This review first appeared in issue 361 of PC Pro.
Scan is the second manufacturer this month to take advantage of the return of the non-Pro AMD Ryzen Threadripper CPU. However, Scan has opted for a lesser model than Armari, enabling more potent graphics acceleration and a different performance balance as a result for this workstation.
Specifically, Scan chose the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. This is the 32-core variant, which offers 64 threads and a base clock of 4GHz with a 5.3GHz boost. Of course, with AMD processors that have Precision Boost Overdrive enabled, the actual frequency will depend dynamically on power and temperature. Otherwise, the specifications are the same as the Armari CPU, with quad-channel memory support and 48 PCI Express 5 lanes plus 24 PCI Express 4 lanes.
With a cheaper processor than Armari, Scan has spent some of its savings on providing double the memory. There are four 64GB GDDR5 DIMMs, enabling quad-channel bandwidth and running at 4,000MHz. These are ECC modules, too, for enhanced stability. The Asus PRO WS TRX50 Sage WiFi motherboard supports a maximum of 1TB, but you probably won’t need any more memory in the lifetime of this system.
Another area where Scan has spent its CPU savings is in the graphics acceleration. We’ve seen 6000-series Nvidia RTX GPUs in the higher workstation price category before, but Scan has gone one rung down to the 5000 Ada Generation. This has a huge 12,800 CUDA cores and 32GB of ECC-backed GDDR6 frame buffer delivering 576GB/sec throughput.
Scan hasn’t entirely pushed the boat out when it comes to storage, however, with only a single drive included. It’s still relatively large and very fast, though. The 4TB Corsair MP700 NVMe M.2 unit operates at PCI Express 5 speeds, delivering 12,354MB/sec sustained reading and 11,758MB/sec sustained writing when we tested it in CrystalDiskMark.
(Image credit: Future)
If you need more, the good-looking Fractal North XL chassis offers two 2.5in drive mounts and two 2.5/3.5in mounts, so you can easily add more. The North XL’s wooden slatted front bears a more than passing resemblance to a freestanding heating unit created by a leading Swedish interior designer. Scan has also included a 1,000W Corsair RMx1000 PSU, which should handle all the powerful components with aplomb.
With half the cores of Armari’s high-end entry this month, the Scan system was never going to get close to it in CPU tests where this was the key aspect. The overall PC Pro media benchmarks score of 867 is still the second highest this month, with superb results of 281 in image editing, 816 in video encoding and 1,096 in multitasking. The Maxon Cinebench 2024 multi-CPU result of 3,459 falls marginally behind the PCSpecialist Zircon Extreme, coming third in the Labs. The Scan took 155 seconds to complete the Blender Gooseberry render, the second fastest.
The Fractal North XL chassis contains a 1,000W Corsair RMx1000 PSU(Image credit: Future)
While the Scan system can’t compete with Armari’s 64 cores, its more powerful GPU makes it one of the best this month for real-time viewport acceleration and GPU-assisted computation. The Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada Generation provides very competitive SPECviewperf 2020 3D animation results of 255 in 3dsmax-07 and 814 in maya-06. CAD and engineering workloads are even better catered for, with 202 in catia-06, 222 in creo-03, an incredible 1,210 in snx-04 and 609 in solidworks-07. But the W7900 is significantly faster in 3D animation.
The GPU delivers an impressive 27,069 for inferencing with Geekbench ML and 20,282 with LuxMark 3.1 OpenCL. To underline the power of this GPU, when rendered on CUDA the Blender Gooseberry frame took only 75 seconds to output – the second fastest GPU result we’ve seen.
The Scan GWP A1-TR64 is a more balanced system than Armari’s £10,000 offering. It’s also about £500 cheaper. However, the Armari is not so behind on graphics acceleration as it is ahead on CPU tasks, and that gives it the win overall. Scan still earns five stars and a Recommended award for good reason: if your workflow is more skewed towards intensive real-time viewsets and GPU accelerated computation, it’s a better choice. And it looks great, too.
This review first appeared in issue 361 of PC Pro.
Zyxel’s Nebula NFWA505 is designed to deliver wire-free internet access. This compact desktop Wi-Fi router teams up 5G with Wi-Fi 6 services and targets a wide audience including small businesses, SOHOs, mobile workers, pop-up stores and those that can’t get decent fixed-line broadband speeds.
The FWA505 replaces Zyxel’s older NR5101, but is more competitively priced and sees a design refresh, with all ports arranged vertically at the rear. The status LEDs have been moved from the base to the front of the unit and it also sports a pair of smaller TS-9 connectors at the back for optional external aerials.
Two gigabit ports are provided, with the first offering LAN or automatic WAN failover services and the second used for connecting other devices to its network. Its Wi-Fi 6 AP is AX1800-rated and delivers speeds of up to 1,200Mbits/sec on its 5GHZ radio and 573Mbits/sec on the 2.4GHz one.
As the model name indicates, the FWA505 can be cloud-managed from Zyxel’s Nebula Control Center (NCC), and the price includes a one-year Pro Pack license, with subsequent years costing around £28. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with its local web console, though, as unlike Zyxel’s fully compliant Nebula wireless APs and security routers, the FWA505 doesn’t broadcast cloud SSIDs and can only be configured from its own interface.
Two gigabit ports are provided on the rear of the router(Image credit: Future)
It’s easy enough to deploy as the web interface loads a wizard to get you started. Zyxel supplied our review unit with a Vodafone 5G SIM installed in the micro-SIM slot in the base, which provided instant cellular internet access.
The web console opens with a dashboard showing the status of local and internet connections, cellular status and details of wireless networks. A default SSID is provided for both radios and, although it uses the weaker WPA2 encryption, the encryption key is randomly generated and you can easily swap to the more secure WPA3.
Up to four SSIDs are supported, with three secure guest wireless networks already configured for you. These can be modified as required with the Guest WiFi tickbox enabling L2 isolation so users on these SSIDs only get internet access.
Network security is present and correct, with the router’s firewall offering three protection levels that can be quickly selected using a slider bar. Custom firewall rules comprising protocols, port numbers and ACL (access control list) entries can be created, while parental control profiles limit internet access to specific days and times and enforce URL and keyword blocking.
The gigabit WAN port can be used for internet access and teamed up with the mobile SIM for failover. We tested this by pulling the cable out and the router automatically swapped over to its 5G SIM in one minute.
The FWA505 also delivers respectable wireless speeds. Copies of a 25GB test file between a Windows 11 Pro workstation equipped with a TP-Link Archer TBE550E Wi-Fi 7 adapter and a server on the gigabit LAN averaged 107MB/sec at close range, dropping to 85MB/sec with the router ten meters away in an adjoining room.
Nebula provides remote access to its local web console from the cloud(Image credit: Future)
Adding the FWA505 to our NCC account was simple as we scanned its QR code from an iPad running the Nebula iOS app. A mobile router status widget is added to the site dashboard and selecting it provides more hardware details, a location map and remote firmware upgrade services, plus views of WAN and cellular status and information about wired and wireless clients.
The NCC Pro Pack license increases traffic monitoring from 24 hours to 30 days but, more importantly, enables a remote configurator. Select this from the router’s Live Tools section and it will establish a secure HTTPS remote web console session so you can access all its settings.
Any small business and remote workers that want to go completely wireless will find the Zyxel Nebula FWA505 an affordable solution. It’s well designed, easy to use, delivers respectable wireless performance and can be remotely managed from Zyxel’s Nebula cloud portal.
Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry 10L Air Fryer: one-minute review
The Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer is a solid choice of air fryer for those with larger households or who entertain on a regular basis. With its basket able to be used as one large (albeit slightly narrow) space, or split into two separate zones, this is a versatile appliance that will make mealtimes much easier. What's more, thanks to its handy app, you can control the device from your phone and set the two baskets to separate cooking times and temperatures. Thanks to Sync Cooking, you can even set two foods to finish at the same time, or with Match Cooking, set two baskets of separate foods to cook at the same settings.
We largely had great results across this air fryer's six cooking functions, but found a few disappointing outcomes with basics like vegetables. Considering this device's hefty price tag, we'd expect close to perfection every time.
Despite this, the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer is a convenient, solid family air fryer - as long as you have the room for it.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer: price and availability
Price: £289.99 (about $380 / AU$560)
Available in UK from Amazon
Unavailable in US and Australia at the time of writing
The Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer has an eye-watering price tag of £289.99 (about $380 / AU$560), putting it at the higher end of air fryer prices. Amazon UK does appear to drop the price occasionally by around £40, however.
This air fryer seems to have limited availability right now. I've only been able to find it at Amazon UK, with even the Cosori website directing me to the third-party retailer. Whether that's because of limited availability or air fryer enthusiasts snapping up stock, I'm not sure, but I found no mention of it on Cosori's Australian and US sites.
Value score: 4/5
Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer: specifications
Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry 10L Air Fryer: design
Easy-to-use interface
Sleek, matt black design
No windows
Large capacity, but bulky
The Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer is a mammoth of an air fryer, at 33.8 x 51.8 x 31.3cm. If you've got limited counter space, you may find its size (accounting for the 13cm space requirement at the back) quite imposing in your kitchen. If you choose to store it away when you're done, you're going to need a big cupboard.
The air fryer has a sleek, matte black design and an easy-to-use digital interface, where you can choose from one of six cooking functions and easily set the required temperature and time for its zones. The appliance's basket is very versatile: you can use it as one large, 10-liter basket (the Grandzone), or two separate 5-liter baskets (Dual Zones) - with a divider breaking up the sections - or just use one of the 5-liter baskets. These sections are able to be controlled separately using the air fryer's interface or via an app (which I explain more in the next section).
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
While the Dual Blaze TwinFry is easy to set up and use, I did have some gripes with its bulky design. For one, it makes it very frustrating to clean as, while the basket, crisper plates, divider, and included tongs are dishwasher safe, you need a pretty big dishwasher to fit that basket in.
If you opt to hand wash it instead, you need to contend with its size - which I found very tricky. In addition, this bulk can make it challenging to get certain foods out of the basket/s, especially if you have two separate foods being cooked. While the tongs allowed me to easily pick up wings from one side, I had more difficulty finding the angle and device that would remove the chips from the other - without accidentally scraping the non-stick basket coating.
Likewise, when I wanted to shake my roasties on one side, I accidentally shook my roasting beef joint on the other. This air fryer definitely would have benefited from two separate baskets that can connect as one instead - and a window.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Design score: 3.5/5
Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry 10L Air Fryer: performance
Convent app compatibility
Great results for most foods…
…but some basics were a bit disappointing
The Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry 10-Litre Air Fryer is miles better than the manufacturer's disappointing TurboBlaze - which I reviewed around the same time. While it doesn't have the same number of functions, the results are (mostly) much better and it's much more convenient.
The Dual Blaze TwinFry can be paired with the VeSync app on your phone, which is easy to set up and allows you to control the time and temperature of the Grandzone and Dual Zones from your phone. While the app's list of recipes is limited, and I wish it would give a bit more guidance on cooking times, its Sync Cooking and Match Cooking features are brilliant. With Sync Cooking, you can put one type of food in one basket and a different one in the other basket, then using the app, set each basket's individual cooking times and temperatures.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
The air fryer then ensures the two baskets finish cooking at the same time, starting the one that takes longer first then automatically turning on the second when the first has its amount of cooking time left. It makes cooking a meal with different components much easier: just throw everything in, set the app, and track it from there. Match Cooking, on the other hand, lets you put different foods, with the same amount of cooking time and temperature, in each basket.
Sync Cooking cut down the time of testing considerably, letting me add chicken wings to one zone and fresh fries to the other, with both finishing at the same time. The wings were crispy and succulent and my chips were crispy on the outside, but fluffy inside - perfection, with little hassle.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Frozen fries, on the other hand, weren't as successful, with smaller chips dropping through the crisper plate and the ends burning a bit on those that survived. Similarly, with the Roast setting, I found my broccoli florets had burnt ends, but my carrots worked well, and the Dehydrate setting left my oranges still pretty juicy after four hours. I largely followed the instructions of the included Quick Start Guide booklet, but it's somewhat limited and I advise not always taking it at face value.
While my broccoli was a bit disappointing, the Dual Blaze TwinFry really proved its worth when making a roast. I was able to pop potatoes for roasting in one zone and my beef joint in the other, using Sync Cooking to ensure they finished around the same time. The beef came out to perfection, medium-rare inside but with a flavorsome crust on the outside, while my roasties were crispy on the outside but fluffy inside. Toast, too, was a breeze to make.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
And while the design is quite imposing, the air fryer isn't that loud when on, clocking in around 62 decibels on average. It did mean we had to raise our voices a bit to talk, but no more than most kitchen appliances. Those with small children, or are clumsy like me, will be pleased to hear the outside of the air fryer doesn't get too warm either, only around 25C - cool enough to touch without getting burned.
Performance score: 4/5
Should you buy the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer?
Buy it if
You have a big household or enjoy hosting
The 10-liter capacity of this air fryer makes it a solid choice for those who need to cook bigger meals.
You regularly make meals with varying components
Sync and Match Cooking make it easy to cook different foods, without having to keep your own timer or anything going cold. View Deal
You don't need a bunch of bells and whistles
Other air fryers have a lot more functions, but the Dual Blaze TwinFry doesn't need them. It has fewer options, but does them well.View Deal
Don't buy it if
You've limited kitchen space
This big boy takes up a lot of room, so may be less suited to those with less counter space - or a small sink for washing up.View Deal
You're on a tight budget
This air fryer doesn't come cheap. If you're on a tight budget (or don't think you'll use it enough to justify the cost), then you can find other great options for less.View Deal
How I tested the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer
I used the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L for several days, cooking a wide variety of foods including fresh and frozen fries, chicken wings, fresh vegetables, and cake. I tested all the air fryer's various modes (including dehydrate, which I used to dry orange slices) and used all of the mobile app's features. I cleaned the air fryer in line with the instructions provided in the manual. For more details, see how we test.
Seagate Game Drive External SSD: One-minute review
The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is a PlayStation-focused external solid-state drive (SSD) for gamers on Sony’s console looking for an extra storage boost. Compatible with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC, this external SSD offers a speedy - though not blistering - plug-and-go option and channels an awful lot of what makes Seagate one of the go-to brands for gaming storage.
The drive has a very slick design and robust-feeling build. A hardy rectangular cuboid in form, the drive feels like it could easily withstand a drop or bump, while also being very convenient to carry and stuff into a pocket. It shares the PS5 family’s aesthetic (the drive looks right at home next to Sony’s console) with its sleek white finish, black underside and cable, and smart blue RGB light that runs along the front edge.
Seagate hasn’t published any claimed read and write speeds, which is unusual. But from our testing, the drive proved to be reliable - if not super speedy - for an external hard drive. It handled transfers from and to a PS5 at reasonable times, which you can read more about below, and it sits comfortably above HDDs, albeit below the top-end external SSDs like the WD Black P40. However, it is as easy to use as any external hard drive competitor, offering a simple plug-and-use experience with either a USB-C or USB-A cable.
As an SSD it still demands a higher price of admittance than any HDD solution, so that should be taken into consideration if you just need value-busting storage. While you pay a bit of a premium for the name and official licensing here, its overall decent performance makes this a drive we can easily recommend. You get what you pay for here and this is a really solid PS5 external hard drive and top portable SSD for mixed use too.
(Image credit: Future)
Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Price and availability
1TB: $129.99 / £139.99; 2TB: $219.99 / £229.99
Same price range as internal PS5 SSD options
The largest capacity is 2TB
Coming in two sizes, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD offers 1TB and 2TB solutions for external storage. The lack of a larger 4TB (or bigger) drive may irk some, but the price would skyrocket and those capacities seem to still be reserved for more traditional HDDs.
The price point puts it in established external PS5 SSD territory with the likes of the WD Black P40, P50, and Samsung T7 Shield for company, though it is more expensive than the Crucial X8 and X9, and WD My Passport SSD range.
While a new product at time of writing, gaming storage products are always great candidates for sales events and price cuts and the Seagate Game Drive External SSD should be snapped up immediately when it inevitably receives a discount.
A final bonus that the drive offers is that it also comes with a 14-day trial (for new users) of PS Plus Premium which is a pleasant little extra if you’re new to the PS5 console.
Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Design and features
Slick officially licensed design
Lightweight but solid in the hand
Cool LED flourish
The first (and best) thing to note about the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is that it is very in keeping with the PlayStation 5 aesthetic. It captures the contrasting white-on-black aesthetic excellently, and the blue LED on the drive’s front that lights up when it's plugged in really completes the look.
The drive is a compact accessory and can easily fit in the palm of your hand. It’s also much thinner than a traditional HDD, so will need to be positioned carefully and appropriately if you intend to keep it plugged in permanently. Speaking of which, the drive comes with a USB-C cable and a USB-A cable so it’ll be dealer’s choice when it comes to which port to use. The cable itself is plenty long enough too - something that personally irked me in previous years when stiff, short cables governed the position external drives would have to take.
The most important feature to remember for PS5 owners is that you cannot play PS5 games directly from the Seagate Game Drive External SSD. It can be used to play PS4 games from it and is a fine means to do so, while also allowing you a storage spot for your PS5 games to transfer over to your console when you’re ready. It performs those transfers nicely too, as you’ll read about below.
(Image credit: Future)
Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Performance
Strong but not spectacular speeds
Not as fast as internal options - or competing external SSDs
Still much faster than competing HDDs
The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is a solid performer and is worthy of its place in the brand’s pantheon - but won’t blow any socks off. The drive is much faster than any external HDD competitor but has middling speeds that mean it doesn’t compete at the very highest end of the spectrum, where drives from the likes of WD Black and Samsung sit.
On PS5, I transferred a 122.2GB installation of Diablo 4 to the Seagate drive in 10 minutes and 18 seconds and it was transferred back to the console in 16 minutes and 26 seconds. Star Wars Outlaws (a 51.6GB file) was moved to the SSD in 4 minutes and 25 seconds and then back again in 6 minutes and 57 seconds. My smallest single-game transfer was Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown at 25.5GB and this was transferred in 2 mins 12 seconds to the SSD and back again in 3 minutes and 26 seconds. Lastly, a 53.59GB bundle of games (Unravel Two, Pentiment, SOMA, and the Dead Space Remake) was transferred in 3 mins and 59 seconds and back again in 6 minutes and 58 seconds.
This is encouraging, particularly if you've got a bunch of smaller games or PS4 games; the drive transferring this bundle of games in roughly half the time of a single PS5 game of the same is notable.
On PC, hard drive testing software CrystalDiskMark 8.0.5 was able to put some numbers to the performance in terms of read and write speeds. After multiple tests, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD drive presented average read speeds of 439.83MB/s and an average write speed of 415.63MB/s.
These speeds aren’t massively impressive, especially when compared to its competition, and put the drive firmly in the strong but not spectacular space.
Compared to the likes of the WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive, the speeds just don’t stack up; it finds itself in the same camp as the Lexar SL200, Samsung T5, and Seagate Fast SSD. However, the upside of this is that the drive never gets hot and can keep going all day long at the same rate, making it super reliable overall, and perfect if you need a PS5, or PS5 Pro, workhorse.
But even if it’s not swimming in the fastest of waters, given its reliability, simple-to-use nature, and slick officially-licensed design, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is an easy drive to recommend.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Seagate Game Drive External SSD?
Buy it if...
You want a premium, officially licensed external storage solution for PS5 The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is perfect for PS5 users, not least because it’s an officially licensed product and beautifully shares the same aesthetics as the console. Factor in its reliable job, then it's an ideal storage companion for PS5 users. View Deal
You value SSD speeds over HDD capacity If you have the budget for an SSD then the performance you get here over an HDD is sizeable and you won’t look back. If you’re looking for a boost to speeds and performance over an older HDD solution then this is it.View Deal
You only need a smaller storage amount If you’re only after a (relatively) smaller amount of external storage then the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is an ideal external storage solution for you, especially if you value its tidy speeds.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You need maximum value from an external storage solution As an SSD, this drive does have a higher price of admission than traditional HDDs. If you’re happy to forego top speeds to maximize your bang for buck, then an HDD may be a better fit for you. View Deal
You want the absolute fastest external SSD speed going While competent and reliable, the read and write speeds of the Seagate Game Drive External SSD aren’t enormously beastly by any means, and there are faster external SSDs available if that characteristic is of paramount importance to you.View Deal
Also consider...
Still not sold on the Seagate Game Drive External SSD for PS5 and PS4? Here’s how it compares to two similar products so you can compare.
WD Black P40 Game Drive If you must have the best speeds possible in your external hard drive for PS5 then the WD Black P40 Game Drive is one of the best options at the top end of the market. Offering blistering speeds for an external hard drive, WD Black’s gaming storage pedigree, and a slick look to boot, this is a quality premium option.
Seagate Game Drive for PS5 If you just need a simple external storage solution on PlayStation then the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 is easy to recommend. Despite being an HDD rather than an SSD the performance is reliable and excellent, and the value, and bang for back here are terrific. If you’re looking to maximize what you get and need a larger capacity, then this is a fine option.
How I tested the Seagate Game Drive External SSD: One-minute review
Used the drive nearly every day for around two weeks
Played PS4 games from it, and regularly moved PS5 games to and from it
Compared it to my internal PS5 SSD and other external HDDs on PS5
Compared it to my day-to-day HDD on PC
I incorporated the Seagate Game Drive External SSD into my PS5 setup and used it as an extension of my console’s storage for around two weeks. In that time, I copied and stored multiple PS5 games numerous times - timing every transfer manually as well as using the PlayStation’s own estimates - and ran PS4 games from the drive too. I used both the drive’s cables and tested in both the PS5’s USB-A and USB-C ports.
I tested the Seagate Game Drive External SSD against other Seagate external HDDs on PS5 to confirm its speed and the increase in performance the SSD offers. I also made the same comparison with my daily external HDD, the Lacie Rugged, on PC.
OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: 30-second review
Specs
Capacities Available: 480GB Size: 20mm x 28mm x 2.8mm Weight: 10g Enclosure Material: Metal casing Connector: CFexpress TypeA to B adapter included Technology: CFexpress 4.0 Warranty: 3 years Rated R/W Speeds (MB/s): Up to 1850MB/s read, 1700MB/s write Software Bundle: Free software bundle
The OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro memory card is designed for the latest Sony Alpha and Cinema Line cameras that support the CFexpress Type-A card format. At present, Sony is the only manufacturer to adopt Type-A cards, with most other manufacturers opting for the larger CFexpress Type-B cards.
The format is closer in size to the common SD card format, but with the build quality, speed and capacity that we've seen from all models of CFexpress. This new Atlas Pro card offers some of the fastest transfer rates that we've seen for the format, with read speeds of up to 1700MB/s and 1500MB/s write speeds, which makes it a solid choice for shooting high-resolution images and video on the latest cameras. While its smaller size limits compatibility with CFexpress Type-A slots, OWC includes a CFexpress Type-B adapter that enables the card to be used in standard Type-B readers. However, this doesn't enable the card to be used in cameras that accept the Type-B format of CFexpress even though the card will fit the slot
Aside from the speed and capacity that the CFexpress cards offer over SD cards when it comes to durability, there's just no comparison. To cope with the increased demands of the latest cameras, the memory cards' build quality is on another level, with the metal casing boosting protection against physical damage and also aiding with heat dissipation. The 480GB version of the card that we've looked at in this review offers a decent amount of storage, which is ideal for capturing images on the Sony A7 IV and plenty of 4K video. If you are looking for a card primarily for video, then the larger-capacity card would probably be a good idea.
When it comes to cost, the price is higher compared to similar-sized SD cards, which balances out when you take into consideration the boost in performance and quality that the card offers. While it is only Sony that utilises the Type-A format at present, with Sony's line of still and video cameras leading the field in many sectors, there is a huge market for decent Type-A cards, and at present, there is a small amount of choice out there. However, backed by OWC quality, a robust performance throughout the test and the OWC software suite that helps to maintain the health and integrity of the card, if you're a professional photographer or videographer using one of Sony's latest cameras, then this should be your number one go-to.
OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: Price & availability
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro is available through OWC's official website and select online retailers.
Score: 4/5
OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: Design & build
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro is designed for the latest Sony Alpha and Cinema Line cameras. It is tailored towards professionals rather than enthusiasts, enabling that camera to process high-resolution video and still at the camera's full potential. At the same time, enthusiasts will still benefit from the enhanced performance compared with the SD equivalent that most cameras will also accept, such as the Sony A7 IV that was used through this test, the rugged metal casing and robust build of the OWC type-A card help to ensure the additional durability that will reassure professionals and helps to protect the card against physical damage.
As professional photographers and videographers will testify, this additional durability offered by CFexpress cards is important when working in demanding environments where equipment can be subjected to all sorts of conditions and not always delicately handled.
The card's compact size adheres to the standard design profile of Type-A cards, and as such, it fits perfectly into the Sony A7 IV's CFexpress Type-A slot without issue. A nice touch from OWC is the inclusion of the Type-A to B adapter, which means that you can utilise the OWC Type-B card readers without needing to purchase a dedicated reader for this single card type.
Design & build: 5/5
OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: Features
The OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro offers read speeds up to 1850MB/s, write speeds up to 1700MB/s, and a minimum sustained write speed of 400MB/s, making it ideal for storing high-resolution image and video files.
The card is also VPG200 certified, which means that it will enable compatible Sony Alpha, FX, and FR7 to work at their maximum settings for video capture using an internal storage solution rather than an external one. This means that it can withstand the capture of 4 and 8K video, with the durable metal casing protecting it from damage while also helping to maintain decent heat dissipation when put under load.
The card also meets all CFexpress Type-A 4.0 specifications, which is an upgrade from the more common Type-A 2.0 specifications, but remains fully backwards compatible. One of the big features of the card is the partnership with OWC's Innergize software that enables you to maintain the health and integrity of the cards; it also means that if compatible updates are released for the card and technology, it's possible to upgrade the cards firmware often boosting the cards performance.
Along with the Type-A cards, the box includes a Type-B adapter. This helps to boost the cards' compatibility with standard readers and means that you can use any OWC Type-B reader or one from another manufacturer with the card. It's also worth highlighting that while the card will fit into cameras such as the Canon EOS R5 C, the technology doesn't enable it to be used.
When it comes to the performance of the OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A, we tested it in the Sony A7 IV and trialled it with the Sony FX6. In both cameras, the card was instantly recognised and ready to go. Compared to using a standard SD card, the speed of the card was instantly apparent as higher resolutions and colour profiles were selected in the cameras.
On the Sony FX6, with the camera quality settings were set to shoot 4K 60fps at 600 Mbps in XAVC-I, S-Cinetone, the card and camera worked without issue. I switched to the Sony A7 IV, and again, the results were impressive. We were able to shoot video at all quality settings without restriction, something that isn't possible with standard SD cards.
Not only was the speed able to keep up with the cameras' demands, but the capacity, even at 480GB, gave plenty of space for footage. However, for these high-quality settings, the 960GB card might be a better option for longer recording period.
Once the real-world tests were complete, it was time to check the performance of our benchmarking software on an Intel Ghost Canyon Nuc 9 i9. Again, the results were impressive with the card installed in the A to B adapter in the OWC Atlas 4.0 CFexpress Type-B card reader.
While the quoted speeds are impressive, we didn't quite meet those in our benchmarking tests. However, the transfer rates were still impressive and far exceeded the speeds that we recorded, which is even possible with the highest-quality SD cards.
Using CrystalDiskMark, the transfer rates hit 1669.89MB/s read and 1457.29MB/s write. The results in the other applications were equally impressive but varied depending on the technologies. Most importantly, the sustained read and write speeds in the AJA System Test recorded write speeds of 1228MB/s and read Speeds of 1495MB/s over 30 minutes.
The real-world test, along with the benchmarks, prove that the OWC Atlas Pro is a great card for your Sony camera. However, what gives the card the edge over other Type-A cards is the Innergize software that helps you to keep an eye on the health of the card. This software download essentially only works with the OWC cards and readers. Once the card is inserted, you'll be able to get a complete health report on that card, erase it, reset it to factory conditions, and upgrade the software. The app is simple to use but can make a huge difference to your workflow, and if you're working professionally, it just gives you that additional piece of mind knowing what your memory card's condition is like.
Performance: 5/5
Should you buy the OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB?
OWC works closely with the creative industry, and through their hardware and software solutions, they are able to offer a small edge on usability that most other manufacturers just can't meet. The quality of the CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro stands out for its high performance over a sustained period, which few other CFexpress type-A cards are able to match.
While the card is expensive, that is just part of the course with this format of card. Realistically, if you need to use the potential speed and abilities of this card, then you're more than likely going to be using it in a professional capacity, so that price really does make sense. The card more than coped with the ability to record 4K RAW and all the Log3 and other formats that we chose to select with the Sony cameras that we had to hand.
Ultimately, the card is exceptional, but what pushes this card beyond the abilities of most is the fact that it comes with the Innergize software and all that entails for the health and integrity of the card. At present there's no other manufacturer that offers anything like this software that essentially helps you to ensure that your card is always fit and ready for action as well as being able to upgrade the firmware, if and when, updates are released.
If you're in the market for a CFexpress Type-A card, while there are other options, the OWC Atlas Pro currently offers the best balance of price, speed, and support.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Buy it if...
You need high-speed performance.
The Atlas Pro provides fast transfer speeds, perfect for high-resolution images and 4K video.
It would help if you had durability.
The robust metal casing protects the card from damage and aids in heat dissipation.
Don't buy it if...
You are looking for a budget-friendly option.
The premium price may need to be lowered for casual users.
You only shoot with non-Sony cameras.
The card is primarily designed for Sony cameras with CFexpress Type-A slots.
The Cosori TurboBlaze 6L Air Fryer is the perfect size for smaller families looking to cut down their cooking time a bit by air frying a larger part of their meal, like a chicken, or side dishes, with the basket easily big enough to feed three people - but it has some less-than-ideal quirks that prevent it ranking up there with the best air fryers.
The interface is easy to use, and there are an abundance of cooking functions available (including four Turbo Modes), but the performance isn't what we'd have liked (or expected) from an air fryer costing over $100. While some foods, like chicken wings and toast, turned out perfectly and allowed for easy clean up afterward, I also ended up with a half-baked cake and a mixture of burnt and undercooked chips and vegetables.
These niggles may be able to be worked out, but given the TurboBlaze's promise of 360-degree air flow, and faster cooking on its Air Fry, Roast, Grill, and Frozen modes, I was left disappointed and uncertain of what to expect next from this rollercoaster gadget.
These performance quirks may be able to be worked out with a lot of time, experimentation - and patience - but after my week with this air fryer, I was left far from impressed.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Cosori TurboBlaze 6L Air Fryer: price and availability
Price: $119.99 / £159.99 (about AU$180)
Available in UK and US (as 6 Quart) from Cosori's website or third-party retailers like Amazon
Regular discounts and sales
The TurboBlaze may not be the most expensive air fryer on the market, but it's certainly not the most affordable we've seen - nor the best for this price range. The US price tag is a bit less than the UK one, coming in just under $120. If you are buying in the US, note that the name and model is a bit different (6 Quart rather than 6L) If you've got a $100 budget, don't worry, this air fryer seems to be regularly discounted on Amazon, so we advise picking one up there rather than from Cosori directly. While the price in the UK is a bit higher, making this a less budget-friendly air fryer, again, Amazon regularly does discounts that knock it closer to the £100 mark. Unfortunately, if you're in Australia, the TurboBlaze range isn't available.
While this air fryer offers a bunch of bells and whistles, its lack of consistent results hold it back from being good value for money at that price tag. The things it does well, it does brilliantly, but there's a lot of functions that just didn't work how I'd expect. For an air fryer over 100 quid, I would expect the most basic functions (at the very least) to work well every time. That's not the case here.
Value score: 2.5/5
Cosori TurboBlaze 6L Air Fryer: specifications
Cosori TurboBlaze 6L Air Fryer: design
Easy to set up, use, and clean
Touch controls work well
Fairly compact given its capacity
The Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Litre Air Fryer was a breeze to set up, coming with a handy booklet of recipes and tips to try out and recommendations on cooking weights and times for some of the most common air fryer ingredients.
The overall black, matte design is pretty sleek, and its digital interface is easy to use, with a good-sized touch-screen interface showing its nine cooking functions (including four Turbo modes) and keep warm function. Simply select the mode suited to what you're cooking (the booklet helps here), then use the touch screen to increase or decrease the time and temperature. Press start, and you're off.
The air fryer itself is pretty compact given its generous capacity, but still measures 40 x 30 x 30.1cm, so it takes up a chunk of counter space when you consider the 13 cm behind it you need to leave. How imposing you find it will really depend on your kitchen counter space - and how often you plan to use it.
The six-liter basket provides plenty of room to cook for a small family (I was easily able to fit an eight-inch cake tin pan inside) and is ideal for those looking to cook one larger item, like a whole chicken or a portion of vegetables or fries for a few people. It comes with a crisper plate, which slots in simply from an angle (just don't catch the rubber stoppers) and is used for most cooking functions.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
The basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe, but I found that hand washing them was almost quicker and easier than waiting for the dishwasher cycle to end.
It would have been good for a window to be included in the basket to prevent me from having to pull it out to check on my food (letting some heat out), and it was frustrating at times to have to reset all the controls when my food needed an extra 10 minutes, but overall this TurboBlaze has a solid, to-the-point design.
Design score: 4/5
Cosori TurboBlaze 6L Air Fryer: performance
Inconsistent results
Handy preheating function
Plenty of functions to try out, including proving
I found Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Litre Air Fryer the perfect size for me and my partner, and I was excited to put it through its many cooking functions through their paces- but the results were mixed to say the least.
Testing started off strong when I tried a chicken wing recipe from the booklet. After preheating the air fryer as per Cosori's instructions, I added 700g of seasoned wing to the crisper plate and set it to air fry at 200C for 16 minutes.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
This air fryer isn't too loud, hitting around 60 decibels when cooking - about the volume of a conversation between people sitting a meter away. So, while you don't need to shout over it, you will notice it a bit. As a massive clutz, I liked that the outside of the air fryer never got above around 23/24C, with the back airflow around 25C, so if you've got little ones, you don't need to worry about them accidentally burning themselves by touching the outside- though obviously, the inside is another story.
I was really impressed with the first test. The wings came out crispy on the outside and succulent inside - perfectly cooked and the best I've ever made. There was minimal mess in the bottom of the basket, too. But my other tests were another story.
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
I tried 500g of fresh and frozen fries on the air fryer setting (part of the Turbo modes), at different times, but both came out with half the fries underdone and half overdone - mostly with the edges of the chips burnt. Even giving the basket a shake during cooking didn't help. Those that were cooked were fluffy inside but either burnt outside or soggy. Considering fries are a staple of air fryer cooking, and the Turbo Mode cooking functions are meant to quickly cook food with 360-degree air flow, this was a big disappointment.
The disappointment only continued with my cake baking. I used this as a perfect opportunity to bake my fiancé a birthday cake, using an online air fryer standard cake recipe. After consulting the book again (which I had to do a lot), I set the air fryer on the Bake function, using the recommended time and temperature from the booklet. It's worth noting, you can't (and shouldn't) just use the default cooking mode setting for everything and anything you're cooking in this air fryer (or any, really).
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
After preheating the air fryer and cooking my cake for 20 minutes at 165C (as the book instructed), my skewer came out wet. I ended up baking the cake for another 20 minutes (in intervals) until the top was burning and busting open.
Though the skewer was still a bit wet at the bottom, the cake wasn't going to survive much longer. After cooling, I tipped the cake upside down on a rack to find the entire bottom half was completely raw, while the top half was on the verge of burning. Absolute disaster.
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Using this air fryer was a bit of a rollercoaster. After the cake, I made a roast chicken using the roast function and the booklet's recipe that was crispy on top and juicy inside. Though, the bottom was a bit too juicy, verging on almost soggy after the air fryer managed to blow over my whole chicken. Much like the chips, the vegetables for the roast were inconsistently booked, with the edges of my broccoli burning until the point of being inedible but my carrots not cooking enough - and requiring more time than the instructions stated.
As for the other functions, I ended up still somewhat juicy lemons and limes after four hours dehydrating, but did find toast easy to grill and the proving feature rose my bread dough in just an hour, resulting in perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside bread.
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
By the end of my testing, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to get from this air fryer. I spent days testing its modes, but still found it inconsistent across some of its most basic modes. My advice? Trust the book's recipes, but maybe not its cooking times.
Performance score: 2/5
Should you buy the Cosori TurboBlaze 6L Air Fryer?
Buy it if
You don't mind working out its quirks
This air fryer does some things perfectly, and others not so well If you're up for experimenting with the best cooking times for each product, or an air fryer expert, you could end up with the same level of consistency across the board.
You've a smaller household
The 6-liter basket is aimed at households of three to five, but I think three is the perfect number (depending on appetites).
You want an easy-to-use air fryer with multiple functions
The touchscreen interface is super simple to use and there's lots of different functions to try out - even if they aren't all perfect.
Don't buy it if
You don't want to mess around with times and temperatures
If you want an air fryer that does a lot of the work for you, working out the precise cooking times and temperatures for your meals via smart app or otherwise, this isn't for you.
You want a solid air fryer on a budget
There are better air fryers at this price range, or for less, so it's worth considering them instead. Take a look at our roundup of the best air fryers for some alternatives.
You have very limited counter space
This air fryer doesn't take up loads of room, but if you have a small kitchen then it could be too bulky.View Deal
How I tested the Cosori TurboBlaze 6L Air Fryer:
I used the Cosori TurboBlaze 6L for a week, cooking a wide variety of foods including fresh and frozen fries, chicken wings, fresh vegetables, a roast dinner, cake, and bread. I tested all the air fryer's various modes (including dehydrate, which I used to dry fruit slices). I cleaned the air fryer in line with the instructions provided in the manual. For more details, see how we test.
Capacities available: 480GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB Size: 12mm x 76 mm x 52 mm Weight: 85g Enclosure material: Aluminum Connector: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Technology: OWC Aura Pro III PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 2242 Solid-State Drive Warranty (in years): 3 Year OWC Limited Warranty Rated R/W speeds (MB/s): upto 1011MB/s depends on system Software bundle: OWC Innergize for Mac and Windows
The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron joins the company's range of compact portable storage solutions designed for creatives.
We've tested the best portable SSDs but this one really caught our eye. The overall look and style are minimalistic, with the small design easily slipping into a jacket or kit bag pocket without adding much weight or bulk. The exterior is simple, featuring an all-metal build with a status light on the front, a USB Type-C port at the back, and a logo on top. On the base are two rubber strips along with a model info label.
The simplicity of the design also reflects the toughness of the drive. As soon as you lift it from the desk you can feel the additional weight afforded by that reinforced case. It's not heavy, but it's heavier than you'd expect for such a small device. This extra weight comes from the thick metal casing that is not just designed to protect the drive from minor knocks, but to survive being run over, thrown, and generally subjected to conditions that would ordinarily destroy a drive of this type.
That robust build continues throughout the design with the USB Type-C port, which, despite being open to the elements and without a protective rubber cap, still enables the drive to be IP67 certified. The drive is essentially built like a tank and able to survive being crushed (though perhaps not by an actual tank) as well as being submerged in water. Sure enough, in testing, the drive withstood more than most, and even after being run over and submerged, it continued to function without issue.
While the drive's strength is its main feature, speed is another important consideration. Inside is an NVMe SSD, enabling ultra-fast transfer rates. While it doesn't feature the latest connection technology, its data transfer speeds are still impressive and more than enough for HD and 4K video editing, image manipulation, and audio editing.
If you need a drive that can withstand the elements and rough handling while providing ample storage capacity and speed, the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is an excellent choice—and one of the few with this level of protection.
OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: Price & availability
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is available in multiple storage capacities, typically ranging from 4800GB to 4TB. Pricing for the drive varies depending on the capacity, starting around £129 ($129 USD) for the 4800GB model and going up to approximately £529 ($529 USD) for the 4TB version. Availability is through major online retailers, including OWC's website, Amazon, and other electronics and computer accessory stores.
Score: 4/5
OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: Design & build
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron has been designed to be small and compact at 12mm x 76mm x 52mm, making it ideal for slipping into a jacket or kit bag pocket, taking up minimal space. While small and extremely simple in design, the all-metal aluminium casing adds a bit of weight at 85g, more than you'd expect from a device of this size but reassuring in terms of durability. With an IP67 rating, this is up there with the best rugged hard drives we've reviewed - a happy middle-ground for who need a robust, portable SSD.
The drive connects via a single cable that handles both data transfer and bus power, which is common for compact external drives. A nice touch from OWC is the inclusion of a USB Type-C cable with a Type-A adapter to maximise compatibility across different machines. On the exterior, there's a status light at the front that glows bright blue when the device is connected and flashes during transfers to indicate that the drive is in use—standard but useful features.
Aside from the single USB Type-C 3.2 port at the back and the status light, there are no other buttons or ports, keeping the exterior sleek and minimalistic. Another nice addition and finishing touch are the two rubber strips on the base, these provide better grip when the drive is placed on a desk or other surfaces, preventing it from sliding around during use.
Design & build: 5/5
OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: Features
OWC is an interesting company, very much driven by the real-world use of its products. It's not difficult to find professionals who swear by OWC gear. The Envoy Pro Elektron is designed as a compact, go-anywhere portable SSD that's simple in design yet capable of quickly transferring and storing large quantities of data, all while withstanding extreme conditions.
Starting with speed, which is usually the headline feature of any external SSD, OWC quotes several different transfer rates for the drive. The blister pack states transfer rates of up to 1011MB/s, while the website cites 996MB/s in real-world tests, highlighting similar benchmarking software to what we use here at techradar.com.
The drive is also USB 3.2 Type-C, offering up to 10GB/s transfer rates via the single bus-powered cable connection. It's great to see OWC opting for the most common generation of USB 3.2, ensuring that on almost every modern system, you'll likely achieve the quoted speeds. This contrasts with many manufacturers that produce drives using USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which is often throttled back to slower speeds for machines that aren't equiped with that exact connection type.
This connection also means the drive is fully compatible with a wide range of devices, including Macs, PCs, iPad Pros, and Chromebooks.
The standout feature of the drive, as mentioned earlier, is its durability. It is crushproof, dustproof, and waterproof to IP67, meaning it can survive being submerged in water up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes. The durable, aircraft-grade aluminium casing is impressive and helps dissipate heat when the drive is working hard. As the drive is solid-state, there are no fans, so cooling is entirely passive through the case—this reduces potential points of failure and ensures the drive operates completely silently
Due to its design and connection type, the drive can launch apps on a Mac, which is handy if you have a Mac with a smaller internal SSD and need to offload larger or less frequently used apps to external storage.
It's also worth mentioning that the drive is Innergize enabled, software from OWC. This software enables you to monitor and manage the drive's health and performance and apply firmware updates as they become available
The small Envoy Pro Elektron's size and simplicity means that it hardly adds any weight or bulk to you kit bag. Although the drive feels heavier than expected at first glance, it's still extremely light at 85g—lighter than most larger external hard drives with similar capacity.
The drive includes a 38cm USB Type-C cable, which comes with a handy USB Type-A adapter. Together, they make for a neat package that can easily slip into any small side pocket.
In use the drive connected quickly and for the first test, it was formatted to APFS for use with Mac systems. Upon first connection, the software guides you through the formatting and system compatibility setup, in just a couple of simple clicks you're done and the drive is ready to use. We ran several tests running some of the best video editing software and best audio editors for performance.
Used with Logic and Final Cut Pro X, the drive performed as expected, handling work as a fast, reliable drive with transfer speeds more than sufficient for most 4K ProRes edits. During long editing sessions, the 1TB capacity was slightly limiting, but with 2TB and 4TB versions available, there is greater flexibility. Speed and performance remained consistent throughout, with the drive becoming warm but never hot. Notably, there was no noise from the drive, although the Mac's fans spun up occasionally as the M1 Max processor was pushed.
When switching to a PC, the drive required reformatting to ExFat. In Premiere Pro and Audition, the drive again performed well, handling data transfer demands without issue and becoming warm but again not hot.
In real-world tests, the drive provided the storage and transfer speeds required by the applications. While the 1TB capacity may be limiting for video, it's a good size for audio and image work.
Benchmark testing showed the drive performed exceptionally well, with varying results depending on the application used. Read and write speeds were fast across the board, confirming the drive is an ideal companion for most content creators.
Beyond performance testing, the IP67 rating called for a durability check. The first test was to run over the drive, and aside from a few scratches and some dirt, it survived. Plugged back into the Mac, it was instantly recognised, and performance matched the speeds recorded prior to the test.
Next, the drive was submerged in water for 30 minutes. After drying and clearing water from the port, it was plugged in again and mounted without issue.
After these tests, the drive's exterior showed marks and scratches as expected from such handling, but it continued to perform exceptionally well despite the tough conditions.
Performance: 5/5
Should you buy the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron?
If you need a fast, high-capacity portable SSD, the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is a great choice on many levels, although you are paying extra for its robust build.
As a portable SSD, its compact size and light weight are appealing. With a range of capacities, it caters to a variety of users—from musicians and photographers to videographers and general content creators. The transfer rates make it an ideal solution for anyone needing a fast working drive capable of handling high-definition multi-track audio and 4K video editing.
What really sets this drive apart is its toughness and small size. You can easily pack it into any bag or jacket pocket without adding noticeable weight. Unlike other SSDs, you don't need to worry about the drive if it gets wet or bashed around in transit—this drive will survive, making it a great choice for those on the road or travelling.
The speed will meet most creative demands for a wide range of users, but the rugged build and IP67 rating will particularly appeal to broadcast industry professionals, content creators, and musicians. The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron serves as a reliable on-the-go storage solution.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Buy it if...
You need a durable, portable SSD.
The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is designed to withstand tough conditions while delivering fast, reliable storage for on-the-go professionals
You want fast transfer speeds for content creation.
With NVMe SSD and USB 3.2, this drive offers excellent transfer speeds for tasks like 4K video editing, music production, and image manipulation.
Don't buy it if...
You're looking for the latest USB technology.
This drive uses USB 3.2, which is fast but lacks the latest Gen 2x2 speeds found in some competitors.
You need a budget-friendly SSD.
The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron's rugged design and advanced features come at a higher price, which might not be ideal for casual users.
The Razer Iskur V2 is an excellent seat, with many compelling features that put it right up there with some of the best gaming chairs and most comfortable gaming chairs today. Its flagship innovation is its 6D lumbar support, offering six directions of adjustment which the manufacturer claims is a world first.
This is effectively an in-built lumbar pillow, with an adjustable height and depth that can be easily tweaked via knobs on each side of the backrest. It’s a similar system to that found with the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 and the original Razer Iskur model but has the unique ability to swivel and pivot alongside your body rather than just being a static part of the chair.
If you’re like me and frequently shift around while you sit, the additional comfort that this brings will be immediately noticeable. The 6D lumbar support system keeps the lumbar pillow pressed up against your back as you lean, ensuring that you always maintain the correct posture. The feeling definitely took some getting used to at first and might be a poor fit for those who prefer a more relaxed sitting position, but I found that it offered some of the best support that I have ever experienced in a chair at this price.
The 4D armrests are also a standout inclusion. They’re constructed with plenty of durable metal elements and feel completely stable and solid while still offering all of the adjustability that you could feasibly need. That’s not to say that the rest of the chair isn’t uniformly high-quality though. I tested the stylish Black / Green colorway and the upholstery was flawless across the board. The casters are also superb, as is the thick metal chair base.
My only complaint is more of a nit-pick than anything else and relates to the included head pillow. It’s a nice bonus and is very comfortable and soft, but I found that it was quite difficult to keep attached to the chair. It uses a rather unwieldy strap which, despite my best efforts, sometimes allowed it to slide right off the top of the backrest and onto the floor.
This is not a complete dealbreaker of course, as many prefer to avoid head pillows entirely, but it is the one area where the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 takes a clear lead. That chair’s magnetic neck pillow is simply better and would make it my choice if you know that you really need one.
(Image credit: Future)
Price and availability
$649.99 / £599.99
Available via Razer and Amazon
EPU leather and fabric options
The Razer Iskur V2 costs $649.99 / £599.99. This is about $130 / £185 more than the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, which is going to be its biggest competition in this price range. Although I think the build quality and features of the Razer Iskur V2 are great even when factoring in the cost, the question of which you should choose is going to come down to your usage habits.
If you often use a dedicated lumbar pillow, the Razer Iskur V2 is the clear winner. A lumbar pillow is not included with the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 and the Secretlab Lumbar Pillow Pro is sold separately for $79 / £69, taking a decent chunk out of that price difference. I also found the 6D lumbar support system to be superior to a conventional pillow, which definitely justifies the added expense.
The Razer Iskur V2 comes in two finishes: EPU leather and fabric. EPU leather is available in both a striking Black / Green and a more plain Black, while the fabric only comes in a dark gray. All of these options should pair nicely with many of the best gaming desks, which tend to come in darker colors.
Specs
Design and aesthetics
Very attractive design
Lovely EPU leather finish
Feature-rich 6D lumbar support system
The Razer Iskur V2 follows quite a conventional gaming chair design, with that recognizable racing seat look. Although it's nothing revolutionary, the overall aesthetic is elevated by some excellent little details. My Black / Green model features some bright green stitching which adds some pleasant contrast to the chair’s silhouette. There’s also quite a subtle carbon-fiber-like texture on its trim, adding another visual element to keep things interesting.
It's a little different on the seat itself, though, which has an almost scaly look. This extends to the 6D lumbar support system, which sits at the bottom of the backrest where you would normally position a traditional lumbar pillow.
(Image credit: Future)
On the right-hand side of the backrest, you’ll find an adjustment knob, which increases or decreases the depth of the 6D lumbar support system. It offers a fantastic range of adjustability, increasing the support system’s curvature by quite a large degree. As someone who has always preferred quite a firm lumbar pillow, I was able to find the absolutely perfect setting in a matter of minutes. There is an adjustment knob on the other side of the backrest too, designed to raise or lower the 6D lumbar support system. The effects of this knob are much less pronounced, but it does let you raise or lower its position on your back by a few centimeters.
The armrests are generously sized and topped with quite a soft rubber material. Plenty of metal is used across the chair’s construction, from the armrests to the chair base, and everything feels impressively durable.
While the 6D lumbar support is built-in to the chair and can't be removed, a separate head pillow is included in the box. It’s very soft with a plush exterior and an adjustable strap that attaches it to the top of the backrest.
(Image credit: Future)
Comfort and adjustability
Very spacious
Brilliant levels of comfort
Head pillow is a bit annoying
The Razer Iskur V2 is fantastic in terms of comfort. It has a generously sized seat, with much more space than the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 but doesn’t feel overly large. The same is true of the backrest, which I found almost perfectly followed the overall curve of my back and shoulders without ever seeming too tight or cramped. The 6D lumbar support system is seriously comfortable, especially after you spend a few moments finding your ideal settings. I sat on the chair for hours at a time throughout my testing period and never found it to cause any kind of stiffness or discomfort.
The included headrest is also pleasant but, unfortunately, no matter how much I tightened the strap I found that it would end up all over the place. It would loosen itself and slide further down my back over the course of a few hours or even end up on the floor as I repositioned my shoulders to sit upright. It’s a bit of a shame, as this one setback stops the Razer Iskur V2 from offering a simply perfect level of comfort.
When it comes to adjustability, you have the option to tweak the depth and position of the 6D lumbar support system on top of everything that you would expect from a premium gaming chair. This includes gas lift height adjustment up to 90mm, a backrest recline up to 152 degrees (which can be locked at your desired angle), the ability to enable a seat title and determine its tension, plus 4D armrests.
Each of these armrests is controlled via three buttons, one allows you to twist it or move it inwards and outwards, another lets you twist or move it from front to back, while the last lets you adjust its height. All of the adjustments are intuitive to use and detailed extensively on the Razer support website.
(Image credit: Future)
Assembly
The assembly of the Razer Iskur V2 is absolutely flawless and is easily among the smoothest that I’ve experienced with a gaming chair. All the required tools are included in the box, alongside a nifty pair of gloves to protect your hands. Every important screw is already in the right position when the chair arrives, making the process extremely straightforward. You simply have to take each set of screws out, slot the chair together, and then put them back in.
The armrests come pre-attached, though you might want to tweak their position out of the box, and an exceptionally clear instruction sheet is included too. The process took me just under 20 minutes and, while I am very experienced with putting chairs together, I would have no qualms recommending this to someone who has never built a gaming chair before.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Razer Iskur V2?
Buy it if...
You love lumbar support The standout feature of the Razer Iskur V2 is its excellent 6D lumbar support system. It’s superior to a conventional lumbar pillow, offering greater comfort if you frequently shift around in your seat.
You want a great looking chair The Razer Iskur V2 looks superb, with a sleek design that has plenty of subtle details to help set it out from the crowd. If you’re a fan of Razer’s aesthetic, this would be a great addition to your setup.
Don't buy it if...
You need a more secure head pillow The head pillow can be a bit of an annoyance, especially if it comes loose while you’re playing. Consider something like the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, which uses magnets in its pillow, if you’re a big head or neck pillow user.
Also consider...
If you’re not completely on board with the Razer Iskur V2, then these two alternatives are worth considering.
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is definitely the Razer Iskur V2’s biggest competition. It comes in cheaper and offers a similarly high quality build, though does not include any lumbar support out of the box.
Razer Fujin Pro If you’re after a Razer chair but have an even more generous budget, then the Razer Fujin Pro is the absolute cream of the crop. It’s highly adjustable and very comfortable.
I tested the Razer Iskur V2 for over a month, using it every day in our London office. During that time I sat on the chair for extended periods and tested it with a mix of productivity tasks and gaming via cloud streaming services such as Amazon Luna.
In my time with the chair, I endeavored to test all of its available features and carefully compared the experience with my hands-on testing of other chair models including the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, AndaSeat Phantom 3, Herman Miller Sayl, and more.
When it comes to compact dash cams, Garmin proves with the Mini 3 that it’s still the market leader. This is a tiny dash cam that shoots Full HD with HDR at 30 fps, and is so small it practically disappears behind your rear-view mirror, for a near-seamless installation. It also has a decent voice control system, and the smartphone app works well for adjusting settings and downloading stored footage.
That said, the Mini 3 is a very small upgrade on the three-year-old Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 and, other than an integrated polarizing lens, offers no real incentive to upgrade. If you have an earlier Garmin Mini dash cam, then keep it. But if you’re looking for a very small Full HD dash cam, this one has to be at the top of your list, it's one of the best value dash cams out there.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3: price and availability
Launched in September 2024, the Mini 3 is part of a new family of dash cams from Garmin. As with previous generations of Dash Cam Mini, the 3 is Garmin’s entry-level model.
Available now, the Mini 3 is priced at $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$249. This makes it slightly more expensive than the Mini 2, which arrived back in the summer of 2021. The new model is available now.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3: specs
(Image credit: Future)
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3: Design
The new Garmin Mini 3 looks almost identical to its predecessor, except for how it’s now designed to be mounted horizontally instead of vertically. This helps it hide more neatly behind the central rear-view mirror of most cars, and means the microSD card slot and microphone mute button are now on the bottom of the device instead of the side.
There’s still a USB port on the right-hand side, but this has been upgraded to USB-C, and there’s still a big button on the rear for manually saving footage. This can be handy for when you witness an incident but aren’t directly involved.
(Image credit: Future)
Garmin’s fantastic (and fantastically simple) windshield mount returns once again with the Mini 3. This attaches to the dash cam with a ball-and-socket joint, then sticks to the windshield with an integrated adhesive pad. There’s plenty of adjustability, but the ball of the mount is gripped tightly enough by the socket of the dash cam to prevent it from moving as you drive.
Also included in the box is a USB-C to USB-A cable and an adapter for plugging the dash cam into your car’s 12-volt socket. The adapter has a pair of USB-A connections, so you can power the dash cam and charge your smartphone at the same time. I’d have preferred a pair of USB-C ports instead, given that’s what almost all smartphones now use, but that’s a small criticism.
As with previous generations of Garmin Dash Cam Mini, a microSD card is not included in the box, so you’ll need to provide your own.
(Image credit: Future)
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3: Performance
Despite its tiny proportions, the Mini 3 records HDR video at Full HD. It does so through a 140-degree lens with a built-in polarizing filter designed to cut down on windshield reflections. Apart from the addition of the filter, this is the same specification as the Mini 2 – and, as a result, the footage produced by the Mini 3 looks pretty similar too.
That’s no bad thing. Footage is sharp and clear, with nicely balanced exposure and enough detail for easily reading vehicle license plates, street signs and road markings; all the things you rely on a dashcam to pick up with great clarity. There were practically no reflections at all in the footage we captured, even on a sunny autumn day, and although not Hollywood quality, the 1080p video (at 30 frames per second) looked plenty good enough for such a tiny dashcam.
Nighttime footage isn’t as clear, of course, but even well after sunset there’s enough detail to work out what’s going on. Vehicles and road markings are clearly visible, however number plates cannot be read as reliably as they can during the day. I also noticed some reflection on the windscreen from my car’s infotainment display, but this was upwards in the top of the camera’s view and well out of shot.
Day and night, the Garmini Mini 3 produces very good footage, especially considering how tiny this dash cam is. Although I obviously couldn’t test the crash detection function, I noticed how the dash cam saves a portion of footage when the driver brakes firmly. So even if you don’t actually hit anything, you’ll have evidence of what could have been a near-miss. As ever, the sensitivity of the dash cam can be adjusted in the app settings menu, which is handy if you find it triggers too easily, such as over speed bumps or potholes.
(Image credit: Future)
As for additional features, the Mini 3 has access to Garmin’s voice control tech. It’s always worked pretty well, throughout the history of the Garmin Dash Cam range, and is equally good here. You can ask the dash cam to manually save a recording, or turn the microphone on/off. It’s a nice-to-have but something you’re unlikely to use frequently.
As with other Garmin dash cams, the Mini 3 has a parking mode that alerts your smartphone when a collision is detected while parked. However, this requires a hardwiring kit to give the camera a constant source of power (sold separately), an active WiFi connection and a subscription to Garmin’s Vault cloud storage service. For some buyers this will add unnecessary expense and complexity, but if you can provide the all-important WiFi connection it can turn your dash cam into a round-the-clock surveillance system.
Another fringe-case feature of Garmin dash cams is how up to four can be synced up together. That way, you can have one facing forwards and one rearwards, then even a couple facing to the sides if you have a large vehicle that might benefit from 360-degree recording. Remember though, each dash cam will need a 12-volt or USB socket for power.
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want a distraction-free dash cam Since there’s no screen, there’s absolutely nothing to distract you. It’s even possible to mount the Garmin Mini 3 behind the rear-view mirror, so it’s almost completely out of the driver’s sight.
You can manage without GPS If you just need video – without speed, direction and location data – this is the dash cam for you. GPS data can be added to recordings if you sync the Mini 3 with a compatible Garmin dash cam equipped with GPS.
You don’t need 4K video Unless you have a big budget, there’s every chance you can do without 4K video from your dash cam. The Full HD footage of the Mini 3 looks plenty good enough for its purpose, and compared to 4K takes up far less storage space too.
Don't buy it if...
You already have the Mini 2 The new Mini 3 is a very small upgrade on the three-year-old Mini 2, so if you still have that dash cam and it’s working fine, we recommend you stick with it.
You want GPS As with the previous two generations of Mini, Garmin’s smallest dash cam lacks GPS. This adds location, speed and direction-of-travel data to your recordings, so if you feel you need those metrics you’ll have to look elsewhere.
You prefer dash cams with displays Since it’s so small, the Mini 3 has no display. This means you’ll need to use the free Garmin drive app to adjust settings and check the camera’s point-of-view during the setup process. It also means you can’t view footage on the dash cam itself, and instead recordings need transferring to your phone or computer.
How I tested the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3
I installed the Mini 3 into my own car
I used the dash cam during several journeys, during the day and also at night
I set up the dash cam using the Garmin Drive smartphone app
I installed the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 in my own car and used it over the course of a couple of weeks. This included journeys during the day and at night, and gave me a good opportunity to inspect how the camera performs in various lighting conditions. I also tried out the Garmin Drive app, which is used to see a live view of the camera and adjust settings during the setup process.
While I could sum up this review in six words – like the PX13 opposite, only bigger – that doesn’t do the ProArt P16 justice. Yes, it shares many of the same design hallmarks and specs as its little brother, but this 16in laptop can justly be called a graphics workstation.
The bigger chassis means more room for fans and cooling systems than the PX13, and the CPU benefits from a maximum thermal design power (TDP) of 70W rather than 65W. Asus evidently can’t make room for a GeForce RTX 4080 within this still-slender chassis, instead sticking to the RTX 4070 found in the top-end PX13. What you do get, if you select the 2TB model, is 64GB of RAM; the 1TB/32GB version costs £2,600 inc VAT.
I tested the more expensive unit, and it was a few per cent ahead of the PX13 throughout my tests. In Cyberpunk 2077 and Dirt 5 it averaged 102fps and 122fps at 1080p High, compared to 91fps and 99fps. It was a similar story in the demanding SPECperfview 2020 viewsets: taking Catia, 3ds Max and Creo as examples, the P16 returned 67, 99 and 110, while the PX13 scored 65, 96 and 109. These scores are admittedly humbled by the towering monsters that are the best workstations.
(Image credit: Future)
Honors were even in our rundown tests, where the P16’s larger 90Wh battery evened out the greater power consumption required by its 16in panel. Here, though, a battery life of around nine hours under light use seems eminently reasonable compared to laptops with similar graphical power – usually gaming laptop machines – and I can’t imagine that many people will want to lug this 1.9kg beast around with them despite its slim dimensions. If you want to use that CPU at full power, you’ll need to find space in your bag for the 200W power supply, too.
This uses a proprietary connector, so both USB-C ports are free for connecting peripherals. The faster USB 4 port sits on the left, alongside HDMI, USB-A and 3.5mm connectors, while a slower USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port is on the right alongside a second USB-A port and full-size SD Express 7 card reader. There’s no RJ45 port, which is a shame when there’s so much spare space, but Wi-Fi 7 offers some compensation.
Asus doesn’t squeeze in a number pad, but don’t expect a roomier keyboard than the PX13 as a result. So far as I could tell, they’re identical from the size of the keys to the half-height cursors and the single-height Enter key. That’s fine when you’re tight for space, as is the case for the PX13, but I would like separate Home, End, PgUp and PgDn keys on a laptop of this size, and for the cursors to be full height and separated out. At least Asus has increased the size of the glass-coated touchpad, which comes complete with the DialPad I describe opposite.
(Image credit: Future)
The main beneficiary of Asus’ decision not to include a number pad is the audio. Speakers sit on either side of the keyboard, with bass, depth and subtlety to match standalone speakers. Then we come to the expanse of screen, with a 3,840 x 2,400 resolution to play with – a fraction beyond 4K. It’s Pantone calibrated while an average Delta E of 0.43 speaks to its colour accuracy. Gamers should note that it peaks at 60Hz while HDR video editors won’t be impressed by a 500cd/m2 peak when viewing HDR content. Asus states a 400cd/m2 maximum for SDR, but I measured a more modest 377cd/m2.
I’ve no complaints about color coverage (100% of DCI-P3) or the level of user control, as the MyAsus app lets you pick from four colour profiles: native, sRGB, DCI-P3 and Display P3. You can also use MyAsus to play around with microphone settings, but I found the mics worked fine in the default mode. As did the 1080p webcam, although streamers might have hoped for a higher resolution.
More surprising is that Asus supplies Windows 11 Home rather than Pro, while a single-year C&R warranty is basic. Thankfully, the P16 is built like a tank, while the matte black metal chassis proved resistant to my fingerprints and scratches.
You can also access this laptop’s internals if you want to upgrade the SSD, or even add a second one in the spare slot. However, all the RAM is embedded on the motherboard, so if you want 64GB, take the hit at the time of purchase. And it is a hit; the main reason this machine doesn’t earn five stars is that I expect near-perfection for this price and, while I can forgive sacrifices in an ultraportable such as the PX13, I’m less forgiving when there’s this much space to play with. All that said, the ProArt P16 is a remarkably well-made and powerful laptop and, niggles aside, it will be a superb workhorse for years to come.
