most recently tried TrueGame on Acer’s Predator Helios 3D laptop, and although there are some misses it still blows my mind months after I first saw 3D games in action with my own eyes. You can view the list of currently supported games at tinyurl.com/358truegame.
There is some good gaming news. Thanks to SpatialLabs Go, you can play games that create a side by side view themselves. One example of that is Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and when I hooked up the Chillblast The Karve it created a smooth, solid 3D landscape. It looks great, but whether playing games in 3D is worth the hoop jumping and GPU demands is another question entirely.
Flat switch
Naturally, this is a nice 4K monitor in its own right. With a gamut that stretches across 89% of the DCI-P3 color space in its default mode and with an average Delta E of 0.56, it performed well in our technical tests. It hit 501cd/m2 at its peak, far above Acer’s stated maximum of 400cd/m2, and a peak 160Hz refresh rate is not only great for games but also gives Windows a solidity when you move apps around.
Text looks sharp thanks to that 4K resolution, and if you switch the color temperature to Normal then whites look Persil white, too. As with the Lenovo, the 3D lens overlay shows itself as minuscule grey dots on pure white backgrounds, but I soon stopped noticing this. And I never failed to appreciate the levels of detail in photos or 4K videos.
I’m less impressed by Acer’s on-screen display, which is far less sophisticated than Lenovo’s offering (which also works over USB to avoid fiddling with physical buttons). It relies on a joystick and three separate buttons tucked round the back, but it’s easy to hit the wrong one. There are plenty of options, including presets for sRGB and DCI-P3 that lock you down to those color spaces.
The display comes with a hood to reduce ambient light(Image credit: Future)
Connectivity options
If you’re looking for a cable-free environment, again choose Lenovo. On the ThinkVision, a single USB-C cable is all you need to activate the 3D mode, and it can deliver 100W of power to your laptop, too. That’s a great technical and design achievement because the 3D engine inside the monitor produces heat, and heat affects colour accuracy; the simpler choice is to use an external power brick to remove a heat source, and that’s exactly what Acer chose to do. This means the View Pro’s USB-C connector doesn’t deliver any wattage to a connected laptop.
But many designers rely on a desktop workstation, and they can benefit from 3D effects over the HDMI or DisplayPort so long as they also connect the supplied USB-A to USB-C cable (the Lenovo screen works in exactly the same way, contrary to my original review, but with the benefit of an extra HDMI port). Doing so also gives you access to two USB-A ports on the rear, but these aren’t easy to reach.
You can use the VESA mount – great for medical settings – but most people will stick to the supplied flexible stand. This provides a decent 33° of backwards tilt, 45° of swivel on either side and 150mm of height adjustment. There’s no portrait mode as found on the ThinkVision, nor is it as good looking or well built as its rival, but there’s one final extra in Acer’s favour: it comes with a hood, which reduces ambient light.
Do we have a winner?
Acer has got much right with the SpatialLabs 27 View Pro, even if there are few areas where I can declare it the outright winner compared to Lenovo’s effort. One distinct plus is its speakers, while its integration with 3D creation software is significantly ahead of what Lenovo offers. I don’t like the fact that TrueGame isn’t bundled. Are game creators meant to buy one SpatialLabs 3D screen to design on and another to play on? Isn’t it simply mean not to bundle the software when you’re charging people this much for a monitor? I would have also liked the reassurance of a three-year warranty rather than the typical one year, not to mention a powered USB-C port.
As with its rival, we don’t yet have a confirmed release date or price. Acer estimates the former as late summer/ Q3 and the latter as £2,599. This beats Lenovo’s price by £101, which is welcome, but your final decision may well depend on exactly what 3D software you use.
This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.
Ruijie Networks isn’t very well known in the UK; this network infrastructure provider has traditionally focused on the enterprise and carrier markets. Its Reyee sub-brand aims to radically change this perception as it presents SMBs with a huge range of affordable networking switches and products.
The Reyee portfolio comprises modular and fixed-port switches, routers, firewalls and wireless APs, and a key feature is they can all be managed from Ruijie’s free cloud portal. UK supplier Broadbandbuyer takes this a stage further, as it offers a complete cloud provisioning service so you just plug them in and go.
On review is the RG-RAP2260(E) AX3200 Wi-Fi 6 access point (AP), which claims top speeds of 2,402Mbits/sec on its 5GHz radio and 800Mbits/sec on the 2.4GHz band. It doesn’t support the high-speed 160MHz channels but offers a 2.5GbE multi-gig LAN port, which requires a PoE+ power source, and its second gigabit LAN port can be used to network other wired devices.
To give us the full Ruijie cloud experience, Broadbandbuyer also supplied an RG-EG105G-P V2 five-port router and RG-ES206GS-P four-port gigabit PoE+ switch. Provisioning starts before you even see the products: we filled in a secure online questionnaire about our networking requirements, confirmed the product order numbers and received a link to our personal portal, which was prepared with a project ready and waiting.
The products duly arrived and, after connecting them together, they appeared online in our portal’s project workspace. The router was already configured with DHCP services on the LAN as per our request, and the AP started broadcasting our previously configured SSIDs.
To ensure there were no bottlenecks in our real-world speed tests, we temporarily hooked the AP up to the lab’s Zyxel XS1930-12HP 10GbE multi-gigabit PoE++ switch and used a Dell Windows 11 workstation with a TP-Link Archer TBE550 Wi-Fi 7 PCI-E adapter. Performance was good, with large file copies between the client and a 10GbE-connected Windows server returning average close-range speeds of 117MB/sec, dropping to 87MB/sec with the AP placed ten metres away in an adjoining room.
The Ruijie Cloud portal is easy to use and, unlike Netgear’s Insight and Zyxel’s Nebula services, it doesn’t require any subscriptions or extra licence packs. Its home page lists all projects – essentially your sites – and selecting one takes you to a dashboard where the Workspace view shows all associated devices and topologies, with quick action icons for creating SSIDs.
Ruijie Reyee delivers top class cloud management(Image credit: Future)
Projects are clearly designed to handle large sites as they support up to 32 SSIDs. Each one can use one or both radios, enforce WPA2 or the stronger WPA3 encryption, apply client isolation so wireless users can’t see each other and set client and SSID upload and download rate limits.
For guest wireless networks, you can present custom captive portals with your own logos, background images and messages. A variety of authentication methods can be applied and if you opt for one-click logins, you can set limits on when and how often a guest can log in.
Monitoring services are outstanding, with the client view identifying devices and categorizing them as PCs, tablets, smartphones, IoT, cameras and more. The Smart Config feature helps create wired and wireless VLANs and apply access controls, while the AI Diagnostics service scans the network, highlights faults and provides root cause analysis.
Network HawkEye provides detailed Wi-Fi experience, load and channel health graphs and more for gateway and WAN status. The Data-Board delivers graphical network reports showing areas such as client summaries, traffic rates, AP loads and captive portal usage, and automated firmware upgrade services are also provided.
Ruijie Reyee clearly has an eye on value as the competitively priced RG-RAP2260(E) delivers plenty of business-class features and an impressive performance. The Ruijie Cloud adds extra appeal as this totally free service offers an incredible range of remote network management and monitoring tools, while Broadbandbuyer’s provisioning service does all the heavy lifting for you.
This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.
Buy a ThinkPad and you know you’re buying a trustworthy and reliable machine for day-to-day work – and make no mistake, this is an all-out business laptop. This is the first-generation ThinkPad E16, available with AMD or Intel chips, and is currently something of a bargain as Lenovo is slowly bringing Gen 2 models to the market.
Lenovo’s E series of ThinkPads are designed for affordability, but despite this it looks and feels like almost every ThinkPad you can imagine. It comes, as usual, with a completely matt black style that isn’t for everyone but does make an immediate statement of corporate intent. The chassis is aluminum aside from the plastic bottom, and it feels reassuringly solid. It comes with one year of Lenovo’s Premier Support cover, complete with next-business-day repair.
At 1.8kg this chunky laptop isn’t designed for life on the move(Image credit: Future)
You can expect speedy performance, too. Our review sample included the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U, which it no longer ships with, so the price above includes the closest offering: a 7430U. This has a lower peak frequency, 4.3GHz to 4.5GHz, but with the same six cores and 12 threads you can expect similar speeds as in our tests. Those who need more should spend an extra £80 on the Ryzen 7 7730U, as this gives you eight cores and 16 threads.
Our tested system included 16GB of RAM, but the price includes 24GB: 16GB soldered, 8GB via a SODIMM. If you need even more, you can choose the 72GB model (40GB/32GB) as that only costs an extra £35 at the time of configuration. Less impressive are AMD’s integrated AMD Radeon graphics, especially compared to the discrete graphics seen elsewhere.
In terms of results in our tests, “solid” is the word. The Ryzen 5 and AMD graphics pairing doesn’t match up well to Intel’s 12th or 13th Gen processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics, as a glance at the graphs on p94 makes clear. Still, it won’t slow you down in office tasks, and that’s reflected in its fourth place in the PCMark Essentials benchmark and second position in the Productivity test. It’s content creation – or any task that requires heavy work across multiple cores – where this laptop falls down.
Notably, any tests that focused on the graphics chip also dragged it down the table. When it comes to gaming, think light. The E16 came second from last in 3DMark’s Time Spy DirectX 12 benchmark, and couldn’t even hit double digits for frames with low settings in the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark. Its battery-life tests were slightly better, typically lasting around seven hours, but at 1.8kg this chunky laptop isn’t designed for life on the move.
Slap it on a desk, though, and the ThinkPad E16 is the epitome of strong, function-focused design. A square lid covers an expansive keyboard, complete with number pad and minimal key shrinkage – there are even separate arrow and PgUp/PgDn keys. The keys don’t have the cushioning of more expensive ThinkPads, with a relatively snappy 1.5mm travel, but they’re clearly designed for heavy use over the lifetime of the laptop and feel solid. As ever, Lenovo’s TrackPoint cursor controller sits above the touchpad, and thanks to a pair of buttons it’s fairly intuitive even for new users.
A number pad adds to the laptop’s functionality(Image credit: Future)
The ThinkPad’s webcam is clear if a little lacking in saturation, and its speakers are what you’d expect from a business laptop: fine for video calls, but they miss some low-end so headphones or external speakers are the best bet for anyone wanting to enjoy music or films with deeper audio. The microphone records clear audio, with our recorded test delivered back to us in a voice that was wholly familiar, without distortion or a skewed pitch.
One area where the budget shows itself is the screen. sRGB coverage was joint lowest at 54%, while its average Delta E of 4.79 again pushed it close to the bottom of the table. This is not a laptop for photographers. However, its anti-glare covering ensures it’s always visible, especially when paired with a peak brightness of 348cd/m2 and solid 1,159:1 contrast ratio. You might notice slightly fuzziness on text, with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution across a 16in display equating to 141ppi, but at least there’s plenty of room; viewing two windows side by side is bearable.
Ultimately, a business-focused laptop is best for business-focused tasks. That rings true for this ThinkPad, which is comfortable dealing with apps, office work and most multitasking outside of content creation. If you want to break out of pure office gridlines, this isn’t the laptop to opt for, but if you’re looking for a largely desk-based workhorse backed with a great warranty then it’s a strong choice
The ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger is available at a list price of $24.99 / £22.49 / AU$37.49 on the official ESR website, but at the time of writing it has a lower list price at Amazon, so it's worth checking in there in case there's a saving to be made.
This ESR charger is a similar price to the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad, which was more comfortable to hold when attached to the back of my phone but lacked the reinforced cable that the ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger possesses.
Due to its light weight, the ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger naturally moves about on surfaces if knocked or the cable is pulled. However, its flat base provides a bit more stability than the curved base of the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad. The downside of this flatter design with sharper edges, in contrast to the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad, is that it isn't as comfortable to hold as the curved shape of the Anker charger. Despite this, it was still easy to handle, even with my smaller-than-average hands, and makes a nice alternative to a bulky power bank.
However, the ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger has the advantage over many of the best wireless chargers when it comes to cable integrity. It features a reassuring length of reinforcing cable cover where it meets the charging pad and braided nylon around the wiring. I'm not really a fan of integrated cables: I prefer one that I can remove to make a charger easier to pack away, but at least the robust-looking cable gives me some confidence that it isn't going to get easily damaged in my overnight bag. The magnet strength was also reassuring, passing the dangle test with ease when I hung the pad by the wire with an iPhone 13 Pro attached.
It took the ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger two hours and eight minutes to fully charge an iPhone 13 Pro, which is near enough the same amount of time it took for the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad to do the same.
In summary, this isn't the charging pad I'd choose if my priority was comfort as I continue to use my phone. However, if I planned to take it between locations regularly, the ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger would be my top choice due to the reinforced cable design. The charging time was good for the price, and a teeny bit quicker than the comparable Anker charging pad, so aside from the not-so-comfortable design, the ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger would definitely be my pick of the two.
If you're not certain that a wireless charging pad is the best format for your needs, we have a range of other options to check out in our guides of the best wireless chargers and best iPhone chargers.
(Image credit: Future)
ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger?
Buy it if…
You want to save space One positive of wireless charging pads over a charging station is that it won't take up room on your desk or nightstand, and can easily be picked up and placed whenever you need to use your phone.
You need reinforcement One downside to integrated power cables is that they can take a battering when placed in bags or drawers, causing the cable to deteriorate over time. But with the robust sleeve and braided cable on this ESR charger, it's likely to deal with a lot more stress than an unreinforced alternative.
Don't buy it if…
You don't want cables to get in the way If this isn't going to be your main charger and you're just looking for something easy to hold so you can use your phone as it's charging, a wireless power bank may prove a more convenient option.
You want your phone to stay put This charging pad doesn't possess the weight or anti-slip elements it needs to hold its own on a busy desk. If you want your phone to stay in one place then a wireless charging stand might be a better choice.
ESR Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger review: Also consider
Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad If you regularly use your phone while it's charging, then you might be interested in this more ergonomic charging pad. The design isn't quite as robust as the ESR charger, but I could forgive this as it was really comfortable to hold, even in my smaller-than-average hands.
