The Mous Day Backpack is the brand’s latest addition to its newest line of products – tech-first backpacks – and it’s a fantastic option for commuters who also want a bag that’s both relatively rugged and stylish.
Whether you’re a tech fanatic or simply in need of a solid backpack to get you to and from work with your laptop, the best backpack should be lightweight while still offering solid protection, keeping your back cool on busy public transport, but also displaying some stylish flair. I’ve been using the Mous 25L backpack for about a year now, and it’s been a real boon for traveling. Unfortunately, though, it’s just a bit too bulky and heavy for day-to-day use – so I was thrilled to learn the brand was introducing the slightly smaller 20L Day Backpack that’s a bit lighter at just 1kg.
Priced at $149.99 / £149.99 / roughly AU$240, the Mous Day Backpack arrives in four color options: Sage (green), Marine (blue), Stone (gray) and Midnight (black). I opted for the Sage colorway, which with its contrasting gray accents, offers a stylish yet understated finish.
(Image credit: Future)
The materials are all water-resistant (420D recycled nylon and coated 600D polyester), meaning any contents will be protected from light rain and showers. The bag has an adjustable, sewn-in strap with a minimum strap length of 22 inches / 56cm and a max of 32.67 inches / 83cm, plus the back panel is padded to offer a comfortable experience all day long; however, this does mean it can get a little hot.
The Day Backpack’s greatest asset is its inclusion of nine compartments – although, of course, this doesn’t compare to its older sibling’s seventeen. You’ll find three on the outside, two zipped compartments on the outside of the case (one on its right-hand side at the front, and the other at the back), plus a water bottle pouch.
Open up the G-hook lid fastening and unzip its central base-to-lid YKK zip to reveal the main bag and the remaining compartments; two sleeves and a zipped pocket with two slip pockets sewn in. According to Mous, the laptop sleeve, which is the back-most pocket, is 14.9 x 11.6in / 380mm x 295mm (H x W), while the tablet pocket is 13.38 x 10.4in / 340mm x 265mm.
(Image credit: Future)
To protect your kit further, the bag has an elevated base, meaning that the edge of your device remains 1.18in / 30mm above ground, offering some drop and impact protection. However, unlike the Mous 25L backpack, there’s no AiroFoam, meaning extreme drops could still pose a risk of damage to any tech within – so no launching this bag down any stairwells.
The zip, it appears, isn’t for everyone. Personally, I love it – not having to rummage around from the neck of my backpack to the bottom every time I need to find my charger or whatever other odds and ends I’ve haphazardly launched into my bag is a huge boon.
However, whenever I opened my backpack on public transport, people looked on with a mix of horror and amazement as I practically gutted my bag. Among my friends and colleagues, there was a similar mix of intrigue, enthusiasm and disturbance – but most agreed that, at the very least, it’s a useful mechanism and that the discrete lining concealing it also retains the backpack’s overall stylish appearance. It will come down to personal taste, but I love it.
In my experience, the only slight design flaw is that, when more full, the Day Backpack’s embedded side panel magnets aren’t strong enough to snap the lip of the lid closed tightly, meaning that if the bag tips over, it’s possible smaller or loose contents may spill out. That’s only happened to me once, and in fairness, I was really pushing that 20L capacity to its limits – but it’s worth highlighting.
Mous 25L backpack: Specs
Should you buy the Mous Day backpack?
Buy it if...
You need a tech-focused commuting backpack, but not necessarily a rugged one
Rugged protection is often above and beyond what the average tech-fanatic will need, but if you still want some of the thoughtful design and protection inclusions, the Mous Day Backpack is an excellent choice.
You want both form and function from your backpack
In all four color options, the Mous Day Backpack is chic and simple, while still offering great functionality thanks to its nine compartments.
You hate rummaging around in your bag
While drawing and quartering your backpack may feel a little odd at first, the full-length zip is an excellent addition if you often find yourself fishing around for loose items in your bag.
Don't buy it if...
You want to regularly fill it to the brim
Personally, I don’t trust the magnets and lid to fully protect all of my kit from slipping out of the sides when it’s full, so I’d say the capacity of the bag is more like 18L than 20L.
Mous Day backpack: Also consider
How I tested the Mous Day backpack
I used the Mous Day backpack for a month
I made several long-haul journeys, as well as everyday trips, with it
I dropped it with my laptop inside... more times than I'd like to admit
I used the Mous Day 20L backpack for a month as my main commuting backpack, as well as my main travel bag for conferences and creative getaways. Inside, I stashed my laptop, iPad, various cables, headphones – name a gadget, it was in there – and I found its protections and compartments to be robust and useful.
During testing, I encountered various weather conditions from heatwaves to torrential rain, meaning I was able to test the bag’s environmental protections, too. To test its capacity and utility, I filled it with 2-3 days' worth of clothes while travelling, which is roughly the amount I’d expect a 20L backpack to be able to hold.
The Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid is vying for a position as one of the best hybrid watches options out there, yet without actively doing so. In fact, it's more about style and sophistication, with the smart features there as an added bonus.
Known for working with Ferrari and Alfa Romeo for decades, the Pininfarina brand is synonymous with style. However, this instance is a simple licensing of the name by Globics, the company behind the watch, so while this might not have been designed by Pininfarina it certainly looks like it was. It follows the company's first foray into the hybrid watch world with the well-received Solaris: aside from looks, the two are very similar internally as well.
Outwardly, this is a premium analog watch – but thanks to that small AMOLED display, plethora of smart sensors and smartphone connectivity, it can do so much more. To be clear, this is a step towards a smartwatch with notification functionality, but isn't meant to replace a dedicated smartwatch like a Garmin or an Apple Watch. So it will keep you connected and cover some health tracking metrics, but it's not typically built for sports users.
Expect a long battery life with plenty of smartphone controls, like music and camera shutters able to be operated on-watch. It will track your sleep – whether you want to wear it at night will be another matter.
You can track sports, but with no GPS onboard, the utility is certainly limited. Yet with the tough design and waterproof build, this is a watch that can go beyond its formal looks and keep up with you as you sweat it out too. So is this the best hybrid watch for you – or do you need a more dedicated option like the Garmin Instinct Crossover?
Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid specs
(Image credit: Future)
Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid: Price and Availability
(Image credit: Future)
$379 / £379 / AU$732
Cheaper than premium smartwatches
Relatively affordable with the screen smarts
The Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid is available to buy now starting at $379 / £379 / AU$732.
That makes this a relatively expensive notifications-based watch, or a very affordable premium analog watch, depending on how you look at it. Since it straddles both of those classifications, the price isn't out of the realms of possibility: it's cheaper than the Instinct Crossover and a little more expensive than the Withings Scanwatch 2. You get a premium-looking and feeling analog watch without losing out on smartphone connectivity and all that goes with that.
There are other straps you can go for with multiple color options at the outset. Or change straps by buying more as after-market options to suit your needs.
Value score: 3.5/5
Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Useful dial controls
Clear AMOLED display
Premium casing and crystal finishes
Right from the outset the Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid feels premium. It arrived in a big fancy box with calligraphy writing on the outside that immediately had me excited for what was inside. Sure enough, the watch itself stayed true to that with a reassuringly weighty feel and a high-end, genuine Italian leather strap.
I could tell it was decent quality from feel: this is made using 316L Stainless Steel for the case while the glass uses a sapphire crystal finish with an anti-smudging layer to keep fingerprints off. This leaves you feeling comfortable in the knowledge that this is going to be resistant to scratches and damage, to maintain that quality look for longer. The two-year warranty and 5ATM waterproofing along with that also helped set me at ease.
(Image credit: Future)
The outer case features three chunky buttons, the central of which is a crown dial that can be rotated to scroll through menus and pushed in to select. All that makes for a great look but also an easy-to-use feel as you work through the menus, or quick select sports tracking using just a few button presses.
The model tested features a black face and strap but you can also pick from Azure Horizon that has a blue finish on the face and strap, Midnight Rose which has rose gold accents on black, or Sand Dune with a light brown strap and white face. All feature the same 44mm case and premium leather strap finish.
On the rear is a heart rate monitor that's also kitted out to measure oxygen levels so you can get detailed SpO2 data. The watch also tracks movements to give you step counts and sleep tracking, although there is no GPS onboard - you'll need to be connected to the app to use the phone's GPS for accurate tracking.
Design score: 4/5
Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid: Features
Detailed HR tracking data
At-a-glance notifications
Remote control options
(Image credit: Future)
The main smart features of the Pininfarina are a suite of health tracking tools, remote camera / music controls and on-wrist notifications. The tracking comes from the combination of the movement and HR trackers combined with that AMOLED display located at the top of the watch face. That means you can twist and tap the crown dial a few times and have your heart rate measured live, or check your O2 levels on the small AMOLED screen as and when you need.
The screen is also used for onboard weather reports and WhatsApp notifications. There is the option to use the watch to control the phone's music to skip tracks or control volume, or to use the watch as a remote to take photos on the cameraphone from a distance.
(Image credit: Future)
You can use the watch to give you reminders if you're too sedentary and need to be told when to move, like most of the best fitness trackers. It'll also work as a compass, letting you find your way with its digital readout.
Thanks to haptic feedback, all those features can be interacted with clearly and (crucially) without the need for invasive audio or flashing screens, using vibration alerts to get your attention instead. Any of these can be disabled in-app, so you have as few or as many alerts as you want, removing distracting email notifications but enabling health-based alerts, for example.
While the watch doesn't have built-in GPS, it can piggyback off your phone so you can track a run or ride with accuracy using the data all pulled into the app, which can be sent to Strava or similar services. The battery life is decent, helped by that lack of GPS, so you can rely on a good few weeks of use at a minimum before you need to think about recharging.
Features score: 3.5/5
Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Decent battery life
Awkward display
Limited sports uses
The idea of a hybrid watch and the reality proved to be quite different. On the plus side, I barely thought about battery life as this went for a good two weeks before that even got close to being a sub-20% issue. And recharging only took a few hours so that did offer a peace of mind that some sports watches can't attest to. That said, many Garmins now manage to achieve similar results even with moderate GPS use.
As an analog watch, it's lovely to look at thanks to that chronograph face and it's easy to read at a glance. Add in the display and you have access to heart rate, weather information and more. However, the reality is that the display is hidden if the hands are pointing up and covering that screen. The designers have addressed this, as the hands move out of the way once you start scrolling the menu. However, if you have a WhatsApp notification and want to glance at it, you can't if the hands are in the way. So I found the reality was that one of the most sought-after features – at-a-glance notifications – was largely useless at certain times of day as I either couldn't fully read the message on the small screen behind a watch hand, or I missed it and there was no way to have it display again easily.
(Image credit: Future)
The app did offer a lot more data, but even that was limited to that day's data – or after some menu diving, you could get yesterday's. There are options to see more overarching trends so the data is all there, it's just not as easy as some apps are at letting you get to what you need easily.
The lack of GPS was also an issue for anyone using this for sport. I found that using it as a timer and heart rate monitor at the gym was fine – although even then heart rate wasn't displayed front-and-center at all times. Wearing it in the gym also felt like being overdressed and I was constantly concerned about catching and scratching it. Then if you want to go for a run or ride without your phone, it's just a timer and HR monitor. If I wanted to carry my phone then I'd have that to track me anyway, so this is very specifically for those who want to have their phone with them and to use this for wrist-based heart rate data as well.
Performance score: 2.5/5
Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid: Scorecard
Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want analog that's smart
The Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid gives you that premium analog look and feel, with some smartphone connectivity.
You want better battery life
The battery life is long enough that you don't need to charge often, and can use regularly.
You need heart rate tracking
A great option to add heart rate data to your analog watch without too many other extras.
Don't buy it if...
You want GPS
The lack of GPS onboard means you always need a phone for sports tracking, so keep that in mind.
You need clarity
The display is small and often obscured by the watch hands, so don't go for it if you want a clear and large data readout.
You want a dedicated sports watch
This falls short on lots of the sports tracking features that other dedicated watches can offer.
Also consider
Apple Watch Ultra 2
A fully fledgedhigh-performance premium smartwatch.
The FiiO FT1 are the company's very first pair of closed-back over-ear headphones and, given FiiO's extensive catalogue, it's strange to think there could be any kind of gap in the FiiO product line-up. But, in the established FiiO manner, the company has done its utmost to provide value for money.
A pretty modest outlay buys you balanced and unbalanced connections, a quantity of acoustically optimised black walnut wood for the earcups, a pair of oversized (60mm) dynamic drivers with a very promising claimed frequency response, an impressive degree of passive noise isolation, and Hi-Res Audio certification from two very credible audio organisations.
Comfort is good, and the FiiO FT1 are as pleasing where tactility is concerned as they are visually. The only false note (at least until you fire them up and start listening) is the relative bulk of their travel case – the headphones don’t fold anything like flat.
But while there’s lots to like in the FiiO sound – detail levels and nicely judged tonality in particular – it’s hard to get beyond the fact that the FT1 are a rather two-dimensional and unyieldingly energetic listen. There’s a forcefulness to the way they present music that’s not always appropriate, and as a result they’re far from the no-brainer best-in-class wired headphones FiiO was undoubtedly aiming for.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Fiio FT1 review: Price & release date
Released on August 21, 2024
Priced $159 / £139 / AU$239
The FiiO FT1 have been on sale since mid-August, and they will set you back $159/£139 – pricing is yet to be confirmed for Australia, but you’re looking at AU$239 or something quite like it.
That's an aggressive price for headphones as eye-catchingly specified, both inside and out, as this – and exactly the sort of thing we’ve all come to expect from FiiO. That doesn’t mean the FT1 are without competition, though – hard-wired, closed-back over-ear headphones from the likes of Austrian Audio, Beyerdynamic and HiFiMan (to name but three) are all ready to serve as an alternative.
Fiio FT1 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Fiio FT1 review: Features
60mm dynamic drivers
3.5mm- and 4.4mm-terminated cables
‘Hi-Res Audio’ certification
As a pair of passive headphones, the Fiio FT1 are predictably short on features. Those features they do have, though, seem to be rather more upmarket than the asking price might suggest.
For instance, the FT1 are supplied with two 1.5m lengths of silver-plated oxygen-free copper cable. One is terminated in the usual 3.5mm unbalanced connection, the other in a rather more esoteric 4.4mm balanced alternative. Each cable splits at the other end – each earcup must be hard-wired – and ends in a 3.5mm connection, which means it should be pretty straightforward to upgrade the cables if you think it necessary.
The audio information travelling up the cable is delivered to your ears by a couple of 60mm dynamic drivers that are mostly built from wood-fibre. Each one is backed by a W-shaped suspension gasket and features an oversized (25mm) voice coil. FiiO reckons this arrangement offers wide frequency response – 10Hz to 40kHz, so it says – and minimal driver break-up. It also results in a fairly low impedance of 32ohms, which means the FT1 should be no trouble to drive efficiently. A conical baffle plate in front of each driver is designed to allow the drivers to be positioned parallel to the wearer’s ears, which theoretically will reduce standing waves.
There’s nothing theoretical about the FT1’s hi-res audio capability, though. Both the Japan Audio Society and the Consumer Electronics Association have certified these headphones to be Hi-Res Audio capable.
Features score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Fiio FT1 review: Sound quality
Upfront and vigorous sound
Punchy and detailed
Cramped and relentless presentation
In some ways, the FT1 sound just as enjoyable as many other products in the FiiO catalogue. There are areas of sonic performance in which they are easily a match for the best of their price-comparable rivals.
Certainly they don’t lack where drive and attack are concerned. No matter if it’s a 320kbps file of Caribou’s Odessa, a 16bit/44.1kHz WAV copy of Wet Leg’s I Don’t Wanna Go Out or a 24bit/88.2kHz FLAC file of Giorgio by Moroder from Daft Punk, the FiiO sink their teeth in. They’re a vigorous, upfront listen and can summon the sort of levels of attack that make even quite laid-back recordings sound lively. This forward, up-and-at-’em attitude generates a fair amount of sonic excitement, no two ways about it.
Low frequencies are deep, nicely shaped and reasonably well controlled, so there are few issues where rhythmic expression or simple bass thump are concerned. Above there, the midrange is detailed and quite insightful, especially where vocalists are concerned, and share a nicely consistent tonality with everything that’s going on above and below. At the top end, the FT1 press on gamely, but give treble sounds just enough substance to balance out the bite and crunch that’s their primary characteristic.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
The frequency range hangs together well, with no area given particular prominence and no area underplayed. Overall tonality is well judged, and fairly neutral to the point that it’s your source player, rather than these headphones, that will have the biggest influence here. And the eye for detail the FiiO demonstrate, even down to the small harmonic variations apparent in a solo instrument or in transient events, makes for an information-rich presentation.
But where soundstaging is concerned, the FT1 begin to struggle a little. Closed-back headphones, almost by definition, present a sound that’s more confined than the open-backed alternative – but these FiiO headphones struggle to create a meaningful sense of three-dimensionality. Their presentation is narrow and flat, with no real ‘front/back’ definition available to complement the ‘left/right’. Consequently, their stage is small-scale and quite cramped, and with every element of a recording involved in a scrap for elbow room at the front of the stage, once it involves more than a couple of elements it inevitably sounds congested and confined.
When you combine this lack of breathing space with the remorselessly upfront attitude, there’s a sort of relentlessness to the FT1 sound that, in the worst circumstances, can actually be quite oppressive. There’s a crowded, invasive sensation that’s not unlike someone reading over your shoulder or otherwise invading your personal space. There’s just no relief in the way the FiiO FT1 present music, and it can be quite a tiring overall experience as a result.
Sound quality score: 3/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Fiio FT1 review: Design
Black walnut earcups
-26dB sound insulation
12-step headband adjustment
While there’s nothing at all unusual about the overall design of the FT1, there is one element that immediately makes these headphones stand out at their price point: the earcups are backed by a decorative, and expensive-looking, quantity of black walnut wood.
The acoustic properties of wood have been established for a number of centuries now, so there’s no need to explain FiiO’s thinking here. But as well as the inherent benefits of the material, there’s no denying it makes the FT1 look distinctive, distinguished and a fair bit more costly than they actually are.
Moving forward from the back of the earcups, the FT1 are fitted with quite generously padded earpads that are covered in a comfy breathable plastic. The headband, meanwhile, is equally judiciously padded, and covered with pleather on the outer surface and a suede-like material on the inner.
The headband connects to the earcups via slender length of metal, and the same material is used for the exposed headband adjustment mechanism. There are 12 steps of adjustment available which along with some nicely considered clamping force, means the FT1 wear their 340g weight quite lightly. The yoke arrangement allows the earcups to rotate horizontally and for pitch – but they don’t fold, which means the supplied travel case is on the bulky side.
FiiO reckons the FT1 provide class-leading sound insulation for a product of this type of -26dB. It’s achieved this by including sound-absorbing cotton, an acoustic damping tube and spiral-shaped ‘resonance dissipation’ chamber between the inner part of the wooden earcup and the driver itself. So as well as the inherent advantage of a closed-back design where sound leakage is concerned, the FT1 allow less sound in than the average.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Design score: 4.5/5
Fiio FT1 review: Value
Premium materials
Impressive specification
Rather hit-and-miss sound
You’ve read this far, so you know what’s coming. Where the standard of build and finish is concerned, where the quality of the materials is concerned, where comfort is concerned, the FT1 really hit the mark. Their specification, all-extended frequency response, class-leading passive noise-isolation and your choice of silver-plated balanced and unbalanced connecting cables, are impressive too.
The value proposition is quite fundamentally undermined by the headphones’ forceful and confined audio characteristics, though. There’s precious little space in the sound, and a rather invasive and in-your-face quality that’s far from helpful in the medium-to-long term.
Value score: 3/5
Should I buy the Fiio FT1?
Buy them if...
Don't buy them if...
Fiio FT1 review: Also consider
They may look incoherent where the FiiO FT1 look quite glamorous, but there are a couple of Austrian Audio models (the Hi-X15 and Hi-X50) that bracket the FiiO in price and offer a fair bit of the balance and composure the FT1 are missing.
Or, if you think the FiiO are on the small side, there’s always the excellent (and frankly massive) Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro – they have the sonic insight and poise the FT1 are crying out for.
How I tested the Fiio FT1
Wired to a laptop, a headphone amp and a digital audio player
Connected using both balanced and unbalanced cables
Using a variety of music of various file types and sizes
Though they’re obviously designed for at-home use, it’s important to get as complete a perspective as possible, so as well as connecting the FT1 to my Apple MacBook Pro (both directly and via an iFi iDSD Diablo 2 headphone amp/DAC) I joined them to a FiiO M15S digital audio player via the 4.4mm balanced cable. I even used them on an aeroplane, which got me looks that were not all admiring.
I listened to a variety of music, of course, of various file types and from 320kbps to 24bit/192kHz resolution. And I did all of this, on and off, for the best part of a working week.
This article first appeared in Issue 361 of PC Pro.
Lenovo, as the heir to IBM’s PC business, has a long and illustrious history of producing among the best workstation designs. The P3 Tower is the latest in the line of mid-sized tower systems, with a solid construction and labour-saving features.
However, the version we were sent came with a 13th generation Intel Core i9 processor, one behind other Intel-based systems this month, even though this system can be specified with the 14th generation. At least it’s a near range-topping 13900K, which has eight performance P-cores with Hyper-Threading and 16 efficiency E-cores without it. The P-cores have a base 3GHz clock and top Thermal Velocity Boost of 5.8GHz. The E-cores have a base 2.2GHz frequency with 4.3GHz boost. There is a KS version that’s a little faster still, but there’s not a huge amount in it – and Lenovo only supplies this workstation with vPro chips anyway.
Lenovo has backed the Intel CPU with 64GB of 4,400MHz DDR5 RAM, supplied as two modules. This leaves two DIMM slots free to upgrade to the 128GB maximum. The Lenovo P3 chassis has some well-thought-out design elements, such as the two 120mm fans extracting air directly from the graphics card, and the side caddy for a 3.5in drive. Lenovo has also chosen the 1,100W PSU option for this system, which is sensible considering the graphics card.
Our sample P3 was equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 card, a hefty three-slot GPU drawing up to 450W on its own. However, this is a German model, while the UK configurator for the P3 only offers Nvidia RTX professional options. The price above assumes you opt for an RTX A4000 in the configurator, but an RTX A4500 would add £650 inc VAT to the price.
(Image credit: Future)
Lenovo has included two 1TB storage devices rather than a single 2TB unit. Both drives are catchily named SK Hynix HFS001TEJ9X102N M.2 NVMe SSDs running at PCI Express 4 speeds. They deliver a quick sustainable reading rate of 7,158MB/sec, though in this month’s company it’s one of the slowest SSDs. Writing rates were 6,532MB/sec for one drive and 6,784MB/sec for the other, which are fast, but most SSDs are faster in this test.
Despite the 13th generation Intel Core i9, the Lenovo is far from a slow system. The overall score of 683 in the PC Pro media benchmarks is good compared to systems we’ve tested in the past, but the slowest this month. The image-editing score of 281 is better than the PCSpecialist Zircon, but 605 in video editing and 869 in multitasking are the lowest on test. The multicore Maxon Cinebench 2024 result of 1,719 is also behind every other workstation, as is the Blender Gooseberry frame time of 392 seconds. CPUs have clearly moved on since Intel’s last iteration. But you can buy this workstation with the latest from Intel if you need better CPU performance – and it will cost a mere £10 extra.
The consumer-grade graphics card, as usual, has strengths and weaknesses. Game designers and 3D animators will get smooth frame rates, as evidenced by SPECviewperf 2020 results of 260 in the 3ds Max viewset and 691 in Maya. Some CAD, product design and engineering applications will also run smoothly. The Catia score of 133 is decent, 632 in the SolidWorks viewset is brilliant, but 149 in Creo is a little below par. The biggest problem is 43 in the Siemens NX viewset; you’ll see far superior results if you buy this a card from Nvidia’s professional RTX range instead. But the GPU has a lot of brute power, delivering a very healthy AI inference score of 27,706 in Geekbench ML, 24,394 in the LuxMark 3.1 OpenCL render, and the Blender Gooseberry frame took only 81 seconds to output using CUDA.
The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower was never going to win any performance benchmarks this month with its previous-generation CPU and consumer graphics. However, Lenovo also hasn’t used anywhere near the £4,500 inc VAT budget, with this system nearly £1,200 below that figure – and that even includes a keyboard and mouse. You could upgrade to the latest Intel CPU and RTX A4500 graphics and still have plenty of change. With the dependable Lenovo chassis design, this is a fine workstation that’s well worth considering.
This article first appeared in Issue 361 of PC Pro.
British workstation specialist InterPro has quietly been delivering some of the best workstation systems for over two decades now, and the IPW-RL is another case in point. The system combines a sensible selection of components for general content-creation tasks, and backs it up with a huge amount of memory.
The CPU choice is from Intel’s stable, but not the absolute pinnacle of the range. It’s the latest 14th generation, but the Core i9-14900K rather than the slightly faster KS variant. Both CPUs combine eight P performance cores with 16 E efficiency ones, offering base clocks of 3.2GHz and 2.4GHz respectively. However, the K processor has a 5.8GHz P-core maximum Turbo Boost frequency and 6GHz Thermal Velocity Boost, versus 5.9GHz and 6.2GHz respectively for the KS. The E-cores can only hit 4.4GHz with the K versus 4.5GHz for the KS.
What InterPro has saved on the processor has clearly been put towards memory, with 48GB 5,200MHz DDR5 DIMMs filling all four slots on the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero motherboard, for a massive total of 192GB. You’re unlikely to need more RAM for the lifetime of this machine.
Graphics acceleration is sensible for this price point, coming in the form of a PNY Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada Generation card. This sports a whopping 6,144 CUDA cores and 20GB of ECC-protected GDDR6 memory with 360GB/sec bandwidth. The 4000 series is the everyday workhorse of the Nvidia RTX professional range, offering a sensible balance between potency and price.
(Image credit: Future)
InterPro also gives you everything you need when it comes to storage. The main system drive is a 2TB Crucial T705 NVMe M.2 PCI Express 5 unit offering blistering 14,157MB/sec sustained reading and 11,884MB/sec writing, according to CrystalDiskMark 8. The secondary 4TB Crucial P3 Plus drive is also an NVMe M.2 unit, but uses a PCI Express 4 bus so delivers more modest sustained reading of 4,783MB/sec, with writing recorded at 4,365MB/sec. That’s going to be more than capable both in terms of speed and capacity for throughput-sensitive tasks such as editing high-resolution video.
All these components are integrated into a Fractal Design Define 7 chassis, a regular sight in the PC Pro workstation Labs over the years. InterPro has chosen the Compact version, which can accommodate two 3.5in or 2.5in drives and up to four 2.5in drives on top of that. This solid black machine has been equipped with a 1,000W Corsair RM1000e V2 PSU, with a 360mm Corsair iCue H150e RGB Elite liquid-cooling system for the CPU.
On an absolute scale, the InterPro’s components are potent, but in this month’s Labs company it falls behind in most areas. The overall PC Pro media benchmark score of 716 would have been a Labs-winning total a few years ago – as would the individual results of 297 for image editing, 649 for video encoding and 901 for multitasking – but it was the slowest overall this month. The Cinebench 2024 multi-CPU rendering score of 1,968 only beats the 12-core Scan system. The Blender render test took 350 seconds on CPU, which was beaten by the 12-core Scan machine.
The SPECviewperf 2020 results are similarly adequate for most tasks, but every other system here includes more powerful GPU acceleration. The scores of 161 in 3dsmax-07 and 576 in maya-06 demonstrate excellent 3D modelling animation abilities, while 132 in catia-06, 218 in creo-03, 530 in snx-04 and 360 in solidworks-07 will be great for engineering, CAD or product design. But there are even better scores in this test.
If you use this Nvidia GPU for rendering or AI inference, it also falls behind other systems, taking 124 seconds for the Blender render using CUDA, delivering just 11,853 in LuxMark 3.1 and producing 17,727 in the Geekbench ML 0.6 AI benchmark.
Overall, while this is a very capable workstation that would make light work of most real-time content creation or output rendering tasks, there are alternatives that provide more in either department.
The Dali IO-8 are the wireless over-ear noise-cancelling result of the company's attempts to cater for more mainstream customers. A brand like Dali should have more than one pair of wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones in its line-up, of course, especially when the one pre-existing pair it does have costs pennies less than £1,000 in the UK. Yet, even at a price of £599, the aforementioned word ‘mainstream’ is perhaps not the first that should spring to mind for the new Dali IO-8.
With one fairly notable exception, the IO-8 are specified to compete at this fiercely contested price point for the best noise-cancelling headphones crown. They’re very acceptably built and finished, from high-quality materials (although the real leather isn’t going to excite vegan customers). Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive compatibility, 30 hours of battery life with ANC engaged, 24bit/96kHz support, 50mm full-range drivers with 10Hz-43kHz frequency response… these are all welcome features. The ability to work passively, with no requirement for power, when wired via an analogue connection, is a very nice touch too.
Only the lack of a control app sounds a slightly bum note, no matter how Dali might seek to spin it as a virtue.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali IO-8 review: Price & release date
Released on October 8, 2024
Priced $899 / £599 / AU$TBC
The Dali IO-8 wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones launched on October 8, 2024, and in the United Kingdom they currently sell for £599. In the United States they’ll cost you $899, while in Australia the going rate has not officially been confirmed, at the time of publishing (but it'll be around AU$1,165 or thereabouts).
These are affordable wireless headphones by Dali standards, true, but everything’s relative, isn’t it? This sort of money can buy you some extremely well-regarded alternatives from brands that don’t necessarily consider $899 to be ‘entry-level’...
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali IO-8 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali IO-8 review: Features
50mm free edge full-range dynamic drivers
Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive compatibility
35 hours of battery life
As far as the ‘wireless’ part of ‘wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones’ goes, the Dali IO-8 use Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity, and have compatibility with SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs. But it’s also possible to use them via a wired connection – the USB-C socket on the right earcup can be used for data transfer as well as for charging the battery, and connected this way they’re able to deal with digital audio files of up to 24bit/96kHz resolution. Obviously you can give them even larger files to deal with, but these will be downscaled before the digital-to-analogue conversion takes place.
Dali provides a USB-C / USB-A cable in a reasonably compact travel case, and also includes a 3.5mm / 3.5mm analogue alternative. There’s a 3.5mm input on the left earcup, and if you make an analogue connection to a source player the Dali don’t even need to be powered on. Flat battery? No problem: the IO-8 can be used passively, which is a definite bonus.
Mind you, letting the battery run flat will smack of negligence. The Dali will run for 35 hours from a single charge with active noise-cancelling switched off, and if you switch it on that figure drops to a still-competitive 30 hours. The ANC itself (or ‘audiophile active noise-cancelling’, as Dali rather self-importantly has it) has ‘on’, ‘off’ and ‘transparency’ settings, and the company has tuned it for maximum sound quality rather than maximum noise-cancellation.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
No matter how you get your audio information on board, it’s delivered to your ears by a couple of 50mm free edge full-range dynamic drivers that are good, suggests Dali, for a frequency response of 10Hz-43kHz. Just as it does with its full-size speakers, Dali has built these drivers from a paper fibre material with randomly aligned fibres of varying lengths to create a light-yet-stiff diaphragm with optimal damping.
As far as control is concerned, there are a couple of options here. Each earcup features a couple of mic openings – Dali has used cVc technology for telephony, and these mics also allow communication with your source player’s native voice assistant. In addition to its USB-C input, the right earcup features a combination of push- and touch-controls covering ‘play/pause’, ‘volume up/down’, ‘skip forwards/backwards’, ‘answer/end call’ and ‘power on/off/Bluetooth pairing’ as well as cycling through your ANC options or choosing between two EQ settings (‘hi-fi’ or ‘bass’).
What’s conspicuous by its absence, though, is a control app. Dali wants to make a virtue of this – it’s tuned the IO-8 to sound as good as they can, goes the rationale, and the last thing the sound quality needs is the end user sticking their oar in. Whether or not you think an outlay as significant as this ought to buy a swanky control app a la Bowers & Wilkins, Bose and all the rest of them is a question of personal preference.
Features score: 4.5/5
Dali IO-8 review: Sound quality
Detailed and expansive sound
Positive, dynamic presentation
Great low-end expression and agility
If you’ve heard any of Dali’s more expensive loudspeaker designs lately, the combination of talents the IO-8 demonstrate when playing music, of any type, won’t come as any kind of surprise. If you haven’t, though, well… it’s like this…
The IO-8 are remarkably insightful, detailed headphones. No element of a recording is too fleeting to elude them, and they have the happy knack of being able to put even the most transient events in a singular recording like Children Crying by The Congos into convincing context. Their remarkable facility for detail retrieval and expression is not at the expense of the bigger picture, either. The Dali create a large overall image, and it’s only when you peer closely at it that you realise just how alive with detail it is.
There’s a sensation of directness and of positivity to the way these headphones deliver music, a sensation of engagement that some similarly priced alternatives forgo in an effort to sound somehow more ‘accurate’. There’s no lack of precision to the IO-8, no lack of apparent fidelity – but they’re no dry tool of analysis. The idea of music as entertainment does not escape them, not even for a moment.
They have ample bite and shine at the top of the frequency range, but it’s controlled to the point that there’s never any glint of hardness, even in a Lee Perry production that is constantly on edge where treble sounds are concerned. The transition into the midrange is seamless, and once there the Dali communicate with absolute assurance and no little articulacy. They can relay a vocal performance's minutiae with the sort of effortlessness that makes for a direct and unequivocal listen.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
At the bottom of the frequency range there’s a great combination of weight, texture and momentum. Listening with the ‘hi-fi’ EQ setting selected, the Dali offer straight-edged attack, rhythmic certainty, a decent amount of punch and an absolute stack of tonal and textural variation. Switch to ‘bass’ and while the amount of low-end presence increases noticeably, it’s not at the expense of any of the other work the Dali do with bass information. For my money it’s a slightly less naturalistic setting, but those who crave a bit of wallop won’t be disappointed.
Tonality is carefully neutral, and the frequency response is delightfully even from the very bottom of the frequency range to the very top. The broad dynamic shifts in intensity apparent in a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Stay Lit by Holy F*** are described in full – the IO-8 have no problem putting considerable distance between ‘loud’ and ‘quiet’. And the harmonic variations that are apparent in every instrument in this recording are given plenty of expression, too.
The Dali summon a large and persuasive soundstage, organizes it with utter authority and makes specific elements of even very complex recordings easy to identify and individualize. But at the same time it offers a very persuasive sensation of togetherness and singularity to recordings – there’s always an impression of ‘performance’ to the way it presents music.
Noise-cancelling, predictably, falls squarely into the ‘very good’ category rather than the very brief list headed ‘as good as Bose’ (single occupant: Bose). The IO-8 can do a reasonably thorough job on external sounds and keep those external distractions at bay, sure, but just as importantly, it does so without affecting the sonic characteristics in the slightest.
Sound quality score: 5/5
Dali IO-8 review: Design
‘Iron’ black, or ‘caramel’ white finishes
Real leather contact points
Weighs 325g
It comes to something, doesn’t it, when ‘round’ counts as a design flourish? But the fundamental design of over-ear headphones is so established that the perfectly circular earcups and earpads of the IO-8 is about the only part of their appearance that’s even remotely unusual.
They’re expertly built and finished, mind you, and from very upmarket and tactile materials. The round plate that covers the outside of each round earcup is of brushed and anodised metal, while the contact points of the inside of the headband and the earpads themselves are of memory foam covered in genuine leather (so long, vegans, it was nice knowing you). An outer section of the earpads and the entirety of the outside of the headband are covered in hard-wearing textile.
The headband adjustment mechanism is mostly concealed inside the headband itself, and it moves with nicely judged resistance. At 325g the IO-8 are far from the heaviest wireless over-ears around, and both the hanger arrangement and clamping force are so judicious that they remain comfortable for hours at a time. And unlike quite a lot of rival products, the Dali are not so big that they exclude the smaller-headed among us.
Design score: 4.5/5
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Dali IO-8 review: Value
High-quality sound at a crowded price point
Comfortable, look good, excellent battery life
No control app, plus non-vegan
You buy expensive headphones in order to enjoy high-quality sound, right? If so, then there’s no arguing with the value on offer here – the Dali IO-8 are by no means your only choice at the price, but they have nothing to apologize for when it comes to the way they sound.
And if you’re able to overlook the lack of a vegan option, the standard of build and finish is well up to standard, too. The IO-8 look and feel good and they’re comfortable for hours on end, with the battery life to prove it.
If you think this sort of money should buy a control app, you’ll certainly get no argument from me. But I have to wonder what it would be for – after all, the way Dali has voiced these headphones is unlikely to be improved by my fiddling with EQ settings, and the company has already indicated that the ANC is implemented to the maximum level it’s happy with. It would be nice to be able to integrate all my favorite music streaming services into one hub, of course, but I’ve seen enough ropey control apps to know that ‘no app’ is better than ‘annoying app’.
Value score: 4.5/5
Should I buy Dali IO-8?
Buy them if...
Don't buy them if...
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali IO-8 review: Also consider
Apple AirPods Max I’m contractually obliged to mention the Apple AirPods Max here. They’re a great option for iPhone and iPad users, to be fair, with a nicely realized sensation of spatial audio when connected to a sibling device, but I’ve yet to see anyone good-looking enough to wear them without looking like a bit of a ‘nana. See our in-depth Apple AirPods Max review for more info.
How I tested the Dali IO-8
Connected wirelessly, via USB-C and via 3.5mm analogue
Powered and passively
Indoors and out
They’re adaptable by the standards of wireless headphones, the Dali IO-8, and so I listened to them when wireless connected to an iPhone 14 Pro and a FiiO M15S digital audio player. I also listened to them via a USB-C connection to an Apple MacBook Pro (loaded with Colibri software in order to play authentically high-resolution content).
I also listened to them with the battery switched off and a hard analogue connection made to both the FiiO and the MacBook Pro, too. I listened to them at my desk and on public transport, I listened to lots of different styles of music, delivered via lots of different digital audio file types and sizes. And I did all of this, on and off, for well over a week.
Platform reviewed: PC Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S Release date: October 1, 2024
Throne and Liberty is a new free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) from Korean developer NCSoft, a dev team that’s been well-known previously for such classics as the Lineage series. To date, the game has already been out - and relatively well received - in the Korean domestic market but the developer has teamed up with Amazon Games Studio to bring the game to the West.
Throne and Liberty is the publishers' third attempt to crack the Western MMO market after Lost Ark and New World - two games that have looked to refresh the genre’s stagnant popularity in recent years. Throne and Liberty is a decidedly classic take on the genre, however, with a massive focus on group player-versus-player (PvP) conflict, world content, and a relatively basic tab-target combat system. It’s the spiritual successor to the Lineage games of old and one that looks to induct itself within the ranks of the best MMORPGs by harkening back to the genre’s glory days.
(Image credit: NCSOFT / Amazon Games)
Having a whale of a time
I’ve played my fair share of MMOs over the years, and I’ll say it right off the bat - Throne of Liberty is hands-down one of the most beautifully presented MMORPGs yet. Graphically, the game pushes the genre forward with thoughtfully crafted environments that emphasize both scale and verticality across sweeping vistas. As soon as you load in you’ll be impressed at the ambitious scale and beauty of this game, and there’s rarely a zone that disappoints in this regard.
There’s nothing radical about Throne and Liberty’s world - it’s a fairly standard high-fantasy fare. But, it executes it exceptionally well on a relatively grounded aesthetic that plays well with the brutality present in the world of Solisium. You’re going to be scrambling across vast deserts, descending into dimly-lit vampire crypts, and soaring high across the map on a massive flying whale called Gigantrite - easily the coolest thing in the entire game world.
Adding to the coolness factor is the game's excellent mount system. I don’t usually get excited about MMORPG mount systems but in Throne, all players have access to druid-style shapeshifting powers from the offset. Alongside a ground-based wolf/cat travel form, players can also transform into a bird-in-flight mode and an aquatic swim mode, which makes traversing the world engaging and enjoyable.
The story, for the most part, is standard RPG fare. You’re part of a chosen few blessed with celestial powers trying to stop an evil king from exploiting said powers and dominating the world. It’s a mostly forgettable string of RPG tropes but the main quest does ground you in the world nicely, offer decent set-piece events, and serve as a good introduction to the various systems in the game - of which there are many.
(Image credit: NCSOFT / Amazon Games)
Mix and match
One such system that may throw MMO veterans in Throne of Liberty is the game's class system - or rather, lack thereof. Throne does away with the usual ‘pick your class’ at character creation for a more flexible system based on weapons. Every player picks two of seven weapons to carry; which include a flexible range of melee, ranged, and spell-casting options.
It’s not uncommon to see myriad ‘hybrid’ roles in Throne since the system encourages players to experiment and synergize between the various combinations. Not only can you pick and choose between weapon combinations, but the deep skill specialization system means that every weapon can tweaked toward specific build goals like elemental damage, increased threat, or greater area of effect.
(Image credit: NCSOFT / Amazon Games)
During my playthrough I gravitated toward a dagger and wand combo; an awkward mix of an archetypal rogue who also happens to heal like a priest. It wasn’t the most elegant combo but I like how Throne’s non-traditional class system encourages players to think creatively about which weapons to pair up with each other. The game's upgrade system favors that you choose a role and stick to it, however, so be prepared to do your homework and plan out your build accordingly.
Best bit
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Riding the giant flying whale Gigantrite above the skies of Solisium, taking in the sweeping vistas. I also loved how ‘alive’ Throne and Liberty’s game world felt, with hundreds of players engaging directly with world quests.
Combat for the most part is handled with a mix of a tab-target system and a more 'active' action combat style that includes elements like parrying, blocking, and an emphasis on ground effect spells. The tab targeting system is more reminiscent of classic MMORPGs like World of Warcraft but lacks the latter’s refinement, depth, and overall weight. The active elements for the most part do add something, however, as both player-versus-player and player-versus-elite encounters utilize parry windows and defensive abilities to mix up the gameplay.
Overall, Throne’s combat isn’t bad - the game feels fine to play, but it does suffer from being a compromise between two distinct types of systems. You’re essentially left with combat that doesn’t quite feel as engaging as the gorgeous graphics, world design, and interesting class system warrant. There’s room for a high-skill ceiling, sure, but you’ll never quite find yourself wanting to grind through hundreds of monsters like with Black Desert Online.
(Image credit: NCSOFT / Amazon Games)
World up
The world of Solisium is, however, chock-full of stuff to do. As previously mentioned, the main quest will effectively take you on a full world tour of this game’s breadth of content and encourage you to spread your wings as you go.
When you’re leveling up, you’ll be introduced to world exploration quests, contract quests, group dungeons, and open-world dungeons. For the most part, your quests outside of the main storyline will consist of killing boars, goblins, and gathering resources - you know, MMO stuff. Where this game really shines is with the sheer variety of content on offer and how this content is placed within the greater world.
For example, world quests are sometimes cooperative, sometimes competitive, and sometimes complete and utter open warfare. Often, these game modes depend on the day-night cycle or specific timing, which can make the world feel alive and unpredictable if you’re not paying attention. It’s not uncommon for your quest objectives to intersect with an area that’s currently being battled over by dozens of guilds jostling to contend a local world quest, for example.
I, for one, particularly loved the open-world dungeons that are scattered across the world. These dungeons aren’t instanced in the traditional sense so everyone is welcome to rock up and stake their claim to the loot.
In the daytime, these dungeons can operate like traditional questing hubs. In the night-time, however, the doors close behind you, and suddenly the whole area turns into one giant player-versus-player arena. Since players are effectively locked out on death, the dungeons turn into one giant Battle Royale game with increasingly higher stakes. It’s a superb concept and one that’s not commonly found among other modern MMOs.
(Image credit: NCSOFT / Amazon Games)
Guild wars
I think you’re already sensing a theme here - Throne and Liberty is a player-versus-player MMO through and through. In this game, PvP is everywhere if you’re willing to look for it. This is a game designed from the ground up with PvP - and particularly group PvP - in mind.
At around level 30 the world quickly opens up into areas where, depending on various criteria like world time or weather, open PvP is in session. While it’s entirely possible to wait it out on the sidelines until peace is declared once again, you always need to be on your guard for prowling enemies.
If you’re a fan of the true wild-west element of old-school MMORPGs you’ll be at home here. It’s a kill-or-be-killed world that’s often enjoyable but potentially frustrating. During my initial leveling, for example, there were several instances of high-level players camping world quest hand-in zones. While power discrepancies are smoothed by Throne and Liberty’s stat squishing system, you’ll frequently encounter experienced players looking to rack up kills.
Solisium is a harsh world, and to survive, you’re going to have to join a guild. Unlike more casual-friendly titles on the market, this game emphasizes guilds above nearly all else. This is a super old-school MMO approach and one that actively encourages players to band together into massive 70-person guilds.
While it’s possible to progress outside of a guild, to properly get the most out of this game you must at least join some kind of guild. Doing so, for example, unlocks a new vendor, currency, and various exclusive quests. You’ll also be able to tag along with your guild to the massive one-thousand-player-plus castle siege events that are the mainstay of Throne and Liberty’s end-game content.
(Image credit: NCSOFT / Amazon Games)
While it’s refreshing to see such an emphasis on group content in a modern MMO, I’m struggling to recommend Throne and Liberty for a casual player here; the kind of player who likes to jump on for an hour or two, use the group finder tool, and generally go with the flow. If you’re looking for a pick-up-and-play MMO, then you’ll likely find the game too punishing unless you find a guild that fits your playstyle.
I haven’t even mentioned the cash shop either, which enables players to essentially trade real money for in-game currency. Yes - currency that can be used in the auction house to buy high-end gear. In theory, players can skip out on the grind by simply pulling out the credit card; something which will no doubt set off alarm bells for seasoned MMO veterans.
In my time with the game, I wasn’t able to fully grasp whether this will in effect descend into a ‘pay to win’ model, but I’m absolutely sure this setup will prove divisive for a Western audience. It’s entirely possible to earn all gear without paying a penny, but it sure seems that the game is catering to players with deep pockets.
It's a shame this potential 'pay to win' stigma surrounds Throne of Liberty as the game genuinely has a lot going for it in terms of world-building and content. The question is, will it appeal to a wider audience than a select few hard-core individuals?
Accessibility
I’m pleased to note that Throne and Liberty features an extensive suite of accessibility features. These include multiple colorblind modes, settings for photosensitivity, and multiple text and UI scaling options. All these options are easy to find in the 'Accessibility' menu within the games settings menu.
Should I play Throne and Liberty?
Play it if...
Don't play it if...
How I reviewed Throne and Liberty
I played Throne and Liberty for 30 hours before writing this review, which was enough in-game time to finish the main story quest and comfortably get up to the maximum level. I made sure to sample most of the game's content, including both daily and world quests as well as the instanced and open dungeons.
I've played many MMORPGs over the years including World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, Black Desert Online, Lost Ark, Eve Online, ESO, and many others. During this review, I drew upon over two decades of experience playing these games to get a feel of how Throne and Liberty stacks up and how I think it'll be received.
The peripherals I used during this review include the Logitech G Pro wireless gaming mouse, the Logitech Pro Tenkeyless gaming keyboard, and the Logitech G735 wireless gaming headset. My monitor is the 27-inch LG 27GP850-B, which runs at 1440p/185Hz.
With its large APS-C sensor and fixed 40mm f/2.8 lens, we already rated the Ricoh GR IIIx as one of the best premium compact cameras for travel and street photography. This version features a niche tweak that gives it a specific appeal: where the original had a built-in ND filter, the GR IIIx HDF instead has a highlight diffusion filter.
There’s no software trickery at work here. This is a physical filter that's built into the shutter unit and is enabled with a push of the Fn button, and it reduces contrast and blurs bright whites, producing soft, dreamy stills with an ethereal glow that harks back to the days of analog.
Based on our time with both the GR IIIx and the HDF version, the latter is the more creative tool. Whether you're capturing reflections shimmering off water or sunlight through leaves, it allows you to experiment with unique, film-like lighting effects.
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The GR IIIx HDF also benefits from a couple of new firmware features: there’s support for up to three custom white balances, while zone-select AF gives you more flexibility to target automatic focusing within the center area. These are minor tweaks which will also be introduced to the GR III / IIIx down the line.
Otherwise, the GR IIIx HDF is identical to the existing version. That includes everything from the pocket-friendly dimensions and direct access controls to the APS-C sensor and 40mm lens combination we praised in our original review. It also retains the same drawbacks, though, including average battery life and a fixed screen.
The GR IIIx HDF isn’t the major update that many Ricoh fans were hoping for, and it’s certainly not worth buying if you already own the GR IIIx. But if you’re choosing between the two versions, we think the highlight diffusion filter makes it the more artful and unique option, especially if you’re a fan of the vintage aesthetic. It costs marginally more, but it’s the one we’d pick.
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Ricoh GR IIIx HDF: price and availability
Launched on 28 March 2024, alongside the GR III HDF
Priced at $1,146 / £1,099 / AU$1,899
The Ricoh GR IIIx HDF was announced in March 2024 with a launch price of $1,146 / £1,099 / AU$1,899. That makes it $147 / £100 / AU$120 more expensive than the standard Ricoh GR IIIx, which already commanded a pretty premium ask. At that price, the GR IIIx HDF is close to mid-range mirrorless money, with cameras like the Sony A7 III available for a similar amount.
While that might seem hard to justify for a compact with a fixed lens, the point here is that Ricoh is making a niche version of an already niche camera. You’ll buy the GR IIIx HDF not because you want the best possible performance for the money, but because you want a sharp-shooting compact with a relatively large sensor, with the added value of a unique built-in filter.
If you’re in the market for one of the best travel cameras, the GR IIIx offers better value objectively. Whether the highlight diffusion filter is worth the extra expenditure will come down to how you plan to use the camera and whether you’ll appreciate the creative aesthetic it’s capable of. But for our money, it’s the more compelling proposition, even with the increase in cost.
Ricoh GR IIIx HDF: design
Physically identical to the GR IIIx
Truly pocketable dimensions
3-inch, 1.03 million-dot touchscreen
Other than its silver shutter button, the GR IIIx HDF is identical to the GR IIIx. That means it’s a genuinely pocket-friendly compact, measuring a tidy 109.4 x 61.9 x 35.2mm and weighing an impressively light 262g, including the battery and an SD card. It’s pretty much as small as a camera with an APS-C sensor inside can be, making it a portable yet powerful shooting tool.
Not only do those dimensions mean the GR IIIx HDF is a convenient camera to travel with, but it’s also one you can comfortably use with one hand, making it ideal for discreet street photography. Ergonomically, there’s enough of a front grip to get your fingers around, with a moulded thumb rest on the rear.
Direct-access controls are plentiful, including a mode dial and scroll lever for adjusting exposure, and are neatly set out within easy reach of your thumb. Most prominent among them is the function button, which by default is used to activate the highlight diffusion filter. The control layout doesn’t clutter the body, but the camera’s proportions mean some of the rear inputs do require a bit of nimble finger-work to avoid accidentally hitting other buttons.
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Like the GR IIIx, the HDF version has a fixed 3-inch LCD touchscreen. It’s sharp enough at 1.03 million dots, although it’s not the brightest, which can make framing in direct sunlight slightly tricky. That’s not helped by the absence of an electronic viewfinder and, while there is a hot-shoe mount on top of the body, the only optional viewfinders available from Ricoh are analog ones.
All that being said, the GR IIIx HDF is just as fun to use as the standard GR IIIx. The touchscreen is responsive, and touch-focus support makes it as easy to shoot with as any smartphone. Its point-and-shoot design also strikes a good balance between accessibility for beginners and creative control for more experienced users.
Ricoh GR IIIx HDF: features and performance
Highlight diffusion filter
Fixed-focal-length f/2.8 lens
New zone-select AF functionality
The headline feature of the GR IIIx is its highlight diffusion filter, which replaces the neutral density filter found in the GR IIIx. The HDF is a physical filter that’s part of the shutter unit, and it has the effect of reducing contrast and softening bright whites when enabled. The net effect of this is dreamy stills with a blurry glow that mimics the look of film photography.
Based on our tests, it’s more than a gimmick. The effect’s strength depends on what and where you’re shooting, but it can be surprisingly potent. In backlit or overcast scenes we found that it could lead to unwanted halo effects; but in the right conditions, such as warm sunlight filtering through trees or lights reflecting off water at night, the filter makes the GR IIIx HDF capable of producing some genuinely unique, creative images.
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On paper, it’s a niche feature. But at a time when analog is all the rage again we can see it appealing to a lot of people. Not only does the GR IIIx HDF produce images with a film-like aesthetic, it does so by way of a genuine physical filter, which lends the results a feeling of authenticity which can’t be achieved with post-processing. It also makes the GR IIIx HDF feel like a fun tool to experiment with creatively, with none of the associated costs of film.
Otherwise, the Ricoh GR IIIx HDF shares most of the rest of its features and spec sheet with the standard version. That’s true of the effective sensor-shift shake reduction system, useful Snap Focus tool and decent macro mode. Unfortunately, it’s also true of the modest 200-shot battery life, lazy burst speeds, and maximum Full HD video resolution.
Also inherited is the 40mm f/2.8 lens, which offers a focal length that’s more versatile for portrait work than the 28mm lens of the GR III. The depth of field is lovely and shallow, although you do need to be careful when using Snap Focus as it’s easy to miss your focus point. Rather than repeat the same observations here, we recommend reading our GR IIIx review for a full insight into how these features stack up in real-world use.
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Operation of the HDF version is just as quick as with the GR IIIx, with rapid start-up and shutter response times. Less impressive is the autofocus performance, which suffers from the same laggy tracking as before. One thing that is new for the GR IIIx is zone-select AF. This essentially allows you to zone the AF in on a specific region within the auto-area AF coverage. We could see this being useful for street portraits, but it’s a relatively minor addition, and one that’s also due to be added to existing models in a later firmware update.
More useful is the introduction of three programmable white balance settings, which means you can easily shift between different custom presets without having to dive into the manual settings. We think many users of the GR IIIx HDF are likely to use auto white balance, but it’s nevertheless a welcome addition.
Should I buy the Ricoh GR IIIx HDF?
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Buy it if...
You like the idea of an analog-style filter Enabling the highlight diffusion filter gives images a soft, dreamy glow that, in the right lighting, can produce properly creative images with a film-like look.
You want a sharp-shooting street compact Sharing most of its features with the GR IIIx, the HDF edition stacks up just as well for discreet street photography, with a travel-friendly body that captures sharp stills.
You want first access to the latest features The GR IIIx benefits from three pre-programmable white balance settings and zone-select autofocus, which will only be added to existing models with down the line.
Don't buy it if...
You don’t need the highlight diffusion filter The added cost of the GR IIIx HDF can only be justified if you’re excited by the idea of shooting with a unique physical filter; otherwise, the standard version is better value.
You want the best possible value The GR IIIx HDF is priced in mid-range mirrorless territory, and it’s possible to get better performance and features from other APS-C cameras with interchangeable lenses.
You shoot a lot of video With a video resolution that maxes out at Full HD, the Ricoh GR IIIx HDF is very much a camera for stills photographers first and foremost.
How I tested the Ricoh GR IIIx HDF
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I used the camera for two weeks
I shot more than 150 stills
I took pictures in a range of conditions
Testing the Ricoh GR IIIx HDF involved taking it out into the world and using it as I would use any camera day to day. I took more than 150 photos over the course of a fortnight, in a whole range of shooting scenarios and lighting conditions, from day to night, and from portraits to street details.
As the highlight diffusion filter is the key point of difference between this camera and the standard GR IIIx, I focused in particular on capturing images with the HDF enabled. I also shot a range of reference images across different shooting modes, to assess the actual effect of the filter.
LiftSync is a lesser-known furniture company. They make standing desks, mobile laptops, monitor arms and desks. Their newest release is the LiftSync Quad Pro electric standing desk.
I've reviewed many of the best standing desks out there. And this desk is not your average standing desk, but it is built for those who seek a combination of soft luxury, feeling wood, and functionality. It's crafted from burlywood for the tabletop and has four independent legs and motors to offer high stability no matter the desk's height. No matter your profession, if you are looking for a generously sized standing desk and are willing to spend some money on it, you should check out the LiftSync Quad Pro as a genuine option. I was impressed by just how lovely this desk is.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
LiftSync Quad Pro: Pricing & availability
The LiftSync Quad Pro is the Flagship standing desk offering from LiftSync. It's priced at $1,199.00 but is currently seeing a deal that drops the price to $999.00. The Quad Pro is available on LiftSync’s official website with fast, free shipping in the U.S. Orders exceeding $150 are eligible for complimentary delivery, and assembly services are available in select areas like Los Angeles, California, United States.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
LiftSync Quad Pro: Unboxing & first impressions
The Quad Pro showed up in two packages, one with the desktop, one with the frame, and the other with miscellaneous pieces. I will say that this is a hefty desk, but it wasn't wrong to assemble at all. I built this desk with the help of my electric screwdriver and my five-year-old son. In complete honesty, I've built more standing desks than anyone else, and this one has been one of the easiest to assemble by far.
The frame went together super quickly, in a simple way that even my son could understand and be genuinely helpful in helping with. Then the desktop sits on top and gets screwed in from the underside or by flipping the desktop over to drill down into the desk. I built this desk in my home office space and wanted to move it to the school classroom, where my team would test it further. Usually, I leave the desks assembled and move them that way with a truck or in the back of my Jeep. However, for this one, I could easily take the frame apart to throw in the back of my wife's Kia Carnival, with our whole family loaded in, to drop off the desk. Assembly is just that easy.
Right from the start, I love how smooth and soft the burlywood desktop is and how clean and sleek the frame looks. The integrated control panel is a nice touch, too, especially with the included ports.
The desk quickly lifted my son up and down and, hesitantly, lifted me (210lb). In all those tests, I was thrilled to see how smooth the desk lifted and how quiet it was.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
LiftSync Quad Pro: Design & build quality
Specs
Dimensions: Desktop – 63” x 31.5”, Frame – adjustable height from 29.5” to 47.2” Weight: 120 lbs (product weight), 143 lbs (package weight) Load Capacity: 264 lbs Material: Solid wood desktop with eco-friendly coatings Motors: 4 motors for height adjustment
The LiftSync Quad Pro's design is a testament to the brand's focus on clean and minimal design with high functionality and craftsmanship. The genuine solid wood top is a beautiful design choice and highlights the emphasis on durability and aesthetics. The beautiful burlywood finish gives the desk a distinct and high-end look, while the legs make it blend in and feel lightweight and minimal. The quad leg design, rather than the T-shape or C-shape that most desks opt for these days, is a nice change of pace and helps give the desk a higher stability.
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(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
LiftSync Quad Pro: In use
One of my favorite things I get to do with desks is swap them out and use them in many different environments to ensure that these desks don't just work in a warehouse, testing space, or a perfect environment but also your potential environment. I placed this desk in the school where some of my team members work, making it the ideal testing environment for its durability due to heavy daily use.
Using the LiftSync Quad Pro is a seamless experience. The four motors operate silently, adjusting the desk height with minimal effort. Whether you’re sitting or standing, the desk adjusts smoothly, allowing for an ergonomic setup tailored to your needs. The load capacity of 264 lbs ensures that the desk can handle even the heaviest of equipment without wobbling. The desk’s spacious surface can comfortably accommodate multiple monitors, a keyboard, and additional accessories, making it perfect for productivity.
Additionally, if you need more than one monitor, it makes for a fantastic large workspace, big enough for two or more people to work simultaneously if you so choose.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
LiftSync Quad Pro: Final verdict
The LiftSync Quad Pro is an excellent choice for anyone investing in a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing standing desk. Granted, it only has one design, but that design and colorway are timeless and will look great in most environments. The solid wood makes for a premium feel, and the price matches that feel. But if you want a quality desk that will last, check out the LiftSync Quad Pro.
For more workspace essentials, our office furniture experts have tested the best office chairs.
The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is a smart doorbell that allows you to remotely monitor and talk to visitors outside your property via your phone or desktop using Wi-Fi.
The main selling point for those of us who predominately use the Apple ecosystem is its HomeKit compatibility, in addition to the more common Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. It’s a viable option, given its competitive price, and doesn’t try and sell you a subscription service by ringfencing features as is the case with other video doorbells.
It offers the standard array of features found in some of the best video doorbells such as customizable zones for refining motion detection and facial recognition, which you wouldn’t typically expect for a video doorbell at this price point. It can distinguish between a car, a person, or an animal as opposed to the usual generic “movement was detected” type of message.
In addition to the doorbell, the G4 comes with a chime repeater, a real boon if you’re not always next to your phone - though I was a little incredulous at the inclusion to begin with. Added to that, it can house a microSD card for locally storing video footage which needs to be safe inside your home as opposed to on-device as with some video doorbells. It’s also a logical way to improve battery life, providing a separate mains-powered unit with Wi-Fi access and other services. I stand corrected.
Having a variety of options is good, and the Aqara G4 provides a subscription-free alternative to the ubiquitous Ring Doorbells. There is room for improvement, though; its paltry IPX3 rating means it’s best kept under cover from the elements, and the field of view was much too high for my liking. Read on for the full picture.
Aqara Video Doorbell G4: price and availability
List price: $119.99 / £119.99 (about AU$180)
The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 was launched in the US in February 2023 and UK in December 2023, and is available from the Aqara website as well as Amazon for $119.99 / £199.99 (about AU$180). At the time of writing the price was reduced by 20% to $95.99/£95.99 (about AU$140) in a limited time deal, which seems to be a bi-monthly occurrence that might be worth holding out for.
There are three accessories available for the G4 if you do not have the desire to shop around for what is pretty standard stuff. The power supply boasts of a 1.5 metre cable which is not long enough given that it is recommended that the Doorbell be mounted between 1.4 metres and 1.5 metres from the ground.
At its sale price, the Aqara G4 compares favorably with something like the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro and its associated subscription fee, even when the extra purchases of a power adapter and MicroSD card are taken into account. At full price, less so.
Aqara Video Doorbell G4: specs
Aqara Video Doorbell G4: design
It’s big, it’s dark - it’s a mini monolith
It is easy to spot which circular feature is the button and which is the camera
The location of the case-securing screw is strange
The G4 has an appealing design, clad in slate grey with glossy black accents. On the front are two large circles; one is the button, and the other is the camera mount. It’s a little quirky, and upon unboxing, it chimed with me but I could not put my finger on why (both puns intended).
It wasn’t until I had to measure the Aqara G4 after discovering that the dimensions on the website were wrong that I began to think about ratios, noticing that it’s sides measure not too far from 1:4:9. That’s when it hit my nerdy sci-fi-riddled brain; those are the proportions of the sides of the monolith in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the camera on the doorbell even resembles HAL 9000. If you have no idea what I am blathering on about, please go and watch the film - it’s a classic.
It had to be done (Image credit: Les Watson)
Installing the doorbell can be as simple as affixing the baseplate, connecting the chime unit to the mains (you’ll need to use your own USB power supply), pairing it in the app and completing the necessary updates, and lastly inserting the doorbell’s batteries before slotting and securing it to the baseplate.
I added my review unit to HomeKit, and through doing so I was able to make use of my Apple One subscription and save HomeKit Secure Video output to the cloud - a pleasant surprise. However, the video quality was not great; anything that moved was painfully pixelated. Now, I like 8-bit video games, but I need to be able to distinguish between the postman and Super Mario.
Be warned, when you install the batteries, both the doorbell and chime repeater’s alarms will trigger, and both devices will begin to howl like a banshee. The doorbell will stop when it is slotted into the baseplate, but the chime repeater will keep on howling away until it is power cycled. It’s a good anti-tampering feature but an off switch in the app that snoozes the tripped alarm would suffice to stop this slightly annoying quirk. Another poor design decision is the case-fastening screw on the side of the unit, which I found difficult to tighten when it’s in situ.
It has been designed to facilitate hard-wired mains electricity either from an existing doorbell circuit or via a power supply transformer that plugs into a standard UK electrical socket. Another design flaw is that there’s no slot on the sides of the baseplate to run the cable through; Aqara seems to have assumed that the power cable will come straight through the wall and directly into the device, which for me was impossible. It is easy enough to create an opening in the bracket, but an unnecessary hoop to jump through.
Aqara Video Doorbell G4: performance
Having used Ring doorbells for two years, it was immediately apparent that the video quality and field of view of the Aqara G4 are inferior. In fairness, Aqara is cheaper, and you do get what pay for. The stored video does seem to be less pixelated when using the local MicroSD as opposed to iCloud storage.
I installed a Ring Battery Pro alongside the Aqara to compare them and you can see what you are paying for with the Ring. As far as I am concerned the Aqara is good enough for my home, but your needs may differ depending on your entryway.
Footage from Aqara G4 on the left, Ring Battery Pro on the right (Image credit: Les Watson)
Its object recognition is consistent, although it has yet to detect an animal for me to review. The feature would be even more useful if it were possible to filter the videos based on object type in the app.
Speaking of which, the app is pretty good. It’s uncluttered and offers automation facilities if you don’t want to connect it to one of your smart home hubs. As is the theme of this review, it does have its quirks; for instance, I’m a bit puzzled as to why it’s necessary to create an automation to play a sound on the external doorbell when the button is pressed rather than it being a built-in feature. Even more puzzling is that it is not possible to use the stock ring tones; you need to import a sound file.
For some reason, I’ve frequently received an error stating that “The network connectivity is poor. Please set to auto”. Set what to auto, you may ask? I have looked through the settings and the only thing with an auto setting that I have found so far is “Infrared Night Vision”, which is on already; the mystery continues.
The facial recognition is surprisingly good given that I have only supplied it with one photograph of me. Heck, I get up in the morning and look in the mirror and sometimes I don’t recognize myself. This opens up all sorts of automation possibilities. Why would you not want your house to say “Hello Les” when you walk up to your front door?
In saying that, maybe we’re getting a little too close to HAL with that one.
Performance score: 3.5/5
Should you buy the Aqara Video Doorbell G4?
Buy it if
You want a different look from other video doorbells.
It is a refreshing change from the standard Ring doorbell and other video doorbell devices, and I think it looks better than similarly priced products from Aqara’s competitors.View Deal
You are invested in the Apple ecosystem
If you are a HomeKit user and already have an Apple iCloud subscription, it’s an absolute no-brainer. View Deal
You want to store video footage without a subscription
It needs to be powered by a transformer to enable local storage, which does mean you will need to spend some more money to make it work - but you won’t be forking out every month.View Deal
Don't buy it if
You need to see your doorstep for package deliveries
It is unlikely that the camera will cover your doorstep due to its limited field of view. Wouldn’t it be nice if it were possible to turn the camera to portrait mode…View Deal
You need a weatherproof doorbell
If you do not have “a porch or other shaded area” this device might not survive the winter or regular heavy rain, given its low IP rating. View Deal
You need higher-quality video
The video quality of the Aqara G4 is good enough, but you may need more. View Deal
Aqara Video Doorbell G4: also consider
Not completely sold on the Aqara Video Doorbell G4? Here are two more options for you to consider. We've also got lots of tips on how to buy a video doorbell.
Arlo Video Doorbell
Arlo's doorbell currently ranks top in our roundup of the best video doorbells, with impressive picture quality compared to similarly priced rival devices.
If you want to see packages when they're delivered to your doorstep, this doorbell has a secondary camera that's aimed at the floor to give you a better view.
I tested both battery-powered and mains-powered configurations
I tested storing captured video in iCloud and locally
I reviewed all video footage to assess accuracy
I compared video output with a rival manufacturer
There is no existing doorbell circuit in my house or an electrical outlet in the hall, so the transformer was plugged into a socket in the lounge. Luckily (for you, not me) I am renovating my house and can easily get under the floor to run the cable.
I investigated the phone application automation options and tried out the various in-app features and functionalities.
I’ve been using smart home devices for several years now, and have a whopping 30+ years (gulp) of tech enthusiasm and experience under my belt.
