The idea of using pixel doubling to turn a 4K monitor into a native 1080p panel isn't new. But it hasn't been very successful so far. Can the new dual-mode Alienware AW2725QF do anything to change that, or will it prove just another failed attempt at having both high-res visual sizzle and high-refresh speed in a single monitor?
Apart from the dual 4K and 1080p modes, this Alienware panel looks like it has a decent shot of qualifying as one of the best gaming monitors out there. It runs at up to 360Hz and boasts a claimed response time of just 0.5ms. That's seriously fast for an IPS-type LCD monitor.
It also sports HDR 600 certification and both G-Sync and FreeSync support. If there's one area where it's a little lacking, it's connectivity. You do get a USB hub, but there's no USB-C input for single-cable connectivity, which is a pity.
Alienware AW2725QF: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
How much does it cost? $599 / £599 (estimated) / AU$899 (estimated)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US
At $599 in the US, the Alienware AW2725QF is fairly pricey for a 27-inch 4K gaming panel that lacks a mini-LED full array backlight. The larger 32-inch Gigabyte M32UC is actually cheaper. So you're really going to have to want that dual-mode functionality.
Whether it's worth the money is a tricky call. It certainly looks a little better at 1080p than the dual-mode LG UltraGear 32GS95UE. But it's ultimately a bit of a niche feature. The good news is that purely as a high-refresh 4K panel, the Alienware AW2725QF is an absolute zinger and nearly worth the asking price simply on those terms.
For now, pricing in the UK and Australia hasn't firmed up. But we expect the market positioning to be pretty similar. In other words, it'll be more expensive than a regular 4K panel of similar specs minus the dual-more functionality.
Alienware AW2725QF: Specs
Alienware AW2725QF: Design and features
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
For a monitor from an out-and-out gaming brand like Alienware, the AW2725QF is pretty restrained. Yes, there are a few RGB flourishes including the power button and logos on the rear (all fully configurable) and hexagonal base design. But for the most part, it's pretty businesslike and sober suited, though the slim bezels do make for a suitably contemporary overall vibe.
Is that a disappointment? Might Alienware customers expect something a little more extroverted? Possibly. But fussier styling tends to date faster, so the restraint Alienware has shown here will probably be welcome for most users, as will the solid build quality and full range of adjustment, including tilt, height, swivel and pivot into portrait mode.
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
The OSD menu is similarly comprehensive with settings for pretty much everything you need.
It's a fairly logical menu and makes it very easy to jump between the 4K and 1080p modes. You simply hit the main OSD menu selector button twice to toggle between the two modes. Less impressive is the display's connectivity.
The two HDMI and single DisplayPort inputs all support the full 4K at 180Hz resolution, which is good. There's also a USB hub that includes two USB-A ports at the rear, plus a USB-A and a USB-C on the lower bezel. But there's no USB-C input and thus no single-cable connectivity option for laptops.
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Alienware AW2725QF's hexagonal base (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
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Alienware AW2725QF 's on-screen display for swapping resolutions and other settings (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
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The port selection on the bottom of the Alienware AW2725QF (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
Some would argue that's fine for a gaming display. Given the limitations of USB-C power supply and the elevated power consumption of a proper gaming laptop, you can't really keep one fully juiced with a USB-C cable.
But it would still make this a more versatile display to offer USB-C upstream connectivity. With a USB-C input, you could share this panel between a gaming desktop and a laptop. And who knows what you might like to do with it in future. With USB-C, you simply have more options and with the price point Alienware has gone for, it's a thoroughly reasonable expectation.
The Alienware AW2725QF also lacks an audio line-out jack, which can be handy for headphones. Again, it's not exactly a deal breaker. But this isn't a cheap display and it's the kind of feature you'd have thought Alienware would throw in just to cover all the bases on a premium monitor.
Alienware AW2725QF: Performance
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
The Alienware AW2725QF's IPS LCD panel makes a very strong first impression. It's extremely bright and punchy, with up to 450 nits in SDR mode and 600 nits peak for HDR. It's also beautifully calibrated in sRGB mode, with rich but accurate colors.
Of course, in default 4K resolution, the pixel density is super sharp and crispy, so fonts look fab. In-game, there's a crazy amount of detail to go with the visual sizzle. This is a very sweet looking panel.
It's also seriously fast for an IPS display. Alienware claims 0.5ms GTG response for the Extreme setting in the display's Overdrive submenu. That does bring in a tiny bit of overshoot and inverse ghosting. But the two less aggressive options are still very fast and look just great. In fact, this panel is fast enough that pure speed is barely a concern. Or a reason to upgrade to an even more expensive OLED.
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
The same can't be said for the HDR performance and more broadly contrast and black levels. This monitor is edge-lit and does not have full-array local dimming. So, there's plenty of light bleed and relatively poor contrast, which goes with the territory with any LCD panel without local dimming. SDR colors also aren't terribly well calibrated in HDR mode, so you'll want to switch between modes depending on content type, which is a bit of a pain.
But what about that secondary 1080p mode achieved via pixel doubling? The idea is that for some game types, such as online shooters, you want more speed not more pixels. So, the 1080p mode offers a boost up to 360Hz refresh and is easy to access.
As for how it looks, well, it doesn't quite look like 1080p on a native 1080p display. It's certainly better than the similar feature on LG's own dual-mode 4K OLED, the UltraGear 32GS95UE-B.
That might be thanks to the conventional RGB subpixel layout of this IPS display. The superior pixel density will help, too. Whatever, the results on the desktop are fairly good, though you wouldn't confuse it with true native. Everything looks just a little jagged and pixelated.
In-game, for the most part, the 1080p mode works better and is very playable to the extent that you forget it isn't true native 1080p much of the time. The exception is that just occasionally, certain details can look quite messy and pixelated. One example is fine foliage and grass. When it happens, it can be pretty ugly.
Pixelated in-game foliage on the AW2725QF's 1080p resolution setting (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
In the end, there will always be shortcomings with pixel doubling, but this display does it better than any yet, including that LG, which looks soft and blurry by comparison.
Should I buy the Alienware AW2725QF?
Buy it if...
You want two monitors in one
The Alienware AW2725Q's dual-mode functionality isn't perfect. But the 1080p mode ups the refresh rate to 360Hz and looks OK in-game most of the time.
You love crispy, speedy visuals
The 4K resolution on a punchy, well-calibrated 27-inch IPS panel looks fabulous, and this is also just about the fastest gaming monitor of its type we've yet tested.
Don't buy it if...
You're expecting a true 1080p native experience
The 1080p pixel doubling mode is the best we've yet seen. But it still doesn't look like a true 1080p panel and adds significant cost to this display...
You love HDR sizzle
The Alienware AW2725Q does have HDR 600 certification. But there's no full-array dimming and it doesn't come close to an OLED panel for HDR or contrast performance.
Also Consider
Gigabyte M32UC
This is a larger 32-inch display, which arguably makes better use of a 4K pixel grid. It's not as fast as the Alienware, but it is a fair bit cheaper and offers better contrast from a VA panel.
If you want 4K gaming on a very tight budget, you could do a lot worse than the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q. It's only 60Hz, but has a quality IPS panel and basic HDR support.
I rigged up the Alienware AW2725QF as my primary display for a week. The aim was to use it across a wide range of applications to get a really good feel for how it delivers in both 4K and 1080p for everything from daily desktop duties to hardcore gaming sessions.
As a 4K IPS panel, it's actually well suited to precision productivity. But what the Alienware AW2725QF is really built for is gaming, and for the most part it's pretty stellar. I assed everything from color accuracy and response to latency and HDR performance.
It was particularly interesting to see how it stacked up against LG's dual-mode OLED display, not to mention all the other recent OLED monitors, numerous examples of which I've reviewed. Plenty of more conventional 4K gaming panels have passed under my beady gaze, too, so putting the Alienware AW2725QF into context was certainly intriguing.
I’ve been waiting a long time for a monitor like the LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED. With a brilliant OLED display and a gorgeous 4K resolution, backed up by an ample 240Hz refresh rate and brilliant picture quality, this LG monitor makes OLED technology a must-have for anybody who plays PC games or bases their home life around their computer desk.
There’s a noticeable quality difference between OLED and IPS monitors when playing cinematic and competitive games alike on a computer, and with this thing sitting on your desk you’re bound to get bang for your buck on the picture quality front.
But while we can celebrate LG for bringing the cost of an OLED monitor down with the 32GS95UE-B, let’s be honest with ourselves – $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,399 is still expensive for a monitor no matter how impressive the tech is.
Those looking more greater image depth and HDR performance may also want to look elsewhere, as the LG's peak brightness doesn't reach the retina-searing heights of similarly priced Samsung and Alienware models. My biggest bugbear though? Surely we can give peripherals better names than difficult to understand numbers and letters.
LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED: price and availability
(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)
How much does it cost? $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,399
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? LG directly and technology retailers in the US, UK and Australia
It’s tough to find a cheap 32-inch gaming monitor – especially one with an OLED panel (with prices often starting well above $800 / £800 / AU$1,000) – but the LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED offers a sensible price-to-cost ratio for enthusiasts. It’s kind of a rarity, considering that it ditches an ultrawide profile and a curved screen for a more standard design, while most OLED monitors elect to have at least one of the aforementioned traits.
Similar monitors are available from Gigabyte and Alienware with significantly lower costs, with the closest competitor being the Samsung Odyssey G8 OLED G80SD (with a listed price of $1,299 / £1,099 / AU$1,999).
LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED: Design
(Image credit: Techradar / Zachariah Kelly)
LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED Key Specs
Screen size: 32-inch Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 Brightness: 275 nits full screen, 1,300 nits max HDR Color coverage: 98.5% Response time: 0.03ms Refresh rate: 240Hz (4K) / 480Hz (1080p) HDR: DisplayHDR True Black400, HDR10 Features: FreeSync Premium Pro, NVIDIA G-Sync, Dual Mode, Pixel Sound, 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Headphone out, 1 x USB-A upstream, 1 x USB-A downstream
An achilles heel of many gaming displays is the design – thick bezels, beefy stands and a focus on big, obvious branding offen make a monitor look cheap and overdesigned. This is in no way a problem for the LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED.
It’s tempting to head this section off with ‘it’s a big black rectangle with a pentagonal stand’ but we can entertain the monitor more than that. It’s a premium design language that LG and Samsung alike have been leaning into with their high end monitors.
It’s mature to the point of only having the ‘UltraGear’ and ‘LG’ brand signifier in the front of the pentagon stand, without any branding on the actual display bezels. There’s RGB lighting on the back, allowing you to shine numerous colors onto the wall behind. If you know this feature isn’t for you, it’s easily turned off through the monitor settings.
Cables can be fed through the back of the monitor easily thanks to a neat cable management system, and you’re able to raise the panel quite high up off the base.,It would be nice if it could go lower, but we’re being quite picky. The monitor can swivel, tilt and pivot as well if you want to adjust the pitch of the display.
The panel is extremely premium, too. It’s polished with an anti-glare coating that only shows a warped reflection at most in low-light or reflective light situations. This is quite remarkable for an OLED display, as the technology, inherently, can’t go particularly bright. This means it can occasionally suffer in bright rooms, but as I found during testing in my office-bedroom – which is filled with light at all times during the day – I was able to play games with little issue.
LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED: Features
(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)
The big sales pitch of the LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED is its ‘dual mode’ functionality. At the press of a hotkey (located conveniently under the monitor), this monitor can switch between 4K 240Hz to 1080p 480hz. The first is more ideal for those after more cinematic, graphically beautiful gameplay, albeit at a lower framerate, while the second is intended for high octane competitive gamers after smooth frames.
We can err on the critical side with this feature and note that 4K 240Hz gameplay, at its height, would be difficult for even the most expensive gaming computers to reach in gorgeous single player games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws. I would even go as far as to say that 240Hz is not just difficult to attain but is also very much overkill – 144Hz will suffice for a story-rich game.
The flipside of the feature makes much more sense to me – 1080p gameplay at 480Hz for fast-paced games where you want to see more frames rendered in a second. I can see the benefit of this in a game like Counter Strike 2 and League of Legends – but those high frame rates may even be seen as unnecessary by a competitive gamer. Leveling with you, dear reader, that’s not me – I prefer a pretty picture to a consistently smooth one (though I do like my frames to be above 60FPS). The monitor has a smart cleaning process for when it doesn’t detect an input, refreshing the pixels to avoid burn-in – a common issue with OLED monitors.
The monitor also comes with FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync. It has a Display Port, HDMI, headphone jack, USB (downstream) and USB (upstream) ports, with support for a 100 x 100 mm wall mount. Satisfying me as someone who likes to watch stuff on their computer in bed, the monitor also has built-in speakers and comes with a Displayport and HDMI cable in the box.
LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED: performance
(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)
The LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED’s display is matte – not glossy like you’d expect from most displays. The extreme blacks and darker shades that the OLED pulls off in use – and when turned off – are so deep that you’ll at most see a rough reflection of yourself, but not enough to ruin the experience.
That’s an OLED panel’s entire deal and it leads to better performance on every front – deeper blacks equals better contrast – the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of an image.
And at the 32-inch size, I’ve found this monitor to be the best way to experience a lot of cinematic games. Star Wars Outlaws and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine II both play exceptionally well on the monitor and look much more gorgeous on the OLED screen than my previous 32-inch Gigabyte M32Q monitor.
TV shows like The Acolyte and The Bear look equally impressive – particularly The Bear for its attractive use of color sharpness in central objects amid a bland palette. The LG 32GS95UE-B aces it on color clarity.
The speakers are pleasantly surprising, too. I was expecting sound that peaks too readily and sounds washed out, but the 32GS95UE-B performs just about as well as any TV without a separate speaker system. This can be chalked up to LG’s ‘Pixel Sound’ feature, which provides a directed sound experience without any external speaker system.
The monitor performs relatively well on brightness and HDR – though both could be better at this pricepoint. The maximum brightness (1300nits) and enhanced darkness clarity doesn’t fare much better for content than just using the display with HDR disabled (275nits standard luminosity).
And while it doesn’t fit into any other category in Techradar’s review format, I’ve just got to say it – this name, the LG 32GS95UE-B, is just letters and numbers. They have meanings obviously but it’s extremely difficult to communicate to a customer – so much so that LG just calls the display the ‘32" UltraGear OLED Dual Mode 4K UHD’ on its website, and hence why we’ve been naming it interchangeably throughout this review. Less letters and numbers please.
Should I buy an LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED?
Buy it if...
Don't buy if...
Also Consider
LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED: Report Card
How I tested the LG 32-Inch UltraGear OLED
As soon as I received this monitor, I got to work unpacking it and setting it up. Pulling it out of the box was easy, as was the process of putting the stand together (no tools were needed, as everything slots and screws into place by hand). As my main space in my home is my bedroom-office, this monitor was switched on at almost all hours whenever I was home. To avoid burn-in, the panel was often turned off for cleaning when not being used.
The main use of the monitor was for gaming using a separate headset. I played a variety of games, including Caravan SandWitch, Team Fortress 2, What The Car, Star Wars Outlaws, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon 5.
I also used the monitor for watching Twitch streams, YouTube videos and lots of TV shows, including The Bear and The Acolyte.
Wacom’s latest drawing tablet has arrived, focusing on the mobile market by offering an impressively lightweight form factor that makes hardly any compromises when it comes to performance. Hardware advances like its vibrant OLED screen, touch technology and singular USB-C to USB-C connectivity make it one of the best drawing tablets available right now, especially given its surprisingly low price.
The result is a near-perfect mid-range drawing tablet, albeit one that probably won’t cut it for serious pros. For me, the Movink is also an iPad killer, and even beat Apple to the punch for delivering the drawing-friendly portable OLED screen found in the iPad Pro 2024.
I’ve often used the iPad as my main sketchpad, preferring its portability so I don’t need to shuffle around my desk setup. However, the Movink offers the perfect balance, delivering the portability and accessibility of the iPad Pro and the artist-first features and drawing experience of purpose-made drawing tablets.
The Movink is 4mm at its thinnest and 6.6mm at its thickest, weighing just 420g. It can easily connect to one of the best laptops and tablets for drawing and artwork, so it can access more sophisticated programs for photo and video editing or the best digital art and drawing software compared to general-use tablets such as the iPad. As that would suggest, Movink isn’t a pen computer, meaning you’ll still need to lug around your laptop if you want to draw on the go; but given the advanced drawing specs of the Movink and its surprisingly approachable price point.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s specifically designed to work with some of the latest Wacom pen technology, too, coming with a tailor-made version of the Wacom Pro Pen 3. This stylus is fully customizable (although you’ll have to buy parts separately), meaning you can choose for yourself the thickness of the grip, adjust its balance, and add or remove the side switches. However, if that’s not your speed, the Movink is also Wacom’s first professional creative pen display to incorporate Dual Pen technology and will work with a variety of Wacom and third-party styluses.
However, it might not cut it as the sole tablet for professional use. Its max resolution is 1080p – and, as of right now, there’s only one size available: a 13.3-inch screen, which might not cut it if you’re used to larger displays. On-device, there are only two physical shortcut keys; but you can also use the top corners of the screen as shortcuts, plus the three on the included stylus.
There are some other niggling issues. There’s no pen case or loop holder on the stylus, so it’s easy to lose when you’re on the go, plus it doesn’t come with any case or cover to protect the screen – an essential addition if you’re releasing a product with portability as its unique selling point. There’s also no stand included, and nary a built-in kickstand in sight.
Still, I’m splitting hairs. The Movink is a fantastic option that breaks new ground for Wacom, and it will meet at least most of the needs of artists at all levels – especially if portability is key.
(Image credit: Future)
Price and availability
List price: $749 / £729 / AU$1,299
Available in the US, UK and Australia
Launched May 2024
Priced at $749 / £729 / AU$1,299, the Wacom Movink comes in at the higher end of the mid-range spectrum. However, given some of its specs toe the line of pro-grade devices, that’s a surprisingly affordable price for a typically expensive brand. It’s available directly from Wacom as well as through some third-party retailers.
Its approachable price also means I can forgive some of the omissions that other brands typically include with their tablets. In addition to the tablet, there’s just one 1m USB-C to C cable, the Wacom Pro Pen 3 with its built-in nib holder, three replacement nibs (one standard and two felt), and the paperwork to help get you started.
It’s disappointing that there’s no case included for this mobile powerhouse, no stand, and no pen holder or built-in means of attaching the stylus to the tablet. Wacom sells a carry case for $44 / £43 / AU$129 , as well as a foldable stand for $79 / £74 / AU$129.
Value: 4.5/5
Specs table
Design
Slim, lightweight and durable – thus perfect for travel
Four customizable shortcut keys, two physical and two touch
Requires just a singular USB-C connection
(Image credit: Future)
The clue for the key design ethos behind the Movink is in the name; in case you hadn’t picked up on it, it’s pronounced “Move-ink”.
Measuring in at 12.6 x 8.1 x 0.16~0.26 inches / 319.5 x 205.2 x 4~6.6mm (w x h x d), the Movink is wonderfully petite and sports a subtle wedge shape. In hand, it feels just like drawing on a pad of A4 paper. It weighs just 420g, making it a no-brainer for slipping into your laptop backpack or bag when you’re out and about – and just a whole lot easier to grab for a quick drawing session in front of the TV.
The Movink boasts Wacom’s slimmest bezel yet, allowing for an active drawing area of 11.6 x 6.5 inches / 294 x 165mm. However, that does mean there’s little-to-no wrist room. Given there’s no included or built-in stand, you’ll likely want to consider the ergonomics of your workstation. On its underside, a rubber footing runs along the top and bottom edges of the tablet to keep it stable when used on a tabletop. I really wish Wacom had included a kickstand or feet for the tablet, as your only option to improve the viewing angle is by buying a stand. Thankfully, its light weight meant I was able to comfortably cradle it while seated.
Both sides of the Wacom Movink feature a USB-C connector, as well as one of the two physical programmable keys. There are a further two touch-enabled shortcut keys on the screen itself as well, bringing the total to four. This won’t be enough for a fully established pro at their main workstation, but more than sufficient for drawing on-the-go or for amateurs.
Overall, the Moveink is wonderfully thought-through and purpose-built for its mobile application, but I’m still a little frustrated that Wacom didn’t at least include a pen loop to keep the tablet and stylus together, especially considering there’s no included case.
Design: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Performance
Bright and beautiful OLED screen
1080p maximum resolution is a slight let down
Lovely drawing experience
It’s rare to come across a Wacom tablet that doesn’t perform well in tests, and the Movink is no different. It’s loaded with the latest and greatest hardware from the esteemed brand, paired with easy-to-use Wacom drivers to make for a seamless and pain-free experience.
On test, the Movink proved to be a delight, with its 16:9 OLED screen offering 350 nits of max brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate. The Movink also boasts DCI-P3 100%, AdobeRGB 95%, with both Pantone Validated and Pantone SkinTone Validated certifications to round out its accomplished color gamut. It’s a little disappointing, then, that the resolution is just 1080p; I feel that a minimum of 2.5K is necessary for any device marketed at professionals. Plus, for navigating software such as Photoshop, I found I had to practically press my nose to the screen to read some of the extensive menus.
The OLED technology also means there’s no need for a backlight in the Movink, which means it stays cool even with extended use – and there’s no light leakage, which makes working on darker canvases much easier.
The drawing experience is wonderful, too, with the surface providing the perfect level of bite to replicate that satisfying pen-to-paper feeling. Its anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings effectively address some of the drawbacks of portability-first devices, especially given the Movink is a touch display.
On that point, the touch display is a real boon – and I’d say an almost essential one to get the most out of your Movink. You can disable the functionality, but if you’re used to extensive shortcut keys or using an iPad, then a touch display can be useful for navigating different software applications and moving around your canvas. So much so that I scarcely needed to reach for my mouse and keyboard while drawing.
Performance: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Stylus
8,192 pressure levels
Built-in nib holder and remover
Customizable, but basic in its given configuration
Included with the Wacom Movink is the Wacom Pro Pen 3, and it comes with a twist. It’s an almost entirely customizable stylus, allowing you to change the grip thickness, adjust its balance, and add or remove the side switches. The flipside of this is that the model included with the Movink is very basic and pencil-like, with no provided grip. It’s lightweight, and the lack of grip didn’t bother me too much. However, if you’re drawing all day, have bigger hands or are used to a grippier pen, you might want to invest in those stylus accessories – or make use of the dual-pen technology in the Movink, which allows you to seamlessly use a variety of Wacom and third-party styluses.
Clad in all-black, the Pro Pen 3 is cylindrical and slim. The top can be unscrewed to reveal storage for three nibs (pre-loaded with two felt and one standard nib) in a rubberized holder, which can be removed to reveal the built-in nib remover. Further down the stem are the three shortcut keys on a removable panel, allowing you to customize the number of buttons from zero to three.
(Image credit: Future)
I also noticed the nib was slightly more proud from the tip than I’ve seen on other styluses such as the LP-190K included with the One by Wacom, an intentional choice for the specific Pro Pen 3 model paired with the Movink. It’s only by just over a millimeter, but that can really make a difference when it comes to honing in on fine detail.
In terms of specs, it offers 8,192 pressure levels with a 60-degree tilt, meaning it matches industry standards. Its sensitivity and accuracy proved impressive and consistent through my brushstroke testing, and I didn’t notice any parallax.
Stylus: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You need something portable
The Movink offers near-unparalleled portability thanks to its thin and light frame and the minimal cables needed to use it.
You don’t want to compromise on performance
Paired with the Wacom Pro Pen 3, the Movink is a powerhouse as far as mobile drawing tablets go – especially with its new OLED screen.
Don't buy it if...
You’re a pro who wants a new main workstation
The Movink is absolutely good enough for pros – but not as their main slate for creative work. The lack of shortcut keys, low resolution and medium-size active drawing area likely won’t cut it for everyday professional use.
Also consider
How I tested the Wacom Movink
I used the Wacom Movink as my main drawing tablet for one month
I used it for editing images as well as drawing on software such as Photoshop and Krita
I tested the stylus responsiveness
To test the Wacom Movink, I used it as the main drawing tablet in my amateur digital art setup for one month, using it to fulfil all of my drawing and editing needs.
I used the supplied Wacom Pro Pen 3 stylus and cables exclusively, completing a variety of tests to assess how accurate, powerful and comfortable the Movink was in a variety of settings. I drew in a cafe, at my desk, on the sofa – everywhere I could think of – to see how easy it was both to move around with and use in different environments.
While I’m no professional artist, I’ve been drawing and painting regularly for over a decade, and have been using graphics tablets and general-use tablets for years as part of my digital art journey. I referenced my previous experiences with tablets such as the Wacom One, XPPen Artist Pro 16 and Huion Kamvas 16, in order to compare the screen quality and drawing experience.
The Flow Lite is Lofree’s follow-up to its superb Flow keyboard, which combined a low-profile design with delightfully top-quality touches to make it a marvel of premium keyboard engineering, and (in my humble opinion) one of the best mechanical keyboards you can buy. Perhaps the only drawback of the Flow was its fairly costly $159 asking price, and it’s that that has prompted the creation of the Lofree Flow Lite.
This keyboard takes the best parts of the Flow – its quiet, comfortable typing and compact design – and fits it into a more affordable form, cutting a few features here and there to bring the price down to $99 for the 84-key version (which I reviewed) and $109 for the 100-key edition. The key question is whether Lofree has been able to do all that without losing what makes its devices so appealing.
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
Typing on the Flow Lite feels good – for the most part. While the Flow offered both tactile and linear switches, you only get the linear option with the Flow Lite. That’s not a massive problem since the linears are very fast and comfortable to use – this coming from a man who normally steers well clear of any switch that’s not loud and clicky – and if you like smooth key switches, the Flow Lite’s custom Kailhs will be very pleasing to use. That said, my fingers did start to feel a little sore after a few hours of usage due to a fair amount of bottoming out (I find this is common whenever I use linear switches), so that’s something to be aware of if you find yourself pressing a little too hard when you type.
Everything is tied together in the Lofree Key Mapper app, which is used to create macros, change lighting effects, remap keys, and more. It’s admittedly a bit less intuitive than some rival keyboards’ apps, but it gets the job done.
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
Lofree has cut a few corners in order to lower the price, but they don’t feel like a massive step down. The aluminum chassis is gone, replaced by an ABS plastic one instead, while the PBT keycaps are now a combination of PBT and polycarbonate plastic. The USB-C to USB-A cable is also now of the standard plastic, non-braided variety. Finally, Lofree has cut the number of lighting effects from 16 to 8 compared to the Flow.
Interestingly, Lofree has actually added a few features to the Flow Lite that the regular Flow lacks. The most noticeable example is the copper-toned volume roller in the top-right corner. This is tactile and metallic, and you can press it in to mute your audio completely. It is a little stiff, but it’s a useful extra regardless.
Other new additions include 2.4GHz connectivity in addition to the wired and Bluetooth modes (the latter of which can connect to three devices); feet to adjust the angle of the keyboard; and a doubled polling rate, going from the Flow’s 500Hz to 1,000Hz in the Flow Lite. I’m particularly happy about the keyboard feet, as it was always a shame you couldn’t change the Flow’s angle. The rubber on the Flow Lite’s feet is a little thin and bendy in places, but I can forgive that if it means I can raise the keyboard to a (slightly) higher angle.
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That makes choosing between the Flow Lite and the Flow more complex than simply wanting to save money. While on the one hand the Flow Lite feels like a step below the Flow, on the other it also represents an evolution of sorts. Hopefully, Lofree will work these advancements into a successor to the Flow, if or when that arrives.
I’m left feeling fairly impressed that Lofree has managed to make the Flow Lite still feel like a premium offering, even without many of the things that made me love the original Flow. It’s a more affordable way into the world of mechanical keyboards without feeling like you’re rummaging through the bargain bin. I still prefer the Flow overall – it’s just so good – and I really wish Lofree offered tactile or clicky switches for the Flow Lite. But there’s still a lot to like about this keyboard, especially if you’re in the market for a quality low-profile device that’s still enjoyable to use.
Lofree Flow Lite: Price & availability
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The Lofree Flow Lite costs $99 or $109 (depending on the size you get), knocking $50 to $60 off the price of the $159 Lofree Flow. Whether you decide the trade-offs are worth it for the price cut will come down to your personal taste. Right now, it’s available on Kickstarter, and will be sold on Lofree’s website and on the company’s Amazon store.
Should you buy the Lofree Flow Lite?
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Buy the Lofree Flow Lite if…
You want quality at a lower price
Lofree has cut the price with the Flow Lite, but it still packs in a good overall typing experience, especially if you like linear switches.
You like having lots of connectivity options
The Flow Lite lets you connect via USB-C cable, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz, and it also works with up to three different devices.
You use both Windows and macOS
The Flow Lite comes with keycaps showing both Windows and macOS symbols. It also lets you switch between the two systems’ respective keyboard layouts with a quick key combination.
Don't buy it if...
You prefer tactile switches
You’ll only get linear switches here, which in my experience can lead to tired fingers if you bottom out too much. Lofree sells a different switch option that you can swap in, but it’s also linear.
You want the most premium experience
There’s no doubt that the regular Flow feels more premium than the Flow Lite. The latter ditches the metal body, braided cable, and more in order to bring the price down.
You don’t like compact layouts
Not only does the Flow Lite use low-profile keycaps, but its layout is also very compact, with the arrow keys squeezed in close to the main body of buttons. That doesn’t work for everyone.
Lofree Flow Lite: Also consider
Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL
A compact keyboard that we rated just as highly as the Lofree Flow Lite in our review, the G151 Lightspeed TKL from Logitech is a keyboard that can easily pull double duty for both work and gaming, with a clean design and quiet, comfortable keystrokes perfect for an office environment as much as a home gaming setup.
Although it's a bit on the pricey side, there are few compact keyboards that offer the same build quality and functionality as the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless. With swappable switches, a media control dial, and strong customizability thanks to Corsair's software, this is a great choice of 75% keyboard - perfect for anyone who wants an even smaller board than the Flow Lite.
I spent time using the Lofree Flow Lite day-to-day at my desk. That included writing articles, gaming, and generally using my computer throughout the day. I tried it on both Windows and macOS, and also put its Lofree Key Mapper companion app through its paces.
The Asus ROG NUC 970 is designed for those who want a very compact desktop computer that can still give great performance for both gaming and productivity use. As you might have guessed from the NUC name, it’s available as a barebones kit where you buy and add RAM, an SSD and an operating system. For those who want a simpler option, the NUC 970 is also sold by retailers ready to go straight out of the box. The NUC uses hardware normally found in laptops – the base spec is an Intel Ultra 7 paired with a RTX 4060, or an Ultra 9 alongside a RTX 4070.
The NUC 970 I tested was kitted out with an Ultra 9 CPU, RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of RAM (it can handle up to 64GB), a 1TB M.2 SSD and Windows 11. Setup was just like any new Windows machine, though not quite as streamlined, and I needed to get the latest drivers from the Asus website and install them manually. This process was not a smooth one and my NUC hung while updating the BIOS, recovered itself, and still had ongoing driver niggles even after a factory reset.
The NUC 970 has the usual array of premium ports, including Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps with DisplayPort 1.4), HDMI 2.1, dual DisplayPort, and a gaggle of high-speed (and low-speed) USB-A ports. You also get super-fast Wi-Fi 6E (AX1690i) and Bluetooth 5.3. The build quality is fantastic – the side cover of the NUC pops straight off after unlatching and the RAM and up to three SSDs can be installed very easily.
The NUC 970 runs the RTX 4070 at up to 140W – the same level as most gaming laptops. While slightly quieter than a similar-spec laptop at full tilt, it’s still quite noisy in turbo mode. The 970 doesn’t push its hardware very hard, and is slightly slower than a premium gaming laptop with the same CPU and GPU. Gaming performance is pretty good overall and the 970 can happily run games like Cyberpunk 2077 at up to 114fps at 1080p, or 72fps at 1440p using Ultra settings with DLSS on. The NUC is a bit quieter during non-gaming use and tends to run the CPU at a higher sustained wattage level than comparable laptops. The 970 can also handle up to 4 screens (5 with the right USB-C setup), making it a very competent productivity machine when not gaming.
Despite the setup niggles I experienced, the ROG NUC 970 is easy to love… until you see the price. It’s very hard to recommend the NUC 970 when, for less money, you can buy a premium laptop that can get better gaming results, or a prebuilt mini desktop computer that has even higher performance. The NUC model with the Ultra 7 / RTX 4060 model is cheaper, but so are the competing options, making the value for money no better.
So where does that leave the NUC 970? The concept is cool, it’s very well built, the drivers need work, and the price needs to be at least 30% lower before I’d consider it competitive against other gaming options.
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Asus ROG NUC 970: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $2,199 / £2,199 / AU$4,299
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK, and Australia
The above pricing for the Asus ROG NUC 970 is for the as-tested model, with a Core Ultra 9, RTX 4070, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and Windows 11 Home. The NUC 970 can be pretty hard to find (especially if you want different customization options) and it commands a price premium with few discounts. There are also barebones systems available without the RAM, SSD and OS, but depending on your region, buying the extras and installing them yourself may not save much money.
Overall the ROG NUC 970 is very expensive for the spec level provided, and it’s cheaper to buy an equally powerful gaming laptop or a much more powerful (but larger) gaming desktop. Outside of niche uses, the ROG would need to be at least 30% cheaper before I’d consider it a compelling buy.
Value score: 3 / 5
Asus ROG NUC 970: SPECS
The barebones ROG NUC 970 includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU (65W TDP) and a Nvidia RTX 4070 8GB GPU (140W TGP). There’s also a ROG NUC 670, featuring an Ultra 7 155H CPU (40W TDP) and RTX 4060 8GB GPU (140W TGP). Aside from the CPU and GPU, the rest of the spec (as listed below) is the same.
Specs score: 4 / 5
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Asus ROG NUC 970: Design
Compact case
Great stand
Plenty of ports
The compact ROG NUC 970 chassis has a 2.5-liter volume (84.5 ounces) – making it larger than the Intel NUCs of yore, but smaller than most miniature gaming PCs. It can sit flat on a table thanks to rubber feet on one side, or be mounted vertically in the heavy-duty aluminum stand. The large power supply is external (like a laptop), but at least the cable is long so the chunky brick can be hidden away under your desk. The little gaming machine has an LED backlight ROG graphic on the side that can be customized with your own logo (or covered up) using plastic inserts included in the box.
The NUC 970 design has the key ports nicely accessible, with dual USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headset jack on the front. Round the back there’s a further array of connectivity options, with Thunderbolt 4 (Type-C supporting DisplayPort 2.1 from the iGPU), two more USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, two standard USB 2.0 Type-A ports, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, the power connection and a Kensington lock.
Video output from the RTX 4070 is via dual DisplayPort 1.4 connections or HDMI 2.1 – the latter supporting FRL (Fixed Rate Link) that provides the higher bandwidth needed for options like 4K video at 120Hz. The NUC is also a competent productivity workstation and can be used with up to 5 monitors – though, if not gaming, the Asus NUC 14 Performance model might be a better option as it has the same underlying spec without the game-focused ROG branding.
The NUC 970 case is designed to be easy to open, and the RAM and SSD slots are very accessible for initial memory and storage installs or later upgrades. The tiny case means it’s not particularly easy to clean any dust buildup, and the motherboard and GPU have to be removed to access the cooling system.
Overall the NUC design is quite good, and I especially like the chunky, rubber-padded stand. In the end I actually preferred using the stand "backwards", as it still holds the NUC just as securely, but looks sleeker and gives the side vents some airflow. The ability to DIY a logo is also cool and a nice way to add a touch of personality to the machine. The only things I wish were included in the design are a few more USB-C ports (with one on the front) and removable filters for the fans.
The ROG NUC 970 can also sit securely "backwards" in the stand, giving extra airflow to the side vents. (Image credit: Future)
Design score: 4 / 5
Asus ROG NUC 970: PERFORMANCE
Solid gaming frame rates
Fast wired and wireless networking
Quiet when not gaming
Asus ROG NUC 970: Benchmarks
Here's how the Lenovo Legion 5i performed in the TechRadar suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Speed Way: 2,978 Port Royal: 7,589; Time Spy Extreme: 6,214; Fire Strike Ultra: 7,188.
Considering the ROG NUC 970 has laptop-spec internals, running laptop-spec power and thermal profiles, it’s no surprise that it gives laptop-level gaming performance. That’s not a bad thing as the RTX 4070 is a very capable GPU and can give great results. For demanding games, the NUC 970 is best connected to a 1440p gaming monitor that supports variable refresh rate. Gaming at 4K is possible with less demanding games, and achieving higher frame rates requires lower detail levels or dropping the resolution back to 1080p.
I started off my games testing with Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p, turning ray tracing up to ultra, and the texture detail up to high. At these settings the NUC 970 manages 65fps with DLSS off, and 114fps with DLSS on. Pushing to higher frame rates at 1080p requires reducing the detail levels to low, which allows the NUC 970 to hit 150fps with DLSS on. Testing Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p, the 970 hits 55fps with all settings on high, and 72fps if DLSS is turned on. Scaling back ray tracing and dropping the detail back to medium allows the NUC 970 to just reach 100fps with DLSS on.
Other games tested (like Red Dead Redemption II and F1 2023), as well as a range of synthetic benchmarks, all tell the same story – the ROG NUC 970 is a competent 1440p gaming machine that performs at the same level as an RTX 4070-equipped gaming laptop.
The Asus ROG NUC 970 fans and cooling system is similar to that used on an 18-inch gaming laptop. (Image credit: Future)
CPU-only performance is quite good, and in prolonged, heavy, multicore workloads the NUC 970 runs a touch cooler (and much quieter) than a gaming laptop with the same Ultra 9 CPU. That said, the Ultra 9 is easily outclassed by gaming laptops equipped with 13th or 14th Gen i7 and i9 HX series CPUs.
The NUC 970 cooling system is larger than what you’d find in typical 14-inch or 16-inch gaming laptops, but not too different from the setups used in an 18-inch machine. This means the NUC cooling system has no trouble keeping the RTX 4070 from getting too hot without needing to run the fans at full speed. That said, the 970 isn’t exactly quiet when gaming – though it’s better than most laptops.
If browsing the internet or doing light work in quiet mode, it’s near silent, whereas heavier workloads will cause the fans to spin up to audible levels. Overall, the cooling system gets the job done but, considering the price of the NUC 970, I’d like to have seen quieter fans or a setup that helps get higher gaming performance from the GPU.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
The Asus ROG NUC 970 PSU is a monster, but can be hidden away under a desk. (Image credit: Future)
SHOULD YOU BUY THE Asus ROG NUC 970?
Buy it if…
You want a very compact desktop machine
The NUC 970 has a unique form factor and style that can’t be matched by a normal gaming desktop.
You want no-fuss performance
The ROG NUC 970 is a competent gaming machine at 1440p or 1080p resolutions.
You want to install the RAM and SSD yourself
One advantage of the NUC system is being able to buy and install the RAM and storage yourself – though there’s also the option to buy it ready-to-go.
Don’t buy it if...
You want bang-for-buck gaming
The NUC 970 is quite expensive for the gaming laptop-equivalent performance it gives, and a slightly larger gaming desktop can give much better performance or cost a lot less.
You want a very quiet gaming machine
While the NUC 970 isn't as noisy as a typical gaming laptop, it’s still much louder than most gaming desktops.
You want a productivity computer
The ROG NUC 970 makes for a powerful workstation machine, but the ASUS NUC 14 Performance has the same spec for a lower price.
Asus ROG NUC 970: Also consider
If my Asus ROG NUC 970 review has you considering other options, here are two small gaming desktops and a laptop to take a look at:
Alienware Aurora R16
While nowhere near as compact as the ROG NUC 970, the Aurora R16 has a desktop PC RTX 4070 with 12GB of RAM that gives much better gaming performance compared to the laptop RTX 4070 in the NUC 970.
Asus ROG G22CH
The small form factor chassis used by the G22CH is larger than the NUC 970, but it does give much better gaming performance and can be cheaper depending on your region.
Lenovo Legion 5i
A gaming laptop like the Legion 5i gives very similar performance to the Asus ROG NUC 970, but costs less and is much more versatile overall.
I ran the Asus ROG NUC 970 through the usual comprehensive array of TechRadar benchmarks, focused on both gaming and productivity use. I tested the ROG NUC 970 for a week, including using it in the living room connected to a TV for casual couch gaming and media playback.
The MSI Claw, announced back at CES 2024, was a PC gaming handheld that had a lot of hype built up around it (myself included), and it didn't have the most auspicious launch earlier this year. Beset by performance issues that could rightly be laid at Intel's feet (Meteor Lake has been rather meh), I wouldn't blame anyone for looking at the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a good bit of side eye and skepticism.
I also wouldn't blame folks if they gave me some as well, since I was definitely excited for the Claw's release, only to be just as disappointed as everyone else when the handheld finally shipped out.
So, I won't ask you to take my excitement for the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ without a heap of salt, but having spent more than half an hour taking the Claw 8 AI+ for a spin at IFA 2024 this weekend, I'm going to ask that you bear with me. I've seen what these new Lunar Lake chips are capable of, and I really do think that Intel and MSI have ironed out what was wrong with the original Claw and are set to deliver a very impressive gaming handheld that will easily challenge the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go in an increasingly competitive market.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
That's not to say there won't be issues with this handheld, sadly. Intel's graphics drivers for its Intel Arc GPUs simply lack the legacy support for older games that Nvidia and AMD graphics drivers do, and they always will, as many older studios aren't even around anymore to help Intel work out the bugs in DX10 games and earlier.
If what you're after is playing the classics from the mid-2000s and early 2010s, an AMD-powered handheld is going to do that better. But if what you're looking for is a chance to play the latest PC games on the go, the Claw 8 AI+ may be the gaming handheld to beat in 2025.
A huge part of that is Lunar Lake. Rebuilt from the ground up in a way that Meteor Lake really wasn't, Intel Lunar Lake promises significantly improved performance over previous Intel chips while using substantially less power in the process. This translates directly into better battery life for when you're on a flight, on the road, or just chilling on the couch and you don't want to be married to a wall outlet.
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In terms of gaming performance, I've seen the same Intel Core Ultra 7 chip that'll ship in the Claw 8 AI+ average nearly 70 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 on medium settings at 1080p and it looked fantastic, and it'll look even better on the smaller 8-inch screen which significantly ups the pixel density over a 14-inch ultrabook.
Plus, with an 80WHr battery packed inside, it'll almost certainly get some of the longest battery life of any gaming handheld on the market. Of course, we aren't talking more than an extra hour or two, but there's a huge difference between playing GTA IV for two hours on a flight and stretching things out to four hours (assuming the Claw 8 AI+ can effectively run this particular DX9 title).
The final specs for the Claw 8 AI+ aren't final yet, though it will come with an Intel Core Ultra 7 200-series chip in either 16GB or 32GB of memory. Whether a Core Ultra 5 or Core Ultra 9 configuration is in the cards isn't known yet, and as such, there's not much we can say about pricing at this time. But an MSI rep did tell me that MSI is targeting a January 2025 launch window, so we're bound to hear a lot more about the MSI Claw 8 AI+ in the weeks and months ahead.
MSI Claw 8 AI+: Design
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ has been redesigned somewhat from the original Claw, especially in terms of its aesthetics. Gone is the boring all-black chassis of the first-gen Claw, as there is now a matte silvery-copper panel around the controls that nicely accents the otherwise black plastic chassis.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
MSI wasn't able to provide a full spec sheet for the Claw 8 AI+, so I can't tell if there is anything new about the ports on the new Claw other than the addition of a second USB-C port. This will likely be a Thunderbolt 4 port, but I didn't have an opportunity to confirm that.
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The back of the Claw 8 AI+ looks pretty much the same as the original Claw, featuring two programmable macro buttons and an air intake for the cooling system.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
One very welcome change though is the revamped MSI Center, which is accessible from the touch of a button and features as close to a modern console interface as I've seen on any handheld other than the Steam Deck. It will even change the background to reflect the game that you're highlighting.
Windows 11 is still a terrible platform for PC gaming handhelds, so getting the MSI Center software right will be critical, and MSI is still tweaking the interface to improve it ahead of launch. Even as it is today, however, it's a much better experience than you'll find in other handhelds.
MSI Claw 8 AI+: Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
I didn't get to really push the Claw 8 AI+ to its limits during my time with the device since MSI is still fine-tuning the power profile for the chip, but I got a chance to play some Hi-Fi Rush and Sonic the Hedgehog to see how the device handled.
True, these are not the most demanding games around, but even in the early production state my Claw was in, the two games looked fantastic and played without issue, consistently getting very high frame rates.
MSI Claw 8 AI+: Price & availability
The spec sheet for the MSI Claw 8 AI+ isn't finalized yet, so there's no way to price this system out, either from MSI or my own estimates based on the hardware profile.
As for availability, MSI is targeting a January 2025 launch for the Claw, but that's not an official release date, so it might slip a bit deeper into 2025. We'll hopefully know more about that soon as we get closer to the holiday season.
MSI Claw 8 AI+: Final thoughts
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It's too soon to tell how the MSI Claw 8 AI+ will perform, much less whether it will be a success, but there's no question that this is a very different experience than I've had with the first-generation model.
Everything I've seen from Lunar Lake makes me optimistic though, and the improvements that MSI has made to the Claw's design are also stand-out arguments in this second-generation Claw's favor.
We won't know for certain until we get an actual production unit in hand to benchmark and review, but given what I've seen so far, I can definitely say that I am very eager to see what this gaming handheld is capable of in a few months time.
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i solves a problem for that small subset of users always frustrated with the limited amount of screen most laptops offer. And while using an external monitor is the easiest and most mainstream way to solve that problem, you’re either dealing with one that stays at home, or is an extra item to carry with you as is the case with the best portable monitors.
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i then is probably among the best laptops for those who want to be able to compose an email or article without having to switch over to a different window to look something up. It’s also great for anyone looking to do some light photo editing that feels restricted on a regular notebook.
Though it’s among the best Ultrabooks, in my estimation at least, it’s not the most powerful. Since it utilizes integrated graphics, it’s not quite there for those hoping to also edit videos on the road. And that’s a pity considering the price tag that this comes with, but that’s also the price you pay for having two gorgeous screens, a chic aesthetic, and a bunch of accessories that can turn this laptop into a pseudo-desktop experience.
Basically, this laptop is a fantastic computer experience that some will absolutely love and most will find to be too much computer. For me, it’s just about perfect.
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
How much does it cost? Starting at $1,980 / £1,965 / AU$4,499
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia
In short, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is expensive. Yes, you’re paying for not one, but two OLED touchscreens with high resolutions, as well as the unique form factor. There’s also been plenty of care put into its design and aesthetics, not to mention that it comes with a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and stylus along with a keyboard carrying case that turns into a stand.
But, its under-the-hood specs are not that of a $2,000 / £2,000 computer, so it does feel overpriced, even if OLED panels are going to increase the price of any computer that they come with. At least, the upgrades are fairly benign as going from 16GB of RAM to 32GB is $57 difference and going from a 512GB to a 1TB SSD is just $30.
Of course, if you’re in the UK, you have to accept both upgrades in tandem, but it’s only a £55 difference. If you’re in Australia, you’re unfortunately limited to the most basic model.
Currently, there’s really only one laptop to compare the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i to (discounting its previous iteration that’s basically the same thing with a slightly weaker processor and different port selection). That laptop is the ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED. It starts at basically the same price point – $1,999.99 / £1,999.99 (about AU$3,134.28) – but has a slightly different approach to the whole two-screen setup, where one is smaller than the other and you can’t switch between a landscape and portrait mode like you can with the Yoga Book 9i. If you want to a deeper dive between the two models, we did put the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo and the Yoga Book 9i’s previous version in a head-to-head comparison.
Value: 4 / 5
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Specs
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is fairly limited in upgrades. There’s just one CPU, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, as well as its integrated graphics on offer. The only real customizations or upgrades available are with the RAM and SSD, where you can choose between 16 or 32GB and 512GB or 1TB, respectively.
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Design
Gorgeous inside and out
Comes with bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and stylus
Limited amount of ports
The Yoga Book 9i can be used in landscape mode (pictured) or portrait mode. (Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Whether opened or closed, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is gorgeous. Its metallic Tidal Teal colorway covers not only the outer shell of the laptop itself, but the Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and stylus that come with. The whole setup is almost as pretty as its two bright, vibrant OLED screens, connected by a thin panel housing the dual two-watt speakers.
Speaking of, those panels are touch-sensitive. This allows you to interact with it digitally (as in your fingers), with the stylus, or to place it in “laptop mode” so that the lower screen sits where a keyboard would typically sit. This way, you don’t have to carry all the extras with you if you don’t. You would just use a particular eight-finger tap gesture to pull up a virtual keyboard.
To go along with the touchscreens, this is essentially a 2-in-1 notebook, so you can flip into tablet mode, which disengages one of the screens, or place it in tent mode, etc. However, I prefer using the stand, which doubles as the keyboard cover and carrying case to prop up the two screens. You can use the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i in either landscape mode, where one screen sits atop the other, or in portrait mode, where they’re side-by-side. I prefer the former, though I can see the latter being very useful to programmers or anyone needing to see two different windows next to each other.
Yoga Book 9i in portrait mode (Image credit: Future / James Holland)
It’s a unique experience, really only hampered by its price. And while I’ve heard of some having issues with the previous generation when in laptop mode, because programs would pop up in front of the virtual keyboard, I have not had that happen to me.
Laptop mode really only falls short insofar that using a virtual keyboard kind of stinks. There’s no tactile feedback and you’re probably going to have to look at it to know where all the keys are. At least it pulls up a virtual trackpad as well.
The Bluetooth accessories, however, are a pleasure to use. The keyboard is compact and clips on to the stand magnetically to stay stable. And though it’s tiny, its keys are not, so I never felt cramped typing on it. It’s not going to match up with the best mechanical keyboards, but it’s good enough to type up this article.
The mouse is fairly minimalist, but works as needed, not to mention feels fairly accurate. It also has the added benefit of being able to wirelessly connect to two devices, so you can use it with other laptops or computers if you like.
While I’m not a big stylus user, it was nice to the touch – they all have that textured aluminum feel - and seemed responsive during use.
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The port selection here is a little bit of a letdown, especially considering that the previous iteration had a decent amount of variety. This version of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i falls squarely into the MacBook Air-style less is more camp with its three Thunderbolt 4 ports. There’s not even a headphone jack.
As far as physical controls go, there are just two – a power button and a privacy shutter button, the latter of which I appreciate being included.
Design: 4.5 / 5
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Performance
Great for day-to-day tasks, not so much for demanding ones
Two equally visually stunning screens
Surprisingly good sound for a laptop
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Benchmarks
Here's how the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Fire Strike: 4921; Time Spy: 2208; Night Raid: 18128
When it comes to the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i’s performance, it’s quite excellent for day-to-day tasks, powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and 16 or 32GB of RAM. I was able to have multiple tabs open at once, including having streaming video playing at the same time as I was doing work.
But, since it just has integrated Intel Arc graphics, it can’t do a whole lot of heavy lifting. If you think of this laptop as a unique Ultrabook with extra screen real estate, that’s not really an issue. If you want to do demanding tasks, such as video editing, you’re not really going to do it.
While you can certainly take a look at our benchmarks to confirm this, I did a little testing with video games. I found out that this laptop even struggles with older titles. Consider the fact that it manages under 20 fps in Sid Meier's Civilization VI.
Now, no one looking at this computer is going to think "gaming laptop," but it’s just a good way to test how much power this laptop has. If you do photo editing, you’ll be fine as long as you’re not converting or editing batch files. If you want to do video editing, this is probably not the way to go.
And that’s a shame because the two 13.3-inch OLED screens look so good. Not only does it have color coverage of 191.2% sRGB and 135.4% DCI-P3 through testing (Lenovo actually rates it 100% DCI-P3), but it has an incredibly accurate screen with a Delta E < 0.27 (the closer to zero the better).
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
The screens also have a VESA-certified DisplayHDR True Black 500 rating, so the contrasts in shadows really pop out. Both screens are pretty bright at 400 nits. If you want superlatives, the two panels look gorgeous, with an eye-poppingly wide range of colors.
Surprisingly, the sound quality is pretty good for a laptop. No, it’s not going to compete with external speakers, but typically laptop speakers sound hollow and like they’re coming from a small, thin box (because they are). Here, the sound is actually fairly full, just missing some low end.
If you’re considering this laptop for work and do a lot of video conferencing, know that the webcam is pretty sharp, though not the smoothest with a 1440p resolution at 30Hz.
Lastly, like every laptop these days, you have some AI functionality such as Copilot built in. The AI elements that anyone will notice are more of a Windows thing, and is still somewhat half-baked, so don’t use that for too much consideration when looking at this laptop.
Performance: 4.5 / 5
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Battery life
Decent but not great battery life
Slight drop in battery life going from laptop mode to dual-screen
When one thinks of Ultrabooks these days, long battery life is usually a given. However, with the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, you can’t quite expect to get 13 or 14 hours of use on a single charge. And if you think about it, it’s not surprising given that it’s powering two screens. On top of that, in my (anecdotal) experience, OLED panels seem to require a little more juice.
Still, the seven and a half hours that it can reach up to in laptop mode is pretty decent when keeping that in mind. The battery life drops down to six hours and 45 minutes in two screen mode, which is surprisingly minimal. You need to remember, however, that the second screen is still on and in use in this mode, though it’s usually just showing the virtual keyboard instead of something more active or vibrant.
Battery life: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i?
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Buy it if…
You want gorgeous screens
Two OLED screens are better than one, and the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i proves it. Plus, the extra screen real estate might be a game changer for certain people who need to have multiple tabs open at once.
You need extra screen real estate
You could get an external, portable monitor to pair with your laptop, but that’s cumbersome. With this laptop, you have two 13.3-inch screens that you can use in multiple modes.
You want something shiny
Let’s be honest, most of us want a device that looks good. If you’re willing to splurge, this laptop is an eye-catcher. No doubt, it will be for others if you pull this out at a cafe.
Don’t buy it if…
You don’t want to spend two grand
If you’re not willing to splurge or need to stretch your cash, this is not the laptop for you. A lot of what you’re paying for is the unique layout and two OLED panels.
You don’t want to deal with extra devices
While you can use the Yoga Book 9i in laptop mode, it really comes alive with all its accessories. However, if you want to travel light and not worry about keeping track of them all, get a more traditional means of computing conveyance.
Also Consider
If our Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...
ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED takes a slightly different approach to the whole two-screen thing. If you want a laptop without the need of carrying a mouse, keyboard, stylus, and stand, this might be the way to go. Unfortunately, it’s just as pricey.
If that second screen is a nice addition but not that important, the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) might be a better way to go. It has excellent performance with a long battery life, and is a great looking laptop that’s incredibly lightweight.
I used the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i for three weeks in a number of different ways. I broke it out it for work, including typing up this review (along with the requisite online research). I used it to stream video. I even did some light gaming, mainly running such as Poirot: The London Cases and Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst (which it basically couldn’t run). I used the different modes to see how the experience would change, played around with the HDR, and took the webcam for a whirl.
After spending time with the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, it’s clear that this is perfect for those who want extra screen real estate without dealing with an external, portable monitor or those who want something a little different, whether as a status symbol or just something that offers a different experience.
I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.
We've got another PC gaming handheld on the market to take on the venerable Steam Deck: the Acer Nitro Blaze 7, and it looks like it might be a very strong contender against the current handheld champ, the Asus ROG Ally X.
The Blaze 7's specs are pretty solid. In terms of hardware, it is sandwiched below the ROG Ally X but definitely above the ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and well above what the Steam Deck can offer.
This includes a 7-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen with a variable refresh rate up to 144Hz, up to 2TB PCIe SSD storage, and 16GB LPDDR5x memory running at 7500MT/s.
The real star here, though, is the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS SoC powering the whole thing. This is a slight step up from the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC found in the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and ROG Ally X, though only really in terms of its AI performance.
While the core counts in the CPU and GPU are the same, as are their speeds, you do get a dedicated NPU in the Ryzen 7 8840HS that should help offload some AI tasks. How much this helps with AMD Radeon Super Resolution (AMD's hardware-based upscaler) remains to be seen, though.
Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Design
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Design-wise, if one thing is immediately noticeable about the Blaze 7, it's that it feels a bit bulkier than the recently released ROG Ally X. However, it is nearly identical in terms of dimensions and is even a little bit lighter. Part of that comes from the ridged hand grips on the back of sides of the device, which felt a bit deeper than on other handhelds I've used recently. The spec sheet on the Blaze 7 isn't exactly clear on whether that difference is real or just my imagination.
The chassis is black plastic with white and red accents around the device, something I haven't seen on other devices. If nothing else, people around you will know you're playing on a Blaze 7 rather than some other gaming handheld.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Regarding ports, you get a lot here, including two USB4 ports, one on the top and one on the bottom, which will definitely make this thing easier to dock. Furthermore, since the bottom port is Thunderbolt 4, it will support video output and power delivery.
The battery, meanwhile, is a substantial 50WHr, meaning you should be able to get solid gaming time in before you need to plug it in.
One noticeable component that is missing is any of the back macro buttons you get on the ROG Ally. Personally, I never use those on the ROG Ally X unless my ADHD-addled brain gets fidgity, as even a video game beamed right at my face from my hands isn't enough to keep the restlessness away.
The rest of the buttons are the standard dual-stick, control pad, and ABXY buttons, as well as two triggers and two bumpers along the top of the device. You also get a power button with a built-in fingerprint reader, volume buttons, a view button, a menu button, a dedicated Acer Game Space button, a mode switch button, an Acer quick menu button, and (my favorite) a pop-up keyboard button.
Acer Game Space, meanwhile, is an all-in-one solution for managing your game library across different apps and storefronts that works reasonably well. It does remind you, though, just how terrible Windows 11 is as a platform for these kinds of handhelds.
Also of note is the heat vent along the top of the device. While playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the Blaze 7, that area of the device did get noticeably hot. This isn't unexpected — after all, energy = heat — and it wasn't something I noticed when holding the device as intended. I only felt the heat when my hand accidentally touched the vent (and the heatsink fins therein), so just something to keep in mind.
Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
So I didn't get to run any benchmarks on the device, unfortunately, but Acer did conveniently have Shadow of the Tomb Raider running on the device I got some time with, and they enabled AMD's framerate tool to show the FPS on the device as you played it.
There were a couple of stutters here and there, but nothing you wouldn't get on any other device like this. On the whole, though, the Blaze 7 consistently got around or above 60FPS at 1080p with medium settings with FSR tuned to performance mode.
On a seven-inch screen, these settings looked fantastic, and the frame rate was very consistent unless you walked around an area with very complex geometry (and not really the temples so much, as you'd think, but more the people in the village seemed to be the worst offender).
We'll have to do a lot more testing to see how the device fares against the competition, but in my time with it, the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 looks like a very solid performer vis a vis its competition.
Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Price & availability
Unfortunately, we know nothing about the price or release date of the Nitro Blaze 7 at this time, though pricing and availability will surely be coming in the next few weeks.
That said, we can definitely expect it to be cheaper than the ROG Ally X since that handheld has 8GB more RAM than the Nitro Blaze 7, and memory right now is very expensive. Since the ROG Ally X sells for $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599, the Nitro Blaze 7 needs to come in well below that to be competitive, so somewhere around $700 / £700 / AU$1450.
Any higher than that, and you're better off getting the ROG Ally X for the extra RAM.
Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Final thoughts
From what I've seen, the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 doesn't do anything especially well. It looks to be a fairly competent gaming handheld when it eventually goes on sale, but it's not without its charms.
I won't lie; the built-in keyboard button is something every handheld needs. Games that require keyboard input for names and other information really don't handle a virtual keyboard well and often never give you the option to use one. You're forced to try to escape to the desktop to bring in a keyboard from there, which can be a huge hassle in the middle of gaming.
The Ryzen 7 8840HS processor is also a solid improvement since it will bring some NPU power to bear, and hopefully, AMD RSR and other AI functions can properly leverage it.
All that is still an open question though, but I am excited to see what the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 can really do once we get a unit in for a more proper review.
The Pico 4 Ultra is giving me serious deja vu, and it’s not entirely the good kind.
That’s because its launch is extremely reminiscent of its predecessor; the base Pico 4. A Meta Quest VR headset is the dominant force in the budget/mid range market (then the Meta Quest 2, now the Meta Quest 3), and Pico is launching a device with better specs at an only marginally higher price.
In this instance, the Pico 4 Ultra will net you the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, 256GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM for £529 (around $695 / AU$1025). Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3 ($499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.99) only boasts 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM with the same chipset.
But despite that additional oomph, the Pico 4 Ultra (like the Pico 4 before it) is let down by a lack of software with which to demonstrate its hardware superiority.
With Meta picking up more and more hard-hitting exclusives that you can’t play on Pico systems – including entries in major gaming franchises like Assassin’s Creed and the Batman Arkham series – the severe lack of return fire from Pico is disappointing. Couple that with Meta’s superb OS support and optimizations which the Pico operating system isn’t matching (at least right now) and it’s clear the Pico 4 Ultra isn’t winning in every area – and software-wise the fight isn’t even close.
The Pico 4 Ultra does, however, have a few unique features that could entice you and software developers to pay it some respect.
The first is its spatial footage capture. While it is inconvenient and something of a useless novelty in practice, if a few OS updates can bring some quality improvements this tool could be a fun one for recording memories or creating an experimental stereoscopic film (if you’re willing to put in the effort) without needing to buy an iPhone 15 Pro or Apple Vision Pro.
More importantly it has Meta Connect, a free Virtual Desktop alternative that allows you to connect to your PC wirelessly or use a compatible USB-C cable for productivity and PCVR gaming. In my testing it worked very well and seems a little more feature rich and reliable than Meta’s free Air Link.
Last but by no means least are the Pico 4 Ultra’s standout Motion Trackers. Annoyingly, you have to pay extra for them, but these foot trackers bring a great level of immersion to compatible apps for only £79 (around $100 / AU$150) for a pair – or a lot less if you pick up the preorder bundle or a different deal that I’m sure we’ll see during future sales events like Black Friday. These alone could be the best reason to pick up the Pico 4 Ultra.
Pico 4 Ultra: Specs
Pico 4 Ultra review: Price and Availability
The Pico 4 Ultra has only one model (the specs are listed above, but the notable stats are 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage) and it goes on sale in the UK on September 20 for £529 (around $695 / AU$1025). No Australia or US launch has yet been announced.
The Pico 4 Ultra preorder bundle (Image credit: Future)
Preorders go live on September 6 and if you preorder the Ultra you’ll get a few free goodies; namely two free motion trackers (more on those in the Features section) as well as four games:
Blade & Sorcery: Nomad
Infinite Inside
Let’s Get Fit VR
FootPool
The lack of a truly global launch schedule isn’t unheard of for Pico – the original Pico 4 still isn’t available in the US – but it’s always a surprise to see Pico’s headsets dodge a major market, especially this time when the Ultra boasts such impressive internals. Yes, it’s a little pricier than a Meta Quest 3 ($499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.99) but offers an additional 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage which is an upgrade that could entice a lot of VR users; that is, if they weren’t locked out because the Pico 4 Ultra is unavailable in their part of the world.
Value score: 4/5
Pico 4 Ultra review: Performance
Every VR game and app runs smoothly
Nothing feels like it needs 12GB of RAM
The Pico 4 Ultra boasts some fantastic hardware upgrades over its predecessor, which help it deliver a stronger performance in VR and MR. The principal upgrades are to its chipset with the Ultra relying on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset (instead of the Gen 1 like the regular Pico 4) and 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB).
When testing the headset with a good mixture of games – Infinite Inside, Arizona Sunshine 2, All-In-One Sports VR, and Angry Birds VR – everything ran smoothly and looked good on the new device.
The battery is housed at the back of the strap (Image credit: Future)
There were no hiccups in mixed reality either. Infinite Inside jumps between MR and VR while Angry Birds VR offers a dedicated MR mode for all of its levels. Both titles ran really well in this blended real-and-virtual setting – even when large chain reactions in Angry Birds sent pigs and many blocks that formerly made up their structures flying in different directions.
Now it’s officially announced, with any luck we should see some next-gen upgrades make their way to Pico 4 Ultra games and apps too – just like we saw with Quest 3 titles when Meta’s Quest line made the jump to the XR 2 Gen 2.
My only concern so far is I feel I’ve yet to experience anything that pushes the Pico 4 Ultra in a way which warrants that extra 4GB of RAM over other mid-range VR headsets with an XR2 Gen 2 chipset which only have 8GB (i.e. the Quest 3). Games and apps on those rival systems also run really well, and if Pico is asking us to pay more than its rivals charge because of the Ultra’s improvements, I’d like to see some really concrete reasons why that higher RAM and price is worthwhile.
Hopefully, some made for Pico 4 Ultra software will highlight how necessary the upgrades are, though we’ll have to wait and see what’s announced. For now we can at least enjoy the very solid mid-range headset Pico has delivered.
Performance score: 5/5
Pico 4 Ultra review: Design
Counterbalanced design is appreciated for comfort
No silicon facial interface in the box
The Pico 4 Ultra (unsurprisingly) takes plenty of design cues from the base Pico 4; so much so you might assume they’re the same device at a glance. The Ultra is almost the same weight (580g instead of 586g), features more prominent mixed-reality sensors, and its controllers have lost their icon spiral tracking ring – in favor of the Quest 3 handsets’ tracking ring-less design.
However, you still get a VR gadget clad in a light gray plastic casing, with an adjustable plastic head strap that creates a counterbalanced design – as the device’s battery is housed at the back of the strap (so the battery sits at the back of your head) to offset the weight of the display and other components that are sitting on your face.
Pico 4 Ultra controllers (Image credit: Future)
While this certainly aided the Pico 4 Ultra’s overall comfort, the headset was let down by its facial interface and rigid head strap cushion that left me wanting more in terms of support and fit. As a result, the headset didn’t feel leaps and bounds ahead of its non-counterbalanced headset counterparts. I’d go as far to say it was merely on par which was a shame.
I’m also disappointed that Pico – much like other headset makers – refuses to give you a silicon face cushion in the box. Fabric cushions get sweaty even if you don’t plan to play fitness apps meaning they’re generally gross to share with others, and cleaning fabric interfaces is a real pain. Silicon facial interfaces should be standard, not an additional purchase. At least it comes with a spacer attachment so you can make room for your prescription specs without needing to buy bespoke lenses (*cough*Apple Vision Pro *cough*).
The last negative aspect – though one I’m more torn on – is a fan that blows inside the headset while you’re wearing it to prevent the lenses fogging. While this can be handy I often found the breeze annoying as it kept blowing in my eyes causing them to feel extra dry. After a while you get a bit used to it, but the same feature was present in the Pico 4 and online forums suggest it’s one of those things people either love or hate. I’m more in the hate camp, but it comes down to personal preference.
Otherwise, the Pico 4 Ultra is fairly standard. It boasts USB-C charging and a familiar control layout on its handsets – save for two additional menu buttons meaning that the left controller has a dedicated button for the main Pico menu and another for the in-game pause menu, while the right controller has the same main Pico menu button and a dedicated screenshot button (which comes in handy for capturing impromptu clips).
Last but not least, the Pico 4 Ultra boasts continuous interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment from 58-72mm. IPD adjustments are essential for ensuring the VR headset’s lenses are spaced the correct distance apart for your eyes to avoid blurriness, and a continuous adjustment setup allows for a higher degree of personalization compared to the three or four pre-set distances offered by some models (i.e. the Meta Quest 2).
Design score: 4/5
Pico 4 Ultra review: Software
Many great VR and MR games and apps
Pico lacks meaningful exclusives
Coming into this review my main concern for the Pico 4 Ultra was its software. It might have the best specs we’ve ever seen on a mid-range standalone VR headset but without software to take advantage of this performance there’d be no point buying one.
I’m therefore pleased to report that the Pico 4 Ultra’s software library is good, bordering on great.
Navigating the virtual store is more of a pain then it should be – a cleaner layout and better app curation would go a long way here – but using the search bar to look up my favorite titles (Walkabout Mini Golf, The Last Clockwinder, Painting VR, and Pistol Whip to name a few) I found almost everything I was looking for. Best of all, the titles were all as content-packed and feature-complete as their counterparts on other platforms (something that hasn’t always been true for the Pico 4 system).
My only concern is that the Pico 4 Ultra is lacking in notable exclusives beyond its TikTok VR app. I know, I know, exclusive software is a contentious subject and I agree that overall they’re a bad deal for consumers. But under its belt the Meta Quest 3 (the Pico 4 Ultra’s main rival) has some massive hitters which Pico can’t currently compete with – we’re talking Beat Saber, Resident Evil 4 VR, Assassin's Creed Nexus, Asgard’s Wrath 2, Batman: Arkham Shadow, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and soon (ironically because it was originally announced as a Pico 4 exclusive) Just Dance VR, among others.
Where is Pico's Arkham Shadow competitor? (Image credit: Meta / Camouflaj)
Some major upcoming titles like Just Dance VR and Alien: Rogue Incursion (which is also due out on the PSVR 2) could get Pico 4 Ultra release dates after the headset’s launch now that the device isn’t a secret, but Pico really needs to start swinging with some major games and apps you can’t find anywhere else. Until then there’s a clear winner in terms of the headset that’ll give you the most complete VR software experience, and it isn’t Pico.
What’s more, cross-platform titles will have to play to the lowest common denominator. That means they won’t be optimized for the Pico 4 Ultra’s 12GB of RAM; they'll also be designed with headsets in mind that only have 6GB or 8GB of RAM. This means you won’t get the most out of the extra specs you’re paying for unless the app creators devote extra time to Ultra-exclusive upgrades (which there’s no guarantee they will).
At least you can connect the Pico 4 Ultra to a PC to play SteamVR games, helping to expand its library further. You do so using the Pico Connect app which facilitates both wired and wireless experiences in much the same way as the third-party Virtual Desktop app. I tried the wireless version for some SteamVR games and found it ran pretty well, though your experience will depend on your home Wi-Fi speed – so you may find a wired connection is more stable.
My only critique is that when using Pico Connect for productivity apps like Google Docs I didn’t have a virtual keyboard. Using a real one in mixed reality is fine, but the option of a floating keyboard would have been appreciated.
I also found the Pico 4 Ultra’s operating system to be fairly clean. It’s very similar to Meta’s HorizonOS – likely because both are built on Android – so transitioning to it was simple enough, and I expect VR newcomers would be able to navigate fairly easily too. It does noticeably lack some of HorizonOS optimizations and smoothness at times, but Pico could address this in future updates.
Software score: 3.5/5
Pico 4 Ultra review: Features
Motion Trackers are impressive
Spatial image camera seems pointless
As for features, the one you’ll all want to know about is the Pico 4 Ultra’s mixed-reality performance. Again the simple descriptor I’d go for is ‘it’s good’. For mixed reality the Pico 4 Ultra boasts two 32MP cameras, and a depth sensor – a step up on the base model’s single 16MP lens and no depth sensor setup. The end result is a vibrant passthrough image with less (but not quite zero) distortion than what we’ve seen from Pico before – at the fringes I did notice the passthrough feed shifting unrealistically at times.
Though it’s far from lifelike, there’s the same graininess you’ll find from other mid-range devices like the Meta Quest 3 – graininess which you’ll also see in the footage recorded by the Pico 4 Ultra’s new spatial camera.
Here's one of the Motion Trackers... (Image credit: Future)
That’s right, just like the Apple Vision Pro you can use the headset to record spatial video that you can watch later. It’s interesting, sure, but far from useful. Someone on Reddit or X will post a video of them carrying their Pico 4 Ultra around to capture moments in spatial video or as spatial photos, but 99.99% of people won’t. Instead they’ll do exactly what I did – take a picture of their office / their living room / another space in their home, say “huh, that’s neat” when they see the stereoscopic image, and promptly never use it again.
I think spatial content capture is better handled by phones or accessories like the Xreal Beam Pro as these are devices you can reasonably carry with you to capture moments you’d like to remember and relive – and the quality would be higher too.
Finally, let's talk about the Motion Trackers, easily the best of the Pico 4 Ultra’s accessories.
When I strapped them to my ankles I expected the trackers would pick up general leg motion but might struggle with specifics – for example, it wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between me raising my foot with my knee bent, and raising my foot keeping my leg straight. I was very wrong.
I tried a bunch of maneuvers trying to trick the ankle bracelets, and the little VR avatar the app showed me mimicked my poses perfectly.
... and here's one of the weird poses I tried to use to trick them (Image credit: Future)
They were also super easy to set up and calibrate, with the only (minor) inconvenience being that I had to remember to roll my jeans up so that the trackers were exposed and not hidden behind my clothing (as I write this I realize I could have instead put them over the top of jeans, but regardless it was the most minor of minor inconveniences anyway).
Obviously, the thing to note is that unless you’ve picked them up as part of the preorder bundle – or another deal that comes later during Black Friday or otherwise – the Motion Trackers cost £79 for a pair. What’s more, they only work with a few titles – Pico says “20+” for standalone Pico 4 Ultra games as well as any motion tracker enabled SteamVR experiences.
If you play these titles regularly I think the trackers can add a fair amount of immersion – actually getting to kick a virtual football or feel like the headset was properly tracking my full body movement was a blast – though I’d recommend trying to get them as part of a discounted bundle if you can (or only picking them up if your digital library is well stocked with compatible experiences).
Features score: 4.5/5
Should you buy the Pico 4 Ultra?
Buy it if…
You want the best specs for a mid-range device
The Pico 4 Ultra has some really solid specs for its price, so if you value the best hardware for your budget then it could be just what you’re after.
You want foot tracking
With its optional Motion Trackers you can bring accurate foot tracking to several VR titles. Yes, they’re an additional add-on, but they’re not an accessory every standalone headset can support, so it could be worth picking an Ultra up for that reason alone.
You hate Facebook If Meta has rubbed you the wrong way with its privacy practices over the years, or you don’t enjoy the Quest ecosystem’s Facebook integrations, then the Pico 4 Ultra is the best mid-range, non-Meta headset you can buy right now.
Don’t buy it if…
You want the broadest VR software library
The Pico 4 Ultra is lacking many major standalone VR titles because they’re exclusive to its biggest rival (Meta). If you’re desperate to play any of them (like, say, Batman: Arkham Shadow) you shouldn’t buy a Pico 4 Ultra.
You’re after something cheaper While the Pico 4 Ultra is good value for money, it is pricier than other mid-range standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 3. Not by a lot, but the £50 difference could instead be spent on software or something non-VR related.
You want a spatial image capture device
Yes, the Pico 4 Ultra can be used for spatial image capture – a unique feature for mid-range XR headsets – but the quality isn’t high enough, nor the feature anywhere close to convenient enough, for it to be a deciding factor in your purchase decision.
Also consider
Meta Quest 3
Surprise, surprise after it was name-dropped a few times throughout this review. If you’re looking at mid-range VR headsets, you can’t not consider the king of them. Yes the Pico 4 Ultra has some advantages, but so does the Meta Quest 3, so you seriously don’t want to dismiss this alternative.
Meta Quest 3S Okay, so this headset isn’t even announced officially yet, but I’m dropping it in here because so many leaks (including several from Meta itself) say it’s coming and that it’ll be announced on September 25 at Meta Connect 2024. It likely won’t boast the same specs as the Pico 4 Ultra but is expected to be a lot cheaper, so it might be worth waiting a little longer to see if the Quest 3S is announced and if this more budget-friendly device tickles your fancy.
Xreal Air 2 These AR smart glasses are a very different prospect to the Pico 4 Ultra VR headset, but with the help of the Xreal Beam Pro they offer many useful features in a similarly priced package – including a wearable private movie theater and high-quality spatial footage capture.
When Lenovo released its ThinkVision M14t portable monitor around 2020, it was praised for its beautiful 1080p touchscreen display with a built-in adjustable stand and included stylus. Those positive attributes were unfortunately joined with an expensive $449 launch price and required a USB-C port with DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode to operate. Thankfully, the Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen-2 improves on every highlight of the portable monitor and fixes two of the biggest issues.
The M14t Gen 2 retains the sleek, all-black design of its predecessor, featuring a 14-inch IPS LCD touchscreen that can easily switch between vertical and horizontal orientations. However, this new model offers several upgrades, including a higher resolution of 1440p, an improved aspect ratio from 16:9 to 16:10, and a significantly enhanced contrast ratio of 1500:1. Additionally, the color accuracy has been boosted, now covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut, compared to the previous generation's 72% NTSC coverage. Simply put, the M14t Gen 2 is a large evolution in terms of image quality.
(Image credit: Future)
Meanwhile, DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode is relatively common nowadays for laptops and desktops in addition to the launch price coming in at $399. That doesn’t mean there aren’t issues that potential buyers should be aware of. Considering the touchscreen capabilities of the M14t, Mac users probably won’t be able to make use of the touch screen as that feature is more for Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and Android devices. This portable monitor is for general computing and creative functions like browsing the web or video editing. Gaming-focused users may want to steer clear from the M14t Gen 2 for several reasons. Outside of the 60Hz max refresh rate, it has a 6ms response time and doesn’t have an HDMI port for gaming consoles.
Though the display design hasn’t changed much, the image quality has been improved by miles. Consider the M14t Gen 2 a respectable revision and one of the best portable monitors in its price range.
Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2: Price and availability
How much does it cost? It cost $399 (£300, AU $543)
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
Compared to when the first-gen Lenovo ThinkVision M14t was first launched at $449, the gen-2 comes in at a cheaper $399 (£300, AU $543) price. Available now in the US, UK, and Australian territories, the portable monitor is available through Lenovo’s store alongside other major online retailers like Amazon. Right now, the first-gen M14t can be purchased for around $279 if you're fine with the 1080p display outside the lower contrast and color gamut support.
Regarding overall value, the M14t gen-2 has a few things going for it compared to similar portable monitors. Having the higher 1440p resolution, outstanding foldable design, and two USB-C ports does make this an attractive buy for those who create or need a second screen. Gamers may be better off with something like our pick for the best portable monitor, the Asus ZenScreen OLED MQ13AH (or MQ16AH if you want a bigger screen), which features 1ms response time. On the other hand, potential buyers on a budget could find the 1080p ViewSonic VA1655 a better buy at under $100 bucks.
Value: 4 / 5
Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2: Design
The all-black design returns
Tilt also remains -5 / +90 degrees
The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 closely mirrors its predecessor with a sleek, all-black design that exudes a premium feel.
(Image credit: Future)
It also features a slew of essential ports and buttons, which is not always the case when it comes to modern laptops. On the left side, there's a USB-C port, brightness rocker, and menu button, while the right side includes another USB-C port, cable lock, and power button. Button placement makes navigating the on-screen interface straightforward and intuitive.
Using the M14t Gen 2 with a laptop or desktop means connecting it through USB-C and it just works. If you want to use it with your phone, you may have to connect one USB-C to a wall outlet and connect your phone to the other USB-C port.
The display's hinge can be lifted to provide additional height, adding to its versatility. Automatic orientation adjustment is a standout feature here, allowing seamless switching between horizontal and vertical modes. For those who enjoy drawing, the M14t can be laid flat for a more comfortable experience. Additionally, the monitor is VESA mount certified, and two clips are included for mounting.
(Image credit: Future)
Included are a stylus and a carrying case, which conveniently has a pen holder. However, the glossy screen is prone to smudges, and the soft cotton case can be used to wipe them away. When inside the carrying case, it fits well in a medium-sized backpack and does a good job of protecting the display.
Again, don’t expect any radical changes in the overall design on the M14t. What is impressive is that despite the upgrades to the image quality, the overall weight stays the same at around 1.54 lbs.
Design: 4.5/ 5
Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2: Features
(Image credit: Future)
The touchscreen and stylus work well together
Extreme mode for better input latency
Many of the features of the Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 carry over from the previous iteration. This includes the touchscreen which works well with laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. Input is smooth enough during usage; especially when using a Windows laptop. Add the included stylus into the picture and it’s a pretty neat tool to doodle in Microsoft paint. Just understand that the stylus doesn’t include any buttons so it won’t replace a Wacom tablet.
The M14t isn’t meant for gaming, but there is an Extreme mode, which takes the input latency from Normal mode of 8ms to 6ms. Unfortunately, while this is an improvement, it's still too high to matter much for gamers. Extreme mode can affect image quality with shadowing for faster-moving images, too. If you have a gaming laptop that can play the occasional game at 1440p and 60 frames-per-second, you should be satisfied enough. More serious gamers should look elsewhere.
Considering the 300 nit brightness (which is good enough) alongside the 3000000:1 contrast, it would have been nice to have some HDR to round out the already fantastic image quality. This matters most when using a laptop with HDR capabilities as using the display could be considered a downgrade.
Features: 3.5/ 5
Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Image quality is top-notch
Gaming performance isn’t very good
The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 excels in overall image quality, with significant improvements over its predecessor. The upgrade to a 1440p resolution and 3,000,000:1 contrast ratio enhances everything from general computing to watching videos and photo editing, making it a standout option for creative tasks. Text appears crisp and clear, whether using Google Chrome or Slack, and it performs exceptionally well as a second screen for Adobe Suite in environments like an office or a coffee shop.
In normal latency mode, video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro or watching YouTube videos looks impressive, with bold colors, deep blacks, and excellent color accuracy supported by 100% sRGB color gamut coverage, making it ideal for tasks in Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Lightroom. As mentioned earlier, the touchscreen works respectably well and is just as snappy with the touch stylus. Motions were smooth and didn’t lag, though general usage will vary depending on the user.
However, the M14t isn’t the best choice for gaming due to its high input latency; even in Extreme mode, which reduces latency from 8ms to 6ms, it can still cause image quality issues like shadowing during fast movements, so serious gamers should consider other options.
Performance: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2?
Buy it if...
You need a great portable 1440p monitor
The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t has a lovely 1440p display with high contrast and color gamut that looks fantastic.
You require a flexible design
The monitor’s ability to fold horizontally, vertically or flat is cool for a touch screen that comes with a usable pen.
Don't buy it if...
You don’t need a touchscreen
Mac users aren’t going to be able to use the touchscreen which means that it might be useless for that community of users.
You want something more gaming-friendly
Having a 6 ms response time and 60Hz refresh rate may not make it very friendly for gamers.
Also consider
Asus ZenScreen OLED MQ16AH
For around the same price, you get a 1080p display that also has two USB-C ports and a singular HDMI port with the Asus ZenScreen OLED MQ16AH. Gamers will most definitely appreciate the 1ms response time and ability to connect consoles as well.
Tested through various general computing apps and Adobe Suite
I spent a week testing the Lenovo ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 between my office and home, using it with both a Windows laptop and a MacBook. At my office, I utilized it primarily as a secondary display for applications like Slack and Microsoft Outlook. The display quality worked well for demanding tasks in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
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.
