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Razer Kraken V4 review: a feature-filled gaming headset with a bass problem
5:00 pm | November 17, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Razer Kraken V4: two-minute review

The Razer Kraken V4 is the latest incarnation in Razer’s mid-range line of wireless gaming headsets, promising improvements over previous generations. True to Razer’s recent design language, the Kraken V4 keeps the gaming accouterments to a minimum, although the RGB lighting does enough to brighten the otherwise austere black colorway.

Every aspect of Kraken V4's construction feels premium, from the outer shell and swivel mechanisms to the switchgear and microphone. My one gripe is that the volume control is a little too loose, and leaning back in your chair can trigger accidental scrolls.

Wearing the Kraken V4 is a pleasant experience, if a little bulky given how wide the drivers are. The headband and earcups are as plush and comfortable as many of the best wireless gaming headsets, and glasses wearers should also get on well with them. However, the inside of the drivers did press into my ears slightly, which can cause discomfort over time, but not to the extent of other headsets I’ve tried.

There are plenty of features on the Kraken V4, including various listening modes. These can be toggled via a button, or customized in greater depth using the Razer Synapse software. There are detailed EQ settings and various modes to toggle, including the near-essential Bass Boost function. There are also mic settings in a similar vein, including EQ and noise cancellation settings.

In practice, I didn’t find the various sound modes to be particularly useful. Barring Music mode, the rest reduce low and mid frequencies too much. And even with Music mode selected and Bass Boost activated, the low-end is still left wanting.

Another feature I would recommend keeping on is THX Spatial Audio. Unfortunately, this only works on PC, but it conveys a much fuller sound. Using a wired connection via USB is marginally better too. However, even with these recommendations, there are still better-sounding gaming headsets out there, such as those in Beyerdynamic’s MMX lineup.

The microphone offers good vocal quality, and the various settings are useful, especially noise cancellation, which prevents unwanted sounds from coming through with aplomb.

Battery life is good too, although as Razer indicates, it can vary wildly depending on usage. I managed to get around a couple of days worth of use out of it, which is on par with most other wireless gaming headsets.

While it’s priced slightly below the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, that headset offers bigger drivers and a longer battery life. Still, both share numerous specs, so you’re not missing out on much.

It also undercuts some of the best wireless headsets around, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, our pick as the best PC gaming headset. And if you’re happy to keep the cables, then there are wired gaming headsets out there with even better value, such as the Epos H3.

Close-up of driver on Razer Kraken V4

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 review: price and availability

  • $179 / £179 / AU$329
  • Available now
  • Black colorway only

The Kraken V4 costs $179 / £179 / AU$329 and is available now. It comes in one colorway: black.

As wireless gaming headsets go, the Kraken V4 is priced quite well. It’s slightly cheaper than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, our pick as the best wireless gaming headset overall. However, that is a headset designed for esports, and although both feature Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless technology and HyperClear Super Wideband microphones, the TriForce titanium drivers are 50mm on the BlackShark V2 Pro as opposed to 40mm on the Kraken V4. The BlackShark also has a battery life of up to 70 hours, whereas the Kraken can only manage up to 50 hours.

If you’re after superlative sound over features, then Beyerdynamic’s MMX range of gaming headsets could fit the bill. However, these are considerably more expensive, even though the MMX 300 and 330 Pro are wired. And as we noted in our MMX 200 Wireless review, this headset suffers from awkward setup and connectivity.

If you can live with a cable-only connection, then you can’t do much better than the Epos H3, our pick as the best wired gaming headset overall.

Razer Kraken V4 review: Specs

Close-up of ear cup height adjustment on Razer Kraken V4

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 review: design and features

  • Understated design
  • Relatively comfortable
  • Razer Synapse integration

In the flesh, the Kraken V4 is relatively understated for a piece of gaming hardware, although the key indicators are still there. The black design is illuminated by a large RGB light display on both drivers, which can be customized in-depth via Razer’s peripheral software, Synapse.

Although the oval driver design helps to keep their profile slim, the Kraken V4 is still relatively bulky thanks to the protrusion of the drivers, although the drivers do swivel 90 degrees, which makes them easier to hang around your neck and store.

The drivers themselves don’t get in the way when leaning back in your chair or sofa, but annoyingly the volume wheel does, which led to frequent accidental scrolls and made me reluctant to ever recline fully. Therefore, this isn’t a headset I could recommend for sofa players.

The padding on the headband and earcups is soft and well-cushioned, allowing for long gaming sessions, even for those who wear glasses. It also doesn’t seem like the kind of material that will flake over time, which bodes well for its longevity – although the headband isn’t replaceable should it perish.

Despite the overall comfort, I did find the inside of the drivers pressed slightly into my ears – a common problem I experience with many headsets and headphones – which can cause aching after a long time.

The build quality of the Kraken V4 is up to the usual Razer standards, with a solid yet lightweight construction and premium, easy-operating buttons. The included USB cable is braided yet thick and seems quite durable. It also doesn’t weigh down the headset, as other headset USB cables can. The aforementioned issue with the volume wheel is one of the only missteps and is mainly due to the looseness of the incremental notches.

The party piece of the Kraken V4, though, is the retractable microphone. For the most part, this is easy to operate, although it can be a little cumbersome to put back, as the gooseneck design tends to fold as you attempt to push it back in. Once you get the knack, however, it’s an elegant solution to keeping the mic stowed. Adjusting and fixing the mic into position is also easy, although the cable isn’t that long, so you may struggle to place the tip right in front of your mouth (it only managed to reach the side of my lips). Again, as with the rest of the headset, the microphone feels premium and hard-wearing. There’s no cloth tip either, removing another point of potential degradation.

Close-up of driver and mic on Razer Kraken V4

(Image credit: Future)

As for features, the Kraken V4 includes various listening modes depending on the type of media you’re consuming, including Movie, Music and Gaming modes, which can be activated with the press of a button.

This same button can be pressed twice to quickly switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz modes, which works quite quickly and efficiently. There’s also a mute mic button, and a button that can be held to allow for the volume wheel to adjust the balance between game and mic audio, although this implementation is somewhat awkward, and failed to work consistently during my tests. Thankfully, many of these button presses are accompanied by clear audio cues, so you’re sure when they are activated.

The Kraken V4 can be customized further using Razer Synapse. In this software, you’ll find adjustments for the RGB lighting, including options for different colors and patterns. There are also audio enhancements including bass boost and vocal clarity enhancements.

The aforementioned media modes can be altered to your liking, thanks to the 10-band EQ, letting you drag points on a graph to boost or reduce certain frequencies. This offers more in-depth sound sculpting than software from other rivals.

You can also alter mic settings, again with EQ adjustments available, although there’s only three modes to choose from here. You can also turn on monitoring to hear yourself through the headset, and there are various useful parameters to adjust thresholds for sound being picked up.

The Kraken V4 works on PC and various consoles, including the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. As the PS5 doesn't support audio over Bluetooth, the Kraken V4 can only connect wirelessly via the 2.4GHz USB-C dongle. Like the best PS5 headsets, the Kraken V4 connection is instant and works flawlessly with the console. Connecting via Bluetooth to the Switch is similarly easy and trouble-free. If you’re on Xbox, though, you’re out of luck as the Kraken V4 isn’t compatible; consider one of the best Xbox Series X headsets instead.

Close-up of Razer Kraken V4 headband

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 review: Performance

  • Tweakable in Synapse
  • Weak bass
  • High-quality mic

The Kraken V4 offers well-balanced audio for gaming, although the low-end is lacking somewhat. The different listening modes, however, can alter the sound.

In theory, these different listening modes are nice, but in practice, I found that Music mode offers the best experience for all occasions, as it provides the fullest sound with the best bass response. This makes the other modes redundant: Gaming mode sounds too weak in the lower frequencies, whereas Movie mode scoops the mid-range frequencies far too much, which makes for a frankly bizarre listening experience that I can’t imagine anyone wanting to use.

There are also various enhancements, including Bass Boost. I would recommend having this on all the time, as it noticeably increases the low end without being overbearing. However, even with this activated, the bass still lacks the impact of headphones designed for audio playback. This weakness could also be attributed to the lack of isolation from the earcups, so the sense of immersion isn’t as strong as you might expect from over-ear headphones.

You might think this could be remedied by activating THX Spatial Audio, as the Kraken V4 supports this standard. However, I wouldn’t characterize the mode as adding more space – but again, it does offer a much fuller sound with more bottom end, and without overshadowing mids and highs. It’s a shame that this mode is only available on PC and not console.

There’s no discernible difference in sound quality between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless dongle, although the latency is reduced slightly when connected via the latter. I also experienced a bug whereby the volume wheel wouldn’t work when in 2.4GHz mode on a Windows 10 machine, although this could’ve been a quirk of my particular setup. Sound is further improved when using a wired connection via USB. The bass response is fuller still, and the overall fidelity seems slightly improved as well.

The microphone quality is also good. Voices are rendered clearly, although some microphones do offer slightly better quality, such as the Beyerdynamic MMX models, but it’s still more than sufficient.

The various microphone adjustments work well too, especially the Noise Isolation and Voice Gate modes, the former of which prevents unwanted sounds and the latter lets you choose the threshold for input detection.

Battery life varies depending on usage, with a claimed maximum of up to 50 hours when the RGB lighting is turned off, or up to 35 hours when on. During my tests, I managed to get several days of use out of the Kraken V4, which is on par with other wireless gaming headsets.

Close-up of buttons on Razer Kraken V4

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Razer Kraken V4?

Buy it if...

You want plenty of features
Thanks to its integration with Razer Synapse, you can tinker with the audio input and output, as well as the RGB lighting.

You want a retractable mic
There aren’t too many gaming headsets with a retractable mic, providing a neat solution to stowing it away.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t want to look like 'a gamer'
The RGB lighting and bulky design play into the gamer aesthetic, so if that’s not your thing, there are less gaming-centric alternatives out there.

You want the best sound across media
Although the sound suffices for gaming, for music the Kraken V4 pales in comparison to some other headsets, such as Beyerdynamic’s MMX series.

Also consider...

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
Razer’s other gaming headset, the BlackShark V2 Pro takes our top spot as the best wireless gaming headset, and for good reason. The sound is great, and it features slightly bigger drivers and longer battery life than the Kraken V4. It’s also not much more expensive. Read our Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review.

Epos H3
If you’re happy to go wired, then the Epos H3 is simply the best wired gaming headset in our view. It offers terrific value, considering its exceptional sound quality and comfort. The large mic and awkward volume wheel are about the only drawbacks we found with it. If you’re prepared to pay substantially more, there’s a wireless version available too. Read our Epos H3 review.

How I tested the Razer Kraken V4

  • Tested for several weeks
  • Played on PC and on consoles
  • 20+ years gaming experience

I tested the Kraken V4 for over a week. During that time, I used it for gaming, listening to music, and watching videos. I tried to use as many features and tweak as many settings as possible using the Razer Synapse software.

I played a variety of titles on PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, including Sea of Thieves, Silent Hill 2 Remake, Counter-Strike 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I played online multiplayer in order to test the microphone in a true-to-life environment.

I have over 20 years of gaming experience and have tried numerous headphones and headsets during that time. I have also reviewed other gaming headsets.

  • First reviewed October 2024.
  • Read more about how we test
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One review: a great beginner’s flight stick
4:00 pm | November 10, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: One-minute review

Can you believe the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One has been around for years? The entry-level stick offers everything you need to get started in Microsoft Flight Simulator or something more exotic, with a throttle, a comfortable stick, and the option to attach each or keep them separate.

The entire unit is cheaper than many flight sticks you can pick up without an additional throttle, meaning you’re getting plenty of bulk for your buck, if not bang. The throttle is lacking in resistance, and the casing of both halves is made of a relatively cheap-feeling plastic. Thankfully that does make it lightweight, meaning it’s easy to haul between desk and sofa setups across PC and Xbox.

Still, 14 buttons and 5 axes are more than enough for you to earn your pilot wings, and more intermediate features like a tactile hat switch and a nice, springy trigger make it feel much more comprehensive than rivals at this price point.

PlayStation gamers will also need to look elsewhere, but the Hotas One will work on PC and current generation Xbox consoles and will go as far back as the Xbox One. If you’ve got one of those platforms, the plug-and-play nature makes it easy to get started, and the Xbox buttons replicated across the unit can make it easy to make the jump for traditionally console-bound flyers.

All of this makes it an attractive entry-level flight stick that lacks additional axes and controls but offers a more cockpit-adjacent split throttle and stick form factor that it’s easy to feel impressed by. It’s not getting any younger, but with Thrustmaster continuing to re-release it in fresh colorways (including a Microsoft Flight Simulator option), it’s clear the company is standing by it as a first taste of flight stick for beginners.

The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One flight stick on a desk

(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)

Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Price and availability

  • List price: $99.99 / £89.99
  • Available in black and Microsoft Flight Simulator options
  • Launched in October 2017

The T-Flight Hotas One has been around for a while (there was a PS3 version at one point, which should tell you how long it’s lasted), and this particular model has been getting PC and Xbox gamers in the air since 2017.

It’s getting harder to find the plain black version now, but the Microsoft Flight Simulator version is the same product with a white finish, suggesting the stick isn’t going anywhere. That new color option is a lot brighter and makes the stick look more modern.

Regardless, you’ll find either for under $100 with discounts, making it more than competitive with some throttle-less options like the Turtle Beach VelocityOne. It’s drastically cheaper than mid-range options like Logitech’s X56 Hotas RGB, too, and it remains a great starter option because of its price.

Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Specs

Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Design and features

  • Ideal for desk usage
  • Plastic feels cheap
  • Can collect dust on the throttle base

The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One was the first official flight stick released for the Xbox One (a console that launched in 2013), so it’s had some longevity. Still, its design feels very much of its time - it’s relatively sleek in all black, with some silver accenting and a striped F2 button on the stick.

Still, it’s very plasticky, which can lead to it audibly creaking during use - thank goodness it’s not a real plane! On the one hand that’s likely kept the price down, but on the other, it feels far from premium in comparison to more expensive sticks like Thrustmaster’s own T.16000M FCS Flight Pack.

While buttons can be remapped in your game of choice within their individual settings since the stick is a ‘generic’ option, I’m pleased to see the Xbox buttons represented here. So many flight sticks cater to PC almost exclusively that it’s nice to see the face buttons here, in color, for easier recognition. There’s even the Xbox button to call up the Xbox menu on PC or console.

The rubber under the stick helps prevent dust from getting into the mechanism, but the same can’t be said of the throttle which has no shielding from dust or the elements underneath - if you’re using it regularly that won’t be a problem, but it’s definitely worth mentioning that it’s likely to collect dust.

The stick plugs in via USB-A, with a breakaway cable that’s ideal in case someone yanks the cable while you’re playing. It calls to mind the original Xbox’s cables, and you’ll be thankful for it if it stops your console or PC from toppling.

The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One flight stick on a desk

(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)

Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Performance

  • Plug and play on console and PC via USB-A
  • Splitting sections is easy, although cable management can get fiddly
  • Hat switch is a nice touch

Setting up the T.Flight Hotas One couldn’t be simpler - just plug it in via USB-A. While the industry is moving away from it, it lives on here, so bear in mind you may need a USB-C adapter depending on your port selection.

Once it’s plugged in, it just works, both on console and PC. I enjoyed Elite Dangerous on each, and was barrel-rolling and nosediving with reckless abandon within minutes either at my desk or on the couch. The stick is responsive, and the Z-axis rudder can be used via the rocker on the throttle which I found to offer more granular control when listing left or right.

One of my favorite parts is the hat switch, which comes in a four-way version here. This nifty input on the top of the flight stick can act as a D-Pad, letting you do things like open the landing gear in Elite Dangerous with a press. It’ll be hard to go back to mouse and keyboard or controller, that’s for sure, but naturally eight-way hat switches will double the available commands that are a thumb flick away.

It’s easy to take the stick and throttle apart, but the two are connected by a cable. Once you put them back together, you’ll likely want to run the wire underneath through a trench on the underside, and that can be fiddly in my experience.

The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One flight stick on a desk

(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)

The relatively low price of admission can also be felt in the throttle. It’s not bad, it’s just lacking any resistance which makes it feel less like a piece of aerospace equipment and more like a toy. It’s hard to escape the feeling that this is where corners were cut, and when pushing to hyperspace in a space sim like Elite Dangerous, it feels lacking in any meaningly pushback. It makes sense at this price point but it’s worth mentioning.

On the flip side, I will say the trigger on the stick feels nice and snappy, springing back into place in a way that feels nice and tactile while also ensuring you can line up those laser cannon blasts in something like Star Wars: Squadrons and have the trigger ready to fire again almost instantly.

I’m also pleased to report the T.Flight Hotas One is great for Microsoft Flight Simulator, which might be to be expected with its officially branded version. The split design means you can position a keyboard in the middle of the throttle and flight stick which then allows for a much broader array of commands than the T.Flight Hotas One is able to provide because of its lower button count.

As I mentioned earlier, though, the plastic construction can cause the stick to creak a little, and it’s lightweight enough that it’s not too difficult to accidentally shift it about the desk with relatively minor effort.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One?

Buy it if...

You want to try a flight stick without spending too much money
What’s on offer here is great value, with a detachable throttle setup that similarly priced rivals simply can’t match.

You’re planning to play across PC and console
This helps save you from buying two sticks, so long as you’re on Xbox. PS5 players will need to look elsewhere. Still, its split sections make it ideal for couch and desk use.

Don't buy it if...

You want a stick geared more for experienced pilots
There are better, more premium sticks for anyone looking for something more extensive.

Also consider...

Still not sold on the T.Flight Hotas One? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne

The Turtle Beach VelocityOne is priced very closely to the T.Flight Hotas One but is just a stick with no additional throttle. Offering more buttons, the VelocityOne features an improved hat switch and a more premium feel but comes at the cost of a full-sized throttle. It does offer some satisfying resistance, however, and a nifty OLED display, and will also work on both PC and Xbox.

For more information, check out our full Turtle Beach VelocityOne review.View Deal

Thrustmaster Viper TQS Mission Pack

This Thrustmaster effort looks like it’s been ripped straight from a fighter jet. It’s incredibly premium-feeling, with a whole host of buttons and switches, but it does require a joystick, too - making it a pricey option. We’ll have a full review in the coming days, but if you’re looking for mechanical switches and a true-to-life throttle, you’ll struggle to find anything more realistic.

How I tested the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One

  • Tested over the course of two weeks
  • Used both in split and singular unit modes
  • Tested on multiple games across two platforms

I spent around 15 hours playing Elite Dangerous and Star Wars: Squadrons, both on PC and via an Xbox Series X.

I played each game for several hours, before switching platforms and switching back again to ensure consistent performance across games and platforms.

I also played Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC for a further five hours, splitting the Hotas One and using it as one unit to test its comfort in both configurations.

Read more about how we test 

First reviewed November 2024

Apple Mac mini (M4, 2024): smaller, faster, better
5:02 pm | November 7, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Macbooks | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

The new Mac mini (M4, 2024) doesn’t just prove that good things come in small packages – it also confirms the old adage that good things come to those who wait.

That’s because ever since Apple’s rather strange decision to debut the M4 chip in the iPad Pro in early 2024, myself – and I’m sure other Mac fans – have been not-so-patiently waiting for Apple devices that can take full advantage of the M4 chip (as good as the iPad Pro is, you can only run iPadOS apps on it – which by their very nature are not that demanding).

The fact that Apple has launched a new Mac mini that not only comes with the new M4 chip (or the more powerful M4 Pro), but has redesigned it to be smaller than ever – while also keeping the price of entry the same – is incredibly exciting. In my review of the Mac mini (2023), I gave a rare five stars and called it the best mini PC you can buy, and even before the launch I was banging on about how any rumored new Mac mini for 2024 would be more exciting than new MacBooks.

Now that I’ve actually got the Mac mini (M4, 2024) in my hands (and on my desk), I’m pleased to say that I’ve not been disappointed, and once again the Mac mini is the most affordable way to get into the Mac ecosystem, while also proving that if you’re looking for a small form factor desktop PC, there’s not a single Windows 11 PC out there that can even come close.

Perhaps the best news (apart from the mere fact that the M4 Mac mini exists) is that Apple has kept the price of the base model at just $599 / £599 / AU$999, a welcome decision that—combined with the new design and improved specs—means the Mac mini is now better value than ever. If you’ve been keen to join the macOS ecosystem but can’t afford a MacBook or iMac, then the Mac mini remains an excellent choice.

Mac mini M4 in studio

(Image credit: Future)

For people after even more power, there’s an M4 Pro model as well that costs $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,199. Both models come with 16GB unified memory as standard (double the amount as the previous model), and will receive Apple Intelligence AI features as they are rolled out.

Not only do you get the latest slice of Apple Silicon with the new Mac mini, but it has also had a major redesign – its biggest in over a decade – making it more compact than ever. It’s seriously impressive how small the new Mac mini is, and it makes placing it in any room of your home (or office) easier than ever. Thanks to two USB-C ports at the front, the Mac mini (M4, 2024) is an ideal mini PC for your front room – especially as gaming is a renewed focus for Apple. This could be the closest we ever come to an Apple games console – and with a price tag below the PS5 Pro, this could be the start of a resurgence for Mac gaming.

From my time with the Mac mini I was incredibly impressed with the performance of this tiny PC. The latest version of macOS, Sequoia, ran smoothly, and even advanced tasks such as video editing were handled with ease – and the Mac mini kept virtually silent throughout. The model I reviewed is the M4 version, and to be honest it performed so well for all the tasks I used it for that I would recommend this model over the far more expensive M4 Pro iteration.

So, Apple has done it again: it’s released the best small form factor PC in the world, and I can’t see Windows 11 or Linux alternatives coming close to the build quality, performance and value for money of the new Mac mini for a long, long time. If ever.

Mac mini M4 in studio

(Image credit: Future)

Mac mini (M4, 2024) (M4 Pro, 2024) review: Price and availability

  • Starts at $599 / £599 / AU$999
  • Same price as M2 model
  • M4 Pro model much more expensive at $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,199

When the Mac mini (M4, 2024) was announced and pre-orders went live on October 29, 2024, one of the most pleasant surprises was that the base M4 model comes with the same price tag as the M2 model - starting at $599 / £599 / AU$999.

The M2 Mac mini already represented excellent value for money – it would be extremely difficult to find a compact Windows 11 PC at that price range that offered the same level of performance – so the fact that you’re getting an upgrade in both performance and design for no extra cost is something to applaud – though if you recently bought an M2 Mac mini, you might feel a bit aggrieved.

The M4 chip inside the Mac mini is the same as the one in much more expensive devices, including the iPad Pro (starting at $1,299 / £1,299 / AU $2,199), iMac ($1,299 / £1,299 / AU$1,999) and 14-inch MacBook Pro ($1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,499). Sure, with the Mac mini you don’t get a screen, nor do you have the ability to work on it while traveling, but offering the same amount of power for around half the price still represents incredible value for money.

The M4 chip features up to a 10-core CPU (4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU, up from the 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU of the base M3 chip (Apple never released a Mac mini with the M3, it should be noted), and supports up to 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS) in its 16-core neural engine (Apple's version of an NPU) - so when Apple Intelligence, the company’s generative AI (artificial intelligence) feature does come to macOS, the M4 Mac mini will be more than prepared.

It’s not just the M4 chip that brings a performance upgrade, as the base model now comes with 16GB of unified memory, twice that of the M2 Mac mini’s base model. Not only does this mean the new Mac mini is much better at multitasking (as there’s more memory to support multiple apps running at once), but it’s also more future-proof.

Mac mini M4 in studio

(Image credit: Future)

You can also get the new Mac mini with the more powerful M4 Pro chip, which starts at $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,199. That’s quite a price jump, and while the M4 Pro is certainly a promising bit of silicon on paper, it’ll have to really outperform the M4 to justify the price difference.

We’ve been sent the M4 version to review, and for the majority of people, that should be more than capable enough for the kind of tasks they’ll need this tiny PC to perform. Having the M4 Pro option is nice, despite the price hike, as you are getting a seriously powerful PC in a tiny and almost silent form factor.

There was also a brief moment between Apple announcing the new Mac mini and it revealing the new MacBook Pros with M4 Pro where the M4 Pro Mac mini was arguably the most powerful Mac device ever. Remarkable.

  • Value score: 5/5

Mac mini (M4, 2024): Specs

Mac mini (M4, 2024): Design

  • Brilliant, smaller design
  • Front USB-C ports are welcome
  • Power button placement is a bit awkward

The Mac mini (M4, 2024) has received its biggest redesign since arguably 2011, and it’s now what Apple calls its “smallest computer ever”.

Where the previous model had dimensions of 197 x 197 x 35.8 mm (7.75 x 7.75 x 1.41 inches), the new Mac mini (M4, 2024) measures just 127 x 127 mm x 50 mm (5 x 5 x 2 inches). When taking it out of the box, it’s seriously impressive how small it is, easily fitting in the palm of your hand. Placing it on top of the M2 model, the older Mac mini looked big and bulky – something I’d never have imagined, as that was an impressively small bit of kit when it launched.

The new Mac mini is a bit taller than the older models, but if that’s the sacrifice that had to be made in order to shrink the overall footprint of the PC, while packing it with the latest tech, then it’s one I’m happy with. It’ll easily fit behind a monitor, and even in front of a screen, it’s unobtrusive enough that you’ll hardly notice it. Its small size also means you can plug it into your TV and it won’t look out of place in your lounge. For anyone holding out for an Apple games console, the Mac mini (M4, 2024) could end up being as close as you’re going to get.

As if to prove that the new Mac mini can be just as at home in a lounge as in an office or studio, it now comes with two USB-C ports at the front, alongside a headphone jack for easy access.

New Mac mini M4 in a studio

(Image credit: Future)

At the rear there’s a power port (impressively, despite the tiny size, there’s no bulky external PSU), an Ethernet port and an HDMI that’s capable of up to 8K at 60Hz, or 4K at 240Hz.

There are also three additional USB-C ports. While the front USB-C ports are limited to USB 3 speeds (10Gb/s), the three on the back are much faster. With the M4 model, the rear ports are Thunderbolt 4, with speeds of up to 40Gb/s. If you go for the M4 Pro model, those are upgraded to Thunderbolt 5, with speeds of up to 120Gb/s.

While it’s a shame that the front USB-C ports are slower than the rear ones, if you’re mainly using them for plugging in and charging peripherals, they’ll be fine, leaving the rear ports for tasks that need faster data transfer speeds – such as external hard drives or additional screens.

While the new design is a triumph on the whole, one element of the redesign has caused controversy – the placement of the power button. Rather than being on the rear right-hand corner of the Mac mini, as with previous models, it is now located on the bottom of the Mac mini by the rear left-hand corner. While the Mac mini is raised from the surface you place it on by a circular air vent bottom-center of the PC, you still need to lift it up to reach the button. As the new Mac mini is so small and light, and there are no moving parts inside, this isn’t too much of a problem, though if you’ve placed the Mac mini in a TV cabinet or somewhere where it’s hard to reach, it could be frustrating.

There are workarounds – you could just put the Mac mini to sleep rather than shutting it down, and waking it up by moving the mouse or tapping the keyboard, but even Macs need to be fully powered down every now and again. You could also use the Wake-on-LAN feature of macOS, which allows you to turn on the Mac mini by sending a command over the internet, though again you’ll need the Mac mini to be asleep, not fully turned off.

It’s certainly not the end of the world, but it’s not one of Apple’s better design choices. Placing the power button on the top or front of the Mac mini might ruin the aesthetics, but would have been easier to reach – or even having the power button still on the bottom, but on one of the front corners would have helped.

Mac mini M4 in studio

(Image credit: Future)

The new Mac mini only comes with the device itself and a power cord. Any other cables or peripherals will need to be bought separately (though if you’ve already got, say, an HDMI cable and a mouse and keyboard, then that shouldn’t be too much of a burden).

If you need peripherals to go with the Mac mini you can buy the Magic Keyboard for $99 / £99 / AU$149, the Magic Trackpad for $129 / £129 / AU$209, and the Magic Mouse for $79 / £79 / AU$149. These have had slight design changes as they now use the universal USB-C cable to plug in and charge, rather than Apple’s proprietary Lightning cable, which is good to see.

Sadly, Apple didn’t take the opportunity to move the charging port of the Magic Mouse – it’s still located at the bottom of the mouse, which is a baffling design choice as it means when you plug it in to charge you can’t continue using it.

Of course, you don’t need these new peripherals as any Mac-compatible mouse or keyboard (which is any mouse or keyboard, basically) will work – though there’s no full-size USB A port anymore, so if those peripherals aren’t USB-C or Bluetooth, then you might need to buy an adapter.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Mac mini (M4, 2024) review: Performance

  • Excellent performance
  • Virtually silent
  • Can even play some games

Once upon a time I was rather worried that Apple had fallen out of love with Macs, and especially the Mac mini, as the company seemed far more enamored with its iPhone and iPads, leaving its Macs to make do with incremental hardware updates within increasingly outdated designs.

Then Apple dumped Intel and made its own chips, starting with the M1 in 2020, and my doubts have pretty much vanished, as every major Mac device has not only been upgraded to an M-series chip, but they’ve also had noticeable redesigns as well, proving that Apple is committed to its Mac lineup. So, it’s with some relief that the Mac mini has not just got the latest M4 (and M4 Pro) chips, but also a major redesign as well, as it’s likely to be one of Apple’s more niche products.

It shouldn’t be – since getting M-Series chips, the Mac mini has become the best small form factor PC you can buy. Small PCs with either Windows 11 or Linux simply cannot match the build quality, performance, and price of Apple’s tiny machine, and with the M4 chip, that gap has become even wider.

Along with the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU of the M4, the chip contains 28 billion transistors, up from 25 billion in the M3, but is still built on the same 3nm process node from TSMC, so a generational leap is out of the question.

In synthetic benchmarks there’s around a 20% increase in CPU performance when using Geekbench 6, though GPU performance upticks are more modest, with between 5% - 14% increases in benchmarks.

New Mac mini M4 in a studio

(Image credit: Future)

While any increase is always welcome, those kind of numbers mean if you have an M3 Mac mini, you won’t really see any major differences in performance, so upgrading might not be worth it (unless you absolutely have to have the smaller design of the newer Mac mini, which I wouldn’t blame you for).

Where things do get interesting when comparing performance between the M3 and M4 Mac mini is when it comes to AI – both artificial intelligence and Apple Intelligence. With the M4, Apple has included another 16-core Neural Engine dedicated to machine learning and AI tasks, and in AI benchmarks the results are pretty remarkable, with around a 35% increase in performance over the M3. Whether or not Apple Intelligence, or AI in general, will usher in the computing revolution we’ve been promised by many manufacturers has yet to be seen, but at the very least you know that if you buy an M4 Mac mini (or any M4 device), you’ll be in good stead should you wish to use future AI tools.

According to Apple, the M4 chip is capable of 38 TOPS - that's 38,000,000,000,000 operations per second – which is incredibly impressive and means on-device AI tasks should run well. However, the Snapdragon X Elite, like the M4 an ARM-based chip built for Windows 11 devices, offers 45 TOPS. That difference in operations per second isn’t huge, and it might not even be noticeable, especially when comparing Windows 11’s Copilot AI tool to Apple Intelligence, but it’s worth noting.

Apple Intelligence is introduced to Macs in macOS Sequoia 15.1 – and you’ll need to update the new Mac mini to get that version – thankfully, it’s quick and easy process.

The model I review here is the Mac mini with M4 chip, 16GB of unified memory, and a 512GB SSD. For day-to-day tasks, where I used the Mac mini for writing this review, browsing the web and general admin, it worked brilliantly. The operating system – macOS Sequoia – booted quickly, and every app I used loaded speedily and ran smoothly.

We’re now four years on from when Apple made the major move from Intel-based hardware to ARM-based, and that has allowed pretty much every major Mac application to make the move as well. This means it’s now very rare to have to use Apple’s Rosetta 2 tool, which allows apps made for Intel Macs to run on modern Apple Silicon Macs. That tool was essential in the early M1 days, and it meant you could still run your apps with minimal impact to performance.

Now that almost every Mac app, including those from third parties, runs natively on Apple Silicon means they can fully take advantage of the power of the M4 chip (though Steam, the popular store and launcher for PC games, still requires Rosetta to run).

Benchmarks

Here’s how the Mac mini (M4, 2024) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Cinebench 2024 CPU: Single-Core: 161; Multi-Core: 833
Geekbench 6.3 Single-Core: 3,838; Multi-Core: 14,838
Blender: Monster: 391; Junkshop: 187.6; Classroom: 185.2

One of the best things about Apple’s M-class chips is that the company has made a big commitment to making them as power-efficient as possible, and while this might benefit MacBooks more, as it means they can enjoy longer battery lives, the Mac mini also benefits, as the more efficient M4 chip runs cooler, which allowed Apple to shrink the body of the Mac mini – and it also means the built-in fans that are used to expel hot air when the components are being used rarely kick in. For almost all of my time using the new Mac mini, it was virtually silent. This is great when using it in an office or studio, and it also makes it an ideal mini PC for the front room.

Even when switching to more intensive tasks, such as editing videos in Adobe Premiere Pro, the Mac mini kept pace brilliantly as I added 4K footage and scrolled between scenes. When it comes to gaming, the Mac mini (M4, 2024) was surprisingly good – on high graphical settings, it ran Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 44fps, well above the 30fps I consider to be minimum for a game to be playable, and with a bit of tweaking I think you’d get to 60fps.

Running Total War: Warhammer 3 at Ultra scored just 22.1fps, however. This game is more strenuous on the CPU rather than the GPU, though when I set the visual settings to low it hit 55.4fps. These are modern and ambitious games, so for a compact PC that’s not designed for gaming at this price, that performance is pretty darn great, and you have access to a huge library of Mac games through Steam and other platforms. Throughout playing, the Mac mini remained completely silent.

While the M4 model isn’t going to trouble the PS5 Pro any time soon when it comes to playing games, the fact that such a small device can still give a decent experience is pretty cool, and I assume the M4 Pro model is an even more competent gaming device, though for the price that is a lot steeper than any console - and even many gaming laptops.

Apple has also made a big deal about the M4 chip and its AI abilities, and from my tests it's... fine. Apple Intelligence is in its infancy, so I could not try out all the features that are coming, but I was able to edit a photo in the included Photos app and use the AI-powered Clean Up feature to remove elements from a photo. It worked as well as you might expect these early AI features to perform - it was quick and easy to do, but the background the AI generates in order for the objects you select (by painting over them with a brush) left mistakes and errors that mean it's far from perfect, and you can easily tell AI has been used.

From the AI tools so far, they are interesting yet not essential - bascially the same problem many AI tools have at the moment. For the Mac mini's part, it performed those AI feats all on-device, and they were done quickly and speedily. This is an area where I can see the Mac mini improving.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Mac mini (M4, 2024): Should you buy it?

Buy it if…

You want an affordable Mac
This is the cheapest way to get into the Mac ecosystem, and it's worth every cent thanks to excellent performance and a gorgeous design.

You're looking for a mini PC
Put simply, if you want a small form factor PC, this is the one to get. No Windows 11 mini PC can come close.

You've been waiting for an Apple console
Thanks to its compact size, you can easily fit this below (or behind) a TV, and it does a decent job of playing games, though the M4 Pro model may offer a better experience with modern titles.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a gaming PC
While you can play a growing library of Mac-compatible games, if you want to play the latest titles at high definitions and graphical settings whacked up to the max, buy a dedicated gaming PC instead.

You like to tinker and upgrade your PCs
Due to the size, and Apple's general disdain for allowing its customers to open up their devices, this is not a PC you can upgrade yourself. A barebones mini PC like a NUC will be much better.

First reviewed November 2024

GameSir Tarantula Pro review: one of our favorite brands goes symmetrical – and it’s rad
2:50 pm | November 5, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

GameSir Tarantula Pro: one-minute review

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is yet another winner from one of our favorite third-party gamepad brands. After seriously impressing us with the GameSir Kaleid, GameSir Nova, and the GameSir X2S Type-C mobile controller, it has now followed up with something a bit different.

The GameSir Tarantula Pro features a symmetrical thumbstick layout much like the PS5’s DualSense. However, this controller is compatible with PC, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices. Not only does that make it one of the very few Nintendo Switch controllers with symmetrical sticks, but it’s also perfect for gamers who prefer that layout on PC and mobile.

Otherwise, the Tarantula Pro is packed to the gills with desirable controller features, including drift-resisting TMR (that’s short for tunnel magnetoresistance, for those curious) sticks, trigger stops, nine (yes, nine!) remappable buttons, and even near field communication (NFC) scanning for amiibo figures on Nintendo Switch. You’re also getting excellent build quality here, as well as an impressively compact design that’s shorter than the average asymmetrical Xbox-style gamepad.

Perhaps the controller’s coolest feature, though, has to be its quick switching for button layouts. With a quick touch of the multifunction button on the rear of the pad, you can swap between Xbox and Switch face button layouts. These buttons are LED-powered too, and leads to a very stylish controller aesthetic in tandem with the small strip of RGB lighting underneath the central remappable button. All this lighting is fully customizable, too, letting you add a personal touch to the controller which is always welcome.

There’s a lot you can do with the GameSir Tarantula Pro, then, and it might take a while for you to fully grasp and remember all the multifunction button macros. But overall, this is an impressively robust Pro-adjacent controller that - like most other GameSir pads - comes at an aggressively affordable price. It can absolutely be considered one of the best PC controllers and best Nintendo Switch controllers released this year.

GameSir Tarantula Pro

(Image credit: Future)

GameSir Tarantula Pro: Price and availability

  • $69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105)
  • Available from October 10, 2024
  • Comparable in price to the 8BitDo Ultimate and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is available to buy now for $69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105), and you can purchase one either from GameSir’s own website or the brand’s Amazon store page. It is worth noting, however, that the bundle with the charging stand will cost you a bit extra, at $79.99 / £79.99.

This is a pretty competitive price point that places it squarely in the same bracket as some of the best Nintendo Switch controllers, including the 8BitDo Ultimate and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

You’re getting exceptional value for money here; the Tarantula Pro’s feature set vastly outclasses what you’ll find on other similarly priced gamepads. If you’re after a PC or Switch controller that offers optimal performance across a wide variety of game genres, then the GameSir Tarantula Pro comes highly recommended.

GameSir Tarantula Pro: specs

GameSir Tarantula Pro

(Image credit: Future)

GameSir Tarantula Pro: design and features

  • Smart, compact design
  • Symmetrical stick layout
  • Swappable button layout is a blessing

The most immediately noticeable design element of the GameSir Tarantula Pro is its symmetrical thumbstick layout, making it ideal for players who prefer a PlayStation-style layout over the offset, asymmetrical design seen on most Xbox and Nintendo Switch compatible controllers. These sticks are joined by a large, tactile d-pad and the usual face buttons, as well as a smattering of remappable buttons, trigger locks, and a rear multifunction button.

Compared to controllers with an Xbox Wireless Controller-esque silhouette like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro or GameSir’s own T4 Kaleid, the Tarantula Pro is impressively compact in terms of size. It’s about as wide as those gamepads, but slightly stouter in terms of top-to-bottom length. The subtle, camo-like finish on the front of the controller’s shell (not to mention the pleasing RGB light strip) lends it a pretty eye-catching look too.

The charging bay is a nice addition as well, though it is lacking in build quality compared to the controller itself. It’s basically a charging dock sat atop a rather flimsy plastic frame, powered by a USB Type-C cable. You’ll want to handle this with extra care, as that thin frame seems like it’ll be prone to snapping under even slight pressure. Still, its lightweight and unassuming design means it can take up desk space without being the least bit intrusive.

I’ve saved my favorite feature for last here; the GameSir Tarantula Pro features a swappable face button layout that’s incredibly slick. By holding down the multifunction and ‘A’ (or ‘B’ for the Switch layout) buttons for a few seconds, the controller will swap between Xbox and Switch layouts. This is accompanied by a satisfying mechanical whirr, and the buttons will even change color based on your chosen layout (multicolored for Xbox, white for Switch).

This addresses my biggest issue with multiplatform controllers like the T4 Kaleid; they may work across PC and Switch, but you’re typically stuck with a single layout for the face buttons. The Tarantula Pro sidesteps this entirely by letting you swap layouts on the fly, thus aligning it with your platform of choice. It’s worth noting that the controller will work regardless of button layout, but this is a nice, thoughtful extra for those who often find themselves glancing at the face buttons to better align themselves.

GameSir Tarantula Pro

(Image credit: Future)

GameSir Tarantula Pro: performance

  • GameSir’s TMR thumbsticks are delightfully responsive
  • A whopping total of nine remappable buttons is excellent for competitive players
  • Multifunction button is handy for accessing more features on the fly

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is an absolute joy to use across PC and Nintendo Switch, and it’s honestly replaced the T4 Kaleid as my go-to PC controller. This is, in part, down to the fact that this new controller can be used wirelessly. You’re getting a 2.4GHz dongle included in the box, allowing you to connect to PC wirelessly with no fuss. Over on Switch, you can also rely on Bluetooth connectivity.

The controller is exceptional to play games with, offering drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks which GameSir claims have greater longevity and durability than traditional Hall effect sticks. That’d take a good few years to know for sure, but in my time with the pad, I found these thumbsticks to be brilliantly responsive. Meanwhile, while I prefer floating circular d-pads like that of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, the Tarantula Pro’s still feels great thanks to its micro switch feedback, allowing for very swift and decisive inputs.

You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to tailoring your very own Tarantula Pro experience too. Trigger locks allow you to switch between full-press Hall effect and more immediate micro switch presses. As mentioned, there are also nine remappable buttons (two on the rear of the controller next to the grips, four more around the central menu buttons, and three all in that central touchpad-style button (that’s one in the center, and two on the top which essentially act as two extra bumpers).

Remappable buttons aren’t for everyone, and having nine of them is arguably overkill, but if you’re the kind of person to make use of secondary inputs - be that for shooters or fighting games, for example - then you’ll be flush with options. To assign these, simply hold the multifunction button, your desired remappable button, and then the button you wish to assign. It’s quite a convoluted process at first glance, but very easy to get used to.

Battery life unfortunately isn’t the best ever here. I managed around 12 hours on a full charge during my playthrough of the Silent Hill 2 remake. That’s not dreadful, but is outclassed by other pads at this price range. Charge time also isn’t the greatest ever, coming in at around 3 hours whether you use the charging dock or USB-C.

Lastly, I’ll touch on the GameSir Connect software for PC, which is really quite good. It’s got a simple, one-screen interface that contains most of the gamepad’s customization options. That includes the RGB profile, trigger and stick deadzone alteration, remappable button mapping, and the activation or disabling of certain functions such as gyro aiming. It’s not particularly robust but offers most of what you’ll need all on one handy screen.

GameSir Tarantula Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the GameSir Tarantula Pro?

Buy it if...

You want a real kitchen sink of a controller
Bespoke Hall effect sticks, nine remappable buttons, trigger stops, and a handy multifunction button all make for an impressively robust gamepad that’s ideal for tinkerers.

You’re after a controller that’s perfect for both PC and Switch
If PC and Switch are your go-to gaming platforms, the GameSir Tarantula Pro is ideal for you. Especially with its quick-switch face button layouts.

Don't buy it if...

You were hoping for better battery life
12 hours isn’t terrible. But you’ll find greater amounts with competing controllers like the 8BitDo Ultimate (around 20-30 hours) and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (40-50 hours).

Also consider...

Not sure about the GameSir Tarantula Pro? We’ve got a couple of other options reviewed here for your consideration.

8BitDo Ultimate
Among the very best Nintendo Switch controllers you can buy today, the 8BitDo Ultimate is an impressive package featuring Hall effect sticks, remappable buttons, and a charging dock.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate review

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
While sorely lacking in features compared to the competition, practically nothing has the official Switch controller beat on battery life. If you want to potentially play through an entire, lengthy RPG without needing to charge, then this is your best bet.

Read our full Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review

How I tested the GameSir Tarantula Pro

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Platforms tested: PC, Nintendo Switch
  • Made use of all the controller’s major features

I tested the GameSir Tarantula Pro over the course of a fortnight, primarily on PC but also with some of the best Nintendo Switch games. In endeavored to make use of the controller’s features where best applicable, such as micro switch trigger stops for quicker inputs in fighting games like Street Fighter 6 and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, as well as a number of remappable buttons in shooters like Halo Infinite for quick access to jumping, grenades and melee attacks.

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is currently my go-to PC controller, and I’ve been using it to play through Silent Hill 2 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This is largely because I’ve also found the controller to be a comfortable fit thanks to its symmetrical design, and the ability to play wirelessly is a boon on PC for eliminating the need for extra cables.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2024

Beelink SER9 HX-370 mini PC review
10:37 am | November 2, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

Beelink SER9 HX-370: 30-second review

The Beelink SER9 HX-370 mini PC is one of a new generation of mini PCs that pack larger desktop performance into a small form factor. This model has been designed around AI applications, with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX-370 processor at its heart with the processor boasting an impressive 12 cores and 24 threads. On paper, this all looks impressive, but it's only when you power up Adobe's Premiere Pro that you start to see just how well-equipped this new technology is for handling heavy computing tasks. The onboard Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics provides plenty of graphics processing for creative work, but even with the heft of the processor, the latest games, while smooth, lack some of the punch and smoothness of visuals that you expect from a larger system.

While small, the SER9 HX-370 still offers plenty of options when it comes to connectivity, including Wi-Fi 6E and a good selection of USB 3.2 ports, although some are a little dated. For both creative and office workers, the fact that it also supports three 4K displays via HDMI 2.1, DP and USB4 makes it a great choice if screen real estate is important.

The CPU and GPU are well specified for a mini PC and the power that the supply is boosted by the inclusion of a new generation AMD XDNA 2 NPU that introduces AI acceleration. This NPU chip can be used by applications designed for use with AI as well as enabling  machine learning and deep learning tasks. So if you want to delve into the world of TensorFlow or a similar platform, this could be a great starting point.

The SER9 HX-370 has many appealing features considering its small size; however, the features and performance come at a premium. The price is at the higher end for the best mini PCs we've reviewed, and the form factor will, of course, limit future upgrade options. 

Beelink SER9 HX-370: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost?  $1249
  • When is it out? Now
  • Where can you get it? Widely available

The Beelink SER9 HX-370 is priced at $999 and $1,249, depending on the choice of internal SSD (500GB or 1TB SSD). It’s available directly from Beelink’s website by clicking here and through online retailers.

  • Value: 4 / 5

Beelink SER9 HX-370 Mini PC Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Beelink SER9 HX-370: Specs

Beelink SER9 HX-370: Design

The Beelink SER9 HX-370 measures just 136mm x 136mm x 50mm, and despite its premium build, high-end processor, and features, its sleek, high-quality design is somewhat understated. A close inspection of the exterior reveals that the main all-metal case is elegantly designed, providing an instant premium feel. The weight, at 819g, while not heavy by any standards, is a bit more substantial than your average mini PC.

The casing — front, sides, and top — is made from a single piece of metal, with the base and back constructed from grey plastic, all of which is well finished and gives the impression that the device is robust enough to handle transport without issue. The exterior not only protects the internal components but also integrates with the internal cooling system. With large vents across the back and an aerated base, it's obvious the casing has been engineered to manage the high-performance internal processor and components.

Beelink SER9 HX-370 Mini PC Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Like many high-performance mini PCs, there are plenty of connectivity options. Across the front of the machine, there's the small power button, CLR CMOS, 3.5mm audio jack, USB Type-C 10Gbps, and a surprising addition: a row of four small holes, which are part of a dedicated microphone array. Around the back, there’s the DC input, USB4 40Gbps, HDMI 2.1 4K 120Hz, 3.5mm audio, USB 2.0 480Mbps, DP 1.4 4K 120Hz, LAN 2.5G, another USB 2.0 480Mbps, and a USB 3.2 10Gbps.

It’s actually a bit surprising for a model that packs in premium features to hold back on some connectivity options, especially with only a single USB4 port, which limits you to a single ultra-fast storage option and as it stands even with this single USB4 port the machine itsefl isn't optimsed for use with an eGPU.

  • Design: 4 / 5

Beelink SER9 HX-370 Mini PC Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Beelink SER9 HX-370: Features

While mini PCs are, by their very nature, compact, the number of features they can pack into their small forms is often impressive. Leading the features for the SER9 is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 Processor, which uses AMD’s latest Zen 5 architecture, with a 12-core, 24-thread setup. What distinguishes this CPU is that it has been optimized for AI-driven tasks and applications. It also features a max boost clock of 5.1 GHz, making it an ideal choice for creative work where intense processing of graphics, images, and video is crucial.

The AI acceleration for the CPU comes via the NPU, a dedicated Neural Processing Unit AMD XDNA 2 NPU, which delivers 80 AI TOPS. For applications able to leverage AI-enhanced workloads, there’s a noticeable boost in performance over more traditional processing, as we've seen with Adobe apps and the advancements in video editing, 3D design, and processing.

As standard, the machine comes with 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, clocked at 7500MHz, which should suffice for most tasks. Unlike most mini PCs, however, this RAM is integrated and cannot be upgraded.

Regarding graphics, the Ryzen CPU is paired with an AMD Radeon 890M, featuring 16 Compute Units and a clock speed of 2900MHz. This GPU is more than sufficient for most creative and high-intensity applications, but gamers may find it a little limiting. While the SER9 does have a USB4 port, it is not optimized for use with an eGPU, so the internal graphics will likely be the best option available.

In terms of storage, this is an area where the SER9 really stands out compared to other mini PCs. While you can attach ultra-fast external SSDs, there are two PCIe 4.0 x4 slots for SSD storage, supporting up to 8TB of internal storage. Our review version included a 1TB Crucial PCIe SSD, which proved to be extremely fast.

As with most high-performance mini PCs, internal cooling is a significant consideration. Beelink has designed the MSC2.0 cooling system, which uses a vapor chamber, a silent fan, and an SSD heatsink to manage the temperatures that can rise under heavy workloads.

When it comes to display options, the SER9 is capable of using one or all three different display port options to support up to three 4K displays. These options are HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and the USB4 ports. For connectivity, aside from the 2.5Gb wired LAN connection, the system features Wi-Fi 6 (Intel AX200) and Bluetooth 5.2.

On the audio side, there are two 3.5mm audio ports, one on the front and another on the back for headphone or a mic. Interestingly there are also built-in dual speakers which is again an unusual option for this type of mini PC. Another interesting, and quite unique audio feature are the front-facing microphones.  These enable AI-powered voice interaction, providing smart audio pickup for voice command recognition for different tasks.

Beelink SER9 HX-370 Mini PC Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
  • Features: 4.5 / 5

Beelink SER9 HX-370: Performance

The SER9 HX-370 is a high-performance mini PC, and that's evident from the outset, with Microsoft Office apps and using Google Docs through the browser, all running at speed with no slowdown or issues. This machine definitely has processing power, and as you switch between applications, that speed really becomes apparent.

Benchmark results show that the Beelink SER9 HX-370 offers solid all-round performance for office tasks, creative work, and some gaming, thanks to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 processor, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and integrated AMD Radeon 890M graphics.

In everyday tasks, the machine's performance was reflected in the benchmarks, with a Geekbench CPU Single score of 14,728 and a PCMark score of 7,205. These scores reflect well with the real world use of applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Docs (Through Chrome).

For creative applications like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, the machine easily handled multiple RAW files from the Sony A7 IV and Canon EOS R5 C, with this performance again reflected in the Geekbench Compute score of 42,770. Switching to Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve for some 4K video editing, the machine again impressed with speed, although the 1TB SSD was a little small and a Samsung EVO T5 was used to expand on the capacity through the USB4 port. However, there was also the option to upgrade the internal storage to an impressive 8 TB, which again is quite a unique feature for a machine of this size. The easy handling of video editing was reflected in the Cinebench CPU Multi score of 21,718 and Cinebench CPU Single score of 2,045.

To truly test the performance, a few games were tried, including Hogwarts Legacy, Tekken 8, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Again, the small machine impressed, although it's unfortunate that the system hasn't been optimised for use with an external GPU. Still, with the AMD Radeon RX Vega 8, performance was impressive, with all games running smoothly, though some slight reductions in quality settings to around medium were necessary. The 3DMark scores (Fire Strike Graphics: 10,256, Time Spy Graphics: 3,666, Fire Strike Overall: 9,384, and Wild Life: 23,206) all reflect the system’s solid gaming performance.

Another point to note on the performance is the speed of the internal SSD. In the benchmark test using CrystalDiskMark, the score showed read/write speeds of 5175.50 MB/s and 4751.30 MB/s. This is extremely fast and ideal for any application that requires high speed disk access.

Overall, the performance of the Beelink SER9 HX-370 is impressive, easily handling office applications and taking on processor-intensive creative tasks. While the machine was able to handle gaming smoothly, the best gameplay was achieved with medium graphic settings, but for a mini PC, this is extremely impressive.

  • Performance: 5 / 5

Beelink SER9 HX-370 Mini PC Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Beelink SER9 HX-370: Final verdict

Beelink SER9 HX-370 Mini PC Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Beelink SER9 HX-370 is a powerful mini PC that combines compact size with desktop-level performance. Ideal for gaming, creative applications, and heavy multitasking, it offers exceptional value for its price. While its gamer-centric design might not appeal to everyone, its performance and versatility make it a standout choice.

Should I buy a Beelink SER9 HX-370?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Small in stature, huge in performance
11:00 am | October 29, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Two-minute review

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds might be the best gaming earbuds I’ve ever tested. As an overall package they deliver on every front; from battery life to audio quality, to comfort and fit, to features. They are truly impressive and are one of the easiest recommendations I’ll ever make.

Coming in chic white or slick black (depending on the platform variant you go for), each GameBud is of a compact and neat design that sits nicely in the ear, with a simple push-and-twist motion to keep them secure. They’re lightweight too, and the touchpad makes for easy control. The case is also compact and can easily slip into a pocket neatly.

The GameBuds’ stature may be small, then, but they cram in a bunch of features that make the proposition incredibly compelling - before you even put them on. With active noise canceling (ANC), IP55 water-resistant rating, and multi-platform compatibility, the feature set is off to a strong start - but it gets much better. 

The inclusion of a quick-charge function and a wireless charging-compatible case is an excellent bonus and means you have another chance to keep your case and buds juiced for longer use, while dual 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth 5.3 offer the latest wireless connectivity. The headline feature and bonus however is, like this year’s addition to the SteelSeries headset lineup, the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, the GameBuds work with the SteelSeries Arctis App giving you access to more than 100 expertly designed audio presets for an enormous amount of games. 

A good design and extensive feature set are all well and good, but it needs to be backed up with quality and excellence in gaming audio - which the GameBuds do by the bucket load. Channeling all that makes SteelSeries gaming audio gear excellent and outrageously good for all games, the GameBuds provide brilliant audio, across all genres and gameplay situations, be they quiet and tense, or busy and wild. Our testing revealed barely any weaknesses in work, play, and entertainment use, and the GameBuds are some of the finest-sounding buds I’ve used.

Caveats and negatives are few and far between on the whole. You will get a better fit with third-party foam tips as the standard rubber ones provided are basic at best, and the controls do take a noticeable amount of pressure which means you will rock or push the earbud into your ear a bit every time you engage with them. However, beyond that, there’s very little to detract from the GameBuds’ performance in any way. 

Some competing gaming earbuds may fulfill their particular brief with more specificity - like the PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds and their PlayStation Portal compatibility, for example - but if you’re looking for the most complete package generally, then these might just be the best gaming earbuds you can buy right now.

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds on a black desk in front of a PS5 and DualSense

(Image credit: Future)

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Price and availability

  • List price: $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$359
  • Launch at retailers on October 29
  • Pre-order stock fluctuated due to popularity

Squarely in the same price bracket as the Sony Inzone Buds, the Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed buds, and the PlayStation Pulse Explore buds, the GameBuds find themselves in good company. All are targeting the high-end wireless gaming earbud market, and all earn their place in it, with the GameBuds certainly doing enough to rub shoulders (or ears, I suppose) with the aforementioned sets.

Already proving incredibly popular, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds have sold out on the brand’s own storefront in the pre-order phase too, and I’d expect interest to remain high after launch.

Given the feature set on offer here, I think the GameBuds are priced fairly and almost aggressively; they can run a race with any other premium earbud set, and go a long way to justify the price tag. 

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Specs

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds on a black desk in front of a DualSense

(Image credit: Future)

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Design and features

  • Neat, tidy, and compact design
  • Push controls are intuitive but need a bit of pressure
  • Wireless charging is a great bonus

Weighing only 0.19oz / 5.3g each, it only takes a simple push and a slight twist to make them sit nicely and fit comfortably in the ear. SteelSeries says it has used scans of 40,000 ears to help shape the design of the GameBuds, though gaming earbuds will always be subject to your own unique ears. I have found them comfortable, on the whole, while also easy to interact with, and not subject to falling out of my ears easily.

Much like the Pulse Explore earbuds, however, I have found in my testing that the included ear tips are bang average; serviceable at best, but not brilliant for really long sessions. I have much preferred using third-party foam tips as a solution for a better fit - and one that aids sound isolation and quality too. It's slightly disappointing that another purchase is needed to augment and really get the best out of the GameBuds’ fit.

The GameBuds ditch the usual touch controls often seen on earbuds and instead, opt for something more akin to a laptop touchpad. This makes accidental inputs much harder which is welcome, but I have found that the touchpad still requires a decent push to actuate, thus slightly rocking or pushing back the earbud while it’s in your ear. It never quite feels like I’m pushing them out of position or making them loose, but it’s still not quite perfect.

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds in a man's ear

(Image credit: Future)

The 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity is not new but is excellent, and the corresponding dongle is wonderfully compact and has been designed with the PS5’s USB-C ports in mind, ensuring it doesn’t block one port while plugged into another. Teaming this with Bluetooth 5.3 rounds out a robust pairing of wireless connections.

In terms of compatibility, our PlayStation unit will play nice with PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, and mobile. If you want the best level of multiplatform compatibility, however, then go for the Xbox version, which follows the modern gaming headset trend of being compatible with all major consoles and devices.

The case is a small pill box, with a nice finish and compact nature, carrying the two buds and the dongle in sweetly. The ace up the sleeve of the case is the fact that it’s wireless charging compatible, however, and this is a really welcome extra feature adding a welcome level of functionality to what is otherwise just a regular charging and carrying case. Having another means of charging and potential battery life can be a critical factor for wireless gaming peripherals, and having such an extra without the need for a cable is even better. Adding this onto the claimed battery life of up to 10 hours per charge for the buds and you’ve got a robust proposition. 

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Performance

  • Excellent audio for earbuds
  • Incredible flexibility and customizability with the app
  • Great battery life

Straight out of the box, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds have excellent sounds. Crammed into those tiny 6mm drivers is an audio soundstage that’s incredibly detailed and wonderfully vibrant up and down the spectrum. I was even nicely surprised by the amount, quality, and depth of bass. Along with the Pulse Explore earbuds (with their fancy planar magnetic drivers), these produced some of the finest gaming audio I’ve experienced in buds. From single-player games like Star Wars Outlaws and Doom (2016) to playing Diablo 4 online with a pal, the GameBuds excelled. After a while, it didn’t feel like I was receiving audio from just small earbuds, and the buds can certainly run some PS5 headsets or Xbox Series X headsets for their money on audio quality alone.

This default audio quality is made better with the Arctis Companion App. Replicating its success with the Nova 5 headset, the companion app allows you to swap between expertly crafted audio presets while playing games simultaneously. These presets and this flexibility are not a gimmick, either, and you can really find EQs to suit all kinds of games that will enhance the audio experience. The ANC does kill off the bass a little as I’ve always found with it, but it’s robust enough to remain a welcome feature.

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds appearing on the Arctis Companion App

(Image credit: Future/SteelSeries)

As mentioned above, actually using the onboard controls walks the risky line between being good for avoiding accidental presses, while requiring a bit of force so as to move the buds a little with each push. It’s not a deal breaker and is another thing I have got used to with time but remains a slight crease in the experience.

Going some way to mimic a solution that the Nova Pro Wireless offers with its infinity power system (USB-C cable charging, while its dock also charges a spare battery ready to swap in at any point), I have found the case’s wireless charging functionality to be a great boon and a fine way of extending the charge and life available to me. More broadly, in my testing, I’ve found the battery life claims SteelSeries about the buds to be true to life (around 10 hours per charge for the buds).

The mic is pretty good too, for some earbuds at least. After a slight raising of the volume of the mic on PS5, my buddy reported that I didn’t sound anything majorly different from my usual headset too, and it also came across as crystal clear during work and phone calls.

With such performance on offer, layered on top of the fine design, and extensive feature set, it's sufficient to say that the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds are some of the best in the business and could be the only pair of gaming earbuds you’ll ever need.

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds on a black desk in front of a PS5 and DualSense

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds?

Buy it if...

You want the best all-around gaming earbuds package going
Simply put, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds do it all, and do so fantastically. From superb audio to compatibility and customizability, and from a slick design to an ingenious addition to battery life, there are barely any chinks in the GameBuds’ armor.

You want some of the best sounding gaming earbuds
Putting all the features and design qualities to one side, the Arctis GameBuds are simply one of the best sets of gaming earbuds when it comes to sheer audio quality.

You need excellent versatility, flexibility, and customizability in your earbuds
From multiplatform compatibility to choosing audio presets on the fly through the app on your phone, the options available to you with the GameBuds is superb and should be noted by anyone looking to get the most out of one set of buds.

Don't buy it if...

You only need cheap multiplatform compatibility via wired buds
The GameBuds’ wireless multiplatform compatibility is in a wireless form which bumps up the price a bit. If you only need something cheap to go multiplatform then a wired set might be best for you.

You need buds for the PlayStation Portal
Despite being excellent for PlayStation consoles, the Arctis GameBuds won’t serve you by default on PlayStation Portal due to Sony owning the wireless connection to its handheld remote play device. 

Also consider...

If you’re still not sold on the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds then consider these two similar products.

PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds
For users on PS5 and PlayStation Portal particularly, the Pulse Explore earbuds and their planar magnetic drivers offer some of the best gaming audio I’ve ever experienced in buds. If you value super high-quality audio quality and mainly play on PS5 and PS Portal then these are a great alternative.

For more information, check out our full PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds review. 

Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed earbuds
Designed for Xbox, these Razer earbuds are a great option for those who prioritize Razer-grade gaming audio that emanates from sizable drivers (10mm in this case), and decent battery life. Note: Our Hammerhead Hyperspeed review is of the PS5 model of the buds, but the quality and specs are the same as the Xbox variant.

For more information, check out our full Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed review. 

How I tested the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds

  • Tested over the course of four weeks
  • Used on multiple platforms including PS5, PC, and mobile
  • Compared to other earbuds from the likes of Razer and PlayStation

I tested the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds over the course of about four weeks for my review. Putting them to the test on my RTX 3090-powered gaming PC, PS5, and mobile, I used them for a whole host of functions from gaming to work meetings, from phone calls to music listening

They replaced my usual earbuds, the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds when going out for walks or on the commute, and they replaced my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless on PC and PS5 for work and play. As a result, I was able to compare them directly to those headsets, as well as the PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds that I have for use on my PS5 and PlayStation Portal.

In terms of specific games, I tested the GameBuds with Frostpunk 2 on PC, and on Doom (2016), Star Wars Outlaws, Pentiment, and Diablo 4 on PS5 (the latter being an online co-op playthrough with a friend who was able to verify the quality of the mic during gameplay action). 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September/October 2024.

MSI Cubi NUC 1M review
10:26 am | October 23, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 361 of PC Pro.

Last year, Intel stopped developing its popular NUC mini PCs, signing an agreement with Asus that it would “manufacture, sell and support the Next Unit of Compute (NUC) 10th to 13th generation systems product line, and to develop future NUC systems designs”. I assumed that meant Asus would have the monopoly on the NUC name, but not so: MSI has entered the fray with its Cubi NUC line, and assures me that more will follow in the coming months.

You can buy the Cubi NUC 1M as a barebones system, with the Core 3 100U version costing £349 inc VAT. Core 5 120U and Core 7 150U versions are available for £449 and £519 respectively (prices from scan.co.uk). Or you can buy Cubi NUCs as complete systems, supplied with RAM, SSDs and Windows 11 Pro. Here, I test the top-end version, with a Core 7 150U, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

MSI Cubi NUC 1M mini PC

The Cubi NUC 1M is a great mini PC provided that all-out power isn’t a priority (Image credit: Future)

Arguably, this is a 14th gen NUC as Intel released the 150U earlier this year. However, Intel seems intent on adopting more confusing names for its chips with every release, and the 150U actually has much more in common with the 13th generation Core i5-1335U than the new Core Ultra line. It still uses the Raptor Lake architecture, includes two P-cores and eight E-cores, and there’s no NPU for local AI tasks.

Like all U series chips, the 150U is designed for maximum efficiency rather than all-out speed. When I pushed it to extremes, the Cubi’s fan kept at a low-pitched but audible hum, but its power consumption peaked at 61W (it’s 15W when idle). That compares to 101W from the Geekom A8 Mini PC (see issue 359, p62) when I tested it with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS.

While the Core 7 150U holds its own in single-core tasks, outperforming the Ryzen 9 8945HS in Geekbench 6 with a score of 2,635 versus 2,561, there’s a gulf in benchmarks that test all cores. In Geekbench, the Geekom A8’s 13,237 return is light years away from the MSI’s 8,651, and the gap grew in Cinebench R23 with 16,615 against 6,342.

MSI Cubi NUC 1M benchmarks

(Image credit: Future)

The gulf in performance continued into gaming, as illustrated by the Geekom’s return of 3,215 in 3DMark Time Spy, almost twice the MSI’s 1,711, and where the Ryzen’s 780M graphics proved good enough for 35fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider (at 1080p High settings) the MSI could only rustle up 22fps.

So, if all-out speed is your priority, the Cubi NUC is not your best choice. However, few people need such power, especially in businesses where MSI is certainly targeting this mini PC. For instance, it includes two 2.5GbE ports, one of which can be used for out-of-band management, while those IT directors who need to show they’re making environmental strides will appreciate that 43% of the plastics are PCR. MSI takes renewables seriously, too, with 92% of its factory’s power coming from renewable sources.

I also asked MSI about its customer support. You’ll be buying from a reseller rather than direct from MSI, but for businesses its approach is to have a ready supply of buffer stock so that faulty units can be swapped out and then fixed at MSI’s recently established UK service center. It’s hardly Dell next-business-day on-site support, but there is a plan.

MSI Cubi NUC 1M two port system

The Cubi’s impressive range of connectivity includes two 2.5GbE ports (Image credit: Future)

The Cubi should be of particular appeal to any business wanting to mount mini PCs on a monitor. If you buy a compatible MSI display then its power switch can also switch on the PC, but otherwise MSI supplies an external power switch that sits at the end of a cable and means users don’t need to reach round the back. You can even power the Cubi via USB-C, with up to 100W of power, massively simplifying cable management. There are two USB-C ports here, both supporting Thunderbolt 4, and when you add Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, four USB-A ports, a microSD card reader and two HDMI 2.1 ports it’s hard to think of something that isn’t included.

Those looking for a home entertainment system will be pleased to discover those HDMI ports support CEC (so universal remotes will work), and there are plenty of ways to extend storage. A second M.2 socket sits empty, albeit M.2 2242 rather than 2280, and you can mount a 2.5in SSD externally via four screw slots on its bottom. Or plug fast external storage into the USB-C ports.

As ever with NUC designs, the big advantage of the Cubi is its ability to squeeze into any situation. Here, you could use the Cubi for digital signage (the Core 3 version will be fine for such tasks), in schools, in businesses and in homes. It isn’t the fastest mini PC around, nor the smallest, but for versatility it’s an absolute winner.

We've rated the best business computers.

Scan 3XS GWP A1-R24 review
10:29 am | October 21, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 361 of PC Pro.

AMD was just in the process of launching its Ryzen 9000 Series processors as we were putting this Labs test together, and we’ve managed to squeeze our first look into the roundup. It comes from Scan in the form of the 3XS GWP A1-R24 workstation.

Just as the 14th generation of Intel Core CPUs don’t make any radical changes over the 13th generation, the Ryzen 9000 doesn’t diverge greatly on paper from the 7000 series, with core counts still ranging from six to 16. Even the clock rates haven’t progressed. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X in the Scan system is a 12-core CPU with a base 4.4GHz clock and 5.6GHz boost. The 7900X it replaces has a 4.7GHz base clock and 5.6GHz boost. The 16-core 9950X is similarly no on-paper leap over its 7950X predecessor.

However, the CPU is now produced on a 4nm process instead of 5nm, which should enable more cores to run closer to boost speeds than the previous generation. There’s also support for 5,600MHz memory instead of 5,200MHz. Scan has gone even further, supplying 64GB of 6,000MHz DDR5 RAM as two 32GB DIMMs, leaving two slots free for upgrade on the Asus ProArt B650-Creator motherboard.

Scan 3XS GWP A1-R24 - 2

(Image credit: Future)

Scan has managed to go one better than the 4000-series Nvidia RTX graphics we would normally expect at this price and includes the 4500 Ada Generation instead. This sports 7,680 CUDA cores compared to 6,144 for the 4000, and 24GB of ECC-backed GDDR6 frame buffer operating at 432GB/sec, compared to 20GB at 360GB/sec.

The storage is more modest, however. Only one drive has been included, although it’s a fast one. The 2TB Corsair MP700 NVMe M.2 unit operates at PCI Express 5 speeds to deliver an impressive sustained read speed of 12,278MB/sec in CrystalDiskMark 8, with sustained writing of 7,904MB/sec.

Scan has opted for the regular version of the Fractal North Charcoal chassis with the A1-R24. This is a stylish case with wooden slats down the front that make it look more like designer furniture than a PC. The chassis offers a couple of 2.5/3.5in drive mounts, and a couple of 2.5in-only ones, should you need to expand the storage. The PSU included is the 750W Corsair RMX750, which isn’t hugely potent but should be enough for this set of components.

Scan 3XS GWP A1-R24 - 3

Wooden slats on the front of the case make it look more like designer furniture than a PC (Image credit: Future)

This system had the fewest cores of any entry this month – half as many as the Intel workstations – but it wasn’t the slowest, showing the capability of the new Ryzen 9000 series. The PC Pro media benchmark result of 761 beat the 24-core Intel CPU supplied by InterPro and the 16-core AMD processor from the previous Ryzen generation in the Armari Magnetar PrMM16R9. This includes the best image-editing result this month of 359, competent video encoding of 716, and multitasking of 924, which wasn’t far behind the 32-core systems in the test. The Cinebench 2024 multi-CPU rendering result of 1,873 was the slowest this month, but only 6% behind the Armari’s Ryzen 9 7950X, which has a third more cores. Notably, the single-core Cinebench result was 16% faster. Similarly, the Blender Gooseberry frame render took 324 seconds, which sits in between the two 24-core Intel CPUs this month – despite having half the cores. This bodes well for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X when it arrives.

The GPU-based performance from the Nvidia RTX 4500 Ada Generation unsurprisingly sits between the 4000 and 5000 we have in other systems. The SPECviewperf 2020 scores of 206 in 3dsmax-07 and 729 in maya-06 promise great 3D animation, while 165 in catia-06, 226 in creo-03, 789 in snx-04 and 491 in solidworks-07 mean CAD and engineering will be smooth. The Geekbench ML result of 24,416 means AI inference is midway between the other Nvidia cards, as is 15,285 with LuxMark 3.1 OpenCL.

With just 12 cores against systems boasting 16 or 24 in this price category, and 32 or 64 in the higher class, the Scan 3XS GWP A1-R24 acquits itself surprisingly well, showing that the AMD Ryzen 9000 series is a welcome upgrade over the 7000 series. Had this system included the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X, it could have been our Labs Winner.

We've listed the bhe best power banks.

Seagate Game Drive External SSD for PlayStation review: chic and officially licensed, but not that speedy
2:00 pm | October 20, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: One-minute review

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is a PlayStation-focused external solid-state drive (SSD) for gamers on Sony’s console looking for an extra storage boost. Compatible with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC, this external SSD offers a speedy - though not blistering - plug-and-go option and channels an awful lot of what makes Seagate one of the go-to brands for gaming storage.

The drive has a very slick design and robust-feeling build. A hardy rectangular cuboid in form, the drive feels like it could easily withstand a drop or bump, while also being very convenient to carry and stuff into a pocket. It shares the PS5 family’s aesthetic (the drive looks right at home next to Sony’s console) with its sleek white finish, black underside and cable, and smart blue RGB light that runs along the front edge.

Seagate hasn’t published any claimed read and write speeds, which is unusual. But from our testing, the drive proved to be reliable - if not super speedy - for an external hard drive. It handled transfers from and to a PS5 at reasonable times, which you can read more about below, and it sits comfortably above HDDs, albeit below the top-end external SSDs like the WD Black P40. However, it is as easy to use as any external hard drive competitor, offering a simple plug-and-use experience with either a USB-C or USB-A cable.

As an SSD it still demands a higher price of admittance than any HDD solution, so that should be taken into consideration if you just need value-busting storage. While you pay a bit of a premium for the name and official licensing here, its overall decent performance makes this a drive we can easily recommend. You get what you pay for here and this is a really solid PS5 external hard drive and top portable SSD for mixed use too.

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD being held in a hand over a black table top

(Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Price and availability

  • 1TB: $129.99 / £139.99; 2TB: $219.99 / £229.99
  • Same price range as internal PS5 SSD options
  • The largest capacity is 2TB

Coming in two sizes, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD offers 1TB and 2TB solutions for external storage. The lack of a larger 4TB (or bigger) drive may irk some, but the price would skyrocket and those capacities seem to still be reserved for more traditional HDDs.

The price point puts it in established external PS5 SSD territory with the likes of the WD Black P40, P50, and Samsung T7 Shield for company, though it is more expensive than the Crucial X8 and X9, and WD My Passport SSD range.

While a new product at time of writing, gaming storage products are always great candidates for sales events and price cuts and the Seagate Game Drive External SSD should be snapped up immediately when it inevitably receives a discount.

A final bonus that the drive offers is that it also comes with a 14-day trial (for new users) of PS Plus Premium which is a pleasant little extra if you’re new to the PS5 console.

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Specs

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD a cable and a its box on a black table top

(Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Design and features

  • Slick officially licensed design
  • Lightweight but solid in the hand
  • Cool LED flourish

The first (and best) thing to note about the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is that it is very in keeping with the PlayStation 5 aesthetic. It captures the contrasting white-on-black aesthetic excellently, and the blue LED on the drive’s front that lights up when it's plugged in really completes the look.

The drive is a compact accessory and can easily fit in the palm of your hand. It’s also much thinner than a traditional HDD, so will need to be positioned carefully and appropriately if you intend to keep it plugged in permanently. Speaking of which, the drive comes with a USB-C cable and a USB-A cable so it’ll be dealer’s choice when it comes to which port to use. The cable itself is plenty long enough too - something that personally irked me in previous years when stiff, short cables governed the position external drives would have to take.

The most important feature to remember for PS5 owners is that you cannot play PS5 games directly from the Seagate Game Drive External SSD. It can be used to play PS4 games from it and is a fine means to do so, while also allowing you a storage spot for your PS5 games to transfer over to your console when you’re ready. It performs those transfers nicely too, as you’ll read about below.

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD being held in a hand over a black table top

(Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive External SSD: Performance

  • Strong but not spectacular speeds
  • Not as fast as internal options - or competing external SSDs
  • Still much faster than competing HDDs

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is a solid performer and is worthy of its place in the brand’s pantheon - but won’t blow any socks off. The drive is much faster than any external HDD competitor but has middling speeds that mean it doesn’t compete at the very highest end of the spectrum, where drives from the likes of WD Black and Samsung sit.

On PS5, I transferred a 122.2GB installation of Diablo 4 to the Seagate drive in 10 minutes and 18 seconds and it was transferred back to the console in 16 minutes and 26 seconds. Star Wars Outlaws (a 51.6GB file) was moved to the SSD in 4 minutes and 25 seconds and then back again in 6 minutes and 57 seconds. My smallest single-game transfer was Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown at 25.5GB and this was transferred in 2 mins 12 seconds to the SSD and back again in 3 minutes and 26 seconds. Lastly, a 53.59GB bundle of games (Unravel Two, Pentiment, SOMA, and the Dead Space Remake) was transferred in 3 mins and 59 seconds and back again in 6 minutes and 58 seconds.

This is encouraging, particularly if you've got a bunch of smaller games or PS4 games; the drive transferring this bundle of games in roughly half the time of a single PS5 game of the same is notable.

On PC, hard drive testing software CrystalDiskMark 8.0.5 was able to put some numbers to the performance in terms of read and write speeds. After multiple tests, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD drive presented average read speeds of 439.83MB/s and an average write speed of 415.63MB/s.

These speeds aren’t massively impressive, especially when compared to its competition, and put the drive firmly in the strong but not spectacular space.

Compared to the likes of the WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive, the speeds just don’t stack up; it finds itself in the same camp as the Lexar SL200, Samsung T5, and Seagate Fast SSD. However, the upside of this is that the drive never gets hot and can keep going all day long at the same rate, making it super reliable overall, and perfect if you need a PS5, or PS5 Pro, workhorse.

But even if it’s not swimming in the fastest of waters, given its reliability, simple-to-use nature, and slick officially-licensed design, the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is an easy drive to recommend.

The Seagate Game Drive External SSD next to a PS5 and DualSense controller on a black desk

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Seagate Game Drive External SSD?

Buy it if...

You want a premium, officially licensed external storage solution for PS5
The Seagate Game Drive External SSD is perfect for PS5 users, not least because it’s an officially licensed product and beautifully shares the same aesthetics as the console. Factor in its reliable job, then it's an ideal storage companion for PS5 users. View Deal

You value SSD speeds over HDD capacity
If you have the budget for an SSD then the performance you get here over an HDD is sizeable and you won’t look back. If you’re looking for a boost to speeds and performance over an older HDD solution then this is it.View Deal

You only need a smaller storage amount
If you’re only after a (relatively) smaller amount of external storage then the Seagate Game Drive External SSD is an ideal external storage solution for you, especially if you value its tidy speeds.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need maximum value from an external storage solution
As an SSD, this drive does have a higher price of admission than traditional HDDs. If you’re happy to forego top speeds to maximize your bang for buck, then an HDD may be a better fit for you. View Deal

You want the absolute fastest external SSD speed going
While competent and reliable, the read and write speeds of the Seagate Game Drive External SSD aren’t enormously beastly by any means, and there are faster external SSDs available if that characteristic is of paramount importance to you.View Deal

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Seagate Game Drive External SSD for PS5 and PS4? Here’s how it compares to two similar products so you can compare.

WD Black P40 Game Drive
If you must have the best speeds possible in your external hard drive for PS5 then the WD Black P40 Game Drive is one of the best options at the top end of the market. Offering blistering speeds for an external hard drive, WD Black’s gaming storage pedigree, and a slick look to boot, this is a quality premium option.

For more information, check out our full WD BLACK P40 Game Drive review. View Deal

Seagate Game Drive for PS5
If you just need a simple external storage solution on PlayStation then the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 is easy to recommend. Despite being an HDD rather than an SSD the performance is reliable and excellent, and the value, and bang for back here are terrific. If you’re looking to maximize what you get and need a larger capacity, then this is a fine option.

For more information, check out our full Seagate Game Drive for PS5 review. View Deal

How I tested the Seagate Game Drive External SSD: One-minute review

  • Used the drive nearly every day for around two weeks
  • Played PS4 games from it, and regularly moved PS5 games to and from it
  • Compared it to my internal PS5 SSD and other external HDDs on PS5
  • Compared it to my day-to-day HDD on PC

I incorporated the Seagate Game Drive External SSD into my PS5 setup and used it as an extension of my console’s storage for around two weeks. In that time, I copied and stored multiple PS5 games numerous times - timing every transfer manually as well as using the PlayStation’s own estimates - and ran PS4 games from the drive too. I used both the drive’s cables and tested in both the PS5’s USB-A and USB-C ports.

I tested the Seagate Game Drive External SSD against other Seagate external HDDs on PS5 to confirm its speed and the increase in performance the SSD offers. I also made the same comparison with my daily external HDD, the Lacie Rugged, on PC.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024.

Geekom GT1 Mega mini PC review
4:18 pm | October 13, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Geekcom GT1 Mega: 30-second review

Specs

CPU: Intel Core 14th Gen Ultra 9-185H
Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics
RAM: 32GB DDR5, up to 64GB
Storage: 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Rear Ports: 2 x USB 4.0, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x RJ45 LAN (2.5G), 1 x DC in,
Front Ports: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen2, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x 3.5mm stereo jack, 1
Side Ports: SD Card 4.0, 1 x Kensington Lock
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Audio: HDA CODEC
Camera: N/A
Size: 135mm x 132mm x 46.9mm
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: VESA Mount, free USB-C hub

The Geekom GT1 Mega instantly sets the tone with the high-quality metal exterior, with its row of USB Type-A ports across the front and a host of connection options across the rear, highlighting that this is something a little different. Inside is the latest 14th Gen Intel Ultra processor, which provides impressive performance in such a compact machine.

The new processor, which in our review sample is the U9-185H option, with the U7-155H also available, enables close integration with AI-enabled features. These work with the Intel NPU, which has the effect of significantly accelerating tasks like AI computation and video rendering, which in real-world terms is an invisible feature that you only witness through the speed of the processing.

There are other hints of this small machine’s power beyond editing 4K footage in DaVinci Resolve, which it handles as if it's a machine many times its own size, and the smooth running of high-impact games. Connecting up two 4K displays is well within its abilities, with an option to support up to four 4K monitors or one 8K through the two HDMI ports and USB4.

Sure enough, for video editing and 3D work, the Geekom ploughs through the processing without issue, and checking all Microsoft Office apps just doesn’t pose any type of stress on the system. While all this power and speed are impressive at such a small size, it is worth noting that the fans will kick in early—there’s a lot of cooling to be done—so if you like silence, while not loud, that fan whirr is apparent.

Then there are the options to upgrade, which, being a mini PC, are limited: a slight boost to the internal RAM and SSD but little else. However, the USB4 ports afford plenty of other expansion options with external SSDs and eGPUs.

As a true mini PC, the GT1 Mega will fit any workspace without issue, and the small VESA mount ensures that it’s easy to fit and mount as needed. That, coupled with the 65W power consumption, means that it can easily be transported and powered in the field with a power station such as the Bluetti AC70.

But is it the best mini PC we've tested? Well, while this is a great compact solution, it comes with a high price tag, especially considering the limited upgrade options. So, if you’re looking to spend this amount, it might be better to look at a larger desktop solution. However, considering the design and advanced technology, on its own or partnered with other devices to expand its function, it’s impressive and an ideal solution for any professional—creative or otherwise—who requires some serious processing power.

Geekom GT1 Mega: Price & availability

Geekcom GT1 Mega

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Geekom GT1 Mega is priced at $1,099 and is available directly from Geekom with a 3-year warranty.

Right now, you can save 5% on the Geekom with the code TECHGT1 - from both the Geekom official US site and the official UK site.

You can also save 5% with code TECHRADAGT1 from Amazon US.

  • Score: 4/5

Geekom GT1 Mega: Design & build

Geekcom GT1 Mega

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The GT1 Mega is housed in a compact form factor (135mm x 132mm x 46.9mm) that is common for mini PCs, which instantly makes it an ideal choice for anyone with limited workspace or requiring a machine that is easily portable between places of work. The exterior of the machine is of an extremely high quality, with the all-metal finish instantly giving the impression of quality and style. The simple monocoque design of the casing, with the line of four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, 3.5mm audio, and power button, are all neatly laid out, highlighting accessibility.

That look helps to define this system as a core unit that can adapt to what you need it to do. For creatives, accessories such as the Logitech MX Creative Console, keyboard, and mouse can all be plugged in easily without searching around the back. Then on the side, alongside plenty of venting, which alongside the IceBlast 2.0 cooling system helps to keep on top of the heat from the fast processor, is an SD 4.0 card slot—a feature that will appeal to photographers and videographers, although a CFExpress Type-B slot would be great to see. On the other side, for security, there's a Kensington port.

Flipping over to the back, and again there’s a host of connections, including two USB 4.0 and dual 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, two HDMI 2.0, a USB Type-A 3.2, and one USB 2.0 port.

The overall build is of a high quality, and flipping the machine onto its back, there are four small rubber feet and the hole for the VESA mount. Unscrewing the base gives you access to the inside, where there’s the option to upgrade the RAM from the 32GB to 64GB and swap the PCIe SSD NVMe Gen 4, although our review sample was already fitted with the 2TB version, which is the maximum.

  • Design: 4.5/5

Geekom GT1 Mega: Features

Geekcom GT1 Mega

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Geekom GT1 Mega features Intel's 14th Gen Ultra U9-185H processor with 16 cores and 22 threads. It also features an AI-accelerated NPU, which is capable of delivering processing up to 8 times faster than the previous generation and enables you to access the latest machine learning tasks and compatibility with AI-enabled applications that can make full use of the new technology.

Visuals are supplied through Intel Arc graphics, which support both high-resolution video and gameplay, as well as the ability to run multiple displays from the system. This includes up to four 4K monitors or one 8K.

Inside, the machine features 32GB of Dual-channel DDR5-5600 SODIMM, which can be upgraded to 64GB. This is matched with 2TB of M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x 4 SSD, which is the maximum that the machine can take.

Connections are a key feature of this small machine, and when it comes to networking, alongside the dual RJ45 2.5Gbps ports, there's also Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, further enhancing connection options.

Alongside the latest Intel processing, the big point of interest here is the expansion options. While those are limited internally, the ability to utilise the two USB4 ports along with the USB 3.2 Gen ports gives you plenty of options. Although the internal graphics are good, if you need the boost of a dedicated external graphics card, then an eGPU can easily be fitted. Likewise, ultra-fast external SSDs, NAS, and mass storage devices are all easily compatible.

The USB4 ports offer plenty of flexibility, with the ability to connect data devices, monitors, graphics, and even deliver up to 15W of PD power to quickly charge devices such as phones, tablets, and camera gear.

When it comes to portability, the small form factor and solid metal build make it nice and robust, but if you're working in the field, then the fact that it only draws 65W of power means that it will sit alongside a portable computing suite that can be used in the field without too much of an issue and powered by a portable power station. However, it does utilise a 19V DC input rather than the more universal USB Type-C, so the external power adapter is required.

  • Features: 4.5/5

Geekom GT1 Mega: Performance

Geekcom GT1 Mega

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 5049.75MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 4399.79MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 2498
GeekBench CPU Multi: 13916
GeekBench Compute: 39696
PC Mark: 6992
CineBench CPU Multi: 15911
CineBench CPU Single: 1888
Fire Strike Overall: 8133
Fire Strike Graphics: 8886
Fire Strike Physics: 29083
Fire Strike Combined: 2995
Time Spy Overall: 4072
Time Spy Graphics: 3642
Time Spy CPU: 12306
Wild Life: 20948
Windows Experience: 8.3

Getting started with the GT1 Mega is fast, with the usual run-through of options for Windows 11 Pro. Once installed, the WiFi connection to install updates and applications is fast, and there’s little slowdown as you switch from browsing to applications and general use of the machine. Starting with the range of Microsoft Office apps, the machine is simply fast and responsive, with the apps loading quickly. Navigating large Word documents, presentations, and long spreadsheets is handled with no issues or slowdowns. Essentially, the machine just makes short work of this level of applications.

Likewise, two of the best photo editors, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, caused no issues, with the batch RAW processing of files from the Canon EOS R5C handled without a hitch. We also tested the machine with some of the best video editing software. RAW files along with 4K video Log3 footage from the Sony A7 IV were edited within Adobe Premiere Pro with the same ease. The only issue with video editing was the volume of internal storage; however, switching to using an external 8TB Samsung T5 Evo quickly resolved this, enabling impressive ease of editing for a 15-minute video.

Finally, looking at gaming performance, three games were tested: *Tekken 8*, *Cyberpunk 2077*, and *Hogwarts Legacy*. In all cases, the machine was able to handle most of the graphic processing, though with some minor lag in *Hogwarts Legacy*. However, a Razer Core X eGPU with ASUS GeForce 3060 Ti gave a boost to the graphics performance.

Once the external SSD and eGPU were added to the mix, the power of this small machine matched desktop PCs without issue, offering an incredibly small and effective solution for creative professionals looking for a compact and portable machine that can be used in the field.

Finally, with the performance tested, we checked out how the machine coped with our benchmarking tests. Here, the real-world tests were reflected, with the Geekom GT1 Mega excelling across the board. The Intel Ultra U9-185H processor offered strong multi-core performance, scoring 15,911 in Cinebench CPU multi-core tests, highlighting what we had witnessed during video editing. Storage speeds using the internal SSD are fast, with CrystalDisk scores of 5049.75MB/s for read and 4399.79MB/s for write, ensuring quick boot times and rapid data transfers. Although the 2TB storage will be ample for most users, creatives should look at an external storage solution such as the Samsung T5 Evo or OWC Envoy as an option.

If you do need to access the internal workings of the machine for an upgrade, the process is a little more involved than most. First, the four rubber feet need to be removed, then the four screws taken out, and the base prised off. Then there's the backing plate, which is again held by four screws; this needs to be carefully lifted away as there are two wires connected to the WiFi card. With the base plate propped up, you can access the M.2 Key-M slot for PCIe x4 Gen 4 NVMe SSD, 2280, and dual RAM slots, along with the M.2 Key-M slot PCIe x4 or SATA, 2242. It's also worth noting that the M.2 Key-E slot for CNVi/PCIe WiFi, 2230, can be upgraded, giving some future-proofing. Another interesting feature is the 16-pin FPC SATA connector to connect an FFC SATA cable to a 7mm 2.5" SATA, which opens up further options.

While overall the performance is excellent, the graphics performance is just above average, with the Intel Arc handling most tasks. However, the Fire Strike and Time Spy results show that when pushed, an eGPU should be considered, as we found with Hogwarts Legacy.

Overall, when it comes to performance, the core machine punches well above its size, but what really appeals is the fact that, with applications that support AI, this machine can see a real boost in performance. And if you need more storage for video or graphics for gaming, then an external drive or eGPU can be quickly fitted. The Geekom GT1 is one of the most impressive mini PCs available, with solid build and performance that will suit most creative and high-demand users.

  • Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Geekom GT1 Mega?

The Geekom GT1 Mega is a great option for professionals or creatives who need robust computing power in a compact form. Its AI processing and excellent multitasking capabilities make it a great mini PC, though its high price and limited internal, might be an issue for some.

Geekcom GT1 Mega

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Buy it if...

You need AI-accelerated processing

If your work involves AI tasks, machine learning, or real-time data analysis, the GT1 Mega’s NPU will greatly enhance productivity.

You require multiple high-res displays

The ability to support four 4K monitors or one 8K display makes this mini PC perfect for video editing or digital content creation.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

At nearly £1,000/$1,000, the GT1 Mega's cost is a barrier for casual users or those who don’t need cutting-edge performance.

You want extensive gaming capabilities

While capable, its Intel Arc graphics won't compete with a dedicated gaming PC for high-end gaming performance

For more professional machines, we reviewed the best business computers and best business laptops.

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