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PS5 Pro review: a high-performing enthusiast console with a pricey sting in the tail
2:01 pm | November 6, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

PS5 Pro: Two-minute review

The PlayStation 5 Pro is Sony’s enhanced mid-generation gaming console, and it is categorically better than its PS5 brethren. I’ve spent the best part of a full week with the PS5 Pro now, and have been consistently impressed with its upgrades. Time and again the PS5 Pro has wowed me with incredible graphical quality and wonderfully high frame rates and given me crisper, smoother images and experiences over my base PS5 in almost every game I've tried.

From confirmed PS5 Pro enhanced games, to ‘regular’ PS5 games and PS4 games, and on both a 60Hz 4K TV and 120Hz-capable 4K gaming monitor, I have been blown away by the experience on the PS5 Pro. On a technical level, this is going to be the best way to enjoy the rest of the generation, but there’s a sting in the tail that means that it isn’t quite a slam dunk.

While it delivers on its brief of delivering a mid-gen graphical upgrade - though perhaps not quite to the same degree as the PS4 Pro did when capitalizing on the rise of 4K TV adoption - its graphical boosts, while tangible, aren’t seismic or groundbreaking; certainly not for the vast majority of PS5 players anyway. As such evolutionary-not-revolutionary steps won’t be enough to persuade most.

It also has a price problem which I find frustrating, sad, and baffling in equal measure. At $700 / £700 it is the most expensive Sony home console ever; and this is a mid-generational upgrade, remember - not a wholly new system. It also doesn’t come with a disc drive or a vertical stand which means you’re looking at north of $800 / £800 to even mirror the setup you got originally with a $500 / £450 launch PS5. Considering the PS5 Pro is a premium gaming console and one that will most appeal to PlayStation gaming enthusiasts like myself, it’s hard not to feel disappointed. Pair this with the baffling decision to leave out a disc drive - most enthusiasts are physical media proponents and the most likely to have physical game collections - and the disappointment grows a little more.

The key upgrade is really the convergence of graphical fidelity and performance with games now able to tap into the PS5 Pro’s hardware and features to shine in both ways - at the same time. The wizardry of Sony’s proprietary Playstation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) helps enormously in its AI-driven upscaling tech, and the results are glorious. The likes of Horizon Forbidden West and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 Remastered, truly shine on PS5 Pro and have new performance modes that run incredibly smoothly at high frame rates and have a level of detail you’d be hard pushed to say weren’t a full-fat fidelity mode.

The PS5 Pro console on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

The boost to ray tracing that’s on offer is absolutely beautiful too. Coming on top of the boosts to fidelity and performance, you can now enjoy some of the best ray-tracing PS5 has to offer in a performance mode, targeting 60 frames per second, which is truly special in games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The boosts to non-enhanced PS5 and particularly PS4 games are harder to discern currently, but the games I've tested show what can be achieved with the PS5 Pro’s hardware.

If you were thinking of upgrading your TV to a 120Hz screen, or have recently got one such monitor or TV, then the benefits of the PS5 Pro grow further still with extra modes in the likes of Horizon Forbidden West that offer even more refined balances of graphics and performance to target super-high levels of fidelity and intermediate frame rates such as 40 frames per second. However folks with TVs that aren't 120hz capable can still get great benefits that I can attest to - the moment-to-moment experience of a game’s Performance Pro (or other similarly named) modes is brilliant and means you'll be getting a wonderful image and resolution and, in effect, making the absolute most of your TV’s 60Hz refresh rate.

The aforementioned PSSR is in many ways the headline act of the PS5 Pro’s upgraded feature set with it being the first AI-driven upscaling tech in a Sony home console, and the results discussed above mean that it has great promise and is offering something impressive already. Combined with upgrades to memory, graphics card, storage, and Wi-Fi, the PS5 Pro does offer more than just a niche graphical upgrade package too.

In particular, the boost to 2TB of storage in the Pro makes a huge difference that would otherwise cost around $100 / £100 to add to any other PS5, while the addition of Wi-Fi 7 for better internet connectivity, is welcome, especially considering the Pro starts off life as a digital console.

From a purely aesthetic view, the PS5 Pro console is immediately cut from the PS5 family cloth in terms of design and build and sports all the aesthetic touches to the ports that you’d want from another PS5 console. Coming in at around the same thickness as the PS5 Slim, and the same height as the launch PS5, the Pro is a curvaceous and pretty slick-looking thing.

The sleek white panels - a matte finish, not shiny like the Slim - are elegant, while the black middle and lines of black fins new on the Pro provide excellent contrast. It offers the same ports as the PS5 Slim too so you’re well covered with two USB-Cs on the front, two USB-As on the back, an HDMI, an ethernet, and the power port on the back. Sadly, those panels are not interchangeable with those that fit the PS5 Slim, and it also doesn’t come with a disc drive or a vertical stand which does seem at odds with its positioning as a premium PlayStation-enthusiast console.

The PS5 Pro is the most complete PS5 package now, but its core benefits and upgrades are a little niche, and the advancements are subtle - not ground-breaking - so it’s not going to be a good value investment for everyone.

If you’ve a keen eye for detail, are a PlayStation fanatic who wants to be at the bleeding edge of the brand’s console and wants the most performant PlayStation console going, or you’re a graphics obsessive who wants the best experience going, or are a PS5 user with a new 120Hz-capable gaming TV or PS5 monitor, then the gaming experiences provided by the PS5 Pro are going to be very tempting indeed. For everyone else, it’s just going to be too expensive.

PS5 Pro: Price and availability

  • List price: $699.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,199
  • Does not include a disc drive or vertical stand
  • Launched on November 7, 2024

Since the day of its reveal, the PlayStation 5 Pro’s price has been a big talking point - and it remains so. Cutting to it, $700 / £700 for a mid-generation upgrade console is steep and makes it the most expensive Sony home console ever. It also comes in at $200 / £220 more than the list price of the PS5 Slim, the current ‘base’ version of the console.

By comparison, the PlayStation 4 Pro launched at the original PS4’s price which felt right - especially given the base console’s simultaneous permanent price drop. If the PS5 Pro’s price had come even a little closer to the PS5’s price ($499.99 / £479.99) then this new console would be seriously tempting, and more so for existing PS5 owners.

The extra sting in the price department is that the PS5 Pro console does not come with a disc drive or vertical stand. The latter Sony has previous form with in regards to the PS5 Slim also not coming with one, but the lack of a disc drive, when positioned as a premium, enthusiast console is a big disappointment - and a bit baffling, despite being offset by some of the other PS5 Pro specs on offer.

A welcome point in this category though is, unlike the PS5 at launch, the PS5 Pro is widely available everywhere at time of writing. PS5 Pro pre-orders briefly sold out at PlayStation Direct on the day they started (September 26), but since then stock at Sony’s own storefront and other retailers has remained steady and readily available.

PS5 Pro: Specs

The PS5 Pro console next to a PS5 Slim and launch PS5 on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

PS5 Pro: Design and features

  • Slick design form and chic new take on the PS5-family aesthetic
  • Digital console with no disc drive by default
  • Updated console covers aren’t interchangeable with existing PS5 plates

The overall design of the PS5 Pro is very in keeping with the PS5 generation of console and accessories; a symphony in black and white curves, but done in its own style that’s both fresh and new but also familiar. The white panels are not as shiny as they are on the PS5 Slim, instead having a more matte finish, while the fins that split the console across its middle are pretty striking from a design point of view and one that I really quite like, providing a stylish flash of black across the sea of white.

The form and overall build share features with the original launch PS5 and the newer Slim model, too. The four-sectioned exterior and overall slender form is very reminiscent of the PS5 Slim, while the Pro comes in bigger than that standard console, and is just about as tall as the original PS5. In cold hard numbers, the PS5 is 15.2 x 3.5 x 8.5in / 388 x 89 x 216mm (WxHxD) in size and weighs 6.8lbs / 3.1kg.

In the box, in addition to the console itself, you get a standard DualSense Wireless Controller, a power plug for your region, an HDMI 2.1 cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable for the controller, and all the necessary paperwork.

The PS5 Pro is a digital-only console by default meaning there’s no disc drive included. This needs to be bought separately and applied as you would on the PS5 Slim - fortunately, the Pro is compatible with the pre-existing PS5 disc drive. There’s also no vertical stand included so the PS5 Pro is also a horizontal console by default with the squat version of the detachable legs included in the box.

The PS5 Pro console next to a PS5 Slim and launch PS5 on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

The PS5 Pro follows suit with the PS5 Slim by offering two USB-C ports on the front of the console toward the power button, and where the PS5 Pro’s LED lights are too (i.e. not at the ‘flare end’ as on the launch PS5). On the rear, it’s a more familiar situation to those with any PS5 with the power port, HDMI port, two USB-A ports, and an ethernet port finishing the set. The arrangement of the ports is also more in line with the PS5 Slim however, with the HDMI port further up or the left-hand side (depending on your view) compared to the launch PS5.

The shell of the PS5 Pro is divided into four plates - each named after a PlayStation shape to ensure you don’t ever mix them up, and all are removable with a similar level of force as the other PS5s. It is a great shame, however, while the arrangement of the PS5 Pro generally means that the larger lower panels are exactly the same as the PS5 Slim - a fact reinforced by the disc drive’s compatibility - but the smaller, top panels aren’t the same size which is a great shame. I tested this myself to confirm it, so fans who want to adorn the Pro in their choice of colorway will likely have to wait for Pro-specific panels to become available.

Under the console covers, the PS5 Pro has the same PS5 SSD bay that the previous models had and can be engaged with in exactly the same way too as I experienced by installing my Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus SSD during testing.

When you boot the PS5 Pro up, you’ll be greeted by a user interface that is exactly the same as the other PS5 models. It’s a slick and easy-to-navigate setup process as well as a wider layout to move around, and aside from a few more menu options and toggles, it’s identical and will be very familiar to current PS5 owners. If you need to transfer data from a PS4 or another PS5 to get going, then there’s a simple process to do so when first using the Pro.

The PS5 Pro console next to a PS5 Slim and launch PS5 on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

PS5 Pro: Performance

  • Excellent performance blending fidelity and performance simultaneously...
  • ...however, advancements aren't groundbreaking or revolutionary
  • Supporting specs offer further benefits

The proof was always going to be in the performance and graphics pudding, so I installed a whole host of games on the PS5 Pro and my regular PS5 to compare the differences. So far in my testing, I've seen impressive things in those enhanced games I've been able to run.

The effect of the beefier GPU, and the impact of PSSR is tangible and genuine, and it clearly helps developers enhance their games to offer their definitive versions. It’s an exciting proposition for the remainder of the PS5 generation and I already have high hopes for Sony's first-party studios and games like Marvel's Wolverine, and whatever is coming next from Naughty Dog, et al.

The PS5 Pro allows the Northlight engine in Alan Wake 2 to really shine. Instead of adding any more modes, the game takes advantage of the Pro by offering boosts to its quality and performance modes through increased ray-tracing effects, and increased detail. The boost to both modes compared to my base PS5 was immediately noticeable. Ray tracing, reflections, and lighting are all greatly improved in quality mode, while visual boosts and framerate smoothness combine in performance mode.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered immediately feels like a game built (well, rebuilt) for PS5 Pro. The moment I booted into the game and started enjoying the cutscenes and getting into the action, I was knocked down by the gorgeous lighting, fabulous reflections, lifelike water and hair detail, and an overall image quality that was stupendous.

This was the case in both games’ ‘Pro’ version of the existing Resolution and Performance graphics settings. Despite the lack of description in the menu as to exactly what was happening in each, I found the Favor Performance Pro to be the best way to enjoy the game: blending the brilliant upgraded visuals and effects with a smooth, high frame rate gave me a brand new experience in Horizon that I’d never had before.

A third setting is available; a Balanced Pro version does exist on 120Hz capable displays that seem to enable the Pro to get higher frame rates than 30fps while knocking only a bit of quality off (so probably a 40fps mode, something made possible, and excellent, with Variable Refresh Rate) to get even more of the best of both worlds should the display be the right match.

The PS5 Pro console on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

In Horizon Forbidden West, the Resolution and Performance Pro modes remain the same as in the remastered first game, but the Balanced Pro mode is described as very high fidelity at 40fps when playing on a 120Hz-specced display. When playing on my gaming monitor that is HDMI 2.1 capable, this was perhaps my favorite setting of the bunch on both games.

The Last of Us Part 1 and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered are both brilliant too. The games share identical display options and respond and present themselves in the same way. The new ‘Pro’ mode is an absolute dream and now my favorite way to play these games and experience their worlds. This mode renders the game at 1440p, then uses PSSR to upscale to 4K and targets 60fps. The results are spectacular, and I really had difficulty telling the difference between the overall image quality of the Pro mode with the PS5’s Fidelity mode. World details such as foliage, lighting, and reflections are extra beautiful and things like the details on Joel and Ellie’s backpacks are crisper than ever - all while running at a smoother, higher frame rate.

Zipping around New York in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 couldn’t possibly have felt or looked better but here we are - the game is staggeringly brilliant on PS5 Pro. The two settings - Fidelity Pro and Performance Pro are both beautiful on PS5 Pro. The former offers incredible ray-tracing, reflections, and overall sharpness, with a few options to change the intensity of some options which can be altered to gain some performance back.

The latter mode, is also something else, though. Offering a smooth 60fps while retaining the image quality of standard (PS5) fidelity mode through PSSR, it presents an extraordinary combination of graphics and performance - and all ray-tracing features are on by default in this setting.

Not to be outdone by its studio-mate, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is also wonderful to play, and just look at on PS5 Pro. The game features the same two settings as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (but one fewer ray-tracing settings, the reflections and interiors) with the Performance Pro mode being a standout once again with all ray-tracing features present and PSSR doing some excellent heavy lifting to create a fantastic image, and experience.

I have taken Demon’s Souls for a quick spin around the block too which is excellent in its dedicated PS5 Pro mode - it’s literally called ‘PS5 Pro’. Comparing it to the cinematic and performance modes that remain in the game, it’s hard to tell the difference between the overall image quality of the former, and the smooth frame rates of the latter in the dedicated Pro mode.

The PS5 Pro console on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

It’s also worth noting that the PS5 Pro, during the above extensive game testing, doesn't blow as loudly as its mid-gen predecessor - the PS4 Pro - did compared to that generation’s base console. I have found the PS5 Pro to run no louder than the base PS5 at its loudest, and actually quieter a lot of the time.

These are just some of the games I’ve had the chance to test so far - and they paint a special picture looking forward to the full list of enhanced games, as well as those yet to come out. The fact remains that if you're playing a game that’s been enhanced for PS5 Pro, you absolutely will get an enhanced experience - the Pro is noticeably and clearly better, making games look even more stunning and run super fast and smooth, simultaneously. We can now have the best of both worlds, and the results often feel like playing the definitive version of games. This is especially the case if you have a 120Hz-capable display that can unlock any balanced or 40fps modes too - this is the point at which the PS5 Pro’s impact and performance can offer more and be even more compelling.

A note on PSVR 2 games

PSVR 2

(Image credit: Future)

Sony has said that the PS5 Pro’s enhanced graphics will boost and benefit PSVR 2 games greatly. However, I haven’t had the chance to test PSVR 2 with the PS5 Pro yet but will be updating this review, as and when I get the chance to fully explore this. Sony's blog post running down the list of enhanced games at the PS5 Pro's launch did include Kayak VR: Mirage, however, so we're hopeful of some tangible benefits to PSVR 2 gaming.

As well as making non-enhanced PS5 games look even better with the hardware giving them a boost, the PS5 Pro does include a new, dedicated boost mode of sorts for PS4 games: you can enable an option to enhance image quality for PS4 games.

The games do look great on PS5 Pro, but I have struggled to really pick out clear differences and upgrades, and have often found myself reaching for highlights and really peering to see what might be different or enhanced. I’ll continue testing this with more PS4 games to see if there’s anything definitive but it’s not quite clear what the setting does right now. I tried this with Doom, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Infamous Second Son, Dishonored 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Days Gone.

The PS5 Pro features a 2TB SSD which allows so much more breathing room in terms of storage. For reference and as an example of what the boost means in real or day-to-day terms, I had 17 games installed - from 11.6GB Astro’s Playroom to the 130GB Horizon Forbidden West - and still had 353GB of space left to use.

There’s also more storage on the SSD by default: whereas the original PS5 only had about 667GB free to use from its 825GB SSD (80% of the drive), the PS5 Pro allows you to use 1.89TB of its 2TB drive, which is 94.5% of the drive. This is excellent and helps to provide a storage situation where you may not even need a PS5 SSD that you once previously did. With 1TB SSDs costing just north of $100 / £100, broadly speaking, this extra capacity upgrade is not inconsiderable.

The PS5 Pro console on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

Wi-Fi 7 is a welcome inclusion too and I definitely experienced quicker and more stable download speeds and connection to my PlayStation Portal on my home internet. Your mileage may vary depending on the quality of the internet, but it should represent improvements across the board given the upgrade.

The day-to-day gaming performance of the PS5 Pro is, all in, a joy to behold and use in action. PSSR works wonders and provides a brilliant experience by blending the best of fidelity and performance modes. While I have found the upgrades tremendous so far, I also recognize that such changes are largely subtle and aren’t revolutionary - as a result, I can still see most PS5 owners sticking with their launch or PS5 Slim models.

But for folks like me who have a keen eye for detail and performance, the results are terrific and wholly worthwhile. If the new hardware continues to be embraced by devs, the PS5 Pro could set the standard and be the definitive way to enjoy the rest of the PS5 generation - and also hint at where the PS6 could take things when it comes along.

The PS5 Pro box on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the PS5 Pro?

Buy it if...

You’ve always wanted fidelity and performance modes at the same time in games
One key reason the PS5 Pro exists is to prevent folks from having to choose between quality and frame rates - and it absolutely succeeds in offering that with ‘Pro’ performance modes now offering both, in particular.

You want the latest advancements in console gaming tech and ray tracing capabilities
The PS5 Pro’s advanced ray-tracing combined with the wizardry of PSSR and its beefier graphics card means the console offers the very latest tech going on consoles - and boy does it show, with all three combining to make superb gaming experiences.

You have got or are going to get a 120Hz TV or monitor for gaming
The PS5 Pro on a non-120Hz display still makes games look and play amazing, but if you’ve got or are getting a 120Hz HDMI 2.1-specced display for gaming then the benefits increase and the enhancements get even more tangible.

You’re a PlayStation fan and want the most performant PlayStation console going
Simply put, many PlayStation fans will always want the best PlayStation experience that’s available - a totally legitimate position and one that the PS5 Pro offers. Such fans who adopt the Pro will not be disappointed with its performance.

Don't buy it if...

You’d want maximum value from a graphical upgrade
While tangible, PS5 Pro’s graphical upgrades are more subtle and evolutionary rather than groundbreaking so the price tag of the Pro is a very hard one to swallow. If you’re hoping for something more groundbreaking for $700 / £700 then the Pro isn’t quite offering that and the better value option is the original PS5 or the PS5 Slim.

You already have a PS5 and are totally satisfied with the experiences it provides
If you already have a PS5 Slim or launch model, enjoy the exciting experiences it provides, and aren’t one to strive for higher numbers than those you have already then you can likely skip the PS5 Pro and stay as you are.

Also consider

If you're not totally sold on the PS5 Pro, then here are some other consoles to consider by comparison.

PS5

The PS5 (Slim or launch model) is still a brilliant games console and will provide wonderful gaming experiences. If you’re not a graphics obsessive or someone who desires the most power and capability from their PlayStation console then the PS5 is a brilliant console in 2024.

For more information, check out our full (original) PS5 review, and stay tuned for our full PS5 Slim review.

Xbox Series X

Microsoft’s full-fat current-generation console is a fine machine on the other side of the console divide, and offers its own suite of specs, experiences, and games, especially through Xbox Game Pass. If you’re on the lookout for a home console that will offer the best graphical experience for the enormous game library on this side of the canyon, then this is the machine to go for.

For more information, check out our full Xbox Series X review.

Nintendo Switch

Although rumors of a successor rumble on, the Nintendo Switch is arguably the best handheld home gaming console, which sets it well apart from the likes of the PS5 Pro. If you’d been eyeing up a handheld games console next, rather than a mid-generation upgrade, then the Nintendo Switch is a great option to consider.

For more information, check out our full Nintendo Switch review and our full Nintendo Switch OLED review.

The PS5 Pro console on a wooden desk in front of a white brick background and next to a potted plant

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the PS5 Pro

  • Tested for many hours a day for around a week, playing and running a range of games
  • Compared design, build, features, and performance directly to PS5 Slim and launch PS5
  • Tested download speeds, transfers, load times, and gameplay improvements

I tested the PS5 Pro for about a week for review. I installed nearly 20 games from both my PS5 and PS4 libraries on it and compared them running on the PS5 Pro to my standard PS5 console. I spent hours observing how the games looked and performed in all modes - and tinkered with settings - on the PS5 Pro compared to the PS5 which allowed me to spot differences between the two consoles.

Comparisons between the models didn’t stop at games, however, as I also compared the PS5 Pro on a physical level to the PS5 Slim and base PS5 launch model, looking at physical appearance, dimensions, weight, footprint, taking console covers off and reapplying them, adding an M.2 SSD, port arrangement, using it both vertically and horizontally, testing noise pollution, as well as observing download and install speeds and testing connectivity through Wi-Fi and ethernet.

I also, simply, used it as my daily gaming platform, playing a variety of games, both single-player and online, browsing the menus and engaging with different settings, moving games and apps from storage locations, and more.

I used the PS5 Pro on both a gaming monitor and TV for testing; the former being an Acer Predator X32Q FS 4K screen that offered a quality screen to test the Pro’s 120Hz capabilities, and the latter being a Samsung Q6F QLED 4K TV, enabling me to test it with a non-120Hz display.

In terms of complementary gear and accessories, I tested the PS5 Pro with the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds the Sony Inzone H9 headset, the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, multiple DualSense controllers, a Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus PS5 SSD, a Crucial X8 external hard drive, and a PlayStation Portal.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2024

Origin EON17-X v2 review: powerful, big, hot, and loud
11:46 pm | September 18, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , | Comments: Off

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

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
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 review: lightweight yet lackluster
6:00 pm | August 4, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: One-minute review

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless Headset is the next addition to the already well-established Stealth series. Compatible with PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, and both Android and iOS mobile devices, this versatile wireless headset is easy to set up and boasts a decent build quality, alongside clear audio regardless of what you're playing. Going into a market oversaturated with budget-friendly wireless headsets, you'd think the Stealth 500 has a lot to prove, but the number of features alongside its lasting comfort mark it as a worthwhile purchase. 

For example, its 40-hour battery life is immediately appealing to someone looking to avoid the frequent tether of a wire. Paired with its extensive sound profile, you'll be able to tune in to all the slightest noises during your session, whether that's distant enemy footsteps in Escape from Tarkov or the bustling sounds of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077. 

I don't know about you, but when I'm trying to immerse myself into an epic open-world title like Red Dead Redemption 2, I want whatever I can to drown out every sound from the outside world. I've been testing the Stealth 500 for around 50 hours, and I've been consistently surprised by the quality of audio which comes as a surprise for a budget-leaning wireless headset. Compared to a product at a similar price point like the JBL Quantum 360X, there's a noticeable upgrade in comfort due to its plush earcups, so hours of gaming can slip by practically unnoticed. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset on a wooden floor.

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: Price and availability

  • $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$139

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 wireless headset launched on May 19, 2024, so it's a fairly new addition to the brand's line of gaming peripherals. Costing $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$139 this headset is far from a premium product. But, even though it does sit on the more affordable end of the scale, compared to products within the same price bracket such as the Xbox Wireless Headset there is a lot on offer to set it apart. 

The most notable feature for me, and what justifies the price, is the audio presets available via the Swarm II app that helps customize your listening to your gaming experience. These presets alter the sound profile to emphasize certain parts of games, such as the Superhuman hearing setting which increases the volume of things like footsteps or gunshots, or the Signature Sound setting which offers the best all-around sound profile for the headset. While not essential, they’re an extra flair that most of the budget-friendly headsets I've tested don’t offer.

Even in comparison to slightly more expensive wireless headsets, such as the HyperX Cloud III, the Stealth 500 is comparable in terms of battery life and build quality - especially given its price point. Its 40-hour battery life offers double the time of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro which costs slightly under double the Stealth. So if you're not quite ready to invest in the more expensive side of some of the best wireless headsets, this is a fantastic alternative. 

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: Specs

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: Design and features

  • In-built flip-to-mute microphone
  • Floating headband 
  • Cheap-feeling buttons and scroll wheels 

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is built for comfort, and it certainly delivers. I find a lot of budget-friendly wireless headsets cut corners in the quality of their build to accommodate a cheaper price tag, so I was pleasantly surprised by the Stealth 500 for the most part. The floating headband is a far more comfortable addition than a cushioned plastic headband which you'd see on headsets like the PDP REALMz wired headset or the JBL 910X wireless headset, and the ear cups are made from soft memory foam rather than the rustly, plastic material I’m used to dealing with on cheaper headsets.

The mic folds nicely into the earcup which is a solid addition rather than being static on the side of the cup, or detachable like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air. Being able to keep the microphone tucked out of the way into the earcup rather than alongside is a welcome feature and something I've only seen on more expensive headsets. Plus, being able to quickly pull the mic down when you're jumping into a call rather than scrambling to find it is a huge timesaver. Moving the microphone up will also mute your output which is far more convenient than tabbing between your call and game to manually mute yourself. 

But even with the convenience of its mic and the vast majority of the build is promising, there are still some flaws in the design of the Stealth 500. Most notably, the buttons on each earcup and the scroll wheels are made from a much cheaper-feeling plastic than the rest of the headset. There's a lot of movement from buttons before pushed and activated, and the scroll wheels move so freely that it's hard to fine-tune your volume without using the desktop audio mixer. With that said, the buttons are well-spaced, though, rather than being crammed together and making it difficult to use.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: Performance

  • Powerful spatial audio  
  • Variable mic monitoring 
  • Audible hiss with no audio playing 

There's a lot to praise about the audio quality and performance of the Stealth 500. It's capable of picking up on a wide dynamic range regardless of what you're playing, which helps put you in the center of the action. The 40mm drivers help provide powerful spatial audio, which is supported by the Superhuman audio setting. If you're an avid FPS player in particular, or if you're a horror fanatic looking for a headset to heighten the tension, then the Stealth 500 fits the bill. You'll hear every whisper and footstep with the Superhuman setting which will help you react in ample time.  

Premade audio profiles available through the Swarm II app also help to make the quality of your experience better. These profiles can be customized to perfectly suit what you're playing, and frankly, I think it's an impressive addition for a budget-friendly headset. This feature is something I'd expect to be available for the best wireless headsets rather than a cheaper set like the Stealth 500, and they are worth making the most of since they’re so readily available. 

One of the notable downsides of the headset is the audible hiss present once the headset is connected, but no audio is playing. This isn't the first time I've noticed this with a cheaper wireless headset, but it does reduce the quality of the product slightly. It thankfully does drown out when something is playing, so it's not something you'll have to worry about whenever in use, at least. 

The mic quality is also good. It's not groundbreaking like I experienced on the Turtle Beach Atlas Air, but it's nothing to turn your nose up at. It's clear in a call, but quick to peak and cut out with loud noises. The lack of a muffler also makes the mic sensitive to plosives which is another case of audio levels peaking, but aside from that you're getting what you pay for.

The controls of the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 500?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

You don't care for additional flourishes
With how basic the Stealth 500 is in terms of on-board features, a lot of the things that help improve the experience are stowed away in its external Swarm II app. If you don't care for sound profiles to help improve the experience, you may want to consider a headset that is ready to go once unpacked rather than one with additional software. 

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Turtle Beach 500? Here's how it stands against two similar budget-friendly cross-compatible wireless gaming headsets. 

The controls of the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 500

  • Tested for 50 hours 
  • Used with PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 
  • Compared to other wireless gaming headsets at a similar price  

I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 wireless headset for 50 hours across multiple platforms and were impressed with how easy it was to connect and use. On PC, I used the headset for Apex Legends and Risk of Rain 2, and an impressive spectrum of audio was showcased. Even the slightest sounds in the distance were picked up by the headset which made combat all the more exciting. 

On Nintendo Switch, the music in games like Ooblets helped spotlight the capabilities of the headset outside of sound effects and also helped me appreciate elements of music we had missed when listening through speakers. The same can be said for Red Dead Redemption 2 on PlayStation. The Stealth 500 helped me pick up on more natural foley such as birdsong, which in turn helped me fill out the compendium in-game. 

I also compared the headset to other budget-friendly headsets such as the JBL Quantum 360X, and more premium headsets like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air wireless headset.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024.

Turtle Beach Atlas Air review: extreme comfort meets crystal clear audio
4:00 pm | July 27, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Atlas Air: One-minute review

The Turtle Beach Atlas Air is up there as one of the best wireless gaming headsets. Its lightweight build houses a plethora of nice features to help put it among some of the best wireless gaming headsets, such as its easy-to-use flip-to-mute mic, floating ear cups, and convenient open-back design.

But outside of convenience, you’re getting crystal-clear audio supported by 40mm drivers with high-fidelity 24-bit audio. Your calls and party chats will be supported with in-built noise reduction and incredibly clear mic output, so your teammates have no excuse when it comes to heeding your instructions. 

Its 50-hour battery life isn't to be ignored either. I've spent around 70 hours with the headset and only needed to charge it once, so you’ll rarely need to abruptly stop a gaming session due to low battery. Even then, the quick-charge ability of the headset means you've only got to wait an hour or so for the battery to be fully charged and you can pick up where you left off.

If you're looking for a way to sink even further into your favorite games, this is your way in, especially with compatibility across PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. 

A side view of the Turtle Beach Atlas Air headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Atlas Air: Price and availability

  • $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299

The Turtle Beach Atlas Air wireless headset launched on May 19, 2024. Retailing for $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299, it falls in that upper mid-range category, but well worth the price once you start to consider its capabilities compared to other wireless headsets such as the HyperX Cloud III or the JBL Quantum 360X. 

To put it into perspective, the Atlas Air is around $80 / £60 / AU$149 more expensive than the HyperX Cloud III, so it's bound to offer a more extensive range of features as reflected in its price tag. If you're a first-time headset buyer, this price difference can be pretty off-putting. But you're investing in a headset that’s going to last you a while.

To coincide with the launch of the Atlas Air, Turtle Beach also released the Stealth 500 and Stealth 600 wireless headset models. Both of these headsets are more budget-friendly options, which I spent some time with alongside the Atlas Air. While they do seem more inviting for a first-time buyer they lack a huge number of features in comparison. For example, the Atlas Air is capable of delivering a more extensive sound profile. I never experienced audio peaking when in use, which I did with the Stealth 500. I also find the lighter build of the Atlas Air more comfortable after hours of use. 

Turtle Beach Atlas Air: Specs

Turtle Beach Atlas Air: Design and features

  • World's first floating ear cup design 
  • Detachable flip-to-mute mic 
  • Accessible and neat button layout on cups 

One thing that stood out to me was the unique floating ear cup design on the Atlas Air. This means that the earcups are fully adjustable to fit your head perfectly, so regardless of how long you're playing, you'll never have to worry about the dull ache your ear feels with a lot of cheaper headsets. In terms of how this design is implemented, the center of both ear cups looks suspended by a few strips of elastic, which gives them more flexibility when wearing for an added layer of comfort. 

In addition, the earcups are also made of soft memory foam, which is perfect for any glasses wearer. I'm used to the top of my ears starting to ache after a few hours due to where my glasses sit and the earcups pushing into my ears, but the design of the Atlas Air eliminates this. 

A close-up view of the microphone of the Turtle Beach Atlas Air headset.

(Image credit: Future)

The cups are well equipped with buttons to help customize your experience too, and the layout doesn't feel too congested. I never had to take my headset off to press buttons, which I usually find myself doing if they’re too close together and I've mis-clicked too many times on other headsets.

These buttons match the sturdy build quality of the headset, which makes a good change given how cheap the plastic feels on alternatives like the Stealth 500. The volume scroll wheel also has weight to it, which makes it feel like you've got more control over adjusting the volume. With all that said, then, the build quality alone goes a ways to justify the price tag.

The detachable flip-to-mute mic is another highlight. Usually, I opt for headsets with a mic that slides into the ear cup such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P since detachable mics risk getting lost the second I put them down. In comparison, the Atlas Air’s mic is so easy to set up, and call quality is excellent. The flip-to-mute function is a welcome addition since it's stopped the need to tab between games to mute, and it's an added convenience I'll now look for in future headsets since it's so much easier and faster than having to press a separate button.

Turtle Beach Atlas Air: Performance

  • Crystal clear audio 
  • Customizable sound profiles for games 
  • Fantastic mic quality 

As you'd expect from a fairly expensive wireless headset, the Atlas Air boasts stellar performance which I've only experienced from high-end wireless headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P. 40mm drivers with 24-bit audio quality mean you'll be able to hear a huge range of sounds from whatever you're playing, which will help to immerse you far deeper into whatever you're playing. The extensive range picks up even the slightest of whispers, making stealth missions in games like Assassin's Creed Mirage more thrilling, and alerting you of any distant threats. Plus, natural sounds like birds and wildlife in Red Dead Redemption 2 sound far clearer than if you were listening through speakers, and the surround sound puts you right into Valentine.  

To add to the already impressive audio quality, sound profiles available through the Swarm II app can also elevate your gaming experience. These can be useful for games that require a little more attention to audio, such as first-person shooters that rely on you hearing the footsteps of your enemies like Escape from Tarkov or PUBG Battlegrounds. Although they aren't essential to use to get the most out of the headset, they are a welcomed additional feature and something FPS players in particular will benefit from. 

If you're more of a co-op gamer, you won't be disappointed by the audio quality of the microphone either. With detachable mics, I usually find the audio a bit crackly which I found was the case with the JBL Quantum 360X. Because of this, I was skeptical when it came to the mic on the Atlas Air. But, I was pleasantly surprised. 

Having used a HyperX Cloud III for some time, which we praise as having the best microphone for a wireless headset, I thought it would be hard to beat, but even the people I was speaking to were quick to note how clear the sound was compared to my previous headset. Audio never peaked or cut out, even when speaking at a quieter volume. So despite my gripes with detachable mics in the past thanks to my experience with more budget-friendly headsets, the Atlas Air has convinced me that crystal clear audio without an additional mic is possible. As a result, I've definitely changed my tune after using this headset for 70 hours. 

The bottom of the Turtle Beach Atlas Air headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Atlas Air?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If you're still not sold on the Turtle Beach Atlas Air, we've compared it to two similarly priced wireless gaming headsets.  

The bottom of the Turtle Beach Atlas Air headset.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Turtle Beach Atlas Air

  • Tested for 70 hours 
  • Tested across PC and console 
  • Compared to other wireless gaming headsets at a similar price  

I spent 70 hours testing the Turtle Beach Atlas Air across a variety of games to experience the extent of its audio profile. On PC, I played Overwatch 2, League of Legends, and Genshin Impact and was thoroughly impressed with how clear the audio was - especially in games that required more attention to audio cues like footsteps.

On PlayStation, I used the headset for Red Dead Redemption 2, and Tekken 8, and on Nintendo Switch for Dredge and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Across all platforms the quality of audio was consistent, and there was a lot of background foley I had missed when using just speakers. 

To test the microphone, I used the headset for several hours during Discord calls and closely compared it to the quality of other headsets I've used in the past. This also served as a test of the battery life, since the Atlas Air is sold with the promise of 50 hours. Having used the headset straight out of the box, and for 70 hours total, I can confirm the battery lasts as long as promised. But, most importantly it charges incredibly quickly so you'll be able to jump in exactly where you left off in no time. 

For a fair comparison, I used the Atlas Air alongside headsets such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P and the HyperX Cloud III to see how it performs and compare the battery life. Both of the headsets I used to compare have been my go-to for a decent number of months, but the Atlas Pro has quickly replaced both in my setup. Outside of its stellar audio, its lightweight sleek design never caused any discomfort, and how easy it is to connect to console and PC was an instant win. Now it's in my setup, it'll take something twice as impressive to replace it.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April to June 2024.

Final VR3000 review: immersive earbuds that are great for gaming and VR
3:00 pm | July 7, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Final VR3000: Two-minute review

The latest model of gaming earbuds from boutique Japanese audio brand Final, the Final VR3000 are designed to deliver some seriously immersive sound. Made with a focus on binaural recording, they are nothing short of a massive success. It's hard not to be blown away by the large and highly detailed soundstage that has been crammed into these tiny buds.

From a gaming perspective, this means that audio has a clear sense of direction. Footsteps in competitive shooters such as Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 are easy to track, giving you a distinct advantage in online matches, while cinematic hits like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 and Red Dead Redemption 2 sound exceptionally rich and life-like than ever. There was even a moment during my testing when an unseen door was opened behind my character in Hitman 3 and I instinctively turned around in real life, thoroughly convinced that the sound was really coming from behind me.

This high level of immersion makes them a great fit for virtual reality (VR) play too, where the earbuds do an excellent job of staying put thanks to their comfortable and secure design. They’re also very light, coming in at just 0.7oz / 20g in total which helps prevent fatigue over lengthy gaming sessions. A generous selection of five pairs of ear tips is included in the box, alongside some removable ear hooks, making it easy to find the perfect fit.

As impressive as this all is, there is still some room for improvement. The earbuds feature an in-line microphone, which is built into a small controller with two volume buttons and a pause button. The microphone itself is okay, offering slightly muffled recording that is just about good enough if you’re chatting with friends in an online match but nothing to write home about, though the volume controls and pause button only seem to work on mobile devices. This isn’t a huge dealbreaker, but it does sting given the more premium price point of the Final VR3000 compared to alternatives.

A shot of the Final VR3000 earbuds on a wooden table.

(Image credit: Future)

Final VR3000: Price and availability

  • $79.99 / £69.99 / around AU$120
  • Available via Amazon
  • First released in December 2020 

The Final VR3000 earbuds retail for $79.99 / £69.99 / around AU$120 and are readily available at Amazon in the US, UK, and Australia. This price tag puts them towards the higher end of the wired gaming earbuds market, where they begin to compete with some wireless options and even full-size wireless gaming headsets. Still, this seems like a fair price to pay given the high audio quality on offer here and the fact that Final is a more premium specialist brand. 

Final VR3000: Specs

Final VR3000: Design and features

The Final VR3000 are compact and comfortable to wear, with an overall design that shares a lot in common with many professional in-ear monitor (IEM) earbuds. They have a modern, angular shape that allows each bud to slot neatly into your ear with the cable pointing upwards. Like a pair of IEMs, you then hook the cable around the top of your ear which adds some extra support. Because of this, it takes a few seconds to get the earbuds into place but the fit feels extremely secure. I moved around a lot throughout my testing period, particularly when I was playing more intensive VR titles like Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice and Beat Arena, and the buds never became loose or came close to falling out.

A total of five pairs of alternate ear tips are included in the box, ranging from extra small to extra large in size, so you have lots of options to tweak the fit if the default configuration doesn’t work for you. Each set of ear tips is color-coded, with one side sporting a bright red or pink band on its underside. Final states that this is designed to allow you to more easily tell the left and right earbuds apart in low light conditions, which is a great touch and shows some real attention to detail. A pair of small ear hooks are also bundled in, though I found that these were fragile and awkward to install.

The alternate ear tips of the Final VR3000.

(Image credit: Future)

The inside of each earbud is clearly labeled with a small printed left or right indicator, in addition to the Final logo and the model name. They are constructed from a hard matt plastic and connected to a 4ft / 1.2m long cable. Some basic audio controls in the form of a clicky volume up, volume down, and pause button are built into the cable connected to the right earbud, as is a tiny in-line microphone. The materials of the Final VR3000 all feel uniformly premium and the earbuds come with a small black fabric carrying pouch for easy transport.

Final VR3000: Performance

The performance of the Final VR3000 is incredibly impressive in almost every respect. In a game with well-implemented binaural sound, like Escape from Tarkov or Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, they are nothing short of perfect. Environmental sounds are clean and crisp, further elevated by an eerily life-like sense of direction and depth. The overall tuning is on the bass-heavy side, which might cause you to lower the volume a little in titles with lots of punchy sound effects like gunfire or explosions, but it gives in-game soundtracks a really satisfying weight. Moments of emotional climax in The Last of Us Part 2 and Alan Wake 2 were just sublime.

The earbuds are also perfect for VR gaming. Paired with the Meta Quest 2 VR headset and my PC, the intricately detailed city of Half Life: Alyx came through with impressive clarity, and everything from the distant hum of vehicles to the chatter of nearby civilians was recreated beautifully. The same was true when it came to a range of native Meta Quest 2 games and I was pleasantly surprised that the earbuds didn't cause any noticeable fatigue during my sessions. If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds to use specifically with a VR headset, then the Final VR3000 are very easy to recommend.

Given this excellent performance, I was a little disappointed to discover that the microphone here is just average. Friends reported that I sounded slightly muffled but still intelligible, and on work calls the buds let in a lot of background noise. It’s also a shame that the onboard controls only work with mobile devices. Having to navigate to a menu on your console or PC in order to adjust the volume isn’t the end of the world but is still pretty inconvenient.

The Final VR3000 gaming earbuds placed on a wooden surface.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Final VR3000?

Buy it if...

You want more immersive audio from your earbuds
The Final VR3000 offer highly immersive audio with a real sense of direction and depth. Pick up a pair if you want the very latest games to sound incredibly life-like and rich.

You need earbuds for VR
These earbuds have a design that is absolutely perfect for virtual reality. They help VR games sound their absolute best and stay comfortable and secure while you play.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best mic
The microphone of the Final VR3000 is bang average. You can find cheaper earbuds that offer comparable (or even sometimes better) microphone performance. See the comparison below for some other options.

Also consider...

If you’re not fully satisfied with what the Final VR3000 has to offer, these two cheaper alternatives are well worth your consideration. 

Final VR500
They lack the punchy bass of the Final VR3000, but these budget-friendly gaming earbuds are also from Final and are the definite way to go if you want some impressive sound at a much lower price.

For more information, check out our full Final VR500 review

SteelSeries Tusq
What the SteelSeries Tusq loses in overall audio quality and build, it gains in microphone fidelity. These affordable gaming earbuds feature a removable boom mic that makes them the best option for chatting.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Tusq review.

The Final VR3000 earbuds plugged into an Xbox Wireless Controller.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Final VR3000

  • Used for more than two weeks
  • Tested with a wide range of platforms 
  • Evaluated against other gaming earbuds 

I used the Final VR3000 as my primary gaming earbuds for more than two weeks, using them almost daily. During that time I tested them with a wide variety of platforms including PS5, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Steam Deck OLED. I played a wide variety of games in order to assess their performance, including Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Escape from Tarkov, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Luigi’s Mansion 2, The Crew Motorfest, The Caligula Effect 2, and more.

I also tried plenty of VR games using my PC and a Meta Quest 2 headset, such as Gun Club VR, Half-Life: Alyx, Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice, and Beat Arena. I chatted with friends and recorded a selection of audio files in a variety of settings using two separate PCs in order to assess the performance of the microphone. Throughout the testing period, I compared my experience with my hands-on testing of other gaming earbuds such as the Final VR500, SteelSeries Tusq, Turtle Beach Battle Buds, and more.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Samsung Odyssey OLED G60SD/G80SD: two exciting new entries in the gaming monitor market
12:30 am | June 7, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Several monitors were showcased at the Samsung Wonders Unlocked event, with two of them gaming-oriented. In recent years, the manufacturer has really stepped up its gaming monitor game, with the Odyssey series nearly always delivering on display quality and performance as some of the best gaming monitors out there.

I tested two of the latest in the Odyssey series – the Odyssey OLED G60SD and the Odyssey OLED G80SD – to see how these iterations hold up. So far, I've been very pleased with the results. Not only do they look great, but they offer plenty of upgrades, quality-of-life additions, and improved specs to justify the steep price - especially the HDR 10 support, which was stunning to witness.

Odyssey OLED G60SD: price and availability

The Odyssey OLED G series has two models: the 27-inch Odyssey OLED G60SD and the 32-inch Odyssey OLED G80SD.

The G60SD is available for preorder on the Samsung online store at $899.99 / £799 / AU$1,499, while the G80SD is priced at $1,299.99 / ££1,099.99 / AU$2,058. You'll also receive a bonus of $300 in Samsung credit if you purchase one of the new monitor models.

Odyssey OLED G60SD: specs

Here are the specs for the Odyssey OLED G60SD/G80SD at a glance. 

Odyssey OLED G60SD/G80SD: design

Odyssey OLED G60SD

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gaming monitor near pink keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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gaming monitor near pink keyboard

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gaming monitor near pink keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Odyssey OLED G80SD

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gaming monitor near white keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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gaming monitor near white keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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gaming monitor near white keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Like most other Odyssey-series gaming monitors, the Odyssey OLED G60SD and G80SD look gorgeous. They sport luscious QHD+ and UHD 4K OLED displays, respectively, both outfitted with glare-free technology that actually works - and quite well at that. 

I tested it out by simply having the monitor near sunlight coming in through an open window (one of the most pervasive lighting situations for the average buyer), and light didn't wash out the screen in the slightest. Thanks to said tech, the flat shape of the monitors isn't a hindrance as they don't require the curved shape to filter out light. I'll go out on a limb and say that this is such an important feature that it'll make reviewing other monitors difficult, as glare is one of my biggest issues.

Other nifty new features that combat overheating and OLED burn-in are Samsung OLED Safeguard+ technology and the Dynamic Cooling System. These tools diffuse heat and reduce the monitor's core and surface temperatures, keeping the internal components safe from heat damage and preventing burn-in from static images like logos and taskbars.

The two monitors' vibrant white color stands out in the sea of plain black monitors on the market, especially when paired with the CoreSync and Core Lighting+ features. Those are RGB light rings in the back of the monitor that you can control through various settings. They're purely aesthetic but help brighten up your gaming desk setup in a fun and unobtrusive way.

I also appreciate how, despite the large screen sizes, it's easy to pick up both the monitor and stand, making moving them around a living space much easier. The thin displays also mean that it doesn't take up much desk real estate, an absolute boon for any gamer struggling with space issues.

Odyssey OLED G60SD/G80SD: performance

Odyssey OLED G60SD

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gaming monitor menu

(Image credit: Future)
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gaming monitor menu

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gaming monitor menu

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gaming monitor menu

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gaming monitor menu

(Image credit: Future)

Odyssey OLED G80SD

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gaming monitor near white keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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gaming monitor near white keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

I tested out both the Odyssey OLED G60SD and G80SD gaming monitors through Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and more of the best PC games. The G60SD has a higher refresh rate at 360Hz versus the G80SD's 240Hz, while both sport a 0.03ms response time. Combined with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, you can fully eliminate choppiness, screen lag, and image tears. 

No matter what title I played, the gameplay was silky smooth and made the QHD+ and UHD 4K resolution shine even more. It was also explained to me that the G80SD featured no color shifting, no added latency, and could maintain its 240Hz refresh rate at 4K - an impressive feat. It has a tool called the Samsung NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor, meaning that the monitor can upscale content to nearly 4K

I was also able to try HDR10 through the G80SD and compare the image to the G60SD. We started with Red Dead Redemption 2's prologue through the wintery landscape as the protagonist navigated through a snowstorm on horseback. Not only were the colors, the whites, and the blacks far more vibrant, but the overall picture quality was much sharper and cleaner, with improved visuals.

Odyssey OLED G60SD/G80SD: early verdict

gaming monitor near white keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Both the Samsung Odyssey OLED G60SD and G80SD are exceptional gaming monitors that not only boast excellent specs but also come with a host of other quality-of-life features and upgrades that enhance the gaming experience. 

From a full ventilation system that prevents the dreaded OLED burn-in to HDR 10 that takes an iconic scene from a video game and elevates it to new heights to (one of my personal favorites) glare-free technology that ensures sunlight from an open window won't completely wash out your screen during a gaming session.

I'm excited to see what Samsung will churn out next, as its gaming offerings just keep getting better and better with each new year.

Acer Predator Triton 17 X: a premium gaming laptop that packs a punch
2:59 pm | June 4, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Acer Predator Triton 17 X: Two-minute review

There's an argument to be made for packing in as much power as possible when it comes to the best gaming laptops, and that's the space the Acer Predator Triton 17 X occupies. For the most part, it forgoes being the sleekest and smallest of its kind to go all-in on pushing boundaries for those with deep enough pockets to take the plunge. 

Priced at $3,599.99 / £3,299.99 / AU$7,999, the Acer Predator Triton 17 X isn't a budget pick by any means, but that's the cost of packing in enough horsepower to give even the best gaming PCs a run for their money. While the mobile RTX 4090 doesn't exactly rival what its desktop counterpart can do, the performance margin is within an acceptable ballpark range; you can think of it as similar to an RTX 4080 desktop GPU.  

Where this rig stands out from competitors is with its display. The Triton 17 X features a staggering 250Hz refresh rate with a 1600p resolution screen. That 16:10 aspect ratio means you get more real-estate for gaming, and the results are impressive. Fortunately, the components inside this Predator laptop mean you'll be able to push even the latest and most demanding games to superfast frame rates. 

No corners have been cut with the quality-of-life features here, either. This laptop is armed with a six-speaker setup, an excellent keyboard, and a healthy port selection, so even when you're not gaming, you'll have a good experience. Just keep in mind that the Triton 17 X is not the most practical notebook with its 3kg / 6.6lbs heft, so it might not be your daily runner to work or school on the side. 

Compounding this is the majorly disappointing battery life. The Acer Predator Triton 17 X lasts around two hours at best when enjoying media playback or browsing the web, and about an hour when getting stuck into one of the latest games. You'll want the charger nearby, but if you can overlook these issues then there's a stellar machine underneath it all. 

Acer Predator Triton 17 X: Price and availability

MSI Triton 17 X screen

(Image credit: Future)
  • How much does it cost? $3,599.99 / £3,299.99 / AU$7,999
  • When is it available? It's out now
  • Where can you get it? In the US, UK and Australia

The Acer Predator Triton 17 X is one of the pricier gaming laptops on the market, coming in above the $3,000 / £3,000 mark (and at AU$8,000). Considering the hardware inside, that shouldn't come as a huge surprise, though. Acer isn't pulling any punches from the choice of CPU and GPU, through to the display, RAM, and storage. Simply put, it's far from a cheap gaming laptop, but if you want to be on the bleeding edge and have the cash to splash then it could be worthwhile. 

As a frame of reference, the price of entry for the Predator Triton 17 X puts it in league with other top-end offerings such as the Origin EON 16SL when fully specced out, or the Alienware M16 and Razer Blade 16 (2023) in higher configurations. You aren't getting the best value for money on the market, nor the strongest price-to-performance ratio, but in terms of sheer raw power, the Triton 17 X has it in spades. 

  • Price: 3 / 5

Acer Predator Triton 17 X: Design

Design of the MSI Triton 17 X

(Image credit: Future)
  • Stunning 250Hz mini-LED display 
  • Packed with ports 
  • A bit heavy at 3kg / 6.6lbs
Acer Predator Triton 17 X: Specs

Here's what's inside the Acer Predator Triton 17 X supplied to TechRadar. 

CPU: Intel Core i9-13900HX
GPU: Nvidia RTX 4090
RAM: 64GB LPDDR5
Storage: 2TB NVMe Gen 4.0
Display: WQXGA (2560 x 1600) 16:10 IPS 250Hz
Ports: 2x USB 3.2, 2x USB-C, 2.5Gb Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD card slot
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.1
Weight: 3kg / 6.6lbs
Dimensions: ‎‎28 x 38.04 x 2.19cm (LxWxH)

The most notable thing about the Acer Predator Triton 17 X at first glance is the display which is certainly a leading model as far as gaming laptops go. This portable powerhouse packs in a 16:10 WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600 resolution) screen meaning more real-estate is available for gaming than 16:9 can offer. It's bolstered by a 250Hz refresh rate and is Nvidia G-sync compatible, so there's no screen tearing. 

It's not the first laptop to feature a mini-LED display, but it is an excellent example of the panel tech in action. While not quite as vivid as OLED, it is considerably brighter, and the 1,000 local dimming zones do a solid job of standing in with similar black levels. Considering the hardware inside, an RTX 4090 mobile GPU backed up by an Intel 13th-gen Core i9 processor, you'll be able to take advantage of that high refresh rate, too. 

Acer's design philosophy for this machine is "excellent in excess" and that's clearly demonstrated with the hardware packed into a portable form factor. Mind you, this rig weighs in at 3kg / 6.6lbs making it one of the heavier models on the market. With a 17-inch screen, it's fairly large as well, and while technically portable, the 17 X is unlikely to be something you'll commonly be slinging into a bag. It's more of an out-and-out desktop replacement. 

While you're likely to plug in one of the best gaming keyboards and best gaming mice, the Acer Predator Triton 17 X features a solid keyboard and trackpad for casual web browsing and typing. It offers pleasant multi-zone RGB lighting which looks the part when playing in darker environments. The trackpad isn't as nice as some of the glass ones you'll find on a similarly priced Razer Blade, but it gets the job done. Again, a dedicated mouse will do the trick better.

No expense was spared on the connectivity front here, either. There are two USB-C ports, two USB 3.2 ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. You'll have no shortage of options for either work or play, and it's good that the manufacturer chose function over form in this respect, as some thinner laptops can sacrifice port selection to achieve their svelte nature. 

  • Design: 4 / 5

Acer Predator Triton 17 X: Performance

Keyboad of the Triton 17 X

(Image credit: Future)
  • Unparalleled 1080p and 1440p gaming performance 
  • Silky smooth refresh rate 
  • Gets very hot and loud

You won't be surprised to learn that a gaming laptop powered by the Intel Core i9-13900HX and Nvidia RTX 4090 with 64GB of LPDDR5 RAM absolutely mowed through our suite of benchmarks and games. The display for the laptop tops out at 250Hz, and you'll have all the horsepower necessary to achieve those kind of frame rates in 1080p, and drive very smooth gameplay at 1440p as well.

Acer Predator Triton 17 X benchmarks

Here's how the Acer Predator Triton 17 X got on in our game testing. 

Total War: Three Kingdoms (1080p) - 364fps (Low); 140fps (Ultra)
Total War: Three Kingdoms (1440p) - 290fps (Low) ; 92fps (Ultra)
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p) - 118fps (Low); 107fps (Ultra)
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p) - 129fps (Low); 89fps (Ultra)
Cyberpunk 2077 RT Ultra - 85fps (1080p); 83fps (1440p)
Red Dead Redemption 2 (1080p) - 147fps (Low) ; 128fps (Ultra)
Red Dead Redemption 2 (1440p) - 108fps (Low); 86fps (Ultra)
Geekbench 6:
Single - 2,720
Multi - 17,308
3DMark:
Night Raid - 72,575
Fire Strike - 31,498
Time Spy - 16,866
Port Royal - 11,261
PCMark10: 8,069
CrystalDiskMark: Read - 6,441.97; Write - 4,872.65
Cinebench R23:
Single - 1,941
Multi - 25,624
TechRadar battery test: 1 hour 8 minutes

It's comparable to what the MSI Titan 18 HX can do, albeit without the 4K resolution, not that you'll necessarily need 4K in such a small display anyway. It wasn't uncommon for the demanding games tested, such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2, to exceed 100fps when maxed out in 1440p. Even CPU-bound titles such as Total War: Three Kingdoms were no sweat for the 13900HX, as this game could exceed a lightning-fast 300fps.

Synthetic figures are equally strong as evidenced by 3DMark's range of GPU benchmarks alongside PCMark 10. Acer hasn't skimped on the choice of Gen 4.0 NVMe SSD either, with a strong performance of 6,441MB/s for reads and 4,872MB/s for writes. All told it's a very encouraging package showcasing the prowess of the hardware, but not without a few drawbacks.

While the RTX 4090M is roughly equivalent to the desktop RTX 4080 with its 16GB GDDR6 VRAM and lower power draw, the combination of CPU and GPU here does result in excess heat and loudness. It wasn't uncommon for the rig to reach upwards of 90 degrees when under stress, with the fans drowning out the otherwise impressive six-speaker surround setup. This could be counteracted by employing the use of one of the best gaming headsets, but it's worth noting all the same.

Using the HDMI 2.1 port, you'll be able to hook up the Acer Predator Triton 17 X to one of the best gaming monitors for that big screen experience should the 17-inch display not be enough for you. You may also want to invest in a dedicated laptop riser to keep the fans of the machine elevated to aid cooling, too. 

  • Performance: 4 / 5

Acer Predator Triton 17 X: Battery life

Closed lid of the MSI Triton 17 X

(Image credit: Future)
  • Lasts around two hours when web browsing or for media playback
  • About an hour of gaming on battery power  

What's most disappointing about the Acer Predator Triton 17 X is the battery life which just about manages two hours on a single charge with media playback or casual browsing. When gaming, you can expect about an hour or so, give or take, so you'll need to keep a charger handy if you want to have a full session of gaming for the evening.

Keeping the Acer Predator Triton 17 X plugged in at all times isn't ideal in terms of its portability factor, obviously, but as we already observed, it's a little too large and bulky for that anyway. The battery life is a shame considering there's a 99.98Wh four-cell power pack inside, but it's not too big a shock when factoring in that there's 175W of power drawn by the RTX 4090M GPU alone.

Simply put, if you're after excellent battery life for a portable machine then the Acer Predator 17 X won't be for you. Instead, we recommend considering one of the best Ultrabooks, even if you won't get anywhere near the same level of processing power.

  • Battery: 2 / 5

Should you buy the Acer Predator Triton 17 X?

Buy it if... 

You want a no-compromise gaming experience 

The Acer Predator Triton 17 X packs a punch with its RTX 4090 GPU and 13th-gen Core i9 CPU backed with a staggering 64GB of RAM. All that power translates to commonly getting over 100fps in 1440p with maxed out details. 

You want an out-and-out desktop replacement 

With its powerful hardware and generous port selection, you'll be able to hook up the Triton 17 X to an external monitor for a big screen gaming experience. 

You're in the market for a productivity powerhouse 

While the Acer Predator Triton 17 X is geared towards gamers, its 250Hz refresh rate and cutting-edge hardware make it a good choice for creatives who need all the VRAM and raw performance grunt they can get.

Don't buy it if... 

You want the best value for money 

There's no getting around the eye-watering MSRP of the Acer Predator Triton 17 X at $3,599.99 / £3,299.99 / AU$7,999. If you're on a tighter budget, you'll clearly want to consider a more mid-range model instead.

You want a laptop with a good battery life 

Despite its 99.98Wh battery, you can expect only around an hour of gaming when not plugged in. Media playback doubles that to around two hours based on our battery test (conducted at 50% battery with half max brightness). Whatever the case, don't expect much longevity with the Triton 17 X.

Also consider

  • First reviewed June 2024
Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) review: upgradable impressive power
2:49 pm | October 7, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023): Two-minute review

Acer, always a competitor where price is concerned, is better known for cost-effective laptops than high-end gaming PCs, but they’ve been producing some of the best gaming PCs since 2008. 

The newest of its Predator line, the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023), is a monolith of a PC, which is to say it looks like a proper sexy space monolith, except it's nowhere near as quiet. Rather, it’s so loud that if you wanted to go on holiday but couldn’t, you could get part-way there by closing your eyes and make-believing you’re on a plane. That’s how loud the fans get on “gaming mode”. 

On the normal power setting, the fans don’t spin up all that often even while gaming – but they definitely will at some point during a gaming session. If you value immersion while playing, you will find it broken by the Orion 7000.

But the PC excels in all other ways, making it one of the best computers we’ve seen in a while. It’s gorgeously designed; particularly its ARGB lighting is lovely. It’s got more ports than a leopard has spots. Its very large chassis is very well laid out, affording you ample opportunity to customize and upgrade the PC in the future. 

Performance-wise it delivers everything you could ask for. It performed well in all the benchmarks we ran, and when we very enthusiastically played the brand-new AAA game Starfield at max settings, it was utterly smooth, with nary a frame-drop.

The fans will be a real problem for some. You wouldn’t be able to record live audio on it. Even voice chat is affected. The 2022 version of the Predator Orion 7000 (2023) had the same problem and was criticized for it, so it’s not like Acer didn’t know.

It’s clear what Acer’s priorities were, though: The Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) is not all that expensive – for a high-end gaming PC, you understand – and Acer has thrown in a decent mouse and keyboard combo. For this decent price, you may well be happy to slap on a good noise canceling headset with directional mic and enjoy the power you’ve bought.

Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023): Price & availability

  • How much does it cost?  Starting at $3,000 / £3,300 (about AU$4,655) 
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Starting at $3,000 / £3,300 (about AU$4,655), the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) is expensive, but considering its specs, the price is actually pretty OK. Acer is known for producing more budget-friendly laptops and PCs, and, for a high-end gaming PC, the Predator Orion 7000 (2023) is not egregiously budget-un-friendly. Anyone looking for a PC armed with an i9 and RTX 4090 is already girded to pay at least this much. 

Still, it’s a lot, and you don’t need to spend this much just to play the latest games. If you're looking for anything under $4,000 / £4,00 for the specs of our review unit, then you might want to look at older models like the superb Predator Orion 3000, which we’ve pronounced the best value gaming PC out right now. 

  • Price score: 4 / 5

Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023): Specs

The Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) comes in four configurations in the US, three elsewhere. The cheapest of the US’s configurations has an i7-13700KF, a RTX 3080, and 10 GB dedicated memory; the other three can be succinctly summed up with GPU numbers: 3090, 4080, and 4090. Of Australia’s three configurations, two have an i9-13900K, and either an RTX 4090, or 4080. UK customers also have three configurations, the cheapest of which comes with an i7 hexadeca-core 3.40GHz and an RTX 4070Ti. The other two configurations come with an i9 and an RTX 4080 or 4090. 

Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Rosario Blue)

Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023): Design

  • Humongous chassis
  • Gorgeous RGB lighting effects
  • Easy to upgrade

The Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) is a no-nonsense PC. Its exterior alone proclaims “hard as nails”, meaning it’s serious business, serious gaming business. It scores almost full marks on aesthetics, and no, not simply because of its delicious ARGB – we’re not so shallow we’re completely swept away by a few million colors. 

Well, regardless of whether we are or not, the whole package is gorgeous. Its massive ATX chassis is black all over with rounded edges, and the interior is spacious and very neatly arranged. The interior is visible through a crepuscular glass side panel paired with the gorgeous 16.7m ARGB LEDs. To finish is a matte black metal door with a shiny Acer logo printed in black, and topped with mesh.

The front of the chassis has two Predator FrostBlade fans in a raised glass casing with a shiny plastic frame; most of the glass is the same shadowy glass as the side panels, and part of the upper part of the glass is opaque with an Acer logo that lights up blue.

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Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Rosario Blue)
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Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Rosario Blue)

While it’s gorgeously designed, the Predator Orion 7000 (2023) really is huge. At 485mm x 219mm x 504.8mm and starting at 14Kg in weight, it’s not easy to carry and takes up a lot of space, so you’ll want to recall your manual handling training when you lift it and position it where you can access the back and not have to move it ever.

And it’s designed to keep you from having to. It’s designed to be easily-upgradable. It’s “toolless” – that is, you don’t need tools to access its internals. And its spacious interior means you don’t need to sweat and curse and get cramps while replacing parts.

Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Rosario Blue)

As for ports… there’s a really impressive selection both at the back and the top of the chassis: 1x HDMI, 4x USB 2.0, 4x USB 3.1, and 2x USB-C. As for storage, there’s a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and 3TB HDD SATA 3 (and you can have up to 2 of each), and on the top, a 2.5-inch bay for hot-swapping USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C drives (one of our favorite features).

Also, there’s some cool free wallpapers on the Acer Predator site to finish off the look of your PC if you’re interested. 

  • Design score: 4 / 5
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Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Rosario Blue)
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Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) on the author's desk

(Image credit: Future / Rosario Blue)

Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023): Performance

  • The 4090 is superb
  • Not a single game exists today that cannot be played on it
  • Very upgradeable
Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023): Benchmarks

Here’s how the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark: Port Royal: 25679 Speed Way: 10026; Fire Strike: 46869; Fire Strike Ultra: 24059 Time Spy: 31781; Time Spy Extreme: 17409
GeekBench 5.5: 1908 (single-core); 21380 (multi-core)
GeekBench 6.1: 2896 (single-core); 17399 (multi-core)
GeekBench 6.0.3: 2764 (single-core); 16780 (multi-core)
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 251.7 fps;(1080p, Low): 559.5 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p): 117.1 fps; (4K): 41.1 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p): 256.5 fps; (4K): 187.3fps
Assassin’s creed Valhalla: (1080p): 204 fps; (4K) 117 fps
Borderlands 3: (1080p): 258.95 fps; (4K): 129.11 fps
Grand Theft Auto V: (1080p): 186.032240 fps; (4K): 84.786770 fps
Far Cry 6 (1080p): 129 fps; (4K): 109 fps
Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition (High 1080p): 153.91fps (4K):127.50 fps; (Ultra 1080p): 144.91 fps (4K): 105.92 fps; (Extreme 1080p): 134.95 fps (4K): 72.65 fps
Red Dead Redemption 2 (Medium 1080p): 186.1147 fps  (4K): 79.3755 fps;  (Ultra 1080p): 109.0437 fps (4K): 36.7910 fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: (1080p): 244 fps; (4K): 129 fps
25GB File Copy: 1233.809283
Handbrake 1.6: 2:26
CrossMark: Overall: 2,305 Productivity: 2,151 Creativity: 2,631 Responsiveness: 1,904 

The Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) performs, well, fantastically. It'd be surprising if it didn't. The review unit we received comes with an unlocked AIO liquid-cooled i9-13900KF processor with 24 cores, 32 threads, a stock frequency of 3000MHz and a clocking speed of 5.4GHz, and the scrumptious beast that is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090.

That partnership alone needs no explanation, it is the creme de la creme of gaming parts. Most games we benchmarked it with stayed above 100 FPS even at 4K. A couple managed to tax it at 4K, like Red Dead Redemption 2.

For everyday tasks – browsing, watching Netflix, emailing, programming – well, of course there were no problems. Even playing games while doing most of those things at the same time didn’t disturb the Pool of Performance at all.

The cost is fan noise. When Predator Orion 7000 (2023) gets into full gaming mode they hum in an endless high-speed harmony – as Acer says, hilariously. What they mean is they can’t deny the fans are loud. While voice-chatting, we had to use a headset with noise canceling, and a directional mic, which definitely improved things, but it’s such a shame it’s necessary.

The noise means you won’t always get to appreciate Acer’s DTS:X Ultra audio, which, Acer says, allows you to experience “real-world spatial sound” by transforming your speakers and headset into a 360 degree high-end surround sound system. We can confirm that the sound is full, clear and feels immersive.

Where internet connectivity is concerned Acer has installed its 2.5G “Killer Ethernet” and 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E, so fast and efficient internet access will run whether you want to use Wi-Fi or ethernet to get online. 

The Orion 7000 comes preinstalled with Acer’s PredatorSense software. Despite the name it doesn’t alert you to predators or prey but to problems in your system: it’s the obligatory system-specific hardware monitor/configurer, one of the nicest we’ve seen, though; it shows temps and speeds very clearly, and lets you control the fans, power settings, lighting, and the clock speeds without having to go into the BIOS.

  • Performance score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023)?

Buy it if...

You want a behemoth PC that can take on anything
Performance is at the heart of the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023). It can take on any task from general day-to-day use to intensive gaming sessions. It’s perfect for old, new and future games, so you won’t need a replacement any time soon.

You want an easy-to-upgrade PC
The opportunities to upgrade the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) are almost endless. With its toolless, spacious chassis, you won’t be fiddling and stressing when you’re ready to tweak it.

Don't buy it if...

You’re looking for a more cost-effective gaming PC
The Predator Orion 7000 (2023) is expensive, and understandably so, but if you don’t have enough in your budget to fork out for its cheapest configuration, then there are more-than-decent cheaper alternatives to purchase instead.

Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023): Also consider

If the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...

How I tested the Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023)

  • I used this beaut as my main gaming PC for almost three weeks
  • Gaming-wise, I played various games, old and new

I used this beaut as my main gaming PC for almost three weeks. Gaming-wise, I played various games, old and new, mostly very new (Starfield, at max settings, which was glorious, loud at times, but glorious). Benchmark tests were carried out using games like CyberPunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and GTA V. I browsed the internet, joined video calls. And I, of course, wrote on it. 

There’s very little the Predator Orion 7000 (2023) can’t do. Play your favorite games. The newest titles are nothing to it. Surf the web, watch shows, compile the Linux kernel, hell, do all of those things at once; it’ll look at you serenely like a lion challenged to a fight by a cat.

I have over 25 years of gaming experience and several years of testing gaming peripherals, PCs and laptops under my belt. I don’t just review these things in an “I have a job to do” type of way: I’m their manufacturer’s target audience; I thoroughly, honestly and fairly review and test all units. I pretty much live and breathe games, computers, and all the extras and have opinions about what is good and important, and can identify deficiencies and suggest improvements.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2023

BenQ PD2706UA Designer review: equally good for design and productivity work
7:53 am | July 7, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

BenQ PD2706UA Designer: Two-minute review

The BenQ PD2706UA Designer monitor is a stellar display for just about every purpose. It even works for gaming if you don’t need a super fast refresh rate. Where it excels though is with creative content such as photo and video editing as well as general productivity. In fact, I would almost say that this is a near-perfect monitor.

There’s so little fault to find here that what I do find frustrating are not even close to deal-breakers. For example, just about every monitor with built-in speakers I’ve come across suffers from thin-sounding audio. And, my issue with the lack of automatic input switching is an annoyance but doesn’t keep me from considering this one of the best monitors I’ve had the pleasure of using. I believe that anyone looking for the best monitor for photo editing and best video editing display will most likely agree.

What I like about it is not just its vibrant colors and sharp resolution, but the fact that BenQ paired prosumer-level performance with the kind of ergonomics and features that I expect to see in the best business monitors. It’s the best of both worlds for a price that is far below what I would expect for a display like this.

BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Even before turning on the BenQ PD2706UA, I knew that it was a cut above. The C-Clamp stand not only frees up a lot of desk space, but the cable management built into it is incredibly well thought-out. When setting it up, I plugged every cable the monitor came with into the ports along with one to connect my keyboard. I was able to thread all of them through the stand, which has a cover to hide them for an almost completely cable-free desk.

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BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Beyond the cable management, the C-clamp comes with a level of articulation that you won’t find on most monitors. While it only tilts five degrees down and 30 degrees up, it swivels 275 degrees to either side and can rotate a full 90 degrees to use in portrait mode. Additionally, it can be raised or lowered 150mm (5.9 inches). In my opinion, that’s truly impressive. The only downside is that it only rotates in one direction.

BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

I’m also a fan of the port selection on hand. For visual inputs, it comes with one HDMI 2.0, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB-C port that comes with a 90W power delivery, more than enough to keep the battery on my MacBook Pro fully charged. There’s also a USB hub with three USB-A and one USB-C port.

The BenQ PD2706UA also comes with a hotkey puck, which is nice for making changes on the fly, whether it’s selecting inputs, changing brightness or volume, or selecting a color mode. Most of the controls are programmable to an extent so you can finetune what you want instant access to. 

My only issue with the hotkey puck is when I have it set up for selecting inputs, it won’t work when one of the inputs is off. I have to go into the OSD menu instead to select the desired input, making what would be my most used function on the puck moot. Additionally, there’s no automatic input switching. So, if you turn the monitor on, it will try to connect to the last used source, and you’ll have to manually switch to whatever source you want to use. And, again, you won’t be able to use the hotkey puck.

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BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

As good as the BenQ PD2706UA’s design is, its performance is just as good, if not better. The 27-inch IPS screen may only offer a 60Hz refresh rate, but with its excellent colors, sharp 4K resolution, and solid VESA-Certified HDR400, the fact that this monitor is not the fastest out there is a non-factor.

In fact, for everyone who’s not a gamer, that refresh rate will be more than enough. And, depending on the kind of games you play, this display might still be good enough. While you can certainly spend plenty of time moseying around in Red Dead Redemption 2, the BenQ PD2706UA is more suited to content creation.

This pre-calibrated monitor is listed as having fairly extensive color gamut, specifically 95% P3, 99% Rec.709, 99% sRGB. Having run it through a colorimeter, I was able to actually get 96% coverage for P3, 100% for sRGB, and 89% for Adobe RGB (my testing didn’t cover Rec.709), making this ideal for a number of creative applications including video production as well as artwork and photography destined to make it into print. Additionally, my testing showed it to not only have wide color coverage but accurate colors as well with an average Delta E of 1.12.

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BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
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BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The BenQ PD2706UA also offers some features to help with the creative process. For instance, there are 11 different color modes available to adjust for the kind of color space you need to work including but not limited to sRGB, Display P3, DCI-P3, REC.709, CAD/DAM, ePaper, and Darkroom. There’s even a mode to match the color space of an Apple computer plus a nifty DualView feature where you can compare what you’re working on in two different modes so you can see how your project will translate.

Not all the features included are specifically for content creators. Some of them are perfect for general productivity work including KVM, which works seamlessly via the USB hub, and Picture-in-Picture / Picture-by-Picture (PIP / PBP) where you can view two sources.

If there’s one area that the BenQ PD2706UA doesn’t quite deliver is its built-in speakers. They’re thin-sounding and generally unimpressive. Now, that seems to be the case with almost all monitor speakers I’ve heard. But, if you need to hear audio accurately or just care about getting good sound, you’ll want to add a pair of the best computer speakers to your setup.

BenQ PD2706UA Designer: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost?  $629.99 (about £503.60, AU$932.65)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US

It’s truly unfortunate that the BenQ PD2706UA is currently available only in the US. However, it’s a relatively new product in BenQ’s Ergo Arm Series of monitors having launched in March of 2023. Hopefully, any creatives looking for a stellar 27-inch screen will soon be able to grab one of these as the price is very reasonable for all that’s on offer.

Consider for instance that the company’s own BenQ PD2725U, a fantastic 27-inch 4K monitor that caters to the same creative and professional crowd but doesn’t come with that incredibly useful C-Clamp stand, goes for $ 849 / £859.99 / AU$1399. It’s abundantly clear how much value the BenQ PD2706UA has since it’s cheaper and has much more articulation while still sharing the same resolution and similarly wide color coverages, not to mention features like PiP.

If you care most about that articulating boom arm, then you can save a little money with the HyperX Armada 27 and its $499 / £499 / AU$779 price tag. While it is a gaming monitor with a lower 1440p resolution, slightly offset by its speedy 240Hz refresh rate, you turn it whichever way you want including portrait mode. Of course, the BenQ reviewed here is just $100 / £100 more and has so much more to offer for everyone but gamers.

  •  Price: 4.5 / 5 

BenQ PD2706UA

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

BenQ PD2706UA Designer: Specs

Should you buy the BenQ PD2706UA Designer?

Buy it if...

You want excellent color coverage
With 95% P3, 99% sRGB, and 99% Rec.709 color coverage, the BenQ PD2706UA can handle just about any kind of creative work.

You want next-level ergonomics
With its excellent C-Clamp, you can orient the monitor any which way making it perfect for when you need to see something in portrait mode.

Don't buy it if...

You need a faster refresh rate
As capable as this display is, you’re still capped at a 60Hz refresh rate. Gamers and video editors needing something with a little more speed should look elsewhere.

You need more screen space
If you need more screen space, you’ll be frustrated by this monitor’s 27-inch display. It’s not quite enough to get the dual-monitor feel that larger monitors offer.

BenQ PD2706UA Designer: Also consider

How I tested the BenQ PD2706UA Designer

  • Tested over a week
  • Tested with video, games, and a calibration tool
  • All included features were explored

To test the BenQ PD2706UA Designer Monitor, I spent a week with it, playing some video games, watching some video, and even running it through a calibration tool. Additionally, I went through and checked out all the features from the KVM, PiP / PBP, DualView mode, and HDR just to name a few. I also used different computers including two Windows machines and a Macbook Pro. 

Having spent the last few years reviewing tech gear, 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.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2023

Cooler Master MM712 review: almost esports-ready
12:00 am | May 30, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Cooler Master MM712: Two-minute review

Whenever a product gets overhauled, it better be worth it. And, that’s certainly the case with the Cooler Master MM712. This update of the MM711 eschews the honeycomb design meant to minimize its weight for a more conventional, and frankly better, looking mouse. Add to that an upgraded sensor and multiple forms of connectivity, and there’s little reason to go back to this model’s predecessor (except if you find it on a deep sale).

However, we have a lot of choices beyond just what Cooler Master happens to offer, so you still have to consider how the MM712 compares to the competition. Depending on your needs, you might consider this the best gaming mouse for you. There are plenty of people that won’t, chief among them competitive gamers. 

As we’ll talk about, the MM712 has some limitations that will hinder certain types of gaming where having quick access to DPI changes is a necessity. However, if you don’t need something like a Sniper button, and mostly play games like Death Stranding or Red Dead Redemption 2 like I do, then you’ll find little to fault. In fact, for my personal needs, I would rank it up there with the best wireless mice to use for both work and pleasure.

Cooler Master MM712

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

On the surface, the Cooler Master MM712 is somewhat basic and almost nondescript. Available in matte black and matte white, it has a symmetrical, ambidextrous design that may not stand out from the crowd but does make it perfectly usable for any lefties out there. The only bit of color, besides some gray accents on the white version, is an RGB outline on the palm rest in the shape of the Cooler Master logo.

While it’s not going to excite anyone the way something like the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro will, the MM712 is still a well-designed mouse. Most notably, Cooler Master has managed to make it just 58g (0.13 lbs) without using that love-it-or-hate-it honeycomb shell that most lightweight mice like the MM711 use. Additionally, some very effective PTFE feet for frictionless gliding means using it requires very little effort.

Cooler Master MM712

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Possibly my favorite part of what the MM712 has to offer is its multiple forms of connectivity as it has wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth 5.1 connections available, making it easy to use with multiple sources. Additionally, if you need to use it in wired mode, the ultraweave cable is made so that you won’t feel it pull as you move your mouse around.

Where the mouse falls flat a little is in its button layout. The Cooler Master MM712 comes with the typical six buttons that you’ll find on the majority of standard gaming mice. However, the DPI button is not right behind the middle wheel as is normal. Instead, it’s underneath where you’ll find the dongle garage and power button. That means that you have to either remap one of your side buttons, losing them for other potential uses, or literally pick up the mouse every time you want to change the DPI.

Cooler Master MM712

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

But, at least it’s fast. While I can’t imagine anyone actually needing 19,000 DPI, the Cooler Master MM712 can reach those lofty heights thanks to its optical sensor. Yes, there are mice with even higher DPI on hand, but I found its DPI range far more than adequate, whether I was trying to take out counter-terrorists in CS:GO or secure a base in Battlefield 2042. 

To keep with the speedy performance, the MM712 also uses optical switches for near-instantaneous responses. Though the company doesn’t mention its actuation or debounce specs, even a light pressure will result in a press, so you should have no issue spamming enemies in your favorite games.

With a polling rate of 1,000Hz, performance is not only fast but smooth. Though it’s true that you’ll find some mice with even higher polling rates, this is just like the DPI where that extra bit of performance is, in my opinion, beyond what we can perceive so won’t make much difference to any but the most perceptive gamer.

Cooler Master MM712

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

However, there is one specific issue that registers all that fantastic performance moot for any gamer that needs a Sniper button. While the mouse can be customized in quite a few ways through the Master Plus app – you can remap every button including the DPI button underneath to all sorts of mouse, keyboard, and macro functions – you can’t create a Sniper button. It’s just not available in the software. So, if you need that, you’ll have to create a workaround by creating a Macro or giving up the two side buttons so that you can switch between two DPI settings. Considering this mouse is marketed towards gamers, this is quite the omission and one that should be easily fixed through a firmware update. But as it currently stands, you’ll have to live without the Sniper function ability or look for a different mouse to use when playing competitive games.

At least, the battery life is good. In 2.4GHz Wireless mode, the MM712 can reach up to 80 hours before needing to recharge, while Bluetooth mode will give 180 hours. If you keep the RGB on, that will bring those numbers down a bit. That said, in a week of constant use, switching between both wireless modes, I had to only charge once.

Having that solid battery life is especially nice for my needs as I have a multi-computer setup where I constantly switch between a MacBook Pro and a gaming computer. And, I can do all that with just this one mouse. I don’t need to worry about the battery or the performance. I only really need to adjust when it comes to messing with the DPI or playing without a Sniper button. It also helps that this mouse is fairly cheap.

Cooler Master MM712: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost?  $69.99 / £59.99 / AU$99 
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

At $69.99 / £59.99 / AU$99, the Cooler Master MM712 is not quite budget-level. However, that’s still a pretty reasonable price for an incredibly lightweight mouse with superb gaming performance. When you take into account the multiple forms of connectivity, this model’s value far outweighs its cost.

For comparison, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, which does come with some additional features and more impressive performance stats, goes for over double the price at $159 / £159 / AU$289. Why am I comparing a mid-range mouse with a flagship one? Because I was using the Basilisk V3 Pro before switching to the MM712, and the MM712 has mostly kept up.

Even looking at more mid-range options, the Cooler Master MM712 looks like quite the deal. The Roccat Kain 202 Aimo is a pretty solid wireless mouse with some great performance but doesn’t have Bluetooth and comes in at a higher $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$218. 

  •  Price: 5 / 5 

Cooler Master MM712: Specs

Should you buy the Cooler Master MM712?

Buy it if...

You want speedy gaming performance
While there are some issues that will affect esports games, the Cooler Master MM712 really does have the goods to keep up in almost any gaming situation. If you don’t need a Sniper button, you’ll find this speedster easy to use no matter the genre of your favorite titles.

You need wireless connectivity
Without trying to push my own bias as I have multiple computers to switch between, the connectivity on here will let you easily switch between computers. Or, it will at least give you gamer-level performance without being tethered.

Don't buy it if...

You need a Sniper button
It’s beyond me why there’s no way to create a Sniper button. If you play competitive games like CS:GO, you should probably consider different options to get the most out of your gaming sessions. 

You need a flagship mouse
While I’m pretty satisfied with the MM712, this isn’t the most premium option out there as evidenced not only by its price but minimal aesthetic. So, if you’re looking for something to show off or have all the features ever created for gaming mice, then you’ll want something like the aforementioned Razer Basilisk V3 Pro.

Cooler Master MM712: Also consider

How I tested the Cooler Master MM712

  • Tested over a week
  • Tested with different and different kinds of games
  • All included features were explored

To test the Cooler Master MM712, I spent a week with it, playing all sorts of games from fast-paced titles like Battefield 2042 and CS:GO to adventure and open-world titles like Control and Far Cry 6.

While testing, I spent plenty of time checking the feel and responsiveness of the mouse, specifically the buttons and sensor. I used all the different forms of connectivity and played around with the app to see everything it could do.

Having spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation. And, I’ve spent even longer playing computer games so I have an understanding of what gamers look for to get the most out of their titles.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

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