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Corsair PC Build Kit review: great PC building starter for those with a bit of cash

8:00 pm | February 16, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: CPU, PC, PSU, RAM | Comments: Off

Corsair PC Build Kit: One-minute review

If you don’t know already, Corsair just launched its very first PC Build Kits, so naturally we had to test them out for you.

Now, I should preface this by saying that the last time I built my own computer was back in college – practically an entire lifetime ago. And, back then, we didn’t really have things like Wi-Fi/Bluetooth cards and these massive graphics cards that look less like cards and more like portable weapons of mass destruction sent from the future. So, essentially, my knowledge of modern PC building is just slightly above that of an average person – and only because I know about all the components that one needs to build it.

Then again, that just makes me the perfect consumer to invest in one of these Corsair PC Build Kits. Those that know their stuff, after all, are more likely to pick out every component and part themselves, which is a big part of the appeal of building your own PC.

The question is, are the new Corsair PC Build Kits well worth it for lay people, whether its those who have zero experience but want to learn sans the pressure of getting the right parts, or those who simply do not have the time to do the digital legwork?

The one thing that might discourage potential customers is the price of entry of these gaming PC kits. The cheapest of the three configurations will set you back $1,199.99 (about £995 / AU$1,740), which is admittedly a lot for casual users. However, that isn’t anything different from what you’d expect from Corsair, as the brand does, in its own words, aim to “deliver a great gaming and PC experience with every build. We did not want to sacrifice quality, warranty, and performance” just for the sake of offering budget-friendly options.

And, you’re also paying for convenience here. The Corsair PC Build Kits essentially takes the amount of painstaking research behind building a PC (and the risks that come with not doing it properly) off your hands and into theirs. So that when you get all the components and parts at your doorstep, you only need to lay them all out and follow the instructions diligently.

I am a massive fan of that, and as someone who is essentially a newbie, the kit that Corsair sent me not only made it easy for me to build my own PC, but it also turned me into a convert.

Getting a pre-build PC? Please! Where’s the fun in that?!

Corsair PC Build Kit: Price and availability

How much does it cost? $1,199.99, $1,499.99, $1,999.99
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Only available in North America at the time of writing

Corsair PC Build Kit: SPECS

Here is the Corsair Novice PC Build Kit configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: Intel Core i5-13400F
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: Asus B660-PLUS 16GB DDR4
Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.0
Chassis: Corsair 4000D Airflow
Fans: 2x non-RGB fans
PSU: Corsair CX550M

To make this hobby more accessible, Corsair is not launching one but three different potential builds. The most affordable, which is the one I put together, goes for $1,199.99 and includes a 13th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, a 1TB M.2 SSD and the basic essentials for the rest of the build.

Moving to the $1,499.99 version means upgrading the GPU to an RTX 3070 as well as getting RGB-equipped liquid cooling and case. Finally, the most expensive build, which goes for $1,999.99, will upgrade that CPU to an Intel Core i9, the RAM to 32GB, and GPU to one of the latest from Nvidia, the GeForce RTX 4070.

As pricey as that may seem, other PC build kits are not necessarily going to give you a better price for the same level of components. For instance, picking the same or similar parts on PCPartPicker resulted in a slightly higher price tag.

Value: 4 / 5

Corsair PC Build Kit: Packaging

Neatly packed
Not a lot of wasteful packaging materials in the main box

I personally appreciate products that come neatly packaged, and that’s how my Corsair PC Build Kit arrived. Every single component came in its own packaging – apart from the SSD card and the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card, which came in their own plastic bags for some reason (though this might just be for test units) – then piled neatly on top of each other next to the Corsair PC case that occupied half of the box.

Another thing I appreciated is the lack of packing peanuts or styrofoam in this main box. Though Corsair could have chosen to use those to really secure all the individual boxes, it went with packing pillows instead. Less packaging waste, less things to put away.

Packaging: 4.5 / 5

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Corsair PC Build Kit: Assembly

Unpack, organize and build
Video tutorial needs improving
Instructions missing some bits

One thing to know about Corsair’s PC Build Kits is that you’re not getting that PCPartPicker iBuyPower experience here of picking out every single internal component yourself (you can check out Corsair’s custom PC builder for that too). However, being a building PC newbie who also doesn't have the time to do proper research on things like compatibility, I appreciated the fact that because Corsair already picked out all the stuff for me, all I need to do is build the PC.

Not that that part doesn’t have its share of challenges either. I do feel that building a PC is easier for me as I already know the technical terms and basic foundations like how everything should be connected to the motherboard. I can imagine how getting started might be a bit of a head-scratcher for those who absolutely have zero knowledge of what’s inside a computer, however.

Before you do get started on building the PC, my biggest advice here is to give yourself a lot of space – space to lay out all the components so that you’ll easily find every single bit you need without needing to dig through piles, and space to do the building. That should ease any stress you might encounter during the process.

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Corsair also really does try to make things more palatable and less challenging for the uninitiated. You don’t need to deal with things like applying thermal paste (it’s pre-applied to the CPU), which is something that some folks find a little daunting. Corsair’s PC cases, which are obviously the PC cases it’s using for these pre-builds, also already come with fans – with Novice kit having the Corsair 4000D Airflow case and the second and third tiers coming with the RGB version – so that’s also less work for you.

For the rest, you just have to read through and follow the instructions. Just know that Corsair is using an older video tutorial, which seems to be geared towards folk who kind of already know the basics. It’s more of an overview rather than a step-by-step process, so I’m really hoping that Corsair will roll out a new one that’s much easier to follow if you know pretty much nil about PC building.

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Luckily, Corsair’s online instruction manual has instructions specific to each kit. And, while I didn’t take a look at the other two, I can tell you that the instructions for the Novice kit are mostly easy to follow, taking you through every step and even providing images, which prove very useful when you’re figuring out which ports you should be plugging those I/O cables into, for example. It takes you through most things from beginning to end, essentially from which panels of the PC case you should remove to prep it to setting up Windows 11 after your PC’s very first boot.

But fair warning; the instructions are not perfect. There were missing bits here, like where exactly to insert the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card on the motherboard. This wasn’t a big deal to me as I knew where it was supposed to go, but this is also something that a complete novice would definitely not know.

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The hair-pulling bit for me, trying to follow every single step in the instructions faithfully, is the missing bit about the I/O (input/output) plate. The instructions tell you how to install the motherboard, but it doesn’t remind you to make sure to secure the I/O plate first before you install the motherboard. I also forgot about the plate, having accidentally buried it in all that discarded packaging (this is why you have to almost be meticulously organized when building a PC).

So, what ended up happening was me completing all the steps only to find out that there was a very unattractive gaping hole in the back of the PC. And, trust me, there’s no way that plate was going in there after the motherboard had been secured with screws, which meant that, you guessed it, I had to unplug everything, unscrew the motherboard, put that pesky plate in place, then redo the whole thing again! The second time was a lot faster, since I already knew where everything went, but it was still a time drain.

I admit that I was very apprehensive at first about whether or not I did everything correctly, so much so that when I had everything ready, I literally grabbed a bucket of water and brought it to my desk because I was scared that my build was going to burst into flames and burn the house down. This is why I think that Corsair should roll out kit-specific video guides that really take you through everything.

But, everything worked perfectly the first time I turned the thing on and took me right through the Windows 11 setup, which says a lot about Corsair’s instruction manual.

Assembly: 4.5 / 5

Corsair PC Build Kit: Performance

Novice kits delivers good performance at 1440p
Doesn’t get too loud or too hot

Don’t expect an Intel Core i5 13400F chip and an Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card to take you very far in gaming, even if you’ve got a 16GB DDR4 memory backing it all up. This is exactly what you’re getting, however, if you go for the Novice kit – the same basic configuration that I received as my “test unit”. Corsair itself recommends this kit to those who are “interested in building their first gaming PC,” which means that it was never going to be kitted out with cutting-edge tech.

Still, Corsair has done a great job of putting these components together. I wouldn’t recommend this kit for 4K gaming, with the middle one being better-suited to meet such demanding gaming needs, but it performs admirably whenever I’m gaming on high or ultra settings at 1440p.

Playing Hogwarts Legacy on it is a favorable experience, even with ray tracing at low, as it delivers a smooth performance with no noticeable lags. I have seen the occasional minor stutter and noticed that the fans tend to get a little louder – though not too loud to be distracting. Same deal with Kena: Bridge of Spirits, which it handles beautifully, giving me smooth gameplay even when I’m battling the bosses.

Of course, setting everything on ultra, including ray tracing, then removing the frame rate cap is a slightly different deal. Both games start to fumble a little with stuttering and lags becoming more apparent and frequent. However, they’re still more than playable and would, in my opinion, satiate most folks out there, especially those who aren’t massive gamers.

Performance: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Corsair PC Build Kit?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Corsair PC Build Kit: Report card

First reviewed February 2023

How I tested the Corsair PC Build Kit

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.

PSVR 2: price and availability

Undoubtedly the biggest hurdle to overcome with PSVR 2 is its price. At $549 / £529 / AU$879. The fact it’s more expensive than the PS5 could well turn away many potential buyers. The headset can be pre-ordered from the PlayStation Direct store and should arrive within its launch week (February 22 - 28).

You won’t get very far with PSVR 2 without some compatible games. Sony knows this, and has created a PSVR 2 bundle that includes its marquee launch title, Horizon: Call of the Mountain. The bundle will set you back $599 / £569 / AU$959.

PSVR 2’s pair of Sense controllers are included in the box, but spare pairs can be bought from PlayStation Direct for $49 / £39 (around AU$70).

PSVR 2: design

Similar in look and feel to original PSVR
Blissfully simple setup via a single USB-C cable
Fits comfortably with adjustable headband

Sony’s clearly taken much care in its design of the PSVR 2. Both aesthetically and ergonomically, it’s similar to the original PSVR, but the kit’s overall design has been refined for a more comfortable experience.

The most immediately noticeable improvement with PSVR 2 comes in how you set it up. And thankfully, it’s as easy as connecting a single USB-C cable (included) into your PS5. That’s it. Unlike the first PSVR, you don’t have to worry about making room for a mess of wires and adaptors. PSVR 2, aside from a very quick and easy first-time setup, is plug-and-play in its purest form.

That initial setup will walk you through almost every aspect of PSVR 2’s design. It’ll introduce you to the slider that adjusts the headset’s distance from your eyes, as well as the rear headband’s dial that helps secure the device on the back of your head. You’ll also be given a chance to adjust PSVR 2’s focus slider, which helps minimize image ghosting and provide sharper image quality.

Another big plus is that little to no outside light is let in when the headset is fixed on, an aspect that's key to immersion on PSVR 2 and a clear improvement over the original device.

Despite being relatively light, the headset doesn’t feel cheaply made

The PSVR 2 headset is also relatively lightweight, meaning it’s unlikely you’ll cause your body any undue stress during play both seated and standing. Mileage will vary from player to player, but I clocked in a two-hour session on Horizon: Call of the Mountain without any kind of neck strain. It was the rest of my body that needed a rest, of course, given the physical nature of standing VR sessions.

Despite being relatively light, the headset doesn’t feel cheaply made. The adjustable headband is cushioned and should provide a comfy fit for most users. Meanwhile, on-headset sliders like the rear headband adjuster feel sturdy and tactile.

If I have any gripes with the PSVR 2 headset’s design, it would be the placement of its on-board buttons. Both the power button and camera function are located on the underside of the headset, and thus can be a little fiddly to press, especially as they’re slightly concave. It’s a minor inconvenience, though, and one that muscle memory will soon sort out.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

PSVR 2: features

Headset camera is a welcome inclusion, if a little grainy
Eye tracking works almost perfectly
Console dashboard can be unresponsive at times

One fantastic addition PSVR 2 borrows from other top headsets, such as the Quest 2, is a passthrough camera that’ll pause the action to give you a look at your surroundings, without needing to take it off. Activated by an on-device button, the camera displays in monochrome and is quite grainy, but extremely useful for when you need to pick up your Sense controllers and do a final check of your VR playing space.

Many PSVR 2 games also support the headset’s new eye-tracking feature. It’s largely used to browse menus simply by looking at your desired option, and calibration for the feature is introduced to you upon initial setup.

For the most part, it works great, though it can feel a little skittish when looking at menu items that are fairly close together. Overall, though, eye tracking feels like a promising feature that I’m looking forward to seeing implemented for wider gameplay purposes.

As with the previous PS4 headset, PSVR 2 can seamlessly bring up your PS5’s dashboard at the press of one of the Sense controllers’ Home buttons. Well, almost seamlessly. The dashboard itself, displayed through PSVR 2’s lenses, is relatively low-resolution. There doesn't appear to be a big improvement over the first PSVR in this area, and thus it's difficult for me to recommend Cinematic mode as a result.

On top of that, it can be slightly unresponsive depending on if you have a game open at the time, updating at a sluggishly low refresh rate. It’s certainly jarring going from a 120Hz experience in-game to sub-60Hz on the dashboard, and may disorient you slightly.

Features score: 4 / 5

PSVR 2: performance

Excellent image quality
Headphones provide strong immersive audio
Image ghosting an occasional issue

I can’t speak highly enough about the leap in image quality between PSVR and PSVR 2. The original’s 960 x 1,080 per eye resolution – paired with the visual compromises games like Skyrim VR had to take to run at 90-120Hz – meant that PSVR games had a rather smeared look. It was a particularly bad experience if you’re like me and suffer from motion sickness easily.

PSVR 2 has largely solved this issue. Panel resolution has jumped up to 2,000 x 2,040, allowing for a much greater level of clarity. This is especially evident in games like Horizon: Call of the Wild and Kayak VR, where the impressive texture detail is allowed to stand out thanks to that higher resolution.

Despite these vast improvements, you may still encounter a degree of image ghosting. This creates a slight afterimage akin to a delayed motion blur, and can be quite distracting or immersion-breaking. However, this will depend on the visual quality of any given PSVR 2 game, as well as the setting of your lens slider.

PSVR 2's headphones greatly benefit from the console’s proprietary 3D audio

Adjusting this to create a sharper image minimizes this issue greatly, though this does mean that the lenses can start to press firmly against your nose. It’s worth experimenting with the slider with each game to find your perfect balance of comfort and image quality.

Thankfully, in my testing, I found that all PSVR 2 games were able to maintain a locked 90Hz or 120Hz experience. That’s not just great news for gameplay, but when paired with some games’ implementation of vignetting (darkening the edges of the display) really helps to reduce motion sickness and improve immersion overall.

The PSVR 2 experience is made even better by its headphones, too. Much like PSVR, these headphones are wired to the headset itself. PSVR 2's headphones greatly benefit from the console’s proprietary 3D audio.

Spatial audio is an especially great feature in VR, and gaming on PSVR 2 is all the better for it. I especially loved this for Kayak VR, a game with a wide dynamic range, which led to a fantastic mix of satisfyingly sloshy paddling and distant chirps of various fauna. Tetris Effect and Rez Infinite are standout audio experiences here, too; their layered, immersive soundtracks really come to life thanks to PS5’s 3D audio.

Performance score: 5 / 5

PSVR 2: Sense controllers

Superb motion accuracy
Haptics feel a little understated
Poor battery life

PSVR 2 includes its bespoke Sense controllers in the box. You’ll get a pair of these, one for each hand, and each acts like two halves of a DualSense wireless controller. The Sense controllers evenly split face buttons, analog sticks, and triggers between one another, while both have a Home button for easy access to the PS5 dashboard. Meanwhile, the Options/Pause button is found on the right controller, and holding the button for a few seconds universally realigns your display.

The Sense aren’t the best VR controllers I’ve ever used, lacking the quality feel of Valve Index’s pair. But they certainly get the job done. Motion accuracy is pinpoint, and the circular design ensures you’ll be able to pull off more specific motions with ease.

The Sense controllers themselves are on the cheaper side in terms of cost, which is great if you fancy picking up a spare pair. However, this does mean that some of their features take a step back. The controllers support haptic feedback, but in testing multiple games, the feature did feel a little flat, especially compared to the excellent implementation on DualSense and DualSense Edge.

Battery life is also a slight issue. I clocked in five to six hours on a full charge. And given that they are two controllers, you will have to charge them separately via USB-C. And with PS5’s USB port already being taken up by the PSVR 2 unit itself, you may find this impacts the length of your VR sessions if you don’t switch to a DualSense pad while they charge.

Sense controllers score: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy PSVR 2?

Buy it if...

You want a premium VR experience
PSVR 2’s specs are among the best on the market, and the headset sets an impressively high bar for future console VR devices.

You want games you can’t play anywhere else
PSVR 2 will grow even stronger as more exclusive games roll in. Horizon: Call of the Mountain is certainly a strong start and undoubtedly the headset’s killer app.

You’re looking for ease of use
PSVR 2 is blissfully easy to set up, and with just a single wire connecting it to PS5, eschews the need for a complex array of cables and adapters.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a tight budget
PSVR 2 is an expensive piece of kit, and thus has a very niche appeal. If you’re even slightly unsure, avoid picking it up for the time being.

You’re after a PC headset
PSVR 2 won’t work on PC out of the box. If you’re interested in PC-based VR, consider a headset like the Quest 2 or Valve Index.

Evercade EXP review: an accessible handheld for budding retro collectors

Apple Mac mini (2023): forget Windows 11, this is the best PC you can buy

6:16 pm | January 23, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: Apple Mac, PC | Comments: Off

Apple Mac mini (2023): Two-minute review

The Apple Mac mini (2023) was a surprise launch alongside the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) and MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023), and while a lot of attention has focused on the two new laptops, it would be a crime to ignore the Mac mini (2023).

While we were all expecting Apple to announce the M2 Pro and M2 Max, alongside follow-ups to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBooks from 2021 at some point, the new Mac mini was a genuine surprise, and once more details emerged, that surprise turned increasingly pleasant.

The Apple Mac mini (2023) now comes with an M2 chip – the same powerful SoC that can be found in the latest MacBook Air (M2, 2022) and MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022), and that offers a substantial boost in performance compared to the M1 Mac mini from 2020.

Rear shot of the Mac mini (2023) and its ports — (Image credit: Future)

However, Apple also surprised everyone by announcing a version of the Mac mini (2023) that comes with the brand-new M2 Pro chip. This is also featured in the high-end MacBook Pro 14-inch and MacBook Pro 16-inch and offers a huge amount of power. Along with more unified memory (up to 32GB), the Mac mini (2023) is now a seriously impressive workstation PC.

Perhaps best of all, Apple has packed all this new power into the same compact dimensions that many of us have come to love about the Mac mini. You’d be seriously pushed to find a computer that matched the performance on offer here in a similar size.

Apple’s final surprise regarding the Mac mini (2023) may be the best, however, as the base model now comes with a new lower starting price of $599 / £649 / AU$999. This is incredible value for money, and after using the Mac mini (2023) for a range of tasks, including ultra-high definition video editing and music creation, I can safely recommend this to pretty much anyone.

Once again, the Mac mini has quietly won us over without having to hog the limelight.

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Price and availability

New, cheaper starting price
Base model just $599 / £649 / AU$999
M2 Pro model starts at $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$1,999

The Mac mini (2023) had a surprise announcement on January 17, 2023, with pre-orders going on sale as soon as the news broke. Pre-orders will start arriving on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, the same day that it’ll also be available in Apple stores and from other retailers.

However, people in Australia will need to wait a little longer, with deliveries starting on February 3, 2023. Apple has not commented on the reason for this delay, but I assume it’s down to logistics.

The appearance of the new Mac mini wasn’t the only surprise, as Apple also announced a new starting price of $599 / £649 / AU$999 for the base model. This is a welcome deviation from the trend of gadgets getting more expensive with each passing year, and it’s $100 / £100 / AU$150 less than what the original Mac mini M1 debuted at.

This base configuration comes with an M2 chip (the same found in the MacBook Air (M2, 2022) and MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) that launched last year), which is a step up from the M1 chip found in the 2020 model, and also comes with 8GB of unified memory and 256GB SSD. That price is incredibly compelling, as you’re getting a compact PC you can fit almost anywhere, and as we’ve seen with the M2 MacBooks last year, the M2 chip offers excellent performance, even when it comes to workloads such as video editing and rendering.

It's by far the best value mini PC you can buy right now, with other compact PCs either more expensive, such as the Intel NUC, or nowhere near as powerful. The closest Windows-based mini PC out there is the Geekom Mini IT11, which is slightly cheaper, but does not offer the same sleek design, nor does its quad-core Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor and integrated graphics come anywhere close to rivaling the M2 chip.

The base model alone, then, is impressive enough already, but you can configure it to perform even better. You can upgrade the amount of memory up to 24GB for an additional $400 / £400 / AU$600, and you can get up to 2TB storage, which will cost you an additional $800 / £800 / AU$1,200.

You can also get the Mac mini (2023) with the new M2 Pro chip, which launched alongside the PC, and features in the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) and MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023). This is an exciting development, as it’s the first time a professional-grade chip has been included in the Mac mini, turning it into a viable compact workstation for creatives, and anyone who wants extra power in a small PC, but finds the asking price of the Mac Studio to be too high.

The Mac mini with M2 Pro starts at $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$1,999, and this will get you an Apple M2 Pro chip with a 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU, along with 16GB memory and 512GB SSD storage.

For an additional $300 / £300 / AU$450, you can get a more powerful M2 Pro chip with a 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU. Upgrading to 32GB memory will cost you $400 / £400 / AU$600, and is the only memory upgrade option.

Price score: 5/5

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Specs

Apple Mac mini (2023) comes in three main configurations; two with the M2 chip and one with the M2 Pro chip. Currently, there are no Mac mini models that come with the more powerful M2 Max chip, and no news regarding whether such a model will appear later down the line.

Each of these options can be configured to change the chips, add more memory (up to 24GB with the M2 and up to 32GB with the M2 Pro), and increase the available storage up to 2TB (8TB for the M2 Pro model).

Bottom of the Mac mini (2023) — (Image credit: Future)

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Design

Same design as previous model
Small enough for any desk
More ports on the M2 Pro version

The Mac mini (2023)’s design is pretty much identical to the Mac mini from 2020, and that’s no bad thing. It remains small and unobtrusive, with a solid metal case and the large Apple logo on the top.

It’s small enough to place almost anywhere. You could hide it behind a monitor and turn it into an iMac-like device. In fact, Apple recommends doing exactly this with its Studio Display monitor, but I’m not too sure, as I wasn’t much of a fan of that display, and there are much better and more affordable screens out there (check out our best monitors for the Mac mini guide for our recommendations).

The M2 Mac mini is exactly the same in terms of things like weight and depth, at 1.41 x 7.75 x 7.75-inches (3.58 x 19.70 x 19.70 cm) and 2.6lbs / 1.18kg (the M2 Pro weighs more, however, at 2.8lbs / 1.28kg) and support for headphone jacks (the M2 Mac mini supports high-impedance headphones as well). However, when you look around the back, you’ll notice some slight changes.

In terms of ports, the M2 Mac mini has two Thunderbolt 4 ports (four for the M2 Pro version), two USB-A ports, and one HDMI port. It also has a gigabit Ethernet port for internet and network connectivity (Wi-Fi 6E is also built-in). The HDMI port of the M2 version can output at 4K and 60Hz, while the M2 Pro model can output up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz.

The Mac mini (2023) also features built-in speakers, giving you sound notifications and text-to-speech capabilities via Siri without the need for plugging in speakers, which is particularly useful for accessibility.

Overall, the design remains pretty unchanged, but I don’t really mind. It does the job so well at being a compact and sleek PC that it doesn’t need much in the way of improvements. Unlike some mini PCs, the Mac mini isn’t modular or upgradable, which remains a shame, but as an Apple device, it’s probably not too surprising.

Design score: 4/5

Mac mini (2023) plug and cable — (Image credit: Future)

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Performance

Big step up in performance compared to M1
M2 Pro is excellent
Keeps quiet and cool

Benchmarks

Here’s how the Mac mini (2023) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Cinebench R23 CPU: Single-Core: 1,649; Multi-Core: 14,786
Geekbench 5 Single-Core: 1,954; Multi-Core: 15,266
PugentBench Photoshop: 978
Premier Pro: 894
Blender: Monster: 126.88; Junkshop: 73.03; Classroom: 56.62

The Apple Mac mini with M2 features the same 8-core CPU/10-core GPU silicon that we saw in the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13-inch in 2022. I reviewed both those models for TechRadar, and I found the performance of the M2 to be an impressive jump compared to the M1 chip. Apple’s certainly getting comfortable with making computing chips.

The model I got in for review is the M2 Pro model, but I’m reasonably sure that the performance of the Mac mini (2023) with the M2 chip will be pretty close to the M2 models of the MacBook Air and 13-inch Pro. If that is indeed the case – and I’ll hopefully get hold of an M2 Mac mini at some point to confirm – then you’re looking at an impressively versatile mini PC that, for the price, easily outperforms the competition. If you were disappointed with the price rise of the MacBook Air (M2, 2022), then the Mac mini (2023) with M2 is almost half the price - though, of course, no screen, keyboard, or mouse is included in the price.

The M2 Pro model finally makes the Mac mini a PC worthy of consideration if you’re looking at doing intensive creative work on it, and you can get two variants of the M2 Pro: the 10-core CPU/16-core GPU version (with six performance and four efficiency cores) and a 12-core CPU/19-core GPU version (with eight performance cores/four efficiency cores).

I performed similar tests on the Mac mini as I did with the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) review, including editing 8K movie files and making projects in Ableton Live 11 using a MIDI keyboard, and as with the MacBook, the new Mac mini performed brilliantly. Running synthetic benchmarks, such as Cinebench, which puts the chip under heavy graphical and computational loads, again showed just how close the new MacBook Pro 16-inch and Mac mini perform.

The model of Mac mini I used has an M2 Pro with a 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU, 1TB storage, and 16GB of memory, which will cost $1,799 / £1,899 / AU$2,749, if you configure it on Apple's website. A 16-inch MacBook Pro would set you back $2,699 / £2,899 / AU$4,299. That's quite a difference in price, and while you're not getting a screen with the Mac mini (and the display of the 16-inch MacBook Pro really is fantastic), or the portability, the fact that the Mac mini offers such close performance for so much less really is impressive.

Apple has made big strides in improving the efficiency of the M2 Pro chip, and while that is arguably more important when it comes to the MacBook, as better efficiency can lead to longer battery life, it’s also welcome with the Mac mini. Due to its compact size, the Mac mini can keep working without producing too much heat, and that means it also doesn’t need to use its fans that often, leading to a pleasingly silent PC. In these days of ever-higher energy bills, the efficiencies brought in by the M2 and M2 Pro are certainly welcome, especially if you’re planning on using the Mac mini for long periods of time.

Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Mac mini (2023)?

Buy it if...

You want a compact PC
Apple has done it again – this is the best compact PC you can currently buy, regardless of which model you go for.

You want an affordable way to get a Mac
At $599 / £649 / AU$999, the base model is brilliant value, and the cheapest way to get hold of a new Mac.

You were eying up the Mac Studio
The Mac Studio is a fantastic compact PC for serious workloads, but the Mac mini (2023) kitted out with the M2 Pro is a very compelling alternative for a lot less money.

Don't buy it if...

You want a mobile device
While the Mac mini has the style and performance of the most recent MacBooks, it’s not a device you can use anywhere – it needs to be plugged into a monitor and power.

You want an upgradable PC
The Mac mini isn’t modular, and it can’t be opened up and tinkered with. If you want a mini PC that you can upgrade in the future, then look elsewhere.

You don’t like macOS
As an Apple product, you’re going to have to make do with macOS Ventura. It’s a perfectly fine operating system, but if you’re determined to stick with Windows or Linux, you’ll need to consider an alternative.

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Also consider

If our Apple Mac mini (2023) review has you considering other options, here are three more laptops to consider...

How I tested the Apple Mac mini (2023)

Mac mini (2023) box — (Image credit: Future)

I used the Mac mini over a weekend as my main computer
I edited 8K video on it and performed other tasks
I ran our usual suite of standardised benchmarks

Apple delivered the Mac mini (2023) at the same time as the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023), which I also reviewed, and I spent several days using both products. I also spent a weekend using the Mac mini (2023) as my main PC and wrote up parts of the review using it.

I loaded up some 8K video files to see how the Mac mini handled intensive creative tasks, as well as transcoded a 1080p video and browsed the internet using both Safari and Chrome. I also created some multi-track music projects in Ableton Live, which is a popular tool for recording music.

I’ve reviewed and used many small form factor PCs throughout my career, including all of the latest Mac minis, and have used this experience to compare the Mac mini (2023) with its nearest rivals.

BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Two-minute review

OLED PC gaming panels are now arriving thick and fast, the latest example of which is the new BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ, a 48-inch monster of a monitor. It's also fully 4K and good for 120Hz refresh. In a word, wow.

In fact, this thing is so big it pushes the very notion of what a PC monitor can be right to the limit. In a conventional desktop setting and at a viewing distance of a couple feet, it's surely too big at 48 inches, even if it does have a monitor-style stand with a degree of tilt adjustment. That said, there's no height adjustment, which limits your options in terms of placement and ergonomics.

Ultimately, it's unclear what the optimal usage model is for this class of monitor. It's hard to see someone sitting right in front of it like a conventional PC monitor - so it's hard to recommend it as one of the best gaming monitors. The question is why you'd go for it over one of the best OLED TVs with similar specs. Hold that thought.

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BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ in an office setting — (Image credit: Future | Photo by Jeremy Laird)

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The BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ also looks just like the rest of the Mobiuz gaming monitor range with its geometric design, plus silver and orange accents. The slim bezels on three sides of the panel, meanwhile, plus a relatively large chin are likewise standard BenQ Mobiuz design language. The overall vibe is game-y without being over the top or adolescent.

As for the broader technical details, the 48-inch OLED panel is sourced from LG and sports a full 4K pixel grid and thus a native resolution of 3,840 by 2,160. It's huge. BenQ claims a pretty modest peak brightness of 450 nits, though it doesn't specify the maximum window size at which that figure is attained. Full screen brightness is 135 nits, which is modest even by OLED standards.

That said, it's very speedy thanks to 0.1ms response, which is way faster than any LCD-based gaming monitor, plus 120Hz refresh. Yes, there are monitors with much higher maximum refresh rates. But 120Hz is arguably plenty for a 4K monitor. Even the latest and greatest graphics cards will struggle to hit 200 fps or more in modern games, after all.

Add in support for both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, and you have a recipe for very smooth gameplay. On paper, the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ looks good in terms of color fidelity and accuracy, too, thanks to 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 digital cinema gamut. Oh, and you also get BenQ's Trevolo audio solution including a 2.1 speaker system with a 10W subwoofer.

As for connectivity, that's where the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ really separates itself from an otherwise similar OLED TV. First, you get the obligatory pair of HDMI ports. Importantly, they're HDMI 2.1 spec and so support 120Hz refresh. That makes this a good candidate for sharing between a gaming PC and one of the latest 120Hz-capable consoles from Sony or Microsoft.

To that you can add the much more PC-centric DisplayPort 1.4 interface, which again supports the full 120Hz. What you absolutely won't see on an OLED TV, however, is the EX480UZ's USB-C connection complete with 90W of power delivery. So, you can drive this huge monitor with a laptop while keeping the laptop itself charged. Nice. Oh, and you also get an IR remote for accessing the OSD menu, which is handy on this large a monitor.

Anyway, if that's all the critical speeds and feeds covered off, how well does this monster monitor actually perform? The short answer is that it depends. At its best, it's pretty impressive. At its worst? You'll wonder where all the money went.

The key issue is brightness. OLED panels generally don't do full-screen brightness terribly well. For a TV, that's usually not a major issue as it's relatively rare for a TV to display something uniformly bright across the whole screen or at least a large majority of the screen.

But on the PC, that's quite normal. You might have a light-colored wallpaper or a couple of browser windows open showing mostly white webpages. In those scenarios, the brightness of the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ drops right back. What's most distracting is how much the brightness varies. Let's say you have Windows running in dark mode with a browser open showing a mostly dark interface, like Netflix for instance.

In that scenario, the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ looks great. But switch to a browser tab with a mostly white background and the brightness drops dramatically and the screen looks very dull overall.

That's the screen's ABL or automatic brightness limiter doing its thing. In mitigation, that's all much less of an issue playing games or watching movies. But even then it can catch you out. Some of the brighter outdoor scenes in a game like Cyberpunk running HDR can have the ABL kicking in pretty obviously. At this price point, that's hard to accept.

The upside, of course, involves pretty much perfect black levels and excellent contrast. The pixel response is seriously zippy, too. Add in the 120Hz refresh and the overall responsiveness is truly excellent, provided you have a seriously powerful GPU.

But fundamentally, this OLED panel lacks outright punch, something that's only more obvious in day-to-day PC usage as opposed to playing games and watching movies. Even by OLED standards, the brightness is disappointing. Monitors using Samsung's QD-OLED panel tech, including the Alienware AW3423DW are markedly better when it comes to full screen brightness.

When you factor in this screen's hefty price tag, it's very hard to justify the brightness limitations and clunky feel in day to day use - let alone recommend it as one of the best monitors right now. The excellent connectivity is nice, but if it's OLED tech for a desktop PC you're after, a 34-inch option from the best ultrawide monitors that use Samsung's QD-OLED tech is currently by far the better choice. And if you want a really big 4K screen for gaming, an OLED TV is likewise superior value.

BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $2,049 / £1,599 (about $AU2,950)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US and the UK

The new BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ is currently clocking in at $2,049 / £1,599 (about $AU2,950). We suspect the US price in particular will drop a bit fairly quickly. But even with several hundred dollars shaved off, it will still be a very expensive display.

For starters, it looks like poor value next to 48-inch OLED 4K TVs which can be had for less. So, you're paying a very large premium for the added connectivity. It also makes it hard to accept the limitations that come with the LG-sourced OLED panel BenQ is using here. It's likewise worth noting that various 34-inch ultrawide monitors based on Samsung's QD-OLED tech, like the Alienware AW3423DW, make for much better, if admittedly smaller, PC monitors and can be had for a lot less money.

Value 2 / 5

BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Specs

Should you buy the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ?

Buy it if...

You want that OLED experience with PC connectivity
The BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ uses LG's familiar OLED tech in a 48-inch 4K and adds full PC features including DisplayPort and USB-C connectivity.

You appreciate really fast response
At just 0.1ms response, this huge panel is way faster than evern the very best LCD monitors, including the latest mini-LED monitors.

Don't buy it if...

You want a really punchy panel
The full screen brightness is super disappointing, something that's only more obvious when attached to a PC as opposed to being a pure TV

You want value for money
At this price point, you can choose from some of the very best PC monitors, including OLED displays based on Samsung's more suitable QD-OLED tech.

BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Also consider

How I tested the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ

I tested the monitor for one week
I tested it for web, gaming, movies, the works
I used it on both PC and Mac, over HDMI and DisplayPort

I put the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ through its paces with a proper PC workout. I used it to browse the web, do a little work, stream video and most importantly game.

I ran both regular HDR content and HDR content and played games that both majored in visual thrills and also titles that are all about frame rate and response. I used test videos to assess the panel's brightness over a range of window sizes, compared the response to competing displays and snuffed out its latency levels.

I've been testing PC monitors since the early days of flat panels for many of the leading trch titles. I've seen all the major new OLED monitors, including Alienware and Philips' new 34-inch models, plus Corsair's 45-inch Flex, not to mention countless mini-LED models, so I can directly compare this new BenQ to its most important and relevant competitors.

IObit Driver Booster: Plans and pricing

Anyone can download a free version of the IObit Driver Booster, but it has limited functionalities. For instance, you'll only have access to a more limited driver database (9,500,000 compared to 15,000,000) and slower driver download speeds. You’ll need to pay for the premium version to make the most of Driver Booster.

The premium version of IObit Driver Booster is available through an annual subscription, with two different plans according to the number of supported PCs. You can get a yearly subscription covering 1 PC for $19.95 and 3 PCs for $24.95. Note that these are discounted rates for first-time users. In the ensuing years, you may end up paying the regular price, which is $39.95/year for 1 PC and $74.85/year for 3 PCs.

The premium version also has a 14-day trial period you can utilize. IObit also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee for every purchase. This gives you some flexibility if you are thinking of subscribing. You can be safe in the knowledge that you aren't committing yourself financially until you're certain IObit Driver Booster 12 is the right driver updater for you.

Features

IObit Driver Booster 12 includes a number of useful features designed to help your PC run at optimal performance including:

Driver Updates

This is the first and foremost feature of IObit Driver Booster 12. It scans all your computer’s drivers and reports back on which ones are outdated or missing. Afterwards, you can download the newest versions for the outdated ones or new ones for the missing ones. This software checks your drivers against a vast database of over 15 million drivers.

You can constantly update your computer’s drivers and boost its performance with this feature. In fact, the smart update functionality can automatically pick out and install the right drivers for you.

Backup and Restore

IObit Driver Booster lets you backup your drivers and restore them where needed. This feature is essential because some driver updates can cause malfunctions. In such a case, you’ll just need to revert to the backup version and have your PC perform as usual.

With IObit Driver Booster, rolling back to a previous driver is straightforward. You can create restore points before installing new drivers and reinstall the backup version with a single click.

Junk files are another potential issue that can prevent your device from operating optimally - and another that Driver Booster can help with. Junk files may be software leftovers, temporary folders, random executables, thumbnail caches, etc. What’s common among them is that they slow down your computer.

IObit Driver Booster 12 lets you find and quickly remove junk files from your computer. This feature enables you to collect and display detailed information about your computer.

Fix Common Problems

Driver Booster has tools to fix common problems you encounter when using your computer. Such issues include network failure, wrong resolution, no sound, device error, and so on.

Automatic Scans

You can set schedules for Driver Booster to automatically scan your computer’s drivers. For example, it could be daily, weekly, or whenever your computer boots up so you don't have to worry about forgetting to keep your driver updated.

Game Boost

This feature stops all unnecessary apps from running during gaming to have the best gaming experience. Driver Booster can also prioritize the updating of game-ready drivers and components to provide you with the best possible gaming experience. Making sure your devices are compatible with the newest games means frequently updating game-related drivers, including graphics cards and sound cards.

Interface and in use

IObit Driver Booster 12 is relatively easy to download and use. We downloaded the setup file directly from the official website with no issues. Afterwards, launching the setup file and installing it on our computer took less than five minutes, allowingus to begin using the tool right away.

IObit Driver Booster 12's user interface is free of clutter and easy to navigate (Image credit: IObit)

IObit Driver Booster 12 has a dashboard from which you can observe and control all its features. After opening the app, the first feature you’ll notice is the “scan” button that lets you run a check on all your PC’s drivers. By clicking this button, you can start or stop the scan anytime you like, as well as re-scan if necessary. On the scan results page, you'll be presented with a list of outdated drivers and game components, with results broken down into four categories: outdated drivers, missing drivers, faulty drivers, and non-installed game drivers.

You'll notice a sidebar on the right side of the main window that will allow you to check your PC information. There are also two other tabs labeled “Boost” and “Tools”, where you can find all the other features.

Support

IObit offers customer support through email and telephone. You can contact them directly to resolve your challenges when using the app. Note that IObit prioritizes paying customers over non-paying customer support inquiries, although it's nice that support is offered at all to users of the free version.

There’s also a user manual and FAQ page published online to help users familiarize themselves with Driver Booster. Questions are broken down into General FAQs and Product FAQs, so whether you need renewal information or system care, this will hopefully resolve your issue.

The competition

IObit has many competitors, such as Ashampoo Driver Updater and Auslogics Driver Updater. Let’s make a quick comparison.

IObit Driver Booster may be slightly more expensive than some other driver updaters but the functionality and support make it worth the price. Plus, the fact that even the free plan comes with some level of, albeit reduced, support is not something that all of its rivals can say.

Final verdict

There are many driver management tools out there but IObit Driver Booster is certainly one of the best. It has the necessary features to ensure you continually update your drivers. If we could change one thing, we'd make the upselling of other IObit products a little less intrusive, but it's only a minor gripe.

We've also highlighted the best driver update software and the best programs to speed up your PC

Review: Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro

3:01 am | April 4, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Gadgets | Tags: PC, Surface Pro, USB, Wi Fi | Comments: None

Review: Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro

Introduction

Windows 8 needs touch to really shine. It’s designed to give you the power of a PC with the convenience of a tablet, so you need to be abl[……]

Review: Samsung PS51E490

3:01 am |

Author: admin | Category: Gadgets | Tags: HD, PC, TV, USB | Comments: None

Review: Samsung PS51E490

Introduction

Even in a world where the big TV brands are falling over themselves to hit ever-lower price points for their products regardless of whethe[……]

Review: Cooler Master HAF XB

3:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Gadgets | Tags: Antec Skeleton, HTPC, PC, PSU | Comments: None

Review: Cooler Master HAF XB

The latest addition to Cooler Master’s HAF range is a weird ol’ beast, but we can’t help but have a soft spot for its techie aspirations.

There is no[……]

Hands-on review: GDC 2013: Ouya review

3:03 am | March 30, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: GDC, Julie Uhrman, PC, USB | Comments: None

Hands-on review: GDC 2013: Ouya review

Introduction, Hardware and Controller

"Today I’m going to show you that we have delivered on that promise, and on that dream, of developing an acc[……]

Review: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

3:01 am | March 26, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: Lenovo Y500, PC, Razer Blade, SLI | Comments: None

Review: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

Introduction

On the surface, Lenovo’s Y500 gaming laptop looks like a standard black notebook computer. When we opened the system up, however, we were[……]

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Corsair PC Build Kit: One-minute review

Corsair PC Build Kit: Price and availability

Corsair PC Build Kit: Packaging

Corsair PC Build Kit: Assembly

Corsair PC Build Kit: Performance

Should I buy the Corsair PC Build Kit?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Corsair PC Build Kit: Report card

How I tested the Corsair PC Build Kit

PSVR 2: price and availability

PSVR 2: design

PSVR 2: features

PSVR 2: performance

PSVR 2: Sense controllers

Should I buy PSVR 2?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Apple Mac mini (2023): Two-minute review

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Price and availability

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Specs

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Design

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Performance

Should you buy the Mac mini (2023)?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Apple Mac mini (2023) review: Also consider

How I tested the Apple Mac mini (2023)

BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Two-minute review

BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Price & availability

BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Specs

Should you buy the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Also consider

How I tested the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ

IObit Driver Booster: Plans and pricing

Features

Interface and in use

Support

The competition

Final verdict

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction, Hardware and Controller

Introduction

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