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Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus 3D printer review

9:12 pm | November 4, 2024

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

The Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is, so far, the largest of the new Ender-3 line, which has already impressed with the standard version. Print quality for the Creality Ender-3 V3 was impressive, and despite the increase in scale, the printer promises to offer that same performance. While the Creality Ender series has long been a favourite among hobbyists, the enhanced design of the latest range, with the full die-cast aluminium frame, touchscreen interface, and CoreXY kinematics, makes this a far more serious proposition. The impressive 300 x 300 x 330 mm build volume makes this one of the larger printers in this price range, and despite the quality, it's still aimed at the entry end of the market.

As such, one of the standard features we've become used to, a camera, is missing from the model; however, one is available at minimal cost. This makes it a great option for anyone just getting into 3D printing or looking to upgrade from an older or smaller machine. Although, if you work in an office or education setting, the open frame design, while refined, might not be ideal, however, with the remote printing, scale and price, this is definitely going to appeal to businesses wanting to print at scale on a budget.

For those looking for the best 3D printer, the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is well-suited to those who want to work on larger prints without splitting designs into multiple pieces. The fact that this scale is backed by the impressive CoreXY design, which enables print speeds of up to 600 mm/s, puts it in competition with far more expensive machines.

While the additional noise from fans and the high-speed motors could be seen as an issue, along with the larger footprint, the Ender-3 V3 Plus is an impressive machine if you're looking to scale up your 3D printing projects without a huge outlay.

Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus: Design

The Ender-3 V3 Plus is sold as a large-scale printer with CoreXY kinematics and a solid die-cast aluminium frame that sets it apart from the previous Ender-3 ranges. Sure enough, that new frame feels far higher quality than those previous iterations and reflects the smaller Ender-3 V3, just with a couple of braces to further increase the strength of the vertical section of the printer.

At 410 x 455 x 577 mm, the V3 Plus is by no means a small machine, but for the most part, Creality has streamlined the design to minimize its actual footprint. Although, as a bed-slinger, it still requires a little more room than other configurations that we more commonly see for CoreXY setups. A nice touch for a first print in the box is the top-mounted spool holder, which again helps to reduce the machine's footprint, although a little reconfiguration is needed for the filament runout sensor, and of course, quite a bit more headroom is required.

Matching the quality of the user interface we've seen with the other Ender-3 V3 machines and the K1 series, the 4.3-inch colour touchscreen offers easy access to the printer settings, starting print jobs, and monitoring progress. This progress can also be followed using the Creality Print Software. If you prefer a more manual approach to sending your files to print, then you can transfer items from the software to the printer by means of the supplied USB stick.

Design: 4.5/5

Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus: Features

The key feature change for the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus, compared with its predecessors, is the CoreXZ kinematics system. As with the Ender-3 V3, this is cleverly built into the bed-slinger design but enables a huge boost in the speed and accuracy. The big speed increase sees the V3 Plus able to reach print speeds of up to 600 mm/s, coupled with 20,000 mm/s² acceleration, which, considering the price point, is impressive.

The auto bed levelling system is a common and essential feature of most modern 3D printers. It is one of a few built-in features that help to circumnavigate common 3D print issues, including power loss, with the power-loss recovery function. On a small printer, losing power mid-print is annoying; on a printer of this size, losing a print after 15 hours due to a disconnection or power outage would be infuriating.

Taking a look at the tool head, and the printer is equipped with a tri-metal nozzle and a 60W hotend capable of heating up to 300°C. This enables it to support a decent variety of filaments, including PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU, giving you plenty of options for different projects. A feature of the nozzel that's worth highlighting is that it has a modular design, making it easy to swap out or upgrade. The hot end also features an improved heat break compared to previous versions, with a dual-fan cooling system designed to prevent clogs.

As we've seen with other Creality printers, the Ender-3 V3 Plus is compatible with Creality Slicer, Cura, Repetier-Host, and Simplify3D, providing plenty of options that should fit in with your workflow. The standard option is Creality Print, which is based on PRUSA Slicer, offering a huge amount of flexibility over print quality and speed. It also makes it easy to connect to wireless networks, enabling remote control, print monitoring, file uploads, and real-time print progress. As the printer doesn't ship with a camera, you can't get a live view of the print being created; however, the Nebula camera is fully compatible and easy to fit.

Another feature, the removable magnetic build plate, is a standard addition. It allows for easy print removal and reduces the risk of damaging completed prints during removal.

The V3 Plus is packed with features that will enable anyone, from home enthusiasts to small businesses, to produce larger-scale prints. It might not have some of the features you'd expect to see on more expensive machines, like an AI camera or enclosure, but if these are important to you, both can be purchased for a small additional cost.

Specs

Print Technology: FDM
Build Area: 300 x 300 x 330 mm
Minimum Layer Resolution: 0.1 mm
Maximum Layer Resolution: 0.4 mm
Dimensions: 410 x 445 x 557mm
Weight: 11.5 kg
Bed: Heated
Print Surface: Removable magnetic build plate
Software: Creality Slicer, Cura, Repetier-Host, Simplify3D
Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU
Print Speed: Up to 600 mm/s

The Creality Ender-3 V3 incorporates an all-metal hot end designed for high temperatures and supports materials like PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU. It heats rapidly, reaching up to 300°C in around a minute, ensuring consistent temperatures for long prints and the ability to adapt to the different flows of material. The improved nozzle design also allows for precise extrusion, while the dual-fan cooling system prevents clogging and enhances print quality. A new heat break helps to reduce heat creep, maintaining stable temperature control. This hot end is also modular, meaning the assembly is easy to upgrade and maintain.

As is now standard across almost all printers, the magnetic build plate generally makes model removal easy and reduces the risk of damaging prints. The heated bed supports a variety of materials, including PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU, expanding the versatility of the printer.

In terms of software, the Ender-3 V3 is compatible with Creality Slicer, Cura, Repetier-Host, and Simplify3D, giving you plenty of options for slicing and preparing models.

Features: 4.5/5

Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus: Performance

Setting up the machine is a relatively fast process, with the printer coming in the usual self-assembly flat-pack packaging. As is now common, rather than assembling every component, most of the machine is pre-assembled, and it's just the last few screws that need to be inserted and tightened. From the box to switch on should take no more than 10 minutes, and the design is such that everything smoothly fits in place, with labels clearly indicating what goes where and what needs to be tightened.

One small issue that becomes apparent the more that you use the machine is the filament feed runout sensor attached to the frame. It's in an odd position, which can make it a little fiddly to initially insert and feed the filament through, especially if you have larger hands. As you use the printer, there were a couple of occasions where, as the horizontal bar raised and then lowered, the excess filament from the reel became tangled. This is easy to sort out if you're near the machine and spot it, but not so if you've wandered off.

Staying with the filament, when the printer runs out, it stops so that you can insert another reel. However, when you tap the buttons to retract the filament to extract it from the printer, it pulls in a short length to clear the nozzle before retracting. Unfortunately, the design of the extruder and feed doesn't quite give you enough filament to pull it cleanly out, meaning you either have to unclip the tube from the filament runout sensor and pull it out from there or from the top of the extruder. In both cases, there's a small extruder release switch on top of the tool head.

While this doesn't affect the print quality, it is annoying.

Moving on to print quality, the results are superb, even at scale. Despite its size, the machine is robust and rigid, and as the tool head powers around the build platform, the quality and speed of prints are excellent. During testing, we ran through four reels of filament, printed models both small and large, and filled the height of the build area to see how it would cope. Everything we threw at the printer was handled with ease, and throughout the test, there was only a single failed print, which was due to a filament change at the start of the test.

When it came to filament variety, the machine handled everything from PLA to PETG successfully, with the hotend proving to be of high enough quality and temperature to cope with more than standard materials.

Ultimately, considering the price, this printer's capabilities are impressive, and this was reflected in the benchmarking tests.

While this doesn't affect the print quality, it is annoying.

Ultimately, considering the price, this printer's capabilities are impressive, and this was reflected in the benchmarking tests.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus: Final verdict

Anyway, you look at it, the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is an impressive machine, both in stature and performance. The initial assembly for a machine of this size is fast and straightforward, and one person can easily assemble it without much difficulty. The side braces add to the rigidity of the machine, helping to avoid some of the flexibility that is common with larger models.

The one small issue is with the filament feed, which is slightly annoyingly positioned and can be time-consuming when swapping filaments. It's not a major issue, and the position of the filament reel, along with the runout sensor, can be moved to the top of the machine, although some issues still exist. At this size, excess filament as the tool head raises and lowers is always going to be an issue without some type of filament retraction system.

In use, the Ender-3 V3 Plus is as easy to use as its smaller sibling, with remote connectivity to the Creality Slicer software enabling you to upload and monitor the progress of your prints. The fact that you can add a camera for visual monitoring at a small additional cost further boosts its usefulness for businesses that may want the printer in a separate location from the main workspace. To that end, despite the fast CoreXY kinematics and bed-slinger design, the actual noise produced by the printer is well balanced—audible, especially the fans, but not so much that it's distracting.

For a printer of this size, and more importantly for the size of prints it enables you to produce, the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is an impressive machine, and for the price, it offers the best value out there.

Should you buy the Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus?

The Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus is a great choice as a 3D printer for any business or individucal looking to print large and offers a balance between affordability and performance, with features usually found on more expensive machines.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

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Anker Solix C1000 portable power station review

7:19 pm |

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

Anker has quickly become a company that I trust a lot of my gear with. Currently, Anker cleans my house, protects my home with security cameras, and powers my house -- quite literally. I have a handful of Anker Power Stations and many of the best portable power stations from Bluetti, EcoFlow, Jackery, and others. What's remarkable is that Anker has two prominent positions in my home that I rely on daily.

First up, Anker runs my whole home backup thanks to the Anker Solix Home Power Panel and Automatic Transfer Switch, along with a pair of F3800s. In the event of a power outage, I can run my entire home -- including my regular lights and outlets, fridge, laundry, dishwasher, Wi-Fi and more -- off of battery backup. Pretty cool! Additionally, I have a few other backups for heavy-use zones, such as my primary workstation. This is where the Solix C1000 comes into play - but more on that later.

Anker Solix C1000: Price and Availability

The Anker Solic C1000 usually costs around $1000; however, when writing this, I saw a deal for $579 on Anker's website. Occasionally, deals work for the power stations if you want to wait and snag a significant discount.

Anker Solix C1000: Unboxing and First Impressions

Unboxing the Solix C1000 was exciting because I was shocked at how small the entire unit was. Overall, I am impressed with how clean and compact this unit is for the power delivery it can give.

I could snag an extended battery for my C1000, so I grabbed the C1000 and attached the external battery with a single cable, adding another 1056Wh to my workstation in the backup, bringing the total to 2112Wh.

Anker includes all the cables for the power station, including the AC charging cable I use for this particular setup.

The pairing process with the Anker App was super easy as well. Plus, a huge bonus is that I can connect to this power station over Wi-Fi and control it from anywhere in the world or via Bluetooth if there is no Wi-Fi.

Anker Solix C1000: Design and Build Quality

Specs

Capacity: 1056Wh
Output: 1800W (AC)
Ports: Multiple AC, USB-A, USB-C, and DC ports
Charging: AC, solar, and car charging compatible

The Anker Solix C1000 offers excellent ports on the front of the power station, just under where there is an integrated light bar. Under the screen lives the USB ports, two USB-A and two USB-C, one of which can reach 100w output. Additionally, there are six AC outlets on the front that I can plug gear into. The last thing worth mentioning in this section is the built-in handles. Yes, power stations can be heavy, but this one has two carry handles built into the frame of the top outside edges of the C1000 Portable Power Station.

Anker Solix C1000: In use

As mentioned above, my Anker Solix C1000 is the power station and UPS I have entrusted to run my primary workstation in my home office. And, unlike some home offices, mine is far from simple and minimal, thus drawing considerable amounts of power. Right now, my main desk supports a hot-swappable monitor (currently, my BenQ MA320U), two Thunderbolt Docks (both from Satechi), Multiple Satechi USB-C power supplies (one on either side of my desk), Three or four AC Plug power Strips mounted under my desk, My MacBook Pro, My iPad Pro, a handful of desktops I am in testing with, a handful of laptops I am testing as well, a BenQ Monitor light bar, a Govee light strip, A Govee Glide Hexa Pro on my wall, a lamp, a Google Home Hub, an Apple HomePod Original, a TP-Link Deco Wi-Fi Point, a network switch, a Mac Mini running a media server, a Synology BeeStation, a space heater, an Apple TV and ways to MagSafe Charge my iPhone 16 Pro, wireless charge my AirPods, and my Apple Watch. All of this gear (mostly) is sitting on a FlexiSpot E7 Pro Standing Desk.

It's a lot. But what's even crazier is that 95% of all of that gear is running through my desk, which, as a standing desk, I didn't want to bog down with cables hanging, so there is only one cable hanging down, which gets plugged directly into my C1000. I've tested a power outage many times, and so far, the C1000 can handle that super desk's worth of gear without even breaking a sweat.

Before this portable power station found its home inside my office at the foot of my desk powering my workstation, I was able to take this thing outside to run a pressure washer, recharge some drill batteries, power my living room lamps during an outage before I had my whole home backed up, and much more.

Anker Solix C1000: Final verdict

All around, the Anker Solix C1000 has been a lovely little Portable Power Station that I can't imagine not having in my workflow at this point. It's powerful, has a great port offering, is super easy to use in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-only environments, is expandable, and so much more. If you're looking for a portable power station, check out the Solix C1000 as a baseline at a minimum of what you should be looking for.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro Mini Robot Vacuum review

7:16 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Robot Vacuums Smart Home | Comments: Off

SwitchBot K10+ Pro: two-minute review

If you want a compact robotic vacuum cleaner, the pint-sized SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro could be just what you're looking for. Don't be put off by the diminutive design – this robot vacuum is packed with tech, from intelligent room-mapping and app control, to self-emptying and some of the quickest navigation we've ever seen.

It squeezes with confidence – and often at speed – between furniture legs, cleaning carpet inaccessible by larger robots, and the equally compact dock will appeal to those with small apartments, too. It also taps into SwitchBot’s existing smart home ecosystem, and can be controlled by voice via Alexa or Google Assistant.

However, this small robot's suction power isn't a match for bigger, pricier rivals, and the mopping function – which merely drags a disposable wet wipe across the floor – failed to impress. As with many robot vacuums, you need to watch out for high doorway thresholds, as anything over 20 mm will be a struggle for the K10+ Pro to clear consistently (although some of today's best robot vacuums don't have such an issue with this, thanks to some new and innovative engineering solutions) .

Those factors aside, this compact vacuum is still a good option for smaller, mostly carpeted homes, or for focusing on specific zones of larger properties. Install it upstairs, away from the tougher challenges of the kitchen and hallway, and your guest bedrooms will be spotless, while giving up precious little space for the robot and its dock.

That's the short version; read on for my full SwitchBot K10+ Mini Robot Vacuum review.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum in its dock — (Image credit: Future)

SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: price & availability

List price: $599.99 / £599.99
Launched: August 2024
Available: US / UK

The $599.99 / £599.99 K10+ Pro sits above the regular $399.99 / £399.99 K10+ in SwitchBot's lineup of mini robotic vacuum cleaners, but some way below the flagship S10, which costs $1,199.99 / £1,099.99.

It looks almost identical to the K10+ but the Pro model gains a set of useful extra features, including a PSD distance sensor for more accurate navigation, a silicon anti-tangle brush, and a 3,000Pa suction system (20 percent more powerful than the K10+). It also benefits from an antibacterial dustbag, which the regular K10+ lacks.

A price difference of $200 / £200 is fairly significant at this end of the robotic vacuum market, especially when the two robots look almost exactly the same. But pet-owners will surely be drawn to the anti-tangle brush of the Pro, along with the extra suction power.

The K10+ Pro’s price puts it roughly on par with other mid-range robotic vacuum like the Roomba Combo J5 Combo from iRobot. That model also works as a mop, but it too requires the user to manually swap the mopping attachment in and out to switch between the vacuum and mop functions. Unlike the SwitchBot and its disposable wet wipes, the Roomba has a washable and reusable (then eventually replaceable) mopping cloth.

The SwitchBot’s price falls between the Eufy Clean X8 Pro (which acts only as a vacuum with self-emptying bin), and the pricier Eufy X10 Pro Omni, which has a rotating and self-cleaning mop.

While not uncomfortably expensive, the SwitchBot K10+ Pro feels like it charges a premium for its compact size. Instead of being a smaller and therefore cheaper model, it sells its dimensions as a benefit rather than a byproduct. That’s mostly fine, but this price point causes the SwitchBot to fall between two categories of robot – ones that only vacuum, and ones that also mop. At 3,000Pa, the suction is fine but a little below what other models at this kind of price point offer.

Buyers will need to decide if they value the compact size above all else. Or, if they would rather spend less and lose the mop, or pay more for a robot that puts a greater emphasis on mopping.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

SwitchBot K10+ Pro specs

SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: design

Shallow and compact design
Self-empties dust into the (also compact) dock
Unusually, the mop relies on disposable wet wipes

Based on photos alone, you might think the K10+ Pro looks like any other robotic vacuum, but when you see it in person you realize just how compact it really is. It's a circular robot with a diameter of just 9.76 in (24.8cm) – compared to 13.39 in (34cm) for the SwitchBot S1 Plus – and a height, including the top-mounted radar, of 3.62 in (9.2cm). These diminutive dimensions help the SwitchBot drive between and under furniture in ways larger robots cannot.

The docking station and dust bin is also smaller than most of its rivals. It's so compact, SwitchBot suggests you could even tuck it under a chair. The all-round diminutive size makes the K10+ Pro ideal for smaller homes, or even as a second robotic vacuum tasked with cleaning lesser-used parts of a larger home, such as the spare bedrooms or office.

The robot itself has a radar on top, plus sensors on its front and side, and a cliff sensor underneath, to help navigate without crashing, getting stuck or falling down the stairs. There are just two buttons on the robot, for powering it on or off and telling it to go back to its charger. Every other function is controlled by the SwitchBot smartphone app, which is free for iOS and Android.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum, with mop wipe and onboard dustbin taken out — (Image credit: Future)

The top cover is secured by magnets, and when removed reveals a power switch that's only needed during the initial setup process, and the dust bin. The bin's filter is easy to remove and clean, and handily the smartphone app notifies you when the bin has been removed or replaced.

Turn the K10+ Pro over and you'll find a spinning side brush for flicking dust and dirt out from corners of the room, and a rotating anti-tangle brush made from rubber. During my month of testing the brush didn't once get tangled up, although a fair bit of hair collected at either side. Thankfully this doesn't restrict its movement, and is easy to extricate by removing the roller and snipping at the hair with some scissors.

The robot comes with a mopping attachment, which is fitted manually to its underside and, rather unusually, uses wet wipes instead of a washable pad or cloth. SwitchBot says this is an improvement over robotic vacuum cleaners that use washable towels for their mops, since it employs a clean wipe every time. I can see the logic here, but fitting a new disposal wipe after every mop seems wasteful.

Either way, the K10+ Pro won’t give your hard floors a particularly deep clean, since the wipes are simply dragged over the surface with no real pressure behind them. If you need a mopping robot, I'd recommend upping your budget if possible and going for a model with a mechanical spinning mop, like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni or Eufy Omni S1 Pro.

Dock for SwitchBot K10+ Pro with lid open to show dust bag — (Image credit: Future)

Back to the K10+ Pro, and the compact charge station houses a generous 4-liter dust bag that should last for months before it needs taking out and replacing. The robot automatically empties into the dustbag when its own bin gets full (at a brief but rather loud 83dB), but there's no water supply for the mop, since it uses wet wipes instead.

Although compact, the top-opening charge dock is plenty large enough to house a spare dust bag and filter, plus a pack of wet wipes and a brush for detangling the robot – all of which is included in the box. It makes for a handy way of storing everything associated with the K10+ Pro, instead of inevitably losing its various components in a cupboard elsewhere.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: performance

Quiet, with moderate suction power
Mop function is not worth the effort
Good but not infallible navigation

Before I conducted a set of controlled tests with the K10+ Pro, I set it up and simply used it as my vacuum cleaner. The setup process is quick and easy. Just download the SwitchBot app, follow the instructions to connect the robot to your Wi-Fi network (this step failed at first, then worked fine when I tried again), and let it map your home.

I used the app to name each room and adjust the room boundaries slightly. The robot did a decent job of working out where room thresholds were, but got a bit confused by a hallway connecting the kitchen, bathroom, lounge and bedroom. A couple of minutes of tinkering in the app, and the map was perfect.

I was particularly impressed by how it confidently drove under a bathroom cupboard with less than 0.4 in (1cm) of clearance without even a moment of hesitation. I also liked how it could drive itself between the three legs of a table I have next to my sofa. Other, larger robots can't fit through here, or between the legs of my office chair, so the floor between the legs is always missed. Not so with the smaller SwitchBot.

However, while its navigation is mostly very good – and it really is capable of getting to places larger vacuums can't – it repeatedly drove at full speed into a fireplace hearth. This made me question the SwitchBot's intelligence, but I saw no other collisions during the mapping and cleaning process.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum struggling to get over a room threshold — (Image credit: Future)

The K10+ Pro is quite good at driving over high thresholds, which have been a problem for much more expensive robotic vacuums in the past, like the Eufy S1 Pro. The SwitchBot sometimes had to back up and try a different angle, but it very rarely failed to clamber over what is a rather high threshold between my hallway and kitchen.

The same gung-ho approach couldn't be replicated in the lounge, however, where it repeatedly got stuck in a thick rug. I had to mark this area as a no-go zone in the app, which was disappointing but hardly a surprise. Only one robot that I've tested, the Eufy X10 Pro, has so far managed to successfully wade through the rug without calling for help.

As with other robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro can be configured to clean each area once or twice, and there are four suction modes to pick from, called Quiet, Standard, Strong and Max. Via the app you can create a room-by-room cleaning plan, with the ability to set a suction strength and cleaning time (once or twice) for each room, before you set the robot on its merry way. It automatically increases suction power when driving from a hard floor to carpet, but doesn’t ramp up the power specifically when there’s more debris to tackle, as some more advanced robovacs can.

For everyday cleaning the K10+ Pro performed well. The app is easy to use and it takes just a couple of taps to tell the robot to clean a specific area, a certain room or the entire floor. It's also easy to create a schedule, which is where robots like these work best. Configure it to clean high-traffic rooms frequently, and this little-and-often approach will keep your floors looking their best. Alternatively, I can see a compact robot like this being perfect for giving your spare bedrooms a weekly clean, or even taking charge of the entire upstairs, while you use a conventional vacuum in the kitchen, hallway and lounge.

Time for the more specific tests. This involves using a mix of oats and flour on hard floors and carpet, then seeing how the robot performs as we cycle through all of suction strengths and cleaning modes.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum on hard floor, with crumbs from pickup tests alongside — (Image credit: Future)

Quiet mode is fine for a light, frequently vacuum of low-traffic areas, and at just 64 dB it is remarkably quiet. It'll pick up larger debris like oats, but as with other robotic vacuums the K10+ Pro tends to flick everything around on its first pass, rather than pick it all up. You really need to set the vacuum to pass every area twice. That way debris gets flicked around a bit initially, but is mostly collected on the second pass.

Cranking the power setting up to Max increases the volume to 70 dB, and there's a noticeable difference in suction power. More debris is picked up on the first pass, then almost everything else is picked up the second time around. That said, the K10+ Pro still isn't as powerful as some pricier rivals, since it offers just 3,000 Pa of suction, compared to 5,000 Pa or even 8,000 Pa for more expensive options from the likes of iRobot and Eufy. Even on maximum power it failed to suck up flour from the shallow grooves between floorboards, and had a habit of leaving arcs of flour on the floor every time it turned around.

It performed similarly on carpet, where maximum strength wasn't quite enough to pull every bit of flour out of the floor. During this test I also found it failed to clear a circa-2cm threshold between the exposed floorboards of the hallway and the bedroom carpet. This is a common stumbling point for robotic cleaners of all prices, and despite trying for several minutes, the SwitchBot eventually failed to climb onto the carpet and called for help via the app. You'll need to bear this in mind if you're shopping for a robot vacuum, since very few manage this journey from floorboards to carpet reliably.

Close up of buttons and camera on SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum — (Image credit: Future)

The K10+ Pro is one of the quickest robotic vacuums I've ever reviewed, driving faster than most others when it has the space to do so. I reckon it would easily clear the challenging thresholds if it gave itself a run-up, but SwitchBot doesn't seem to have programmed it to do so. One for a future software update, perhaps – just so long as it can reliably distinguish between a tricky threshold and a staircase.

Generally, and thresholds aside, the K10+ Pro does a decent job of navigating between rooms. However it will occasionally drive straight into objects, like chair legs and door frames, and do so repeatedly, as if feeling instead of seeing its way around, until a clear path is discovered. Its behavior sometimes reminded me of older, less intelligent robotic vacuums. It's unlikely to damage anything, but this headbutting approach makes the robot seem less smarter than it claims to be.

As is often the case with robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro is good at light, frequent cleaning, but struggles to pick up absolutely everything when tasked with fixing a specific problem, like the spilled cup of oats and flour used in our tests. The debris left behind was completely removed by a regular handheld vacuum in a matter of seconds.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum flipped over to show underside, with rubber roller removed — (Image credit: Future)

Moving to the mopping function, and this is really more of a quick wipe than a thorough scrub. More expensive robots have motorized mops that spin and push down onto the floor with real force, but here it's just a case of fitting an included wet wipe and telling the robot to get to work. I like how the wipe holder stores neatly inside the charging dock, but fitting a fresh wipe each time is a bit of a pain.

Attaching the mop switches the robot from vacuum to mopping mode, but this is very much a manual process. You have to fit the mopping attachment (which covers the rotating rubber brush) and tell it to go mop a specific room or area, then detach it to turn the robot back into a vacuum cleaner. The rotating side brush operates in both modes.

While handy for a quick wipe, the mop isn't capable of lifting any serious stains. In fact, it failed to fully remove some freshly split hot sauce from the kitchen floor, despite passing twice over the liquid. The wipe became dirty, so it had clearly done something, but this is really no more than a very light clean. A pack of 30 wipes is included in the box, each with a couple of holes for fixing to the mop attachment, but I can't see many owners buying another pack when they run out.

Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: app

Easy to use
Lots of functionality
Apple Home requires additional hub

This robot uses the same app as other devices made by SwitchBot, which is handy if you want to build out your smart home with the company's devices, like door locks, motorized window blinds, security cameras and the Bot from which the firm gets its name.

You'll need to buy a SwitchBot Hub for some of these, but the vacuum works fine on its own – although you will need that hub if you intend to control it from Apple Home via the Matter wireless standard. Incidentally, voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant works without the hub.

The setup process is quick and easy, with the robot mapping your home on its first exploratory outing. You can then use the app to split the map into rooms and name them accordingly. With that set, you can ask the robot to go clean a specific room, or create a cleaning plan where a different suction setting is used for each room. It's also possible to draw no-go zones (such as a thick rug that the robot will get stuck in), or draw a specific area you want cleaning.

These are all common features across various robotic vacuums. There's nothing that really makes the SwitchBot app stand out from the crowd, but it's nice to see how the ‘Mini' name doesn't mean it's lacking in features.

App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the SwitchBot K10+ Pro?

Buy it if...

You're tight for space

This robot is much smaller than many of its rivals. This means it can be tucked away more neatly, but also that it can drive into tight spaces inaccessible by others, producing a more thorough clean – especially between furniture legs.

You plan to buy more SwitchBot devices

SwitchBot makes a wide range of smart home devices, all of which can be controlled from the same app as the robotic vacuum. You'll need the company's hub to get the most out of it, but the products can create a nice little home automation system.

You're happy to mop manually

This robot's mopping function is perfunctory at best, so only consider it if your priority is vacuuming.

Don't buy it if...

You need a good mop

The mopping function of this robot is little more than a wet wipe. You're best doing the mopping yourself, or picking a robot better-suited to the job, like one with powered rotating mops.

You want massive suction power

This robot is great for light, frequent cleans, but it lacks the suction power of larger rivals. We found it struggled to lift flour out from a wooden floor, so if it's outright power you need, we suggest you look elsewhere (and possibly also up your budget).View Deal

You have high doorway thresholds

Like some other robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro struggles to clamber up from a hallway with exposed floorboards to the higher carpet of the next room. It just can't climb over doorway thresholds with confidence, so if you have lots of those we suggest you give this model a pass.

How I tested the SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro

I set up the K10+ Pro and used it as my only vacuum for a couple of weeks before starting the review. I then carried out a range of specific cleaning tasks to assess its mapping, navigation, suction and mopping abilities.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024

Asus ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 laptop review

6:33 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: CPU, OS, RAM | Comments: Off

Asus ProArt PZ13: 30-second review

Specs

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus
Graphics: Adreno X1
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Rear Ports: 2 x USB-C 4.0, microSD reader
Front Ports: None
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Audio: Dual speakers, average quality
Camera: Rear 13MP, Front 5MP
Size: 297.5 x 202.9 x 9.4 mm, 0.85 kg
OS installed: Windows 11 Home Copilot+
Accessories: Keyboard cover, Asus Pen 2.0 stylus

The Asus ProArt PZ13 complements the two ProArt laptops from Asus and, of the three, is the one that raises the most interest. It's essentially a tablet and laptop in one and is not only packed with AI processing power but also features a DCI-P3 colour gamut 13.3-inch OLED screen that will instantly appeal to creatives.

However, while this machine runs on Windows 11 Home, it's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus, which is partnered with Adreno X1 graphics. That combination produces a performance that excels in many tasks, especially with Adobe and creative apps, which for the most part it handle absolute ease. However, with some apps, including our 3DMark and PCMark benchmarking software as well as many games, they refused to run.

Through testing, many aspects made this machine stand out, and it truly is a viable alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, offering excellent battery life and a lightweight but ultimately robust build. General performance across Adobe apps such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro was excellent, even without the full compatibility for Premiere Pro, with high-resolution images from the Sony A7 IV and Canon EOS R5 C being handled easily. The touchscreen and stylus, with all those points of sensitivity, made working directly on the images a fluid process. Likewise, editing 4K video, with a little storage capacity boost from a Samsung T5 EVO 8TB, was equally smooth, even if the edits for the particular piece were relatively simple.

It's worth noting, that Premiere Pro isn't 100% compatible as with several other apps, and as you start to install further apps and games, the limitations of the ARM processor become apparent. So, not yet the best video editing laptop option, even with the broad color space coverage - although during installation of Premiere Pro, for example, there is a note that Adobe is working on the ARM version of the software. Until then, the Intel version will be used. In reality, most jobs run smoothly enough, but as the processing power demands increase or more graphically demanding tasks are applied, the machine does, at present, start to struggle.

Likewise, when it came to gaming, things weren't so smooth, as quite a few of the games refused to load at all since they were designed for different processing architectures. So, while this tablet has power and puts in impressive performance, at present, there are some compatibility issues.

Asus ProArt PZ13: Price & availability

Priced at around $1,099.99, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is available through retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and the Asus website.

Price: 4/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Design & build

The ProArt PZ13 is designed as a two-in-one machine, so that you can use it as a creative tablet or laptop. As such, it comes with a removable keyboard, which is sleek and slim and doubles as a protective case and stand, although the link between the keyboard and monitor free moving so unlike a laptop won't support itself. This essentially means that on a table you can open it up like a laptop of the stand will support the monitor, however, on a lap that support is a little more tricky although not impossible.

One standout feature especially it you're working out in the field is that the PZ13 is IP52-rated, meaning it's dust-resistant and splash-proof, as well as being far more durable than your average tablet or laptop. This is something Asus has emphasised across its full line of ProArt laptops, and sure enough, in use, the ProArt has travelled through a variety of photo and video shoots, as well as delivering workshops and lectures, and not always in the most computer-friendly environments, where it proved to be an excellent, robust choice.

When it comes to size and weight, the PZ13 is slim and well weighted, measuring 29.75 x 20.29 x 0.90 cm and weighing just 850g. As you'd expect for a tablet, there's also a stylus, and if you want to remove the keyboard for a more slimline machine, it's quickly detached from the base. The case, of which the keyboard is part, further enhances the design with a green finish and a kickstand that enables you to prop up the screen when used as a laptop, although it's not ideal when supported on a lap.

A clever feature of the design is that the magnetic keyboard can be detached, rotated 180 degrees, and folded under the screen where it holds in place. This means that the keys are against the screen rather than facing down, offering a far more comfortable feel to the tablet compared with other devices.

The overall design and build is excellent, with a high-quality feel throughout the usage and design of the machine. Connecting to external devices is also quick and easy using one of the two USB4 ports, one of which can be used as the power in. There are also the usual array of wireless connection options including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The 13.3-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio screen is fully touch responsive and also features stylus support. The screen-to-body ratio is 87% so essentially covers most of the front of the tablet when used with the stylus which provides one of the most responsive and natural-feeling digital work surfaces available. What really stands out about the screen, aside from the 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, is the surface itself. While glossy, reflections are well managed, and the viewing angle is superb, making it easy to adjust and enhance images directly on the screen.

When it comes to physical ports, again, the PZ13 is tailored to creative users, and while there are only a couple of options with two USB4 ports and an SD Express 7.0 slot if you're on the move then this should for the most part suffice. One of those USB4 ports is used for the power, although it can also be used for accessories and storage when not connected to power. These ports can be used to maximise transfer speeds to the machine and ensure that when dealing with high-resolution video stored on an external device, the speed of transfer is fast enough to keep up with the pace of the application—specifically, Premiere Pro in this test.

Overall, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is one of the sleekest tablet/laptops available. The size and connectivity options, touch screen and USB4 ports when coupled with the full version of Windows, make this an excellent choice in terms of design for creative users.

Design: 4.5/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Features

The big features of the ProArt PZ13, aside from the large 13.3-inch OLED touch display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution, include its two-in-one design and integration with AI toolsets and CoPilot.

As a tablet, the computing power delivered by the Snapdragon X Plus chip, while not as powerful as Intel or AMD alternatives, provides solid AI-enhanced performance, especially for creative apps that support this technology.

The ProArt PZ13 is equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus X1P 42 100 Processor (3.4GHz, 30MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz, 8 cores, 8 threads) alongside the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which offers up to 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) and supports AI processing. Graphics are handled by a Qualcomm Adreno GPU, which is relatively untested with larger creative apps, but despite the lack of full support, especially for Premiere Pro the tablet still delivered an impressive performance during testing.

Due to its tablet design, the RAM and ROM are fixed, with 16GB LPDDR5X on board and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. However, as we did in this test you can utilise the USB4 ports to boost the storage at up to 40Gbps.

One of the standout software features enhanced by artificial intelligence is the Asus suite of AI-powered workflow apps, and these are accessible through the ProArt Creator Hub. This suite includes applications such as the AI-powered StoryCube, which utilises the machine's AI capabilities to help organise media files.

Alongside the apps, the Creator Hub enables you to manage system resources. If an application requires more allocated processing power than others, the Hub lets you assign resources as needed. It also provides an overview of hardware performance, such as heat levels and usage, and allows you to switch between modes depending on whether you need longer battery life or full power.

For creative users the Hub also gives you quick control over various display settings, including colour gamut adjustments. This feature enables you to quickly switching between modes such as standard, vivid colours, sRGB for web content, DCI-P3 for cinematic tones, and Display P3 for photography.

When you combine these display modes with Asus 2.0 stylus support, you get a highly natural way of interacting with the screen and pen strokes, making the PZ13 ideal for both photographic and art-based work.

As for power, the PZ13 comes with a 65W power supply but is also compatible with most PD power banks and stations. During testing, it was paired with a Bluetti AC60 and charged in the field via USB Type-C. Internally, it houses a 70WHrs, 3S1P, 3-cell Li-ion battery, which offers a surprising amount of battery life, considering the tasks the tablet was used for.

Features: 4/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Performance

Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 5130.53MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 4883.76MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 10746
GeekBench CPU Multi: 2294
GeekBench Compute: 10073
PC Mark: n/a
CineBench CPU Multi: 5494
CineBench CPU Single: 1065
Fire Strike Overall: 906
Fire Strike Graphics: 860
Fire Strike Physics: 13589
Fire Strike Combined: 455
Time Spy Overall: n/a
Time Spy Graphics: n/a
Time Spy CPU: n/a
Wild Life: 11377
Windows Experience: n/a

The ProArt PZ13 is by no means the first two-in-one tablet in this price range, but considering the competition, it packs a surprising amount of processing power for the price.

From the outset, it's worth noting that there are some compatibility issues with certain applications. For instance, Adobe Premiere Pro on installation shows a message indicating that it hasn't been programmed for use with the ARM processor. However, the Intel version of the application can still be used.

In practice, through the test Premiere Pro worked without issue, handling files from the Sony A7 IV, and delivering an impressive performance, capable of editing and grading FHD and 4K video footage with relative ease.

That said, some games present challenges. For example, Hogwarts Legacy refused to load beyond a certain point just going to a black screen, and many other games experienced similar issues, although some did play without issue. So, if you're considering this device for gaming, it might be best to wait until full support arrives for the CPU and GPU, those games that do play, play smoothly. However, for video streaming and playback, the speed of the machine is clearly evident.

In regular use, the PZ13 performs exceptionally well. For tasks like Google Docs and web browsing, the laptop ran for a full working day—well over 10 hours with some breaks—without needing a charge. With more power-intensive applications such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro, the battery life dropped more swiftly. However, it still managed a solid 4-6 hours, again factoring in breaks during working sessions.

While the PZ13 generally feels like using any other high-powered PC laptop or tablet, you may occasionally notice that some applications, particularly games, won't load. Overall, the performance of this two-in-one is exceptional with the high quality screen, along with the robust yet stylish design making it a great option if you're looking for an on-the-go solution.

Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Asus ProArt PZ13?

The Asus ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 design is an ideal option for creative professionals, but it does have its limitations. The incredible touch screen and its pressure point sensitivity, along with tablet-to-laptop flexibility and AI-powered features, make it perfect for artists, photographers, videographers, and content creators who need a lightweight computer. However, its ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus processor does create compatibility issues with certain applications, especially those that demand high processing power or still need to be optimised for ARM architecture.

All things considered, this is a great machine that balances battery life, features, and power. As long as gaming isn't high on your priorities and creative applications such as the Adobe suite are, then this is a perfect choice.

Buy it if...

Portability is a priority

If you need a lightweight, versatile device with a long battery life for creative work on the move, the ProArt PZ13 excels. It's perfect for those who travel frequently or require a compact yet powerful setup for fieldwork.

It would help if you had a colour-accurate display

The OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 support makes it an excellent choice for photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. Its vibrant and accurate colour reproduction is ideal for creatives working with visual content.

Don't buy it if...

It would help if you had extensive port options

With only two USB-C ports and a microSD slot, connectivity may be limited without the use of external hubs or dongles. If you rely heavily on multiple peripherals or wired connections, this could be a drawback.

You rely on heavy-duty apps

The ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus chip might struggle with more demanding software that isn't optimised for ARM architecture. If your workflow involves power-hungry apps or games, this limitation may affect performance.

We've tested the best photo editing PCs - and these are our top picks

Yo-Yo Desk 90 standing desk converter review: a great standing desk if you don’t want to replace your tabletop

4:28 pm |

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

If you’re looking to try a sit-stand desk without investing in a full electric tabletop, look no further; the Yo-Yo Desk 90 is a fantastic split-level desk converter that will get you started on your quest to increase your time spent standing.

With this clever, 15-height standing desk converter, any desk can be transformed into a standing desk, provided it’s sturdy and large enough to house it. Luckily, it comes in three sizes; the Yo-Yo desk converter 80, 90 and 120, with the numbers correlating to the width of the surface. For this review, I tested the Yo-Yo Desk 90.

So, how does the Yo-Yo desk stand up against some of the best standing desk converters and even the best standing desks? We put it to the test.

Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Specs

Made from engineered wood with aluminium, the Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter is a robust unit of a standing desk converter, available in both black and white colorways.

In itself, it weighs 20kg, but it can support up to 15kg, meaning your laptop, monitor and a few other peripherals can safely stand upon its 89cm x 59cm top surface and 89cm x 32cm keyboard tray. The main worktop lifts from 15cm to 35cm high, and the keyboard from 0 - 35cm, offering a good range of height for most people - though if you’re on the taller side (and if you also want to use a standing mat) it will be a little on the low side.

For what it is and for its build quality, I’m pretty happy with the price of the Yo-Yo desk 90 desk converter. At £329.95 (£199.95 / £379.95 in its smaller and larger configurations, respectively), it’s a darn sight cheaper than a full standing desk, but of course you lose some of the height potential and electronic features. There are regular discounts, too, so watch out for those to save a little extra.

With its smooth-action gas spring, the Yo-Yo Desk 90 offers 15 adjustable heights, and allows you to swiftly and safely switch from sitting to standing in seconds using easy-press levers on each side.

Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Shipping & unboxing

Arriving in just one box, the Yo-Yo Desk 90 is impressively easy to set up - though you’ll need two people to lift its 20kg frame out of its packaging and onto a desk. Inside, you’ll find the main frame and the unattached keyboard tray, two keyboard tray brackets, eight screws and a Philips Screwdriver.

Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Assembly

Once unboxed, it’s as simple as attaching the side cap to the connecting arm, using the provided screwdriver to affix the keyboard tray brackets to the tray and then hang the tray brackets on the rotating bracket holders before tightening everything up.

Yo-Yo advertises that this takes only five minutes, and I’m sure that’s true if you know exactly what you’re doing, perhaps having installed a Yo-Yo Desk before - but for me, it took about 10 minutes.

Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: First impressions

Yo-Yo Desk 90 during our review in an office environment — (Image credit: Yo-Yo )

When I first saw the fully built Yo-Yo Desk 90 on my workstation, I was pretty happy with the results. Sure, it’s not exactly a looker, but it does offer plenty of real estate and impressively smooth motion. It takes a little while to get used to the controls, for some reason - it feels almost as though you really want to crank the levers, but the gas canisters do their job well of smoothly and effortlessly switching between the tabletop and standing configuration.

Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Design

The Yo-Yo Desk 90 is a split-level sit-to-stand desk, meaning it offers a keyboard and mouse tray as well as a higher surface for your monitor and any other peripherals - it supports clamp-mounted monitor arms, too - meaning you’ll have no trouble filling its 89cm x 59cm top surface and 89cm x 32cm keyboard tray.

While its overall look is very functional, it’s well thought-through; the extra depth squeezed into the keyboard tray where the frame cuts into the way the unit compresses in such a way that the keyboard doesn’t need to be repositioned every time.

There are a few drawbacks to note. A big one for me is that, especially with these mechanical controls, I’d have liked to see a cable port in the rear of the worktop to keep cables tidy and clear of the mechanisms. I also found the keyboard tray regularly falls off, becoming unhinged from its hooks as the day goes on. It’s not the end of the world if you’re only placing your keyboard and mouse on there, but I wouldn’t load it up with anything that can be spilled or broken too easily just in case.

Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Performance

The Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter is wonderfully easy to adjust, smoothly transitioning between its 15 height settings with minimal effort - though you’ll need to keep an eye out for loose cables that might get caught during use. It’s whisper-quiet, too, meaning it won’t disturb your colleagues.

It does wobble ever so slightly, but I could say that for many a desk I’ve worked on over the years, and of course that also comes down to the surface it’s standing upon.

Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Accessories

While Yo-Yo doesn’t offer any accessories that can be integrated into the desk, there are a number of add-ons available, from office chairs to monitor arms and other peripherals.

For more office furniture accessories, we reviewed the best standing desk mats.

Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter: Final verdict

If you already have a tabletop you like, or don’t want to invest in a full standing desk setup, the Yo-Yo Desk 90 desk converter is a fantastic option that will meet most people’s needs.

Granted, it’s a bulky alternative, and if you really value the feng shui of your deskspace you might find it a little too makeshift for your needs, but its range of heights, sturdy frame and smooth adjustment system work effectively. It’s a shame about the keyboard tray, and that this issue seems to be problematic for a fair few customers, but if you don’t mind the mild inconvenience of re-hooking it once or twice a day, it’s not the end of the world.

Overall, it’s a great product, and it’s a mainstay for many offices for a reason.

For more workspace essentials, we reviewed the best office chairs.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership review: a vibrant new era for Nintendo’s dynamic duo

3:01 pm |

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

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Release date: November 7, 2024

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is an excellent return to Nintendo’s otherwise languishing role-playing game (RPG) spin-off series, packed chock-full of charm, wit, and whimsy, plus pleasingly detailed combat mechanics that will deliver hours of fun.

In their latest gander, the mustachio'd brothers are whisked away to the land of Concordia and on a quest to reunite its fragmented lands following the destruction of the Unitree that once connected them. It’s a tale with a strong narrative theme; that the bonds between friends, family, and even foes have innate power. In classic Nintendo style, every possible aspect of the game centers itself around its morals to charming effect.

To go with its delightful tone is a robust combat system, largely following suit of its series predecessors but with the added flair of Luigi Logic, new Bros Attacks, and a power-up system called Plugs. It’s silly and fun, offering a moderate challenge as you time your attacks and counters between the two brothers. However, later in the game, the sheer number of enemies can become a bit repetitive, and you’ll likely end up skipping your fair share of battles. Overall, though, it’s very rewarding, and there’s a great variety of enemies and interesting bosses to tackle, making it a standout Nintendo Switch game of 2024.

However, like other recent releases such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Brothership also suffers from occasional performance issues. These are particularly prevalent when there are several enemies on screen or heavy particle effects, affecting even the island navigation map later in the game when more areas are unlocked.

It’s an unfortunate issue, as the game is so beautifully visualized that you want to lavish on every detail. The new 3D sprites for its cast of characters are a welcome visual upgrade, adding new depth of emotion and gesture both in and out of combat. Its lush and well-detailed overworld offers a reasonable amount of exploration, though some of the earlier levels feel underdeveloped when you revisit them towards the end of the game.

While it’s not exactly a contender for game of the year, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Brothership. The game is great fun, but it’s also warm and inviting, blending some of the franchise's most beloved Mushroom Kingdom friends and foes with charming new Concordian companions to create a rich world filled with love and connection. There’s a real resonance in how Mario & Luigi: Brothership delivers its moral lesson, but entwined with bonny Nintendo flair and slapstick nonsense that makes the game feel truly special.

In-game screenshot from Mario & Luigi: Brothership — (Image credit: Nintendo)

You can make me whole again

Once transported to Concordia, Mario and Luigi and their new guides Connie and Snoutlet sail the open seas in search of fragmented islands from the former continent of Concordia with a mission to reconnect them to the new Unitree. Each island bears a distinctive theme; from the dance and rhythm-crazed populace of Twistee Island to the rival fire and ice villages of Heatfreeze Island and the desert dwellers of Allsand Island.

The game’s main hub, Shipshape Island, also teems with life, populated by side characters like three gossipy hens that’ll give you clues for side quests as well as equipment and resource shops for stocking up between islands. Along the way, the crew of adventurers grows to welcome a plethora of new characters, with my personal favorite being a band of kids going by the moniker of the IDLE group. As with all of the new companions, Brothership relishes in exploring the bonds they share and create, and there’s a wealth of relations explored through the lens of Concordia. From parental to sibling, found family and friendship to rivalry, and even bonds of love, Nintendo deftly toes the line of cheesiness, keeping the game firmly in the realm of fuzzy feelings.

It’s not just Concordians that decorate the storyline; throughout the game, you’ll encounter familiar faces from the Mushroom Kingdom, from predictable appearances like Princess Peach, Starlow, and Bowser to welcome surprises like Birdo and even a first-time Mario & Luigi appearance for Dorrie.

This does, however, mean the game can be pretty wordy, often splicing the action with extended character development and conversation that can make the game drag a little at times. In saying that, I did find it hard to breeze through some of the dialogue where I truly enjoyed watching the story play out, especially thanks to its quirky comedy and hyperanimated style. The volume of characters also means there’s a little pressure on some of the characters to condense their personality. Starlow, for example, is a little subdued compared to previous entries in the series, especially when it comes to her love-hate relationship with Luigi.

Land, Ho!

The main quest line is pretty extensive, totaling around 40 hours if you skip every side quest, based on my total game time which was 50 hours after completing a vast majority of optional quests. Occasionally, there are split decisions thrown into the narrative that slightly alter the means or order of storyline progression, but overall it’s pretty linear.

Using Shipshape Island, Mario and Luigi navigate through channels across the oceans of Concordia to scope out the dispersed islands and connect them to the Unitree. The duo then unceremoniously launch themselves upon these islands’ shores, punctuated by an excellent running gag of Luigi never quite sticking the landing, before venturing to solve an ongoing issue for the island’s population or rescue missing Concordians.

Exploring each island is fun, and the game’s new Bros Moves add new dimensions to exploration, especially when boosted later in the game. The first move unlocked, UF-Bro, is easily my favorite; it’s ridiculous but comes in pretty handy and allows for creative level design. There are some pacing issues in level development, however, and it's especially noticeable later in the game when you hop between more complex levels and the fairly basic initial islands. Plus, a lot of time is spent running around thanks to the sparsity of teleportation pipes and very simple maps.

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With the main quest completed and balance restored, the pair must activate each island's lighthouse, thus tethering the entire land mass to Shipshape Island. Especially towards the end of the game, it’s delightfully silly to see Shipshape lug around an entire continents-worth of islands.

There’s also a wealth of side quests to enjoy, an abundance of puzzles, a respectable level of collect-a-thon objectives, and bundles of items and equipment to hoard. Many quests see the mustachio’d bros reconnect or resolve issues between loved ones, with progressively more memorable and interesting missions as the game develops. Some quests need to be completed before the main story progresses, unlocking fun easter egg interactions and unique items that make them feel worthwhile.

Best bit

Birdo isn’t in the game an awful lot, but there are some great moments in there for the flirtatious pink dinosaur. In particular, one side quest sees an admirer smitten by Birdo’s beauty seeking Mario and Luigi’s help to unite with her. It’s a fun and ever-so-random jaunt that’ll give franchise fans a chuckle.

Occasionally, you even get the opportunity to remote-control Luigi, either by stationing him strategically while using Mario to move around the level or even fully controlling him - though there are only a handful of moments where you get full Luigi action. The main mechanic for giving Luigi some autonomy is Luigi Logic, which triggers when there’s an interactive object or puzzle mechanic he can help with. Broadly, it’s great fun, and can also save time when it comes to farming coins and items, but there are quite a few times when Luigi will get left behind off-screen, which causes Mario to stop in his tracks, turn about-face, and find his stranded sibling. It’s not frequent, but the separation anxiety can be a bit irritating at times.

Otherwise, the main areas to explore are in the game’s dungeons; the Great Lighthouses, and later in the game, various enemy strongholds. The level design for dungeons is pretty consistently well-balanced throughout the game, offering a decent level of challenge and platforming fun while still incorporating a healthy dosage of combat opportunities; though perhaps a little too healthy in places.

Timing is everything

Combat in Mario & Luigi: Brothership is fun and engaging, leveraging the same timed attack and counter mechanic as previous games in the series with the added twist of power-up Plugs and Luigi’s Logic as well as inventive new Bros Attacks to mix things up.

Plugs offer a solid level of variety and dynamic gameplay to battles and become pretty much essential as the baddies scale. Certain combos create enhanced attack, defense, and support abilities during combat, which you can bolster further with clever choices in equipment and leveling bonuses - though you can easily make most compositions work if your timing is solid and your stats are balanced.

Some of the Bros Attacks are more satisfying than others. For example, in Flash Clock, Mario & Luigi dash across a monochrome battlefield where time stands still, taking turns to wallop the enemy if you hit their corresponding attack buttons in good time. That’s eminently more engaging than Mix Tornado, in which you frantically lob orbs of Mario’s fireballs and Luigi’s ice into a spinning tornado in the hopes you complete it enough to whip the enemy into a frenzy.

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Every story must have a villain, but Mario & Luigi: Brothership has several; the most prominent of which being Bowser and the mysterious Zokket. We all know and love Bowser and his modus operandi, and Brothership conveys it with wonderful whimsy. Zokket’s forces, however, are slightly more sinister.

Co-captained by Ecks, Ten, and Shun (AKA the Extension Corps), Zokket’s army is on a quest to harvest and spread ‘Glohm’ throughout Concordia and sever the connections between its denizens. Both monsters and the Mario brothers alike can be inflicted by this gloom, which is designed much like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s malice. In battle, it serves as a new gameplay element that prevents the infected brothers from working together on high-damage attacks and Bros Attacks.

There’s a wide range of enemies in the game, with each offering a fairly distinct move set, and the bosses are pretty fun across the board. The slapstick style and expressive animations keep combat light and fun, but later in the game, the grind becomes a little excessive. Especially as I’d leveled well, I ended up skipping a fair few encounters, even with newer enemies I hadn’t yet tired of, but I still enjoyed pretty much all of the key boss fights.

Bursting with life - literally

While the character design maintains the stylistic simplicity of the wider Mario universe, its aesthetic value is high, which really brings the Mario & Luigi franchise into the modern era of gaming following the ten years of its absence.

Brothership brings the world of Concordia to life with exuberant color and sound. It’s bright, well-stylized, and lush, and the 3D sprites massively expand the depth of emotion and motion possible for the various characters. Combat animations are punchy and energizing, and the music perfectly accents the on-screen action to keep you locked in.

That does mean, however, that it’s even more of a disappointment to see frame rate drops, which get progressively worse as the game progresses. Towards the end of the game, even the island navigation screen drops frames significantly due to the volume of cubic sparkle effects on screen, and some of the wonderfully animated cutscenes heavily feature the same particle effects and thus suffer the same fate.

When there are many enemies on screen or a series of consecutive graphically intense attacks, combat can also suffer - which is less than ideal when there are timed attacks to tackle. I didn’t experience an unforgivable level of performance issues, and hopefully, at least some of these can be fixed in a later patch. Still, it’s always disappointing to see, especially when the game is so lovely to look at.

Otherwise, animations are broadly smooth. I gladly sacrificed a few turns and counters during combat to enjoy every detail of enemy attack animations, and the cutscenes are just delightful. I even nearly shed a tear during a few, though I’m especially soppy when it comes to a good tear-jerker.

Should I play Mario & Luigi: Brothership?

Play it if…

You want a modernized Mario & Luigi RPG
While Brothership does well to capture what made earlier games popular among fans, it's added in a good amount of depth and aesthetic appeal to make the game feel contemporary.

You want a moderate challenge, but a lot of heart
It's no Baldur's Gate 3, but Brothership takes an earnest swing at combat. It's pretty approachable, and will give you the option to dial down the difficulty of combat, but only after you've given it a good go.

Don’t play it if…

Performance issues grate on you
It's far from a poor performance, but the occasional frame rate drops are disappointing, and especially when you're trying to enjoy the beautifully animated world of Concordia.

Accessibility

There are no dedicated accessibility settings on Mario & Luigi: Brothership. There’s one difficulty setting, but if you lose a combat or time-based mini-game a few times, you’re offered an easy mode to help you overcome the challenge. This is particularly disappointing when combat is so heavily based on timed and held button inputs, and where there are multiple times that visual cues are delivered by color. Players with congenital red-green color blindness, in particular, would have great difficulty in performing many Bros Attacks and puzzles.

How I reviewed Mario & Luigi: Brothership

I played over 40 hours of Mario & Luigi: Brothership on Nintendo Switch OLED. During that time I completed the main story and played in a combination of both handheld and docked mode. While docked, I played on a 1080p monitor and used a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. In handheld mode, I played using the standard Joy-Con controls.

To draw comparisons, I've reflected on my experience with other series entries such as Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story as well as other turn-based RPGs like Octopath Traveller, alongside different games from the wider Mario franchise such as Super Mario: Odyssey.

First reviewed November 2024.

Slitterhead review: a refreshing curiosity that’s not without its hurdles

2:01 pm |

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

Review info

Platform reviewed: PlayStation 5
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: November 8, 2024

Slitterhead is a weird horror game. The combat is a bit stiff, it reuses environments (and sometimes missions), and lacks voice acting outside of the occasional fully-voiced scene. Yet it’s probably the most refreshing game I’ve played in a while, and is far more than the sum of its parts. Behind that veneer of rust and dirt is a compelling storyline that uses its horror elements to craft a brilliant mystery that had me rethinking the entire story constantly.

You play as Hyoki: a lost spirit in the fictitious town of Kowlong with the ability to possess human beings (as well as the occasional dog). However, Kowlong is plagued with Slitterheads: monsters who assume the form of human beings in order to feed on them. Among these humans are Rarities, beings who have a unique connection with the spirit and are able to retain their consciousness while possessed, while having their own combat abilities to boot.

Visions of an impending apocalypse lead Hyoki to team up with a young woman named Julee and a mysterious man named Alex to destroy the Slitterhead populace to change their fate. However, the spirit discovers it is able to go back in time while retaining memories; however, this reveals another layer, as each time they go back, things aren’t as they once were. One aspect I loved about this tale is that it tackles the hypocrisy of a spirit that takes over the consciousness of people, battling evil beings that take over the consciousness of people. This led to me getting invested in the lives of those on both sides of the story.

Head like a haunted house

A main character facing down an enemy in Slitterhead — (Image credit: Bokeh Game Studios)

Despite being directed by horror royalty Keiichiro Toyama (creator of Silent Hill and Siren), horror is more of a backdrop in Slitterhead, as the game plays out like a detective story. You’ll be trying to figure out just what is happening in Kowlong while simultaneously figuring out who in the crowded city is secretly a monster. The main gameplay loop is heading into a mission, investigating, before running into a Slitterhead who you’ll need to take out.

As the adventure progresses, you’ll run into more and more Rarities who join your cause. Between missions, you’ll be able to chat with them a la Persona’s social links and learn more about each of them. These range from people of all walks of life, doctors, a high school student, the homeless, and even an elderly woman. Despite some having more screen time than others (the story is mainly focused on Julee and Alex), I loved learning about the characters I was taking into battle.

The regular humans have a club and two unique skills (as well as two slots for your rarities bonus skills), while you can bring two Rarities out on a mission with you, who have their own unique skill sets based on their personalities. Edo – who lived as a boxer before being forced to live on the streets – is a fast-paced, hard-hitting character with a moveset designed around getting in the opponent's face and wearing them down. Meanwhile, Julee – who is compassionate and has reservations over human lives being used by Hyoki in service of Slitterhead destruction, has abilities to avoid damaging non-player characters (NPCs) and reviving a number at once.

Combat isn’t the most in-depth in terms of combos. You have a standard combo and a heavy attack alongside four unique skills depending on which Rarity combo you take into the field. But where the combat really shines is in the possession mechanic; switching about from host to host is near-mandatory and adds an extra layer of strategy to what could’ve been a barebones beat 'em up. This is complemented by a For Honor-esque parry system, which can send you into a slow-mo state to really while on your enemies.

Who can it be now?

A close up of a character in Slitterhead — (Image credit: Bokeh Game Studios)

The biggest issue the game faces is also in part due to the time loop mechanic. The missions mostly take place in the same few city blocks, which can lead to a bit of repetition, and while the mandatory mission replays will have new tricks, you are still replaying parts. This becomes an issue later in the game as you’ll play the same two missions multiple times in a row to progress the story.

The other problem is that sometimes the objective of the game is unclear. It’s easy to get lost in the city, and without a map system, it’s a bit of a pain to navigate when there are no waypoint markers. This gets especially rough at a point in the middle where you need to find two hidden Rarities to progress, where I combed through the same missions a few times before cracking it.

Best bit

A crouching character sneaking around a level in Slitterhead — (Image credit: Bokeh Game Studios)

One of Slitterhead’s most investing moments is investigating the Echoes of Love Society. While these missions are slower-paced, this storyline opens up some interesting questions about the nature of Slitterheads and the ethical issues surrounding your mission.

Visually, the game is a bit of a mixed bag; the neon-soaked streets of Kowlong are gorgeous, and the character models for the main characters look great, but the human fodder characters is a bit less polished, which really stands out if you take them into a cutscene. Meanwhile, the creature design from Siren designer Miki Takahashi is nothing short of phenomenal. The different breeds of Slitterhead are disgusting and impressive bits of body horror to boot. While the game isn’t too scary, these monsters are unsettling, especially when you see them transform.

Slitterhead also reunites Toyama with Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka – which is all I should need to tell you to let you know the music and sound design are fantastic. The soundtrack ranges from the oppressive industrial sounds Yamaoka is famed for to some nice lo-fi beats that make the menus a joy to navigate. And the titular monsters sound just as gross as they look.

Still, Slitterhead is not without its problems, but these are mostly relegated to the gameplay. While the combat is fun and engaging, it could do with a bit more combo variety. Meanwhile, the reused missions and environments don’t necessarily feel like padding, but they can be grating at certain points. However, it’s more than worth moving past those flaws to find one of the most unique and interesting horror experiences in a long time.

A character in Slitterhead in front of a neon sign — (Image credit: Bokeh Game Studios)

Should you play Slitterhead?

Play it if...

You’re after a unique experience from a horror legend
Slitterhead does take inspiration from Toyama’s previous games, like Siren’s Sightjacking mechanic. But Slitterhead is a unique beast that’s more about detective work and intense combat than straight-up horror. Plus, the time loop mechanic adds an extra layer to an already interesting story.

You like strategically focused combat encounters
Slitterhead’s possession mechanic is a cool thing in many ways, from traversal to just seeing who and what you can take control of. However, it adds an extra layer to combat as you’ll be constantly switching between hosts to flank enemies, while careful consideration of what rarities is a must.

Don't play it if...

You’re after a highly polished AAA game
I rarely encountered glitches in Slitterhead, but it’s not as polished as your usual AAA affair. While the Rarities, cutscenes, and environments look lush, NPC character models are a bit lackluster, and the awkward use of voice acting is an unfortunate flaw.

You can’t stomach body horror
Slitterhead’s grotesque horror is tough to stomach; you’ll constantly see human heads explode into viscera as their Slitterhead forms burst out. This is even worse for the bosses, as you see the transformation even slower and in more detail as their necks extend and contort.

Accessibility

The accessibility features in Slitterhead need some work. While the option to fully rebind your controls is a welcome addition, outside of multiple language options, subtitles (without closed captioning), and difficulty options, there’s not much else to talk about here unfortunately.

A running character in Slitterhead — (Image credit: Bokeh Game Studios)

How I reviewed Slitterhead

I played Slitterhead for around 18 hours completing the game’s main storyline (including the true ending) and unlocking all of the rarities and a majority of the costumes. In my playthrough, I played on Hard difficulty for the majority before switching to Medium when the level replays were introduced.

I played the game on my PlayStation 5 Slim on a DualSense wireless controller (although it felt wrong to play with the Astro Bot Controller). For my screen, I used a Samsung Q65T 50-inch QLED 4K TV, and for my audio, I switched between the PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless headset and a Samsung HW-T450 Soundbar.

First review November 2024

JBL Authentics 200 review: a punchy smart speaker with vintage style

1:46 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Comments: Off

JBL Authentics 200: Two-minute review

We pride ourselves on having tested all of the most notable and best wireless speakers on the market at TechRadar, so it’s always a welcome moment when one comes along that does things a bit differently. That’s very much the case with the Authentics 200: one look at this vintage-inspired beauty is all you need to see that JBL has gone its own way here.

From the curved foam grille to the aluminium frame, the Authentics 200 is a stunning homage to amps of old. That retro aesthetic is matched by a solid build which, apart from the plastic dials on top, feels wonderfully premium. It’s distinctive enough to get people talking, without ever feeling like a fad.

Its beauty is more than skin deep. JBL has been generous with the feature set: you get Wi-Fi streaming from a range of services, multi-room audio, as well as connectivity with the slick JBL One app. That’s where you can integrate it with different streaming platforms and customize the EQ – although it’s more fun to do that physically by rotating the treble and bass knobs on the unit itself.

The app is also where you can connect the Authentics 200 to both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (yes, JBL has aimed to make it of the best smart speakers too). Crossover between the two isn’t seamless, mind, but support for both at the same time means you can have full access to their respective services from a single speaker.

Then there’s the listening experience, which is superlative. In our tests, the Authentics 200 impressed us at every turn – from the powerful bass to the clear treble, balanced with rich mids that give wonderful definition. Separation is impressive, and there’s a depth to its soundstage that delivers remarkable immersion for a single speaker.

It’s not the cheapest smart speaker you can buy, nor does it have the Atmos compatibility of the less expensive Amazon Echo Studio, for example. But if you value its heritage design – as well as its premium feature set and sound quality – there’s really nothing else like the Authentics 200.

JBL Authentics 200 review: Price and release date

Released August 2023
Officially priced at $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$299

The JBL Authentics 200 was released in August 2023, priced at $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$299. It was launched alongside the larger, Atmos-compatible JBL Authentics 500, which is significantly more costly, at $699.99 / £579.99 / AU$999.

Pitched as a high-quality smart speaker with a retro look, its price tag is at the upper end for the category. Arguably its closest competitor is the Amazon Echo Studio, which costs $199.99 / £219.99 / $349. Also in that price bracket is the Sonos Era 100, priced at $249 / £229.99 / $399.

That gives the JBL Authentics 200 some stiff competition, setting the bar high for it to justify the extra outlay. As you’ll read below, though, we think its design, features and sound quality do a very good job of that.

JBL Authentics 200 top controls — (Image credit: Future)

JBL Authentics 200 review: Specs

JBL Authentics 200 front grille logo detail

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Authentics 200 review: Features

Wi-Fi streaming from a wide range of services
Simultaneous support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Support for multi-room playback

Despite its heritage looks, the JBL Authentics 200 is every bit the modern smart speaker. Wi-Fi streaming includes support for AirPlay, Chromecast and Spotify Connect, with multi-room playback available through AirPlay, Google Home and Alexa Multi-Room Music. Strangely for a speaker that doesn’t pick sides, you won’t find Spotify or Apple Music in the app’s list of supported music streaming services though – which means neither works with the shortcut button.

Still, this is a speaker that’s happy to receive audio from pretty much any source. That includes a USB-C input on the back, as well as the option to keep things old-school with Ethernet and 3.5mm inputs. While we’re all for wireless streaming, these wired options are always welcome, especially if you’re not blessed with consistent signal throughout your home. For our part, we didn’t experience any dropouts during our time with the Authentics 200.

Initial setup was simple using the JBL One app. It’s a pretty foolproof piece of software that makes it easy to control the Authentics 200 and adjust settings. We were online in less than a minute, with an update over Wi-Fi quickly out of the way. Connecting Alexa and Google Assistant proved similarly seamless, with no hiccups hooking up to either. Network and voice assistant status is signalled by a single LED in the grille, with a handy table in the guide to help you decipher its various colors and states of solid, pulsing and flashing.

With both voice assistants activated, we had no trouble getting each to respond. In theory, where there’s overlap between supported services, either assistant should be able to start or stop a command. In our experience, this crossover wasn’t always seamless. We found it simpler to stick with one assistant for a specific task. So when we asked Alexa to play a song on Spotify, we asked her to stop it as well.

In reality, there’s rarely a need to jump between the two assistants, and you’ll soon learn which you prefer for different commands. The real benefit here is that you get access to both systems in a single speaker, including their full range of supported smart home devices. So if you find it easier to use Google Assistant with your Nest Thermostat, but Alexa for two-way talk on your Ring doorbell, you can do exactly that. You get the best of both worlds.

Features score: 4.5/5

JBL Authentics 200 rear plate — (Image credit: Future)

JBL Authentics 200 review: Design

Heritage design featuring a Quadrex grill and aluminium frame
Physical controls include volume, treble and bass dials
Made from mostly recycled materials

In a market of muted designs, the JBL Authentics 200 stands out for all the right reasons. It’s rare to see smart home tech designed with flair these days (although the Edifier D32 wireless speaker is one other example), so the JBL's mid-century style is certainly refreshing. Taking more than a few cues from vintage amps, the Authentics 200 is a gorgeous bit of kit. Its curved foam frontage, aluminium frame and leather-like skin all leans into the heritage aesthetic, without looking out of place in a contemporary kitchen.

Measuring 266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4mm, it strikes an ideal balance between physical presence and ease of placement. Its bigger sibling, the Atmos-compatible Authentics 500, is an altogether more substantial thing. With its mid-size footprint, the Authentics 200 will easily find a home in most rooms.

Build quality feels deserving of the price tag too: this is a robust unit and a relatively weighty one at 3.12kg. It’s all suitably solid and well put-together, standing firm on rubber feet which reduce vibrations from the downward-firing radiator. In a perfect world, we wish JBL had used metal instead of plastic for the control panel and dials which live on top of the unit. But that’s the only part which feels anything less than premium.

Among those controls you’ll find illuminating treble and bass knobs, as well as a volume dial with a play/pause button at its centre. These give you the kind of hands-on audio control that isn’t offered by many smart speakers. While you can make the same adjustments in the app, we found something refreshingly tactile about being able to physically tweak the EQ.

Beneath the Bluetooth button is another with a heart on it. This works as a shortcut to a playlist on a supported music streaming service, configured in the JBL One app. There’s also a microphone mute switch hidden on the back of the unit, for privacy when you need it.

Design score: 4.5/5

JBL Authentics 200 top plate — (Image credit: Future)

JBL Authentics 200 review: Sound quality

2x 25mm tweeters, 5-inch woofer, 6-inch passive radiator
Automatic audio calibration on power-up
Customizable EQ settings in the JBL One app

Little about the stature of the Authentics 200 hints at how well it fills a room. With two tweeters, a full-range woofer and downward-firing passive radiator at its disposal, this is a speaker with real punch. Bass is particularly noteworthy, with a huge amount of energy available at the low end. Even with the bass knob at halfway, the Authentics 200 has rumble to spare.

But it’s not just the power that surprises, so much as the depth and separation that the Authentics 200 is capable of. We were blown away by the breadth of the soundstage, with instrumentation given real space to breathe. Throughout our time with the Authentics 200, we found ourselves noticing details in songs that would be lost on lesser speakers. You’d need to pair up a second unit for a real sense of stereo, but in every other respect, the depth here is impressive.

Top-end clarity is underpinned by a lovely weight to the mids. There’s a real richness in the midrange, which feels deftly balanced for definition. Altogether, the impression is one of fullness. From The XX and alt-J to Norah Jones to the Arctic Monkeys, there wasn’t a genre that stumped the Authentics 200. Whether gritty electronic beats, twangy lead guitar or stripped-back vocals, there’s a real richness to the sound, without sacrificing any detail.

All of the comments above are based on the default EQ setting. According to JBL, the Authentics 200 self-calibrates every time it powers up, and it certainly suited every room we used it in. Besides the physical treble and bass controls on the unit itself, you can customise EQ settings via the JBL One app. This is a nice option to have, although in our experience, the Authentics 200 did best when left to its own devices.

You don’t get the vertical component of an Atmos speaker such as the Amazon Echo Studio, while the cheaper Sonos Era 100 is equally engaging, albeit with less oomph. But for its size and price, we think the Authentics 200 is bang on the money.

Sound quality: 5/5

JBL Authentics 200 aluminium frame detail — (Image credit: Future)

JBL Authentics 200 review: Value

Seen as a smart speaker, there’s no escaping that the JBL Authentics 200 is pricier than most. If you’re mainly in the market for a voice assistant in your home, there are much cheaper ways to get that. The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen), for example, costs just $49.99 / £54.99 / AU$79. Similarly, the Google Nest Mini will set you back only $49.99 / £49 / AU$79.

There are also wireless speakers with high-quality audio available for less. The $199.99 / £179.99 (so about AU$300) Edifier D32 is a fine example that also has a retro aesthetic – although the build-quality isn't quite as premium-feel as the JBL model.

What those value comparisons don’t account for is the individuality of the Authentics 200. With its solid build and vintage design, it stands apart among home speakers, smart or otherwise. The quality of its sound output blew us away in testing, while the flexibility to connect with both Alexa and Google Assistant is a real boon. Plus you get a generous set of streaming features and useful app connectivity. So while it might not be a bargain, if you buy into its vintage aesthetic, we think you’re getting a good deal.

Value score: 4/5

JBL Authentics 200 at an angle — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the JBL Authentics 200?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

JBL Authentics 200 review: also consider

How I tested the JBL Authentics 200

Tested for a month in a number of rooms
Played a variety of genres at different volumes
Listened via Spotify app on iPhone and Mac

I used the JBL Authentics 200 as my primary home speaker for more than a month. It split its time between the kitchen and living room, giving me a good impression of how well it adapts to different spaces.

I challenged the Authentics 200 with a whole spectrum of musical genres, from electronic to acoustic, soul to rock and roll. I also tested it with different treble and bass settings, and at different volume levels – from Sunday-morning mellow to loud enough to get a text from the upstairs neighbours.

The Authentics 200 also served as my default smart speaker during testing, connected to both Google Assistant and Alexa. That meant asking it to cue up playlists, hit me with my morning routine and generally field any queries which came to mind (usually recipe related).

Iniu B61 10000mAh power bank

The Iniu B61 is a compact power bank with multiple USB ports and 22W of power, allowing you to charge three devices at once. Thanks to its lean design, it’s also easy to carry, fitting in your pocket comfortably without weighing you down.

For a 10,000mAh power bank, the Iniu B61 is very small and light. It’s only a few grams heavier than the Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux, and that bank only has two USB ports.

Overall, the Iniu B61 cuts a smart and inconspicuous figure. The harshness of the black colorway is softened somewhat by its rounded contours. It may be a little on the thick side, but it’s justified given its capacity, as not even the best power banks can beat it in this regard.

The matte rubberized finish is smooth to the touch. It also seems quite resistant to scratches, which is an auspicious indicator for its long-term prospects. However, the joins aren’t the most solid, as I did notice some play between the front and back parts of the chassis, but this is a minor gripe rather than a serious concern.

The plastic display appears hard-wearing, although it’s unnecessarily large, given it only ever displays the battery percentage. The Anker MagGo 10K for instance, has a much smaller screen, but displays additional information, including estimated charging times.

The Iniu B61 comes with a phone stand that slides out from underneath, allowing you to easily view your device while charging. However, I didn’t find the mechanism is a little on the flimsy side, and I’m not sure it would withstand the rigours of constant travel.

The USB-C port supports the PD 3.0 standard, so fast charging is possible. It managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from 50-100% in just over two hours. The USB-A ports, on the other hand, support QC 4+. Charging this way is also fast, but inevitably not as quick, topping up the Pixel 7a from half to full in about an hour and a half.

In both cases, the battery of the Iniu B61 drained by about 30%, which means you should be able to get at least a couple of charges out of it. Charging the bank itself takes about two hours from half to full.

This puts it roughly on a par with other 10,000mAh power banks. It pretty much equals the USB-C charging performance of the Anker MagGo 10k, which is considerably more expensive than the Iniu B61.

As the world moves closer to wholesale USB-C adoption, I would’ve preferred to have seen two USB-C ports instead of two USB-A ports, and the lack of wireless charging is also a shame given the Iniu B61 is the ideal size to slot behind your phone.

However, it’s hard to complain at this price point, since power banks from Anker are usually more expensive, and while they tend to provide more features, they don’t offer greater charging speeds. Ultimately, the Iniu B61 is good value for those in the market for a versatile and travel-friendly power bank.

A close-up of Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) display — (Image credit: Future)

Iniu B61 10000mAh power bank review: price & specs

iPhone 13 Pro on Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Iniu B61 10000mAh power bank?

Buy it if…

You want to charge multiple devices at once
Three ports means three-way simultaneous charging, although as expected, charging speeds will suffer.

You want something portable
Given its capacity, the Iniu B61 is surprisingly light and slender, making it a great travel companion.

Don't buy it if…

You want wireless charging
There’s no wireless charging capability on the Iniu B61, which is a shame given its form factor.

You mainly have USB-C devices
You might be put off if most of your devices are USB-C, which is the way the world is going.

Iniu B61 10000mAh power bank review: Also consider

Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux
Adopting a pill-shape as opposed to the typical flat rectangle design of most power banks, the PowerCore 10000 Redux has a keen focus on portability. It also comes with a carrying handle and a USB-C-to-A adapter attached to the included charging cable. It’s marginally lighter than the Iniu B61, yet offers the same 10,000mAh capacity. However, it has two USB ports rather than three, despite being about the same price as the Iniu B61. View Deal

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition review: a creative tablet that comes at a serious cost

8:00 pm | November 3, 2024

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

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition: two-minute review

The Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte edition is a tablet aimed at creatives, with an emphasis on illustration, thanks in no small part to the Tandem OLED PaperMatte display.

The display is indeed impressive: it’s vibrant while at the same time being easy on the eye. Video, photos, drawing and text are all equally displayed vividly and clearly. There’s a slight graininess and soft-focus effect to the picture, but I didn’t find either detracted from the experience.

The gold finish on the PaperMatte Edition is subtle with a scratchy pattern that might not be to everyone’s taste. However, I found it suited the overall design well. I was also impressed by the build quality, which is up there with some of the best tablets, with every panel and join being close to perfect. The power and volume buttons are also of a similarly high standard.

The Glide Keyboard case, however, is more of a mixed bag. While it fits well onto the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition, opening and closing it is difficult, thanks to the extra hinge mechanism that’s necessary to house the M-Pencil 3 charging compartment. It was always awkward to open and close. And while the keys and trackpad feel premium, the material around them appears to show signs of peeling, which spells trouble for its longevity. The case also fails to protect the camera.

One of the major issues with the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition, though, is related to software. Google’s lack of support for Huawei devices means its apps aren’t natively supported, requiring workarounds that are hit and miss in their success. While I was able to get Google apps installed via GBox, they didn’t always perform as expected, and games failed to work outright. Huawei’s official storefront is frankly no substitute for the Google Play Store, as it’s severely limited in scope.

Huawei’s own apps included here can be quite useful and perform well. GoPaint and Petal Clip are very well designed creative apps, with the former letting the M-Pencil 3 shine. However, others have their issues (outrightly failing to work in the case of the Music app).

Gestures both on the touchscreen and on the trackpad are responsive and allow for useful functionality. Typing with the Glide Keyboard is fine, although some software issues hamper the experience. Air Gestures, however, failed to work consistently enough to be useful at all. The M-Pencil 3 stylus offers the most enjoyable way to interact with the tablet: it provides smooth, seamless strokes and although there’s a slight dragging sensation, it isn’t enough to detract from its natural feel.

Battery life on the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is impressive, lasting several days from general and varied use. Super charging is also available, getting you back up and running relatively quickly: it took me about two hours to get from 5% to full capacity.

Huawei devices are always tricky to recommend. Due to the unique restrictions placed upon the Chinese brand, the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition doesn’t function like your typical Android tablet, with various app restrictions being enforced. However, if you can get past that, or you only want to spill your creative expressions onto a glorious display, then this might be for you. However, at this price, it’s hard to recommend it wholeheartedly given its various foibles.

Close-up of power button on Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition — (Image credit: Future)

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition review: price and availability

£799 (about $1,069 / AU$1,553)
PaperMatte edition is gold only
Same price as the latest iPad Air

The MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition costs £799 (about $1,069 / AU$1,553) and only comes in gold. There’s also a non-PaperMatte edition in black, with a lower capacity (256GB rather than 512GB), for £699. Both versions include the Glide Keyboard. Huawei is currently offering UK customers a promotion of £100 off, as well as a free inclusion of the M-Pencil 3, on its own storefront.

Compared to the best tablets around, the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition sits somewhere in the middle in terms of price. iPad Pro models can certainly be more expensive, but they do pack in far greater power. And the latest iPad Air 13-inch starts at the same price as the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition, although that model will only get you 128GB of storage, and all only have 8GB of RAM.

In the wider realm of Android tablets, again the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition occupies the center ground. Samsung Galaxy tabs can exceed the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition in price, but there are also budget offerings, such as the OnePlus Pad Go, although this model isn’t compatible with a stylus, nor is there an official keyboard case for it.

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition review: specs

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition and Glide Keyboard on desk — (Image credit: Future)

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition review: display

Vivid and clear
No glare
Slightly grainy texture

The 12.2-inch OLED PaperMatte display is very clear, making it easy to read text and view colorful imagery. However, there is a slight graininess to the finish, which becomes more apparent the closer you are. There’s also a slightly softer focus compared to other tablet displays, meaning it isn’t as pinpoint sharp.

Personally, though, I found it to be vibrant enough to view HD and 2K content without issue, thanks in part to its 2800 x 1840 resolution. Reading text is very easy on the eye, thanks to the PaperMatte technology and its high contrast, lack of harsh backlighting (despite the 2,000 nits maximum brightness) and slight softness to the rendering. The matte finish also means glare isn’t a problem for the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition; no matter where I tried it, it would always present a visible image.

The bezels are also very thin, with the display making full use of its allotted real estate. There’s also a distinct lack of smudging, as fingerprints leave next to no trace, as they can on other tablet displays.

The screen is silky smooth to the touch, with finger swipes being effortless to perform. The same is true when using Huawei’s M-Pencil 3: scribbling and drawing with it is a joy, although there is the slightest hint of scratchiness at times but not enough to ruin the experience. Overall, strokes are fluid and precise – thanks in part to the 144Hz refresh rate – and register exactly where you want them to.

Display score: 4 / 5

Side view of Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition and Glide Keyboard — (Image credit: Future)

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition review: design

Unique gold finish
Thin but relatively heavy
Awkward Glide Keyboard folding mechanism

The MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition sports a minimal design, fairly typical of most tablets. Its gold finish has a scratch-mark pattern that may divide opinion, but I don’t think it’s too garish. Overall, the fit and finish is excellent, and I spotted no flaws in the construction, while the buttons feel premium and operate with precision and ease.

In the hand, you do feel the weight of the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition, but it’s still just about within reasonable bounds; you shouldn’t have a problem carrying it for long stretches. However, the edges are quite sharp, making it uncomfortable to hold, so this is a tablet better used on a desktop.

The profile of the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is very thin, which adds to its portability credentials. The same is true even with the Glide Keyboard attached, which is equally as slender. That slenderness, however, comes at the detriment to the camera, as the lenses protrude slightly beyond the bounds of the Glide’s case, offering them no protection against slams or drops.

Perhaps the biggest weakness of the Glide Keyboard, though, is its folding mechanism. There’s a slot to accommodate and charge the M-Pencil 3 that features a double-hinge array, so when folded flat, the stylus is stowed away safely. However, that hinge is very stiff and needs to be opened up for the tablet to sit upright when in use. This makes for awkward opening and closing and, even after a week with it, I still couldn’t operate it smoothly.

The Glide Keyboard magnet that holds the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition upright offers two viewing angles. While it’s strong, a word to the wise: when laying down, make sure your knees aren’t too high if you plan on resting the tablet on them, otherwise the weight of the tablet will force it shut.

Although the Glide Keyboard is well made for the most part, the material around the keyboard itself didn’t feel premium, and even appeared to be losing adhesion, as air pockets were visible beneath it in places, which doesn’t bode well for its durability. The trackpad, though, is smooth and durable, and just the right size to be practical without eating into the keyboard real estate.

The M-Pencil 3 is also well designed, taking cues from the Apple Pencil with its all-white finish and indentation on one side. As well as being stored in its aforementioned slot in the Glide Keyboard, it also clips magnetically to the top of the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition, although it won’t charge in this position. This is far from convenient, as retrieving the M-Pencil 3 from the charging slot is awkward: you can either fish around the back of the tablet while it’s standing upright, or prise up the bottom from its magnetic hold to retrieve it. These are both less than elegant solutions.

Design score: 3 / 5

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition review: software

Creative native apps
Some glitches
Support for popular apps problematic

The selection of pre-installed software on the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition verges on excessive, but the hit to performance and storage capacity is thankfully negligible, and isn’t as bad as the bloatware present on other Android tablets.

Huawei’s own suite of apps on the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is, unsurprisingly, catered to the artistically minded, geared towards getting the most out of the M-Pencil 3. GoPaint is one of the standouts, despite being hidden away in a folder on the second page of the home screen. Anyone who’s dabbled with Procreate will be in familiar territory here, as it offers a near-identical interface and feature-set.

There are also two notes-based apps: Notes and Notepad. These allow for more drawing and scribbling, and come with some useful templates, including even music staves. However, if you’re looking to type your notes, then neither of these apps are fit for purpose, with a measly text box tool being your option. Considering the abundance of third-party note taking apps out there, though, this isn’t much of a problem.

There’s also Petal Clip, a surprisingly in-depth photo and video editing app. This allows you to create animations from images and from videos, with various adjustments, filters and animations to play around with. There are also templates for creating short clips, mainly themed around romance for some reason, but are effective nonetheless for effortlessly livening up content.

Disappointingly the browser app is pretty basic, even lacking common keyboard shortcuts many will be accustomed to. Still, sites do load promptly and general speed isn’t far behind more popular variants. Huawei’s other first-party apps fared less well during my time with the tablet, with glitches occurring frequently. The Music app, for instance, refused to play any music and kept crashing every time I tried to do so.

The real drawback of Huawei devices, though, is the lack of native compatibility with Google and many other apps, due to western sanctions on the Chinese brand. Huawei does have its own AppGallery storefront, but the lineup is sparse, and the Google apps it offers are not the true apps; instead, they run on a platform that essentially loads their mobile site counterparts.

There are various repositories available from which you can install Google and other apps absent from Huawei’s ecosystem, but I had limited success with these, as many refused to install or run, or instead ran but stopped working shortly afterwards.

GBox proved to be the best solution to circumvent these restrictions. This is an environment that claims to get Google apps working on Huawei devices. Once I downloaded the app from the GBox website, I was able to install and use the Google Play Store, along with all the Android apps you know and love.

However, even here, apps downloaded via this method aren’t flawless. In Google Docs, for instance, I was unable to scroll pages, with the typical two-fingered drags resulting in highlighting text instead. Spellcheck as you type also appeared to be missing, and there were times when single taps of the space bar failed to actually create a space. These drawbacks really hamper productivity.

More generally, some apps refused to appear on the home screen once downloaded from the Google Play Store. Also, various games I installed from the Play Store failed to work, either instructing me to download them from the device’s official app store (where they weren’t available), or that a store key was missing.

Also, Google Chrome isn’t available from GBox either. You can download it via the Google Play Store, but after installing, it again requests installing from the AppGallery – and, again, Chrome isn’t on there.

Another issue is that split-screen functionality isn’t available between two apps downloaded from GBox (or the Google Play Store via GBox). You can split a screen between a GBox app and a non-Gbox app, but it's a serious setback to those who want to focus on productivity that two GBox apps can’t be stacked side-by-side.

What does work better, though, is floating windows. I found that any app could be turned into a floating window, allowing you to put it in the corner and keep it on top while other apps are open, or minimize it to a small tab at the side of the screen, ready to be expanded again. Floating windows also offer a workaround for apps that only support portrait mode, as it allows you to view them the right way up in landscape – you won’t be able to make them fullscreen, but you can still resize them to a large degree.

Software score: 2.5 / 5

Close-up of Glide Keyboard attached to Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition — (Image credit: Future)

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition review: performance

Great for creativity
So-so productivity credentials
Gestures are a mixed bag

In terms of speed, the Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is plenty powerful enough to handle light productivity, entertainment and creativity tasks. The Kirin T91 Octa-core chip and 12GB of RAM make for seamless performance for the most part, with only the occasional slowdown. Google Docs and Sheets were swift when creating and editing in these apps, while streaming video on Twitch, Youtube and Netflix was also a close to flawless experience.

The sound quality was also a pleasant surprise. As with most tablets, it won’t blow you away, but audio on the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition was more impactful than I was expecting, creating an admirable sense of space. It also rendered all frequencies clearly while keeping distortion at bay.

When I did manage to install games that actually worked, they performed well too. PUBG Mobile ran smoothly, albeit at a low frame rate and with compromised graphics, but it was still perfectly playable. There was no discernible lag or stuttering, and the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition didn’t heat up in the process either.

Typing is mostly a pleasant experience on the Glide Keyboard, thanks to the wide keys and damped feel. On screen, however, there are few issues. The cursor doesn't move forward when you press space, although a space is registered once you continue typing, which can be a little disconcerting. There were also occasions where the predictive dialog box obscured the screen. And despite what I did to change the keyboard layout, the @ symbol was nearly always mapped to the quote marks key, rather than the 2 key.

The usual trackpad gestures are present. You can swipe with two and three fingers to perform various actions, from navigating menus and pages to switching apps and returning to the home screen. You can also zoom by performing a pinching movement. However, I was disappointed at being unable to drag items around by merely tapping the trackpad; instead, you have to press down the trackpad first before you can drag, which is far less practical when moving items large distances across the screen.

Some mouse gestures also fail to emulate their touchscreen counterparts with the same effectiveness. For instance, opening the multitask view by swiping inwards from the right on the trackpad did several times result in me going back on the web page I had open at the same time, which is more than inconvenient.

As for those touchscreen gestures, they work more seamlessly. They are responsive and smooth, and there are some unique gestures available too. Along with the usual two and three finger actions, there are also knuckle taps, a handy addition that allow you to take screenshots or perform other actions which are configurable in the settings. Again, these work accurately and seamlessly.

The same can’t be said about Air Gestures, however, which are meant to recognize the opening and closing of your hand in front of the camera to perform certain actions. Most of the time, though, I failed to get these to work, no matter where I positioned my hand.

Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Back of Glide Keyboard attached to Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition — (Image credit: Future)

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition review: battery

Several days of use
Quick charging
ePaper tablets have it beat, though

The Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition features a 5,000 mAh battery, which is impressively long lasting. During my tests, it went for several days while performing typical user tasks. In comparison, the latest iPad Air lasted eleven and a half hours according to our tests, although that figure halved when dealing with more intense tasks. Charging the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is a quick process too, thanks to its super charging feature. Charging from 5% to 100% took about two hours.

If you really want something that will last, the reMarkable Paper Pro can go for two whole weeks between charges. That is an ePaper tablet, though, explicitly designed for reading and note-taking, and not much else.

Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition?

Buy it if…

You want to draw
The optional M-Pencil 3 is very responsive and smooth, making it a joy to get creative with the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition.

You want a clear display
The PaperMatte display is vivid and clear, making it easy to read text and watch video content.

Don’t buy it if…

You want good app availability
Google and many other apps don’t work natively on the Huawei devices, and the workarounds are far from perfect.

You want powerhouse performance
Although it's perfectly capable of servicing your everyday needs, those after more productivity pedigree may want to look elsewhere.

Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition: Also consider

Apple iPad Air 13-inch (2024)
For the same price as the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition, you could get the entry-level model of the latest 13-inch iPad Air. You’ll only get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but in our Apple iPad Air 13-inch (2024) review, we noted its incredible performance across all areas, including creative and artistic workloads. Plus, you also get access to Apple’s excellent app selection and ecosystem. If you already have an iPhone, an iPad certainly makes more sense for cross-platform functionality.

OnePlus Pad Go
If you’re after a budget-friendly tablet and don’t intend on using a stylus, the OnePlus Pad Go is a worthy choice. Performance is very good at this price, and it doesn't suffer from the same Google app compatibility issue as Huawei products. The display is super sharp for viewing content with ease, but, as we noted in our OnePlus Pad Go review, it can be quite reflective, making darker images hard to see. There’s no official keyboard case available for it either.

How I tested the Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition

Tested for one week
Tried preinstalled and third-party apps
Performed various tasks

I tested the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition for one week. During that time, I performed various tasks, including general browsing, light productivity, and gaming. I used it with and without the Glide Keyboard.

I made sure to try out as many of its features as I could, from the preinstalled apps to its overall functionality. I tried where I could use third-party apps, although this proved difficult at times due to the restrictions in place over Google apps on Huawei devices.

One aspect I was unable to test was its screen mirroring and projection capabilities, since these are only compatible with certain Huawei and Honor devices running HarmonyOS, EMUI 10 or Magic UI 3 or later.

Read more about how we test.

First reviewed October 2024

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