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MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED review: gorgeous gaming display for a great price
7:00 pm | October 25, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED: Three-minute review

The MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is easily one of the best gaming monitors I've ever used, although it's going to struggle against the best ultrawide monitors for just about all other tasks other than gaming and watching video content.

A clue as to why it's so good for the latter is in the name: OLED. The Samsung QD-OLED panel on this monitor is spectacular to look at, offering a snappy 0.03ms response time and 144Hz refresh at a 5120 x 1440p for ultrafast high-end gaming. The 1800R curve of the panel is also the perfect match for the 32:9 aspect ratio, so you don't lose detail in your peripheral vision.

What's more, at just $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,699, you're going to feel like you're getting a much more premium product for your money than its visuals might suggest.

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 ultrawide, for example, offers slightly better specs, but comes with a price tag that's nearly 50% more, making the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED appear something of a bargain.

However, look under the hood, though, and you'll spot where some compromises have been made.

An MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

For one, OLED panels are notorious for suffering burn-in, so if you didn't register and activate that copy of Windows you've been using, this monitor will have you found out, even if you eventually do give Microsoft the money it's due.

What's more, in order to prevent burn-in, you'll need to let the monitor run its OLED Care routine after about six hours or so. While you might be able to opt out when the monitor first notifies you that it's time to run the routine, you'll only be delaying the inevitable – and, when you least expect it, the monitor will go ahead and run the routine and you can't stop it (nor should you).

While this will extend the useful life of your monitor, this unpredictability will be a nightmare for, say, Final Fantasy XIV fans who are in the middle of a boss raid. That's because once the routine starts, the monitor effectively shuts off, and you have to wait anywhere from five to thirty minutes for the routine to complete.

Of course, this could also be a benefit, since it does force you to get up and maybe pet your cat or run to the store and get in some exercise; but it will be incredibly frustrating when it happens in the middle of something you'd rather not interrupt.

This isn't an MSI-exclusive problem, of course. All OLED monitors have to deal with such issues, but considering the investment here, it's best that you know what you're in for.

An MSI 491CQP QD-OLED on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

In terms of features, you do get a good number of ports, with the USB-C capable of 90W power delivery. There's also a USB hub built-in with a KVM feature, which is handy – although the USB-A ports are limited to USB 2.0.

Note that you don't get any speakers with this monitor, so you'll have to settle for discrete PC speakers or a PC gaming headset, which might be a nuisance for those without either.

An MSI 491CQP QD-OLED on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

With regards to the screen itself, the nature of the pixels in the Samsung QD-OLED panel the MSI MPG 491CQP uses also tend to make text and Windows UI elements a bit wonky around the edges. If you're planning to do a lot of non-gaming work on this monitor, then, your experience might not match the price you're paying.

However, let's be clear, this is a gaming monitor through and through – and it's here that the MSI MPG 491CQP really shines. Rated for 0.03ms pixel response and 144Hz max refresh, this monitor will look and feel incredibly fast compared to even the best LCD monitors, and because it's an OLED panel, you'll get fantastic HDR with pure black color and no perceptible screen glow to ruin a scene.

Its color gamut coverage is excellent, too, rated for 98% AdobeRGB, 99% DCI-P3, and 146% sRGB. So, whether you're working or gaming, you'll be on the receiving end of incredibly vibrant colors.

Of course, it's also important to recognize that a monitor such as this will require the best graphics card to really push frame rates high enough to take advantage of what the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED has to offer.

Anything less than the Nvidia RTX 4070 Super or AMD RX 7900 GRE won't be able to keep up with the texture sizes required for its native resolution, and even entry-level 4K graphics cards such as the RTX 4070 Ti Super or AMD RX 7900 XT won't be able to push frame rates into the hundreds without seriously scaling back the graphics quality. If you want to get the most out of this monitor at 5120 x 1440p, you'll need an RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX to get there.

If you're covered on that front then the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED monitor is a fantastic buy for gamers, so long as you can handle the quirks of using an OLED display. If not, there are plenty of IPS and mini-LED displays out there that will work for you, but you'll be hard-pressed to find any that look this good.

MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED: Price & Availability

An MSI 491CQP QD-OLED on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, with a retail price of $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,699, respectively.

This is substantially cheaper than the competing Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, which at $1,599.99 in the US is roughly 45% more expensive.

However, since both monitors have been on the market for several months now, it should be possible to find the models at lower cost – which makes a direct price comparison a bit of a moving target right now, especially during major sales events like Black Friday.

MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED: Specs

An MSI 491CQP QD-OLED on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Should you buy the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED?

An MSI 491CQP QD-OLED on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Buy the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED if...

The MSI MPG 491CQP looks stunning with sharp contrast, speedy performance, and vivid colors.

While this monitor isn't cheap, for what you get, it's a bargain that offers premium performance at a more affordable price.

Don't buy it if...

If you're used to playing PC games on your day off for several hours or more, be prepared to have the fun interrupted by the very necessary OLED Care feature.

This monitor is a great value for its class, but this is still a premium item.

MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED: also consider

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is the premier super-ultrawide OLED monitor, sporting a faster refresh and extra features, but for a more premium price.

Read the full Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review

How I tested the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED

I used the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED for a few months, playing games, working on photo and video content, as well as productivity work.

Since this is a gaming monitor first and foremost, I made sure to play a variety of games, from competitive shooters such as Call of Duty: Warzone as well as more laid-back titles such as Satisfactory. I have a very high-end PC, so I was able to consistently push the monitor's full resolution at 144fps to really challenge the display's performance.

I've been reviewing computer hardware for nearly five years now with TechRadar, including dozens of monitors, so I know what makes for a great gaming display and what will likely disappoint most gamers. I do my best to leverage that knowledge to deliver the best assessment of any products I review.

  • First reviewed October 2024
Logitech POP Icon Keys review: Bursting with color
10:58 pm | October 23, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Two-minute review

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

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

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

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

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

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Price & availability

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

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

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Design

Image 1 of 2

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
Image 2 of 2

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

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

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

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

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

Image 1 of 2

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
Image 2 of 2

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

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

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

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

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

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Performance

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

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

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

Image 1 of 2

Logi Options+ application showcasing the Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard

(Image credit: Logitech)
Image 2 of 2

Logi Options+ application showcasing the Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard

(Image credit: Logitech)

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

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

Should you buy the Logitech POP Icon Keys?

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

Buy the Logitech POP Icon Keys if…

You want an eye-catching keyboard

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

You value long battery life

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

You like customizable buttons

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

Don’t buy it if…

Ergonomics are important to you

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

You’re a gamer

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

You want n-key rollover

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

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Also consider

Razer Huntsman Mini

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

Read our full Razer Huntsman Mini reviewView Deal

Yunzii AL71

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

Read our full Yunzii AL71 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Logitech POP Icon Keys

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

First reviewed October 2024

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: ditch your laptop with this specialized, standalone drawing tablet
9:41 pm | October 16, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad: One-minute review

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

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

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

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad on standby, balanced on its edge with stylus placed in front of it

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

Top right corner of the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad against a pink background

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

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

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Specs

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Design

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

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad on home screen, balanced on its edge with stylus placed in front of it

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

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

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

  • Design score: 4/5

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Performance

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

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad in case, on standby against pink background

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Performance score: 4/5

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: Stylus

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

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad in case, on standby against pink background with stylus on top of the slate

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

  • Stylus score: 4/5

Should I buy the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad?

Reverse side of the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad protective case

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

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

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

Don't buy it if...

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

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

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad: Also consider

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

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

XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad review: How I tested

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

Person drawing a picture of a pig on the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad with the words 'le cochon' written on the right side of the screen

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

  • Read more about how we test
  • First reviewed: October 2024
Lenovo Legion R25F-30 review: a solid 1080p gaming monitor with some compromises
8:04 pm | October 11, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Two-minute review

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

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

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

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

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

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Price and availability

A Lenovo Legion R25f-30 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • When is it available? Now
  • How much does it cost? $179.99/£139.00/AU $299.00
  • Where can you get it? US, UK, and Australia

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

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

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

Value: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Specs

A Lenovo Legion R25f-30 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Design

A Lenovo Legion R25f-30 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

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

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

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

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A Lenovo Legion R25f-30 on a desk

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

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

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

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

  • Design: 3 / 5

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Features

A Lenovo Legion R25f-30 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

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

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

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

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

  • Features: 3 / 5

Lenovo Legion R25f-30: Performance

A Lenovo Legion R25f-30 on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

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

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

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

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

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

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion R25f-30?

 Buy it if… 

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

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

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

 Don’t buy it if… 

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

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

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

Also Consider

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

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

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q review

How we tested the Lenovo Legion R25f-30

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

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

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

First reviewed September 2024

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: reaching customization Nirvana
2:54 am | September 25, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Ahead of RazerCon 2024, I was able to try out several upcoming products from the manufacturer. While all of them were quite impressive, I'm most excited about its brand new gaming keyboard model, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.

I was able to briefly test out the standard keyboard model, hear from popular tech industry professionals about their own experiences with modding it, and try out those modded versions for myself. Judging from what I have seen so far, this will easily be one of the best gaming keyboards and the best keyboards in general.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Price & availability

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$499.95 and has excellent availability as it's available in the US, UK, and Australia as well as several other regions.

It's pretty expensive compared to its competition, even one as high quality as this one. This is clearly a hobbyist's keyboard since the average user would balk at paying such a high entry price. In return, however, you get a fully moddable and hot-swappable keyboard with some of the latest tech built into it.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Design

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broken down gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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side view of gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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closeup of LED screen

(Image credit: Future)
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customized gaming keyboards

(Image credit: Future)
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customized gaming keyboards

(Image credit: Future)

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a sleek, heavy-set keyboard made of aluminum alloy. It sports Razer's trademark black color and extensive RGB lighting. The 75% size is a new addition to the lineup and was, according to the manufacturer, in high demand from its user base.

One of the most striking features of the V4 Pro 75% is its OLED display on the top right corner paired with the command dial to its side. The screen and command dial allow for quick setting configuration without needing to access the Razer Synapse software and for creating or downloading animations. It's a nifty feature that can be quite useful.

The other main draw to this keyboard is its high level of customizability due to the ease of disassembly (it only requires you to remove eight screws on the underside) and the several layers that it's composed of. These layers include the keycaps and switches, the aluminum alloy top case, a gasket-mounted white FR4 plate, plate foam, tape-enhanced PCB with hot-swap sockets, and bottom foam.

I was able to personally see the results of that, with several tech YouTubers displaying their creations during my time with the keyboard. When I asked about the customization, it was confirmed to me that due to how easily and quickly the keyboard can be taken apart and thanks to all the layers that make it up, it's much simpler to do so but has a real depth to it that allows for some truly unique works. Some of the keyboards, as pictured in the gallery above, are completely unrecognizable from the original model.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Performance

I only had a limited amount of time to play around with the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, but my short stint with it has certainly piqued my interest. Like the Alienware line of gaming keyboards, the V4 Pro 75% uses Razer's in-house switches. From what I felt, the accusation point balances that trademark resistance mechanical switches are known for, while also not requiring too much force to push down keys.

One of the other most noticeable qualities of the switches during my test run was how clear and sharp the sound was. This is due to several factors, including the PCB with tape that helps absorb higher frequencies while boosting mid and low frequencies, the plate foam that helps remove unwanted resonance, and the bottom case foam that helps reduce hollowness. Clearly much thought and care had been put into this design, and it shows in every aspect.

According to Razer, this keyboard's battery life can last up to 2100 hours in power-saving mode, which is a staggeringly high number considering it accounts for the RGB lighting and OLED mini-screen.

gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Early verdict

The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% looks to be one of the best gaming keyboards that Razer has ever produced. Not only is the construction of the keyboard itself made of a high-quality metal chassis, but it comes with an OLED screen that bypasses the software for simple specs configuration. Further, the customization options balance depth with accessibility in a way few gaming keyboards achieve.

What has me truly excited is seeing just how far you can push said customization. Seeing what capable tech pros could accomplish in a short period blew my expectations out of the water. It makes me giddy to get my hands on one myself and really see what I can do with it. 

Simply, it's the most I've been excited for a Razer keyboard in years.

Asus ROG Delta II headset review: spatial audio shines in a headset catered to PS5 and PC gamers
12:06 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Delta II: two-minute review

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset with ear cushions stacked atop each other

(Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

The ROG Delta II wireless headset is the latest in the Asus Republic of Gamers line of audio peripherals for gaming. The set maximizes comfort without diminishing audio quality in a lightweight, over-ear headset that’s clearly made for all aspects of gaming. While gaming peripherals from companies like ROG or Razer can feel gimmicky for streamers or, at the very least, don’t stand up to higher-end, general-purpose counterparts, the Delta II is surprisingly versatile and even excels beyond something like the costlier Audeze Maxwell. With so many different headsets on the market, ROG had to find a way to separate the Delta II from the crowd, and despite its general simplicity, it succeeded in most ways. 

The biggest surprise is the comfort level. The lightweight design, forgiving band, and plush mesh or PU leather ear cushions minimize the occurrence of headaches. Even with a looser band, the earcup creates a seal that cuts down on external noise despite no active noise cancelation. 

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's ear cushions

(Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

While on the higher end of the price spectrum when compared to other Delta models, the Delta II’s $229 / £219 / AUS$368 price tag stings less when you start noticing audio cues that may have been otherwise drowned out through TV speakers or a lower quality headset. The plug-and-play compatibility with the PS5 (via USB-C dongle) and Xbox Series X/S (via 3.5mm cord) are vitally convenient and provide the best gaming experience, whereas use via PC (Bluetooth or USB-C) can be tweaked and customized using the Armoury Crate software.

Asus ROG Delta II: Price and availability

  • When is it available? Available now 
  • How much does it cost? $229 / £219 / AUS$368
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and AUS

The ROG Delta II officially launched on September 12, 2024, at a price point of $229 / £219 / AUS$368. Though fairly high, especially for a gaming headset, the Delta II justifies the cost with a build that makes the Delta S and its 50mm Asus essence drivers obsolete. Titanium is where it’s at for a fuller audio experience that elevates game audio design to ensure even the most subtle cues aren’t missed. 

There’s a market for the ROG Delta II; it just may not be the casual player who picks up a controller every few weeks. Someone willing to drop $229 on a wireless headset when there are options for more than half the price will better appreciate the enhanced audio provided by the 50mm titanium drivers. Though the headset does work quite nicely for PC, it almost feels like a console-specific accessory, especially since connecting any headset to an Xbox or PS5 isn’t as simple as establishing a Bluetooth connection, and compatibility isn’t guaranteed.

What really justifies the price is how well the headset handles the PS5’s spatial audio to suck players in. With that being said, that’s only good for PS5 players, leaving Xbox gamers to once again deal with the antiquated 3.5mm audio plug. That’s when it gets difficult to recommend a $200-plus headset because while the drivers work wonders, I can’t help but wonder if the much cheaper, 3.5mm-compatible Delta Core could get the job done for very casual players.

  • Value: 3.5 / 5

Asus ROG Delta II: Specs

Asus ROG Delta II: Features

  •  DualFlow Audio for simultaneous device use 
  •  Tri-Mode connectivity with ROG SpeedNova 
  •  Few features lend to a user-friendly experience 

ROG didn’t go too heavy on features for the Delta II, which is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows the headset’s base audio quality to shine without forcing you to navigate a sea of button presses and app integrations. The Delta II caters to a plug-and-play crowd, especially for consoles. It also supports the notion that this headset isn’t meant for audiophiles, and even casual players can get the most out of the titanium drivers without fuss.

Then again, an older competitor like Razer’s Kaira Pro (2022), which retails for only $30 less (for the PS5 model), is brimming with different audio-enhancing features. Along with haptic feedback, the Kaira Pro includes a toggle that swaps between improved bass, amplified audio, and a gaming profile for a more diverse user experience. You may be wondering why you’d spend more for what seems like less, but the Delta II’s success is that it hones in on a well-rounded build to render all of those enhancements unnecessary.

Of course, you can still control your sound design on a PC. The Delta II connects with ROG’s Armoury Crate software to optimize sound with toggles for an equalizer, reverb, and virtual surround sound along with slides for bass boost and compression. You can also choose between preset profiles for movies, music, gaming, and communicating, which change the necessary settings to adjust sound for each application. 

One of the Delta II’s more interesting features is DualFlow Audio. Using both the 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth, it feeds audio from two devices simultaneously. That may sound like chaos, but it’s a great way to game on a PS5 and still be able to use Discord (or TeamSpeak, if you're still using it) or chat with viewers on the PC without a mixer or additional equipment. The input audio skipped infrequently, but the rare hiccup is worth dealing with for something so simple and useful. 

None of this matters all that much if the headset is dead within hours of charging. Thankfully, ROG found a way to prolong the life of the Delta II to up to over 110 hours (using 2.4GHz wireless without RGB lighting). I tried to run the battery dry, but it’s quite resilient and looks like it does live up to at least a sizable portion of that 110 hours. ROG also boasts a quick charge, where you can squeeze 11 hours of use time after only 15 minutes on the included USB-C charger.

  • Features: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Delta II: Sound quality

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's microphone extended

(Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)
  •  Full-bodied audio that struggles with deeper bass
  •  Binaural audio is immersive and crystal clear
  •  Detachable microphone could use some work

After running a simple online bass test, I realized there were a few hiccups in the Delta II’s sound quality. While that should be a negative mark, it really indicated that the headset was specifically designed for gaming, especially since the worst offense was vibrating drivers at a low frequency I wouldn’t expect to hear in a video game. Some music with deeper bass may cause the drivers to vibrate, but the Delta II isn’t really made for music. Sure, you can connect to your iPhone and blast your favorite tunes, but ROG cares more about making sure you feel like you’re in the middle of Liberty City. Across most of the games I tested the Delta II with, I discovered the immersion I was missing by using TV speakers. 

My favorite experience with the Delta II was Returnal. Having heard the game through the TV and the Audeze Maxwell, I was not prepared for how different it would sound with the titanium drivers. It engulfs you in the alien world in a way video games should, with every bit of audio, big or small, sounding like they were in the room with me. Even Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 sounded better, to the point where I could hear the faint flapping of Spidey’s wings while gliding. 

On PC, I toyed with Armoury Crate’s settings but pretty much always returned it to the preset gaming mode. It provided the fullest audio of the lot, making games like Dead Space 2 infinitely more horrifying. 

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's detachable microphone and pop filter

(Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

Playing on PC also highlighted Delta II’s weakest feature: its microphone. Though clear (and made clearer with Armoury Crate’s noise reduction setting) it had a tendency to stutter. It did seem to run fine on the PS5, though, and teammates could hear me clearly each round of Killer Klowns from Outer Space. 

  •  Sound quality: 4.5 / 5 

ASUS ROG Delta II: Design

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset against a white background

(Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)
  •  Interchangeable plush ear cushions
  •  Flexible but durable headband
  •  Flimsy microphone design

There’s little to complain about with the Delta II’s design. Both ear cushions are very cozy and create a good seal to minimize external noise without pressing too hard against my head. The fabric and PU leather cushions were equally as soft, though I did sweat slightly with the latter. 

Adding to the overall comfort is the headband. I’m used to headsets that squeeze and feel tight around my head, but the Delta II’s band doesn't share that aggression. It does feel a little cheap, with very minimal padding at the top of the head, but it was comfortable enough to wear for several hours at a time without discomfort.

ROG kept things very simple with its button layout. The left earcup features controls for the volume and 2.4GHz dongle. Opposite that are the controls for Bluetooth connectivity and volume. Function buttons on both sides can control music based on how many times they’re pressed, making for a very user-friendly design.

  • Design: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Asus ROG Delta II?

Buy them if...

You own a PS5 and love immersion

A lower-quality, cheaper headset or TV speakers don’t do the PS5’s spatial audio any justice. ROG’s Delta II, on the other hand, thrusts you into the action with titanium drivers and a stable wireless connection that’s smooth and crystal clear.

Headsets tend to be uncomfortable for you

Both included ear cushions and the band design come together for a surprisingly comfortable wear. Though the band is nothing to write home about, it’s not tight and won’t squeeze even larger heads. The Delta II’s comfort also doesn’t hinder its ability to keep outside noises from polluting the audio, as the plush cushions create a strong, albeit cozy, seal.

Don't buy them if...

You only game on an Xbox

This is mostly Microsoft’s fault, as it’s difficult to justify spending so much for a 3.5mm connection that tethers you to the control and, shockingly, doesn’t provide the same audio quality as the Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz connection. On Xbox, you can’t take advantage of DualFlow audio.

Audio isn’t all that important to you

There’s no point in spending so much money if you’re not “Wow’d” by immersive, clear audio. You could easily spend less than $100 if all you care about is a simple wireless headset that gets the job done. Even a lower-cost ROG wireless headset could satisfy your needs for a wallet-friendly, feature-light audio experience.

Also Consider

Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed

50mm graphene drivers steer Logitech’s Pro X 2 Lightspeed in a good direction in this lightweight headset. Connectivity options, a sizable frequency range, surround sound, and good battery life lend to a positive user experience, particularly for competitive gamers.

Read our full Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed review 

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless

Comfort and a long battery life ensure prolonged gaming sessions with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless. Ample customization and neutral sound quality help justify a higher price tag, which still comes in a little cheaper than the ROG Delta II.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless review 

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro

A premium headset with audio amplified by 50mm drivers, active noise cancelation, and multiple connectivity options, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is both versatile and capable of delivering crystal-clear audio. 

Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review

How I tested the Asus ROG Delta II

  • Tested for two weeks
  •  Used for games on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S 
  •  Used in an open-walled home office with varying degrees of noise

I put ROG’s lightweight headset through a rigorous process. More so than visuals, I value sound design in video games, so I focused on games with fantastic audio across the primary platforms. This included Returnal (PS5), Dead Space 2 (PC), and Alan Wake 2 (Xbox Series S). By using different platforms, I could test audio quality across the USB-C 2.4GHz dongle, the 3.5mm cable, and the Bluetooth connection. Using each game’s base audio settings, I swapped between the Delta II, my Audaze Maxwell, and the speakers built into my Samsung TV to pinpoint basic audio quality and how well individual audio cues and background noise came through across each device. I also performed an audio/microphone test via Phasmophobia (PC), Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed (PC), and Killer Klown’s from Outer Space: The Game (PS5) to test the clarity of the microphone and how well the headset mixed in-game audio and other players. Finally, I ran the headset through a bass test designed to gauge the quality of the drivers. 

  • First tested in September 2024
Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: an analog keyboard that aims high but falls short
7:48 pm | September 24, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: one-minute review

It’s not often you see an analog keyboard come to market, but Turtle Beach is offering a new one in the form of its Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. It promises ultra-smooth and fast operation, aided by the in-depth actuation settings in its accompanying software, Swarm 2.

Since the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro doesn't have a top cover, the bare keycaps and switches are immediately apparent. This design choice is both aesthetically pleasing and convenient, as it makes cleaning and swapping out the keycaps easier. The overall form is compact and slender, yet the materials and construction feel premium.

Swarm 2 doesn’t put its best foot forward, with a jagged interface and a severe lack of explanations for the numerous settings available. Navigating it can also be a chore, and I was frequently met with dialog boxes telling me I had to go somewhere else or activate a certain parameter to achieve what I wanted. It also crashed on one occasion during my time using it. 

Beneath it all, though, there are some great customization options on offer, with a broad selection of hotkey functions – some quite advanced – and the actuation adjustments allow for a great deal of tinkering. Again, though, it can be hard to work out exactly what your tweaks are accomplishing, thanks to the lack of visual indicators and an impractical testing procedure.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro side view

(Image credit: Future)

In action, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro performs competently, with the same satisfying keystrokes and comfortable feel as any of the best gaming keyboards, and the mixture of convex and concave keycaps pays dividends. However, typing isn’t the easiest, as the keys are quite narrow, and gliding around them isn’t as seamless as I’m used to.

The analog functionality is a mixed bag for gaming. There are plenty of adjustments in the actuation point, which let you dial in your preferred pressure. Rapid Trigger mode is also useful, allowing for fast yet controlled inputs, ideal for twitchy character movements. However, the multi-point actuation seems more like a gimmick than a useful tool, and Controller mode falls short of its emulation promises since the keys can’t match the precision of analog sticks and triggers. In practice, I doubt gamers will use it. 

All this isn’t to say the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro isn’t a competent gaming performer. It’s satisfying and solid to use, and its compact design makes it suitable for virtually any setup.

If you want a premium gaming keyboard with similar analog switches, the Razer Huntsman line includes models with them. If you can do without, there are plenty of keyboards out there that offer similar, if not better, performance than the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro for the same price or less, such as the Asus Rog Strix Scope II RX and the Roccat Magma.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro top corner

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: price and availability

  • $149 (about £113 / AU$219)
  • Black and White colorways
  • Wired only

The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is priced at $149 (about £113 / AU$219) and is available in two colorways: Black and White. It also comes with a wrist rest. UK and Australian markets are yet to receive it. 

For a tenkeyless board with analog switches, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is good value. Similar analog offerings from the likes of Razer and Corsair can set you back over $200.

If you’re not bothered about analog switches, your options open up considerably, but even when considered within the broader gaming keyboard market, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is still competitively priced. 

However, there are alternatives that undercut the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: the Asus Rog Strix Scope II RX, for instance, is slightly cheaper, full-size, and has mechanical switches. There’s also the Roccat Magma, our current pick as the best gaming keyboard for those on a budget.

Value: 4 / 5

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: specs

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro back foot

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: design and features

  • Light but sturdy
  • Satisfying floating keys
  • Software is so-so

The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has a sleek, lightweight body, made from anodized aluminum with a plastic underside, resulting in a keyboard that feels hard-wearing. The keycaps' floating design helps to minimize its real estate even further. I found the chassis thin enough to use the board comfortably without needing the included wrist rest. The folding feet didn’t provide as steep an angle as I would’ve liked, but it was still within the bounds of acceptability.

Some might not like this exposed design, but I’m quite partial to it. If nothing else, it makes the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro easier to clean, as dust and other debris have no place to hide (I dread to think how many crumbs are lurking beneath the crevices of my other keyboards). It also makes removing the keycaps easier when you want to swap them out for third-party ones.

Despite their floating nature, the keycaps feel secure, firmly fixed in place with little play or wobble. They’re indented, save for those on the bottom row, which are convex instead – a smart design choice that makes them easier to press with your little finger and thumb.

There’s also a handy volume dial in the top-right corner, which has smooth notches and a solid button press for muting. However, neither the dial or the button can be remapped to perform other functions. 

To get the most out of the analog switches in the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, you’ll need to acquaint yourself with Swarm 2, Turtle Beach’s peripheral software. Unfortunately, it fails to make a great first impression. The typeface is rendered poorly and the layout isn’t exactly intuitive. I frequently encountered dialog boxes telling me certain functions and features weren’t available without navigating to another tab, and many settings just aren’t explained well – or even at all. There’s also no way to see a quick overview of the rebind choices you’ve made – you have to click on each individual key to reveal them. 

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro USB-C port close-up

(Image credit: Future)

I experienced one crash during my time with Swarm 2; a settings adjustment window failed to open and the app froze before shutting down altogether. A simple restart fixed the issue, though.

It contains many of the standard features you'd expect from peripheral software, including RGB adjustments, multiple profile slots (five), and a macro creator. It also offers different layers for customization, including a Game Mode (not to be confused with Windows’ own Game Mode), which is activated by pressing FN+Start (again: not made clear), and an Easy Shift mode that can be activated by holding caps lock. You can set it to toggle instead, but this option isn’t easy to find, buried in the hotkey rebind section. 

Speaking of which, there are plenty of hotkey options in Swarm 2. The selection is both broad and useful, including some pretty advanced functions that can be activated with a single keypress, such as opening a Direct X diagnostics tool and the Windows Registry Editor.

The real meat of Swarm 2, though, lies in the detailed actuation adjustments available. The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has Hall-effect magnetic switches, with the actuation point of each adjustable from 0.1-4mm. You can also increase or decrease actuation via two hotkeys on the plus and minus keys. The number key LEDs light up to indicate your adjustments, but they aren’t clear enough to tell what setting you’re on.

There are also Rapid Trigger and Multi-input modes. The former lets you adjust the point at which the key resets to accept further inputs, independently from the actuation point. This allows for quick, controlled movements and key spamming. You can select individual keys to apply Rapid Trigger to, but Swarm 2 fails to mention that you can click and drag to select multiple keys instead. More obscurities can be found in the test mode for Rapid Trigger, as it fails to provide visual feedback for the adjustments you make, which would be extremely useful in helping you see the direct effect of your tweaks. 

Multi-input mode lets you create up to three different inputs for the same key, depending on how hard you press. With this setting, you can’t assign controller inputs, only keystrokes and mouse clicks are permitted.

One of the problems with both these modes is that you can’t adjust and test your settings in the same window, which would streamline the whole process. You can, however, do this in Controller mode. 

This mode allows you to assign keys to gamepad inputs. To achieve this in-game, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro emulates a controller (I suspect it utilizes XInput, Microsoft’s protocol for using gamepads on PC). This includes the emulation of analog sticks and trigger buttons, letting you modulate the amount of input based on how far down you press the keys. In theory, this is useful for games requiring careful movement – there’s even a handy WASD-to-analog-stick quick-bind setting for this very purpose – and vehicle control. There’s also an angle-snapping option in this mode, offering 0-90 degrees of ‘snapping’; useful if you want to adjust the separation between the x and y axis.

Design & features: 3.5 / 5

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: performance

  • Good for gaming
  • Adjustable actuation points
  • Controller mode impractical

Thanks to those floating keys, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has a typewriter-like feel, which creates a greater sense of feedback. Despite this, it isn’t a board I would recommend for frequent typing. 

The T-shaped ABS keycaps are narrower than those on most gaming keyboards, and I found they took some getting used to. Gliding over them isn’t seamless, due to the steep indentations on the keycaps, while the small enter key is hard to locate by feel. Having the ability to adjust the actuation point across a wide range certainly helps to prevent mispresses, but if you’re thinking of using your board for productivity as well as gaming, this likely won’t be for you.

If you’re only concerned with the latter, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro acquits itself well. The switches are very clicky, with enough damping to feel pleasant to use, but if you really hammer down on them you’ll be met with a harsh thud. The aforementioned actuation adjustments make for quick responses, and those indented keycaps help secure your fingers in place.

The standard Actuation Point and Rapid Trigger modes generally live up to their promises. The former’s adjustment options result in meaningful changes to keystroke sensitivity, while the latter’s allow you to perform quick-twitch movements with greater speed and accuracy once set to your preferences.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro close-up of keys

(Image credit: Future)

However, the same can’t be said for Multi-input mode, as applying the exact amount of pressure to hit a certain actuation point for a certain input is difficult. I struggle to think of many gaming situations where this functionality would be useful. You also can’t assign controller functions in this mode, which seems like a missed opportunity; only keystrokes and mouse clicks are assignable.

And then there’s Controller mode. In theory, this is a nice idea, but, in practice, it fails to translate analog inputs from gamepads to keystrokes as smoothly as I would’ve liked. Changing the response curve to the precision setting did help to make movements somewhat more controlled, but still not enough. Maneuvering in-game vehicles was too jerky during my tests; the greater weight, size, and resistance of analog sticks and trigger buttons are much better suited to the task.

There’s also the issue of which games practically support Controller mode. In Grand Theft Auto 5, for instance, I found a clash between gamepad and keyboard control schemes. Naturally, moving a character forward and backward with a controller requires moving the analog stick. However, in vehicles, accelerate and brake/reverse are bound to R2 and L2, with no option in-game to alter this. 

This means that binding WASD to analog stick controls will let you move a character in all directions, but with vehicles, you’ll only be able to steer left and right. You could keep W and A bound as they are and sacrifice some of that nuanced control, or use the easy shift function on the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro as a workaround, but this will require you to press caps lock every time you switch between pedestrian and vehicular travel. In other words, it’s simply too impractical to be worth using.

Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro?

Buy it if…

You want analog-style controls
It’s not every day you see a keyboard with pressure-sensitive switches. If you desperately want to emulate a controller, albeit not as precisely, this is for you.

You want floating keys
Personally, I’m a fan of the uncovered layout, for both aesthetic and practical reasons. If you feel the same way, this is a great example.

You want to save space
For a board so solidly made, it’s pleasantly surprising how light and compact the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is, making it conducive to any desktop setup. 

Don’t buy it if…

You want to go wireless
Unfortunately, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro doesn’t have a wireless option, despite having a detachable USB cable.

You want true analog precision
Despite the promises, the analog keys don’t offer the same smoothness as gamepads, and they just aren’t as useful in certain games as you might expect.

You want the best software
While it offers great functionality in some areas, Swarm 2 isn’t the easiest to navigate and several features aren’t explained clearly.

Also consider

How I tested the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Played multiple genres
  • 10+ years PC gaming experience

I tested the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro for around two weeks, during which time I used it for gaming, productivity, and general use.

I played Counter-Strike 2, the acid test for peripherals, as well as games involving vehicle control, such as Art of Rally and Grand Theft Auto 5.

I have been PC gaming for over 10 years – and many more than that on numerous other platforms – and during that time, I have used many different types of keyboards from a wide range of brands. 

  • First reviewed September 2024
Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air review: a gaming mouse that’s light on weight, but not on price
12:47 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Mice Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air: Two-minute review

The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air is the brand’s new ultralight gaming mouse promising top-tier performance, which it hopes to achieve with its ergonomic design, quality hardware, and in-depth tweakability. 

Considering the Burst 2 Air is a full-size gaming mouse, it’s remarkable that it only tips the scales at 47g, undercutting many gaming mice in the lightweight category. Rather than sporting an all-over honeycomb design to shed the weight, it has just two small cutouts underneath that expose the underside to the PCB within. Despite this absence of material, Turtle Beach has managed to include a handy slot to store the 2.4GHz USB receiver. As an exercise in cutting weight, it’s impressive. 

With its understated appearance, the Burst 2 Air cuts a rather unremarkable figure, especially compared to the audacious looks of some of the best gaming mice. The white colorway I tested does look more vibrant than its black counterpart, and the light gray accents on the logo, side buttons, and scroll wheel are a nice touch. There are two small LEDs, one between the mouse buttons and another under the scroll wheel, but these are relatively subtle. The finish is smooth with a slight texture that I found suitable for my palm and fingers, although grip tape is included in the box for those who prefer something more substantial. 

The Burst 2 Air fits nicely in the hand, with an even curve all around, although there’s slightly more bulk towards the back end. There isn’t much of a forward rake either, so it doesn’t feel like your fingers are falling away. Turtle Beach doesn’t recommend specific grip styles but it seems ideal for most, though it may be too bulky for those who prefer the claw type. My only real complaint about the shape of the Burst 2 Air is that the sides cinch inwards a little too much for my liking, making it harder to squeeze during those clutch moments.

The mouse wheel is softly notched but still provides enough security to prevent mis-scrolls. It’s tight and secure when pressed, while still being easy to actuate. The side buttons are very clicky, and their angle and protrusion make them easy to use. Rather than being situated on top or underneath, as is typical for many gaming mice, the DPI cycle button is located on the left front side. It’s small and pressing it can be awkward, given it’s quite close to the bottom, meaning your thumb ends up pressing into your desktop. This is a small grievance, though, and the button operates smoothly.

Close up of Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air scroll wheel

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to the business of gaming, the Burst 2 Air is a joy to use. Maneuverability is exceptional, gliding effortlessly on almost any surface, thanks to the thick PTFE skates. The pre-tensioned optical switches can be activated with light clicks, and although they travel further than I expected, this only adds to their satisfaction. There is the slightest indentation on the buttons themselves, just enough to guide your fingers to the optimal position.

Coupled with the ultra-light total weight, this makes the Burst 2 Air very precise. Of course, what weight, shape, and size is best for a gaming mouse comes down to personal preference, but for me, I found the Burst 2 Air ideal for my hands and swipes. Using it with the included USB cable does add more resistance to movements, but I adapted to it quickly, and I wouldn’t go so far as to call it drag, with all the negative connotations that word brings. As with many braided cables, durability can be an issue, but during my time using it I didn’t notice any fraying. 

For customizing and adjusting settings, you’ll need Swarm 2, Turtle Beach’s peripheral software. As soon as you open it, you’re greeted with jagged fonts that are hard to read and fail to inspire much confidence. I have previous experience using this software with a Turtle Beach keyboard, and in that case, I found it to be obtuse in places and not the most user-friendly. Some of my concerns remain in place in the case of the Burst 2 Air, although I do think mice settings are more clearly laid out. 

The software allows for all the typical tweaks you'd expect, including adjustments for the DPI. However, this has a clunky implementation, requiring you to drag dots across the screen for each of the five predefined settings. In theory, this interface is a good idea, but it’s poorly executed here, with bugs and glitches occurring until I updated the mouse’s firmware. The update also fixed the battery level readout, which was previously stuck at 18%, even when charging.

There are also adjustments for the poll rate, with five settings ranging from 125Hz to 1000Hz, and a debounce time slider in a nondescript unit between 0 and 10 (a lot of other software I’ve tested measure this in milliseconds). There’s also DCU calibration, which is equivalent to lift-off distance. There are two predefined settings, very low and low, as well as a custom mode that automatically sets the distance based on a few test movements. Again, though, there is no indication in any setting as to what the exact distance you’ve set is.

Front of Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air on table

(Image credit: Future)

Other settings include angle snapping, which smooths cursor movements by making them more linear, and motion sync, which aligns the mouse’s polling rate to that of your PC, so only the latest polling data is read. In theory, this improves accuracy as tracking becomes more seamless, but in reality, only hardcore pro players will likely notice or care about this. During my tests, I failed to notice much difference when activated.

It’s also compatible with Nvidia Reflex, which claims to reduce input latency even further when gaming. It requires an Nvidia GPU and a monitor compatible with Nvidia G-Sync (although my FreeSync monitor worked with this too). It’s only currently supported by a handful of games, and again it’s a feature that only pro players will likely notice in action.

Switching between the different connectivity modes worked fairly seamlessly in my experience, letting me switch between two devices on the fly with a flick of the switch underneath. Note, however, that when connected via USB cable, this overrides your other connectivity options, so device switching effectively becomes unavailable until you pull the plug.

The claimed battery life of the Burst 2 Air is 120 hours in Bluetooth mode, and 40 when using the 2.4GHz receiver. According to my tests, this seems accurate, as the battery barely dipped below 90% over several days of use, even when set to the maximum 1k poll rate.

The Burst 2 Air is a solid wireless gaming mouse for those who are after a comfortable yet speedy performer. The overall shape, low package weight, connectivity options, and smooth glides are its standout aspects. However, Swarm 2 isn’t the most intuitive peripheral software to use, and the fact is there are better value gaming mice that match the Burst 2 Air for performance, such as the Cooler Master MM311. It’s by no means a bad pointer to plump for, but there are plenty of other great options around for less money.

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air: Price & availability

Rear of Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air on table

(Image credit: Future)
  • $99 / £99 (about AU$147)
  • Black and White colorways

The Burst 2 Air is priced at $99 / £99 (about AU$147) and is available now. It comes in either Black or White colorways.

For a gaming mouse of this spec, the Burst 2 Air represents pretty average value for money. It competes with other wireless mice such as the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed, which offers similar features and functionality. It also supports an 8k poll rate, although this does require Razer’s HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, which costs an extra $29 / £29 / AU$54.

If you’re after a wireless gaming mouse with an 8k poll rate straight out of the box, then be prepared to part with more cash. Offerings in this category can set you back considerably more: the Razer Viper V3 Pro, for example, is over $100 / £150 / AU$275.

However, if you’re happy with 1k, there are more wireless budget picks than ever. For instance, there’s the Cooler Master MM311, which is our current pick as the best gaming mouse for those on a budget – it’s heavier than the Burst 2 Air and runs on AA batteries, though. If you want a rechargeable battery, then the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 could fit the bill; although it weighs 61g, it’s slightly cheaper than the Burst 2 Air. There’s also a wired variant with an 8k poll rate for even less.

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air: Specs

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air?

Buy it if...

You want a super-light mouse
49g is seriously light, making the Burst 2 Air ideal for rapid movements. It’s even more impressive considering the body is full-size.

You want a smooth glider
The Burst 2 Air glides with incredible ease, thanks to the thick PTFE skates, working well on different surface types.

You want multiple connectivity options
The Burst 2 Air can be connected using the included USB-C to USB-A PhatomFlex cable, or wirelessly via the 2.4GHz USB receiver or Bluetooth, which allows for quick-switching between devices.

Don't buy it if...

You want a high poll rate
Gaming mice that are marketed for esports use usually offer poll rates up to 8k, but the Burst 2 Air tops out at 1k. If this matters to you, then look elsewhere.

You’re on a budget
The Burst 2 Air is averagely priced for a gaming mouse of this spec. There are more budget-friendly wireless gaming mice available than ever, so you’ll likely be able to find cheaper alternatives with similar levels of performance.

Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air: Also consider

How I tested the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Played FPS and strategy games
  • 10+ years PC gaming experience

I tested the Burst 2 Air for around two weeks. During that time, I used it with a variety of games, as well as for general use and productivity.

I played FPS titles including Counter-Strike 2, the evergreen peripheral tester, as well as strategy games that almost exclusively use mouse inputs, such as Tactical Breach Wizards. 

I have been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I have tried a variety of gaming mice of all shapes and sizes from the likes of Razer, Logitech, Alienware, and HyperX, to name a few. I generally prefer full-size mice over miniature ones and prefer a light to medium weight. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: September 2024

JBL 104-BT Compact Desktop Reference Monitors review: great, but not for their intended purpose
10:44 pm | September 19, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Mics & Speakers Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

JBL 104-BT: Two-minute review

JBL 104-BT speakers next to a gaming laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The JBL 104-BT are great speakers if you get them for the right reason. If you’re looking for the best computer speakers for general use, you’ll be very happy with these, thanks to a warm-leaning yet full frequency range that lends itself well to music listening as well as gaming and streaming (as long as you don’t need any real sub-bass).

They’re not quite as immersive as the best gaming headsets, but they’re more than immersive enough. However, reference monitors they are not.

If you’re trying to put together a home studio, you want monitors that give you an accurate representation of what you’re working on. If you have speakers that have somewhat of a boost in the low-mids as these do, then when you go to listen to your music on other speakers or headphones, you’ll realize that you compensated for that boosted area and have a track that’s lacking in that same frequency range.

Keep that in mind when going through this review as these are very enjoyable to listen to, are relatively affordable, and come with the appropriate amount of features (minus one or two). That’s why you should consider them – not for music production.

JBL 104-BT: Price and availability

  •  How much does it cost? $149.00 / £199.99 / AU$289.00 
  •  When is it available? Available now 
  •  Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia 

The JBL 104-BT aren’t the cheapest computer speakers out there, but they’re pretty affordable at $149.00 / £199.99 / AU$289.00. Considering the sound quality, that’s pretty good value as well. Of course, for that price, the JBL 104-BT should include a sub out at the very least.

As far as alternatives go, the Edifier MR4 are worth a consideration. They go for slightly less at $129.99 / £109.99 / AU$179.99, and they actually work a bit better for reference speakers, but also miss out on that low-end.

If you’re looking for a pair of computer speakers for reference work, the Vigilant Audio SwitchOne I reviewed back in 2022 are still a fantastic option, since they use passive radiators on the side to fill out that low end. Of course, they retail for a bit more at $249 (£255 / AU$471).

If you want a subwoofer and are willing to spend a bit more, however, the Kanto Ora, with a price tag of $349.99 / AU$699.95 (about £287), are really, really good. They work fairly well as reference speakers as well, though they have a slightly scooped mid-range. 

  • Value: 4.5 / 5

JBL 104-BT: Specs

JBL 104-BT: Design

JBL 104-BT speaker kit, including wires, laid out neatly on a desk mat

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Before we dig in much more about why they’re good for certain things and not for others, let’s discuss the JBL 104-BT’s design. These speakers come in either a matte black or matte white colorway, with the one I received for testing coming in black.

They stand at a little under ten inches tall and six inches wide (they have a depth of almost five inches), which is fairly diminutive for a pair of speakers. Sure, you can find smaller, but they’re probably going to have a thinner or brighter sound.

They both contain a 4.5-inch driver and a 0.75-inch soft dome driver for the highs, though I can only see the larger one through the front grille. Both speaker boxes are ported on the back as well to improve bass response.

Since these are powered speakers, one of them is a little heavier at 4.54 lbs compared to the other’s weight of 3.81 lbs. While they connect to each other with basic red and black speaker wires, the one with the power amp also allows ⅛-inch aux, RCA, and TRS balanced inputs, not to mention Bluetooth connectivity.

Image 1 of 2

Back side port selection on the JBL 104-BT speakers

JBL 104-BT backside port selection (Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Image 2 of 2

JBL 104-BT speaker frontside controls

Controls on the front of the JBL 104-BT (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

While most of the inputs are on the back, the aux input is on the front along with a headphone out and the controls, including a backlit volume knob and an input selector. There’s also an LED indicator when you have something connected via Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, there’s no sub out – a fateful omission as we’ll discuss later. And, though far from a deal breaker, there’s no physical digital connectivity like USB. Considering the digital-to-audio converters, or DACs, that come in computers and laptops vary quite a bit, it would have been a nice inclusion.

JBL 104-BT: Performance

JBL 104-BT speakers set up on either side of a gaming laptop

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

As far as the sound quality goes, it’s worth repeating that these are solid sounding speakers that are pleasing to listen to, but are not appropriate for music production work, podcasters possibly notwithstanding.

Since there’s no subwoofer or sub out, you’re limited on the low end. The JBL 104-BT only goes down to 60Hz (a low note on a standard bass is 41Hz for reference). This means that anything that needs that low end to really come alive – hip hop, EDM, or games and movies with massive amounts of explosions – are going to feel a bit truncated. That doesn’t mean you won’t feel some of the impact of those 808 drums or the rumble of whatever’s happening in the latest Nolan movie. You just won’t feel all of it.

That said, there’s a boost in the low-mids to compensate for that. This boost is probably the biggest deterrent for using these speakers as reference monitors. However, it adds a richness and fullness to any audio that also makes these speakers very pleasing to listen to. There’s also plenty of punch and immediacy to what you’re hearing, so that while you won’t feel your bones shaking from subwoofer-level rumble, there’s still a visceral element to the sound.

The rest of the mids sit nicely in the mix, while the high-end is present in a pleasing way. The high-end isn’t too sharp and it isn’t too muted either.

Where I’m actually most impressed with the JBL 104-BT is its sound imaging, and by extension, the soundstage. The soundstage with speakers are all about placement so you can affect how wide something sounds just by how far apart the speakers are. Still, these speakers did a good job of making you feel that separation of audio elements that are only on the left or right side, not to mention moving around.

However, what really jumped out at me was the center channel. The JBL 104-BT is a stereo speaker system with just two speaker boxes. But, with every stereo speaker system, you really have the left, the right, and the center, even if it’s not represented by its own physical speaker.

Good speakers, along with good speaker placement, are able to make that center audio – usually dialogue or vocals – sound like it’s floating right in front of you instead of sounding like part of it is coming from one speaker and part of it is coming from the other.

With the JBL 104-BT, that center channel felt like it was right in front of me to the point that I kept checking the speakers on the laptop to make sure they weren’t also getting in on the action (they weren’t).

Considering these retail for around $150, what you’re getting is pretty remarkable as long as you use them to elevate your everyday audio experience. If you’re using them for music production, you’ll probably like the way they sound, minus that low-end, but you’re going to have a hard time creating music that sounds good on other systems. If you keep that in mind, these are an easy pair of speakers to recommend.

Should I buy JBL 104-BT Compact Desktop Reference Monitors?

Buy it if...

You want great sound for general use

The sound quality will elevate whatever media you’re consuming at least a level, if not two, as long as you don’t care about a big low end. The low-mids, in particular, are very rich sounding.

You don’t have a lot of desk space

The JBL 104-BT are able to offer quite a bit without taking up too much space, so if you have a small or cramped desk, then these speakers might be for you.

You want immersion without breaking the bank

You don’t have to spend a lot to get a great soundstage and sound imaging with these speakers, particularly the way they’re able to recreate the center audio channel.

Don't buy it if...

You need reference level audio

Despite the name, the frequency range isn’t appropriate for music production work. Besides the fact that the low-end is weak, the rest of the frequency range isn’t flat the way it should be.

You need a subwoofer

There’s no subwoofer or way to connect one, so there’s no way to get any rumble, whether you want it for movies, games, or music.

Also Consider

Edifier MR4 studio monitors

While the Edifier MR4 don’t have any digital input including Bluetooth or the ability to connect a subwoofer, they still sound great, especially for the price.

Read our full Edifier MR4 studio monitors review

Kanto Ora Reference Desktop Speakers

The Kanto Ora Reference Desktop Speakers are a bit more expensive, but they come with a subwoofer and sound fantastic. They also come with USB-C connectivity. Just be aware the mid-range is a little scooped if you plan to use them for music production.

Read our full Kanto Ora Reference Desktop Speakers review 

How I tested the JBL 104-BT

  •  Used regularly for a couple weeks
  • Tested with all sorts of games and music
  • Tested different forms of connectivity

I used the JBL 104-BT Compact Desktop Reference Monitors regularly for a couple weeks. I used them to listen to all sorts of music as well as play a number of games including Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Hitman, and Battlefield 2042.

After using these speakers, it’s clear that they are great for general use, but not ideal for reference work, i.e. music production, despite the accessible price tag.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

  •  First reviewed July 2024
Alienware AW2725QF review: Two resolutions, one monitor
11:53 pm | September 16, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Alienware AW2725QF: Two-minute review

Alienware AW2725QF monitor on desk showing Cyberpunk 2077 main screen

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

The idea of using pixel doubling to turn a 4K monitor into a native 1080p panel isn't new. But it hasn't been very successful so far. Can the new dual-mode Alienware AW2725QF do anything to change that, or will it prove just another failed attempt at having both high-res visual sizzle and high-refresh speed in a single monitor?

Apart from the dual 4K and 1080p modes, this Alienware panel looks like it has a decent shot of qualifying as one of the best gaming monitors out there. It runs at up to 360Hz and boasts a claimed response time of just 0.5ms. That's seriously fast for an IPS-type LCD monitor.

It also sports HDR 600 certification and both G-Sync and FreeSync support. If there's one area where it's a little lacking, it's connectivity. You do get a USB hub, but there's no USB-C input for single-cable connectivity, which is a pity.

Alienware AW2725QF: Price and availability

Alienware AW2725QF monitor's logo on the front bottom bezel

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

How much does it cost? $599 / £599 (estimated) / AU$899 (estimated)

When is it available? Available now

Where can you get it? Available in the US

At $599 in the US, the Alienware AW2725QF is fairly pricey for a 27-inch 4K gaming panel that lacks a mini-LED full array backlight. The larger 32-inch Gigabyte M32UC is actually cheaper. So you're really going to have to want that dual-mode functionality.

Whether it's worth the money is a tricky call. It certainly looks a little better at 1080p than the dual-mode LG UltraGear 32GS95UE. But it's ultimately a bit of a niche feature. The good news is that purely as a high-refresh 4K panel, the Alienware AW2725QF is an absolute zinger and nearly worth the asking price simply on those terms.

For now, pricing in the UK and Australia hasn't firmed up. But we expect the market positioning to be pretty similar. In other words, it'll be more expensive than a regular 4K panel of similar specs minus the dual-more functionality.

Alienware AW2725QF: Specs

Alienware AW2725QF: Design and features

Alienware AW2725QF monitor with Cyberpunk 2077 open

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

For a monitor from an out-and-out gaming brand like Alienware, the AW2725QF is pretty restrained. Yes, there are a few RGB flourishes including the power button and logos on the rear (all fully configurable) and hexagonal base design. But for the most part, it's pretty businesslike and sober suited, though the slim bezels do make for a suitably contemporary overall vibe.

Is that a disappointment? Might Alienware customers expect something a little more extroverted? Possibly. But fussier styling tends to date faster, so the restraint Alienware has shown here will probably be welcome for most users, as will the solid build quality and full range of adjustment, including tilt, height, swivel and pivot into portrait mode. 

Side profile of the Alienware AW2725QF monitor, screen tilted at a slight angle

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

The OSD menu is similarly comprehensive with settings for pretty much everything you need.

It's a fairly logical menu and makes it very easy to jump between the 4K and 1080p modes. You simply hit the main OSD menu selector button twice to toggle between the two modes. Less impressive is the display's connectivity.

The two HDMI and single DisplayPort inputs all support the full 4K at 180Hz resolution, which is good. There's also a USB hub that includes two USB-A ports at the rear, plus a USB-A and a USB-C on the lower bezel. But there's no USB-C input and thus no single-cable connectivity option for laptops.

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Alienware AW2725QF monitor's hexagonal base

Alienware AW2725QF's hexagonal base (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
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Alienware AW2725QF's on-screen display

Alienware AW2725QF 's on-screen display for swapping resolutions and other settings (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
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Alienware AW2725QF's port selection

The port selection on the bottom of the Alienware AW2725QF (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

Some would argue that's fine for a gaming display. Given the limitations of USB-C power supply and the elevated power consumption of a proper gaming laptop, you can't really keep one fully juiced with a USB-C cable.

But it would still make this a more versatile display to offer USB-C upstream connectivity. With a USB-C input, you could share this panel between a gaming desktop and a laptop. And who knows what you might like to do with it in future. With USB-C, you simply have more options and with the price point Alienware has gone for, it's a thoroughly reasonable expectation.

The Alienware AW2725QF also lacks an audio line-out jack, which can be handy for headphones. Again, it's not exactly a deal breaker. But this isn't a cheap display and it's the kind of feature you'd have thought Alienware would throw in just to cover all the bases on a premium monitor.

Alienware AW2725QF: Performance

Alienware AW2725QF monitor resting on a desk

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

The Alienware AW2725QF's IPS LCD panel makes a very strong first impression. It's extremely bright and punchy, with up to 450 nits in SDR mode and 600 nits peak for HDR. It's also beautifully calibrated in sRGB mode, with rich but accurate colors.

Of course, in default 4K resolution, the pixel density is super sharp and crispy, so fonts look fab. In-game, there's a crazy amount of detail to go with the visual sizzle. This is a very sweet looking panel.

It's also seriously fast for an IPS display. Alienware claims 0.5ms GTG response for the Extreme setting in the display's Overdrive submenu. That does bring in a tiny bit of overshoot and inverse ghosting. But the two less aggressive options are still very fast and look just great. In fact, this panel is fast enough that pure speed is barely a concern. Or a reason to upgrade to an even more expensive OLED.

Backside view of the Alienware AW2725QF monitor

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

The same can't be said for the HDR performance and more broadly contrast and black levels. This monitor is edge-lit and does not have full-array local dimming. So, there's plenty of light bleed and relatively poor contrast, which goes with the territory with any LCD panel without local dimming. SDR colors also aren't terribly well calibrated in HDR mode, so you'll want to switch between modes depending on content type, which is a bit of a pain.

But what about that secondary 1080p mode achieved via pixel doubling? The idea is that for some game types, such as online shooters, you want more speed not more pixels. So, the 1080p mode offers a boost up to 360Hz refresh and is easy to access.

As for how it looks, well, it doesn't quite look like 1080p on a native 1080p display. It's certainly better than the similar feature on LG's own dual-mode 4K OLED, the UltraGear 32GS95UE-B.

That might be thanks to the conventional RGB subpixel layout of this IPS display. The superior pixel density will help, too. Whatever, the results on the desktop are fairly good, though you wouldn't confuse it with true native. Everything looks just a little jagged and pixelated.

In-game, for the most part, the 1080p mode works better and is very playable to the extent that you forget it isn't true native 1080p much of the time. The exception is that just occasionally, certain details can look quite messy and pixelated. One example is fine foliage and grass. When it happens, it can be pretty ugly.

Pixelated foliage on the Alienware AW2725QF's screen

Pixelated in-game foliage on the AW2725QF's 1080p resolution setting (Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

In the end, there will always be shortcomings with pixel doubling, but this display does it better than any yet, including that LG, which looks soft and blurry by comparison.

Should I buy the Alienware AW2725QF?

Buy it if...

You want two monitors in one

The Alienware AW2725Q's dual-mode functionality isn't perfect. But the 1080p mode ups the refresh rate to 360Hz and looks OK in-game most of the time.

You love crispy, speedy visuals

The 4K resolution on a punchy, well-calibrated 27-inch IPS panel looks fabulous, and this is also just about the fastest gaming monitor of its type we've yet tested.

Don't buy it if...

You're expecting a true 1080p native experience

The 1080p pixel doubling mode is the best we've yet seen. But it still doesn't look like a true 1080p panel and adds significant cost to this display...

You love HDR sizzle

The Alienware AW2725Q does have HDR 600 certification. But there's no full-array dimming and it doesn't come close to an OLED panel for HDR or contrast performance.

Also Consider

Gigabyte M32UC

This is a larger 32-inch display, which arguably makes better use of a 4K pixel grid. It's not as fast as the Alienware, but it is a fair bit cheaper and offers better contrast from a VA panel.

 Read our full Gigabyte M32UC review here

Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q

If you want 4K gaming on a very tight budget, you could do a lot worse than the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q. It's only 60Hz, but has a quality IPS panel and basic HDR support.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q review here

How I tested the Alienware AW2725QF

I rigged up the Alienware AW2725QF as my primary display for a week. The aim was to use it across a wide range of applications to get a really good feel for how it delivers in both 4K and 1080p for everything from daily desktop duties to hardcore gaming sessions.

As a 4K IPS panel, it's actually well suited to precision productivity. But what the Alienware AW2725QF is really built for is gaming, and for the most part it's pretty stellar. I assed everything from color accuracy and response to latency and HDR performance.

It was particularly interesting to see how it stacked up against LG's dual-mode OLED display, not to mention all the other recent OLED monitors, numerous examples of which I've reviewed. Plenty of more conventional 4K gaming panels have passed under my beady gaze, too, so putting the Alienware AW2725QF into context was certainly intriguing.

First reviewed September 2024

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