05 Oct
Blog

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Review: The iPad Pro’s Worthy Rival

The Surface Pro 8 with the stand extended.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

RRP $ 1,600.00

"The Surface Pro 8 is by far the best Windows 2-in-1 you can buy."

advantages

  • Gorgeous 120 Hz screen

  • Impressive performance

  • Has two powerful Thunderbolt 4 ports

  • SSD is easily accessible

  • The Surface Slim Pen 2 is exceptional

disadvantage

  • More expensive

  • There is still a lack of mobile apps

For the past 6 years, every version of the Surface Pro has looked almost identical. And while Microsoft is taking its time with its product changes, an update is long overdue, especially for the Surface Pro.

That's exactly what the Surface Pro 8 is – and it couldn't have come at a better time. Pre-installed with the brand new Windows 11, the Surface Pro 8 feels like a device that can rival the iPad Pro. The price hike aside, the Surface Pro 8 is a near-perfect 2-in-1 that is finally a product category that is starting to realize its potential.

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The back of the Surface Pro 8.

If you haven't set up the Surface Pro 8 next to the previous year's model, you may not see the difference at first. It shares the same iconic stand, overall shape, and connects to the Type Cover keyboard in the same way.

However, the Surface Pro 8 is slightly larger and heavier than the Surface Pro 7. It's 0.04 inches thicker by 0.37 inches and 0.22 pounds heavier. This is never good when it comes to a tablet that is meant to be held with one hand.

But there are two legitimate reasons for the larger dimensions. First, the Surface Pro 8 is made from recycled aluminum instead of magnesium. According to Microsoft, this is a more sustainable method and gives the device a higher quality finish. The Surface Pro has always been a rigid device, but I'm sure switching to aluminum will help in that regard too.

The second reason for the bigger size? Well, it has a significantly larger screen. The Surface Pro 8 now has a 13-inch screen, compared to 12.3 inches on the previous model. By trimming the edges of the screen, Microsoft is pushing so much extra screen space into the device without adding too much to the overall dimensions.

On the Surface Pro 8, the keyboard is inclined upwards.

Compared to the iPad Pro, however, the additional size makes the Surface Pro 8 more difficult to use as a tablet. I'm not saying it's a chore to use the Surface Pro 8 as a tablet – far from it. But the 1.5-pound iPad Pro feels more portable in comparison and doesn't put as much strain on your wrist when you hold it with one hand.

The Type Cover, which is still available separately, has also been updated. The biggest change is that the new Surface Slim Pen 2 fits perfectly into the slot above the keyboard. It charges up here and can even be hidden if you lift the keyboard. It's nice to have a permanent place for the pen so as not to (hopefully) lose so much.

Many of these changes were first made in the original Surface Pro X, which launched back in 2018. Inch iPad Pro.

Ports

The two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Surface Pro 8.

Microsoft doesn't have the best history with ports, but the Surface Pro 8 makes amends. The Surface Pro 8 finally has Thunderbolt 4, which is a first for the Surface Pro line. Thunderbolt 4 means the fastest transfers, the best docking experience, and the ability to connect to powerful external devices. Thunderbolt 4 can also charge and power the device.

The Surface Pro 8 includes two of these ports, along with the Surface Dock magnetic port and a headphone jack.

Unfortunately, all of these ports are on the same side, so you don't have a power port at all on the left. Like all newer Surface Pros, the Surface Pro 8 offers quick access to storage. There is a small panel under the stand that can be accessed via a SIM card eject pin. Accessing your storage doesn't get much easier.

Surface Slim Pen 2 and Type Cover

The original Surface Pen was round and heavy to simulate the feeling of using a real pen. But the Surface Slim Pen, first introduced with the Surface Pro X, is a fantastic alternative. The flat design sits comfortably in the hand and the lighter feel makes it less intimidating. The fact that it has a storage space is the icing on the cake.

But the Surface Slim Pen 2 brings an important update to the mix: haptic feedback. You have to feel something like this yourself to understand it, but the smallest haptic feedback is built into the pen to simulate the feeling of writing on paper. Slide the pen lightly over the glass and you won't notice. But if you press a little harder, you will feel the sensation of artificial friction.

The Type Cover and the Surface Slim Pen 2 are attached to the Surface Pro 8.

It's extremely subtle, but it adds a bit of realism to writing and illustrating. What's more, it's a brilliant idea that gets carried out well.

The new Type Cover looks and feels exactly like the previous model, except with a charging slot for the Surface Slim Pen 2. The keyboard and touchpad remain unchanged, which is good. The full-size keyboard is comfortable and tactile, and features the standard Surface keyboard layout.

The touchpad, on the other hand, feels precise and smooth. I always wish it was a little bigger, but considering it's a keyboard topper, it's surprisingly good.

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The display of the Surface Pro 8.

The display of the Surface Pro 8 is not only bigger, but also faster. The 13-inch panel now comes with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, even though it ships at 60 Hz. But trust me, once you're into the 120hz screen you won't want to go back. While the Surface Pro 8 isn't a gaming device, the faster screen is a quality of life improvement across the board. Animations are smoother, scrolling feels smoother and it even reduces the latency when drawing with the Surface Pen. All new animations in Windows 11 look buttery smooth. It's what the device needs to be competitive with the iPad Pro, but I hope more Windows devices follow suit.

The screen also has a slightly higher resolution of 2880 x 1920. However, it's still 3: 2 and still 267 pixels per inch. The Surface Pro devices have always had sharp screens, and this one is no different.

With a maximum of 409 cd / m², the screen of the Surface Pro 8 is brighter than the previous model. In the new “Vivid” color mode, the device offers better color saturation with 99% sRGB and 79% AdobeRGB. That's not quite as good as the Surface Laptop Studio, but it's fine for the type of device the Surface Pro 8 is intended for.

Across the board, the display feels like the main improvement on the Surface Pro 8 – and since it's a tablet, that's a big deal.

Windows 11 and software

The Start menu appears on Surface Pro 8.

The Surface Pro always had a big hitch: Windows 10. The lack of optimization for touch made the Surface Pro (and all Windows tablets) difficult.

Windows 11 goes a long way towards solving this problem. For the first time, the Surface Pro 8 feels like a usable tablet on its own. While almost everyone should still buy the corresponding Type Cover, I can only use it as a tablet and enjoy the experience. The small, gesture-based keyboard is great for one-finger typing, while grabbing and dragging windows is much easier.

It's still not an operating system designed primarily for the touch, like iPadOS, but Windows 11 has gone a long way in enhancing the tablet experience.

The only missing feature is Android apps which still haven't popped up. That leaves a void in the app ecosystem for mobile apps in which the iPad Pro excels. Even then, the inclusion of Android apps cannot magically fix the app situation for Windows tablets. Until then, the iPad Pro will always be the better tablet, even if the Surface Pro 8 has made significant strides.

Cameras and speakers

The Surface Pro has always had a great video conferencing experience thanks to its great webcam and speakers. Tablets tend to have much better webcams than laptops, and that stays here. The 5 megapixel front camera produces sharp images and smooth videos. Microsoft says it has made some tuning tweaks to keep your face in focus.

But overall, the camera does a fantastic job of smoothing out skin tones and not blurring the background. Your coworkers will thank you for switching from a laptop camera to the Surface Pro 8. Seriously, it's already happened to me.

Though you'll likely never use it, the Surface Pro 8 also includes a 10-megapixel camera on the back that can record 4K video. But again please not.

The Surface Pro 8 combines these cameras with a fantastic set of speakers. Again, tablets tend to excel in audio when compared to laptops, and the Surface Pro 8 continues to demonstrate that trend. It's the same two-watt speakers as in previous models, but now they're physically bigger. I couldn't make a head-to-head comparison, but I can say that watching videos and listening to music on Surface Pro 8 is actually fun. I can't say that about almost every laptop that isn't a MacBook Pro.

Microsoft also highlighted its "volume-dependent EQ" function, which ensures that the sound still has plenty of bass even at lower volumes. The audio has a clarity and fullness that I want laptops to have. But hey, that's just another benefit of a 2-in-1.

power

Despite the name, the Surface Pro 8 is not a real “Pro” device. It doesn't have a separate GPU and the Intel quad-core processor is standard. My configuration came with a Core i7-1185G7, the same chip you use in all sorts of 13-inch laptops and tablets. Still, Microsoft has managed to make some significant changes that will result in improved performance.

The Surface Pro 8 has a new thermal, a system that Microsoft calls "active cooling". With carbon composite heat spreaders and fans, the Surface Pro 8 remains a fairly quiet yet powerful 2-in-1. The fanless configurations are gone, however, which means that all versions of the Surface Pro 8 have the same cooling system.

The result? Well, the multi-core performance and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics performance were both highlights, with the Surface Pro 8 taking the lead among other convertible 2-in-1 and 13-inch laptops.

This resulted in solid real-world performance in an application like Handbrake, where the Surface Pro 8 is again among the fastest of its size. Calling it the most powerful Windows tablet or 2-in-1 feels right.

Underdog Bench 5
(Single / multiple)		 Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Surface Pro 8(Core i7-1185G7) 1296/5041 1287/5431 185 4169 1828
ThinkPad X12 detachable (Core i5-1130G7) 1352/4796 1125/3663 188 4443 926
Dell Latitude 7320 detachable (Core i7-1180G7) 1532/5031 1246/3339 247 4410 1443
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1185G7) 1549/5431 1449/4267 204 3859 1589
MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo (Core i7-1185G7) 1352/4891 1360/4392 203 4872 1751

Don't expect to be able to enjoy 4K video editing on the Surface Pro 8, however. The lack of discrete graphics is a problem there. This is where the more powerful Surface Laptop Studio comes in. The performance of the M1 on the iPad Pro also shines here. The graphics performance blows the tiny integrated graphics of the Surface Pro 8 out of the water.

This applies to games as well as to the creation of content. While the Surface Pro 8's discrete graphics are more admirable for what they are, it isn't capable of playing many modern games at high enough frame rates.

Battery life

The status of the battery life of the Surface Pro 8.

Microsoft says the Surface Pro 8 can now last up to 16 hours on a single charge thanks to a larger battery. That is quite a claim. Our lightest battery life test, which repeated a local 1080p video clip until the system crashes, hit 10 hours and 48 minutes. There are many laptops and tablets that lasted longer in this review, despite being the same as the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable.

I also tested the Surface Pro 8 browsing the web and going through a series of heavy websites until the battery ran out. The Surface Pro 8 lasted for 8.5 hours here. However, if your workflow involves multiple applications, tabs, and media streaming, you can expect the battery to drain by an hour or two, depending on your tasks. That means the Surface Pro 8 is unlikely to last the entire work day without charging.

It also doesn't have the incredible standby longevity that the iPad Pro does.

Still, the Surface Pro 8 is a couple of hours better than the previous configuration. It's an area I'd like to see improvements in, but it's not a big hook for me anymore.

Configurations and price

The Surface Pro 8 isn't just a major change in the design of the line – it changes the pricing scheme too. The Surface Pro 7 started at $ 750 for a basic Core i3 configuration. This wasn't the most powerful option, but it was a cheap way to get premium hardware.

The Core i3 model is gone, and the Core i5 model now starts at $ 1,100. That's $ 200 more expensive than the previous generation and is the equivalent of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, like the iPad Pro, this base model still only contains 128 GB of storage.

Microsoft tends to be among the most expensive manufacturers when it comes to adding storage and RAM. With the Surface Pro 8, Microsoft is priced exactly the same as the iPad Pro's storage options, charging $ 100 for an upgrade to 256 GB or $ 300 for an increase to 512 GB.

The Surface Pro 8 with the Type Cover closed at the top.

From then on, things get wildly expensive and unnecessary. I can't think of any reason why you'd buy the $ 2,600 model with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage – the Surface Pro 8 just isn't the type of device for this type of configuration. The $ 1,600 model I tested feels overpriced for the amount of storage you get, but the $ 1,200 or $ 1,400 configurations both seem like good options, depending on Your requirements.

And of course the Surface Pro 8 does not come with the Type Cover or the Surface Slim Pen 2. Adding these two accessories will cost you an additional $ 410.

Our opinion

The Surface Pro 8 is by far the best Surface Pro ever made. Its screen is bigger, faster and brighter, its performance is stronger than ever and even the battery life has improved. That alone will move Surface fans to upgrade.

But it's Windows 11 that really makes the Surface Pro 8 a compelling 2-in-1 device – in ways that have never been seen before. All of these changes taken together could eventually lead form factor skeptics to give it a try.

Are there alternatives?

The main competitor, the iPad Pro, is hard to beat. The Surface Pro 8 has the upper hand of running normal x86 Pro applications, but the iPad Pro is a much larger tablet app ecosystem.

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable uses a similar form factor for a cheaper price. If you really want to go cheap, the new Surface Go 3 is the real budget option.

How long it will take?

The Surface Pro 8 should last at least four or five years. Its build quality is exceptional while the features and components are all top notch. Since this is a Windows 11 product (and especially a Surface PC), it ensures that you will continue to receive timely updates in the future. The ability to simply swap out more memory is the icing on the cake.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. It's the most sensible update to the Surface Pro in a long time, and it finally feels like a worthy opponent of the iPad Pro.

Editor's recommendations



15 Sep
Blog

Xiaomi 11T Pro Review: Not Worthy of its Pro Name

Xiaomi 11T Pro.

Xiaomi 11T Pro Review: Not worthy of its Pro name

"The Xiaomi 11T Pro is not an upgrade of the Mi 11, but at best a sideways step, and although it offers the required performance, it is difficult to justify its Pro name everywhere."

advantages

  • Very fast wired charging

  • Great performance for games

  • Camera with many functions

disadvantage

  • No watertightness

  • No wireless charging

This review is definitely not about Mi as Xiaomi removed the name "Mi" from its phones, with the update to the six-month-old Xiaomi Mi 11 being simply referred to as the Xiaomi 11T. There are three models in the new range – the 11T, 11T Lite, and 11T Pro – and I used the top model, the 11T Pro.

You can't call the 11T Pro a sequel because it's not that drastically different from the Mi 11. Worse still, there isn't anything that makes it a pro phone here either, and that makes me wonder why it exists. Let's see if there's a hidden reason.

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The Xiaomi 11T Pro weighs 204 grams, is 8.8 mm thick and has a flat screen and a back that looks like glass that covers metal, but feels and sounds more like plastic. The addition of the "T" to the name indicates that this is not a full sequel to the Mi 11, but a refresh, as OnePlus once did with its own T models. However, this Pro version doesn't look as modern as the basic, older Mi 11.

Xiaomi 11T Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The curved glass above the Mi 11's screen didn't have a functional element, but it did give it some character, as did the multi-level camera module on the back. With the 11T Pro, that's all gone. The back has a glossy finish and an attractive brushed metal look, but it gets smeared and sounds pretty hollow. It offers enough support to hold it securely in your hands. although. It can be seen here in the color Meteorite Gray, but there are also white and blue versions.

What does it say about the rest of the phone's design if it's the power button that I like the most?

My favorite design element is the power key because it is very easy to use. It stands proudly on the chassis on the right, but still contains the fingerprint sensor. Since the last phone I used was the Nokia XR20 with its practically hidden fingerprint sensor, it's nice that the 11T Pro's sensor is easy to find and extremely responsive. I've never had to resort to any other unlock method while using the 11T Pro.

Top of the Xiaomi 11T Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

However, what does it say about the rest of the phone's design if it's the power button that I like the most? It says it's a bit boring and forgetful. There is nothing wrong with the look of the 11T Pro, but nothing particularly stylish either. The 20: 9 aspect ratio of the screen, the chunky housing and the weight of more than 200 grams make it not particularly pocket-friendly or feel very modern. There is also no IP rating, which leaves it behind most of its competitors and puts it at a higher risk of harm.

screen

Covered with Gorilla Glass Victus, the 11T Pro's screen is a 6.67-inch AMOLED with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a peak brightness of 1000 nits, a touch sampling rate of 480 Hz, HDR10 + certification and a resolution of 2400x 1080 pixels. This is a downgrade to the Mi 11's higher resolution screen and it really shows. It's less vibrant, has a cooler tone, poorer contrast levels, and is generally less visually exciting to look at. It might look a little more natural at best, but if you look at it side by side, your eyes will fall on the Mi 11 by default.

Xiaomi 11T Pro screen.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The screen does not have an adaptive refresh rate, so it is set to either 60 Hz or 120 Hz. While the smoothness of 120 Hz is always visible when it's active, it tends to slow down scrolling in some apps and in the menu. On Twitter, for example, scrolling is much slower and the app feels slightly squishy. This is also evident in areas of the operating system. Switch back to 60Hz and it will go away. I also found the automatic brightness a bit overly sensitive and dimmed the screen when I didn't want it.

While not terrible, there isn't much on the screen that makes me think of the 11T Pro as a "Pro" phone, a trend that has continued throughout my review.

camera

The main camera has 108 megapixels and is supplemented by an 8MP wide-angle and a 5MP tele macro camera. The Mi 11 had a higher megapixel wide-angle camera. How did that affect the photo experience? It's pretty similar to the Mi 11. It takes some great photos and then some bad ones with strangely muted colors or poor white balance.

The camera module of the Xiaomi 11T Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The 2x digital zoom shows good detail as it doesn't get too close, and the main camera can take balanced photos that emphasize natural tones, but because the camera is inconsistent, I've often taken two or three photos from slightly different angles, in hoping one would come out well. The differences between them can be huge at times – see the photos of the roof structure in the examples below for evidence – and I don't trust the camera very much.

The 5 MP super macro mode is more useful than most because of an auto focus feature, and photos are more attractive and easier to take than phones with a simple 2 MP macro fixed focus camera. The phone records 8K video at 30 frames per second (fps) and it's all the same AI. Video modes from Mi 11 too. These offer cinematic looks like a super zoom-in-style shot, a lowlight tracking mode and a "time freeze" in which one object is frozen while everything else continues to move. In practice, all of these require very specific situations to shine, and most work best with another person in the shot.

Xiaomi's addition of an optical zoom is welcome, but its presence isn't enough to really elevate the 11T Pro's camera over the Mi 11, and the name "Pro" was definitely not added to highlight camera improvements.

battery

The Xiaomi 11T Pro is the fastest charging phone I've tested. The 5000 mAh two-cell battery gets its power from an included wired 120 watt charging block that Xiaomi claims will reach 100% in 17 minutes. I couldn't believe the phone fully charged so quickly the first time I tried it, as the battery was full in around 20 minutes.

Xiaomi 11T Pro seen from below.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Strangely enough, it doesn't always go that fast. Most days the total charge time was 20 minutes, but other days it went up to 30 minutes. Still fast, but the variation doesn't instill confidence in the system, which is important. I am using a European charging block with an adapter for use in the UK, which may affect the charging speed.

I didn't charge the 11T Pro overnight at all because the battery life is enough for about two working days or a day and a half of continuous use. This means that by using the 120W wired fast charge, I can fully charge the battery first thing when I'm doing something else, like showering or having breakfast. There's no wireless charging, and while I don't really see this as a major downside, it's a standard feature on many competing phones, and it was also the case on the Mi 11.

Side view of the Xiaomi 11T Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Fast charging is very practical, saves energy and should also contribute to the longevity of the battery. The battery life is better than the Mi 11, due to a slightly larger battery capacity and improved efficiency of Xiaomi's MIUI 12.5 software. It's really the only vaguely pro aspect of the phone, and even then, it's a bit of a chore.

Performance and software

A Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and either 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM fuel the 11T Pro. It has dual SIM 5G connectivity, NFC for Google Pay, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. Android 11 with Xiaomi's software MIUI Global 12.5 is installed.

First the good things. There's an app bar, a really pretty and highly customizable always-on screen, and new super wallpapers that look amazing – they're fully animated, very fluid and dynamic as they change their appearance with the time of day. The phone was reliable, I was able to uninstall most of the pre-installed apps, and I could also see some efficiency improvements from battery life.

On the other hand, there are various frustrations that ruin the experience. You select an app drawer during setup, but it still pops up all of the apps on multiple home screens for you to clean up. The always-on screens look great, but don't show app-specific notification icons on all wallpapers, just an unhelpful blanket icon for "You have notifications". The new version of the notification shade uses both sides of the screen – left for notifications, right for quick access controls – which isn't ergonomically good, but luckily you can switch to the traditional side. Dark mode is also problematic and doesn't always let apps display properly.

The Snapdragon 888 is a great performer, and the phone hasn't missed a beat, with more than enough power to handle video, games, photography, and other apps while multitasking without the slowdown. I played Asphalt 9: Legends without any problems and also Genshin Impact. As with all Snapdragon 888 powered phones, you won't have to worry about ditching the latest games or having enough power for almost any task.

Price and availability

The 11T Pro is unlikely to ever be officially available in the US, but you will likely be able to import it. In the UK, the 11T Pro will be released on October 1st with pre-orders starting September 24th, with the price set at £ 599 or € 650 for the 8GB / 128GB version or around $ 770. Two other versions will also be available, an 8GB / 256GB phone for £ 650 / € 699 or $ 830, and a 12GB / 256GB phone for £ 749 and $ 885 in select markets.

Our opinion

The question I have asked myself most about the Xiaomi 11T Pro is: “Why does it exist?” It has the same chip as the Mi 11, an almost identical camera and a lower screen, but a slightly larger battery and one faster charging. I find it doesn't look as good as the Mi 11, and when you hold the two at the same time, the Mi 11 feels like the superior, more expensive device. The last puzzle comes with the name because not only does it not beat the standard Mi 11 to deserve its Pro title, but I couldn't find anything that technically made it "Pro" at all.

Obviously, if you own the Mi 11, there is no need to upgrade. The bad news (for Xiaomi) is that since it's not a sensible upgrade over the Mi 11, which only launched in February, there are some strong alternatives from the competition. The Snapdragon 888 may make the 11T Pro seem like a flagship, but unfortunately it's surrounded by midrange technology that isn't always very well optimized and doesn't do justice to the chip or the Pro name.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes sir. We recommend the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G for a great mix of affordable price, powerful camera, great screen, and useful feature enhancements like water resistance and 5G connectivity. Alternatively, take a look at the OnePlus Nord 2, the Google Pixel 5a or the Realme GT. If you have to spend more, the OnePlus 9 Pro is still a good buy.

How long it will take?

They will be used for two years without any problems, but by then it may be ripe for a replacement. There's no water resistance here so you need to be careful with the phone, but a clear TPU case is included to keep it secure. There is 5G to keep the phone updated on connectivity for a while, and because of the top of the range processor, there are no performance concerns. Xiaomi sends out software updates on a regular basis, but these mainly apply to MIUI, and while the phone receives Android updates for three years, you have to wait longer on Android 12 than you would with a phone like the Google Pixel 5a.

Should you buy one?

No. It is not an upgrade compared to the Mi 11 and cannot compete with many other budget smartphones.

Editor's recommendations



10 Sep
Blog

Origin Neuron (2021) Review: A Prebuilt Worthy of the Premium

Origin neuron on a table.

Origin Neuron (2021) Review: A Pre-Made Well Worth the Premium

RRP $ 2,387.00

"You can build the same system for less money, but Origin makes a compelling case not to do that."

advantages

  • Excellent cable management and design

  • Minimal bloatware

  • Lifelong 24/7 support

  • Great CPU, GPU, and motherboard options

  • Easy to update

disadvantage

  • Expensive

  • Few non-Corsair part options

  • Limited ports on the front

Why buy a desktop PC when you can make one yourself for less? Origin PC, which was acquired by Corsair a few years ago and specializes in pre-built PCs, has been trying to answer this question for years. But now, with GPU prices where they are, buying a pre-built desktop has never made so much sense.

Although Origin's pre-built desktops contain many off-the-shelf parts, they're more than just a few hastily thrown together components.

The Origin Neuron shows that. It is the mid-tower option from the Origin range and serves as a middle ground between the extended Tower Genesis and the Chronos with a small form factor. Like all Origin desktops, you can equip the Neuron with whatever parts you want, including the latest graphics card from AMD and Nvidia.

Given how expensive graphics cards are right now, the Neuron is a solid alternative to building your own gaming PC. If you don't want a massive tower to take up too much space, or a small form factor machine that could be prone to noise issues, the Neuron is the perfect option. And in 2021, most midrange configurations won't cost much more than building a gaming rig yourself.

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Origin Neuron sits on a table.

The Origin Neuron is made up of off-the-shelf parts – assuming you can find a graphics card, you can put together an exact match. Because of this, it doesn't offer the convenience of an HP Omen 30L with its tool-less design. You still need to unscrew things and have a shelf for parts on hand when you want to get in.

Still, the Corsair 4000X case makes upgrades effortless. The side parts are each equipped with latches to the front, which allow easy insertion, and the knurled screws cannot be lost. They even have a little yellow ring around them, which makes them easy to spot when you remove the side panel.

It's worth noting that the Corsair 4000X is just one of the case options. It has a tempered glass side panel that stays on the side of the case even when the knurled screws are pulled out. There is a handy lever for removing it that I could use to remove the side panel without smearing fingerprints on it.

While you can put together the individual pieces of the Origin Neuron yourself, it may not be possible to do so with the same level of cleanliness. The device is remarkably well built, with neat cable routing on the back of the case and minimal overhang at the front. That's a testament to Origin's building expertise, as well as the large, open space that the Corsair 4000X offers.

The back of the Origin Neuron.

You also have plenty of room for upgrades. With all commercially available parts, you can swap everything in the case across the board. The Corsair 4000X comes with two SSD trays and two hard drive bays that offer you plenty of space for storage. M.2 support depends on the motherboard you choose.

After everything was set up, I checked out the pre-installed software. There were a couple of programs out there that you will be using most of them. You have access to a graphics card overclocking utility, Corsair iCUE and an audio settings app. I would have preferred MSI Afterburner for the overclocking tool as it is the de facto option for many enthusiasts (including myself). Even so, these programs are useful and won't bloat the machine.

Connectivity

Which ports you get on the Neuron depends on the selected configuration. Each case and motherboard has a different combination. For the build Origin sent me, I was spoiled for choice in terms of connectivity, but unfortunately only the back of the case.

Up front, the Corsair 4000X has a pathetic choice. They have a USB 3.0 port, a USB-C 3.1 port and a headphone / microphone combo jack. That's it. While I loved seeing USB-C on the front, Corsair could have squeezed an additional USB port or two on the front. The 4000X has a clean design without too many exposed ports, but a few extra USB ports wouldn't have hurt that.

Connections on the front of the Origin Neuron.

My test unit came with an Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero motherboard, which is not available on the Origin website at the time of publication. This board comes with an absurd number of ports. It includes Gigabit and 2.5 Gbit LAN, USB-C 3.2 and 10 USB 3.2 ports. If you need a lot of USB devices, this board is for you.

While you can't currently buy the board in my unit – at least through Origin – there are many other options. At the time of publication, I found an MSI MEG X570 Ace board that fits in the same class as the Crosshair board. Unfortunately, it doesn't have that many USB ports, so grab the Crosshair when it's available and you want a high-end motherboard.

Each case has two USB ports on the front – either USB-A or a combination with USB-C. An SD card reader would have been nice too, although most commercial cases don't come with one.

Internals

My test device was equipped with the latest parts from AMD and Nvidia, including the 16-core Ryzen 9 5950X and the 12 GB RTX 3080 Ti. Although this is about as high-quality as gaming desktops, the Neuron can hold even more. Origin offers up to 64 cores Ryzen Threadripper 3990X (but not the Pro model like the Lenovo P620 offers).

Central processor AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
GPU Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti
Motherboard Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero WiFi
case Corsair 4000X
Storage Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB 3,200 MHz (2 x 16 GB)
storage Corsair MP600 1TB, Samsung 870 QVO 2TB
power supply Corsair RM850X 80+ gold
USB ports 11 USB-A, two USB-C
Networking 2.5 Gbit, 1 Gbit Ethernet

The standard configuration costs about $ 2,400. For that price, you get a Core i7-10700K, 16GB of storage, and an RTX 3060 Ti. While this is the "starting price," you can actually save money by configuring the machine yourself. By swapping out a Ryzen 5 5600X and RX 6700 XT, I was able to bring the Neuron down to $ 2,100 using the configurator.

My review unit is just over $ 5,100, and that's a mid-range configuration. Armed with the best of the best, you can easily spend over $ 10,000 on the Neuron. If that sounds like a lot, it's because the Neuron is way more expensive than the competition.

I configured an almost identical Maingear Vybe for $ 5,051, and a similar Falcon Northwest Talon configuration was $ 5,352. For Custom, the Neuron is where it should be. Pre-made ones are a different story. The slightly lower spec HP Omen 30L costs around $ 2,500. The pre-configured Maingear Vybe with an RTX 3080 Ti now costs $ 3,500.

The pre-made vybe is the most interesting comparison. It's almost identical to the Neuron Origin I sent myself, just with a Ryzen 9 5900X processor. Origin offers a pre-built version of the Neuron, but it is limited to one configuration. At HP and Maingear, you have access to a range of options, all less than customizing your own rig.

This is a top of the line machine with some of the highest quality components inside.

Still, it is difficult to get into a bad configuration given the options the Neuron offers. Outside of the motherboard, graphics card, and processor, you have access to Corsair parts, and Corsair makes great RAM, power supplies, and AIO coolers. While vertical integration may rub some people the wrong way, I can't fault it. This is a top of the line machine with some of the highest quality components inside.

You will have access to Corsair drives most of the time too, although Origin does offer some Samsung options as well. Samsung drives are some of the best, so I was excited to see them.

Still, I have a few issues with the build options. For one, there are no options for air cooling. You can only choose one AIO, and only one is available from Corsair. Additionally, RGB case fans are obscenely expensive as you can only access Corsair options. They're some of the best pc case fans out there, but they come at a price to match.

And price is the main problem. I split the base machine at currently available prices (with the MSRP for the graphics card) and came up with $ 1,430. That's nearly $ 1,000 in premium for Origin for additional branding, and it all adds up to a standard configuration of $ 2,400. However, given current graphics card prices, the Neuron isn't bad business. Given the inflated pricing, building this machine yourself would cost nearly $ 2,000.

Processor power

CPU block on the Origin Neuron.

Processor performance depends on how you configure the Neuron. If you choose the Ryzen 9 5950X, as with my test device, you're in luck. Aside from AMD's own Threadripper chips, there is nothing that powerful on consumer desktops.

The 16 cores and 32 threads went to work quickly in Cinebench R23. Cinebench uses the processor to render an image instead of the graphics card and measures both single and multi-core performance. It got a score of 25,116 on the multi-score, which is faster than any desktop CPU you can buy outside of Threadripper.

Aside from parts of the workstation class, there is no other processor as powerful as the Ryzen 9 5950X.

As a reference, Intel's 10-core i9-10900K achieved a score of around 15,000. Single-core performance was on par with other processors in the Ryzen 5000 series, including the one in the Falcon Northwest Talon.

Geekbench 5 offers more down to earth performance, but even then, the Ryzen 9 5950X outperformed the Core i9-10900K by around 30%. This test also showed some benefits for single-core performance. My example chip showed a modest improvement of around 6% over the CyberPower Xtreme that rocks the Ryzen 7 5800X.

The Ryzen 5950X showed how close it can get to Threadripper chips in the content creation benchmarks. It got a total of 1,088 in PugetBench for Premiere Pro. That's about 18% off the Threadripper 3995WX, which costs nearly $ 5,500. Aside from parts of the workstation class, there is no other processor as powerful as the Ryzen 9 5950X.

In Handbrake, the Ryzen 9 5950X actually met the Threadripper 3995WX, with only one second between the render times. Intel's Core i9-10900K didn't do that well and was about 35% below the Ryzen 9 5950X in my handbrake test.

Gaming performance

For the machine Origin sent me, 4K is the goal. The RTX 3080 Ti can exceed 1080p and 1440p in most games and achieves frame rates of around 100 frames per second (fps). You don't have to look any further than Red Dead Redemption 2 to see where the Neuron averaged 110 fps at 1440p Ultra settings.

The RTX 3080 Ti aims at 4K but doesn't always arrive. At maximum 4K resolution, I managed 55 fps in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. This is a very punishing title, and the RTX 3080 Ti is on the high end of the performer. Nevertheless, the HP Omen 30L only showed a slight improvement over the RTX 3080. As far as the Falcon Northwest Talon with an RTX 3080 is concerned, it performs identically.

Origin neuron with side wall turned off.

Red Dead Redemption 2 did much better with an average of 72 fps at 4K Ultra. Fortnite was also no match for the RTX 3080 Ti, as it scored points above the RTX 3080 at 89 fps with all sliders. Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Red Dead Redemption 2 are two of the most challenging games on PC, and the RTX 3080 Ti can still keep up with them.

The RTX 3080 can also keep up. Even in the most demanding of situations, just a few frames separate it and the Ti model at 4K. Keep in mind that the RTX 3080 Ti costs an extra $ 718 over the RTX 3080 in the Neuron. This additional price hardly buys you any more performance with 4K.

This even applies to synthetic benchmarks. When I compare my 3DMark Time Spy result to the average of the RTX 3080 results with the same configuration, there is only about 5% difference. For reference, the RTX 3070 Ti is only about 10% slower than the RTX 3080 Ti in this test, while it costs $ 1,000 less on Origin.

Ray tracing is a major feature of the RTX 30 series, so I turned to Control for ray tracing performance. To my surprise, the RTX 3080 Ti managed 35 fps at 4K with ray tracing on high. That's about a 44% performance hit for enabling ray tracing, but you can always use Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) to increase the frame rates.

The RTX 3080 Ti is a 4K gaming monster, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. It's better for the price Origin is asking. What surprised me is the proximity to the RTX 3080, which is significantly cheaper. The non-Ti model is slower, but with over $ 700 at stake, a few extra frames are hard to justify.

Guarantee and support

An important reason to be pre-fabricated is the support. After all, there are no guarantees of screwing up a build yourself (even if the chances are slim with the right guidance). Origin, along with virtually all other custom PC builders, doesn't do well in this regard. The Neuron comes with a standard one-year parts exchange warranty with free shipping for the first 45 days only.

The Neuron comes in a wooden box so free shipping after 45 days is not a big deal. One year is the standard for most PC manufacturers, including Maingear, Falcon Northwest, and CyberPowerPC. For the warranty period, however, I would have liked free shipping. That upgrade alone costs $ 70 on Origin.

It's not all bad news for support, however. After purchase, Origin offers 24/7 lifelong support as well as lifelong free labor if you want to upgrade your PC across the board.

Our opinion

Like most custom-built PCs, the Origin Neuron charges a premium for convenience. However, this premium is not as high in 2021 as in previous years. Given the current price of an RTX 3080 Ti, you could build the exact machine Origin sent me for around $ 1,400 versus $ 2,400. That extra $ 1,000 will give you the build, some extra goodies, and a parts guarantee.

As someone who loves to assemble PCs, I will always choose to save money and share a system myself. However, the price difference on Origin isn't that big, especially on machines with lower specs. As my tests show, you can get most of the performance of an RTX 3080 Ti out of the RTX 3080, and this difference alone brings the price scales back into balance.

Overall, the Origin Neuron is an expertly built machine that deserves its price in a sea of ​​machines that don't. However, DIY is always cheaper, and the 2021 Neuron won't change that either.

Are there alternatives?

Yes sir. The Maingear Vybe and Falcon Northwest Talon are custom alternatives, and the HP Omen 30L and pre-made Maingear Vybe are cheaper options that you can't configure. Origin stands out for its build quality, including clean cable management and minimal bloatware. However, all components are sold separately and you can save a lot if you put them together yourself.

How long it will take?

The Origin Neuron will last as long as you want it to. It uses standardized parts so you can upgrade and expand it for as long as it complies with the ATX standard. The base model will last at 1080p and 1440p for several years before you need to upgrade.

Should you buy it?

A $ 1,000 building fee is hard to swallow when you can make an exact match yourself, but for those who don't want to build their own, the Neuron is an excellent premium option.

Editor's recommendations



08 Jul
Blog

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW Review: A Worthy Sony Challenger

Audio-Technica 300TW earphones

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW

"Audio-Technica has created the best challenger for the Sony WF-1000XM3 that we have seen so far."

  • Comfortable design

  • Outstanding sound quality

  • Excellent noise cancellation

The Sony WF-1000XM3 has long been the undisputed champion of the real wireless earphone arena. Competitors struggle to achieve the couple's incredible sound quality and active noise cancellation at a comparable price. After this review, the Sony buds will be able to keep the crown, but man, Audio-Technica was nearing the throne.

Audio-Technica's new true wireless earphones, the ATH-ANC300TW, along with the Technics TSW EAH-AZ70W, are one of the most direct competitors of the WF-1000XM3. With an identical MSRP of $ 230 (though the Sonys are now often found for less) and many similar features, the 300TW aimed directly at the king. Here's why they just missed the mark, but also why they're still an excellent option.

Out of the box

The packaging in which the ATH-ANC300TW is delivered has nothing special. When you lift the lid of the white box, a protective layer of foam is inserted, under which the earphones and the rest of the accessories sit.

Audio-Technica 300TW charging caseNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Audio-Technica offers the usual gift items – a USB-C charging cable and a lot of documentation – but exceeds the expectations with the numerous included earplugs. There are extra small, small and large silicone earplugs (they are already delivered on the buds with the medium iteration) as well as a pair of medium sized Comply foam tips. If you want to make sure a customer gets the right fit for their earbuds, this is an ideal way to do it.

The connection is straightforward. The pairing process begins and ends with finding the buds in your mobile device's Bluetooth settings and establishing the connection. The ATH-ANC300TW has Bluetooth 5 technology and offers the coveted range of 30 meters. My tests of these buds at home have also confirmed this. In addition, I had no connection failure the week I used these buds.

design

The ATH-ANC300TW are built almost deceptively. When I initially pulled them out of their charging case, I thought that under no circumstances would they stick out of my ears. But I get that when I judge a book by its cover.

Audio-Technica 300TW earphones

The curved body of the ATH-ANC300TW offers you a compact, comfortable fit, even though you are looking for the opposite. I found them sufficiently safe so that I could run a handful of runs without them falling out. There are far better training-oriented buds, but these will come to the fore when necessary.

Except for the Audio-Technica logo on the end cap of each bud, these earphones, which are held in an elegant black, do not stand out aesthetically. There is a single button at the top of each bud. The action that these buttons take depends on how often you tap them. They were easy to use, especially since you can choose between a right-handed and a left-handed pattern in the associated app. We'll dive deeper into the app later, but it was worth noting that Audio-Technica didn't forget all of the world's southern paws.

The charging case takes a similar approach in terms of aesthetic simplicity and is kept in a black and gray color scheme. It's a bit bulky than I would like for pocket travel, but I wouldn't call it an obstacle.

properties

There is a laundry list with features that you can comb through with the ATH-ANC300TW. They are mostly exceptional, with a few tangles involved.

Audio-Technica 300TW earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The 300TW are weatherproof according to IPX2 to protect them from dripping water such as rain and sweat. This is better than the Sony WF-1000XM3, which has no official weather protection class. However, buds like the Google Pixel Buds 2 or the Technics TSWs mentioned above offer an IPX4 rating at a cheaper or similar price. I didn't see any rain when I was wearing the 300TW, but as a lush sweater during training, I will ensure that it can hold through this level of sweat.

The battery life is unfortunately only average. The 300TW can last up to 4.5 hours on a single charge, adding 13.5 hours of extra power to the charging case. That would have been fine a few years ago, but we're living in fast-paced times. The Sony WF-1000XM3 outshone these numbers a long time ago with six hours of playback and 18 additional plays. Newer products like the WF-SP800N from Sony offer a playback time of nine hours with active noise canceling activated. With the 300TW it's a real shit, because buds that sound so good shouldn't have such a short listening span.

Audio-Technica has included a nifty bunch of technology in these buds, and while the average owner may not be keeping an eye on them, they help improve the overall experience. There's Qualcomm Clear Voice Capture (CVV) technology to support calls during a call, a low-latency feature called Qualcomm True Wireless Stereo Plus that lets you stream without audio interruption, and SCMS-T technology that over Bluetooth protects content transferred between compatible devices.

Audio quality

It's been a while since I heard earphones that sound so good. Sure, I liked the sound of Google Pixel Buds 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds +, but we're talking about a different class of audio quality with the ATH-ANC300TW.

Audio-Technica 300TW earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

My favorite sounding real wireless earbuds are the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, and although the Audio-Technica buds don't quite reach the bar, they're on par with the great sounding WF-1000XM3 from Sony. This could be due to a combination of the 5.8mm drivers with diamond-like carbon-coated membranes for the 300TW or the collection of supported audio codecs such as aptX, AAC and SBC.

Whatever it is, it's great. Think of one of the endless catalogs of classic riffs in music – from Led Zeppelin's electrifying intro to the Good Times Bad Times to the dancing instrumentals of Frank Sinatra's Fly Me to The Moon – and these buds instantly make them even better. They are remarkably clear and present a masterful sound stage with a frequency response of 20-25,000 Hz. I would give the WF-1000XM3 the edge in the lower section, with the bass being the only area with the 300TW that is not that impressive. Still, the bass provided is probably more than enough for most people.

There is no EQ in the app for the 300TW, although I hardly find it a mistake. The sound quality offered here is fantastic. However, the app shows the active audio codec and allows you to navigate between them if you wish.

Active noise cancellation

I want to publicly apologize to all the neighbors who have heard me say "wow" repeatedly in the past week. As strange as it may have been to see someone say this without being asked when walking with their dogs, I promise that this is justified.

Audio-Technica 300TW earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The active noise cancellation integrated into the 300TW is really exceptional. Audio-Technica used hybrid noise cancellation technology. This means that there are microphones in front of and behind each driver to analyze, process, and prevent as much environmental noise as possible from affecting sound reproduction. It is a technology similar to Panasonic with the RZ-S500W or the Technics TSWs. As in these buds, the ANC does a damn good job in the 300TS.

I tested the 300TW's ANC capabilities with everything I could throw at it – a busy street, my lawnmower, a towering John Deere tractor in my local park – and they responded admirably. The app contains three different ANC modes, but instead of the typical low / medium / high modes, they are labeled for the environments they are best suited for: Airplane, On the Go, and Office / Study.

Of course, at least two of these three intended environments are not really one thing at the moment, so I couldn't put them against real business. But I switched through each mode and everyone reacted as it was intended: Airplane mode attenuated lower frequencies, targeted street noise on the go and office / study helped in quieter situations.

Such strong active noise cancellation requires an equally effective ambient noise function. The hear-through function of the 300TW is the ideal addition with the possibility to adjust the amount of noise let in. Interestingly, ANC is the default setting for the 300TW, and the alternative is hear-through. The only way to listen without any of these settings is to disable them in the app. On the other hand, I don't know why someone wants to do something like this.

Despite all the praise I've given the 300TW and its ANC capabilities, I still think Sony's WF-1000XM3 is better at its noise cancellation. But as close as Audio-Technica is, I would be more than a little concerned if I were Sony now. And although we really liked the Technics TSW's ability to suppress noise, the additional situation granularity in these buds is a huge bonus.

Our opinion

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW does not have a long battery life, but it makes up for it in almost every other category. These are great earbuds, no two ways.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Sony WF-1000XM3 for $ 230 offers better battery life, better bass and better noise reduction, and all with very small margins. The Technics TSW buds have better battery life and excellent noise cancellation, but a little weaker bass performance and a higher price. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 sounds better, but costs $ 300.

How long will they last?

With their IPX2 weather resistance, the 300TW are durable in the elements and have a technology that is supported by consistent firmware updates. These buds should be designed for a long life.

Should you buy them

Yes. They may not have succeeded in dropping Sony, but Audio-Technica has managed to create one of the best challengers for the WF-1000XM3 that we saw in the ATH-ANC300TW. While Sony remains the leader on campus, it has to look carefully over its shoulder.

Editor's recommendations




15 May
Blog

Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge Review: A Worthy Budget Contender

"The Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge is a wonderfully simple robotic vacuum cleaner."

  • Great app

  • Easy to use

  • Manual control option

  • Adjustable volume control

The Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge ($ 399) is a robotic vacuum cleaner with a great app and features that make it stress free and amazingly easy to use. Surprisingly, it's not the cheapest bot vac: it's at the bottom and can be a good option for those who don't want to pay a fortune for premium vac brands like iRobot or Ecovacs. There was very little that I didn't like about this cleaning bot, and that says a lot because I rarely find robotic vacuum cleaners useful or efficient. I learned that when I tested the G30 Edge.

App worship

G30 Edge app

The Eufy Home app is one of the best robot vacuum apps I've seen in a long time. It is easy to use and trouble-free and offers countless well thought-out options. For example, I think it's great that you can use the app to adjust the voice volume of the G30's robot voice. I have never seen this option on a robot vacuum and it is fantastic.

However, I think the manual control option is my favorite part of the G30 app. The manual control basically turns the G30 into a remote controlled car that cleans while the app is the control. This is a rare feature on most robotic vacuum cleaners and I'm glad that Eufy picked it up. I'm so frustrated when cleaning bots is not where I want it to be, and this option gives me complete control. You can also choose how much suction you think your floors need to get clean.

Do you want to set it and forget it? The planning function is refreshingly easy to use. If you are not there and are not sure whether the G30 has actually been cleaned on schedule, there is a cleaning report that you can access in the app that gives you all the details.

A button for easier cleaning

Another special feature of the RoboVac G30 Edge is the stain removal button. I don't know how many times I took a robot vacuum cleaner and put it in a place where quick cleaning was required to make it fly away and clean another area of ​​the room. Tapping the stain cleaning button on the top of the G30 tells him to be in a specific area. Spot Clean doesn't just keep the vacuum cleaner in one place. The cleaning begins in a small circle, which increases with each revolution.

Voice control

G30 edge on carpetAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Although buttons and an app are great, nothing makes you feel like voice commands to the king or queen of your automated kingdom. The G30 can be controlled with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can say things like "Alexa, start cleaning" or "Hey Google, stop cleaning" to control the little bot. I find this option very useful when I am in the middle of a task and remember that I need to vacuum. One command and suddenly I suck while doing everything else I have to do. You can also ask the assistant to find your Bot Vac or send it to recharge.

Battery life

Eufy claims that the RoboVac G30 can run for up to 100 minutes. I thought that was pretty accurate, although the Bot Vac had to remove dog hair and a variety of crumbs, which is a big task for a robot Vac of any kind. This type of battery life is above average for the price range. For example, the Pure Clean Robot vacuum cleaner only runs for about 50 minutes and the first-class iRobot Roomba s9 Plus only for about 60 minutes.

This type of battery life is above average for the price range.

If many robot vacuum cleaners have a low battery, they will return to their charger and you will need to restart them. The G30 charges and starts cleaning where it left off. This is a particularly useful feature when you want to operate your robotic vacuum cleaner while you are away from home.

cleaning

When it started, I didn't think the G30 Edge would do very well when cleaned. For one thing, I didn't like the fact that the G30 Edge only has a cleaning brush for cleaning edges and corners. Other robotic vacuum cleaners such as the Ecovacs Deebot 901 have two edge brushes, which usually does not result in more thorough cleaning. However, the G30 surprised me. It seemed to get in there and do the work with just one brush.

My cats weren't even disturbed by the noise.

Second, it is quiet. While most robotic vacuum cleaners sound like a jet plane taking off, the G30 only has a quiet whir when it slips through the living room. My cats weren't even disturbed by the noise. Obviously, I didn't think it had the suction power to do much of anything. Amazingly, my carpet got very clean. I'm not sure if it got into the fibers and really absorbed the deep dirt, but the surface was clean. This is due to the BoostIQ system, with which the G30 automatically recognizes what type of suction your floor needs and can adjust it accordingly.

I also noticed that the G30 does not have as many small panes on top as many robot vacuum cleaners, such as the Neato Botvac D4 or the Ecovacs Deebot 960. This is because a laser navigation system is missing. It does a pretty good job of depicting your home without it, but it tends to bump furniture and walls a lot. It should map your rooms when cleaning and clean more efficiently the next time. I noticed that it works better every time. It is also said to clean in an "S" formation, but it seems a bit random. But I don't mind that.

G30 edge shelf and containerAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Emptying the trash can in vacuum is my least preferred job, and I have to say that the G30's trash can has made things easier. It pulls out easily and opens effortlessly, unlike many other robotic vacuum cleaners I've tested.

Our opinion

The Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge costs $ 399 at the bottom when it comes to robotic vacuum cleaners, but it really impressed me. Everything about this bot is straightforward, and that's exactly what you want when it comes to an automated cleaning device. The app is also fantastic as it is packed with features, but has no glitches and is beautifully designed. Overall, this robot vacuum is a winner.

Are there any better alternatives?

You can find robotic vacuum cleaners that are cheaper, like this for less than $ 200, but I think you'll find it hard to find a vacuum cleaner that can clean with as few issues as the G30 Edge, especially if it does is a brand new model. However, if you're ready to pay more money, consider robot vacuum cleaners that can self-empty, have a laser tracking system, or can act as a robot mop. Here you can see our top offers.

Will it take?

I think so. It is well built and if you have any problems, Eufy has a 30 day return policy.

Should I buy it?

Yes. I really love this robot vacuum and I think you will too.

Editor's recommendations