06 Dec
Blog

Asus ZenBook 14X OLED Review: A Showstopping Display

Asus ZenBook 14X OLED sits on a tabletop.

Asus ZenBook 14X OLED

RRP $ 1,400.00

"The Asus ZenBook 14X OLED is a fantastic laptop with a spectacular display."

advantages

  • Spectacular OLED display

  • Solid build quality

  • Excellent keyboard

  • ScreenPad 2 adds some features

  • Competent productivity performance

disadvantage

  • Battery life is mediocre

  • A bit expensive

Asus relies on all-in for OLED laptops. The Asus ZenBook 13 OLED, which we named the best laptop under $ 1,000, unveiled the cheapest laptop with an OLED display that you could buy. There are two OLED displays in the ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED. And it even introduced the first detachable Windows tablet with an OLED display in the Vivobook 13 Slate OLED.

The company is even including OLED in the name of a laptop, underscoring what it thinks is essential. Such is the case with the ZenBook 14X OLED, a laptop that will launch in early 2022 with – you guessed it – a high-resolution OLED panel.

I tested the high-end version of the ZenBook 14X OLED for $ 1,400 with a Core i7-1165G7, 14-inch 16:10 OLED display, and Nvidia MX450 graphics. It's a superior addition to the ever-growing stall of premium 14-inch laptops, and its OLED display is undoubtedly a nice one. The smaller ZenBook 13 OLED still offers better value, but the higher resolution and improved performance of the 14-inch model make it a standout option beyond the screen too.

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Asus ZenBook 14X OLED sits on a tabletop.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The ZenBook 14X OLED has aesthetics that aren't as minimalistic as some other laptops I recently reviewed. First there is the usual Asus concentric circular vortex on the lid, which revolves around the silver Asus symbol that is typical of the ZenBook line.

Second, the angles on the ZenBook 14X OLED are more aggressive, especially along the bottom edge of the lid and the side and back edges of the case. Various other edges are chamfered for additional flair. The laptop comes in two colors, Lilac Mist (lavender) and Pine Gray (anthracite), and mine was the latter.

It's a sleek laptop that's more attractive than the Samsung Galaxy Book and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro, for example, which both have the minimalist aesthetic I just mentioned. The ZenBook 14X OLED leans more towards the exotic design of the HP Specter x360 14 than the simpler sophistication of the Dell XPS 13, and it works well.

Asus is known for making solid laptops, and the ZenBook 14X OLED is no different. It is made of machined aluminum and shows no bends or bends in the lid, keyboard deck, or case base. It's built so solidly that the military certification tests Asus conducted seem redundant – the ZenBook 14X OLED is easily as rugged as the best out there, including the XPS 13 and Specter x360 14.

The ZenBook 14X OLED has small bezels around the display to create a portable laptop.

It's far stiffer than the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro, which showed some flexion in the lid and a flexion in the keyboard deck. The hinge of the ZenBook 14X OLED allows the lid to be opened with one hand and still holds the display in place with a tiny shake while working. It also supports the lower chassis at an angle, which allows for more comfortable typing and increased airflow. The ZenBook 14X OLED is a solid laptop that feels good in the hand.

Speaking of which, the ZenBook 14X OLED uses small bezels around its 16:10 14-inch display to create a comfortably sized laptop. It's almost exactly the same width and height as the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and the same thickness of 0.67 inches. The ZenBook is only slightly heavier than the IdeaPad at 3.09 pounds versus 3.04 pounds.

Given the Lenovo's equally small bezels, this seems like about the size you're going to get if you build a laptop with a 16:10 14-inch display. You can get thinner laptops, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9, which is 0.59 inches thick, but the ZenBook 14X OLED is thin and light enough to make it a 14-inch laptop that is easy to carry around leaves.

A single USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port on the left next to a row of air vents and then a full size HDMI 2.0 port, two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 ports (one of which is used for power), a 3.5 mm audio jack and a microSD card reader on the right.

A single USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port on the left next to a row of air vents and then a full size HDMI 2.0 port, two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 ports (one of which is used for power), a 3.5 mm audio jack and a microSD card reader on the right.

Connectivity is solid. You get a single USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port on the left next to a row of air vents and then a full size HDMI 2.0 port, two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 ports (one of which is for power), one 3.5 mm audio jack and a microSD card reader on the right. It's a good mix of legacy and future-proof connections. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 perform wireless tasks.

power

My test device is equipped with the 11th generation quad-core Intel Core i7-1165G7, a productive workhorse CPU popular with thin and light laptops. There was also 16 GB of RAM, a fast PCIe 1 TB solid-state drive (SSD) and Nvidia's GeForce MX450. As with all such laptops today, the ZenBook 14X OLED was a quick performer while I was testing the laptop and writing that review.

Our benchmark suite confirmed my subjective impressions. The ZenBook 14X OLED was the third fastest in Geekbench 5 with an excellent score for the processor, behind only the slightly faster Core i7-11370H in the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U in the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in 1. Also In our Handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB video as H.265, the ZenBook does well, beats the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and loses the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 against the fast Ryzen CPU.

It's not that you can't edit videos or large pictures on the ZenBook, but you may have to wait for demanding tasks to complete.

Put the ZenBook 14X OLED in its "Performance" mode and you can get a little more speed and finish the test in 156 seconds. The same was true for Cinebench R23, where the ZenBook 14X OLED took second place behind the Dell, while it received a small boost with a score of 6,252 in performance mode. The ZenBook only lost to the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 in PCMark 10 Complete in standard mode, but it was faster in performance mode. However, the values ​​for essentials, productivity and content creation were average.

Overall, the ZenBook 14X OLED is a fast laptop for demanding productivity workflows, but it doesn't quite reach the workstation level of a creator. It's not that you can't edit videos or large pictures on the ZenBook, it's just that you have to wait a while for demanding tasks to be completed. But for everyone else, the ZenBook 14X OLED will be a satisfactory experience.

Geekbench (single / multiple) Handbrake
(Seconds)		 Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Asus ZenBook 14X OLED (Core i7-1165G7) 1536/5780 173 1479/5717 5366 1756
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro (Core i7-11370H) 1578/5957 202 1514/5544 5149 1888
Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (Ryzen7 5700U) 1184/6281 120 1287/8013 5411 1247
Samsung Galaxy Book (Core i5-1135G7) 1401/5221 180 1361/5391 4735 1584
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (Core i7-1165G7) 1327/5201 N / A 1469/4945 5147 1776

Although my test device is equipped with the discrete GeForce MX450 GPU, it was no faster than the Intel Iris Xe in our comparison group. His 3DMark Time Spy Score was in the same range and only managed 18 frames per second (fps) in Fortnite at 1200p and epic graphics. That's not far from what faster Iris Xe laptops can achieve.

I was surprised with these results, but ran them several times to make sure there were no glitches that I could identify. I also tried the performance mode and that made no difference in the laptop's graphics performance. The discrete GPU didn't turn this thin and light device into a gaming laptop, so buyers should lower their expectations when they see they have a discrete GPU.

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Image of the display of the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The ZenBook 14X OLED has a 14-inch OLED display and is available in a number of configurations, all of which are in the productivity-friendly 16:10 aspect ratio. You can choose between a 4K + (3840 x 2400) panel, a WQXGA + (2880 x 1800) touchscreen display and a non-touch WQXGA + screen. My test device featured the latter, and it was spectacular from the moment I turned it on. Blacks were ink colors and colors were dynamic without being oversaturated. While working on the review, I liked the use of the display, especially the sharp black text that jumped off the page.

This display will please everyone from productivity users to creatives to media consumers.

According to my colorimeter, this is an objectively as good a display as it is subjectively. It was bright at 389 nits, above our 300 nit threshold for displays that can handle anything but bright sunlight. It had wide colors at 97% of AdobeRGB and 100% of sRGB, and those colors were accurate with a DeltaE of 1.2 (less than 1.0 is considered excellent). As always, the contrast was unearthly and was 27,010: 1. Compare that to the Dell XPS 13's 4K IPS display, which achieved 420 cd / m², 79% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB with a color accuracy of 1.21 and a contrast of 1,360: 1. Few IPS panels can work as well as the display on the ZenBook 14X OLED, and you won't find one that delivers the same true black tones.

This display will please everyone from productivity users to creatives to media consumers. With DisplayHDR 500 support, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video high dynamic range (HDR) content looked great on the display. OLED displays continue to impress, and while other technologies are catching up, such as the mini-LED displays on Apple's MacBooks, you can't go wrong with your choice of technology.

For those concerned about OLED burn-in, Asus offers a few utilities and technologies to instill confidence. First, it comes with a 7,000 hour warranty at 200 nits, and the display detects aging pixels and improves the current flowing through them for better performance.

Second, two utilities are provided to avoid burn-in. There is a screen saver that can be set to start automatically after 30 minutes of inactivity, and a pixel shift function that shifts a static image just enough on the screen to avoid a constant glow of individual pixels. These can be turned on as well as off, although leaving them on is probably a good idea.

The sound is delivered to the front by two downward-facing speakers on the underside of the case. I found that it delivers clear mids and highs and a surprising amount of bass. The only problem: the speakers are not very loud, even if they are turned up all the way. There's no distortion, which is fine, but you'll need a pair of headphones to really enjoy movies and music.

Keyboard and touchpad

Keyboard and trackpad of the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Asus has been channeling HP lately when it comes to keyboards, using a layout and keycaps eerily similar to HP's Specter range. The right side of the keyboard has the same key spacing and row of movement keys. That's not bad because the Specter keyboards are excellent. At the same time, the Asus switches have a lot of spring travel and comfortable floor movement, but they are not as snappy and do not feel quite as precise. They're a step behind the best, which include Dell's XPS keyboards, but the ZenBook 14X OLED's keyboard does a very good job nonetheless.

The touchpad is a wide format that does not use the available space on the palm rest. Some laptops, like the Dell XPS 13 and the HP Specter x360 14, make very good use of the extra space offered by today's higher displays, but that's not the case with the ZenBook 14X OLED. It's not a small touchpad, but it could be bigger. Fortunately, it has a comfortable surface that allows for precise swipes, and it's a Microsoft Precision touchpad, so multitouch gestures work well. The buttons are clicky and respond without being loud.

Of course, you can't judge the touchpad by just how easily it allows you to manipulate your cursor. It also includes Asus' ScreenPad 2, which features an LED display embedded in the touchpad that enables a host of additional functions.

ScreenXpert 2 is a multiscreen organizer that manages the interaction between the ScreenPad and the primary and any additional displays. Users can launch applications from the ScreenPad and use the touchpad as a secondary display. You can turn off the ScreenPad at will and the touchpad will function normally. Overall, I found the ScreenPad to be a useful addition, but not one that I couldn't do without.

Keyboard and display of the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Touch displays are available for the ZenBook 14X OLED, but unfortunately mine wasn't included. I missed it, as always.

Passwordless login under Windows 10 Hello is provided by a fingerprint reader integrated into a power button on the keyboard. It worked well, I was able to turn on and log in quickly and reliably in one fell swoop.

Battery life

Asus ZenBook 14X OLED sits on a tabletop.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The ZenBook 14X OLED offers 63 watt-hours of battery life, a reasonable amount for a 14-inch laptop. However, the OLED display is high resolution and power hungry, and the CPU isn't a low-power version, so I expected average battery life at best.

What I got was a little less. In our web browsing test, which ran through a number of popular websites, the ZenBook 14X OLED lasted 7.5 hours, less than average and well below the 10 hours we like to see on thin and light laptops. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro lasted 10 minutes longer with its more powerful CPU and high-resolution display, while the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 was significantly stronger in this test with almost 13 hours.

In our video test replaying a local 1080p movie trailer, the ZenBook 14X OLED achieved 10.75 hours, again less than average and a little less than we'd like to see. The IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro lasted two more hours, while the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 lasted a significantly longer 16 hours.

I ran the PCMark 10 Applications battery test, which is the best indicator of productivity longevity, and the ZenBook 14X OLED got eight hours, which is again a little below average. Many thin and light laptops can last up to 10 hours. The IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro lasted nine hours and the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 wouldn't finish the test. In the PCMark 10 gaming battery test, which shows how hard a laptop works without a plug, the ZenBook 14X OLED only lasted 81 minutes, the lowest rate we've ever seen, but close to the 90 minutes the IdeaPad achieved.

Overall, the ZenBook 14X OLED is unlikely to make it through a full eight-hour work day without a little charge. You should have the 100 watt USB-C charger close at hand.

Our opinion

Reduced to the essentials, the ZenBook 14X OLED is a well-built 14-inch laptop with robust performance and a spectacular OLED display. It's easy to recommend on that alone, but it has some nice touches like the ScreenPad 2 touchpad that comes in handy when you want to take some time learning its various uses.

It's not perfect. The battery life is mediocre, may not exceed our all-day threshold, and is a bit expensive. But overall, it's a solid addition to the growing herd of 14-inch laptops, and well worth a place on your list.

Are there alternatives?

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is probably the best 14-inch clamshell alternative simply because it's also very well built, performs well, and has better battery life. You don't get an OLED display, but that's not so common with 14-inch devices and you spend a little more money depending on the configuration.

If a convertible 2-in-1 is of interest, consider the HP Specter x360 14. It also has an excellent OLED display, a great and well-made case and of course the flexibility of a 360-degree convertible. It's roughly the same price, but you don't get built-in graphics.

Finally, you can always consider the Dell XPS 13 if you're ready to go for a slightly smaller OLED display. The XPS 13 is more expensive, but it's worth it as it's the best laptop you can buy.

How long it will take?

The ZenBook 14X OLED is solid as a rock and feels like it has lasted for eons. The components are up-to-date and should run Windows 11 with no problem should you decide to upgrade (and you probably will, sooner or later). As always, the industry standard one-year warranty is disappointing, but Asus does offer one-year accident protection.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The ZenBook 14X OLED is a great 14-inch laptop that can hold its own against its competition.

Editor's recommendations



03 Dec
Blog

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook Review: OLED For Cheap

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook open on a table.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook

RRP $ 500.00

"The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook brings OLED quality to a surprisingly affordable 2-in-1."

advantages

  • Acceptable productivity performance

  • Very long battery life

  • Excellent advertisement

  • Solid build quality

  • Payable

disadvantage

  • The display has the old school 16: 9 aspect ratio

  • Limited to WiFi 5

  • Stand add-on is impractical

Chromebooks don't often beat Windows in the market for implementing new technology, but Lenovo's IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook did just that. It is the first detachable tablet with OLED display, launched just before the Asus Vivobook 13 Slate, which is the first detachable Windows 11 tablet with OLED technology. The IdeaPad Duet 5 is based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, an ARM chip, and is thus another first. It's a bigger tablet, but still an alternative to other low-cost devices like the Apple iPad and Microsoft Surface Go 3.

I tested the midrange configuration of the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook, which costs $ 500 and includes the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 and a 13.3-inch 1080p OLED display. I found the tablet to be way above its price and one of the best 2-in-1 tablets at this price point.

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The Asus ZenBook 14X OLED in its case.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The first thing you'll notice about the IdeaPad Duet 5 when you take a closer look is that the display is old-school, 16: 9. The laptop world is moving in the direction of larger displays, 16:10 or 3: 2, which is particularly useful for tablets that mimic a standard sheet in portrait format. In comparison, a 16: 9 tablet is longer and slimmer, making it less convenient to view documents and take notes with a pen.

The bezels of the IdeaPad Duet 5 are small on the sides and a bit thicker at the top and bottom. They're not huge for a tablet, and the IdeaPad Duet 5 is reasonably large considering the display. Compared to its closest Windows 11 competitor, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 with its 13-inch 3: 2 display, the IdeaPad Duet 5 is almost an inch wider, while the Surface Pro 8 is almost an inch higher.

At 0.37 inches, Microsoft's tablet is thicker than the 0.28-inch of the IdeaPad Duet 5, but the Surface Pro 8 has its kickstand built in – more on that in a moment. Of course, the IdeaPad Duet 5 is significantly larger than the Apple iPad and Microsoft Surface Go, which are built around 10.2-inch and 10.5-inch displays. If you can take the size, the Lenovo is a viable competitor.

Another competitive tablet with a 12.3-inch 3: 2 display, the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is roughly the same size as the Surface Pro 8 thanks to the smaller bezels. In terms of weight, the IdeaPad Duet 5 alone weighs for the tablet 1.54 pounds, compared to the Surface Pro 8 at 1.96 pounds and the ThinkPad X12 Detachable at 1.67 pounds. The IdeaPad Duet 5 is not a small tablet, but it is manageable. Using the smallest tablets from Apple or Microsoft would save you about half a pound.

Close-up on the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED stand.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Now for this stand. As with the HP Chromebook x2 11, the IdeaPad Duet 5's stand is an add-on that clicks into place on the back of the tablet and is held in place by strong magnets. That makes the tablet thicker and impractical – it's another thing to carry around with you. The Surface Pro 8 and ThinkPad X12 Detachable are much more convenient to use with their built-in kickstand, although the version of the IdeaPad Duet 5 works just as well. It also holds the tablet upright without wobbling and extends just as far until the tablet rests almost flat on a surface. If you don't mind fiddling with another piece, then the version of the IdeaPad Duet 5 will be just fine. And let's not forget that this is a $ 500 tablet, while the Lenovo and Microsoft versions are more than twice as expensive when fully configured.

The IdeaPad Duet 5 is made of plastic, with the upper part of the back being a soft-coated version. It feels solid enough in the hand, and your first clue that it isn't made of a metal alloy like the other laptops I mentioned is that it doesn't feel as cold after a while. If you don't mind plastic gadgets, that's no real blow to the IdeaPad Duet 5 – especially given its price point.

Aesthetically, the tablet is a dark gray (Storm Gray) or blue (Abyss Blue) plate, with only the two-tone part on the back giving it a little pizzazz. Minimalist designs are pretty much the standard for tablets, however, with the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable having the most exotic look.

There are two USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one on each side of the tablet (both can be used for charging).

The pogo pin connector on the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook for the detachable keyboard.

Connectivity is limited to two USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one on each side of the tablet – each can be used for charging – and a pogo-pin connector for the detachable keyboard. That's it. And yes, Lenovo has done without a 3.5mm audio jack. That's a huge disappointment in my book, and it's the first tablet I know that got disconnected.

You will be limited to bluetooth headphones which I consider liability. Speaking of wireless connectivity: the Snapdragon chipset limits the tablet to Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1. There's no always connected internet option like the HP Chromebook x2 11.

power

Asus ZenBook 14X OLED open on a table.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebooks use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 System-on-Chip (SoC), a slightly updated version of the same ARM processor used in the HP Chromebook x2 11. As far as I can tell, the only significant difference is a tiny speed threshold from 2.4 GHz to 2.55 GHz. Unsurprisingly, the IdeaPad Duet 5 performed similarly to the Chromebook x2 11. In other words, the ARM CPU could keep up with Chrome OS as long as I didn't open too many tabs in Chrome or too many Android apps were running in the background. I'm sure the 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage had something to do with it.

We don't have all of the benchmarks available for Chromebooks, but the IdeaPad Duet 5 scored 599 in single-core mode and 1718 in multi-core mode in the Android Geekbench 5 app. That's just a tiny bit faster than the 590 and 1,689 of the Chromebook x2 11. It lags far behind faster Chromebooks like the Asus Chromebook Flip C536 with a Core i5-1115G4 that scores 1209 and 2849 points, and the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 with a Core i5-1135G7 that hits 1,190 and 4,151. The IdeaPad Duet 5's score in the Speedometer 2.0 web benchmark was 47, just ahead of the Chromebook x2 11's with 45. In comparison, the Chromebook Flip CX5 achieved 163.

Overall, you will be satisfied with the performance of the IdeaPad Duet 5 as long as your productivity workflow is not too demanding. As I said, with a reasonable number of tabs and Android apps open, the tablet ran fine. However, if you exceeded that amount, things got noticeably slower. And limit yourself to occasional Android games – Asphalt 9, the Android game I use to test Chromebooks, was choppy and showed significant lag when I tried to run it on the IdeaPad Duet 5, which is a more usable gaming tablet .

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Close up on the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED display.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

From the moment I turned on the IdeaPad Duet 5, I could tell that something was different. OLED displays are so much more dynamic and eye-catching than IPS displays, and the 13.3-inch Full HD version of the IdeaPad Duet 5 is no exception. The colors were pleasant and natural, the contrast was deep with inky black tones, and the display was more than bright enough for all of my work environments.

My two complaints start with the 16: 9 aspect ratio, which, as mentioned earlier, isn't nearly as functional as 16:10 and 3: 2 displays in portrait mode, and it looked squashed too. It's not a deal breaker – many 16: 9 laptops and tablets are still made today – but it's far from ideal. Next, the Full HD resolution was just okay with a display size of 13.3 inches. A sharper screen would have helped, especially with text, and while black text showed up on a white background, they did it with a few pixels. A higher resolution display would have been nice too, but for $ 500, it's hard to complain about.

Close-up on the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED display without keyboard attachment.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Even so, most users will love this display. Even creatives looking for a Chromebook to view photos and videos will love the colors and contrast. This display will please everyone except the pickiest of pixel peepers and those who use a pen to take lots of notes.

Unfortunately, the sound does not do justice to the display despite four speakers radiating from the side. First off, there's not much volume even when it's all the way up, and worse, there's distortion that cuts out the little bass and makes a very tinny sound. The mids and highs are clear at about half volume, but the bass is missing. Overall, you'll want to use bluetooth headphones or speakers for anything but system sounds and the occasional YouTube video.

Keyboard and touchpad

Close up on the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook keyboard.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook case with keyboard.

Lenovo includes a detachable keyboard with the IdeaPad Duet 5 that shares the same basic design as most keyboards – with one exception. It is attached to the tablet via magnets and connected via pogo pins, but unlike most keyboards, it has no way of supporting it at an angle. They're stuck when you lay it flat, which isn't nearly as comfortable. Thanks to the 13.3-inch display and the width it offers, there is plenty of key spacing and the keycaps are large and comfortable. The switches offer a lot of spring travel and have a snappy bottom movement. The keyboard feels great – if only Lenovo had built in an angle.

The touchpad is also good and big enough to be comfortable using the Chrome OS suite of multitouch gestures. The surface can be wiped comfortably and the buttons have a nice click without being too loud. The display is of course touch-enabled and supports an optional Lenovo Active Pen. One was not included with my test device, so I could not test the coloring with the IdeaPad Duet 5.

Battery life

OLED displays can sometimes be the death knell when it comes to battery life. But that's mainly because most OLED laptops use 4K resolution. The IdeaPad Duet 5 uses a 1080p screen and combines it with a Snapdragon processor with low power consumption. It also contains 42 watt hours of battery, a decent amount for this device – and more than the 32 watt hours found on the HP Chromebook x2 11. I was curious to see how long the detachable tablet would last on one charge.

I was positively surprised. In our web browser test, which ran through a number of popular and demanding websites, the IdeaPad Duet 5 lasted for 15.5 hours – an excellent score that beat the Chromebook x2 11's 12.75 hours. The 10.1 inch Lenovo IdeaPad Duet with its 27 watt hour battery and the MediaTek Helio P60T ARM processor lasted about 13 hours. In our video test replaying a local 1080p movie trailer, the IdeaPad Duet 5 achieved a whopping 21.75 hours – one of the longest-lasting devices we tested. It outperformed the 11 hours of the Chromebook x2 11 and the 12.5 hours of the IdeaPad Duet.

Simply put, the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook will last you a full day while you still have some time to watch Netflix. Chromebooks with ARM CPUs should have great battery life, and the IdeaPad Duet 5 keeps that promise.

Our opinion

At $ 500, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is excellent value for money. You get adequate productivity performance and great battery life. The OLED display looks great too, even if it's not perfect.

Anyone looking for an affordable Chrome tablet that they can use for web browsing, email triage, and media consumption will find that the IdeaPad Duet 5 is a great choice.

Are there alternatives?

the HP Chromebook x2 11 is a close alternative with almost the same CPU and very similar performance. At the same time, the display is good, but not great, and the battery life is wasted. You can also get it for $ 100 less, albeit with half the space.

Another option is the Microsoft Surface Go 3. It's a Windows 11 laptop and it's smaller, but its build quality and performance are just as good, and it has its own great display. It's more expensive when you add the cost of the keyboard, but it's well worth it too.

After all, the Apple iPad is a good tablet, although it is also a bit smaller. You might want to stick with the entry-level model of $ 329 or risk spending a lot more. But it's faster thanks to a faster ARM CPU and a highly optimized operating system, and it has a great display. It's also thin, light, and well built.

How long it will take?

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook could be made of plastic, but that doesn't mean it won't last for years. You'll also get a lot of performance out of Chrome OS for some time. The one-year warranty is fine for a $ 500 laptop.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is fast enough for the price, which makes it a long-lasting secondary device with a beautiful display for media consumption. It's the best tablet you will find for the money.

Editor's recommendations



06 Oct
Blog

Nintendo Switch OLED Review: An Upgrade’s an Upgrade

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe runs on a Nintendo Switch OLED.

Nintendo Switch OLED

RRP $ 350.00

"The Nintendo Switch OLED may not be what gamers have dreamed of, but it is undeniably a technological advance for the Switch."

advantages

  • Improved screen

  • Improved onboard audio

  • Much better stand

  • Cleaner dock design

disadvantage

  • No upgrades for the TV

  • Memory is still small

Much of the discussion about the Nintendo Switch OLED model has centered on what it isn't as opposed to what it is. From the first announcement, fans were noisily disappointed with the lack of three main features of the upgrade: 4K graphics when docked, an improvement in resolution in handheld mode, and a battery boost. That left many to write off the system entirely as a minor midlife switch upgrade rather than the version they envisioned.

So let's talk about what the Switch OLED actually is: It's clearly a better version of the Nintendo Switch. It has a bigger, brighter screen that makes the old Switch look washed out. That alone would be enough to make this a notable improvement, and it's not the only novelty here. The question is whether or not the difference is enough, considering the Switch is a four-year-old console that has lagged behind technological advances in gaming for nearly half a decade. The answer is probably no, but it hardly matters if Nintendo plays by its own rules.

The Nintendo Switch OLED optimizes an already great console with a better screen, cleaner audio, and a stand that dwarfs the old Switch. For those who prefer to play their games in handheld or tabletop mode, it's an upgrade worthwhile as your Switch ages. However, those who play docked stay in the dust, making it a somewhat enigmatic addition to the Switch family.

See the light

The only major difference you need to know about here is the console's eponymous OLED screen. Given how unimaginative the name of the system is, you have to assume that Nintendo is pinning a lot of its hopes on this aspect. There is a good reason for this, however: the new OLED panel is undoubtedly better than the Switch's outdated LED panel.

For starters, it's bigger. While the normal switch has a 6.2-inch screen surrounded by a thick black bezel, the OLED extends to seven inches to make better use of the switch's space. There's a noticeable difference, especially since video games tend to use the smallest amount of text when it comes to the user interface.

A Nintendo Switch OLED and a 2019 Switch model side by side.

More importantly, everything is brighter on the OLED panel. You can see this clearly by simply launching the home menu on an old and a new console. The original Switch almost looks like it has a white haze over it and the colors are dulled a little. On the other hand, everything is crisp on the OLED screen; it doesn't feel like anything is lost in the digital translation. When testing the Metroid Dread on it, I switched back and forth between my TV and the OLED in handheld mode. I quickly found that the picture on the OLED was just looking clearer than it was on my aging TV. Because of this, I decided to play the entire game portable.

The new OLED panel is undoubtedly better than the Switch's outdated LED panel.

For disappointed fans, a better screen was only half what they'd hoped for. The console does not offer any resolution increase in handheld mode, which means that like its predecessor, it is limited to 720p. A lack of 1080p sounds like a big deal on paper, but ultimately doesn't make that much of a difference on a seven-inch screen. Instead, OLED gives Nintendo's gaming a boost where it really matters. A game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, for example, shines on the console with its colors that appear in all their shining splendor.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe runs on a Nintendo Switch OLED.

I'm a Switch gamer who plays in handheld mode almost exclusively, even when I'm at home. From that perspective, the new screen is a remarkable improvement for me. I wouldn't have rushed to buy it based on the datasheet, but now that I'm using it I can't imagine going back to my old model.

Undeniable upgrade

The other upgrades to the OLED are more subtle in comparison, though they justify the $ 50 price tag. For one, the system has a completely redesigned stand that makes the flimsy plastic of the old switch look like a gruesome joke. The entire rear lower half of the console can be folded out and remains in place at every angle. It goes so far back that the console can lie almost flat with a slight incline. The Switch feels a lot more stable in tabletop mode, which makes the dream of playing on the plane feel a lot more realistic. It no longer feels like the switch is falling over in a strong gust of wind.

The stand of the Nintendo Switch OLED compared to the 2019 Switch model.

Audio also gets a boost here, which is a small but nice touch. When playing in handheld mode, the onboard speakers just sound a bit louder and crisper overall. Similar to the way the new display removes the washed-out haze of the switch, this also applies here to a more subtle degree. The audio upgrade doesn't make a difference if you're playing with headphones on the go, but it's nice for a lazy couch player like me.

The other changes here are less important, though it's hard to complain a lot. The internal memory of the switch has been doubled from 32 GB to 64 GB. That number is still pretty skimpy considering the upcoming Steam Deck has 512GB of storage if you go for the top of the line. Switch games are smaller than PC games, and you can still save space by physically buying Nintendo's game, but those who make a living from downloads will still need a microSD card anyway.

The other upgrades to the OLED are more subtle in comparison, though they justify the $ 50 price tag.

The aesthetic component is also a nice plus, but hardly a reason for an upgrade. The white Joy-Cons look particularly clean when they are attached to the screen so that it looks less like a toy. The white dock looks similarly good and goes particularly well with a PlayStation 5 in your entertainment center. The interior of the dock just looks cleaner, too, with a sleek black interior that doesn't feel quite as scratched as the regular dock. I wouldn't advise anyone buying a console for the colors (nothing different with the Joy-Cons so don't expect a drift fix here), but it's a good bonus if you get one.

A Nintendo Switch OLED model in its dock next to a regular Switch dock.

“Bonus” is the key word here, so to speak. Aside from the screen and stand, the OLED's new features are nice but negligible add-ons. The only other major boost here is the battery, though it depends on which Switch you already own. For those who bought a base Switch in 2017 and didn't upgrade to the new SKU in 2019, the OLED features its larger battery size. It wasn't worth spending $ 300 on an otherwise identical product back then, but it's more enticing now in the context of an actually polished system.

Neglect from television gamers

The most puzzling thing about the Switch OLED is that it doesn't really bring any real improvements to docked gaming. While handheld and tabletop modes get a nice boost here, they run exactly the same on your TV. Given that Nintendo previously released the handheld-focused Switch Lite, you'd think its next system would tackle the other side of the hybrid console's player base. Amazingly, that's not the case here.

What we are left with is a console upgrade that is a straightforward recommendation for some gamers but completely irrelevant to others.

There's only one real difference when it comes to TV gaming: the redesigned dock has a LAN port to support wired online gaming. Theoretically, this should make online experiences more stable, which the Nintendo Switch urgently needs. Of course, it's not that simple. Online multiplayer is a two-way (or four-way or 100-way) street. When I'm wired, I know I won't have Wi-Fi problems, but that doesn't mean my opponents won't have problems. Most of my testing with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate went smoothly, but every now and then I would jump into a four-player game and experience stutters or delays. A wired internet connection only really works if everyone has access to it, which requires gamers to extensively upgrade their docks. In more practical terms, the wired connection will be a niche advantage for competitive gamers.

The Nintendo Switch OLED Dock.

What we are left with is a console upgrade that is a straightforward recommendation for some gamers but completely irrelevant to others. Buying a console for the first time? The OLED is a breeze. Are you a handheld gamer looking to step up a notch? It's a good excuse to upgrade when you have the cash to spare. But for those who only play on TV, there's practically no reason to buy one – especially since the dock will be available separately through the Nintendo website.

With Nintendo denying reports that a 4K model is in the works, it's impossible to know if we'll ever get a real Switch Pro. For now, this could be the last upgrade we'll get in the life of the Switch. It's certainly not the change we were hoping for, but I'd be lying if I said the new display isn't impressive. This is the model that Nintendo should have brought out when it launched.

Our opinion

The Nintendo Switch OLED model is an improvement on an already good console, period. No, it can't do 4K and it doesn't feel like a midlife change to PS4 Pro size, but an upgrade is an upgrade. The new OLED panel is a huge improvement that makes the Switch's old screen look washed out in comparison. A new stand and better onboard audio both justify the additional $ 50, though the other enhancements are somewhat redundant. It may not be the upgrade the system needs after four years in the market, but it is the definitive model to buy if you don't already own a Switch.

Is there a better alternative?

It's certainly better than a regular switch if you're handheld gaming. If you want more power, the Steam Deck is just around the corner (if you can get one).

How long it will take?

The redesigned dock reduces the chance of hair scratches on the screen. Is your Switch still working four years later? Then expect it to chug on in a similar fashion.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you don't already have a Switch, there's no reason not to start here. It's also a worthwhile upgrade for those who play in handheld mode, though TV gamers won't get much benefit from it.

Editor's recommendations



04 Sep
Blog

Dell XPS 15 9510 OLED Review: The Best Keeps Getting Better

Dell XPS 15 OLED laptop sits on a small table.

Dell XPS 15 OLED 2021

RRP $ 2,400.00

"The Dell XPS 15 is everything you could want in a powerful 15-inch laptop."

advantages

  • Superior build quality

  • Nice aesthetics

  • Excellent creative and productive performance

  • Good keyboard and touchpad

  • Beautiful OLED display

What are you doing to make the best 15 inch laptop even better? Well, you don't change what is outwardly. It already has a killer design and an excellent OLED screen.

Instead, you change what's inside instead. That is exactly what Dell did with the update of the XPS 15 in 2021, the CPUs of the 11th generation.

I tested the XPS 15 with a Core i7-11800H CPU and the RTX 3050 Ti, which costs a cool $ 2,400. This is not a cheap laptop. But as we'll see, with the XPS 15, you get what you pay for – a laptop that does what it has to do to hang on the crown.

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Dell XPS 15 OLED laptop sits on a small table. Look at the back.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

My wife, who rarely comments on the laptops I have tested, called the XPS 15 “beautiful”. That is kudos, and it is well deserved for this remarkably designed laptop. It's hard to point out simplicity, but that's exactly what Dell did. The XPS 15 does not have the extravagant gemstone-cut aesthetics of the HP Specter x360 15, for example with contrasting colors and large bevelled and angled edges.

Instead, the XPS 15 has sparkling clean lines, a silver aluminum lid and case base with a black soft-touch carbon fiber or white fiberglass keyboard deck, and double anodized chrome edges that resist scratches and pull the design together. The tiny display bezels offer a true screen-to-body ratio of 92.9% (no big chin tucked under the back of the keyboard deck), which makes the larger 16:10 screen seem to float in mid-air. In short, the XPS 15 has a uniform look that is unmatched among 15-inch laptops.

And the XPS 15 doesn't just look good. It's also rock-solid without bending, bending, or twisting in the lid, keyboard deck, or case. The machined aluminum combined with the carbon or fiberglass gives the XPS 15 a feeling of durability that you won't find in many other laptops. The Specter x360 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 are just as stiff, but I can't think of any other 15-inch laptop that feels this solid. Even the hinge on the XPS 15 works better than most, making the laptop easy to open with one hand and still keeping the display firmly in place. These are all traits shared with other XPS laptops like the XPS 13 and XPS 17, and it is evident that Dell has paid a lot of attention to making laptops that exude quality.

If the XPS 15 has one weakness in design, it's connectivity.

The XPS 15 is also a remarkably small laptop for such a powerful device that is narrower than the Specter x360 15 and ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3. Thanks to the larger 16:10 display, it's a little deeper than the Specter and it always is even thinner than the ThinkPad, even if you take into account the traditional 16: 9 panel of this laptop. The XPS 15 is 0.71 inches thick compared to the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 at 0.72 inches and the Specter x360 15 at 0.79 inches.

Finally, the XPS 15 with the OLED display and 86 watt-hour battery weighs 4.31 pounds, compared to the Specter at 4.23 pounds and the ThinkPad at 3.75 pounds. Overall, that makes the XPS 15 a smaller laptop that is a bit heavier and feels tighter in the hand, which isn't a bad thing with these weights – none of these laptops are particularly heavy for larger machines.

Left side view of the Dell XPS 15 OLED notebook. Two micro USB ports.

Right side view of the Dell XPS 15 OLED notebook. Micro USB port and SD card reader.

If the XPS 15 has one weakness in design, it's connectivity. You'll only find three USB-C ports, two with Thunderbolt 4 support, a full-size SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Dell includes a USB-C to HDMI and USB-A adapter, which is a plus, but it's unfortunate to need dongles at all. However, the SD card reader will be welcome to developers compared to the microSD card readers you typically find on modern laptops. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 provide wireless connectivity through the Killer AX1650 chipset.

power

You can configure the XPS 15 with a range of Intel 11th Generation H-Series processors, from the Core i5-11400H to the Core i9-11900H. My test device was equipped with the Core i7-11800H, a fast 8-core CPU with 16 threads that has proven itself well in other devices, along with 16 GB of RAM (up to a whopping 64 GB can be configured) and a 512- GB PCIe solid state drive (SSD and up to 4 TB can be ordered). Two SSD slots mean you can install two 4TB SSDs for a total of 8TB of storage.

You'll also find a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU inside, which lives on the lower end of the RTX line but still beats the integrated graphics many times over. You would expect this combination to work well for demanding tasks like video editing and others that appeal to both developers and productive users.

The XPS 15 performed admirably in our benchmarks. We didn't do all of the testing with the 2020 XPS 15, but where we overlap, the new model is faster. That is to be expected. The new XPS 15 does not dominate our comparison group, but it is right at the front. It does particularly well against the XPS 17, which benefits from a larger case and even better thermal than the very well constructed XPS 15.

Dell XPS 15 OLED laptop sits on a small table.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

If you look at the CPU-intensive benchmarks, our handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB video in H.265 and Cinebench R23, the XPS 15 competes strongly with the XPS 17 and the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with AMD Ryzen 7 5800H. The Ryzen chips are fast on CPU-intensive tasks, and so the XPS 15's score here is impressive. When you get to the Core i9 model, you will likely outperform the Ryzen 7. The XPS 15 also scores well in the PCMark 10 Complete Benchmark, scores in the upper range of the laptops we tested and scores particularly well in the content creation part of the test.

In the Pugetbench test, which uses Adobe Premiere Pro for several brutal tasks, the XPS 15 got a score of 507. Dell equipped the XPS 15 with its power supply to optimize the CPU for less heat and fan noise while the performance limited or running at full speed in performance mode. In all of our other tests, the utility made no difference in performance, but in Pugetbench, the performance mode increased the score to 590. That's well below the 692 on the XPS 17 (with the faster RTX 3060) but closer to the 622 on the Legion 5 Pro makes the XPS 15, which benefits from both a fast CPU and a discrete GPU that can speed up some tasks in Adobe apps, a strong performer for Adobe developers – if not the most powerful we've ever seen.

Overall, the update to the XPS 15 has increased its performance enough to be worth the effort, and it's one of the faster 15-inch laptops you'll find – especially for such a thin and light device. Of course, it flies through productivity tasks and won't slow down no matter what you throw at it. As mentioned earlier, it works for both mobile developers and productive users.

Laptop 3DMark time spy Cinebench R23 Underdog bench 5 Handbrake
(Seconds)		 PCMark 10 Fourteen days
(1080p epic)		 Civilization VI (1080p Ultra)
Dell XPS 15 OLED 2021 (Core i7-11800H) 4540 1513/9979 1544/8299 101 6024 50 fps 73 fps
Dell XPS 15 (Core i7-10875H) 3860 n / A 1314/7549 122 n / A 60 fps 53 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

The RTX 3050 Ti installed by Dell in the XPS 15 is limited to 45 watts, although it is technically designed for 80 watts. Hence, it's not the fastest iteration of the chip you'll find. In theory, this limits performance, especially when gaming. In our tests, however, the XPS 15 did well and achieved 4540 points in the 3DMark Time Spy test. That's a solid result for laptops with the RTX 3050 Ti.

It managed 73 frames per second (fps) in Civilization VI at 1080p and ultra graphics, beating the Acer Swift X with the same GPU and a Ryzen 7 5800U at 66 fps and the 2020 XPS 15 at 53 fps. Eventually, the XPS 15 managed 50 fps at 1200p and epic graphics in Fortnite, oddly behind the 2020 XPS 15 but within a few fps of other RTX 3050 Ti laptops. Despite the slower clocked GPU, the XPS 15 is a good entry-level gaming laptop.

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Dell XPS 15 OLED screen.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Dell offers several 15.6-inch 16:10 displays for the XPS 15. You can choose between a Full HD + (1,920 x 1,200) non-touch display, a 3.5K (3,456 x 2,160) OLED touch display and a UHD + (3,840 x 2,400.) IPS touch display. The latter two support Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR) for excellent Netflix binging (though, read on). My test device was equipped with the 3.5K OLED display and it is stunning. Colors pop, black is ink, and it's bright enough to be used outside (though maybe not in direct southern California sunlight). I'm not sure why Dell went for the 3.5K resolution versus true 4K as the latter would be great for watching 4K HDR media, but the display is sharp enough for everything else you do want to use it. Subjectively, this is a great ad.

This is an excellent display that, with the performance of the XPS 15, does well for creators.

My colorimeter agreed. The colors were extensive with 99% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB and also spectacularly accurate with a DeltaE of 0.49 (1.0 or less is considered excellent). At 381, the brightness wasn't as high as some OLED displays, but that's nothing to complain about. The contrast was a gaudy 381.130: 1, which is what makes the inky black colors. Compare that to the AMOLED display on the HP Specter x360 15 and you'll find similarly wide colors and high contrast, though the Specter was a bit brighter at 405 nits and not as accurate at 1.29.

The 2020 XPS 15's 4K IPS display was just as colorful and almost as accurate at 0.65 and much brighter at 442 nits. The contrast was 1480: 1, high for an IPS display, but not as unearthly as the OLED panel on the XPS 15.

Subjectively or objectively, this is an excellent display that goes well with the performance of the XPS 15 for developers. It's also a nice display for the productivity worker who appreciates the rich colors and black text that contrasts against white backgrounds.

The sound of the XPS 15 is also impressive. Four speakers – two facing up flanking the keyboard and two facing down and to the sides – pump tons of volume without distortion. There's more bass than usual, and the mids and highs are clear and comfortable. This is the best set of Windows 10 laptop speakers I've personally tested, with only the MacBook Pro's speakers doing better. You don't have to worry about carrying headphones around unless you want your privacy – this audio system will be more than enough for your Netflix Bing and music listening needs.

Close up of the correct size speaker on the Dell XPS 15 OLED laptop.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Keyboard and touchpad

The keyboard of the XPS 15 is spacious with large keycaps and light gray lettering. There's a lot of travel and a light touch that's consistent across the keyboard, though I found the punch-through action less snappy than I remembered it on the last XPS laptop I used, the XPS 13. There's a reason for this – the XPS 13 keyboard has less travel, so Dell tuned the mechanism in no time.

The XPS 15 has a comfortable feel that helps long typing sessions without fatigue, but I missed the XPS 13's precise responsiveness, but it's also faster and offers more feedback for each key press. Lots of people will love the XPS 15's keyboard, so I won't fault it, but it's not my personal favorite.

Image of the keyboard and trackpad of the Dell XPS 15 OLED.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The XPS 15's touchpad is huge by Windows 10 standards, thanks to the ample palm rest offered by the taller display and Dell's decision to fill most of it with touchable surface. It's fun to use, with soft-click buttons and a smooth glass surface that feels incredibly large. Of course, the touchpad supports Microsoft's Precision drivers, so Windows 10's multi-touch gestures are reliable and responsive. It's the best touchpad you'll find on a Windows 10 laptop (alongside the XPS 17). Additionally, the OLED display is touch sensitive, and I appreciated that as I tapped the on-screen buttons with my thumb and scrolled long web pages.

Passwordless login under Windows 10 Hello is provided by a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button and an infrared camera for facial recognition. Both worked perfectly, logging me in the minute I hit the power button if I walked that route or as soon as I woke up the laptop if I turned on face recognition.

Dell does not offer a webcam privacy option. That's a shame because the feature has become standard on premium laptops.

Battery life

Close-up shots of the bezels and screen of the Dell XPS 15 OLED.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Dell has reduced the maximum battery capacity on the new XPS 15 design from 97 watt hours to 86 watt hours, but the usable battery life has even improved in some areas. In our web browser test, the XPS 15 lasted over nine hours, while the 2020 XPS 15 only lasted seven hours in this test and was equipped with a 4K IPS display. With its 4K OLED display and 82 watt-hour battery, the Specter x360 15 only manages six hours. Yes, the display on the XPS 15 isn't quite 4K, but it's close enough that we shouldn't expect 50% more battery life. In the video test, which repeats a local Full HD Avengers trailer, the XPS 15 reached 11.15 hours. Many laptops exceed 14 hours on this test, but they don't have energy-hungry high-resolution OLED displays. And the 2020 XPS 15 managed just seven hours in the test, which means that the results of the new version are significantly better in comparison.

I also tested the PCMark 10 Applications Battery Benchmark, the best test for typical productivity battery life. The XPS 15 only survived this test for eight hours, less than what I expected given the results when surfing the Internet. We didn't test the 2020 XPS 15 with the benchmark and the Specter x360 15 got 6.5 hours. We don't have many other relevant comparisons, so 15-inch laptops with H-series CPUs and OLED displays, but to get an idea of ​​what's possible, the LG Gram 16 with a Core i7-1165G7 and WQXGA (2560 x 1,600) IPS display lasted a spectacular 17.8 hours in the test. In the PCMark 10 gaming battery test, which drives the CPU and GPU, the XPS 15 managed around 1.5 hours. This is typical of the more powerful laptops that we tested and showed that the XPS 15 kept up speed on battery power.

Overall, these results are pretty good for a machine the size of the XPS 15. It is quite possible to last a whole working day on a single charge, which I did not expect. Obviously, you'll need to have your charger handy whenever you're doing something intense, but for general productivity work, the XPS 15 is a surprisingly durable laptop.

Our opinion

The Dell XPS 15 is the best 15-inch notebook you can buy. In addition, it is one of the best laptops available today. It's beautiful, has a sense of quality the moment you touch it, and works extremely well. You will probably love the keyboard, you will definitely love the touchpad, and the 3.5K OLED display is great.

You could complain about the price, but that would be silly. Yes, the XPS 15 is expensive, but Dell obviously put a lot of engineering into making this luxurious, high-performance laptop – and it's well worth the money.

Are there alternatives?

In all honesty, there aren't many 15-inch laptops that I would recommend as serious alternatives. The HP Specter x360 15 performs well and has its own gorgeous OLED display if you want the flexibility of a 2-in-1 convertible, and it's less expensive. So there is a possibility.

You could step up to the XPS 17 and get even better performance, the same build quality, and a display that – while not an OLED – offers great colors, brightness, and contrast. It's expensive too, so keep that in mind when choosing.

If you really want to save money, you can also consider the HP Envy 15. It's also fast, with an even faster GPU and an AMOLED display that is just as good as Dell's OLED version.

How long it will take?

Forever. No, seriously, the XPS 15 will last you for as long as you want to use it, with a build that can withstand abuse and a configuration that will keep Windows 10 buzzing for years. If the configured 16 GB in our test device is not enough for you, you can upgrade the RAM to 64 GB and add a second SSD to expand the memory.

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 looking for a 15-inch laptop that's as beautiful as it is powerful, you've come to the right place.

Editor's recommendations



02 Sep
Blog

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED Review: The Performance You Need

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED sits on a tabletop.

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X

RRP $ 1,099.00

“The Asus Vivobook Pro 16X offers everything a content creator needs in a laptop. And the price is right. "

advantages

  • Incredible battery life

  • Gorgeous OLED screen

  • Powerhouse performance

  • Great value

  • A decent slot machine

disadvantage

  • Boring design

  • DialPad feels tricky

Asus has set itself the task of making OLED laptops accessible to the masses. The ZenBook 13 was the cheapest 1080p OLED panel we'd seen earlier this year, and now the Vivobook Pro 16X does the same for 4K OLED.

The high-resolution screen is available in a basic configuration starting at $ 1,100. In a world where OLED is typically reserved for laptops over $ 2,000, the Vivobook Pro 16X is a big step in the right direction.

Paired with a Ryzen 9 5900HX processor and an RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, the ingredients for an excellent content creation machine are available at an affordable price. As it turns out, it is just that – and so much more.

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Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED laptop bezels.Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

The design of the VivoBook Pro 16X is not its strong point. This shows the laptop's low price. It's not an unattractive laptop in and of itself, just a very simple one. The dark gray case is not noticeable and the rather large plastic bezels ensure that it does not feel up-to-date. The few design flourishes that it has, such as the orange Esc key and the name tag on the front with the words "#BeExplorers", seem a little weird.

The design just doesn't have the premium look of some of its competitors, like the Dell XPS 15, MacBook Pro 16-inch, or even the HP Envy 15. But this, too, is significantly cheaper than many of these other options. Ultimately, the Vivobook Pro 16X is intended for those who prefer a cheaper laptop without sacrificing performance. Design is not in the foreground.

Fortunately, that doesn't mean the Vivobook Pro 16X is a poorly built device. It's a lot durable. The only weak point is in the middle of the lid along the hinge, but that's typical. It's an otherwise sturdy laptop that can be used and moved around.

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED sits on a tabletop.Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Asus has also made no compromises in terms of portability. Despite being a very large laptop, the chassis is 0.74 inches thick and 4.3 pounds – slightly thicker than the XPS 15 but half a pound lighter than the HP Envy 15. The Razer Blade remains one of the thinnest Options for laptops of this size and performance level.

A similarity between the Vivobook Pro 16X and the Razer Blade is that both are absolute fingerprint magnets. The lid, in particular, was quickly covered with hard-to-remove fingerprints.

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The Vivobook Pro 16X has a super-glossy OLED display, which is still relatively rare on laptops. You can find it as an option on the most expensive Creator-based laptops, such as the Dell XPS 15. This laptop lets you configure an OLED screen at the cheapest cost for $ 2,300. HP can get you one for its Specter x360 15 for $ 1,580. But $ 1,100? It's unheard of, and yet that's exactly what the Vivobook Pro 16X does.

If you've seen one of the OLED screens on these laptops, you know what you're getting with the Vivobook Pro 16X: jet black, insane contrasts and a warm hue. Reds and oranges are turned up, but not unrealistic. With the “Vivid” color mode in the MyAsus application, you can make the colors stand out even more. You can also adjust the color temperature, either cooler or warmer. I always found these Samsung OLED panels a little too warm for my taste, so being able to cool them down a bit is perfect. This software also comes with some OLED care tips, including pixel shifting, pixel updating, and the ability to automatically hide the taskbar. In theory, these should prevent any possible burn-in that you might experience.

I used a Spyder colorimeter to measure color saturation, brightness, gamma, and color accuracy – and I was impressed across the board. Again, this is almost identical to what you'll find in other OLED laptops like the HP Specter x360 15 or Dell XPS 15, and that's a good thing. In the P3, AdobeRGB, and sRGB color spaces, it is near perfect, and the color error is small enough for more precise color correction. It may be the best laptop screen I've ever tested – especially at this price point.

In addition, the Vivobook Pro 16X is the first laptop with a larger 16:10, 16-inch screen with OLED functionality.

Ports

Connectivity on the right side of the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED laptop. Headphone connection, micro SD slot, micro USB connection, HDMI connection, USB

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Connectivity on the right side of the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED laptop. Headphone connection, micro SD slot, micro USB connection, HDMI connection, USB

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Connectivity on the left side of the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED laptop: Two USB ports.

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Asus keeps the port selection pretty simple, although it's decidedly old school. That means you get three USB-A ports, HDMI, a barrel connector and only one USB-C port. Although the USB-C port can supply power, Asus unfortunately decided to place it on the same side as the standard power connector.

The Vivobook Pro 16X also has a microSD card slot instead of a full-size slot. This is a little less convenient when uploading content directly from a camera, which seems to be one of the main uses for a laptop like this one. That's too bad.

The take-up of the barrel plug is also not optimal. Laptops like the XPS 15 rely solely on USB-C power, and that seems to give the entire laptop enough juice overall without sacrificing performance. Not only is USB-C more convenient, it also allows full charging on both sides of the laptop.

Keyboard and touchpad

Asus did a good job with the palm deflector, but accidental clicks do occur every now and then.

Asus has adopted the same keyboard from its higher-end ZenBook range. The keystrokes feel snappy and the keycaps don't wobble too much. There isn't a lot of travel here but I found it to be a pretty enjoyable typing experience.

Close up on the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED keyboard

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Orange keycap on the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED keyboard.

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

In addition to the orange keycap, the keyboard also has a racing stripe on the Enter key and some color differences in between. The keyboard includes a number pad, which makes sense for a laptop of this size. Laptops with a number pad often off-center the touchpad as you type to match the position of your wrists as you type, but the Vivobook Pro keeps it centered. It's visually nice, but it means that your right hand rests on the touchpad while typing. Asus did a good job with the palm deflector, but accidental clicks do occur every now and then.

Asus has experimented with new touchpad functions in recent years – be it with the integration of a calculator or with the installation of a second screen. There's something new on the Vivobook Pro called the DialPad. When you swipe over the small icon in the upper right corner of the touchpad, a small digital clock face will appear on the left side of the touchpad. As soon as you slide your finger over the watch face, a screen dial is triggered, with which you can control various system-wide and app-specific settings. The default controls are just volume and screen brightness, but there are a few more options in the ProArt software that can be added. None of these were particularly useful, and certainly no more convenient than just using the keyboard.

However, its actual use is to set certain controls in applications such as the Adobe Creative Suite. It's all based on the same dialing system developed for the Surface Dial that Microsoft introduced for the Surface Studio All-in-One. The new premium creative laptops from Asus in the StudioBook range make much more use of the dial with physical controls and accessories. I could see someone using the DialPad for the occasional control change, but the combination of the swipe to trigger and the digital watch face makes for a clunky experience that would require considerable habit formation to use effectively.

I didn't find the DialPad particularly useful, but it never got in the way either. Since it requires a swipe, I've never had accidental starts.

Close-up on the dialpad of the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED.Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

power

The Vivobook Pro 16X deserves its "Pro" designation with two components. First the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX. This is a 45 watt 8 core processor with lots of power, especially for multithreaded tasks. It's the same CPU we've seen in a number of excellent gaming laptops in 2021 and been a winner across the board. Cinebench R23 multi-core results are impressive, stomping on Intel's 11th generation H-series laptops like the Dell XPS 15. Single-core performance is still a bit higher in Dell's XPS laptop, but the Vivobook Pro is not far behind there either.

The Vivobook Pro also beats the XPS 15 in all PCMark 10 benchmarks, which include testing basic tasks like web browsing and video conferencing, as well as more difficult workflows like multitasking and photo editing. It's only 4% ahead overall – but keep in mind that this is a much cheaper laptop we're talking about. The Vivobook Pro is fast and nimble whether you're doing basic administrative tasks, playing games, or rendering a video timeline.

Laptop 3DMark time spy Cinebench R23 Underdog bench 5 PCMark 10 Fortnite (1080p Epic) Civilization VI (1080p Ultra)
Asus Vivobook Pro 16X (RTX 3050 Ti) 4601 1486/11478 1544/8299 6287 57 fps 68 fps
Acer Swift X (RTX 3050 Ti) 4073 1437/10135 1287/6663 6247 43 fps 66 fps
Dell XPS 15 (RTX 3050 Ti) 4540 1513/9979 1556/7692 6024 50 fps 73 fps
Dell XPS 17 (RTX 3060) 7039 1525/10145 1568/8801 6209 78 fps 104 fps

Even ultra-thin 16-inch laptops like the LG Gram 16 don't do well because they use a weaker 25-watt processor and integrated graphics. Gaming laptops like the Ryzen-powered Razer Blade 14 or Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, although often far more expensive, have a similar performance range. The significantly larger XPS 17 is also a better one-to-one comparison in PCMark 10 with its RTX 3060 graphics.

For a similarly expensive competitor, the Acer Swift X achieves the performance of the Vivobook Pro in these benchmarks with a smaller 14-inch size. The Acer Swift X also has a Ryzen 5000 processor and the RTX 3050 Ti for graphics.

Seeing all of this in real applications is of course the most important thing. And the Vivobook Pro didn't disappoint. The great multi-core performance of AMD's Ryzen 5000 chips enables really fast video rendering, which makes the Vivobook Pro super fast in applications like Handbrake and Adobe Premiere Pro. How fast? Well, according to its own tests, the Vivobook Pro 16X has set a new record for laptops when rendering in Handbrake.

These tests were all run with the system's default "Standard" fan profile, which means you can likely see improvements with the built-in "Performance" mode in the Asus software.

The only exception I saw was timeline playback in Adobe Premiere Pro. This is one area where Intel’s optimization has an advantage over AMD. That means a laptop like the XPS 17 will do better overall in Premiere Pro. You'll also see a slightly better overall Premiere Pro experience with a gaming laptop like the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, which has more powerful GPU performance with its RTX 3070.

But these are not fair comparisons either. When was the last time you heard of a $ 1,100 laptop that can handle 4K video edits like a breeze? This is the Vivobook Pro for you.

Gaming performance

Of course, you can't try out some games with an Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti. And the Vivobook Pro 16X does better than you might think. The Vivobook Pro 16X does much more with the RTX 3050 Ti than some other laptops with this graphics card. In games, it achieves significantly better frame rates than smaller laptops with the same GPU as the Acer Swift X and the Asus ROG Flow X13.

You shouldn't buy this laptop just for gaming, but it's certainly powerful enough to handle modern games on the side.

In Fortnite, for example, the Vivobook Pro 16X is 25% faster than the Acer Swift X, averaging 57 frames per second (fps) in 1080p at epic settings. This even exceeds the 50 fps that the Dell XPS 15 gets, even with the RTX 3050 Ti. This is not bad, especially since the screen only has a refresh rate of 60 Hz.

The XPS 15 got the upper hand in Civilization VI, the other game I tested on the Vivobook Pro. While the Dell system can play the game in 4K Ultra with a smooth 55 fps, the Vivobook Pro 16X got stuck with a choppy 39 fps. This advantage is less obvious in 1080p, where both systems easily landed at over 60 fps.

That makes the Vivobook Pro 16X a decent gaming machine, but of course not as good as an RTX 3060 laptop like the Dell XPS 17. You shouldn't buy this laptop just for gaming, but it's certainly powerful enough to run on the side cope with modern games.

Loudspeaker and webcam

Close-up of the bezels and webcam on the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED laptop.Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

There are two main locations for speakers in laptops – either towards the top right of the keyboard deck or along the edges facing the surface below. However, Asus chose a unique position for the Vivobook Pro 16X – right on the front. If you sit back while watching a movie or video, you will get decent quality sound from these speakers. It's not the richest, most full-bodied audio I've ever heard, but it's not bad.

Oddly enough, if you hear something while typing or using the laptop, your arms are undoubtedly blocking the sound. An odd choice no doubt, but they'll get the job done during a video conference. Asus even offers some "AI-supported" noise-canceling for the microphones.

Speaking of video conferencing, the webcam here is only 720p, so don't expect the crisper image quality of any of the rare 1080p laptop webcams out there. I have to say, however, that the Vivobook Pro's imaging isn't as bad as many of the other 720p webcams I've tested. This is an example where the larger top bezel can accommodate a higher quality sensor than laptops with a thin bezel like the Dell XPS 15.

Battery life

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how long it was taking.

A 16-inch laptop with an RTX graphics card and a 4K screen with amazing battery life? Yes that's it. The Asus Vivobook Pro 16X achieves an incredible battery life, although all of these factors work against it.

Asus didn't go into the details, but this new OLED panel in the Vivobook Pro uses different materials when it comes to power consumption. The battery life improvements from using AMD's Ryzen 5000 platform probably won't hurt either. Whatever the secret sauce is – it works.

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED sits on a tabletop.Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

In our light web browsing test, the Vivobook Pro 16X lasted over 16 hours on a single charge. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how long it was taking. It revolves around laptops like the Dell XPS 15, which was dead after just five hours in the same test. It even beats the lightweight LG Gram 16, which was previously a battery life champion in this test.

In our lightest test, which repeats a local video file, the Vivobook Pro 16X even earned 30 minutes more.

Don't necessarily expect two full days of work with the Vivobook Pro, especially if your typical workload is using the discrete GPU. But you will have a hard time finding many laptops, especially none with that much power, that can outlast the Vivobook Pro 16X on a single charge.

Our opinion

The Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED occupies a wonderful niche in the laptop market. It's boldly said that powerhouses and high-end displays don't have to be reserved for people with deep pockets. There are still elements that set this "midrange" laptop apart from the more expensive options, but none that will slow your workflow or make you regret your purchase.

Are there alternatives?

There are a variety of larger laptops sold to a "content creation" audience. The HP Envy 15 is most similar in price and performance, although it is not as powerful and a bit more expensive.

The 14-inch Acer Swift X is a good alternative. Although smaller, it offers similar performance for almost the same price. Of course, the huge OLED screen is missing.

After all, if you have the money, the XPS 15 or XPS 17 won't let you down – they only cost you an arm and a leg.

How long it will take?

The Vivobook Pro 16X OLED should be a solid laptop for five or six years, although you can't get a warranty for that long. However, the components inside are high-end and should be able to adequately supply workloads, games and applications for many years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. It's a laptop with high-end components at an amazingly affordable price.

Editor's recommendations



24 Aug
Blog

LG A1 OLED TV Review (OLED55A1PUA, OLED65A1PUA, OLED77A1PUA)

LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV screen with images of a colorful desert.

LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV

RRP $ 1,800.00

"The LG A1 is not a game changer, but still an OLED television."

advantages

  • Perfect black levels

  • Great color

  • Low input lag

disadvantage

  • Lower brightness

  • Sluggish interface

Unseen, we presented the LG A1 OLED with our Top Tech of CES 2021 Award in January. At the time we wrote, "LG promises that the A-Series will be much more affordable for a wider audience, and while LG has not yet released any figures, we are confident that we will reach the prices that the average family can afford."

Perhaps our trust was out of place.

It turns out that – at the time I write this seven months later – the LG A1 OLED is only two or three hundred dollars less than the LG C1 OLED I raved about earlier this year, assuming you look at it 55- or 65-inch models. That's not the kind of breakthrough pricing I was hoping for when I introduced the A1 OLED to my coworkers via a Zoom call towards the end of the world's biggest virtual tech show. Sure, $ 300 isn't to be sneezed at, but it's not a huge premium to ask if you're already looking to spend close to $ 1,800 on a 65-inch television.

TV prices usually drop towards the end of the calendar year and may drop further when next year's models hit this spring, but for now the prospect of an OLED TV below $ 1,000 remains elusive.

For this review, I think it's important to know what you get and what you don't get with LG's A1 OLED and, perhaps most importantly, whether the small saving comes with some sacrifice in design and performance.

draft

LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV screen with pictures of ice breaking.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Despite a few flaws, the A1 OLED is still an OLED TV, and I was quickly reminded of this when I unboxed the TV. It has the same amazingly thin profile that you'll find on the C1 OLED, with a screen thinner than any other smartphone on the market. Sure, there is a bulge in the lower third of the TV that houses all of the electronics, but even when mounted on the wall, you still get the “wow” factor from the incredibly thin screen – even if it doesn't curl up.

The screen isn't the only part that resembles the LG C1 OLED. The entire chassis appears to be identical to the LG C1, with one exception: the A1 OLED only has three HDMI ports, while the C1 has four.

The similarities end with the included stand. The LG A1 comes with two feet that must be screwed into the bottom of the TV, while the LG C1 comes with a heavy, central stand. However, since the LG A1 shares the same chassis with the C1, anyone who wanted to use the central stand of the C1, CX or even C9 OLED TV could if they wanted – the mounting holes are there. A quick visit to eBay will produce results on LG C-Series stands for sale. Just be prepared to pay for it as the shipping is so steep due to the heavy weight of the stand.

Close-up of the stand of the LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Close-up of the stand of the LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV 2 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV connections and plugins.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Once set up on a stand or mounted on the wall, the television looks very elegant with its extremely thin profile, frameless design and a strong anti-glare coating to reduce the "mirror effect" of the screen.

The A1 OLED comes with LG's newly designed “Magic Motion” remote control, which is equipped with buttons and also enables motion control of the TV in the Nintendo Wii style.

LG A1 OLED 4K HDR details

Screen size Model no RRP
48 inches

OLED48A1PUA

 $ 1,200
55 inches OLED55A1PUA $ 1,300
65 inches OLED65A1PUA $ 1,800
77 in OLED77A1PUA $ 3,000

Features and Specifications

General 4K TV details about the LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The LG A1 OLED uses a 60 Hz panel in contrast to the 120 Hz panel of the slightly more expensive C1 model. In general, screens with higher refresh rates offer smoother and more natural motion, especially in fast-moving sports and movie scenes.

The A1 is powered by LG's A7 Gen4 processor, not the newest, fanciest A9 Gen4 processor found in all of LG's other OLED TV series. We'll go into more detail about what that means in the Performance section.

As already mentioned, the A1 has three HDMI inputs instead of four, none of which are HDMI 2.1 compatible. The TV supports eARC for uncompressed audio passthrough to other devices, but it doesn't support other popular features associated with HDMI 2.1 such as: However, the A1 offers LG's Game Optimizer setting, so it can't do without game-friendly features. We'll get more into gaming performance in the next section.

The television offers HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision HDR support, so it is an HDR television, but as test measurements with a SpectraCal VideoForge Pro and a C6 measuring device with CalMAN software showed, the LG A1 OLED is not as bright as the LG C1 OLED or, as it turns out, the Vizio OLED TV.

power

user interface

The LG A1 runs LG's WebOS Smart TV system, which recently received a facelift and is a little more eye-friendly and easier to navigate than it was a year ago. However, I've found that WebOS felt more cluttered as it was used, and its implementation in the A1 OLED proved annoyingly sluggish. I was often frustrated with the delay between my key presses and the corresponding action on the screen. The system can be used to watch Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and other apps, but I would highly recommend adding a Chromecast with Google TV, which offers a huge improvement in experience and responsiveness, although it only requires one of three HDMIs Inputs.

Audio

The LG A1 sounds surprisingly good in view of its slim design and reduced price. I think most users will find the built-in sound system perfect for everyday television thanks to its solid dialog clarity and decent bass production, although I would always recommend a selection from our list of the best sound bars for a more cinematic experience while watching movies and games.

image

Since it is impossible for me to review the LG A1 without comparing it to LG's slightly more expensive C1 OLED TV series, I will present most of my observations on image quality in this context. Before I start though, I want to make a few things clear.

As already mentioned, the LG A1 is an OLED television and as such offers a few advantages. Aside from its stunning looks, the A1 is blessed to produce perfect black levels. Since the A1 OLED has no backlighting (every pixel lights up by itself), there are no annoying backlighting anomalies to be endured. There is no blooming or halo around bright objects on a black background, no dirty screen effect (spots on an LCD screen), and no backlight fluctuations (slow brightening and dimming). Therefore, the A1 OLED has a remarkably clean appearance with deep, rich colors and an incredibly satisfactory image quality.

LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV screen with pictures of someone playing the saxophone.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The response time of the A1 OLED is also practically instantaneous, so that no image blurring is caused by the screen. Instead, the blurring you see on the A1 is actually caused by the fact that your eyes can't keep up with the speed at which the image is changing – even on a 60Hz screen like that of the A1 OLED.

However, the A1 OLED's 60Hz screen robs the TV of the smoother movement you see on the C1 OLED. Plus, the A1 OLED's A7 Gen4 processor isn't as sophisticated as the updated A9 Gen4 image processor from the C1 OLED series and above. It would require placing the TVs next to each other to notice this, but the A1 doesn't do quite as good a job of upscaling low quality content (low resolution or low bitrate streaming video or cable / satellite content) as the C1 does does.

LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV screen with images of a colorful sunset landscape.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The real drawback of the A1, however, is its brightness. The A1 OLED may not be a weak TV, but it doesn't have the brightness potential needed to really bounce HDR images off the screen. The peak brightness of the A1 OLED is around 500 nits, while the LG C1 and Vizio OLED are closer to 750 nits. That's enough of a difference for most people to notice whether the TVs are next to each other or not. The A1 just looks less brilliant.

The lack of brightness extends beyond bright highlights into color and overall look. The colors of the A1 lack a certain crackle compared to the C1 and the overall picture level is a bit darker. It's perfectly fine (sometimes even dazzling) in a very dark or very dark room, but even turning on the room lights steals a lot of the A1 OLED's zeal, making it a less realistic TV option for many.

Games

Fortnite video game played on LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Game Optimizer settings on the LG A1 OLED 4K HDR TV.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

As already mentioned, the LG A1 OLED does not offer a variable refresh rate. And while an Xbox Series X or S will tell you that the TV has 1080p resolution at 120 frames per second (fps), that's not the truth. The A1 simply skips every other frame of a 120 fps signal.

However, the A1 is capable of 4K HDR at 60 Hz and has a remarkably low input lag of around 10 milliseconds in game mode. The A1 also comes with an LG gaming dashboard that allows for game genre detection and optimization, along with black and brightness controls that can make it a little easier to spot enemies in dark shadows in challenging first person shooter games.

The bottom line is that the A1 OLED is an excellent TV for most gamers, but those looking to get the most out of their next-gen Xbox Series X or S will want to upgrade to the C1 OLED for the best experience.

Our opinion

The LG A1 OLED has all the image quality advantages inherent in an OLED display and looks very nice in a dark room. None of its drawbacks alone is a deal breaker, but when you add up the individual shortcomings of the A1 OLED and put them in the context of the very small price difference between it and the step-up C1 OLED, it's hard to imagine why anyone would save you money not for the better TV and leave the A1 OLED completely over.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes sir. The LG C1 OLED is a superior TV, if only a little more expensive. The upgrades are worth the additional cost, however; You get what you pay for in this case. The Vizio OLED is also a brighter TV available for the same price, but I don't care about its SmartCast smart TV interface or some of its flaws. However, the Vizio OLED is a better gaming TV overall.

How long it will take?

Since the A1 OLED doesn't have the latest processor or HDMI connectivity, I think it will feel its age a little earlier than most TVs. However, from a general longevity standpoint, I would expect it to last for many years. I wouldn't recommend an OLED TV to anyone who watches the same news, weather, or sports channel for hours, every day, for months, because burn-in is a small risk on any OLED TV.

Should you buy it?

If the price of a 55-inch model falls below $ 1,000, then yes. Otherwise I would forego the A1 OLED and buy the LG C1 OLED TV instead.

Editor's recommendations



15 Aug
Blog

Sony A80J OLED TV Review (XR-55A80J, XR-65A80J, XR-77A80J)

Mountain and landscape view on the screen of Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.

Sony A80J OLED TV review: you can stop looking now

RRP $ 2,300.00

“The Sony A80J is an impeccable television. One of the best that has ever been made. "

advantages

  • Impeccable picture quality

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Google TV platform

  • Excellent out-of-box settings

  • Flexible stand options

disadvantage

  • Certain game features are missing

I think about OLED TVs all the time; And not just because I'm a TV reviewer and I tend to spend too much time thinking about my job. In all honesty, it's because, like you, I watch quite a bit of TV at home, and because I don't own an OLED TV myself (a discussion for another time), I spend a lot of time wishing myself TV did own an OLED television.

Yes, I am an unabashed fan of OLED televisions and I do not apologize for it. It's the perfect black levels of OLED, and most importantly, the superior contrast that catches most people's eye, but what really seals the deal for me is the TV tech's lack of LED backlights – backlights that work in one making dark space noticeable all the time thanks to very annoying effects that plague LCD televisions, which are referred to as "blooming" and "halo".

With Sony, LG, and Vizio all making OLED TVs now, there's a hearty buffet of options to choose from, but if I were to buy an OLED TV this year, the Sony A80J reviewed here would be one of only two I would consider would pull.

Which is the other I come to that. First, let me explain why I think the Sony A80J OLED is one of the best TVs you can buy this year.

Out of the box

Sony A80J sits on top of the media console. The picture is a close-up on the stand of the television.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

A side view of the Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV shows how thin the TV is.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

A close up view of the plugins and ports on the back of the Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

OLED TV panels are so thin and noticeable that a five year old could frame one in PlayDough and it would still look like a work of art. Fortunately, Sony's approach to OLED TV design is significantly superior.

With wafer-thin metallic-black bezels and sturdy metal feet, the A80J OLED TV exudes a business-class aesthetic – neither overly conspicuous nor a bit dreary or boring. The remote that came with the TV is standard Sony tariff – no backlight, sorry – but it does the job.

There are two positions in which the metal feet can be oriented. One position throws the TV low toward its supporting media stand or sideboard, the other lifts the bottom of the TV slightly to accommodate a soundbar without blocking the screen. It's a chic look, but keep in mind that the feet reach the edge of the TV in both configurations, which makes for a wide stand that requires an equally wide media stand.

To install

Flames on the screen of a Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.Riley Young / Digital Trends

One of the most notable features of the Sony A80J is its out-of-the-box image accuracy. Select the preset picture settings “Cinema” or “Custom” and viewers hardly have to do anything to ensure that they are getting the best possible picture quality.

Of course, accuracy isn't necessarily what everyone is looking for. While accuracy dictates that a television must have a relatively warm color temperature in order to best represent the creator's intent, many viewers tend to prefer a cooler color temperature setting. For this reason, many will prefer the TV's standard picture mode, which is a little brighter and more vibrant.

When it comes to photo editing, Sony's has historically been the best.

For TV enthusiasts, however, it should be noted that the white point and color measurements I obtained using a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter (profiled on an x-rite i1display Pro) along with the Calman software are some of the most accurate I have seen how it comes from a television factory. In fact, many other TVs struggle to get the same ultra-low error counts after a professional calibration that the A80J gets out of the box right out of the box with no adjustments required.

White point and color measurements are found using a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter.Riley Young / Digital Trends

features

What makes a Sony OLED TV look like a Sony OLED TV isn't the OLED panel – it's actually made by LG Display – but the TV's processor. And when it comes to image processing, Sony's has historically been the best.

The A80J continues that legacy. Although the influence of the Sony marketing department is not neglected, the so-called Bravia XR Cognitive Intelligence Processor, which drives the image of the A80J, delivers images that are optimized so that they do their best without ever noticeably dropping the ball. That said, if Sony's newest, most powerful processor compromises its magic, you'll never believe it.

Aside from the top notch workmanship, the A80J is a very capable smart TV that runs the latest version of Android TV, now Google TV. As for smart TV interfaces, it has quickly become one of my favorites. Not only is the Google Assistant seamlessly integrated into the TV for controlling smart home devices, but the TV itself can also be controlled from other smart home devices, including the Google Home app on a mobile device.

Google TV setup on Sony A80J.Riley Young / Digital Trends

Perhaps the best part of the Google TV platform is that once it is set up on one device, it pushes all the essential settings to other devices that are running the platform. For example, having set up a Chromecast with Google TV at home, when I logged into my Google account on the A80J, I found that it was already logged into all of my favorite streaming apps. I didn't have to enter usernames or memorize complicated passwords. All I needed to stream was quick authentication with my phone and I was seeing my favorites in seconds.

If the A80J falls short anywhere in terms of features, it must be due to its lack of full support for certain gaming features typically associated with the latest HDMI 2.1 specification. While the A80J has two HDMI 2.1 ports and can support up to 4K resolution at 120 Hz with HDR, both the variable refresh rate (VRR) and the auto-low-latency mode (ALLM) are not yet supported. While future support for these features could one day come via an update, historical delays make me skeptical if they come in the near future. I discuss the impact this deficit has on gaming a little below.

Sound quality

A photo of one of the converters on the back of the Sony A80J.Riley Young / Digital Trends

The days of making fun of televisions for sounding awful are far from over – many of the televisions I test were meant to be sold with a warning sign begging buyers to pick up a soundbar before they check out . But certain Sony TV models – and Sony OLED TVs in particular – are setting new standards in how good a TV can sound, even if thinner than an iPhone.

I think most people will be amazed at how good this TV sounds.

To generate the sound, the Sony A80J has attached two converters to the back of its OLED screen. That way, the screen itself makes up most of the sound that you hear. Supported by a small “subwoofer” recessed into the back of the television, the built-in on-screen loudspeaker system creates a remarkably full, dynamic and lively stereophonic sound signature. While I was able to force the A80J's sound system to distort at higher volumes, I think most people will be amazed at how good this TV sounds. With an emphasis on dialogue clarity and voices that seem to come from where the actors' mouths are on the screen, not only will viewers be happy to understand what is being said, but they will also be entertained by the way it seems like the voice is also coming from the actor's location on the screen.

picture quality

Dog runs on the screen of a Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.Riley Young / Digital Trends

Having been amazed by the picture quality of OLED televisions for almost seven years, I sometimes find it harder and harder to say something new or unique about the latest models. The improvements in OLED image quality have been gradual improvements over the past few years – and this is true this year as well – but the incremental changes that the A80J OLED brings are a matter of finesse but are very welcome nonetheless.

The A80J just seems to take everything to the next level.

With a Sony OLED you start with a base of perfect black tones, paint in lively yet precise colors and then gild the lily with sparkling HDR highlights and precise fine details. I should also point out that the A80J's handling of motion – be it the cadence of a 24fps movie or the fast-paced action of a sports broadcast – is some of the best I've seen, and that includes Sony TVs past. The A80J just seems to take everything to the next level.

And yet, it's not Sony's best OLED TV. What would be better?

Not the brightest TV on the floor

Sony's A90J OLED TV made many headlines this year as one of the brightest OLED TVs you can buy. LG also has a brighter OLED model, the Gallery Series G1, which has similar brightness claims.

One of the reasons brighter OLED TVs are big news is because one of the few complaints about OLED TVs is that they don't get anywhere near as bright as LED and even newer backlit mini LED LCD TVs . For those who watch TV with lots of natural light (or lots of bright lights on fire) during the day, an OLED TV doesn't have the pop or contrast that an LED-backlit TV does. Brighter OLEDs are intended to question this notion.

Whether they do this successfully is a debate for another article. My point is that the A90J is a brighter OLED TV and therefore could be considered marginally better. But as I said, if I were to buy an OLED TV now, it would be the Sony A80J or maybe the LG C1 OLED. Neither of these are the brighter, better OLEDs, but they'll make most people (me included) pretty happy.

Not the absolute best for gaming

A car video game played on a Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.Riley Young / Digital Trends

The only reason I buy a LG C1 OLED TV over a Sony A80J OLED TV is for next-generation gaming purposes. The LG C1 OLED offers four full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports that support all available next-generation gaming functions at the same time and can all be addressed via an entertaining and somewhat handy gaming dashboard.

The Sony A80J OLED just doesn't do much for gaming, which may seem strange given that Sony is making the new PlayStation 5 console. But what most people don't realize is that the A80J is still an excellent TV for playing games. Sure, it may not offer a variable refresh rate (VRR) and some other features that some competing TVs have, but it will still be fine for most casual gamers. Only the hardcore gamers have to consider looking elsewhere. In other words, unless you know exactly what makes HDMI 2.1 play without looking up, then you can count on the A80J to deliver a great gaming experience with low input lag, great graphics, and smooth movement.

My recording

Sony's A80J offers some of the best picture quality you will find on a television and is only surpassed by televisions that cost many times more. It's also one of the most user-friendly TVs to buy thanks to its Google TV platform and impeccable standard picture preset options. It sounds great too. All in all, the A80J is a wonderful package and I highly recommend it.

Is there a better alternative?

The Sony A90J and LG G1 OLED TVs are a bit brighter, but whether they're better TVs really depends on the viewing environment. Most people will find the A80J bright enough, with excellent contrast and sparkling HDR highlights. The LG C1 could be a better alternative for those looking for the latest in gaming features.

How long it will take?

As with all OLED TVs, there is a slight possibility of burn-in caused by viewing the same picture for a long period of time, day after day, month after month. If you watch the same news channel for many hours a day, you shouldn't buy an OLED television. However, for most normal considerations, burn-in is not a problem. Apart from this consideration, the Sony A80J should reach far into the future even without full HDMI 2.1 support on board.

guarantee

Sony offers a one-year limited warranty on the A80J OLED TVs. More details can be found here.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Sony A80J is a standout TV and an excellent choice for most buyers looking for great picture quality and sound.

Editor's recommendations



14 May
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 Review: OLED Disappointment?

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 review 04

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360

"The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 is close to the size, but is insufficient in some key areas."

  • The OLED screen is alive

  • Good performance

  • Excellent battery life

  • Surprisingly thin and light

  • Comfortable keyboard

  • Nice S Pen integration

  • Mediocre build quality

  • Limited to 1080p

  • Large bezels, 16: 9 aspect ratio

Samsung has been preparing for this moment for years. It's finally taking its Windows laptops seriously, and the Galaxy Book Pro 360 crowns this development, ripe for a spot among the best laptops you can buy. At least that's the plan.

It has an AMOLED screen, works hand-in-hand with your Galaxy phone, and is as thin as any laptop you'll ever use.

But is it a laptop that you should buy? I tested the 15-inch model, which comes with an 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, but you don't get a discrete graphics card or 4K screen. Galaxy phone fans will find a lot to like here, but the 15-inch model still lags behind the competition in some key areas.

Video review

Jump to: Design | Display | Ports | Keyboard and touchpad | Webcam and speakers | Performance | Battery life | Our opinion

design

The Samsung Galaxy Book comes in different versions: the entry-level Galaxy Book, the Galaxy Book Pro and the Galaxy Book Pro 360. The model I tested may be the niche of them all – the 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360, the convertible 2-in-1 notebook in the line-up. It weighs a little over three pounds so soon you won't be using it as a real tablet anymore.

The 13-inch model is probably better suited for tablet use, but the real advantage of these convertibles is the S-Pen. It's the same thing that interests people about the Galaxy Note smartphones, and it's an important part of the Galaxy brand's DNA. Older Galaxy laptops included a smartphone-sized S-Pen that could be housed in the case. It made sure you never lost the tiny pen, but it wasn't the most enjoyable color experience.

The new S-Pen is bigger and feels a lot more like a real writing implement for this size of device. It's not as beefy as the Surface Pen or the Apple Pencil, but it felt very natural for tasks like taking notes, illustrating, and even navigating. The S-Pen is powered by an AAA battery and can magnetize on the lid.

The device itself is a pretty high quality looking laptop, made from a mix of aluminum alloy in some parts and plastic in other parts (e.g. the bottom panel). My test device was the color Mystic Bronze, a subtle mix of gold and silver. It's not obnoxious if not a little boring. The color Mystic Navy is a bolder color option.

Once you pick up the Galaxy Book Pro 360 and start maneuvering, you may find that it's not quite as well constructed as it looks. There's nothing outrageous here, but the keyboard deck is a bit flexible, especially towards the center. The lid feels nice and firm, although there is a weak point in the middle of the lower bezel between the two hinges. There are also spots along the side walls where it creaks when you press on it.

There were some build quality tradeoffs to get this light.

I also felt that the hinge was too loose for my preference. Many convertibles have screens that are too heavy, resulting in an oddly balanced device. The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 has the same problems. It opens with a finger, but closes on its own once it's 75% closed and wobbles too much. This can make the touchscreen uncomfortable to use as you could never accidentally press the screen down.

All of this is pretty common on mid-range Windows laptops, but the Galaxy Book Pro 360's price tag is a bit outside of this category. Of course, Samsung was interested in making the device as thin and light as possible, but there were some trade-offs in the build quality. You can even click the touchpad by lifting the laptop up and pressing on both sides of the palm rests. Not a great look.

display

The screen is the most important feature of the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360. It is not the first laptop to feature an OLED screen. However, there are some special features to consider when implementing.

Most importantly, it is only a 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution. Even the 15-inch model doesn't have a high-resolution screen, which is unusual for a number of reasons. The Asus ZenBook 13 OLED is the only other 1080p OLED notebook you can buy. You'd think Samsung would want to improve the image quality of its OLED screen, but I'm hard pressed to get a 15-inch 1080p display regardless of what type of display technology powers it.

There are two advantages to using 1080p: price and battery life. This will be a cheaper entry point into OLED as it avoids expensive 4K panels. The laptop also has phenomenal battery life, which shows in the results of my tests (see below).

I often found myself squinted and wished it was a sharper screen.

The loss of sharpness is the obvious downside to sticking to 1080p. I'll admit it's been a while since I've spent a long time on a 15-inch 1080p screen, but it's a thorn in my side. As someone staring at small black text on a white background every day, the difference in resolution is palpable. I don't know if the OLED is somehow making it worse, but I blinked and often wished I was working on a sharper screen. It is not for nothing that both the Surface Laptop 4 and the LG Gram 16 have a screen with a higher resolution as standard.

On a 13-inch display, I really don't think it's a problem. However, on a 15-inch device, this is a buzzkill for this laptop's most impressive feature. If you set this next to the 15-inch Surface Laptop 4 and wonder which device I would rather work on, I have no question about whether I would pick the surface, the LED screen, and everything.

Even so, you won't notice that much when looking at pictures or videos. This is where OLED really bends. I will not take up the whole argument again, but the OLED image quality is far superior to the standard LED on a technical level. The individually lit pixels create incredible contrast, and even the viewing angles are an improvement.

As announced, the color coverage is almost perfect. It's 100% across the board in both sRGB and AdobeRGB. This is rare in general, but extremely rare on a 1080p screen. The gamma was slightly off, however, which is unsuitable for watching movies – and I really noticed how oversaturated the colors appeared. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is designed for entertainment. This is why the company stayed at 16: 9, and I suspect that is a major reason why it initially chose OLED.

People certainly use their laptops for entertainment, but a greater percentage of the time is spent on work. And a 16:10 or 3: 2 display would have been the better choice for this. The increased area for vertical screens could also have helped reduce the size of the thick lower bezel. I had a similar complaint about the Galaxy Book Flex, but the effect isn't as noticeable on a 15-inch screen.

The brightness of the screen was a bit overwhelming.

When switching between work and leisure, Samsung offers other color modes in the settings, each of which improves the gamma and delivers more natural colors. The changes are minor. However, I recommend keeping the default photo editing and switching to AdobeRGB mode to watch videos.

However, these additional color modes did not solve the problem of brightness. I tested the screen at a maximum of 285 nits, which is a little overwhelming. It's a pretty glossy screen too, and when combined with the solid black created by the OLED screen, you'll struggle with reflections from time to time.

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 supports HDR500, which means you are promised at least 500 nits of brightness. But as we all know, Windows 10 still doesn't play exactly well with HDR. It looks terrible if you are not watching HDR content. This means you'll have to toggle the setting when you're ready to watch them.

Ports

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 contains a limited number of ports. On the side walls there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two standard USB-C ports, a micro SD card slot and a headphone jack.

This has become standard in the world of premium laptops, but when you see what Samsung did with the clamshell Galaxy Book Pro, you will get jealous. It includes older ports like USB-A and HDMI, though it's even thinner than the Galaxy Book Pro 360. You wonder why Samsung couldn't have incorporated these options into the convertible model.

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1. A 5G model may be available, but only in the 13-inch screen size.

Keyboard and touchpad

I really enjoyed my time with this keyboard with springy scissor switches and 1mm of travel. The 15-inch model has a number pad to the right below the power switch and an integrated fingerprint reader. I'm not someone who makes a lot of sense of having a number pad, but it's not a huge distraction and some people will surely appreciate the addition.

The keys have a bright white backlight that looks pleasant and offers three levels of brightness.

The touchpad is also of high quality. It tracks well, registers gestures with multiple fingers with no problem, although it does have some oddities that are widely used for nitpicking. First of all, it's nice and wide, which I would never complain about. That is, unless the palm rejection isn't absolutely perfect. The size of the touchpad means your thumbs will rest on the edges of the touchpad as you type. This often resulted in accidental clicks or movements of the cursor.

This touchpad is pretty loud too. When I was working with others in a quiet room, I didn't want to click. Compared to the quiet touchpad of the Surface Laptop 4 or the quiet, non-mechanical click of the MacBook Pro, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is irritatingly loud.

Webcam and speakers

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 includes a simple 720p webcam, which is a disappointment. It's still the standard definition, but some manufacturers have finally started moving to 1080p. Given that we all rely on our webcams these days, a higher resolution camera has become a major selling point on some laptops.

One feature that is missing is an IR camera. That doesn't mean Windows Hello facial recognition, which has become the standard on high-end Windows laptops. This is a handy feature that Samsung shouldn't have given up.

The speakers included in the Galaxy Book 360 are decent. They will make you watch YouTube videos or background music. However, they are pointing downwards, which means that the sound will be muffled when the device is used as a standard laptop. It improves when you put it in tent mode. Even so, these speakers aren't loud enough to fill a room. They're not even loud or crowded enough when you sit further back, such as when you're watching a movie with someone else.

performance

The 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 has only one processor option: the Intel Core i7-1165G7. It's usually reserved for 13-inch laptops, but it does appear occasionally in ultra-thin 15-inch laptops like the LG Gram or the Surface Laptop 4. The Galaxy Book Pro 360 falls into the same category, so you shouldn't expect it to compete against a fully configured Dell XPS 15 or MacBook Pro 16-inch. This is a 28 watt processor with only four cores and eight threads. And instead of a discrete graphics card, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is based only on the integrated Xe graphics from Intel.

But I was surprised at how much juice Samsung squeezed out of its components. The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 was one of the best-rated devices in its class in PCMark 10. In the "Essentials" test category, in which basic work functions such as video conferencing, Internet surfing and word processing.

It still lagged behind the newer Ryzen 5000 laptops like the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED, but for a quad-core processor, I was impressed.

Cinebench R23 (single / multi) Geekbench 5 (single / multi) PCMark 10 3DMark Time Spy
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 1308/4062 1554/5603 5159 1800
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 1137/5881 1016/6658 4849 1177
LG gram 16 1394/4137 1573/5454 4827 1390
Asus ZenBook 13 OLED 1171/7824 19175 6034 1342

I was also surprised by the graphics performance. I've tested countless laptops with Intel Xe graphics and the Galaxy Book Pro 360 outperforms them all. They're actually quite a step ahead of the Radeon graphics I tested in the Ryzen 5000 processors. For example, the graphics here are 35% faster than the built-in Ryzen 4000 graphics in the Surface Laptop 4 that I recently reviewed.

This in no way turns the Galaxy Book Pro 360 into a gaming laptop. It struggled with Fortnite, the one game I tested on it. At medium settings, the game averaged 50 frames per second (fps), but the frame rate varied a lot and the game felt choppy. Lighter indie games should work fine, as should 3D games that don't require too much graphical power.

The improved graphics help the Galaxy Book Pro 360 perform well when it comes to video editing. I use PugetBench to test the performance of Adobe Premiere Pro – which includes playback and export of 4K video, plus more – and was surprised at how well this thin little laptop actually worked. Despite fewer processor cores, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 was 32% better than the Surface Laptop 4 in the same test. The M1 MacBook Pro even slightly exceeded the GPU score.

Don't get your hopes up now. Even the fanless M1 MacBook Air, a cheaper and smaller notebook, was an overall 25% faster video editing in this benchmark. The discrepancy between Windows laptops and the M1 MacBooks is still an issue that the Galaxy Book Pro 360 cannot really solve on its own.

Fan noise wasn't too much of a problem, and neither were the surface temperatures. Again, it is an advantage to use a low-performance processor in a large package. However, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 pushed the internal temperatures quite high and was 94 degrees Celsius in runs of 3DMark Time Spy.

Battery life

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 has great battery life. The combination of a large 64-watt-hour battery, a lower-powered processor, and a 1080p screen is a recipe for all-day battery life on a single charge.

In our light web browsing test, which used the iMacros plug-in to repeatedly go through a series of websites until the battery ran out, it took 13 hours and 14 minutes. Your daily workload is likely higher, but I had no problem getting away from a point of sale for a full day with web apps, surfing, streaming music, and office apps.

In an even lighter load, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 can get closer to its claimed 21 hours. The system lasted 17.5 hours of local video playback, repeating a 1080p movie trailer until the battery ran out.

Both the Surface Laptop 4 and LG Gram 16 took a little longer, but all three devices are masters of battery life.

Our opinion

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 doesn't seem to be quite the pinnacle of design that Samsung has been asking for. The build quality is shaky and the screen disappoints. However, I like the 13-inch clamshell Galaxy Book Pro much better than the 15-inch model. It has better port selection, is lighter, and the 1080p resolution bothers me less.

Are there alternatives?

The Surface Laptop 4 is one of the biggest competitors to this laptop. It has a higher resolution 3: 2 screen but is not a convertible. The LG Gram 16 fits into a similar class of laptops. It has a 16:10 display but is also a standard clamshell.

The HP Specter x360 15 is a 15-inch convertible with touchscreen and pen support. Both the Dell XPS 15 and Dell XPS 15 offer slim chassis, although they are not quite as small as the Galaxy Book Pro 360. However, these slightly larger laptops can be configured with more powerful components such as 45-watt processors and discrete GPUs .

How long it will take?

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 should last at least five years. It has the latest components under the hood as well as future-proof connections. However, the build quality isn't the best, which means it can be damaged and damaged over the years.

Samsung offers a standard one year warranty. You can also add an extended two- or three-year warranty through Samsung Care +, which costs up to an additional $ 350.

Should you buy it?

This is a great option for Galaxy ecosystem users, especially if you find using the S-Pen on a bigger screen attractive. However, the 13-inch model is probably the better option for most people.

Editor's recommendations




29 Apr
Blog

LG C1 OLED 4K HDR TV Review (OLED65C1PUB)

LG C1 OLED 4K OLED TV

LG C1 Series 65 "4K OLED TV

“The LG C1 remains the preferred OLED television. It just makes sense. "

  • Excellent contrast

  • Perfect black levels

  • Improved processing

  • Ideal for games

  • Impressive sound

  • Sluggish user menus

  • Confusing picture settings

If you are in the market for an OLED TV, then you should check out the LG C1. LG's C-Series OLEDs have been among my top picks (if not one of the top picks) for our list of the best TVs since the C6 was launched about 5 years ago. LG's C-Series has changed, for the most part, incrementally from year to year, and this year is no different. However, the upgrades the C1 OLED received over last year's CX OLED are mostly significant in terms of processing, sound (yes, sound) and games.

Since I've already told you to seriously consider this TV, I would like to take this opportunity to explain why.

Historical, LG C Series OLED TVss have the same panel and the same processor as the more expensive Gallery Series or G-Series OLEDs from LG and better workmanship than the B-Series OLEDs. This year, with the introduction of the new, cheaper A-series, the C1 still justifies its slightly more expensive price. Compared to the new G1 OLED, the C1 is now considerably cheaper because the G1 has received an improved, brighter panel known as the OLED evo. All this to say: the C1 has always hit a sweet spot in LG's OLED range – this sweet spot is now a little sweeter. Now let's examine some details.

Video review

Jump to: Design | Details | User interface | Under the hood | Sound | Measurements | Image quality | Problems | Play | Our opinion

design

The LG C1 OLED looks exactly like its predecessor, the CX: Striking. I'm still amazed at how thin the panel is. When mounted on the wall, the C1 looks very elegant and modern. On its stand, the TV looks equally chic with a brushed metal shovel and offers both aesthetic and functional benefits. There are practically no bezels, which gives the C1 an "all-picture-no-nonsense" appearance.

LG C1 OLED 4K TV standDan Baker / Digital Trends

LG C1 OLED 4K TV remote controlDan Baker / Digital Trends

LG C1 OLED 4K TV side viewDan Baker / Digital Trends

LG C1 OLED 4K TVDan Baker / Digital Trends

This year, the TV remote control has undergone a design change. The new Magic Motion remote control is now a little shorter and has a flattened back. It now sits better in the hand and no longer wobbles when placed on a flat surface. The buttons are few, but far more than on the Samsung remotes or the included Roku TVs.

Another major improvement to the remote control is that it is less likely to click the center scroll wheel and accidentally unintentionally dive into an app or menu.

LG C1 OLED 4K HDR details

While we tested the 65-inch model OLED65C1PUB, our test also applies to the other screen sizes available in the series.

Screen size Model no RRP
48 inches

OLED48C1PUB

 $ 1,500
55 inches OLED55C1PUB $ 1,800
65 inches OLED65C1PUB $ 2,500
77 in OLED77C1PUB $ 3,800

user interface

As with all 2021 OLED televisions from LG, the C1 benefits from a newly designed WebOS Smart TV interface. Rather than relying on a bunch of apps at the bottom of the screen as it did in previous years, LG's custom smart TV platform is now much more like Google TV than Samsung's Tizen interface. It has big tiles for apps, lots of recommended content (possibly too much), and it's easier to read thanks to its dark theme.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

On the menu page, where users select picture presets, adjust picture settings, sound settings, etc., WebOs provides explanations of what each setting does and how it affects the experience. That's what we like about Sony televisions, too.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

While the TV's Settings menu is easier to understand, it is now a little sluggish. I'm not used to seeing a circle graphic about loading as the TV shows different options or the next branch of the menu tree. To be fair, this is mostly only tolerated during the initial setup of the TV. Often times, those who do not surf the menu will not find this repulsive.

Under the hood

The first of three key improvements to the 2021 LG C1 OLED is its processor: The Alpha 9 Gen 4. As in previous years, the visible improvements in this next iteration are minor, but not insignificant. I noticed smoother gradients (fewer streaks of color) and possibly a slightly better preservation of bright highlight details, although admittedly the last part is difficult to measure – this is a purely subjective observation.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Most of the benefits of the new processor are related to what LG calls AI picture and sound processing – AI Picture Pro, AI brightness settings, automatic genre detection, and AI Sound Pro. The first three have different effects on picture quality, while the fourth is designed to improve sound.

To be honest, I didn't find any of them necessary to get a great picture. I'm also not sure how much A.I. is really involved here. I understand that processing detects different picture elements and tries to optimize the picture based on those elements. A dark scene in a Batman movie can benefit from increasing the black levels for better shadow detail in dark scenes, while suddenly retaining the bright highlight details in a bright scene, for example. But in general, I think the C1 did a great job producing a beautiful image without the extra layers of processing and other wizardry. Ultimately, I left all four settings disabled and, as I'll show soon, got great results.

A sound upgrade

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

I don't know what LG did for the C1 OLED, but it sounds fantastic – a bit better than last year's CX OLED. Most of the discussion about sound at a briefing with LG was about AI Sound Pro, which I ultimately turned off (it works fine for adding virtual surround to movies, but I didn't like what it did to music and soundtracks) . Regardless of what improvements were made to gain, driver placement, or overall sound tuning, these were very effective. This TV sounds great! I would still recommend at least one soundbar with a sub for an upgrade.

Through the measurements

If you're not into measurements and data, feel free to jump forward, but I think my nerds out there (and I use the term affectionately) will appreciate this.

A sucker, for those of you who join us right now, is a term used to describe a measure of brightness, and since there's a bit of a sucker war going on – everyone wants a big sucker number to point out their superior HDR capabilities – I thought I would tell you what results I got when measuring the LG C1 OLED.

I started with the TV's ISF Bright picture preset, calibrated the two point white balance where I pulled out a little red, and in the standard dynamic range (SDR) the TV clocked out in 195 nits with the OLED pixel brightness to the default of 80 and peak brightness . When I increased the OLED pixel brightness to 100 I measured 233 nits, and then when I turned the peak brightness setting to High I got 335 nits.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Depending on how bright you want your TV to be for daily viewing of content in SDR, the C1 should be able to compete with a moderate amount of ambient light in the room.

In HDR, I had to fix the white balance a little more, but when that was done I got 750 nits in a window of up to 25% which is solid. Not as bright as the new and improved LG G1 or Sony A90J OLED TVs, but what I was expecting based on what I got from last year's CX OLED – no changes.

The color measurements were also very good, as always, and that shows in the image quality which, to put it right, is superb.

General image quality

LG C1 OLED 4K OLED TVDan Baker / Digital Trends

LG C1 OLED 4K OLED TVDan Baker / Digital Trends

I kind of forget how much I like this OLED range from LG. It gets me every time. If you want to see how good the C1 can look – well, I have a wide list of recommended 4K Blu-rays that I would recommend – but available to just about anyone: check out Our Planet on Netflix in 4K Dolby Vision at (required) premium subscription level). It's great recorded and mastered and looks excellent in Dolby Vision. It's a feast of beauty for your eyes.

From top to bottom, the pictures look just amazing.

This TV does almost everything right. It's bright enough to do HDR justice, it's got perfect blacks – which, as I cannot emphasize enough, has a huge impact on the overall look – and the color is deep and rich and vibrant. It doesn't matter what you see, the C1 OLED makes you look at its best, and can and does for a cheaper price than most other OLED TVs.

LG C1 OLED 4K OLED TVDan Baker / Digital Trends

LG C1 OLED Review screen close-upDan Baker / Digital Trends

The upscaling is good – although not a miracle worker as we discussed earlier – the HDR tone mapping is also excellent. From top to bottom, the pictures look just amazing.

Now we need to talk about some issues that can arise with movement and shadow detail.

Inherent problems

While OLED TVs are an incredible technology, they have some inherent problems and they are incredibly tied to areas where the TV excels.

For example, OLED televisions have an instant response time of less than a millisecond. That is less than a millisecond until an OLED pixel is switched on or off or the color is changed. This is ideal in most cases for reducing motion blur and a real boon for gamers. Unfortunately, when you pair this instant response time with content with a low frame rate (such as 24 frames per second or 30 fps), you run into a problem called "stuttering".

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

This is stuttering, not jerking – this TV does a good job of playing content at 24 frames per second from a cadence point of view. Stuttering is related to how long a television needs to hold a picture before showing the next picture. Another view is what the gap is between the response time of the television and the next picture that emerges from the content.

The effect is shown as a kind of blinking that draws your attention to it and away from the focus object. You definitely have a tendency to notice. This is where a compromise comes into play: you can either endure the stutter or use motion smoothing to reverse it, creating a "soap opera effect". As far as I know, many of you reading this soap opera effect don't mind. Whether this is a disadvantage for you depends on your personal preferences. If you don't mind the soap opera effect, turn on motion smoothing and you're golden. If you're a movie purist, turn it off and put up with the stuttering – otherwise your C1 OLED is awesome.

The next topic to discuss is shadow details. Another way of referring to it might be the term "crushed blacks" which I don't normally use because it feels misleading as it is actually very dark gray that is being crushed and even then it is not being crushed, it is just not showing up. But I digress.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The problem is that parts of the image that should be darker gray tend to appear black on an OLED because OLED materials don't like to light up at extremely low voltages. Fortunately, LG has compensation for what you can manipulate so you can get better shadow detail at the expense of increased blacks, or better black levels at the expense of shadow detail. This can be an issue with extremely dark films – Prometheus and the opening sequences in Captain Marvel come to mind – but it probably affects the players the most. More on that in a moment.

The final issue to address is the potential for screen burn-in. As I've written countless times (sorry, some things take a while to get old, but I know this is very important), OLED screens are based on organic materials that get darker as they age. If you overuse a particular color or pattern for an extended period of time, that area of ​​the screen may become disproportionately dark and appear to "hang up" on the screen. A good example of this would be a station identification error in the lower right corner of a sports / news network or the ticker at the bottom of the screen showing stock prices or updates to game results.

The fact is, screen burn-in isn't a problem for most viewers. However, if you're the type of person who watches the same channel, say, six or more hours a day, five or more days a week, I would recommend you consider a non-OLED TV – maybe the excellent Samsung QN90A Neo QLED, maybe?

Play

Games on the LG C1 OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

Game modes on the LG C1 OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

LG C1 OLED - game optimizationDan Baker / Digital Trends

Games on the LG C1 OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

I think I can be pretty concise here. The C1 is fantastic for most game scenarios. Only LG equips a good number of its televisions with four HDMI 2.1 inputs. For this reason alone, it's one of the most versatile TVs for gaming. You also get FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility – I don't think any other brand supports both yet. The HDR images are fantastic and the input lag is very low.

Since LG's Game Optimizer dashboard "amplifies" the reduction in input delay, the input delay is less than 10 ms. The Game Optimizer dashboard is also a great place to adjust the black levels for better shadow detail, and there are even presets for different game genres that work quite well. This is just a really comprehensive suite of player-friendly features, so it's impossible for me not to call this TV one of the best for gaming.

Our opinion

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

With its beautiful design, great picture quality, gaming capabilities, and minor improvements over the previous year's model, the LG C1 OLED is the best OLED TV choice on the market.

Is there a better alternative?

For a brighter OLED TV, the LG G1 is a good choice. I also expect the Sony A80J to be a solid competitor in roughly the same price range (though more expensive). For a non-OLED option, the aforementioned Samsung QN90A is also an excellent alternative.

How long it will take?

Due to its extended functions, the LG C1 OLED should continue to exist in the future. It's unclear now if LG's brighter and slightly more accurate OLED Evo panel is slipping down to the C-series, so I wouldn't wait for that to happen. This is a good year to buy.

warranty

LG provides a one-year limited warranty on the C1-Series OLED when purchased from an authorized LG dealer.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if an OLED TV is right for you and it doesn't require intense brightness to display in bright rooms, the LG C1 OLED is currently the best value for money OLED TV.

Editor's recommendations




11 Apr
Blog

Asus ZenBook 13 OLED (UM325) Review: AMD Laptop Perfection?

asus zenbook 13 oled um32 review 1

Asus ZenBook 13 OLED UM325 Review: AMD Laptop Perfection?

"The Asus ZenBook 13 OLED is an indispensable laptop as long as you don't need a headphone jack."

  • Awesome OLED screen

  • Excellent touchpad and keyboard

  • The battery life is spectacular

  • Very thin and light

I may have found the perfect laptop. Or at least something that comes very close.

It's not made by Apple, Microsoft, or even Dell. From the outside, it doesn't even look particularly remarkable. When I pulled the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED out of the box, I fully expected it to be another solid mid-range laptop.

Then I tested the 1080p OLED screen. And benchmarking the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor inside. And then he noticed how long it took on a single charge.

The Asus ZenBook 13 OLED has it all. Nearly. Despite a few flaws, the ZenBook 13 OLED (UM325) is a laptop that all potential buyers should consider when it hits general availability in May.

design

The appearance of the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED is the least noticeable feature. It's by no means a bad looking laptop – but if you've seen a ZenBook, you've seen this one. I'm not a big fan of the concentric circle on the lid or the plastered logo on the front, but it's one of the prettier laptops Asus made recently.

This is especially true when you open the lid and see what the laptop has to offer inside. Everything is beautifully laid out, including the oversized touchpad and new keyboard. The layout and keycaps are reminiscent of HP's Specter laptops – but that's not a bad thing. The extra column of buttons under the power button offers some extra functionality, and the font with the keycap feels modern and clean.

At 0.55 inches and 2.5 pounds thick, the ZenBook 13 OLED is both thinner and lighter than most of its competitors, including the Dell XPS 13, HP Specter x360 13, Surface Laptop 3 13, Razer Book 13, and MacBook Pro 13 in. This makes a very portable laptop that is great for on the go. Even if it just moves from room to room, the small footprint comes in handy.

Despite its size, the chassis is robust. You may feel some flexing when applying extra force, but it's not something you will notice in daily use. The hinge opens with one finger and is lifted off the table when it is opened, creating a slight ramp for comfortable typing. I usually don't like these kind of raised hinges, but Asus pulled them off in a way that isn't distracting or ugly.

The aspect ratio of the screen is the main disadvantage of the ZenBook 13 OLED's design. It uses 16: 9, which went out of style in 2021 in favor of larger, more productive sizes like 16:10 or 3: 2. When you go back to 16: 9, the screen feels stocky. More importantly, the screen has a chubby chin bezel due to the size at the bottom. It's not a thorn in the side, it's just not quite as modern as the Dell XPS 13 or the Razer Book 13.

Asus decided that you don't need a headphone jack on your laptop.

My final complaint with the design of the ZenBook 13 OLED is ports. For some reason, Asus decided that you don't need a headphone jack on your laptop. If Asus were going for a more minimalist setup, that would probably make sense. However, the ZenBook 13 OLED has HDMI and USB-A. Yes, it's an odd choice that is likely to piss people off who didn't realize there wasn't a headphone jack until they needed it.

Fortunately, Asus includes an adapter in the box, but it lets you close either of your two available USB-C ports.

Display and speakers

The Asus ZenBook 13 isn't the first 13-inch notebook with an OLED screen – it was the HP Specter x360. However, this laptop is the first to implement a 13-inch 1080p OLED screen. That's a big deal as OLED panels keep getting cheaper – and hopefully reach more people.

It's not that the ZenBook 13 OLED is super cheap, but compared to the 4K models that OLED is exclusive to. What's the big deal with OLED? Well you will tell the difference when you see it in person. With OLED, pixels are rented out individually, which means that black levels and contrast ratio blow conventional LEDs out of the water. It's not even close, especially on a glossy screen like this one.

The OLED panel feels like the future of laptop displays.

397 nits are bright enough to prevent reflections, but it's the colors that really make this display pop. 100% sRGB and AdobeRGB color spaces are unknown on a 1080p screen, and the color accuracy is among the best I've ever tested with a Delta E of 0.49. Photographers may complain about the lack of a 4K option, but they definitely won't complain about the colors.

The display is non-touchable, as is common with 1080p screens.

When it comes to panels and calibration, the ZenBook 13 OLED is the future of laptop displays.

The same is not true of the speakers. The chintzy audio comes from underneath the laptop and points directly at your table or lap. The sound is messed up, especially when compared to all MacBooks. With speakers in this location, this will always be a problem.

Keyboard and touchpad

I am very happy with the inputs on the ZenBook 13 OLED. I've already mentioned the keyboard's appearance, but it's also very precise and comfortable to type. The layout is comfortable and the 1.4mm key travel feels heavenly compared to many of the 1mm keyboards.

The keyboard does not contain a fingerprint reader. This is an odd feature that a premium device left out.

My only problem was the backlight. There are three levels of backlight brightness, but there are some noticeable uneven spots. It's quite light over the middle zone while others are darker. This is a pity.

The touchpad is similarly successful. It's extra wide, but great for rejecting palms when typing. Tracking is smooth, as are gestures. My only sucker? The click is a little louder than I like. This is especially noticeable if you're coming from a MacBook.

The laptop has a sloppy 720p webcam over the display. It's no surprise how bad it is, but this should be reserved for emergencies only. However, it does include a built-in IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition.

performance

Thanks to the new Ryzen processors from AMD, the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED offers remarkable performance for a laptop of this size. My device came with the Ryzen 7 5800U, an eight-core processor with a base clock of 1.9 GHz. When you add 16 GB of RAM and one TB of SSD storage, you have a pretty powerful little computer.

This is the first laptop I tested with this chip and I was disappointed. This is a significant improvement over last year's Ryzen 4000 processors and a clear head start over what Intel offers. This is especially true of multi-core performance, of course, thanks to the additional cores and threads that AMD's 7nm chips offer.

Geekbench (single / multi) Cinbench R23 (single / multi) PCMark 10 3DMark Time Spy
Asus ZenBook 13 OLED 1423/6758 1171/7824 6034 1342
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1185G7) 1549/5431 1399/4585 n / A 1380
HP Specter x360 14 (Core i7-1165G7) 1214/4117 1389/3941 4728 1457
Razor Book 13 (Core i7-1165G7) 1548/5374 1508/4519 4878 1776
MacBook Pro 13 (M1) 1707/7377 1487/7547 n / A n / A
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (Core i7-1185G7) 1532/5415 1435/4409 4800 1648

What's the use of this for performance in the real world? All of the laptops listed above are great for everyday work activities such as multitasking, web browsing, office applications, and video conferencing. That is to be assumed.

The reason the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED beats its competitors in PCMark 10 is mainly because of its excellent content creation performance. If you want to run some creative applications like Photoshop or Lightroom on the side, the ZenBook 13 OLED will surprise you how fast it is with these heavier tasks.

The ZenBook 13 OLED remains an undeniable argument for AMD in 2021.

It's even a decent video production machine. It's 41% faster than the Razer Book 13 in H.265 video encoding in Handbrake, which shows the big difference those additional cores make. In Handbrake it is even 7% faster than in the Ryzen 7 4800U from last year when I tested it in the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7.

Now the ZenBook 13 OLED will obviously never again be compared to a 15-inch laptop with a discrete graphics card in real video editing. Even a modest 15-inch laptop like the HP Specter x360 15 (Core i7-10750H / GTX 1650 Ti) was 45% faster in PugetBench's Adobe Premiere Pro benchmark. This is also where the incredible performance of the MacBook Pro M1 exudes, which is just as fast as that of the Specter x360 15 in the same test.

That said, the ZenBook 13 OLED remains an undeniable argument for AMD in 2021, especially if you're not interested in a move to macOS.

Battery life

Battery life is the final trick in the case of the ZenBook 13 OLED. It took an amazing 15 hours and 46 minutes on our web browser test, which is as good as it gets for a laptop of this type. That was true for last year's AMD laptops, and it is true for this year as well. It beat the HP Specter x360 14 by nearly 9 hours and the XPS 13 by 7.5 hours. In fact, it only takes 19 minutes to keep up with the MacBook Pro!

The ZenBook 13 OLED's lower resolution explains some of this, but even when compared to other 1080p laptops, the ZenBook 13 OLED is way ahead of the competition.

Meanwhile, the ZenBook also lasted 15.5 hours while the video was looping. This is another test in which the MacBook Pro M1 dominates and it lasts over 21 hours. But here, too, the ZenBook 13 OLED is at least 3 or 4 hours ahead of many of the best Intel laptops.

Of course, your mileage can vary depending on how hard you push the system. With the ZenBook 13 OLED as my daily driver for almost a full week, I found it easy to get through a work day without a charge, and there was enough juice left to handle a couple of hours the next morning.

Our opinion

The Asus ZenBook 13 OLED is way ahead of the competition in almost every important category. The OLED screen is a standout feature, as is AMD performance and fantastic battery life. Do I wish it had a headphone jack and a 16:10 screen? Naturally. But the strengths more than make up for these mistakes.

The only caveat is pricing, which is still ongoing. Some international prices suggest the base configuration will be around $ 1,000 while our pimped up model is likely to cost a few hundred more.

Any alternatives?

The best choice is the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip. It's cheaper, faster, and has a higher resolution screen. Of course, it has neither an OLED screen nor a USB-A and HDMI connection.

However, if you don't want to upgrade to a Mac, the Dell XPS 13, HP Specter x360 14, and Razer Book 13 offer a competitive package. The XPS 13 is still the prettiest of the range and would still be my pick of the four laptops.

How long it will take?

The Asus ZenBook 13 OLED should last at least four or five years. The 16: 9 aspect ratio will continue to be a bit dated going forward, but the chassis and components are all sturdy and future-proof.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's one of the most exciting laptops of recent times, especially if you're looking for an AMD device in 2021.

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