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Dell Precision 5690 mobile workstation review
10:33 pm | December 11, 2024

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

The Precision 5690 is considered a flagship in Dell's Mobile Workstation line-up, and for good reason. And like all the best mobile workstations we've reviewed, this heavy-duty laptop caters to professionals who need the extra power, even at the cost. These individuals who need this kind of computer need exceptional portable computing power. The Precision 5690 boasts the latest Intel Meteor Lake processors, AI integration, NVIDIA's Ada-generation GPU, and a fantastic build quality, making it a highly versatile tool for even the most demanding tasks. Granted, it does take some design inspiration from the ever-popular Dell XPS range and some from the competitors at Apple; the Precision 5690 stands tall as a fantastic contender for serious productivity and workload.

Dell Precision 5690: Price and Availability

The base model costs around $2,300 and includes an Intel Core Ultra 5, integrated graphics, and an FHD+ non-touch display. Our test model is spec'd out with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H 2.5GHz processor with 64GB of RAM, Windows 11 Pro, an NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation GPU, 4TB of internal storage, and a 4K OLED display. This test model comes in around $6,500.

Dell Precision 5690

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Dell Precision 5690: Unboxing and First Impressions

Though this computer is quite robust in power, the packaging for the Dell Precision 5690 is humble. Its minimalistic approach reflects Dell's commitment to sustainability with recycled materials. Within the product box are the laptop, a 165W USB-C Charger, a USB-C to USB-A dongle, and some protective papers ensuring the computer makes it to you without a scratch. From the moment I took the protective sleeve off, I loved the anodized aluminum chassis. It looks premium and feels like it can be used daily and shouldn't get destroyed. it's right up there with the best business laptops I've tried.

Dell Precision 5690

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Dell Precision 5690: Design and Build Quality

Specs

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, 16 cores.
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada with 16GB GDDR6.
Display: 16-inch UHD+ OLED, 3840 x 2400, 400 nits, 100% DCI-P3.
RAM: Up to 64GB LPDDR5x.
Storage: Configurable up to 8TB SSD.
Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, SD card reader.

The Dell Precision 5690 showcases a sleek yet professional design made of a Titan Gray anodized aluminum case material. It's hefty, yet it is pretty portable for the workstation at only 4.5 lbs. Just as importantly, it can maintain a sturdy build with overall minimal flex. This is not a flimsy device, which is excellent for those who use their laptops daily. It can be used without worrying about snapping or breaking the first time used in the real world.

Coming from a guy with a personal MacBook Pro, I am particular about my touchpads; I don't put up with anything less than excellent. And the Precision 5690's touchpad is fantastic. It has a tremendously wide shape and fantastic haptic feedback and feel in general. Further, the keyboard is another thing that needs to be excellent for a laptop to be genuinely great since part of the reason people choose a laptop over a desktop is to be able to use it on the go. If the keyboard is excellent and built-in, that's one less thing that needs to be carried alongside the laptop, further bulking up the otherwise portable setup. Much like the touchpad, the keyboard is also great on this computer. Granted, it's no Keychron custom mechanical keyboard, but it's a fantastic keyboard with backlit keys. If it had a numpad, it might've been perfect.

Dell Precision 5690

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Dell Precision 5690: In use

I'll say it one more time. I am used to working on a MacBook Pro day in and out. So, I frequently compare laptops I test to that as a litmus test. The Dell Precision 5690 has made me confident that I could run with just the Precision 5690 and fly through every single thing in my workflow with the slightest of ease and then some, with only having to re-learn keyboard shortcuts. Jokes aside, this machine is incredible. Yes, there are even more powerful computers. Yes, there are more portable laptops, too. Many laptops are "more" of one thing or another, but the Dell Precision 5690 has been one of those unique computers that fits the sweet spot of being a device that does everything well.

It performs very well in all categories it's intended to. I've taken this as my only laptop for several days now, and I have zero hangups or hiccups when it comes to getting work done on this laptop, which is across all the various types of tasks I do. I have been able to do admin work, emails, spreadsheets, web-browsing, and project management, along with also getting a photo and some video editing done; I've been able to run programs, try my hand at some coding, I've gamed, I have run remote desktops, I have run benchmarks to know that this could be a serious contender even in engineering and running massive code bases, deliver exceptional performance across CAD, and CGI work,

And through all that, this laptop is still portable enough that I don't mind throwing it in a backpack and carrying it to wherever work takes me that day. Even the battery is excellent for this kind of machine. I'll keep a power bank and charger in my bag because that's the kind of person I am, but I don't feel like I need to top off every couple of hours; I can buckle down for a long working session without the anxiety of getting charged.

Dell Precision 5690

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Because of the 4K OLED display, I enjoy using this display. Some professional laptops opt for a 1080p display, which is fine, but then I go from my iPhone 16 Pro's beautiful display and I find myself wishing for a better screen. I don't have this issue here. With the Precision 5690, that beautiful screen makes watching content feel right, and adds a little extra to editing photos and videos.

Dell Precision 5690

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Dell Precision 5690: Final verdict

The Dell Precision 5690 is a workstation marvel, combining portability with uncompromising performance. While its price and limited port options may deter some, its sheer power, stunning display, and premium build make it a no-brainer for professionals needing the best. Whether you’re an architect, data scientist, creative professional, or someone who needs reliable power in their primary machine, the Precision 5690 delivers impressive results that justify its premium price tag.


For performance-driven desktops, we reviewed the best workstations.

GigSky eSIM
4:32 pm | December 9, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Imagine you have just landed in a foreign place, ready to explore, and then the reality hits - you have no internet connection. Here’s where GigSky enters the scene. This little eSIM solution, intended to work across the globe, promises to keep you connected nearly everywhere without any of the SIM-swapping hassles, roaming charges, and spotty Wi-Fi.

With the instant connectivity and ‘data-only’ model of its international eSIM, supported by 400 partners in the world, GigSky might be just what the data-hungry digital nomad crowd needs. But is it too good to be true and how does it really hold up against competition?

GigSky: Pricing and plans

GigSky’s pricing varies depending on the region (and situation, like if you are on a cruise ship or plane) and the amount of data you need. The paid plans range from 512MB to unlimited data, starting from $2.99 for 7 days and 1GB of data in Bulgaria, for instance, to up to $139.99 for larger plans that cover longer durations, more exotic regions, cruises, and/or more GBs.

For those who intend to visit more than one country in a particular region, GigSky has regional solutions too. Let’s say you are planning to visit Africa - you can choose among plans ranging from 1GB for 7 days at $8.99 to 10GB for 30 days, while world travelers can opt for the 5GB World Plan with a duration of 30 days and costing $69.99.

If you are on a cruise through the Americas and the Caribbean, it is possible to get just 512MB of data during one day, albeit at a slightly higher price than the other pricing plans - $19.99. Having the same amount of data for the same duration at a world cruise would set you back by $26.99.

There is also a free 100MB travel data plan, regardless of the region, and no credit card is needed. This is an extremely limited amount of data but does come in handy if you need urgent online access or just want to get a taste of what GigSky brings to the table.

It is also important to note that there are no hidden fees or subscriptions, which feel like a breath of fresh air. You only pay for what you need - a win for budget-conscious travelers. But if you are the kind that plays online games, shares large files, or streams an entire Netflix series on the go, be prepared - heavy streaming can chew through data faster than you can say ‘bonjour.’

You should also keep in mind that, due to implementing fair usage policies, GigSky eSIM slows down the traffic in its unlimited plans after you have gone through the first 2.5GB in a day - resuming normal speed on the next day, starting from the time the plan is activated.

Even at these reduced speeds, the company guarantees you will be able to perform less data-intensive tasks, like sending and receiving emails and making VOIP voice calls.

GigSky: Features

GigSky features

(Image credit: GigSky)

What makes GigSky stand out is its seamless installation. As there is no physical SIM to fumble with, you can be in any of the supported destinations and rely on this handy eSIM that is a breeze to download and install (just make sure to do so before you enter the target country).

Not only that, but it works in 200 countries and regions in the world, more than 200 cruise ships, and over 20 airlines, alongside a wide array of cruise ships and airlines, giving you a virtual backstage pass to the digital world almost anywhere. So whether you are in Paris checking Google Maps for the best croissant spot or on a beach in Bali scrolling through Instagram, GigSky can cover you.

The best part? GigSky eSIM works with most recent smartphones and some tablets, so there is no need to lug around any extra hardware. Simply purchase a data package for the region you are headed to, install the eSIM profile, and you are ready to go. Just make sure your device is unlocked for international carriers beforehand, or you might get an unpleasant surprise at the airport.

GigSky: Installation

GigSky

(Image credit: GigSky)

Installing GigSky eSIM is as simple as it gets, especially since there is no physical card involved (great news if your nails have seen better days or you can’t find that tiny needle).

After downloading the app, the platform guides you through each step, starting with creating your account, choosing your destination (or situation - like a cruise or flying) and package, hooking up the eSIM, activating it, and getting online as soon as you arrive.

A word to the wise - install your eSIM before you head out or while you still have Wi-Fi access in your country/point of departure. It is just one of those things that can save you a heap of trouble if the airport Wi-Fi suddenly decides to go on strike.

Furthermore, GigSky is compatible with lots of devices, including iPhone XR and newer, a long list of Android systems, all cellular-enabled iPad Pro 12.9-inch and newer, as well as others, including Microsoft Surface Pro X, Fairphone 4, Honor Magic 4 Pro, and many more.

That is, as long as your device is not locked for international use by your current carrier (as might be the case with financed phones on a prepaid contract).

GigSky: Support

GigSky

(Image credit: GigSky)

In terms of customer support, GigSky offers its own through email and its apps, with a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section that is actually quite helpful and detailed. There is also a Help Center with categories that include troubleshooting, getting started manuals, and announcements.

Responses tend to be fairly quick and knowledgeable, and it is a 24/7/365 service - available whenever you need it. The apps are very intuitive as well, guiding you through the process and ensuring a smooth experience. You can use them to top up, change plans, or just get in touch if you hit a road bump.

Gigsky: Final verdict

So, should you give GigSky’s eSIM a whirl? If you are a frequent traveler who values convenience and does not mind paying a bit more for the simplicity of staying connected, it is a solid option. That said, this is not the cheapest data source, particularly for those who plan to burn through data fast.

But for the average traveler who wants to avoid the hassle of changing SIMs in every new country and does not mind the ‘data-only’ model, GigSky eSIM is a nifty travel companion that will get you (and keep you) connected in just a few taps. Just make sure to first look up the experiences of other users visiting the same place.

All things considered, if the idea of exploring the globe with easy connectivity and no extra plastic to worry about appeals to you, GigSky might just become your new best friend - only don’t expect it to cover all your communication needs.

Gigsky: FAQs

Can I install GigSky eSIM using QR code?

Yes. Just like with other eSIMs, you can install a GigSky eSIM on your device using a standard QR code activation method. To do this, you will need to visit the Gigsky website or app and purchase a plan. After this, you will receive a QR activation code in your email. Scan the code on the device you want to install the eSIM on and follow the prompts.

Do I get 5G connectivity with GigSky?

Yes, GigSky currently offers 5G connectivity where available, since some places may be at 4G or 3G speeds. So if your device is compatible with 5G, you are good to go. Keep in mind, though, that 5G connections consume a lot of data, so you may run out of your data limits quickly.

Does GigSky eSIM cover phone calls or SMS?

No, GigSky eSIM is a data-only service, which means it does not come with a telephone number, so regular phone calls and SMS are not supported. That said, texting and VOIP apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger, iMessage, and the like can be used.

How many plans does GigSky offer?

All new customers receive a free 100MB eSIM just by signing up on the GigSky app. Beyond that, you only pay for the data plan you need and scale it up based on duration and data volume. There are multiple one-time plans with various data limits for different regions or cruises, as well as unlimited data options.

Synology Diskstation DS423+ review
2:26 pm |

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

This review first appeared in issue 358 of PC Pro.

Synology’s DiskStation DS423+ is a home and small office NAS, offering four SATA drive bays, and supporting up to a whopping 72TB of storage. With a Celeron J4125 processor and 2GB of RAM, it’s similarly specified to the two-bay DS224+. Unfortunately, that extends to its dual gigabit Ethernet ports, which look like a misstep when many competitors now offer 2.5GbE. Synology hasn’t been overly generous when it comes to other ports, either. You won’t find HDMI here, and there are only two USB-A 3.2 ports – and they’re the slower, 5Gbits/sec Gen 1.

The DS423+ does have a trick up its sleeve in the shape of two NVMe SSD slots. Drives in these can be configured as a cache for hard disk volumes, used to create a flash storage pool, or split between the two roles. A single SSD doesn’t offer data redundancy, though, so you’ll need to use both slots for caching if you want to accelerate disk writes as well as reads.

Rear view of the Synology Diskstation DS423+'s two cooling fans

The dual Ethernet ports are sadly only of the gigabit variety (Image credit: Future)

This is one of the easiest NAS devices we’ve tested when it comes to setup. Its lockable caddies are tool-less for 3.5in disks. It’s also quicker and easier than the norm to access its NVMe slots – you simply flip the enclosure on its back, pop open two small covers and click the drives in. Even the memory expansion slot can be accessed without tools.

We initially configured this NAS with four 1TB disks configured in a RAID5 array. While Synology, like other manufacturers, is usually quite relaxed about the brand of hard disk you fit, this doesn’t extend to NVM drives. The DS423+ was happy to use two unapproved 1TB WD Black drives as a disk cache, but you can use only approved SSDs to create a storage pool. At the time of our review there were just four approved SSDs on the compatibility list: they’re all made by Synology and have either 400GB or 800GB capacities, limiting you to an 800GB maximum for a flash volume with data redundancy.

With or without disk caching, this isn’t a particularly fast NAS. It lined up closely with other gigabit Ethernet devices in ATTO Disk Benchmark, hitting peak transfer rates of 110MB/sec (write) and 113MB/sec (read). It scored a fair 348 in the PCMark 10 Data Drive benchmark, and managed 59MB/sec writes and 46MB/sec reads in our 11GB Windows file copy test. We retested it when configured with two large WD disks, but its performance was essentially unchanged.

It’s fair to point out that disk caches become more effective over time, and our benchmarks don’t particularly show the benefits. It’s also worth noting that port bonding – in which the NAS balances the load across both Ethernet ports – would help the DS423+ deliver a greater throughput in a multi-user setup. Even so, no single user would see data transfer rates above the 113MB/sec gigabit Ethernet limit, which puts this NAS at a disadvantage when compared with 2.5GbE rivals such as QNAP’s TS-464.

Full view of the Synology Diskstation DS423+

Visible, lockable disk caddies tell you the DS423+ is cut out for business (Image credit: Future)

That’s a shame, because it’s simple to manage Synology NAS boxes. DSM manages to combine user friendliness with plenty of functionality, spanning networking, security and convenience features such as QuickConnect, which lets you access the NAS remotely. You can bolt on extras through the Package Center, which at the time of writing offered 107 apps.

Highlights include strong third-party apps such as Plex Media Center, WordPress and various developer tools, but also Synology’s own software, which tends to focus on business requirements. Examples include Surveillance Station, Synology Mail Server and even the Synology Office suite. There are also tools such as Synology High Availability, which lets you use a second NAS to provide failover cover should the active server fail.

Desktop screenshot of the easy-to-use Synology NAS interface

Synology’s excellent software lifts all of its products above rivals (Image credit: Future)

In most ways, the DS423+ is a great product for small businesses, and if speed isn’t a major concern then it’s a good choice. However, with only 1GbE network interfaces – and no expansion slot to upgrade them – it could become a bottleneck in a growing business, particularly one that needs to back up or work with large volumes of data. If that’s likely to be you, we’d advise stretching your budget to get the upgradability of Synology’s DS923+ or the better specification of Asustor’s Nimbustor 4 Gen2.

We also ranked the best apps for small businesses.

Synology Diskstation DS224+ Review
2:21 pm |

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

This review first appeared in issue 358 of PC Pro.

At first glance Synology’s DiskStation DS224+ looks much like the cheaper DiskStation DS223. It’s the same color and dimensions, and has the same button, port and LED layout on the front panel. Snoop around a bit and you’ll spot a significant improvement, though: this NAS has dual 1GbE ports, which can be used to offer faster throughput and failover support.

There’s a bigger upgrade inside, where the DS224+ has an Intel Celeron J4125 processor rather than the limp Realtek in the DS223. Its 2GB of memory is also upgradable to 6GB via a spare slot, accessible without tools if you remove the drive caddies. Synology talks up the enhanced performance of the DS224+ when compared to previous-generation devices, and this processor should certainly help if you’re intending to use it as a media server in the home.

It’s usually easy to set up Synology devices, and the DS224+ obliges with tool-free caddies for 3.5in SATA drives – as with other contenders here, you’ll need to screw in 2.5in disks. You can quickly track down any local DiskStations via the Web Assistant. Once you’re into the web interface, it’s simple to install Synology’s DSM software and configure the storage.

Rear view of the Synology Diskstation DS224+ displaying the cooling fan

The DS224+ is compact and looks smart enough for any home office (Image credit: Future)

We added two 4TB disks provided by Synology, configuring them in a RAID1 array and formatting them with Btrfs; EXT4 is available if needed. The DS224+ delivered on its improved specifications, outpacing the DS223 in 4KB and 16KB file operations in ATTO Disk Benchmark. It was also a little quicker to write files in our Windows file copy test, hitting 60MB/sec compared to 52MB/sec for the DS223.

This is something of a distraction from the fact that this NAS is throttled by its gigabit Ethernet ports. In our tests it sustained a maximum transfer speed of 113MB/sec. In comparison, 2.5GbE connections can deliver up to 283MB/sec. It’s easy to bond the two network interfaces, but this won’t improve speeds to a single client; instead it helps increase bandwidth when there are multiple users.

Synology pitches this NAS as a data storage device for edge deployments, which is likely to mean home workers and micro offices. Synology’s software is certainly more than equal to the role, combining a solid feature set with 107 apps available through Package Center. Perhaps this NAS’s slower Ethernet won’t be a problem for home workers primarily connecting via Wi-Fi, but if you have several users we’d recommend paying more for an alternative with a 2.5GbE interface.

We've also rated the best laptops for working from home.

Synology Diskstation DS223 review
11:23 am |

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

This review first appeared in issue 358 of PC Pro.

The DS223 sits almost at the bottom of Synology’s huge NAS range, with only the single-slot DS124 and the more basic two-slot DS223j variant sitting below it. Accordingly, it’s not particularly well specified, with only two SATA drive bays and no NVMe slots. There’s 2GB of RAM onboard, which can’t be upgraded, while all the processing work is done by a lowly four-core Realtek CPU clocked at 1.7GHz. Perhaps just as significantly, this NAS has just a single 1GbE network port, immediately putting it at a disadvantage to 2.5GbE devices when it comes to fast file serving.

Still, the DS223 is designed and built with Synology’s usual quality. Pull off the front panel and its two drive caddies slide in and out smoothly – they’re tool-less for 3.5in disks, but you’ll need to screw 2.5in devices in place. We fitted two 4TB Synology disks, turned the NAS on, then connected to its web interface to create a RAID1 array and format it with the Btrfs file system.

While other NAS manufacturers continue to improve their software, Synology remains the master. Its DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system strikes almost the perfect balance between functionality and ease of use. Storage Manager makes it intuitive to create and manage storage pools and volumes, while all the network, user and other settings are gathered together in Control Panel.

You can enhance and add to the DS223’s functionality through the Package Center, which at the time of our review offered 107 apps covering a range of multimedia, backup, business and communication roles. However, this NAS drive’s modest power means it could struggle to run multiple demanding apps at once.

Rear view of the Synology Diskstation DS223 showing the cooling fan

This is a compact and smart NAS that’s easy to install and configure (Image credit: Future)

This NAS was an underwhelming performer in our tests anyway, even compared to other devices limited to a 1GbE interface. In ATTO Disk Benchmark it was around 20% slower than other Synology NAS enclosures for a 4KB file size, and about 10% slower for 16KB files. Even though it caught up when moving 2MB files, it still managed only 111MB/sec writes and 113MB/sec reads – about the maximum possible over gigabit Ethernet. Surprisingly, however, the DS223 was quite competitive when writing files from a Windows 11 PC.

We love this NAS drive’s simplicity and comparative ease of use, but it’s significantly more expensive than QNAP’s TS-233. It’s quicker, but if speed is important we’d recommend spending more on a 2.5GbE alternative such as the QNAP TS-264.

We also ranked the best small business servers.

QNAP TS-264 review
10:50 am |

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

This review first appeared in issue 358 of PC Pro.

Q NAP makes so many NAS enclosures that it can be hard to place specific models within the range. The TS-264 comes under the “Mid-range First Choice” bracket, which is QNAP’s way of saying it’s intended for small offices, homes and micro businesses. The “2” tells you this is a two-bay device, accepting up to two 3.5in or 2.5in drives.

Inside there are NVMe slots capable of accepting up to two 2TB SSDs, which can be used as storage or an SSD cache for the hard disks. QNAP pairs an Intel Celeron N5095 processor with 8MB of onboard RAM, which can’t be further upgraded. At the back you’ll find an HDMI socket, two 2.5GbE connectors, two USB-A 2 ports and a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, with another Gen 2 socket on the front panel.

That’s not at all bad for this price, but if needed you can upgrade with a dual-port PCI-E 10GbE network card. There’s also support for various tower and rackmount storage expansion units, some of which require a mini SAS connector card that takes up the PCI-E slot.

Rear view of the QNAP TS-264

QNAP’s TS-264 is packed with ports, including two 2.5GbE connectors (Image credit: Future)

In theory you can set up this NAS entirely without tools, but you’ll struggle to fit NVMe drives without taking off the side panel, which requires a screwdriver. Even with it removed, the two slots are partially obstructed by the hard drive cage, making it hard to insert SSDs. Put it all back together and you can run Qfinder Pro to locate the NAS on your network, connect to its web admin interface and begin configuring QNAP’s QTS operating system.

While QTS is generally excellent, it feels more technical and less slick than some rivals – particularly Synology’s DSM software. It’s great to have the choice between thick and thin provisioning, or using a more conventional static disk volume, but this does complicate things compared to its great rival. If using NVMe drives, you’ll need to provide their physical security ID (PSID) number to securely erase them in the setup process, so it’s a good idea to photograph them in situ before you put the case back on.

Full view of the QNAP TS-264

The gold and black TS-264 may not look businesslike, but it’s happy to work (Image credit: Future)

We loaded up the TS-264 with 14TB and 12TB NAS disks and two 1TB NVMe SSDs provided by WD, initially configuring these as two separate RAID1 volumes formatted with Btrfs (you can choose EXT4 if you prefer). Over a single 2.5GbE connection, it recorded competitive PCMark 10 Data Drive scores of 487 for the disk performance and 482 for SSDs. In ATTO Disk Benchmark, the TS-264 was level with competing two-bay enclosures for 4KB and 16KB file operations, but some distance ahead for 2MB files thanks to its faster network connection.

File-copy tests confirmed that the TS-264 is fast in real-world use, but the margin over 1GbE devices wasn’t as great as we were expecting. That said, with disk caching configured this NAS put a little more daylight between itself and the 1GbE competition, particularly when copying larger files.

QTS is full of usability and connectivity features, including myQNAPcloud, which makes it easy to access and manage the NAS remotely. You’ll also find a wide range of high-quality apps in the AppCenter – we counted 107, spanning content management, dev tools, security, networking and entertainment. Unlike the home-focused TS-233, you get a full suite of surveillance apps including QVR Pro, and extensions covering face recognition and even automated door access.

Desktop screenshot of the QNAP TS-264's operating system

The QTS operating system is capable of handling any task (Image credit: Future)

Despite its diminutive size, the TS-264 makes sense for demanding users. Like other QNAP NAS enclosures, it can act as a DHCP, web or proxy server, and even a domain controller. Other apps let you configure it as a proxy, web or backup server, and even to host and manage containers. Its ability to scale and upgrade is also a bonus, although it’s not badly specified out of the box.

While we wouldn’t choose this NAS as a starting point for a small business, it is a good choice as a home NAS if you’ll be using it for both work and entertainment. The TS-264 has the grunt to handle media serving and transcoding, while its twin network interfaces can be bonded to preserve network speeds as you gain users.

We've also rated the best NAS & media server distros.

Asustor Nimbustor 4 Gen2 AS5404T review
11:16 am | December 5, 2024

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

This review first appeared in issue 358 of PC Pro.

Asustor’s Nimbustor 4 AS5404T is a four-drive NAS enclosure aimed at demanding home users or small offices. It’s a performance-focused NAS thanks to the fairly muscular Intel Celeron N5105 processor and 4GB of RAM. At the back you’ll find two 2.5GbE ports, along with two of the NAS’s three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 sockets – the other one is easily accessed at the front.

The NAS can mount up to four 3.5in or 2.5in SATA disks in various RAID configurations including RAID5, 6 and 10. Unusually, it also has four NVMe slots. You could configure the AS5404T with a four-SSD RAID5 volume, alongside a slower disk-based storage pool. Alternatively, you could use an SSD cache to accelerate disk performance, or compromise with one or two SSDs on cache duty and others serving as a fast volume.

Full view of the Asustor Nimbustor 4 Gen2 AS5404T

This is a refreshing-looking NAS, especially if you love bright lights (Image credit: Future)

You can upgrade the enclosure’s installed RAM up to 16GB, though you’ll have to remove the 4GB it comes with. If you need to add storage, you can do so with up to three Asustor AS6004U expanders, allowing for a total 16 disks. Asustor says this NAS can hit maximum read and write speeds of 599MB/sec, but you’ll need to be using both network ports for that.

We’re not wild about this unit’s physical setup: there’s tool-less access for 3.5in disks, but the caddies release with a horrific snapping sound that had us checking to confirm we hadn’t broken the catches. The caddy clips are hard to remove, too. You’ll need a screwdriver to open the case and access the NVMe slots, but the SSDs themselves simply clip into place.

We configured the AS5404T with four 1TB hard disks in a RAID5 array and two 1TB WD Black SSDs configured as a separate RAID1 volume. Unusually among modern NAS servers, Asustor’s operating system defaults to the EXT4 file system, though Btrfs is an option. This NAS insists on synchronizing new RAID1 arrays, but at least with our SSDs the process completed within an hour.

Connected via a single 2.5GbE connection, the AS5404T got off to an impressive start.

Close-up of the Asustor Nimbustor 4 Gen2 AS5404T's cooling fan

The Nimbustor 4 provides blistering performance speeds (Image credit: Future)

It performed strongly through the ATTO disk benchmark, recording much quicker data rates than 1GbE competitors. With 16KB and 2MB file operations, it also showed a clean pair of heels to 2.5GbE rivals from QNAP. Things were far less impressive with the PCMark 10 Data Drive benchmark, however, on which the AS5404T was one of a few NAS enclosures we tested to record an inexplicably low score. We always confirm real-world data speeds with simple Windows file copies, however, and here the AS5404T was supreme, managing 85MB/sec when writing 11GB of files.

Performance was consistent when we tested its SSD storage, giving near-identical ATTO results with an SSD volume, and again when using SSD caching. Cached disk write speeds increased slightly in our file-copy test, although read speeds actually went down a little. We also recorded similar performances when we reinstalled this NAS with two Synology 4TB disks.

Desktop screenshot of the easy-to-use ADM operating system integrated into the Asustor Nimbustor 4 Gen2 AS5404T

Asustor’s ADM operating system is certainly comprehensive (Image credit: Future)

Asustor’s ADM operating system is comprehensive and easy to use, though we did spot a couple of oddities in this test. Most significantly, the AS5404T couldn’t be browsed from either a Chromebook or our Windows 11 test PC unless we turned on SMB1, although its shares could be accessed without it – so long as we entered the drive path by name.

One of the Nimbustor’s strongest points is Asustor’s App Central, which at the time of writing offered an incredible 272 apps, spanning networking, surveillance, productivity and entertainment. If you’re chiefly interested in the latter, an HDMI port gives you a way to view multimedia content on an attached screen, but you can organize and serve photos or other media through the likes of Plex.

Don’t let this NAS server’s media talents put you off if you’re buying for business, however. With blistering performance even when configured with two disks, the AS5404T is a solid starting package for a small business with big plans. If your micro office goes macro, you can add more disks, accelerate it with SSDs, beef up the memory, and even connect another enclosure. It’s our Labs Winner.

We've also ranked the best small business servers.

Asustor Flashstor 6 FS6706T review
10:44 am |

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

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.

Rearview of the Asustor Flashstor 6 FS6706T

(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.

We also rated the best software for small businesses.

Acer SpatialLabs 27 View Pro review
10:47 am | December 2, 2024

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

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.

Full view of the Acer SpatialLabs 27 View Pro

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.

Example of 3D game development on the Acer SpatialLabs 27 View Pro

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.

Display of available plugins with the Acer SpatialLabs 27 View Pro

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.

Adjustable hood of the Acer SpatialLabs 27 View Pro

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.

We've also ranked the best dual-screen monitors.

Ruijie Reyee RG-RAP2260(E) review
10:36 am |

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

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.

Cloud interface of the Ruijie Reyee RG-RAP2260(E)

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.

We also rated the best secure routers.

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