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Asus ROG Carnyx review: one hefty gaming mic

7:16 pm | July 24, 2024

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

Asus ROG Carnyx: One-minute review

The most notable thing about the Asus ROG Carnyx is that this gaming microphone is absolutely huge. It measures about 10.2 inches / 26 cm tall when used in conjunction with its included stand. Its base is roughly 4.7 inches / 12 cm across at its widest point too, which means that this model is likely going to be a little too large for many setups. I even struggled to position it on my roomy desk, opting to place it off to the side rather than in front of me so as to not block part of my monitor with its tall height.

That said, it’s going to be a very compelling option if you have the space. Its build feels impressively high-quality, with plenty of durable metal elements, and its design is sleek and incorporates eye-catching RGB elements that would be perfect for content creators. The microphone also features a small number of on board controls that allow you to tweak overall volume, enable a high-pass filter, and mute it easily, all of which are responsive and very intuitive.

On top of all this it offers superb sound, on par with many of the best microphones for streaming, which will make it an ideal choice for those looking to upgrade their streaming setup or just after an easy-to-use plug-and-play option for more general online gaming.

A close up shot of the Asus ROG Carnyx. — (Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG Carnyx: Price and availability

$179.99 / £169.99 / around AU$299
Available at Amazon

The Asus ROG Carnyx costs $179.99 / £169.99 / around AU$299 and is available from both Amazon and Asus in the US and UK. This price puts it right at the top of the scale when it comes to USB microphones, as it’s significantly more expensive than favorites like the Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X.

The price is most comparable to the likes of the SteelSeries Alias and, much like that model, you’re undeniably paying a premium for the overall design and ROG name. Whether this is worth it for you will depend on your personal aesthetic preferences and any potential loyalty to the brand.

Asus ROG Carnyx: Specs

Asus ROG Carnyx: Design and features

Every aspect of the Asus ROG Carnyx’s design is large and heavy but feels impressively durable as a result. Its base is constructed from a robust metal which is fashioned into wide angular shapes that lend it a very modern appearance. The bottom of the base, which has a rubberized grippy underside, is etched with some subtle ‘Republic of Gamers’ branding in addition to a grill-like pattern that gives it a great texture. The grill displays a shiny ROG logo too, which is a classy touch.

The base connects the capsule using a traditional shock mount, suspending it with elasticated fabric to reduce low-frequency noise caused by any movement of your surface. A large adjustment knob allows you to change the angle of the mount by roughly 60 degrees, though I found this to be incredibly difficult to loosen out of the box.

A close up shot of the top of the Asus ROG Carnyx. — (Image credit: Future)

The capsule itself is predominantly constructed from a smooth plastic and is a cylindrical shape. There’s a small ROG logo embossed on it, right below a volume adjustment knob and three white LED indicators. These denote whether the high-pass filter (which helps to block out other low-frequency sounds) is active and whether the adjustment knob will affect your current recording audio level or the volume from the 3.5mm audio jack present on the capsule’s rear. The audio knob can be pressed down with a satisfying click to alternate between modes or disable the high-pass filter.

Above this is a wire mesh that glows with an impressive RGB effect. Your choice of color and some more general settings can be adjusted in the accompanying Armory Crate software. This software is mostly functional, but offers very few features that cannot be controlled directly on the microphone itself and has a disappointingly limited and dated design for a such recently released and pricey product.

On the top of the capsule you’ll find a touch-sensitive button that can be used to quickly mute the microphone - an intuitive, easy to reach location. Muting the microphone causes the RGB lighting to turn a bright red, which provides a helpful way to check whether your microphone is currently muted (though this can be disabled via the software if you prefer).

The software of the Asus ROG Carnyx. — (Image credit: Asus ROG)

Asus ROG Carnyx: Performance

The Asus ROG Carnyx connects to your PC with a braided 3m USB-C cable and can be used in a plug-and-play capacity without any software. This makes it incredibly easy to set up and it performs fantastically in this out-of-the-box configuration. It provides clear sound and does a remarkably good job of removing any background noise. After slightly tweaking the gain level using the adjustment knob and enabling the high-pass filter, it successfully managed to drown out the low hum of fans on a hot day, in addition to any passing cars and trains.

You can still squeeze comparable sound out of cheaper alternatives, like the Blue Yeti, though this will require some software and considerably more effort. As a simple, all-in-one solution, the Asus ROG Carnyx certainly delivers.

The recording quality is comfortably high enough for content creation when the microphone is positioned a couple of inches in front of you, though the cardioid pickup pattern will make this model unsuitable for recording something with multiple speakers, for example a podcast. When you’re shopping in this price range you can easily find other models, like the JBL Quantum Stream Studio, which offer a wide selection of possible patterns that would be much better suited to this purpose.

On some particularly warm summer days I did notice that the top of the capsule inexplicably became quite hot to the touch. This is presumably due to a combination of the toasty weather and excess heat from the LED lighting and, while a little disconcerting, did not seem to affect performance in any tangible way.

A photo showing the size of the Asus ROG Carnyx relative to a wine bottle. — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Asus ROG Carnyx?

Buy it if...

You value simplicity
The Asus ROG Carnyx is expensive, but it’s a capable all-in-one solution that’s easy to set up and use right out of the box.

You love the ROG brand
If you already have a PC gaming setup filled with Asus ROG accessories, the modern design and RGB lighting of the Asus ROG Carnyx will fit right in.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have the space
The only real problem with the Asus ROG Carnyx is that it’s absolutely massive. Given that there are loads of much smaller models on the market, this is one to avoid if you don’t have a lot of desk space going spare.

Also consider...

Still not fully sold on the Asus ROG Carnyx? Here are two other strong gaming microphones to consider.

JBL Quantum Stream Studio
The JBL Quantum Stream Studio comes in cheaper than the Asus ROG Carnyx but offers a far greater range of pickup patterns to choose from. The bidirectional and omnidirectional options make it much better suited for creating content with multiple speakers.

For more information, check out our full JBL Quantum Stream Studio review

SteelSeries Alias
The SteelSeries Alias comes in smaller than the Asus ROG Carnyx and boasts an even more attractive design and a very similar set of features for practically the same price.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Alias review

A photo showing the adjustment knob of the Asus ROG Carnyx. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Asus ROG Carnyx

Used for over a month
Tested with a gaming PC
Compared to other microphones

I used the Asus ROG Carnyx as the primary microphone for my gaming PC for over one month. During that time I engaged in plenty of multiplayer gaming, chatting with friends and teammates on platforms such as Discord. I also used the microphone for daily calls with colleagues during my working day. In order to assess the sound quality, I collected feedback from call participants and recorded myself in a wide variety of settings with different levels of background noise using Audacity.

During my time with the microphone, I made sure to fully test the Armory Crate software and endeavored to try every available feature. I also frequently compared the experience of using this model to my experience testing a wide range of other gaming microphones from across the price spectrum.

Endgame Gear OP1 8k review

The Endgame Gear OP1 8k is the German gaming peripheral specialist’s enhanced version of its OP1 wired mouse, which is capable of polling rates of up to 8,000Hz, hence the '8k' appendage to the model name. Users can also open it up and swap out the switches, which will appeal to the subset of gamers who are very particular about their clicks.

However, what might divide that group is the form factor of the OP1 8k. The small size, combined with the pronounced hump, might make it difficult for some to achieve a secure grip – although Endgame Gear does specify that the mouse only supports a claw grip, making it a suitable option for those who prefer this style. The super-lightweight, which Endgame Gear approximates to be about 50.5g, also helps rapid movement.

Everyone will welcome the lack of drag, though. The USB cable is light and flexible, and the cable base stress-relief is angled upwards – a smart design choice that helps to further reduce surface contact, acting like an ersatz mouse bungee. However, the cloth material surrounding the cable is very thin; during my time with the OP1 8k, it already began to fray slightly, spelling trouble for its long-term durability.

Although the lack of cable drag helps the mouse to perform at its best, the same can’t be said for the PTFE skates. They cover a small surface area, so glides aren’t as smooth as they are with the best gaming mouse options. Thankfully, larger PTFE skates are included in the box, which helps to reduce friction. What’s worse, though, is that using the OP1 8k on hard surfaces can cause the middle to grate unbearably, and even the optional skate that goes around the optical sensor doesn’t fix the problem. But if you’re using the OP1 8k exclusively on padded surfaces, this will be a moot point.

Another disappointing aspect of the OP1 8k is the button quality. The mouse clicks aren’t as snappy as I would have liked, taking too long to rebound. Endgame Gear claims that its Kailh GX switches that come preinstalled have a short internal travel and good “spamability”; I found they couldn’t be actuated quickly enough to make them suitable for such quickfire pressing.

Front view of Endgame Gear OP1 8k on desk — (Image credit: Future)

The side buttons also feel harsh since they aren’t dampened at all, while the scroll wheel is a little too notchy for my preferences, and the middle button doesn’t feel as solid or as secure as it should be. I didn’t have enough confidence to use it in the heat of battle, worrying that I’d trigger the scroll function by mistake. Admittedly, this is an issue I tend to find with many gaming mice.

On the surface, the free configuration tool is as basic as it gets; it wouldn’t look out of place on a Windows 95 machine. The argument could be made that the barebones interface makes it an extremely lightweight application, therefore saving precious computing power. However, during my time with it, it did crash on one occasion, when I was switching back and forth between it and a game window to change settings on the fly. On other occasions when switching, the “Apply” button for confirming adjustments failed to appear. It could well be the case that such problems may not be experienced on setups beyond my own, but it’s an issue worth noting all the same.

There are various settings that can be adjusted using the tool – but, unfortunately, none of them is explained, so unless you’re au fait with the terminology, you’ll likely have some googling to do.

First, it measures sensitivity in the less common unit of counts per inch (CPI) rather than dots per inch (DPI), but essentially they amount to the same thing. Between one and four quick settings are available, which can be cycled through using the mode button on the underside of the OP1 8k. There’s also the ability to adjust the sensitivities of the X and Y axes independently.

Bottom of Endgame Gear OP1 8k — (Image credit: Future)

The lift-off distance (LOD) can be altered to between 1mm and 2mm, which are increments so small that I could barely discern the difference during gameplay. Of course, I’m far from being an esports pro. For most gamers, though, this won’t be a setting worth adjusting given its limited range.

There are also toggle boxes for angle snapping and ripple control, which aren’t settings you always see in peripheral software. There’s no explanation as to what these settings do within the app. So, for those who aren’t familiar with the terms, angle snapping is an aid to help keep your cursor movements along a straight path, whereas ripple control is meant to help smooth mouse movements.

Angle snapping does indeed work as intended; however, I also found that it increases the acceleration of cursor movements, which is jarring. As for ripple control, its aim of reducing mouse jitter comes at the expense of “a few frames of added motion delay,” as Endgame Gear explains on its website, which is anathema to competitive gamers and not worth the cost of activating. Regardless, in practice, I found it made little difference to the smoothing of my movements.

Under the advanced settings tab, you’ll find adjustments for the polling rate, with options between 1,000Hz and 8,000Hz. The aforementioned mode button can cycle through four different poll rates within this range.

There’s a Motion Sync checkbox as well; but yet again, there’s no explanation on what this does. Endgame Gear explains on a Reddit post that the polling events and sensor data become synchronized when enabled, in order to make data more consistent, but at the cost of adding a 1ms input lag. Again, this is something that will probably make some players wince, and during my tests I failed to notice any real difference with this setting turned on.

Close up of side buttons on Endgame Gear OP1 8k — (Image credit: Future)

One feature that certainly is noticeable is the slam click filter, which prevents accidental mouse button activation when vigorously swiping, as you might when using low DPI/ CPI settings in FPS games, for instance. This is a setting that definitely works as intended, and will likely be one you’ll want to have enabled permanently.

Another set of adjustable (and not always seen) parameters are the multiclick filters. These determine how many button presses can be registered in quick succession – more commonly known as debouncing. Those who play Minecraft PvP will be among those most interested in these settings, as rapid-fire clicks are a core part of that game.

There are multi-click filter adjustments for every button on the OP1 8k (barring the underside mode switcher), ranging from 0-25. Lower values increase the number of clicks registered when spamming the given button; but misclicks are more likely, too, so you’ll want to find the setting that works best for you.

The right and left mouse buttons also have an optional dropdown box next to their respective multi-click filter settings, labeled SPDT (single pole, double throw). This refers to the type of switches the mouse buttons use, which allow for greater debouncing adjustments. You’re given three modes to choose between: GX Speed Mode, GX Safe Mode, or off.

The former lowers click latency, while the latter increases it. If off is selected, then you can use the standard 0-25 multi-click filter sliding scale instead. I noticed no real difference between these GX modes and the sliding scale, so it ultimately seems like a wasted addition.

Close up of scroll wheel on Endgame Gear OP1 8k — (Image credit: Future)

Aside from these tweaks, the software also allows you to remap the buttons on the OP1 8k. This doesn’t merely involve swapping them around: you can also assign them to trigger a keyboard key, cycle the CPI, or perform certain media-based functions, such as play, pause, open Windows Explorer or even a web browser – although the latter didn’t work on my PC.

It isn’t just the software that’s customizable; one of the biggest draws of the OP1 8k is that the hardware is customizable, too. A small screwdriver is included, so you can open up the base and swap out the main button switches (and the USB cable) if you so choose.

Endgame Gear offers a variety of different switches, which can be installed without soldering; it’s merely a case of inserting terminals. Endgame Gear even has a universal switch set, so you can use the OP1 8k with any mechanical switches you like, again without soldering. You can also take out the side button switches, although Endgame Gear offers no replacements for these.

I wasn’t able to test out these various switch options for myself, but having opened up the OP1 8k and removed the switches, I can say that it’s a fairly straightforward process. However, I did find that the right mouse button terminal wasn’t as easy to detach as the left. Also, make sure you have the terminal the correct way around when inserting it into the right mouse button slot – I found this was easy to get wrong.

While the OP1 8k aims high in its pursuit of being a high-end gaming mouse, featuring some useful software and hardware customization options, ultimately, it’s let down by its build quality and overall feel, failing to live up to its relatively high asking price.

Endgame Gear OP1 8k: Price and availability

$74 / £69 / AU$125
Available now
Black and white colorways

The OP1 8k is priced at $74 / £69 / AU$125 and is available in the US, UK, and parts of Europe. Despite it having an Australian list price on Endgame Gear’s website, it isn’t currently available in the territory.

Compared to other wired gaming mice on the market, the OP1 8k doesn’t fare well against the competition. Razer is currently offering its DeathAdder V3 wired mouse for less than the current price of the OP1 8k, and although it’s a few years old at this point, it offers a similar spec, including an 8kHz poll rate and an only slightly heavier weight of 59g.

However, the click filtering and movement smoothing parameters that the OP1 8k’s configuration tool offers stand in its favor. Razer’s equivalent software, Synapse, doesn’t provide these same tweaks; but it does offer a whole host of other customizable options with which you can experiment.

Unlike many other gaming mice, you can open up the OP1 8k and change out the switches. However, buying new switches is of course an extra expense, and there’s no option to spec the OP1 8k with the switches of your choice from the outset.

Endgame Gear OP1 8k: Specs

Should you buy the Endgame Gear OP1 8k?

Buy it if...

You want something small and very light
With a weight of about 50g, the OP1 8k is on the lighter end of the scale, and the small size will be welcoming to those with similarly proportioned hands who prefer using a claw grip.

You want to tweak your settings and hardware
Alongside the standard mouse sensitivity adjustments, the configuration tool for the OP1 8k allows you to set smoothing options and alter the debounce sensitivity, too. You can also take it apart to swap out the switches.

Don't buy it if...

You want a wireless gaming mouse
Gone are the days when wireless gaming mice were considered too slow and unreliable for gamers. As a result, hybrid models that allow for both wired and wireless play are more popular than ever; but unfortunately, the OP1 8k is wired only.

You want high-quality clicks
None of the buttons or the scroll wheel on the OP1 8k feel particularly great to actuate, which is a serious problem for gamers. In particular, the mouse buttons just aren’t snappy enough.

Endgame Gear OP1 8k: Also consider

How I tested the Endgame Gear OP1 8k

Tested for two weeks
Used for FPS titles and general PC use
Over a decade of PC gaming experience

To test out the OP1 8k, I played FPS titles Ultrakill and Day of Infamy, which cover both the fast-paced and tactical ends of the genre. I also played strategy, action and adventure games, as well as using it for general PC use, such as web browsing.

I have a decade of PC gaming experience, and my mouse of choice for most of that time has been the evergreen Logitech G502 Lightspeed wireless mouse, which was my main point of comparison alongside the Razer Viper V3 Pro.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: June 2024

GMKtec NucBox G5 mini PC review

9:59 am | July 21, 2024

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

GMKtec NucBox G5: 30-second review

For a mini PC of its size, or really Micro PC, the GMKtec NucBox G5 powered by the Alder Lake N97 packs more than enough power for most day-to-day tasks such as office work and multimedia playback. The small size of the machine, equipped with both WiFi and Bluetooth, makes connections easy if you're running it behind a display, and with the familiar Windows 11 Pro OS, interaction is straightforward for non-IT professionals.

We've reviewed all the latest and best mini PCs and for us, the overall performance of the machine is impressive for its size, with the OS loading quickly. However, there is a slight pause as apps open, and while you can switch from one office app to another, there will be a noticeable delay. Using this machine, like other N97 and N100-powered mini PCs, requires a balance. As long as you don't overload the system with numerous open browser windows, documents, and spreadsheets, this compact computing solution will serve you well.

However, if you're looking for a small machine that can handle image or video processing, you'll be pushing the limits of this small box. Loading an application like Photoshop will see the machine struggle, with actions taking time to process and the editing experience becoming slow and cumbersome. But then, this isn't what the machine was designed for.

For light to medium-weight office work, it fares OK, packing the same power as larger machines and balancing its resources well between power draw and performance. When it comes to power this comes through the single USB Type-C port and only draws between 15 and 25W, making it ideal if you need a lightweight machine for on-site or off-grid systems or Van life use. Overall, considering its small size and low cost, its performance is incredibly impressive.

GMKtec NucBox G5: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From £142 / $179
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from GMKtec or Amazon.com

With a retail price of around £142 / $179, this machine is cheap at almost every level and widely available. Looking around at the various deals will definitely pay off, with money-off offers regularly featuring on online retailers such as Amazon, as well as direct on the GMKtec official website, which you can check out by clicking here.

Value: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox G5: Specs

GMKtec NucBox G5: Design

Maybe because of the small size of the machine the plastic casing simply has less room to flex than it's larger counterparts and therefore gives it a higher quality feel, or then it could simply be the small details, such as the ports and venting that give it a solid quality feel. However, you can tell that this is plastic, and the build quality, while good, reflects its price point.

That small size is convenient when it comes to placing the machine, with small screw holes on the back enabling it to be mounted onto a VESA Mount if needed. Although attaching a mount may be a little overkill seeing as how the small size and weight mean that a bit of Velcro will likely suffice to hold this machine in place on the back of a monitor. The design is compact, yet GMKtec has managed to ensure there are plenty of ports around the body, utilizing every millimetre of space.

One small disappointment with the design is the single USB Type-C port, which is reserved for power delivery rather than data transfer. However, with four USB Type-A ports of different denominations and two HDMI ports, you have plenty of connectivity options. Upgrade options are limited due to the compact design. However, removing the four screws on the base allows the cover to be lifted away, revealing the small form factor SSD, which can be replaced with a model up to 2TB in size.

For such a small machine, an external SSD might be a more budget-friendly option, especially with all those USB ports. The design features plenty of details that enable easy connectivity for networks and accessories. The venting across the top also helps keep the machine cool during long periods of use. Its small size means that the design has had to be refined in order for it to pack in the features the surprising amount of features that it has.

Design: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox G5: Features

The GMKtec NucBox G5 is packed with features that make it an excellent choice for light home office use or for companies looking for a full Windows machine to power displays. Its compact size enables it to be placed almost anywhere, while its power allows it to run office apps, playback multimedia, and browse the internet well enough.

One of the standout features of the NucBox G5 is its strong LAN and wireless network support. The built-in dual-band WiFi and compatibility with RJ45 Giga LAN (10/100/1000Mbps) ensure a decent network connection. It also supports Bluetooth 4.2, making it easy to connect with wireless keyboards, mice, and headphones.

Weighing just 206 grams and being 60% smaller than mainstream mini PCs, the NucBox G5 is incredibly portable. If you want to take it with you, that's perfectly possible, although you will need the keyboard, mouse, and monitor to go with it. Measuring 7.2 x 7.2 x 4.4 cm, it is ideal for tight spaces, whether you need a compact solution for a home office or a discreet device to power displays in a business location.

Inside, the NucBox G5 is powered by the Alder Lake N97 processor, which features 4 cores and 4 threads and offers a burst frequency of up to 3.60 GHz. This, coupled with Intel UHD Graphics 1200 MHz, provides adequate performance for light graphics tasks, making it suitable for everyday computing needs such as Microsoft Office apps. However, it is not great for medium to heavy graphics work.

The ability to hook up to two monitors simultaneously through its dual HDMI 4K display is a great productivity feature. It enables you to work on multiple documents, browse the web, or stream videos.

When it comes to connectivity, the NucBox G5 has a variety of ports, including USB 3.2, TF/MicroSD, and an audio jack. This means the additional hard drives and accessories can be easily attached to boost the core system.

Features: 3.5 / 5

GMKtec NucBox G5: Performance

The overall performance of the GMKtec NucBox G5 is excellent considering its small size and affordable price. Designed for light office work, writing in Word, small to medium-sized spreadsheets, internet browsing, and multimedia playback, it performs well. However, through the test it did struggle with large spreadsheets with multiple calculations and trying to run Photoshop or DaVinci Resolve was pushing it a little too far. However, light image and HD video editing are possible using basic apps, but a more powerful machine would be preferable if this is what you need from a machine.

These test results highlight that the NucBox G5 handles everyday tasks such as word and Excel with ease but may show limitations with more demanding applications. The high scores in Crystal Disk Read and Write show decent data access speeds, which is beneficial for loading applications and transferring files. The GeekBench and CineBench scores demonstrate an equally decent CPU performance again for light multitasking and general productivity tasks. However, the Fire Strike and Time Spy scores reveal that the G5 is not suited for intensive gaming or high-end graphics work, even running older games such as Portal 2 while possible is slow.

Performance: 3 / 5

GMKtec NucBox G5: Final verdict

The GMKtec NucBox G5 impresses with its compact size, affordability, and ability to handle light office tasks and multimedia playback well. While it may not be suited for more demanding applications, it offers excellent value for those seeking a small, versatile, and powerful mini PC for everyday use. If you need a budget-friendly solution for basic computing, browsing the internet, office and watching back video, the NucBox G5 is a great choice. However, if your requirements include heavy multitasking or intensive software, you might need to consider a more powerful option.

Should I buy a GMKtec NucBox G5?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT mini PC review

9:52 am | July 20, 2024

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

Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT: 30-second review

Most mini PCs are indeed small, but the Minsforum AtomMan G7 PT stretches this definition with a size and weight at least double that of average models. However, compared to a desktop, it remains relatively small. The AtomMan G7 PT is also one of the first PCs of this size to take advantage of the new generation of AI chips, which essentially enables the computer to allocate better its resources and power where and when they're needed.

After a tricky setup process with drivers for the new AMD Adrenaline software installed, the system fires into action, delivering an overall impressive performance for all office-based tasks, creative applications, and even a little gaming during downtime. Although this is a machine optimized for the gaming community, and the dual RGB backlight panels highlight this with default graphics that give a pleasing and fun look to the machine, it's equally well suited to the creative sector as well as office use.

That gaming styling carries across to the rest of the machine with the patterned venting design, angles, and finish. However, unlike some other gaming systems, it manages to pull back on the more outlandish design elements, keeping things relatively sleek and stylish. In the office or studio, that design is able to blend in subtly, and more importantly, the machine is well adapted with plenty of connectivity options, offering multiple display links, network options, and fast data transfer ports to connect hard drives and other devices.

Like most of the best mini PC units we've reviewed, while this machine is firmly rooted in the world of gaming, its power and features make it a great solution for those looking for a relatively small form factor machine with plenty of power for both processing and graphics.

Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT: Price and availability

How much does it cost? $1249
When is it out? 5th August
Where can you get it? The official Minisforum site

The AtomMan G7 PT is priced at $1249 - with a special deal on right now which discounts the price to $999.

You can order direct from the official Minisforum site by clicking here. But note orders won't start shipping in the US until 5 August.

Value: 4 / 5

Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT: Specs

Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT: Design

With the dual LED side panel, patterned vents on the side, and overall shape and design of the AtomMan G7 PT, Minisforum has undoubtedly designed this machine with the gaming community in mind. Even down to the fact that some of the backlight patterns have been designed by famous cartoon artists and on release there will be several different options as well as being able to laser cut your own. Swapping and changing these is a fast process, with the backlight panel being held in place by magnets, into which the templates are simply slotted in.

The rest of the design is more reserve and refined, and along with the weight and size of the PC, the fully plastic construction retains a premium feel. Checking over the design, it's instantly obvious that cooling for the CPU, graphics, and storage has been a major consideration, and this becomes clear once you start to take a look inside.

By first removing the LED side panel then the two screws holding the panel beneath in place, you then have almost direct access to the RAM and SSD. The SSD is encased in a large heatsink and fan and takes some getting to but can be upgraded with two slots giving plenty of upgrade options. However, with the test results showing that the standard SSD is already one of the faster SSDs on the market, expanding storage is probably best facilitated through the secondary slot to ensure you retain the speed of the OS.

On the other side of the machine, six larger screws hold the webbed side panel, which once removed exposes the huge GPU. This is far in excess of most Mini PCs and instantly highlights the true potential of this machine. It also helps to explain the design and why it's designed to stand vertically rather than flat.

On the base is the AC power socket which prevents the machine from standing upright without the aid of the stand that's included in the box. The stand and machine use a strong magnet to hold together; it's a neat solution that works well. Once setup, all wires can be plugged in before powering on. At the back, there's a good array with 3.5mm audio in and out, HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB Type-A, one Type-C, and a network port. The front is kept simple with a USB Type-A, one Type-C, 3.5mm audio, and the fan boost. The power button is on top.

Like many AI-enhanced machines, while the physical design of the machine resembles a standard mini or desktop PC, inside software is required to utilize some of the hardware features and adapt the machine to the way in which you want to work. In the case of this machine, that's through the AMD Adrenaline software that enables you to adjust the control of the machine between power and efficiency.

Design: 4 / 5

Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT: Features

The AtomMan G7 PT features an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor with 16 cores and 32 threads, capable of speeds up to 5.4 GHz. Paired with an AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT GPU, this mini PC should be able to handle both creative tasks and gaming with ease. The DDR5 dual-channel memory is expandable up to 96GB, providing a huge amount of headroom for demanding applications.

Storage is also well-supported with a primary M.2 2280 PCIe 5.0 SSD slot and an additional M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slot for expansion. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth, all helping to ensure a fast and reliable connection. Video output options include HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, and USB-C.

The machine also includes various peripheral interfaces, such as RJ45 2.5G Ethernet, multiple USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, and comprehensive audio options.

Features: 4.5 / 5

Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT: Performance

From the outset, the AtomMan G7 PT performance closely resembles that of a mid to high-end PC. After installing the Adrenaline software and tweaking settings, the machine handles multiple office applications, large documents, and some of the best video editing software and best photo editors like Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve without issue. The filling of the addition SSD slot or the use of an external SSD using one of the fast USB Type-C ports is recommended for handling large 4K video files, given the internal SSD's 1TB limit.

Throughout testing, the AtomMan G7 PT performed exceptionally well. Office applications ran smoothly, and creative tasks were handled well, albeit with storage limitations for large video projects with the review units limited storage. Gaming performance was superb, with titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Tekken 8 running smoothly. This machine bridges the gap between laptop processing and dedicated video editing rigs, making it a versatile choice for professionals and gamers alike.

Performance: 5 / 5

Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT: Final verdict

The Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT 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 Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT

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TP-Link Deco BE63: impressive Wi-Fi 7 mesh router system at a competitive price

7:27 pm | July 10, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Computing Components Gadgets Servers & Network Devices | Tags: PC | Comments: Off

TP-Link Deco BE63: One-Minute Review

The Deco range of mesh Wi-Fi systems from TP-Link is a popular option for many people who want good Wi-Fi performance at a competitive price, and the company recently introduced a new version of the Deco with support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard.

Somewhat oddly, there are some differences between the Deco models that are on sale in different countries, as in the US TP-Link has named this product the Deco BE63, while in other regions it’s the BE65 instead.

There are a few other differences as well, but all models share the same basic design and features, and the three-router system that we’ve reviewed here is about the same price as some of the two-router systems we’ve seen recently – so the Deco is certainly good value for money for anyone looking for a high-performance Wi-Fi upgrade.

TP-Link Deco BE63: Price And Availability

How much does it cost? $799.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,185
When is it available? It's out now
Where can you get it? US and UK (Australia coming soon)

Customers in the US have the best range of options, as they can buy a single Deco BE63 unit that will be suitable for smaller homes for $299.99. There’s also a two-pack available for homes with around four bedrooms, costing $549.99, while larger homes can opt for the three-pack that we’ve reviewed here, priced at $799.99.

In the UK, the model number is changed to Deco BE65, and the system is currently only available as a three-pack priced at £699.99. It isn’t yet on sale in Australia at the time of writing, but the price for the Deco BE65 should be approximately AU$1,185.

Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems are still quite expensive as the technology is so new, but that three-pack option is actually quite competitive. We’ve seen Wi-Fi 7 products from rival manufacturers such as Netgear and Linksys that charge similar prices – or higher – for mesh systems that only have two routers, so TP-Link is certainly providing good value for money in relative terms.

Value: 5 / 5

TP-Link Deco BE63: Design

TP-Link Deco BE63 close up — (Image credit: Future)

Smart and compact cylindrical design
4x Ethernet ports (2.5Gbps)
1x USB 3.0 port

This new version of the Deco sticks with the familiar white, cylindrical design that TP-Link has used in recent years. Each router stands 176mm high and 107.5mm in diameter, so they don’t take up too much space when you’re setting them up. They’re sturdily built too, and TP-Link adds a little flourish with what initially looks like a simple brush-stroke pattern, but actually becomes recognizable as a large ‘7’ as you move further away.

There are four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the back of each router, and each port can be used to connect to the internet (WAN), or to provide a wired connection (LAN) for devices such as a laptop or games console. And, unlike some of its rivals, the Deco also includes a USB 3.0 port that allows you to connect a hard drive or other storage device to your home or office network.

TP-Link Deco BE63/BE65: Specifications

Wi-Fi: Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz/5.0GHz/6.0GHz)
Wi-Fi Speed: 10Gbps (US) ; 9.2Gbps (UK)
Ports (per router): 4 x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN/LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0)
Processor: Unspecified
Memory: Unspecified
Storage: Unspecified
Dimensions: 176 x 107.5 × 107.5mm, 1.1kg

But, as we’ve mentioned, there are some differences beneath the surface of the Deco, depending on which region you live in. The model sold in the US is called the Deco BE63, and provides tri-band Wi-Fi 7 using the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz frequency bands, with a top speed of 10Gbps. However, customers in other regions are offered the Deco BE65, which has a slightly lower top speed of 9.2Gbps.

We were told by TP-Link that these differences are due to varying national regulations in each region, which affect the top speed that can be used on each frequency band (although this isn’t something we’ve encountered with other mesh systems that we’ve reviewed in the past).

The Deco hasn’t yet gone on sale in Australia, but TP-Link is actually planning to release three separate models in that region, with the standard Deco BE65 being joined by the BE65-5G with support for 5G mobile broadband, and the BE65 Pro, which will provide faster 5Gbps Ethernet ports for wired connections.

Design: 5 / 5

TP-Link Deco BE63: Features

TP-Link Deco BE63 ports — (Image credit: Future)

Free parental controls
MLO network
Quick setup, well-designed app

Getting started was straightforward enough, as the Deco app prompted us to connect one of the Deco routers to our existing broadband router, and was then able to automatically connect to the new Deco mesh network. We were then prompted to create a new name and password for the Deco network, and the three Deco routers automatically connected to each other. So, all that really needs to be done is to simply plug them in.

On the downside on the ease-of-use front, the app does throw some jargon at you, asking you to select settings such as ‘VLAN’ and ‘Dynamic IP.’ Most people will be able to ignore these and just accept the default settings shown in the app, but TP-Link could explain these settings more clearly for newbie users who aren’t Wi-Fi wizards.

The Deco app is well-designed overall, though, and its main screen quickly shows you all the key information about your network. There’s a network map that displays the status of the three routers and all the devices connected to each router. It also shows the current download and upload speeds, and has a built-in speed test to check your broadband connection (using the same Ookla Speedtest that we use for our performance testing).

TP-Link Deco BE63 app — (Image credit: TP-Link)

Some mesh systems simply merge all three frequency bands – 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz – into a single network, while others create a separate network for each. The Deco sits somewhere in-between, as it creates one network that combines the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, but splits off the 6.0Hz band to create a separate high-speed network for newer computers and mobile devices that have Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E (which both support 6.0GHz).

We were also interested to learn that – unlike most of its Wi-Fi 7 rivals – the Deco also provides an option to activate or deactivate ‘multi-link operation’ (MLO) and create a separate MLO network as well. This is a key feature of Wi-Fi 7 that allows devices to use the 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands at the same time in order to improve Wi-Fi performance.

However, MLO only works with computers and mobile devices that also support Wi-Fi 7, so having the ability to create a separate MLO network allows you to prioritize performance for newer devices that cater for Wi-Fi 7. Alternatively, for older PCs, laptops and mobile devices, the Deco app also provides a QoS option (Quality of Service) that allows you to give priority to specific devices, such as a console or gaming PC, so that they get the best performance.

TP-Link Deco BE63 - 3 devices showing ports — (Image credit: Future)

We were also pleased to find that the Deco app includes some useful parental controls free of charge. You can create profiles for each child in your family, specifying their name and age, and any particular devices that they may use. The app allows you to specify a ‘bedtime’ schedule that blocks internet access for your children at night-time, and also provides content filters that can block adult content and other types of unsuitable material.

There are additional subscription services available, including an Advanced Parental Controls service, which includes extra features such as the ability to block age-restricted videos on YouTube. This costs £17.99 / $17.99 / AU$29.99 per year or £2.99 / $2.99 / AU$4.99 per month, but the basic parental controls provided for free are still better than those offered by some of TP-Link’s rivals, so parents are getting good value for money here.

Features: 4 / 5

TP-Link Deco BE63: Performance

TP-Link Deco BE63 Lifestyle 2 — (Image credit: TP-Link)

Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
Separate 6.0GHz network
2.5Gbps for wired connections

Whatever region you live in, the Deco BE63/BE65 provides impressive Wi-Fi 7 performance. Our aging office router can deliver fairly good performance levels for computers and mobile devices that are nearby, but its Wi-Fi signal struggles to reach a room located at the back of the building, where we have to use a set of Powerline adapters to provide a more reliable wired connection.

TP-Link Deco BE63 benchmarks

Ookla Speed Test – 2.4GHz/5.0GHz merged network (download/upload)

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps / 150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps / 150Mbps

20GB Steam Download - 2.4GHz/5.0GHz merged network (download)

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps

Ookla Speed Test – 6.0GHz (download/upload)

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps / 150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps / 150Mbps

20GB Steam Download - 6.0GHz (download)

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps

We therefore connected the first Deco router to our existing office router, with another Deco unit in the back office, and the last one in a hallway that was roughly halfway between the other two.

When running the Ookla Speedtest, devices in the same room as our old office router generally get a Wi-Fi speed of 120Mbps, which is fine for most uses but still less than the full 150Mbps provided by our office broadband service. Downloads from the Steam games store tend to struggle a bit more in that room too, rarely getting above 100Mbps.

However, the Deco immediately put that to rights, stepping up to 150Mbps on both the 6.0GHz band and the combined 2.4/5.0GHz band, and it was also able to maintain those consistent download speeds for both Ookla and Steam.

Furthermore, the Deco mesh system didn’t bat an eyelid as we walked with our laptop down the hall to that back office, effortlessly maintaining that 150Mbps download speed for Ookla and Steam on all frequency bands.

Performance: 4 / 5

Should You Buy The TP-Link Deco BE63?

TP-Link Deco BE63 Lifestyle 1 — (Image credit: TP-Link)

Buy the TP-Link Deco if...

You have lots of bedrooms
In most regions outside the US, the Deco BE65 is currently only available as a three-pack mesh system, which will be suitable for larger homes with more than half a dozen bedrooms. That may change in the future, though, with any luck.

You have a laptop or PC with Wi-Fi 7
Although Wi-Fi 7 is backwards-compatible with older Wi-Fi standards, it does include some important new features, such as MLO – multi-link operation – that can only be used if your computers or mobile devices also support Wi-Fi 7.

Don’t buy it if...

You’re on a budget
Prices for routers and mesh systems that support Wi-Fi 7 are coming down at last, but this is still very much state-of-the-art Wi-Fi technology. Most home users, and most smaller businesses, can still get by with less expensive Wi-Fi 6 or 6E.

You just want to watch Netflix
Wi-Fi 7 provides blazing fast wireless performance, with the new Deco models hitting 9-10Gbps. However, most domestic broadband services are still lagging behind with average speeds of around 100-200Mbps, so few of us really need Wi-Fi 7 right now – and you won’t need these speeds for basic streaming duties, either.

TP-Link Deco BE63: Scorecard

TP-Link Deco BE63: Also Consider

First reviewed: July 2024

GMKtec NucBox M6 mini PC review

5:32 pm | July 8, 2024

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

GMKtec NucBox M6: 30-second review

The era of lacklustre mini PCs is over, and the GMKtec NucBox M6 is a testament to this evolution. The compact M6 features an AMD Ryzen 5 6600H CPU and AMD Radeon 660M GPU, and while this might be entry-level in the Ryzen range, it still impresses with a very decent performance, especially at its price point.

Like all the best mini PC units we've tested, the M6 handles all office tasks without issue and even supports light multimedia production, such as image and HD video editing. What really appeals about the M6 is that it has plenty of upgradability options, including expandable RAM and SSD storage, which will enable you to adapt this mini PC to your needs.

Everyday tasks like Microsoft Office applications, internet browsing, and light multimedia work are all well within this machine's abilities, and even some light gaming is handled well by the CPU and GPU combination. The machine's storage and processing power are impressive, but it's the small machine's versatility that really shines through. While the machine can sit in an office plugged into the mains, the dual power option also enables you to connect to PD power; this makes it possible to use in a variety of settings, from office desks to advanced display systems or even as a powerful, lightweight solution for van life. Overall, the GMKtec NucBox M6 offers exceptional value for its compact size, powerful specs, and versatile functionality.

GMKtec NucBox M6: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From $340 / £265
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from GMKtec or Amazon.com

The GMKtec M6 is widely available with three variants: A barebones model with no memory or storage, a 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD model, and a 32GB / 1TB SSD variant.

Prices start at $340 / £265, but at the time of this review, all versions were heavily discounted on both the GMKtec website here and Amazon here.

Value: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox M6: Specs

GMKtec NucBox M6: Design

The GMKtec M6 follows the usual design rules for a typical mini PC in terms of size and weight, and there's really nothing remarkable about it from that angle. The PC is housed in an all-plastic matte black casing that, while not premium, still exudes a quality feel and, to be honest, looks great. Its layout is straightforward, featuring a good selection of front ports for occasional accessories and headphones and a more extensive array at the back, including dual network ports for enhanced gaming, dual display options, and various USB Type-A ports. This design consolidates GMKtec's experience in mini PCs, offering everything generally needed in this category of machine.

While the base configuration of the machine is pretty good, accessing the inner components is straightforward, with the top cover clipped in place. Removing the top lid reveals the fan cover, which is secured with four screws. Once removed, the SSD and RAM slots are easily accessible. The design includes dual SSD options, with the primary SSD featuring a heatsink, allowing for an additional SSD if needed. Each slot supports up to 2TB, enabling a total of 4TB of internal storage. The dual-channel RAM can be upgraded from 32GB to 64GB, providing more headroom for creative tasks.

Overall, the M6's design is compact and perfectly suited for desktop use or mounting via the included VESA mount. Despite its small size, the M6 features substantial cooling with a large heatsink on the main SSD, side venting, and an additional fan cover, ensuring decent air circulation that helps keep the machine cool under load when handling large files, demanding tasks, or gaming.

Design: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox M6: Features

The GMKtec M6 is a powerful mini PC, considering its relatively cheap price. It has a balanced array of ports and features, ideal for office work and light multimedia editing. Its AMD Ryzen 5 6600H CPU and Radeon 660M GPU offer more power than typical mini PCs at this price point, making it suitable for tasks like Photoshop and Davinci Resolve, provided the workload is moderate.

A notable advantage of the M6 is its dual power options—AC mains adapter and PD power—which add flexibility compared to other mini PCs. The M6 supports 5GHz/2.4GHz dual-frequency WiFi 6E and multi-user 2x2 MIMO, ensuring decent wireless connectivity. The dual 2.5G RJ45 ports further boost the networking options, although this is more of an office feature than at home unless you're gaming or using a creative network.

The AMD Ryzen 5 6600H, with its Zen 3+ architecture and 4.5GHz burst frequency, paired with the Radeon 660M GPU in use, does deliver impressive performance. The 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB PCIe SSD provide what you need for most standard apps, and if you are venturing into creative applications, then the ability to upgrade on both accounts is definitely welcome.

Features: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox M6: Performance

Considering its price, the GMKtec NucBox M6's performance is superb, highlighting the rapid advancements in mini PC capabilities. While its build and design might not match its premium counterparts, its performance and upgradability are impressive. Standard office applications load quickly, and large documents are handled with ease. Image editing in Photoshop is well-managed, though there is a slowdown as layers and effects accumulate. The M6 is more than adequate for Lightroom, with internal storage expandable to 4TB, which is handy if this is your sole machine or you wanted a compact alternative to any of the best laptops for photo editing.

For video editing, the M6 can handle standard HD footage and some 4K editing, provided expectations are realistic - this is hardly the best video editing PC for serious work. Gaming performance is surprisingly good, with titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Tekken 8 running smoothly with adjusted settings. Overall, the M6 is an ideal, affordable, and powerful solution for office, workshop, van, and display use.

Performance: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox M6: Final verdict

The GMKtec NucBox M6 impresses with its compact size, price, and ability to handle office tasks and multimedia easily. While it does slow for more demanding applications, it can be used for photo and image editing within reason, making it a versatile and powerful mini PC for everyday use. If you need a budget-friendly business computer for basic computing tasks, the M6 is a great choice. However, if your requirements include heavy multitasking or intensive software such as 3D or advanced video editing and production, you might need to consider more robust options. This mini PC shines in its intended niche, delivering reliable performance in a remarkably small package.

Should I buy a GMKtec NucBox M6?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

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Edifier QR65 review: great-looking powered stereo speakers – but perhaps not for your desktop

5:30 pm | June 29, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Speakers | Tags: LED, PC, USB | Comments: Off

Edifier QR65: Two-minute review

It's easy to assume that your desktop computer just needs cheap and cheery monitor speakers so you can hear your email chimes or the sound of the YouTube videos you watch when you're pretending to work, but the Edifier QR65 make a good case as to why you should stretch upwards into the realm of the best stereo speakers.

The QR65 are the newest speakers from Chinese audio company Edifier, which sells plenty of other desktop and monitor speakers for gaming, studios or just general computer use. These new models are classed as part of its 'Wireless Speakers' line-up but it also calls them 'Desktop Active Monitors' so they're clearly designed for desktop use.

I wouldn't recommend buying them solely for desktop use, though, because the Edifier QR65 function much better as multi-media speakers.

The Edifier QR65 are mid-range speakers and the sound fits; it's pretty good, with thumping bass and clear treble, even if the maximum volume won't exactly rock the house (unless you have a small house).

There are a fair few connection options too, as you can connect via USB (that's for the desktop connection) as well as wired and Bluetooth audio, so the speakers really do work for multi-media enjoyment.

And while I'm listing positives, I want to touch on the look of the speakers: they're fashionable and good-looking, even though they have LED lights which will raise red flags for audiophiles (and red LEDs for everyone else).

Then onto the... not 'bad', per se, just 'annoying' bits. While the QR65 have an app for control on your phone, they don't on PC, which feels like an odd omission given that these are meant to be desktop speakers. They also don't turn off or on with your computer, so you have to keep manually turning them on and off when you want to use them or contend with their LEDs lighting up your room all day and night.

Because of these two hurdles I ended up preferring to stream music over Bluetooth during the testing period, rather than testing them alongside my Windows PC.

Edifier QR65 review: Price and release date

The Edifier QR65 on a white background. — (Image credit: Future)

Announced in April 2024
Mid-range at $369.99 / £329.99 / AU$449

Edifier announced the QR65 in April 2024, to join its busy range of audio products.

The Edifier QR65 cost $369.99 / £329.99 / AU$449, and they’re generally considered to be towards the low end when it comes to desktop speakers. Sure, you can find Amazon cheapie options for a tenth of the price, but you can also find many options for ten times that cost (or more, see the KEF LS50 Wireless II). They’re also snugly in the middle of the options on our list of the best computer speakers.

Another thing this price puts the Edifier QR65 roughly in the middle of? Edifier’s range of speakers – Edifier has a lot of speakers in many categories such as bookshelf, computer or studio speakers, and the QR65 are actually part of its wireless speaker range, despite being designed to work with desktops.

If you want to see what else is at this price range, specifically when it comes to dual-speaker desktop set-ups, then the Kanto Ora4, FiiO SP3 and Audioengine HD3 all hover roughly at this price point.

Edifier QR65 review: Specs

Edifier QR65 review: Features

Phone app, but no PC one
LED lights with customizable effects
Audio cable, USB and Bluetooth connections

If you’re connecting the QR65 to your smartphone, you’ll need to download the Edifier ConneX app to control them. Not Edifier Connect, nor Edifier Home, nor Edifier Enhance, and I had to deploy the trial and error approach when working out which app to use, which was an annoying waste of 10 minutes. Sure, Edifier isn’t the only tech company which refuses to consolidate its apps, but that doesn’t excuse it.

ConneX lets you change the EQ of music, customize the light effects and change the audio codec of streamed music, amongst a few select extras. You can certainly use the QR65 without it, but there’s no harm in exploring these extra features.

So what about if you’re using these desktop speakers while paired to a desktop PC or Mac? Well then you’re out of luck, because there’s no app support when you’ve got the QR65 hooked up to your computer by Bluetooth. You can use the dial to change the light effects a little but there are no EQ options, and if you want to turn up the volume, you’ll have to reach over to the speaker and turn up the dial manually (if you’re already at 100% PC volume, that is).

That’s why I said in the introduction that these speakers fare better as general multimedia speakers than desktop-exclusive ones; if you only use these connected to a computer, you’re going to miss a few features. The exception is if you connect the speakers to your computer and your phone, which lets you use the latter to equalize and change light effects, but that’s a lot of faff.

One other thing to bear in mind when using the Edifiers as your desktop speakers is that they don’t turn off or on with your computer – you’ll need to remember to separately turn them off or on, which is something I was constantly forgetting.

The other form of connectivity is via audio cable, with RCA plugging into the speakers and a 3.5mm jack to connect to your phone, MP3 player or other device. Pretty straightforward. Talking of connectivity, there’s actually a Sub Out port in one of the speakers that you could use to connect to an external subwoofer if you want more bass than the Xtreme Bass Series. I don’t see most people needing this, but it’s a nice optional extra.

Features score: 3.5/5

Edifier QR65 review: Design

Two good-looking rectangles
Stands included in box
Dials and ports in one speaker

The Edifier QR65 consists of two fairly large speakers, with one measuring 13 x 21.3 x 21.2 cm and the other a touch bigger due to it having extra dials and ports. This latter is the ‘active speaker’ which you use to control the music and connect to power and inputs/outputs, while the former is the ‘passive speaker’ which only has a port to connect it to the active speaker. Yes, they're actually 'powered' speakers even if they're listed as 'active', since the amplification is squirrelled into one of the boxes.

Setting up the Edifier is a little bit of a faff but once you’ve connected the active speaker to power, the passive speaker and your PC (via USB-A cables), Bluetooth device (via Bluetooth, obviously) or other audio device (via ports in the back and an included cable), and also directed the speakers towards you (using included stands, which sit at a 10-degree angle) you’re ready to go.

As well as the aforementioned ports, there are three charging ports which you can use to power up other devices (one USB-A and two USB-C) which is a handy extra feature.

On the right side of the active speaker is a button and two dials. The button is to switch between inputs (each press toggles you between Bluetooth, USB and Line In) and to turn off the speakers by pressing and holding. I ended up leaving them on though, to save myself the journey of going into my computer settings to change the active output.

Then onto the two dials: the first is for volume which is pretty self explanatory, though pressing it also pauses or plays music. The lower dial is for changing the light patterns of the speakers: turning it increases or lowers the brightness, and pressing it toggles between various patterns for the lights to display.

Oh, did I not mention the lights around the front of each speaker? That’s because of the (earned) stigma around LED lights in speakers, with many audiophiles assuming that they incur noise and indicate a probably bad-sounding product. That’s not a wrong assumption, but it’s not applicable in this situation, as the sound quality section describes. Saying that, I’m not sure the LED lights add much to the QR65, beyond the novelty factor.

I’m a big fan of the white version of the speakers I tested (there’s also a black version but it’s a little more bland, in my opinion). The clean-looking shell contrasts with the silver dials and the black front in what is a fairly minimalist boxy look (apart from the LEDs). If you’re a Mac user who insists on having a fashionable svelte desktop, these could well fit into your set-up better than most rival options.

Design score: 4/5

Edifier QR65 review: Sound quality

Full sound with lots of bass
Lots of codecs and Hi-Res certifications
Max volume could be louder for certain use cases

Each unit of the Edifier QR65 consists of a 1.25-inch dome tweeter and a 2.75-inch mid-low driver, and together they provide a nice warm sound.

When listening to music, you’re getting a sound that’s nice and bassy, though that’s not to say you’ll struggle to hear treble sounds. That’s not quite true of the mids, which do fall through the cracks a little bit, as does sub-bass. But that’s why you can plug a subwoofer into the speakers!

Playing games, the full-bodied sound works well for creating a layered soundstage – I could hear the background hum of cities and the echo of damp dungeons all around me.

The bassy emphasis was more noticeably when watching TV or movies, as it meant voices occasionally sounded a little low and muffled – they’d often blend into the rest of the mix a little, and I lost a few lines of dialogue in shows as a result.

If you’re using the Edifier QR65 as your PC speakers, you’ll find the 70W power output more than adequate. I played PC games with them and even at medium volumes, I was surrounded by sound – the shriek of an enemy behind me in Lords of the Fallen nearly gave me a heart attack when I thought it was something behind me in real life!

That’s not quite the case if you’re using these as general media speakers, as even at their maximum volume the QR65’s sound didn’t fill my living room – I wouldn’t recommend buying these in lieu of a TV soundbar or a set of tower speakers for your hi-fi system.

Depending on your audio input, you can enjoy listening with LDAC codecs, Hi-Res Audio or Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, and that all means that you can enjoy great-sounding music whether you’re using Bluetooth 5.3 to connect your smartphone, are plugging in an aux-cord or have plugged the Edifiers into your computer.

Sound quality: 4/5

Edifier QR65 review: Value

Good value for money as a multimedia option
… but they definitely aren't for everyone

You're emphatically getting your money's worth with these Edifiers. They look good, provide decent music quality, all things considered, and do work well as jack-of-all-trades options for desktop, Bluetooth and wired audio.

However, if you just want any old speakers for your desktop, these are overkill. For workplace computers or on devices you won't use for multimedia entertainment, you don't need speakers that cost this much. If that's all you need, you might try looking for inexpensive speakers that cost a third (or less).

Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Edifier QR65?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Edifier QR65 review: Also consider

How I tested the Edifier QR65

Tested for over two weeks
Tested at home connected to phone and computer

The testing process of the Edifier QR65 was just over two weeks.

About half of the testing process was done with the speakers connected to my Android phone via wired and Bluetooth audio, for music streaming. I streamed from Spotify, YouTube and briefly from Netflix during this time.

For the other half I connected the speakers to my custom-built Windows PC using the USB port, and used it for watching movies and TV shows and playing video games on my computer.

I've been reviewing devices for TechRadar for over five years now, a time which has seen my test speakers, headphones, earbuds and gaming peripherals, including a previous gadget from Edifier.

First reviewed in June 2024

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HP Omen 45L (2024) review: a pricey but seriously powerful gaming PC

1:45 pm | June 26, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers | Tags: PC, Total War | Comments: Off

HP Omen 45L: One-minute review

If you're considering a new machine then the latest take on the HP Omen 45L does enough to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the best gaming PCs out there. As far as prebuilt rigs from trusted manufacturers go, HP's latest effort maintains a straightforward approach with its design ethos and performance potential, albeit at a price which may be a little hard to swallow.

Speaking of the design, there's a toolless approach to upgrading as both side and front panels can be removed without the need for a screwdriver, with ample room for tinkering. There's a total of four 120mm fans and a 360mm AIO for enhanced airflow, and this gaming PC largely delivers near-silent operation even when under stress.

Pricing starts at $1,779.99 (about £1,415 / AU$2,689) for a configuration that gets you an Intel Core i7-14700K CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti GPU. Yeah, it's far from the cheapest given that more humbly specced hardware, and this extends to higher-end configurations, such as our review unit. This came equipped with an RTX 4090 and Intel Core i9-13900K with 64GB of DDR5 RAM, but costs a mammoth $3,399.99 (about £2,673 / AU$5,136).

As you may expect, that large price tag comes with staggering performance. It's been nearly two years since the components inside the machine were first released, but they're showing no signs of slowing down. Make no mistake, this is a leading 1440p and 4K machine with excellent performance that should last you an incredibly long time. Then, when future RTX 5000 series graphics cards (or RDNA 4 lower down the GPU spectrum, if the rumors are right) hit the scene, it shouldn't be taxing to swap in a beefy upgrade.

HP Omen 45L: Price and availability

How much does it cost? Starts from $1,779.99 (about £1,415 / AU$2,689)
When is it available? It's on sale now
Where can you get it? In the US, UK and Australia

The HP Omen 45L starts at the mid-range with a base configuration featuring an Intel Core i7-14700K CPU coupled with either an RTX 4060 Ti or RTX 4070 GPU depending on the region you're buying in. This machine is priced at $1,779.99 (about £1,415 / AU$2,689) which is a touch high factoring in the 1440p GPU in question.

My review unit featured the Intel Core i9-13900K, the previous-generation Raptor Lake processor, with 64GB of Kingston Fury DDR5 RAM and an Nvidia RTX 4090. Unsurprisingly, the latter comes at a premium. If you're buying brand-new directly from HP or certain other retailers, you may find this build available around the $4,507.99 mark (about £3,538 / AU$6,798), which is at the very upper-end of the spectrum.

Simply put, there are cheaper RTX 4090 PCs out there, but this top configuration is priced at around the going market rate from a trusted manufacturer. It's about on a par with the recently released Corsair One i500, which is famed for its compact footprint and sleek chassis, at the cost of easy upgradability.

Price: 3 / 5

HP Omen 45L: Specs

Here are the specs for the HP Omen 45L at a glance.

HP Omen 45L: Design

HP Omen 45L side panel — (Image credit: Future)

Stylish overall look with space to upgrade
Toolless design to open things up, but there are drawbacks
Front and rear I/O leave a lot to be desired

The design of the HP Omen 45L is fairly standard fare for the company's lineup. In short, this means an illuminated square badge on the front, a triple front fan setup, and what's been described as a "toolless" upgrade path. The rig looks great with its fully metal frame and tempered glass panels, with enough space to be able to reach in and make changes where desired.

However, said toolless design, meaning the front and side panels can easily pop out, can become a bit of a hindrance. My particular review unit has been around the circuit for some time and came in the box with the front and side panel popped off. It took a bit of effort to slide things back in, with a little flex on the front. It's possible this could have happenend in transit, but it's something to be aware of.

What I'm not a fan of is the front and rear port panels which leave a fair amount to be desired. The former is top mounted and clean enough, sure, but the port selection is lacking. There's no USB 3.2 or USB-C, which means you're stuck with older USB 2.0 for your peripherals. The rear is better: here you get two USB-C ports, and three USB-A ports as well as Ethernet and 3.5mm jacks. There should be enough here to be getting on with but it's far from top of the class connectivity.

Design: 4 / 5

HP Omen 45L: Performance

HP Omen 45L rear I/O — (Image credit: Future)

Excellent gaming performance
Strong productivity chops with this CPU and GPU combo
Included NVMe SSD is strong, but SATA HDD is fairly pointless

The performance of the HP Omen 45L is impressive, but that's not surprising when factoring in the combination of the Intel Core i9-13900K and Nvidia RTX 4090 with 64GB of DDR5-5200 RAM.

You have more than enough power under the hood to fuel today's games at max settings in 1440p and 4K with room to spare. That's made all the better when you can take advantage of Nvidia DLSS 3's Frame Generation to make the most out of the high refresh rates on the best gaming monitors.

HP Omen 45L benchmarks

Here's how the HP Omen 45L performed in our suite of industry-standard benchmarks and demanding games.

Geekbench 6:
2,853 (single)
18,523 (multi)

PCMark10: 9,302 (overall)
Essentials - 10,631
Productivity - 11,226
Digital Content Creation - 18,300

Cinebench R23:
Single - 2,181
Multi - 28,910

CrossMark: 2,135 (overall)
Productivity - 1,959
Creativity - 2,480
Responsiveness - 1,765

3DMark:
Night Raid - 89,961
Fire Strike - 41,073
Time Spy - 29,874
Port Royal - 25,501

CrystalDiskMark:
Read - 6,893MB/s
Write - 5,267MB/s

Red Dead Redemption II:
1080p: 169fps (Low); 165fps (Ultra)
1440p: 165fps (Low); 154fps (Ultra)

Total War: Three Kingdoms:
1080p: 503fps (Low) ; 240fps (Ultra)
1440p: 444fps (Low); 154 fps (Ultra)

Cyberpunk 2077:
1080p: 163fps (Low); 146fps (High)
1440p: 161fps (Low) ; 114fps (High)
RT Ultra + DLSS : (1440p) 143fps; (1080p) 212fps

Dubbed by the manufacturer as the "Omen Cryo Chamber," the cooling solution does a respectable job of keeping the core temperatures reasonable with the 360mm AIO and four 120mm case fans inside. What was notable was the lack of noise from the machine when under stress from heavy benchmarking, which is usually where these company-made gaming PCs start to struggle. With the Omen 45L, even moderate to heavy gaming is quiet.

We've gone into detail extensively about the RTX 4090 over the years and it remains a powerhouse. There's nothing on the market now that can make it sweat as the card's 24GB GDDR6X VRAM is seemingly endless for even the most demanding of software. To say the Intel Core i9-13900K is a bottleneck isn't exactly fair, but that's what's ultimately holding things back (but not to much of an extent).

That's because you can expect frame rate averages of well over 100fps in all the demanding games on the market such as Red Dead Redemption II, Cyberpunk 2077, and more CPU-bound titles such as Total War: Three Kingdoms, and that's running natively (with no DLSS). This is echoed in 3DMark's range of tests as well as in CrossMark as mentioned above.

HP says the Omen has a WD Black PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD but doesn't specify which one. In my testing with CrystalDiskMark, I logged sequential performance of 6,893MB/s and 5,267MB/s reads and writes respectively. That's on par with the quoted performance for the WD Black SN850, which is a rival to the best SSDs, despite being usurped by more powerful Gen 5.0 options in recent years.

What's odd to me is the 2TB 7200 RPM SATA HDD included with the HP Omen 45L. It's not just HP that goes for a hard disk as a secondary drive, as Alienware tends to as well, but I would rather have had a larger primary NVMe SSD instead of a fairly mediocre storage drive. Not only does it take up space in the case, but with sequential rates of around 300MB/s apiece, you can't really use it for gaming.

Lastly, there's the Omen Gaming Hub which comes included as a one-stop-shop for customizing your rig's lighting, overclocking your components, balancing power options, and optimizing games. While seasoned PC gamers are largely going to ignore this app, those new to PC gaming may find some use for it. The Hub is easy to understand, colorful, and powerful, but unnecessary for those who know what they're doing.

Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the HP Omen 45L?

HP Omen 45L side panel opened — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed June 2024

Apple won’t allow PC emulators on iOS

4:00 pm | June 25, 2024

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

If you were hoping to ever use a PC emulator on iOS, we have some bad news for you. While Apple has started to allow emulators, it only wants "retro game console" emulators, so PC ones are out of the question. This information has surfaced via two developers of such emulators, iDOS 3 (a new version of the popular DOS emulator) and UTM SE (which wanted to let you emulate Windows on iOS). Both of those have been shot down by Apple, however. The developer of iDOS 3 got the following rejection notice from Apple: "The app provides emulator functionality but is not emulating a retro game...

GameSir Kaleid review: one of the best PC controllers, now available for Xbox

6:42 pm | June 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Final Fantasy, Forza Horizon, PC, UK | Comments: Off

One-minute review

The GameSir Kaleid fixes one of the few problems I had with its predecessor, the GameSir T4 Kaleid (for the sake of simplicity, I’ll refer to it as the ‘T4’ from now on): it lacked compatibility with Xbox consoles, despite having the console’s ‘ABXY’ face button layout.

Now, GameSir has released a version of one of the best PC controllers that's compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC. However, the Kaleid does lose the Nintendo Switch compatibility enjoyed by the T4, so it isn’t the definitive option if you have to choose between the two based on your console of choice.

The GameSir Kaleid is identical to the T4 in almost every way. If you’re familiar with the T4 and its excellent micro switch buttons and Hall effect thumbsticks, you’re getting those same features here. The only notable differences are the darker translucent shell, a mildly improved D-pad, and a slightly higher price tag.

Price and availability

$49.99 / £59.99
Pricier than the T4 Kaleid ($41.99 / £41.99)
US and UK availability (not currently available in Australia)

The GameSir Kaleid launched on May 30, 2024, and can be bought either from GameSir’s website or the brand’s Amazon store page. It’s priced at $49.99 / £59.99, which is a good bit more than the T4 in the US ($41.99), and significantly more than in in the UK (£41.99). Overall, it’s similarly priced in comparison to the Xbox Wireless Controller ($59.99 / £54.99), though the GameSir wins out here in terms of overall features and customizability.

It’s worth noting that if this will be your first time purchasing a GameSir product, you can pick up the Kaleid from the brand’s official website with an 8% discount as a new customer. This brings the price of the Kaleid down to $46.99 / £56: a small saving, but noteworthy all the same.

Specs

Design and features

The new GameSir Kaleid is practically identical to the T4 in terms of features. That includes Hall-effect thumbsticks to practically eliminate the risk of drift, plus welcome ancillary features like remappable rear buttons, and a central multi-function button useful for adjusting trigger stop distance, the brightness of the controller’s RGB effects, overall RGB patterns, thumbstick dead zones and button layout profile creation.

Yes, that delightful RGB lighting remains in the new Kaleid. And despite the darker translucent shell, the lighting still manages to shine brightly. In fact, I think the subtler translucency helps the RGB effect stand out much more effectively here; it looks great encased in that darker shell.

Otherwise, this is, by and large, the same controller as the T4, albeit with Xbox console compatibility in place of Nintendo Switch. This nicely positions it as a top contender for one of the best Xbox controllers in its price range.

The new Kaleid retains that same Xbox Wireless Controller-adjacent build and button layout, and the central GameSir-branded Home button is replaced with the official Xbox logo. And yes, the Kaleid features the ‘Designed for Xbox’ seal of approval, meaning it’ll work with Xbox consoles out of the box with no fuss.

Performance

The T4 is one of my favorite PC controllers and my go-to controller for fighting games in particular, owing to its snappy micro switch buttons and drift-resistant Hall effect thumbsticks. Both of those are found here and feel just as excellent to play with.

One thing of note is that the new Kaleid’s D-pad is a step up from the T4's. Like the face buttons, it’s now micro switch-based, feeling much more tactile and responsive as a result. All other modules, meanwhile, including the shoulder buttons, triggers, sticks, and central Home and sharing buttons, feel practically identical. It also shares the T4’s lack of wireless functionality, unfortunately, so you’ll be relying on a wired USB-C connection (a cable is included in the box). This may be a dealbreaker if you typically prefer wireless play.

It’s also worth noting that you can further customize the Kaleid with the GameSir Nexus app, available on PC and now Xbox consoles as well. The dedicated controller software is genuinely excellent, allowing you to adjust thumbstick dead zones, RGB lighting patterns and brightness settings, trigger sensitivity, and map the functions of the extra rear buttons. Much of this can also be done via the controller’s multifunction button, by holding it down and referring to the button inputs found in the included manual. However, I preferred having a visual guide for my changes via the app, making it much easier to fine-tune my controller’s setup.

Should I buy the GameSir Kaleid?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If the GameSir Kaleid isn’t quite what you’re looking for, consider the following two options, which we believe are strong alternative picks.

How I tested the GameSir Kaleid

Tested nearly every day for a week
Tested with Xbox and PC games
Compared with other recommended and affordable Xbox controllers

I tested the GameSir Kaleid over a week, starting on Xbox Series X with titles including Halo Infinite, Elden Ring, Sea of Thieves, and Forza Horizon 5. I downloaded the GameSir Nexus app on the console and created numerous custom profiles based on a variety of game genres for an enhanced experience with each. I also tested the controller in conjunction with similarly excellent Xbox gamepads, such as the Xbox Wireless Controller and the Victrix Gambit.

Moving over to PC, I tested the GameSir Kaleid with a range of Steam titles, including Elden Ring once again, Final Fantasy 14 Online, and Tekken 8. My experience here was largely similar to that of the T4, given that they are, by and large, identical. As such, less testing was required here as it provided a similarly high-quality experience overall.

First reviewed June 2024