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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

Dell XPS Desktop (8960) review: a formidable gaming PC disguised as a lowly work computer
6:00 pm | May 29, 2023

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

Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Two-minute review

Once upon a time, the Dell XPS Desktop line had something to offer everyone, from the budget-minded to those who have the money to splurge. Not to be melodramatic or anything, but those days, just like the Dell XPS 2-in-1 we once knew and loved, are gone. 

That’s what it looks like, at least.

It looks like Dell is making some massive changes to its lineups. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 has undergone a massive overhaul last year, abandoning its gorgeous chassis for a flappy keyboard folio. And now, it looks like it’s abandoned the mid-range models of one of the best desktop PCs in existence in favor of the premium and therefore more powerful configurations. 

As I’m writing this review, I’m looking at a hefty $2,809.99 (about £2,230, AU$4,220) starting configuration, which is A LOT for a base model. And, Dell hasn’t mentioned anything about cheaper models to follow later.

I’m not actually sure what Dell’s next move is. It’s possible that it is getting ready to roll out a budget desktop PC line – our Components Editor got excited at the prospect of a desktop version of the purple-and-teal Dell G15. And it’s entirely possible that Dell is simply done making cheap desktop computers. We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.

Whatever Dell’s intentions are, it’s hard to deny its consistency when it comes to releasing impressive builds. The Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is a powerful piece of kit, one that isn’t just for work but lends itself well to gaming. And not just gaming either but gaming on Ultra with DLSS and ray tracing turned on, making it one of the best gaming PCs in 2023.

It’s an absolute powerhouse. The question though is it worth the splurge especially when the chassis itself looks design was more of an afterthought rather than an important consideration. That’s what I’m here to find out.

Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Price & availability

  • How much does it cost? From $2,809.99 (about £2,230, AU$4,220)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US (UK and Australia have different configurations and prices)

I would love nothing more than to give the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) a five-star rating, but holy guacamole! That price tag will make your eyes water and your bank account implode into nothing. The base configuration alone will set you back a hefty $2,809.99 (about £2,230, AU$4,220), which is a hard and massive pill to swallow for most people, even business.

Go for our review configuration, which is available in both the US and the UK, and babe, you might as well sell your house. That $3,209.99 / £2,859 (about AU$4,925) will make you want to declare bankruptcy.

Bear in mind that the UK and Australia have their own configurations, with the UK offering a much cheaper if less powerful base model and Australia not having any of the RTX 4000-powered options on hand, which means they’re slightly more affordable.

  • Price score: 2.5 / 5

Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Specs

The Dell XPS Desktop (8960) comes in four configurations, our review model being the mid-range option with its Intel Core i7-13700K chip, RTX 4080 GPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD storage capacity. This configuration is available in the US and the UK.

The strange thing about the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is Dell seemed to have forgotten to synchronize its configurations across regions and just went with it. So what we’re dealing with is a hodge-podge of models that aren’t available in all regions.

We’ve listed the US configurations below, but if you’re in the UK and Australia, know that you likely have a different base model and top configuration available to you.

In the UK, all of the specs of the base model are the same with the US base model except for graphics: it comes with an Intel UHD Graphics 770, which does make it less powerful but has the advantage of being much more affordable. 

Sadly for Australian customers, the RTX 4000 series cards are not available in any of the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) at the time of writing. And you also only have the budget and mid-range RTX 3000 on hand.

  • Specs score: 3.5 / 5

Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Design

  • Plain chassis
  • Lots of ports on hand
  • Great ventilation

The Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is neither small nor overly large, and it fits nicely just about anywhere – on top of your desk, under it. Use your leg power when lifting it, however, as it is pretty heavy, what with that massive GPU inside. 

Image 1 of 2

Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

To ensure that those powerful internals are staying cool under pressure, by the way, Dell put vents in front, on one of the side panels, and in the back. And I’m pretty sure they help with heat dissipation, which is why not only is this PC cool and quiet even when handling intensive tasks, but it also delivers top-notch untethered performance.

Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

It has inherited that minimalist Dell XPS Desktop design from its predecessors, but I honestly question the design choice here. That design worked in the past few years, especially in the white colorway. But not only is that color option gone, but the look itself is becoming a little dated. 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: we’re in our maximalist era, and we want fun design and funky colors. And not updating this look – not to mention, making it available in lifeless platinum and murky graphite – was a huge oversight. Hopefully, Dell makes up for it on future models.

Image 1 of 2

Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Luckily, there are a whole lot of ports to keep you (and your peripherals) connected. There are two USB ports, one USB-C, and one 3.5mm jack that are easily accessible in the front, of course. But a nice bonus is the SD card reader right above all of them. Since this desktop PC is ideal for content creation, that reader will definitely come in handy. Meanwhile, the back has a whole lot more: four USBs, one USB-C, an Ethernet, three DisplayPorts, a set of six audio inputs, and an HDMI port. If you’re a multiple display kind of gamer or creator, you won’t run out of ports to connect those monitors.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Performance

  • Breathtaking gaming performance
  • Excellent for content creation
  • Keeps it chill and quiet under pressure
Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Benchmarks

Here's how the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Fire Strike: 48,208; Time Spy: 25,285; Fire Strike Ultra: 17,261
GeekBench 6: 2,676 (single-core); 16,957 (multi-core)
Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition (1080p, Ultra):
147 fps; (1080p, High): 153 fps
Red Dead Redemption 2 (1080p, Ultra): 77 fps; (1080p, Medium): 162 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p): 245.3 fps; (4K): 129.8 fps
25GB File Copy: 2,047 MBps
Handbrake 1.6: 2m 58s
CrossMark: Overall: 2,124 Productivity: 1,942 Creativity: 2,480 Responsiveness: 1,747  

Historically, the higher configurations of the Dell XPS Desktop have always made for great gaming PCs, but the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is something else entirely. This kept up with the likes of the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i and the Alienware Aurora R15, both of which are made specifically for gaming.

Running it through our suite of benchmarks, it has managed to produce results in DiRT 5, Grand Theft Auto V, and Metro Exodus at 1080p that’s comparable to the more powerful RTX 4090-powered Alienware Aurora R15. Although it is worth noting that the R15 leaves it in the dust in 4K gaming performance. Meanwhile, it comes neck and neck with the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i in both 1080p and 4K gaming.

Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

In the real world, it handles the most demanding games without breaking a sweat. During my testing, it ran Hogwarts Legacy at 4K 60fps on high settings and with ray tracing and DLSS on like butter, without signs of stuttering. Same with Cyberpunk 2077 on ultra also with ray tracing and DLSS on even during heavy combat. What’s even more astounding here is that not once did it get loud or hot.

Editing and batch exporting high-res images in Lightroom on this computer is a breeze. As is opening 20 or more Google Chrome tabs at the same time, a few of which are running streaming services. There were no signs of slowdowns, with each succeeding tab opening a page quickly. What’s more, it even zipped past both gaming PCs in our drive speed test, scoring a whopping 2,047MBps next to the Tower 7i’s 1,152MBps and the R15’s 1,340MBps.

If you are looking for brute strength and sheer power for both gaming and creative work, this one has proven itself to be an absolute ace.

  • Performance score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Dell XPS Desktop (8960)?

Dell XPS Desktop (8960) on a table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Buy it if...

You need an extra strength PC
If you want brute strength, you’re definitely getting a herculean PC here that can handle demanding games like Hogwarts Legacy and Cyberpunk 2077 on Ultra settings and the heaviest content creation workloads.

You’re not economizing like the rest of us
With sheer power comes an empty bank account, but hey, if you want to blow some of your savings – they’re just sitting there anyway – or you have more money than you can spend, go get it then.

You like that nondescript aesthetic
That somber Dell XPS Desktop look may look great on a white finish, but Dells now only have a platinum and a graphite finish. If you like that though because you’re not into showy devices, this is perfect for you.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t really need all that power
If you don’t need a premium discrete GPU – heck, I’ve been gaming and editing my photos on a 3060 PC, and I’m getting on just fine – then there are a lot of better value options out there. Shop around first before you decide to commit to this.

Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Also consider

If the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) has you considering other options, here are two more gaming PCs to consider...

How I tested the Dell XPS Desktop (8960)

  • Tested for five days, using it as my work and gaming PC
  • Besides putting it through real-world applications, our benchmarks team also ran it through our suite of benchmarks
  • Used games like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Google Chrome, Lightroom and Photoshop on top of our usual benchmark apps

Whenever I’m testing a PC or a laptop, I typically use it for several days to a few weeks and utilizing it as my main work and gaming computer during that time. That’s exactly what I did with the Dell XPS Desktop (8960), though I only used it for five days this time around.

Besides stress-testing it by putting it through real-world scenarios like playing Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy on Ultra with DLSS and ray tracing on, I also used it for batch editing high-res images in Lightroom and Photoshop. Of course, our benchmarks team also ran it through our suite of benchmarks.

With years of extensive experience testing and reviewing computers, and as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar, I have all the right tools to determine whether or not a PC like this one is worth your time and money. You can trust me to put them through their paces and make the right recommendations.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review – The definitive premium gaming headset
7:01 am | April 20, 2023

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

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is the latest flagship gaming headset from the established brand, which positions its headset to become the be-all and end-all whether you’re playing on console, PC, or mobile devices. Armed with some excellent audio drivers, leading design and build quality as well as signature style, it’s set an incredibly high standard for what’s possible from cross-platform models. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro can easily be considered one of the best PS5 headsets and one of the best Xbox Series X headsets to date. I also make the case for it going down as one of the best PC gaming headsets, too. While the price tag is steep, it really is a case of you get what you pay for here, largely eclipsing the competition with very little I can fault it on.  

Price and Availability

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro launches on April 23 in the US and the UK for $329.99 / £279.99. There are two variants of the high-end gaming headset available, which are functionally identical except for the wireless transmitter. One is designed for Xbox consoles and the other for PlayStation with green and blue LED rings coming accordingly. Keep in mind that the Xbox variant works natively with PS5 and PS4. No Australian pricing or availability has been offered at the time of writing but should be following up soon. 

Design and Features

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review

(Image credit: Future)

The design of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is noticeably understated from what we generally see from the gaming headset manufacturer. The bright colors of the budget Recon line and the chunkiness of the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max has been replaced with something far sleeker and more premium in feel and finish. From the leatherette in both the band and the cups as well as the gray metal accents which give a finish closer to studio headphones than a gaming headset. It looks incredible, and is subtle enough that wearing them out doesn’t carry the same stigma as other times I’ve been in a pinch and left home without something to play music through. 

What’s exciting about the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro compared to other high-end headsets such as the SteelSeries Arctis Pro and the Astro A50 is the approach taken with the wireless transmitter and docking station. With the former, it acts as a place to connect up to console as well as charge not only an extra battery pack, which can be swapped out in seconds into the left cup in seconds for another 12-15 hours playback, but also has USB charging. On my PS5, it meant I could keep my DualSense Wireless Controller charging without having to sacrifice that all-important front I/O. As a wireless transmitter, there’s a 50ft / 15m range, so I never had to worry about disconnecting or sonic interference.  

The on-cup controls of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro keep things simple. There are buttons for power, Bluetooth, and the Superhuman hearing (more on that later) on the right side, with a multi-purpose button and wheel able to be remapped through software on your smartphone or PC / Mac. It’s all incredibly intuitive and very easy to grasp for beginners. For the majority of my testing I found myself swapping the wheel between ANC levels, microphone monitoring, and volume. 

Performance

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review

(Image credit: Future)

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is the best gaming headset that I’ve ever used in all my years of testing console and computing hardware. The custom hand-tuned Nanoclear neodymium 50mm drivers truly sound incredible and eclipse similar-sized ones from companies such as Razer’s TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers as found in the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro that I have used recently. 

Gaming with the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro has been a significant step up from mid-range console offerings such as the excellent SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ in my experience. Whether I’m playing on my PS5 or gaming PC, I’ve been constantly surprised by the warmth, clarity, and faithfulness of the audio reproduction, especially when factoring in 3D Audio and other 7.1 surround sound options. I only had to look as far as a playthrough of Red Dead Redemption 2 to fully immerse myself in the Old West setting. Everything from the delicate trot of my horse around Rhodes, to the fierce gun battles of a heist gone wrong in Saint Denis was picked up incredibly well. 

Multiplayer games are really where the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro gets to shine, though. This was especially apparent in Battlefield 2042 and Overwatch 2. Not only is there a dial to control the microphone monitoring, meaning you can hear yourself without needing to shout through the chaos, but also the “Superhuman hearing” function has three different intensity levels and is mapped to its own textured button. 

Through this option, I was able to hear everything from the footsteps of the soldiers chasing me through the Kaleidoscope and Orbital conquest maps, and was even able to pinpoint exactly where I was being fired on from inside an office complex. At first, I thought it was just a gimmick, having used it previously with the Turtle Beach Recon controller, one of the best Xbox controllers, but having it mapped to a high-end headset made all the difference. 

Battery pack of Turtle Beach Stealth Pro

(Image credit: Future)

The active noise canceling, which can cancel out up to 25db of unwanted background ambiance, has to be the killer app here. It’s something that I initially didn’t appreciate when I was at my gaming desk or sitting on my bed, but when I started using the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro out and about as my main pair of wireless headphones, it really came in handy. As someone who commutes a lot, it’s great to have such excellent-sounding audio canceling available that genuinely rivals some of the best headphones I’ve used. I also appreciated the two noise-canceling microphones built into the headset which made answering calls on the go straightforward and got rid of the din of wind and cars driving by on my travels.

In the weeks I’ve been using the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro I’ve really been loving listening to music with it. Whether I’m working at my desk in the office with the ANC on, completely filtering out the frantic typing of my keyboard, or I’m on the move, those Nanoclear 50mm drivers mean that listening to all manner of tracks from some of my favorite artists came across strongly.

It didn’t matter what I threw at it, from Imperial Triumphant’s Metrovertigo or Vomitory’s All Heads Are Gonna Roll, these drivers know how to bring out the base and low end accurately. Not to say that quieter music’s neglected. The gentle guitar playing of Hozier’s Cherry Wine and The Lumineers’ Where We Are were pitch-perfect.

What I don’t love about the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is the dedicated 3.5mm boom arm microphone. While it sounds serviceable, it’s just not as good as some other microphones that I’ve tested on headsets from Razer and SteelSeries over the years, sounding a little tinny and muffled in video calls with colleagues and gameplay sessions with my friends. Tweaking and balancing with the Turtle Beach Audio app on desktop and mobile helped, but I never quite found a balance I liked. It’s disappointing considering the asking price here, especially as headsets half the cost have sounded better but it’s not exactly a dealbreaker.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro gaming headset?

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro with microphone

(Image credit: Future)

 Buy it if…  

You want a premium-sounding and feeling headset 

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro sounds excellent whether you’re gaming or listening to music on any device you can throw its way.  

You play on different consoles and PC  

If you’re someone who enjoys gaming on PS5, Xbox Series X as well as PC then you’ll be able to make the most out of this headset’s capabilities regardless of platform.  

Don’t buy it if…  

You’re on a budget  

There’s no getting around the fact that at $329.99 / £279.99, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is a steep price to pay for a gaming headset even at the top-end of the market.  

How I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro

I’ve been using the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro as my main gaming headset over the past few weeks on my gaming PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and gaming laptop. In that time I’ve played over a dozen different games and consumed many hours of music through streaming services.  

Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition review – This is the way
8:00 pm | April 6, 2023

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

To coincide with the release of The Mandalorian’s third season, Astro has brought out a specially designed version of its all-star A30 mid-range gaming headset which takes many design cues from the Disney Plus show’s iconography. 

While we’ve reviewed the standard version of the Astro A30 on PC, this time I’m reviewing it for the PS5, and it also works with Xbox Series X, too. If you’re a Star Wars fan then this can easily be considered one of the best PS5 headsets for its sound quality, construction, and style.  

Price and Availability

The Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition comes in slightly more expensive than other color schemes of the gaming headset, and launched on February 28 mere days before The Mandalorian season 3 debuted on Disney Plus. You can get your hands on this themed variant for $249 / £249 / AU$469.95 in the US, the UK, and Australia respectively. That’s $20 / £20 / AU$40 more than the standard versions that currently ship in either White or Navy.  

Design and Features

Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition in case

(Image credit: Future)

The design is the obvious win for the Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition gaming headset. Fittingly, there’s a gray and black color scheme which appropriately matches Din Djarin’s Beskar armor. There’s also iconography that fans of the series like myself appreciate, such as the Mythosaur and a silhouette of Mando wielding the dark saber. Inside the ear cups is lore-accurate script, too. 

It’s a beautiful design, I can’t fault that whatsoever, but I do wish that the Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition leaned a little further into the Beskar armor look with detailing based upon Djarin’s suit instead of the gun metal gray and black. As a more subtle decal, I think it’s really cool and sure to appeal to those who are into the character. 

Cosmetic differences aside, this is the same all-star Astro A30 wireless gaming headset which launched back in October 2022. That means you can expect around 27 hours of playback through either Bluetooth or the included 2.4 GHz wireless receiver. My review unit is for the PS5 but this headset also works on Xbox Series X. There’s also the option of staying plugged in through the included 3.5mm and USB-C leads as well. You’re able to simultaneously connect to several devices at once, including your smartphone and best gaming consoles, too. 

I like the ergonomic design of the Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition a lot. While the squared ear cups and detachable bulky microphone aren’t to my personal tastes, they feel great to wear for long periods of time. There’s memory foam in the earcups, and the headband itself is also padded for a premium feeling gaming headset on your head. The leatherette feels a little weird in the hand, but the materials are high quality here. 

Performance

Mandalorian headset and microphone

(Image credit: Future)

The Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition gaming headset has quickly become one of my go-to models when playing some of the best PS5 games. In my testing I’ve found that the sound balancing has been incredibly warm and faithful, whether that was running through the claustrophobic corridors in Dead Space or riding through the roaming hills of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Thanks to having Bluetooth connectivity and a detachable boom microphone, the Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition can also act as dedicated headphones. While a far cry from the best headphones, this headset did a great job of bringing out the bass and the weight of heavier songs like Paradise Lost’s Darker Thoughts and rock tracks such as Ozzy Osbourne’s One of Those Days through the 40mm drivers. Alternative music seemed to really shine bright with Father John Misty’s Total Entertainment Forever coming through crystal clear with the acoustic guitar into the big band mix. 

Even the best wireless gaming headsets have hit and miss microphones, but that’s thankfully not the case with the Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition. While I’m not a big fan of the flexible boom mic here, which tends to not hold its shape all too well, it does sound a cut above what many small-scale mics do in my testing. My voice came through clear when chatting to friends and making isolated records, but isn’t quite up to the same level as the Rode NTH-100M’s NTH mic. 

Proving itself to be just as much substance as style, the Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition is an awesome looking and beautiful sounding gaming headset for your console of choice. While expensive, it’s something I can recommend based on its versatility alongside its looks. 

Should I buy the Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition?

Mandalorian earcups

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if…  

You love The Mandalorian

With its Beskar armor color scheme and iconography, there’s a lot to love for the seasoned Star Wars fan here.

You want a versatile gaming headset

The Astro A30 Mandalorian Edition can be used on not only the PS5 and Xbox Series X but with a gaming PC and phone of choice thanks to its many connectivity options.  

Don’t buy it if…  

You don’t care about The Mandalorian

You’re paying around $20 / £20 /AU$40 more for the Star Wars show branding, so if you’re not a fan then you can save yourself money for the standard versions.  

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz review: 24 inches of visual fury
4:00 pm | March 21, 2023

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

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz: Two-minute review

The Alienware AW2524H 500Hz does what it sets out to do and does it well. It provides up to a 500Hz refresh rate – faster than any of the best gaming monitors out there – and a response time of 0.5ms as well as some solid HDR and surprisingly good color accuracy, at least in the sRGB space, for a visual experience that’s more than a gimmick.

The real question then is whether or not the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz is worth the upgrade. After all, not everyone can take advantage or even reach its highest levels of performance. Your gaming skill level, the kinds of games you play (open-world aficionados should look at the best 4K monitors instead), and whether your GPU can even keep up are all factors on whether this will benefit you. 

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz on a standing desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

While the price is not outrageous compared to most other high-performing monitors, it’s enough to make the average gamer swoon. Really, it might be better to say that it’s great for a small subsection of competitive gamers.

For those people, its small footprint is actually a benefit. The Alienware AW2524H 500Hz is not an immersion machine to gallop around in Red Dead Redemption 2. Instead, it’s the perfect 24.5-inch size and form factor for competitive gaming where you’re focused on details like small, quick movements with all the action right in front of you. 

That small form factor is also helpful in the fact that its base doesn’t take up too much desk space. And, if you have a somewhat cramped desk, you can tilt, swivel and raise/lower the panel quite a bit, though you won’t be able to turn it to portrait mode.

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz on a standing desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Cable management built into the stand keeps things nice and tidy in the back, especially if you plan on taking advantage of all the ports that are on hand. While there’s no USB-C, an unfortunate omission for us multitaskers, it does come with DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 inputs, the latter being capped at a 240Hz refresh rate, along with a USB hub that includes four downstream USB 3.2 ports and one upstream USB 3.2 port. 

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz on a standing desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Though the USB hub is a nice addition for charging devices, I wasn’t able to transmit data. I could plug a keyboard or mouse into a port for charging but not to use with the PC that the USB hub is connected to. However, the headphone jack (there’s also a line out) will transmit audio from whichever source you’re currently using.

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz on a standing desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The RGB lighting often seems like an unnecessary addition to a monitor, but its inclusion here is a nice touch. While you won’t be able to look directly at it during use, it’s bright enough to give off an ambient glow similar to what you would get from a Govee or Nanoleaf product, provided you have the gaming monitor set near a wall to bounce the RGB off.

In terms of performance, the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz is far from a paper tiger. You can really achieve 500fps. However, that comes with some caveats. To start, you need hardware capable of keeping up with this monitor. After all, its 500Hz refresh rate and its 0.5ms GTG response time – both of which are actually the overclocked settings from 480Hz and 1ms respectively –  take up a lot of graphical resources.

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz on a standing desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

I tested this monitor with two different PCs, one sporting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 and one with an RTX 4090. With the RTX 2080, I could only get 500 fps with CS:GO. Rocket League would mostly stay in the 300 fps range. More graphically demanding games such as Far Cry 6 would barely make 100 fps.

The RTX 4090, however, ran CS:GO and Rocket League at a solid 500fps. Fortnite bounced between 480 to 490. Games like Far Cry 6 (170ish on low settings), Cyberpunk 2077 (250 on low), and Battlefield 2042 (280 on low) all gave results that were much better than the RTX 2080.

To that point, a lot of games are just not going to give you close to 500fps right now. Luckily, most competitive games aren’t graphical juggernauts and are meant to be enjoyed on everything from kitted-out gaming PCs to consoles. So, if you’re considering this monitor for one of those, you’ll certainly make the most out of that incredibly high refresh rate.

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz on a standing desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

In general, though, the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz responded beautifully. Even the games that didn’t hit 500fps still resulted in an experience that was without any latency, screen tearing, or ghosting. They felt more immersive because they were more stable. Honestly, I would almost consider this over a 4K monitor at 60Hz. Of course, its 99% sRGB color coverage and Vesa Certified HDR400 help.

While the included HDR is not the best out there, it does make a difference. I find that not only do colors pop more thanks to the contrast but that I can use the screen with lower brightness settings and still see everything clearly since lower light areas still retain their detail.

If my experience was so solid even when I was getting fps in the 200-300 range on many games, then why not just get something with a 240Hz refresh rate? You can certainly find one that’s much cheaper than this display.

To get a handle on that, I actually tested the Alienware AW2524H at 240, 360, and 500Hz. For games like Cyberpunk 2077, the various refresh rates made little difference. But, for CS:GO and Rocket League, I experienced something interesting that I think makes this monitor worth consideration for any competitive gamer.

While I couldn’t see much of a difference (the difference between 240Hz to 360Hz, for instance, is an almost imperceptible 1.4ms), I could feel it. Everything felt more stable and more concrete like I was actually moving around in that environment instead of moving pixels around while a computer recreated an image every couple of milliseconds. 

Is it worth the cost? For the right competitive gamer looking for a new monitor, possibly. 

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost?   $829.99 / about £680.44 / about AU$1236.12 
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it?  Available in the US, other territories not yet announced 

Fast refresh rate monitors almost always come at a premium, and the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz is no exception. At $829.99, it’s out of range for all but the most committed gamers. That’s more than some budget gaming PC builds. Since it takes some serious hardware to really push, you’re also going to need a solid GPU. Gamers still using a 1000 or 2000 series Nvidia GPU – and there are many – will have to shell out to upgrade their systems to take advantage of this display.

While many 240Hz monitors, like the AOC Agon Pro AG274QG, sit in a similar price range or are just a few hundred dollars cheaper such as the Samsung Odyssey G7, you won’t need quite as robust of a PC to get the most out of them. Plus, both run at a higher 1440p resolution. For those wanting to get fast refresh rates without spending that kind of money, the AOC CU34G2X achieves a respectable 144Hz along with a QHD resolution in a 34-inch panel for half the price of this Alienware model.

If you are considering buying the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz, then be aware that it’s currently only available in the US and China at the time of writing.

  •  Price: 3.5 / 5 

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz: Specs

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz on a standing desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Should you buy the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz?

Buy it if...

You want the latest and greatest
The Alienware AW2524H 500Hz is expensive but not unreasonable for the first 500Hz gaming monitor on the market. If you want that next-level performance that no one else has, this is for you.

You want silky smooth performance
That unrivaled 500Hz refresh rate and 0.5 g2g response time provide a performance that feels so smooth, even if it’s hard to see much of a difference.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
At over $800, this display is not cheap. Plus, you’re going to need a powerful GPU to run most games at those high refresh rates.

You have a monitor with a very high refresh rate
Going from 240 to 500Hz is not a night and day difference. You may not even perceive one. If you already have a monitor with a high refresh rate, save your money.

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz: Also consider

How I tested the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz

  • Tested over a week
  • Tested with different and different kinds of games
  • Used a colorimeter to test color accuracy

To test the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz Gaming Monitor, I spent a week with it, playing all sorts of games from popular esports titles like CS:GO and Rocket League, more controversial ones like Battefield 2042, and more graphically intense single player titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 6.

While testing, I kept a refresh rate counter on and then ran each game on low and high graphical settings as well as at 240, 360, and 500Hz. I turned the HDR on and off, tested the ports, and did general checks like adjusting its ergonomics. I also tested the monitor with a computer sporting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 and one with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090.

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 March 2023

Rode X XDM-100 review – The definitive USB microphone
4:00 pm | March 16, 2023

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

The Rode X XDM-100 is the latest leading dynamic microphone from the Australian audio brand, redefining what was previously thought possible from USB microphones. With its included preamp and processing, combined with its ease of use, this is the benchmark by which to judge all future premium options. 

The Rode X XDM-100 is one of the best USB microphones around and even gives similarly priced XLR options a run for their money with just how versatile and accurate the sound quality is here. If you’re in the market for an encompassing broadcast solution, the first in Rode’s gaming and streaming series is hard to beat.  

Price and availability

The Rode X XDM-100 is available in regions such as the US, the UK, and Australia for $249 / £249 / $AU359. It was launched in October 2022 and is the flagship of the Australian microphone brand’s new Rode X gaming and streaming brand. You can also buy directly from Rode in all three countries.  

Design and Features

Rode XDM-100 on the PSA1+ stand

(Image credit: Future)

The Rode X XDM-100 is similar in design to the company’s premium XLR models, such as the Procaster and the NT1-A. It’s a cylindrical dynamic microphone that comes in all-black with red accents and features a dedicated pop filter and shock mount for stabilization. You can screw the microphone into any number of stands and boom arms, such as the excellent PSA1+, which I used in my testing. You’ll need to invest in one of these separately, though.

As expected for a USB microphone, you’ve got a headphone monitoring jack through 3.5mm and a gain / volume wheel that lets you control how loud or quiet the Rode X XDM-100 is during recording and monitoring. There’s a decent amount of weight to this microphone, weighing in at 700g / 1.5lbs, and that certainly adds to the premium feel and construction. The pop filter shield that slides over the steel is also a great touch and subtly dampens sound without occupying any additional space. 

The Rode X XDM-100 connects via USB-C to USB-C, which means you’re getting a much faster and more powerful connection of 100w / 20v, as opposed to the 2.5w and 5v of USB-A, which is normally seen on a USB microphone. That extra power is needed for the internal digital signal processor with Aphex voice processing and Revolution preamp, something that’s usually reserved for the company’s XLR offering range. It’s plug-and-play without losing the sophistication of upper-pedigree options similar to the all-star Shure MV7

As with the other Rode X gaming and streaming line-up products, such as the compact but punchy Rode X XCM50, the Rode X XDM-100 is built with the brand’s Unify software in mind. This program essentially acts as a series of virtual devices for different channels, such as the gameplay you’re streaming, the chat, and the microphone itself, which gives you greater control over your audio balancing on the fly. It’s basic in its services, but it gets the job done well, and I found the interaction between this microphone and what I could do easy to understand. 

Performance

Back of the Rode X XDM-100 showing the port

(Image credit: Future)

The Rode X XDM-100 is the best USB microphone I’ve ever used. As someone incredibly familiar with the brand’s existing line-up, having used the PodMic and the Procaster for over a year, I’m blown away with the step-up in sound, even going from XLR to USB. It’s a clear sign that USB-C as a platform for audio, owing to that significantly more powerful output, really is a viable alternative to a proper audio interface and chunky XLR cables running through your setup. 

With that said, as a musician who owns a lot of high-end audio interfaces and recording gear, such as the Rodecaster Pro II, the ease of use with the Rode X XDM-100 continues to win me over. The convenience of being able to boot my gaming laptop up and know that my microphone will just work straight out of the box and sound this good is a novelty that I don’t think will wear off anytime soon. 

The included pop filter sleeve does an excellent job of filtering out unwanted popping and clicking noises. I also found that the Revolution preamp combined with the Aphex processing combined for a balanced, warm, and natural account of my speaking voice and various singing voices. I’m impressed by the reproduction's accuracy as someone with a less conventional voice. I also found that the level wheel was just sensitive enough to where I could filter out all background noise, be it from the button presses of my Victrix Pro BFG controller to the fans of the gaming PC in the background for noise reduction, I’ve not seen at this level. 

The zero-latency microphone monitoring is ideal if you’ve got a pair of high-quality studio headphones. In my case, I own the Rode NTH-100M, which sound excellent and pair with the Rode XDM-100 well. With a quick click of the level button, I can hear how loud I am talking while playing Red Dead Redemption 2 and Hotline Miami. Ultimately there’s very little I can fault this microphone on. It excels across the board by making high-end audio more accessible and easy to use with the build quality that ensures longevity. If you’re after a step up from the vintage USB options available, this is a sure-fire hit if you’ve got the cash.  

Rode X XDM-100 controls

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Rode X XDM-100 microphone?

Buy it if... 

You want a microphone that will last

The Rode X XDM-100 is built with all-metal construction and features a good amount of weight with its dedicated shock mount and pop filter. 

You want a plug and play microphone 

Despite appearances, there’s nothing complicated about using the Rode X XDM-100. All you need to do is plug it into a USB-C port, and it’s ready to go. 

Don't buy it if... 

You don’t have any USB-C ports

The Rode X XDM-100 connects only through USB-C, so if you’ve only got USB-A ports, you won’t be able to power it up and use it properly.  

Rode NTH-100M review – An excellent gaming headset with limited use
1:00 pm |

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

The Rode NTH-100M is the microphone manufacturer’s first ever gaming headset. The new release takes the existing NTH-100 studio monitoring headphones and adds a compact 3.5mm microphone with the goal of high-end broadcast-quality gaming and streaming. Despite not being branded under the RodeX gaming and streaming line, that’s clearly the intention with this repackaged model. 

The Rode NTH-100 are some of the best headphones available, as we gave them a five-star review. I’ve been equally impressed by them in my year of using them. The NTH-100M can’t be considered one of the best headsets for consoles because the 3.5mm jack splitter makes it difficult to use. It can still go down as one of the best wired headsets, however. 

Price and Availability

The Rode NTH-100M was released in February 2023 and is available in countries the US and the UK and the brand’s native Australia. You can pick up the company’s debut gaming headset for $189 / £195 / AU$279 at big-box retailers or from Rode directly. You’re paying roughly $40 / £45 / $AU35 over the price of the NTH-100 headphones. Alternatively, if you own the Rode NTH-100 headphones, you can pick up the NTH-Mic headset attachment separately for $59 / £63 / AU$99.  

Design and Features

Side view of the Rode NTH-100M

(Image credit: Future)

Little separates the Rode NTH-100M from their headphone equivalents, except for the included NTH-Mic and the splitter cable. As a headset, the actual cups and construction are incredibly high quality and feature a plush band described by the brand as “CoolGel” foam for comfort over time. These were originally monitoring headphones, so they’re built to be worn over long periods with a lightweight frame to prevent discomfort. 

The microphone is made from a molded plastic that’s rigid. There’s no flexibility in the 3.5mm NTH-Mic, as you may typically find from other companies' bendable nature of headset microphones. The small mic has a premium feel, though, as there’s no warping or bending when applying resistance. The mic screws into either the left or right aux port on the cups, and you can freely rotate it toward your mouth when needed. 

The included two-way splitter is less impressive than the NTH-Mic, which takes the standard 3.5mm jack and gives you both a headphone and microphone slot. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s quite an outdated audio out, and it severely limits using the headphones and microphone simultaneously, as you need to free up both ports. I wish the company had opted for the more standardized USB-A or USB-C so that more devices could use the microphone, like the PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X, instead of limiting the headphones through the aux port. 

Performance

Close up on the Rode NTH-100M mic

(Image credit: Future)

The Rode NTH-100M performs well as a gaming headset, with the Rode-NTH mic sounding a cut above your everyday headset microphone. Given its small size and aux input, the overall sound quality is impressive, and I found myself sounding clear during audio playback and talking to friends. That said, there’s a noticeable difference to some of the best USB microphones made by the brand, including my Rode NT-USB model. 

Compared to the microphone on the similarly expensive SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ and the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro, the Rode NTH-100M’s microphone does sound better. However, it’s not that much of a jump to justify those wireless and wired models' more limited connectivity. That all changes when you factor in how good audio playback comes through with this gaming headset. 

The Rode NTH-100M supplies some of the best-sounding audio I’ve ever experienced when gaming, due to the flatter, softer sound profile, which carries across more muted than the dialed-up audio drivers generally seen in gaming headsets. That’s because the 40mm drivers here were built for musicians and broadcasters for maximum clarity, and that certainly comes across when enjoying high-octane gaming. 

The headphone and microphone splitter for the Rode NTH-100M

(Image credit: Future)

I enjoyed many hours of roaming around the frontier of Red Dead Redemption 2, taking in the nighttime ambiance of late-night horseback riding and the various predators that stalk their prey through the brush. The quiet was expertly juxtaposed with the thunderous roar of a sawed-off shotgun or repeater rifle finding its target in one of many hectic gunfights. 

How Hotline Miami’s Darksynth soundtrack pulses through the violent haze is equally strong. It’s some of the most natural sounding balancing I have experienced in my years with headphones and headsets as both a musician and a gaming content creator.

Ultimately, the Rode NTH-100M represents missed potential for what a Rode gaming headset could be. Now that the company has launched its RodeX line aimed at gamers and streamers, I am hopeful that the next attempt is made from the ground up for a wider audience instead of being an extension of an existing product. It’s hard to completely right this gaming headset off because the foundations are so strong, but I can’t help but feel a lot more could have been done to make the first foray into headsets so much stronger.

Should I buy the Rode NTH-100M gaming headset?

Buy it if... 

You want excellent audio quality 

The Rode NTH-100M produces some of the highest-quality audio I’ve ever experienced from a gaming headset.

You want a high-end headset microphone 

The included NTH-Mic is a cut above what’s normally seen from gaming headsets at this price point.  

Don't buy it if... 

You play on consoles

While you can get the full audio experience on Xbox Series X and PS5 through the controller, the outdated output from the mic means that you can’t get the best use out of the NTH-Mic. 

You already own the NTH-100

If you’re thinking of turning your headphones into a headset, then you’re better off buying the standalone NTH-Mic separately instead of replacing it outright. 

Astro A30 review: stellar if not completely out of this world
7:25 pm | February 4, 2023

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

Astro A30: One-minute review

Astro always aims for the stars, and its latest offering, the Astro A30, is no different. While the brand doesn’t always get there – specifically with its more budget-friendly offerings – the tactic at least gets it to the moon, and that's especially true here. 

The Astro A30 looks great and inherits some of the A40’s customizability. And, it’s a quality purchase as well, delivering in audio performance, comfort, and versatility – even if you do have to pay a slightly hefty price to get it. However, it’s not devoid of shortcomings, although some of those can be remedied by mere EQing, and despite having all the right elements, it doesn’t do enough to really stand out.

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Still, it's great where it matters. It's also among the latest models to join this new breed of gaming headsets that tries to do it all, which I'm absolutely here for, especially since it also means that it could potentially save users money (and perhaps even lower their carbon footprint).

Is the Astro A30 going to win the race to the stars? Probably not, but it’s still a stellar choice and one of the best wireless gaming headsets right now.

Astro A30: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $229.99 / £229.99 / $429.95
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, the UK, and Australia
Astro A30: SPECS

Interface: 2.4GHz transmitter, Bluetooth, 3.5 mm aux cable
Platforms: PS5, PC/Mac, Xbox Series X|S
Mic: Removable boom mic, Built-in mic
Surround sound: 3D audio
Weight: 326g

I wish the Astro A30 wasn’t so steeply-priced. At $229.99 / £229.99 / $429.95, it is a hefty purchase for most people, particularly because we’re in the middle of high inflation. That isn’t to say it isn’t worth it because you are getting a versatile pair here that can be used for PC and console gaming, and can moonlight as headphones. 

But, there are other gaming headsets with very similar features and capabilities at a more affordable asking price. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless is a terrific example. For just $179 / £174 (about AU$310), it also delivers slightly better sound quality and promises a longer battery life.

If you have cash to spare, however, and are a fan of Astro headsets, like the legendary Astro A50, you might prefer the Astro A30. It’s also a good one to add to your collection if you’ve got one going.

  • Value: 3.5 / 5

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Astro A30: Design

  • Comfortable and customizable but some clamping force
  • Plastic yoke is easily scratched
  • Mobile app support

Personally, I adore the Astro A30’s look and design. I appreciate the uniqueness of its rounded square ear cups since many of the newer releases from Astro’s rivals have gone with an oval design. Plus both its speaker tags and ear cups are magnetically attached so you can swap yours out to match whatever aesthetic you’re currently into.

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

There are things that I wish were better, however. The plastic yoke that attaches the ear cup to the band is easily scratched – so much so, I’ve had to gently remove shaved bits of it whenever I accidentally scrape it against something. And, I tend to be a little OCD about my gear so I’m usually very careful and take good care of them.

On top of that, the Astro A30 has a bit more clamping force than most of the gaming headsets I’ve tested in recent months. Coming from someone with a regular-sized head, that’s saying something. To offset that, I put the headset over my cats’ food bin and kept it there for 24 hours. That seemed to fix the issue.

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

I don’t think either of those things is a massive deal-breaker. Besides, the Astro A30 has a slew of excellent design features that more than make up for those. The memory foam ear cups, for one, are plush, comfortable, and soft to the touch. The physical controls are intuitive and easy to remember. And, the overall fit is great, so as long as you break it in a little, it should stay comfortable for hours.

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Another fantastic feature worth highlighting is the mobile app support. The Astro A30, as I’ve mentioned, isn’t just for PC and console gaming. It moonlights as a great pair of headphones as well, one you can use with your phone, wearables, and tablets to consume other forms of entertainment via Bluetooth. With your phone, you can download the Logitech G mobile app and manage your audio mix, check on battery life, and most importantly, personalize the audio with its five-band EQ.

  • Design: 5 / 5

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Astro A30: Performance

  • EQ and dual-audio mixing
  • Good sub-bass and balanced high end
  • Clear microphones

One cool thing about the Logitech G mobile app is that its five-band EQ, which is available for the Astro A30, is actually pretty powerful. It lets you cut or boost a frequency by 12db, which has allowed me to fix the minor complaints I have about its default audio performance. I could offset the sibilance a little, for example, that’s present at default due to the high end being a little too pronounced. 

Another cool feature here is the dual-audio mixing. Not only does the Astro A30 offer multi-connectivity and multi-platform compatibility, but also lets you hear audio from two different sources at the same time. It does a good job of balancing them as well. I personally don’t have a lot of use for such a feature, but very few gaming headsets offer it so it gives the A30 a bit of an edge.

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Not that it needs extra frills to be great. The Astro A30’s audio performance hardly needs assistance, delivering good sub-bass extension, good mids, and a fairly balanced high end. Listening to tunes like Kendrick Lamar's DNA, Naseebo Lal & Abida Parveen's Tu Jhoom, and Rihanna's Lift Me Up has been enjoyable, though perhaps not perfect.

When listening to music, I’m definitely not getting a lot of rumble here, even with bass-heavy tunes and even when I’m EQing – that rumble is at around the 60Hz frequency, and the mobile app’s EQ band stops at 125Hz. Meanwhile, the high end tends to be a little pronounced so some sibilance appears when listening to things with a bit of sizzle. Finally, there tends to be strong low-mids, so depending on what you’re listening to, things might sound a little muddy.

As far as soundstage goes, the Astro A30 is not the most intimate headset as it feels like there's some distance between the listener and the music. It’s not bad, but it also feels like you're watching musicians from the audience instead of standing on stage or in a small room with them.

You’ll get a slightly different experience when you’re playing your favorite PC games. I’ve found when playing Control, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Rocket League that the lifted high end allows games to sound more detailed and the boosted low-mids make everything sound a little fuller. As for the soundstage, that little bit of distance actually helps immerse you in the game.

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Adding to its versatility – and ability to moonlight as a pair of headphones – is its dual-mic design. The removable boom mic tackles your communications during gaming, while the built-in mic allows you to keep things compact when you’re at the airport or train station. They’re a great pair of microphones too. The boom mic comes through clearly and has decent background noise isolation, despite the frequency range not being very wide and having a little less high end. Meanwhile, the built-in mic has a little more high end, though you will sound farther away and the background noise will come through a little louder.

There’s certainly decent battery life here, giving you about 27 hours of playtime, but honestly, for a pair of headphones that doesn’t have RGB lighting, I expected more. Its longevity seems to extend a bit when on Bluetooth, however.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Astro A30?

Astro A30 on a lavender desk mat

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If our Astro A30 review has you considering other options, here are two more gaming headsets to consider...  

Astro A30: Report card

  • First reviewed February 2023

How I tested the Astro A30

When testing PC gaming headsets, I pay very close attention to audio quality, testing its frequencies, volume, soundstage, and sound imaging. Because a lot of gamers prefer a lot of rumble to really get into the most intense moments of their game, I also feel for any rumble a gaming headset can offer. If there's EQ-ing offered via software or app, I play around with that as well, especially if a headset's default sound performance isn't quite on par.

I also don't just test with games; because most gamers use the same headset for watching movies and listening to music, I see how well one fares play other media as well. I also test it with different inputs, especially if it has multi-platform compatibility.

Of course, equally important are a gaming headset's comfort, versatility, build, and mic performance, especially for gamers who stream or play a lot of multiplayer games. If it's a wireless headset like the Astro A30, I test its wireless performance and range.

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