The Creality HALOT-MAGE PRO is a cutting-edge resin 3D printer that utilises LCD-based Stereolithography (SLA) resin technology. Designed as a mid-range 3D printer, the features, quality and speed read like a wish list for all professionals, makers, and enthusiasts. 

The HALOT-MAGE PRO is a resin printer which unlike traditional filament 3D printers employs SLA technology, where a liquid resin is cured layer by layer with UV light to create detailed and intricate models. This allows for smoother surfaces, finer detail, and the ability to produce complex geometries easily. However, there is a cost as the fine support structures and clean-up process is a timely necessity after the models have been printed. However, the quality of the prints, especially with the likes of the HARLOT-MAGE Pro is a huge step up from what you would expect from a standard FFF 3D printer.

One of the standout features of this resin printer is the hyper-speed capability; this pushes the print speed up to 170mm/h, Just by comparison the average speed from most resin printers is around 60mm/h.

Moreover, the HALOT-MAGE PRO offers a larger build volume than many previous resin printers, enabling a little more freedom to create bigger projects. One feature of the machine that has appealed to me is the intelligent resin handling system; this feature was common on early resin printers but seemed to have lost popularity. It's return is welcome and helps to reduce mess during the set-up and clean-up process.

Design

The Creality HALOT-MAGE PRO 3D printer is surprisingly stylish and looks great sat in the workshop. The footprint is respectable and access through the "MageArch" flip lid design, means that while the printer is large, it doesn't consume the entire work surface like some others. 

The "MageArch" flip lid isn't a unique feature, but again isn't as common as you'd expect and enables you to operate it with one hand easily. Also, with the lid attached, there's no need to set lids aside as you access the completed model; it sounds like a small consideration but actually makes a big difference when you're dealing with resin prints and a lack of space. The lid itself has an orange tint which has a practical rather than aesthetic function blocking 99.89% of ambient UV light. This ensures minimal light interference during printing, helping to ensure smooth surfaces and crisp edges.

On the front of the machine is a touchscreen LCD which displays the HALOT-MAGE PRO's interface. The UI is intuitive and makes navigation options and settings easy, including connecting to the local area network, selecting files, adjusting settings, and monitoring prints in real time. 

When it comes to design, the Creality HARLOT-MAGE Pro is exceptionally well-designed and fits easily into a workshop or large well-vented office. 

Features

At the core of the HARLOT-MAGE Pro's features lies the epoch-making hyper-speed printing, boasting an incredible 170mm/h printing speed, quoted by Creality as 3 to 5 times faster than typical resin printers, which commonly come in at about 60mm/h. Then there's the "Dynax" motion system which enables smooth and precise movement as the build platform is lowered and raised from the resin, this helps ensure fine layering, dimensional accuracy and a smooth surface finish.

The HALOT-MAGE PRO's 10.3-inch 8K LCD screen might not be the highest resolution out there, I have a couple of 12K models that are presently being tested. However, at 7680x4320, it still offers more refined and anti-aliased prints than regular 4K printers, and this enables greater design detail and complexity. The build volume is generous at 228x128x230mm, which is again welcome. However, that larger tank does mean more resin!

One feature that is worth knowing about is the Integral Light Source 3.0, this feature boosts the Creaity Resin printer range with a more uniform light curing process and hardware than rival resin printers; this should ensure every part of the print receives optimal curing. An 8000μw/cm² light intensity enables rapid layer curing for smoother surfaces and sharp contours.

One of the features that I've already mentioned in the design section is the auto-fill that utilises the Smart Resin Pump, enabling automatic resin fill and withdrawal. This feature saves time and reduces mess, making resin handling almost hassle-free, although some tank and feed tube cleaning still needs to be done at the end of the process. Still, this is all far easier than the usual process.

The smart air purifier is another welcome feature and one I'm starting to see on the new generation of resin printers. This integrated purifier helps reduce resin odours. The purifier is powered and controlled directly by the printer, so there's no interaction needed on by you; the carbon filter is also replaceable as a service part, which is easy enough to do. If the purifier isn't enough to kill the odour of the resin, then there's also a vent hole at the back which can be connected to an extractor.

When it comes to connection options, the HALOT-MAGE PRO offers a decent selection from cloud printing, LAN printing, or through a direct USB drive. The intuitive HALOT OS, powered by a high-performance CPU, provides a straightforward user interface through that front-mounted touchscreen LCD and can sync data and commands with various devices.

The HARLOT-MAGE Pro is a next-generation resin 3D printer that offers many features and connectivity options that you usually expect to see on professional machines. However, at this price point and with the design and features as they are, this resin printer looks set to challenge many far more expensive models regarding functionality, speed and potential print quality.

Performance

The performance of the Creality HALOT-MAGE PRO 3D printer is impressive, and from the outset, I can say that this is one of the best resin printers in its class and challenges printers that are far more expensive. Through the test, the HALOT-MAGE PRO consistently delivered outstanding results, showcasing its capabilities in various aspects.

The printer's epoch-making hyper-speed printing is a revelation enabling you to achieve print speeds up to 170mm/h. This is impressively fast and while resin printers are generally faster than filament, this is another step-up in speed. 

The "Dynax" motion system seems to do the job promised by Crealitry with the smooth and steady lifting and lowering of the build plate, helping to minimise misprints and creating some of the finest quality prints I have seen from a home 3D printer. The model surface shows exceptional detail and precision, both with edge sharpness and dimensional accuracy, and the surface detail is impressive with its fine and delicate textures.

Through the test, I found the Creality App indispensable as getting to the print as quickly as possible once the print process finishes ensures that after a quick wash, the support removal and cleaning can be carried out which gains excellent results before the curing process. 

The print quality on the HALOT-MAGE PRO really is exceptional, rivalling some of the higher-priced 3D printers on the market. The 10.3-inch 8K LCD screen with its 7680x4320 resolution produces more refined prints with anti-aliasing, resulting in sharp and detailed models than when compared with 4K printers. Another advantage when it comes to the prints, but not so much the amount of resin required, is the build volume of 228x128x230mm. This enables larger and more complex prints, although it's worth pointing out that care needs to be taken with applying the supports with more delicate models. 

Two of the features that simply add to the user-friendliness of the machine are the printer's automatic resin fill & withdrawal system, which refills or recovers 1 litre of resin in just over half an hour, and the Smart Air Purifier, which helps to reduce resin odours. However, a well-vented room is still essential. It's worth noting the vent at the back, which enables you to vent those fumes away with an extractor, which I recommend. 

The "MageArch" flip lid is well worth a mention in the performance section; it's essentially a flip lid that helps to save space and is far more convenient than competitor models that require you to set the lid aside. It might seem like a small thing, but when workspace is limited, this is a very welcome feature. 

The HALOT-MAGE PRO offers exceptional performance, but there are the usual resin drawbacks to contend with. The post-printing process requires manual removal of supports, cleaning, and curing.

Another aspect that may require attention is the proper placement of supports. While the HALOT-MAGE PRO software does a good job, a little manual fine-tuning of the support structures is often needed to ensure the delivery of precise prints. Essentially it's often your skill with setting up supports for complex models that can influence the overall print quality. However, a little practice and familiarity with the slicer software and the support structures will make a huge difference to the success of your prints.

The HARLOT-MAGE Pro's performance leads the field regarding speed, accuracy, and print quality, making it a top choice for designers, artists, jewellers and creators seeking fast, high-quality results. While, as ever, some manual post-processing is required, the HALOT-MAGE PRO's overall performance and ease of use make it stand out.

Creality HALOT-MAGE PRO 3D: Verdict

The Creality HALOT-MAGE PRO 3D printer offers exceptional performance, a user-friendly design, and superb print quality. It sets a new benchmark for resin printing with its epoch-making hyperspeed, delivering prints faster than typical resin printers while maintaining excellent print quality. Aimed at designers, artists, and creators of all levels of expertise, the HALOT-MAGE PRO is a versatile option.

The printer's standout features include the 10.3-inch 8K LCD screen with 7680x4320 resolution, "Dynax" motion system, large build volume of 228x128x230mm, 170mm/h print speed, automatic resin fill & withdrawal system, "MageArch" Flip lid and Smart Air Purifier.

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish and user-friendly resin printer, the HALOT-MAGE PRO is an excellent choice. Its intuitive HALOT OS, touchscreen interface, and easy integration into home, office, or workshop environments and networks make it easy to use. While Creality offers its proprietary slicer software, it's also worth noting the printer's compatibility with other slicer software, so it will easily fit into existing workflows if they're in place. 

As one of the best resin printers available at the time of writing, the HARLOT-MAGE Pro offers exceptional quality for its price range, outperforming many other competitors in terms of speed and accuracy.

• Best printers: Top choices for 2D printing at home, in the studio, and office

For over 35 years Avast has been researching and developing security software, so when they say they have a solution for endpoint protection we should all pay attention.

Their continued development of the almighty AVG Antivirus alone is enough to make us sit up, but when we discovered the Avast Business Hub we were keen to put it through its paces. After all, a standalone virus scanner on one machine is very different to proactively scanning and configuring multiple devices against all threats. 

Have Avast done it again with Avast Premium Business Security and produced one of the best endpoint protection software platforms - or should they stay out of business cybersecurity solutions? Find out below.

Avast Premium Business Security: Plans

There are 3 main tiers to Avast Business Security. The 'Essential' plan includes all the perks you'd expect to see including an online management platform for all devices. It also includes Avast's Firewall, Ransomware Shield, Remote Access Shield, and network discovery tools for protecting devices from intruders and malware.

We were especially intrigued by the 'Password Protection' feature, which seems to regulate which apps can access stored browser passwords in users' %LocalAppData%\ folders.

Essential subscribers also benefit from the 'Real Site', feature which is designed to protect users from DNS hijacking, by establishing encrypted connections from their device to process DNS queries. 

Avast Premium Business Security includes all of the above, as well as a built-in personal VPN to protect employees' on public WiFi. Click here for our in-depth review of Avast's 'SecureLine' VPN service.

We were also impressed to see the Premium tier includes USB protection, meaning that employees can't use unauthorized removable storage devices. (N.B Both these 'Premium' features are not available for macOS).

Avast 'Ultimate' Business Security includes all the features of the 'Essential' and 'Premium' Tiers as well as system application and patching to automatically fix vulnerabilities. This requires access to Avast's Business Hub. The company have put together a helpful YouTube video explaining how it works. 

All Avast Business Security plans include 24/5 English support via e-mail, chat or phone.

Avast Premium Business Security: Pricing

No matter which tier you subscribe to, billing is done on a per device, per year basis. (Options exist for 2 and 3 year subscriptions at a reduced rate too).

Avast are currently offering a 20% discount on their rates. This means price start from as little as $24.15 per year for one device on the 'Essential' plan, assuming you're happy to pay upfront for a 3-year subscription.

This increases to up to $45.42 per device per year for Avast Ultimate Business Security, assuming five devices over a one year subscription. 

The Avast Business Security main page has an excellent pricing section where you can input your number of devices and desired subscription length. 

Avast Premium Business Security: Setup

If you head over to the Avast Small Business Solutions page, there's an option for a 30-day free trial of their Avast Business Security products. In theory this simply involves filling in a form with your personal information (including business e-mail address and phone number), then wait for a download link to your inbox.

After 3 tries completing the form, the e-mail failed to materialize so we got in touch with Avast's sales team, who pointed us to a helpful download link for their software. We later found out the quickest way to get started is just to sign up via https://businesshub.avast.com/, then subscribe for a trial version of Avast Business Security. (We choose the 'Premium' tier for this article). 

We were then able to go to the 'Devices' tab and clicked '+' to create a custom installer. As we'd chosen a trial of the Premium tier by default the agent software not only included Antivirus but Avast's VPN and USB protection feature.

The install window began the process, then helpfully told us we could close the window as the install process would continue in the background. We found this a little disconcerting as there was no system tray icon for the agent but were relieved to see the Antivirus was still installing via the Avast Business Hub. 

Avast Premium Business Security: Features

Since the Premium Business Security platform was created by one of the world's leading antivirus developers, its touted anti-malware features are very impressive. 

Avast have released an extensive whitepaper on these features but chiefly this involves using Avast 'Cloud Protection' to automatically deploy protection across the entire user base when a threat's detected. Their cloud-based file scanner 'CyberCapture' despite it's 90's-sounding name detects suspicious files using modern techniques like behavior analytics and machine learning.

As we mentioned, 'Premium' subscribers can not only add antivirus to the agent software but VPN, a firewall and USB protection. The software also incorporates a 'Mail Shield' which works with email clients like Microsoft Outlook to scan for threats. The integrated 'Sandbox' also allows users to browse the web or run applications safely in a standalone environment. 

This and other tools can be configured via the Avast Business Hub, though when we explored the agent software itself we were pleased to see extra privacy-enhancing features such as webcam shield, a tool for restricting access to browser's password vaults and even a file shredder for securely erasing data. 

When we logged in, we were impressed to see Avast also offers  'Web Control', to prevent users from visiting unauthorized sites. We tried to find more information about this new feature but had no joy. We can only assume this is a form of DNS filtering, though as the feature's still in beta we don't recommend using it for any mission-critical endpoints. It's also not clear why this has been touted as a separate product instead of simply adding a whitelist/blacklist to the existing 'Real Site' feature. 

Avast Premium Business Security: Interface

Endpoints are managed by the 'Business Hub' dashboard. This is actually quite spartan but in a good way. The first items on the agenda are any listed alerts, as well as how many threats have been found in the past 14 days.

The dashboard also lists the number of protected devices, as well as active subscriptions. (In the case of the 'Premium' tier these are for Antivirus, VPN and USB protection).

The left hand pane contains clearly marked sections such as 'Policies', 'Reports' and 'Users' where you can view more information on each. Like the dashboard, the emphasis is on providing an overview of the information, whereupon users can find more details by clicking on the relevant section.

Much the same is true for the agent software, which is usually nestled into the system tray on Windows. However, upon opening there are easy to follow sections such as 'Protection' from where you can run various scans. The icons to launch specific tools like 'Quarantine' and the 'Sandbox' are laid out in a grid format, which is very easy to follow. 

Avast Premium Business Security: Performance

For our tests we attempted to download a test computer virus onto our machine, provided by the good people of EICAR. 

When we loaded the web page in Microsoft Edge, we were very impressed to see that when we clicked on the link to download the virus directly, Avast's agent software automatically aborted the connection, so the virus wasn't downloaded.

We next downloaded the virus in compressed (ZIP) format. The agent software didn't prevent this but immediately as we extracted the files it detected and quarantined the virus.

After running our tests we logged in to the Avast Business Hub only to be told that there were no threats detected and that zero threats were found in the past 14 days. We decided to visit the 'Reports' section to view an 'Antivirus Threat Report'. Again this concluded that no threats had been found.

In fairness our test virus didn't constitute a real threat to the device but other endpoint security platforms did include it in their dashboards and/or detailed reports. 

Against our better judgment our next test was to download a real computer virus we'd caught in the wild onto the test machine. Avast's agent software detected and quarantined it immediately, prompting us to restart the machine. 

After this, once we logged into the Avast Business Hub we found alerts both for the new (real) virus and the previous (fake) virus. We attempted to trigger a virus scan on our test machine remotely from the hub but it failed to start. Luckily there were no issues when we initiated the scan from the test machine itself. 

Avast Premium Business Security: Final verdict

It's always best to begin with the bad news and that is the agent software for Avast Business Security doesn't seem to extend to mobile devices. That said, if you want a solution that takes minutes to set up on just business computers you can do far worse than this platform.

The Business Hub dashboard is well laid out, providing simple to follow overviews which can be viewed in more detail later on. Although our test virus file wasn't reported at first, we have put this down to a glitch as it did appear in a later report when we tested with another virus.

The pricing plan is easy to follow and competitive. We were also impressed by some of the extras in the 'Premium' tier like VPN and the ability to restrict access only to authorized USB devices.

No payment information is required to sign up for the free trial and unlike other platforms we've reviewed, the agent software is very easy to remove so you've nothing to lose by test-piloting Avast Premium Business Security.

We've listed the best cloud firewall.

Two-minute review

Announced alongside the Sony A7C II, the A7C R is a pricier alternative with a higher-resolution 61MP full-frame sensor, but which is otherwise an identical camera. You can learn more about the build, handling, features and performance of the A7C R in our full Sony A7C II review; while this review touches on those fundamentals, here I'm focusing on the key differences around the different sensor, and how it impacts image quality, performance and the camera's position in the Sony Alpha lineup.

Succeeding the Sony A7C, which is one of the best travel cameras with full-frame sensor available, both the A7C II and A7C R maintain that travel-friendly compact form factor – Sony says they're the world's smallest full-frame cameras with in-body image stabilization – but come adorned with Sony's latest features, and represent a sizable upgrade. 

In one sense, we're not seeing anything new here, and that's a recent Sony trend; it's been filling out its Alpha range with niche cameras that combine existing tech from other models. The A7C II is essentially a small A7 IV – the camera that tops our best mirrorless camera guide – while the A7C R is a baby A7R V. (The A7C, meanwhile, is a compact A7 III – notice a pattern?)

When considering what's the best camera for you between the A7C II, A7C R, A7 IV or A7R V, the choice boils down to what's more important – your wallet, camera size, all-round handling, or image quality. Each of those cameras ticks half of those boxes, with the A7C R satisfying those looking for a travel-friendly camera with the best possible image quality.

I prefer the reality of the A7C R over the A7C II because its high-resolution sensor is not only better for landscape photography, but it affords greater flexibility; I might not need 61MP most of the time, but I can crop into those larger pictures more than images from the 33MP A7C II when my lenses don't go tight enough, much as with the delightful Leica Q3 which is the best premium compact camera available, and which also sports a 61MP sensor.

That's to the point; the rangefinder-style A7C R isn't a camera with which you'd want to use chunky telephoto lenses to get you closer to subjects (see the images below with the FE 70-200mm F4 II lens). It's so small that you'll want to pair it instead with relatively tiny everyday lenses like the FE 40mm F2.5 – pictures taken with a lens like this lens often benefit from being cropped into, and double the pixels can effectively get you twice as close.

Aside from which A7C model makes most sense based on the sensor, both of these cameras are designed to be as small as possible, and that comes with handling compromises compared to the SLR-style models. For example, despite the A7C R's and A7C II's viewfinder having improved magnification over the one in the A7C, it's still a tricky EVF to use day-to-day – I really had to push my eye in to get a clear view, while the EVF on the A7R V is much easier to use. 

I also really missed an AF joystick. Don't get me wrong: the A7C R's autofocus performs brilliantly by itself, utilizing Sony's 'AI-powered' autofocus chip which means, just like the A7C II, the A7C R is able to recognize more subjects and in more scenarios than previous-gen cameras, and nail sharp focus on human eyes. However, the joystick is such a handy override when you want the control over which subject is in focus. 

In light of the modest viewfinder experience, it's some relief that the touch functionality of the vari-angle screen has been improved, adding touch navigation and swipe control in addition to touch focus, plus the in-camera UI is the latest streamlined version that's much easier to navigate than the previous setup. 

The new Sony Creators' app works a treat, too. I had no problem connecting my Android phone to remotely control the camera and uploading images to the cloud. Sony apps of the past didn't cut the mustard, but the Sony Creators' app is a different experience altogether.

Overall, the Sony A7C R is a highly capable photography-first camera for its size, perhaps the most capable. It will handle landscape photography as readily as fast-moving portraits, and by my reckoning is the most cost-efficient way to get Sony's excellent 61MP sensor. It's still super-expensive though, so we do have to finish by asking that question, "do you really need all those pixels?". For me, it's one for the wishlist.

Sony A7C R: Specs

Sony A7C R: Image quality

There’s everything and nothing to be said about the A7C R’s image quality that hasn’t been said before. It packs the exact same 61MP sensor as the A7R V, and you can read more about the formidable $,4000 / £4,000 / AU$6,500 mirrorless camera in our full Sony A7R V review. 

The only real difference between the two is any impact on image quality resulting from the handling of each camera. You might get a firmer hold of the A7R V (which is probably why Sony bundles the A7C R with an extension grip), plus its in-body image stabilization is rated up to 8EV against the A7C R’s 7EV, so you might get blurrier handheld A7C R shots in some scenarios.

And then there’s the comparison between the A7C R and the 33MP A7C II. Do we need the extra pixels? I think for a travel camera, where you want a lightweight setup and maybe just a single lens, more pixels is even more relevant. If a 40mm f/2.5 lens can’t get close enough, you can just crop in. You can get the impression of an 80mm lens, for example, in a 61MP image cropped to a similar size of the 33MP A7C II. If money was no object, I’d definitely go for the A7C R.

Forgetting everything Alpha, and simply enjoying the pictures I’ve made with the A7C R, I can see pin-sharp detail where it counts, when the exposure settings are sensible. The enthusiast-level lenses I was using are highly capable; wide enough at f/4 to throw some lovely out-of-focus bokeh in portraits, and sharp enough stopped down for pin-sharp landscape photography.

ISO performance is decent, with a native ISO 100 to 32,000 range. Any setting from ISO 100 to 1600 provides clean and sharp results, and I'd happily shoot up to ISO 6400, too. Beyond that setting, for example pushing to that maximum native setting of ISO 32,000 in low light is okay at a pinch, but if you look closely (see below the pictures of horses at moonrise), detail at this setting is pretty mushy.  

JPEG colors straight out the box look great, dynamic range is generous, and intelligent autofocus is reliable. Put simply, the A7C R can be relied upon as an everyday camera; it's quick to respond when you need to capture the moment, and powerful enough for the constructed scenarios – a landscape photography expedition or portrait shoot.

Video quality is decent too, with 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 up to 30 frames per second, and a log color profile providing the best image quality. We don't get 8K video as in the A7R V, but 4K videos are very sharp, taken from the 7K readout of the sensor, which is then downsampled without line skipping or pixel binning. If you like shooting half speed, the 60 frames per second setting incurs a Super35 crop (1.5x), making the wider-than-most 20-70mm zoom lens I had with the camera a particularly good match.

Sony A7C R: Test scorecard

Should I buy the Sony A7C R?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Sony A7C R: Also consider

If our Sony A7C R has inspired you to think about other options, here are two more cameras to consider…

How I tested the Sony A7C R

I had a loan sample of Sony A7C R, along with the FE 20-70mm F4 and FE 70-200mm F4 II lenses, for one week, during which time the three bits of gear were with me most of the time, and combined for a travel-friendly setup easily stowed in a small bag. Ideally, I would have also have had a lightweight and compact lens that truly realizes the travel-friendly potential of the A7C R, like the FE 40mm F2.5 G.

Throughout the week I was able to regularly take photos and videos, including portraits, animal portraits, landscapes, macro, fast sequences, and general everyday shots, in all manner of lighting conditions, and utilize Sony's Creators' app for remote control of the camera and image uploads. I made sure to put the AI-powered autofocus system through its paces, capturing all kinds of human and animal photos and night shots, and I tested the 7EV image stabilization by taking slow-shutter-speed handheld pictures.

First reviewed August 2023