Gadgets - Organizer

The Audeze Maxwell 2 is an incredible high-end gaming headset – but don’t expect a big upgrade from its predecessor

5:00 pm | January 15, 2026

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: AI, PC | Comments: Off

Audeze Maxwell 2: one-minute review

Audeze is known for enthusiast-level audiophile hardware. When that tech drips down to the Maxwell gaming line, reviewer and consumer alike have an important question to ask: Can we actually hear a difference versus the competition?

The answer in this case is a resounding, 90mm driver-powered ‘yes’ in the form of the new Audeze Maxwell 2 wireless gaming headset that rattles your eardrums and stupefies you into a kind of aural nirvana. In 15 years of reviewing audio equipment from gaming to studio product categories – and do excuse me while I do a little sick in my mouth at the pompousness of this statement – I’ve rarely heard such a well-rounded and emotive frequency response.

It’s important to keep that in mind, because although there is good reason to be critical of this headset as a consumer release, it really can’t be faulted in raw audio terms. If great sound is all you care about, money no object, then you’ve already read all you needed to in this review. Go and enjoy your new headset.

But gaming headsets have become an incredibly crowded vertical, and in the race to win our attention and money, manufacturers have really spoiled us with features lately. Broadcast-quality noise-cancelling mics, simultaneous 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connections, and even active noise cancellation have started to feel like table stakes in the flagship model end of the market.

That places a lot of importance on the secondary features of this follow-up to the original Audeze Maxwell. After all, it follows a prior model (the 'Gen 1', if you will) that gobbled up acclaim and awards like a ravenous James Cameron on a nineties Oscars night. The Gen 1 Maxwells are available for around $100 / £100 less than the new 'Gen 2s', and sadly, there’s no single must-have feature about the newer incarnation that justifies spending more money.

The Gen 2s do feature the company’s SLAM Acoustic Management, a marketing buzzword for ‘better audio’ more or less, along with Bluetooth connectivity, a wider headband for better weight distribution, and redesigned physical controls that do indeed feel pleasant to locate and operate. But given that the newer model is 2.4oz / 70g heavier than its predecessor, elements like the headband design upgrade feel less like a win and more like a necessity.

So here I am in the very strange position of reviewing a stellar headset that I can’t fully recommend, because so much of what makes it stellar was also true of the outgoing model.

The Audeze Maxwell 2 gaming headset lying on a pale desk with the top pointing toward the camera and being held in a hand — (Image credit: Future/Phil Iwaniuk)

Audeze Maxwell 2: price & availability

List price: $349.99 / £339.99 / around AU$520 (Xbox version)
Significantly more than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless but less than the Nova Elite
Maxwell V1 is still available and cheaper

You’d expect a premium price from an Audeze headset. The company has made its name by delivering no-compromise sound from audiophile-grade equipment, and a lot of that tech has found its way into the Maxwell gaming line. You can hear and feel the quality difference compared to the vast majority of gaming headsets immediately, even versus some of our favourite options like the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

There’s a slight price difference between the PS5 and Xbox versions of this headset, both of which are also compatible with PC and mobile devices via Bluetooth. The PlayStation option is slightly cheaper at $329.99 / £339, while the Xbox version has a $349.99 / £369 list price. This makes it significantly cheaper than the other recent audiophile gaming headset of the time, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, which retails for a chonky $599.99 / £599.99.

It’s not just the sound that communicates where the money’s been spent. The build quality and presentation are also wonderful, like something you’d find waiting for you on an eye-wateringly expensive first-class plane seat. The only caveat, as you’ll read numerous times throughout this review, is that the outgoing model is currently going cheaper, and it’s fundamentally just as good.

The Audeze Maxwell 2 gaming headset lying on a pale desk with a close-up view of its buttons — (Image credit: Future/Phil Iwaniuk)

Audeze Maxwell 2: Specs

	Audeze Maxwell 2
Price	$349.99 / £339.99 / around AU$520
Weight	17.2oz / 490g
Drivers	90mm Planar Magnetic
Compatibility	PC, Xbox Series X\|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch\|2, MacOS, iOS, Android
Connection type	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, wired 3.5mm/USB-C
Battery life	80 hours
Features	Detachable hypercardioid 16-bit/48KHz high bandwidth mic with FILTER AI noise removal, internal beamforming mics, 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, patent-pending SLAM technology, Bluetooth support for Auracast, LE Audio, LDAC, and AAC
Software	Audeze App (PC and mobile)

Audeze Maxwell 2: Design & features

Chunky and imposing looks, but very heavy
Pro audio finish with impressive materials choices
Control layout takes some getting used to

One thing’s for certain: you’re extremely unlikely to misplace this headset. Weighing in at 17.2oz / 490g (Or around 16.2oz / 460g if you remove the magnetic earcup plates) and featuring deep, luxurious cushioning around formidably large cups housing 90mm drivers, this is a strikingly solid model that conveys quality and longevity as soon as you cast your eyes over it. Brushed gunmetal finish, soft memory foam cushioning, and a new inner headband suspension strap with breathable holes combine to create an aesthetic that communicates the Maxwell 2’s mission: audiophile-grade gear in the gaming market.

I love that look, personally. I’m especially impressed by little details like the pin-sharp Audeze logos on each earcup, beneath the magnetic covers. Remove the detachable mic, and this is definitely a pair of headphones you wouldn’t mind being seen in public wearing.

There’s a downside to that: it’s an especially heavy model. Weight doesn’t have a linear relationship with discomfort, of course, and manufacturers can do plenty to minimise the effect of 17.2oz / 490g sitting across your cranium. But if you are prone to discomfort when wearing bulkier cans, this particular attribute is worth keeping in mind.

Personally, I found the comfort levels high for two to three hours of use. I do feel the weight across the top of my head, and also in the increased clamping force of the earcups around my ears, but not to such a degree that I need a break. It’s January as I write this in the UK, so heat isn’t an issue, but I could imagine the pleather earcup cushions might be more of an issue in hotter climes, as with any headset that has a lot of clamping force.

Moving on to the layout of its physical controls, redesigned for this Gen 2 model, I’m impressed overall. I love to have a physical chat mix dial on the headset, and sure enough, there’s a nice notched scroller with beautiful actuation on the rear-left earcup, just below the volume scroll wheel. On the right-hand cup are the power button and mic mute toggle switch, the latter of which is recessed so much that it can be slightly fiddly to operate, but it feels like the switch itself is of a high-quality, durable standard. The only fiddly aspect of the layout is the pairing button on the front of the left earcup, the position of which takes a little while to commit to memory.

The Audeze Maxwell 2 gaming headset lying on a pale desk with a hand tweaking an ear cushion — (Image credit: Future/Phil Iwaniuk)

Audeze Maxwell 2: Performance

Sound with a genuine wow factor
AI mic noise cancellation is hit or miss
App support for further tweaks

Now we’re into the section where the Maxwell 2 shines. It takes a lot of clever designers, engineers, and the right suppliers to achieve audio this good, and, particularly in the gaming vertical, most manufacturers have simply never taken the commercial risk of spending this much to reach this level of fidelity.

Audeze has the advantage of having honed its tech in the enthusiast space, giving the company a library of designs and parts to refer to when designing a gaming model. We saw the fruits of that labour in the original Maxwell, and now those same 90mm drivers with their frankly preposterous 10Hz-50KHz frequency response have been tuned further with Audeze’s SLAM technology.

The marketing materials say this technology allows for “heightened spatial immersion, precise and punchier bass response”, and I can’t argue with that. Apparently, it’s all down to the physical construction of the drivers, not a software-level boost, and that’s always firmer ground to establish audio fidelity on.

The overall fidelity standard has raised its game in gaming headsets lately, so the difference between contemporaries like the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro or SteelSeries Arctis Pro Nova Wireless and this model isn’t as night and day as might have been the case five years ago, when ‘gaming’ models were still artificially boosting their low end at the cost of clarity. Rather, it’s that every component part of the aural landscape is that bit clearer and more emotive.

A man wearing the Audeze Maxwell 2 gaming headset showing the left side of his face and the left ear cup and microphone. — (Image credit: Future/Phil Iwaniuk)

The bass response is huge, but tight. It doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the EQ spectrum, leaving room for sparkly high-end frequencies to chime. Human speech sounds true-to-life, indicating a well-tuned midrange response, while the stereo landscape feels impressively vast when you listen to the right sources. Try out some binaural recordings, and you’ll hear what I mean.

If audio reproduction is peerless – and it is – then audio output is a different story. The mic on this Gen 2 model features AI-assisted noise cancellation, and not to blame everything on Skynet’s malicious invasion of our lives, but it doesn’t work very well in my experience.

I’ve tested this headset using every connection type available, including digital and analog wired connections, but whenever I enable the AI noise cancellation, I get a muffled sound in Discord. That’s likely due to Discord and Audeze’s noise cancellation technologies working counterproductively over the top of each other, but whatever the cause, it’s a shame to have to turn off the noise cancellation.

After some tuning, the mic sounds much better. But at this price point, the expectation is for a mic with out-of-the-box quality. Similarly, there are some other chinks in the armor when you dig around in the connectivity options. Simultaneous Bluetooth connection is only possible with a digital or analog wired connection, rather than with the 2.4GHz wireless via the dongle – another feature you’d hope for at this price.

I can’t knock the 80-hour battery life, mind you. That’s an incredible figure, and charging is easy enough via a USB-C connection just below the mic.

The Audeze Maxwell 2 lying on a pale desk showing its cups toward the camera — (Image credit: Future/Phil Iwaniuk)

Should you buy the Audeze Maxwell 2?

Buy it if...

You’ll stop at nothing for incredible sound
It was never in doubt – there’s no comparison to the fidelity, punchiness, and emotion generated by the 90mm drivers inside these earcups.

You’re all about that bass
The bass response from these drivers is like sprinting into a brick wall - with a tailwind.

You want audiophile headset looks
So long, RGB, and tribal designs. Hello to a grown-up aesthetic that you’d be happy to wear in the street.

Don't buy it if...

You can find a Gen 1 for sale instead
It’s practically just as good, and it’s available for less. Sorry, Gen 2, but it just makes sense to buy the older model.

You need the utmost mic quality
There are some issues with Discord’s noise cancellation and the AI-powered Audeze version.

Simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless is a deal-breaker
If this is a must-have for you, then you'll need to look elsewhere, though you can achieve simultaneous digital or analog wired with Bluetooth, though.

Also consider...

Does this Audeze model put you ill at ease? Consider these premium wireless alternatives.

	Audeze Maxwell 2	Razer BlackShark V3 Pro	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Price	$349.99 / £339.99 / around AU$520	$249.99 / £249.99 / around AU$510	$349 (£329, AU$649)
Weight	17.2oz / 490g	12.9oz / 367g	11.85oz / 336g
Drivers	90mm Planar Magnetic	Razer TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50 mm Drivers Gen-2	40mm neodymium
Compatibility	PC, Xbox Series X\|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch\|2, MacOS, iOS, Android	PC, Xbox Series X (Xbox version only), PlayStation 5 (PlayStation version only), iOS, Android	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile
Connection type	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, wired 3.5mm/USB-C	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless (Hyperspeed dongle), USB wired, 2.5mm wired	Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C), Bluetooth 5.3
Battery life	80 hours	70 hours	Up to 60 hours (2 x fully-charged batteries), Infinite Power System
Features	Detachable hypercardioid 16-bit/48KHz high bandwidth mic with FILTER AI noise removal, internal beamforming mics, 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, patent-pending SLAM technology, Bluetooth support for Auracast, LE Audio, LDAC, and AAC	ANC, Razer HyperClear full-band 12mm mic, THX Spatial Audio	40mm Neodymium, ANC, magnetic drivers, 360-degree spatial audio, retractable ClearCast 2.X mic
Software	Audeze App (PC and mobile)	Razer Audio App, Razer Synapse	SteelSeries GG/Sonar (PC)

Razer Blackshark V3 Pro
Quite simply, the best all-round gaming headset on the market today. The V3 Pro version features ANC, a great mic, and a comparable 70-hour battery life, bested only in raw audio fidelity by the Audeze Maxwell 2.

For more information, check out our full Razer Blackshark V3 Pro review.

Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Featuring SteelSeries’ unique dual-battery charging solution, premium looks, plus ANC implementation, the Nova Pro Wireless is a premium headset option with few faults.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review.

How I tested the Audeze Maxwell 2

Weeks of solid use on PC, Xbox, and Mac
All connection types tested
Put through its paces in gaming, movies, music and work calls

When a headset with audio fidelity chops as formidable as this arrives, there’s only one thing for it: you play lossless classical music, as loud as your ears can withstand, until entering a stupor. That’s stage one of testing this headset.

Given that there are several connection options and multi-device compatibility, I checked each option off to ensure functionality and fidelity. I also updated the firmware via the Audeze software before poking around in the app options.

Given that the higher weight looked like it might be an issue, I wore the Maxwell 2 all day during my workday for a week straight, which included using it for work calls. That also gave me a chance to take feedback on the mic quality using different chat clients, which is where I identified that the Discord issue isn’t a universal noise-cancelling problem.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Baby Steps sounds fantastic through these things.

First reviewed December 2025-January 2026

The Seven Dials Mystery is the wrong Agatha Christie story to adapt for Netflix

I would confidently bet £10 (or $10 / AU$10 for my US and Australian friends) that you've never heard of The Seven Dials Mystery before. Not only was it not a big hitter like And Then There Were None or Murder on the Orient Express, but the novel it takes characters from, The Secret of Chimneys, was a much bigger success. The Seven Dials Mystery released to mostly bad reviews from critics, and all three of these points together aren't the best groundings for an adaptation.

Is the original book really one of Christie's best? I don't think so. It's definitely got a more light-hearted tone, but that only really comes across if you were actually from the 1920s. The overarching mystery doesn't really stick, and it's all a bit too complicated for its own good.

None of these things are Agatha Christie's Seven Dials' fault, more what it's got to contend with. There were a million better stories for the biggest streaming service in the world to choose for its own original content, particularly if it wants to build up a visual back catalog of Christie's work.

Sparkling Cyanide, Crooked House or Cards on the Table might have made for shrewd choices, especially given as their narrative structures are all a lot more sound. But here's when we begin to run into our other problem.

If you've seen any of the latest TV Agatha Christie adaptations over the last decade – which have either been for the BBC or direct to Britbox – you'll have noticed a subtle downward spiral of quality. From Kim Cattrall's Witness for the Prosecution to Anjelica Huston in Towards Zero, no new series has seemed to garner favor with anyone watching.

So, are the glory days of adapting Agatha Christie for the small screen over? It certainly feels that way for the standalone novels. I think a streaming service like Netflix could score some points with a Miss Marple reboot, but even that's a big ask.

The changes Agatha Christie's Seven Dials make to the original book don't work either

Martin Freeman points to a piece of paper he's holding — Martin Freeman lives his best detective life and I'm genuinely pleased for him. (Image credit: Netflix)

WARNING: spoilers for Agatha Christie's Seven Dials ahead.

When Murder, She Wrote and Columbo used to air in the 1980s, viewers quickly caught on that whoever was the biggest star in an episode was also the murderer – so much so that creators then had to change their casting tactics. Clearly, we don't learn anything from history, as the biggest stars in Agatha Christie's Seven Dials are the ones who give the game away.

Without giving the ultimate whodunnit away (although you could just read the book if you want an answer), Lord Caterham has been changed to Lady Caterham in this adaptation, and that's a huge problem. Frankly, casting executives could and should do anything to have Helena Bonham Carter in their production, and she's as dazzling and zany as you'd expect in the limited screentime she has.

However, she also gives away the secrets of the Seven Dials in a way that wouldn't have happened had our lady still been a lord. It's an incredibly silly blunder that knocks the central pins of storytelling to a ground, and I can't believe the decision came from the same man who made Broadchurch.

If you want to keep some mystery until the end, I'd almost recommend skipping episode 2 entirely. You can work out all the connections and logistics at play by the halfway point – something the Queen of Crime would never have let happen on her watch, even if it was one of her weaker stories.

So, what am I really getting from this streaming experience? A feeling of being let down and not seeing enough of Bonham Carter. Shoutout to Martin Freeman though, who's clearly having the time of his life playing make believe in a game of Netflix Cluedo.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

The viral Kodak Charmera is the worst camera I’ve ever used – but it’s so bad and so retro, that I actually love it

8:45 pm | January 14, 2026

Author: admin | Category: Cameras Compact Cameras Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Kodak Charmera: Two-minute review

It took me a while to get my hands on the Kodak Charmera – such is the viral popularity of this $30, 30g keychain digital camera, that it sold out on its release day late last year (with what felt like minimal advertising), and it only came back in stock as I publish this review a month later. Who knows, it might be out of stock again by the time you read these words.

And I can see the appeal – the Charmera is cheap, tiny, retro, it’ll easily fix to your keyring, and it’s an actual working camera with a screen.

What's more, there are six 1980s-inspired colorways, plus a limited edition see-through version, and you don’t know which version you’ll get since it comes in a 'blind box'. That’s got gift idea written all over it.

When I unboxed mine, cue disappointment – the black version with rainbow frontage – the one pictured on the box that appealed to me the least. Still, inside the box, a nice poster, a collector card, and a small charging cable.

@techradar
♬ Storytelling - Adriel

Image 1 of 5

Kodak Charmera compact camera in user's hand — (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Image 2 of 5

Image 3 of 5

Kodak Charmera compact camera in user's hand with a vibrant graffitied wall backdrop — (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Image 4 of 5

Kodak Charmera compact camera dangling from its keychain, with shop frontage backdrop — (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Image 5 of 5

I charged the Charmera up and slotted the thumb-sized camera into my pocket where it would live for the following weeks.

The Charmera shoots tiny 1.6 megapixel JPEG photos and HD video (1400 x 1080p at 30fps) through a fixed 35mm f/2.4 lens, has seven photo filters and four animated borders to choose from, stores onto micro SD (which needs to be purchased separately), and has a (predictably) tiny internal battery that is recharged through USB-C.

There’s a tiny 16:9 LCD screen with live view that in practice is even smaller given that images are captured in 4:3, a miniscule LED light that illuminates closeup subjects, and possibly the smallest viewfinder I've ever used, which is novel and in a way works.

Honestly, that’s about all the features and design aspects worth knowing about, but what is the Charmera actually like to use?

Image 1 of 7

Image 2 of 7

Top buttons of the Kodak Charmera compact camera — (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Image 3 of 7

Underside of the Kodak Charmera compact camera — (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Image 4 of 7

Rear screen of the Kodak Charmera compact camera — (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Image 5 of 7

Image 6 of 7

Image 7 of 7

Menus are simple enough to navigate; turn the camera on, and you select either photo, video, or set date using the three buttons on the rear, with the playback button doubling as select.

The power button doubles up as a back button, and then there's the shutter button to shoot photos and video. It takes barely a minute to figure this all out.

Everything about the Charmera is tiny: a tiny thumb-sized body, tiny screen, tiny images. And it's actually kind of fun to shoot with...in the moment. I was certainly charmed by the Charmera, and I think many others will be too.

It's when you plug the camera into a computer or hook up the memory card to view any images taken with the Charmera that the warm fuzzy feeling quickly vanishes.

Image 1 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: a hand illuminated by rainbow lights — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 2 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: child looking at jellyfish in an aquarium — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 3 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: jellyfish in an aquarium — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 4 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: boy looking up at ocean life in an aquarium tunnel — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 5 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: a turtle seen from below in an aquarium tunnel — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 6 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: a fish emerging from a taank feature — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 7 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: a hand and its shadow on a tree — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 8 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: London high rise buildings an underground sign — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 9 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: man in a beanie hat, early morning light, urban street — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 10 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: grafittied wall — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 11 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: brightly colored high rises — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Image 12 of 12

Kodak Charmera sample gallery: grafittied railway with the London Eye behind it — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The Charmera's photo quality is about the worst I've seen from a digital camera in my lifetime – and I've been shooting digital since consumers could, when 16MB memory cards existed (yes, megabytes).

With a resolution being a truly retro 1.6MP and a barely existent dynamic range, photos are more impressions than anything else. A collection of pixels, pieced together.

And that's me commenting on the regular color profile. Use any one of the monotone filters, and things get super abstract.

Photos are like one of the novel, abstract filters you get with a decent digital camera. I guess such dated quality could charm some. For me, it screams short-lived novelty; for others, it could be the camera they always have with them.

My own gripes aside, I also think that the Charmera is so small and so distinct, that I'll keep it on me every day for the months to come.

It's a conversation starter. A whimsical capturer of moments (assuming it's tiny battery isn't flat when you pull it out of the pocket – that'll happen).

The Kodak Charmera certainly ain't good quality. But that's hardly the point, is it? This is a cheap, charming retro gift for the photography lover in your life, that should get more use than a foot spa or marmite-scented deodrant (the UK's most unwanted Christmas gift for 2025). That's the hope from me as someone who hates waste.

The Charmera is far from being one of the best compact cameras, even the best cheap compact cameras, but I don't expect that to slow down its sales.

Kodak is killing it right now with multiple best-selling cheap cameras – like the recent Ektar H35N half-frame film camera, and the PixPro C1 – and the Charmera could just be the pick of the pack in terms of concept (not quality). It's a marketing masterstroke. Who knew a keychain camera could be so popular?

Kodak Charmera: price and availability

Announced in November 2025 and sold out in a day
Priced at $30 / £30 / AU$54.95

The Kodak Charmera costs $30 / £30 / AU$54.95 for a single 'blind box', or you can buy the whole set of 6 for $180 / £180 to guarantee getting each colorway. There's a 1 in 48 chance of scoring the limited edition transparent version.

Scalpers have been selling the Charmera for extortionate prices, and some retailers have bumped the price a little, but you should be able to pick up the Charmera for its fair, original price through one of the links below.

Kodak Charmera: specs

Kodak Charmera Specs
Sensor	1/4-inch
Resolution	1.6MP
Video	1440 x 1080p at 30fps, AVI format
Lens	35mm f/2.4
Screen	Really, really small
Viewfinder	Even tinier
Dimensions	58 x 24.5 x 20 mm
Weight	30g
Battery life	200mAh, rechargeable
Memory	Micro SD (1GB to 128GB)

Should I buy the Kodak Charmera?

Buy it if...

You're looking for a cheap gift for the photography lover in your life
I can personally think of multiple people in my life who would love to receive a Charmera.

You'd appreciate a cheap, always with you camera that isn't your phone
It weighs 30g, is about the size of your thumb, shoots bad photos that could appeal to anti-tech heads and it costs $30 / £30. The Charmera is an easy sell.

Don't buy it if...

You want decent photo quality
It's no exaggeration to say the Charmera produces the worst quality photos I've seen for quite some time – they're awful from a technical standpoint.

You need a reliable camera
For me, the Charmera would be a whole lot more useful as an every day carry if its battery life wasn't so bad.

Also consider

Camp Snap Camera

Another perfectly executed cheap camera is the original Camp Snap, available for around twice the price of a Charmera. Think of it as a digital version of the single-use camera – a larger, screen-less 4MP shooter with retro design. I'm a fan.

Read my Camp Snap Camera review

Pros

Cute looks
No screen
Point-and-shoot simplicity

Cons

Poor image quality
Glare from photo counter when using viewfinder
Low power LED flash

How I tested the Kodak Charmera

I got the Charmera last year and it's mine to keep
I've used it sporadically over a couple of months
I've tried the various color filters and animated borders

I'm not going to dig into technicals of how I've tested this novel point-and-shoot camera. In short, I've rattled off hundreds of photos in good light and bad, played with the various color filters and shot short video clips. Image quality is predictably bad, but short battery life is particularly unfortunate.

First reviewed January 2026

Clipchamp (2026) review

7:54 pm |

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

The Microsoft-owned Clipchamp is distinct from most video editors, since the main draw here is that you can edit videos in your browser (provided that browser is either Chrome or Edge).

There’s an obvious advantage to that - as long as you’re logged in to your account, you can work from any computer. There's no need to check you have top-end computer specs and you don’t need to install any additional software.

Now, this isn't going to compete with Premiere Pro, Final Cut, or any of the other best video editing software I've used. As the name suggests, it's a lot more basic than those apps, and a lot of its use depends on adding content to pre-built templates.

I took a look at how easy it is to use the tool, and whether Clipchamp has a place in the creative workflow.

Try out Clipchamp by clicking here

Clipchamp: Pricing & plans

Using Microsoft Clipchamp to edit videos during our review — (Image credit: Microsoft // Future)

Generous free option with no watermarks
Premium subscription with Microsoft 365

Being able to edit online is one thing, being restricted to only a couple of browsers is another. I’m not a fan of being forced to work with a specific browser. Personally, I like Firefox and Safari, but Clipchamp is only compatible with Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. If you already use these browsers, great, but if you don’t, you’ll have to decide from the outset if that restriction will put you off using this video editor.

As for the price, Clipchamp comes in two flavours: ‘Free’ and ‘Premium'.

‘Free’ is surprisingly generous, letting you work on projects up to 1080p, have access to what they call ‘AI editing tools’ for audio and video, grant you the ability to record your computer’s screen, webcam, and audio, and all without any watermark anywhere, which is pretty cool.

As for ‘Premium’, its projects can be up to 4K, and you gain access to premium stock assets, filters and effects (‘Free’ only has a basic assortment of those).

Unfortunately, though, you can't get a Premium subscription as a standalone. Instead, Clipchamp is bundled with Microsoft Office 365, so if you’re not one for subscribing to business software, you’ll have to decide if Clipchamp Premium is worth getting for between $100 and $130 a year - which is quite hefty for an online video editor - or whether a tool like Canva Video might be the better pick. On the bright side, if you already subscribe to Office, then you can have fun with Premium right now.

Clipchamp: Getting started

You absolutely need a Microsoft login for personal accounts

You can choose to use your email address, or log in through your Google or Microsoft account… except if you choose to work on personal projects, Clipchamp will then inform you only Microsoft accounts are able to do that.

And that’s after giving your email address, created a password, and clicked on many, many emails and buttons,

Making it clear what the state of play is from the get-go would’ve saved me a lot of time. It doesn’t really endear you to the service you’re about to explore.

However, I decided to put that little hiccup - something that could easily be fixed with a few lines of text at the login page - to the side, and set off exploring the online service.

Clipchamp: Interface & experience

Impressive considering it's browser-based
Good interface with easy to use tools
Experience marred by tiny preview section and lots of buffering

The home page looks fine. You’ve got a sidebar on the left to gain access to your settings and ready-made templates, among others, while the bulk of the page is devoted to tips and tricks to encourage you to try new features (I was offered recording from a webcam, and using digital voices to turn your text into speech). You’ll also see a few featured templates, a button to edit by yourself, and another with the help of AI, and at the bottom, all your previous projects.

Nothing new here really in terms of design and layout, but it’s simple and clear, which helps you get to where you wish to go.

I thought I’d try out the manual editing first, as that’s my usual bread and butter… And I must say, it works really well. To the left is a sidebar containing all available tools. From there, you have access to any media you uploaded to the service, a library of stock assets, text tools and transitions, templates (again), and a section dedicated to recording media. This includes webcam, a connected camera, your desktop, or a microphone (all of which worked really well). This is also another place where the ‘text to speech’ option can be accessed.

All well and good.

When it comes to editing, it’s all about dragging. Drag a clip from your library to the timeline to add it to your project. Repeat the process, to build up your edit. Drag a clip’s edges to resize it, drag an entire clip to move it around; select an item in the timeline for its changeable parameters to appear in a sidebar to the right. It’s all pretty intuitive and standard fare.

The one thing that annoyed me is how small the preview section is. This is generally the part of the interface that needs to be as big as possible, so you can see what you’re working on. Here, it’s tiny.

Worse still, dragging the playhead along the timeline doesn’t update what you see in that preview section, so you can’t quickly scroll to another part of your edit and carry on working: you have to wait for the buffering to end.

That’s an obvious downside to working online, but it’s also a frustrating one if you’re used to working fast. If you’re a casual editor, you might be fine with that though.

Clipchamp: Recording

Editing videos in Clipchamp, Microsoft's free video editor — (Image credit: Microsoft)

All options work well
Choose your text-to-speech narrator wisely

You get four recording options in Clipchamp: Camera, Screen, Camera & Screen, and text-to-speech. These work exactly as you’d expect - grant the app access to your mic and webcam, select which window, tab, or desktop to record, hit Share.

It’s not a bad shout if you need a no-fuss one of the best free screen recorders for no-fuss, no-hassle set-up and use. It's also useful for recording piece-to-camera videos and webinars.

The built-in text-to-speech software is slightly different. It’s like a robot narrator. Input content into the text field, choose a language and voice that fits your video, then tinker with the pitch and speed to create something that passes for human speech.

The variety across the board here is excellent. However, some voices were much more natural than others, closer to ‘realistic’ smart speaker voices than the usual stilted robots found in Microsoft apps. Save the sound clip and you can drag it onto your timeline like any other media.

Clipchamp: AI editing

Not truly AI
Automatic algorithms, and not very clever ones at that

Now, might AI overcome some of the buffering I experienced? After all, if the algorithms do the work for you, it should be a much easier affair.

To be honest, this was one of the most disappointing aspects of Clipchamp. I can live with a bit of buffering. But the claims of AI editing are laughable.

First things first, I uploaded some footage - and that process is absolutely fine. Then I had to like or dislike a bunch of themes, or select the option ‘choose for me’.

When it comes to orientation, it’s either landscape or portrait (the more numerous options I found when editing manually weren't present this time round). There is an option to choose from a handful of songs and fonts, or just accept the default selection that’s been presented, and then export.

As the algorithm does its thing, I was offered various ways to save the project: save to the desktop, upload it to an online storage service such as OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox, or to social media sites such as YouTube, TikTok or LinkedIn.

Then came the big reveal.

I have to say, I wasn’t impressed with the output. Sure everything was edited for me, but the choices were anaemic.

I uploaded widescreen shots and requested a vertical video suitable for social media. The algorithm didn’t crop my footage. It just presented it with massive black bars top and bottom. This was not what I was expecting.

The editing was also unimpressive. Oh and the preview section during export could also be bigger (what is it with Clipchamp and tiny preview sections?)

I tried multiple times, and noticed the edit seems to follow the order the clips were in, and it didn’t even edit to the beat of its chosen song. I mean, really, that should be a basic feature for an AI tool.

If, like me, you’re not happy with the results, you can always ‘Keep Editing’, i.e., take the work already done by the machine, and refine it to your liking in the manual editing section. That could definitely save some time. Frankly, I’d bin the whole thing and start properly from scratch. But maybe that’s just me.

Should I buy Clipchamp?

Buy it if…

You’re looking for an way to edit online, with some simple tools that are well implemented, and best of all, the free tier doesn’t watermark your output!

Don’t buy it if…

You’re not a fan of having to wait for the interface to catch up with you, you’d appreciate a bigger preview section, and are far from impressed by the lamentable AI feature.

For more editors, we've tested and reviewed the best free video editing software and the best video editing apps.

HP Omen Max 16 review: a powerhouse gaming laptop at a compelling price

7:54 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: Battery Life, CPU, GPU, RAM | Comments: Off

HP Omen Max 16: Two minute review

Many of the best gaming laptops on the market feature Nvidia’s latest 50 series graphics cards, and while these are perfect for those who are looking for a powerful device, they typically come at an exceptionally high price point.

Enter the latest HP Omen Max 16, which comes with a more affordable pricepoint when compared to its rivals, though it will still leave a significant dent in your wallet.

The HP Omen Max 16 is a formidable machine designed for high-end gaming, and from the moment you power it on, its capabilities shine through, offering smooth gameplay and crisp visuals.

While it features a more traditional gaming laptop aesthetic with a slightly bulkier build, its performance under pressure is where it truly excels. The Omen Max 16 manages heat impressively well, maintaining optimal performance even during extended gaming sessions, and its display offers a truly immersive visual feast.

This laptop is a strong choice for gamers who prioritize raw power and a high-quality visual experience, and it's well-equipped to handle the most demanding AAA titles - all for a price that's (slightly) more sensible than other gaming laptops at this end of the market.

HP Omen Max 16 gaming laptop on wooden surface — (Image credit: Future)

HP Omen Max 16: Price and availability

How much is it? Starting at $2,599 / £1,999
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK

The Omen Max 16 is available for $2,599 / £1,999. This price positions it competitively within the high-performance gaming laptop market, especially considering the specifications it offers.

While it's certainly not a budget option, it provides excellent value for serious gamers looking for top-tier hardware without reaching the ultra-premium price points of some alternatives. For example, the MSI Stealth A16 AI+, which boasts an Nvidia 5070 Ti - less powerful than the 5080 featured in the Omen Max 16 - comes in at $2,899 / £2,199.

The laptop is currently available in the US, UK, and several European countries. While there's no official word on wider global availability, HP typically expands its distribution to other regions over time.

Value: 4 / 5

HP Omen Max 16: Specs

The HP Omen Max 16 is equipped with a powerful Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a fast 1TB NVMe SSD. These specifications combine to create a powerhouse capable of handling the most demanding games and applications with ease.

	HP Omen Max 16 AH0007NA
Price	$2,599 / £1,999
CPU	Intel Core i9-14900HX
GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
RAM	32GB DDR5
Storage	1TB PCIe SSD
Display	16.1-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS - 240Hz
Ports	3x USB-A, 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x Audio Jack, 1x SD Card Reader
Wireless	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Dimensions	369 x 259.4 x 23.9 mm
Weight	2.5 kg

HP Omen Max 16: Design

Dated design
Keyboard looks great
Excellent screen

The Omen Max 16 embraces a bold, aggressive design that is characteristic of gaming laptops - while you could take it into an office environment or on the go, you might get some strange looks.

Personally, I find this aesthetic quite dated, so it’s not really the best option for me, but this won’t be the case for everyone. One thing I will note, however, is that the RGB keyboard is stunning thanks to the semi-transparent keycaps.

Its chassis is sturdy, and while it's not the slimmest laptop on the market, its build quality feels premium. The laptop's larger footprint accommodates its powerful components and effective cooling system, but it does also mean that this device will be taking up a fair amount of space on your desk or in your bag if you’re intending to take this laptop on the go with you.

HP has provided an ample selection of ports, ensuring you can connect all of your gaming peripherals without the need for an extra USB adaptor. You'll find multiple USB-A ports, a versatile USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support, an HDMI 2.1 output for connecting to external monitors, an Ethernet port for stable online gaming, an audio jack, and even an SD card reader.

However, it's worth noting that if you’re intending to run a streaming setup off of your gaming laptop, you may need more ports in order to plug in a microphone and higher-resolution webcam.

The 16.1-inch QHD IPS display is a highlight, offering vibrant colors, sharp details, and a smooth 240Hz refresh rate. While it’s not as good as an OLED panel, IPS still offers decent image quality, and is capable of an impressive range of colors. This screen provides an incredibly immersive visual experience, making games and movies truly pop. The high refresh rate ensures fluid motion, and there's no hint of screen tearing.

Design: 4 / 5

HP Omen Max 16: Performance

Excellent performance
Efficient cooling
Fans can get loud

HP Omen Max 16 Benchmarks

Here's how the HP Omen Max 16 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Geekbench 6 (Multi Core): 16,800; (Single Core): 3,150
Crossmark Overall: 2,050
3DMark Fire Strike: 35,890; Night Raid: 42,100; Time Spy 15,720
Total War: Warhammer III: (1440p, Ultra): 140 FPS; 1440p, low): 290 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p, Ultra): 90 FPS; (1440p, Low): 160 FPS
Dirt 5 (1440p, Ultra): 180 FPS; (1440p, Low): 260 FPS
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 5 hours 10 mins
TechRadar movie test: 5 hours

The performance of the HP Omen Max 16 gaming is exceptional, consistently delivering high frame rates across a wide range of demanding games.

Whether battling in the latest AAA titles or engaging in intense competitive multiplayer, the laptop maintains smooth and responsive gameplay. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card, paired with the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, easily handles graphically-intensive games, even with settings cranked up to 'ultra'.

During extensive testing, titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2 ran beautifully at high resolutions with ray tracing enabled, showcasing the laptop's ability to render stunning visuals without compromise. In each game I tried I got high frame rates with no stuttering and no issues whatsoever, and beyond gaming, the Omen Max 16 handles resource-intensive tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, and complex multitasking with remarkable efficiency, making it a versatile machine for power users.

One of the standout features is its cooling system. Despite running demanding applications, the laptop manages heat impressively well. While the fans do become quite loud under heavy load, they are effective at keeping internal temperatures in check, preventing thermal throttling and ensuring sustained performance. The keyboard area remained comfortable to use, even during prolonged gaming sessions, which is a testament to the efficient cooling design.

The speakers provide decent audio, clear enough for general use, but for the best results, I'd suggest picking up one of the best PC gaming headsets to take advantage of directional audio.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

HP Omen Max 16: Battery life

Surprisingly good battery life
Almost a full day's regular use, about two and a half hours of gaming
Charges fast but uses a proprietary charger

While HP promises a decent battery life for general usage, in real-world testing, the Omen Max 16 delivered an average of around five to six hours for light tasks such as web browsing or video playback.

This is a respectable figure for a powerful gaming laptop. However, as expected with high-performance hardware, engaging in intensive gaming or demanding applications significantly reduces battery life, typically down to about one and a half hours.

Our PCMark 10 battery life benchmark and TechRadar movie test both lasted around 5 hours, which aligns with typical expectations for this class of device. For extended gaming sessions, keeping the laptop plugged in is essential.

Battery Life: 3 / 5

Should you buy the HP Omen Max 16?

HP Omen Max 16 Scorecard
Value	The HP Omen Max offers competitive pricing for its high-end specifications.	4 / 5
Design	It has a robust, traditional gaming aesthetic with a good port selection.	4 / 5
Performance	Expect exceptional performance for AAA gaming and demanding tasks.	4.5 / 5
Battery Life	Average battery life, typical for a high-performance gaming laptop.	4.5 / 5
Total	Overall, the HP Omen Max 16 offers excellent gaming performance for a competitive price. The design, however, feels a bit bulky and dated.	4 / 5

Buy the HP Omen Max 16 if...

You want powerful gaming performance
If you're looking for a laptop that can handle the latest AAA titles at high settings with ease, this will be the laptop for you.

Image quality is important to you
The vibrant, high-refresh-rate display offers an immersive visual experience.

You don't want to get burnt
The HP Omen Max 16 manages heat well, ensuring sustained performance during long gaming sessions.

Don't buy it if...

You prioritize portability and having a laptop with a slim design
The HP Omen Max 16's design is robust but bulkier than ultra-portable alternatives.

You need all-day battery life
While decent for a gaming laptop, it won't last a full workday or long gaming sessions unplugged.

You're on a very tight budget
The HP Omen Max 16 offers good value for its specs, but it's still a high-end device with a corresponding price tag.

Also consider

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17
For those seeking an even larger screen and potentially more aggressive aesthetics with top-tier performance, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 is a strong alternative that often features cutting-edge components.

Read our full Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 review

Alienware m18
If screen size and sheer power are paramount, the Alienware m18 offers an expansive display and extreme performance, often at the very top end of gaming laptop capabilities.

Read our full Alienware m18 review

How I tested the HP Omen Max 16

For a period of two weeks, the Omen Max 16 served as my primary device for both work and leisure activities. I integrated it into my daily routine, using it for typical office tasks, extensive gaming sessions in the evenings, and general media consumption.

To assess its portability and performance outside of a stationary setup, I also used it in various remote working environments. Beyond everyday usage, comprehensive benchmark tests were conducted using industry-standard software such as 3DMark and GeekBench, alongside in-game benchmarking tools, to rigorously evaluate its performance across different scenarios.

First reviewed January 2026

I’ve tested the cool and colorful Ninja BlendBOSS, and making silky smoothies has bever been so much fun

5:57 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Juicers & Blenders Small Appliances | Tags: US | Comments: Off

Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender: one-minute review

The Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender with 26oz Travel Tumbler is ideal for people who want to quickly make smoothies, iced coffee, and other frozen beverages on the go. Just put your ingredients into the tumbler, screw on the blade lid, screw the blade lid onto the 1,200-watt motor base, and press one of the four blend mode buttons. There are three intelligent preset programs: Smoothie, Ice Crush, and Blend. These modes combine pulsing, blending, and pausing so you don't have guess. Unscrew the tumbler and screw on the drinking lid, grab a straw if you like, and you're on your way.

All three of the removable parts (tumbler, blade, travel lid) are easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. The base, which stays stable on your counter with suction cups, doesn't need to be washed. Simply wipe with a damp cloth if spills happen.

The Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender is aesthetically pleasing, with four whimsical colorways. The travel tumbler resembles trendy water bottle styles.

Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender: price and availability

List price: $119.99 (about £90 / AU$180)
Not widely available outside the US

The Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender with 26oz Travel Tumbler is available at all major retailers in the US, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Find it at Ninja's own website or at Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon, and many more. It comes in four fun colorways: Lavender Lemonade (purple and yellow, as seen in my photos), Blue Raspberry (light blue and seafoam green), Watermelon Bubblegum (sage green and pale pink), and Cyberspace (gray and steel blue). It retails for $119.99 (about £90 / AU$180)

It's not widely available outside the US at the time of writing, though you may be able to find it imported via Amazon Marketplace.

Value score: 4/5

Image 1 of 6

Making a banana smoothie with Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Image 2 of 6

Image 3 of 6

Image 4 of 6

Image 5 of 6

Image 6 of 6

Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender: specifications

Price	$119.99
Blending functions	Three intelligent programs blend automatically: Smoothie, Ice Crush, and Blend. A fourth button, Pulse, lets you choose.
Size	7.2 in L x 6.69 in W x 12.91 in H
Container material	Plastic
Container included	26-ounce travel tumbler
Color options	Lavender Lemonade (purple and yellow, as seen in my photos), Blue Raspberry (light blue and seafoam green), Watermelon Bubblegum (sage green and pale pink), and Cyberspace (gray and steel blue)

Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender: design and features

Blend directly into the travel tumbler
Four blending modes (three are automatic)
1,200-watt motor

Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender with 26oz Travel Tumbler is well-designed for its purpose. The powerful 1200-watt motor quickly and easily blends ice and frozen fruit for smoothies, iced coffee, and other frozen beverages to go. The tumbler is large but the tapered base fits into most cars' cupholders.

The tumbler has measurement markings on it, so you can combine your ingredients directly into it. The six-ounce marking also serves as the minimum liquid marking, since you must use at least six ounces of liquid in order for the BlendBOSS to blend properly. There is also a max fill line near the top, at the 24-ounce mark. This gives you space at the top to add whipped cream or other toppings after you're done blending.

Image 1 of 3

Ninja BlendBOSS™ Tumbler Blender with 26oz Travel Tumbler making a cherry smoothie — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Image 2 of 3

Image 3 of 3

There are four buttons on the base of the Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender. Three of them are automatic settings that use a combination of pulses and pauses to take the guesswork out of blending. The first button, Blend IQ, runs for 60 seconds. The second, Smoothie IQ, runs for 55 seconds. Ice Crush IQ is the third button, and it goes for 50 seconds. The fourth button, Pulse, is the only manual button. Any blender can be pretty loud, though this one isn't louder than others I've used. The IQ buttons allow you to walk away while your treat is blending, so you don't even have to listen to it up close.

The base is pretty big and heavy for a tumbler blender, probably due to its 1200-watt motor. It does have two suction cups on the bottom to keep it from moving around when you blend. The blade lid and the travel lid both screw on securely and easily. The travel/chug lid has a button so you can pop it open, revealing the chug opening. When you close it, the lid is leak-proof.

I did have one issue with the chug lid. If you do indeed chug directly from the lid (as opposed to using a straw), the top of the lid falls down on your head when you're taking your last sips. I found that pretty annoying, and found myself either using a straw or removing the lid entirely and just drinking directly from the tumbler.

Design score: 4.5/5

Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender: performance

I made a number of different recipes to test out the Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender, including several different smoothies, pancake batter, pasta sauce, and an iced drink. In every case, the blender was super fast and blended everything completely. Even the spinach in one of my smoothies was blended so fine that I couldn't see or taste the spinach at all. The ice in my iced lemonade was essentially turned to a slushy snow. I did try blending smoothies with less than the recommended amount (six ounces) of liquid, and ended up having to stop the blender, take off the blending lid, and stir around the contents. Everything else I made (with the proper amount of liquid) blended just perfectly without my having to do anything besides press the start button.

In the images below, I was making a smoothie with frozen blueberries and spinach, and it came out perfectly smooth. There were no chunks of blueberry skin or spinach.

Image 1 of 5

Ninja BlendBOSS™ Tumbler Blender with 26oz Travel Tumbler making banana, blueberry, and spinach smoothie — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Image 2 of 5

Image 3 of 5

Image 4 of 5

Image 5 of 5

Below are photos of the iced lemonade I made. The BlendBOSS turned ice into snow incredibly quickly and thoroughly.

Image 1 of 4

Ninja BlendBOSS™ Tumbler Blender with 26oz Travel Tumbler making iced lemonade — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Image 2 of 4

Image 3 of 4

Image 4 of 4

I got a little creative below, making a protein pancake batter from cottage cheese, eggs, and oats. The result was a smooth liquid with no chunks at all.

Image 1 of 3

Ninja BlendBOSS™ Tumbler Blender with 26oz Travel Tumbler making pancake batter — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Image 2 of 3

Image 3 of 3

Next I made some pasta sauce. Here I blended a can of whole tomatoes and cottage cheese. I didn't even do a whole blend cycle, a few seconds was all it took to turn that into sauce. I poured the contents of the blender into a pot I had on the stove with olive oil and browned garlic.

Image 1 of 3

Ninja BlendBOSS™ Tumbler Blender with 26oz Travel Tumbler making pasta sauce — (Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Image 2 of 3

Image 3 of 3

Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender?

Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender report card
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	This is fairly expensive for a tumbler blender, but it's also pretty powerful.	4/5
Design	This is a cute blender; it all works well except for the chug lid dropping on my nose when chugging.	4.5/5
Performance	Blending performance was excellent, whether using the automatic IQ buttons or the manual pulse button.	5/5
Overall	This small but powerful blender will fill just about all of your blending needs as long as you use enough liquid.	4.5/5

Buy it if

You want to make smoothies and iced beverages on the go

Iced coffee, smoothies, protein drinks, or other frozen beverages are made perfectly smooth and ready to go in seconds. The included tumbler is cute, holds up to 26 ounces of liquid, and fits into most cars' cupholders.

You want to make other blended foods too

Make sauces, soups, batters, salad dressing, and more. As long as you put in enough liquid (about 6 ounces), this blender can handle it.

You want easy cleanup

Cleaning up couldn't be easier. Blend a drop of liquid detergent and water to quickly hand wash the tumbler, blade lid, and chug lid. Or, put all three in the dishwasher if you prefer. A quick swipe with a damp cloth is all you need for the base.

Don't buy it if

You like super thick smoothies

Since this is a gravity blender, you do need sufficient liquid. I tried using less and had to stop mid-cycle to scrape down the sides. It did work, but it's pretty messy to stop in the middle like that. You definitely want to use more liquid.

You like to chug directly from the travel lid

When I tried that, the flap kept falling on my nose, which was annoying. That's a problem easily solved by using a straw or just removing the lid entirely. But if you're a dedicated chugger, it's something to keep in mind.

You don't need that much power

There are definitely less powerful portable blenders you can buy that are substantially smaller and cheaper. If you're mixing protein powder or making mostly liquid drinks with just a little ice, save your money and get one of those. The BlendBOSS will be more blender than you need.

Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender: also consider

If you're not sure about the Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender, here are some other blenders you might like

Vitamix A3500

Vitamix has been my own blender of choice for over a decade. If you need power, you need a Vitamix. Love a thick, chunky smoothie with no liquid at all? A Vitamix can handle it.

Read our review of the Vitamix A3500

Nutribullet Magic Bullet Portable Blender

If you don't need as much power as the BlendBOSS has to offer, this cheap and cheerful little portable blender will be enough for you. Plus the whole thing is portable and rechargeable.

Read our review of the Nutribullet Magic Bullet Portable Blender View Deal

How I tested the Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender

I tested all four blender buttons
I used it for weeks to make a variety of beverages and foods
I cleaned it after every use

I made a variety of smoothies, all of them with the minimum amount of liquid and heavy on the frozen fruit and ice. I made a cherry-yogurt-almond milk smoothie, a banana-yogurt-almond milk smoothie that included a number of powders and seeds, and a banana-blueberry-spinach-hemp seed smoothie. I made an iced lemonade beverage that included ice, water, and lemon balsamic vinegar. I made protein pancake batter with equal parts egg whites, cottage cheese, and dry oatmeal. I made pasta sauce with cottage cheese and canned whole tomatoes (added to browned garlic and olive oil on the stove.) Everything I made blended perfectly smooth with no evidence of seeds or skins.

CyberLink PowerDirector 365: Price & availability

Competitively priced subscription
Often discounted

Like so many software packages these days, PowerDirector is only available on a subscription. You do have a couple of options though: pay $80 for the year for it alone, or combine it with PhotoDirector for $145 annually.

That’s the basic price, but you’ll find CyberLink often offers steep discounts for its software. For instance, as of this writing, you can get these for $60 or $93 respectively.

It’s definitely much cheaper than Adobe Premiere Pro, and it would take 4 years of you paying for PowerDirector at full price to exceed the cost of Apple’s Final Cut Pro. So price-wise, it’s pretty good.

Even better, you can download the software and start using it for free to make sure it works as you intend it to. You’ll encounter limitations, such as a watermark output, and a host of advanced tools and effects which are off limits to you, but the essential ones aren’t.

CyberLink PowerDirector 365: Interface

Using CyberLink PowerDirector 365 to edit a video for our review — (Image credit: CyberLink // Future)

Well-organized interface
Clear navigation

Launch PowerDirector and you’ll be graced with its welcome screen. From there, you can of course click on ‘New Project’ and get into the editing side of things (more on that in a minute), but that’s not all that window has to offer. You’ll find a handful of large icons, most of which offer quick drag-and-drop effects.

They’re there if you’ve already got a video clip or exported project which you wish to alter with one specific effect throughout. Click on one of those icons, a pop up window appears, drop a clip onto it, and the software will get working. Convenient, yes, but editing this isn’t. So let’s check out the editing side of things.

We’ve reached the stage now in terms of interface development, that if you’ve seen one video editor, you’ve pretty much seen them all. I don’t view that as a bad thing: it makes it easy to switch between them; aside from having a sidebar on the right instead of on the left, or similar, it should take you seconds to find your way around PowerDirector’s interface.

You’ll find a list of icons, top left, which control the top third of the interface. These allow you to switch between your clips, and specific functions, such as titles, transitions, effects, and so on. Top right is the preview section; it’s linked either to your timeline (which takes up the bottom half of the interface) or any selected clip in your media section.

Unlike Premiere Pro, the interface isn’t customisable. You work with what you get. It’s even more inflexible than Final Cut Pro - and I thought FCP was strict! - but at the end of the day, that’s not entirely a bad thing: it means you can sit in front of any computer with PowerDirector installed and know where everything is. That’s a big plus in my book. But the price for that familiarity is a rigid interface. A price worth paying? That would depend on your preference and workflow.

CyberLink PowerDirector 365: Tools

Everything you need to edit a video
Free to add effects, transitions, and titles
No keyboard controls

Everything you need to edit a video project is there for you to use. The timeline has multiple layers, so you can end up making a relatively complex movie. You’ll find various animated titles, Transitions, Effects, Particles, Stickers, and more, all ready to spruce up your edit. They are all excellent and well crafted.

If you’re on a subscription, it’s all available to you, but if you’re working with the free version, you’ll encounter some serious limitations: most of these tools are ‘premium’ ones; you can recognise them thanks to a small black crown inside a yellow circle, top left of a tool’s icon. Despite that, you’ll still be able to insert them into your project, but when it comes to exporting it, you’ll be offered the option of forking out some of your money to be able to use them, or having them automatically removed prior to rendering.

Some tools can’t be accessed unless you log in to your CyberLink account (which is free to setup). That’s because they’re AI-based and require credits to function. You do get 100 credits per month with a subscription, and any additional credit packs are reduced by 50% as long as you keep paying, but you can also get these packs at full price while using the free version. They start at 100, and go up to 2,000, and obviously the more you buy, the cheaper each individual credit gets.

Editing is simple, but it could be easier, mind you. Maybe it’s because I’m used to more professional editors: I use the keyboard a lot when editing, and other programs allow me to use the JKL keys to playback in reverse, stop and go forward respectively; using the left and right arrow keys moves me back or forward one frame, and the up and down arrow keys jump me to the next or previous edit point…

And there are so many others. These greatly speed up my work. Unfortunately, PowerDirector doesn’t have any of those, which forces users to rely more on the mouse or trackpad. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’re not used to such shortcuts, but the lack of options certainly is.

CyberLink PowerDirector 365: Latest updates

Strong push for AI-based tools,
AI credits required, but not consumer-friendly implementation
Devs regularly adding new features

One of the great things about PowerDirector, is that new features are regularly released - whether they’re new effects to celebrate a forthcoming festive season, or new tools. At the time of review (January 2026), CyberLink is making an increasing push for AI-based tools which are, as you’d expect, powered by separately purchased credits.

One of the newest additions is ‘Video Generator’. The way it works is, you choose a style from a list of thumbnails, add your own photo, and PowerDirector will transform it to match that style and animate it as well for 5 or 10 seconds, for good measure.

The one that appealed to me the most was the ‘AI Anime Video Effect’, as it transforms your clip into animation. You have 17 styles to choose from, and the process is designed to turn 10, 20 or 30 seconds of video into your preferred style.

The only problem I can see with such features, is you have to pay before you see the results. You do get a tiny preview of the effect based on some placeholder image by mousing over the thumbnail, but truth be told, that’s really not enough.

What if ‘Vivid’ didn’t work as an anime style for your project, but ‘Classic’ would’ve been better? Well, you’ll have to pay again. The idea and concepts are good, but the implementation doesn’t feel consumer-friendly to me.

CyberLink PowerDirector 365: Final verdict

CyberLink PowerDirector 365 remains one of the best video editing software for beginners, as well as intermediate editors.

It's packed with all the tools most general users will need for content creation - and at a fraction of the price of higher-end and premium software. Especially if you manage to grab a discounted subscription. Bonus points for offering a free, if limited, option.

I like the overall workflow and the number of features that keep coming to PowerDirector. I even enjoyed using the AI tools here. But the fact that you need to keep buying credits without the ability to simply preview the AI generation means it loses a star in my review. For me, that doesn't feel fair to users.

Beyond that, though, there's not much I don't like about PowerDirector 365, especially for those who want to create professional-looking videos without the steep learning curve I often see in other video editors.

Should I buy CyberLink PowerDirector 365?

Buy it if...
You want a video editor that is simple to use, is affordable (or even free), and gets regularly updated with new tools and fun effects, transitions, and animated texts.

Don't buy it if...
You feel you need a video editor that’s more fluid, and you’re not a fan of the ‘pay before you see’ model that’s used for the AI tools.

For more editors, we've tested and reviewed the best free video editing software

I tested the Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400 – and it’s the one piece of office kit I’m investing in this year to keep my paperwork in order

10:15 am |

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

Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400: 30-second review

The Ricoh iX2400 is a simple office document scanner that enables you to load up to 100 sheets of A4 paper into its auto feeder. You can then hit scan, and the entire stack of paper will be scanned and formatted, ready for review in a couple of minutes.

In August last year, I tested the more advanced iX2500, which is essentially the same machine with network connectivity. This stripping back of any type of wired or wireless network connectivity will appeal to those who are increasingly security-minded.

This does mean that the machine is only accessible from a single device, and if you want to use it from your desktop, laptop, or another person’s computer, then you’ll have to physically reconnect the hardware via USB. That’s not too much of an issue; it just isn't as convenient as the more expensive option.

In terms of performance, there’s little to no difference. It handles multiple A4 documents, bills, or even old photographs being scanned in colour, or for that matter, black and white, with absolute accuracy and speed.

The scanning speed is extremely fast. You can use the button on the front of the machine to directly scan or go through the software. Another slight change compared to the iX2500 is the lack of a touchscreen. This is a very stripped-down version, which will likely suit most people, especially when you consider the savings in price.

I’ve been using the machine in the office to scan agreements, household bills, and more over the past month, and, as I found with the iX2500, it’s just an extremely quick and easy way to keep on top of your household or small business administration.

The user interface with the software still feels a little dated. It looks like something left over from the 1990s and doesn’t seem to have progressed design-wise. However, it functions exceptionally well, enabling you to scan documents in various formats and resolutions for later use and even upload directly to the cloud.

One useful aspect of the ScanSnap iX2400 is the OCR capability. If you're scanning a whole series of documents, you can activate the option to create a searchable PDF, which converts the printed word into fully searchable documents using OCR technology.

If you’re working in a smaller office and are likely to leave this machine connected to a single computer or laptop, then it’s a good value, if not overly cheap. However, if you need broader accessibility or network integration, paying a bit extra for the iX2500 definitely makes sense. Either way, in any office, this machine, or one extremely similar, is a great asset.

Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400: Price & availability

How much does it cost? £310 / $399
When is it out? Now
Where can you get it? Widely available

While the price of the ScanSnap iX2400 is lower than the more advanced network-connected iX2500, it still carries a relatively hefty price of $399 / £310. It’s widely available, including from major online retailers such as Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Value: 4 / 5

Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400: Design

Specifications

Ports: USB 3.2, Power input
Connectivity: USB only (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
Size: 292 × 161 × 152 mm
Weight: 3.2kg
Accessories: USB cable, AC adapter, ScanSnap Home software licence

The iX2400 has been designed as a compact piece of office equipment. At first glance, you might mistake it for a standard desktop printer. The compact profile is available in both black and white. For this review, I looked at the black option, which is stylish and fits neatly on a desktop surface or shelf.

The quality of design is extremely good. The whole thing feels very solid, clearly designed for office use and daily operation, rather than occasional home use. This is also reflected in the premium pricing.

Checking over the machine, it’s a bit more simplistic than other versions I’ve reviewed. On the front is a single scan button, which, when connected to a computer, enables fast scanning of any documents. On the back, unlike other ScanScap options, there’s only a USB-C port—no Wi-Fi or network connection.

It weighs in at 3.2 kg, and with its compact size of 292 x 161 x 152 mm, it feels heavier than expected.

The design, while simple, is clever. The fold-up lid becomes the 100-sheet feeder holder, securely holding documents, A4, A5 paper or photographs ready for scanning. The adjustable guides are linked, so moving one moves the other, securely positioning whichever paper size you’re scanning.

The machine is also a duplex scanner. What’s interesting here is that rather than feeding documents through twice to scan both sides, it uses a dual-scanning system that captures both sides of each sheet simultaneously. If you’re scanning a photograph, it recognises there’s only one side to scan. Settings can be adjusted using the software.

As documents are scanned, they exit from the bottom of the machine into a pull-out tray, which helps keep things neat. At the machine’s speed, if you're scanning 100 documents, having the tray extended makes sense; otherwise, paper can scatter.

Whether you're using the machine occasionally or keeping it on your desktop, the compact design makes it minimalistic. During the review, I had it set up on one of my test benches, linked to a workstation connected to the network. It was convenient, and when I needed to move it, the small size and solid build made it easy to pack away and store.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400: Features

For simplicity, the iX2400 is one of the easiest document scanners I’ve reviewed. To get started, just remove the tape that keeps it safe in transit, plug in the power and USB cable, download and install the software, and you’re ready in under five minutes.

Then, simply load the software on your computer, insert your documents, and press scan. The scanner and software handle the rest, scanning content directly into the application where you can view, email, or share the results.

If you want more control, you can select the format, PDF, Word, image, or upload directly to the cloud via ScanSnap's own service (with an account), or connect to Microsoft Teams or Google Drive.

Everything is set up with sensible defaults. The only additional step I’d recommend is activating OCR if you want to make scanned documents searchable, especially when exporting to PDF or Word.

You have multiple options: duplex scanning, scanning up to 100 documents into a single file or as individual files. It supports duplex scanning at up to 45 pages per minute (90 IPM) with a resolution of up to 600 DPI.

While the scanner is designed to be simple and straightforward, you can delve into the settings to adjust image quality, which is useful when scanning old photographs. There are also quality and distribution settings within the software. While functional, it does look dated, especially in terms of design.

Features: 4.5 / 5

Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400: Performance

The iX2400 is the base model in the range, and it keeps things simple. It connects to your computer via a USB-C cable, with no network port or Wi-Fi. This makes it an offline-only solution, which I find appealing, particularly for scanning secure financial or NDA-related documents.

The setup was extremely easy. Without needing to worry about Wi-Fi or network placement, the single USB-C cable was all that was required. With the software installed, the machine was instantly recognised and ready to use.

To test, I inserted a stack of photographs and hit the scan button, more out of initial curiosity, once the machine was set up, rather than as a focused part of the test. I was surprised at the speed at which it got to work, and within a few seconds, 20 images were displayed on-screen.

Being familiar with ScanSnap software, I’d already set up scanning profiles for saving files to specific folders, which are then backed up to my NAS. It’s quick and easy to do, although the software’s interface does look dated, and the guides take some time to get used to.

While basic scanning is obvious, advanced options like OCR require a bit more digging. On the scan screen, you’ll see options for different document types, documents, business cards, receipts, and photos, along with colour mode, scan side, image quality, rotation, and file format.

OCR is off by default to reduce processing time. To enable it, you must click the 'Options' button next to the file format (when PDF is selected). Then, tick the 'Searchable PDF' box. This does increase processing time slightly, but it results in a fully searchable file, essential for NDAs and invoices.

You can also password-protect documents during scanning, a useful security feature for personal or sensitive information.

During testing, I scanned most of the paperwork accumulated over the past month. While it wasn’t a huge amount, using the duplex option sped things up. Unlike some scanners, native duplex scanning in this machine means very few (if any) jams.

I liked being able to insert a mixed batch, A4 sheets, A5, and business cards. It handled each without issue, scanning in the correct format.

Compared to one of my flatbed scanners, this machine is also incredibly quiet. Even when scanning 100 sheets, the noise level is minimal and short-lived.

This scanner is clearly designed for office use, not creative workflows. You can scan up to A4-sized photos, and the quality is decent, but it’s not suitable for colour-critical archiving. For casual scanning of old 5x6 prints, the quality suffices, but dedicated photo scanners are better for that use case.

While simpler than the iX2500, I personally prefer the design and simplicity. Plugged into an old PC, it’s now part of a dedicated admin area alongside a laser printer. It might feel a bit retro, but the offline functionality and security make it ideal for handling sensitive personal documents.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400: Final verdict

When starting a small business, you often overlook the small peripherals that larger businesses take for granted. But as paperwork builds up, even in a paperless office, keeping on top of it becomes time-consuming.

Now, with this scanner, I can scan everything directly, place documents in relevant folders, and make them searchable for future reference. It’s also useful for receipts, which I scan on the go for my accountant. While there’s no direct integration with Xero, you can connect it to services like QuickBooks.

Personally, I like the ability to connect to Google Drive and Microsoft Teams, both of which I use in different areas of my work. Scanning documents directly to cloud storage is helpful, especially for sharing photographic examples and documentation with students and colleagues.

While it lacks network and Wi-Fi connectivity, the iX2400 makes perfect sense for small businesses or home offices. The cost might seem high for a scanner, but Ricoh has carefully considered small business workflows, and it will save you hours of time, especially near the end of the tax year. It’s a quick and reliable way to digitise and organise paperwork.

If you don’t already have a decent scanning solution or are still using a flatbed scanner, my recommendation this year is to purchase a Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400. It may lack network connectivity, but the time and stress it saves will be worth the investment.

Should I buy the Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400?

Value	The price puts it at the premium end of the market, but its speed and ease of use make it exceptional value for money	4
Design	The compact design means it will fit almost any office, and the high-quality build ensures it will withstand daily use with ease	4
Features	The feature set is basic, with no network connection, but if you prioritise security and simplicity, it's perfect	4
Performance	The scanning speed is incredibly fast and ideal for business use	4.5
Overall	The scanning speed is incredibly fast and ideal for business use	4

Buy it if...

You scan in bulk
If you frequently scan large volumes of paper and need a fast, jam-free, reliable desktop scanner, it's ideal.

You want a simple set-up
It's a great choice if you just want a scanner that works without fuss, plug it in, press a button, and scan directly to file or cloud.

Don't buy it if...

You need wireless scanning
This won't meet requirements if you require Wi-Fi or mobile device scanning for flexible office or team setups.

You're using it for creative workflows
Avoid the scanner if you're looking to digitise photos or images with color-critical accuracy; this device is best for documents.

For more office essentials, we've rounded-up the best home printers and the best scanner deals around.

I watched all of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — and the new HBO Max show is the triumphant underdog tale that HBO’s Game of Thrones franchise needs

1:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets HBO Max Streaming | Comments: Off

Light spoilers follow for all six episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

HBO's Game of Thrones (GoT) franchise could use a boost right now. The eponymous show's incredibly divisive finale is still being discussed to this day, and while House of the Dragon's (HotD) first season repaired some of the damage its forebear's last-ever episode caused, its most recent eight-part installment was similarly not without criticism for narratively spinning its wheels.

The hope, then, is that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (AKotSK) will course-correct HBO's Thrones-Verse once more – and it does. It may lack Thrones' apocalyptic stakes and the ongoing fiery family feud that permeates HotD, but HBO's latest retelling of another George R.R. Martin book series more than makes up for it with a rib-tickling, haunting, and triumphant tale of beating the odds.

A knight's tale

Ser Duncan the Tall looking determined while sitting on an armored horse in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms authentically adapts George R.R. Martin's 'The Hedge Knight' novella (Image credit: Steffan Hill/HBO)

Based on The Hedge Knight, the first entry in Martin's 'Dunk and Egg' novella trilogy, and set a century before Game of Thrones, AKotSK tells the story of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) – or, to use his less formal moniker, Dunk.

After burying his deceased mentor and hedge knight – the term used for a wandering, chivalrous sword-for-hire – Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), Dunk travels to Ashford Meadow to try and win its latest tourney and prove his worth as a noble warrior. There, he encounters Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), an unruly but intelligent boy who implores Dunk to let Egg be his squire. Thus begins a fellowship that, unbeknownst to the pair, will forever etch their names into Westeros' history.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms isn't averse to dialling up the humor when required

AKotSK's premise – one that positions it as a dirt-covered folktale (think of street-level scenes from GoT and HotD, and you'll get the idea) – sets it out as an unusually intimate story compared to its more illustrious and narratively epic siblings, but that's intentional.

It doesn't possess the multi-House fight for The Iron Throne or the grimdark, apocalyptic events of Game of Thrones, nor does it come close to matching the destructive intrafamilial warfare on display in House of the Dragon. And, sure, high-ranking clans – the Targaryens and Barathons being the most noteworthy – feature throughout AKotSK, so characters from privileged backgrounds have increasingly prominent parts to play in the HBO Max TV Original.

Ser Arlan of Pennytree holding his shield in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — Ser Arlan of Pennytree is the first mentor that Dunk ever had (Image credit: Steffan Hill/HBO)

Nonetheless, even with its more introspective, grounded narrative, AKotSK is no less dramatic, action-oriented, tragic, or amusing than its larger-scale brethren. In fact, where the last of those descriptors are concerned, it's no contest that AKotSK is the funniest live-action adaptation of Martin's literary works so far.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is no less dramatic, action-oriented, tragic, or amusing than its larger-scale brethren

Whether it's slapstick moments, black comedy, toilet humor, fish-out-of-water moments involving Dunk, or the clever use of smash cuts and cutaway shots in present-day and flashback sequences, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms isn't averse to dialing up the amusement when required.

The jokes are never overused and don't outstay their welcome, either. Instead, they enliven and brighten proceedings, especially in early episodes as Dunk navigates socially awkward interactions, and they allow AKotSK to strike a more optimistic, lighter note than HBO's other Thrones interpretations.

Prince Aerion Targaryen looking down at Dunk from his horse in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — Aerion Targaryen (left) is this season's primary antagonist (Image credit: Steffan Hill/HBO)

As I alluded to earlier, that's not to say that AKotSK eschews what's made previous Game of Thrones adaptations so absorbing.

Amid the whimsy and hilarity, an underlying tension is always gently simmering in the background, but only threatens to boil over from the high-fantasy drama's midpoint. Here, AKotSK takes a sobering, emotionally-strung turn that not only significantly raises the stakes for Dunk, but also douses the series in a tragic light, with multiple tear-jerking moments that hit me hard despite the limited time I'd spent with its supporting cast. If it's adrenaline-fueled action, suspense-filled spectacle, and moving melodrama you're after, episodes 4 through 6 deliver the goods in spades.

Hedge your bets

Egg and Dunk sitting at a table in a tent lit by candlelight in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — Audiences will instantly fall in love with Egg and Dunk (Image credit: Steffan Hill/HBO)

Before those episodes arrive, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms relies on the endearing, odd-couple partnership between its protagonists to drive its comedy-drama-based story forward.

At times akin to a two-hander, AKotSK wastes no time introducing its protagonists to each other – the pair crossing paths less than 10 minutes into its premiere. In doing so, it dispenses with the sluggish, exposition-filled opening that some viewers might deem necessary for a series that's not only set in a new period of the Thrones timeline, but also introduces numerous new characters to those who haven't read Martin's literary works.

It's clear from Dunk and Egg's first encounter that Claffey and Ansell have great chemistry and rapport

It's clear from Dunk and Egg's first encounter, though, that Claffey and Ansell have great chemistry and rapport. Highlighting this efficacious, buddy cop-like relationship as early as possible gives us a charming albeit at times testy friendship to invest in and rally around as the show unspools its secrets and other shock-value moments.

Duncan holding a cup as 'Egg' sits next to him in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 — Westeros hasn't seen the likes of a buddy-cop pairing like Dunk and Egg's (Image credit: Steffan Hill/HBO)

Ansell is as paramount to the successful portrayal of Dunk and Egg's dynamic in a live-action capacity as his senior scene-partner. Indeed, with a performance and acting capabilities that belie his tender years, Ansell faithfully captures Egg's boisterousness, foolhardiness, cleverness, and impunity with ease.

Peter Claffey delivers a towering performance in every sense of the word

It's Claffey, though, who truly steals the show as AKotSK's naive yet chivalrous loner.

An unassuming hero despite his evident stature, Dunk is a righteous man in a not-so-righteous world whose worldview is constantly tested by external forces. Initially ostracized by those at the Ashford Meadow tourney and plagued by bouts of impostor syndrome throughout, he's a seemingly oafish individual whose imposing frame hides a deep vulnerability that Claffey inhabits with real poise and emotional precision.

It's a towering performance in every sense of the word and, while I know fans will get a kick out of his portrayal from the outset, I can already see the superlatives that'll be thrown Claffey's way after his bellowing, scene-jolting speech in episode 4's final minutes, and tear-jerking moments in AKotSK's final two chapters.

Baelor Targaryen sitting on a chair with a fireplace lit behind him in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — Baelor Targaryen isn't as fearsome as he appears, I promise! (Image credit: Steffan Hill/HBO)

It would be remiss of me not to spotlight members of the supporting cast, too. Daniel Ing's Lyonel Baratheon steals every scene he's in, while Finn Bennett's Aerion Targaryen is a pantomime villain of menacing proportions. Bertie Clavell's Baelor Targaryen, Sam Spruell's Maekar Targaryen, and Shaun Thomas' Raymun Fossoway are also captivating presences whenever they appear.

If I have one major gripe about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, I wish more time had been spent building out certain character arcs and relationships. Great though it is, not enough screentime is devoted to Dunk and Egg's bond. I'd similarly point the finger at some of its eclectic supporting cast of characters, too, all of whom operate on Dunk's orbit but, where some individuals are concerned, are given short shrift from a character development perspective.

I wish more time had been spent building out certain character arcs and relationships

At 30 to 40 minutes per episode, AKotSK's short runtimes – compared to GoT and HotD – might make its week-to-week release model unbearable and/or draw complaints from viewers who may feel short-changed by their brevity.

However, I didn't mind the pace at which its plot progressed, nor did each episode's length feel curt in conjunction with the short story that The Hedge Knight tells. In fact, I'd say the addition of original storytelling components actually increases the duration of certain chapters, and – whisper it so book purists can't hear me say this – bolster its narrative.

My verdict

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a undeniably triumphant underdog tale. What begins as an unsuspecting story about two misfits fated to find each other soon evolves into a rip-roaring crowd-pleaser that'll have you running the emotional gamut, particularly in its latter half.

Okay, its primary theme – that being how friendship and co-operation trumps all – is clichéd. Nevertheless, given the fractured state of our own world, in which division runs riot across the sociopolitical spectrum, it's a timely message to heed.

With HBO recently announcing that AKotSK will return for a second season, we'll witness more of Dunk's rags-to-riches story down the road. And frankly, if it's as good as AKotSK's debut outing, I'll watch everything the Game of Thrones prequel's lovable underdogs get up to on their history-defining adventures.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on Sunday, January 18 (North and South America) and Monday, January 19 (everywhere else). Learn more about it ahead of launch via my guide to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Testing the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra made me realize just how flexible an entry-level mini PC can be

11:45 pm | January 13, 2026

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Tags: PC, VESA | Comments: Off

GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra: 30-second review

GMKtec is an established brand that makes a wide selection of mini PCs, and the M5 Ultra is a follow-up to the previous M5 and M5 Plus models (see my M5 review and the M5 Plus review).

The original M5 used a Ryzen 7 5700U, a Zen 2 architecture chip, the M5 Plus used the Zen 3 era Ryzen 7 5825U. And, the new M5 Ultra goes Zen 4 with a Ryzen 7 7730U.

From the outside, these all look remarkably similar, but internally, the M5 Ultra is 2023 technology and not the 2022 and 2021 tech used in the previous generations.

While the number of cores remains the same, the Ryzen 7 7730U offers better CPU and GPU clock speeds and better power efficiency.

However, it still uses DDR4 memory, and the best USB it has to offer is USB 3.2 Gen 2. Those wanting USB4 need to consider the M7 Ultra that I’ll be reviewing on Tech Radar Pro shortly.

But what made the original M5, and then the M5 Plus, so popular was their competitive pricing, and the M5 Ultra is also remarkably cheap, especially if you buy it ‘barebones’ and provide your own memory and storage.

With a starting price of under $260 for a barebones machine, this is a well-specified NUC system that has enough power for general office tasks once you’ve added memory, storage and an OS.

And with dual 2.5GbE LAN ports and easy internal upgrades, this is a highly flexible system that can be repurposed if required.

While this system doesn’t offer the raw performance of Ryzen AI or Ryzen 9 systems, or the latest USB4 technology, it’s a logical replacement for older desktop systems.

The inclusion of dual LAN ports, dual M.2 slots, and easily upgradable RAM might see this system join our best mini PC round-up, purely on the basis of flexibility and great value.

GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From $260/£210/€240
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Direct from GMKtec and via online retailers

The M5 Ultra is available in a range of SKUs from GMKtec directly, though through online retailers, these are either ones with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, or 32GB of memory and 1TB of drive space.

It's also available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, among other online retailers.

And I'm seeing a few sites selling ones with those memory capacities and storage mixed up, but the cheapest option is to buy this system directly from GMKtec as a barebones system.

If you have spare DDR4 SODIMMs and a Gen 3 NVMe module to install, that could get you this system for only $259.99 in the US, £209 in the UK and €239.99 across the EU.

The review specification costs $489.99 for US residents via GMKtec.com, £382 for UK residents, and €439.99 for Europe, direct from GMKtec in Germany.

What’s most striking here is the difference between the barebones and populated system, which can be interpreted as 1TB of storage and 32GB of DDR4 being worth almost half the cost of the system. Therefore, if you have those things, the barebones makes more sense, and if you don’t, then the intermediate SKU with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is worth considering, as it could save you $90 on the whole system.

Looking for machines that use this same processor, these are thin on the ground. According to my searches, these include the AceMagic Kron Mini K1, Kamrui E3B Mini PC, GenMachine Ren7000 and FakestarPC Fanless Mini PC. Of these, I’ve only got direct experience with AceMagic, and this brand typically delivers quality construction and innovative designs.

The Kron Mini K1 bears an uncanny resemblance to the M5 Ultra, and sells for $408.49 via Amazon for a system with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Making it cheaper than the equivalent M5 Ultra. Also from Amazon, the Kamrui E3B Mini PC is $479. I couldn’t find either the FakestarPC Fanless Mini PC or GenMachine Ren7000 available.

The fact that so few designs exist for this platform suggests that not many Mini PC makers thought it was a good idea, and the few who did pitched it as a mid-range device, where a good portion of the cost is determined by how it is outfitted with memory and storage. And it's worth noting that if you go barebones with this gear, the price doesn't include the Windows 11 Pro license.

Value: 4 / 5

GMKtec M5 Ultra — (Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra: Specs

Item	Spec
CPU:	AMD Ryzen 7 7730U ( 8C/16T, up to 4.6GHz)
GPU:	AMD Radeon Vega 8, up to 2.0 GHz
NPU:	N/A
RAM:	32GB DDR4-3200 (16GB x 2) expandable to 64GB
Storage:	1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3
Expansion:	1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3
Ports:	1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 3.5mm Audio
Networking:	2x 2,5GbE Realtek RTL8125, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
OS:	Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed)
Base Power:	15W
PSU:	19V 3.42A 65W
Dimensions:	128.8 x 127 x 47.8 mm

GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra: Design

Basic build quality
VESA mountable
Easy internal access

If this NUC has a significant weakness, it's that it's entirely built from plastic. And, if you look at some of my images, you might notice that the one I was sent already got a scuff along the way.

Because it might not be the most durable case, mounting it on the rear of a monitor using the VESA bracket GMKtec provides could be a strategic move to keep it out of harm's way.

I think part of the issue here is that GMKtec has used a fine paint finish on its enclosure that highlights any contact rather than ignoring it.

Better considered are the port positions, where the USB options are liberally distributed with both Type-A and Type-C ports on the front, and more Type-A ports on the rear. There is only one USB-C port, and all the ports with USB 3.2 Gen 2 specifications are on the front.

The rear has to USB 2.0 ports for mouse and keyboard, two video outputs (one each of HDMI and DisplayPort) and dual 2.5GbE LAN ports.

That last option makes this platform perfect for a hardware firewall, since you could buy it barebones, add some memory and install a Linux firewall distro on it extremely cheaply.

One interesting sidenote to the LAN ports is that GMKtec has taken to putting a label over the ports, suggesting that if you want to use the machine immediately, then don’t connect the network. Microsoft seems oblivious to how annoying it is for new owners to wait while Windows 11 devours the medieval feast of updates to the distribution installation. Why Microsoft hasn’t bundled these into the base install, I’ve no idea, but it probably rhymes with the word decrepitude.

Sadly, because this is Windows, eventually connecting the network will become a necessity, but at least warning people that this comes with a downside was good on GMKtec’s part.

As with all the GMKtec Nuxbox designs I’ve seen, access to the inside is remarkably straightforward.

On this model, the top of the machine can be easily pulled off, and that reveals four screws that hold a plastic fan mount, blowing air on the system, which can be removed. With this part out of the way, the memory and storage are all available to be replaced or, in the case of the storage, upgraded.

There are two SODIMM slots for DDR4, which on the review hardware were occupied with two 16GB modules. The maximum addressable memory by the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U is 64GB, so you could install two 32GB modules to achieve that. But, from an economic point of view, I’d consider choosing a system that used DDR5, rather than adding more RAM to a DDR4 system.

The M.2 situation is even better, since this machine has an unused 2280 M.2 NVMe slot. While both the M.2 slots in here are only Gen 3, and not Gen 4, for those with the modules, you could use two 8TB sticks, giving a combined storage of 16TB. That would hold a decent media collection or a significant amount of data.

Overall, within the limitations of a system that uses DDR4 and PCIe 3.0, the M5 Ultra provides the best possible options and makes what is already a flexible solution even more adaptable.

Design: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra: Hardware

AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
DDR4 Memory
PCIe Gen 3 M.2 Slots

As I mentioned earlier, not many systems have used the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, and maybe some of the reason is that this is a Zen 3 architecture CPU that was officially released with other 7030 series Barcelo-R chips in early 2023.

These were the tail end of AMD’s TSMC 7nm FinFET products before they shifted to 6nm on the 7025 series and then 4nm fabrication with the 7040 series. The first 7040-series chips with Zen 4 architecture appeared only three months after the Ryzen 7 7730U, so it never had much of an opportunity to develop a following.

That’s a shame, because the 7020 series it replaced only used the Zen 2 architecture, didn’t have any Ryzen 7 models, and had a maximum of four cores (eight threads). However, the 7020 series did at least support DDR5, which this processor did not, reverting to DDR4.

That’s the critical choice that erodes much of the performance benefit of having eight cores and sixteen threads.

This design also offered built-in USB ports, avoiding the need for PCIe lanes to be used for that function. This was also one of the last CPU designs to use the older Vega 8 GPU before the RDNA2 680M appeared with the 7035 series.

In short, this CPU and GPU combination where at the cusp of a major change, and the timescale between the rollover to DDR5, RDNA2 graphics and 4nm fabrication took away this silicon as an obvious choice for system builders.

It’s a guess, but a good number of these chips were probably made, and AMD might have a significant number that they are willing to sell cheaply now, which would explain their appearance here.

One downside to this architecture compared to later designs is that it only supports PCI Express 3.0 and has only 16 usable lanes, giving it the equivalent of 8 PCIe 4.0 lanes in later series.

Because it has built-in USB technology that isn’t a huge issue, but it does limit the M.2 slots here to Gen 3 mode, so buying Gen 4 drives for this machine is pointless. There are sufficient lanes for dual PCIe 3.0 M.2 slots, and for dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, since this system doesn’t have USB4 or other bandwidth-eating options.

Overall, the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U was a slightly odd choice, and its existence would suggest that in 2023, at the very least, AMD was strategically all over the place.

Releasing a new series when you intend to stomp on it within three months now looks like a severe lack of planning, and this system is one of the ripples of those rock-in-the pond choices.

Features: 3.5 / 5

GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra: Performance

Mini PC		GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra	Alliwava U58
CPU		AMD Ryzen 7 7730U	AMD Ryzen 7 5825U
Cores/Threads		8C 16T	8C 16T
RAM		32GB DDR4 (2x16GB)	32GB DDR4 (2x16GB)
Storage		1TB NVMe	512GB SSD
Graphics		Radeon Vega 8	Radeon Vega 8
3DMark	WildLife	6711	8218
	FireStrike	3154	3764
	TimeSpy	1264	1402
	Steel Nom Lt.	1035	1307
CineBench24	Single	78	85
	Multi	414	473
	Ratio	5.29	5.59
GeekBench 6	Single	1806	1978
	Multi	5939	7941
	OpenCL	12823	16925
	Vulkan	11472	15457
CrystalDisk	Read MB/s	3624	3650
	Write MB/s	2642	2717
PCMark 10	Office	5581	6445
WEI		8.1	8.1

I’ve not seen any other system with this processor, so I decided to compare it to another mini PC that also uses older AMD chip technology - the Alliwava U58 I recently reviewed.

Where the M5 Ultra uses the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, U58 uses the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U, a 5000 series processor from exactly a year earlier, in January 2022.

On paper, these processors have the same number of cores and threads, the same DDR4 memory technology, the same base and boost clocks, and very similar Vega 8 GPUs.

It’s tempting to think that the 7730U is just a rebranded 5825U, and there is some truth in that.

However, in these tests, for reasons I can’t fathom, the Alliwava U58 performs better or the same as the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra across a wide range of benchmarks.

Typically, the U58 is 10% better, but in some of the graphics tests, it manages to be even more superior.

Not sure why this is the case, but due to the U58 only having a single 1GbE LAN port, and a single M.2 slot, I’m still not convinced that it’s the better option.

Perhaps a firmware upgrade of the M5 Ultra might bring it up to a similar performance level at some point. However, if you want more power, then I’d avoid systems that use DDR4 and pay the extra to have a DDR5 system.

Performance: 3.5 / 5

GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra: Final verdict

This is an odd system, as it ended up with a CPU that few system builders considered and even fewer made into machines.

Looking at the performance, the reason is obvious, because it didn’t deliver a dramatic improvement over previous generations, and it was overtaken by new products in three months.

That said, it works perfectly well in this context, and for someone with spare DDR4 handy, it’s an inexpensive system that is dramatically better than an Intel N300-powered NUC or a Ryzen 5 system.

What GMKtec got right with the M5 Ultra is that it supports a decent amount of memory, has dual M.2 slots and dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, which increases the number of roles that this system could occupy exponentially. There are plenty of medium-power NUCs around, but like the U58 I mentioned in the benchmarking, they don’t have the LAN ports or the storage expansion options.

Those who are interested in those features, and perhaps less concerned with raw performance, might find the GMKtec M5 Ultra an interesting proposition.

Should I buy a GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra?

Value	Affordable system, especially barebones	4/5
Design	Mostly plastic, but the port layout is logical	3.5/5
Features	Odd processor, but easy upgrades	3.5/5
Performance	Not the fastest Ryzen 7, but powerful enough for most jobs	3.5/5
Overalls	Flexible and easy to upgrade at a bargain price	4/5

Buy it if...

You want a low-cost NUC
Even with memory and storage, this NUC is affordable, and barebones, it's a bargain. It might not be the fastest Ryzen around, but it's quick enough for daily Office tasks.View Deal

You want a flexible mini PC
Compared to some NUC designs, this one is very flexible. With two 2.5GbE LAN ports, it could be used as a hardware firewall, a media server, or in a dozen other contexts. The power and performance of this platform allow it to drive up to three monitors for promotional graphics, and it has more than enough power for typical office tasks.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want ultimate performance
This is a value-led mini PC, so it's not going to be as powerful as machines loaded with the fastest processors - for top performance, check out mini PCs using the AMD Ryzen AI platforms like the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, with 16 cores and 32 threads.View Deal

Also consider

Geekom A5
The Geekom A5 mini PC delivers a decent user experience for office work in a small, easy-to-deploy package. It doesn't have a second M.2 slot, but it does have a SATA and a place for a 2.5-inch drive.
In testing it produced almost identical performance to the M5 Ultra, using its AMD Ryzen 5 7430U CPU.

Check out my Geekom M5 review View Deal

GMKtec NucBox M5 Plus
Another mid-tier mini system, this time the prior design from the same brand as the M5 Ultra. This one utilises the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U (8 cores, 16 Threads) CPU and features 1TB of onboard NVMe storage. Where this is slightly better than the A5 is that the second M.2 slot is 2280, and it has dual 2.5GbE LAN ports.

Check out my GMKTec NucBox M5 Plus review View Deal

« Previous Page — Next Page »