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Asus ROG Delta II headset review: spatial audio shines in a headset catered to PS5 and PC gamers

12:06 am | September 25, 2024

Asus ROG Delta II: two-minute review

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset with ear cushions stacked atop each other — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

The ROG Delta II wireless headset is the latest in the Asus Republic of Gamers line of audio peripherals for gaming. The set maximizes comfort without diminishing audio quality in a lightweight, over-ear headset that’s clearly made for all aspects of gaming. While gaming peripherals from companies like ROG or Razer can feel gimmicky for streamers or, at the very least, don’t stand up to higher-end, general-purpose counterparts, the Delta II is surprisingly versatile and even excels beyond something like the costlier Audeze Maxwell. With so many different headsets on the market, ROG had to find a way to separate the Delta II from the crowd, and despite its general simplicity, it succeeded in most ways.

The biggest surprise is the comfort level. The lightweight design, forgiving band, and plush mesh or PU leather ear cushions minimize the occurrence of headaches. Even with a looser band, the earcup creates a seal that cuts down on external noise despite no active noise cancelation.

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's ear cushions — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

While on the higher end of the price spectrum when compared to other Delta models, the Delta II’s $229 / £219 / AUS$368 price tag stings less when you start noticing audio cues that may have been otherwise drowned out through TV speakers or a lower quality headset. The plug-and-play compatibility with the PS5 (via USB-C dongle) and Xbox Series X/S (via 3.5mm cord) are vitally convenient and provide the best gaming experience, whereas use via PC (Bluetooth or USB-C) can be tweaked and customized using the Armoury Crate software.

Asus ROG Delta II: Price and availability

When is it available? Available now
How much does it cost? $229 / £219 / AUS$368
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and AUS

The ROG Delta II officially launched on September 12, 2024, at a price point of $229 / £219 / AUS$368. Though fairly high, especially for a gaming headset, the Delta II justifies the cost with a build that makes the Delta S and its 50mm Asus essence drivers obsolete. Titanium is where it’s at for a fuller audio experience that elevates game audio design to ensure even the most subtle cues aren’t missed.

There’s a market for the ROG Delta II; it just may not be the casual player who picks up a controller every few weeks. Someone willing to drop $229 on a wireless headset when there are options for more than half the price will better appreciate the enhanced audio provided by the 50mm titanium drivers. Though the headset does work quite nicely for PC, it almost feels like a console-specific accessory, especially since connecting any headset to an Xbox or PS5 isn’t as simple as establishing a Bluetooth connection, and compatibility isn’t guaranteed.

What really justifies the price is how well the headset handles the PS5’s spatial audio to suck players in. With that being said, that’s only good for PS5 players, leaving Xbox gamers to once again deal with the antiquated 3.5mm audio plug. That’s when it gets difficult to recommend a $200-plus headset because while the drivers work wonders, I can’t help but wonder if the much cheaper, 3.5mm-compatible Delta Core could get the job done for very casual players.

Value: 3.5 / 5

Asus ROG Delta II: Specs

Asus ROG Delta II: Features

DualFlow Audio for simultaneous device use
Tri-Mode connectivity with ROG SpeedNova
Few features lend to a user-friendly experience

ROG didn’t go too heavy on features for the Delta II, which is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows the headset’s base audio quality to shine without forcing you to navigate a sea of button presses and app integrations. The Delta II caters to a plug-and-play crowd, especially for consoles. It also supports the notion that this headset isn’t meant for audiophiles, and even casual players can get the most out of the titanium drivers without fuss.

Then again, an older competitor like Razer’s Kaira Pro (2022), which retails for only $30 less (for the PS5 model), is brimming with different audio-enhancing features. Along with haptic feedback, the Kaira Pro includes a toggle that swaps between improved bass, amplified audio, and a gaming profile for a more diverse user experience. You may be wondering why you’d spend more for what seems like less, but the Delta II’s success is that it hones in on a well-rounded build to render all of those enhancements unnecessary.

Of course, you can still control your sound design on a PC. The Delta II connects with ROG’s Armoury Crate software to optimize sound with toggles for an equalizer, reverb, and virtual surround sound along with slides for bass boost and compression. You can also choose between preset profiles for movies, music, gaming, and communicating, which change the necessary settings to adjust sound for each application.

One of the Delta II’s more interesting features is DualFlow Audio. Using both the 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth, it feeds audio from two devices simultaneously. That may sound like chaos, but it’s a great way to game on a PS5 and still be able to use Discord (or TeamSpeak, if you're still using it) or chat with viewers on the PC without a mixer or additional equipment. The input audio skipped infrequently, but the rare hiccup is worth dealing with for something so simple and useful.

None of this matters all that much if the headset is dead within hours of charging. Thankfully, ROG found a way to prolong the life of the Delta II to up to over 110 hours (using 2.4GHz wireless without RGB lighting). I tried to run the battery dry, but it’s quite resilient and looks like it does live up to at least a sizable portion of that 110 hours. ROG also boasts a quick charge, where you can squeeze 11 hours of use time after only 15 minutes on the included USB-C charger.

Features: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Delta II: Sound quality

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's microphone extended — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

Full-bodied audio that struggles with deeper bass
Binaural audio is immersive and crystal clear
Detachable microphone could use some work

After running a simple online bass test, I realized there were a few hiccups in the Delta II’s sound quality. While that should be a negative mark, it really indicated that the headset was specifically designed for gaming, especially since the worst offense was vibrating drivers at a low frequency I wouldn’t expect to hear in a video game. Some music with deeper bass may cause the drivers to vibrate, but the Delta II isn’t really made for music. Sure, you can connect to your iPhone and blast your favorite tunes, but ROG cares more about making sure you feel like you’re in the middle of Liberty City. Across most of the games I tested the Delta II with, I discovered the immersion I was missing by using TV speakers.

My favorite experience with the Delta II was Returnal. Having heard the game through the TV and the Audeze Maxwell, I was not prepared for how different it would sound with the titanium drivers. It engulfs you in the alien world in a way video games should, with every bit of audio, big or small, sounding like they were in the room with me. Even Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 sounded better, to the point where I could hear the faint flapping of Spidey’s wings while gliding.

On PC, I toyed with Armoury Crate’s settings but pretty much always returned it to the preset gaming mode. It provided the fullest audio of the lot, making games like Dead Space 2 infinitely more horrifying.

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's detachable microphone and pop filter — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

Playing on PC also highlighted Delta II’s weakest feature: its microphone. Though clear (and made clearer with Armoury Crate’s noise reduction setting) it had a tendency to stutter. It did seem to run fine on the PS5, though, and teammates could hear me clearly each round of Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

Sound quality: 4.5 / 5

ASUS ROG Delta II: Design

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset against a white background — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

Interchangeable plush ear cushions
Flexible but durable headband
Flimsy microphone design

There’s little to complain about with the Delta II’s design. Both ear cushions are very cozy and create a good seal to minimize external noise without pressing too hard against my head. The fabric and PU leather cushions were equally as soft, though I did sweat slightly with the latter.

Adding to the overall comfort is the headband. I’m used to headsets that squeeze and feel tight around my head, but the Delta II’s band doesn't share that aggression. It does feel a little cheap, with very minimal padding at the top of the head, but it was comfortable enough to wear for several hours at a time without discomfort.

ROG kept things very simple with its button layout. The left earcup features controls for the volume and 2.4GHz dongle. Opposite that are the controls for Bluetooth connectivity and volume. Function buttons on both sides can control music based on how many times they’re pressed, making for a very user-friendly design.

Design: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Asus ROG Delta II?

Buy them if...

You own a PS5 and love immersion

A lower-quality, cheaper headset or TV speakers don’t do the PS5’s spatial audio any justice. ROG’s Delta II, on the other hand, thrusts you into the action with titanium drivers and a stable wireless connection that’s smooth and crystal clear.

Headsets tend to be uncomfortable for you

Both included ear cushions and the band design come together for a surprisingly comfortable wear. Though the band is nothing to write home about, it’s not tight and won’t squeeze even larger heads. The Delta II’s comfort also doesn’t hinder its ability to keep outside noises from polluting the audio, as the plush cushions create a strong, albeit cozy, seal.

Don't buy them if...

You only game on an Xbox

This is mostly Microsoft’s fault, as it’s difficult to justify spending so much for a 3.5mm connection that tethers you to the control and, shockingly, doesn’t provide the same audio quality as the Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz connection. On Xbox, you can’t take advantage of DualFlow audio.

Audio isn’t all that important to you

There’s no point in spending so much money if you’re not “Wow’d” by immersive, clear audio. You could easily spend less than $100 if all you care about is a simple wireless headset that gets the job done. Even a lower-cost ROG wireless headset could satisfy your needs for a wallet-friendly, feature-light audio experience.

Also Consider

Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed

50mm graphene drivers steer Logitech’s Pro X 2 Lightspeed in a good direction in this lightweight headset. Connectivity options, a sizable frequency range, surround sound, and good battery life lend to a positive user experience, particularly for competitive gamers.

Read our full Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless

Comfort and a long battery life ensure prolonged gaming sessions with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless. Ample customization and neutral sound quality help justify a higher price tag, which still comes in a little cheaper than the ROG Delta II.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless review

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro

A premium headset with audio amplified by 50mm drivers, active noise cancelation, and multiple connectivity options, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is both versatile and capable of delivering crystal-clear audio.

Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review

How I tested the Asus ROG Delta II

Tested for two weeks
Used for games on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S
Used in an open-walled home office with varying degrees of noise

I put ROG’s lightweight headset through a rigorous process. More so than visuals, I value sound design in video games, so I focused on games with fantastic audio across the primary platforms. This included Returnal (PS5), Dead Space 2 (PC), and Alan Wake 2 (Xbox Series S). By using different platforms, I could test audio quality across the USB-C 2.4GHz dongle, the 3.5mm cable, and the Bluetooth connection. Using each game’s base audio settings, I swapped between the Delta II, my Audaze Maxwell, and the speakers built into my Samsung TV to pinpoint basic audio quality and how well individual audio cues and background noise came through across each device. I also performed an audio/microphone test via Phasmophobia (PC), Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed (PC), and Killer Klown’s from Outer Space: The Game (PS5) to test the clarity of the microphone and how well the headset mixed in-game audio and other players. Finally, I ran the headset through a bass test designed to gauge the quality of the drivers.

First tested in September 2024

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: an analog keyboard that aims high but falls short

7:48 pm | September 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: Grand Theft Auto, PC | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: one-minute review

It’s not often you see an analog keyboard come to market, but Turtle Beach is offering a new one in the form of its Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. It promises ultra-smooth and fast operation, aided by the in-depth actuation settings in its accompanying software, Swarm 2.

Since the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro doesn't have a top cover, the bare keycaps and switches are immediately apparent. This design choice is both aesthetically pleasing and convenient, as it makes cleaning and swapping out the keycaps easier. The overall form is compact and slender, yet the materials and construction feel premium.

Swarm 2 doesn’t put its best foot forward, with a jagged interface and a severe lack of explanations for the numerous settings available. Navigating it can also be a chore, and I was frequently met with dialog boxes telling me I had to go somewhere else or activate a certain parameter to achieve what I wanted. It also crashed on one occasion during my time using it.

Beneath it all, though, there are some great customization options on offer, with a broad selection of hotkey functions – some quite advanced – and the actuation adjustments allow for a great deal of tinkering. Again, though, it can be hard to work out exactly what your tweaks are accomplishing, thanks to the lack of visual indicators and an impractical testing procedure.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro side view — (Image credit: Future)

In action, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro performs competently, with the same satisfying keystrokes and comfortable feel as any of the best gaming keyboards, and the mixture of convex and concave keycaps pays dividends. However, typing isn’t the easiest, as the keys are quite narrow, and gliding around them isn’t as seamless as I’m used to.

The analog functionality is a mixed bag for gaming. There are plenty of adjustments in the actuation point, which let you dial in your preferred pressure. Rapid Trigger mode is also useful, allowing for fast yet controlled inputs, ideal for twitchy character movements. However, the multi-point actuation seems more like a gimmick than a useful tool, and Controller mode falls short of its emulation promises since the keys can’t match the precision of analog sticks and triggers. In practice, I doubt gamers will use it.

All this isn’t to say the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro isn’t a competent gaming performer. It’s satisfying and solid to use, and its compact design makes it suitable for virtually any setup.

If you want a premium gaming keyboard with similar analog switches, the Razer Huntsman line includes models with them. If you can do without, there are plenty of keyboards out there that offer similar, if not better, performance than the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro for the same price or less, such as the Asus Rog Strix Scope II RX and the Roccat Magma.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro top corner — (Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: price and availability

$149 (about £113 / AU$219)
Black and White colorways
Wired only

The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is priced at $149 (about £113 / AU$219) and is available in two colorways: Black and White. It also comes with a wrist rest. UK and Australian markets are yet to receive it.

For a tenkeyless board with analog switches, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is good value. Similar analog offerings from the likes of Razer and Corsair can set you back over $200.

If you’re not bothered about analog switches, your options open up considerably, but even when considered within the broader gaming keyboard market, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is still competitively priced.

However, there are alternatives that undercut the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: the Asus Rog Strix Scope II RX, for instance, is slightly cheaper, full-size, and has mechanical switches. There’s also the Roccat Magma, our current pick as the best gaming keyboard for those on a budget.

Value: 4 / 5

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: specs

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro back foot — (Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: design and features

Light but sturdy
Satisfying floating keys
Software is so-so

The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has a sleek, lightweight body, made from anodized aluminum with a plastic underside, resulting in a keyboard that feels hard-wearing. The keycaps' floating design helps to minimize its real estate even further. I found the chassis thin enough to use the board comfortably without needing the included wrist rest. The folding feet didn’t provide as steep an angle as I would’ve liked, but it was still within the bounds of acceptability.

Some might not like this exposed design, but I’m quite partial to it. If nothing else, it makes the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro easier to clean, as dust and other debris have no place to hide (I dread to think how many crumbs are lurking beneath the crevices of my other keyboards). It also makes removing the keycaps easier when you want to swap them out for third-party ones.

Despite their floating nature, the keycaps feel secure, firmly fixed in place with little play or wobble. They’re indented, save for those on the bottom row, which are convex instead – a smart design choice that makes them easier to press with your little finger and thumb.

There’s also a handy volume dial in the top-right corner, which has smooth notches and a solid button press for muting. However, neither the dial or the button can be remapped to perform other functions.

To get the most out of the analog switches in the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, you’ll need to acquaint yourself with Swarm 2, Turtle Beach’s peripheral software. Unfortunately, it fails to make a great first impression. The typeface is rendered poorly and the layout isn’t exactly intuitive. I frequently encountered dialog boxes telling me certain functions and features weren’t available without navigating to another tab, and many settings just aren’t explained well – or even at all. There’s also no way to see a quick overview of the rebind choices you’ve made – you have to click on each individual key to reveal them.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro USB-C port close-up — (Image credit: Future)

I experienced one crash during my time with Swarm 2; a settings adjustment window failed to open and the app froze before shutting down altogether. A simple restart fixed the issue, though.

It contains many of the standard features you'd expect from peripheral software, including RGB adjustments, multiple profile slots (five), and a macro creator. It also offers different layers for customization, including a Game Mode (not to be confused with Windows’ own Game Mode), which is activated by pressing FN+Start (again: not made clear), and an Easy Shift mode that can be activated by holding caps lock. You can set it to toggle instead, but this option isn’t easy to find, buried in the hotkey rebind section.

Speaking of which, there are plenty of hotkey options in Swarm 2. The selection is both broad and useful, including some pretty advanced functions that can be activated with a single keypress, such as opening a Direct X diagnostics tool and the Windows Registry Editor.

The real meat of Swarm 2, though, lies in the detailed actuation adjustments available. The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has Hall-effect magnetic switches, with the actuation point of each adjustable from 0.1-4mm. You can also increase or decrease actuation via two hotkeys on the plus and minus keys. The number key LEDs light up to indicate your adjustments, but they aren’t clear enough to tell what setting you’re on.

There are also Rapid Trigger and Multi-input modes. The former lets you adjust the point at which the key resets to accept further inputs, independently from the actuation point. This allows for quick, controlled movements and key spamming. You can select individual keys to apply Rapid Trigger to, but Swarm 2 fails to mention that you can click and drag to select multiple keys instead. More obscurities can be found in the test mode for Rapid Trigger, as it fails to provide visual feedback for the adjustments you make, which would be extremely useful in helping you see the direct effect of your tweaks.

Multi-input mode lets you create up to three different inputs for the same key, depending on how hard you press. With this setting, you can’t assign controller inputs, only keystrokes and mouse clicks are permitted.

One of the problems with both these modes is that you can’t adjust and test your settings in the same window, which would streamline the whole process. You can, however, do this in Controller mode.

This mode allows you to assign keys to gamepad inputs. To achieve this in-game, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro emulates a controller (I suspect it utilizes XInput, Microsoft’s protocol for using gamepads on PC). This includes the emulation of analog sticks and trigger buttons, letting you modulate the amount of input based on how far down you press the keys. In theory, this is useful for games requiring careful movement – there’s even a handy WASD-to-analog-stick quick-bind setting for this very purpose – and vehicle control. There’s also an angle-snapping option in this mode, offering 0-90 degrees of ‘snapping’; useful if you want to adjust the separation between the x and y axis.

Design & features: 3.5 / 5

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: performance

Good for gaming
Adjustable actuation points
Controller mode impractical

Thanks to those floating keys, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has a typewriter-like feel, which creates a greater sense of feedback. Despite this, it isn’t a board I would recommend for frequent typing.

The T-shaped ABS keycaps are narrower than those on most gaming keyboards, and I found they took some getting used to. Gliding over them isn’t seamless, due to the steep indentations on the keycaps, while the small enter key is hard to locate by feel. Having the ability to adjust the actuation point across a wide range certainly helps to prevent mispresses, but if you’re thinking of using your board for productivity as well as gaming, this likely won’t be for you.

If you’re only concerned with the latter, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro acquits itself well. The switches are very clicky, with enough damping to feel pleasant to use, but if you really hammer down on them you’ll be met with a harsh thud. The aforementioned actuation adjustments make for quick responses, and those indented keycaps help secure your fingers in place.

The standard Actuation Point and Rapid Trigger modes generally live up to their promises. The former’s adjustment options result in meaningful changes to keystroke sensitivity, while the latter’s allow you to perform quick-twitch movements with greater speed and accuracy once set to your preferences.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro close-up of keys — (Image credit: Future)

However, the same can’t be said for Multi-input mode, as applying the exact amount of pressure to hit a certain actuation point for a certain input is difficult. I struggle to think of many gaming situations where this functionality would be useful. You also can’t assign controller functions in this mode, which seems like a missed opportunity; only keystrokes and mouse clicks are assignable.

And then there’s Controller mode. In theory, this is a nice idea, but, in practice, it fails to translate analog inputs from gamepads to keystrokes as smoothly as I would’ve liked. Changing the response curve to the precision setting did help to make movements somewhat more controlled, but still not enough. Maneuvering in-game vehicles was too jerky during my tests; the greater weight, size, and resistance of analog sticks and trigger buttons are much better suited to the task.

There’s also the issue of which games practically support Controller mode. In Grand Theft Auto 5, for instance, I found a clash between gamepad and keyboard control schemes. Naturally, moving a character forward and backward with a controller requires moving the analog stick. However, in vehicles, accelerate and brake/reverse are bound to R2 and L2, with no option in-game to alter this.

This means that binding WASD to analog stick controls will let you move a character in all directions, but with vehicles, you’ll only be able to steer left and right. You could keep W and A bound as they are and sacrifice some of that nuanced control, or use the easy shift function on the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro as a workaround, but this will require you to press caps lock every time you switch between pedestrian and vehicular travel. In other words, it’s simply too impractical to be worth using.

Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro?

Buy it if…

You want analog-style controls
It’s not every day you see a keyboard with pressure-sensitive switches. If you desperately want to emulate a controller, albeit not as precisely, this is for you.

You want floating keys
Personally, I’m a fan of the uncovered layout, for both aesthetic and practical reasons. If you feel the same way, this is a great example.

You want to save space
For a board so solidly made, it’s pleasantly surprising how light and compact the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is, making it conducive to any desktop setup.

Don’t buy it if…

You want to go wireless
Unfortunately, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro doesn’t have a wireless option, despite having a detachable USB cable.

You want true analog precision
Despite the promises, the analog keys don’t offer the same smoothness as gamepads, and they just aren’t as useful in certain games as you might expect.

You want the best software
While it offers great functionality in some areas, Swarm 2 isn’t the easiest to navigate and several features aren’t explained clearly.

Also consider

How I tested the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro

Tested for two weeks
Played multiple genres
10+ years PC gaming experience

I tested the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro for around two weeks, during which time I used it for gaming, productivity, and general use.

I played Counter-Strike 2, the acid test for peripherals, as well as games involving vehicle control, such as Art of Rally and Grand Theft Auto 5.

I have been PC gaming for over 10 years – and many more than that on numerous other platforms – and during that time, I have used many different types of keyboards from a wide range of brands.

First reviewed September 2024

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air review: a gaming mouse that’s light on weight, but not on price

12:47 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Mice Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: PC | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air: Two-minute review

The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air is the brand’s new ultralight gaming mouse promising top-tier performance, which it hopes to achieve with its ergonomic design, quality hardware, and in-depth tweakability.

Considering the Burst 2 Air is a full-size gaming mouse, it’s remarkable that it only tips the scales at 47g, undercutting many gaming mice in the lightweight category. Rather than sporting an all-over honeycomb design to shed the weight, it has just two small cutouts underneath that expose the underside to the PCB within. Despite this absence of material, Turtle Beach has managed to include a handy slot to store the 2.4GHz USB receiver. As an exercise in cutting weight, it’s impressive.

With its understated appearance, the Burst 2 Air cuts a rather unremarkable figure, especially compared to the audacious looks of some of the best gaming mice. The white colorway I tested does look more vibrant than its black counterpart, and the light gray accents on the logo, side buttons, and scroll wheel are a nice touch. There are two small LEDs, one between the mouse buttons and another under the scroll wheel, but these are relatively subtle. The finish is smooth with a slight texture that I found suitable for my palm and fingers, although grip tape is included in the box for those who prefer something more substantial.

The Burst 2 Air fits nicely in the hand, with an even curve all around, although there’s slightly more bulk towards the back end. There isn’t much of a forward rake either, so it doesn’t feel like your fingers are falling away. Turtle Beach doesn’t recommend specific grip styles but it seems ideal for most, though it may be too bulky for those who prefer the claw type. My only real complaint about the shape of the Burst 2 Air is that the sides cinch inwards a little too much for my liking, making it harder to squeeze during those clutch moments.

The mouse wheel is softly notched but still provides enough security to prevent mis-scrolls. It’s tight and secure when pressed, while still being easy to actuate. The side buttons are very clicky, and their angle and protrusion make them easy to use. Rather than being situated on top or underneath, as is typical for many gaming mice, the DPI cycle button is located on the left front side. It’s small and pressing it can be awkward, given it’s quite close to the bottom, meaning your thumb ends up pressing into your desktop. This is a small grievance, though, and the button operates smoothly.

Close up of Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air scroll wheel — (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to the business of gaming, the Burst 2 Air is a joy to use. Maneuverability is exceptional, gliding effortlessly on almost any surface, thanks to the thick PTFE skates. The pre-tensioned optical switches can be activated with light clicks, and although they travel further than I expected, this only adds to their satisfaction. There is the slightest indentation on the buttons themselves, just enough to guide your fingers to the optimal position.

Coupled with the ultra-light total weight, this makes the Burst 2 Air very precise. Of course, what weight, shape, and size is best for a gaming mouse comes down to personal preference, but for me, I found the Burst 2 Air ideal for my hands and swipes. Using it with the included USB cable does add more resistance to movements, but I adapted to it quickly, and I wouldn’t go so far as to call it drag, with all the negative connotations that word brings. As with many braided cables, durability can be an issue, but during my time using it I didn’t notice any fraying.

For customizing and adjusting settings, you’ll need Swarm 2, Turtle Beach’s peripheral software. As soon as you open it, you’re greeted with jagged fonts that are hard to read and fail to inspire much confidence. I have previous experience using this software with a Turtle Beach keyboard, and in that case, I found it to be obtuse in places and not the most user-friendly. Some of my concerns remain in place in the case of the Burst 2 Air, although I do think mice settings are more clearly laid out.

The software allows for all the typical tweaks you'd expect, including adjustments for the DPI. However, this has a clunky implementation, requiring you to drag dots across the screen for each of the five predefined settings. In theory, this interface is a good idea, but it’s poorly executed here, with bugs and glitches occurring until I updated the mouse’s firmware. The update also fixed the battery level readout, which was previously stuck at 18%, even when charging.

There are also adjustments for the poll rate, with five settings ranging from 125Hz to 1000Hz, and a debounce time slider in a nondescript unit between 0 and 10 (a lot of other software I’ve tested measure this in milliseconds). There’s also DCU calibration, which is equivalent to lift-off distance. There are two predefined settings, very low and low, as well as a custom mode that automatically sets the distance based on a few test movements. Again, though, there is no indication in any setting as to what the exact distance you’ve set is.

Front of Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air on table — (Image credit: Future)

Other settings include angle snapping, which smooths cursor movements by making them more linear, and motion sync, which aligns the mouse’s polling rate to that of your PC, so only the latest polling data is read. In theory, this improves accuracy as tracking becomes more seamless, but in reality, only hardcore pro players will likely notice or care about this. During my tests, I failed to notice much difference when activated.

It’s also compatible with Nvidia Reflex, which claims to reduce input latency even further when gaming. It requires an Nvidia GPU and a monitor compatible with Nvidia G-Sync (although my FreeSync monitor worked with this too). It’s only currently supported by a handful of games, and again it’s a feature that only pro players will likely notice in action.

Switching between the different connectivity modes worked fairly seamlessly in my experience, letting me switch between two devices on the fly with a flick of the switch underneath. Note, however, that when connected via USB cable, this overrides your other connectivity options, so device switching effectively becomes unavailable until you pull the plug.

The claimed battery life of the Burst 2 Air is 120 hours in Bluetooth mode, and 40 when using the 2.4GHz receiver. According to my tests, this seems accurate, as the battery barely dipped below 90% over several days of use, even when set to the maximum 1k poll rate.

The Burst 2 Air is a solid wireless gaming mouse for those who are after a comfortable yet speedy performer. The overall shape, low package weight, connectivity options, and smooth glides are its standout aspects. However, Swarm 2 isn’t the most intuitive peripheral software to use, and the fact is there are better value gaming mice that match the Burst 2 Air for performance, such as the Cooler Master MM311. It’s by no means a bad pointer to plump for, but there are plenty of other great options around for less money.

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air: Price & availability

Rear of Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air on table — (Image credit: Future)

$99 / £99 (about AU$147)
Black and White colorways

The Burst 2 Air is priced at $99 / £99 (about AU$147) and is available now. It comes in either Black or White colorways.

For a gaming mouse of this spec, the Burst 2 Air represents pretty average value for money. It competes with other wireless mice such as the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed, which offers similar features and functionality. It also supports an 8k poll rate, although this does require Razer’s HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, which costs an extra $29 / £29 / AU$54.

If you’re after a wireless gaming mouse with an 8k poll rate straight out of the box, then be prepared to part with more cash. Offerings in this category can set you back considerably more: the Razer Viper V3 Pro, for example, is over $100 / £150 / AU$275.

However, if you’re happy with 1k, there are more wireless budget picks than ever. For instance, there’s the Cooler Master MM311, which is our current pick as the best gaming mouse for those on a budget – it’s heavier than the Burst 2 Air and runs on AA batteries, though. If you want a rechargeable battery, then the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 could fit the bill; although it weighs 61g, it’s slightly cheaper than the Burst 2 Air. There’s also a wired variant with an 8k poll rate for even less.

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air: Specs

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air?

Buy it if...

You want a super-light mouse
49g is seriously light, making the Burst 2 Air ideal for rapid movements. It’s even more impressive considering the body is full-size.

You want a smooth glider
The Burst 2 Air glides with incredible ease, thanks to the thick PTFE skates, working well on different surface types.

You want multiple connectivity options
The Burst 2 Air can be connected using the included USB-C to USB-A PhatomFlex cable, or wirelessly via the 2.4GHz USB receiver or Bluetooth, which allows for quick-switching between devices.

Don't buy it if...

You want a high poll rate
Gaming mice that are marketed for esports use usually offer poll rates up to 8k, but the Burst 2 Air tops out at 1k. If this matters to you, then look elsewhere.

You’re on a budget
The Burst 2 Air is averagely priced for a gaming mouse of this spec. There are more budget-friendly wireless gaming mice available than ever, so you’ll likely be able to find cheaper alternatives with similar levels of performance.

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air: Also consider

How I tested the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air

Tested for two weeks
Played FPS and strategy games
10+ years PC gaming experience

I tested the Burst 2 Air for around two weeks. During that time, I used it with a variety of games, as well as for general use and productivity.

I played FPS titles including Counter-Strike 2, the evergreen peripheral tester, as well as strategy games that almost exclusively use mouse inputs, such as Tactical Breach Wizards.

I have been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I have tried a variety of gaming mice of all shapes and sizes from the likes of Razer, Logitech, Alienware, and HyperX, to name a few. I generally prefer full-size mice over miniature ones and prefer a light to medium weight.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: September 2024

LG Gram 17 (2024) review: a large, light laptop hamstrung by lots of noise and heat

6:56 pm | September 23, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Windows Laptops | Tags: PC | Comments: Off

LG Gram 17: Two-minute review

The LG Gram 17 is a large but super-light and thin laptop, promising premium productivity performance in a portable package.

Design-wise, the LG Gram 17 is clean and sleek, keeping all its angles and surfaces as minimal as possible. As for build quality, the plastic body doesn’t inspire much confidence, although there’s no denying it saves weight. I found the hinge for the lid very loose, resulting in the display repeatedly rebounding on opening the laptop, which in my mind casted doubt over its durability.

The IPS display is certainly large, but it isn't exactly vibrant. Colors are rendered perfectly well, but LED and OLED displays are usually more impressive, even those with the same 2K resolution of the LG Gram 17. However, it does excel at preventing glare, as per LG's claims; I tried using it in various areas around my living space to produce some unfavorable angles for sunlight, and couldn't catch it out – it remained clear in most conditions.

In terms of performance, the LG Gram 17 handles the tasks it’s designed for with aplomb. The model on test was equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 and 32GB of RAM. It made short work of spreadsheet creation and word processing, and could deal with light photo editing. It also played back HD and 4K video content with ease.

During our benchmarking, it outperformed many of the best laptops – such as the Microsoft Surface 7 – for productivity. However, it wasn’t as impressive when it came to GPU workloads, including gaming. The Intel Arc GPU can’t match other high-end GPUs, such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 in the Dell XPS 17 (9730) we tested.

Mercifully, the LG Gram 17 is mostly free from the bloatware that can plague other Windows laptops. LG’s software suite is mixed in terms of usefulness, but it wasn’t too intrusive or resource-heavy. The most egregious app was LG Recovery and Update, but this only popped up occasionally, and offered desirable updates when it did – although it did fail to make clear that some updates will cause the system to shut down without notice.

The most useful tool in the suite is LG Gram Link, which allows you to connect mobile devices to transfer files and mirror screens both ways. You can also use it to control your mobile device with the LG Gram 17’s trackpad and keyboard. For the most part, all these functions work as intended, although lag and slowdown can be an issue at times.

The battery is very good for this class of laptop, lasting more than 12 hours in our tests, which involved a battery benchmark using PCMark, in addition to running a 1080p 30fps video on a continuous loop. For comparison, the Dell XPS 17 (9730) only managed a little over nine hours, while the Microsoft Surface 7 quit after 10 hours.

One of the major problems with the LG Gram 17, though, is the noise and heat it generates under load. This was apparent even during setup, with the fans whirring up near the start of the process. The low-pitched hum would then elevate during heavy workloads, to the point of becoming distracting. The underside and the keys also became very hot to the touch, giving me cause for concern.

Another issue that severely hampers the LG Gram 17 is the keyboard. Although I usually welcome the inclusion of a number pad, here it forces the character keys too far to the left, creating an awkward typing position. It also means the palm of your right thumb rests on the trackpad, with movements being registered as cursor swipes and sometimes even taps. In addition, the keys, while they feel satisfying and pleasant to tap, can sometimes fail to register, especially the "o" key, which caused me no end of frustration.

This is a hotly contested space, and you'd expect the LG Gram 17 to deliver on its premium promises given the price it commands. However, there are simply better value alternatives that offer not just lightning performance, but also a better design and user experience.

If you’re after a large laptop with plenty of power, then the Dell XPS 17 (9730) is a solid choice. If you want a smaller form factor but still want performance, then our current pick as the best laptop around, the Microsoft Surface 7, would be a great alternative.

LG Gram 17: Price & availability

back of LG Gram 17 — (Image credit: Future)

£1,999 (about $2,640 / AU$3,910)
Available in three colorways
High-end specs

The LG Gram 17 costs £1,999 (about $2,640 / AU$3,910) and is available now. It arrives in your choice of three finishes – black, white, or charcoal gray – and it can be had with between 16-32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 1TB or 2TB NVMe SSD. As for graphics, you have a choice of either an Intel Arc or Intel Iris XE Graphics GPU.

At this price, the LG Gram 17 is competing in the premium sector, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 – which, in our view, is the best business laptop . That machine is superbly built with an excellent keyboard and display. Specs-wise, it does come in behind the LG Gram 17, and so do its costlier range-topping variants. However, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 is durable and built to last, delivering your money’s worth.

At the other end of the market sits the Acer Travelmate P4, which can be had for as little as $400. For that, you do get lesser specs, with older CPUs and no NVMe SSD options, but we still found it to be a very competent performer.

If you desperately want a 17-inch display, then we think the Dell XPS 17 (9730) is the best laptop with a large screen. It’s also replete with Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs, perfect if you’re after serious gaming and content creation pedigree.

LG Gram 17: Specs

LG Gram 17 closed on desk — (Image credit: Future)

LG Gram 17: Design

Close-up of LG Gram 17 trackpad — (Image credit: Future)

Very light for a large laptop
Number pad compromises ergonomics
Keystroke and trackpad issues

As with many Windows laptops in recent years, the LG Gram 17 takes design cues from Apple’s MacBook line. It keeps to a minimal aesthetic, with clean edges and surfaces unsullied by unnecessary bulges or protrusions.

However, almost immediately on opening its lid my confidence in the build quality of the LG Gram 17 was sapped. The hinge is incredibly loose, meaning the display ricochets like a pendulum. It could be argued this is the price you pay for such an effortless mechanism, but I don’t think this bodes well for its longevity.

In fact, the premium feel is lacking from the entire chassis – although, again, this may be the sacrifice for keeping the LG Gram 17's weight down. And for a 17-inch laptop, it's impressively light and thin, which makes traveling with it far less hassle than it otherwise would; it slotted nicely into my backpack for my commute to the office, and I didn’t feel overburdened. There’s no doubt that as large laptops go, the LG Gram 17 is one of the most portable around.

The keys are compact and well made. The trackpad is highly engineered and large, too, with a very smooth surface that creates little friction. This makes for pleasant and precise swipes and gestures.

As fond as I am of number pads, incorporating one in the LG Gram 17 does compromise its ergonomics. It means the character keys are forced over to the left, which I found made the typing position more awkward, with my right hand closer to the left than I’m used to.

It’s welcoming to see a large screen that isn’t compromised by a thick bezel. What's a shame, though, is how much the bezel protrudes on the LG Gram 17, with the display itself set quite far back – another area where you can tell corners have been cut, and where it fails to live up to the sleekness of Apple’s laptops, despite its attempts to emulate their style.

LG Gram 17 keyboard — (Image credit: Future)

The display itself uses IPS technology, which produces a fine enough image. However, it fails to impart a level of sharpness you'd expect from the 2L/ WQXGA resolution. On smaller screens that same resolution looks sharp and sleek, but that fidelity starts to deteriorate once it’s stretched out to 17-inch. However, what can be said in its favor is its anti-glare properties, which do indeed help to retain visibility even in bright sunlight.

As for port selection, the LG Gram 17 has two USB-C and two USB-A ports, the former pair on the left and the latter on the right. There’s also a headphone output, a microSD card slot, and an HDMI port. Oddly, the latter is located before the USB-C ports, meaning that your charging cable will be plugged in closer to the front than you'd expect, which might upset those who are particular about cable management.

The keys are well damped with just enough travel, making for a snappy and satisfying feel. However, all too frequently my keystrokes would fail to register, in particular when hitting the "o" key, for reasons I struggle to fathom. As a conservative estimate, I'd say that more than half the time presses would result in nothing appearing on-screen.

Another typing issue is the aforementioned position of the character keys. As well as making the hand position awkward, it also resulted in my right thumb palm resting on part of the trackpad. Occasionally, this would cause swipes and taps to register.

For any laptop, these two issues pose a major obstacle for getting work done. However, for one such as the LG Gram 17, designed with productivity in mind, it’s close to unforgivable. These may just be personal issues, with others unaffected; but I’ve never had typing issues to this degree on other laptops I’ve tried.

Conversely, I also experienced too many occasions where the trackpad would fail to register taps I performed deliberately. However, in other aspects, the trackpad is great to use. It’s smooth and accurate, while swipes and gestures are easy to perform consistently, thanks to the responsiveness.

LG Gram 17: Performance

The LG Gram 17 is fast when it comes to performing most productivity tasks. Everything from knocking out spreadsheets and word processing to low-key photo editing is within reach. And, when it comes to downtime, video playback is fast and smooth, even with 4K content. The Intel Core Ultra 7 certainly appears to live up to expectations.

LG Gram 17: Benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 16,752; Fire Strike: 6,131; Time Spy: 2,908
Cinebench R23: 1,595 (single-core); 9,746 (multi-core)
GeekBench 6.3: 2,198 (single-core); 11,358 (multi-core)
PCMark 10 (Home test): 6,039
PCMark 10 (Battery test): 5,477
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 12 hours, 12 minutes

For more intensive workloads, the LG Gram 17 is somewhat inconsistent. In our benchmarking tests, it scored well on office-based tasks. It beat the Microsoft Surface 7 in the PCMark Home test, although it did lose to it in GeekBench single- and multi-core tests with considerably lower scores.

For more graphics-heavy workloads, scores weren’t so great either. The LG Gram 17 still beat the Surface 7, but in our Dell XPS 17 (9730) review, this laptop performed far better – not exactly surprising, given the LG Gram 17 I had to test came with an Intel Arc GPU, rather than an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 featured in the XPS 17 (9730) we tested.

Thankfully, the LG Gram 17 keeps the bloatware to a minimum, with only a handful of LG apps preinstalled. Most of these function well for the most part, and refrain from eating into performance or bombarding you with notifications. The LG Recovery and Update can intrude at times with notifications; but, thankfully, most of them are worthy of your attention.

Other LG apps include ThinQ, which, quite frankly, seemed redundant, only letting me contact support; and LG Gram Link, which lets you connect with your mobile device, allowing for file sharing to screen mirroring. Both function well, although the mobile app did have trouble connecting to my network until an update fixed the issue.

LG Gram 17 right side ports — (Image credit: Future)

Mirroring my phone screen on the LG Gram 17 worked well, but keyboard and trackpad inputs were sluggish. You can also duplicate and extend the LG Gram 17 display on your smartphone, and this is more responsive, although I think it would be better to mirror on a tablet than a small smartphone screen. Using the keyboard and trackpad to control my phone was also responsive during my tests, although for some reason I wasn’t able to scroll web pages on the Chrome mobile app.

One of the chief annoyances I had with the LG Gram 17 was the noise. Occasionally – and especially when setting up – there would be a low-end hum, elevating to a higher pitch and louder volume under more intensive workloads. I was almost convinced it was the sound of a hard disk, as it sounded very similar.

After the initial setup, fan noise became less frequent, but would still rear its ugly head from time to time. In addition, the base of the LG Gram 17 would also on occasion become hot, which would be uncomfortable if using the machine on your lap. Sometimes, even the keys themselves became hot to the touch. This was a real cause for concern, and didn’t instill me with much confidence to use the LG Gram 17 for heavy workloads over long stretches.

As far as the speakers go, they perform well enough, offering a balanced sound without distortion. They don’t have much impact, but compared to most other laptops, they acquit themselves admirably.

LG Gram 17: Battery

LG Gram 17 left side ports — (Image credit: Future)

Although LG doesn’t provide a figure for the battery life of the Gram 17, it does claim it to be “ultra-long”. During my tests, I found it could handle more than a whole day’s worth of work.

I tested the battery life by using the 3DMark benchmarking tool, as well as playing a 1080p 30fps video on a loop. From a full charge, the LG Gram 17 lasted an impressive 12 hours and 12 minutes before shutting down.

This means the LG Gram 17 eclipses the Microsoft Surface 7, our current pick as the best laptop overall, which lasted about 10 hours during our tests. It also beats our pick for the best large laptop, the Dell XPS 17 (9730), which managed 9 hours and 5 minutes.

Should you buy the LG Gram 17?

LG Gram 17 Intel Evo sticker — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want something large but light
It’s impressive how the LG Gram 17 manages to fit a big display in such a light package, making it a lot easier to travel with than you might expect.

You’ll be using it for work
The LG Gram 17 handles office-based tasks well, including intensive ones. It’s also very capable of entertaining you with its hi-res content streaming pedigree.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
There’s no getting away from it: the LG Gram 17 is expensive, and there are cheaper alternatives out there that offer the same performance.

LG Gram 17: Also consider

How I tested the LG Gram 17

Tested for one week
Performed various tasks and benchmarking
Plentiful experience with PC laptops

I tested the LG Gram 17 for about a week, trying out its features and functions. I used it for a variety of tasks, from streaming video and editing photos, to general productivity and browsing. I also worked with it on a desktop and my lap on a sofa, and in various lighting conditions, too. I commuted with it to test its portability.

I put the LG Gram 17 through TechRadar’s benchmarking procedure, which involves using multiple tools repeatedly to test laptops and desktops as thoroughly as possible. These emulate various workloads, from productivity and content editing to gaming.

I have plenty of experience with laptops of all varieties, from Windows machines, MacBooks and Chromebooks. I also have experience testing tablets and using desktop PCs for gaming.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: One-minute review

The PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller makes a strong case with a variety of desirable features. Those include Hall effect sticks with novel ‘quick-twist’ tech, six remappable buttons, micro switches in the face buttons and d-pad, and the brand’s patented Lumectra RGB lighting.

It’s a solid effort on paper, but there are a few things that hold the OPS v3 Pro back from becoming one of the best PC controllers out there. The gamepad simply falls short in many of its design aspects. Its remappable buttons on the rear of the controller feel awkwardly placed, and the ones at the top jut out just a little too broadly. Elsewhere, the micro switch face buttons aren’t particularly tactile, and the relatively low trigger lock sensitivity prevents the highest setting from working across most games I tested.

It’s definitely not all bad news, though, and there’s still plenty to like about the OPS v3 Pro. As ever, I’m a huge fan of PowerA’s customizable Lumectra lighting. The quick-twist thumbsticks are intuitive and a genuinely great addition, allowing you to play with taller shafts without the need to swap them out entirely. Furthermore, the clicky d-pad and bumpers are a delight, and that 30-plus hour battery life seriously impresses.

A bit of a mixed bag overall, then, but if you’re looking for a sub-$100 / £100 PC controller, the PowerA OPS v3 Pro still offers plenty of great features to offset those negatives.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Price and availability

$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179
Cheaper than other controllers with comparable feature sets
Available at PowerA in the US and Amazon in the UK

The PowerA OPS v3 Pro launched in August 2024, and is available to purchase for $99.99 / £99.99. In the US, it can be bought directly from PowerA, whereas UK shoppers will need to rely on Amazon to secure the gamepad. In Australia, JB Hi-Fi is your best bet.

In terms of price, the OPS v3 Pro is significantly cheaper than other controllers with comparable feature sets. Those include the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro ($199.99 / £199.99) and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 ($179.99 / £159.99).

The relatively lower price point of PowerA’s controller naturally comes with some caveats, such as lesser build quality overall and a lack of polish on features like the trigger locks and textured grips. However, those looking for a competent ‘Pro’ level controller with a robust feature set will find one here.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Specs

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Design and features

Innovative quick-twist thumbsticks
Textured grips feel quite rough
Lumectra RGB is still very impressive

There’s plenty to like about the PowerA OPS v3 Pro’s design. One of the controller’s headline features is its ‘quick-twist’ thumbsticks. This lets the player raise or lower the height of the stick’s shaft without needing to swap it out entirely. It’s a really handy solution that makes the controller a great option for folks who value no-fuss customization.

As was the case with the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch, the v3 Pro also features the brand’s bespoke Lumectra RGB lighting. Lumectra lets players do a few fancy things with their RGB preferences. By holding the dedicated ‘LED’ button on the rear of the gamepad, you can cycle through six different RGB zones - the d-pad, face buttons, left and right sides of the controller, and both thumbsticks) and apply different colors and patterns to each. You can be quite reserved with Lumectra, or go buck wild with various RGB flavors should you choose, and I’ve always been a fan of it because of this. Above all, it’s fun to mess around with.

In terms of features, you’re getting the usual ‘Pro’ controller setup. Micro switch face buttons and d-pad, Hall effect thumbsticks, six remappable buttons, three-stage trigger locks and textured grips. The rear of the gamepad has buttons dedicated to Lumectra customization and remappable button input assignment, as well as a three-way switch that lets you swap between 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and USB-C connectivity. A 3.5mm headphone port rounds off the feature set in terms of design. It is worth noting here that the OPS v3 Pro is strictly a PC controller and won’t work on consoles. For platform-specific pads, consider browsing our guides to the best PS5 controllers or the best Xbox controllers instead.

While there is plenty to like here, the PowerA OPS v3 Pro is hampered by a few key design weaknesses. For one, the textured grips - while usually welcome on a controller like this - feel very rough to the touch. This, along with the awkward placement of those rear remappable buttons (they’re slightly misaligned with where your fingertips naturally rest) lead to a slightly uncomfortable play experience. While it doesn’t render the v3 Pro unusable, you may want to consider a more standard Xbox Wireless Controller or even a GameSir T4 Kaleid for longer gaming sessions from a comfort perspective.

While hit and miss on design aspects, then, one thing that does boost the v3 Pro’s value is the inclusion of a charging stand. Much like the 8BitDo Ultimate, the v3 Pro’s stand is incredibly convenient; simply hook it up to your PC via USB-C, magnetically attach the gamepad to the top and you’re good to go. Charge time is a little slow at 3-4 hours from empty to full, so we’d recommend an overnight charge to avoid waiting.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Performance

Sublime d-pad and bumpers
Top notch 30-hour battery life
Micro switch face buttons miss the mark

Much like the PowerA OPS v3 Pro’s overall design, performance has a number of hits and misses, too. The controller cannot be faulted on battery life; during my two weeks testing the controller - which included around two to three hours of gaming across most days - I never once needed to charge it. PowerA touts battery life of around 30 hours, and this appears to be accurate in my experience.

In terms of individual buttons and such, the d-pad and bumpers, powered by micro switches, are sublime. They have the perfect amount of clicky tactility and are simply a joy to use, especially with competitive games that often require rapid inputs. Games I tested that fit this criterion include Guilty Gear Strive, Final Fantasy 14 Online, and Fortnite. I found the controller to be a good fit for all three. Plus, with a 1,000Hz polling rate when wired to PC (and 500Hz via 2.4Ghz wireless), it’s fantastically responsive on its target platform.

Other areas of the gamepad are a bit of a letdown when it comes to overall performance. For one, while there are three stages of trigger lock, the lowest sensitivity setting (with the shortest trigger press) failed to work across all games tested. The trigger press simply didn’t register at this setting. And for the other two, there really isn’t much difference.

As a result, I think you’d be better off leaving the trigger lock settings entirely default. This is a shame, as the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro’s trigger lock settings are similar - with three distinct settings - and work beautifully on PC and console. It’s things like this that firmly cement the OPS v3 Pro as the more budget option with decidedly less polish.

Another problem area lies with the micro switch face buttons. While perfectly responsive, there’s a slight bump on the way down as you press the button. While certainly not a huge issue, it does take away much of the tactility and thus the novelty of having micro switch-based buttons.

Should I buy the PowerA OPS v3 Pro?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for a good value PC controller
Controllers with this kind of feature set tend to push well above $100 / £100. The OPS v3 Pro comes in at just under that, making it relatively more affordable than its ‘Pro’ level competition.

You’re after a versatile and customizable PC controller
Fully customizable Lumectra RGB, delightful quick-twist thumbsticks and half a dozen remappable buttons make for a highly versatile controller.

Don't buy it if...

A top-quality level of design is a must-have in your controllers
Between awkwardly placed remappable buttons, rough textured grips and face buttons that feel slightly off, there are a lot of smaller frustrations with the OPS v3 Pro that build up to an experience that’s not as satisfying as it could be.

Also consider...

If the PowerA OPS v3 Pro isn’t quite doing it for you, we’ve got a couple of other options that we’ve tested and reviewed for your consideration below.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
This is the absolute best premium PC and Xbox controller you can buy right now. It’s much pricier, but it makes up for all the OPS v3 Pro’s shortcomings with more satisfying tactile feedback, better build quality and compatibility with Xbox.

For more information, read our full Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review.

GameSir T4 Kaleid
It’s a cheaper option and doesn’t have nearly the same number of features as the OPS v3 Pro. However, this is my favorite budget-friendly PC controller, with sublime-feeling Hall effect thumbsticks, tactile micro switch buttons and a gorgeous translucent build complete with RGB lighting.

For more information read our full GameSir T4 Kaleid controller review.

How I tested the PowerA OPS v3 Pro

I tested the PowerA OPS v3 Pro across a wide variety of games on PC, including some of the best fighting games like Guilty Gear Strive, Tekken 8 and the newly-released Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. Here, I found the superbly responsive d-pad and bumpers to be a perfect fit for this genre. Elsewhere, I made sure to test a wide range of titles, including Fortnite, Fall Guys, Final Fantasy 14 Online and Elden Ring.

One aspect that surprised me most about the OPS v3 Pro was its ultra-resilient battery life. During my two weeks with the gamepad, from full charge, I never once had the top up, which leads me to believe that PowerA’s estimates of 30 hours is absolutely doable here.

During my testing of the PowerA OPS v3 Pro, I integrated it into my overall gaming PC setup which includes the Razer Fujin Pro gaming chair, an AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor and Razer BlackShark V2 X wired headset.

Origin EON17-X v2: Two-minute review

Origin EON17-X v2 gaming laptop resting on desk — (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Gaming laptops typically come in two different flavors: the lighter variant that requires some performance compromises, and the desktop variant that is about as mobile as a large turtle. The Origin EON17-X v2 is the latter.

For many, these desktop replacements are the best gaming laptops for them. While heavy, they’re still much easier to fold up and transport than an actual desktop. You just wouldn’t want to carry it around on your back all day. Yet, they still have the bona fide internals to allow playing AAA games on higher settings with ray tracing and all that jazz. Unfortunately, it shares some of the drawbacks of these types of computers with its loud fans and issues with thermal efficiency, not to mention it blows hot air out its sides around where one would most likely have their hand when using an external mouse.

On the bright side, it comes with a large, sharp, and vibrant screen like the best 17-inch laptops. And like some of those bigger models, the Origin EON17-X v2 gets up there in price. Depending on what you’re looking for – especially if you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop with an HD UV printed lid – the Origin EON17-X v2 might be the gaming laptop for you.

Origin EON17-X v2: Price and availability

Origin EON17-X v2 gaming laptop with its lid closed — (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

How much does it cost? Starting at $3,400.00 (about £2,610.00 / AU$5,120.00)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US

Though the basic configuration listed on the Origin site for the EON17-X v2 is discounted down to $2,480 at the time of writing, it generally starts at $3,400.00 (about £2,610.00 / AU$5,120.00). Even if that’s one of those deals where it’s constantly discounted so most are never paying that price, this is still an expensive computer. That said, $2,400 is a much more accessible price and an easier one to swallow.

Even that basic configuration is plenty powerful as well. It comes with an Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 1440p screen with a 240Hz refresh rate.

If you want to max out the configuration, which has that same i9 CPU, an RTX 4090 GPU, 64GB RAM, 8TB SSD with an additional 8TB SSD and a 4K screen with a 144Hz refresh rate along with one of the preconfigured UV printed lids, the price is going to be $5,681 (about £4,360 / AU$8,550). Now, those massive SSDs both add on a lot price-wise, specifically $824 for the main 8GB SSD and an additional $930 for the additional 8TB SSD.

The review configuration here is a happy medium as it keeps the Intel Core i9, RTX 4090, and 4K screen, and pairs that all with a more modest but still very robust 32GB RAM as well as a 2TB SSD and an additional 2TB SSD. That will set you back $3,913 (about £3,000 / AU$5,890) give or take (there are multiple options for the same configuration of hard drives at slightly different price points). Of course, it’s discounted at the time of writing to $3,098.

Origin is not the only game in town for these sorts of desktop replacement laptops that are more than likely to be very powerful, very loud, and very stationary. The MSI Titan 18 HX is another such computer. It starts at an even pricier $4,999.99 / £4,379.98 / AU$6,999 and comes with an Intel Core i9, RTX 4080, 64GB RAM, and 2TB SSD, along with an 18-inch screen with a 2400p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The one thing it does have over the Origin is that that screen has HDR1000 on hand. Still, it starts at an even higher price point for a similar package.

If you’re willing to compromise, particularly on screen resolution, the Acer Predator Helios 18 starts at a much more palatable $1,699.99 (about £1,339 / AU$2,576). Of course, the specs are more modest as you get an Intel Core i7, 4060 GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and an 18-inch 1200p screen with a 165Hz refresh rate.

Value: 4 / 5

Origin EON17-X v2: Specs

All models come with an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU, but you do have a few ways to customize (and a whole bunch when it comes to the SSDs). The GPU and screen are tied together, so if you get the cheaper Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, the PC will come with the 17.3-inch 1440p screen with the faster 240Hz refresh rate. If you get the 4090 GPU, it will come with a 17.3-inch 4K screen with a still blazing fast 144Hz refresh rate.

As far as RAM goes, you can select from 16, 32, or 64GB. When it comes to SSDs, the options are too numerous to mention here. I’ll only say that you have options ranging from 1 to 8TB for both the main and the additional hard drive. For some sizes, there are multiple options.

Besides the two different screens, there’s one other way to customize the Origin EON17-X v2 externally, and that’s with the HD UV printed lid. For a small upcharge, you can choose from 19 different prints. Or, for a bigger upcharge, you can upload your own design to be printed on the lid.

Origin EON17-X v2: Design

Origin EON17-X v2 gaming laptop in use on a desk — (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Massive in every way, including weight
Port selection is great
HD UV printed lid is unique

The Origin EON17-X v2 is massive. Yes, that’s to be expected of any computer with a 17-inch display not named LG Gram, but this PC is 16 pounds (despite the fact that a lot of the verbiage online says 7.25 pounds). It’s clearly not meant to be routinely lugged around. It just happens to be more portable than an actual desktop setup. That said – as I’ll get into below – the battery life is good enough that, if you’re actually comfortable carrying around an extra 16 pounds, you can use this on the go.

The upside of the EON17-X v2 being so big is that it comes with a large 17.3-inch display with either a super sharp resolution (4K at 144Hz) or blazing fast refresh rate (1440p at 240Hz). The only thing really missing with the display is any kind of HDR.

Origin EON17-X v2 gaming laptop's RGB keyboard — (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

It also has a full-sized keyboard layout thanks to its larger size, which can be customized with Macros and per-key RGB lighting. The touchpad is likewise sizable. Both work well, though the keyboard has enough stiffness that I prefer typing on my MacBook or using an external keyboard.

The touchpad, however, is very responsive and accurate. Almost enough to use during gaming, though it’s held back by the fact that if you’re pressing down to simulate a right click, you won’t be able to left click. This is a combination of actions needed in games where you would aim before shooting. Otherwise, I was very impressed by the touchpad.

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Origin EON17-X v2 gaming laptop back port selection — Backside port selection on the Origin EON17-X v2 (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

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Origin EON17-X v2 gaming laptop's left side port selection — EON17-X v2 left side ports (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

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Origin EON17-X v2 right side ports (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The port selection on here is pretty great. Though I don’t like having ports on the back, there are so many that it makes sense. Anything outside of a SD card reader is here. It even has an optical style audio jack to go along with a regular 3.5mm one. And, of course, two thunderbolt 4 ports are on hand as well.

Taking a step back and looking at the whole package, the Origin EON17-X v2 is mostly matte black with an aluminum chassis, and, when open, only really looks like a gaming laptop thanks to its size and the RGB lighting on the keyboard. However, the lid with its HD UV printed design is going to give it away. Regardless of the design, it’s not a look I would personally go for (you can choose a standard black lid), but it’s certainly unique and something that someone would appreciate.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Origin EON17-X v2: Performance

Origin EON17-X v2 Control Center software — (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Powerful performance
Loud fan
Gets hot under stress

It’s no surprise that Origin bills the EON17-X v2 as “[its] most powerful laptop ever designed.” Its specs are impressive. It has a top-of-the-line CPU in its Intel Core i9 as well as the most powerful consumer-grade GPU with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 (even if you get the 4080, it’s incredibly powerful).

It’s a testament to how ambitious Origin got that you can still run games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Hellblade 2:Senua’s Saga and really push the laptop, ending up with 20-30 fps. But, that’s with maxed settings and ray tracing on full blast. Singling out Cyberpunk 2077 for a second, I get 20 fps with everything maxed out at 4K including ray tracing. With ray tracing off, it’s 29 fps. At 1080p with ray tracing off but all the other settings still maxed out, I get 89 fps.

That’s actually pretty impressive. And, with a lot of AAA games, you can get up to 150 - 160 fps in 1080p but still with the settings all the way up.

Also remember that the Origin EON17-X v2 is powering a 4K display (or 1440p one if you go the cheaper-ish route) with a high refresh rate even if you’re not fully utilizing it. And it’s a wonderful display. Its Delta E > 0.25 is incredibly accurate and the color coverage is very wide, specifically insofar that it has an sRGB of 153.5% and DCI-P3 of 108.7%. With those numbers and the powerful internals, I could imagine doing quite a bit of video editing on this machine.

Origin EON17-X v2: Benchmarks

3DMark: Fire Strike: 31284; Time Spy: 17838; Port Royal: 11950

GeekBench 6.3 2979 (single-core); 17014 (multi-core)

25GB File Copy: 11.43

Handbrake 1.8.1: 3:52

CrossMark: Overall: 2217 Productivity: 2085 Creativity: 2407 Responsiveness: 2084

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: (1080p) 131 fps, (4K) 75 fps

Dirt 5: (1080p) 167.5 fps, (4K) 87.83 fps

Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 7:17:36

Where the Origin EON17-X v2 is not quite amazing is in the fact that its fans are very loud, though you can adjust that in Origin’s Control Center app. I literally could barely hear the maxed out audio of games over it. Strangely, the laptop still got very hot under duress, measuring 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) right above the F10 / webcam key in the middle of the keyboard.

More distressingly is the fact that while there’s venting on the back and the sides of the computer, a lot of the hot air is getting blown out the sides. Unless you’re using an external keyboard, you probably will have your mouse and therefore your hand right next to one of the side vents.

On the bright side, if you choose to use the speakers instead of external headphones, the audio sounds decent. Not a lot of low-end, but it’s full enough. More importantly for a gaming computer, it actually has a decent soundstage so you can hear what’s supposed to be on the left or the right.

Performance: 4 / 5

Origin EON17-X v2: Battery life

Solid battery life for a gaming laptop
No fast charging

I always say this when I review gaming laptops, but it’s worth repeating. They’re notorious for having, at best, mediocre battery life. So, to test a 17-inch model with very robust specs and have it last a little more than seven and a quarter hours in our web surfing battery informant test is very impressive. Typically, I expect to see two to three hours of battery life in these kinds of machines.

Also worth noting is that the Origin EON17-X v2 does not have fast charging on hand. However, that’s more the purview of Ultrabooks. On the bright side, you do have some customization over how the laptop charges in the Control Center app so you can set it to charge when it’s under 70% and stop at 80. You can also select your own personal parameters. That’s a nice feature if you care about the longevity of the physical battery.

Battery life: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Origin EON17-X v2?

Buy it if…

You want an incredibly powerful gaming laptop

The only way to get something more powerful is to go the actual desktop route. Otherwise, the Origin EON17-X v2 is about as performance-heavy as you’ll find in laptop form.

You want to customize your PC

With the ability to choose from an assortment of HD UV printed lids or upload your own design, this laptop can be customized beyond the competition. And, that’s before considering the different options available with the different internal components.

You want good battery life in a large gaming laptop

If you want good battery life in a 17-inch gaming laptop, this machine has the goods. It might not compare to an Ultrabook or even smaller gaming laptops like an Asus ROG Zephyrus, but you’ll be hard pressed to get seven hours out of most mid- to large-sized gaming portables.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget of any kind

Unless you can spend $2,500 on a laptop (and that’s when it’s on sale), you’re better off finding some other pre-built laptop with slightly less robust internal components.

You care about a laptop getting too hot

The heat this thing produces is a pain to deal with, especially when it’s blowing right on your mouse hand. If this is a dealbreaker, there are gaming laptops that handle thermals a little better or at least don’t blow the hot air out the side vents.

Also Consider

If our Origin EON17-X v2 review has you looking for other options, here are two laptops to consider...

MSI Titan 18 HX

The MSI Titan 18 HX does a lot of what the Origin EON17-X v2 does and adds in HDR1000. It’s powerful with a great display and plenty of ports. It’s, however, even more expensive and you can’t add your own design on the lid.

Read our full MSI Titan 18 HX review

Acer Predator Helios 18

The Acer Predator Helios 18 proves that, if you’re willing to compromise on some settings, you can get some great gaming done for a much cheaper price. It’s much cheaper while still offering up a very large display. While that display as at a lower resolution, it’s still blazing fast.

Read our full Acer Predator Helios 18 review

How I tested the Origin EON17-X v2

Tested for two weeks
Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
Pushed it as hard as possible with demanding games

I used the Origin EON17-X v2 for two weeks, gaming on it primarily, but also typing up most of this review and watching / listening to streaming. I pushed it as hard as possible, running AAA games at various settings including at their max to see how it would respond.

The Origin EON17-X v2 is an interesting machine as it’s for a very select group of people who want as much performance as possible, but still want a single laptop instead of all the individual parts of a desktop setup.

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.

First reviewed September 2024

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: a huge sonic upgrade from OnePlus’ not-to-pricey buds

1:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: ANC, PC | Comments: Off

OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Two-minute review

Earlier this year, the OnePlus Buds 3 made their debut with an updated design language and a more balanced sound than anything we'd heard from the company to date. Now, with the arrival of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, that same approach has been kicked into overdrive; resulting in OnePlus' best noise-cancelling earbuds yet, and by quite a stretch.

Although on paper, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 sport a similar spec sheet to their predecessors, the company has enhanced things at a component level; meaning the familiar dual driver design is now also backed by dual DACs in each earbud, plus a few other hardware tweaks. Pair that with revised tuning from Dynaudio and, while the Buds Pro 3 retain their forebears penchant for bass, there's far more dynamism in that lower frequency range, joined by more balanced mids and crisp highs; right through the volume range.

The Pro 3 are also brimming with features and most of them aren't solely tied to OnePlus devices anymore. You now get decent spatial audio support (with head tracking) that works on a far greater range of Android devices than before (as well as non-Android iPhones). Seamless dual device switching, a low latency game mode and five excellent EQ presets, along with a frankly outlandish bass boost feature and the ability to tune your own profiles too.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case closed OnePlus Pad 2 OnePlus Nord 4 — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Any downsides? One. As much as the sonic profile has come on – enough to make these true rivals for notable buds from audio-first brands such as Bose and Technics – and despite packing what OnePlus bills as its best noise cancelling yet, ANC (active noise cancellation) is good but not class-leading. Microphone performance is fine too, with acceptable background noise suppression, but the transparency mode does little to differentiate itself from being switched off entirely.

You'll also have to reconcile yourself to the absence of features from similarly-priced rivals, namely conversation-awareness and voice command support. Are these deal-breakers? (I'd suggest they're not, but it's worth noting that they're not here.)

Speaking of deals, despite all the advantages and upgrades over its last few buds, OnePlus hasn't upped the price of the Buds Pro 3 in most markets, including the US, where they cost $179 (with an early bird reduction at the time of writing, to $149). UK buyers will have to swallow a £20 price bump versus the Buds Pro 2, but they too can be had with an early bird offer that knocks them back down to £179. Not bad, eh?

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Price and release date

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review settings — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Launched on August 20, 2024
Priced at $179.99 / £199 / Australian pricing TBC
Early bird pricing includes a $20 / £20 discount

The standard OnePlus Buds 3 arrived on the market in February 2024 and six months later (in which time they leaked extensively), the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 launched, on August 20, 2024.

In most markets, OnePlus has set the Buds Pro 3 at the same asking price as the previous OnePlus Buds Pro 2: $179.99 in the US, €179 in Europe and ₹13,999 in India. The exception to that is the UK, where the Buds Pro 3 see a £20 increase to £199, which reframes their standing in the market as a slightly more premium offering, comparatively.

The silver lining is that, at the time of writing, OnePlus is still offering the Buds Pro 3 up with an early bird discount; a $20 reduction to $149.99 Stateside; making them something of a steal, considering the sound quality on offer. That same reduction also carries over to the UK too, so the price drops back down to its predecessor's RRP of £179, for the time being.

Australian pricing and availability hasn't yet been revealed, but as the Buds Pro 3 are already listed on OnePlus' regional website, the implication is that they'll be on sale sometime soon.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Specs

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Features

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review EQ — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Check out 'neck vertebrae health' tool
Broader compatibility than predecessor
No voice command or conversation awareness

Pairing the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is as easy as opening up the case near a Google Fast Pair-compatible Android phone. So long as Bluetooth is turned on, all you have to do is choose to connect via the card that pops up on-screen, and that's it. iPhones unsurprisingly don't feature Google Fast Pair but connection is still painless, with a long-press on the pairing button on the side of the case, after which you just have to select the buds from the Bluetooth menu, like usual.

If you're rocking any of the best OnePlus phones, unlocking the full feature set of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is as easy as pairing; with access to everything direct from the Bluetooth devices menu. For any other Android phone or iPhone, control falls to the HeyMelody app (which serves up an identical UI).

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review ANC — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

From top to bottom, you're presented with a battery readout, Noise Control (which lets you toggle on ANC, Transparency or turn off both). There's then a noise cancellation sub-menu, where you can select the degree of background noise suppression; that includes three levels, as well as a dynamic 'auto' mode.

The Sound Master EQ sub-menu plays home to the hard work the Danish engineers at Dynaudio contributed to the Buds Pro 3, with five presets (Balanced, Bold, Serenade, Bass and Dynaudio featured), along with an additional BassWave toggle that can be paired with any of the EQ profiles and itself includes a -/+ 5 slider. Rounding out this menu is where you can build your own custom EQ profiles, split into six frequency sliders.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review EQ presets — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Hi-Res mode is next, with the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 opting for LHDC 5.0 as its codec of choice here (alongside SBC and AAC). As for devices that support it, in the smartphone space recent OnePlus, Oppo & Realme phones, as well as the top entries amongst the best Xiaomi phones, and Nothing Phone 1 and 2, are all confirmed to support LHDC 5.0, but there are other offerings from brands like Motorola that play nice with older iterations of the codec too.

I preferred the default 'Balanced' EQ profile, with BassWave disabled for general listening, but collectively augmented that configuration with the Golden Sound feature. It takes you through a frequency test for each bud, before building an audio profile unique to your ears; a feature I'd highly recommend you spend the time to set up to get the most out of the listening experience here.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review spatial audio — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Next-up is spatial audio, which was available on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 but only worked with flagship OnePlus phones at launch. Now, support is hugely expanded, available across popular music and streaming apps on all sorts of Android phones, and even iPhones (although iOS isn't using Google's Spatial Audio profile). Optional head tracking is on the table too, which works well in practice.

There are three Buds Pro 3 features exclusively available to OnePlus smartphone/tablet users, but in the grand scheme of things, don't feel like damaging omissions if you're on another platform.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review neck mobility — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

The most interesting is the 'neck vertebrae health' tool, which can use the sensors in the buds to assess your neck mobility and even notify you of bad neck posture while you're wearing them. Zen Mode Air serves up relaxing white noise sounds (like 'Summer Waves' or 'Forest Rain' in wonderful high fidelity. Lastly, the Buds Pro 3 supports camera control on OnePlus devices, letting you snap a picture with their on-stem controls, or supply your videos with the microphone feed from the buds, if desired.

Game Mode reduces latency between the buds and your device, turning on automatically on OnePlus devices when they detect you're running a game, while it appears as a toggle in the HeyMelody app for other Android and iOS users.

Multipoint connectivity (branded 'Dual connection' here) is a great inclusion on the Buds Pro 3 that, once setup, lets you seamlessly pause audio on one device and move to another without needing to re-pair to keep listening. This works without issue in practice, tested across OnePlus, Android and iOS devices.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review Zen Mode Air — The soundscapes available in Zen Mode Air (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

The last two features at the OnePlus Buds Pro 3's disposal are a fit test – to ensure you have a good seal when wearing them, and a Find My option, which emits a loud tone from the buds when activated, and on Android devices also plugs into Google's Find My Device system; noting the last location they were used.

In short, an absolute mountain of functionality that makes the Buds Pro 3 incredibly versatile for a variety of listening conditions. All that's missing is conversation-aware ANC (which quietens or pauses music when the buds detect someone speaking to you or vice versa) and voice commands; for hands-free playback control or interaction with your device's smart assistant.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Design

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case open plus buds near — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Stemmed buds w/ chromed outer face
New top-loading case is better, but wireless charging is backwards
IP55 rated buds, IPX4 case

OnePlus' Buds Pro line has always sported a stem-style design, originally accented with a chrome-dipped tip aesthetic, while the driver housing has typically been finished in lightly textured plastic. With the Buds Pro 3, however, that chrome finish has crept up to cover the stem and housing completely, which I think is a shame.

While eye-catching, the 'dipped' look of previous entries made for a more distinctive appearance, even at a distance. Many levied criticism at Samsung for the design similarities of its new angular stemmed Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, but the more rounded stems and, now consistent, surface finish of OnePlus' latest buds renders them far more like chrome-clad AirPods Pro 2 doppelgangers, in my opinion.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review bud in hand — Look closely and you can see the touch sensitive area on the inside of the stem (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

That said, while the finish more readily holds onto fingerprints than previous iterations, ergonomically, it sits far more comfortably in the ear than any true wireless buds I've worn of late, and that's with the pre-fitted medium silicone ear tips. OnePlus also includes extra small, small and large-size oval-shaped alternatives in the box (along with a charging cable).

Despite the fact that they've gained a little weight, I found the Buds Pro 3 to be more comfortable and secure when worn (over the older Buds Pro 2), even when working out or for extended periods. In-ear detection proved reliable too, pausing and resuming music when you remove or insert either bud, and it works on iOS as well as Android.

The Buds Pro 3 boasts a completely redesigned case that has caused some discord among fans on platforms like Reddit. In place of the squared makeup compact-style case of previous generations – which opened to reveal the buds in their entirety – the Pro 3's buds reside within a new top-loading oval enclosure, that features smooth edges, contrasted against a leather-like textured surface finish.

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OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case closed near — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case open handheld — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

I think the new case makes the Pro 3 more pocketable and more likely to retain the buds inside, should you drop it, but some people don't seem to appreciate the change. The USB-C port on the case's underside allows for a quick 10-minute charge to deliver 13 hours of playback (for comparison AirPods Pro 2 deliver just 1 hour of playback from a 5-minute recharge), while a full 100% refill takes approximately 70 minutes.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 also, conveniently, include wireless charging too (a full recharge this way takes about 2.5 hours), but for some unknown reason, unlike every other pair of wireless charging-capable buds out there, OnePlus' new case design demands that you place it face down, instead of face up when recharging without cables. It's an unintuitive design move that just takes some getting used to. At least with up to 43 hours of use per charge, you won't have to worry about fiddling with the case on a wireless charger all too often.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review earbud controls — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Along with the existing repertoire of stem-based press or press-and-hold controls that previous Buds Pro have sported, the Buds Pro 3 carry across the new swipe gesture added to the OnePlus Buds 3; letting you adjust volume (or switch track) on-ear, by swiping up or down on the front of the stem. Even now, I still sometimes struggle to find the touch-sensitive area consistently, but controls otherwise work reliably.

For added peace of mind, the case is IPX4-rated, while the buds themselves are IP55-rated against dust and water ingress; collectively meaning you should have no issues wearing these when working up a sweat or getting caught in the rain.

Design score: 4 / 5

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Sound quality

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review in ear side — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Excellent, well-balanced sound profile
Huge upgrade on predecessor that's comparable to pricier rivals
Still behind the curve on mic voice isolation and ANC

Perhaps the most divisive aspect of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is the audio performance. In a nutshell, this product outputs exceptional sound, with a great default profile, outlandishly lavish bass (without making things muddy), and significantly-improved response in the mids and highs (compared to the Buds Pro 2), that punches above its weight.

The flip side is that, despite the promise of strides made in ANC, microphone performance and transparency mode, the improvements feel significantly more pedestrian.

If you didn't tell me the buds' noise cancellation was dynamic, I wouldn't readily know. ANC performance is good at slightly softening mids, while also trimming low drones and high hisses, but speech and the like still slip through, as do sudden changes in volume in your surroundings. Of course, that's to be expected to a degree, but still, the performance here when massaging away constant, low-level sounds was fine rather than fantastic.

On calls and when recording your voice, the Buds Pro 3 boast a three-microphone setup, supported by a VPU (voice pick up bone) sensor, however, the results are again just 'fine'. They're more full-bodied than the mics on some other buds around this price point, but plosives in speech tend to get lost when the Buds Pro 3 are trying to iron out background noise at the same time.

While I already touched on a lack of awareness to Transparency mode, any benefit over just disabling it altogether went as far as adding more high frequency sounds back into the buds' passive isolation.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review Dynaudio logo

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Microphone-bashing out of the way, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3's excellent sound improvements likely come as a result of the move to dual DACs per driver, per bud; one for the 11mm woofer and one for the 6mm tweeter. Dual DACs, two magnets and a fancy new ceramic-metal composite diaphragm on the woofer, alongside a "small but mighty" 35-micrometer flat voice coil for the high frequencies (likely the biggest contributor the this generation's more balanced sound profile) collectively elevate the standard of OnePlus' audio quality to new heights.

The result is a cleaner, more dynamic sound, with great separation, less crowding in the lower frequencies and more definition in the mids and highs.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Value

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case closed OnePlus Pad 2 — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Superb sound for the price
You'll need to pay more for buds with superior ANC
Discounts bring strong rivals down to a similar price point

If you spend the majority of your time listening on your headphones, rather than talking, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 impress with just how much they improve over the Buds Pro 2, while also serving up excellent sound outright, that belies their $179 / £199 asking price.

With the transitional pricing space they reside in, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 serve as worthwhile alternatives to the likes of more established premium entries, like the Sony WF-1000XM5 (originally $300 / £260 but available today in the UK, at least, for as low as £190) or Technics EAH-AZ80 (available today for around $300 / £240), as well as more budget focused options, like the Bose-certified Moto Buds Plus (approximately $150 / £130).

Headphones today aren't just about listening, however, and so even with their comparatively paltry battery life, if microphone quality, ANC and Transparency mode are major factors for you, you'll likely want to cough up a little extra and go for a known quantity, like Apple's AirPods Pro 2 ($250 / £230) or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 (about $180 / £250 today).

Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Also consider

How I tested the OnePlus Buds Pro 3

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review in pocket — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Review test period: 1.5 weeks
Testing included streaming from different audio sources, including spatial audio supported videos
Switched between OnePlus, (other) Android, iPhone and PC devices

I used the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 every day for the duration of the review period, giving them an initial 10-hour burn-in before assessing sound characteristics.

I paired the Buds Pro 3 with all manner of devices, from Android phones made by OnePlus and other manufacturers, as well as iPhones and a Windows laptop. This was partially to test the likes of multipoint, as well as checking which feature, if any, were exclusive to certain device types or operating systems.

I used every feature that the Pro 3's software experience had to offer and tried the buds themselves in all manner of environments, with varying degrees of ambient noise to test features like ANC and microphone quality against.

As a reviewer with 13 years experience, and having reviewed numerous audio products – from Bluetooth speakers to a myriad of true wireless buds at a full range of price points – I felt confident assessing and scoring the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 in the context of the wider TWS earphones market in which it competes.

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: One-minute review

Netgear’s range of Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems are always well-designed and offer high-end performance for business and home users who need a fast, reliable Wi-Fi connection.

They do tend to be pretty expensive, though, as we saw with the recently launched Nighthawk RS700, which weighed in at a hefty £800/$700/AU$1499. That’s a lot of money for a single, standalone router – especially for home users who probably don’t need the blazing 19Gbps Wi-Fi speed offered by the RS700.

The new Nighthawk RS300 is therefore designed to provide a high-speed Wi-Fi 7 upgrade with a more affordable price tag. As you might expect, the RS300 is slower, offering a top-speed of 9.3Gbps, but that’s still more than fast enough to handle gaming, streaming 4K video, and other demanding online tasks, and it costs just under half the price of the RS700.

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Price and availability

Netgear Nighthawk RS300 router sitting on a table — (Image credit: Future)

How much does it cost? $329.99/£299.99/AU$1497
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Routers and mesh systems that support Wi-Fi 7 are still quite expensive, and Netgear in particular rarely troubles itself with the more affordable end of the market. That’s why we were pleased to see that the Nighthawk RS300 costs a relatively modest $330 in the US, £300 in the UK, and AU$1497 in Australia, which actually makes it the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 router that we’ve seen so far.

There are, of course, faster Wi-Fi 7 routers, such as Netgear’s own RS700 or the gaming-oriented Rapture GT-BE98 from Asus, but the 9.3Gbps performance of the RS300 is still far faster than most home broadband services. In the US, Netgear states that the RS300 can connect to 100 devices simultaneously, and cover an area of up to 2,500 sq.ft. However, differences in national regulations mean that this area is quoted as 2,000 sq. ft in the UK and some other regions.

The sting in the tail, as always with Netgear, is its persistent attempts to sell additional subscriptions, such as its Armor security services and Smart Parental Controls - especially when there are rival routers that provide solid parental controls at no extra cost.

Value: 4 / 5

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Specs

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Design

Tower design provides 360-degree Wi-Fi
4x Ethernet ports for wired connections
USB for network storage

Unsurprisingly, the design of the RS300 is similar to that of the high-end RS700, with both models adopting a tall, obelisk shape and finished in matte-black. This is in contrast to the more low-profile, winged ‘shuttle-craft’ design that Netgear used for several years on earlier Nighthawk models. Netgear states that this taller design helps the router’s four internal antennae broadcast an “omni-directional” Wi-Fi signal that broadcasts through a full 360-degrees, and reaches right across your home or office.

However, the lower price of the RS300 means that its plastic casing doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as its high-end counterpart, and I’d probably opt to keep it on a lower shelf or on a table where it’s not likely to get knocked over.

Netgear Nighthawk RS300 backside ports — (Image credit: Future)

But, despite the lower price, the RS300 still provides a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port that can handle high-speed fibre Internet connections (WAN). There are two more 2.5 Gigabit ports to provide high-speed wired (LAN) connections for devices, such as a laptop or games console, that need the best performance for gaming or streaming 4K video.

For more routine tasks, such as web browsing and email, the router also provides two conventional Gigabit Ethernet ports as well. And, unlike some less expensive routers, the RS300 also includes a USB port that will allow you to connect a USB storage device and share files with other people on your network. I also like the LED status lights on the front panel for all of these ports. These let you see that everything is working properly at a glance without having to check the Netgear app.

Design: 4 / 5

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Features

App is easy to use
Simple network set-up
Limited parental controls

The RS300 supports tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of 9.3Gbps. That’s actually a pretty modest speed for Wi-Fi 7, but it should be more than adequate for most home users and even quite a few small businesses too.

It doesn’t take long to get up and running; the Nighthawk app allows you to simply scan a QR code to connect to the RS300. You do need to create a name and password in order to use the app itself, but you can then accept the default settings for the new network and connect straight away, or change those settings for extra security. That keeps things simple for home users who may not have much experience with networking and routers, but the Nighthawk app isn’t exactly overflowing with additional features.

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Netgear app homepage — (Image credit: Future)

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Netgear app subscription page — (Image credit: Future)

It creates a single network that merges the three frequency bands – 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz – and automatically connects your devices to the fastest band that is available in that particular room or location. Some advanced users might prefer more detailed controls within the app, such as the ability to create separate networks using each frequency band (which is available with the high-end RS700).

There are also very few parental controls included in the app. You do have the ability to create profiles for your children, and use these to pause Internet access at bed-time or dinner-time. However, additional features, such as content filters that can block unsuitable websites and online content, require a subscription to Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls service.

The Nighthawk app does offer a 30-day free trial for this service, and also for Netgear’s Armory security service, but you then have to pay $7.99/month or $69.99/year for the Smart Parental Controls, and $99.99/year for Armor. There are routers from other manufacturers that provide better parental controls free of charge, so that’s an important factor for parents of young children to bear in mind.

Features: 3.5 / 5

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Performance

Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
2.5Gb Ethernet for broadband connection (WAN)
2.5Gb Ethernet for wired connections (LAN)

Netgear Nighthawk RS300 Benchmarks:

Ookla Speed Test – Single merged network (download/upload)

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps/150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps/150Mbps

20GB Steam Download - Single merged network

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps

Netgear’s attempts to “upsell” you with its subscription services are always irksome, but we can’t fault the performance of the RS300. Our office internet connection provides a top speed of 150Mbps, but our aging office router can only manage around 120Mbps for the Ookla Speedtest when connecting to devices that are close by in the same room, while game downloads from Steam struggle along at around 100Mbps. We also have an office at the back of our building where the Wi-Fi signal from our normal router can barely reach, forcing us to rely on a set of wired Powerline adaptors to provide a decent Internet connection.

The RS300 solved all our Wi-Fi problems straight away, immediately hitting 150Mbps for devices in the same room for both Steam downloads and the Ookla Speedtest. It had no trouble zapping its Wi-Fi signal along our L-shaped corridor to reach that back office, either. And, as I walked along the corridor with my laptop, I was pleased to find that the RS300 maintained that 150Mbps speed every step of the way for both Ookla and Steam.

Larger homes or offices that cover 4,000 sq.ft or more might need one of the best mesh wi-fi systems to reach properly, but most home users and small businesses will find that the Nighthawk RS300 provides a high-speed Wi-Fi 7 upgrade with one of the most competitive prices we’ve seen so far.

Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Netgear Nighthawk RS300?

Buy it if...

You want a high-speed Wi-Fi 7 upgrade

It’s taken a while, but Wi-Fi 7 routers are finally starting to become more affordable, and the RS300 can handle most domestic broadband services without ever working up a sweat.

You just bought a new laptop or PC

Wi-Fi 7 is backwards-compatible with older computers, consoles, and mobile devices that only have Wi-Fi 5, 6, or 6E, but it will work best with the latest computers that now have Wi-Fi 7 as well.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget

Most domestic broadband services run at well under 1Gb/s, so few of us really need Wi-Fi 7 right now. Plenty of the best Wi-Fi routers, many of which are more affordable, feature Wi-Fi 6 and 6E and will be just fine for the next couple of years.

You have lots of bedrooms

The RS300 has relatively modest range, so some larger homes and offices may need a mesh Wi-Fi system that uses two or more routers to create a mesh network with a greater range and net of coverage.

Also consider

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S

The elder sibling of the RS300 is twice as expensive, but it provides Wi-Fi 7 with a mind-boggling speed of 19Gbps, and even 10Gb Ethernet for high-speed broadband connections.

Read our full Nighthawk RS700S review here.

TP-Link Deco BE63

Larger homes and offices may need greater range rather than raw speed, so a mesh system such as the Deco BE63 can provide Wi-Fi 7 coverage that reaches into every nook and cranny.

Read our full TP-Link Deco BE63 review here.

First reviewed in August 2024

Planet Coaster 2 preview: a game that made me miss a summer I’ve never had

4:00 pm | September 14, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming PC Gaming | Tags: PC | Comments: Off

As a huge fan of both theme parks and computer games, 2016’s Planet Coaster was in many ways a dream game for me. Since playing Bullfrog’s seminal game, Theme Park, back in the mid-90s, first on the Amiga and then on PC, I have been obsessed with theme park management strategy games.

As you can imagine, then, the announcement earlier this year that Planet Coaster 2 was to come in late 2024 (pre-orders are now live, and it launches on November 6, 2024), made me very happy given my history with the PC game and theme park sims.

For context, in Planet Coaster, I vividly remember plotting my parks on paper, then creating them in the game, dividing the map into different themes, just like the beloved theme parks I visited as a kid. Building the parks, and rides, of my dreams (and sometimes my guests’ nightmares) captured some of the magic from those magic kingdoms, but Theme Park also reminded players that these parks aren’t just for fun: they are made to create money.

By placing a French Fries stall, hiking up the salt content, and then putting a drinks stall next to it with inflated prices (and extra ice), I was able to squeeze extra money out of my thirsty punters. As a kid, it was my first lesson that capitalism can be evil… but also fun.

But anyway, while the original Planet Coaster gave me hundreds of hours of enjoyment, there were plenty of things that could be improved. So, when I got the opportunity to have some early time with the sequel, I was keen to jump the queue and see what was new.

Planet Coaster 2 screenshot of people riding a roller coaster — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Splash back

The biggest change with Planet Coaster 2 is the inclusion of water park features, including pools, flumes, and new themes. Frontier has experience with this, having worked on the Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 expansion pack (old person speak for DLC) Soaked, which added flumes.

Weirdly, I’m not as interested in water parks as theme parks, but being given more things to play with when designing a park is always welcome.

While water park features aren’t the only new things in Planet Coaster 2, it would have been understandable if Frontier had called it a day there. During my time playing the game, it’s clear just how big an undertaking adding water rides has been.

Of course, there are all the additional art assets and models, but it also introduces an entirely new physics system to accurately simulate water, slides, and more.

For players of the original game, creating pools, adding features, and building water slides will feel familiar. Slides are built piece-by-piece in the same way as rollercoasters, and while new players may feel a bit lost, it’s intuitive enough to get the hang of pretty quickly, while also being flexible enough that you can create some pretty spectacular rides in not much time.

Whether or not your guests will want to ride your creations, however, is another question. By testing your rides before they open, you’ll be able to see if the ride works as intended (I.E it doesn’t launch the test dummy into the stratosphere due to a misjudged hump), and you’ll get feedback on how exciting, scary and how nauseous it’ll make the riders. It’s here where the real art of constructing a theme park ride comes in – you’ll need to balance all of those aspects. Too scary and few people will want to ride it, if it makes people too ill then not only will it put people off riding, but you’ll also have to deal with people throwing up all over your lovely park. You can lower these values by making adjustments to the ride – lowing drops and banking corners for example – but if you make the ride too tame, its excitement will drop and people won’t want to ride.

As with the first game, I can tell this part of building your park could be a huge – and enjoyable – time-sink as you try to build the ultimate ride.

In Planet Coaster 2, more customization options allow you to add design elements to the ride, including coaster cars, and while I only had a short time with the game, it’s clear that it’s going to offer a huge amount of tools to help you craft and tweak almost every aspect of your park.

While I wasn’t overly excited by the inclusion of pools and water slides, I ended up really liking them. Building both was fun and intuitive, and the pools especially looked fantastic.

I didn’t notice much of a visual upgrade over Planet Coaster, but that was still a fine-looking game that was both realistic and cartoony. However, the pools in Planet Coaster 2 look fantastic. Clear, realistic water that sparkles under a cloudless sky made me want to crawl through the screen and dive in. It made me nostalgic for the summer – before I remembered that here in the UK we’d just endured one of the wettest and miserable summers in recent memory.

Interestingly, it seems like the weather in Planet Coaster 2 won’t always be perfect. I didn’t see it in action, but the launch trailer shows guests running for shelter during rainy weather, and I noticed a weather forecast icon in the game’s menu.

While the eternally sunny weather of the first game gave us UK players a nice bit of escapism, including different weather conditions for the sequel, more realistic weather in the sequel will add to the realism – and could bring some interesting challenges – and opportunities. Rainy weather could make guest numbers drop, but some carefully placed umbrella stores could help raise profits – especially if you can, like in Rollercoaster Tycoon, up the prices when the rain starts to fall. There’s that evil capitalism working again.

Planet Coaster 2 screenshot of the new themes — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

I also got a glimpse of a few new themes – Mythical and Resort – and my mind is already fizzing with ideas of how I can use them in my parks.

Plus ça changing room

As I mentioned earlier, the original Planet Coaster did a lot of things right – but there were plenty of things that needed improvement, and from my short time with Planet Coaster 2, I found some of those were indeed fixed – but I still had a few concerns.

Making paths in the original, for example, could sometimes be annoyingly fiddly, and you could end up with some ugly bodge jobs when trying to make certain things, such as large plazas. The good news is that Planet Coaster 2 mainly fixes this with new path-making tools that make things much more simple, and give you additional settings to tweak, to help you get the desired effects. I found this made creating paths easier – when on the ground, at least. Creating stairs and bridges seemed to be more complicated – but that might just have been me being a bit rusty.

Putting down shops, food stalls, and guest services, such as toilets and new changing rooms (which need to be added for your guests to use the pools), seems a bit over-complicated as well. In the version of Planet Coaster 2 that I played, some shops and facilities were just ‘shells’ – basically empty buildings that were elaborately themed. Placing them in the park didn’t give me the actual facilities themselves – I would have to find those, then either place them in the park, place the shell over them, or add them by editing the shell’s blueprint (the name for ready-made, yet customizable, pre-built elements).

Confusingly, some facilities in the default Planet Coaster theme were included, while other themes just included the shell. I’ll clarify with Frontier about whether this is just because I was playing a limited preview version of the game, or if this will be the case in the full version as well. I hope not.

By searching for the actual shop or facility to add to the shell, I was reminded about another issue that I’ve had with the original Planet Coaster, which seems to be still present in the sequel. It can be difficult to find certain building parts, and while there is a decent tagging system in place that lets you search, you still need to remember where certain things are located, as there are a few different menus where the item could be. Sometimes things are in the ‘Shops and Facilities’ menu. But then there are also the ‘Scenery’ and ‘Building’ menus, which can also have items you need – and you’ll need to remember which menu they are in. When you start expanding the game with DLC, which will be inevitable considering the various expansion packs the original game got, these menus become more unwieldy, so finding things can take even longer.

Planet Coaster 2 screenshot people swimming in a pool — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

I was also shown a level in the campaign mode. I felt that the campaign of Planet Coaster was not that engaging – I usually spent my time playing in sandbox mode, with unlimited money. While this gives you more freedom, it also means you miss out on the challenge and management aspects of the game. So, with Planet Coaster 2, I’m hoping to have more reasons to play the campaign and to dig into the (hopefully) more expansive management options.

From what I played, that might not be the case. The level required me to build a park but only in a certain part of the map, for reasons that didn’t make too much sense. However, unless I was being thick (a likely possibility), once in the game I wasn’t given any onscreen guidance for where to build or suggestions on how to hit the goals to allow me to progress. Eventually, a kindly press representative of Frontier took pity on me and informed me I was building in the wrong part of the map.

This confusion, along with not being sure where to find parts to build facilities and how to make paths on higher levels, makes me worried that the interface of Planet Coaster 2 needs a bit of a rethink with more onscreen help and tips. After all, if an (admittedly a bit stupid) longtime player of the original game can get lost, what hope do newcomers have?

Planet Coaster 2 screenshot people sun bathing — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Open for business

While some doubts remain, from the time I had with Planet Coaster 2 I am very excited to play the full release when it launches in November. It’s a charming and fun game that’s clearly been made by people who love the subject matter.

I can see myself playing this game a heck of a lot, and I can’t wait to see what the imaginative community makes with the new and improved tools – as before, PC gamers will be able to easily add other user’s creations to their own parks via the Steam Workshop.

As a fun toy that lets my imagination run wild, my inner child could not be more excited for Planet Coaster 2. The part of me that enjoys playing challenging games, however, will need a bit more convincing.

Planet Coaster 2 releases on November 6, 2024, on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.

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Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Acer gets in the PC gaming handheld game, but is it enough to Blaze a trail out of a crowded field?

12:00 am | September 7, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers | Tags: PC, Tomb Raider | Comments: Off

We've got another PC gaming handheld on the market to take on the venerable Steam Deck: the Acer Nitro Blaze 7, and it looks like it might be a very strong contender against the current handheld champ, the Asus ROG Ally X.

The Blaze 7's specs are pretty solid. In terms of hardware, it is sandwiched below the ROG Ally X but definitely above the ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and well above what the Steam Deck can offer.

This includes a 7-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen with a variable refresh rate up to 144Hz, up to 2TB PCIe SSD storage, and 16GB LPDDR5x memory running at 7500MT/s.

The real star here, though, is the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS SoC powering the whole thing. This is a slight step up from the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC found in the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and ROG Ally X, though only really in terms of its AI performance.

While the core counts in the CPU and GPU are the same, as are their speeds, you do get a dedicated NPU in the Ryzen 7 8840HS that should help offload some AI tasks. How much this helps with AMD Radeon Super Resolution (AMD's hardware-based upscaler) remains to be seen, though.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Design

The ports on an Acer Nitro Blaze 7 — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Design-wise, if one thing is immediately noticeable about the Blaze 7, it's that it feels a bit bulkier than the recently released ROG Ally X. However, it is nearly identical in terms of dimensions and is even a little bit lighter. Part of that comes from the ridged hand grips on the back of sides of the device, which felt a bit deeper than on other handhelds I've used recently. The spec sheet on the Blaze 7 isn't exactly clear on whether that difference is real or just my imagination.

The chassis is black plastic with white and red accents around the device, something I haven't seen on other devices. If nothing else, people around you will know you're playing on a Blaze 7 rather than some other gaming handheld.

The back of the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Regarding ports, you get a lot here, including two USB4 ports, one on the top and one on the bottom, which will definitely make this thing easier to dock. Furthermore, since the bottom port is Thunderbolt 4, it will support video output and power delivery.

The battery, meanwhile, is a substantial 50WHr, meaning you should be able to get solid gaming time in before you need to plug it in.

One noticeable component that is missing is any of the back macro buttons you get on the ROG Ally. Personally, I never use those on the ROG Ally X unless my ADHD-addled brain gets fidgity, as even a video game beamed right at my face from my hands isn't enough to keep the restlessness away.

The rest of the buttons are the standard dual-stick, control pad, and ABXY buttons, as well as two triggers and two bumpers along the top of the device. You also get a power button with a built-in fingerprint reader, volume buttons, a view button, a menu button, a dedicated Acer Game Space button, a mode switch button, an Acer quick menu button, and (my favorite) a pop-up keyboard button.

Acer Game Space, meanwhile, is an all-in-one solution for managing your game library across different apps and storefronts that works reasonably well. It does remind you, though, just how terrible Windows 11 is as a platform for these kinds of handhelds.

Also of note is the heat vent along the top of the device. While playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the Blaze 7, that area of the device did get noticeably hot. This isn't unexpected — after all, energy = heat — and it wasn't something I noticed when holding the device as intended. I only felt the heat when my hand accidentally touched the vent (and the heatsink fins therein), so just something to keep in mind.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Performance

The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 in a masculine hand — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

So I didn't get to run any benchmarks on the device, unfortunately, but Acer did conveniently have Shadow of the Tomb Raider running on the device I got some time with, and they enabled AMD's framerate tool to show the FPS on the device as you played it.

There were a couple of stutters here and there, but nothing you wouldn't get on any other device like this. On the whole, though, the Blaze 7 consistently got around or above 60FPS at 1080p with medium settings with FSR tuned to performance mode.

On a seven-inch screen, these settings looked fantastic, and the frame rate was very consistent unless you walked around an area with very complex geometry (and not really the temples so much, as you'd think, but more the people in the village seemed to be the worst offender).

We'll have to do a lot more testing to see how the device fares against the competition, but in my time with it, the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 looks like a very solid performer vis a vis its competition.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Price & availability

Unfortunately, we know nothing about the price or release date of the Nitro Blaze 7 at this time, though pricing and availability will surely be coming in the next few weeks.

That said, we can definitely expect it to be cheaper than the ROG Ally X since that handheld has 8GB more RAM than the Nitro Blaze 7, and memory right now is very expensive. Since the ROG Ally X sells for $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599, the Nitro Blaze 7 needs to come in well below that to be competitive, so somewhere around $700 / £700 / AU$1450.

Any higher than that, and you're better off getting the ROG Ally X for the extra RAM.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Final thoughts

From what I've seen, the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 doesn't do anything especially well. It looks to be a fairly competent gaming handheld when it eventually goes on sale, but it's not without its charms.

I won't lie; the built-in keyboard button is something every handheld needs. Games that require keyboard input for names and other information really don't handle a virtual keyboard well and often never give you the option to use one. You're forced to try to escape to the desktop to bring in a keyboard from there, which can be a huge hassle in the middle of gaming.

The Ryzen 7 8840HS processor is also a solid improvement since it will bring some NPU power to bear, and hopefully, AMD RSR and other AI functions can properly leverage it.

All that is still an open question though, but I am excited to see what the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 can really do once we get a unit in for a more proper review.

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