23 Sep
Blog

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 Review: Fast, But Flawed

Opened Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 sitting on the floor.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4

RRP $ 2,095.00

"The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 is not a perfect performer, but there is a lot to like."

advantages

  • Excellent workmanship

  • Superior entry-level display

  • Solid performance

  • Good keyboard and touchpad

  • Very powerful configuration options

disadvantage

  • Performance was inconsistent

  • Battery life was average

Lenovo's most powerful non-workstation ThinkPad is the ThinkPad X1 Extreme, an earlier 15-inch laptop that served as a strong competitor to the Dell XPS 15 and other high-performance laptops in its class. The fastest components and the most aggressive thermal designs can be found in the ThinkPad X1 Extreme, something Lenovo took to extremes with the fourth generation.

Not only has the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 increased performance, but it has also joined the movement of the larger displays and features a slightly larger 16-inch 16:10 display, while at the same time being roughly the same size as the previous generation fits.

I tested a ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 with an Intel Core i7-11800H and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, which costs $ 2,095. You can also choose up to a Core i9-11950H with vPro and an RTX 3080, which further improves the laptop's theoretical performance and even outperforms the impressive Dell XPS 17 in terms of pure performance. As I found out in this review, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 is a fast premium notebook – but according to my tests it has some performance weaknesses that take away some of its clout.

draft

View of the lid of an opened Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 was 14.24 "x 9.67" x 0.72 "and weighed 3.75 pounds. The new Gen 4 model is 14.13 inches by 9.99 inches by 0.70 inches and weighs 3.99 pounds. Aside from adding a tiny bit of depth thanks to the taller display and a quarter pound of weight, Lenovo did what it set out to do: a 16:10 16-inch display the same size as the previous 15.6 – Pack inch display. Inch generation.

The thing is, it's still a lot bigger than the Dell XPS 15, which comes in at 13.57 "x 9.06" x 0.71 "and a slightly heavier 4.22 pounds. If you put the two next to each other, the ThinkPad looks huge in comparison. This is mainly due to the larger bezels of the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4, which also give it an old-school look with the modern, higher display. A new competitor, the MSI Creator Z16, also has a 16:10 16-inch display and measures 14.13 inches by 10.08 inches by 0.64 inches and weighs 5.07 pounds. Its bezels are a bit smaller than the ThinkPad's, but it's still deeper – just imagine.

All in all, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 looks like a large laptop, but it doesn't feel like it thanks to its light weight. It's made of an aluminum alloy on the lower chassis (with some plastic parts) and contains four layers of reinforced carbon fiber in the lid. I'm not sure how Lenovo kept the weight down without using a magnesium alloy, but they succeeded and the laptop sits comfortably in the hand. It has the usual soft-touch coating on the ThinkPad and is extremely comfortable to hold.

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 looks like a ThinkPad.

It's also pretty stiff, with just the slightest flexing of the lid if you try hard enough, and without giving way to the keyboard deck or the bottom of the case. The Dell XPS 15 is all around stiff, which makes it feel more solid, but there is no significant difference. The Gen 4 model is at least as robust as the Gen 3, making it one of the class leaders in terms of build quality – and it offers the usual MIL-STD 810g certification for robustness.

Aesthetically, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 looks like a ThinkPad. It is completely black with just a few red accents in the X1 logo on the lid, the red LED dot on the "i" in the ThinkPad logo, the red TrackPoint stud in the middle of the keyboard and accents on the edges of the TrackPoint buttons. My test device came with a display with WQXGA resolution (2,560 x 1,600), so the lid was simply black.

Choose one of the 4K + WQUXGA (3840 x 2400) displays and you get a carbon fiber fabric to add some pizzazz to the lid. Overall, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 has an attractive and bold look, and if you like the ThinkPad aesthetics, this is your one for sure. The XPS 15 looks more modern and slimmer overall, and overall more attractive, especially with the white fiberglass keyboard deck, but the ThinkPad aims at and achieves its own appearance.

The MSI Creator Z16 has a more straightforward aesthetic in the case. Nevertheless, it integrates RGB lighting into the keyboard, making it the exact opposite of the conservative ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4, at least when you open the lid and switch on the keyboard lighting.

Charging connector, 2 micro USB ports, HDMI port and headphone jack on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Hinges on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 Aptop.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 ports: SD card slot and 2 USB ports.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Connectivity remains a strength, with a proprietary power port (that supports a 230 watt power adapter), two USB-Cs with Thunderbolt 4 ports, a full-size HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 port (depending on the model), and a 3, 5mm audio jack on the left and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a full-size SD card reader on the right. Wireless connectivity is provided by the latest and fastest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, and you can configure WWAN support through an optional nano-SIM slot.

power

Lenovo didn't mess around when developing the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4's performance profile. You can configure up to a Core i9-11950H with vPro in the CPU department and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q in the GPU department. There is no other 15- or 16-inch laptop that I know of that is as powerful outside of slot machines.

My test device was equipped with a Core i7-11800H and an RTX 3060 and thus more powerful than the Dell XPS 15 and identical to the MSI Creator Z16. Unfortunately, Lenovo sent me a machine with only one 16 GB RAM stick installed, which limits the memory to single-channel performance. As we shall see, this had effects that were not immediately apparent.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

In Geekbench 5, the ThinkPad does well enough, just behind the MSI Creator Z16 and the Dell XPS 15. It beats the MSI and Dell by a few in our Handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB video as H.265 Seconds. And it was also clearly ahead of the XPS 15 and the Z16 in Cinebench R23. So far, so good. Only the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with its Ryzen 7 5800H – a fast processor for compute-intensive tasks – stood out in our comparison group.

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 was in the midfield in PCMark 10, faster than the XPS 15, but slower than the Z16. It was able to keep up in the areas of essentials and productivity of the test, but lagged behind the MSI Creator Z16 in content creation (but before the Dell XPS 15). Again, according to the benchmarks reported so far, there were no red flags in terms of performance.

If you buy this laptop, make sure you tick Dual Channel RAM in the configurator.

However, when I switched to the Pugetbench benchmark running in Adobe Premiere Pro, things got a little strange. The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 achieved an extremely low value of 432 in this test, which uses both CPU and GPU. The Dell XPS 15 with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti achieved 509 in standard mode (and 590 in performance mode), the MSI Creator Z16 was faster at 732, only reaching 54.5 compared to the 119.1 from MSI and 74.8 from Dell.

It turned out that the single-channel RAM caused such a low score in this benchmark. Lenovo tested an identical device with two 16 GB RAM sticks and dual-channel storage and gave it 642 points. To be honest, that's still low for the CPU and GPU, especially with 32 GB of RAM, well below the MSI Creator Z16 (also with 32 GB) and only a bit better than the XPS 15 in performance mode. But it's better than my test device. If you buy this laptop, make sure you tick Dual Channel RAM in the configurator.

I was happy with the performance of the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 until I hit the Pugetbench results. This laptop is intended for developers running CPU and GPU intensive applications like Premiere Pro, and the ThinkPad didn't do as well as I expected even when configured with faster RAM performance. I have no idea how well the Core i9 version might do, and you can increase the overall performance in these apps by opting for an RTX 3070 or 3080. The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 will likely be the fastest laptop in this comparison group when it is at full capacity. Note, however, that if configured similarly, it won't be the fastest laptop when compared to the competition. Note that if you choose to mirror, you can add a second solid-state drive (SSD) to the machine for additional storage or redundancy.

Laptop 3DMark time spy Cinebench R23 Underdog Bench 5 Handbrake
(Seconds)		 PCMark 10 Fourteen days
(1080p epic)		 Civilization VI (1080p Ultra)
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 (Core i7-11800H) 6691 1519/10497 1520/7353 99 6251 85 fps (1920 x 1200) Wouldn't run
Dell XPS 15 OLED 2021 (Core i7-11800H) 4540 1513/9979 1544/7692 101 6024 50 fps 73 fps
MSI Creator Z16 (Core i7-11800H) 6322 1444/9615 1540/7625 103 6486 59 fps (1920 x 1200) 92 fps
Dell XPS 17 (Core i7-11800H) 7039 1525/10145 1568/8801 n / A 6209 78 fps 104 fps
LG gram 16 (Core i7-1165G7) 1390 1394/4137 1573/5454 213 4827 13 fps n / A
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (Ryzen7 5800H) 9175 1430/11195 1460/7227 99 n / A 101 fps 114 fps

Considering the RTX 3060 and the fast CPU, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 should be a good entry-level gaming device. That's how my tests went for the most part. Unfortunately, the ThinkPad Civilization VI would not run without a crash, so I am unable to report any results for this game. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 hit 53 frames per second (fps) in 1080p and high graphics, much slower than the MSI Creator Z16's 82 fps, but that gap narrowed as I went up in resolution and graphics. At 1600p and ultra-high graphics, the ThinkPad managed 39 fps compared to 45 fps on the Z16.

I saw similar results with Battlefield V, where the ThinkPad achieved 69 fps at 1080p and medium graphics compared to the MSI at 81 fps. Then the ThinkPad was faster at 1600p and ultra graphics at 56 fps versus 43 fps. Finally, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 massacred the MSI Creator Z16 in Fortnite, reaching 85 fps at 1200p and epic graphics versus 59 fps. The same discrepancy was shown for the rest of the tested resolutions and graphics settings.

You will find that the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 is a competent, but not class-leading gaming laptop for modern titles at reasonable resolutions and graphics settings. You can probably play most games at 1600p with medium to high graphics, as long as you are willing to accept lower frame rates or turn things down a bit, and you get very playable performance. You may find some inconsistencies like I did, but overall you will be able to play along with your work.

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The display of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 laptop.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo offers several 16:10 16-inch displays for the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4, WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) IPS, WQUXGA (3,840 x 2,400) with Dolby Vision and WQUXGA touch display with Dolby Vision. My test device equipped the entry-level WQXGA display, which is better for battery life, but not as sharp. When I used the laptop during the test, I found the display a delight, with lots of brightness and contrast, and colors that pop but didn't seem inaccurate. It's not an OLED, but it was excellent for an IPS display.

My colorimeter agreed. It's incredibly bright at 468 nits, well above our 300 nit threshold, which is better than the 385 nits of the MSI Creator Z16's IPS WQUXGA panel and the 381 nits of the Dell XPS 15's 3.5K OLED display The contrast of the ThinkPad was very good for an IPS display at 1,240: 1 (above our preferred contrast ratio of 1000: 1), whereas the MSI was disappointing at 800: 1 and the Dell was spectacular at 381,130: 1 (typically OLED) .

The ThinkPad also stood out among the entry-level IPS displays with a color width of 82% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB. You probably get better colors with the WQUXGA options, but those numbers are good enough that developers could use this display. The MSI was better with 91% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB, and thanks to its OLED technology, the Dell again did excellent with 99% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB. The colors of the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 were also very accurate with a DeltaE of 0.81 (less than 1.0 is excellent), with MSI achieving 0.76 and Dell 0.46.

Loudspeaker on the right of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The ThinkPad's two upward-facing speakers on either side of the keyboard produce a lot of volume when turned all the way up, and there was no distortion. The mids and highs were clear and there was a hint of bass. The Dell XPS 15's quad speakers are better, but the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4's audio system is sufficient for Netflix on its own. However, you will need headphones for the best quality music.

Keyboard and touchpad

Open the lid and you will find the typical ThinkPad keyboard. It has a lot of travel at 1.8mm, molded keys with large keycaps and good key spacing, and switches that are snappy and precise. It feels like most ThinkPad keyboards, and my only complaint is that the keys take more pressure than I want to press. I find it more tiring during long typing sessions than the lighter keyboard on the Specter range from HP or the Dell XPS 15, and I found that the keyboard on the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 also has a lighter stroke than I preferred. If you don't mind, or maybe even prefer, a stiffer mechanism, then this keyboard will appeal to you.

The keyboard of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The TrackPoint knob in the middle of the keyboard works well as usual, but the keys take up the same space on the touchpad. You'll be happy if you like this cursor control method, but I'd rather skip it and have a bigger touchpad. Speaking of which, the touchpad is a decent size, but nowhere near the massive version of the Dell XPS 15. It was sleek and responsive, with Microsoft Precision touchpad support, but I wish it was bigger given all the palm rest space.

Windows 10 Hello passwordless login is provided by a fingerprint reader built into the power button that works quickly and logs you in immediately when you turn on the device. There is an optional infrared camera for facial recognition that my test device did not have. There's also the Lenovo ThinkShutter physical webcam privacy slider, which is old-fashioned compared to some electronic versions you'll find on some other laptops like the HP Specter, but it works.

Close-up on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 webcam.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Battery life

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 has a 90 watt hour battery, which is a lot. The 16-inch WQXGA display should have better battery life than the UHD + version, but the components aren't particularly energy efficient. In addition, except for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9, the battery life of the ThinkPad was disappointing and I wasn't expecting too much.

The ThinkPad managed just under 7.5 hours in our web browser test, well below the 10 hours we like to see. Nevertheless, the MSI Creator Z16 (also with a WQXGA display and 90 watt hour battery) only lasts 5.3 hours. The Dell XPS 15 with its 3.5K OLED display and 84 watt hours was more powerful with nine hours. In our video looping test, which played a local Full HD movie trailer, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 lasted just over nine hours, again better than the eight hours of the MSI, but behind the 11 hours of the XPS 15.

If you keep your workload low, you might make it by evening, but I wouldn't count on that.

I also ran the PCMark 10 Applications battery test, which is the best indicator of productivity battery life. The ThinkPad lasted 8.75 hours, a low score compared to the average laptop that lasted 10 hours or more in this test. The XPS 15 was worse at eight hours, and we didn't run the MSI through this test. In the PCMark 10 gaming battery test, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 managed just under 90 minutes, compared to the XPS 15 with three minutes less (again we did not run this test on the MSI Creator Z16). In my experience, this test shows how hard a laptop works on battery rather than absolute longevity, and the ThinkPad is one of those laptops that seem to maintain speed even when switched off.

Overall, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 was not a bad battery performance in view of the 16-inch WQXGA display and the high-end components. It's unlikely to get you through a full day of work on a single charge, and the Power Brick is pretty big to take with you, but that's the price you pay for so much power. If you keep your workload low, you might make it by evening, but I wouldn't count on that.

Our opinion

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 lives up to its title. It's the most powerful ThinkPad you can buy, and in a completely different class from most ThinkPads designed for standard productivity performance. Since you can configure it with a Core i9 and an RTX 3080 Max-Q, there is no other non-gaming laptop in the same class that can compete with bare specs.

At the same time, the performance is less than it should be, at least in the one benchmark that provides the best example of the laptop's performance in creative apps from practice. And its gaming performance is inconsistent. If you can live with these limitations, you'll love the look and feel and build quality, probably love the keyboard and touchpad, and even the entry-level display is excellent. You will just be a little unsure how the laptop will work in your given workflow.

Are there alternatives?

A solid alternative in terms of its aesthetics and build quality, the Dell XPS 15 offers good performance and a stunning 3.5K OLED display option. It's about the same price as configured, so you're sacrificing some performance for the XPS 15's superb design.

The MSI Creator Z16 is another option that has better performance in most tests (except for some games), but not as good battery life. With a similar configuration, it's more expensive at $ 2,549, but you get better Premiere Pro performance that creators will like.

After all, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 is a solid choice in the 16-inch class, but the Intel version won't keep up with the ThinkPad, especially if you configure the Lenovo to the maximum. The rumored M1X MacBook Pro might be worth considering, however.

How long it will take?

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 is well built and should be in use for years. The components are up to date and should keep Windows 10 (and 11) running. However, the 1 year warranty is very disappointing for this class of notebooks.

The one-year warranty is disappointing for such an expensive notebook, but it still offers on-site service.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you're a ThinkPad fanatic and looking for the fastest model you can buy, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 won't disappoint. If you're not a ThinkPad fan, your decision will be a little tougher – but in the end, this is a viable option compared to the competition.

Editor's recommendations



03 Aug
Blog

Asus Chromebook Flip C536 Review: Flawed But Inexpensive

Two Asus Chromebook Flip C536 sit on a desk and show different folding options.

Asus Chromebook Flip C536 in the test: flawed, but the price wins

RRP $ 580.00

"The Asus Chromebook Flip C536 strikes a solid balance between premium design and affordability."

advantages

  • Attractive price

  • Nice aesthetics

  • Excellent keyboard and touchpad

  • Pen support

  • Solid productivity performance

disadvantage

  • Build quality is a little below average

  • Bad battery life

  • Housing is bigger than it should be

The Asus Chromebook Flip C436 was one of the best Chromebooks you could buy. It was stylish, high quality, and extremely powerful – especially for a Chromebook.

Now the Chromebook Flip C536 has superseded that machine, and there have been some significant changes.

I have an entry-level Chromebook Flip C536 configuration with an Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD), and a 14-inch Full HD IPS -Display (1920 x 1080) tested aspect ratio 16: 9. It's available for a more attractive price of $ 580, which makes it a bargain given the components.

design

Person using a pen on the Asus Chromebook Flip C536.Asus

The Asus Chromebook Flip C536 is a handsome white laptop with a black interior, a contrast that makes for a bold look that you normally don't get at this price point. The laptop's lines are simple and streamlined and have very typical angles, but the color scheme makes all the difference and there's just enough chrome to add accents without being intrusive.

Asus has provided the device with a series of special coatings that use a galvanic coating process on the lid and base, which creates a ceramic-like look and feel, and an in-roller process for the keyboard deck, which creates a wonderfully soft and warm surface for yours Palms. In this regard, it is similar to the Dell XPS 13, which uses a carbon fiber material to achieve the same effect. The Asus Chromebook Flip C536 isn't the most flashy laptop, but you will feel like you are carrying around a much more expensive product.

The build quality is not quite as top notch, which is not typical for Asus. The company typically makes solid laptops as boulders and subjects them all to military standards, which are tested for ruggedness, but the Chromebook Flip C536 falls a little short. The main problem lies in the lid, which bends too much and distorts the display. There is a little bit of keyboard flex and the bottom chassis only gives way a little.

Overall, it's not bad for the price, but the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a Chromebook in the same price range that is more solid. The previous model of the Asus Chromebook Flip C436 was also more robust (and a bit more expensive), which makes this version a little step backwards. I'd like to point out that the Chromebook Flip C436's hinge allowed the lid to be opened with one hand, while the Chromebook Flip C536 version is much stiffer and requires two hands. However, it moves smoothly through clamshell, tent, media, and tablet modes and has the Asus ErgoLift feature that supports the back for a better typing angle and improved airflow.

The Asus Chromebook Flip C536 has thin bezels on the sides, but the top bezel is thicker and the lower chin is huge. That makes for a case that's not as small as many other 14-inch laptops, including the Chromebook Flip C436, which is quite a bit smaller. When I first took the Chromebook Flip C536 out of the box, I thought it was a 15-inch device. It's 0.72 inches thick and weighs 4.17 pounds compared to the C436, which is 0.54 inches thick and weighs 2.42 pounds.

Close-up of the HDMI and USB ports on the Asus Chromebook Flip C536.

Close-up of the headphone jack and USB and micro-USB ports on the Asus Chromebook Flip C536.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is even smaller with its 13.5-inch 3: 2 display. Among other things, the C536 is heavier than the C436 because it is made of an aluminum alloy compared to the lighter magnesium alloy of the previous model. It also has a 57 watt hour battery versus the 42 watt hour battery on the older model. In all fairness, it's a bit of a surprise that the Chromebook Flip C536 has gained so much weight and girth from one generation to the next.

Asus built solid connectivity into the Chromebook Flip C536. There is a USB-C 3.2 port, a USB-A 3.2 port and a 3.5mm audio jack on the left and another USB-C and USB-A port on the right for a micro -SD card reader. This is an improvement over the previous model. Wireless connectivity is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

perfomance

Two Asus Chromebook Flip C536 on a desk with video games.Asus

My test device was equipped with a Core i3-1115G4 (a Core i5-1135G7 is available), which should offer plenty of performance for Chrome OS. We can't run all of the benchmarks on Chromebooks, but the Chromebook Spin C536 only managed 1,209 single-core and 2,849 multi-core in the Android Geekbench 5 app. That's not particularly strong even for Chromebooks, which usually don't do well here. However, it is quite a bit faster than the Asus Chromebook Flip 436 with its Core i3-10110U, which scored a meager 938 and 1,653 points, respectively.

Even with this mediocre Geekbench 5 score, I found the Chromebook Flip C536 very quickly. I've been running a variety of Android apps and opening numerous Chrome tabs and never noticed any slowdown. The 8GB of RAM likely helped keep things going, and the PCIe SSD likely helped too. You can configure the Chromebook Flip C536 with up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, but our test configuration will likely be enough for most Chrome OS users.

Playing on the laptop was fine. The Core i3-1115G4 is limited to Intel UHD graphics and not to the newer Intel Iris Xe, but still plays Android games like Asphalt 9 without stuttering or frame loss. It's a great laptop for tablet mode, the most convenient way to play Android games, but it performed well.

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4 variations / ways to use the Asus Chromebook Flip C536.Asus

The Chromebook Flip C536 uses a 14-inch Full HD IPS display in the increasingly old-fashioned 16: 9 aspect ratio. Asus doesn't provide any information about the display, and I can't use my colorimeter with Chrome OS laptops. That limits the objective data that I can provide.

Subjectively, however, I found the display bright enough for typical indoor lighting conditions. The contrast seemed good but not great, with a touch of gray that kept black text from really showing up on a white background. The colors were bright and natural, and showed photos and videos with obvious accuracy when I compared them side by side with other laptops. Compared to some other Chromebooks, I would rate the Chromebook Flip C536 as good, but not great, with the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 and Google Pixelbook Go offering more vibrant and enjoyable displays.

Even so, I enjoyed using the Asus display during my test. It won't please creatives who crave wide and accurate colors, but for productivity, web browsing, and Netflix with the display rotated in media mode, it's a display that beats its price.

The sound wasn't quite as good. The volume was sufficient for system sounds and watching YouTube videos that clearly show the mids and highs. Bass was missing as usual and there was some distortion at maximum volume. You should pull out a pair of headphones to listen to music and catch Netflix.

Keyboard and touchpad

Asus Chromebook Flip C536 backlit keyboard.Asus

One of the things that companies sometimes skimp on when making a cheap laptop is the keyboard. I've seen some great budget machines torpedoed by a bad one, and suffice it to say, Asus avoided this trap here. The Chromebook Flip C536's keyboard has a good clearance, comfortable keycaps, and a crisp mechanism that offers plenty of wiggle room and a clicking floor movement.

I found the keyboard to be precise, comfortable, and quiet during my tests, and there is even a tiny number pad if you are entering a lot of data. You can find the usual wide range of Chrome OS keyboard backlights that are effective and consistent. I liked this keyboard better than any I've used on a Chromebook lately, including the Chromebook Flip C436 and Chromebook Spin 713, and just like most Windows 10 laptops.

The touchpad has a wide format, which is a shame because Asus could have accommodated a larger, square touchpad given the available palm rests. It's a decent size, but it could have been bigger. Fortunately, it makes up for it with responsiveness and perfect control over the entire suite of Chrome OS multitouch gestures. The display is touchable, of course there is an optional active pen that you can purchase for coloring. It supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and is designed to provide a great handwriting and drawing experience on the display.

Asus has in no way designed to allow you to log in without a password, which is not to be expected at this price point. A fingerprint reader would have been nice though.

Battery life

Music video is played on the close-up image of the headphone jack and the USB and micro-USB ports of the Asus Chromebook Flip C536.Asus

The Chromebook Flip C536 has a larger battery than its predecessor, 57 watt hours versus 42 watt hours, as described above. That should have led to a significant increase in battery life.

Unfortunately, things didn't turn out that way. Again, we're limited in the tests we can run based on Chrome OS, but we have two tests we can run. The first is our web browser test, which goes through a number of popular websites. The Chromebook Flip C536 only managed 6.75 hours, well below the 10.5 hours the C436 achieved. The Chromebook Spin 713 lasted for 11 hours. In our video test, which ran through a local Full HD Avengers trailer, the Chromebook Flip C536 achieved a few minutes under 10 hours, compared with the C436 with almost 13 hours and the Chromebook Spin 713 with almost exactly 10 hours.

These are disappointing results and I ran each test twice to make sure I wasn't missing a thing. Most Chromebooks will get you through a full day of work thanks to the lightweight Chrome OS, and given the Chromebook Flip C536's Full HD display, that's at least what I expected, if not more. Unfortunately, you are unlikely to make it through an 8-hour day without turning on at some point.

Our opinion

The Asus Chromebook Flip C536 is a nice looking Chromebook that offers good performance and great input options. It lags a bit behind typical Asus build quality, but it's by no means a fragile machine. However, the battery life is a real buzzkill that sets this laptop back a lot.

Compared to its predecessor, the Chromebook Flip C536 is larger (with the same display) and cheaper. It would be hard to recommend for the same price, but it's a few hundred dollars cheaper. That is liberating and makes the Chromebook Flip C536 much more attractive.

Are there alternatives?

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a tough competitor that is roughly the same price but has a faster CPU and a sharper, more productive 13.5-inch 3: 2 display. It's also a bit smaller, which makes it more functional in tablet mode.

As far as it can still be purchased, the Asus Chromebook Flip C436 is itself a competitor of the successor. It's better built, has better battery life, and is a lot smaller. It is proof that new does not always mean better.

Finally, if you don't need a 2-in-1, keep Google's Pixelbook Go on your list. The battery life is better, the audio quality is superior, and it comes in a smaller package. It's a little more expensive, but not by much, and the vastly superior display will blow your mind.

How long it will take?

The Chromebook Flip C536 isn't fragile, but it's not as sturdy as some of its competitors – including most other Asus machines. It will hold you, but you will feel like you should be more careful with it. The typical one-year warranty is there, but acceptable at the price.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Chromebook Flip C536 has its weaknesses, but the price tag makes it an attractive option nonetheless.

Editor's recommendations



22 Apr
Blog

NieR Replicant Review: As Flawed and Engrossing as Ever

Nier replicant

Nier Replicant Ver.1.22474487139 … – PlayStation 4

"NieR Replicant is still the same flawed game it was in 2010, but a much-needed touch-up makes its fantastic story shine."

  • Fantastic story

  • Fully developed characters

  • Exciting new content

  • The much-needed visual upgrade

  • Repeated struggle

  • Outdated gameplay

  • Blunt side quests

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… tries to rewrite history. The action RPG is an updated version of NieR, a cult PlayStation 3 game that received a lukewarm reception when it launched in 2010, the game that was doomed to dark.

That is, if the players can overcome the problems they had with it. That's the tricky thing about remakes of this type. In a way, they're tied to fate. The new version brings updated graphics and gameplay improvements, but it's still the same PS3 game with all of its strengths and flaws kept true to the original.

While the update can't solve basic design issues, the much-needed improvements from NieR Replicant finally let the fantastic story of the original game shine. Players may rush for a challenging experience to get there, but few games are as narratively bold and mystifying as this one.

A haunting journey

The opening sequence of NieR Replicant is about as arresting as it comes. Players are instantly introduced to an apocalyptic environment filled with jumbled shadows, creepy beings that look like they're half torn out of reality. We meet a panicked boy who tries to protect his sick little sister while the two are in a shabby building. There's a massive battle in which the hero quickly shoots to level 30, followed by a deeply disturbing leap in time over 1,300 years into the future.

This is just the beginning of a haunting story that continues to fascinate. Over a century later, the same brother and sister live and survive in a humble village founded long after the collapse of humanity. The game begins by finding the boy to track down magical spells called Sealed Verses that can cure his sister's mysterious illness but barely scratch the surface. It's a completely unpredictable story that is a page-turner for video games. The less you know about it, the better.

A notable change here is that NieR Replicant uses the protagonist from the Japanese version of the game. When NieR originally started in the US, the optimistic brother turned into a gruff old man who wanted to save his daughter. The change makes a huge difference. The hero feels more vulnerable and it makes the journey more personal.

Perhaps NieR was barely ahead of his time, but like his hero, the story has not aged a day all these years later.

The story is striking, but it's the characters that give it soul. Along the way, players encounter companions like Grimoire Weiss, a presumptuous, sentimental book, and Kainé, a warrior with a mouth as fierce as her blade. Each character receives a fully realized arc on the way to the true end of the game. Like NieR Automata, the game features multiple endings that require players to repeat parts of the game multiple times. It's an unnecessarily demanding barrier that is sure to put some off, but I was more than ready to move on to achieve a closure that is really paying off.

There's an alternate timeline where NieR is the early 2010 PS3 release, which raises the bar for video game narratives than it did for 2013's The Last of Us. Both titles have strong character work and use similar ones Tricks to hide information from players. Perhaps NieR was barely ahead of his time, but like his hero, the story has not aged a day all these years later.

Bronze, not platinum

If it looks like I've spent a lot of time praising the story, it's because the gameplay is where there are problems. Most importantly, it was not developed by PlatinumGames, which NieR Automata managed. Those hoping for the same action the studio is known for will be disappointed with the downgrade.

The combat systems are similar on their surface. It is an action role-playing game that has players with oversized weapons hacking through shades. The difference is that NieR Replicant's swordplay is a one-button affair. Hacking involves pressing the attack button over and over while playing the same combination. It's a repetitive system that makes some of the game's later fights feel like they're being conducted on an autopilot.

Nier replicant

The fight has been redesigned for the game to feel a little closer to NieR Automata, but there's only so far that it can go. Although it feels more fluid, small changes can hide not fully cooked actions that barely change over the course of 30 hours.

A magical system helps solve some of these problems. Players can assign four different spells to their controller's triggers, adding a little more versatility and range to the battles. Basic actions like dodging and blocking also need to be mapped to buttons. Therefore, players should adapt their toolset to suit their play style. The game's "word" system is a nice touch too. Defeated enemies can drop a magic word randomly that can be applied to any weapon or ability. These can increase attack power, add effects to weapons and much more. Customizing a loadout requires more brainpower than actually using it.

The fight has been redesigned for the game to feel a little closer to NieR Automata, but there's only so far that it can go.

The mileage will vary here. The story is awesome, but is it worth fighting your way through pesky battles to get there? That depends on how much the narrative and characters appeal to players. I was invested enough to get my way, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't rush through battles to get to the cutscenes.

Replicate the original

When it comes to remakes (or "version upgrades" as director Yoko Taro calls it), NieR Replicant brings a lot to the table. The most important thing is to reconnect the 2010 game with its superior sequel. NieR and Automata have long felt completely separate, but the new pass unites them. The visual boost, fantastic re-recorded music, and combat improvements finally make these games feel like they are part of the same universe.

At least NieR Replicant makes it easier to put up with the mistakes with a more modern paint job that is easy on the eyes and ears.

Replicant is also bringing some new content to the game, which is a welcome addition. There's a new quest that blends in seamlessly with the story, adding more depth to an underdeveloped area of ​​the original (but also adding length to the repetitions required). There's one more piece of new content that is downright spectacular. I'm not going to spoil the fun, but it sure is the main selling point for NieR fans hungry for deeper lore.

Nier replicant

All of the new aspects are great, but there are a lot that can't be fixed. Side quests are mostly lifeless retrieval missions, the story tirelessly takes players into the same handful of areas, and the game's female lead is still wearing incredibly revealing lingerie that barely qualifies as clothing.

Some of the issues people had with the original game are actually fixed here because they're too embedded in the core design. Anything but a remake in the style of Final Fantasy VII could not have completely rewritten history. Perhaps NieR is a phenomenal work of storytelling trapped in a mediocre action RPG. Nevertheless, at least NieR Replicant makes it easier to endure the mistakes with a more modern paint job that is easy on the eyes and ears.

Our opinion

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… confirms that the original NieR was way ahead of its time and way behind it. The story is incredibly compelling and only gets better with new content added. On the other side of the coin, the repetitive gameplay feels dated, even by 2010 standards. Those who push their way through the 30-hour adventure will be rewarded with a daring odyssey. In hindsight, it may even outperform NieR Automata, but it's hard to blame someone who'd rather watch everything on YouTube than play it for themselves.

Is there a better alternative?

NieR Automata remains the more polished and fun game of the two. Those who haven't played it should start there and come back to it if they want more.

How long it will take?

Reaching the true end takes a total of 30-35 hours. Beat the game once takes closer to 20, but believe me when I say that by the time you stop there, you'll only have played half the game.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Those who believe the gameplay is king may want to have clear control, but the story here is unlike anything out there.

Editor's recommendations




24 Jul
Blog

Netatmo Outdoor Camera With Siren Review: Bright, but flawed

Netatmo camera with siren on the wall.

Netatmo outdoor camera with siren

"Smart A.I. hindered by outdated hardware and software limitations is a difficult purchase."

  • Bright floodlights

  • Smart A.I. and app implementation

  • Loud siren

  • No recording packages, clips saved for free

  • Narrow field of vision

  • Difficult to install

  • No 24/7 recording

One of the great things about smart home technology is the ability to build your own systems. Companies like Netatmo allow you to choose your home security devices based on your needs. The Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera with Siren ($ 350, available in Europe, coming to the US later this year), which was announced last fall, is one such device and connects the smart doorbell and the indoor camera to the Strengthen smart home product line from Netatmo.

We have to talk about the hardware straight away. The Netatmo outdoor surveillance camera looks like a device that someone thought in 1995 that surveillance cameras would look like in 2020. We saw this design for the first time in 2016 and it hasn't improved. It is large and rectangular and in no way subtle. While many surveillance cameras prefer the understated look these days, Netatmo is not worried that it is a camera and floodlight and you will love it or otherwise.

installation

The Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera requires a hardwired connection to your home, similar to the Ring Spotlight Cam Wired. While this has the advantage that batteries never need to be charged or replaced, it also makes installation more difficult than other devices in its field. What makes digestion easier is the fact that you can use the camera's floodlight to replace another outside light like a veranda light.

As soon as you have removed the existing lamp (or installed a new electrical box – your call), the Netatmo Smart outdoor camera comes with almost everything you need to install it. There is a wiring harness, a bracket, screws and a cover box. The only thing missing is the recommended sealing or silicone to make the cover box waterproof on the wall. This is not surprising, but it is good to know beforehand. Once installed, use the app to connect the camera to your WiFi and you're ready to take part in the races.

The camera covers a disappointing 100-degree field of view, the smallest of all the cameras we tested, but can identify objects with a long field of view. In our tests, the range was limited to around 10 meters, which the camera covered admirably, and a total of 20 meters was advertised.

Light it up!

The built-in headlight can be switched on automatically when it detects motion, or it can be switched on and off via the app. It is also dimmable in the app. At full brightness, the floodlights are very bright and cover a wide area. It could easily replace an existing floodlight in your home. The built-in night vision is also quite good, but without the same range of 20 meters.

It could easily replace an existing floodlight in your home.

When the camera detects motion, the A.I. enter the game. The camera can distinguish between people, cars, animals and other movements. When an event occurs in the app, icons indicate what type of object has been detected. In addition, a thumbnail not only shows you the object in question, but the app cuts the object intelligently to give you a clear view of it before you even open the clip. For example, if a cat crosses the corner of the camera's alarm zone, the thumbnail will be trimmed to the cat even though it is not in the center of the frame. It would be easy to just crop in the middle of the frame or reduce the entire screen to a thumbnail – neither would be helpful. Netatmos A.I. With this function you can quickly see why the clip was recorded.

Go to the zone

Screenshot of the Netatmo app.

Speaking of the alarm zone: you can adjust where the camera tracks movements, but the implementation is not the best. You are limited to rectangles in the frame, but can have multiple rectangles. If you have a diagonal area that you don't want to recognize, you'll need to create multiple rectangles – that's a little annoying.

When motion is detected, the clip is saved on the included 8 GB memory card, which can be expanded to 32 GB. According to Netatmo, 8 GB cover about a hundred clips. That sounds like a lot, but in my back yard, where cats are everywhere, it's only three or four days. When the card is full, the oldest records are deleted. You can also add personal cloud storage for recordings. Options include Dropbox or a private FTP server. Other than that, the only way to gain space is to swap it for a larger microSD card. You can't decrease the resolution, and to be honest, you don't want to.

In addition, there is no way to record around the clock or search the footage one day. You can only view the recorded clips if something is recognized. You can also view the live view of the camera. Most of the time this is enough, but if you are someone who wants to return at a certain time, this camera is not for you.

The siren on the Netatmo is quite loud at 105 decibels.

The siren on the Netatmo is quite loud at 105 decibels. You can trigger the siren via the app. There is no automatic siren setting. That is probably the best. If you want to upset your neighbors, it is a good idea to make sure you have to.

The camera works with Google Assistant and Alexa. You can ask a wizard-operated smart screen to show you the camera and it shows the live feed, which is great.

A disadvantage is the resolution resolution and quality. While Netatmo promotes full HD recording, there is a fairly big problem with pixelation, even when playing back recorded clips. This could be a function of my home network setup, but cameras installed by Vivint on the same network do not have the same problems. The camera also has a problem with the sky. It is difficult to distinguish the outline of my shed from the bright sky, which is not the best experience.

Our opinion

The camera was attached to a cream-colored wall.

This is a good implementation of a three-in-one outdoor security solution, but there is still some work to be done. Even if you consider the depth, a narrow field of view is not particularly good for a camera. You don't worry about what someone is doing 20 meters away. You are worried about your house.

During the A.I. does some wise things with clips and thumbnails, the lack of a 24/7 recording is a failure. That way, Netatmo can say that the service is "free at any time," which is great, but I wouldn't mind paying something for 24/7 recording every month. The fact that it has to be firmly connected to the existing electrical system makes the installation almost so tedious that almost a specialist is required.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. This camera has some good ideas, especially in the A.I. Implementation. With the Ring Smart Outdoor Cam or the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight, you get similar features in a more attractive package for $ 100 less.

Will it take?

The structure of the Netatmo is solid and if everything is installed correctly, I can not imagine a reason to be concerned even in bad weather. The camera comes with a limited, multi-year warranty, depending on the region and location where you buy.

Should you buy it

No. Smart outdoor cameras are a crowded category, and there are too many other (and cheaper) options.

Editor's recommendations




13 Jul
Blog

Abode Starter Kit Review: A decent but flawed home monitoring system

Residence Starter Kit rating upright in front

"The basic hardware with low specifications is disappointing, but with a smooth app experience, Abode is a smart home platform that shouldn't be ignored."

  • Beautifully designed web and app dashboard controls

  • Z-Wave, ZigBee, Wi-Fi and Abode RF connectivity

  • Support for more than 200 device integrations

  • Voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant

  • Cheap, relatively weak hardware

  • Low resolution camera with blurry, smeared images

  • Inconsistent sensor connection

This year there was a revival of smart home security solutions, with August, Nest, Ring and Samsung SmartThings announcing all lines. Companies like Abode are, of course, old hands in intelligent security and sell gateways, sensors, remote key fobs and motion detection cameras after a successful Kickstarter start.

With Abode introducing a 1080p surveillance camera, door sensors, and a variety of third-party device integrations and compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, we thought it would be a good time to get the starter kit for $ 199 (originally $ 299 Dollars). You can find out how it developed in our test report for the Abode Starter Kit below.

The entire hardware range from Abode includes a comprehensive range of hardware, including a gateway alarm system, door and window sensors, motion and occupancy detectors, surveillance cameras, sockets, smoke detectors, temperature sensors and much more. The Abode Starter Kit is designed to introduce you to the ecosystem with a clear entry-level package that the bank does not break.

It contains the Abode Gateway, a relatively compact hub that serves as the heart of the security network and contains a siren with 93 decibels to deter even the bravest intruders. The gateway includes two door / window contact sensors, a motion camera and a remote control key to activate or deactivate the system with a simple push of a button.

Not a modest place of residence

The Abode Starter Kit is attractively packaged in a buff and cyan box, which describes itself as the "future of security at home". At first glance, it is certainly not a modest place to stay. The hardware itself is relatively well built, but does not quite match the premium feeling you experience with Nest or August products. The strict, modernist aesthetics of the black and white Abode Gateway will divide opinions. We're not big fans of the look of the device, which resembles a simple rectangular router from 2011 – fortunately without antennas. We were concerned about the sharp edges and sharp corners of the device. The Abode Gateway is covered with glossy acrylic, which easily takes fingerprints, stains and smudges. While it looks sharp (and literally feels that way), it also feels a little cheap.

Terry Walsh / Digital Trends

The remaining hardware that is included in the starter kit has a different build quality. The door / window sensors feel similarly weak, but the motion camera and two-tone key fob are more robust, with the latter feeling good in your hand.

Several radios connect a wide ecosystem of security devices with optional surveillance services

Perhaps the greater part of the construction costs were invested under the hood. With integrated Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee and AbodeRF (the latter is a proprietary protocol for long-range connectivity), the Abode Gateway can be connected to a variety of sensors, intelligent sockets and controllers. Up to 155 devices can be connected. With Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, you can control some of your devices with your voice. You can also enable the Alexa Guard ability to enable and disable the system.

It's good to see a number of options, and the plans themselves are easy to understand

Some third-party devices also work with Abode, including Nest Cam, Nest Protect and the Nest Learning Thermostat, Philips Hue, Amazon Echo and IFTTT. In addition to the company's own devices, the gateway also plays with hardware from Aeon, Enerwave, Fibaro, GE, Kwikset, Leviton, Schlage and others.

In addition to this powerful 93 decibel siren, the Abode Gateway has a 10-hour battery backup that provides protection in the event of a power outage and an optional cellular network connection that is available for a monthly fee of $ 10.

Abode is billed as a professional security system. Therefore, it makes sense that the company also offers 24/7 professional monitoring bundled with a cellular backup for $ 30 a month. This Connect + Secure plan also includes a 90-day timeline and media storage, compared to just three days of storage available in the basic starter kit. You can decide whether professional surveillance is required for your home. However, it is good to see a number of options, and the plans themselves are easy to understand without temporary locks.

Smooth system installation with a little hiccup

As expected, installing a reasonably comprehensive security system at home is not a two-minute task, but Abode is clearly committed to making the process as smooth as possible. The gateway connects to your WLAN router via a replacement Ethernet connection. Pressing a quick button on the back of the device activates the backup battery.

From there you can configure the gateway with the free Abode app, which is available for iOS and Android devices. You need to create an Abode account and then continue the setup on your mobile device or desktop web browser.

Abode Starter Kit checking flat portsTerry Walsh / Digital Trends

Terry Walsh / Digital Trends

An activation code included in the scope of delivery identifies your gateway and is required to connect the starter kit to your account. After entering your Abode gateway will be found and activated quickly on the Internet. It's quick and easy.

Of course, you will then have the fun of installing the sensors and the camera at home. Fortunately, the Abode app guides you through the device installation with practical tips for placing and aligning the sensor. Depending on the size of your doors, windows, and frames, the sensors may be more than a little bulky. Although they increase safety, they certainly do not improve aesthetics. At the very least, they are easy to install, as double-sided adhesive strips ensure that no tools are required.

Abode clearly strives to make the installation process as smooth as possible.

The installation instructions for the motion camera was less successful. First we were asked to remove a clear plastic tab to activate the batteries, but the tab on the device could not be found. At this point we noticed that the batteries were in the box and were not installed. Not a drama, but a bit sloppy from a user experience perspective. Inserting the batteries was a quick task, but required a screwdriver to remove the back plate of the camera.

After switching on, you can try out different positions for the motion camera that takes still pictures when the integrated PIR sensor is triggered. Preview the resulting images and you're done.

A rear bracket snaps into the device for corner mounting. Adhesive strips stick to each wall to hold the camera in place. Alternatively, you can use another self-adhesive pad for the flat wall installation, which is included in the scope of delivery. While the adhesive pads are certainly practical and keep the equipment in place, we want wall anchors and screws to be supplied as a more permanent option as well. Attention tenants! The pads remove paint from the wall when removed. A stand for the camera that would allow more freedom in positioning as well as easy relocation would also be a great addition.

With the hardware set up, you can use the Abode app to grant family members and friends account access. Only two user accounts are supported in the free basic plan. However, if you sign up for one of Abode's monthly services, this restriction will be removed. A quick tour of the app and you're good to go. Allow at least 15 minutes to set up Abode, with more difficult camera positions requiring more time. Apart from this battery error in the camera, installing the Abode system was a breeze.

Simple and responsive hardware with little specification dilutes the experience

One aspect of living with Abode that we really liked was that you are not limited to monitoring the system through a mobile app. Log in to the Abode website using a desktop browser and you have full visibility and control over your home security. The system combines the convenience of controlling mobile apps with the convenience of desktop monitoring – a perfect combination.

When Abode first delivered its all-inclusive security package, it included an app for Android, which, to put it bluntly, was a first effort. Since then, Abode has been updated to version 5.0.4 and is miles better than the previous version. The first time you open the app, you will be asked for a PIN. You can also integrate your phone's fingerprint reader to bypass the lock.

As soon as you get into the app, you get access to your system status as well as quick actions and camera views via the dashboard. Quick actions allow you to create shortcuts to common tasks that prevent you from having to rummage through menus.

In the lower navigation bar you will find the most important information for the system. The timeline shows you all the events that have occurred. CUE is an automation function that we discussed in detail earlier. Your device list shows you what you have and what status you have, and all are just a tap away. Even the general app settings have been organized in a much better interface. The first edition of this app had most of what this version does, but the main difference is that they're in places that make sense. To put it cautiously, the last iteration of the app didn't quite reach this bar.

Overall, this is an important update to the software that is running your smart home security that was badly needed. The previous app relied heavily on using the in-browser interface while referring to mobile devices. You can still use the web interface, but it is much less reliant on it now. This app gives your phone a lot more control. This is the device most of us will turn to most anyway. This is a fundamental facelift for the app and the entire company.

Access Abode from a desktop browser and take advantage of an expanded range of features beautifully presented in a modern, web-based dashboard. Again, you can view a clear timeline of events and warnings, monitor and manage device status and settings, create quick actions (e.g. macros for multiple devices), and configure automatic home and away perimeters to activate the system based on or disable your smartphone location and more.

The gateway alarm was quickly triggered by the camera and was extremely loud.

On the other hand, you have to repeatedly deal with attempts to buy additional hardware or subscribe to one of the company's premium service plans. You can't blame Abode for starting a business, but once the plans are rejected at launch, these prompts really have to go away instead of popping up all the time. Overall, Abode supports a variety of monitoring and management functions that are well presented and very responsive on both mobile and desktop dashboards.

The starter kit hardware itself is a little less fancy. Images taken by the motion camera have a very low resolution (standard 320 x 240, maximum 640 x 480), which leads to blurry, smeared images that can be used to detect presence, but are not suitable for identification . Without night vision support, the camera relies on an integrated flash for pictures in the dark. The flash does a decent job of illuminating a dark room, even though the pictures are a little yellow. However, the low resolution is the main problem. You should definitely consider upgrading to Abode's newly announced 1080p indoor camera for $ 149, which offers live streaming video, triggered recording, and built-in night vision.

We also found the window / door sensors a bit spirited. While the system correctly recognized the opening of a door or window, it was far less successful in recognizing the same door or window. This caused complaints when we tried to activate the system. Abode repeatedly and incorrectly informed us that the door was open. Maybe with more time to fine-tune the positioning of the sensors, we could improve detection in both directions, but we were frustrated that the detection worked in one direction but not the other.

We had no complaints about the gateway alarm that was triggered by the camera or door window / sensor and was consistently loud. After triggering, we received a notification on the phone within seconds with practical options for notifying the police or disabling the alarm. The system responded quickly when we deactivated the alarm and the bat stopped in a few seconds.

Overall, we were pleased with Abode's simplicity and responsiveness, but as with any multi-device system, your experience will be determined to some extent by the smart home sensors and other hardware you choose to connect to. The Abode Starter Kit will certainly familiarize you with the basics, but it won't be long before you want to upgrade.

Add Alexa and other smart home devices for perfect partnerships

Of course, you can't start a smart home system these days without familiarizing yourself with a number of third-party devices. Since Google (via Nest) and Amazon both enter the smart home security game, startups like Abode have to deliver breadth, depth and quality when it comes to integration. At first glance, Abode seems to have hit the ground.

Abode's Alexa capability enables you to monitor and control the system with an Amazon Echo or other Alexa device. If you have security concerns, a verbal PIN number is used to confirm certain commands, e.g. B. deactivate the system or deactivate an alarm. In addition to core functions such as the gateway alarm, the capability supports a wide selection of commands, the control of connected locks, sockets, garage doors and configured quick actions.

We have found that Alexa integration works well. If you detect intrusion, you can verbally trigger (or disable) a panic alarm faster than when you search for your phone. It only takes a few seconds to activate the system using a voice command, and we have found that Abode is consistently very responsive.

We connected a Nest learning thermostat and were pleased to see that not only could you synchronize Abode's absence status with that of the thermostat, but that manual temperature control was also available through the Abode desktop dashboard and the mobile app. This is also not a quick and dirty implementation. In both dashboards it was clearly considered to create a simple, intuitive user interface that connects the overall design of Abode with the device to be controlled.

With a strong and flexible platform, Abode should not be ignored.

Abode has developed a strong and flexible platform that can easily serve as a control panel for many smart homes.

While the Abode Starter Kit isn't perfect, it does provide a convenient introduction to the company's smart home platform at a reasonable price. Given the Kickstarter roots, it's no surprise that the gateway hardware and sensors are a bit rough around the edges (sometimes literally) and we want second-generation devices from Abode to feel higher with higher specifications and higher reliability. The cameras and sensors included in the starter kit don't show the Abode ecosystem as well as it should, and although the gateway works well, it won't be the prettiest or best built device in your home.

However, if you look beyond these entry-level devices, you can see that significant investments have been made in Abode's underlying platform. The Abode app and the web dashboard are well designed and beautifully designed and support simple, intuitive control without being unnecessarily conspicuous. The third-party integrations we tested were easy to connect and worked well. This demonstrated Abode's potential as a comprehensive smart home solution that combines heating, lighting, entertainment and security.

Since large companies are now dominating the smart home market, Abode must certainly work on its hardware in order to continue the early dynamic. However, with a strong and flexible platform, Abode should not be ignored.

Warranty information

The Abode Starter Kit is covered by a one-year guarantee that covers material or processing defects.

Our opinion

The Abode Starter Kit offers a cost-effective introduction to the company's smart home platform. However, the included gateway, camera and sensors offer disappointing build quality and specifications. Abode's software platform, however, is simple, intuitive and can be connected to a variety of smart home devices. Abode may not be at the top of our list of smart home platform providers, but it's certainly one you should check out.

Is there a better alternative?

Before you decide to buy a Smart Home Security, you should opt for the higher-quality and more expensive Nest Secure system for $ 499 or the cheaper $ 199 ring alarm.

How long it will take?

After four years, Abode is doing an excellent job adding new features and upgrades to its platform. As a small company with installations of thousands instead of hundreds of thousands, time will tell whether the company can take over the power of Nest, Amazon and other technology giants. Smart home security is reviving and there will likely be casualties. So there is a certain risk of choosing a smaller provider that may be acquired or lost in the struggle for supremacy of smart homes. However, we are currently not aware of any specific problems that would indicate that Abode will not be available in the medium term.

Should you buy it

With a variety of companies announcing security solutions for smart homes this year, Abode would not be our first choice. The platform looks good, but the starter kit hardware is clearly Kickstarter class. Be sure to check out bigger competitors like Nest, Amazon, and Netgear before you get started.

Updated July 13, 2020: The updated app experience has been noted.

Editor's recommendations