1440p on a 27-inch panel is arguably still the best choice for mainstream PC gaming. It's also cheaper than ever, with even high-refresh options dipping below $200. In that context, the new Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS doesn't immediately look like a bargain.
For sure, it's cheaper than the equivalent model from Asus's premium ROG range. But at around $300 it's still a fair bit more expensive than entry-level screens that tick the 1440p, 27-inch, and high-refresh-rate boxes.
Then again, the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS does have a pretty strong spec list with which to do battle with the very best gaming monitors. Beyond the 1440p, 27-inch thing, you get 180Hz refresh instead of the 144Hz more common to cheaper models, plus 1ms GtG response. That later figure implies this is probably an IPS rather than VA panel, and that is indeed the case.
(Image credit: Future)
What's more, it comes with HDR400 support, and thus can achieve 400 nits peak brightness. HDR400 is the lowest level of HDR compliance, so you have to be realistic about what this kind of screen can achieve. But it's better than no HDR support at all.
Then add in USB-C with power delivery and a stand that adjusts every which way, not to mention the fact that this is a monitor from one of the best brands in the gaming business and you have a very attractive overall proposition. Sure, it's not the cheapest 1440p panel out there. But it's pretty reasonably priced and very promising on paper.
Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
How much does it cost? $299 / around £325 / AU$450
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US at the time of writing
At $299 in the US, and likely around £325 in the UK and $450 in Australia (pricing in those two territories has yet to emerge at the time of writing) the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS isn't the cheapest high-refresh 1440p panel out there.
Still, it's pretty competitive given the specs, including a 180Hz refresh from an IPS panel, and the fact that it's from Asus. If you want cheaper, you could try the Gigabyte G27Q, which is also an IPS panel but only hits 144Hz.
Value: 4 / 5
Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Fully adjustable stand
Premium build quality despite the relatively low price
HDR400 rating, but no local dimming
As a member of the more affordable Asus ROG Strix range, as opposed to the more premium ROG Swift line, it's perhaps not a huge surprise that the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS isn't decked out with a zillion RGB lights. However, you do get a high-quality and fully adjustable stand, including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot into portrait mode.
Generally, it looks and feels a cut above more affordable 1440p options. That extends to the connectivity, which includes not only DisplayPort and HDMI, but also USB-C with power delivery. If the latter is an impressive inclusion at this price point, the catch is that you only get 7.5W of power delivery. So, you can forget keeping a laptop juiced up in a single-cable scenario, that's not enough power.
Instead, Asus envisages that you'll use it to charge your smartphone, for which there is a slot on the front of the stand base. That's just about plausible, but it's not a really clear-cut advantage over just plugging your phone into the wall. If the stand did wireless charging or the USB-C interface did a lot more than 7.5W then the utility on offer would be a whole lot better.
Beyond the 1440p and 27-inch basics, the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS offers a very solid set of specs. You get 180Hz refresh, which is plenty for all but the most serious esports addicts, plus 1ms response times. That's about as good as it gets for an IPS gaming monitor and this panel is comfortably faster than cheaper models based on VA rather than IPS screen technology. For tangibly better response, you'd need to speed nearly three times as much on an OLED monitor.
(Image credit: Future)
As for HDR, there's DisplayHDR 400 certification, which means 400 nits brightness. There's no local dimming, so this isn't a true HDR display. However, with a claimed 97% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, this is a fairly high-fidelity monitor.
Yes, there are higher-specification gaming monitors, including 1440p models. However, the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS's spec ticks all the important boxes for a great gaming experience.
Design: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS: Performance
Factory color calibration is excellent
Solid SDR visuals in HDR mode
Incredibly snappy response times
This is a beautifully calibrated monitor. The colors are pitch-perfect and there's oodles of visual pop. This is a vibrant, punchy, and accurate display.
If that all applies to the default SDR mode, the HDR mode is even better. But perhaps not for the reasons you might expect. As an HDR400 panel with no local dimming, there's only the most basic HDR support on offer. But it's the way SDR content is handled in HDR mode that actually most impresses.
In short, this is the closest an affordable HDR-capable LCD monitor gets to perfect SDR calibration in HDR mode. All too often this class of entry-level HDR monitor makes a mess of SDR content in HDR mode. That means you have to keep jumping back and forth between modes depending on content type. But with this Asus Strix panel, you can leave it in HDR mode all the time. It's so much simpler.
(Image credit: Future)
Another highlight is pixel response. This is as good as IPS gaming monitors get for perceived pixel response, it's really, really sharp and clear. Even better, in the OSD menu you can choose from no fewer than 20 levels of pixel overdrive. If that sounds like overkill, and it is really, it means you can strike exactly the balance between outright speed and overshoot that you are willing to tolerate.
In truth, even with the overdrive maxed out the overshoot and inverse ghosting are pretty mild. In fact, the only real demerit in the response department is that the ELMB or Extreme Low Motion Blur mode only slightly improves subjective response and does so like all other ELMB modes, by crushing brightness to the point it's hard to imagine why anyone would use it.
Anyway, short of an OLED monitor for about 2.5 times the money, you'll have a hard time spotting the extra speed from more expensive 1440p panels. Even here in 2024, 1440p on a 27-inch makes a lot of sense for mainstream gaming. You get plenty of image detail but without the debilitating GPU load of 1440p. So, you don't need a $1,000 graphics card to get the most out of this display.
At the end of the day, the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS isn't the cheapest high-refresh 1440p panel out there. But it is a clear cut above lesser alternatives when it comes to everything from speed to accuracy and all-round visual pop.
The only obvious flaw is the fairly pointless USB-C interface with such limited power delivery (and the gimmicky phone slot in the stand, if that bothers you). But that aside, this is just a really nice gaming panel with great specs for a decent price. Highly recommended.
It’s gotten to the point where you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a generally solid gaming experience. That’s certainly where AOC is positioning their latest panel, the catchily named AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK, which brings with it the ideal combo of panel size and resolution – 2560 x 1440 strewn over a 27-inch screen – alongside purposeful looks and a generally great image for reasonable money in today’s economy.
There’s quite a sea of options at this more affordable price point, but the AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK offers a lot for a good price, and may well just be one of the best gaming monitors out there in its price bracket.
The AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK is perhaps a little non-descript compared to some similarly-priced gaming monitors, opting for a simple but effective black plastic chassis with flecks of red on the stand and underside of the bottom bezel. This is typical for AOC monitors and makes this panel look as if it’s a successor to the AOC display I use day to day.
(Image credit: Future)
Its simple design pays off, as it’s a good-looking monitor, with thin bezels helping it to look reasonably modern. A weight of 5.5kg gives it some nice heft, and it feels well-made, considering the price. The stand on offer is practical, offering solid adjustment with tilt, height, and swivel, but not rotation - arguably given the slight 1500R curvature. This is also a VESA-compatible panel if you want to opt for wall mounting or on a desk clamp with a mount, as opposed to the bundled stand.
It’s also easy to put together with a tool-less construction. Instead, the CQ27G2S/BK uses a screw-in stand that attaches to the panel especially conveniently, making life easy. If you’re like me and have a small phobia of manual labor then putting together AOC’s candidate is a doozy.
As for inputs, the CQ27G2S/BK features a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports and a singular DisplayPort 1.4 option, as well as a headphone jack. Given the more affordable price point, I’m not too worried about the lack of more modern accoutrements such as any USB ports, although they would have been nice to have.
There are built-in speakers, although they aren’t the best, sounding thin overall with little in terms of bass and top-end. The saving grace here is that the AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK features a 3.5mm earphone jack so you can connect up external speakers, which would be preferable.
(Image credit: Future)
Apart from the actual panel itself, the AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK doesn’t offer much else in the way of additional features. The big thing here though is its on-screen display (OSD). While offering plenty of features to play around with including dedicated gamer modes as well as a handful of HDR modes you can enable, it isn't easy to navigate. It takes a few seconds to move from menu to menu, and the buttons on the bottom right offer very little in the way of assistance with function and direction. A joystick would have made things a lot easier.
In delving into the actual panel, the CQ27G2S/BK utilizes a 27-inch VA panel, complete with a 2560x1440 resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. There is support for VRR with AMD FreeSync, although Nvidia GPUs are supported with adaptive sync, and there's a vague semblance of HDR with support for DisplayHDR 10.
In testing, the AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK provided some excellent image quality. It provides decently bright images with a measured peak figure of 242 nits while offering pretty deep blacks and solid contrast that actually exceeds AOC’s own quoted 4000:1 by a little bit. Its 6900K color temperature is solid for a monitor of this price too, as is its SDR color accuracy. 100% sRGB coverage means it displays all the colors needed for mainstream work and play as accurately as possible while 90% DCI-P3 means it could handle more specialist workloads if you wanted to.
In enabling HDR though, it’s where AOC’s more affordable mid-ranger falls over. It becomes a much more washed-out and overall less enticing picture. Its 80% sRGB and 59% DCI-P3 color space coverage mean that the CQ27G2S/BK isn’t at all suitable for HDR workloads, and you should stick to working in SDR.
However, it’s important to note that this isn’t necessarily a panel designed for color-sensitive workloads, and for gaming in SDR, it was excellent. The combination of a 27-inch screen and 1440p panel offered solid detail over a great size for my desk, while the 165Hz refresh rate ensured output was smooth. Playing CS:GO at a high frame rate felt especially responsive while using it for day-to-day work and running my Football Manager 2023 save felt sharper.
The moderate 1500R curve helped to provide a tad more immersion in FPS titles, and allowed me to focus more on firing at bots in CS:GO (I refuse to play online, I don’t want to get smoked!). That curvature was also welcome for filling my eyesight for day-to-day working, and while it may seem like an odd thing to say, the CQ27G2S/BK helped to immerse me in what I needed to get done. When rewatching the last series of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel on Prime Video, the curvature helped there, and viewing YouTube videos was solid too.
(Image credit: Future)
AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK: Price & availability
How much does it cost? £220 (US model $290, about AU$425)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Currently available in the UK
The AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK appears to be a UK-exclusive panel, being priced at £220 - at least, this exact model. A virtually identical monitor - the AOC Agon Q27G2S - is available in the US for $290 (around AU$425). It sits well amongst some of the best high refresh rate monitors we’ve looked at in the past, such as our top choice, the Gigabyte Aorus CV27Q, and other similar specced options.
The CV27Q, despite now being a slightly older panel, matches well against AOC’s latest option with the same screen size, resolution, and refresh rate, although offers a quicker response time of 1ms, but a worse contrast ratio at 3000:1 compared to AOC’s 4000:1.
Perhaps the next nearest competitor to the CQ27G2S/BK is an option from the brand 'X=', a spin-off from UK retailer AWD-IT. Their X=XRGB27WQ offers a virtually identical spec sheet to AOC’s choice with the same resolution, screen size, and resolution. It gets a little brighter than the CQ27G2S/BK with 350 quoted nits and offers an IPS panel as opposed to VA. That’ll run you £230, although you are banking on trusting a lesser-known brand.
Other options from the likes of Dell are going to cost at least £100 or so more than the CQ27G2S/BK, making it a rather great value-for-money choice in its category.
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK?
Buy it if...
Don't buy if...
Also Consider
AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK: Report Card
How I tested the AOC Gaming CQ27G2S/BK
Spent nearly two weeks testing
Used for gaming, photo editing, watching videos and day to day work
Tested using a colorimeter for testing overall image quality
During my time with the AOC Gaming CQ27G2S, I used it as my main working monitor, using it for day-to-day work writing articles and editing images with Photoshop. I also used it to watch streaming content on Disney+ and Prime Video after work, as well as playing a variety of games
This is a monitor primarily designed for gaming, hence my testing in eSports titles such as CS:GO, where you’re more likely to feel the benefit of the panel’s 165Hz refresh rate. Its excellent color accuracy also makes it suitable for productivity and generalist workloads, as opposed to using it for more specialist tasks.
As someone who has a few years of experience writing reviews and testing all sorts of monitors, I’ve got the right tools to help you through the minefield of whether a monitor is actually any good or not. You can trust me to take everything into account to help you make the right buying decision.
It’s easy to see the appeal of ultrawide monitors, as long as you’ve got the space for them. You get loads of horizontal screen real estate to give you more screen space to use, and that can wrap around you to get you more immersion.
It’s also gotten to the point where you can get solidly specced choices that don’t cost the earth, relatively speaking, That’s where Lenovo is aiming to push their latest screen, the Legion R45w-30, which is one of the larger ultrawide panels available on the market today, and undercuts many of the best ultrawide monitors around in price by quite some distance in the name of offering a solid overall experience backed by a massive 44.5-inch screen.
Lenovo Legion R45w-30: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
How much does it cost? $799 / £799 / AU$999
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the UK and USA
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 is available in both the UK and USA for reasonable sums of money compared to other ultrawides, and was subject to a handy discount in the UK this past Black Friday to bring its price down further.
It matches reasonably well against our top ultrawide monitor choice, the LG UltraGear 38GN950, which clocks in at a third more in price than this Lenovo option, at £1200 or so. That panel offers a smaller screen size and aspect ratio, but makes up for it with higher brightness and contrast. It lacks some other nice-to-have features though, including extra USB ports and a KVM switch, making this Lenovo choice especially good value.
Other options from the likes of Samsung are going to cost nearly double that of the Legion R45w-30, given they are OLED, making the Legion R45w-30 a rather great value-for-money choice in its category.
Value: 4 / 5
Lenovo Legion R45w-30: Design
Easy setup
Plenty of connectivity options
Lackluster speakers
The Legion R45w-30 is a good-looking monitor, and carried a lot of presence when placed on my desk. It filled my 120cm desk entirely, and offers a lot of display real estate for the price, that’s for sure. Its black plastic construction feels sturdy, and the flecks of metal across the base of the stand were a nice touch alongside the small Lenovo logo. It means that it should fit well in virtually any setup, with looks to it that are far from being the most obnoxious.
On the point of the stand, that’s especially sturdy, as it would have to be to support such a large monitor. The Legion R45w-30 is also especially easy to put together, and requires no tools to do so. This proved useful if you’re someone who has no dexterity in your hands like I do, so being able to put this Lenovo ultrawide together with little effort was rather handy. You do have to be a bit stronger to put it on the VESA mount if you don’t want to use the included stand, though - and of course, for that you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a stand that supports a monitor that weighs 8.3kg without the stand.
The scope for adjustment is decent, and you can tilt and pivot the Legion R45w-30 to your liking. It can swivel left and right up to 30 degrees, as well as being height adjustable with a scope of five inches, while its tilt is between 5 and 22 degrees, which is useful for making sure you’re comfortable. Admittedly, in using the Legion R45w-30, the massive screen did take some getting used to.
The vast array of inputs on offer pushes the Legion R45w-30 up a lot in my estimations, given it also packs in some options you don’t usually see on more affordable panels. You get a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 as well as an Ethernet jack, a trifecta of USB-A downstream ports, a USB-C upstream and USB-B upstream, as well as a headphone jack. That gives you a lot of options for connecting additional devices, speakers, and multiple desktops or laptops.
Design: 4 / 5
Lenovo Legion R45w-30: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Easy-to-use UI
KVM switch is useful
Weak, thin-sounding 3W speakers
The OSD that the Legion R45w-30 provides is easy to navigate, especially with the mixture of buttons and a joystick to navigate through its numerous modes. Inside it, you can toggle between various HDR modes and profiles, and fiddle with more traditional settings such as brightness and contrast. I did find myself pressing the wrong buttons inherently, but that’s down to my own incompetence more so than the monitor. Having the joystick for navigating inside menus was a godsend though, and made my life a lot easier.
You even get access to a KVM switch, meaning you can have two devices connected to the Legion R45w-30 and use the same input devices. Switching over from my MacBook Pro to my desktop PC using the same peripherals (don’t worry, my keyboard has dual legend keycaps) was seamless. If you want to, you can also split sources on-screen by using either USB-C or the DP port with picture-in-picture, allowing you to work on two systems at the same time, which is a nice touch, and means you can take full advantage of the 44.5-inch screen for multitasking. Features like that truly exhibit the purpose of an ultrawide panel for productivity workloads.
There are built-in 3W speakers, although they aren’t the best, sounding thin overall, although they do give plenty of volume. You’ll definitely be thankful for the presence of that 3.5mm jack for connecting some external speakers to boost your audio performance.
Features: 4 / 5
Lenovo Legion R45w-30: Performance
Overall image quality is fantastic
Deep blacks and vibrant color reproduction in games
HDR performance is weak
In testing the Legion R45w-30, it provided some good detail and especially smooth output when running Counter-Strike 2, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and Forza Horizon 5 - even if the latter would only run at 21:9, so it couldn’t take advantage of the full wide 32:9 aspect ratio on offer.
Nonetheless, the Legion R45w-30 impressed me, with its good colors and responsive feel. Having never used an ultrawide panel for games before for an extended period, I can certainly see the appeal. ACC especially impressed me, with the entire cockpit of the GT3 Bentley Continental I was driving around Silverstone wrapped around me. Using such a wide monitor seemed to also take away the need to use the camera navigation buttons to move around, as I physically turned my head to take note of where competitors were. The Legion R45w-30 worked wonders for sim racing, not least when I moved from using an Xbox Elite 2 controller to my trusty Logitech G29 wheel.
It also proved to be much the same story when playing Dirt Rally 2, with sharp images and smooth motion thanks to the 165Hz refresh rate. On tight, twisting rally stages with lots of quick changes of direction, the sharper output was most certainly welcome. Counter-Strike 2 was a lot of fun in ultrawide form, with detailed visuals and smooth frames with that 170Hz refresh rate, even if I was terrible at killing enemies.
(Image credit: Future)
Out of the box, the Legion R45w-30 offered up relatively deep blacks and near-perfect whites alongside wonderfully accurate colors. It offered a crisp experience for both work and play, and the 5120 x 1440 resolution served up some excellent detail whether I was bombing my way across a New Zealand rally stage or watching some mindless content on YouTube.
A peak brightness of 367 nits is good enough for the price, and meant images did look rather vibrant. Cranking things up to that level didn’t have that much of an impact on whites, although blacks weren’t quite as deep. However, as much as SDR performance here was great, the same can’t be said for HDR. Enabling HDR400 on the monitor and in Windows revealed more washed-out colors and lower color accuracy, meaning this isn’t necessarily the best panel for those workloads. Stick to SDR though, and you’ll be golden.
Performance: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Lenovo Legion R45w-30?
Buy it if...
Don't buy if...
Also Consider
Lenovo Legion R45w-30: Report Card
How I tested the Lenovo Legion R45w-30
Spent nearly two weeks testing
Used for gaming, as well as photo editing and watching videos and day to day work.
Tested using a colorimeter for verifying overall image quality
During my time with the Lenovo Legion R45w-30, I used it as my main working monitor, using it for day-to-day work writing articles and editing images with Photoshop. I also used it to watch streaming content on Disney+ and Prime Video after work, as well as to play a variety of games, including sim racing and shooter titles.
This is a monitor primarily designed for gaming, hence my testing in eSports titles such as Counter-Strike 2, where you’re more likely to feel the benefit of the panel’s 165Hz refresh rate, and using it in sim racing titles such as Assetto Corsa Competizione and Dirt Rally 2 allowed me to gauge its true immersion capabilities. Its fantastic color accuracy and detail also make it suitable for productivity and generalist workloads.
As someone who has a few years of experience writing reviews and testing all sorts of monitors, I’ve got the right tools to help you through the minefield of whether a monitor is actually any good or not. You can trust me to take everything into account to help you make the right buying decision.
Let’s get the easy part out of the way: I’m a fan of the Acer Swift X14. The short version of it is the fact that Acer managed to put a powerful CPU and GPU, not to mention a gorgeous OLED screen, in a slim Ultrabook package.
While it doesn’t feel as premium as a MacBook Pro 14, it truly belongs among the best Ultrabooks right now. There are certainly some trade-offs as the price is nowhere near close to the best cheap laptops and the battery life suffers a little since it has to power an Nvidia graphics card. I find the trackpad to be annoying to use as well. And, for a device legitimately vying for attention among the best laptops out there, it surprisingly skips out on a Windows Hello-capable webcam.
That said, the pros vastly outweigh the cons, especially if you don’t want to lug around a gaming computer and prefer the experience of using Ultrabooks, but still want the power of a gaming computer, whether that’s for booting up Cyberpunk 2077 or for some photo and video editing. When it comes to competing with the Dell XPSes of the world, the Acer Swift X14 may be one of the most surprising laptops I’ve used.
(Image credit: Future)
Acer Swift X14: Price and availability
How much does it cost? Starting at $1,099 (about £870 / AU$1,670)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The Acer Swift X14 is not the most affordable laptop out there. While its most basic configuration is available for $1,099 / AU$2,699 (about £870), which is certainly affordable – this is a model that comes with an 13th-Gen Intel Core i5 and a last generation Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, not to mention 512GB of RAM and a lower 1600p resolution – it seems to only still be available in the US and Australia.
For everyone else or those wanting a current gen 4000 series GPU, you’re looking at $1,499 / £1,429 (about AU$2,277). That gets you a faster 13th-Gen Intel Core i7, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 2880 x 1800p screen. And, if you’re in the UK, there are some slight variations as you can pay £170 more for 32GB of RAM.
The Acer Swift X14 isn’t the only light and thin laptop to come with a powerful GPU. The Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra covers a lot of the same ground. In fact, our Galaxy Book3 Ultra review unit, which is the base model, has the same specs as the Acer Swift X14 including the screen (well, it’s AMOLED vs OLED), but goes for a much pricier $1799.99 / £2,649 / around AU$4,875. Of course, you can pay even more – $2399.99 / £3,049 / around AU$5,610 – for a configuration with a 13th-Gen Intel Core i9 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070.
That said, many Ultrabooks come with that premium price tag without the kind of hardware to keep up with a gaming laptop. For instance, as great as its performance is, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 only has Intel Iris Xe graphics and goes for $1,399.99 / £1,440. At least, it has that same OLED screen with HDR.
Value: 4 / 5
Acer Swift X14: Specs
There are basically two configurations of the Acer Swift X14. The more affordable one isn’t available in the UK, and comes with a 13th-Gen Intel Core i5, a last-generation Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, and 512GB SSD.
The more expensive configuration that we've reviewed here upgrades the CPU to an i7, the GPU to a 4050, and the SSD to 1TB of storage. And, in the UK, you can spend a little more for 32GB of RAM instead of 16GB.
Beyond the internal components, there aren’t any additional variations as there aren’t different colorways except for the screen. If you go with the cheaper model, you also have a slightly lower resolution (2560 x 1600p).
(Image credit: Future)
Acer Swift X14: Design
Gorgeous display with HDR and accurate colors
Trackpad has issues with dragging and dropping
Webcam doesn’t support Windows Hello, but fingerprint reader does
The Acer Swift X14, like most Ultrabooks, comes in an elegant if discreet shade of gray called 'Steel Gray'. It doesn’t quite set itself apart from the pack visually, but it certainly looks good and is light and diminutive enough for easy on-the-go computing.
The display is probably the most impressive outward-facing feature on this laptop as the 14.5-inch OLED screen comes with a sharp 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution that runs natively at 120Hz for smoother results. Plus, it comes with Vesa Certified Display HDR True Black 500 to really make the colors pop.
The colors are definitely impressive. Not only is it incredibly accurate, measured at Delta E of 0.09, but it has fantastic color coverage, making this laptop more than good enough for video and photo editing. Specifically, it has 195% sRGB and 138.1% DCI-P3.
The keyboard is good enough, though I wouldn’t consider it to be the most comfortable I’ve ever used. The trackpad, however, gave me some issues. It’s nice to the touch and moving the cursor around is smooth, but the trackpad didn’t seem to want to cooperate when dragging and dropping unless I had my fingers positioned very accurately.
(Image credit: Future)
At least the port selection is robust enough for an Ultrabook with two USB-C ports (that are also Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4), two USB-A, an HDMI, and a microSD reader, along with the requisite headphone jack. Those worried about security will be happy to note that there’s a Kensington lock as well.
Beyond that, there’s a 1080p webcam that unfortunately doesn’t support Windows Hello Facial Recognition. However, there’s a fingerprint reader in the power button for that purpose.
There are some aspects of the Acer Swift X14 that are a bit hard to pin down but worth mentioning and that is in regards to its use in AI tech. The laptop supports Windows Copilot, enhancements for the webcam and mic, as well as using AI to accelerate the performance of a number of apps.
Design: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Acer Swift X14: Performance
Fast render scores
Powerful gaming performance
Good thermal performance
Acer Swift X14: Benchmarks
Here's how the Acer Swift X14 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
Whether that AI acceleration puts the Acer Swift X14 over the top or it’s just a matter of powerful components, the performance of this laptop is a dream. With its 13th-Gen Intel Core i7, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, and 16GB of RAM, it’s no wonder that it can easily handle day-to-day work without breaking a sweat.
But, it can handle much more intensive workloads as well. Taking a quick look at the benchmarks, its 3DMark scores are much higher than the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 mentioned before and its Handbrake score, which measures how quickly a computer can render video, is two minutes faster. This is surely due to that powerful GPU.
I was also able to capably game on this laptop as well, running titles like Starfield and Gotham Knights on fairly high settings, certainly on par with settings I’ve used on gaming laptops equipped with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050.
(Image credit: Future)
Since the screen is an OLED panel with HDR as well as that great color coverage and accuracy, images pop and look rich and vibrant.
Really, every aspect of the Acer Swift X14’s performance is to be lauded in my opinion. Even its thermal performance is good, with it only really heating up underneath a bit when pushed.
The webcam is clear and sharp with auto framing, and comes with a feature that can make it look like you’re making eye contact with whomever you’re on a video call with (rather than looking down at the screen).
The audio quality is, as it is with most laptops, passable. It lacks some low-end and can be just a little hollow sounding, but it’s not bad and about what I would expect from a laptop like this.
Performance: 5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Acer Swift X14: Battery life
Good battery life considering hardware
Fast charging on hand
Since the Acer Swift X14 has to power some robust components, it’s no wonder that it doesn’t have the battery life of a lot of other Ultrabooks.
Make no mistake, a benchmark score of 7:26:37 for the Battery Informant test (though at 60Hz) is pretty good when compared to gaming laptops with similar internals, which are considered to have amazing battery lives when reaching the same scores, but don’t expect the 15 hours that you would get with a MacBook. And, if you run this laptop hard, expect that battery to go down pretty quickly.
It does seem to charge up pretty quickly when plugged in. However, it does seem to not quite hold onto its charge as well as it should when the lid is closed. But, this seems to be something that most Windows laptops don’t do as well as they should.
Battery life: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Acer Swift X14?
Buy it if…
Don't buy it if...
Also consider
If our Acer Swift X14 review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...
How I tested the Acer Swift X14
Tested for a couple weeks
Used for regular work as well as gaming
Used regularly unplugged
(Image credit: Future)
I used the Acer Swift X14 for a couple weeks as a work computer. I did a decent amount of writing here, including this review. I also used it to do some gaming to see if it really had what it takes (clearly, it does). I took a look at all the features, not to mention used it regularly to see how it does unplugged.
After spending time with the Acer Swift X14, I was impressed by the fact that its power is more on par with a gaming computer than with its Ultrabook competition.
I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.
The 32-inch LG LQ6300 is the company’s ’s only TV in that screen size from its 2022 lineup. It comes with a standard LED panel with a Full HD (1080p) resolution and sits in the mid-range of the 32-inch TV market, with pricing around $249 / £249 upon release.
LG TVs are amongst the best TVs on the market owing to their features and competitive pricing. The LG 32LQ6300 is no exception in this regard, featuring LG’s Alpha 5 Gen5 AI processor, web OS smart TV platform and Game Optimizer menu for a better gaming experience.
Picture quality of the LG 32LQ6300 is impressive given it uses a standard LED panel. Viewing a couple of scenes from Star Wars: The Last Jedi, in Movie mode, to test HDR images (even though it’s a 1080p TV, the LQ6300 supports HDR10 high dynamic range), colors were punchy and the picture was well-defined and detailed, with the reds within the throne room scene looking true-to-life without being overwhelming. When measuring the DCI-P3 color gamut coverage (the color space used to master 4K movies and digital cinema releases) and BT.2020, the 32LQ6300 yielded results of 81.2 and 62.2% respectively, which are good results for an LED TV, if not a little lower than expected.
Testing black levels on the LQ6300 using The Batman, some of the limitations of the LED screen became apparent as blacks took on more of a gray tone, but shadow detail was still rich enough. Contrast was also good, with the lights and shadows during the opening subway fight scene looking well-balanced. When measuring the LG 32LQ6300’s peak brightness on a 10% window test pattern the results were 236 nits and 216 nits in Standard and Movie (Cinema) mode, respectively.
The LG 32LQ6300 has a very clear, punchy HDR picture (Image credit: Future)
When evaluating motion using Top Gun: Maverick, the LQ6300 handled the intense scenes well, with the fast-moving jets during the training and final missions looking smooth on screen. There is a picture setting called ‘Real Cinema’ (which was set to On by default in Movie mode) that helped with motion processing, but it’s worth noting that on quick panning shots from left to right the LG LQ6300 did struggle a bit.
As you’d expect from a 32-inch TV, sound quality isn’t mind-blowing. But the LQ6300’s 2 x 10W speakers still do an adequate, if not sometimes surprisingly good, job compared to other 32-inch TVs. Standard sound mode offered a more direct, powerful sound with a bit of bass. This was welcome in the Batmobile scene in The Batman, as there was heft to the Batmobile’s engine.
Cinema sound mode offered a wider soundstage, but overall didn’t have the same balance as Standard. Although perfectly decent for a small screen, those using this TV for more than just bedroom or secondary viewing will want to invest in one of the best soundbars.
In terms of design, the LG LQ6300 is a very basic TV. It’s deeper than a good chunk of other 32-inch TVs on the market and has a thicker frame than other TVs as well. It has two feet serving as its stand that are fairly far apart, which could cause issues for those with narrow furniture. It does, however, feel solidly built thanks to this chunkier appearance. The included remote is packed with buttons, arguably a few too many, but it’s functional and covers all the bases.
The Game Optimizer from LG (pictured) featured on the LG 32LQ6300 enables you to edit settings for games such as Battlefield V (pictured) (Image credit: Future)
Although it doesn’t have any next gen-gaming features, gaming performance is still good on the LQ6300. Playing Battlefield V on Xbox Series X, the LQ6300 handled graphically intense battle sequences well with quick-switching between targets feeling smooth. Colors were bold and vibrant and the same definition in textures that was present in movies was evident here as well.
The LQ6300 comes with LG’s own webOS smart TV platform built-in. Although it doesn’t have the same range of settings to adjust as other LG TVs, there’s still plenty to choose from to tailor the picture to your needs. A large portion of the screen on its home menu is taken up by recommendations, with apps in a line along the bottom, and although this was not a major deal, I still found it a little overwhelming and cluttered.
Considering value for money, the LG 32LQ6300 is one of the better 32-inch TVs available. There are cheaper models out there with QLED screens and better smart TV platforms, but in terms of features and picture quality, the LG LQ6300 overall is a good 32-inch option for those looking for a smaller set.
The LG 32LQ6300's remote (pictured) is functional, if not a little cluttered (Image credit: Future)
LG 32LQ6300 TV review: Price & release date
$249 / £249
Release date: 2022
The LG 32-inch LQ6300 is the 32-inch model in LG’s 2022 TV lineup. Released in 2022, the LQ6300 was initially priced at £249 / $249 on release, which is about right for a 32-inch TV with its specs. Since its release, the LG has dropped in price, sitting around £199 / $179 at the time of writing, although prices have dropped further than this in sales before.
LG 32LQ6300 TV review: Specs
Should you buy the LG 32LQ6300 TV?
Buy it if...
You want a punchy, detailed picture
The LG 32LQ6300 has a great HDR picture with detailed sharpness and punchy colors that really jump out during brighter scenes
You want a bedroom gaming TV Although it may not have the next-gen gaming features such as VRR and 120Hz, gaming performance and picture are still great on the LQ6300
You want solid built-in sound It may not have the most powerful sound, but the LQ6300's speakers do a good job considering its small size
Don't buy it if...
You want the all-around best picture Whilst the LQ6300's picture looks great in bright, colorful scenes, its black levels aren't the best and it struggles with black uniformity
You like a plain smart TV platform LG's webOS22 is easy enough to navigate, but its main menu is a little cluttered with recommendations which on a small screen take up a lot of room
LG 32LQ6300 review: Also consider
(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the LG 32LQ6300
Tested in our lab room with varying lighting conditions
Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman software
Tested through a variety of sources, both SDR and HDR
I used a variety of SDR and HDR sources to test the TVs preset picture modes, including streaming through Disney Plus, live TV via antenna and several Blu-rays played through a Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player (although I used standard Blu-rays to test the LG 32LQ6300).
After choosing the best picture mode, Movie, I then selected several reference scenes from movies such as The Batman, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Top Gun: Maverick and more to test elements of the picture such as color, black levels, and contrast. I tested gaming performance by using an Xbox Series X.
When it came time to take measurements of the LQ6300, I used Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software. With this, I measured peak brightness on a 10% window and 100% window in both SDR and HDR. I then recorded the Delta-E values (which demonstrates the margin of error between the test pattern and what is displayed) for color accuracy, grayscale and gamma again using Calman. I then measured the color space looking at DCI-P3 and BT.2020 coverage. For all tests, I used the Murideo Six 8K test pattern generator.
Valve launched the Steam Deck handheld gaming PC back in 2021, and now it's finally time for a refresh. The new Steam Deck OLED is here, and the name gives away its main upgrade. No more LCD screens, you get an OLED this time around, with HDR support no less, and the capability to go up to 1,000 nits in brightness while of course showing the deep blacks OLEDs are known for.
The Steam Deck OLED will become available on November 16 at 10 AM Pacific. You can get one with 512GB of storage for $549/€569, or with 1TB for $649/€679. The 256GB LCD model has also received a price cut to...
The Hisense PX1 Pro was one of the best ultra short throw projectors for the money, and the company’s new model, the Hisense PX2-Pro, is even better. While its $3,000 price tag makes it an expensive piece of hardware, it’s actually cheaper than its predecessor and is one of the more affordable ultra short throw (UST) projectors around.
What you get for the money is a fantastic, compact projection system offering solid performance in a dim room and exceptional performance in a dark one. It blasts an admirable 4K picture at a range of sizes and its simply stunning color puts the Xgimi Aura and Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 to shame.
You’ll want to set this projector up with a good sound system and a projection screen to make the most of it, but even on its own the PX2-Pro has everything you need to put on a movie night.
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: price and release date
Release date: June 2023
MSRP: $2,999
The Hisense PX2-Pro is available now for $2,999, launching at a lower price than its predecessor the PX1-Pro launched at. The projector doesn’t come paired with a screen like Hisense’s Laser TV models.
The PX2-Pro has cover glass, but no sliding cover that can prevent dust and pet hair in the air from gathering (Image credit: Future)
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: Specs
Dolby Vision HDR is supported by the PX2-Pro (Image credit: Future)
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: design and features
A stylish, retro-futuristic design
Plenty of connection options
Google TV with Netflix support
The Hisense PX2-Pro is as snazzy-looking as it is feature-packed. The design is largely unchanged from the PX1-Pro, so it's still every bit the retro piece of hardware that it was in a past life. The design also comes with tighter dimensions than the Hisense L9G and Hisense L9H model that it borrows some of its hardware DNA from. This compact UST projector would look right at home next to a record player.
The projector sits on four adjustable feet that let you get it properly perpendicular and level to the wall or projection screen you plan to project on. Focus is managed electronically, which is functional, though not as convenient as a manual focus dial. Another disappointing omission is any real cover for the optics. There’s cover glass, but that’s not quite as good as a sliding cover that can prevent dust and pet hair in the air from gathering. (With a projector, it’s surprising how much impact a single hair laying across the lens can have.)
Tucked away into this slick little number is a machine with ample capabilities. Three HDMI ports are ready to receive 4K inputs, though one is also ready to pass along high-bandwidth Dolby Atmos audio using eARC. If you don’t plan to use eARC, you also get optical and 3.5mm analog audio outputs as options. There’s a high-speed USB port for powering streaming sticks or connecting external media storage. Wi-Fi 5 is a bit disappointing to see in this 4K streaming era, but the PX2-Pro includes an Ethernet jack for a better connection.
While almost all of the ports are on the rear, there’s one extra USB type-A port on the left side of the projector that’s ready to serve as a trigger for other home theater devices, such as an electronic projection screen like the Akia Screens Floor Motorized Tab-Tension CineWhite.
The Hisense PX2-Pro also has capable brains with Google TV smart TV interface built in. And unlike many other projectors running Google’s operating systems, this one actually is ready to run Netflix from the jump, and even includes a shortcut to it on the remote. It appears Hisense has started to break down the walls some streaming services curiously had up against smart projectors.
A few projectors we’ve tested with smart TV systems tend to settle for weak hardware that’s barely up to the task of running them, resulting in a slow experience, but not this Hisense. Navigating the settings menus and pulling up streaming content is quick. During setup, Hisense provides the option to skip some of the process — no internet connection, no Google account — which can come in handy if you want to keep things simple and plan to use the projector only with external sources.
Design and features score: 4.5/5
The Hisense PX2-PRO delivers bright images with strong contrast in dark, theater-optimized viewing environments (Image credit: Future)
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: picture and sound quality
Brightness and contrast a huge plus
Incredible color alongside robust HDR support
Modest built-in sound
As far as projectors go, the Hisense PX2-Pro is a beaut. It’s coming from a strong lineage, as the PX1-Pro put the phenomenal capabilities of its three-laser DLP projection system to work in stunning fashion. This new model just upgrades that with a bit more brightness, which makes it more watchable than ever.
The PX2-Pro hasn’t quite split the difference between the brightness of this line and the Laser TV line recently brought up to the L9H, which succeeds the marvelous L9G. But, at $3,000, it’s a powerful value package and one that benefits from the flexible image size option that’s lacking on the Laser TV line.
Hisense’s projector blasts a sharp picture that comfortably stretches up to 130 inches. At that size, 4K really starts to make sense, and it doesn’t come up lacking for clarity. And as long as you can draw the shades, the brightness is more than enough for a picture that size.
Clarity and brightness being what they are here, the true star of the show is the color provided by the three-color light source. Whether it's displaying HDR content or SDR content, the PX2-Pro puts on one hell of a show, easily trouncing the color of the 3LCD Epson LS800 or the single-laser Xgimi Aura. Splashy content like Avatar: The Way of Water looks glorious while down-to-earth shows like Justified still see the lasers show their power every time the camera heads to the neon-lit interior of a bar. The Hisense also has comprehensive support for HDR, covering HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision (which was also added to the PX1-Pro after its launch).
The picture is one thing, but the sound is another. A pair of 15-watt speakers may pump out some volume, but they’re hardly a match for the visual capabilities of the projection system. In a 200 square-foot room, you’ll get the volume you need for a rousing time, especially where it comes to mids. But when cranking the volume up, treble becomes unpleasantly sharp and biting, while the deep bass range remains lacking no matter what. There’s just not enough here to shake your bones. They also hardly muster reasonable stereo separation, so the promise of Dolby Atmos is a flat one. Plan to pair this projector with a cheap soundbar at a bare minimum.
Picture quality score: 4.5/5
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: value
Expensive but not at the top of the range
Dimmer, but fair next to competition
The Hisense PX2-Pro isn’t a cheap projector, but it’s far less expensive than some of its UST compatriots. It’s a good bit cheaper than the $3,499 (about £2,850, AU$5,035) Epson Home Cinema LS800, a model it absolutely decimates in picture quality in a dark room, though it lags well behind the Epson’s brightness. It’s also much cheaper than the $5,499 (about £4000, AU$7500) Hisense L9H, though that model comes bundled with an ambient light rejecting screen.
This all helps make the PX2-Pro a compelling value in the UST projector realm, especially if you have a dim room. It’s got a great picture and is reasonably versatile. There are some threats to it from the portable 4K projector space, such as the JMGO N1 Ultra or even Hisense’s own C1, but the PX2-Pro is a force to be reckoned with regardless.
Value score: 4.5/5
The included remote control has a direct input button for the Netflix streaming app (Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Hisense PX-2 Pro?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider...
Epson LS800 The Epson LS800 uses a 3LCD laser light source to beam a stunningly bright 4,000 lumens image. This makes it a great option for daytime sports viewing and it also has good built-in sound. Here's our full Epson LS800 review.
(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the Hisense PX-2 Pro
Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade
I tested the Hisense PX2-Pro at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, HDR and non-HDR, and console gameplay.
My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.
I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.
The Hisense PX1 Pro was one of the best ultra short throw projectors for the money, and the company’s new model, the Hisense PX2-Pro, is even better. While its $3,000 price tag makes it an expensive piece of hardware, it’s actually cheaper than its predecessor and is one of the more affordable ultra short throw (UST) projectors around.
What you get for the money is a fantastic, compact projection system offering solid performance in a dim room and exceptional performance in a dark one. It blasts an admirable 4K picture at a range of sizes and its simply stunning color puts the Xgimi Aura and Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 to shame.
You’ll want to set this projector up with a good sound system and a projection screen to make the most of it, but even on its own the PX2-Pro has everything you need to put on a movie night.
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: price and release date
Release date: June 2023
MSRP: $2,999
The Hisense PX2-Pro is available now for $2,999, launching at a lower price than its predecessor the PX1-Pro launched at. The projector doesn’t come paired with a screen like Hisense’s Laser TV models.
The PX2-Pro has cover glass, but no sliding cover that can prevent dust and pet hair in the air from gathering (Image credit: Future)
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: Specs
Dolby Vision HDR is supported by the PX2-Pro (Image credit: Future)
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: design and features
A stylish, retro-futuristic design
Plenty of connection options
Google TV with Netflix support
The Hisense PX2-Pro is as snazzy-looking as it is feature-packed. The design is largely unchanged from the PX1-Pro, so it's still every bit the retro piece of hardware that it was in a past life. The design also comes with tighter dimensions than the Hisense L9G and Hisense L9H model that it borrows some of its hardware DNA from. This compact UST projector would look right at home next to a record player.
The projector sits on four adjustable feet that let you get it properly perpendicular and level to the wall or projection screen you plan to project on. Focus is managed electronically, which is functional, though not as convenient as a manual focus dial. Another disappointing omission is any real cover for the optics. There’s cover glass, but that’s not quite as good as a sliding cover that can prevent dust and pet hair in the air from gathering. (With a projector, it’s surprising how much impact a single hair laying across the lens can have.)
Tucked away into this slick little number is a machine with ample capabilities. Three HDMI ports are ready to receive 4K inputs, though one is also ready to pass along high-bandwidth Dolby Atmos audio using eARC. If you don’t plan to use eARC, you also get optical and 3.5mm analog audio outputs as options. There’s a high-speed USB port for powering streaming sticks or connecting external media storage. Wi-Fi 5 is a bit disappointing to see in this 4K streaming era, but the PX2-Pro includes an Ethernet jack for a better connection.
While almost all of the ports are on the rear, there’s one extra USB type-A port on the left side of the projector that’s ready to serve as a trigger for other home theater devices, such as an electronic projection screen like the Akia Screens Floor Motorized Tab-Tension CineWhite.
The Hisense PX2-Pro also has capable brains with Google TV smart TV interface built in. And unlike many other projectors running Google’s operating systems, this one actually is ready to run Netflix from the jump, and even includes a shortcut to it on the remote. It appears Hisense has started to break down the walls some streaming services curiously had up against smart projectors.
A few projectors we’ve tested with smart TV systems tend to settle for weak hardware that’s barely up to the task of running them, resulting in a slow experience, but not this Hisense. Navigating the settings menus and pulling up streaming content is quick. During setup, Hisense provides the option to skip some of the process — no internet connection, no Google account — which can come in handy if you want to keep things simple and plan to use the projector only with external sources.
Design and features score: 4.5/5
The Hisense PX2-PRO delivers bright images with strong contrast in dark, theater-optimized viewing environments (Image credit: Future)
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: picture and sound quality
Brightness and contrast a huge plus
Incredible color alongside robust HDR support
Modest built-in sound
As far as projectors go, the Hisense PX2-Pro is a beaut. It’s coming from a strong lineage, as the PX1-Pro put the phenomenal capabilities of its three-laser DLP projection system to work in stunning fashion. This new model just upgrades that with a bit more brightness, which makes it more watchable than ever.
The PX2-Pro hasn’t quite split the difference between the brightness of this line and the Laser TV line recently brought up to the L9H, which succeeds the marvelous L9G. But, at $3,000, it’s a powerful value package and one that benefits from the flexible image size option that’s lacking on the Laser TV line.
Hisense’s projector blasts a sharp picture that comfortably stretches up to 130 inches. At that size, 4K really starts to make sense, and it doesn’t come up lacking for clarity. And as long as you can draw the shades, the brightness is more than enough for a picture that size.
Clarity and brightness being what they are here, the true star of the show is the color provided by the three-color light source. Whether it's displaying HDR content or SDR content, the PX2-Pro puts on one hell of a show, easily trouncing the color of the 3LCD Epson LS800 or the single-laser Xgimi Aura. Splashy content like Avatar: The Way of Water looks glorious while down-to-earth shows like Justified still see the lasers show their power every time the camera heads to the neon-lit interior of a bar. The Hisense also has comprehensive support for HDR, covering HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision (which was also added to the PX1-Pro after its launch).
The picture is one thing, but the sound is another. A pair of 15-watt speakers may pump out some volume, but they’re hardly a match for the visual capabilities of the projection system. In a 200 square-foot room, you’ll get the volume you need for a rousing time, especially where it comes to mids. But when cranking the volume up, treble becomes unpleasantly sharp and biting, while the deep bass range remains lacking no matter what. There’s just not enough here to shake your bones. They also hardly muster reasonable stereo separation, so the promise of Dolby Atmos is a flat one. Plan to pair this projector with a cheap soundbar at a bare minimum.
Picture quality score: 4.5/5
Hisense PX-2 Pro review: value
Expensive but not at the top of the range
Dimmer, but fair next to competition
The Hisense PX2-Pro isn’t a cheap projector, but it’s far less expensive than some of its UST compatriots. It’s a good bit cheaper than the $3,499 (about £2,850, AU$5,035) Epson Home Cinema LS800, a model it absolutely decimates in picture quality in a dark room, though it lags well behind the Epson’s brightness. It’s also much cheaper than the $5,499 (about £4000, AU$7500) Hisense L9H, though that model comes bundled with an ambient light rejecting screen.
This all helps make the PX2-Pro a compelling value in the UST projector realm, especially if you have a dim room. It’s got a great picture and is reasonably versatile. There are some threats to it from the portable 4K projector space, such as the JMGO N1 Ultra or even Hisense’s own C1, but the PX2-Pro is a force to be reckoned with regardless.
Value score: 4.5/5
The included remote control has a direct input button for the Netflix streaming app (Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Hisense PX-2 Pro?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider...
Epson LS800 The Epson LS800 uses a 3LCD laser light source to beam a stunningly bright 4,000 lumens image. This makes it a great option for daytime sports viewing and it also has good built-in sound. Here's our full Epson LS800 review.
(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the Hisense PX-2 Pro
Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade
I tested the Hisense PX2-Pro at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, HDR and non-HDR, and console gameplay.
My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.
I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.
There’s a lot to say about the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM, and if you ignore its price tag, it’s almost entirely positive. Asus knows how to satisfy gamers, and this monitor does its job for everyone except for maybe those that prioritize getting the highest resolution possible.
This Asus ROG Swift display is not going to look quite as sharp as the best 4K monitors with its 1440p resolution. But, this is a 26.5-inch monitor that will presumably be sitting just a couple feet away from you where that won’t matter, especially for competitive gamers who prefer smaller screens.
So, if you’re willing to splurge and have been saving up for one of the best gaming monitors for your setup, the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM is worth consideration. Its high price is most likely due to the inclusion of that OLED panel as well as all the custom heatsink Asus has crammed in to minimize potential burn-in.
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Surprisingly, this is a very sleek monitor. The panel itself is very thin and where the heatsink is attached is not that much thicker. Also adding to that slim figure are its almost non-existent bezels.
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(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Asus also made sure that the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM can’t be mistaken for anything other than a gaming monitor. That’s most noticeable through the included backlighting, which is controlled through the OSD menu. There are two zones: an RGB one displaying the Asus logo on the rear cover with five different presets and a red LED projecting down at the desk from the base of the Asus’ stand. That unfortunately can only be dimmed or turned off.
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Whether you care about RGB or not, the ports are a key consideration when looking at gaming monitors, especially if you like to have multiple sources connected. There’s a DisplayPort and two HDMI, as well as a USB hub though you only get two usable ports. And, while the lack of USB-C is typical for these types of monitors, it would have been appreciated here. After all, anyone dropping $1,000/£1,00 on a display is probably not going to want to buy another one just to use with their Ultrabook or Macbook when it’s time to get some work done.
That said, gamers have quite the number of features on hand to make the most of the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM. To start, it supports both AMD Free-Sync and G-Sync and will automatically show you one or the other depending on the graphics card of your computer. It also lets you change the screen size with just a few presses in the OSD menu or software. If you like playing CS:GO in a 1080p resolution at 25 inches, you can do so that easily.
There are also a number of screen modes to adjust the color temperature and brightness based on what kind of game you’re playing (or if you’re watching a movie) as well as a Shadow Boost option that will brighten shadows to help you see enemies in the dark.
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
HDR is also available. However, if you turn on HDR, those various presets as well as the Shadow Boost are disengaged. Instead, there are a few HDR presets available to choose from such as HDR Game and HDR Cinema to name a few.
Unfortunately though, the HDR comes in the ever disappointing HDR10 standard. When toggling the HDR on and off for games like Far Cry 6 and Battlefield 2042, I had trouble seeing much of a difference. It was more noticeable with a game containing much more shadow such as Control, where the HDR did offer a more natural-looking environment and a little more dynamic contrast. However, it’s not the eye-popping experience that I experience when enabling HDR on a monitor with a Vesa-certified rating. Really, outside of that price tag, this is the biggest disappointment here.
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Luckily, that’s the worst aspect of this monitor. Sure, it’s not 4K, but its 1440p OLED screen is nice and sharp for just about any game I played on it. And, with a color coverage of 135% sRGB and 99% DCI-P3, it represents colors very well.
What really keeps everything looking crisp is the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM’s 240Hz refresh rate and 0.3ms gray-to-gray response time. This thing is fast! Even without any V-sync enabled, I almost never experienced ghosting, screen tearing or lag. And, if I did, it was in something poorly optimized or an issue on the PC side. All the games mentioned above performed flawlessly and looked really good.
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $999.99 / £1,099.99 / AU$1,999
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
Spending almost as much on a monitor as you would on a gaming PC might seem like the new norm, but it’s still hard to swallow. At $999.99 / £1,099.99 / AU$1,999, Asus is asking a lot for this model. Sure, you’re getting that OLED panel. You’re also getting a 1440p at 240Hz combo in the specs department. And, that can be pricier than one might expect.
The Samsung Odyssey G7, for instance, is also 1440p at 240Hz and goes $676 / £499 / AU$999. Of course, there’s no OLED panel, and it doesn’t have some of the features that the PG27AQDM has. Still, it’s not hard to find similar performance for $300 less. Other speedy 1440p monitors will also fit into this price-range.
If you want speed but can sacrifice on the resolution, you can spend much, much less. The Monoprice Dark Matter 27-inch gaming monitor, for instance, goes for $299 / about £220 / AU$420 and 1080p at 240Hz performance while also coming with a solid Vesa-Certified HDR400.
Value: 4 / 5
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: Specs
Should you buy the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM?
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Buy it if...
You want fast performance With its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.3gtg response time, there are very few monitors that can go faster. And, none of them have an OLED panel.
You want gaming features Not only is the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM with both AMD and Nvidia’s proprietary v-sync, but it comes with the ability to change the aspect ratio to a typical esports-size monitor with just a press of a couple buttons.
Don't buy it if...
You’re on a budget If you’re willing to skip the OLED panel and maybe the speedy performance, you can get a capable monitor for far less than this display’s $1000 asking price.
You care about HDR HDR10 always seems to disappoint. And, on such a pricey model as this, it disappoints just a little more. If you really want that deep contrast, look for something with a Vesa-certified HDR rating.
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: Also consider
How I tested the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM
Tested over a week
Tested with different and different kinds of games
All included features were explored
To test the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM Gaming Monitor, I spent a week with it, playing all sorts of games from fast-paced titles like Battefield 2042 to more graphically intense single player titles like Control and Far Cry 6.
While testing, I spent plenty of time checking for ghosting, screen-tearing, and latency while also toggling HDR to see what effect it had. I also checked out the various features included to see how they worked. For this review, I used two computers. One had an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 while the other had an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060.
Having spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation. And, I’ve spent even longer playing computer games so I have an understanding of what gamers look for to get the most out of their titles.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is the baby of the Edge 30 family. It's a fairly petite and light phone that does not cost a fortune and has some great everyday ease of use features like super-fast charging.
However, compare it to its siblings, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion and Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, and you have to conclude a lot of the most interesting stuff has been snipped out. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo loses the higher-end build elements, the true high-end camera hardware, and a processor powerful enough to coast through high-end games.
Display quality is the Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s main strength. The P-OLED panel has exceptional outdoor visibility and, as usual, an OLED panel leads to a punchy and colorful appearance.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
That is worth some kudos points, but the Motorola Edge 30 Neo can’t compete elsewhere with some of the ultra-aggressive phones available for similar money, like the OnePlus Nord 2T, Nothing Phone 1, and Google Pixel 6a.
Those phones take much better low-light photos, play 3D games at higher frame rates, have classier body designs, and capture far higher-quality video.
When you take the high-quality screen away, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo doesn’t actually have all that much going for it in this crowd. However, it still holds real appeal for the less techy phone user.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo review: price and availability
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Launched in September 2022
Cost £349 / AU$599 (around $375) at launch
Now reduced to £299.99 in the UK
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo was announced as part of the second wave of Edge 30 phones of 2022, in September 2022, alongside the Edge 30 Ultra and Edge 30 Fusion.
It launched for £349 / AU$599, which is roughly equivalent to $375 in the US, although at the time of review the phone was not officially on sale in the US. Since launch, the phone has dropped in price in the UK, with the Motorola Edge 30 Neo being widely available for £299.99.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo review: specs
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Motorola Edge 30 Neo review: design
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Funky Pantone color panel
Fairly petite plastic body
Very basic IP52 water resistance
Successful phone designs have to seem deliberate, each part chosen carefully. You can do this with a very distinctive 'look', as in the Google Pixel 7 or Samsung Galaxy S23. Or you can use high-end materials like curved glass.
Motorola has instead evoked the mighty color company Pantone, putting a virtual swatch of one of the company's colors on the back of the purple model. The message: this isn’t just a color, it’s a Pantone-certified color. There are a few different options available, namely Very Peri, Ice Palace, Black Onyx, and Aqua Foam, and it's the first of those that we used for this review.
“Very Peri helps us to embrace this altered landscape of possibilities, opening us up to a new vision as we rewrite our lives,” says Pantone, which calls Very Peri Color of the Year 2022.
Sure thing. A lovely purple it is too, but the reason for the figurative medal on the back of the Very Peri model is partly to distract from the Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s prosaic build.
Its back and sides are plastic, lacking the high-end feel of the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion and Edge 30 Ultra. The screen covering is glass, of course, but Motorola does not specify it as Gorilla Glass, which usually means it uses a cheaper form of toughened glass from another brand.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The purple is nice, the lightly sparkly finish on the plastic rear looks good. And, from what we can tell from online images, the other green, white and black shades look good too. But this is actually one of the less impressively-built phones in this class. Vivo, OnePlus, Google and Nothing all offer at least some use of glass or aluminum outside of the display panel at this level.
However, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is at least light and pocketable. It weighs just 155g, and is around 7.8mm thick. Thin and light. Motorola also includes a slim snap-on case in the box, rather than the much floppier silicone kind it usually bundles with its phones.
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo has no memory card slot or headphone jack, because it’s self-consciously not a true budget model. And it also has an in-screen fingerprint sensor, not the side-mounted kind used in most cheaper Motorolas.
This is one of the slowest in-screen fingerprint sensors we’ve used recently though. While that means it takes maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of a second to work, it’s still noticeable. And it is also more picky about the position of your finger than others, sometimes requiring a concerted press – presumably to ensure the thumb/finger is fully covering the pad area.
Motorola says the Neo is water resistant to IP52, a form of protection so weak you should treat it like it has no water resistance rating at all. Finally, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo has stereo speakers, and they are fairly loud and tonally solid, although the highest frequencies can get a little sharp when maxed. Still, a decent array.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo review: display
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Brilliantly bright screen
Good color
120Hz OLED delivers smoothness and excellent contrast
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo's design may seem better from afar than in your hand, but the screen is an unexpected smash. It’s a petite 6.28-inch P-OLED panel with class-leading outdoor visibility.
Indoors the screen is capped to around 475 nits of brightness, enough to make the Motorola Edge 30 Neo slightly painful to look at in a dimly lit room. Outdoors on a sunny day it will hit up to 923 nits, which is extremely high for a lower mid-range phone – for almost any Android phone, actually, despite so many manufacturers claiming their screens are capable off 1,300-nit brightness.
The result is the Motorola Edge 30 Neo's screen looks very clear even in harsh direct sunlight.
Spec-wise the display is otherwise pretty normal. It’s a 1080 x 2400 pixel 120Hz panel with two color modes, Natural and Saturated. They perform just as their names suggest.
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo has a potent screen. But it does not support HDR video, for no obvious reason. The screen has the contrast, the brightness, and the color depth for the job. This could also be a limitation of the Snapdragon 695 processor, but then the Sony Xperia 10 IV uses the same chipset and does support HDR video playback.
We’re going to have to shrug this one off.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo review: software and performance
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Snapdragon 695 is not a great gaming chipset
Good, non-bloated software
128GB storage for your apps and photos
If you’re upgrading to the Motorola Edge 30 Neo from an older Motorola phone, you may notice this one looks a little different. That’s because, drum roll, it defaults to using a custom 'Moto' system font rather than a plainer Android one.
It goes some way to making the Motorola Edge 30 Neo feel less like a 'vanilla' Android phone than other Motos, but if you don’t like it you can change it with a few screen taps and presses. And Motorola has otherwise not changed the classic Moto interface much here.
This is a relatively clean and unencumbered version of Android with a handful of neat additions that can be toggled on and off in the Moto app. These include physical gestures to, for example, open the camera app or toggle the torch.
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo also has Moto’s custom lock screen, Peek Display, which looks good and shows icons for recent notifications. However, unlike some other Moto phones there’s no “always on” display mode here.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
While general performance is good, we couldn’t help but notice app loads tend to be slightly slower than in the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion, the phone we switched from.
This is no great surprise given the Fusion has a flagship-tier chipset, while the Neo has a much less impressive mid-tier one.
It’s the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, paired with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB of storage. This scores 1,901 in Geekbench 5. That's a little over half the score achieved by the OnePlus Nord 2T and its Dimensity 1300 chipset, or the Pixel 6a and its Google Tensor chip.
The gap widens if we switch to a more GPU-dependent test like 3DMark’s Wild Life. Where the Moto scores 1,214 points, the OnePlus Nord 2T can hit around 4,600, and the Pixel 6a 6,300.
Sometimes wide gaps in GPU performance are not all that noticeable in today’s games, but they are here. Fortnite will only run at the basic 'Medium' setting, and frame rate stability is not that great even at this level, which makes the game look significantly worse than in some other phones near the Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s price. This mobile is clearly not made primarily for gamers.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo review: cameras
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Camera tends to slightly overexpose images
Disappointing low-light performance in spite of OIS
Poor video quality
The hardware situation improves in the camera, at least superficially. Motorola only put two cameras on the Edge 30 Neo, but that simply means we miss out on the poor depth or macro sensors commonly seen in this price category.
There’s a 64MP primary camera with OIS (optical image stabilization), and a 13MP ultra-wide. Both are technically above average, thanks to the use of OIS, and a higher-res, larger sensor ultra-wide than plenty of affordable mid-tier Androids.
The main camera uses the 1/1.97-inch Samsung GW3 sensor, as seen in the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite, and the ultra-wide a Hynix Hi1336, as used in the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. Not bad bedfellows, right?
Results aren’t bad either. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo avoids the obviously oversaturated color you’ll often see in aggressively priced rivals from companies like Realme.
Grass looks roughly as it does to your eyes, and in most shots the sky will look natural too. The phone does at times leave stills with a slight magenta cast, but it’s not immediately obvious.
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s Auto HDR is powerful and mostly reliable, meaning you can shoot pretty carelessly even directly into the sun. Having said that, there is a problem somewhat related to this area.
Slight overexposure seems to be the most common issue. The phone’s camera brain knows how to avoid blowing out bright clouds, but will happily overdo darker (i.e. normal) scenes and inadvertently overexpose elements that aren’t actually that bright in an attempt to make the picture pop.
You can avoid this by manually dialing down the exposure – a control pops up if you pick a focal point. But we shouldn’t have to.
And despite the power of the HDR software, too many of our shots were left with skies that look like a blue-to-turquoise gradient, likely an effect of the limited native dynamic range of the sensor. Looking back over the images we took, there are also a surprising number of out-of-focus images shot using the primary camera. Not dozens, but enough to mean it wasn’t pure user error.
Focusing is not slow but, it would appear, sometimes just does not kick in.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo camera samples
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(Image credit: TechRadar)
The Moto has overcooked this shot, blowing out parts of the church, most likely misled by the shadowed areas in the bottom half of the frame.
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This phone’s images are bright, and avoid comically oversaturated color. But once again the keen exposure leads to some small overexposed areas.
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(Image credit: TechRadar)
When the HDR engine kicks in, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo can pretty much cope with whatever you like, including shooting directly into the sun without leaving any parts of the shots looking too shadowy.
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Here’s another example of the maximum power of the phone’s Auto HDR processing.
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Despite some quibbles, this phone can take generally pleasing photos during the day.
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(Image credit: TechRadar)
Low-light images just aren’t that good – note how the entire bottom left of this scene is basically black.
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(Image credit: TechRadar)
A nice and bright photo with believable color, but again the exposure is a little hot, leading to a blown out portion in the left-most cloud.
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Here’s the same scene through the ultra-wide camera. The 13MP sensor lets you comfortably crop into the image more than an 8MP rival.
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(Image credit: TechRadar)
In shots like this you wonder why the HDR mode didn’t kick in more than it has to retain some of the background rather than letting it become a white mass.
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One of the more egregious examples of this phone’s over-bright exposure style, leading to much of the horizon becoming overexposed.
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A shot from the primary camera.
On a more positive note, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s 13MP ultra-wide is miles better than some of the 8MP cameras seen in some comparable mid-tier Androids. There’s less distortion at the corners of the frame and its images don’t immediately look compromised as soon as you zoom in a bit.
Low-light performance is below average, though, and not what you might expect given the Motorola Edge 30 Neo has optical image stabilization. The phone has a Night Vision mode for low-light photography, but the results aren’t even in the same league as the Edge 30 Fusion’s.
Dynamic range is limited, detail is very poor outside the brightest parts of the picture, and the effect of Night Vision versus Auto shooting is not that great. Highlights and mid-tones get a boost, but shadow detail retrieval is still not good.
This wouldn’t matter so much if we were just making a comparison between the Neo and the Fusion, but you can get Fusion-like results from phones such as the OnePlus Nord 2T and the Pixel 6a.
Video is probably the weakest area of the Motorola Edge 30 Neo's camera. You can only shoot at 1080p, at 30fps or 60fps, and clips look pretty awful in either mode. Stabilization is poor, overexposure is common, and the image appears soft, low on detail and, at times, pixelated due to poor handling of objects with hard edges.
1080p video from the Edge 30 Fusion looks dramatically better. And most phones at this price can at least capture 4K video at 30fps. The Snapdragon 695 institutes a hard limit here, as it tops out at 1080p/60 capture. However, that is no excuse for the poor image quality.
The front camera has a 32MP sensor that is, unfortunately, not nearly as good as the Samsung s5kgd2 camera used in the step-up Edge 30 Fusion. Fine detail is more likely to end up smushed in less than ideal lighting, and pictures look less confident up close. It’s a perfectly okay selfie camera, just nothing special.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo review: battery
(Image credit: TechRadar)
4,020mAh battery
Lasts all day but not much more
68W wired charging and 5W wireless
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo has a 4,020mAh battery, which a worryingly small capacity. That’s lower than the Pixel 6a’s 4,410mAh, and dramatically lower than the Sony Xperia 10 IV’s 5,000mAh.
It’s a setup for a disaster that never happens, though, because the Motorola Edge 30 Neo’s battery life is entirely okay. It won’t last close to two days for most people, like the Sony Xperia 10 IV. But we didn’t find it frustratingly poor, which is what we half expected after seeing the capacity figure. It gets through a full day of use just fine, if not with much to spare by the end of the day.
This seems further proof that the Snapdragon 695, for all its flaws, is a seriously efficient chipset – having contributed to the Sony Xperia 10 IV’s class-leading stamina. It’s good news for Snapdragon-maker Qualcomm, and non-news for us as battery life is basically not a reason to buy, or not to buy, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo.
Fast charging might be. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo includes a 68W charger and, unlike some of the 80W phones we’ve used recently, it does actually hit that rated charge power.
It takes 45 minutes for the phone to reach 100% charge, from a fully flat state. And it continues drawing charge until the 48 minute mark.
Motorola has also implemented wireless charging, which is pretty unusual at this level. It tops out at 5W, so will work very slowly, but might appeal if you use a wireless charging pad on your desk at work.
Should you buy the Motorola Edge 30 Neo?
Buy it if...
You want a bright screen Its specs look pretty standard on paper but the Motorola Edge 30 Neo has an exceptionally bright screen, one that looks very clear outside on sunny days. This is probably the phone’s strongest area, and does wonders for its all-round usability.
A smaller phone appeals The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is light and fairly small, making it easy to handle compared to other mid-tier Androids, some of which feel absolutely huge by comparison. And the screen is still large enough to make watching YouTube feel comfortable.
You want a decent ultra-wide camera This phone has a zero-fat approach to the camera, with a mostly decent primary camera and an above average 13MP ultra-wide. It’s better than the 8MP one used in a lot of more affordable mid-range Androids.
Don't buy it if...
You’re big into mobile gaming
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is not the most powerful gaming phone you can get for the money. Not even close. Top-tier titles like Fortnite do not run particularly well on the phone, so think twice if you play demanding 3D games a lot.
You care about low-light photo quality Despite having optical image stabilization, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo cannot take particularly good low-light images. They don’t have anything like the shadow detail or dynamic range of top performers in this class.
You want a phone with high-end build This is an all-plastic phone. Look elsewhere if you want the touch of luxury a glass back or aluminum sides provide. Such niceties are available at the price if you’re willing to shop around. The OnePlus Nord 2T is one example.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo: Also consider
There are lots of other phones at around this sort of price, including the following three options.
