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I’ve tested laptops for years, and the Alienware 16 Area-51 is easily one of the best gaming laptops ever made
7:00 pm | July 19, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Alienware 16 Area-51: Two-minute review

There are only a few gaming laptop releases that’ll impress buyers this year as much as the Alienware 16 Area-51. Everything about this work of premium art and technology oozes perfection.

Though the configuration I reviewed came out to around $3,249.99 / £3,349 / AU$5,497.80, there’s plenty of scalability in terms of both price and component options, with systems starting at $1,999.99 / £2,149.01 / AU$4,198.70.

The design alone places this as one of the best gaming laptops going, thanks to a futuristically sleek design that mirrors its desktop sibling with “fluid contours and soft surfaces” that blends nice angles, lovely multi-zone customizable lighting, smart port placement, clever ventilation, a clear glass panel on the bottom to show of the internals, and much more.

The phenomenal design philosophy is matched with gaming performance that’ll impress enthusiasts and competitive gamers alike. All of that power is pumped out through a 16-inch 2560x1600 display that offers a 240Hz refresh rate as well.

However, holding the display back significantly is the image quality. Despite featuring 100% DCI-P3, 500 nits of brightness, and Nvidia G-Sync, images lack crispness and can come off as smudged a bit as well. Thankfully, the Dolby Atmos-certified speakers provide great, nuanced sound for gaming alongside general music listening.

That doesn’t even count the amount of extras that are featured on the Area-51 16, such as the option to have a full RGB mechanical keyboard, which makes it to where serious players don’t have to use a USB slot and lug an extra keyboard around.

Even outside of gaming, the mechanical keyboard makes general computing tasks a thrill thanks to how fantastic keystrokes feel. In a cool touch, the touchpad itself glows with customizable lighting too.

All of this greatness does come at the cost of borderline abysmal battery life, which comes with the territory of most high-end gaming laptops.

Those in need of more juice for long flights or times without a nearby electrical socket may be in some trouble. Regardless, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is out of this world when it comes to laptop gaming.

Alienware 16 Area-51: Price & availability

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

How much does it cost? Starting at $1,999.99 / £2,149.01 / AU$4,198.70

When is it available? Available now

Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Alienware 16 Area-51 is now available through Dell’s online store and other digital retailers, starting at $1999.99 / £2,149.01 / AU$4,198.70. Buyers in the US, UK, and Australia can choose from a range of configurations and options tailored to their Windows gaming needs.

My review unit was configured with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD Storage comes in at $2,849.99 / £3,298.99 / AU$5,497.80. Other features include the 4K web camera and mechanical keyboard options.

While not the most expensive laptop in its size class, it's not the cheapest either, but its starting price is very good for a laptop with this kind of premium feel.

  • Value: 4 / 5

Alienware 16 Area-51: Specs

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Alienware Area-51 16 (Lowest Configuration)

Alienware Area-51 16 (Review)

Alienware Area-51 16 (Highest Configuration)

Price:

$1,999.99 at Dell.com | £2,149.01 at Dell.com | AU$4,198.70 at Dell.com

$2,849.99 at Dell.com | £3,298.99 at Dell.com | AU$5,497.80 at Dell.com

$5,499.99 at Dell.com | £5,779 at Dell.com | AU$$8,847.30 at Dell.com

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 255HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 275HX

Graphics:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

RAM:

16GB DDR5-6400MT/s

32GB DDR5-6400MT/s

64GB DDR5-6400MT/s

Screen:

16" WQXGA 2560x1600 240Hz 3ms 100% DCI-P3 500 nit, NVIDIA G-SYNC + Advanced Optimus

16" WQXGA 2560x1600 240Hz 3ms 100% DCI-P3 500 nit, NVIDIA G-SYNC + Advanced Optimus

16" WQXGA 2560x1600 240Hz 3ms 100% DCI-P3 500 nit, NVIDIA G-SYNC + Advanced Optimus

Storage:

1TB SSD

1TB SSD

12TB (3 x 4TB) PCIe SSD (4TB PCIe SSD in Australia)

Ports:

1X SD Card Slot, 1 x 3.5mm Headset Jack, 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 x HDMI 2.1

1X SD Card Slot, 1 x 3.5mm Headset Jack, 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 x HDMI 2.1

1X SD Card Slot, 1 x 3.5mm Headset Jack, 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 x HDMI 2.1

Wireless:

Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 (2x2 320Hz) MIMO 802.11be Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.4

Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 (2x2 320Hz) MIMO 802.11be Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.4

Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 (2x2 320Hz) MIMO 802.11be Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.4

Camera:

1080P Webcam

4K Webcam

4K Webcam

Weight:

7.49 lbs | 3.40 kg

7.49 lbs | 3.40 kg

7.49 lbs | 3.40 kg

Dimensions:

14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 ins | 365 x 290 x 28.5mm (W x D x H)

14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 ins | 365 x 290 x 28.5mm (W x D x H)

14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 ins | 365 x 290 x 28.5mm (W x D x H)

Alienware 16 Area-51: Design

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Sleek, rounded design with a beautiful liquid teal colorway and RGB lighting nearly everywhere
  • Nice rear port selection and SD Card slot
  • Comfortable experience with the mechanical keyboard

As noted before—and it bears repeating—the Alienware 16 Area-51’s design is truly breathtaking. From the moment you unbox it, the spaceship-inspired curves and sleek, dark liquid teal finish immediately signal a premium, high-end machine that stands out in any setting. While closed, there are some noticeable design choices that truly set this gaming laptop apart from others.

Every angle of the Area-51 16 is picturesque from top to bottom. This includes the top panel featuring the standard Alienware logo that is backlit by customizable RGB.

At the bottom, you get to see the laptop’s Cryo-Chamber structure, allowing direct airflow to the laptop’s core components. This also raises the device for both comfort and larger air intake. For added measure, there’s a clear Gorilla Glass panel showing the AlienFX fans that also has customizable lighting.

A nice selection of ports is located on the rear, which offsets the display hinge by about a few inches. That portion also features a customizable RGB light ring that circles it from top to bottom, too.

This allows access to three USB-A, two USB-C with Thunderbolt, a single HDMI port, and a power port. Those are joined on the left side by an SD Card slot and a 3.5mm headset jack. Smartly designed V-Rail edges make opening and closing the gaming laptop a smooth

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

When opened, the display offers either an FHD or a 4K webcam at the top. Below, the mechanical keyboard provides a satisfying feel for both gaming and typing, complete with customizable RGB lighting, and is flanked by a speaker system with two 2W woofers, two 2W tweeters, and Dolby Atmos certification.

The smooth, precision glass touchpad at the bottom also features customizable RGB lighting, adding to the laptop’s premium, tailored experience. Usage is made extra comfortable through a pillowed palm rest, which helps when gaming or when doing general web browsing tasks for long periods.

The Alienware Area-51 16 is just so thoughtful in the engineering and design. There’s a visual appeal and functional enhancements that elevate the ownership experience here in ways that feel luxurious yet cool.

  • Design: 5 / 5

Alienware 16 Area-51: Performance

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
  • Incredible power for modern AAA games with high frame rates
  • Can control power output through Alienware Command Center
  • Display performance is awesome though image quality suffers
Alienware 16 Area-51 CPU benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

Geekbench 6.4 Single-core

3,126

Geekbench 6.4 Multi-core

20,498

Crossmark Overall

2,338

Crossmark Productivity

2,173

Crossmark Creativity

2,587

Crossmark Responsiveness

2,145

Gaming and high-end creative task performance match the design perfectly on the Alienware 16 Area-51. The Intel Core Ultra 9, Nvidia RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD in my configuration was probably the ideal way to make the most of the 16-inch 2560x1600 resolution display when it comes to configuration options.

I was able to play all the latest, visually arresting AAA games at 60+ frames per second without problems using Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth: Wukong, Forza Motorsport (2023), Doom: The Dark Ages, and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

Alienware 16 Area-51 GPU benchmarks

Benchmarks

Score

3DMark Fire Strike

37,813

3DMark Time Spy

21,070

3DMark Fire Strike Ultra

14,073

3DMark Time Spy Extreme

10,558

3DMark Speed Way

5,613

3DMark Steel Nomad

5,142

3DMark Port Royal

13,966

There are ways to push frame rates even higher thanks to Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology. The base configuration option is great for 1080p and 1440p gaming, while the max configuration is good enough for 4K gaming if users plan on connecting to a compatible monitor.

The Area-51 16-inch is powerful enough to edit high-resolution photo and video content without any problems in apps like Adobe Premiere and Photoshop.

Despite pushing the Area-51 16-inch to max capabilities, I didn’t hear much fan noise and it didn’t get too hot, mostly thanks to the Area-51 16-inch's Cryotech cooling and smart vent placement.

Game

Average FPS

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Ultra, 1080p)

52

Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p)

58

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p)

63

Monster Hunter Wilds (Max, 1080p)

83

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Very high, 1080p)

183

Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)

201

Like other Alienware devices, the Command Center app is a great way to augment power delivery to focus on a quieter fan speed, focus on battery (though it doesn’t help much), and full-on performance power. Other features of the Command Center include the ability to manage various game settings alongside customizing the various RGB lighting zones around the gaming laptop.

Gaming and the display performance are good enough to make me forget how average-looking the display is when it comes to image quality, suffering from washed-out colors that aren’t very crisp.

  • Performance: 5 / 5

Alienware 16 Area-51: Battery life

  • General computing tasks usage will give around 4 hours of usage between charges
  • Trying to game is only going to provide about two hours

Gaming laptops at this level rarely excel in battery life, and the Alienware 16 Area-51 is no exception. In our PCMark 10 gaming battery test, it lasted around two hours, typical for machines in this category.

More disappointing is its performance in everyday tasks: during our Battery Informant Web Surfing test, it managed just over four hours with power-saving settings like reduced RGB lighting and lower brightness.

With lighting and medium volume levels on, the battery dipped to roughly three hours before needing a recharge. It would be nice to see the power-focused sect of gaming laptops reach the level of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14.

On the positive side, the Alienware Battery Defender technology promises to balance power consumption with temperature monitoring to give the battery a longer life.

Charging takes a little over a few hours to reach full battery life, and there isn’t any quick charging. The power adapter brick is also pretty large as well so be mindful when traveling.

  • Battery life: 3 / 5

Should I buy the Alienware 16 Area-51?

An Alienware Area-51 16 laptop on a desk

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Gaming laptops are expensive by nature but the lower configuration versions of the Alienware 16 Area-51 do come at an attractive price.

4 / 5

Design

Between the smooth sleek chassis with lovely RGB lighting everywhere, port placements, fan placement and see-through bottom, this is the coolest looking gaming laptop ever made. This is the perfect match of form and function.

5 / 5

Performance

No matter which configuration you choose, you’re getting top-tier components that offer impressive scalability in performance options.

5 / 5

Battery

Battery life is pretty average so users are going to have to make sure they are near some power outlet.

3 / 5

Average rating

Image quality and battery life issues aside, this gaming laptop is worth every penny.

4.25 / 5

Buy the Alienware 16 Area-51 if...

You require one of the best-designed gaming laptops available
The Alienware 16 Area-51 is beautifully designed with a lovely chassis, properly placed ports, and awesome RGB lighting.

You need premium performance
Various configurations for top-of-the-line Intel Core CPUs and Nvidia RTX 50 series GPUs mean a variety of performance options.

You want some good extras
Great sounding speakers and a mechanical keyboard mean that serious gamers don’t have to use a USB port for an external one.

Don't buy it if...

You need better image quality
Though the performance of the 16-inch display is great, colors aren’t crisp and can feel a bit washed out. This means that gamers who are on the creative content side may have some issues.

You want better battery life
Gaming laptops aren’t usually known for their battery life, so expect similar results with the Area-51 16-inch.

Also Consider

If our Alienware Area-51 16 has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...

Razer Blade 14 (2024) review

Though it may not have the colorful lighting of the Area-51 16 and loses about two inches of display real estate, the Razer Blade 14 is a powerhouse that’s also portable.

Read the review here

MSI Katana 15

Anyone looking for an ultra-affordable gaming laptop that’s good for 1080p gaming performance should definitely check out the MSI Katana 15.

Read the review here

How I tested the Alienware 16 Area-51

  • Tested the gaming laptop over the course of a week
  • Games tested include Forza Motorsport (2023), Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II and Doom: The Dark Ages among others
  • General computing tasks include Tidal, Google Chrome and Adobe Suite

During my week with the Alienware 16 Area-51, I spent my time split between work during the day and gaming at night.

During the day, I used Google Chrome for web browsing, Gmail, Docs, and Sheets. Other software used includes Tidal to test speakers and Adobe Suite software like Photoshop, alongside Premiere Pro for creative tasks.

Outside of standard benchmark tests for games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong, I tested out plenty of modern games, including Forza Motorsport (2023), Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, and Doom: The Dark Ages. I also managed to handle a few video conferences, which allowed me to test out the webcam as well.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed July 2025
After a couple of weeks testing the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, I found its performance and screen impressive, but its battery life? Not so much
7:33 am | July 18, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Two-minute review

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is an ideal desktop replacement with more than enough power to take on just about everything in PC gaming spaces and at max settings for the most part.

While there are some situations you might need to bring some settings down a smidge (cough*Cyberpunk 2077*cough), that’s only really due to the higher resolution OLED panel that only requires a bit of power.

Starting at $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999, the Legion Pro 7i comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs, a 16-inch 2560 x 1600p OLED display, and up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and 2TB PCIe SSD storage.

Along with the performance and OLED screen are a nice assortment of ports, a full keyboard, and a responsive touchpad that is, unfortunately, not ideally aligned.

For some, especially those who don’t take their gaming laptops on the road all that much, this might be among the best gaming laptops out there. But poor battery life might make one take pause if you plan on getting a laptop that you want to use regularly untethered.

Still, if you have the cash and don’t plan on transporting your gaming laptop often (or have a big backpack), the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is worth a look, especially if you want a larger 16-inch screen for your gaming experience.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Price and availability

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • How much does it cost? Starting at $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i might not be Lenovo’s most expensive gaming laptop – that honor goes to the Legion Pro 9i – but it’s still very expensive. Its most affordable price is a sizable $2,909.99 / £2,700 / AU$4,999.

Starting out with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD, pricing goes up from there. The review unit I have, upgraded with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 and 2TB SSD, costs $3,559.99 / £2,990.00 / AU$6,839.00, while the maxed-out configuration of Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and 2TB SSD is a jaw-dropping $4,424.49 / £3,900.00 / AU$7,079.00.

As expensive as the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is, larger gaming laptops tend to come with an even heftier price tag. The Origin EON17-X v2 I reviewed last year started at $3,400.00 (about £2,610.00 / AU$5,120.00) for a configuration of Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, 16GB of RAM, and a 17-inch 1440p@240Hz screen.

Of course, you can customize the lid on the EON17-X v2 with whatever design you want, but this does make the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i look affordable in comparison.

  • Price: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Specs

The underside of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

No matter which configuration you choose, the CPU you get is the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a 24-core/24-thread processor with a peak frequency of 5.4GHz.

However, there is some wiggle room with the GPU where you can choose from an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, or RTX 5090, 32GB or 64GB RAM, and between 1TB or 2TB SSD storage.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i base configuration

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i review configuration

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i max configuration

Price:

$2,909.99 / £2,799.99 / AU$4,999.00

$3,559.99 / £2,990.00 / AU$6,839.00

$4,424.49 / £3,900.00 / AU$7,079.00

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Graphics:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

RAM:

32GB DDR5

32GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen:

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), OLED, HDR 1000 True Black, 500 nits, 240Hz

Storage:

1TB SSD

2TB SSD

2TB SSD

Ports:

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (power delivery 140W), 3x USB-A, Headphone / mic Combo, RJ45

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth 5.4

Camera:

720p with e-privacy shutter

720p with e-privacy shutter

720p with e-privacy shutter

Weight:

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Starting at < 2.72kg / 6lbs

Dimensions:

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

21.9mm-26.6mm x 364mm x 275.9mm / 0.86″- 1.04″ x 14.33″ x 10.86″

Considering that the base configuration is still fairly expensive, it’s no wonder that all the configurations keep the more premium appointments. Specifically, no matter what you do, you’ll get that OLED 1600p @ 240Hz panel with HDR 1000.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Design

The right-side ports on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • This is a big computer
  • Large keyboard, touchpad aligned to the left
  • Lots of ports including Thunderbolt 4

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is big. It is a 16-inch laptop, after all. It’s fairly imposing in its matte “Eclipse Black” finish with only Legion emblazoned on the back of the lid and Lenovo in silver on the top back as flourishes. It’s also a little over an inch at its thickest.

This is not the most portable of gaming laptops. So, while it makes for a great desktop replacement, leave plenty of space in your backpack if you plan on getting this.

The left-side ports on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Almost all the venting is underneath and back, so you don’t have to worry about hot air being blown onto you when gaming, assuming you’re using a mouse situated next to the laptop.

Besides the large 16-inch OLED screen, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i comes with a full-size keyboard complete with a ten-key numpad. There aren’t any standalone hotkeys, but plenty of keys have secondary functions, so I didn’t really miss them.

The keyboard of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The keycaps have a quality feel to them with a concave shape and textured feel that makes typing a relative pleasure. I do find the keyboard to feel a little big for some reason and find myself sometimes pressing the wrong button when reaching (mainly when gaming).

The touchpad is not oversized, but it’s set off to the left, which makes sense as the keyboard with the Numpad pushes the natural hand placement to the left as well. However, I’m not a fan of the touchpad’s placement – I would prefer it to be a bit more centered. At least, it’s accurate and responsive.

If you do want to use the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i as a desktop replacement, you’ll be happy to know that the port selection is fairly plentiful. It comes with an HDMI 2.1 port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, and a USB-C port, both of which support DisplayPort 2.1. There are also three USB-A ports and an Ethernet one, along with an eShutter button for privacy’s sake.

  • Design: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Performance

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table playing a game

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • Strong performance that’s limited somewhat by the power-hungry panel
  • Can run most games at max settings with speedy results
  • Sound quality is pretty good

Considering the powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and higher-end Nvidia 5000-series GPUs – I tested the model with an RTX 5080 – not to mention a minimum of 32GB of RAM, the gaming performance here is going to be quite robust.

Now, all that hardware has to power the 16-inch OLED panel which has a 2560 x 1600p resolution with a refresh rate of 240Hz. That panel also manages 500 nits of brightness and has HDR 1000 True Black support.

So, that can knock off up to 20 or 30 fps from the Lenovo Legion 7i’s performance if you want to take full advantage of this laptop’s display. It’s worth noting that it also achieves a DCI-P3 of 100%, making this a sharp looking, vibrant display. I definitely preferred running games like South of Midnight, Starfield, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Cyberpunk 2077 at that higher resolution.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Synthetic Benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

Geekbench 6.4 Single Core

3,103

Geekbench 6.4 Multi Core

19,829

Crossmark Overall

2,163

Crossmark Productivity

1,998

Crossmark Creativity

2,525

Crossmark Responsiveness

1,727

25GB File Copy Transfer Rate (MB/s)

2,030.38

3DMark Fire Strike

34,434

3DMark Time Spy

16,928

3DMark Fire Strike Ultra

11,388

3DMark Time Spy Extreme

8,337

3DMark Speed Way

4,301

3DMark Steel Nomad

3,999

3DMark Port Royal

10,958

Speaking of, I was able to run all those games at basically max settings, including Ray Tracing where applicable, with smooth results and crisp, clear images. I didn’t experience any skipping, stuttering, or screen tearing. Any way you cut it, this is a powerful gaming laptop that will hold up.

If you look at our benchmarks, you can get a solid idea of what to expect. Cyberpunk 2077 with everything maxed will look good and will be smooth enough, but won’t really take advantage of that high refresh rate as it gets just an okay 30 fps on average on 1600p, so if you plan on playing at the display's native resolution, make sure to use DLSS for the best experience.

However, there are plenty of games where I can achieve up to and above 100 fps even before compromising on settings.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gaming Benchmarks

Game & settings

Frames per second

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Ultra High, 1080p)

45 fps

Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p)

45 fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p)

50 fps

Metro: Exodus (Extreme, 1080p)

63 fps

Monster Hunter Wilds (Very High, 1080p)

73 fps

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Very High, 1080p)

163 fps

Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)

144 fps

Web Surfing Battery Informant

4:37

PCMark 10 Gaming Battery Test

1:36

As mentioned before, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i has a four-speaker system. I didn’t mention that it supports Nahimic Audio, so you get some spatial audio support. Laptops often have mediocre audio at best, but this one sounds pretty good.

Besides the usual caveat that laptop speakers will never surpass dedicated headphones or speakers, the sound is full with plenty of clarity. There’s not a lot of rumble (to be expected, of course), but there’s not anything else missing from the frequency range.

Lastly, the webcam with its 5MP resolution looks good and is pretty smooth to boot. If you get this laptop to stream, you might not need to get a dedicated webcam. It’s also nice that it has a privacy eShutter button.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Battery life

  • Suffers from the typical short battery life of a gaming laptop
  • Doesn’t do a great job of retaining charge while in sleep mode
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Battery Test Results

Web Surfing Battery Informant

4:37 hours

PCMark 10 Gaming Battery Test

1:36 hours

The battery life on gaming laptops is typically not all that great. There are some exceptions, but a powerhouse sporting a 16-inch OLED screen with a 1600p resolution is not going to be one of them.

For proof, just look at our benchmarks. In our web surfing test, it lasted a whopping four and a half hours. That’s not great, but this isn’t a new MacBook Air that lasts almost 15 hours, nor is it supposed to be.

It’s not surprising that in the PCMark 10 gaming benchmark, it lasts just over an hour and a half. If you want extended cordless gaming, you should probably get a Steam Deck (or one of its competitors).

A little more concerning and a little more unexpected is the fact that the battery runs down even when in sleep mode. Now, this is not atypical, but there are plenty of laptops that don’t drop down to 35% battery life after being unplugged for a day, even though they haven’t been used.

  • Battery life: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i?

A Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a table

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i scorecard

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

It may start at a hefty two grand asking price, but that’s not unusual for large screen gaming laptops.

4 / 5

Design

This laptop is massive, making it more of a desktop replacement than a portable gaming machine. At least, it has plenty of ports.

4 / 5

Performance

The gaming performance here is pretty great, only really limited by the fact that it also has to power an OLED screen.

4.5 / 5

Battery Life

The battery life is not great, though about what one would expect with a gaming powerhouse. However, it could do better holding a charge when asleep.

3.5 / 5

Final score

Despite a high cost and low battery life, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a very powerful machine, ideal for those wanting a gaming desktop replacement.

4 / 5

Buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i if...

You want a powerful desktop replacement
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is quite big, and it’s quite powerful. If you’re looking for something that can replace a gaming desktop, this model is more than capable.

You want an OLED screen
The OLED screen here comes with a higher resolution and frame rate, not to mention strong HDR support and DCI-P3 color coverage. If you want a good OLED screen with your gaming laptop, you’re certainly getting it here.

You can afford it
This laptop has the latest and greatest powerful components (at least for a laptop), so it comes with a hefty price tag. Consider this one if money is no object.

Don't buy it if...

You have a limited budget
If you have limited cash for a gaming laptop, then the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is going to be out of your price range, considering its starting price is around 2K.

You want good battery life
Gaming laptops typically don’t have good battery life, and this laptop is no different. If you want one that can last a while without being plugged in, there’s a short list of options out there that don’t include this one.

How I tested the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

  • Tested for a couple weeks
  • Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
  • Played different types of games

I used the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i for a couple of weeks, playing all sorts of games including Battlefield 2042, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Cyberpunk 2077, to get a feel for what this laptop is capable of.

I tried them at max settings, including Ray Tracing where applicable, mainly Cyberpunk, to see where their limitations are. I wrote most of this article on it and used it for some day-to-day browsing and streaming.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is ideal for gamers who want a desktop replacement that can handle just about everything gaming-wise and have the budget to afford that kind of gaming rig.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

  • First reviewed July 2025
I tested a $6,799 Velocity Micro workstation – and it’s not what I expected
9:02 pm | July 17, 2025

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

Velocity Micro's ProMagix HD80 is a powerhouse desktop computer, with a focus on professional users rather than gamers. That distinction is necessary because gamers notoriously require the best graphics available.

Unlike many of the best workstations I've seen, this computer does not boast the newest GPU; however, it does have a top-of-the-line CPU, ample RAM, solid storage, powerful ports, and effective cooling, making it an excellent machine for productivity and business work that may not be as graphics-intensive.

The GPU is no slouch, but it's not an RTX 5090, so don't expect to game at maximum settings. However, this is a work machine, and sometimes that distinction is still necessary, even in 2025, where the lines between work and home are more blurred than ever.

Velocity Micro | ProMagix HD80

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Velocity Micro ProMagix HD80: Pricing and Availability

The Velocity Micro ProMagix HD80 is a pre-built computer from Velocity Micro. They specialize in building computers to the specifications that are best suited for certain groups of people. A middleman that helps connect great computer hardware with consumers.

This model is meant for business productivity and is spec'd out to cost nearly $7,000. If you are interested in something like this, reach out to Velocity Micro or check out their website for their builds.

Velocity Micro | ProMagix HD80

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Velocity Micro ProMagix HD80: Unboxing & first impressions

The ProMagix HD80 packaging is very well done. It's packed in the box tightly to prevent damage in transit. The box is massive, and since I knew what was inside, I made sure to buddy-lift this box, rather than try to muscle it up myself and risk dropping it. Once I had everything moved to where I needed it, I opened the box and set up the items.

The case build looks fantastic, even on first glance. If you're not familiar with Velocity Micro, the brief answer is that they specialize in building custom PCs for gaming and workstations. They also offer builds like these, where they pre-select a great combination of gear to create a dream setup with a specific outcome in mind. This outcome, of course, is business productivity. One of the things that Velocity Micro is known for is its excellence, and let me tell you, taking a look at the build quality of this PC, I can agree that Velocity Micro has gone above and beyond in assembling this computer with precision, care, and intentionality.

The whole build is simplistic, but not in a cheap way. They intentionally chose to omit the RGB colorways everywhere except for the CPU cooler, as RGB is a pretty clear gaming aesthetic. To further the minimalist branding and loud design, a slight Velocity Micro badge is visible on the glass case, paying homage to the company that built this beast.

Velocity Micro ProMagix HD80: Design & Build Quality

Velocity Micro | ProMagix HD80

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Specs

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (24-core, up to 5.70GHz Turbo)
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4500 Ada, 24GB GDDR6
RAM: 64GB DDR5-6000 Kingston Fury RGB
Storage: 4TB Samsung 990 Pro + 2TB Kingston NV3 NVMe SSD
Motherboard: ASUS ProArt Z890-Creator (Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, 10Gb Ethernet)
Cooling: Velocity Micro 360mm liquid cooler + ARGB fans
PSU: 1000W 80+ Gold, Zero-RPM fan mode
Chassis: SX3 steel mid-tower (ATX/EATX), tool-less side panels

The ProMagix HD80 features a solid steel construction with mesh front and top panels, creating overall fantastic airflow for this machine. The internals of this PC feature clean routing and sleek, modular components that are easy to access, service, and upgrade in the future when needed.

The materials chosen are solid and intentionally understated. Velocity Micro understands that this is not intended for gamers; it's not designed for that purpose. It's intended for professionals.

Velocity Micro | ProMagix HD80

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Velocity Micro ProMagix HD80: In use

The design for the ProMagix HD80 from Velocity Micro is intended for creative professionals, specifically those who would use software such as Adobe, CAD, Revit, Blender, and similar applications. The Intel Ultra 9 effortlessly handles any workload I throw at it, thanks to its 64GB of RAM. For large files, the 6TB of storage works great, making it easy to store even massive files on this machine.

Another thing that this machine is excellent for is coding. I was able to run large databases, huge Postman files, and large codebases without any issue. The only spot that I began to notice issues was with GPU-heavy tasks or programs. The RTX 4500 is not the most cutting-edge GPU, but considering the focus of this machine, I'm not too upset. Plus, if you wanted one of the brand-new RTX 5090, you could pop one in here without hardly any work.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Sleek and minimal

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Very easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Practical for some

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Highly priced

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Velocity Micro | ProMagix HD80

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Velocity Micro ProMagix HD80: Final verdict

Velocity Micro's ProMagix HD80 is a beautifully crafted custom build that is ideal for professionals who need to have a machine that they know will perform even with intensive apps and programs, but it's also good to keep in mind that just becuase it's a powerful machine.

For more performance-driven machines, we've reviewed the best mobile workstations around.

Honor X70 runs Geekbench with its huge battery, confirming its chipset and RAM amount
4:32 pm | July 11, 2025

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

The Honor X70 is getting official on July 15 with a record-breaking (for a mainstream smartphone) 8,300 mAh battery - the capacity has already been confirmed by the brand. Ahead of that, a prototype has seemingly been spotted in the Geekbench online results database, with the model number MTN-AN00. As you can see, it managed a 1,064 single-core score and a 2,998 multi-core score in Geekbench 6.3.0, but as usual you probably don't want to take scores of pre-release devices like this one too seriously. The benchmark run has confirmed that the X70 is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4...

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 might just be the perfect foldable, and sets a standard for others to follow
5:00 pm | July 9, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones Samsung Galaxy Phones | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: One-minute review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the closest thing to a tech inflection point we have at the moment. It's by far the best large-screen foldable ever made – super-thin, super-light, exquisitely made, undeniably powerful, and full of AI smarts – and goes straight to the top of our list of the best foldable phones you can buy.

It's Samsung's first foldable to almost entirely not underdeliver on cameras, featuring the line's first-ever 200-megapixel camera. This feels like more than progress; it's a folding phone revolution.

I like it so much that I find myself frantically searching for weaknesses. I probe each part looking for a place where Samsung may have miscalculated and, with very few exceptions, I can't find any weaknesses.

If I had to pinpoint where Samsung trips up, it would be in two areas: the removal of the digitizing layer, which leaves the Galaxy Z Fold 7 unable to work with the S Pen, and the price, which now flirts with $2,000 in the US. That's a lot to spend for any phone, though in fairness this really is like two devices in one – a flagship phone and 8-inch tablet – and so you might be able to justify the outlay.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review: price and specs

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999.99 / £1,799 / AU$2,899, which is $100 more than the previous model in the US, and AU$150 more in Australia – there's no price hike for buyers in the UK. The base model comes with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. At the time of writing, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is on preorder now, and ships from July 25. It's available in Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, and Jetblack, plus a Samsung online-exclusive Mint.

Those prices make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 one of the most expensive foldables you can buy – in the US it now costs $100 more than a similarly configured Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, for instance. There will be deals, especially for trade-ins, so look out for those.

I agree, this is a lot to pay for a smartphone, but the Z Fold 7 is not just a phone. It's also a tablet, yet so thin and light that someone glancing at it in your hand might have no idea it's a two-in-one. The question is, are you willing to pay more for something that is truly special?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 specs

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Dimensions (folded):

72.8 x 158.4 x 8.9mm

Dimensions (unfolded):

143.2 x 158.4 x 4.2mm

Weight:

215g

Main display:

8-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED

(2184 x 1968), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)

Cover display::

6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED

2X Display(2520 x 1080, 21:9), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)

Chipset:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Mobile Platform for Galaxy

RAM:

12GB / 16GB (1TB only)

Storage:

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

OS:

Android 16 / One UI 8

Primary camera:

200MP f1.7

Ultrawide camera:

12MP f2.2

Telephoto

3x 10MP f2.4

Cover Camera:

10MP f2.2

Inner Camera:

10MP f2.2

Battery:

4,400mAh

Charging:

30 mins with 25W adapter (wired)

Colors:

Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow and Jetblack [Samsung.com Exclusive] Mint

  • Value score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: design

  • Super-thin unfolded, and almost as thin as a standard smartphone when folded
  • Weighs less than the single-screen Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • Excellent materials and construction
  • Hinge mechanism is pleasingly stiff and strong

If you think the pace of smartphone and flagship innovation feels somewhat ho-hum, you probably haven't seen or touched the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

This is one of the best design upgrades I've seen in a while, not because it's radically different to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 that came before it, because it isn't, but because it's so much better in all the ways that truly matter.

I'll start with the physical specs, because they're the most remarkable thing about of this new handset, especially when compared with the Z Fold 6 and, yes, even the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Unfolded, the Z Fold 7 is just 4.2mm thick – that's 1.4mm thinner than the Z Fold 6. Folded, the Z Fold 7 is 8.9mm, 3.2mm thinner than the Z Fold 6 and only 0.7mm thicker than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Think about that: this foldable, which when folded is hiding a gorgeous 8-inch display, is almost imperceptibly thicker than a single-screen flagship device.

Even the weight is impressive. Between versions, Samsung shed a whopping 24 grams, and the Fold 7 is even 3 grams lighter than the S25 Ultra. Yep – two screens, and it's still lighter than the flagship.

Perhaps that shouldn't be so surprising. When I hold the Z Fold 7 up to the S25 ultra, the foldable is smaller than the Ultra, which is 162.8mm x 77.6mm, while the Z Fold 7, when folded, is 158.4mm x 72.8mm.

Carrying the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is now like holding a secret. At a glance, it looks like a standard, 6.5-inch smartphone. It's not until you take a closer look that you notice the seam down one edge and the hinge on the opposite side.

Size and weight aside, the phone feels good in my hand because of the excellent materials. Its Armor Aluminum frame is covered, front and back, with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. A substantial, pill-shaped three-camera array sticks out of the back. Whenever I put the phone down camera-side-first, it tips at an awkward angle. I guess that's the price I have to pay for a better imaging system.

On the top edges when you're holding the phone (there are two when it's folded) are a pair of microphone holes, a vent, and a SIM slot (yes, this phone still uses a nanoSIM card, along with a multi-eSIM option).

The bottom edges feature more microphone holes, a speaker slot (its stereo pair are along the top edge of the cover screen), and the USB-C data and charging port. The tolerances here are quite something – the USB port appears to just barely fit in the space.

The only buttons are the long volume rocker and the power / fingerprint reader / Gemini button.

The foldable screen hinge, which has been shrinking over each Z Fold generation, is the thickness of an average No. 2 pencil, and its subtlety and unobtrusiveness further help it pull off the 'standard flagship' masquerade.

Samsung has reengineered the hinge, and it's noticeable. The phone is firmly closed when folded (magnets inside help with that) and has considerable, but not overly resistant, tension as you open it and it snaps into position as a fully flat 8-inch tablet.

Unfolding the phone you're greeted with a flexible display surrounded by a roughly 2mm, forgiving raised border that keeps the Fold 7 from making a metallic snapping sound when you close it.

There's still a crease, but it's far less pronounced than what you see on the Z Fold 6. That's due in part to the new teardrop-shaped screen fold hidden in the redesigned hinge, meaning the thin, flexible screen curves into a perhaps more forgiving teardrop shape when the phone is folded. This is likely what accounts for how it can more easily unfold to a nearly perfectly flat plane. I can only see whatever minimal crease remains at certain odd angles, and more so when the screen is off. To the touch, it's barely perceptible.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is IP48-rated, which means it can handle a sustained dunk in fresh water (not salt water!), but I would keep it away from dust and sand. I ran my device under a tap with no ill effects.

  • Design score: 5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: displays

  • The main display is now 8 inches
  • There's a noticeable punch hole for the camera
  • The cover display is also larger

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

A wider and taller Z Fold means not one, but two bigger screens. The cover display is now a 6.5-inch 21:9 display that is finally indistinguishable from a standard flagship phone display.

Where the Z Fold 6 has a 968 x 2376 resolution, the Z Fold 7 cover screen is an expansive 2520 x 1080, 422ppi, 1-to-120Hz AMOLED 2X screen. It has a punch-hole for the 10MP selfie camera, but it does not feature an under-the-screen fingerprint reader – that's integrated with the power button (and works quite nicely, as does unlocking with your face).

It's a lovely, bright screen that's now wide enough to more easily accommodate a more usable virtual keyboard, and fully serviceable when you don't want to unfold and use the main display.

Like the cover display, the main display is larger this year. It's now an 8-inch display, up from the Z Fold 6's 7.6 inches. It's also got more pixels, jumping from 2160 x 1856 to 2184 x 1968. It's still QXGA+ and supports the dynamic 1-to-120Hz refresh rate.

While that display size now matches Apple's iPad mini, the sixth-generation mini's 8-inch screen has an aspect ratio of 3:2, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is now 5:6. This makes the Z Fold 7 more of a square as compared to the iPad's slightly rectangular display.

In practice, this means that on the Z Fold 7 some videos and games may have larger black borders at the top and bottom. It doesn't bother me, but you might want to see what Netflix looks like on the phone before placing your order.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The main screen is big, bright, and responsive. It was useful in bright sunlight, and all motion looked fluid and smooth. I left it on the default setting, which lets the system adjust the refresh rate on the fly, up to 120Hz and down to 1Hz, which is not as energy efficient as locking in at 60Hz. Both screens are rated for a max brightness of 2,500 nits.

In Future Labs testing and with HDR enabled we got up to 2,245 nits on the main screen and 2,060 nits on the cover screen. Those are admirable numbers, and mean you shouldn't have any trouble viewing these displays in direct sunlight.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

There's no digitizing layer in the foldable display, but you can still use an analog capacitive stylus to draw on and navigate the screen (Image credit: Future)

To achieve the 4.2mm thickness, Samsung made some changes to the panel configuration, most notably dropping the digitizing layer that, in the Z Fold 6, offered support for specially tipped S Pens. I was initially pretty upset about this, but I did find that I could still draw with my finger – it's not as precise, but it's not terrible, and I can still use my finger to mark up images for Generative Editing and Sketch to Image. My doodles for the latter are not as good as those drawn with an S Pen, but the screen had no trouble interpreting my rough sketch and transforming it into a very realistic mouse.

I can report, though, that while the S Pen or any digitizing stylus will not work, a classic dumb, capacitive-compliant stylus – one you can buy for six bucks on Amazon – does work with the display. It won't record pressure or angle, but it makes it a lot easier to draw.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

That punch hole is larger than before, but with good reason (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The other thing you might notice on this new Galaxy Fold 7 display is the noticeably larger camera punch hole. It's not only bigger in order to accommodate a better, 10MP camera (it was just 4MP on the Fold 6); the hole is also no longer covered with pixels, so it remains visible at all times. It's positioned a tiny bit more centrally along the top edge than the punch hole on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold's flexible display, on which the equally large hole is positioned towards the far-right corner and is maybe a bit more out of sight.

These things aside, I love this big, multi-tasking screen, which has room for a couple of apps, or larger-screen views of favorite apps like Weather and Maps. It's also a nice canvas for Gemini Live, which makes the most of the larger space.

I also enjoyed drawing on it, streaming shows on Netflix, and playing action games.

The benefit of a flexible screen is that the Galaxy Fold 7 doesn't have to be only flat or folded – it can also be 'L' shaped, which I found useful when I was checking over an interview transcription, which I recorded and used AI to transcribe on the Fold. A 90-degree fold also proved useful for watching videos on one half of the screen while the rest of the Fold served as a steady base.

  • Displays score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: cameras

  • 200MP sensor is the upgrade the Fold line needed
  • Main-display camera is no longer an afterthought
  • The cameras are capable of some beautiful photography

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

There was nothing much wrong with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6's camera array. It has a nice 50MP lens, a 10MP, and a 3x optical zoom 10MP, but I was very aware that this was a flagship-class phone with a flagship-level price, and it bothered me that the best camera array was reserved for Samsung's Ultra line.

That is no longer the case. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a new camera system, with two notable upgrades and one disappointment.

Here's the full camera system:

  • 200MP wide
  • 12MP ultra-wide
  • 10MP 3x telephoto
  • 10MP cover-screen
  • 10MP main-screen

The big news here is the new 200MP sensor that, while similar to what's found in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, has been reengineered to fit into the Z Fold 7's super-slim frame.

Like most high-megapixel smartphone cameras, this one defaults to a 12MP shot, combining (or pixel-binning) the information from multiple pixels for better clarity, contrast, and colors. It does a nice job, but there is a very good reason to shoot at the full 200MP (it's easy to do – you just select between 12MP, 50MP, or 200MP): doing so lets you crop into almost any picture detail without losing clarity.

You can see some of my sample photos above. While the detail is excellent, I did notice that I probably need to stand a bit more still if I plan to crop in on these huge, full-resolution images. No matter what, though, I love that this sensor, with all the versatility it affords, is included.

While there's now closer parity between the Galaxy Ultra and this Galaxy Fold, the latter can perform a trick that's impossible with the S25 Ultra: you can shoot selfies with the main camera using the 'Cover Screen Preview' setting. This means that if you unfold the phone and choose that option in the camera app, you can use the cover screen as a viewfinder and control for the main, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses. I used the setting to take a 200MP selfie – I would show it to you, but the clarity is so good it's horrifying.

I'm also pleased that the main-screen camera is now a full 10MP – 4MP for selfies and even video calls seemed a bit anemic. The tradeoff for that better camera is a bigger punch-hole in the flexible display, and one that isn't covered with pixels when not in use. I think future Z Folds should shift this camera closer to one of the bezels.

The 12MP wide-angle has a solid 120-degree field of view, enough for some truly dramatic shots, but I think its macro capabilities are far more impressive. Look at the detail in the flowers below. Leave aside the excellent color accuracy – just look at the drama inside these blossoms, and in particular the ants transiting the petals. Well done on this lens, Samsung.

I'm less impressed with the zoom lens; not because it's bad, but it remains underpowered for a flagship. While the S25 Ultra has a nice 10MP 5x optical zoom, the now more ultra-y Fold 7 only gets a 10MP 3x optical zoom. Yes, I am fully aware of the Space Zoom options that go up to 30x, but that's a digital assist, and drags in way too much artificial information for my tastes. When I want zoom, I like it to be optical all the way.

The 3x optical zoom does a nice job, and it's definitely useful, just not as strong as I had hoped. In situations where you want to get closer to a subject you might instead choose to shoot with the 200MP main camera at full resolution and then crop in on the detail you want – at least you know the visual information will all be real, and not partially digitally generated.

I was also pleased with low-light photography and videography. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 shoots high-quality video up to 8K 30fps, though many video editors still can't handle that video resolution.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Overall, I think this is a great camera system, especially because Samsung's ProVisual Engine is finally doing a decent job of maintaining visual fidelity (unless you choose less-real presets).

The colors in all my shots are good and accurate – I'm impressed with how the cameras handle challenging Manhattan street shots that are so full of detail and riotous colors.

They also did well with backlit shots where a bright Manhattan sky might have overwhelmed the foreground – I think the Z Fold 7 found a decent balance. When I tapped on the sky to adjust the exposure in favor of the sky I got better cloud detail, but also surprisingly accurate blue sky color. Nothing is too saturated, and this I consider a victory.

Portrait mode does a nice job on people and objects, such as in my image of planter in the main gallery above, where it had a lot of detail to handle and acquitted itself nicely. It’s not perfect – some small leaves got lost – but I’m still pleased with the result.

  • Cameras score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Software and AI

  • The phone will ship with Android 16
  • There's deeper Google Gemini integration
  • Gemini Live fills the main screen

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

Using Maps on the main screen is one of may favorite things to do with the Fold. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

In the software space, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a harbinger of releases to come. It's the first flagship to release with Android 16, well ahead of the next big Pixel launches – including, we expect, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold – on August 20, and it also has the latest Samsung software in the form of One UI 8.

That former landmark is by Google design, with the tech giant rearranging its development flow to ensure that its big partners have these new releases in time for their latest flagship phones. As for the latter, Samsung just seems to be getting faster and more efficient at updating and improving its own Android overlay.

Both platforms are also infused with AI in the form of Samsung's Galaxy AI and Google's Gemini, though where one ends and the other begins may not always be obvious.

Broadly, Android is now as polished and useful as Apple's iOS. It has many of the same features, including Live Updates in widgets, Quick Share (so much like AirDrop), and endless customization. It's also a fantastic partner for the Fold because the platform is optimized for the larger 8-inch screen, so things like mail, weather, and maps all appear built for the flexible display. Even Google Gemini Live is right at home on the Galaxy Z Fold 7's main display.

One UI 8 brings things like the Now Bar and Now Brief, a compendium of all the things you need to know at any point in the day. It's well designed, accessible, and relatively useful. I check it because the Now Bar is always greeting me on my lock screen with a "Good morning!", "Good afternoon!" or "Good evening!" and it almost seems rude not to acknowledge it by digging into the details of my Brief.

When I tap to open it, I see a weather forecast, a calendar of events, news of interest, and music. I can choose to add more elements from my phone, which I assume might make the Brief more useful.

There is, of course, a lot of AI on this phone. Google handles the Circle to Search and Gemini side, and the rest of the AI found on the phone is Samsung Galaxy AI.

At any point I can long-press the home-screen button to launch a Circle to Search task. After the press, I use my finger to circle something on the screen that Google Search can look at and offer results related to.

New here is the ability for Circle to Search to work in games. I used it while playing the racing game Asphalt 9 and PUBG. It works, but it's not necessarily intuitive to bring up the home button and press it during gameplay. On the other hand, I do appreciate not having to leave the game or even capture a screenshot. I just long-press, circle, and Google Search does the rest. When I'm done, I return to the race.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

You can ask Circle to Search about almost anything you circle on the screen, including this sketch I did with my finger. The results are hilarious (Image credit: Future)

Gemini is summoned by a long press of the power button. It has all the strength of Gemini 2.5 Flash on the web, and also Gemini Live. Gemini Live works in full-screen mode on the large main display, but I find it more useful when you share your screen with Gemini Live and it then operates in the background, offering insights based on what it can see on-screen and the questions you ask it.

You can also just have Gemini look through the camera and see your world, and ask it what it sees – unless you want everyone to hear your Gemini Live conversation, this would be a good time to invest in some Galaxy Buds Pro 3 headphones if you plan to be out and about with the Z Fold 7.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

You can use Object Erase to remove objects from your photos… (Image credit: Future)

Other Galaxy AI-powered features remain, and are little changed from the last time I tested them on a Fold. I can use Sketch to Image to instantly add photo-realistic elements to existing photos – I added a mouse to my coffee table, although as I've mentioned it's a bit harder to sketch the right image idea without an S Pen.

It's also easy to remove unwanted objects from images and replace them with the right background. This, depending on the size of the object, is generally effective, though there do seem to be more steps than in Apple's Clean Up. On the Fold, I scribble on what I want to remove (it can be multiple objects), hit the erase icon, and the phone removes them, but I also have to hit 'Generate' to replace the background. My iPhone 16 Pro Max does both in one step.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

…and Sketch to Image to add objects (Image credit: Future)

Drawing Assist, which lets you turn rough doodles into much higher-quality artwork and is another feature that benefited from S Pen support, also still works, and may come in even more handy now that you'll likely be forced to use your fingertip to make your rough sketch.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

(Image credit: Future)

Galaxy AI's reach extends to video, and I used Audio Eraser to clean up the sound on a video shot in the heart of New York City's Times Square. The capabilities more or less match those in Apple's Audio Mix tool, although how the tools pinpoint which extraneous sounds to target differs quite a bit. Audio Eraser focuses on crowd noise, voices, and wind, and the results were good, though my voice did end up sounding just a tiny bit robotic, although not dissimilar from the results I got with Audio Mix the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

I am, naturally, only scratching the surface of Android 16, One UI, and their AI capabilities, which also include things like Live Translation, Text Translation, and Chat Assist. Overall, though, this is a platform I could easily love. If you're already an Android fan, Android 16 will be a welcome upgrade. If you've used a Galaxy before, One UI will be instantly familiar but also improved. The AI is deeply embedded but never intrusive. It looks and feels the way I thought Apple Intelligence would on an iPhone, and how I hope it will look and feel when Apple eventually delivers the updated Siri.

  • Software and AI score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Performance and Battery

  • Custom Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
  • Plenty of RAM and strong overall performance
  • Battery is still 4,400mAh, but all-day battery life is real

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Not only does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 pack Qualcomm's best silicon, it's a customized chip produced just for Samsung's latest foldable: the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Samsung. The difference between the standard Elite and the Samsung version is small but notable: most reports put the 8 Elite's max clock speed on its 2-core cluster at 4.32GHz. On the Galaxy Z Fold 7, according to Geekbench 6, it's running at 4.47GHz. The six-core cluster is running at 3.53Ghz, which is the same speed as the standard 8 Elite.

Samsung backs this powerful, AI-ready silicon with 12GB of RAM for the 256GB Z Fold 7. The 1 TB model gets 16GB of memory.

I ran Geekbench 6 three times for both the CPU and GPU, and the numbers are impressive. This is the first time in memory that an Android phone's multicore performance has beaten the latest flagship iPhone; in this case the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Here are my average numbers:

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
  • Single-core Avg: 2,512
  • Multi-core Avg: 8,986.67
  • OpenCL: 17,391

    iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • Single-core: 2,892
  • Multi-core: 8,327
  • GPU Metal Score 33,001

Yes, Samsung (really Qualcomm) beat Apple on the multi-core scores. It may look like Apple handily beat Qualcomm on the GPU side, but those numbers (OpenCL versus Metal) are not directly comparable. What matters here, though, is the performance, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has power to spare.

I found it fast and fun for everything from web browsing to video games and video editing.

I tried stressing out the system by opening 51 tabs in Chrome and Gemini Live, which is probably a more resource-intensive operation. A funny side note here: when I allowed Gemini Live to view my screen and asked it how many browser tabs I had open, it said "10." I tried to guide it to the number listed next to the microphone icon, and it said "11". When I pointed out its error, Gemini Live apologized and said it had no idea why it made that mistake.

I wasn't done pushing the system, so I also launched PUBG. The game opened without issue, I started to play (quickly, to my delight, finding an ultralight aircraft to fly around the island) and the phone never skipped a beat (the back got a little warm). I even used Circle to Search to learn more about a car I found.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Put another way, this is a thin, light, and very powerful system, and it's ready to multitask like the private productivity wonder it is. Plus, there's now true differentiation between the Fold 7 and its little sibling, the Galaxy Flip 7, which runs the ostensibly less powerful Samsung Exynos 2500 processor. That's a fun little foldable phone with a full-screen cover that can accommodate Gemini Live, but it's not about getting things done. And that's the beauty of the Z Fold 7: with its now standard flagship-sized cover screen and even larger 8-inch main screen, it's the perfect blend of pocket-sized power and portability.

Audio performance out of the stereo speakers is loud but also clear. Do not expect booming bass, but if you want the Fold 7 to power a party via your Spotify playlist – which, yes, you can summon through Gemini – the Fold 7 has you covered.

Battery life for the 4,400mAh battery is rated by Samsung at 24 hours of video playback. However, in mixed use, battery life is anecdotally between 12 and 18 hours in my tests. Future Labs, which runs a more rigorous and intense web-browsing rundown, got just under 11 hours. This is a case where your mileage will vary, but I think you can expect a full workday of battery life.

The Qi wireless charging is supported, and while the phone only ships with a charging cable and not the adapter, I was able to charge the phone to 50% in 30 minutes using a 45W charger.

Connectivity on the T-Mobile 5G network was solid, and, in my neighborhood, better than what I get from Verizon. I'm also happy to report that the phone supports WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

  • Performance and Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 REVIEW

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The most expensive foldable out there, but it might also be worth it

4 / 5

Design

Excellent, slim and light design that still feels elegant and solid.

5 / 5

Display

Two fantastic and now larger screens. The crease is almost gone, but so is support for an S Pen.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Better than the best Qualcomm chip on other Androids, and the performance knocked our socks off.

5 / 5

Software

Android 16! One UI 8! So much AI. It may sound like a lot, but it's a winning combination.

4.5 / 5

Cameras

The 200MP sensor is a major upgrade, and overall photography is excellent. We would have liked a 5x optical zoom.

4.5 / 5

Battery

Really good battery life

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a powerful yet gorgeous foldable
There are other super-thin foldables out there, but not all are globally available. Samsung has led the way with the form factor, and really defines foldable design for the modern era.

You wanted a foldable and the best camera
Samsung has finally put an Ultra-level camera in its best foldable, and it will make a difference in your photography.

You want a foldable that looks like a regular phone
When it's folded you get to stare at the Galaxy Z Fold 7's lovely 6.5-inch 2:19 cover screen, which is indistinguishable from a standard smartphone.

You want productivity-ready power
The Z Fold 7's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Samsung is faster than any other 8 Elite out there. It's ready for anything.

You want Android 16 now
You don't have to wait for the next Pixel to get Android 16 – the Z Fold 7 is more up-to-date than most other Android handsets.

Don't buy it if...

You want a cheap foldable phone
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is one of the most expensive smartphones on the market.View Deal

You want a tough phone
Even with refinements in design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn't a phone to weather the elements. View Deal

You want the best telephoto camera
A 3x zoom is fine but it can't stand up to the 5x optical zoom of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Also consider

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is, to my mind, the best, most widely available folding phone on the market, but it may not satisfy your foldable itch in every aspect. Here are some other worthy choices.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
If Samsung's One UI software has never appealed to you, then consider Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which has the most Android-y Android software available. It also boasts a bigger main display and a fetching flat-sided design.

Read our Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review

OnePlus Open
The OnePlus Open offers a slightly different foldable phone experience, with a cover display that looks more like a normal smartphone, yet yields a sizable inner display. A solid specs sheet completes the package, though the phone is getting a little long in the tooth.

Read our full OnePlus Open review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 specs

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

OnePlus Open

Price at a launch:

$1,899 / £1,749 / AU$1,199

$1,699 / £1,599

Dimensions (unfolded):

155.2 x 150.2 x 5.1mm (unfolded), 155.2 x 77.1 x 10.5mm (folded)

153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8mm (unfolded), 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7mm (folded)

Weight:

257g

239g (black); 245g (green)

Main display:

8-inch Super Actua display

2076 x 2152 / 1080 x 2424 pixels

7.82 inches (2440 x 2268)

Cover display::

6.3-inch Actua display

6.31 inches (2484 x 1116)

Chipset:

Google Tensor G4

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

RAM:

16GB

16GB LPDDR5X

Storage:

256GB / 512GB

512GB UFS 4.0

OS:

Android 14

Android 14 with Oxygen OS 13.2

Primary camera:

48MP main

48MP (wide)

Ultrawide camera:

10.5MP ultrawide

48MP (ultrawide 114°)

Telephoto

10.8MP 5X zoom

64MP (3x telephoto)

Cover Camera:

10MP

20MP; 32MP

Inner Camera

8MP f/2.0

Battery:

4,650mAh

4,805mAh

Charging:

30W (wired)

67W SUPERVOOC (proprietary)

Colors:

Porcelain, Obsidian

Emerald Dusk (green); Voyager Black

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

  • Review test period: one week
  • Testing included: everyday use, including web browsing, social media, photography, gaming, streaming video, and music playback
  • Tools used: Geekbench 6, and Nit-brightness-testing system

I carried the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 with me everywhere and used it as often as possible for everyday productivity, entertainment, and creativity tasks.

I spent a lot of time with the UI and with all the AI, as well as myriad systems and third-party apps.

I played games like Asphalt 9 and PUBG, and watched streaming video content.

I handled it with as much care as I give any other smartphone, but did also purposely ran it under water.

I did my own battery performance testing, but also relied on Future Labs for its lab-based results.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2025

I used the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 for all kinds of tasks, and it handles most of them well – just not at the same time
12:10 pm | June 30, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Chromebooks Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Two-minute review

The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is the smallest device in the brand’s line of 2-in-1 Chromebooks, measuring just 12.2 inches. Despite this, it’s not the sleekest Chromebook around, with its sharp angles and juts spoiling the otherwise elegant design, which is aided by the quality of the materials used in its construction.

It’s quite thick and heavy for its size, so it’s perhaps not ideal for using as a tablet, despite its convertible nature. But thanks to that solid hinge for the lid, it can be propped upside down and used exclusively in touchscreen mode with ease.

It’s not just the hinge mechanism that’s well made – all aspects of the Spin 312 feel as solid and sturdy as any of the best Chromebooks, including the keys and trackpad, which feel premium to the touch as well.

Port selection is reasonable, too, although I would’ve liked to have seen more than just one USB-C port, and the lack of an SD card slot might be detrimental for some. Thankfully, there are two USB-A ports to improve connectivity options, and the HDMI port and audio jack are further additions I welcome.

The review unit I had came equipped with an Intel N100 processor and 4GB of RAM. Despite these underwhelming specs, the Chromebook Spin 312 performed admirably, handling many typical Chromebook workloads quite well. However, slowdowns can occur when pushed a little too far.

Close-up of keyboard and touchpad on Acer Chromebook Spin 312, on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

Such cases include gaming, where the Chromebook Spin 312 struggled to run even fairly modest mobile games on high settings during my testing. However, lowering these did improve matters to the point where games such as Asphalt Legends Unite were playable to an enjoyable extent.

More pleasing on the performance front is the display. The resolution looks especially sharp on the 12-inch screen, although colors aren’t rendered as vibrantly as they are on some rival Chromebooks. The bezels also encroach quite considerably on the allotted real estate for the screen, and the display can be quite reflective under certain conditions. In most cases, though, it makes for a pleasant viewing experience.

The touch inputs are also quite responsive, tracking well with swipes to make drawing and handwriting a realistic option, although it can be a little grabby at times. You’ll also need to provide your own stylus if you want to make the most of your creative time with the Chromebook Spin 312.

I found the touchpad disappointingly inaccurate by comparison, as it failed to track with what I was expecting from my movements, leading to a lagging and stuttering, which in turn made it imprecise.

Thankfully, I had a better time typing on the Chromebook Spin 312, thanks to the generous spacing of the keys and their satisfying dampening. Their lack of indentations and grip, however, can lead to slipping and mispresses on occasion.

Its battery life is impressive, lasting just over 11 hours in our test. This places it near the higher end of the Chromebook spectrum – the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook performs significantly better on this front, although admittedly this is somewhat of an outlier.

The Chromebook Spin 312 sits somewhere in the middle of the convertible Chromebook market. Some rivals are better performers, while others have a sleeker design. But, overall, if you won’t be demanding too much from it in terms of performance, the Chromebook Spin 312 is a good 2-in-1 Chromebook for those who prize portability and a sharp image.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Price and availability

  • Starts from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)
  • Various CPU, RAM, and storage options
  • Middle of the market

The Chromebook Spin 312 starts from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690). It can be configured with 64GB or 128GB of storage, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i3 or Intel N100 CPU.

This places the Chromebook Spin 312 somewhere in the middle of the market considering its spec. It’s considerably cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which it bests in terms of performance, although its display isn’t quite as sharp or as vibrant, and lacks its premium design (although it isn’t too far behind in this regard).

However, the Chromebook Spin 312 is more expensive than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which is one of the best budget Chromebooks in our view. This lacks the compactness of the Chromebook Spin 312 and the performance isn’t exactly impressive either, but it makes up for these deficiencies with its great build quality and enduring battery life.

  • Value: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Specs

These are the specs of the particular Acer Chromebook Spin 312 I reviewed:

Price

Starting from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)

CPU

Intel N100 (4 threads, 3.4GHz)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

RAM

4GB LPDDR5

Screen

12.2-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS LCD, 16:10, 60Hz touchscreen

Storage

64GB eMMC

Ports

2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Camera

1280 x 720

Weight

2.84lbs (1.29kg)

Dimensions

11.4 x 8.1 x 0.8in (29 x 20.5 x 2cm)

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Design

Close-up of left ports on Acer Chromebook Spin 312, on desk

(Image credit: Future)
  • Bulky for the size
  • Solid lid hinge
  • Only one USB-C port and no SD card slot

The Chromebook Spin 312 takes a somewhat utilitarian approach to design, with its sharp angles, large vents and lid hinges appearing quite conspicuous. However, it's still a compact device, and has enough flat sides to help impart some sleekness.

This is further aided by the steely grey colorway and look of the chassis materials, which have a subtle shine to them. What’s more, the quality of these materials seems high, feeling solid and fairly premium to the touch. This extends to the lightly textured keycaps and silky smooth touchpad.

The hinge mechanism is also reassuringly solid. There’s no wobble at any angle, yet it’s smooth and easy to open and adjust. This stability also helps when tenting the Chromebook Spin 312 to use it in touchscreen mode.

However, it can’t compete with the best tablets for usability. Despite its small 12-inch size, the Chromebook Spin 312 is a relatively thick and heavy slab, which can make it awkward to hold in the hand when folded back all the way.

The screen has a large bezel around it, which somewhat compromises the already limited real estate for the display. On a more positive note, it's made from Corning Gorilla Glass, so it should prove resistant to wear and tear when taking the Chromebook Spin 312 on your travels.

Port selection is reasonable for a Chromebook this small, although it’s a minor shame there’s only one USB-C port and SD card slot, as you’ll find two on many modern Chromebooks. Still, you do at least get two USB-A ports, and I also welcome the inclusion of a dedicated HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Performance

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 open upside down on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)
  • Capable of light work
  • Sharp but reflective display
  • Struggles with intensive tasks
Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Acer Chromebook Spin 312:

TechRadar Battery Life Test: 11 hours and 12 minutes
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 179.327
Kraken Benchmark: 1309.3ms
Speedometer 3.0: 9.52 (±0.52)

The Chromebook Spin 312 offers capable enough performance for everyday tasks, meeting the demands typically placed upon Chromebooks. Apps load fast and light productivity and general browsing are handled well. Despite its somewhat limited 4GB of RAM, it’s even capable of some degree of multitasking, coping well with multiple browser tabs open, for instance.

However, it can come a little unstuck when those tabs are running more complex activities, or when multiple apps are in play. The Chromebook Spin 312 can also generate a fair amount of heat underneath, which is bothersome when on your lap.

Gaming performance isn’t particularly impressive, either. It can handle some mobile titles, but you’ll likely have to play with modest graphics settings. When I played Asphalt Legends Unite, for instance, high settings caused stutters and considerable slow downs, rendering the game almost unplayable. However, it ran much better on lower settings, if not quite as smooth or as fast as some rivals can manage – and certainly the Chromebook Spin 312 isn’t a match for the best gaming laptops in this regard.

When it comes to video playback, the Chromebook Spin 312 can handle streaming content in 4K, although it’s not always the smoothest experience. The WUXGA display at least provides a sharp image: the 1920 x 1200 resolution might sound a little low compared to other laptops and some Chromebooks on the market today, but due to its small screen size, it looks sharper than you might imagine.

Close-up of right-hand side ports on Acer Chromebook Spin 312, on desk

(Image credit: Future)

It’s also quite bright when displaying lighter shades. However, while colors are rendered well enough, they don’t appear quite as vibrant as those on the displays equipped in the best laptops or best MacBooks, looking slightly washed-out by comparison.

The screen is also quite reflective, which, combined with its somewhat lackluster backlighting, makes darker scenes hard to view at times. However, the effect isn’t too troublesome, and compared to many other Chromebooks, the Chromebook Spin 312 is still great for viewing content.

The touchscreen capability is impressive, too. It responds well to all sorts of swipes and gestures, making for smooth doodles and handwriting, even if it's a little grabby at times. It’s also a shame no stylus is included to unleash the full potential of its functionality.

Unfortunately, the touchpad is less responsive, and I experienced issues with its tracking: many times it felt as if it was either dragging or jumping ahead, lacking the smoothness I was expecting. As a result, I struggled to use it accurately, which can really hamper productivity.

By contrast, typing with the Chromebook Spin 312 is a largely pleasant experience. The keys are satisfyingly damped and are spread surprisingly wide for a Chromebook this small. The keycaps also feel nice under the finger tips thanks to their texture, although they lack grip, which is made worse by the lack of indentation as well. This made the keyboard feel less secure in use, but overall I still found it amenable for typing quickly on.

  • Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Battery life

Back of Acer Chromebook Spin 312 open on desk with pink background

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life of the Chromebook Spin 312 is quite impressive. During our tests, where we ran a movie on a continuous loop, it managed to last over 11 hours. This makes it much better than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which could only manage six and a half hours. It also beats the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023), one of the best Chromebooks around in our view, which managed over 10 hours.

However, it can’t outlive the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which, when we tested it, endured for a remarkable 16 hours and 20 minutes. However, this is rather exceptional in the Chromebook world, and the Chromebook Spin 312 can still lay claim to having one of the best battery lives in the market.

  • Battery life: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Spin 312?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The Chromebook Spin 312 sits somewhere in the middle of the market given its design and spec, being cheaper than some rivals but more expensive than others.

3.5 / 5

Design

It’s solidly made and small enough to make it portable, although it’s a little bulky for tablet-style use.

4 / 5

Performance

The Chromebook Spin 312 can handle basic tasking, while the display is pleasingly sharp, if not the most vibrant and a tad too reflective.

3.5 / 5

Battery life

It may not have the very best battery life of a Chromebook, but its 11-hour performance still places it in the upper echelons.

4.5 / 5

Total Score

If you’re looking for a Chromebook you can use with touch inputs and doesn’t take up much space, you shouldn’t be disappointed with the Chromebook Spin 312 – so long as you don’t demand too much from it.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want something compact
The 12-inch size makes the Chromebook Spin 312 easy to travel with, and yet it doesn't feel compromised when typing or getting work done.

You want a 2-in-1 device
The 360-degree rotating touchscreen makes the Chromebook Spin 312 versatile, although it’s perhaps not best suited for full-on tablet-style use.

Don't buy it if...

You want the fastest Chromebook
Although it's surprisingly capable, those with more demanding workloads should seek more powerful models.

You want the sveltest device
Despite its small size, the Chromebook Spin 312 is fairly bulky and weighty, which impairs its tablet-style credentials.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Also consider

Acer Chromebook Spin 312

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook

Price

Starting from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)

$429.99 / £419 / AU$707

$339 / £299 / AU$499

CPU

Intel N100 (4 threads, 3.4GHz)

Intel Celeron N4500 1.10GHz (2 threads, 2.80GHz)

1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4020 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 2.8GHz Burst)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

Intel UHD Graphics 600

RAM

4GB LPDDR5

4GB LPDDR4x

4GB DDR4

Screen

12.2-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS LCD, 16:10, 60Hz touchscreen

12.4-inch WQXGA LED Display (2560 x 1600), touchscreen

11-inch IPS touchscreen, 1,366 x 768 pixels

Storage

64GB eMMC

64GB eMMC

64GB eMMC

Ports

2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio

2x USB-C with charging, 2x USB-A 3.1 Gen1, microSD

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Wi-Fi 6, LTE (Option), Bluetooth v5.1

802.11AC (2 x 2) WiFi, Bluetooth® 4.2

Camera

1280 x 720

720p / 8MP

720p

Weight

2.84lbs (1.29kg)

2.82lbs (1.28kg)

2.64lbs (1.2kg)

Dimensions

11.4 x 8.1 x 0.8in (29 x 20.5 x 2cm)

11.3 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches (28.8 x 20.7 x 1.7cm)

0.7 x 11.41 x 8.18 inches (17.8 x 290 x 207.8mm)

Here are some alternatives if the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 doesn't sound right for your needs:

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is about the same size as the Chromebook Spin 312, but it has a thinner and lighter construction, as well as a more upmarket design, which is one of the best in class. The display is even sharper and more vibrant, too. It’s a shame that its performance fails to live up to its looks, but if you only have very light workloads, it’ll make a pleasant companion. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
The IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook boasts great build quality and excellent battery life. However, it’s let down by unremarkable performance and uninspiring looks. Still, it’s powerful enough for light productivity and schoolwork, hence its inclusion on our best Chromebook guide. Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook review.

How I tested the Acer Chromebook Spin 312

  • Tested for two days
  • Used for work and for entertainment
  • Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Chromebook Spin 312 for a couple of days, during which time I used it working, gaming, and general browsing.

I used word processing and spreadsheet applications, streamed 4K content on YouTube, and played games such as Asphalt Legends Unite. I also connected various peripherals via Bluetooth.

I have been using Chromebooks for a while, and have reviewed a number of them as well, ranging in price, form factor, and spec. I have also reviewed plenty of Windows laptops.

I tested the EnGenius EOC655 bridge, an innovative product that combines Bluetooth and GPS
1:59 pm | June 27, 2025

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

The EnGenius EOC655 outdoor bridge features two Wi-Fi 6 radios offering a combined throughput of 2 Gbps.

Specification

CPU: Dual-core Qualcomm ARM CPU

RAM: 1GB

Storage: 8GB NAND

Radios: Two 2x2 5GHz Wi-Fi 6, One 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for management

Wireless throughput: Theoretical 2Gbps

Ports: 1Gb Ethernet with PoE, 2.5Gb Ethernet with proprietary PoE

Weight: 1.84 kg

Dimensions: 26.7 cm x 22.7 cm x 8.2 cm

Power Consumption: 21W maximum consumption, 15W with one client connected

MSRP: $999

The manufacturer-specified range of 10km is under ideal conditions. In reality, a reliable link is achieved at 1km or less. Its IP67 rating delivers reliable operation under harsh outdoor conditions, and with dual GbE ports, it can extend the reach of a remote location with wired Ethernet to over 100 meters. AES-256 encryption boosts security, and optional support for FIPS-140-2 compliance ensures reliable and secure communication.

The built-in GPS enables accurate device location and network mapping, making it essential for asset tracking and seamless network integration.

Web-based monitoring and management through the unified cloud service and mobile app allow auto-provisioning and large-scale deployments. The EOC655 consumes 21W, making it ideal for remote locations where energy supply is limited, such as a solar farm. A dual-core A53 CPU, supported by 1GB of RAM and 8GB of eMMC, provides premium features such as quality of service and VLAN support.

The EOC655 costs $999 per unit and does not include an external antenna. The same unit, equipped with two 18dBi antennas, costs $1100 and can cover up to 10 km. The EOC655 can be bundled with an even better antenna, providing up to 10km of range at higher throughput for $1300.

EnGenius EOC655: Design

The EnGenius wireless bridge ships with one accessory box containing the mounting kit, Ethernet wires, and a PoE adapter. A metal ring secures the unit to a outdoor post with screws. The white plastic enclosure lacks a heat dissipator and will become warm over time. Two Ethernet connectors link the box to the network while two N-type female connectors allow the addition of external antennas to boost the bridge’s range. The box measures 27 cm x 23 cm x 82 mm and weighs 1.84kg.

Internally, the EOC655 is based on a Qualcomm chipset. The processor is a Dual-Core 1GHz ARM CPU supported by 1GB of RAM and 8GB of flash memory. The two Ethernet ports can connect to 2.5 Gb and 1 Gb networks, supporting speeds as low as 10 Mbps. The connectors have a plastic enclosure that surrounds the Ethernet cable, preventing water from entering the bridge.

The two Ethernet ports function as PoE ports, but they differ slightly in operation. The 2.5 Gb port supports a proprietary version of PoE that is compatible only with the supplied adapter. The 1Gb port supports the regular 48V PoE and can be connected to a standard PoE switch. To facilitate installation, the bridge features additional hardware, including a GPS module and Bluetooth connectivity.

The two-radio architecture allows the use of both internal and external antennas. The maximum power for transmission is set to 27 dBm, which is higher than that of consumer products. The C18 model has built-in antennas with gains of 3.5 dBi at 2.4 GHz and eight dBi at 5 GHz. The second radio uses an N-type connector for the 5 GHz band. The base version of the bridge drops the 5GHz internal antenna, resulting in both radios operating through N-type connectors.

EnGenius EOC655 bottom

(Image credit: Future)

EnGenius EOC655: In Use

At least two units are needed to start the setup. A base unit connects to the wired network that needs extension. A second EOC655 is a subscriber and associates with the base over Wi-Fi 6. There is no visual indicator to show if things are working well. If a PoE switch is available, connecting the base unit will likely occur through the 1G port, as the faster 2.5G port is only compatible with the proprietary power supply.

The setup is entirely completed through the Engenius SkyConnect mobile app, available on Android and iOS. It is frustrating that an additional app is required for this process, as Engenius's other products, including access points, utilize the more familiar Cloud-To-Go platform. Once powered, the base unit emits a management SSID and waits for remote units to reply. The EOC655 supports up to 16 subscriber stations, working in a star configuration. As such, adding stations won’t necessarily increase the network's range.

Integrating a GPS module and a dedicated 2.4 GHz radio for management simplifies the installation process. The GPS provides real-time unit location and an accurate time source for the embedded NTP server. The 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth channels prevent downtime during Wi-Fi 6 radios configuration and firmware updates. Finally, a built-in compass provides additional help when no GPS signal is present.

EnGenius EOC655 back

(Image credit: Future)

EnGenius EOC655: Competition

The EOC655 bridge is an innovative product that combines various technologies, including Bluetooth and GPS, under a single roof. For this reason, it is challenging to find a suitable competitor.

The Zyxel WAX655E offers many features similar to those of the EnGenius, and it is faster, boasting a 4x4 radio architecture. The WAX655E lacks the convenience provided by the GPS module, making installation more difficult. The Zyxel product does not have a second Ethernet port, which prevents the network from being extended further without an Ethernet switch.

EnGenius EOC655: Final Verdict

The EOC655 meets the requirements when long-range Wi-Fi is needed. It's not a router or an access point; it is pretty useless on its own. It shines when two or more are used in a mesh configuration to extend the reach beyond one kilometer. And it does it well. The installation is smooth, thanks to features such as geolocation via GPS and setup via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. The throughput isn’t the best, but it will be reliable over larger distances.

We appreciated that you could install external antennas, which offer better gain than embedded ones. However, the lack of visual cues on the unit makes working with the mobile app a necessity.

Buy the EOC655 if you want to extend the reach of your network without sacrificing reliability.

Don’t buy the EOC655 if you want the best throughput available.

We list the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.

MSI Raider A18 HX review: big in power, big in size… as in literally too big
2:53 pm | June 11, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

MSI Raider A18 HX: Two-minute review

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a high-end, premium gaming laptop with a price point to match. Featuring some of the absolute best specifications on offer on the market right now, there’s no need to worry about low frame rates or poor game quality when sporting this titan of a machine.

You do get absolutely brilliant gaming performance on the MSI Raider A18 HX, however this is the expectation when it comes to a laptop at this price point. This device is by no means an option for those who are budget-conscious, however, but you get gaming performance like no other, a stunning 4K display, and a laptop which is future-proofed for years to come.

It does, however, come with some big flaws. Of course, you’d expect an 18-inch gaming laptop to be large, but this device really and truly is on another level in terms of both size and weight.

It’s a behemoth of a device which does have its perks, such as an immersive screen size and lots of ports, but on the other hand, it's so large to a point I wouldn’t necessarily consider it portable. It also only features a 2TB SSD, which despite sounding large, will easily be filled with the size of AAA titles in this day and age.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $5,609.99 / £4,799
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? UK and US

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-of-the-line laptop in terms of performance and of course that comes with a matching price point. Coming in at over $5,000 for the highest specification edition of this laptop, this price point is not for the faint of heart. Considering the specifications of the laptop, the price point does make sense as similar options are around the same price point.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which also features a RTX 5090 graphics card and a larger SSD, will set you back $4,499.99 / £5,099.

You can currently get this laptop in the UK, US and other select regions across the world. However, it’s currently not available in Australia.

  • Value: 4 /5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Closed lid of the MSI Raider A18 HX

(Image credit: Future)
MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Base configuration

Review configuration

Model

Raider A18 HX A9WIG-003

Raider A18 HX A9WJG-002

Price

$4,499.99 / £3,999

$5,609.99 / £4,799

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

RAM

64GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Storage

2TB SSD

2TB SSD

Ports

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

Weight

3.6kg

3.6kg

Dimensions

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-end gaming device where you can either opt for the Nvidia RTX 5090 or Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics cards. While both of these provide high-level graphics performance, if you really want the best of the best in terms of specifications then of course the Nvidia RTX 5090 is the clear option.

All the other specs between these two devices are identical, so no matter which option you pick up, you’ll be getting a mighty processor as well as an almost excessive amount of RAM with 64GB at your disposal.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Design

  • Large and heavy
  • 18-inch screen looks fantastic
  • Plenty of ports

When first unboxing the MSI Raider A18 HX, all I could think was… woah. Weighing in at 3.6kg, this definitely isn’t the lightest of laptops, and pair this with the absolutely massive size measuring at 404 x 307.5 x 32.05 mm, this device is almost certainly too big for most laptop backpacks.

Being an avid collector of laptop bags, I tried it in a whole load of different bags, and the only thing I could fit this device in was a suitcase. This is definitely something to take note of if you’re planning to use a gaming laptop on the go.

Size aside, the laptop itself is very traditionally gamer-y in terms of style. You get red accents around the edge of the device as well as RGB on the logo and along the bottom bezel. Contributing to this aesthetic is the font of the keyboard, which is quite aggressive.

You get a stunning 18-inch screen with this laptop with a 3840 x 2400 resolution, perfect for playing AAA titles in 4K. However, for those who play competitive titles where frames win games - you also get a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring you have the best of both worlds with this display.

The MSI Raider A18 HX features 3 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports and a headphone jack. You also get an ethernet port and HDMI port on the back of the device. While this is more than enough ports for a standard set up of gaming peripherals, you’ll likely need extenders if you’re hoping to run a full streaming setup.

  • Design: 3 / 5

Side view of the MSI Raider A18 HX

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Raider A18 HX: Performance

  • Can become unstable when battery drops too far
  • Top-tier gaming performance
  • Fans get loud
MSI Raider A18 HX: Benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 80877 ; Fire Strike: 42898 ; Time Spy: 18448
GeekBench 6: 2867 (single-core); 12285 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1578 Productivity: 1532 Creativity: 1851 Responsiveness: 1067
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 203 ; (1080p, Low): 454
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 167 ; (1080p, Low): 198
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 306 ; (1080p, Low): 204
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 1hr 27mins
TechRadar movie test: 1hr 45mins

I did have some teething issues when first booting up the MSI Raider A18 HX. At first it was freezing frequently and at one point in the middle of benchmarking it completely froze and I needed to hold down the power button to shut it off. I realised the main issue was when the battery dropped below 10% - it became practically useless, even when I adjusted power saving settings to ensure the best performance.

I resorted to using the laptop plugged in the majority of the time because of the power draw, and risking dropping below 10% battery and having the entire system shut off was not a gamble I was willing to take - especially when playing online. However, when the laptop did work as intended, it was absolutely fantastic, I got top-tier performance from every single title I booted up in Ultra.

Whether I was running lower-intensity titles or AAA games, which did send the fans of the laptop into orbit, I was able to get amazing quality graphics and high frames every time.

It’s worth noting that - as with a lot of gaming machines of this calibre - it did get very hot and very loud quite quickly, with fans going full throttle as soon as I would boot up a game in 4K.

The speakers on the laptop are pretty good, while they of course don’t match headset-level quality, they are perfectly fine for gaming with.

However, if you're looking for pinpoint-accurate directional audio, you won’t really find that from laptop speakers in general anyway, and should in vest in the best PC speakers.

  • Performance: 4 / 5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Battery life

The battery life was the biggest let down of this laptop. Of course, most gaming laptops have a very high power draw since they contain some pretty intense components, but the MSI Raider A18 HX really was unbelievably low.

When playing AAA games at 4K, I got less than an hour out of the laptop before it would shut itself off. Considering the performance issue I experienced when reaching low battery levels, this rendered the device even more useless for portability.

In tune with the size of the laptop, you get an absolutely gigantic 400w charging brick which also contributes to the lack of portability. However, the perk of having such a big charging brick is that your laptop will charge back to full battery very quickly with mine going from 10% back to 100% in around an hour.

It’s clear that this laptop was designed to remain plugged in at all times, whether it's due to the size of the device itself, the size of the charger or just the battery life in general. While it is a gaming laptop, it’s clearly one intended to remain stationary.

  • Battery life: 1 / 5

Should you buy the MSI Raider A18 HX?

MSI Raider A18 HX with its charging cable on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)
MSI Raider A18 HX: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Value

Value

4 / 5

Priced appropriately based on specs, the one downside here is the lack of availability in certain territories

Design

3 / 5

Despite coming with a gorgeous chassis, it’s hard to look past just how big this laptop is which takes away from its portability.

Performance

4 / 5

You get fantastic performance here which is let down when you get to lower battery percentages.

Battery

1 / 5

The battery is a major letdown when it comes to this laptop to the point I wouldn’t even consider using it unplugged.

Average rating

3 / 5

The MSI Raider A18 HX is huge and chugs through its battery, but there's no faulting the level of performance for the price, even if it comes at the (literal) cost of everything else.

Buy it if...

You want top-of-the-line performance
The specifications of this laptop are some of the best on the market right now, which deliver top-tier performance

You want something with the traditional gamer aesthetic
You get a traditional gamer-y style with this laptop including RGB and aggressive font

You want a built-in 4K display
You get a stunning display on this laptop which makes for a beautiful gaming experienceView Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want a portable gaming solution
Despite being a laptop, this device is so large that it means portability is essentially non-existent.View Deal

You need something with good battery life
All that power comes at the cost of (expectedly) woeful battery life. You'll need to keep a wall socket handy for this oneView Deal

MSI Raider A18 HX: Also Consider

Razer Blade 14

If you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop which provides you with immaculate performance regardless of if you’re looking for stunning visuals or high frame rates all packed into a compact and stunning chassis, then the Razer Blade 14 is a great option.

MSI Katana 15

The MSI Katana 15 is a great budget option for those who are looking for a powerful gaming laptop without having to fork out too much cash. You can pick it up at less than £1,000 and still get decent AAA performance in 1080p.

How I tested the MSI Raider A18 HX

I spent two weeks using the MSI Raider A18 HX as my everyday laptop for work and leisure. I was sure to use the device all day for my typical work day, and then also used it for gaming in the evening. I took it on the go with me to different locations where I needed to work to see how it would feel outside of my workstation. As well as using it every day I also benchmarked the laptop using a range of different benchmarking software.

  • First reviewed: June 2025
MSI Raider A18 HX review: big in power, big in size… as in literally too big
2:53 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

MSI Raider A18 HX: Two-minute review

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a high-end, premium gaming laptop with a price point to match. Featuring some of the absolute best specifications on offer on the market right now, there’s no need to worry about low frame rates or poor game quality when sporting this titan of a machine.

You do get absolutely brilliant gaming performance on the MSI Raider A18 HX, however this is the expectation when it comes to a laptop at this price point. This device is by no means an option for those who are budget-conscious, however, but you get gaming performance like no other, a stunning 4K display, and a laptop which is future-proofed for years to come.

It does, however, come with some big flaws. Of course, you’d expect an 18-inch gaming laptop to be large, but this device really and truly is on another level in terms of both size and weight.

It’s a behemoth of a device which does have its perks, such as an immersive screen size and lots of ports, but on the other hand, it's so large to a point I wouldn’t necessarily consider it portable. It also only features a 2TB SSD, which despite sounding large, will easily be filled with the size of AAA titles in this day and age.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $5,609.99 / £4,799
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? UK and US

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-of-the-line laptop in terms of performance and of course that comes with a matching price point. Coming in at over $5,000 for the highest specification edition of this laptop, this price point is not for the faint of heart. Considering the specifications of the laptop, the price point does make sense as similar options are around the same price point.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which also features a RTX 5090 graphics card and a larger SSD, will set you back $4,499.99 / £5,099.

You can currently get this laptop in the UK, US and other select regions across the world. However, it’s currently not available in Australia.

  • Value: 4 /5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Closed lid of the MSI Raider A18 HX

(Image credit: Future)
MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Base configuration

Review configuration

Model

Raider A18 HX A9WIG-003

Raider A18 HX A9WJG-002

Price

$4,499.99 / £3,999

$5,609.99 / £4,799

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

RAM

64GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Storage

2TB SSD

2TB SSD

Ports

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

Weight

3.6kg

3.6kg

Dimensions

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-end gaming device where you can either opt for the Nvidia RTX 5090 or Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics cards. While both of these provide high-level graphics performance, if you really want the best of the best in terms of specifications then of course the Nvidia RTX 5090 is the clear option.

All the other specs between these two devices are identical, so no matter which option you pick up, you’ll be getting a mighty processor as well as an almost excessive amount of RAM with 64GB at your disposal.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Design

  • Large and heavy
  • 18-inch screen looks fantastic
  • Plenty of ports

When first unboxing the MSI Raider A18 HX, all I could think was… woah. Weighing in at 3.6kg, this definitely isn’t the lightest of laptops, and pair this with the absolutely massive size measuring at 404 x 307.5 x 32.05 mm, this device is almost certainly too big for most laptop backpacks.

Being an avid collector of laptop bags, I tried it in a whole load of different bags, and the only thing I could fit this device in was a suitcase. This is definitely something to take note of if you’re planning to use a gaming laptop on the go.

Size aside, the laptop itself is very traditionally gamer-y in terms of style. You get red accents around the edge of the device as well as RGB on the logo and along the bottom bezel. Contributing to this aesthetic is the font of the keyboard, which is quite aggressive.

You get a stunning 18-inch screen with this laptop with a 3840 x 2400 resolution, perfect for playing AAA titles in 4K. However, for those who play competitive titles where frames win games - you also get a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring you have the best of both worlds with this display.

The MSI Raider A18 HX features 3 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports and a headphone jack. You also get an ethernet port and HDMI port on the back of the device. While this is more than enough ports for a standard set up of gaming peripherals, you’ll likely need extenders if you’re hoping to run a full streaming setup.

  • Design: 3 / 5

Side view of the MSI Raider A18 HX

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Raider A18 HX: Performance

  • Can become unstable when battery drops too far
  • Top-tier gaming performance
  • Fans get loud
MSI Raider A18 HX: Benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 80877 ; Fire Strike: 42898 ; Time Spy: 18448
GeekBench 6: 2867 (single-core); 12285 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1578 Productivity: 1532 Creativity: 1851 Responsiveness: 1067
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 203 ; (1080p, Low): 454
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 167 ; (1080p, Low): 198
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 306 ; (1080p, Low): 204
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 1hr 27mins
TechRadar movie test: 1hr 45mins

I did have some teething issues when first booting up the MSI Raider A18 HX. At first it was freezing frequently and at one point in the middle of benchmarking it completely froze and I needed to hold down the power button to shut it off. I realised the main issue was when the battery dropped below 10% - it became practically useless, even when I adjusted power saving settings to ensure the best performance.

I resorted to using the laptop plugged in the majority of the time because of the power draw, and risking dropping below 10% battery and having the entire system shut off was not a gamble I was willing to take - especially when playing online. However, when the laptop did work as intended, it was absolutely fantastic, I got top-tier performance from every single title I booted up in Ultra.

Whether I was running lower-intensity titles or AAA games, which did send the fans of the laptop into orbit, I was able to get amazing quality graphics and high frames every time.

It’s worth noting that - as with a lot of gaming machines of this calibre - it did get very hot and very loud quite quickly, with fans going full throttle as soon as I would boot up a game in 4K.

The speakers on the laptop are pretty good, while they of course don’t match headset-level quality, they are perfectly fine for gaming with.

However, if you're looking for pinpoint-accurate directional audio, you won’t really find that from laptop speakers in general anyway, and should in vest in the best PC speakers.

  • Performance: 4 / 5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Battery life

The battery life was the biggest let down of this laptop. Of course, most gaming laptops have a very high power draw since they contain some pretty intense components, but the MSI Raider A18 HX really was unbelievably low.

When playing AAA games at 4K, I got less than an hour out of the laptop before it would shut itself off. Considering the performance issue I experienced when reaching low battery levels, this rendered the device even more useless for portability.

In tune with the size of the laptop, you get an absolutely gigantic 400w charging brick which also contributes to the lack of portability. However, the perk of having such a big charging brick is that your laptop will charge back to full battery very quickly with mine going from 10% back to 100% in around an hour.

It’s clear that this laptop was designed to remain plugged in at all times, whether it's due to the size of the device itself, the size of the charger or just the battery life in general. While it is a gaming laptop, it’s clearly one intended to remain stationary.

  • Battery life: 1 / 5

Should you buy the MSI Raider A18 HX?

MSI Raider A18 HX with its charging cable on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)
MSI Raider A18 HX: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Value

Value

4 / 5

Priced appropriately based on specs, the one downside here is the lack of availability in certain territories

Design

3 / 5

Despite coming with a gorgeous chassis, it’s hard to look past just how big this laptop is which takes away from its portability.

Performance

4 / 5

You get fantastic performance here which is let down when you get to lower battery percentages.

Battery

1 / 5

The battery is a major letdown when it comes to this laptop to the point I wouldn’t even consider using it unplugged.

Average rating

3 / 5

The MSI Raider A18 HX is huge and chugs through its battery, but there's no faulting the level of performance for the price, even if it comes at the (literal) cost of everything else.

Buy it if...

You want top-of-the-line performance
The specifications of this laptop are some of the best on the market right now, which deliver top-tier performance

You want something with the traditional gamer aesthetic
You get a traditional gamer-y style with this laptop including RGB and aggressive font

You want a built-in 4K display
You get a stunning display on this laptop which makes for a beautiful gaming experienceView Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want a portable gaming solution
Despite being a laptop, this device is so large that it means portability is essentially non-existent.View Deal

You need something with good battery life
All that power comes at the cost of (expectedly) woeful battery life. You'll need to keep a wall socket handy for this oneView Deal

MSI Raider A18 HX: Also Consider

Razer Blade 14

If you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop which provides you with immaculate performance regardless of if you’re looking for stunning visuals or high frame rates all packed into a compact and stunning chassis, then the Razer Blade 14 is a great option.

MSI Katana 15

The MSI Katana 15 is a great budget option for those who are looking for a powerful gaming laptop without having to fork out too much cash. You can pick it up at less than £1,000 and still get decent AAA performance in 1080p.

How I tested the MSI Raider A18 HX

I spent two weeks using the MSI Raider A18 HX as my everyday laptop for work and leisure. I was sure to use the device all day for my typical work day, and then also used it for gaming in the evening. I took it on the go with me to different locations where I needed to work to see how it would feel outside of my workstation. As well as using it every day I also benchmarked the laptop using a range of different benchmarking software.

  • First reviewed: June 2025
I spent weeks with the Synology DiskStation DS925+ NAS box and it didn’t miss a beat, no matter what I threw at it
3:20 am |

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

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Two-minute review

Specs

Synology DiskStation DS925+ side

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

CPU: AMD Ryzen V1500B
Graphics: None
RAM: 4GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM (Max 32GB)
Storage: 80TB (20TB HDD x4), 1.6TB (800GB M.2 x2)
Ports: 2x Type-A (5Gbps), 1x Type-C (5Gbps), 2x 2.5GbE Ethernet ports
Size: 166 x 199 x 223mm (6.5 x 7.8 x 8.8 inches)
OS installed: DSM 7
Accessories: 2x LAN cables, 2x drive-bay lock keys, AC power cord

Synology has been producing network attached storage (NAS) technology for over 20 years, and its devices have maintained a consistent look and feel. In that time, the company has developed a highly polished operating system that’s packed with a wide variety of bespoke and third-party apps that do everything from simply backing up files on a home or office network, through managing a household’s multimedia requirements, to running a business’s entire IT stack. The latter includes enterprise-grade backup, all kinds of server functionality, email and web-hosting, virtual machine management, surveillance camera management and much, much more.

In more recent years, Synology has hunkered down in its own segment of the NAS market – eschewing broad compatibility with third-party hardware providers and a Wild-West application community in favor of a more closed and professional operating environment, where you have to buy expensive Synology drives to populate the boxes. While these compatibility changes have driven some users away, what remains is still an incredibly robust, well-supported and well-documented ecosystem that has a huge community following.

The new DiskStation DS925+ is something of a popular, sweet-spot size that can suit new users and network admins alike. At a glance, it looks exactly like several generations of its predecessors and it operates very much like them. Its most significant features include four bays that support both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives and two M.2 NVMe SSD slots. Its tool-less design and simple setup wizards make it quick and easy to build, and you can be up and running in less than 15 minutes. It runs quietly and can be positioned on top of a desk or hidden away (in a ventilated location) discreetly. To casual users (with deep pockets) who want access to Synology’s apps and need only basic NAS functionality, we could stop there. Enthusiasts will want to know more.

Synology DiskStation DS925+ close up on a desk

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

The list of compatible drives is now smaller than ever. While Synology has kicked certification of third-party drives over to vendors like Seagate and WD, it doesn’t appear to have resulted in more choice… yet. At the time of writing, you’re still limited to Synology’s latest Plus Series consumer drives (which go up to 16TB), its Enterprise drives (up to 20TB), its 2.5-inch SSDs (up to 7TB) and its Enterprise-level M.2 NVMe drives (up to 800GB). All of them are considerably more expensive than incompatible third-party counterparts.

The DS925+ comes with one of its two SO-DIMM slots populated with 4GB of DDR4 ECC RAM. You can upgrade to two sticks of Synology’s own 16GB ECC RAM (for 32GB total) if required, but not if you’re looking to save money. The introduction of error-correcting (ECC) RAM at this level is a boon, nonetheless.

It should be noted that if you’re looking to the DS925+ as an upgrade for an older Synology NAS, it will allow third-party drives if it recognizes an existing DSM installation. However, you’ll get constant drive compatibility warnings in return.

Positive new hardware features include a beefed-up, quad-core, eight-thread AMD Ryzen V1500B processor (note that there’s no integrated GPU) and its two network ports are finally 2.5GbE. There are both front and rear-mounted USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports plus a new, slightly controversial, USB-C port for connecting an external, 5-bay extension unit (replacing old eSATA-connected options). What’s most bothersome, though, is the lack of a PCIe network expansion for upgrading to 10GbE connectivity, which limits the possible network transfer speeds.

Ultimately, the initial outlay for a DS925+ can be enormous compared to rivals on the market. However, if you’re going to make use of the vast libraries of free software applications and licenses, it’ll represent great value.

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Price & availability

Synology’s DiskStation DS925+ only recently launched and has limited availability in only a few markets. It’s listed at $830 / £551 / AU$1,099.

Overall, it's well priced compared to its closest competitors such as the TerraMaster F4-424 Max, as well as other Synology NAS devices.

  • Value score: 4.5 / 5

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Design & build

While the DiskStation DS925+ looks like its predecessors, I felt that it was somewhat more robust and less rattly than some of its forebears. Regardless of that, it’s still a small and discreet black box that will not draw attention to itself, wherever it’s located.

Synology DiskStation DS925+ rear

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

The tool-less design makes adding hard drives simple. For 3.5-inch drives, you just lift up the drive bay door, pull out the drive tray, unclip the tray’s side bars, put the drive in the tray, clip the bars back on (they use rubber grommets to reduce sound and vibrations) and slide it back in. If you want, you can ‘lock’ each drive bay with a key to deter opportunistic thieves.

Adding RAM involves removing the drive bays and adding SO-DIMMs to the internal slots on the side. Adding the M.2 NVMe drives involves simply unclipping the covers on the base and sliding them in. Adding six drives takes less than five minutes.

A fully populated DS925+ runs very quietly – Synology says just 20dB – and I can attest that there’s only a very quiet whooshing noise made by the dual 92mm fans, and the drives only make occasional, very low clicking and popping sounds.

Installing the operating system is also simple. A QR code in the box provides access to an online setup document with a link that automatically finds your NAS on the network before offering to install everything for you. After a quick firmware update, it reboots and you’ll be looking at the DSM desktop, in a web browser, just a few minutes later. The NAS will then prompt you to sign into a Synology account, set up SSO and MFA log-ins and install some basic apps.

Newcomers might struggle at first with the terminology surrounding the initial setup of the drives, but (at the basic level) the NAS walks you through the process. It involves organizing the drives into a storage pool, then creating a volume and then adding folders. You’ll also be prompted to list which users can have View, Read or Write access. At this point you’ve got functional network-attached storage that can be accessed across your network.

The operating system is well-polished and installing bespoke and third-party apps is simple thanks to the Package Center application which operates like a free App Store. It’s also simple to enable remote access using Synology’s QuickConnect ID short-web-link system.

An interesting change with the DiskStation DS925+ is the removal of the (6Gbps) eSATA port for connecting Synology’s optional, legacy, external drive bays and its replacement with a single (5Gbps) USB-C port which connects to a Synology DX525 5-bay expansion unit. I didn't have an expansion bay on hand to test this, but the performance difference should be minimal.

While there are only two 2.5GbE network ports, you can combine them in various ways, with the easiest (load balancing) becoming operational in just a few clicks. It’s more suited to multiple connections rather than improving top speed, though.

Finally, it’s worth noting that compatibility with third-party drives is now strictly limited. At the time of writing, the DS925+ was only compatible with its own (up to 16TB) prosumer Plus Series hard drives, its (up to 20TB) Enterprise Series hard drives and (up to 7TB) SSDs, plus its 400GB and 800GB M.2 NVMe drives. All of these cost considerably more than third-party equivalents. Synology is blunt about why it has limited compatibility so much – it got sick of dealing with support requests that often boiled down to conflicts and crashes caused by drive failures and subsequent arguments with third-party drive vendors. While it’s annoying, I can sympathize with that.

  • Design & build score: 5 / 5

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Features

Synology DiskStation DS925+ SSD drive covers removed

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

It’s tricky to know just where to start with the numerous features that are available with the DiskStation DS925+. It performs just about every business and consumer task you can imagine. For many smart-home users, the various multi-device backup utilities, multimedia organization tools and media-server functionality (including Plex, Emby and Jellyfin) will be used more than anything else.

For prosumer and business users, it can be your full-stack IT service provider. There are apps that can transform your NAS into an enterprise-grade backup solution with off-site (third-party and Synology C2) cloud capabilities; email server; web server; Synology Office application provider; surveillance camera manager; anti-malware protection; virtual machine manager and a VPN server.

In all of these applications, multiple user licenses are included, which boosts the value proposition through the roof.

There’s a multitude of third-party applications and high-quality documentation (covering just about everything) that has been created by a large and mature Synology-enthusiast community.

Network admins will also like the numerous drive-formatting options, granular user permission management and SSO and MFA security options.

Storage capacity can be increased via a USB-C connected, five-drive-bay expansion unit.

The two USB-A ports (front and rear) have had many functions removed so they can no longer be used to connect potential security nightmares like printers, media devices, or network adapters, but they can still be used for connecting external USB storage devices.

The twin 92mm fans are quiet and, in conjunction with well-designed vents, do a good job of cooling the NAS. That said, be sure to place it in a location where airflow isn’t impeded and the vents won’t get clogged with dust.

  • Features score: 5 / 5

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Performance

Synology DiskStation DS925+ HDD bay

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

To test the DiskStation DS925+, I installed four Synology 3.5-inch, 4TB hard drives and formatted them with Synology’s own RAID-5-like Btrfs file system which offers striped performance boosts, disk-failure redundancy protection and numerous enhancements that work with Synology’s backup utilities. It left me with a 10.4TB volume and meant I could lose/remove any one drive without suffering data loss.

I also installed two 400GB M.2 NVMe SSDs as a single Btrfs storage volume (they can also be used for caching) which gave me a usable capacity of 362.4GB.

I transferred files from one volume to the other and hit sustained transfer speeds that peaked at 435MB/s, but most people will be moving data externally.

I subsequently performed multiple tests to find its real-world limits, see what doing without a 10GbE port option meant and discover what benefits the two (configurable) 2.5GbE LAN ports offered. I did this by connecting the NAS to a high-end, TP-Link Deco BE85 Wi-Fi 7 Router (with 10GbE LAN ports) via Ethernet and downloading large video files using various wired and wireless configurations.

I compared the DS925+’s performance to that of an older, two-bay Synology DiskStation DS723+ that has a 10GbE wired connection, a dual 3.5-inch hard drive volume and a newly fitted, single, 800GB Synology M.2 NVMe SSD-based volume.

I tested using a high-end Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D gaming laptop with a 2.5GbE LAN connection and Wi-Fi 6E, as well as a new Core Ultra (Series 2) Asus Vivobook 14 Flip with Wi-Fi 7.

I started with the DS723+ which I’ve been using for testing Wi-Fi routers. With the Scar’s 2.5GbE Ethernet port connected by wire to the Deco router, I saw sustained transfer speeds that hit 245MB/s for both the DS723+’s HDD volume and its NVMe volume. Over a 5GHz Wi-Fi 6E wireless connection, this dropped to 194MB/s for both volumes. Over a 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E wireless connection, it achieved 197MB/s using the HDD volume and 215MB/s for the NVMe volume.

Switching to the Wi-Fi 7 VivoBook, on the 5GHz wireless connection, it managed 180MB/s for both the HDD and NVMe volumes. However, when using the 6GHz Wi-Fi 7 network, it achieved 244MB/s for the HDD volume and an astonishing 347MB/s for the NVMe volume. That right there is the power of having a 10GbE-equipped NAS (with an NVMe drive) connected to a Wi-Fi 7 network. Cables, schmables! That’s more than enough for editing multiple streams of UHD video at once.

Synology DiskStation DS925+ drive bays removed

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

So, how did the newer DS925+ compare? When it was connected to the Deco via a single 2.5GbE port, the 2.5GbE LAN connected Asus laptop reached 280MB/s for the HDD volume and 282MB/s for the NVMe volume – a good 35MB/s quicker than the two-bay DS723+. Over 5GHz Wi-Fi these scores both dropped to 190MB/s which is similar to the DS723+, illustrating a likely 5GHz Wi-Fi bottleneck. Interestingly, performance was consistently slower during the Scar’s 6GHz tests, where it hit 163MB/s (HDD volume) and 172MB/s (NVMe volume), but this is again likely caused by the network, not the NAS.

When the VivoBook connected via the 5GHz network, it managed 186MB/s transfers for both volumes. Over Wi-Fi 7 this jumped up to 272MB/s for the HDD volume and 278MB/s for the SSD volume. So, thus far, the file transfer performance benefits of having NVMe storage on the DS925+ aren’t significant when passing through the bottleneck of its 2.5GbE LAN port.

Consequently, I bonded the two 2.5GbE connections together to form a ‘single’ 5GbE connection in an effort to boost performance. This takes just a few clicks in DSM’s control panel. I opted for the basic Adaptive Load Balancing option, but there are several other configurations for various types of network topology.

Synology DiskStation DS925+ dual 2.5GbE setup

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

So, with the DS925+’s two Ethernet cables forming a single 5Gbps connection to the Deco router, I ran the tests again. The 2.5GbE-connected ROG Strix Scar saw transfer speeds (to both the HDD and SSD volumes) only reach 168MB/s, which is around 120MB/s slower than when the NAS was connected via a single 2.5GbE wired connection. Over 5GHz Wi-Fi this boosted (slightly) to 188MB/s for both volumes and over the 6GHz network, it dropped back to 170MB/s for both volumes. It’s fair to say that combining the DS925+’s two 2.5GbE ports is better suited to handling multiple network streams rather than boosting performance of a single connection.

Nonetheless, I repeated the test with the VivoBook. Over 5GHz Wi-Fi, both volumes saw transfer speeds of 176MB/s. Over 6GHz Wi-Fi 7, it hit 283MB/s.

So, what have we learned about the DS925+’s file transfer-speed potential? Using a 2.5GbE wired connection to and from the router, it tops out at 280MB/s. Connecting the laptop via 5GHz Wi-Fi typically sees transfer speeds of between 160MB/s and 185MB/s, but over 6GHz Wi-Fi 7, up to 283MB/s is possible. This means that, in the right circumstances, Wi-Fi 7 can match 2.5GbE connection speeds.

We also learned that combining the DS925+’s two 2.5GbE connections (at least, in my particular setup) reduces the top transfer speed. Most importantly, that means losing the option for a 10GbE upgrade stops us hitting insane 347MB/s speeds over Wi-Fi 7, and 283MB/s is the reduced ceiling. As such, it’s straight-up not worth using the M.2 drives for file transfer performance boosting as the 2.5GbE connection(s) act as a bottleneck.

That all said, the M.2 drives can still improve performance through caching functionality and Synology notes it can give a 15x improvement to random read and write IOPS. This will be a much bigger deal in situations with multiple connections occurring simultaneously.

While some high-end users will miss the option to upgrade to a 10GbE performance ceiling, I found it’s still more than enough to facilitate very high bitrate, 60FPS, UHD+ video playback (and multiple UHD video stream editing) in addition to having multiple simultaneous connections performing numerous lesser tasks.

  • Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Synology DiskStation DS925+?

It has become normal to gripe about the design decisions and limitations that Synology imposes on each generation of its prosumer NAS boxes. However, if we eliminate the potential purchasers it won’t suit – i.e. those who need a 10GbE connection and those who cannot afford all the expensive Synology hard drives required to populate it – it’s absolutely worth buying.

Its highly evolved chassis is deceptively well built in terms of tool-less access, rigidity, cooling and airflow. Its operating environment remains secure, robust and intuitive and is packed with features. Its software library will satisfy casual and demanding consumers plus network admins alike and almost all of it is free.

While it’s lost the hodgepodge, stick-your-old-hard-drives-in-a-box-and-hack-a-NAS-together old-school vibe, it’s now a reliable (and scalable) professional backbone for any business or smart-home.

As an all-around package, it’s the best on the market for its target audience. Yes, it can be expensive to populate with drives, but the subsequent total cost of ownership borne through reliability, software licensing and built-in security features help offset the burden of the initial outlay. This means that the DS925+ is, once again, a highly desirable winner from Synology.

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

A closed market makes buying drives expensive. But, the free software library can make it a bargain, regardless.

4.5

Design

It’s incredibly simple to put together thanks to its tool-less design. The software is voluminous, polished, mature, secure and reliable. It also runs cool and quiet.

5

Features

Whether you’re an undemanding consumer or a network admin, the DS925+ can do it all. 

5

Performance

The lack of an upgrade option to a 10GbE port limits peak performance, but it’s still not slow.

4.5

Total

Synology’s latest 4-bay NAS is as attractive as its predecessors, which is high praise indeed.

5

Synology DiskStation DS925+ with one drive bay partially open

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

Buy it if...

You want a one-stop box that can support your smart home

Its ease of setup, friendly multimedia apps, security, reliability and ability to operate almost every facet of a smart home make it a winner.

You want a one-stop box that can support your entire organization

Whether it’s enterprise-grade backups, hosting web or email servers or virtual machines or even providing free office software, this one box can do it all.

Don't buy it if...

You need the fastest file transfers

The lack of 10GbE connectivity means that top transfer speeds are no longer available.

You're on a tight budget

Getting access to Synology’s incredible value and mostly free software library now involves an even heavier initial outlay for compatible drives.


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