31 Aug
Blog

Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Review: Ripping Threads to Shreads

Lenovo P620 in front of a window.

Lenovo Thinkstation P620 in review: the ultimate Threadripper workstation

RRP $ 1,937.00

"The ThinkStation P620 is the most powerful single-socket workstation there is."

advantages

  • Insane processor power

  • Easy to upgrade

  • Toolless design

  • 10Gb Ethernet

Think really big. If you could build a workstation with the most powerful components on the market, what would it look like? Well, it would probably look a lot like the Lenovo ThinkStation P620, a workstation with a Threadripper Pro processor that can handle the most demanding workloads.

It is the definition of overkill and is designed to optimize a specific set of applications for performance. For most people, it's an overpriced workstation that makes no sense if you could build your own computer with cheaper parts that you can buy separately. For others, especially those who are into deep learning and heavily threaded applications, it is the performance champion.

I've been using the Lenovo P620 for a few weeks now – and by "used" I mean tested because the fan noise is too much to cope with in everyday life. It has been proven time and time again to be one of the best performing desktops out there, provided you have the money for the right hardware.

draft

The Lenovo ThinkStation P620 is remarkably small considering the hardware you can stow in it. It's 17.3 inches long, 6.5 inches wide, and 18.1 inches high – a bit thinner than a mid-tower chassis, but about the same height. There is a handy handle on the front of the case to make it easy for you to pick up the device and you need to use it. The P620 can weigh over 50 pounds depending on the configuration.

Regardless of your configuration, the ThinkStation P620 comes with a three-year warranty standard and certifications for multiple software providers. Lenovo maintains a list that includes software from Adobe, Autodesk, Bentley, and Siemens, to name a few.

To open the side panel, Lenovo offers a simple, tool-free solution. You simply open a handle on the side wall with a push and then lift the side wall off. It's a simple, seamless design that allows for quick access to the internals. When my test unit arrived, I jumped off the side wall without thinking about it – no instructions required.

Internals of the Lenovo P620.

The side panel also reveals one of the P620's problems. There is no ventilation on the sides, top or bottom. Instead, the front of the case is almost completely open to allow air to flow through. The problem is, an 80mm fan and a couple of spare PCIe brackets (assuming you don't have any other cards installed) force the air out of the back. A single 80mm fan also takes care of the intake, although there is room for a much larger fan.

This makes the P620 a kind of air tunnel that lets massive amounts of air through the front and displaces it from the limited ventilation in the back. The P620 is also noticeably loud in idle. The dual 80mm fan heatsink for the CPU doesn't help much.

The sound only comes on during load, but I would have liked a fan curve for idling. You couldn't work next to the P620 without being distracted by the noise. The tradeoff, and the good news, is that the added noise means the cooling solution is working.

I appreciate the P620's tool-less, sleek design, but not the noise the design makes.

Even in Cinebench, the processor never rose above 70 degrees Celsius, which is a full 20 degrees below its maximum operating temperature. This is not a perfect cooling solution, but it is an effective one.

Some bigger fans would have helped the noise. Dust filters would have been nice too, especially on a machine that constantly pushes a lot of air through. After only one week of use, the front fan was covered with dust. I also removed the fan covers for the RAM – more on this in the "Internal" section – and found lumps of dust in them.

I appreciate the P620's tool-less, sleek design, just not the noise the design makes. It's built like a server – and unfortunately it sounds like a server too.

Connectivity

Connections on Lenovo P620.

The P620 has enough ports to accommodate pretty much anyone. This includes two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports on the front, all of which support USB 3.2. There are six more USB-A ports on the back of the case, four of which support USB 3.2 and two support USB 2.0. Unfortunately, the AMD chipset doesn't mean Thunderbolt on this computer.

On the back you also have access to PS / 2 ports for older peripherals, audio / microphone inputs and outputs and a 10 Gbit Ethernet port. This is a big win for the P620 because you can plug it into a high bandwidth network without bothering with an add-in network card. If you want to go wireless, you can use the built-in Intel AC 9260 chip, which includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

As storage, you have space for up to two 2 TB M.2 drives and up to four 4 TB spinning hard drives. An integrated RAID controller enables you to access RAID 0 and 1 on the SSDs as well as RAID 0, 1, 5 or 10 on the rotating drives.

I can't think of a situation where the P620 doesn't have enough connectivity. There are plenty of USB ports and space for hard drives, and anything you can't connect directly to the system is likely going through the network. And the 10 Gbit Ethernet port offers plenty of bandwidth for this.

Internals

Central processor AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 3995WX
GPU Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000 48GB
Storage 128 GB Octa-Channel DDR4-3200 ECC
storage 1 TB M.2, up to two M.2, up to four HDD
power supply 1000W 80+ platinum
USB ports 10, eight USB-A, two USB-C
Thunderbolt ports None
Networking 10Gbit Ethernet, WLAN
Ports Headphone / microphone connection, PS / 2, audio in / out

My test device was built with some of the highest quality parts available today, which shows how much power you can put in the ThinkStation P620. At the heart of the system is a Threadripper 3995WX, a massive 64-core, 128-thread processor that can boost up to 4.2 GHz.

All P620 configurations are based on these Threadripper Pro processors. They are based on the same architecture as the normal Threadripper range, with just a few key differences. They support octa-channel memory instead of quad-channel memory, and you can use up to 2 TB of ECC RAM, compared to just 256 GB of non-ECC in the standard range. In addition, they support 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes that fit AMD's Epyc server CPUs.

With the exception of the Threadripper 3945WX, Lenovo offers a 12-core, 24-thread part with a boost clock of 4.3 GHz. While there are four Threadripper Pro options, prices and performance vary widely. The top-of-the-line 3995WX costs nearly $ 11,000.

While these CPUs are the best of the best right now, they may not be long. It is rumored that Threadripper 5000 chips are set to hit the market later in 2021, and they will almost certainly outperform them.

The AMD chip is remarkable, as the direct competitors of the P620 use Intel almost exclusively. The HP Z8 and Dell Precision workstations use Intel Xeon chips, not Threadripper. There is no Xeon chip that can match the Threadripper 3995WX in terms of core count. For that you would have to get a dual socket system.

In addition to a beefy processor, the configuration supplied by Lenovo came with 128 GB DDR4-3200 memory and an Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000 with an impressive 48 GB video memory. Despite being a $ 10,000 upgrade, this card fits in the middle of Lenovo's options. You can scale down to a 2GB Quadro P620 and upscale up to two Quadro GV100s (at a $ 35,000 premium).

Lenovo P620 in front of a window.

I used Lenovo's configurator to get an idea of ​​how much the rig sent for review would cost. At the time of publication, it was priced at $ 14,861.92 thanks to a coupon on the Lenovo website. Without them, it would cost $ 25,624.

I released a similar device with the lowest prices I could find for any component, and the price was about $ 1,000 cheaper compared to Lenovo's price with a coupon. Keep in mind, however, that the Quadro RTX 8000 can cost up to $ 2,000 more than the lowest price I've found, so the difference comes in as you wash it.

If you've got the P620 on sale, it's actually a great deal. However, a Lenovo representative confirmed that the coupon is not constant. At full price, my test device is about $ 11,000 more expensive than buying and assembling the parts individually. At this price, I can handle a $ 1,000 difference, but a $ 11,000 gap is a different story.

There are other systems in this category that are also cheaper. A similarly configured system from Puget Systems costs around $ 16,000 and will likely have better airflow and cooling as it uses a Fractal Define 7 case and Noctua CPU cooler. Similarly, an identical system at Boxx costs about $ 20,000 – a full $ 5,000 less than the P620.

Keep in mind that this price is for configuration on the Lenovo website – in a real-world situation, companies will likely order some of these machines through a different channel. The P620 is too expensive to be a machine, but price doesn't really matter when it comes to a computer that can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Inside the Lenovo P620

The P620 is almost entirely tool-free. Upgrades should only take a matter of minutes, with handy levers around all major components for easy replacement. This includes a bracket for the PCIe slots and 5.25-inch bays as well as levers for the power supply unit, intake fan and RAM covers.

Power supply outside the Lenovo P620.

Each of the levers is also coated in red, which makes them stand out from the black and silver inner parts. The motherboard was specially developed for this machine and has eight slots for DDR4-3200 ECC memory and two M.2 slots. There are a few passive heat sinks that cool various parts of the motherboard, as well as covers for the two RAM slot banks.

These covers are just a bit of plastic with a fan on top that will likely add to the noise. It's not ideal, but most ECC kits don't usually come with heat sinks and sit very close to a power-hungry processor.

On the underside of the case is the 1,000 watt 80+ platinum power supply, which you can replace by pressing down the lever. The power supply has no cables; Instead, it plugs into the case with a single plug and delivers 1000W of power without the mess of cables that comes with it.

What would normally take 15 to 20 minutes only takes a few minutes with the P620.

Next to it you will find either one or two drive cages, depending on the configuration. The standard configuration comes with a single drive cage for two additional hard drives. If you use these slots in your initial configuration, it comes with an additional drive cage.

This upgradeability is probably one reason why the P620 is so expensive. Replacing components is a breeze. What would normally take 15 to 20 minutes only takes a few minutes with the P620, which systems using standard parts cannot claim.

Processor power

Threadripper logo on the Lenovo P620

There is no doubt about the P620's performance, especially when you choose a top-notch device. With the right parts, it is certainly one of the most powerful machines on the market, but the inflated price and high-quality components are only useful in a narrow range of tasks. If you're looking for general computing power with the P620, you're spending too much.

PCMark 10 gives a clear view of it. My test device got an overall score of 7,172, which is actually below the eight-liter Intel NUC 11 Extreme I recently tested. Not too surprising, however. PCMark is a general benchmark that tests everyday apps, and most apps are not optimized to use 64 cores and 48 GB of video memory.

Cinebench R23 shows more clearly how powerful the Threadripper 3995WX is. It achieved a respectable single-core score of 1,242, which is a step below the consumer Ryzen 5000 processors. However, Threadripper is designed for multi-core performance. In the multi-core test, the Threadripper 3995WX achieved a score of 61,261, which is well above anything we have ever tested. As a reference, the Ryzen 9 5950X achieved a multi-core score of 23,539.

There is no doubt about the P620's performance, especially when you choose a top-notch device.

When it comes to multi-core workloads, Threadripper shines. It does not dominate tasks that require a single core, but when it comes to distributed work that uses all 64 cores simultaneously, there is nothing like the Threadripper 3995WX in a single socket system.

Geekbench 5 told a similar story. In the single-core test, it lagged behind the latest consumer desktop chips and even some laptop chips. However, nothing came closer in the multi-core test. According to the Geekbench browser, the consumer Ryzen 5950X earned about half of the multi-core score.

Geekbench also gave me a chance to see how the Threadripper 3995WX fares against its non-pro sibling, the 3990X. The Pro-Chip I tested achieved a multi-core score of 32,517. The Threadripper 3990X achieved around 28,000 points in the high-end range under Windows and around 22,000 points in the low-end range. At least under Windows, the Pro model shows some significant improvements.

Put simply, the Threadripper 3995WX is the benchmark. In each representative test, the only processors that run faster are other Threadripper 3995WXs. The Pro range comes at a high price, but shows performance advantages over the Threadripper 3000 range, as well as support for more PCIe 4.0 slots, octa-channel storage, and much more storage.

Content creation

With the power of the P620, you can handle anything from deep learning to data science to creating dense content. To me, large content creation workloads seemed to be the right fit given the beefy GPU and CPU in my review unit. This is a machine that can generate, edit, and render faster than anything.

As Cinebench showed in the last section, the 3995WX Threadripper is a monster in multicore workloads. I turned to a number of Puget Systems' benchmarks for Premiere Pro, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve to see how the P620 would perform in real life. It's stackable well, but content creation isn't the P620's true calling.

Lenovo logo on the P620.

I started with Premiere Pro, where I did the extended test. This test isn't much longer, but it does include 8K testing – something the P620 should be able to handle in this configuration. It was passed with a total of 1,235 points. A system that rocks a current 32-core Xeon managed 1,001 in the same test, but with a weaker graphics card and significantly more memory.

This test also showed some weaknesses. Compared to systems with a cheaper Threadripper 3990X, my test device is around 200 points behind. Most of these systems also used an RTX 3090, which is much cheaper than the Quadro RTX 8000. You pay a premium for workstation-class parts, and PugetBench for Premiere Pro shows that.

The After Effects test showed this, too, with no clear difference between the 3990X and the 3995WX. The same applied to my handbrake test, in which the P620 achieved the rendering time of a machine with a consumer-class Ryzen 9 5950X.

Blender showed a bigger difference. The RTX 3090 was about twice as fast as the Quadro RTX 8000 with CUDA for rendering. DaVinci Resolve, however, was a little different. Compared to a system with Threadripper 3970X and RTX 3090, my test device was about 9% faster, mainly on the back of the 4K media handling.

As these tests show, a large part of the purchase price depends on software and features. The 3995WX is more powerful than the 3990X, but more memory, more memory channels, and more PCIe lanes are a big part of why it's more expensive. The Quadro RTX 8000 is also more expensive because it has an enormous amount of video memory, but also because it offers rock-solid driver support.

The Quadro RTX 8000 isn't built for gaming, but I'd be remiss if I didn't make good use of a $ 6,000 GPU. Fire Strike Ultra showed how much the Quadro RTX 8000 is wasted on gaming as it got an overall score of 8,667 – the bottom 1% of scores compared to the RTX 3090, the most RTX 3090 results.

RAM in the Lenovo P620.

At 4K Ultra with activated ray tracing, the Quadro RTX 8000 managed 37 frames per second (fps) in Cyberpunk 2077. The RTX 3090 is approaching 60 fps (although it's still struggling to get there). If you need proof that a Quadro wasn't designed for gaming, it's here – but you can still have a little fun after the work is done, provided you turn down a few settings.

Although my test device was equipped, the P620 is limited to Threadripper Pro processors and Quadro graphics cards (as well as a few AMD workstation GPUs). The Threadripper Pro chips are more powerful than their non-Pro counterparts, but not by much (especially when it comes to content creation tasks). The benefits tend to show in other areas, so keep that in mind.

Our opinion

The Lenovo ThinkStation P620 is a top-of-the-range workstation with a price to match. It features some of the fastest components on the market and a smart, tool-free design that makes upgrades easy. It's too loud and the extra power is lost in many situations, but there's no denying how much the P620 has to offer to those who can take advantage of it.

The price is the main problem as there are almost identical systems from smaller system builders for less money. But compared to the Dells and HPs in the world, Lenovo is the only one offering workstation options with Threadripper Pro parts. Plus, if you order multiple systems, you can likely get a deal with the P620.

Are there alternatives?

Yes sir. Aside from the case, motherboard and power supply, the P620 uses parts that you can buy and assemble yourself, which saves you a lot of money. System manufacturers like Puget Systems and Boxx also have similar options that cost less than the P620. Competitors like Dell and HP are currently tied to Intel processors.

How long it will take?

Depending on your hardware configuration, the P620 can last for many years – maybe even a decade. It's a computing powerhouse that can be easily upgraded, and the power supply is big enough to accommodate even the most power hungry components.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you can get a deal. The P620 is a great one on offer. At full price, there are options from other system manufacturers that are cheaper and come with off-the-shelf parts.

Editor's recommendations



31 Aug
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review: The Best for Smaller Wrists

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 functional picture ..

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review: the best Wear OS smartwatch for smaller wrists

RRP $ 249.99

"The Galaxy Watch 4 has great health and fitness tracking capabilities in a comfortable package designed for smaller wrists."

advantages

  • Comfortable fit and size

  • Excellent fitness and health tracking capabilities

  • Seamless pairing with Samsung devices

  • Two days of battery life

disadvantage

  • Tricky digital bezel

  • Automatic exercise tracking can be inconsistent

the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the slim brother of the chunkier Watch 4 Classic. With its smaller size and multiple color options, it offers largely the same Wear OS experience as the Classic, but there are a few key differences. It has a digital bezel rather than the physically rotating bezel that the Galaxy Watch series is known for. This reduces part of the overall footprint at the expense of a certain ease of use.

When it comes to features, however, you don't miss a thing. It runs Wear OS 3 and comes with health and fitness tracking features like blood oxygen, heart rate and BMI. You also get a full set of Google Play Store apps including Spotify, YouTube Music, Google Maps, Samsung Pay, and more. All of this leaves you with one of the best Android smartwatches for smaller wrist sizes at the expense of easy control.

Watch 4 vs. Watch 4 ClassicAjay Kumar / Digital Trends

Design and comfort

The Galaxy Watch 4 is much less of a wrist giant than the Watch 4 Classic, which makes it seem more like the spiritual (and physical) successor to the fitness-focused Active range. There are two size options, 40mm and 44mm, and the screen sizes are pretty much the same as the Classic, with the smaller Watch 4 having a 1.2-inch screen and the 44mm having a 1.4-inch screen. There are several color options including black, silver, green, and rose gold. My test device was black.

I got the larger 44mm Watch 4 for testing, even though my wrist is on the narrower side to take advantage of the slightly larger screen size – and possibly battery life. At 30.3 grams, it is a good deal lighter than the 52-gram Watch 4 Classic and fits comfortably thanks to the silicone strap supplied. Carrying, exercising, and sleeping with it all day was perfectly comfortable. Since it's IP68 there is no need to worry about water or dust, so I never felt the need to take it off and often even forgot it was on my wrist.

The most notable change is that the Watch 4 has a digital bezel instead of a physically rotating one. The screen sits flush with the aluminum case, but there is a black bezel that surrounds it along with two shank buttons that you can use to return to the home screen or reopen a previously opened app.

If you want to scroll through apps or the different tiles, you can swipe your finger on the bezel and in theory it should recreate the same effect as rotating the physical bezel with haptics.

Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and Watch 4 side by side.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Unfortunately, in practice it was never very accurate. Maybe my fingers are just too inelegant, but trying to scroll with the digital bezel was awkward and picky at best. All of this gives more credibility to my personal belief that physical buttons and controls are almost always superior to “fake” capacitive ones that try to haptically recreate them. Most of the time I only used the touchscreen.

On the plus side, the screen is crisp at 450 × 450, which translates to 330 pixels per inch. The AMOLED panel looks great in all settings and is bright enough for outdoor use. I wasn't worried about durability either, as the screen is protected by Gorilla Glass DX + and has weathered a few accidental drops and hits without scratching.

software

With the merging of Samsung Tizen and Google's Wear OS platform into Wear OS 3, the Watch 4 is one of the best smartwatches I've used in terms of consistency and ease of use. In many ways, Samsung's Tizen dominates the user interface with the different tiles you can set up to show what's important to you, tons of watch face options with as many or as few complications as you want, and solid and improved app support on Google Play Store . Bixby is there if you want to use voice commands, but I've never found much use for it. The initial pairing is simple and automatically imports things like alarms and Do Not Disturb settings from your phone.

However, getting notifications when first set up was tricky. I couldn't always count on messages to come from Teams, Slack, Signal, or Discord. After a software update, the notifications became much more reliable and I haven't noticed any missing notifications lately.

The Watch 4 is one of the best smartwatches I've used in terms of consistency and ease of use.

Apps like Spotify and YouTube Music support offline listening mode, so you can leave your phone at home while jogging. You also have media controls for most apps, including Audible, Netflix, and Pocket Casts. One app I used a lot was Google Maps. You can enter directions using the keyboard or use voice commands and have the Watch 4 give you directions. It's great for saving you the hassle of looking at your phone on the go.

See 4 directions on the map.

Ajay Kumar / Digital Trends

Check out 4 Spotify playlists.

Ajay Kumar / Digital Trends

Take a look at 4 media controls.

Ajay Kumar / Digital Trends

The only complaint I have is that not everything is in the Galaxy Wearable app. You'll need to use the app to initially set up the watch, select watch faces, control watch settings and the quick control panel, and find the watch. However, to get all the details of your fitness and health data, you need the Samsung Health app, which gives you access to sleep and stress tracking, steps, heart rate and more. Finally, for electrocardiogram (EKG) measurements, all you need to do is download the Samsung Health Monitor app and grant permissions, which you can download from the Galaxy Store.

That brings you a total of three apps to take full advantage of the Watch 4, and I wonder why Samsung doesn't put it all in Galaxy Wearable or Health. It's a lot of unnecessary app clutter. There are also some individual permissions that have to be granted in order to be able to use certain functions.

Health and Fitness Tracking

You won't be disappointed with the comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking features included in the Watch 4. In terms of what it can measure, it is a closer competitor to smart scales than other smartwatches on the market.

The big unique measurement here is body composition. The Watch 4 can measure an impressive range of statistics including body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), weight, muscle mass, fat mass and body fat. You measure by sliding the smartwatch further up on your wrist, placing your elbow on the table, and then pressing your fingers against the two shank buttons without touching your wrist. It's a cumbersome gesture and not very comfortable to hold for the time it takes to process the results.

Once you get the results there are lots of numbers, and as you can see in the screenshots below, it doesn't really offer much of a breakdown or explanation of what it all actually means. You will need to do your own research to find out if the statistics provided by Body Composition are good or bad and for actionable advice. That would have been a nice feature in the Samsung Health app, and I'm surprised at the missed opportunity as other measurements like sleep and stress tracking offer advice on how to improve it.

With sleep tracking, the Watch 4 neatly breaks down your sleep cycle in the Samsung Health app and gives you a sleep score, shows sleep stages such as REM sleep, tracks blood oxygen and records snoring and even calories burned. It was an excellent way to assess the quality of my sleep, especially on the unfortunately frequent nights I suffered from insomnia.

Stress tracking doesn't throw so many numbers at you, it simply records your stress level on a graph and color-coded bar. It's hard to say how accurate it is. It often told me that I wasn't very stressed when I was under a barrage of work and told me that I was very stressed when I sat down and watched Castlevania on Netflix. As much as I like Trevor Belmont and Alucard, I don't think either of them caused me much stress.

Other tracking features are pretty standard. You get step and workout tracking with a variety of exercises like running, walking, biking, swimming, circuit training, rowing, weight machines, treadmills, and more. There is both automatic and manual exercise tracking, but the Watch 4 is pretty decent when it comes to walking and running.

Watch 4 heart rate monitoring.

Ajay Kumar / Digital Trends

Watch the training with 4 rowing machines.

Ajay Kumar / Digital Trends

It had more trouble noticing when I was using my rowing machine, often being 10 minutes in my workout before noticing. The first few times I had to start it manually before it finally started getting what I was doing. However, it has a bad habit of ending my session early and I couldn't quite figure out why.

With sleep tracking, the Watch 4 neatly breaks down your sleep cycle in the Samsung Health app.

There is also a heart rate monitor and an electrocardiogram (EKG) that you can use to keep track of your vital signs. The EKG requires the separate download of the Samsung Health Monitor, which gives you up to three apps to fully use the Watch 4.

The EKG measurement takes about 30 seconds and requires you to place your finger on one of the button noses. The measurement is not intended for diagnosing a heart attack, but it does tell you if you have atrial fibrillation. It's useful enough in that regard, but not really something I would measure every day as the heart rate monitor automatically keeps track of things.

Performance and battery

The Watch 4 is powered by an Exynos W920 processor and has 1.5 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage. This results in fast and responsive apps and measurements. I never noticed any lagging or hanging like you might on certain older generation smartwatches. It's also nice to see the 5nm processor finally reaching wearables after years of hardware stagnation in the smartwatch space.

The battery life is great, at least when compared to the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. With average use, I reliably got two days out of the battery, which included training on the rowing machine for 40 minutes, a walk in the park, sleep tracking, Spotify and general daily monitoring. It took just under two hours to fully charge from 1%. Instead of filling it up overnight, I usually only plugged the Watch 4 in when showering and I never ran out of juice.

Price and availability

the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is available at the following prices depending on size and model:

  • 40mm Bluetooth / WiFi: $ 250
  • 44mm Bluetooth / Wi-Fi: $ 280
  • 40mm 4G LTE: $ 300
  • 44mm 4G LTE: $ 330

Most models will be delivered in mid-September.

Our opinion

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is packed with features and has plenty to please Android users. With its sleeker design and more color options, it's more fashionable than the bulky Watch 4 Classic, although it does make some compromises in terms of usability. The health and fitness tracking features are impressive, especially body composition, although there is room for improvement. Wear OS 3 is smooth and responsive, and the issues it encountered the first time seem to be steadily being fixed. If you're looking for a comfortable, feature-rich smartwatch, you won't go wrong with the Galaxy Watch 4.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're an iPhone user, the obvious choices are the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE. They incorporate the best of the iOS ecosystem, are high quality, and come with most or all of the same features as the Watch 4. While it is possible to use Android smartwatches on iOS, the setup and integration are not perfect and you will be missing out on a lot of features.

For Android users, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is our top pick, with the Watch 4 right next to it for people with smaller wrists willing to forego the convenience of the physical bezel. However, there are other Android smartwatch options like the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 and the TicWatch E3, both of which will get Wear OS 3 sometime next year. But the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are both newer. So if you want the latest and greatest, you are better off with them.

How long it will take?

The Galaxy Watch 4 comes with a standard one year warranty. It's dust and waterproof to IP68 and rated up to 5ATM, which means it can survive 10 minutes at a depth of 50 meters. It's also MIL-STD-810G certified, which means it has passed a series of laboratory tests for shock and vibration resistance. The included sports armband also seems to be made of good, high-quality silicone that does not stick after training. After all, Wear OS 3 is the latest software for smartwatches, and you're sure to get more updates, so I expect it to last at least two years, if not longer.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The Galaxy Watch 4 is the best Wear OS smartwatch for people with narrow wrists. It has the same great health and fitness tracking features as the Watch 4 Classic, but with a lower starting price and two days of battery life. While the digital bezel isn't nearly as precise as the physical dial, the slimmer and more comfortable design makes it a worthwhile compromise.

Editor's recommendations



29 Aug
Blog

Govee StarPal Review: Take it Anywhere Portable Smart Lamp

Govee StarPal function

Govee StarPal Smart Lamp Review: The portable light source to take with you

RRP $ 50.00

"The Govee StarPal Smart Lamp is a solid product that is tarnished by poor app design."

advantages

  • Multiple scenes and color options

  • Portable thanks to battery power

  • Cheap price

  • Radiant colors

disadvantage

  • Antiquated app design

  • Feels fragile

Smart bulbs seem like a dozen these days, but it's hard to find quality – especially at an affordable price. Smart lights are perfect for creating an ambience in a room, whether you're watching a movie with your spouse or sitting down for a gaming binge.

Philips Hue started the smart lamp boom with its Bloom Table Lamp and Go Portable Light, but both of these smart lamps are expensive at $ 70 and $ 80, respectively. The newer Philips Hue Iris table lamp alone costs $ 100. Govee offers a cheaper alternative: the Govee StarPal Smart Table Lamp, which starts at just $ 50. It packs all the functions you would expect from an intelligent lamp into one attractive package.

Features and functions

I tested two different models of the Govee table lamp – the H6055 and H6058. The main difference between the two is that one is bluetooth only while the other is bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible. The H6058, known as the StarPal Pro lamp, is the focus of this test because of its Wi-Fi compatibility.

A special feature that immediately stood out is that these lamps are battery operated. You can plug them in and use them all the time (and I would recommend that), but if you want to charge them and take them with you on the go, you can get around six hours of full brightness from the 3350mAh battery with the lights on. At 4.9 feet, the power cord is long enough so that you don't have to spend a long time looking for an outlet for your lamp.

Govee StarPal Smart lamp with pink light.

The lamps can display around 16 million different colors and change from warm white to cool white over the course of the day. The color temperatures range from 2,200 K to 6,500 K. These can be exchanged as desired via the app or voice control.

The Wi-Fi lamp (but not the Bluetooth lamp) works with Alexa and Google. There are also IFTTT Govee applets that allow you to further control your lights, although the applets control the Govee Home app – not individual lights.

If you ever feel like having an impromptu dance party, you can sync the lights with music. They blink and change color to the beat, and you have full control over how suddenly the change happens thanks to a multitude of different options in the app. You can choose the sound source, from the built-in music to your phone's microphone.

Of course, the lights are also equipped with the standard smart features: scheduling, sleep / wake cycles and more.

Setup and installation

The Govee StarPal Smart Lamp has two small feet that make it easy to set up on any flat surface. Once you've done that, a physical button on the back is all it takes to turn the light on for the first time. You also have to press the button once while syncing the light with the app.

The Govee Home app guides you through the setup process. It's not difficult, but it has a particular curiosity: you have to manually enter your WiFi network name and password instead of selecting your network from a list. Unless you have renamed your network to something simple, I suggest doing it beforehand.

Other than that one step, the setup process was pretty straightforward. Alexa recognized the new devices immediately and I was able to add them to the Living Room Group without any problems.

Software and performance

As functional as these lights are, the app is terrible. Almost every time I open the app, it first shows that the lights have been disconnected and makes me wait several seconds for it to see them again.

The lights can be turned on and off from the home section of the app, but this process takes two to three seconds. A little buffer wheel even appears in the app while it's working. I expect a little lag between my phone and smart devices, especially those that work over bluetooth, but the time the Govee app takes just feels too much. It's a lot easier to control the lights (and get feedback faster) through the Alexa app.

Aside from the weird delay in controlling the lights, the app shows a lot of information at a glance. It shows how the lights are connected (whether via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or both), the charge of each lamp, and whether it is currently on or off.

Selecting one of the lights opens up further options. You can customize timers, change the color of the light, adjust its brightness and change the mode. There are four different modes: Music, Color, Scene and Home Improvement. These modes are used to manipulate the effects on the lamp. There are more than 32 preset scenes to choose from, some of which are pretty impressive. Others fell a little flat, with slow transition effects or harrowing color combinations that didn't look good together.

The app presents you with an emotional color wheel in which each emotion is displayed next to its corresponding color. If you are trying to create a certain mood in the room, this unique feature can be helpful. I have certainly not seen that with other products.

Strangely enough, the Govee StarPal Pro reacted faster to commands when manipulating individual lights than when switching them on or off from the start page. The app lets you group devices for instant control of the smarts area of ​​the app, but it's not at all intuitive.

The Govee app has a lot of interesting features, but also a lot of problems. The app itself needs to be refined and the controls made more intuitive. I was able to find out how much of it worked, but I would worry that someone who wasn't using smart home devices for a living might bump into a wall.

On the performance side of things, the StarPal Pro is best reserved as an accent light as I wouldn't necessarily say it has the strongest light for reading. That said, with so many color options and scenes, I love using it as an accent light to complement other main sources of light in a room. Cheaper smart lights tend to be weak in terms of color production, but I'm happy to report that they produce rich, vibrant colors that help set the mood.

Our opinion

The Govee StarPal Pro is a budget-friendly lamp that works great – provided you're not using the Govee Home app. After you've set up the lights, use Alexa or Google Home to control the lights and you'll be a lot happier. Apart from control problems, the StarPal Pro is a good-looking lamp that creates atmosphere and atmosphere in your home.

The lamp is a solid device that suffers from poor app design. The good news is that most of the issues I've had with the lamp will go away when Govee updates the app to make it more user-friendly. Just make sure you are looking for the Wi-Fi compatible model and not the bluetooth-only model. Let's face it: nobody wants a smart device that cannot be controlled remotely.

Are there alternatives?

The Philips Hue Bloom costs $ 70 but has the Philips reputation and performance behind it. On the less expensive end of the spectrum, consider the Amazon Echo Glow. Sure, it's intended for kids, but it can create the same environmental effects and work as a wake-up light in the morning, all for just $ 30.

How long it will take?

The Govee StarPal Smart lamp is made of plastic. It's incredibly light and feels a little fragile. I got the impression that with proper care it would last a very long time (and with LEDs it's not likely that the lamps will burn out that quickly) but don't expect it to survive a fall off the shelf. There is a one year limited warranty that covers defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. Despite my complaints about the app, the lights themselves look great. The control that each light offers is impressive, and the $ 50 price tag makes these lamps much more affordable than other options on the market.

Editor's recommendations



28 Aug
Blog

NordicTrack Vault Review: Ample Storage, Arduous Workouts

Nordictrack Vault Smart Fitness Mirror News Specifications ces 2021 Lifestyle

NordicTrack Vault Review: A Successful Home Fitness and Smart Mirror Combo

RRP $ 1,999.00

"NordicTrack Vault comes with the weights you need in a smart home gym and conveniently stores them."

advantages

  • Beautiful reflective mirror that can be swiveled through 360 degrees

  • Growing class library

  • Generous storage space

  • Quality dumbbells / kettlebells

disadvantage

  • No form monitoring

  • Can be difficult / bulky to move

When it comes to fitness equipment, NordicTrack is the leader. Known for its ski equipment and treadmills, the company expanded its product range to include elliptical trainers, strength machines and finally smart home gyms. Now NordicTrack is pushing forward again with the Vault, a combination of home fitness and smart mirror devices. How is it doing compared to the competition? We tested the Vault to find out.

Convenient storage, reasonable size

NordicTrack did a great job with the size of the Vault. The bookcase-sized closet is big enough to hold all of the kettlebells and dumbbells you need without taking up too much space in your house. It's free-standing, which is perfect for apartment residents who are unlikely to be able to permanently install a smart mirror on the wall. At six feet tall, two feet wide, and just over a foot deep, the Vault can squeeze into any corner of your room. It also has a brushed metal finish and mirror front that is attractive enough to work in any room. However, choose your location carefully as the vault is heavy and can be difficult to move without an extra hand or two.

Everything is a mirror, no form

The NordicTrack Vault has a nearly full length 61.5 "reflective mirror and a 32" touchscreen display that allows you to easily observe the instructors and mirror their shape as they train. Unlike other smart gyms, the Vault doesn't provide any feedback on your shape, which is a huge downside. You need to rely on your keen eye to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly and keeping the pace.

Woman touching the screen with her finger on the NordicTrack Vault.

The front mirror has an excellent 360 degree hinge. You can swing open the mirror in tight spaces like a door to access the dumbbells / kettle bells and exercise right in front of the vault with the mirror closed. When you have more space, you can extend and angle the mirror so you can exercise anywhere in your room.

Market leading exercise library

The Vault is operated by iFit, which has a growing library of exercises broken down into categories such as strength, yoga, recovery / mobility / stretching, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). And iFit was the only motivator that kept me on the treadmill all winter, so it's not surprising that it was the feature that got me to use the Vault.

iFit hires some of the best coaches and videographers out there.

It's also important to note that iFit is hiring some of the best trainers and videographers out there – and it shows. The video quality is great as most of the exercises were filmed either in a studio-style gym or in a scenic outdoor location. The videographers take the time to capture just the right camera angles so you can see the movement.

The coaches are optimistic and encouraging without being intrusive. Especially in the beginner workouts, the trainers give detailed instructions for each exercise that are easy to follow. In most cases, practice the exercises first before doing them during an intense workout.

New exercises and trainers are also added to iFit on a regular basis. You will keep coming back to see what fresh new workouts are in the library now.

Learning while lifting

While iFit offers a wide variety of content, it isn't the only profitable feature. It excels in teaching you how to exercise. I can't tell you how many times in the past I've picked up my dumbbells to start a strength training program and then stopped a few weeks later because I knew very few exercises. I made minimal progress and was bored with the routine.

Man training in front of NordicTrack Vault.

The iFit training programs took away all of my uncertainty. I learned how to properly use kettlebells and when to use dumbbells. The trainers taught me several exercises for each muscle group and switched through different activities to work my whole body instead of just my arms and shoulders. I didn't just train; I also learned how to exercise. Unlike the Tonal home studio, which mainly focused on strength, the Vault has improved my overall fitness and wellbeing.

price

The NordicTrack Vault is available in two versions – a base option for $ 1,999 without accessories, or a full option for $ 2,999 with dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands and more. Although expensive, the full package is the best value for money for those who don't already own free weights.

NordicTrack Vault mirror pushed aside.

The NordicTrack Vault is operated by iFit, which requires a subscription. The vault comes with a free year of iFit, and you can add a subscription for just $ 15 per month. It's important to note that iFit compares favorably with the competition, some of which are charging $ 40 or more per month. And iFit works with all of your fitness equipment too, so you can use the same subscription on your treadmill and Vault at the same time.

Our opinion

The NordicTrack Vault is a modern storage system for your fitness equipment and, thanks to its growing iFit workout library, a powerful fitness device. With its professional trainers, high quality videos and variety of training courses, iFit sets the Vault apart from the competition. If you already own an iFit treadmill or bike, the Vault is a must-have fitness companion.

Is there a better alternative?

The Vault's closest competitor is the Lululemon Mirror, which is smaller and more stylish than the Vault. It also offers more live and on-demand classes than the Vault at this point. However, the mirror does not include the kettlebells, dumbbells, and resistance bands that come with the full package option of the Vault. It also has no memory for these free weights. After buying weights, you will have to awkwardly leave them on the floor or spend even more money to buy a special rack.

There's also the Tempo Studio, which, similar to the Vault, hides some of the weights and accessories inside its case. While not that attractive, the Tempo Studio provides tracking for the right shape.

How long it will take?

The NordicTrack Vault has a sturdy construction that will last for several years. The weak point of the Vault is its full-length mirror. It doesn't break or scratch easily – we hit it multiple times with no damage – but a hard impact could break the glass.

The iFit software will do it. The company is known for its regular updates that add new workout programs and new features to NordicTrack fitness equipment.

Should you buy it?

The Nordic Track Vault is an excellent option for anyone looking to build a home gym for general fitness. The stylish machine contains a full range of dumbbells and kettlebells and has a growing library of exercises for all abilities and levels.

Editor's recommendations



28 Aug
Blog

Keychron Q1 Review: A Personalized and Long-asting Keyboard

Typing on the mechanical keyboard Keychron Q1.

Keychron Q1 test: a personalized keyboard that will last for years

RRP $ 169.00

"The Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard is as customizable as you want it to be, with plenty of options to personalize your typing experience and make it last longer, at a price similar to non-customizable models."

advantages

  • Choice of customizable elements

  • Aluminum housing is durable

  • Works with Mac and Windows

  • Key mapping software compatibility

disadvantage

  • No bluetooth

  • No height or angle adjustment

The Keychron Q1 is a customizable mechanical keyboard that is an improvement over the brand's regular mechanical keyboards. It offers the connoisseur a bespoke typing experience, complete with hot-swappable sockets for various switches and support for open source key mapping software. At first glance, it seems very complicated and you need to be a keyboard expert to get the most of it.

My everyday keyboard is usually a Keychron K2V2 and I have considered it to be the best keyboard for my needs for a long time. Would the step to Q1 change that and is the possibility of adjustment really worthwhile? Another important question: is it accessible to all types of users? I've been typing this for more than a week and I'm thrilled with the experience so far.

draft

Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The upper and lower case of the Keychron Q1 is made of CNC-milled aluminum and the 327 mm long case houses a 75% keyboard. It's designed to be customized and new switches – either 3-pin or 5-pin – to be installed on the circuit board that doesn't require soldering. It can either be prefabricated or ordered as a “bare bones” kit so that you can make it yourself. with your choice of keycaps, switches, seals and noise reduction.

My trial version came pre-assembled with Gateron Brown switches and Keychron's own ABS plastic keycaps. The final element of customization is the ability to add a logo of your choice in the top right corner of the keyboard. Keychron put the Digital Trends logo on it and it looks great (see below). The change is $ 30 and of course, if you select it, it will add to the delivery time.

The Q1 is a really heavy device that, together with very grippy rubber feet, prevents it from moving around on the desk. Although I didn't have a way to change the height or angle, I found it just right for comfortable and fast typing without fatigue, but that won't be the case for everyone, and I'm surprised Keychron didn't make any adjustments like this customizable package. You can order the keyboard in black, blue or an elegant gray.

Close-up of the Keychron Q1 key.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I like the subtle design that doesn't scream for a “gaming keyboard” like many mechanical offerings, but looks on every desk at home, regardless of whether you are playing or working on it. The south facing RGB lights are more noticeable than on my K2V2, and it's easy to change the style by pressing the Function and Q buttons at the same time. When you change the switches the RGB base color also changes and you can see the improved red effect via the Gateron red switches in our photos.

When a keyboard is made for all day typing and not gaming, the manufacturer rarely focuses on the design, and a keyboard becomes just a keyboard, and the design is what it is. Not so with the Keychron Q1, because if you don't like the color combination of the keycaps in our photos, you can design them individually and design them entirely according to your wishes. The same applies to the case color, the small logo and the general typing experience.

Connection and software

The keyboard is connected via a thick, braided, very high quality USB Type-C to Type-C cable with an aviator-style connector in the middle to allow various connections. There is a curly section in the middle for aesthetic reasons only. A USB Type-C to Type-A adapter is included, along with an array of tools for changing the switches, stabilizers, and keycaps on the keyboard.

Windows and Mac switch on the Keychron Q1.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Keychron Q1 connection in pilot style.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Special order logo option on the Keychron Q1.

Optional logo on the Keychron Q1 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

RGB light effect on the Keychron Q1.

RGB lighting effect with the Gateron Red switches

Once connected, there is a switch on the back of the keyboard to set it for use with Mac or Windows. The Keychron Q1 has no Bluetooth, so it cannot be used wirelessly with your computer or connected to an Apple iPad or other tablet. That's fine as it's not suitable for on-the-go use anyway as it's too heavy to take with you.

Keychron advertises the Q1 as compatible with the QMK key remapping software for Windows and Via software for Mac. However, Via wouldn't install Big Sur on my Apple Mac Mini M1, and the Via website isn't the friendliest if you're not familiar with installing software outside of the Mac App Store. When I asked about this, Keychron stated that the software should work fine on my computer, so it may be an isolated problem.

I like the subtle design that doesn't scream for a “gaming keyboard” like many mechanical offers.

Before using it on my Mac for the first time, the system took a few special keystrokes to recognize the Q1, but no other setup was required. I don't really need the remapping or macro tools Via provided, so the fact that it didn't work wasn't a problem and the keyboard worked with no errors. However, if you need custom settings and are using a Mac, you may need a little patience or a deeper understanding of installing non-App Store software to get them.

Tap

Typing on the mechanical keyboard Keychron Q1.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Coming from the Keychron K2V2, the Keychron Q1 was noticeably quieter when typing, even though I used Gateron Brown switches on both. The soundproofing inside the case does a great job, but it sounds a little hollow, which Keychron is aware of and appeals with the option for additional soundproofing foam that you can add if needed. The seal mounts offer a lot of spring and give when the buttons are pressed, and Keychron says the seals allow 2.5mm of travel. If you want more sound from the Q1, you can toggle the switches to the clickier Gateron Blue versions.

The model I'm reviewing has an ANSI layout and not my preferred ISO style where the Enter key is much larger. That meant the keyboard took some getting used to, as my little finger was tapping both the Enter and Shift keys while typing quickly. Now that I'm more used to it, my typing speed and accuracy is the same as the Keychron K2V2, which suggests that if you are already used to a mechanical keyboard, you won't have any problems adjusting to the Q1.

The standard ABS keycaps feel higher quality than those of the Keychron K2V2, with a less plastic texture under the fingers and a comfortable indentation. However, I swapped the keycaps for another set made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), which feels even better and is supposed to fade and shine longer. Keychron sells PBT keycap packs for $ 40, which makes them pretty expensive, but it's a worthwhile upgrade for better feel and longer durability.

Turns on the keyboard Q1.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It takes less than 30 minutes to swap out all of the keycaps with the tool provided, but longer to make the swap. It's not a difficult task as a "puller" tool is included. You will need patience, however, as this is a time consuming and sometimes painful process as it is very tedious to loosen the switches from the board. I swapped the Gateron Brown switches for a set of Gateron Red switches, which took about 45 minutes. Since removing the switches takes a bit of force, it is all too easy to scratch the aluminum of the chassis, but this will no longer be seen when everything is reassembled. I wouldn't want to change switches regularly, but being able to do so is a significant advantage.

Why? Experiment, because having fun typing is a surprisingly individual thing. For me, the feeling of the red switches surpasses the brown switches, so that I can type even faster and more precisely, which I wasn't aware of until I started playing around with the customizable Q1. In general, the Q1's typing experience is wonderfully solid, especially when compared to the plastic-case K2V2. Every keystroke has a pleasant dampening, is nowhere near as loud and still feels very satisfactory. Interestingly, the Brown switches here require more force to activate satisfactorily than the Brown switches attached to the K2V2.

Keychron Q1 and alternative keycaps and switches.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Although I've tried several different mechanical keyboards lately – for example the Keychron K3 and the Azio Izo – I've kept coming back to the Keychron K2V2. I don't expect that in Q1. The solidity of the metal case, the excellent Gateron Red switches that I have installed for a long time, the quieter sound (I record interviews and hear the clatter of the K2V2 keyboard when I take quick notes), and that I have a better and Seems like a faster typist will keep it on my desk.

All of this discovery was really made possible by the Q1's flexibility, which goes well beyond my knowledge and needs, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

Price and availability

The Keychron Q1 can be pre-ordered now, shipping is expected to begin on September 15th. Fully assembled in one of the three colors, the Q1 costs $ 169, although this is a special offer price according to the online store, and the cost can climb to $ 179 at any time. The barebones versions are not available to order at the time of writing and will be available shortly after the fully assembled version is released.

Our opinion

I lost a bit of the benefits of customization before spending time (pretty much actually) switching between switches and keycaps on the Keychron Q1 and then comparing the typing experience to my Keychron K2V2. After choosing the keycaps and switches that felt best for me, it is clear that there is an ideal keyboard setup for everyone, and the benefits are obvious if done right. Understanding and discovering your ideal setup is accomplished through trial and error, but a keyboard like the Q1 minimizes the hassle and cost, and then lasts for years afterward if you're willing to invest in it.

Knowing that I can change all the parts again at any time and also go deeper into customization by adding (or removing) some foam cushioning and also changing the stabilizers and gaskets means the keyboard is really future proof. It's a keyboard that can grow with you, or just stay that way, for not much more money than a non-customizable mechanical model.

I'm a relative newbie to mechanical keyboards, but I've been convinced of the concept since switching to one. The Q1 is not just for enthusiasts who want to create their own "ultimate" keyboard, but for those like me who are looking for a high quality, extremely solid mechanical keyboard for work that really suits my style and preferences without having to buy a new one having to completely new keyboard when something changes or breaks.

Is there a better alternative?

The Glorious GMMK Pro is the direct competitor of the Q1 and is another highly customizable mechanical aluminum keyboard with a size of 75%. It costs the same and has a rotary knob for media control, but doesn't support via remapping software, only QMK for Windows.

If you're not worried about customization, we recommend the Corsair Straife RGB Mk.2 mechanical keyboard, which is also around $ 160 and is a great experience for both work and gaming. You can also check out our extensive roundup of the Best Mechanical Keyboards, or Best Keyboards in General, if you're looking for other options.

How long it will take?

The aluminum case and the modularity of the components ensure that the Keychron Q1 has plenty of life unless you spill something on it as it is not waterproof. Keychron offers a 12-month guarantee, but in the case of the Q1 it will replace the defective parts and not the entire package.

Should you buy one?

Yes sir. It's an absolute pleasure to tap, and the extensive customization options ensure it will last for years.

Editor's recommendations



27 Aug
Blog

No More Heroes 3 Review: Fewer Heroes and More Fun!

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No More Heroes 3 Review: Less Heroes, More Fun!

RRP $ 60.00

"No More Heroes 3 is a jewel for the Nintendo Switch that no action fan should be without in his collection."

advantages

  • Unique and fun writing

  • Lots of fan service

  • Great music

  • Fulfilling struggle

  • Good performance

disadvantage

  • Repeating sections

  • Some empty hub locations

Goichi "SUDA51" Suda is one of the most unique and creative video game designers, directors and writers on the market. His best-known works include Killer7, The Silver Case, Fire Pro Wrestling and the No More Heroes series. His newest game, No More Heroes 3, is another Suda homerun that shows off his talent for a thought-provoking, high-octane adventure.

No More Heroes 3 is a sequel to two earlier games in the series, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle and Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes. After playing 2019 Travis Strikes Again and being very impressed, my expectations for the next numbered entry in the series were sky high. With hopes so high, I'm stunned that No More Heroes 3 is actually delivering them – and more so – on every imaginable front.

No More Heroes 3 is an action-packed good time with strong writing and loads of fan service as the icing on the cake. Fans of No More Heroes, Suda51, and Hack-and-Slashes wouldn't do themselves any favors by missing out on this Nintendo Switch gem.

Suda strikes again

The game begins in classic No More Heroes fashion, with Travis immediately thrown into a new war and with the chance to climb the killer rankings. This time his enemies are not killers from Earth, but aliens from different planets that the alien prince and self-proclaimed "Goddamn Superhero" FU has gathered.

They find out that FU was once an adorable little creature who made a connection with a human boy, Damon, whom Travis Strikes Again players can instantly recognize. Upon returning to Earth to meet his friend again, he not only wears a new humanoid look, but also his own private army of alien fighters and a new goal to conquer the planet. It's a shame he didn't expect a tough otaku assassin to have the power to defeat them all one by one.

No More Heroes 3, Travis Touchdown does a victory pose.

As in previous No More Heroes entries, Travis faces these fighters as he climbs the killer rankings and encounters some surprises in the process. Of course, it's not cut and dried as it may seem; Suda's writing makes the adventure a lot more unique than the gameplay premise seems to allow.

As a fan of the series, I felt a variety of emotions as I went through the story – from joyful joy to sadness. We see Travis go through more than ever, and for the first time we see him accept the fact that he is the hero of a world where (wait for it) there are no heroes left. Players will really want to play through Travis Strikes Again to get the full impact of this character growth. That makes the story of this game even more impressive.

Travis Touchdown shakes hands with a new masked ally in No More Heroes 3.

Travis isn't the only character in the spotlight in No More Heroes 3. Sudaverse characters pop up in abundance throughout the game, with tons of surprising faces left and right. Each of these characters offers something new, and I couldn't get enough of any of them. It really feels like a wonderland for fans of each of Suda's past games. And yes, that includes games like Fire Pro Wrestling.

The action increases

No More Heroes is not just defined by its writing; The action here really takes the series to the next level. The hack-and-slash battles are a mix of the classic battle from the numbered titles on the Wii and the series’s Switch spinoff. Ripped right off Travis Strikes Again, Travis can now perform light and heavy attacks instead of just having access to a beam katana button and punch / kick melee attacks. This already offers players a wider variety of fighting options than in previous titles, but there is a lot more on the agenda.

Holding the joystick forward, backward, or neutral will allow players to perform different attack strings with their respective light and heavy attack buttons. For the first time in a numbered entry, Travis can also jump. This gives players access to a forward moving, airy blow and an airborne attack that drops Travis like a stone.

Travis Touchdown is attacking an enemy.

Offense isn't everything in this game; Players can block and dodge to go around the enemy. The Dark Step mechanic, which acts as a parade, also returns with a new twist. If Travis dodges before an enemy hits him, he will immediately move behind them and become invincible to attack for a short time. He can either unleash a barrage of beam katana attacks or grapple with enemies and instantly recharge his katana (you can also shake the Joy-Con as you walk to recharge it for the first time in the series).

As if that wasn't enough, there's the Death Glove attacks returning from Travis Strikes Again. Players begin with a harmful "death blow" that can put a great distance between them and their enemy. As players progress, they will unlock more death attacks, including Death Force, a power surge that pushes enemies farther away and damages everyone they come in contact with. There is also "Death Slow", a field that slows down anyone who comes in contact with it, and "Death Shower," another field that dousers everyone in the vicinity with harmful one-bit pellets.

Although the fight may be clunky at first for anyone unfamiliar with No More Heroes, I found it to be best implemented on the series. Players can get creative and use their Death Glove attacks to tackle challenging enemies in a unique way that suits their play style.

Travis uses a wrestling move against an enemy in No More Heroes 3.

Do you want to play super lame and keep your enemies away? Use Death Kick or Death Force to push them away and attack if you want. Do you want to pile the damage and get rid of a pesky enemy quickly? Knock them down, use Death Slow and Death Shower in conjunction with your heavy attacks to end them faster than ever. The possibilities are endless and make for a game that never ceases to be fun even with later playthroughs.

Trust me, I played three times before writing this review.

What's all the fuss?

After fans demanded their return in every game since No More Heroes, Suda has finally delivered by recreating the GTA-esque hub world everyone remembers the original. Players ride their very different Kaneda-von-Akiras motorcycle through Santa Destroy and neighboring towns to advance in the game, collect missions, and earn money doing odd jobs.

Travis Touchdown is riding his motorcycle through town.

While some of these areas can be a little bare, it seems like a deliberate design choice – especially in the Call of Battle section, which is a cheeky joke about the Call of Duty series. Even then, I enjoyed traveling through these areas looking for kittens, trading cards, new t-shirts, sushi stands, and toilets for diving. Yes, all of the side quest quality returns from No More Heroes 1 and 2. But for the first time, these missions are not needed to earn progress money.

No More Heroes 3 allows players to progress at will once they have completed three required battles to earn their chance to fight the next alien boss. Players can completely ignore the more mundane odd jobs like mowing the lawn and shooting kaiju alligators for the usual combat missions. Or they run around collecting scorpions for the sushi guy.

Travis Touchdown does the grass-mowing mini-game in No More Heroes 3.

As in the past, these missions can seem a bit intrusive and repetitive. In the combat missions, you are trapped in an area with a number of enemies that you must defeat, the only difference between them being the enemies and locations. This is doubly true for the shooter missions where you have to defeat a huge alien boss.

However, if you like the Combat and Shooter sections (like me) you will find that these sections are just another chance to test your skills against new enemies.

Our opinion

No More Heroes 3 is one of the best action games of the year and offers well-rounded fun. The writing, gameplay, performance, music, and virtually everything else come together to create a must-play game for the Nintendo Switch, just like the 2007 original on the Nintendo Wii. Fans of Suda51, No More Heroes, action games, and having a hilariously good time must try this game out. If you weren't a fan of developers Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda before, this is what you're looking for.

How long it will take?

My first playthrough on normal / easy difficulty took about 11 hours, but that was without me getting through all of the unlockable and side quests. When I returned to tackle the sharp / hard setting for New Game + and get it 100% complete, I hit about the 17 hour mark.

Is there an alternative?

There's no shortage of good hack-and-slash and character action games in the world, but No More Heroes is one of a kind. There is no comparable title in both the writing and action departments. The only alternatives out there would be past No More Heroes entries, which I recommend playing through before trying your hand at No More Heroes 3.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you want a one-of-a-kind action experience like you've never had before, I recommend No More Heroes 3. Combat can be a little shaky at times and its methods of progression are not for everyone, but the game offers an adventure switch owners shouldn't get that miss.

Editor's recommendations



26 Aug
Blog

Acer Swift X Review: Top-notch Performance For Cheap?

The Acer Swift X sits on a desk.

Acer Swift X review: content creation cheap?

RRP $ 1,100.00

"The Acer Swift X is a powerful laptop that many students and creatives appreciate."

advantages

  • Outstanding performance

  • Very good battery life

  • Excellent keyboard and touchpad

  • Solid entry-level gaming

  • Thin and light frame given the strength inside

disadvantage

  • Build quality could be better

  • Display is not sufficient for the target market

Creative professionals need more than anything in a great laptop. First, they need power, and lots of it – preferably both a fast CPU and a fast GPU. Second, they need a display with wide and accurate colors and lots of contrast and brightness. Acer's Swift X is aimed at these developers, though it does offer configurations starting at $ 1,100. Is that possible at this price?

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U, the RTX 3050 Ti and the 14-inch display of the Acer Swift X certainly seem up to the task. After putting it through its paces, the Swift X is far from a perfect machine – but its fantastic performance and value for money set it apart from its competitors.

draft

The Acer Swift X has an all-aluminum chassis that was a bit flexible in the lid and suffered from a slight flexing of the keyboard. It's nothing monstrous. but Asus, Dell, and HP laptops tend to have stiffer builds. The MSI Prestige 14 Evo, Dell XPS 13, and HP Specter x360 14 are three laptops that feel more solid in the hand. The Swift X's hinge is capable of almost one-handed opening and holds the display firmly in place while you work. If the Swift X were more expensive, I'd have more of a build quality issue. However, we are only just on the edge of the premium class for a well configured machine, so I like to overlook a bit of flexibility.

The Acer Swift X sits on a desk.

Aesthetically, the Swift X is a conservative laptop that only encompasses a few angles, including along the back of the case to make some difference. It's available in three creatively titled colors, Safari Gold (my test device), Steam Blue, and Prodigy Pink. The XPS 13 and Specter x360 13 are more outstanding laptops in terms of looks, with the Dell leaning towards business-like elegance and the HP offering a bold, gem-cut design. But there's plenty of room for a more traditional design that doesn't attract too much attention, and that is the Swift X.

I'll be faulting it for its plastic display bezels that spoil the overall look. They're not particularly small either, with a screen-to-body ratio of 85.73% – to be considered truly modern, that number should exceed 90% and the display should be made entirely of glass. The display's 16: 9 aspect ratio is also old-fashioned, with competing laptops using higher ratios like 16:10 and 3: 2.

Compared to some other 14-inch laptops, the Swift X is a reasonable size. For example, it's a bit wider than the HP Envy 14, while it's thinner due to the HP's tall 16:10 display. The Swift X is 0.70 inches thick compared to the Envy 14's 0.71 inches and weighs 3.06 pounds, while the Envy 14 is slightly heavier at 3.3 pounds. The MSI Prestige 14 Evo is closer in width and depth, while it's thinner at 0.63 inches and lighter at 2.85 pounds. The Specter x360 14 is even narrower, but slightly deeper, with its 13.5-inch 3: 2 display, and it's just 0.67 inches thick and 2.95 pounds. It might not be the thinnest or lightest laptop, but the Swift X is still comfortable enough to carry around – especially considering how much power you're packing in.

The Swift X offers ample connectivity with a proprietary power connector, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, a full-size HDMI 1.0 port, and a USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port on the left to connect to another USB A 3.2. go to Gen 1 port and 3.5mm audio adapter on the right. Unfortunately there is no SD card reader or, given the AMD chipset, Thunderbolt support. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer wireless connectivity.

power

As mentioned earlier, the Ryzen 7 5800U is a fast, thin, and light laptop processor that by far beats the Intel equivalent for CPU-intensive tasks. If we just compare the processors, we should expect AMD's offering to be much faster for things like encoding videos and processing large images. Throw in a separate GPU, even the entry-level Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, and you get additional support for applications that can use the GPU to speed up certain tasks, such as: B. Adobe's suite of creative applications. The Acer therefore promises to be a powerhouse in a thin and light package.

You probably won't find a faster, thin, and light laptop in this price range.

According to our benchmarks, Acer did just that – for the most part. In our Handbrake test, which encodes a 420MB video in H.265, the Swift X led our comparison group, including several other laptops with Ryzen chips. It even (barely) beat the Asus ROG Flow X13 with the faster Ryzen 9 5900HS processor. In fact, the Swift X is one of the fastest laptops we tested in Handbrake, and even outperforms some machines with Intel 45-watt CPUs. The Swift X also did exceptionally well in the Cinebench R23 benchmark and even took the lead by a clear margin with the Ryzen 9 in the mix. Both benchmark results show that the Swift X delivers when you have to perform tedious tasks like encoding video that are CPU draining.

The Swift X wasn't that dominant in Geekbench 5, but I'd like to note here that Acer includes a utility to change performance modes. The utility didn't make much of a difference when I switched to performance mode in most tests, and the results in the table reflect standard mode. However, Geekbench 5 was a test where the performance mode made a difference – the Swift X scored 1,406 single-core and 8,030 multi-core in that mode, taking first place in the multi-core test. The Swift X also took first place in the PCMark 10 Complete Score (the performance mode made hardly any difference here) and did well in the Essentials, Productivity and Content Creation scores.

Acer Swift X sits on a desk.

I also ran the PugetBench benchmark, which uses Adobe Premiere Pro to perform various viewing and encoding tasks. The benchmark shows the effect of a discrete GPU, as the Swift X scores 333 points in the benchmark. Interestingly, this is not as high as I expected and ended up behind the HP Envy 14, for example, which uses an Intel Core i5-1135G7 and an Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q and scored 432 points. The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 and integrated Iris-Xe graphics scored 241 points, while the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED with a Ryzen 7 5800U and integrated Radeon graphics scored 180 points. These results show that Intel has built in some optimizations that give its chips a better result here in the benchmark. The benchmark is broken down into several sections including Export, Playback, and GPU, and the Intel machines did worse on Export and GPU, but much better on playback, which likely bloated their results.

Despite the confusing PugetBench results, the Swift X is a great machine for anyone who needs a lot of CPU power and a GPU that can speed up intensive tasks. It's also extremely fast as a productivity laptop and tears up everything I threw on it during the review process. You are unlikely to find another thin and light laptop that is faster in this price range.

Geekbench (single / multiple) Handbrake
(Seconds)		 Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Acer Swift X (Ryzen7 5800U) 1287/6663 99 1437/10135 6247 4073
HP Pavilion Aero 13
(Ryzen7 5800U)		 1373/6430 112 1381/8304 5756 1212
Asus ZenBook 13 OLED
(Ryzen7 5800U)		 1423/6758 124 1171/7824 6034 1342
Asus ROG Flow X13
(Ryzen9 5900HS)		 1415/7592 102 1420/9701 5756 4503
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1185G7) 1549/5431 204 1399/4585 n / A 1380
HP Specter x360 14 (Core i7-1165G7) 1214/4117 236 1389/3941 4728 1457
Razer Book 13 (Core i7-1165G7) 1548/5374 210 1508/4519 4878 1776
MacBook Pro 13 (M1) 1707/7337 n / A 1487/7547 n / A n / A

Gaming was good for a laptop that wasn't specifically designed for gaming, with the Swift X doing well in the 3DMark Time Spy test (but behind the game-centric Asus ROG Flow X13). It reached 116 frames per second (fps) in Civilization VI at 1080p and medium graphics and 66 fps with ultra graphics switched on. That's actually a few fps faster than the ROG Flow X13, which surprised me. In Fortnite, the Swift X achieved 64 fps at 1080p and high graphics performance compared to the ROG Flow X13 at 67 fps and 43 fps with epic graphics compared to 47 fps with the ROG. The Swift X is a good entry-level gaming device that can handle modern titles with the right resolutions and graphical details.

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Close up on the Acer Swift X screen.

From a performance perspective, the Swift X is designed for creative professionals. As we've seen, it has the speed that a very portable workstation can handle for editing videos and photos on the go. However, an important part of that equation is the display – does it offer wide and accurate colors, lots of brightness, and high contrast for creative work? In short, the answer is unfortunately no for the 14-inch IPS Full HD display (1,920 x 1,080) of the Swift X in 16: 9 format. The subjective viewing experience during my tests was a mixed picture, with colors that seemed accurate and pleasant, and with just enough brightness to accommodate the lighting in my house. Blacks on white backgrounds didn't show up, however, which made copy-writing a less pleasant experience than I'd like.

So I turned to my familiar colorimeter for a more objective perspective. The results didn't surprise me at all. Initially, the color width was 72% of AdobeRGB and 96% of sRGB, which is the average of premium laptops, but falls far short of the displays required for creative work. Color accuracy was good with a DeltaE of 1.63 (1.0 or less is considered excellent), so that's a plus.

The brightness was a bit low at 283 nits, below our 300-nit threshold, and the contrast was 730: 1, well below our preferred 1,000: 1 ratio for premium laptops. On another recently tested 14-inch laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 Gen 9 (certainly a more expensive device), we see similar colors at 76% AdobeRGB and 96% sRGB, better color accuracy at 0.99, and higher brightness at 306 nits. The contrast of the ThinkPad was still below our threshold at 970: 1, which you could see from the black text. The Dell XPS 13 Full HD + display achieved 75% AdobeRGB and 98% sRGB with a color accuracy of 1,21,458 nits of brightness and a contrast ratio of 1,350: 1.

That's a lot of numbers, but the conclusion is simple. The Swift X allows creatives to get their work done on the go at some speed, but they don't want to use the laptop for final production. Productivity workers will be more satisfied with the display, but even then the low contrast ratio will be disappointing and the old school 16: 9 contrast ratio cannot be compared to today's higher panels. It's a shame that Acer doesn't offer a higher quality display with wider colors and better contrast for the Swift X. That would really make the laptop a highly portable creative production machine.

In terms of audio technology, the two downward-facing speakers weren't exactly great. The maximum volume was on the low side, enough for system sounds and a YouTube video, but not nearly enough for music or Netflix bingeing. The mids and highs were clear, but there was no bass (not surprising for a laptop) and there was no distortion when turned all the way up. You need headphones or a bluetooth speaker.

Keyboard and touchpad

The Acer Swift-X keyboard.

The Swift X has a keyboard with nice-sized silver keycaps and full-size spacing. The key switches are light and clicky, with a comfortable floor motion that provides a precise feel. I still prefer the HP Specter keyboard, which offers a touch more feedback, but the Swift X keyboard comes with the best that Windows 10 has to offer. It's backlit, of course, but I found that the light shining through the gay letters was distorted and difficult to read. However, this is a minor matter. Most touch typists will love this keyboard.

The touchpad takes up most of the available palm rest space, but the top of the keyboard deck is pushed back by an extension that houses the hinge and rear ventilation. That means the touchpad is a bit smaller than it could be. However, it has a comfortable interface and Microsoft Precision touchpad drivers, so using Windows 10 multi-touch gestures is efficient and precise. There is no touch display option, which is disappointing.

A fingerprint reader in the upper right corner of the palm rest offers Windows 10 Hello password-free support. It worked quickly and responsively during my tests, which has become the norm with modern laptops.

Battery life

Acer packed 59 watt hours of battery into the Swift X, a decent – but not great – amount for a 14-inch laptop with such powerful components. The Full HD display would help, I expected, but I wasn't expecting great battery life.

I was surprised. In our web browser test, the Swift X lasted for almost 12 hours, which is a strong score. The MSI Prestige 14 Evo achieved a little more than seven hours in this test, while the HP Envy 14 was better than both with just over 12.5 hours. In our video test, which repeats a local Full HD Avengers trailer, the Swift X reached 12.75 hours, well below the 16.3 hours of the Prestige 14 Evo and 14.5 hours of the HP Envy. I've noticed that Ryzen laptops don't have the same increase from the web browsing test to the video test, which shows that Intel machines are more efficient at playing videos.

In the battery benchmark PCMark 10 Applications, the best indicator for the longevity of productivity, the Swift X does well with just over 12 hours. The Prestige 14 Evo did not quite manage 10.5 hours in this test, while the HP Envy 14 would not complete the benchmark. In the PCMark 10 gaming battery test, the Swift X shut down after just under 1.5 hours, which is the lowest result we have ever seen. The Prestige 14 Evo lasted just 10 minutes longer, while the HP Envy 14 is the other laptop to score the Swift X's. This test seems to show how much a laptop is throttled on battery power, which means that the Swift X works hard when turned off and therefore burns its battery up pretty quickly.

Overall, these results suggest that the Swift X will last you a full day of work with a few hours to spare. If you drive the CPU and GPU hard enough, you will get a lot less battery life, but that's to be expected. If you encode video on the go, take your power adapter with you.

Our opinion

The Acer Swift X does what it promises to pack a lot of power into a thin and light frame. It's one of the fastest 14-inch laptops we've tested, and it's a great choice for creative professionals who need power on the go. Battery life was also a strength, which makes this notebook a great productivity laptop for on the go.

The biggest downside to the Swift X is the display. Getting rid of it entirely by creative professionals isn't bad enough, but they should have a better external display in the office to complete their work. Acer would have been smart about offering a higher quality display for those who want it the most.

Are there alternatives?

There aren't many laptops that combine a fast Ryzen CPU with a discrete GPU. One that has recently become available is the Asus ROG Flow 13, which is a smaller machine but almost as fast. Aside from the Asus' gaming aesthetic, it's a great alternative for anyone who needs portable performance.

The HP Envy 14 is an option for someone who can live with an Intel Core CPU to work with separate graphics, and it has performed well in Adobe applications. It also suffers from a smaller display, but offers good performance and better build quality.

How long it will take?

The Swift X is so well built you can expect it to hold up on high-performance computing for years. The components are modern and should keep up with the times, demanding users should get their money's worth. As always, the industry standard one-year warranty is disappointing.

Should you buy it?

Yes, for performance and battery life. Just make sure you can live with the display before pulling out your credit card.

Editor's recommendations



26 Aug
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Review: The Foldable for Everyone

Galaxy Z Flip 3 will close.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 in the test: The foldable future is now ready for everyone

RRP $ 1,000.00

“The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the first foldable smartphone that most people should buy. It's compact, powerful, and durable, and costs about the same as its competitors. It's also really fun to use. "

advantages

  • Really compact

  • Water resistance increases durability

  • Nice screen

  • Innovative, eye-catching design

disadvantage

  • One day battery life

  • Features are missing from the cover screen

Foldable smartphones have a reputation of fragility, compromise, and cost that many people dismiss as expensive toys for the most avid early adopters. the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 banishes this reputation thanks to a more robust case, a smaller design and above all a lower price.

Samsung considers both the Z Flip 3 and its bigger sister phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, to be mainstream devices. But is that really true? Yes it really is.

Living with the foldable Z Flip 3

Take your regular mainstream smartphone, like the Galaxy S21 + or OnePlus 9 Pro, and imagine folding it in half when you're done. This is the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It is not the first phone of its kind, but it is the first to win and deserve mainstream attention due to various improvements over the previous models. It is therefore important to understand the benefits it brings to everyday life and the difference between using it and the Z Fold 3.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 with the Z Fold range.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

They may both fold up, but Samsung's two new foldable smartphones are very different from each other. The Z Fold 3 is about having a bigger screen in a full-size phone, while the Z Flip 3 is about having a full-size screen in a smaller than ordinary phone. Unlike the Z Fold 3, it is not designed to be used when closed and is based more on portability and comfort than on increased productivity.

Living with the Z Flip 3 isn't really that different from life with any other smartphone with a 6.7-inch screen until you finish it and put it in your pocket. Folding the phone up, somewhat reminiscent of a flip phone from the 1990s or a makeup compact, is satisfying, different, and actually fun. The action is not old. You do it without thinking about it, such as clicking the tip of a pen, and sometimes you just pick up the phone and open it when you don't really need it. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a tactile, friendly, and interactive piece of mobile technology.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 open on a table.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

When closed, the 4.2-inch Z Flip 3 is a little more than half as long as it is open, but at 17.1 mm, more than twice as thick. However, at 183 grams it is light. Due to the reduced footprint, it takes up less space in a bag or pocket, but is still noticeable due to the thick housing. When folded, it sits comfortably and naturally in your hand, especially if you have small hands. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is really all about comfort and it makes it possible to live much more comfortably than other large, modern smartphones.

However, I've often left the Z Flip 3 open at home, which feels strangely wrong. Why? You can't do anything useful with the phone when it is closed because the cover screen isn't as useful as it should be. This underscores that the Z Flip 3's folding design is about portability, not ease of use. But not closing the flip is a bit like telling Placido Domingo not to sing.

The hinge of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 seen from above.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Many people probably envision the larger Z Fold 3 – a regular phone that turns into a tablet when they think of folding smartphones. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is not like that at all. It's a 6.7-inch smartphone that folds into a less awkward one than other similarly sized, non-foldable models. If you've ever thought that “modern phones are just too big” but never want to miss out on the big screen experience, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the phone for you.

draft

Samsung highlights the increased durability as one of the main reasons the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is ready for the mainstream audience, and that's right, but another reason is the emphasis on fashion, style, design and fun. The Z Fold 3 introduces tech before design, but the Z Flip 3 turns this on its head with an equally fun folding movement, a choice of colors, eye-catching accessories, and a delicate and stylish minimalist design. It reminds me of electric cars like the Honda E, which carefully blends modern tech with cool retro design elements to create broad appeal.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 seen from behind.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

My test model is cream with a silver frame and it is one of a total of seven combinations. Each phone is two-tone, with the colored glass panels coordinated with a black glass camera module and a contrasting housing color. There are a number of fun silicone cases available with straps or rings to attach the phone to a bag or lanyard. This depth of personalization really suits the fun nature of the Z Flip 3.

Samsung used a tougher new aluminum called Armor Aluminum for the construction, along with stronger flexible glass over the screen, and gave it an IPX8 rating for water resistance. It makes the Z Flip 3 more durable than previous versions. It feels that way too. There's no flex where it shouldn't be, solid construction, and no obvious gaps around the hinge either. The sleek glass case makes the phone quite slippery and it slides out of loose pockets or over some surfaces. However, the chassis offers enough support so that it does not slip out of your hand.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 with Z Fold area.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Magnets keep the phone securely closed, the unfolding movement is gentle and almost noiseless, and it clicks into place when fully opened. The opening and closing of the Z Flip 3 is satisfactory and tactile, and the action feels solid and high quality. Opening the Z Flip 3 initially took more force than expected, but after about a week the hinge loosened. However, it will always be two-handed as the hinge has enough resistance to hold the phone open at any angle.

The Z Flip 3 is cuter than any smartphone can really be, it feels extremely solid and well made, and it's a phone that will make you smile when you see it lying around. It's also been expertly crafted with some wonderful little touches like the domed glass around the camera module, the logo stamped into the hinge that disappears when the phone is opened so it doesn't have branding, and the built-in fingerprint sensor, and the small, sleek power key. With the Galaxy Z Flip 3, fashion meets technology and that's just right.

Screens

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 has two screens. On the front of the closed phone is the cover screen, a small 1.9-inch Super AMOLED panel with 260 x 512 pixels. When open, you will see a 6.7-inch screen with 2640 x 1080 pixels and 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED with an aspect ratio of 22: 9.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 screen.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Yes, there is a crease on the open screen, but it is imperceptible when the screen is active and viewing and is barely noticeable when you slide your finger up and down the screen. Having the phone and apps in dark mode helps when you can still see the crease and it bothers you. Dust and lint are more of a nuisance as it seems to collect a lot more than other screens, especially when the phone is closed and in your pocket. Particularly noteworthy is the redesigned screen protector, which has a much more glass-like texture than older versions.

The main screen is bright and detailed, the 120Hz refresh rate is wonderfully smooth and effectively reduces eye strain, and the video performance is up to usual Samsung standards. The vibrant and colorful door music video by Kwon Eun Bi shows the high contrast and bold colors but looks less natural than the iPhone 12 Pro's screen. Compare it to the Galaxy S21 + and there is almost nothing separating them other than a little more glare and reflection from the S21 + glass.

The screen of the Z Flip 3 is excellent when open. Closed, it's not that good. The cover screen is one of two downsides to the phone, and it's all because the software doesn't take full advantage of its capabilities. The title screen is interactive, and you can swipe left to see music controls, weather, voice recorder, and a selection of other customizable widgets. Swipe right and you'll get a vertical list of notifications that show a lot of details when you tap them and have the option to interact with them too.

However, the notifications are not visible like a normal always-on screen. The cover screen clock also doesn't have the option to show icons for notification. So if you miss them when they show up on the screen for a split second, you need to wake up and swipe the screen. Keep the Z Flip 3 open and you will see a normal Samsung Always-On screen with notification icons.

It gets worse because the deck screen isn't very responsive. It requires you to physically press the power button to wake it up, it doesn't always respond when you wake it up and then takes a few swipes too long to respond to a swipe, adding to the time it takes for notifications to appear . You can't activate the camera from the cover screen either, so you'll have to open the phone. It's disappointingly simple, and it also drives me to keep the phone open when I expect to do things on a regular basis.

camera

The Galaxy Z Flip isn't a camera superstar like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but its capabilities are similar to the Galaxy S21. There are two 12-megapixel cameras on the back, one of which is a wide-angle camera, and both have optical image stabilization (OIS). There is dual-pixel autofocus on the main camera, HDR10 + and video recording with up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, but no telephoto camera or 8K video recording. At the top center of the screen is a 10 MP camera for selfies.

The camera module of the Galaxy Z Flip 3.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's a good camera for everyday photos and, if the situation is right, it can get some outstanding shots. There is some evidence of overhaul, however, and the software-controlled portrait mode isn't as good as it should be. On the positive side, I took several insect photos on flowers (don't ask, it's just a coincidence that I took so many) and they turned out really very well, all without much intervention from me, which is exactly what I want . The autofocus system is smart and is exactly what really helped.

On sunny days the colors are too saturated for some, but I like the pop that Samsung has built into the camera and the white balance is good too. In most situations, the balance and dynamic range remain constant when switching between the main and wide-angle cameras. Photos are not as good when the light is poor and it is difficult to show details in shaded areas.

The autofocus system is intelligent and accurate.

Samsung's image processing can sometimes be seen at work. For example, look at the scene with a wire stretched across a pond and you can see tons of edge enhancements around it that really spoil the photo. Portrait mode, front or back, is also not very accurate and gets confused by even the simplest of shapes.

The hinge of the Z Flip 3 supports the screen at every angle between open and closed and serves as a mini tripod for the camera. Angle the hinge in the camera app and the viewfinder slides to the top half of the screen, where you can use Samsung's gesture controls to take a photo without tapping a button or setting the timer with an open hand to the camera. There's a button to switch to the lower half of the screen if that works better, or if you're using the rear camera, the cover screen can also be activated to preview.

However, due to its shape, the preview only provides part of the image so it can only be used as a basic guide. The picture stays in portrait orientation unless you turn the phone over to the side that is less stable and the cover screen shows even less. It's most useful when paired with Google Duo as the video call display automatically switches to the top half of the screen so you don't have to prop the phone against anything else. However, it doesn't work with other messaging apps like WhatsApp.

Performance, software and battery

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor (whether you are in the US or the UK as there is no Exynos powered model this time around) with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. Android 11 with One UI 3.1.1 is installed. This makes it identical to the Galaxy S21 range and one of the highest quality smartphones you can buy today.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3's screen is in use.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The performance is excellent, all apps run smoothly, and there are no compatibility or formatting issues that sometimes occur with large-format folding smartphones. The Z Flip 3 is also a great gaming phone, although it can get quite warm. When playing Asphalt 9: Legends, the wide display really comes into its own and the stereo speakers ensure a lot of volume and punch. However, the area on the back around the camera module is where heat is generated. It's never too hot to touch, but it's definitely noticeable.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is not designed to increase productivity enormously, but it has Samsung's usual multitasking mode which is easy to use. Just slide the sidebar and drag the apps you want to the main screen where they will be stacked vertically and you can use two at the same time. The title screen gets its own Z Flip 3-specific settings menu, where you can choose between different wallpapers and change the widgets that appear when you slide across the screen.

Now we come to the other major disadvantage of the Z Flip 3 – the battery. It's a 3,300 mAh cell and just doesn't have the power to compete with its peers. Even if you stay at home and the phone is connected to Wi-Fi, the battery won't last much longer than a full day, especially if you play a few games or watch videos. Go out into the world with a 4G or 5G connection, use the phone normally, take a few pictures and you may have a hard time getting to the end of the night. I used the phone connected to a Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, but even on the days I didn't, the battery was still around 25% after a normal day.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 open with charging port.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you consider yourself a heavy user, the Z Flip 3's battery will be an issue. The phone supports wired charging at 15 watts and wireless charging at 10 watts, so there is no super-fast OnePlus-like fast charging system to fall back on. After the Z Flip 3 didn't actually have to carry a battery around with it for years or suffered from battery fear on a day, the Z Flip 3 unfortunately brings some of that back and is at odds with its futuristic design.

Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 costs $ 1,000 for the 128GB model and comes in cream, phantom black, green, or lavender colors. However, if you order directly from the Samsung online shop, there are three other exclusive colors: gray, white or pink. In the US, a 256GB Z Flip 3 costs $ 1,050. In the UK, the 128GB Galaxy Z Flip 3 costs £ 949 or £ 999 for the 256GB model.

Our opinion

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the first foldable smartphone with real mainstream appeal, largely due to a price point that keeps it competitive against other high-end non-foldable models. It has the power you need today, a good camera, and a nice minimalist design with the best party trick in mobile tech to top it off. It hits the spot in terms of durability too, and while it's not dustproof, the water resistance will really help overcome fears that it's too fragile for everyday use.

Durability is then no longer a serious compromise, but a new one has raised its head and that is battery life. Two days of moderate use are really achievable with most smartphones today, and most are equipped with 4,000 mAh plus cells. The battery life of the Z Flip 3 is almost from another time. The cover screen isn't as helpful as it could be either, but Samsung may address this in a future software update.

What are the thoughts on the Galaxy Z Flip 3? Samsung has taken a Galaxy S21 + in a practical way and designed it with a hinge, making it more portable and convenient to carry. If you are looking to buy the S21 + or a similar phone, then you should also pay attention to the Z Flip 3. To recommend a folding smartphone in this way consolidates the place of the Z Flip 3 in the mainstream.

Is there a better alternative?

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 stands on its own if you're specifically looking for a phone that folds in half to shrink. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 does something similar, but fulfills a different need. If you want a phone that is bigger than a "normal" phone when you open it, you should look in its direction.

His competition comes from the usual suspects. For $ 1,000, check out the OnePlus 9 Pro, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, or with the right deal, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. All of them offer not only exceptional performance and beautiful screens, but also better and more versatile cameras and much longer battery life. But they don't fold away when you're done with them.

How long it will take?

The Armor Aluminum increases durability by 20% over other aluminum, according to Samsung, and the IPX8 rating means the phone was tested at a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The X means the phone is not dustproof, and since the water resistance is freshwater, not seawater, the phone may not be able to enjoy the beach very much. Time will tell how the screen and flexible glass will react to prolonged use, but Samsung has used a new material for the screen protector that is more resistant to fingerprints and scratches.

The foldable design of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 makes it as modern as phones can get.

Samsung is offering a free year of Samsung Care + with the Z Flip 3, which kicks in after the main one-year warranty and covers accidental damage from drops and offers a cracked screen repair for $ 249. After the first year, it costs $ 13 per month and can be canceled at any time. In terms of technology and software, it is now state-of-the-art, and Samsung delivers three years of Android software updates and four years of security updates.

The foldable design of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 makes it as modern as phones can get, and with the durability improvement and extended warranty, plus 5G and an eSIM option alongside the standard SIM, the phone will easily serve you for three years or more.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. It's the foldable smartphone that ordinary people can feel safe and confident about buying because they know that not only are they not compromising by opting not to buy a non-foldable phone, but they are embracing the future of phone design today.

Editor's recommendations



26 Aug
Blog

Google Nest Doorbell Review: When Beauty Meets Intelligence

Google Nest Doorbell (battery) on the outside of the door.

Google Nest doorbell (battery)

RRP $ 180.00

"The Google Nest Doorbell (battery) is intelligent and elegantly designed and offers the complete package."

advantages

  • Beautiful minimalist design

  • Smart alerts

  • Doesn't require a subscription to video history

  • Useful quick answers

disadvantage

  • Fine video details are on the soft side

  • Inconsistent capture rates

It's been a long time since I last checked a video doorbell – six years to be precise. Since that 2015 review of the Ring Video Doorbell, we've seen countless video doorbells spanning the full spectrum with premium features like radar technology and intelligent detection. While I've never seen Nest Hello, it's one of the most popular video doorbells around – and gives Ring competition in the field.

Three years after its publication, we finally have a real successor with the Google Nest Doorbell, which is mainly characterized by the fact that it is battery-operated – in contrast to its predecessor. There's a lot more to like about this one, but with Google in charge this time around it will be interesting to see how its experience differs from its predecessor and if it improves on the competition.

Setup and installation

It's obvious that simplicity is at the heart of the Google Nest Doorbell. While you have the option of wiring it to your existing doorbell port, which takes a few steps and may require a professional if you're unsure of how to do it yourself, setting it up as a wireless, battery-powered doorbell is a breeze. All you have to do is screw the mounting plate to a surface, then slide the doorbell into position – it's that simple.

Google Nest Doorbell (battery) components located on the floor.John Velasco / Digital Trends

I attached the mounting plate to a wooden panel on the outside of my front door, which is a bit easier than installing it on a brick surface, for example. If you are concerned about it being stolen, know that it will take quite a bit of force to get it out of position. I tried to pull it out with my own hands and it didn't move. To remove it when it needs to be charged, you will need to use the unlocking tool that came with it. The only problem here is that I can absolutely imagine losing the release tool, so you should keep it in a safe place.

Note that you won't be using the original Nest app to complete setup. Instead, everything is done through the Google Home app. After scanning a QR code and going through a few menus, the Google Nest Doorbell was up and running in less than 10 minutes.

draft

If you liked the original Nest Hello design, you'll be amazed what Google did with the new design. The Nest Doorbell is made from 46% recycled plastic and has a minimalist design that looks absolutely beautiful. Don't be fooled by the plastic, because the matte surface ensures that it stays clean and smudge-proof.

Bottom view of the Google Nest Doorbell (battery) on the outside of the door.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Best of all, it doesn't have the purposeful design of other doorbells. The Nest Doorbell is simply one of Google's best designs of all time – and that says a lot!

camera

Google has proven that specifications shouldn't have that much weight in the overall system. For example, just look at the Pixel 4a and 5a, two smartphones that do a lot but don't have big specs. Yes, there's no denying that the Nest Doorbell's specs don't come close to the original Nest Hello, but it doesn't have to be because it's smarter.

The Nest Doorbell is one of Google's best designs of all time.

Let's get the specs out of the way. There is a 1.3 megapixel – inch sensor with a diagonal field of view of 145 degrees that records video with a resolution of 960 x 1280 pixels. It's an odd aspect ratio for sure, but the Nest Doorbell's camera can see the floor below it about a few feet away. This is important because it can recognize when parcels are being dropped off right on the doorstep.

In terms of performance, the Nest Doorbell delivers decent-looking clips that use HDR video to compensate for the exposure of the scene. Highlights are dimmed while shadows are increased to bring out details that would otherwise be lost. There are some artifact elements that showed up the first time you accessed a livestream, but they quickly disappeared after 10 seconds.

Fine details are on the softer side, but I can still see most of the things in the landscape. Oddly enough, the recording rate varies widely from a choppy 9.11 frames per second (fps) all the way up to 31.77 fps. In one case it recorded at 9 fps when it was sunny and clear outside – so who knows why this is happening. Fortunately, night vision is sharp and clear.

characteristics

Doorbells have two main purposes: to keep an eye on who / what is on the doorstep and to keep an eye on what is happening. In my experience so far, the Nest Doorbell excels in both. It was almost perfect at recognizing people, packages and movement and sending notifications on my smartphone. Small details like the LED ring around the doorbell, which lights up when someone approaches, shows how intelligently they perceive their surroundings.

If you're a die-hard Google Assistant user, you'll love how much they're involved with the Google ecosystem. For example, when someone rings the doorbell, not only do I get a notification on my phone, but I also see a live stream on my Google Nest Hub Max smart display showing me who is there.

There are also the Quick Responses to choose from, which come in handy when I'm in a meeting or otherwise busy and can't open the door. While there are only three to choose from at the moment, I appreciate the usefulness of this feature. And when you end up answering a ringtone, the internal microphone ensures that voices can be heard, while the internal speaker emits enough volume and clarity for people to hear my voice.

Google Nest Doorbell (battery) on the outside of the door.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Another major selling point about the Nest Doorbell is that it comes with three hours of free event video. This is noteworthy because normally you would have to subscribe to a service to receive any type of video storage – so there is great immediate value to this offering. Subscribing to Nest Aware extends your video history to 30 days and offers additional security features such as access to emergency services.

battery

Initially, I had the Google Nest Doorbell set to detect any movement, which can obviously drain the battery faster. However, I disabled it and just set it to monitor people and packages. After almost a week of use, the battery life remains constant at 70%. If you're doing the math, it has to be recharged sometime long before the month is up. Changing the detection settings will hopefully produce better results in the coming weeks.

Our opinion

With a sticker price of $ 180, the Google Nest Doorbell (battery) competes in a crowded room. No, it's not the most feature-rich or spec-rich video doorbell, but it works just fine as a smart doorbell. Google designed a beautiful doorbell with the intelligence to keep me updated on what's happening at the front door.

Is there a better alternative?

Alexa users will want to look elsewhere as the Google Nest Doorbell is only compatible with the Google Assistant ecosystem. The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd generation) is an excellent solution for Alexa users and undercuts the Nest Doorbell in the price department.

For those looking for a more advanced video doorbell, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 with radar technology with 3D motion detection technology can show you where someone is on your property.

How long it will take?

The Google Nest Doorbell (battery) has a sturdy construction that feels like it can withstand the elements. Its IP54 rating ensures it can withstand extreme temperatures from -4 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 F. There's a one-year limited warranty that's included to cover any defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. It combines beauty and practicality in one package, giving you the peace of mind that it will work whether you are there or not.

Editor's recommendations



25 Aug
Blog

Asus ROG Flow X13 Review: 13-Inch Gaming Laptop, Done Right

The ROG Flow X13 on a table overlooking a city.

Asus ROG Flow X13 Review: The King of Small Gaming Laptops?

RRP $ 1,500.00

"The ROG Flow X13 is an ultra-compact and surprisingly powerful gaming laptop."

advantages

  • Amazing portability

  • Good performance for its size

  • Comfortable keyboard and touchpad

  • XG Mobile is a great option

  • 120 Hz refresh rate

disadvantage

  • Mediocre battery life

  • Screen could be brighter

  • Cumbersome port configuration

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 has long been the smallest gaming laptop you could buy. The Asus ROG Flow X13 has a lot to say about this.

It's the second 13-inch gaming laptop you can buy right now, but in some ways it goes further. With up to an RTX 3050 Ti GPU and Ryzen 9 5900HS processor, you can be sure that these are the most powerful components you can cram into a laptop this size.

Most configurations come with the interesting XG Mobile external graphics case. But my review unit is a standalone model that sells for $ 1,500 exclusively at Best Buy. That's not a bad price for a premium gaming laptop. Despite a few minor issues I've had, the ROG Flow X13 keeps the promise of playing in the smallest possible package on the go.

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The structured lid of the ROG Flow X13.

Judging by its size, the ROG Flow X13 is what was formerly known as an “ultrabook”. Thanks to the 360 ​​hinge and touchscreen, it is also a convertible 2-in-1.

But with its design and performance, it's unabashedly a gaming laptop. A small gaming laptop. The sleek, all-black exterior is similar to the rest of the ROG line of gaming laptops, including the Zephyrus G15 or some of the older M-series laptops. The lid features structured diagonal lines on the front and a small name tag in the lower corner for the logo. A more subtle version of this texture can be found on the palm rests. It's a pretty minimal design as long as you can overlook the typical gamer font used on the keycaps.

Asus claims that the textured lines add extra strength to the structure as well. Whether it's true or not, the Flow X13 feels very sturdy. The lid doesn't bend too much, especially at the top. The weakest point of the laptop is on the lid along the hinge. This is a common weak point, especially on laptops with a 360-degree hinge – another unique aspect of this laptop. The keyboard gives very slightly, but overall it's a laptop with a rigid feel.

Of course, the size of the Flow X13 is its calling card. I cannot stress enough how impressively small this thing is. A laptop this size just shouldn't be able to handle an 8-core CPU and discrete RTX graphics card – and yet it is here.

Play Fortnite on the ROG Flow X13.

The ROG Flow X13 is not alone, however. The dimensions of the Razer Blade Stealth 13 are almost identical. Razer's 13-inch gaming laptop is 0.2 inches thinner than the Flow X13 and has a different shape due to the screen view. The higher 16:10 shape of the Flow X13 makes it a bit longer on the table, while the 16: 9 Razer Blade Stealth 13 is wider. The ROG Flow X13 is lighter at just 2.87 pounds. In terms of portability, I can happily call it a tie, which makes the Flow X13 one of the smallest gaming laptops you can buy.

There are also some 14-inch gaming laptops that are only marginally larger than the ROG Flow X13. It certainly has a smaller overall pressure than laptops like the Razer Blade 14, ROG Zephyrus G14, or Predator Triton 300 SE – but not as much as you might suspect. Each is about an inch taller in either direction, depending on the laptop, and most are heavier. Still, they are a solid alternative to the ROG Flow X13.

Ports

The connections of the ROG Flow X13.

In terms of connections, the ROG Flow X13 offers the essentials for a gaming laptop. On the right side there is a USB-C port for charging and USB-A. On the left is a headphone jack and HDMI. That's pretty limited, especially on the USB side.

Then there is the most original thing about the ROG Flow X13: its proprietary PCIe interface is located on the left side of the laptop under a flap.

Laying the USB-C cable is particularly annoying for right-handed people. Due to the need for ventilation openings, the ports are located further down the side. This is common with gaming laptops, but since the system is powered by USB-C (and because there is only one USB-C port) there is only one place to plug it in – and right-handed people will be with the cord have to fight space with your mouse. Annoying that a second USB-C port on the left could have solved. Unfortunately, this space is reserved for Asus' proprietary port for connection to the external XG Mobile graphics card housing. However, if you don't want to use it, it's just a waste of space.

Another little annoyance? The position of the power switch. Like many convertible 2-in-1s, it is on the side of the device, right next to a USB port. However, this button is extremely sensitive, resulting in a lot of accidental presses while looking for a port or even just readjusting the laptop on my desk.

Keyboard and touchpad

I may not like the aesthetics of the ROG keyboard used here, but I can't deny its typing enjoyment. It's a big, luxurious layout – the same size you'd find on a 15-inch laptop. In addition, the keys have a chunky 1.7mm travel, which is practically unknown these days. The long stroke ensures fast, precise typing, which I immediately enjoyed. No learning curve.

Interestingly, the ROG Flow X13 doesn't include an RGB backlight. There isn't a rainbow of colors anywhere on this laptop. Some may find the refreshing, albeit individually illuminated, keypad to be a cost-saving measure. There are three levels of backlight control which is the minimum I would expect from a laptop.

The illuminated keyboard of the ROG Flow X13.

The touchpad is also good. I wouldn't have minded if it was a bit wider, but it has a smooth finish and the tracking feels accurate.

The ROG Flow X13 does not contain a Windows Hello IR camera for facial recognition, but the fingerprint reader is integrated into the power button.

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The ROG Flow X13 uses a 13.4-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. That strange resolution comes from the 16:10 aspect ratio, which is increasingly becoming the new standard and is what you see on the MacBook Pro, Find the Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo Legion 5 Pro. Taller screens aren't great for watching movies, but for everyday work and general use, the 16:10 aspect ratio gives a bigger screen for almost anything you do.

The ROG Flow X13 has a glossy, touch-enabled display that is unique compared to the Razer Blade Stealth 13. It makes for a brighter and clearer screen, although reflections can be an issue. The screen achieves a maximum output of around 300 nits, which is good enough for everyday use as long as you're not sitting in a bright room or next to a window. In the dark lighting of a horror movie or game with lots of shadows, you might find yourself staring at yourself. That is not optimal.

The corner of the display of the ROG Flow X13.

However, the screen has other strengths. First, it has a refresh rate of 120 Hz. That's perfect for this performance. Most games won't hit this threshold, which means there's plenty of bandwidth to tweak settings in games and maximize frame rates.

The color saturation is good with 98% in sRGB and 76% in AdobeRGB color spaces. More expensive laptops like the Razer Blade 14 are better in this regard as well as color accuracy. Asus did a good job of keeping the colors natural and not too warm. They are "Pantone-validated", which means that they correspond exactly to the common colors within the Pantone matching system.

All in all, this is a solid screen for both work and play.

Asus has paired it with a decent set of speakers too. They're on the bottom of the laptop, which is fine if you have the laptop on a desk.

The good news, however, is that they sound great. Although facing down, they provide clearer and fuller sound than many laptops, whether it's audio for a video or sound effects in a game. Thanks to the solid separation, it's not bad to listen to some music either. There's not a lot of bass here – and they still don't hit the speakers in MacBooks.

power

You are right if you are skeptical about the performance of the ROG Flow X13. I was also special because of its size. My configuration includes an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS, RTX 3050 Ti, 16GB of dual-channel RAM, and a 1TB SSD for $ 1,500. The RTX 3050 Ti is a newer graphics card that we haven't seen in many laptops, but it is a replacement for both the older GTX 1660 Ti and GTX 1650 Ti. These were common in budget-range gaming laptops, and the GTX 1650 Ti is currently included in the Razer Blade Stealth 13. Razer's 13-inch laptop hasn't been upgraded to the RTX 30 series yet, which means the ROG Flow X13 is really the only option in that regard.

So while the ROG Flow X13 is one of the first to hit the market, you can expect the RTX 3050 to show up in a number of budget gaming laptops under $ 1,000. That means the ROG Flow X13 will likely be one of the more expensive laptops with this GPU. Of course, you can also buy a version with an RTX 3050 bundled with an XG Mobile that includes an RTX 3080. That gets you much better frame rates, but it also costs you $ 2,800.

The ROG Flow X13 alone was able to hold its own in terms of performance.

Laptop 3DMark time spy Cinebench R23 Underdog bench 5 PCMark 10 Fortnite (1080p Epic) Civilization VI (1080p Ultra)
Asus ROG Flow X13 (RTX 3050 Ti) 4503 1420/9701 1415/7592 6429 47 fps 65 fps
Acer Swift X (RTX 3050 Ti) 4073 1437/10135 1287/6663 6247 43 fps 66 fps
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE (RTX 3060) 6038 1412/5855 1503/4606 5776 78 fps 84 fps
HP Envy 14 (GTX 1650 Ti) 3147 1343/5028 1398/4741 5178 39 fps n / A

There's only one other laptop we've tested with the RTX 3050 Ti and that is the Acer Swift X. The ROG Flow X13 does well with this, with a slight head start in graphics performance. That's what you would expect from a gaming laptop.

The RTX 3050 Ti is a significant improvement over the GTX 1650 Ti, with an increase in 3DMark Time Spy scores of up to 30%. We don't have any GTX 1660 Ti laptop scores to compare, but that's a promising generational leap.

In games, however, you might get a little disappointed. Civilization VI was the only game I could play with maximum settings that stayed above 60 frames per second (fps). Fortnite and Battlefield V had to reduce the settings to get over 60 fps. The difference between the ROG Flow X13 and 14-inch gaming laptops with the RTX 3060 is clear.

The amount of VRAM makes a huge difference. The 4 GB in the RTX 3050 Ti (compared to the 6 GB in the RTX 3060) represent a hurdle for games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The game is almost unplayable on the ROG Flow X13 with an average of only 20 fps in 1080p at high settings.

Ryzen and Nvidia RTX stickers on the palm rests of the ROG Flow X13.

So if you are interested in the ROG Flow X13 it is important that you know what you are buying. Don't expect to play modern games at maximum settings, at least not without putting up with some choppy frame rates.

However, the processor performance is quite impressive. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is a 35-watt processor with eight cores and 16 threads. Intel's Core i7-11370H is the direct competitor of this chip and comes in the Predator Triton 300 SE. But like many of the Intel vs AMD matches, AMD's additional cores offer improved multithreaded performance. The ROG Flow X13 achieved a whopping 40% better results than the Triton 300 SE in the multi-core test of the Cinebench R23 and was even able to beat it easily in the single core. I've never seen the Flow X13 go up to the promised 4.6GHz, but it did step up to 4.5GHz on occasion. That's not bad.

All of this plays out well in day-to-day tasks and productivity. The ROG Flow X13 scores great across the entire PCMark 10 suite, which ensures that it is a system that works just as well for web surfing, video conferencing, and word processing as it does in games.

Battery life

The Windows lock screen on the ROG Flow X13.

The battery life of the ROG Flow X13 is a disappointment. Given the 120 Hz screen and RTX graphics card, I'm not particularly surprised.

A 62 watt hour battery is big for a 13 inch laptop, but it turned out to be not quite enough to make the Flow X13 the battery life champion.

The system lasted just five hours and 25 minutes in our web browsing test, which ran through a series of difficult websites until the battery was drained. That's not great even when compared to other larger gaming laptops. The ROG Flow X13 did better in our lightest video playback test, which repeated a local 1080p video until the battery was drained. It took over nine hours in this test.

The Razer Blade 14 is still the most durable gaming laptop, even with the RTX 3070 that I tested in my test device. Despite a larger, higher resolution screen, it lasted a few hours longer than the ROG Flow X13.

Our opinion

The ROG Flow X13 is a one-of-a-kind gaming laptop thanks to its unique eGPU and incredible portability. Despite some strange design choices and mediocre battery life, it's hard not to be impressed with how much power Asus has put into this compact laptop.

Are there alternatives?

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is the primary alternative. It's more expensive, however, and is currently still related to older graphics card and processor options.

The various 14-inch options are all good options, although they are a bit larger. The Razer Blade 14, Acer Predator Triton 300, and ROG Zephyrus G14 are all great 14-inch laptops that are more powerful than the ROG Flow X13 for a similar price.

How long it will take?

The ROG Flow X13 should last four or five years, assuming you don't want to keep abreast of the latest games and technology. Even if you do, the ability to add the XG Mobile is a nice addition that could extend the life of this laptop.

Should you buy it?

Yes, as long as you know what you're getting yourself into. This is nowhere near the most powerful gaming laptop in the world, but if portability is an attractive proposition, you've found an incredibly unique laptop that will fit your life.

Editor's recommendations



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