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Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Review

6:00 pm | October 24, 2024

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: One-minute review

An Intel Core Ultra 9 processor in its retail packaging — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

I've had a couple of pre-briefings with Intel over the past couple of months about Intel Arrow Lake, so I can't say I'm surprised by the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, but it doesn't mean enthusiasts are going to be any less disappointed with what we got in the end.

Both Core Ultra chips effectively match the performance of the chips they are replacing, and while I've been saying for a while now that we have to stop looking at performance as the only metric that matters, the efficiency gains offered by these chips are not substantial enough to really merit the investment if you're rocking a 13th-gen Intel chip or better.

The new chips do come with some architecture changes worthy of note, though, and they aren’t all useless for consumers. For starters, the chips come equipped with an NPU, the first Intel desktops to do so, and the new Intel Arc integrated GPU offers some improved graphics capabilities that will make a real difference for some AIO (all-in-one) PCs.

However, these are largely going to be unnecessary for just about any gamer or content creator out there since most desktops are going to have a discrete graphics card that will run AI circles around the NPU in these chips, and make the Intel Arc iGPU pretty much a non-factor in anything other than the most budget gaming PC from a couple of years ago.

For some folks, unfortunately, Intel Arrow Lake misses the target they wanted it to hit, and with strong competition from AMD’s Ryzen 9000-series, these aren't the best processors for gaming or content creation. But, Intel has to start somewhere as it shifts to a new platform, and it managed to produce a very different kind of chip over its predecessors without giving up too much on the performance front, which is no easy feat.

Ultimately, they're perfectly fine chips if you're buying them in a prebuilt PC or if you're coming in from 11th-gen Intel or older (or making the move from AMD), since you'll have to buy all-new kit anyway, so you might as well set yourself up for Nova Lake next year. But anyone with a Raptor Lake chip isn't going to see any real benefit from these, so they're better off waiting for Nova Lake in 2025 to make the jump.

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Price & availability

An Intel Core Ultra 5 processor in its retail packaging — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K are available now in the US, UK, and Australia, priced at $589 / £548.99 / AU$1,099 and $309 / £289.99 / AU$589, respectively.

While the prices for these two chips stay the same or come in slightly lower than their predecessors, which is good, there are a bunch of added costs to upgrade to these chips... which is bad. First, they require an LGA 1851 chipset, so you’re going to have to buy a new motherboard in order to use them. They also don’t support DDR4 RAM, so you’re likely going to have to buy new DDR5 RAM as well.

The LGA 1851 socket does take the same CPU coolers as an LGA 1700 socket, though, so if you have a 12th-gen or better processor, at least your cooler will fit.

Against AMD’s latest, the Core Ultra 9 285K is better priced than AMD’s flagship Ryzen 9 9950X, but more expensive than the Ryzen 9 9900X. The Core Ultra 5 245K is slightly more expensive than AMD’s competing Ryzen 5 9600X.

Value: 3 / 5

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Specs

An Intel Core Ultra 5 processor slotted into a motherboard — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Chipset & features

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K are newly architected desktop processors, powered by the same Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores found in the Intel Meteor Lake chips released late last year for laptops.

Intel Arrow Lake is essentially Intel Meteor Lake for desktops, and so it also features the same Intel NPU 3 13 TOPS neural processor as Meteor Lake, and the same Intel Arc Alchemist integrated GPU with four Xe cores (including four ray tracing cores) as its laptop cousin.

The max clock speeds of the Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 5 245K are slightly lower on performance cores (though with a higher base frequency) and higher across the board on the efficiency cores over the Core i9-14900K and Core i5-14600K, respectively.

The maximum amount of RAM is unchanged at 192GB, though the Core Ultra chips do not support DDR4 RAM, but they can support faster DDR5 memory up to 6,400MT/s.

Other than that, the TDP of the two Core Ultra chips is essentially unchanged from the 14th-gen chips they’re replacing, but they do have a 5°C higher TjMax (Tjunction max, which is the maximum thermal junction temperature that a processor can hit before it lowers performance to prevent overheating), so the chips won’t start to throttle until they hit 105°C.

Features: 3.5 / 5

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Performance

Intel Core Ultra 5 processor in a motherboard — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Well, we’ve finally come to the performance segment of the review, and I wish I had better news for you, but most of you will be disappointed.

Starting with synthetic performance, the Core Ultra 9 285K is a very mixed bag vis-a-vis the Core i9-14900K and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and Ryzen 9 9900X.

In some tests like Geekbench 6.2, the Core Ultra 9 outperforms the 14900K in single-core performance by about 8%, only to lose out by about the same in Cinebench R23’s single-core benchmark. Meanwhile, in Cinebench R23’s multi-core performance, the Core Ultra 9 285K comes in about 12% faster than the 14900K and is essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X.

The Core Ultra 5 245K, meanwhile, is effectively even with the Core i5-14600K, but fares much better in PCMark 10’s Home CPU benchmark, showing a roughly 14.5% performance boost over the 14600K and a 5.6% better showing than the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X.

In terms of average creative performance, the Core Ultra 9 285K does slightly better than the 14900K but slightly worse than the Ryzen 9 9950X — it’s substantially better than the Ryzen 9 9900X, on average, however.

The Core Ultra 5 245K, meanwhile does slightly worse, on average, than the Core i5-14600K, but comes out nearly 23% better on average than the Ryzen 5 9600X.

The gaming performance of the Core Ultra chips was easily the biggest disappointment, however, and is where these two chips really falter against Raptor Lake Refresh.

The Core Ultra 9 285K came in about 14% slower in gaming performance than the Core i9-14900K (though about 7-8% better than the Ryzen 9 9950X and Ryzen 9 9900X).

The Core Ultra 5 245K, meanwhile, came in about 9% slower than the i5-14600K, and only about 4% faster than the Ryzen 5 9600X.

Needless to say, if you’re looking for the best processor for gaming, you’ll want to look at the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D or wait to see what the upcoming AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D does later this year.

When all the scores are tabulated and the final averages calculated, the Core Ultra 9 285K shows slightly better multi-core performance, slightly lower single-core performance, slightly better creative performance, and much worse gaming performance against its predecessor.

The Core Ultra 5 245K is generally slower for just about everything compared to the Core i5-14600K, though it does have much better productivity performance, so this will make a great chip for affordable AIO PCs without discrete graphics.

The real disappointment with Arrow Lake, though, lies with its energy efficiency... or lack thereof. Most people don’t even need the performance of the Intel Core i9-14900K or even the Intel Core i5-14600K, so I’d be fine with lower performance if it meant that there was much less power draw, but the Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 5 245K max out at 90.5% and 93.3% of the power of their predecessors, respectively.

That’s still much too high, and at that point, you might as well just stick with Raptor Lake Refresh and undervolt the CPU.

Ultimately, given the significantly higher cost of making the switch to these processors from the LGA 1700 chips, the performance and efficiency just don’t make these compelling purchases on their own.

If you’re shopping for the best prebuilt gaming PC though, though, I won’t be too worried about picking between one with a 14th-gen chip or these new Core Ultras. You’re not going to notice the difference.

Performance: 3.5 / 5

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Should you buy it?

Buy the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Intel Core Ultra 5 245K if...

If you haven't made the leap to the latest Intel processors, you're going to have to buy all new stuff anyway, so you might as well go for these chips and future-proof your PC for Nova Lake next year.

While the efficiency gains on these two chips aren't huge, they are more efficient, which is definitely a good thing.View Deal

Don't buy them if...

Running these chips is going to require a new motherboard at least, and likely will require you to buy new RAM as well, making these chips a substantial investment.

While the performance of these chips is great in absolute terms, they aren't any better than their predecessors, though substantially worse for gaming.

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Also Consider

The Intel Core i7-14700K is still my pick for the best processor for most people thanks to its strong performance and accessible pricing.

Read the full Intel Core i7-14700K review

If you're looking for the best processor for gaming, then this is the processor you need to buy, at least until its successor come out.

Read the full AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D review

How I tested the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K

When I test processors, I put them through a rigorous process that takes into account synthetic benchmarks, creative workloads, gaming performance, and more to arrive at my scores.

I use industry standard tools like Geekbench, Cinebench, and PCMark, as well as creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, Blender, and Handbrake.

For gaming, I use built-in benchmarks for CPU-intensive games like Total War: Warhammer III on low graphics settings at 1080p to better isolate a CPU's impact on the game's framerates.

Finally, I make sure to use the same system for common-socket processors, the fastest RAM and SSD, and the most powerful GPU and motherboards available to maintain consistency wherever possible to ensure that CPU scores are comparable.

With each new processor I review, I retest previous processors I've reviewed in order to get updated scores for each, after installing the latest system and BIOS updates.

I've tested and retested two generations of processors more times than I can count over the last couple of years, so I am intimately familiar with how these chips perform, and my deep computer science and journalism background allows me to put all of this testing data into its proper context for consumers so they can make the right choice when shopping for a new processor.

Originally reviewed October 2024

Logitech POP Icon Keys review: Bursting with color

10:58 pm | October 23, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Two-minute review

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background. — (Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

Most keyboards tend to be fairly sedate affairs – even the most brightly lit RGB-infused board typically comes with plain black keys – and those that sport interesting designs are often constrained to the costly realms of enthusiast DIY builders. The Logitech POP Icon Keys breaks that trend. It boasts a range of beautiful designs that will turn heads and catch the eye; if you’re tired of uninspired keyboards limiting your choices, it’s definitely worth a look.

In terms of typing feel, there are no mechanical switches here, but you still get a speedy, comfortable experience. The slightly dished keys are easy to find by touch and they’re mostly quiet, although the space bar can be annoyingly loud and rattly.

There are a few other notable drawbacks. You can’t adjust the typing angle as the included stand is fixed in place, andit also has some issues with ghosting, where keys aren’t always registered when you’re pressing several at once.

If you don’t mind those issues, though, the POP Icon Keys is fairly priced at $49.99 (£49.99 or $99.95 AUD) and, with its bold and bright looks, brings something a little different to the table.

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $49.99 / £49.99 / $99.95 AUD
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Logitech POP Icon Keys costs $49.99 (£49.99 or $99.95 AUD). That feels very reasonable considering its unique looks and handy features. The POP Icon Keys is available at the Logitech official website or from third-party retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Design

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Let’s be honest: a keyboard can look as pretty as a picture, but the way it feels will trump appearance any day of the week. So, what’s it like to actually use the POP Icon Keys?

More often than not, it’s a positive experience. The low-profile keycaps are concave and slightly textured, which makes them easy to feel by touch. The keys don’t use mechanical switches, but they’re comfortable to use and slightly soft on the way down, albeit without any hint of sponginess.

This keyboard is designed for the workplace, and that means you get a quiet typing experience – for the most part. While the majority of its keys are quietly audible without being distracting, the space bar is noticeably loud and slightly rattly. In terms of sound, it’s the only egregious part of this keyboard, but it’s worth noting.

When it comes to appearances, Logitech has knocked it out of the park. My review unit came in the “off white and orange” colorway, and it looks absolutely gorgeous. The orange legends stand out pleasingly well against the white keycaps, with the action buttons (I’ll come back to those in the Performance section) contrasting well with the surrounding keys. It’s a well thought out color scheme that will look great on your desk. Logitech also offers a few other color options, all of which look attractive.

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The downside of the design is that the key legends are simply printed onto the keycaps. This means that they will start to rub off over time, especially if you use the POP Icon Keys a lot. It probably won’t happen right away, but it’s something to consider. The printed legends also mean there’s no backlighting, which makes the board a little harder to use in a dark room.

Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the typing angle. Logitech has put a bar on the underside of the keyboard that acts as a stand, but there’s no way to raise or lower it. The default angle is fairly comfortable, but I’d have liked to have been able to raise it a bit higher.

Logitech has used a compact layout for the POP Icon Keys, with the arrow keys smushed under the Enter button instead of off to the side. Finding the Home and End keys in their new location takes a little getting used to (my regular keyboard has a tenkeyless layout), but it’s otherwise a good way to save space on your desk.

I know it’s not designed for gaming, but it’s worth pointing out that the POP Icon Keys isn’t great here. The Option/Start and Command/Alt keys are very close together -- in fact, the former is positioned where you might normally expect to find the latter -- so you can end up accidentally opening the Start menu during games. You should disable this key in software before you start gaming (unfortunately, you can’t do this in Options+ so you will need a different app).

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Performance

The Logi Options+ companion app gives you tons of control over setting up shortcuts and macros and then binding them to the keyboard’s buttons. You can assign shortcuts to the Home, End, Page Up and Page Down keys (known as the “action keys”), as well as the brightness controls and F4 to F12 in the function row. These shortcuts can be used to control system settings or launch combinations of actions, and there are even app-specific controls that will do different things depending on which app you’re using. It’s all very well done and pretty powerful.

The POP Icon Keys can switch between three different devices, and doing so is fast and simple thanks to the dedicated buttons in the function row. It works with Windows, macOS, iPadOS, iOS and Android. Helpfully, the keys are printed with legends for both Windows and macOS.

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Logi Options+ application showcasing the Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard — (Image credit: Logitech)

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As for connectivity, you can hook the board up to your computer using Bluetooth. There’s no wired option or wired charging – it’s batteries only. Speaking of which, the POP Icon Keys uses two AAA batteries to keep it juiced up. These are included with the keyboard, and Logitech says you’ll get three years of life out of them.

After doing some testing, it became apparent that the keyboard has a few issues with ghosting. When holding down, say, four keys on one side of the keyboard, pressing buttons on the other side sometimes would not register. It’s probably fairly unlikely that you’ll be pressing any five keys at once, but ideally you want what’s called “n-key rollover,” which means you can press any number of keys at once and they’ll all register. Clearly that’s not the case here.

Should you buy the Logitech POP Icon Keys?

Buy the Logitech POP Icon Keys if…

You want an eye-catching keyboard

Logitech has several attractive designs for the POP Icon Keys, and any one of them will look great on your desk.View Deal

You value long battery life

Instead of an internal rechargeable battery, the POP Icon Keys uses alkaline cells instead. That gives it extra-long battery life without needing to plug it in.View Deal

You like customizable buttons

Many of this device’s keys are customizable in the Logi Options+ app, giving you extra controls that can be tailored to your needs.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

Ergonomics are important to you

The POP Icon Keys’ typing angle cannot be adjusted and felt a little low to me. If you don’t like it, there’s not a lot you can do to change it.View Deal

You’re a gamer

Let’s be honest, this is not a gaming keyboard, and you won’t find any gaming-specific features here.View Deal

You want n-key rollover

In my testing, I noticed some keys wouldn’t register when several others were pressed at the same time. If that’s a problem for you, look for keyboards that feature n-key rollover.View Deal

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Also consider

Razer Huntsman Mini

The Razer Huntsman Mini is definitely a more gaming-oriented keyboard, with its excellent optical switches and extra features like Razer’s Snap Tap. It’s also our pick for the best mini keyboard. You can pick one up for $69.99 (£119.99 or $219.95 AUD) on Razer’s website.

Read our full Razer Huntsman Mini reviewView Deal

Yunzii AL71

The Yunzii AL71 is another compact keyboard that’s wowed us. It lacks the POP Icon Keys’ programmable buttons, but in return you get a solid build, tons of customizability, and mechanical switches that make for a superb typing experience.

Read our full Yunzii AL71 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Logitech POP Icon Keys

I tested the Logitech POP Icon Keys by using it to type articles, play games and browse the internet. I tried it on both Windows and macOS and used its Logi Options+ app to create shortcuts and assign them to different keys.

First reviewed October 2024

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: ditch your laptop with this specialized, standalone drawing tablet

9:41 pm | October 16, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad: One-minute review

The XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad could be the perfect product for you, especially if you’re a creative looking for a highly competent but not so highly priced slate.

The XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad at its core is a fairly typical Android tablet – you get front and rear cameras, all the usual apps and a bunch of connectivity options. However, you’re also getting a slate that’s optimized for digital art, with a textured X-Paper display, included stylus and pre-installed drawing software. And the actual drawing experience is high quality here – you get a faithful recreation of the pen-to-paper feel, decent responsiveness and solid color accuracy.

Lag can rear its head from time to time and processing power isn’t top quality, meaning you’re not exactly getting top-tier performance, but for the price you pay, that’s not too bad a sacrifice. After all, this slate has a pretty modest list price of $499.99 / £539.99 / AU$799.99, especially given the fact that a stylus, interchangeable nibs and a case are all included in that – value-wise, that places it among some of the best drawing tablets.

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad on standby, balanced on its edge with stylus placed in front of it — (Image credit: Future)

But that’s not all, you’re also getting solid battery life here – around 13 hours at medium-brightness – and plenty of storage, which can be upgraded with a microSD card. Combine that with a slim, relatively lightweight design and anti-glare screen tech and you’re looking at an ideal pad to take with you on the go.

It might not best some of the latest Apple iPads in areas like style or processing power – and the included stylus here might not have incredible levels of technical or aesthetic finesse, but if value is the key to your heart, the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad is still well worth considering.

Top right corner of the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad against a pink background — (Image credit: Future)

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Price and release date

$499.99 / £539.99 / AU$799.99
Launched in January 2024

The XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad released in January 2024 – at the time being described by its creator as “the industry's first professional and mobile standalone drawing tablet”.

It launched with a list price of $499.99 / £539.99 / AU$799.99, but I’ve already spotted it going for considerably cheaper. On the official XP-Pen site, I’ve seen the Magic Drawing Pad go for as little as $429.99. It’s also regularly available for £449.99 on Amazon UK. That price includes the X3 Pro Pencil, protective case, charging cable and drawing glove. This is a good value pad, especially given the fact it performs most of the functions you’d get from the best Android tablets. Given the inclusion of a stylus and case, the list price is even cheaper than what you’d expect from a more affordable mid-range tablet, like the Apple iPad 10.9 (more on this in the ‘Also Consider’ section).

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Specs

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Design

Slim, relatively lightweight design
Satisfying 12-inch X-Paper display
Included case doesn’t quite hit the spot

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad on home screen, balanced on its edge with stylus placed in front of it — (Image credit: Future)

Something that’s instantly likable about the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad is its slim, attractive design. This slate is only 6.9mm thick and weighs 599g / 1.3lbs, meaning that it's pleasingly light, but not quite featherweight – finding a sweet spot between high portability and build quality. You get a nice-sized display here too. At 12.2 inches, you’ll have plenty of room to play with, but the pad still won’t be overly large for the average desk or workspace.

Another aspect of the display that I found pleasing was the textured X-Paper surface, which did a solid job of emulating the typical pen-to-paper experience (more on this later). This TFT-LCD display is ideal – both in look and feel – for sketches and also cuts out both glare and blue light emissions. This makes it a suitable choice no matter the environment you’re drawing in, whether indoors in low light or outside in the shimmering sun. My only slight complaint here is that the auto-adjusting brightness sometimes gave me a darker display than I would want – though this was nothing a swift manual adjustment couldn’t fix.

This slate, as you’d hope, is fairly minimalistic when it comes to physical features. There are two microphones and four speakers, as well as rear and front cameras – all of which is great if you want the typical tablet experience. But other than that there’s just a USB-C charging port, power, and volume buttons. It might be better if the power and volume buttons were on the same side – just for ease-of-use – but they work well regardless.

As well as the Magic Drawing Pad itself, you get the X3 Pro Pencil and interchangeable nibs (see Stylus section for more), a drawing glove, charging cable and adapter, and a protective case. I have medium-large-sized hands and personally found the drawing glove fit nicely, but I think it would suit most regardless. It’s a handy addition for those – like me – who sometimes find themselves accidentally scribbling/issuing commands with their palm or pinky finger.

The case, meanwhile, wasn’t my favorite. The outer blue color is nice enough, but the opaque reverse side just shows a ton of fingerprints after handheld use. Additionally, the pen holder is on the back of the case, which is practical when carrying the tablet around, but not so good for when you need to put the pen down for a minute during use. Finally, there’s no way to prop the tablet up with this case, so you’ll have to keep it flat unless you have a suitable stand already. This is, of course, quite a minor issue and there are other cases – including some with stands – available if you’re not satisfied with this one.

Design score: 4/5

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Performance

Pretty authentic pen-to-paper drawing experience
Responsive and accurate in-use
Comes with standard tablet features despite specialist profile

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad in case, on standby against pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Luckily, this slate isn’t just a good looker, though. Yep, it performs very nicely, especially given its pretty modest price tag.

What I really enjoyed with the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad was how it recreated the pen-to-paper experience very faithfully. Whether I was drawing a picture or writing out words, scribbling on the matte screen typically felt very silky. The only time it didn’t was if I applied a high amount of pressure onto the slate’s surface with the stylus. When doing this, I’d feel a bit of resistance from the surface – just as if it was some textured paper – but this was extremely satisfying and only made the drawing experience feel more authentic. Further, I never felt frustrated by accidental smudging and it was a rarity for me to catch commands unintentionally. Combine that with the excellent-feeling screen and you get a super-smooth drawing experience.

When I tried drawing on both ibisPaint X and an Adobe creative platform, there wasn’t any noticeable jitter, which was especially helpful when drawing straight lines. Lag, meanwhile, wasn’t totally absent. This was pretty limited for the most part, but when I zoomed in and sketched some pictures of a fruit bowl I realized a slight delay in the contact-to-drawing conversion process. Lag wasn’t bad enough to trouble me at any stage particularly, however, so take this more as a nitpick than a denunciation of the Magic Drawing Pad’s quality.

The wider user-experience flows nicely too, even if the slate’s processing capabilities aren’t next-level. I did find, on occasion, that there was a bit of delay when scrolling through menus, especially with multiple tabs open, though this was nothing too grating. The Magic Drawing Pad did great with all the typical tablet stuff and whether I was browsing the net, checking emails, or even watching YouTube videos, it got the job done. It was, admittedly, a little odd watching video content on this slate – I’m not sure its display type and brightness capabilities are so well-suited for such activity – but if you want it, it's there and it works without issue. What was slightly less odd was the inclusion of front and rear cameras. Now, neither of these offer top-drawer quality, but they’re useful if you want to snap a photo for stenciling or reference.

On top of that, this pad does a very nice job of replicating colors, making for high-quality end-products if you’re sketching something from scratch. You get 109% sRGB coverage here, meaning colors are reproduced faithfully and accurately. Pair this with a very respectable 2160 x 1440 resolution and you get a vibrant, eye-catching slate that’s well-suited for either casual or professional use.

If you are using this thing professionally, you may be worried about storage space – but that’s not likely to be an issue here. The Magic Drawing Pad is packed with 256GB of internal storage, but you can add an additional 512GB with a microSD card – that should do it. You’ll also be able to draw for hours on end thanks to this slate’s 8,000mAh battery. This should give you approximately 13 hours worth of battery life, though this number will be a bit smaller if you’re using the slate at high brightness levels during outdoor use, for instance.

Performance score: 4/5

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Stylus

16k pressure levels
No need to pair or charge
Comfortable feel and slim-look

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad in case, on standby against pink background with stylus on top of the slate — (Image credit: Future)

The XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad comes with an X3 Pro Pencil, which is a straightforward, yet sleek-looking instrument. It uses electro-magnetic resonance tech, as well as a dedicated X3 Pro chip to enable a more stable, accurate and natural-feeling drawing experience.

Something I loved about this pen straight off the bat was its simplicity. You don’t have to mess around with pairing or charging it. That’s especially great if you’re out and about and don’t want to run out of juice half way through a drawing. It’s also very comfortable to use, with a slim feel and medium length. If you’re not totally happy with the nib-size of the pen, though, you’re in luck. This slate comes with a collection of interchangeable nibs so you can find the right thickness or sharpness no matter what masterpiece you’re crafting.

But how does it fare on a more technical level? Not too badly. The X3 Pro Pencil isn’t particularly flashy. There’s no tilt functionality, which professional users may find a little bit disappointing, and there’s no customizable options for grip thickness or similar. However, it does still have a shortcut button that I found particularly useful for undoing drawing errors quickly – though you can set this button to perform a number of other functions too. On top of that, the pressure level is excellent and up to industry standard. XP-Pen claims that this stylus is the “world’s first” with 16k pressure levels, though going so far beyond the 8,000 mark – which will be plenty for many artists – may feel a little gimmicky to some.

Stylus score: 4/5

Should I buy the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad?

Reverse side of the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad protective case — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You’re a pro looking for an affordable slate
XP-Pen is marketing this tablet as a professional-standard standalone option for creatives and, ultimately, it lives up to the claim. You’re not getting the perfect package – for instance, the included stylus skips on tilt capabilities and processing power isn’t top-tier, but you still get vibrant colors and a pleasing pen-to-paper feel.

You want standard tablet functionality
What makes this a great-value product is the inclusion of typical tablet functionality alongside specialized drawing features. You don’t need to connect the Magic Drawing Pad to your laptop or PC – it has the Android 12 OS built-in, making it perfect for on-the-go use. It also comes equipped with front and rear cameras, Google Play store and all the usual apps, making it an excellent multi-purpose pick.

Don't buy it if...

You want top-level processing power
If you want the best performance on the market, the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad may not be for you. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t have too many issues with this slate, but there were a couple of instances with noticeable lag when drawing or scrolling through apps with multiple tabs open.

You want ultimate customizability
The included X3 Pro Pencil does have interchangeable nibs and a multi-function shortcut key, but that’s as far as it goes customization-wise. On top of that, there aren’t any color options for the slate or pen.View Deal

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad: Also consider

Apple iPad 10.9 (256GB)
In reality, the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad is something of a departure from typical drawing pads and closer to an all-purpose tablet. As a result, it only seems right to recommend one of the best tablets, the Apple iPad 10.9. This is a pleasingly affordable tablet with a beautiful display and design, not to mention it comes in a range of enticing color options. The catch? You’re gonna have to pay extra for an Apple Pencil for drawing as well as cellular connectivity if you need internet connection when out and about. Read our full Apple iPad 10.9 review.

Wacom Movink
OK, so the Wacom Movink might not be a fully standalone drawing tablet, but if you’re looking for a high-quality slate to compose and edit digital art, it's still an exceptional option. Sure it’ll set you back a bit more than the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad, but with a gorgeous OLED display, impressive portability and the highly customizable Wacom Pro Pen 3, you’re still highly likely to be satisfied with the Wacom Movink. Read our full Wacom Movink review.

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: How I tested

Tested over the course of one week
Used in the office and outside in sunlight
Trialed multiple drawing/editing platforms

Person drawing a picture of a pig on the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad with the words 'le cochon' written on the right side of the screen — (Image credit: Future)

I got to spend one week with the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad, during which I exhausted all of its core functions, from using drawing tools to taking photos and watching YouTube videos.

When drawing or editing pictures, I made sure to trial multiple platforms. I predominantly used the pre-installed ibisPaint X, but I also tapped into Adobe creative cloud software. I used the included X3 Pro Pencil throughout the entire testing process.

In order to test anti-glare tech and get a feel for its portability, I took the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad out and about and drew on it in natural daylight. I also get to spend plenty of time with the slate in the office, in both artificial and low-light settings.

Read more about how we test
First reviewed: October 2024

Hexgears Immersion A3 review: A solid low-profile gaming keyboard

9:07 pm |

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

Hexgears Immersion A3: Two-minute review

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The Hexgears Immersion A3 mechanical gaming keyboard against a blue background. — (Image credit: Future)

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The Hexgears Immersion A3 is a low-profile gaming keyboard with a few neat tricks up its sleeve. It will probably appeal to a fairly niche audience, but if you’re one of those people, it could be just what you’re looking for.

What do I mean by that? Well, this is a keyboard with hot-swappable switches, low-profile keycaps, and a dedicated mini display for changing the RGB backlighting. Those aren’t things everyone will care for, but they’re certainly nice to have if you’re a keyboard enthusiast. Its typing feel is comfortable and it’s solid when it comes to anti-ghosting and input lag, with no problematic keys or combinations that I could detect.

While those are all encouraging signs, the Hexgears Immersion A3 falls short in other areas. Its White Rain linear switches are an acquired taste – not as fast as standard linear switches, but not as comfortable for typing as their clickier siblings. They’re the sort of thing you really need to try to understand if you like them – and that’s not easy for everyone to do.

Still, the Immersion A3 is priced pretty fairly and is by no means a bad keyboard. It grew on me over my time using it, and you might find it’s got the right combination of features for your needs. But it lacks that certain must-have element that makes it a true necessity – there are no special features for gaming, for example – so it isn’t quite able to elevate itself into our picks for the best keyboard around.

Hexgears Immersion A3: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $129.99 / £99.99 (around AU$195)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Hexgears Immersion A3 costs $129.99 (about £100 or $195 AUD). That’s reasonable (but perhaps a smidge high) considering you get hot-swappable mechanical switches, a really solid build and a built-in mini display.

It can be bought from the Hexgears website and third-party retailers like Amazon.

Hexgears Immersion A3: Design

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The most important thing when considering any keyboard is its typing feel, so we’ll start there. The unit I was sent to review came with a set of White Rain switches, which are silent linears made by Kailh. I’m not usually a fan of linears – being someone who writes all day, every day, I prefer clicky switches in my keyboards – and my first impression with the White Rain switches was not good at all. They felt heavy and spongey, much more so than regular linear switches, which means they lose a lot of the speed you expect from this type of switch. Compared to something like the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro and its absolutely rapid linear switches, for example, the difference is night and day.

But the longer I used Hexgears’ White Rain switches, the more they grew on me. Sure, they still don’t compare to the comfort and accuracy of a good set of clicky switches. But they have a few things going for them that make them better for typing than a lot of linear alternatives.

For one thing, they are very quiet, which is ideal for use in the office. For another, their sponginess means they are very soft when pressed. I often find linear switches’ lack of tactility leaves me bottoming out the keys, leading to sore fingers after a few hours. That was never an issue with Hexgears’ Immersion A3.

As well as that, the keyboard’s switches are hot-swappable, so you can replace them if you don’t like them. The Kailh switches used by Hexgears come with two connection pins, so bear that in mind that if you want to change them.

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Hexgears has opted for low-profile keycaps made of polycarbonate plastic. They attract smudges like there’s no tomorrow, but they feel smooth and comfortable in use. Unfortunately, the shine-through RGB backlighting is weak due to the lights’ north-facing arrangement, which makes them hard to see when you glance down at the keys.

I also found the low-profile keycaps to be less than ideal for gaming: in the heat of the moment, their smooth, compact design was harder to quickly operate by touch than chunkier traditional keycaps.

Visually, the Immersion A3 looks lovely. Its chassis comprises a brushed metal top plate and sturdy plastic undersides, giving the whole thing a rock-solid feel. On the back are some flip-out feet, but they definitely don’t tilt the keyboard as high as I’d like. Still, its tenkeyless layout is minimal without being overly sparse and comes with a few extra buttons at the top for Bluetooth connectivity and operating the mini display (more on that later). There aren’t any dedicated media buttons, but they’re instead integrated into the function row of keys.

The Immersion A3 comes with an interactive mini display in the top-right corner. This is used to adjust the lighting, show the time or even display an animated GIF, which you can load up using the HexDrive app. You control the display using a dimpled flipper and four buttons to the left of the screen. This is a bit of a sub-optimal arrangement – not only does this extra row of buttons make the keyboard noticeably taller, but a press on the flipper doesn’t actually register until the very bottom of its range of movement, so you sometimes find yourself pressing it without anything happening. It also feels like Hexgears could have perhaps incorporated the buttons into the display or the function row in a more space-saving way.

Hexgears Immersion A3: Performance

The Immersion A3’s typing feel is comfortable and it’s solid when it comes to anti-ghosting and input lag, with no problematic keys or combinations that I could detect. Switching between devices and connectivity methods is fast and responsive. Hexgears says you’ll get 50 hours of life out of its battery and I had no issues here either.

On the software side is the HexDrive app. This lets you create macros, adjust the RGB lighting, save profiles and more. It’s a pretty basic app and its design is very barebones, but it’s useable, if a little confusing at times. There’s no macOS version, though, so you’ll have to go without if you’re not of the Windows persuasion.

Speaking of macOS, the Immersion A3 works with Apple’s computers, and you can switch the layout from Windows to macOS by pressing and holding the Function and Tab keys together. That means you can ensure keys like Option and Command work as expected.

Other than Windows and macOS, the keyboard also works with iOS, iPadOS and Android over Bluetooth. You can connect to a computer using Bluetooth, the included 2.4GHz wireless receiver, or the USB-C to USB-A cable that’s included in the box. If you use Bluetooth, you can switch between three different connected devices, which is a nice touch.

Should you buy the Hexgears Immersion A3?

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Buy the Hexgears Immersion A3 if…

You like its looks

The brushed metal top plate is classy and striking, and coupled with the low-profile keycaps, it gives a pleasing visual effect.View Deal

You want the flexibility of hot-swappable switches

The keyboard’s Kailh switches can be swapped for other options, giving you more choice in how your board feels. View Deal

You want a ‘softer’ linear switch

The White Rain switches in my review unit are slower but softer than traditional linears, which might be to your liking.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You’ll be doing lots of fast-paced gaming

The low-profile keycaps and heavier linear switches aren’t the best fit for shooters and other intense games, and the keyboard lacks special features like rapid trigger mode that you find on some rival devices.View Deal

You rely on stronger backlighting

This keyboard’s north-facing RGB lights mean the backlighting isn’t as bright as it could be, which makes it a little harder to read the keys when required.View Deal

You want to use it with a Mac

Hexgears’ app doesn’t work in macOS and the keyboard doesn’t switch its layout between Windows and Mac, meaning some buttons aren’t where you expect them to be when using Apple’s computers.View Deal

Hexgears Immersion A3: Also consider

Corsair K100 Air Wireless

The Corsair K100 Air Wireless is a low-profile gaming keyboard that’s absolutely jam-packed with features. At $279, it’s a lot more expensive than Hexgears’ offering, though.

Read our full Corsair K100 Air Wireless reviewView Deal

Lofree Flow Lite

More of a typist’s tool than a gaming board, the Lofree Flow Lite features linear switches, a volume roller and a rock-solid design. It costs $159.

Read our full Lofree Flow Lite reviewView Deal

How we tested the Hexgears Immersion A3

I tested the Hexgears Immersion A3 by using it day-to-day to write articles, browse the web and play games. I connected it to a Windows PC and to a Mac and tried the features of its HexDrive companion app on Windows.

First reviewed October 2024

Lenovo Legion R25F-30 review: a solid 1080p gaming monitor with some compromises

8:04 pm | October 11, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: Forza Motorsport | Comments: Off

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Two-minute review

There are many reasons why PC gamers may prefer a 1080p gaming monitor like the $179 Lenovo Legion R25f-30 over displays with higher resolutions. Beyond serving individuals who may be on a tighter budget, performance gains through higher frame rates in the modern gaming era can help more competitive-minded gamers.

With a 24.5-inch VA panel, 1080p native resolution and 280Hz refresh rate, the Legion R25f-30 does a great job where it counts. The image quality is wonderful thanks to covering 99% of the sRGB and 90% of the DCI-P3 color space while supporting HDR. On the other hand, AMD FreeSync alongside a 0.5ms response time helps on the performance side of things.

To further improve gameplay performance, the Legion R25f-30 comes equipped with AMD FreeSync Premium technology and ClearMR 7000 certification, eliminating stutters and screen tearing for an ultra-smooth gaming experience. Gamers will enjoy stunning visual fidelity, as the monitor covers 99% of the sRGB and 90% of the DCI-P3 color space, delivering vibrant, true-to-life colors. This is great for entry-to-mid-level content creators or beginning colorists in terms of color accuracy for the Adobe crowd. The Legion R25f-30 works fine enough when browsing the web or using management software with clarity and crisp fonts.

With support for HDR, lighting and shadows appear more realistic, adding depth and detail to every scene. If that’s all PC gamers on the cheaper side are looking for, then that sub-$200 gaming monitor could be worth it. Gamers playing titles like Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake II will get some of the best image quality they can get at this price point. The same goes for more esports titles like League of Legends, Fortnite, and Call of Duty where input latency and high frame rates are vital for victory.

The Lenovo Legion R25f-30 has a few drawbacks, starting with its rather plain design that lacks visual flair. While the monitor provides adjustable comfort with lift, tilt, pivot, and swivel options, its two built-in 3W stereo speakers are underwhelming and not ideal for serious use. Additionally, it lacks USB ports and in-display overlays, with crosshair overlays and color settings only accessible through the separate Lenovo Artery software. Compared to other budget gaming monitors, it falls short at times.

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Price and availability

A Lenovo Legion R25f-30 on a desk — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

When is it available? Now
How much does it cost? $179.99/£139.00/AU $299.00
Where can you get it? US, UK, and Australia

The Lenovo Legion R25f-30 is available now in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia territories. Priced at $179.99 (£139.00, AU $299.00), the gaming monitor can be purchased from Lenovo’s online store or various online stores like Newegg in the U.S., Currys Business in the UK, and Centrecom in Australia. If image quality and performance matter more to you, the sub-$200 price tag could be worth it.

You won't find any USB ports or powerful speakers in way of features, just the Lenovo Artery software compatibility and onboard speakers. If you want more bang-for-your-buck, you may want to look into the RCA Evolution Select M27SG134F. At the cost of only having 168Hz refresh rate, the 1440p display provides commendable image quality and performance, plus better speakers and on-screen displays.

Understand that there are affordable 4K monitors of quality as well like the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q. Of course, those two other potential choices will require a rig that can handle solid output beyond 1080p.

Value: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Specs

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Design

When it comes to overall design aesthetics, the all-black colorway of The Lenovo Legion R25f-30 is a bit boring. Don’t expect an aggressive angular design outside of the base which features the Lenovo logo stretched across triangular grills.

No RGB lighting or anything of the likes are to be found here. Thankfully, the fairly generic design does lend itself to a simple setup. Simply screw in the base to the neck and snap both into the back panel.

To secure the back panel to the neck, there are four large screws that require some tightening.

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The overall weight of the gaming monitor is a bit less than 15lbs which means it's easy to maneuver around. Meanwhile, adjustments to display position include lift, tilt, pivot and swivel.

The swivel can also convert the Legion R25f-30 to portrait layout as well. There are several buttons on the back panel for power, input, game-related modes and a thumb stick for navigating and selecting options on the in-display menu.

Power comes through a port that connects directly to an outlet so you don’t have to worry about an adapter. Outside of that, the only ports are one single DisplayPort, two HDMI ports and 3.5 headphone jack. Some USB ports would have been nice but considering the budget nature, these are understandable.

Design: 3 / 5

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Features

The feature set of the Lenovo Legion R25f-30 is very light which is expected given the sub-$200 price tag. Alongside the lack of USB ports or more standard gaming monitor features like KVM, there are two extras that you may find interesting - the first is compatibility with Lenovo’s Artery software.

This allows features like crosshair and frame rate overlays and easier access to color correction on the monitor. Understand that console players are going to miss out on any of these capabilities since it’s tied to the software.

Another feature are the two 3W in-display speakers that are fairly weak for everyday usage. If the room is quiet, they could be good for the occasional YouTube video.

However, serious gamers are going to either use the 3.5m headphone jack or a pair of the best wireless headphones around. The volume on the speakers aren’t the highest and lack any real sonic nuance.

Features: 3 / 5

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Performance

Performance is the highlight of the Lenovo Legion R25F-30 thanks to its 280Hz refresh rate and 0.5 latency which will definitely give gamers a competitive edge. Add AMD FreeSync Premium into the mix and this display competes very well in that department. Playing competitive online titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III feels great on the R25F-30.

Motion is buttery smooth with no noticeable screen tearing. Having a powerful desktop for this 1080p display means these games enjoy significantly higher framerates that make good usage of its 280Hz refresh rate. Even more fast-paced games like Black Myth: Wukong and Forza Motorsport (2023) feel incredibly tactile thanks to the low latency.

When it comes to image quality, the Legion R25f-30 makes great use of its 380 peak nits of brightness, 3000:1 contrast, and 16.7 million color support. Though some tinkering is required to get near perfect color accuracy in both SDR and HDR, images look great on the gaming monitor.

This is noticeable in gaming when playing titles like Alan Wake II and Cyberpunk 2077. Having the settings pumped up to max on these games provide great visuals that the Legion R25f-30 can really take advantage of at the 1080p resolution range.

This leads into general application use as well. Text is crisp and easily legible on Google Chrome, and videos offer bold colors and deep enough blacks. Creative tools like Adobe Suite mean that content creators will be fine using Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion R25f-30?

Buy it if…

You want a solid budget 1080p display
The Lenovo Legion R25f-30 is definitely for budget gamers with a lower-spec PC. The 1080p imagery this monitor provides is crisp and clear, and the price tag is definitely reasonable for the panel.

You want great performance
Having a high 280Hz refresh rate is one thing, but having a 0.5ms response time and AMD FreeSync Premium capabilities is another for any competitive-minded gamer.

You require fantastic image quality
This gaming monitor makes well use of its 380 nits and high contrast ratio. Add some good HDR into the mix(that might require some tinkering to get right) and the Lenovo Legion R25f-30 offers some great image quality.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a design that balances look and substance
The Lenovo Legion R25f-30 offers a pretty boring design that lacks any real extras like USB ports.

You need some in-display options and settings
This gaming monitor has some simple options from jump but things like overlays are only useful from the Lenovo Artery software.

You want high-quality speakers
Two built-in 3W stereo speakers are fairly weak on the audio quality side. Thankfully, there’s a 3.5 headset jack for gaming headsets.

Also Consider

RCA Evolution Select M27SG134F
At around the same price, the RCA Evolution Select M27SG134F offers so much more than the Lenovo Legion R25f-30. This includes a higher 1440p display with a reduced refresh rate of 160Hz, better speakers and more features.

Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
If image quality matters more than performance, the 4K Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q might be something to look into.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q review

How we tested the Lenovo Legion R25f-30

For the review, the Lenovo Legion R25f-30 was tested over the course of about a week. Daily tasks primarily involved using Google Chrome and Slack, including working with Google Docs and project management software like Asana, as well as social media management tools such as Hootsuite. Slack was also frequently used to communicate across various channels. Additionally, Adobe Suite, including Photoshop and Premiere Pro, was used throughout the week for video and photo editing.

For gaming tests, I evaluated both image quality and performance. To assess image quality, I played Black Myth: Wukong, Hogwarts Legacy, Starfield, and Cyberpunk 2077. On the performance side, I tested Fortnite, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and Forza Motorsport. Additionally, I played Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon and Redout 2.

I’ve spent the past several years covering monitors alongside other PC components for TechRadar. Outside of gaming, I’ve been proficient in Adobe Suite for over a decade as well.

First reviewed September 2024

Netgear Orbi 770 review: fast speeds, low Wi-Fi 7 prices

10:41 pm | October 10, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Internet Wi-Fi & Broadband | Tags: Netgear Orbi | Comments: Off

Netgear Orbi 770: One-minute review

Netgear Orbi 770 router on a table — (Image credit: Future / Cliff Joseph)

We were pleasantly surprised by the Nighthawk RS300 router that Netgear released recently as it marked a move towards slightly more affordable pricing than we’d seen from the company in the past. It looks like that trend is continuing, as Netgear has now launched a new addition to its range of mesh Wi-Fi systems in the form of the Orbi 770, which is considerably less expensive than previous models in the Orbi range.

It’s still not exactly cheap – after all, Wi-Fi 7 is still the current state-of-the-art for Wi-Fi technology – but the Orbi 770 provides tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of 11Gbps, which should be more than fast enough for most homes and small businesses. And, more importantly, it’s a lot less expensive than previous Orbi models, and can even compete with mesh systems from rivals such as Linksys and TP-Link as well. The only sting in the tail, as always, is Netgear’s fondness for selling subscription services that provide additional parental controls and security features.

Netgear Orbi 770: Price and availability

How much does it cost? $999.99 / £899.99 / AU$1,499.00
When is it available?: Available now
Where can you get it?: Available in the US, EU, UK and Australia

There are two options for the Orbi 770 series, with prices starting at £649.99/$699.99 for a two-piece system that consists of one primary router and one secondary ‘satellite’. Netgear states that this two-piece system is capable of covering areas of up to 5,500sq.ft, although regions such as the UK and EU may quote slightly lower coverage areas due to differences in local regulations. However, we tested the top-of-the-range three-piece system that includes a router and two satellites, covering up to 8,000sq.ft, for a total price of £899.99/$999.99. That three-piece system is the only option currently available in Australia, where it is priced at AU$1499.00.

That’s a fraction of the price of Netgear’s high-end Orbi 9700, but also compares well with rivals such as the Linksys Velop Pro 7, which provides similar speeds and features. However, people who need parental controls or more advanced security features may want to shop around to see how much rival manufacturers charge for those features and services.

Value: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 770: Specs

Netgear Orbi 770: Design

Netgear Orbi 770 router system side by side on a table — (Image credit: Future / Cliff Joseph)

Upright design boosts Wi-Fi signal
Primary router with two ‘satellite’ units
2.5GB Ethernet for WAN/LAN connections

Many mesh Wi-Fi systems simply provide you with two or three routers that are completely identical, but the Orbi 770 – like all of Netgear’s Orbi range – consists of a primary router and two additional ‘satellites’. The router and satellites do look very similar, with a tall, upright design that helps them transmit the Wi-Fi signal through a full 360-degrees all around, but there are a number of differences between them. The primary router – which has a helpful sticker on the front that says ‘ROUTER’ in capital letters – has a 2.5Gb Ethernet port (WAN) port for connecting to your existing broadband router or modem, along with three additional 2.5Gb ports to provide wired (LAN) connections for devices such as a games console or set-top box that might work better with a wired network.

Netgear Orbi 770 backside port selection — (Image credit: Future / Cliff Joseph)

In contrast, the satellite units each have just two 2.5Gb port for wired connections. It’s also a little disappointing that there are no USB ports at all, which would allow you to connect a hard drive or other storage device that you could share with other people on your network. The white plastic casing of all three units also feels a little lighter and less sturdy than it does with some of the more expensive Orbi models, so parents with young children should probably place them out of reach of eager little hands.

Design: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 770: Features

Netgear Orbi 770 routers in a row resting on a table — (Image credit: Future / Cliff Joseph)

Good app with simple set-up
Can create guest and IoT networks
Some features require subscriptions

Netgear’s Orbi app has always been easy to use, so getting started is very straightforward – apart from the fact that the router and satellites take a rather leisurely few minutes to warm up before their status lights announce that they’re ready for action.

The app starts by telling you to set up the main router on its own, and you can simply scan a QR code on the router to connect to the new Orbi network. You can use the default network name and password if you want, but you’re also given the option of creating new login details for improved security. You are then prompted to set up the satellites in different locations around your home, and the app automatically connects the three units together to complete your new network.

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Netgear Orbi 770 app, main page — (Image credit: Netgear)

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Netgear Orbi 770 app, IoT WiFi page — (Image credit: Netgear)

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Netgear Orbi 770 app, security page — (Image credit: Netgear)

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Netgear Orbi 770 app, network map page — (Image credit: Netgear)

The Orbi 770 is a tri-band router that can transmit a Wi-Fi signal on the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and 6.0GHz frequency bands, with a top speed of 11Gbps (strictly speaking it’s actually 10.8Gbps but Netgear’s marketing info tends to round the numbers up).

To keep things simple for home users, the Orbi app combines all three bands to create a single network, but there are other options as well. Like most routers and mesh systems, the Orbi 770 allows you to create an additional guest network, but it also introduces a third ‘IoT’ network – or ‘Internet Of Things’ – that sets aside the 2.4GHz frequency band specifically for use with smart devices such as lights and security cameras.

It also supports Wi-Fi 7 features such as MLO – multi-link operation – that allow it to use the 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands together to improve performance (although your computers and other devices will also need to support Wi-Fi 7 in order to use MLO).

But while the Orbi app is easy to use, it’s not exactly overflowing with additional features, and more advanced users might prefer an app that provides more detailed control over your network settings. That rather barebones approach also allows Netgear to try and sell you additional subscriptions that provide more advanced parental controls and security features.

The basic parental controls that are available within the app merely allow you to pause internet access for individual devices, but there are no scheduling features that can limit Internet access to specific times, or content filters for blocking unsuitable websites.

If you want those features then you’ll need to sign up for Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls service, which costs £6.99/$7.99/AU$10.99 per month, or £49.99/$69.99/AU$99.99 per year. You do get a 30-day free trial with Netgear’s Armor security service, but after that you’ll need to pay for an annual subscription starting at £84.99/$99.99/AU$145.00.

As we’ve noted on many occasions in the past, there are rival routers and mesh systems that provide some of these features free of charge, so parents in particular might want to consider some of the alternatives in our list of best mesh systems.

Features: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 770: Performance

11Gbps, tri-band Wi-Fi 6
2.5Gb Ethernet ports
Supports MLO and other Wi-Fi 7 features

It might be far less expensive than other models in the Orbi range, but the Orbi 770 doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to performance. Its 11Gbps speed is more than fast enough to cope with most domestic broadband services, and even many business networks as well, and it’s not even slightly bothered by the troublesome Wi-Fi ‘deadspot’ that we have in an office located towards the back of our building.

Netgear Orbi 770 Benchmarks

Ookla Speed Test - Single merged network (download/upload)

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps/150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps/150Mbps

20GB Steam Download - Single merged network

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps

Our normal office router can provide the full 150Mbps provided by our office network when connecting to devices that are close by. However, its Wi-Fi signal struggles to reach that back office, which means that we normally have to rely on a set of PowerLine adaptors to provide a more reliable wired network connection. As expected, the Orbi 770 doesn’t provide any real improvement for devices that are close to its primary router, simply matching the 150Mbps that we normally get when running the Ookla Speed Test or downloading games from Steam.

However, the Orbi satellites do a great job of extending our new Wi-Fi network into that back office, allowing us to maintain that 150Mbps speed for both Ookla and Steam with no trouble at all.

Admittedly, the Orbi 770 may still be overkill if you’re using older devices that only support Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-fi 6, but it provides a competitively priced Wi-Fi upgrade for owners of newer devices that have Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.

Performance: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Netgear Orbi 770?

Buy it if...

You have lots of bedrooms (or offices)

Most homes and offices will be fine with a single, conventional router, but the Orbi 770 provides far-reaching wi-fi for larger homes and offices.

View Deal

You’re an early adopter

It’s still early days, but there are now lots of computers and mobile devices available that support Wi-Fi 7, making the Orbi 770 a good option for upgrading your Wi-Fi network.

View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re still on Wi-Fi 5 or 6

A Wi-Fi 7 upgrade will be complete overkill for millions of people who are still using older computers and mobile devices that only support Wi-Fi 5 or 6.View Deal

You’re on a budget

The 11Gbps speed of the Orbi 770 is far faster than most domestic broadband services, so cash-strapped customers can still get good performance from last-generation routers that use Wi-Fi 6 or 6E.View Deal

Also Consider

TP-Link Deco BE63

It’s not quite as fast as its Netgear rival, but the Deco’s 10Gbps Wi-Fi is still more than fast enough for most homes. It’s less expensive too, and also provides better parental controls.

Read our full TP-Link Deco BE63 reviewView Deal

Netgear Nighthawk RS300

Not everyone needs an expensive mesh wi-fi system. Owners of more modest homes will get a fast and affordable Wi-Fi 7 upgrade from a conventional router such as Netgear’s Nighthawk RS300.

Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RS300 reviewView Deal

Mous Day backpack: a lightweight but still impressively protective tech-friendly backpack

7:23 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops | Comments: Off

Mous Day backpack one-minute review

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.

Mous Day backpack on a sofa — (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.

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.

First reviewed October 2024

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review: all AMD, but is it any good?

11:02 pm | October 4, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops | Tags: AMD, Total War | Comments: Off

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition: Two-minute review

ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Gaming Advantage Edition gaming laptop resting on a countertop with lid open — (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

Asus has gone with all-AMD hardware build for its new Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (FA617XS) gaming laptop. As an Asus TUF model, that probably makes sense. After all, TUF is Asus's more accessible gaming brand.

Despite that, the specs and hardware look good. You get AMD's excellent Phoenix APU with eight Zen 4 CPU cores, plus AMD's latest entry-level mobile GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S.

Screen-wise, it's an expansive 16-inch IPS panel with 240Hz refresh and 2,560 by 1,600 pixels. It's a really punchy, crisp, and responsive display and definitely one of the highlights of this Asus lappie. Along with those headline features, there's 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

As for build quality, the base unit is all plastic but very sturdy with the exception of a whiff of flex just above the keyboard bed. Meanwhile the screen lid is alloy and lush to the touch. All told, it feels exactly like what it is, the slightly more affordable option from a premium brand.

The same goes for performance. For the most part, it's about on par with an RTX 4060 laptop in games. The proviso, of course, is that applies to conventional raster games. Enable ray tracing and the Nvidia GPU will have quite the edge. Nvidia graphics also offers superior scaling and frame generation technology.

It's worth noting that AMD's Smart Access Graphics tech which switches between the integrated and dedicated graphics can be slightly flakey. Still, the APU makes for fantastic battery life for web browsing and movies of well over 10 hours.

So, this is a pretty nice machine overall. But the more highly you value the gaming experience, the harder it is to ignore the obvious-for-a-reason Nvidia RTX 4060 options among our best gaming laptop options.

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition: Price and availability

How much does it cost? £949.99
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the UK (other configurations available in the US and Australia)

The Asus TUF A16 FA617XS is currently only being offered in the UK for just under £950, but you can find some of the other configurations in the US and Australia for around the $1,000 range (closer to $2,000 AUD).

It's not a bad price for the overall specifications, build and performance. The only problem is that you can get similar laptops with Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics for only slightly more money, such as the Acer Predator Helios 16 and HP Victus 16. That's probably where we'd spend our cash.

Value: 4 / 5

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition: Specs

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition FA617XS comes in just one configuration (though the TUF A16 Gaming Advantage line has four configurations to choose from).

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition: Design

Solid build
Decent materials
Slim bezels

Asus has gone with its signature TUF design language, which means fairly gamery without being overtly adolescent. The Asus TUF A16 FA617XS's screen lid is made from lush alloy, which is a nice touch, while the rest of the system is hewn from sturdy plastic, including a particularly tough textured bottom cover.

The keyboard is smooth and tactile with a nice solid bed. The only exception is a whiff of flex in the top cover, just above the keyboard. The trackpad is nice and big, too, with a super-slick surface - it's nice to use. Incidentally, the keyboard is limited to white backlighting. There's no programmable RGB, but that's reasonable at this price point.

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition laptop keyboard and trackpad — (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

Asus has designed slim bezels for a 90% screen-to-body ratio. That's handy on a 16-inch laptop when it comes to maintaining portability. This isn't an excessively big or heavy system by gaming laptop standards.

Less successful is the port placement. The mix of USB4, USB-C and USB sockets, plus HDMI and LAN is fine. But they're all on the side of the chassis along with the barrel connector for the main power supply, which is located slap bang in the middle of the left side. Some ports of the rear of the chassis would be far preferable, albeit the TUF's screen hinge design precludes that.

Design: 3.5 / 5

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Asus TUF Gaming 16 Advantage Edition laptop left-side ports — (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

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Asus TUF Gaming 16 Advantage Edition laptop right-side ports — (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition: Performance

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Gaming Advantage Edition laptop with a closed shell — (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

Decent all-round performance
Great screen
An RTX 4060 would still be preferable

Let's deal with the obvious question right away. How does the AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU stack up? It's basically a slightly cut down version of the desktop 7600 and it typically performs just below an Nvidia RTX 4060 mobile GPU in most games, though on occasion it can be a bit quicker.

The catch is that if you enable ray tracing in any game, such as Cyberpunk 2077 as an obvious example, the frame rates really do go south and much more so than with an RTX 4060.

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition: Benchmarks

Here's how the Asus TUF A16 FA617XS performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark: Night Raid: 56,533; Fire Strike: 22,648; Time Spy: 9,354; GeekBench 6: 2686 (single-core); 12281 (multi-core)
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 64 fps; (1080p, Low): 144 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 53 fps; (1080p, Ultra RT): 11; (1080p, Low): 78 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 75 fps; (1080p, Low): 150 fps
TechRadar Movie Battery Life: 11h:03m

The Nvidia GPU also offers superior resolution scaling, plus better frame generation. So, for gaming, it's clear enough that a laptop with the RTX 4060 would be preferable. That said, the Asus TUF A16 FA617XS will handle pretty much any game at 1080p max settings (bar ray tracing) at a reasonable lick. For demanding titles, you're looking at about 60fps.

Of course, this laptop has a lovely 2,560 by 1,600 screen, and at that resolution you'll see the frame rates drop into the high 30s. You can, of course, use AMD's FSR scaling to improve that at a slight cost in terms of image quality. Arguably, that high-res screen is a bit more than the AMD GPU truly cope with. But it is a really gorgeous thing, super sharp thanks to all those pixels, fast in terms of both response and refresh, accurate and pretty bright. It's a clear cut above you're average budget gaming laptop screen, that's for sure.

Elsewhere, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS is all the CPU you're ever going to need, with eight powerful AMD Zen 4 cores and plenty of clockspeed with up to 5.2GHz boost speed. There's a quick 1TB SSD, too (though with SSD prices now so low, a 2TB drive would be nice), and 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM. Gaming aside, this thing has all the performance you could reasonably ask for.

Performance: 3.5 / 5

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition: Battery life

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition gaming laptop resting on a counter with its lid open — (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

Super-efficient AMD APU
Excellent battery life for a gaming laptop

Battery life obviously isn't normally a strong point for most gaming laptops. But this is where the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (FA617XS)'s all-AMD technology really pays off. Thanks to the AMD APU's integrated graphics and Smart Access Graphics GPU-switching tech, which allows the TUF to automatically swap between the integrated GPU and the dedicated Radeon RX 7600S chip, this laptop is capable of well over 10 hours of light use and media consumption away from the mains. That's very impressive.

Battery life: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition?

Buy it if...

You want decent battery life

This Asus's all-AMD hardware makes for great battery life of well over 10 hours, much better than your average gaming laptop.

You appreciate a decent screen

There's no OLED panel, no mini-LED backlight, just a really nice 1600p IPS panel running at 240Hz for a rather lovely gaming experience.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best gaming features

Laptops with Nvidia's RTX 4060 GPU have better overall features, including superior upscaling and better ray-tracing performance.

You want future-proof performance

The AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU has reasonable performance today, but there's not much spare for future more demanding games.

Also consider

If our Asus TUF A16 FA617XS review has you thinking about other options, here are two laptops to consider...

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16

Acer's afforable 'Neo' gaming laptops are a good match for Asus's TUF models, with sensible pricing and good performance. This laptop also offers a nice display and good thermal performance - just be prepared for the fans to get noisy when you're gaming on it.

Read our full Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 review

View Deal

HP Omen 16

The new HP Omen 16 is a great choice for people looking to game on a budget. The slight snag is that it suffers from a variety of hardware and software quirks that may rub some people the wrong way.

Read our full HP Omen 16 review
View Deal

How I tested the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition

I gave the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (FA617XS) a solid workout for a full week of gaming and general computing. It took over all duties from basic web browsing to loading up my full Steam library and watching movies.

Games-wise, I ran all my favorites from Counter-Strike 2 to Cyberpunk 2077. It was interesting to get a feel for how this AMD GPU compares to the familiar RTX 4060 from Nvidia. Mostly, it's good news, but in the end, all those extra Nvidia features are hard to argue against.

Testing battery life was interesting, too. With most gaming laptops, you can almost see the remaining charge indicator shrink in real time. But this thing just kept on trucking. Seeing it show well over 90% after the first hour of movie playback was a revelation. Clearly, this laptop lasts longer than the vast majority of gaming portables.

First reviewed December 2023

HP EliteBook X review: can it stand up to the ‘most powerful’ AI laptop claims?

2:30 am | September 28, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops | Comments: Off

The HP EliteBook X was easily one of the highlights of the HP Imagine 2024 event, showcasing that despite the tech giant launching high-performing AI PCs with the latest in AI-powered CPUs and NPUs, it's not satisfied resting on its laurels. Instead, HP continues to push the envelope in terms of specs and performance, attempting to give us the best laptop on the market.

The EliteBook X was touted as the "most powerful AI device" available right now and, judging from the specs that HP has provided us with, I'm inclined to agree. At the very least, this AI PC outfitted with an AMD chip does feel like an evolution in terms of design as well as hardware.

HP EliteBook X: price and availability

As of right now, we don't have either an official price point, release date, or availability for the HP EliteBook X. However, judging from previous HP AI PCs, the laptop should be available in the US, UK, and Australia at the very least.

HP EliteBook X: specs

Here are the specs for the HP EliteBook X at a glance.

HP EliteBook X: design

silver AI laptop — (Image credit: Future)

The outside of the laptop is a beautiful light silver, almost white, color. The chassis is lightweight yet feels sturdy and the hinges are solid. Opening it up, it has a standard keyboard with well-sized keys with a nice snap as you type, along with a responsive touchpad that's the perfect size.

One of the best features of the laptop is the fact that it has a manual switch for the webcam, which is ideal for proper security as it ensures that potential hackers can't hack into it and spy on you. It also has a pretty solid port selection, easily one of the best for an AI laptop so far, including two Thunderbolt 4 with USB Type-C ports, one Type-C port, one USB Type-A port, one headphone and mic combo jack, and one HDMI port. If it had an ethernet cable port and an SD card slot, it would be perfect.

It also has a lovely display, with two options for an LED screen and an OLED screen. One is a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) display and the other is a 2.8K (2880 x 1800). Both feature 400 nits, though the former has sRGB 100%, a touch screen, and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Not only does it boast an aesthetically pleasing design, but a sustainable one as well. According to HP, the EliteBook X is built with 60% of its major parts containing recycled material including up to 80% recycled aluminum in the covers, 21% recycled cooking oil in the bezel, 30% ocean-bound plastic on the speaker box, a heat plate made with 50% recycled copper, and 100% sustainable materials on the packaging.

HP EliteBook X: performance

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The most promoted part of the HP EliteBook X is that it has the highest performance of any AI PC currently on the market. Normally this claim would be hyperbole at best and completely unfounded at worst, but the fact that HP currently has the only NPU that runs at a staggering 55 TOPs as well as a much higher speed memory makes it clear why this boast is most likely true - for now.

That said, we can't fully verify these claims as of yet, at least until we get our hands on an EliteBook X and thoroughly test it ourselves.

It does have another feature that's sure to keep performance running as high as possible, which is Wolf Security. It comes with a host of tools and programs that will protect this laptop including external attacks and cyber threats. As a bonus, Wolf uses the NPU for AI security, which reduces the load on the CPU and GPU and prevents slowdown.

There are other features as well including a hyperbolic cooling system that should prevent overheating, Suresense to protect your laptop from malware, and Smart Hibernate that detects if the laptop is in a bag. Both are powered by an accelerometer sensor. Finally, there's Onlooking detection which blurs the screen when someone approaches the laptop.

HP EliteBook X: early verdict

HP EliteBook X laptop open on a table — (Image credit: Future)

Though we still have yet to properly formulate a final verdict, so far the HP EliteBook X looks and sounds promising. Visually it's a beautiful laptop that's easy to transport with a stunning display. Its performance looks to match its appearance, fitting a ton of power in its thin frame.

I'm most excited to get my hands on an AMD-powered AI PC to see how well it compares to both Qualcomm and Intel's own chips. Coupled with it supposedly being the most powerful AI PC, it'll be fascinating to see how well that claim holds up. Regardless, this is definitely one laptop to keep an eye out for in the coming months.

Asus Zenbook S 14 review: the Lunar Lake laptop delivers power and beauty at a price

10:27 pm | September 27, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Windows Laptops | Tags: AI | Comments: Off

Asus Zenbook S 14: Two-minute review

The Asus Zenbook S 14 with its lid closed on a desk next to a cactus — Thin and powerful (Image credit: Future)

The Asus Zenbook S 14 has given us our first real look at what an Intel Lunar Lake laptop is capable of, and we’re definitely impressed by what we’ve seen.

Its ceralumium design is stunning, with the material boasting a rugged nature in a lightweight and slim package (coming in at 1.2kg / 2.7lbs and a thickness of 1.2cm / 0.5 inches). Best of all, it doesn’t get easily ruined by fingerprint smudges – something which can’t be said for many other laptops we’ve tested.

The 14-inch 3K 120Hz OLED display is also beautiful, offering a fluid experience as you scroll through page after page, and a great screen for watching a film after a busy day of work. Unfortunately, the 14-inch screen size can feel a little cramped the moment you want to run two windows side-by-side.

I also wish it had a few more ports. The five the Zenbook S 14 offers isn’t always enough, and I would have been happy to sacrifice some sleekness to sneak in an extra USB port and maybe an SSD card slot.

Performance-wise there’s less to complain about. In our benchmarks and real world tests, the Asus Zenbook S 14 performed very well, and we have no doubt it’ll serve you well as a productivity machine – even when you’re trying to complete several tasks on the PC at once.

Though if you’ve been drawn in by Intel’s boasts about Lunar Lake’s gaming performance, don’t get it twisted. While this machine can run titles like Cyberpunk 2077, you're not getting any higher than the lowest graphical settings, so if gaming prowess is something you value I’d highly recommend looking elsewhere (especially at this price - more on that in a moment).

The AI side of things are a little trickier to test right now, because while this machine is Copilot+ ready thanks to Lunar lake’s superb NPU, Copilot+ itself isn’t ready – the new features don’t arrive until November. Though when they do arrive, this laptop should have the specs to handle everything Microsoft wants to throw at it.

However this power and beauty comes at a price – $1,499.99 / £1,599 / AU$3,399 for the standard Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 258V, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD storage model to be precise. And in the UK things can get even pricier; this review has us testing out the £1,749 model, which boasts a 1TB SSD, 32GB of RAM, and an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Processor.

Asus Zenbook S 14: Price and availability

How much does it cost? Starts at $1,499.99 / £1,299 / AU$3,399
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Asus Zenbook S 14 has a few model variants depending on where you live. The standard model available in the US, UK, and Australia costs $1,499.99 / £1,599 / AU$3,399 and nets you an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 258V, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

In the UK you can also find a more affordable £1,299 model which sports an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Processor , 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. There's a top of the line model as well with a 1TB SSD, 32GB of RAM, and an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Processor which costs £1,749. At the time of writing, there’s no word yet when these models (especially the souped up Ultra 9 model) will make it to other regions.

This review was conducted using the top of the line specs, so I can get a feel for what Asus’ best Zenbook S 14 model is capable of.

Asus Zenbook S 14: Specs

Asus Zenbook S 14: Design

The Asus Zenbook S 14 viewed from behind, showing off its back shell — Fingerprint free (Image credit: Future)

Ceralumium finish looks beautiful
Lightweight and durable
Too few ports

This slim and lightweight laptop (weighing in at 1.2kg / 2.7lbs and measuring just 1.2 cm / 0.5 inches thick) is ideal for sticking in your rucksack and carrying with you all day with little challenge.

But being lightweight doesn’t mean it isn’t durable. The Zenbook S 14 is clad in Asus’ new ceralumium material which it says combines the best properties of ceramic and aluminum to create a portable yet resilient laptop, which also looks gorgeous. Our Computing Editor Christian Guyton likened the laptop’s look and feel to an ancient Roman tablet in these regards and I can absolutely see where he’s coming from. Oh, and did we mention ceralumium is 100% recyclable, which Asus says is part of its more sustainable approach to making tech.

Beyond aesthetics, one of my favorite aspects of the new ceralumium finish is that it doesn’t get easily marked by fingerprints. My partner uses an older Asus Flip and the back is always looking smudgy. The Zenbook S 14 on the other hand is looking as clean as the day I unboxed it – if you ignore the touchscreen.

Speaking of, I love the touchscreen. I like to pretend I’m a laptop purist who just wants to rely on a classic mouse (or trackpad) and keyboard to navigate menus, but every time I try a touchscreen PC I find it so convenient, and I got so used to it with the S 14 that when I swapped back to my personal PC I actually tried to swipe on my regular monitor like a fool.

It’s time for me to accept that touchscreen laptops aren’t just a gimmick, though remember to clean your screen every so often.

And it’s worth keeping the screen clean as the 14-inch 3K 120Hz OLED display looks beautiful. It’s perfect for watching a movie or show after a long day’s work – with the OLED providing perfect contrast in those dark scenes that are tough to follow on typical LCDs – and the refresh rate makes scrolling through pages a more fluid experience. Though if you’re trying to run two windows side by side the 14-inch screen can feel a little cramped.

The Asus Zenbook S 14 viewed from the side to show off its HDMI, USB-C, and audio jack ports — Not too bad for ports on this side (Image credit: Future)

Ports-wise, the Asus Zenbook S 14 boasts five of them – an HDMI 2.1 port, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, and a 3.5mm audio port on the left, and a 3.2 Gen 2 USB Type-A port on the right.

I would have liked at least one more USB Type-A port so I wouldn’t have to unplug my mouse whenever I want I want to use an external drive, and don’t feel the extra couple of millimeters it would have added would ruin the S 14’s sleekness. Granted, you can always supplement the Zenbook's ports with one of our picks for the best USB-C hubs as a simple solution.

Design score: 4/5

Asus Zenbook S 14: Performance

Lunar Lake performs well even under pressure
Ready for Copilot+ to launch

The Asus Zenbook S 14 I’ve been testing is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V chipset from its latest Lunar Lake chip release. Throw in 32GB of RAM and it’s no wonder this laptop was able to perform well in our benchmarks – save for an oddly disappointing Geekbench score, I ran it a few times and it performed consistently at this level.

Asus Zenbook S 14 review: Benchmarks

Here's how the Asus Zenbook S 14 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 28,199; Fire Strike: 7,124; Time Spy: 3,619
Cinebench R23: Multi-core: 9,195; Single-core 1,822
Geekbench 6.3: Multicore: 10,615; Single-core: 2,565
PCMark 10: 6,954
Crossmark: Overall:1,759 ; Productivity:1,596 ; Creativity: 2,127 ; Responsiveness: 1,334
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 20 hours, 22 minutes

Regardless, the Asus handled everything I threw at it with aplomb – even that one time I was listening in on a video team meet, while also running Lofi Girl’s YouTube livestream for some relaxing tunes, and had plenty of other tabs open in the background that I needed to help me research an article I was typing up.

It’s responsive too, booting up speedily and opening up apps without leaving me waiting around for noticeable periods. Though I did have some issues loading up some of the benchmarking tools when I started testing it – since then however, I can report I faced zero hiccups.

You’ll also find this machine is equipped with a powerful NPU (it can perform 48 trillion operations per second) for handling AI tasks, plus a dedicated button for calling on Windows Copilot (and Copilot+ when it launches later this year) when you want to talk with the chatbot. Asus says this NPU helps to deliver a 173% better AI performance compared with last gen’s Intel chips, so if you care about onboard AI efficiency, it’s an important factor to consider.

The Asus Zenbook S 14 viewed from its other side to show off one USB port — Another USB port wouldn't hurt (Image credit: Future)

While this laptop is not a gaming machine, I did give it a whirl with a few personal favorites including Marvel Snap and Cyberpunk 2077 to see how well it could do – the latter of which was the title Asus used in its announcement presentation to explain the performance improvements offered by the new Lunar Lake chipset.

With every graphics setting at its lowest option – at higher settings things were noticeably choppy – and my PC’s power settings at Best Performance, I was able to successfully explore Night City and complete a few missions without much issue. A dedicated external mouse is a must, and the laptop did run hot, but it did work even if the experience was a little rough around the edges.

If gaming is a priority, you’ll be far better served by the best gaming laptops, but if you like to occasionally amuse yourself every so often and aren’t concerned with graphical or performance excellence this Zenbook does a passable job.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Asus Zenbook S 14: Battery

When Asus announced its latest range of laptops, one standout feature was the Zenbook’s battery life, which under the company’s offline movie test conditions achieved a total runtime of 27 hours. In our version, we didn’t get quite as much juice out of it, but it was still phenomenally impressive – clocking in at 20 hours and 22 minutes.

In a more real world test, once it was back up to 100% battery I took it out on a press trip which had me traveling all day. I took my charger with me just in case, but ended up not needing it. The laptop easily survived the day trip, and went until about 3pm the next day, at which point the Zenbook S 14 alerted me that it was time to plug it back in because its battery was starting to run low.

Battery score: 5/5

Should you buy the Asus Zenbook S 14?

Buy it if...

You need a big battery
If you need a laptop that can easily go a whole working day without needing a recharge then this machine will serve you well.

You need something light and powerful
At 1.2kg / 2.7lbs and just 1.2 cm / 0.5 inches thick, this Asus machine is super portable, yet still manages to deliver a punchy performance.

You care about AI
Intel’s Lunar Lake chips pack a serious AI performance upgrade compared with last gen’s models. If this is an area you care about you’ll want a laptop that packs one like the Zenbook S 14.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
While this PC has a solid performance to back up its price tag, $1,499.99 / £1,599 / AU$3,399.00 isn’t cheap. If you’re on a budget you’ll need to wait for a sale or find a different laptop.

Gaming is a priority
Yes the Zenbook S 14 can technically run games like Cyberpunk 2077 (if you crank the graphics settings all the way down), but if gaming is near the top of your priority list, this ain’t the laptop for you.

You want plenty of ports
Slimmer laptops like this often sacrifice a few ports as they simply aren’t thick enough to accommodate them, and from my experience, one sole USB Type-A port can be inconvenient at times.

Also Consider

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3)
The Apple MacBook Air 15-inch with M3 is one of the best lightweight laptops on the market, and its performance is top-notch too.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review

Dell XPS 17 (9730)
If you want a powerful laptop and aren't so concerned with portability, then the Dell XPS 17 is one to check out.

Read our full Dell XPS 17 (9730) review

How I tested the Asus Zenbook S 14

I tested the Asus Zenbook S 14 laptop for two weeks
Tested it using productivity and creative applications and benchmarks
Stress-tested the battery using the TechRadar movie test

With any new laptop, I start by swapping it in for my work PC so I can get a feel for how it handles day-to-day workloads and get it warmed up. I then pass it through the gauntlet of TechRadar benchmark tests to see how its processor handles them, and get a sense for how long the battery lasts.

Because it's a portable laptop, I also made sure to take the Asus Zenbook S 14 on any press trips or when I commuted into the office to verify if it's lightweight enough for this task. I also made sure to keep an eye on its ventilation, and how hot the machine can get especially with high-stress tasks.

To round things off, I made sure to play a mix of games on the machine, something I was especially keen to try after seeing Lunar Lake's gaming credentials boasted about in several conferences.