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Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: the most powerful phone around

2:20 pm | November 19, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Asus Phones Computers Gadgets Phones | Tags: OS, UFS | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro: Two-minute review

Asus took a bold turn towards the mainstream with the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro in 2023, repositioning its flagship (but typically niche) gaming phone as something you might actually want to use day-to-day. You don't get two consecutive radical overhauls in the modern smartphone era, so the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro serves as more of a gentle refinement.

The chief improvement comes from the switch to Qualcomm's impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which provides a measurable bump in performance. This is paired with a whole lot of RAM and a passive cooling system that has been beefed up yet further.

Whatever the contributing factors, the ROG Phone 9 Pro addresses our concerns over its predecessor's sustained performance, remaining consistently fast over longer gaming sessions.

The ROG Phone 9 Pro sticks to the design template of last year's model, with the same (relatively) discrete shape and style. Quality of life features like wireless charging and IP68 certification make a return, too, and continue to be unique among gaming phones.

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review images — (Image credit: Future)

Hardcore mobile gamers will likely continue to regard this as a compromised layout, however. Asus has only half-heartedly addressed the lack of dual front-firing speakers, while the display continues to be partially obstructed by a hole punch camera, unlike that of the Red Magic 9S Pro.

One gamer-friendly change on the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the provision of a larger 5,800mAh battery, which ensures epic stamina in regular usage. More to the point, you'll be able to indulge in some serious gaming on your commute without fear of running out of juice. Charging speeds are quick enough, and there's a secondary USB-C port on the left-hand edge for easy charging while gaming.

Asus' rear-mounted AniMe Vision system, introduced in the ROG Phone 8 Pro, has been improved, with a bunch more LEDs. You can even play a series of simplistic games on it, using the returning mappable Air Trigger controls. It's a fun addition, but pretty superfluous given the range of games (both simple and otherwise) that can be played on the main screen.

Talking of which, Asus has stuck with broadly the same 6.78-inch AMOLED panel as before. The only real difference is that the refresh rate now goes up to 185Hz, but you'll struggle to find many games that can capitalize on such a feature.

Also similar is the ROG Phone 9 Pro's camera system, which adds an improved gimbal stabilization system to the package. It's far from one of the best camera phones out there, especially among its premium-priced flagship competition, but it's capable of capturing solid shots in a variety of scenarios.

The software provision remains the most thoughtful of any gaming phone, with a straight choice between Asus' bespoke gamer aesthetic and a more traditional stock(ish) Android UI. It's a real shame you'll only be getting two major Android updates, though at least the AI-enhanced Android 15 is available out of the box.

For all its many minor improvements, it's questionable whether the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the best out-and-out gaming phone on the market, and it's certainly not the best value. However, it's quite clearly the best option if gaming is merely the first among many interests.

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Price and availability

From $1,199 / £1,099.99 / AU$1,999
Shipping expected second half of December

Global Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro pre-orders are open now, with shipping expected to begin in mid-to-late December. The US launch will follow sometime later, but American customers can sign up to be notified of the announcement on the US Asus Official Store.

The ROG Phone 9 comes in three variants: the regular Asus ROG Phone 9 (eyes peeled for a separate review), the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, and the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition. It's the latter that I've been testing for this review, though it's broadly the same phone as the regular Pro.

Pricing starts at $1,199.99 / £1,099.99 / AU$1,999 for the ROG Phone Pro with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The ROG Phone Pro Edition is the same phone, but with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, as well as an external AeroActive Cooler X Pro fan included in the box. This top-tier model costs $1,499.99 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,499.

It's worth mentioning that there's a little more meaningful differentiation for the regular ROG Phone 9 this year. It has a simpler AniMe Vision LED set-up on the back, and swaps out the dedicated telephoto camera for a lesser macro one.

Pricing for the regular model starts at $999.99 / £949.99 / AU$1,799 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. In the UK and Europe, you can bump the latter up to 512GB for £999.99, but this model won't be available in the US or Australia.

All of this pricing is consistent with last year's models. Make no mistake, this is an expensive phone whichever variant you opt for, especially with Nubia turning out similarly performing gaming phones for hundreds less (see the Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro, for instance). However, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is a unique proposition for the way it attempts to give gamers a phone they'd be happy to use day-to-day.

Value score: 3.5 / 5

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Specs

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Design

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Same more refined design as ROG Phone 8
Dedicated Air Trigger shoulder buttons
Two USB-C ports
Bundled AeroActive Cooler X Pro fan

Asus dropped its juvenile gamer aesthetic for the ROG Phone 8 Pro in favor of something a little more subdued and mature. Indeed, so comprehensive was the transformation, Asus essentially re-released the phone several months later as the normie Zenfone 11 Ultra.

Unsurprisingly, it has stuck to its design guns with the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro. The phone looks and feels almost exactly the same as its predecessor, with identical proportions of 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm and a similar weight of 227g. That's big by normal standards, but not especially so for a gaming phone.

Like the ROG Phone 8 pro, this heft is partly softened by a soft-touch precision-etched glass material on the rear that curves off at the edges. The Pro model only comes in a sober Phantom Black finish, which has just the slightest of glimmers about it. It's totally non-reflective, however, and also mercifully resistant to fingerprints.

There are still a few gamery decals dotted around the back of the phone, but at least Asus has ditched the cheesy 'Dare to Win' message this time around.

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One thing Asus has leaned into is the AniMe Vision secondary display that debuted on the ROG Phone 8 Pro. Completely invisible by default, this LED system (up from 341 to 648 LEDs) only lights up when you dive into the menus and activate it. You can have it play little animations when music is playing, for incoming calls and notifications, and more. I particularly liked the little countdown timer and smiley face that appears when you take timed photo.

The big new addition is the ability to play simplistic games on this stylized secondary display, but that's arguably the least consequential use for it. Using the Air Trigger controls, you can play crude knock-off versions of Space Invader, Snake, and the like. None of them are especially good, and I'm not sure why you'd ever opt for one of these given the range of games available for the main screen.

Asus added IP68 certification with the ROG Phone 8 Pro, and it makes a return here. It's something you don't get on the likes of the Red Magic 9 Pro with its big fan vents, and it's most welcome as the bad weather starts to roll in.

For gamers, this more accessible design is something of a mixed bag. On the plus side, you get a secondary USB-C port on the left-hand edge, which makes it easy to charge while you're gaming. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack for latency-free audio.

Conversely, Asus' more streamlined design reduces the bezels to the point where there's no room for dual front-facing speakers. The earpiece fires frontwards, but the other speaker is on the bottom edge of the phone. This will never match true front-firing speakers for stereo clarity, and Asus knows it.

In a somewhat half-baked attempt to address this, the manufacturer has made it so that both of its official cases (including the bundled ChillCase) redirect the downwards-firing audio frontwards. It works to avoid you blocking the speaker with your finger while gaming, but it's still a half measure, especially if you don't care for the case.

As for the sound output itself, it gets nice and loud and clear, but it's no match for the nuanced output of similarly priced regular phones like the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Those compact bezels also mean that the front camera is marooned in a sea of screen, which isn't optimal for gaming, even if it's a standard measure for the vast majority of non-gaming phones. Still, it does mean that the selfie camera is usable, unlike with the Red Magic 9S Pro's awful in-display solution. Again, it all comes down to your priorities.

I've already drawn a contrast with the way Asus handles cooling compared to Nubia. Instead of integrating a physical fan into the body of the phone, Asus includes the aforementioned ChillCase, which draws heat away from the body of the phone. It also bundles in the AeroActive Cooler X Pro, which is a clip-on fan that serves to draw heat away from the body, as well as provide additional physical shoulder buttons and a built-in stand.

This AeroActive Cooler X Pro runs off the phone's power by hooking into its extra USB-C port, and also uses this to run some ROG lighting, which you can adjust or toggle off in the Armoury Crate app.

Compared to last year's AeroActive Cooler X, the AeroActive Cooler X Pro features a 12.5% larger fan and extra thermal material, boosting cooling efficiency by a claimed 29%. Its design is fundamentally similar though, and it's good to see that Asus is continuing to sell the older fan as a cheaper alternative.

Design score: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Display

6.78-inch LTPO OLED
FHD+ resolution
Refresh rate now goes up to 185Hz

Asus has gone with a 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED display for the whole ROG Phone 9 range, which is the same as the ROG Phone 8. You might expect a sharper resolution than 1080 x 2400 (FHD+) given the price, especially of this top model, but image clarity is fine and fewer pixels make for better performance.

The brightness hasn't been cranked up at all, with the same claimed peak of 2,500 nits in HDR tasks and 1,600 nits in high brightness mode, which automatically activates in sunny outdoor conditions. It's far from the brightest screen on the market, but it proves to be more than enough in practical terms.

Color output is certainly on the punchy side, even in the supposedly Natural display setting. You can rein this in by switching to Standard mode, which offers a pleasingly balanced look, while you can also fine-tune the color temperature and saturation level according to your taste.

This is an LTPO panel, which means that it can operate at any one of 14 refresh rates depending on the task at hand, thus maximizing energy efficiency. This is actually one more gradient than the ROG Phone 8 Pro was capable of, and that's because the ROG Phone 9 Pro can extend beyond the previous 165Hz limit to 185Hz.

You can only access this elevated refresh rate when the screen is set to Auto, and it'll only activate within games. It's also a simple fact that vanishingly few games will actually take advantage of such a refresh rate. Indeed, most won't even hit 120Hz. Even the super-fluid Dead Cells topped out at 167fps for me.

Still, this is a phone built around high-end mobile gaming, which means it needs to offer the maximum possible gaming performance. In terms of display technology, it's mission accomplished.

Display score: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Cameras

Familiar 1/1.56-inch main camera sensor with improved gimbal
13-inch ultra-wide with freeform lens
Dedicated 32MP 3x telephoto on Pro models only

It might appear as if Asus has switched to a new main camera sensor on paper, but the Sony Lytia 700 is merely a rebrand of the 1/1.56-inch IMX 890 found in the ROG Phone 8.

All that's new this time around, at least from a hardware perspective, is an improved gimbal system. The six-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 4.0 can manage five degrees of motion compensation rather than the previous three.

As we've seen with previous Asus flagship phones, this system results in freakishly stable images and video footage, which has positive ramifications for low-light shots. By keeping even steadier, the ROG Phone 9 Pro can keep its shutter open for longer without it negatively affecting clarity – so long as the subject is relatively static.

Sure enough, food shots taken in dim restaurant lighting looked appropriately sharp and delectable, while Night mode shots were reasonably crisp and clear. I didn't spot too much of that artificial brightening effect that often blights less-than-top camera systems either.

You get the same 13MP ultra-wide camera as before, which can't manage the same detail or contrast as the main sensor. The overall tone is broadly of a piece, however, and edge distortion isn't excessive thanks to the provision of a freeform lens.

We also get the return of the ROG Phone 8's 32MP 3x telephoto camera – or at least, the ROG Phone 9 Pro does. In a noteworthy downgrade, Asus has dropped the telephoto from the regular ROG Phone 9, replacing it with a 5MP macro.

Speaking of the Pro model, the dedicated telephoto camera takes sharp and balanced shots at its native 3x zoom, and usable snaps using the hybrid 2x mode. Things start to get soft at 10x, however, while the 30x hybrid zoom turns out awful impressionistic snaps. Some of the facial features I captured on distant subjects in these extended hybrid zoom shots will haunt my dreams for some time to come.

The 32MP selfie camera makes a return, and it continues to go about its business adequately. Skin still looks a little waxy, but detail is fine; it makes the subject pop against the background nicely, and I appreciated the option of a wider perspective for group and landscape selfies.

That above-and-beyond gimbal further earns its place when capturing video at up to 4K/60fps or 8K/30fps. You can add electronic image stabilization (EIS) to the equation in HyperSteady mode, but this is only available at up to 1080p/60fps. Auto HDR can also be applied to videos, but only up to 1080p/30fps.

More than any hardware improvements, Asus seems to have gone the extra mile on its camera software this year. The big addition is Photo Vibes, which let you fundamentally alter the tone of your shots between five major settings.

Standard is Asus' idea of a balanced look, and it was also my preference throughout my test period. Rich & Warm cranks up the contrast and drops the temperature. Soft & Warm drops both, Vivid gives you high color temperature and high contrast for that cool blue tint, while Gentle Cold gives you high temperature but low contrast.

The other new feature that feels potentially meaningful is the ability to map the right Air Trigger button to the shutter. It's turned off by default, but when activated it gives you something of a point-and-shoot camera feel.

This is still only a capacitive button, so you don't get the same tactile feedback as the iPhone 16's Camera Control button, but it's a welcome addition nonetheless. I particularly appreciated that the shot was taken on release, not the initial press, which helps with stability and shot composition.

Make no mistake, this still isn't a top-notch camera system, despite the premium price you're paying for the phone. Neither night nor daytime shots are up to the level of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

That's part of the deal with even the best gaming phones, and this is still comfortably the best gaming phone camera in town. It's a low bar admittedly, but it's one that last year's ROG Phone 8 cleared with ease. The ROG Phone 9 Pro nudges things forward.

Camera score: 3.5 / 5

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro camera samples

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Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Performance

Features the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip
18GB or 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM
512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage

Let's face it, for all the ROG Phone 9 Pro's mainstream refinements, we're all here for the performance. You can take your gaming phone design in any direction you like, but if it can't run games better than regular phones, you're onto a loser.

Suffice it to say, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is very much a winner in the performance department. Much of that success can be laid at Qualcomm's door, with the third-party chip maker providing its latest and greatest 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with its brand new Oryon CPU architecture.

Now add in an absolute stack of fast LPDDR5X RAM – 18GB in the Pro, 24GB in the Pro Edition – and you have as good a foundation as any phone on the market. My benchmark tests indicate a healthy advance on the previous Android flagship generation, which tended to run on the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

In the CPU-focused Geekbench 6, the ROG Phone 9 Pro scored an average of 10,106. That's a 40% increase on the ROG Phone 8 Pro, and a 15% increase on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

There's a slightly less remarkable improvement in GPU terms, but Qualcomm's new Adreno 830 GPU still represents a solid bump. The improvement across a selection of GFXBench GPU benchmark tests stood at around 24% on average compared to the ROG Phone 8 Pro.

Benchmark tests are especially necessary in figuring out how fast this phone is, as no games available on the Google Play Store can really stretch it. Genshin Impact and Wreckfest both run on the highest graphical settings at a more or less consistent 60fps.

More noteworthy for gamers is the ROG Phone 9 Pro's improved sustained performance – that is, its ability to run consistently fast over extended periods, which is important for prolonged gaming sessions. In the 3DMark Solar Bar Stress Test, which runs 20 consecutive minute-long high-intensity graphical workouts, the ROG Phone 9 Pro scored 99.6% consistency.

That's better than the ROG Phone 8 Pro's 92.2%, and is right up there with the Red Magic 9 Pro and its integrated cooling fan on 99.7%. You might want to bring the AeroActive Cooler X Pro into play for hour-long sessions and beyond, but this is a meaningful improvement.

How much of this is down to efficiency gains on Qualcomm's part and how much is Asus' improved GameCool cooling system remains unclear. At the heart of this is Asus's custom X Mode which, as well as ramping up the clock speeds of the CPU and GPU, monitors thermal limits and adjusts output accordingly.

Besides a meaty multi-layer cooling system, Asus has positioned the heat-generating SoC at the center of the phone, away from your hands. It'll still warm up after a prolonged gaming session, but not uncomfortably so.

Performance score: 5 / 5

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Software

Android 15 with ROG UI
Armour Crate app to fine-tune gaming settings
Only two OS updates, five years of security updates

One of the big things that, for me, sets the ROG Phone 9 Pro apart from its Red Magic rivals and makes it a more pleasant phone to use day-to-day is Asus' approach to software. Right at the start of the set-up procedure, you're given a choice between a custom Asus UI or a more stock take on Android.

As a fan of Google's Pixel phones, I went with the latter, with its familiar icons, volume control system, and integrated quick settings panel. But tinkerers, power users, and those coming from non-Google-branded phones may appreciate Asus' alternative. The choice is most welcome, and I wish more manufacturers would offer it.

Asus adds a few of its own apps out of the box, including its own Gallery app and the usual everyday tools – think Clock, File Manager, Calculator, Themes, and the like. There's nothing too egregious here, though that depends on your opinion of Facebook.

Armoury Crate is the company's custom game interface, granting access to different power modes and display configurations. For popular games like Genshin Impact, you'll find downloadable Air Trigger button mappings.

Artificial Intelligence figured highly in Asus's press materials for the ROG Phone 9 Pro, but most of it is typical stuff for a high-end phone launched in 2024. There's an AI Wallpaper feature for bespoke backgrounds; natural language image search in the Gallery app; localized AI transcriptions and summaries within the Recorder app; AI call translations; and various image and video editing enhancements. Google's Circle to Search tool is also here.

Asus has also applied some AI smarts to its gaming UI with X Sense. It's only in Beta at present, but it can use AI to identify when the 'Pick up' button appears on a game like Genshin Impact, and automatically activate it. It'll also offer you the option to auto-run, and can speed up conversations in lengthy cut scenes. X Sense can even automatically hammer the escape button when it detects that your avatar is frozen or trapped.

All this positivity is tarnished somewhat by Asus' inexplicably bad update promise, which only commits to two additional major Android versions. Still, at least Android 15 comes with it out of the box, and you're also guaranteed a pretty decent five years of security patches.

There's also the simple fact that anyone splashing out $1,000 / £1,000 or more on a cutting-edge gaming phone is likely to be the type of person who upgrades fairly regularly. Even so, this is an area Asus needs to improve on if it really wants to break into the mainstream with its ROG line.

Software score: 3.5 / 5

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Battery

Larger 5,800mAh battery
Comfortable all day heavy usage
65W wired and 15W wireless charging

One of the unwelcome compromises Asus reached in streamlining the ROG Phone 8 Pro was dropping the size of the battery to 5,500mAh, which isn't the sort of thing a committed gamer wants to hear. There's little point in being able to blast through Honkai: Star Rail at maxed-out settings for two hours straight if it means you're running out of juice on the journey home from work.

While it hasn't quite restored us to the heights of the ROG Phone 7's 6,000mAh battery, Asus has given us an improved 5,800mAh cell this time around. Together with the improvements to energy efficiency, I'm pleased to announce that the Asus ROG Phone 9 is once again a stamina monster.

On a 15-hour day of moderate usage, with around 4 hours 30 minutes of screen on time, I was left with 60% in the tank. That's notably better than the ROG Phone 8 Pro, which left me with less than 50% in similar scenarios, and is right up there around the Red Magic 9 Pro and Red Magic 9S Pro with their 6,500mAh cells.

Of course, at the time of writing, Nubia has just announced the Red Magic 10 Pro with its ridiculously large 7,050mAh battery, so Asus may still be a little behind on the gaming stamina bragging rights. Watch this space.

Asus hasn't changed its charging provision, and it arguably didn't need to. Once again it bundles in a 65W charging brick, which gets the phone from empty to full in a little over 45 minutes. That's a tad worse than the ROG Phone 8 Pro, but about the same as the Red Magic 9S Pro.

One thing that stands out from other gaming phones is the provision of 15W wireless charging. It's another small quality-of-life improvement that makes the phone a little nicer to use day to day.

Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro?

Buy it if...

You want the fastest phone on the market
At the time of writing, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is the fastest phone out there, bar none.

You want an everyday gaming phone
Yes, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is incredible at gaming, but it does all the everyday stuff pretty well too, and without looking like a Transformer.

You want a gaming phone with a little extra
Most gaming phones don't come with wireless charging, IP68 waterproofing, and a telephoto camera. This one does.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
The ROG Phone 9 Pro doesn't come cheap, and you can get broadly similar performance for much less.

Pocket space is limited
While the ROG Phone 9 Pro is pretty discrete for a gaming phone, it's still quite big and heavy by regular standards.

You don't want to upgrade for some time
While the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro has plenty of performance and storage headroom, it'll only get two full OS updates.

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Also consider

The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro stands apart for its combination of gaming chops and everyday usability, but it’s not your only option. These phones will play games brilliantly without embarrassing you, but also have their own unique advantages.

Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro
Nubia is set to release the Red Magic 10 Pro shortly, but at the time of writing, the Red Magic 9S Pro is the closest gaming rival to the ROG Phone 9 Pro – and it's way cheaper too.

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
2023's top model continues to impress on performance, and is a close match for the ROG Phone 9 Pro in most respects, but can likely now be found for quite a bit less money.

iPhone 16 Pro Max
When it comes to a performance rival for the ROG Phone 9 Pro, only Apple's top dog can really lay a hand on it. Not only does the iPhone 16 Pro Max have formidable power, but it also has access to a superior library of high-end games.

How I tested the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro

Review test period = 1 month
Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used = Geekbench 6, GFXBench, 3DMark, native Android stats, bundled Asus 65W power adapter

I was sent the top Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition model by a PR representative, at which point I commenced using the phone on a daily basis over a two-week period, followed by a further two weeks of intermittent usage.

For around a week of that time, the 9 Pro was my everyday phone. For the rest of the time, I swapped in another active SIM and continued to use the phone for benchmark tests, gaming, photos, and general browsing.

I'm a freelance journalist who got his start writing about mobile games in the pre-smartphone era. I was around to cover the arrival of the iPhone and the App Store, as well as Android, and their seismic effect on the games industry. I now write about consumer tech, games, and culture for a number of top websites.

First reviewed November 2024

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra Workstation review

5:29 pm | November 16, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: CPU, GPU, OS, RAM | Comments: Off

Lenovo is a well-known brand in the world of professional business computing. They make phenomenal computers of all shapes, sizes, budgets, and performance. The ThinkStation P3 Ultra targets design, engineering, and video editing professionals who need high-powered machines capable of some serious computing power.

The ThinkStation P3 Ultra is on the higher end of Lenovo Workstations, and can be spec'd up to a 14th Gen i9, Windows 11 Pro for Business, NVIDIA RTX A5500, up to 128 GB RAM, up to 4TB of storage, and even an M.2 RAID. This can be a pretty hefty computer with a pretty hefty price tag. But how does it compare to the best workstations we've reviewed? We put the ThinkStation P3 Ultra to the test.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Price and Availability

Since there are so many upgrades available to the ThinkStation P3 Ultra, there are even more possible price tags thanks to the different possible combinations of these upgrades. However, what is easy to state is that the starting price for all base features is $934.45 at the time of writing this article, and the price, of course, climbs from there. The highest-end model can reach nearly $5,000. Compared to similar PCs, there is some competitive pricing for some of the features.

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra is available in multiple regions, such as the US and the UK. For more information on whether this computer is available for you, the best place to start looking is on Lenovo's website. However, it is available on multiple other retailers as well.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Unboxing and First Impressions

Unboxing the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra was about like unboxing any other Lenovo computer. The box is simple and contains the workstation, a power cable, an adapter for Wi-Fi, and setup guides. Right away, I could tell this machine meant power, partly due to the abundance of DisplayPorts in the back and partially because it looked beefy, like every square millimeter of space packed with power on the inside. The compact nature was immediately noticeable, yet it does not feel compact when using it; instead, it feels quite expansive, powerful, and like a supercar at the start of an open highway.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Design and Build Quality

As expected for a high-end workstation, the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra has excellent build quality. It seems durable -- though I don't feel any desire to push this to the limit due to the cost of this machine -- it feels like it cools pretty easily, the machine is relatively quiet even when under heavy loads, and it has easy to access ports, without any being hidden, or in dumb spots, as some compact units choose to do to save space. However, one thing that I did notice that I did not love was the absence of Thunderbolt ports at the back of the unit. There are two in the front, which is helpful, especially for large file transfers, but none in the back.

As someone who loves and gets to utilize some of the best Thunderbolt Docks on the market, I am pretty bummed none of mine will reach full potential unless the Thunderbolt cable is plugged into the front of the unit. Additionally, if I had a Thunderbolt or even a USB-C display I wanted to use, I would have to also run a DisplayPort cable up to my monitor of choice. But, especially with the newest Apple Computers releasing Thunderbolt 5, having the Thunderbolt 4 ports on the front of the machine will help with data transfer, and that's probably why they are there in the first place.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: In use

Specs

CPU: Intel 13th-gen Core (up to i9) or Xeon
GPU: NVIDIA RTX A2000 to A5000 options
RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5 ECC memory
Storage: Up to 4TB SSD
Ports: USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt
OS: Windows 11 Pro

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra is not the computer you would get to run a few Chrome (or any other browser) Tabs. It's different from one you would use for essential business or admin work. This is the kind of machine you get when you have advanced 3D rendering jobs, CAD projects, or even video editing that need to be done. During my testing, I pushed the RAM and GPU by exporting four lines of 4k footage through DaVinci Resolve, and it sliced through it like butter. I also used this to finish some CAD projects I had started for some 3D printing projects I am working on (for more, see our round-up of the best 3D printers). I found the workstation was able to render incredibly fast, and it sliced the .stl so I could send it to my 3D printer super quick, too.

I will be the first to admit I am a heavy and intense computer user, but at the same time, I am nowhere near the most powerful user there is. I wouldn't need this kind of power in my day-to-day, but it is very nice to have. This powerhouse would be helpful for professional video editors, those who use CAD for 3D renderings, and even some intense coders or programmers.

For the raw power that this computer can output, even when under heavy load, it remains pretty quiet. And, when it's not maxing out its cores, it's pretty quiet and could sit out on your desk without needing to be tucked away due to loud fans.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Final verdict

Overall, The ThinkStation P3 Ultra from Lenovo is an excellent choice for those who prioritize power and want a compact form factor. Granted, there are some limitations in ports when it comes to Thunderbolt placement and lack of HDMI, but even with that being the case, this computer is still highly versatile and incredibly powerful for those who need a powerful compact desktop.

For portable powerhouses, we tested the best mobile workstations and the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus review: a performance powerhouse for artists

8:09 pm | November 8, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Tablets | Tags: Mad Max, OS | Comments: Off

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: One-minute review

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is the best of both worlds, sitting between a phone and a laptop. It has perks if you prefer writing text, with its included S Pen stylus, and it aces tasks that take advantage of everything the stylus has to offer. But to the casual consumer, these specialized features would likely be a waste, and I'd instead push you in the direction of the Tab A series.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus has exceptionally rich sound to match its beautiful AMOLED display, and it's comfortable enough to hold for a while in its landscape form factor. It's no surprise that streaming content and listening to music with the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is so satisfying.

Close rivals, particularly from Apple, also do this exceptionally well, and the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus's $999.99 / £999 / AU$1,799 price point puts it in heated competition with Apple’s iPad Pro ($999 / £999 / AU$1,699). Still, with the included S Pen stylus, and some retailers offering the Galaxy Tab keyboard as a bundle bonus , the Tab S10 Plus looks like a better deal all-around.

Samsung still sells the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, and its price is now more accessible, even though that tablet is a generation old. But if you want the best, you'll want the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, and if you want a bigger screen, then consider the Tab S10 Ultra, which is the same tablet just bigger.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: price and availability

$999.99 / £999 RRP / AU$1,799 for the 256GB / 12GB RAM model
256GB, 12GB RAM and 512GB, 12GB RAM storage options available
Wi-Fi and 5G options available in Moonstone Gray and Platinum Silver colorways (not all colorways available in all markets)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus lying on a table — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly/TechRadar)

You get what you pay for with the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus. The large, 12.4-inch screen surpasses most of its competitors (the similarly-priced iPad Pro is 11-inches), and if that is somehow not big enough, there's also the larger S10 Ultra (14.6-inches) to consider. The processing power – underpinned by a Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ SoC – is more than enough for an all-purpose device, but is especially capable when used to be creative.

If you’re more concerned about price, I would encourage you to consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, as it has received a price drop now that it's not the cream of the crop. If you're a more casual user that doesn't need an art slate, you should consider something far less powerful, such as the Google Pixel Tablet (it’s still my pick of the bunch for my style of tablet use), or the 10th-generation iPad.

The Tab S10 Plus includes an S Pen as well as Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite of features, though these may eventually cost a premium at the end of 2025. Some retailers are including the Book Cover Keyboard attachment as a bundle, which makes the Tab S10 Plus an even more attractive prospect and maybe a laptop replacement. Samsung has offered this bundle with its tablets before and it’s a wonder they don’t just make it a part of every purchase.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is still admittedly expensive. It costs as must as a 13-inch MacBook Air or a Microsoft Surface Pro 11. It's a brilliant device, but casual users should steer clear – it's more powerful (and more expensive) than you need. Professionals, this is for you.

Value: 5/5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: specs

Though Samsung elected to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor in the Galaxy Tab S9 family, the tech giant has surprisingly chosen the Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ for the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus. It’s a confusing move that further separates its high-end smartphones from its high-end tablets. This year's tablet still launches at the same price as last year's.

I never noticed performance lacking. Putting quick images together in Canva, editing photos in Google Photos, and trimming and cutting up clips in CapCut never resulted in any hangups. Comparing performance through benchmarks, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor doesn't have a huge advantage. The Mediatek 9300+ chip performed better than, if not equal to, the Snapdragon on every test.

It’s worth noting that the Tab S10 Plus also comes with a MicroSD card slot in case you want to bump up the storage capacity or if you want to quickly transfer photos over from a camera. Additionally, during my testing over two weeks, I only charged the Tab S10 Plus a handful of times and it never felt like I needed to charge it every night. With such a big battery inside, charging speeds weren’t as quick as a smartphone, and 30 minutes was only enough to bump it up from 20% to 54%.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: display

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus in landscape orientation — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly/TechRadar)

Huge, bright display with tons of detail
Great space for multitasking
Four strong speakers placed around the device

I can’t fault the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus on its display – it’s brilliant and easily ranks among the best tablets as far as visuals go (though the Tab S10 Ultra takes the Tab S10 Plus’s 12.4-inch screen and bumps it up to 14.6-inches).

The content I watched on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus included various Twitch streams, YouTube videos, Mad Max: Fury Road and Arcane on Netflix, and Avengers Endgame and Light and Magic on Disney+. At no point did anything look bad, blurry or washed out, with the display more than capable of showing enough color and creating enough light to fill an interesting scene.

Outside of simply describing the display, Samsung’s approach to multitasking is second to none. The freedom you’re given to adjust apps running concurrently, side-by-side on the screen, with easily adjustable boundaries, feels like the real laptop-rivaling feature of the Galaxy Tab S series.

To match the strong display, the four speakers located around the device offer powerful, room-filling sound. Every piece of content I viewed felt like it had the audio to match. While cleaning my house, playing Spotify from the tablet sounded equivalent to using a smart speaker with a screen.

Display: 5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: design

The back side of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly/TechRadar)

Slightly slimmer than the Tab S9 Plus
S Pen attachment is a bit odd on the back
Feels awkward in portrait orientation

It’s the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus’s bread and butter to be big, with a beautiful display to match and powerful performance for any task. But parts of the design feel… Too big. Big is good for a tablet positioned as a powerful laptop rival and artistic tool, but some elements feel like they’re rubbing up against others.

It’s difficult to use the tablet in portrait mode, which I prefer when reading news articles online and taking notes. The back of the tablet looks nice but it isn't easy to hold in portrait orientation. The charging area for the S Pen, located on the back, feels rough against my fingers whether or not the pen is magnetically attached. Trying to get a better grip from the other end caused my hand to come into contact with the cameras, resulting in a similar hand feeling issue.

The pen charging on the back of the device is another issue. When the pen is attached, the tablet won’t sit flat on its back. Though the pen can magnetically attach to the edge of the display, it will not charge there – but at least it's out of the way.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is meant to be used in landscape orientation, with the selfie camera located in the top middle, which is ideal for video calling. This mode feels perfectly comfortable.

Design: 3/5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: software

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus being used for writing text — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly/TechRadar)

Brilliant tablet performance
Operating system is nicely designed
Not as casual as an iPad or Pixel Tablet

Samsung’s approach to tablets is probably my favorite. Having a persistent app tray at the bottom of the screen just rocks, especially for quickly switching between windows. I could get a lot of work done on the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, but it still has quirks here and there that make it a bit less user-friendly than its rivals.

My love for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus’ software mostly stems from multitasking. Being able to have two apps open concurrently, for example, having Spotify open on one side and Canva on the other, is brilliant. The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus let me drag windows freely around the screen to be placed wherever I want. I could also connect the tablet to a monitor to enable Samsung DeX, which makes the interface look a bit more like a desktop.

Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite is unimpressive. Circle to Search, which lets me circle something on the screen to instantly search for it with Google is something I use quite a lot, but I can’t think of a single other AI feature that I enjoyed using.

A lot of the features, such as Note Assist and Sketch to Image, are interesting for a moment but are ultimately inconsequential. The AI image generator feels particularly tacked on.

Handwriting Help, exclusive to the Notes app, is a handy feature for character recognition with the S Pen, cleaning up and aligning your pen handwriting and making it easier to read. A simple click in the app and your handwritten notes will convert to text. You can also convert writing to text on the fly, as you write.

As you'd expect, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus aces its stylus support. It has good palm rejection, so I was more comfortable drawing. Navigating between tools feels simple in Samsung's native drawing and writing apps.

Software: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus being held in a hand — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly/TechRadar)

Galaxy S Pen feels great in-hand
Doesn’t feel slow despite axing the Snapdragon chip

Not once did I have a problem with the performance of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus. Capable of smoothly running every application I opened, including Canva, Spotify, Twitter (X), Messenger, Instagram, Samsung Notes, PENUP, Google Photos, Netflix, Disney+ and Crossy Road, the Tab S10 Plus handled everything a power user would want.

That’s a relief, considering Samsung skipped the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, after including the previous Snapdragon in the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus. Instead, this tablet is underpinned by a Mediatek Dimensity 9300+, which doesn’t skip a beat.

Creating and editing images on Canva was an exceptionally fluid experience and the application was responsive and fast the entire time – even with Spotify running in the background. The same can be said for editing pics via Google Photos or writing with Samsung Notes: no hold-ups whatsoever.

Performance: 5/5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: battery

The side of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly/TechRadar)

Gigantic all-day battery
Faster charging would be nice

The mighty 10,090 mAh Li-Po battery in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is so immense that, during my review, I rarely had to charge it.

You’d obviously expect this from a device with such a large battery, but it comes with the obvious drawback of slower charging. From 0%, the tablet took one hour and 50 minutes to return to 100% charge.

In testing the battery against a fairly long movie, Avengers Endgame, the tablet drained to 59% after three hours of watching. Despite a shift to MediaTek, it doesn’t seem the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is more power hungry than previous generations.

Battery: 5/5

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus leaning against a pot plant. — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly/TechRadar)

Buy it if…

You’re a professional in search of a tablet

With brilliant character recognition and optimisation for digital artists, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is an attractive device for a professional.View Deal

You want a big, beautiful screen that’s not too big

The 12.4-inch size feels just right, smaller than the Tab S10 Ultra’s gigantic 14.6-inch display.View Deal

You’re team Samsung

iPadOS is brilliant, but this is one of your best options if you want a tablet outside of the Apple camp.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You want the easiest to use OS

Samsung’s OneUI is brilliant, but it’s not as intuitive as iPadOS and Google’s version of Android.View Deal

You’re just going to watch videos

It’s a waste to use the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus for just streaming content, and if this is what you’d be doing, you could get a serviceable tablet for much cheaper.View Deal

You want to save some money

The high price point of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus makes it a tough sell to a casual user or even a professional, especially when differences to the Tab S9 Plus aren’t very dramatic.View Deal

Also consider

Not convinced by the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus? Here are a few other options to consider:

Apple iPad Pro 2024

While the entry-level iPad Pro isn’t as large as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, it is fairly competitive in terms of performance while priced extremely similarly. You’ll just have to buy an Apple Pencil separately.

Read our full Apple iPad Pro review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus

There are very few differences between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus and the S10 Plus, so if you want to save some cash, there’s no shame in going for the older model.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

If the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus isn’t big enough for you, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers a gigantic 14.6-inch display, which may be a bit cumbersome for some, but would also function as an effective laptop or art tablet replacement for professionals.

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus

From the moment I received the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, I replaced my second monitor, a small 11-inch touchscreen monitor, with it as my companion screen, using it for Spotify, scrolling social media, and streaming content while I worked at my desk.

My time with the Tab S10 Plus didn’t include all-hours use, but I did find time to edit images with it via Google Photos and Canva. I edited a video with it in CapCut and streamed a lot of movies and TV shows with the device. As far as games went, I mostly played Crossy Road.

I brought the Tab S10 Plus with me on a trip to see my family where it functioned as a good distraction for my niece. On this trip, I touched base with friends on Messenger and Instagram and doomscrolled on social media often.

For battery testing, I avoided charging the tablet as much as I could, and ran my standard Avengers Endgame beginning-to-end test closer to the end of my review period. I’d check in on the tablet’s battery now and then on days where I wasn’t using it much, and kept an eye on it on days where I was. I also depleted the battery in its entirety and timed how long it took to charge to 100%.

Most of my performance relied on real-world use relative to how I use tablets in my day-to-day life.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus review: a performance powerhouse for artists

8:09 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Tablets | Tags: Mad Max, OS | Comments: Off

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: One-minute review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: price and availability

$999.99 / £999 RRP / AU$1,799 for the 256GB / 12GB RAM model
256GB, 12GB RAM and 512GB, 12GB RAM storage options available
Wi-Fi and 5G options available in Moonstone Gray and Platinum Silver colorways (not all colorways available in all markets)

Value: 5/5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: specs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: display

Huge, bright display with tons of detail
Great space for multitasking
Four strong speakers placed around the device

Display: 5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: design

Slightly slimmer than the Tab S9 Plus
S Pen attachment is a bit odd on the back
Feels awkward in portrait orientation

Design: 3/5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: software

Brilliant tablet performance
Operating system is nicely designed
Not as casual as an iPad or Pixel Tablet

A lot of the features, such as Note Assist and Sketch to Image, are interesting for a moment but are ultimately inconsequential. The AI image generator feels particularly tacked on.

Software: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: performance

Galaxy S Pen feels great in-hand
Doesn’t feel slow despite axing the Snapdragon chip

Performance: 5/5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: battery

Gigantic all-day battery
Faster charging would be nice

The mighty 10,090 mAh Li-Po battery in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is so immense that, during my review, I rarely had to charge it.

Battery: 5/5

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus?

Buy it if…

You’re a professional in search of a tablet

With brilliant character recognition and optimisation for digital artists, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is an attractive device for a professional.View Deal

You want a big, beautiful screen that’s not too big

The 12.4-inch size feels just right, smaller than the Tab S10 Ultra’s gigantic 14.6-inch display.View Deal

You’re team Samsung

iPadOS is brilliant, but this is one of your best options if you want a tablet outside of the Apple camp.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You want the easiest to use OS

Samsung’s OneUI is brilliant, but it’s not as intuitive as iPadOS and Google’s version of Android.View Deal

You’re just going to watch videos

It’s a waste to use the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus for just streaming content, and if this is what you’d be doing, you could get a serviceable tablet for much cheaper.View Deal

You want to save some money

The high price point of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus makes it a tough sell to a casual user or even a professional, especially when differences to the Tab S9 Plus aren’t very dramatic.View Deal

Also consider

Not convinced by the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus? Here are a few other options to consider:

Apple iPad Pro 2024

Read our full Apple iPad Pro review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus

There are very few differences between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus and the S10 Plus, so if you want to save some cash, there’s no shame in going for the older model.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus

Most of my performance relied on real-world use relative to how I use tablets in my day-to-day life.

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 workstation review

5:33 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: CPU, OS, RAM, RAW | Comments: Off

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: 30-second review

Specs

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
Graphics: ASUS ProArt RTX 4060Ti
RAM: 32GB DDR5 5200
Storage: 2 x 1TB M.2 1 x 4TB IronWolf
Rear Ports: 2 x USB 2.0, HDMI, BIOS Flashback button, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3 of which are Type-A and 1 Type-C, Display Port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DP, optical S/PDIF out port, 5 x audio jacks, HDMI 2.1a 3 DisplayPort 1.4a and HDCP Support.
Top Ports: 3.5mm audio in, 3.5mm audio in-out, 2 x USB A and a USB Type-C
Connectivity: Dual Band 1200Mbps, Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, Realtek 1Gb Ethernet
Audio: Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio
Camera: N/A
Size: 435 x 215 x 465mm
OS installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: N/A

Stormforce Gaming is known for making high-end gaming machines. However, they also make some of the most stylish creative machines on the market, including the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601.

This machine is pitched as a workstation for creatives with the hardware and feature set that is perfectly tuned to what designers, illustrators, photographers and even videographers require from a machine. The system is based on an ASUS ProArt B650-Creator motherboard, which is complemented by a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7700x CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060TI GPU. While this combination sounds incredibly high-end when it comes to power and abilities for a standard desktop, these specifications actually pitch the machine at the entry-level when it comes to professional creative use. I've reviewed plenty of the best video editing computers and best photo editing PCs, and this one of the top machines I've tested.

What's interesting here is that Stormforce has pulled on the company's years of experience with their high-powered gaming machines and adapted them to suit the needs of high-end enthusiasts and professional creatives. As such, this machine strikes a balance between performance and price and offers a core system that will enable you to get up and running with ample power and capacity to handle most jobs.

Then, as your demands on the machine grow for additional storage and other expansions, the machine can grow and adapt as needed. This is a full-sized powered workstation that has been designed to grow and adapt to you.

While the machine itself offers plenty of power from the outset, it's the look and design of the machine that initially stand out. The case from Fractal Design reflects the styling of modern creative spaces. While the casing is larger than your standard desktop machine, the style will make you want this computer on display with the wooden frontage, glass side panels, and matte black finish, not only being functional but also a real statement.

Meanwhile, Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is powerful when it comes to professional workstations that power sit at the entry-level, with the option to upgrade all components easily around the motherboard. However, the CPU and GPU are powerful mid-range models, as are the RAM and internal SSDs, which will be more than enough for most pro users, with upgrades really only required to the system if you need to edit longer-length 4K and 8K RAW video. As it stands, however, this machine is outstanding at a price and for the features and future potential that it offers.

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Price & availability

The Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is available directly from Stormforce Gaming for £1999 - you can check out the full details by clicking here.

Price: 4/5

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Design & build

Like almost all the best workstations tested here, the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is essentially designed for professional use or, at the very least, for high-end enthusiasts. Considering what you get for the price, it's extremely well-balanced. When it comes to the base design, it looks like a standard desktop, just a touch larger, which is due to the fact that it has been designed to house a large CPU and GPU, along with all the additional support that those components require. It also means that there's plenty of room for expansion and additional drives and, more importantly, enables lots of airflow around the machine to keep things cool when under load.

While the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is large, the company has been careful to balance style with functionality, and the choice of the Fractal Design North Mid Tower case is striking. The front of the machine features a wooden slatted design reminiscent of the style that is being adopted by many design studios installing soundproof walling panels.

Otherwise, when it comes to the design and function, the machine is nice and simple, with a few quick access ports along with the power button on the top and the rest of the ports and connectivity at the back.

If you want to gain access to the inside of the machine to install additional hardware or upgrade the existing, then the side panel is held in place by a few hand-tightened bolts, which are easily removed. Once done, the glass side panel that gives you a view of the inner workings can be removed, and the internals can be accessed. Again, the design is stylish and neat. Colourful LEDs are common in gaming machines, and again, here, there are a few lights. Still, it's all nicely understated and gives the machine an altogether more professional and stylish aesthetic.

Design: 5/5

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Features

The Workstation is larger than your average desktop, so it is really more likely to be placed on the floor rather than on the desk, where it would dominate the surface. As such, the casing has been designed with a range of sockets on top, such as the 3.5mm audio in and out as separate sockets, two USB A and a USB Type-C, enabling you to plug in hard drives and other accessories easily and these all sit alongside the large gold power button.

On one side there's the glass tinted window so that you can see the layout of the inside of the machine's components; then, around the back, you have the full array of ports, including 2 x USB 2.0, HDMI, BIOS Flashback button, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3 of which are Type-A and 1 Type-C, Display Port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DP, optical S/PDIF out port, 5 x audio jacks, these are all from the motherboard. In addition to these ports there's also an HDMI 2.1a 3 DisplayPort 1.4a and HDCP Support which are intergrated into the GPU.

As this is a workstation, everything is easily accessible, so if you want to get into the inner workings to swap the SSDs, RAM or otherwise, all you need to do is unscrew the securing knobs, which can be done by hand, and the panel to access the inside can be removed. In our review sample, the machine arrived with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, which can be upgraded to 192 GB. There's also plenty of storage with 3 x M.2 slots and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports. As standard, there are 2 x 1TB drives and a 4TB IronWolf Pro, which is an ideal starting point. You then have the option to add more storage in the form of additional SATA drives.

The volume of accessibility options further reinforces the professional level of this machine; there's plenty more to add to the highlights. But at the core its the ASUS ProArt B650-Creator motherboard with AMD Ryzen 7 7700X AMD Wraith Optimised cooling, ASUS ProArt NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060Ti, 32GB DDR5 5200 RAM, 4TB IronWolf Pro SSD alongside two 1TB SSDs that give this machine the power needed for most types of creative use. Essentially, if you put together a no-fuss wish list for a high end entry-level creative machine, then this is it.

Features: 5/5

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Performance

Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 3653.70MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 2611.94MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 2457
GeekBench CPU Multi: 13525
GeekBench Compute: 135702
PC Mark: 8087
CineBench CPU Multi: 17175
CineBench CPU Single: 1616
Fire Strike Overall: 29901
Fire Strike Graphics: 33701
Fire Strike Physics: 30592
Fire Strike Combined: 15909
Time Spy Overall: 13288
Time Spy Graphics: 13464
Time Spy CPU: 12374
Wild Life: 74864
Windows Experience: 8.9

Setup of the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is fast enough, and once unboxed and plugged in, it boots into the standard Windows 11 Pro setup process, and you can fly through the options and settings quickly. The Wi-Fi connection is fast, with the dual band wifi card, enabling fast connection to the local network and enabling the applications required for the test to be downloaded and installed quickly.

Starting a look at the benchmarks and the CrystalDiskMark scores of 3653.70MB/s read and 2611.94MB/s write show a mid-range performance for the SSD, enabling applications to open quickly and for Creative Cloud apps to access and write files to the drive at speed. While the drive is mid-range when it comes to speed, it's more than enough for most tasks, including working with Premiere Pro and reviewing footage prior to editing. Likewise, the speed at which edits are rendered and exported is fast, and for standard 4K and 8K video, the overall performance on this front is impressive.

Checking out the Geekbench scores and the single-core result shows excellent performance, this result is experienced with smooth, fluid brush strokes in Photoshop and scrubbing through footage in Premiere Pro. There are essentially no glitches, and the workflow is smooth and natural. Reinforcing the CrystalDiskMark scores the Multi-Core score from Geekbench again sees the speed of video renders in the timeline and exported from various apps. handled with ease. Finally, looking at the Compute scores from Geekbench and you can see the impact on applications as visual filters and effects are applied to footage, and again, these are handled well. The only time things do start to slow is when RAW footage is used and effects start to get layered, but again, this is just part of the process of waiting for the timeline to render properly.

Again, checking the results for Cinebench and 3D Mark further reinforces just how good this machine is for content creation across the board. Its level pitches it at designers, illustrators, and photographers, and in all those cases, this machine has all the power that you need, with the option to expand on the storage if and when you need. Likewise, videographers and content creators using DSLR and Camcorders to shoot standard 4 and 8K footage will be able to edit short-form video without issue; however, as you start to add effects or switch to RAW footage, you'll start to see the system slow a little as rendering takes place.

When it comes to gaming, Stormforce obviously makes gaming PCs. While this PC is aimed directly at the creative sector, it has the power and ability to handle most games with ease. Through the test, we played Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption II, and all played smoothly using the standard settings. Many enabled the options to be pushed to enhance the graphics further.

Looking at the final results from the benchmark tests and the PC Mark and Windows experience scores, we see that the machine takes word processing, spreadsheets, and administrative work in its stride without breaking a sweat.

Performance: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601?

The Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 has been designed with creatives in mind, and with this machine, you can run any of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications without issue. If you're a designer, illustrator, artist or photographer; you'll be able to get on with your work without issues or slow down from this machine. What Stormforce has done with this machine is perfectly balance quality components with the requirements of the intended user, as such, it doesn't go over the top processing power, graphics, RAM or storage; it just balances it at a point that is slightly above what most people will need and at a great price.

However, this is more than a machine that will just meet your business's demands for today; the ASUS ProArt B650-Creator motherboard is one of the best out there and utilises the latest technologies for speed as well as upgrade potential and expandability. Essentially, for most professionals, this machine will meet your needs directly from the box; if you do need an extra boost of power for higher-end video editing, then the RAM, storage and all other components can essentially be upgraded as far as your budget allows.

Buy it if...

It would help if you had creative power

Featuring the ASUS ProArt motherboard and Ryzen 7 7700X CPU, the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 is perfect for artists, designers, and photographers needing strong processing and graphic performance with plenty of upgrade options.

Want a stylish design

The Fractal Design North Mid Tower case with the wooden front panel and tinted glass side provides a modern style and aesthetic, making it a perfect workstation choice for a studio or office.

Don't buy it if...

You prefer compact desktops

While it looks like a desktop, it is larger and better suited for floor placement and may feel intrusive on a smaller desk. If you need more workspace or a compact, minimalist setup, a smaller form factor might be a better fit.

You edit RAW video footage

Even then, this is a great starting point. It's just that on occasion, you will need to wait for some footage to render before making the edits and if you're just editing short-form video, It'll be fine; anything longer than five minutes with effects, and you'll want a power boost.

We've tested the best mobile workstations - and these are our top picks.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon review

10:32 pm | November 4, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: OS, RAM | Comments: Off

Lenovo's ThinkPad lineup continues to impress, particularly with the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 featuring Snapdragon. I have been a fan of the ThinkPad series for years, and appreciation won't fade soon. The ThinkPad T14s is part of the T series, positioning it as a business ultrabook with enterprise features geared more towards professionals than casual users or entry-level business laptops.

We're big fans of the AMD-powered Gen 4 (see out Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 business laptop review). But how does the Gen 6 Snapdragon stack up against some of the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops? Well, this model boasts excellent ports, outstanding battery life, a fanless design, and a strong balance of power, weight, and battery performance. Additionally, it offers a decent display for business purposes. This laptop is excellent for what it's meant to be great for, and that's a good thing.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Price & availability

The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 with Snapdragon starts around $1,700 for base configurations and climbs with additional RAM and storage options. This laptop is available in North America and Europe, though there are some limitations with connectivity options for the European models. You can buy these laptops at most retail stores that sell ThinkBooks. However, another great place to look would be Lenovo's website.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Unboxing & first impressions

Unboxing this laptop was a straightforward process typical for most ThinkBooks. Inside the box, I found the computer, a 65W USB-C charger, and the standard documentation accompanying nearly every laptop. Lenovo does an excellent job with minimalist packaging, and although I cannot confirm it, they claim to use eco-friendly and recyclable materials, which aligns with their sustainability goals.

My ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 features a sleek matte black finish, a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic lid, and a magnesium alloy body. It exhibits the classic ThinkPad design, showcasing how timeless this aesthetic is. The design has endured for years, much like that of the MacBook. When a company finds a design language that works, they tend to stick with it.

The materials used are smooth to the touch yet durable enough to withstand heavy daily use. It boasts sturdy hinges and solid keys and is both lightweight and robust.

As you'd expect from any of the best business laptops, from the first boot-up, the computer starts quickly, runs smoothly, and operates effortlessly.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Design & build quality

Specs

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E78100, 12 cores
RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X (onboard)
Storage: 1TB SSD (non-upgradable)
Display: 14-inch, FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS, 452 nits brightness
Connectivity: 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack
OS: Windows 11 Pro for ARM

As mentioned, the laptop is made from recycled magnesium alloy and carbon fiber. This is the classic combo that Lenovo has used for the ThinkPad lineup for quite some time. It's great, it's pretty durable, it's soft to the touch, and it's premium in look and feel. In parallel to the premium feel, this laptop is light. It weighs around 2.7 pounds, which is not the lightest laptop; even the ThinkPad X1 Carbon came under 2.5lb. However, it weighs nearly the same as the popular Apple MacBook Air.

The T14s Gen 6 also has the signature ThinkPad keyboard, TrackPoint, and Trackpad. For additional privacy, there is a physical slider to cover the camera and a dedicated key in the function row to mute the onboard microphone.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: In use

I've had the opportunity to use this laptop in my rotation for the last few weeks, and it has been one of my favorite laptops to grab. It tackles my day-to-day work easily and is a nice break from some heavier laptops I rotate. I'm convinced, much like many seem to be these days, that the 14-inch 16:9 screen is perfect on a computer. My personal daily driver is an M2 MacBook Pro, but it has a 13-inch screen because it was released just before Apple jumped to 14- and 16-inch displays. That extra inch adds so much screen real estate without adding a lot more to carry, making it an excellent no-brainer.

The ThinkPad T14s has been more than suitable for productivity tasks. However, I wouldn't use this computer for video editing, partially because of the power this laptop has, the graphics, and the screen resolution. However, as a business laptop, as it is designed to be, this laptop excels. I can run my heavy workloads (I push my computers hard for long days, 6.5 days a week) without missing a beat; I can render file compression and run heavy project management boards, heavy Excel files, and nearly 50 Chrome tabs, all processing efficiently. I can have Jira, Notion, Excel, Basecamp, Slack, Chrome, Spotify, Asana, and more all up and running without needing to close things down, as I would potentially have to do on less powerful laptops.

My day-to-day work ranges from working at a desk at a coffee shop to roaming around hot desks and traveling. So far, I've been thrilled with this battery life. While I may not get a total of 21 hours because I run these laptops hard, as I mentioned, and usually with pretty high brightness, I quickly achieve an average and extended day of work. I can consistently get through a 12-hour day, even a 16-hour day, without needing to grab a charger. I've worked an 18-hour day and only grabbed a charger towards the end of the day so that I could start my next day topped off.

I recently upgraded my home office Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi 6E thanks to the TP-Link XE75 Pro [review coming soon]. Though the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 can utilize up to Wi-Fi 7, getting it to work seamlessly with my Wi-Fi 6 channel has been great. Things download and upload quickly, meetings are transparent, buffering or skipping is avoided, and it's been great. Further, the fanless design, like that of a MacBook Air, is excellent. It's quiet yet keeps a stable temperature, not getting too hot even at my peak productivity.

Overall, the keyboard performed as expected. It features a compact function row at the top, which includes some additional function keys that are an excellent addition. The Trackpad is solid, although nothing compares to the Apple Trackpad. It's also important to note that this device does not have a touchscreen.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 with Snapdragon excels with its stellar battery life, reliable design, and lightweight build, making it ideal for users who prioritize mobility and connectivity. This computer is worth checking out for the average and even prosumer in the business world. It's a great combination of features and design that would be a great fit.

For more productivity hardware, we've tested the best business computers and the best business tablets.

Asus ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 laptop review

6:33 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: CPU, OS, RAM | Comments: Off

Asus ProArt PZ13: 30-second review

Specs

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus
Graphics: Adreno X1
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Rear Ports: 2 x USB-C 4.0, microSD reader
Front Ports: None
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Audio: Dual speakers, average quality
Camera: Rear 13MP, Front 5MP
Size: 297.5 x 202.9 x 9.4 mm, 0.85 kg
OS installed: Windows 11 Home Copilot+
Accessories: Keyboard cover, Asus Pen 2.0 stylus

The Asus ProArt PZ13 complements the two ProArt laptops from Asus and, of the three, is the one that raises the most interest. It's essentially a tablet and laptop in one and is not only packed with AI processing power but also features a DCI-P3 colour gamut 13.3-inch OLED screen that will instantly appeal to creatives.

However, while this machine runs on Windows 11 Home, it's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus, which is partnered with Adreno X1 graphics. That combination produces a performance that excels in many tasks, especially with Adobe and creative apps, which for the most part it handle absolute ease. However, with some apps, including our 3DMark and PCMark benchmarking software as well as many games, they refused to run.

Through testing, many aspects made this machine stand out, and it truly is a viable alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, offering excellent battery life and a lightweight but ultimately robust build. General performance across Adobe apps such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro was excellent, even without the full compatibility for Premiere Pro, with high-resolution images from the Sony A7 IV and Canon EOS R5 C being handled easily. The touchscreen and stylus, with all those points of sensitivity, made working directly on the images a fluid process. Likewise, editing 4K video, with a little storage capacity boost from a Samsung T5 EVO 8TB, was equally smooth, even if the edits for the particular piece were relatively simple.

It's worth noting, that Premiere Pro isn't 100% compatible as with several other apps, and as you start to install further apps and games, the limitations of the ARM processor become apparent. So, not yet the best video editing laptop option, even with the broad color space coverage - although during installation of Premiere Pro, for example, there is a note that Adobe is working on the ARM version of the software. Until then, the Intel version will be used. In reality, most jobs run smoothly enough, but as the processing power demands increase or more graphically demanding tasks are applied, the machine does, at present, start to struggle.

Likewise, when it came to gaming, things weren't so smooth, as quite a few of the games refused to load at all since they were designed for different processing architectures. So, while this tablet has power and puts in impressive performance, at present, there are some compatibility issues.

Asus ProArt PZ13: Price & availability

Priced at around $1,099.99, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is available through retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and the Asus website.

Price: 4/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Design & build

The ProArt PZ13 is designed as a two-in-one machine, so that you can use it as a creative tablet or laptop. As such, it comes with a removable keyboard, which is sleek and slim and doubles as a protective case and stand, although the link between the keyboard and monitor free moving so unlike a laptop won't support itself. This essentially means that on a table you can open it up like a laptop of the stand will support the monitor, however, on a lap that support is a little more tricky although not impossible.

One standout feature especially it you're working out in the field is that the PZ13 is IP52-rated, meaning it's dust-resistant and splash-proof, as well as being far more durable than your average tablet or laptop. This is something Asus has emphasised across its full line of ProArt laptops, and sure enough, in use, the ProArt has travelled through a variety of photo and video shoots, as well as delivering workshops and lectures, and not always in the most computer-friendly environments, where it proved to be an excellent, robust choice.

When it comes to size and weight, the PZ13 is slim and well weighted, measuring 29.75 x 20.29 x 0.90 cm and weighing just 850g. As you'd expect for a tablet, there's also a stylus, and if you want to remove the keyboard for a more slimline machine, it's quickly detached from the base. The case, of which the keyboard is part, further enhances the design with a green finish and a kickstand that enables you to prop up the screen when used as a laptop, although it's not ideal when supported on a lap.

A clever feature of the design is that the magnetic keyboard can be detached, rotated 180 degrees, and folded under the screen where it holds in place. This means that the keys are against the screen rather than facing down, offering a far more comfortable feel to the tablet compared with other devices.

The overall design and build is excellent, with a high-quality feel throughout the usage and design of the machine. Connecting to external devices is also quick and easy using one of the two USB4 ports, one of which can be used as the power in. There are also the usual array of wireless connection options including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The 13.3-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio screen is fully touch responsive and also features stylus support. The screen-to-body ratio is 87% so essentially covers most of the front of the tablet when used with the stylus which provides one of the most responsive and natural-feeling digital work surfaces available. What really stands out about the screen, aside from the 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, is the surface itself. While glossy, reflections are well managed, and the viewing angle is superb, making it easy to adjust and enhance images directly on the screen.

When it comes to physical ports, again, the PZ13 is tailored to creative users, and while there are only a couple of options with two USB4 ports and an SD Express 7.0 slot if you're on the move then this should for the most part suffice. One of those USB4 ports is used for the power, although it can also be used for accessories and storage when not connected to power. These ports can be used to maximise transfer speeds to the machine and ensure that when dealing with high-resolution video stored on an external device, the speed of transfer is fast enough to keep up with the pace of the application—specifically, Premiere Pro in this test.

Overall, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is one of the sleekest tablet/laptops available. The size and connectivity options, touch screen and USB4 ports when coupled with the full version of Windows, make this an excellent choice in terms of design for creative users.

Design: 4.5/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Features

The big features of the ProArt PZ13, aside from the large 13.3-inch OLED touch display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution, include its two-in-one design and integration with AI toolsets and CoPilot.

As a tablet, the computing power delivered by the Snapdragon X Plus chip, while not as powerful as Intel or AMD alternatives, provides solid AI-enhanced performance, especially for creative apps that support this technology.

The ProArt PZ13 is equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus X1P 42 100 Processor (3.4GHz, 30MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz, 8 cores, 8 threads) alongside the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which offers up to 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) and supports AI processing. Graphics are handled by a Qualcomm Adreno GPU, which is relatively untested with larger creative apps, but despite the lack of full support, especially for Premiere Pro the tablet still delivered an impressive performance during testing.

Due to its tablet design, the RAM and ROM are fixed, with 16GB LPDDR5X on board and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. However, as we did in this test you can utilise the USB4 ports to boost the storage at up to 40Gbps.

One of the standout software features enhanced by artificial intelligence is the Asus suite of AI-powered workflow apps, and these are accessible through the ProArt Creator Hub. This suite includes applications such as the AI-powered StoryCube, which utilises the machine's AI capabilities to help organise media files.

Alongside the apps, the Creator Hub enables you to manage system resources. If an application requires more allocated processing power than others, the Hub lets you assign resources as needed. It also provides an overview of hardware performance, such as heat levels and usage, and allows you to switch between modes depending on whether you need longer battery life or full power.

For creative users the Hub also gives you quick control over various display settings, including colour gamut adjustments. This feature enables you to quickly switching between modes such as standard, vivid colours, sRGB for web content, DCI-P3 for cinematic tones, and Display P3 for photography.

When you combine these display modes with Asus 2.0 stylus support, you get a highly natural way of interacting with the screen and pen strokes, making the PZ13 ideal for both photographic and art-based work.

As for power, the PZ13 comes with a 65W power supply but is also compatible with most PD power banks and stations. During testing, it was paired with a Bluetti AC60 and charged in the field via USB Type-C. Internally, it houses a 70WHrs, 3S1P, 3-cell Li-ion battery, which offers a surprising amount of battery life, considering the tasks the tablet was used for.

Features: 4/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Performance

Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 5130.53MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 4883.76MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 10746
GeekBench CPU Multi: 2294
GeekBench Compute: 10073
PC Mark: n/a
CineBench CPU Multi: 5494
CineBench CPU Single: 1065
Fire Strike Overall: 906
Fire Strike Graphics: 860
Fire Strike Physics: 13589
Fire Strike Combined: 455
Time Spy Overall: n/a
Time Spy Graphics: n/a
Time Spy CPU: n/a
Wild Life: 11377
Windows Experience: n/a

The ProArt PZ13 is by no means the first two-in-one tablet in this price range, but considering the competition, it packs a surprising amount of processing power for the price.

From the outset, it's worth noting that there are some compatibility issues with certain applications. For instance, Adobe Premiere Pro on installation shows a message indicating that it hasn't been programmed for use with the ARM processor. However, the Intel version of the application can still be used.

In practice, through the test Premiere Pro worked without issue, handling files from the Sony A7 IV, and delivering an impressive performance, capable of editing and grading FHD and 4K video footage with relative ease.

That said, some games present challenges. For example, Hogwarts Legacy refused to load beyond a certain point just going to a black screen, and many other games experienced similar issues, although some did play without issue. So, if you're considering this device for gaming, it might be best to wait until full support arrives for the CPU and GPU, those games that do play, play smoothly. However, for video streaming and playback, the speed of the machine is clearly evident.

In regular use, the PZ13 performs exceptionally well. For tasks like Google Docs and web browsing, the laptop ran for a full working day—well over 10 hours with some breaks—without needing a charge. With more power-intensive applications such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro, the battery life dropped more swiftly. However, it still managed a solid 4-6 hours, again factoring in breaks during working sessions.

While the PZ13 generally feels like using any other high-powered PC laptop or tablet, you may occasionally notice that some applications, particularly games, won't load. Overall, the performance of this two-in-one is exceptional with the high quality screen, along with the robust yet stylish design making it a great option if you're looking for an on-the-go solution.

Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Asus ProArt PZ13?

The Asus ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 design is an ideal option for creative professionals, but it does have its limitations. The incredible touch screen and its pressure point sensitivity, along with tablet-to-laptop flexibility and AI-powered features, make it perfect for artists, photographers, videographers, and content creators who need a lightweight computer. However, its ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus processor does create compatibility issues with certain applications, especially those that demand high processing power or still need to be optimised for ARM architecture.

All things considered, this is a great machine that balances battery life, features, and power. As long as gaming isn't high on your priorities and creative applications such as the Adobe suite are, then this is a perfect choice.

Buy it if...

Portability is a priority

If you need a lightweight, versatile device with a long battery life for creative work on the move, the ProArt PZ13 excels. It's perfect for those who travel frequently or require a compact yet powerful setup for fieldwork.

It would help if you had a colour-accurate display

The OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 support makes it an excellent choice for photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. Its vibrant and accurate colour reproduction is ideal for creatives working with visual content.

Don't buy it if...

It would help if you had extensive port options

With only two USB-C ports and a microSD slot, connectivity may be limited without the use of external hubs or dongles. If you rely heavily on multiple peripherals or wired connections, this could be a drawback.

You rely on heavy-duty apps

The ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus chip might struggle with more demanding software that isn't optimised for ARM architecture. If your workflow involves power-hungry apps or games, this limitation may affect performance.

We've tested the best photo editing PCs - and these are our top picks

Motorola Moto G75 arrives with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and promise of five OS upgrades

2:01 pm | October 1, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: OS | Comments: Off

The Motorola Moto G75 that leaked last month is now official. It is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC and has 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage onboard. The Motorola Moto G75 runs Android 14-based MyUX out of the box and comes with the promise of five Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates. A tip we received claimed Motorola UK's mailing list advertised the G75 with "software upgrades till 2030" and "three years of warranty," but Motorola's official websites for multiple countries - including the UK - have no mention of software upgrades till 2030. Perhaps...

With iOS 18, Apple’s Activation lock will guard more than the phone OS

8:40 pm | September 13, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: OS | Comments: Off

As of right now, iOS 18 is only available as an RC (Release Candidate) build for developers and public beta testers and a new feature has been confirmed to come with the new OS next week - Activation Lock. The feature prevents someone from using stolen iPhone parts on another iPhone. The feature was announced back in April, and Apple says law enforcement requested it in an attempt to tackle the issue with the black market with stolen iPhone parts. It locks the iPhone along with its parts to the original owner of the phone. And if the system detects a second-hand part, like a...

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is coming to India next week, will offer 5 OS updates

4:20 pm | September 9, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: India, OS | Comments: Off

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo was officially unveiled at the end of last month and it immediately went on sale in Europe. The phone will roll out to new markets, starting with India – this will happen next Monday, September 16. Moto Edge 50 Neo in Poinciana, Latte, Grisaille and Nautical Blue Flipkart already has a landing page with all the details for the phone, except for the price. This is a pretty special device, so you may want to tune in next week for the launch. The Moto Edge 50 Neo is a relatively small phone with a 6.4” display, a high res LTPO 120Hz panel at...

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro: Two-minute review

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Price and availability

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Specs

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Design

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Display

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Cameras

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro camera samples

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Performance

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Software

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Battery

Should you buy the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review: Also consider

How I tested the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Price and Availability

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Unboxing and First Impressions

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Design and Build Quality

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: In use

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Final verdict

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: One-minute review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: price and availability

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: specs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: display

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: design

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: software

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: performance

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: battery

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: One-minute review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: price and availability

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: specs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: display

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: design

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: software

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: performance

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: battery

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: 30-second review

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Price & availability

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Design & build

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Features

Stormforce Pro Creator 0601: Performance

Should you buy the Stormforce Pro Creator 0601?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Price & availability

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Unboxing & first impressions

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Design & build quality

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: In use

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Final verdict

Asus ProArt PZ13: 30-second review

Asus ProArt PZ13: Price & availability

Asus ProArt PZ13: Design & build

Asus ProArt PZ13: Features

Asus ProArt PZ13: Performance

Should you buy the Asus ProArt PZ13?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

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