The Razer Seiren V3 Pro arrives as a pro‑level streaming microphone that finally feels like the centerpiece of Razer’s recent run of impressive peripherals. It pairs studio‑grade hardware — a large 30 mm dynamic capsule, USB‑C and XLR outputs, and tactile controls — with deep Synapse software and Chroma RGB flair, aiming to satisfy both serious creators and RGB enthusiasts.

This review cuts through the marketing: I’ll show what the mic actually sounds like, how its software and features stack up against rivals, and whether it’s worth swapping in for your current setup.

Razer had no input, nor did it see the contents of this review, prior to publication.

What it is

The Razer Seiren V3 Pro ($249.99 / €289.99) is a hybrid dynamic microphone tailored specifically for streamers, podcasters, and music producers.

At its heart sits a custom 30 mm dynamic capsule purpose-built to capture broadcast-style depth and natural warmth.

Structurally, it features a robust, resonance-resistant zinc unibody frame paired with an integrated, vibration-dampened adjustable arm mount.

To round out its premium aesthetic, it includes a gorgeous Razer Chroma RGB lighting ring that doubles as a real-time status and live mute indicator, which can be enabled by the mic button.

Quick set up

Unboxing the Razer Seiren V3 Pro is refreshingly simple. Unlike many high-end microphones that leave you scrambling to buy external accessories, this mic is entirely ready to rock right out of the box.

It features an included desktop stand, a built-in shock absorber, and a removable pop filter. Just plug it in via the included USB Type-C cable, complete a quick configuration, and you are up and running.

If you want to jump into the pro tier immediately, you can just as easily route an XLR cable (not included) straight from the base into an audio interface or mixer.

It’s a frictionless setup that gives you studio-grade enhancements with zero technical expertise required.

How it's different

The Seiren V3 Pro separates itself from the pack by flawlessly bridging mainstream USB convenience and professional XLR performance.

Its primary direct competitor in this hybrid category is the HyperX Flipcast, which we've also reviewed. However, the Seiren V3 Pro secures a massive hardware victory right away: it includes a high-quality desktop stand and integrated shock mount in the box, whereas the Flipcast notoriously ships without a stand or boom arm, forcing an immediate extra purchase.

Furthermore, the software support here is on an entirely different level. While HyperX’s NGENUITY app offers rudimentary controls, Razer Synapse unlocks deep, granular audio customization:

• 32-Bit Float Support: Available via Synapse, this format captures a dramatically wider dynamic range to effectively eliminate digital clipping and distortion.
• Advanced Audio DSP: Houses an advanced parametric EQ, noise gate, compressor, limiter, and AI noise remover directly powered by an onboard hardware engine.
• Synapse Advanced Mixing: Allows for multi-channel stream routing right within the application interface.

What it's great at

The biggest hardware triumph here is the dual-connectivity workflow. Having both USB-C and XLR connections on one microphone offers massive advantages, though it comes with standard hybrid trade-offs:

• The Pros: It provides immense versatility. Newcomers can start with a simple, plug-and-play desktop configuration and seamlessly transition into an advanced analog signal chain down the road without buying a new microphone. Interestingly, you can keep both the USB and XLR cables plugged in simultaneously and dynamically switch between them on your Windows PC.
• The Cons: You are paying a premium for dual internal electronics, and advanced Synapse software functions (like 32-bit float, the parametric EQ, and advanced mixing) are strictly limited to the digital USB connection.

During testing, there wasn't a noticeable difference in tonal warmth when swapping between the two connections, but the USB interface emerged as the clear favorite for me purely because it unlocks Synapse's superior sound features and DSP suite.

My experience otherwise with the mic has been great. You can hear it in action in the short review video accompanying this article, as well as on our recent Windows Central Podcast, Episode #396.

For now, I plan to keep using this mic over my HyperX ProCast. While the ProCast is an excellent, gold-sputtered large-diaphragm XLR condenser, it is strictly analog, requires 48V phantom power, and entirely lacks the modern digital conveniences, RGB integration, and software agility that make the Seiren V3 Pro so effortless to use daily.

Plus, while the ProCast had an original MSRP of $199.99 and dropped as low as $99.99 on sale, it now appears to be discontinued and increasingly hard to find, completely out of stock at both Best Buy and HyperX.

The Razer Synapse software features offer brilliant audio tuning, particularly the automatic environment noise test and AI noise remover. They do a spectacular job of silencing background hums and room reflections.

The Razer Synapse setup here was awesome: Hit a button and record yourself talking for 10 seconds. Hit another button and say nothing for 10 seconds. Then answer a few questions, e.g., what is your goal here (streamer, podcast, general, etc.) and what do you have fans running, environmental noise, etc. From that data, the system suggests your tuning, which you can then accept, and you're done. You can re-run the process anytime in Synapse should anything change.

The only minor catch is that the aggressive noise cancellation can occasionally cut your voice out a bit during quieter moments. Because of this, some manual tweaking of the noise gate threshold may still be needed to get it dialed in perfectly.

Finally, if you are already invested in Razer’s ecosystem—sporting a Razer keyboard, mouse, or monitor—adding this mic beautifully completes the package. The Chroma RGB ring integrates flawlessly into your existing lighting profiles, satisfying RGB enthusiasts while giving clear visual feedback on your live mute status via the tap-to-mute sensor.

Who's it for

This microphone is built for the forward-thinking content creator. It is perfect for game streamers, podcasters, and hybrid musicians who want beautiful aesthetic flair and USB simplicity today, but demand the studio-grade security of an XLR output as their production setup grows.

Should you buy the Razer Seiren V3 Pro?

You should buy it if ...

✅ You want USB‑C now, XLR later.

✅ You use Razer Synapse/Chroma and want full integration.

✅ You need onboard DSP (32‑bit float, AI noise removal) to cut post‑work.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You prefer a pure XLR, software‑free workflow.

❌ You’re on a tight budget and don’t need RGB or Synapse.

❌You need full feature parity on macOS without Windows Synapse.

Admittedly, my "you should not buy ifs" here are nitpicky. You can just use this as an XLR mic with a software-free workflow if you want and not worry about USB or software. But there are also more affordable XLR-only mics, hence the con.

At $249.99, Razer positions the Seiren V3 Pro firmly in the higher-end premium tier compared to the HyperX Flipcast (which currently sits at $179.99 against a $229.99 MSRP) and the now-evaporated ProCast.

However, for me, the incredible Razer Synapse DSP more than makes up for that higher cost. The sheer quality of the out-of-the-box hardware processing saves massive time in post-production. I didn't expect that to be the big selling point, but it's clever software and the kind of "don't think about it" setups I prefer.

While you could look at other heavy hitters at this price point like the Shure MV7+ or SteelSeries Alias Pro, Razer brings an unmatched physical build quality, out-of-the-box completeness, and ecosystem synergy to your desk. It delivers studio sound, simply and effortlessly.

If you told me a year ago that an Intel‑powered gaming handheld would be sitting on my desk in 2026, absolutely clowning AMD’s best silicon, I’d have told you to lay off the spice. Yet here we are. Computex 2026 teased it, Cale Hunt went hands‑on, and now the retail MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is in front of me.

Let’s be honest: MSI’s first handheld felt like a prototype that slipped out the side door. Instead of giving up, MSI regrouped, teamed up with Intel, and came back with a device that blows past every expectation.

But before we go any deeper, we need to talk about the price. Global supply chain chaos has sent high‑density RAM and NAND costs into orbit, and premium hardware is paying the bill. In a sane market, this machine would likely land around $1,299. Instead, it’s $1,799 at Best Buy—firmly in ultra‑premium territory.

Is it worth the jump? Let’s break it down.

MSI and Intel had no input, nor did they see the contents of this review prior to publication.

Specs and Configuration Options

Under the hood, MSI has radically re-architected its core layout, abandoning general-purpose laptop chips to pivot entirely to handheld-optimized architecture.

Design, Ergonomics, and Upgradeability

The physical layout of the Claw 8 EX AI+ is a massive love letter to Xbox fans. MSI completely reshaped the side chassis into a beautifully sloped, flared grip design that heavily mimics the curvature of an official Xbox controller. It contours perfectly to the natural resting shape of your hands, making extended, multi-hour gaming sessions an absolute breeze.

Even better, the actual weight distribution is the sweet spot. Coming in at 785 grams, the Claw 8 EX AI+ feels surprisingly nimble in the hands. When compared directly to the behemoth scale of something like the Lenovo Legion Go 2 at 854g/1.88lbs (it has a kickstand for a reason, folks)—which goes out of its way to adopt a massive, thick, and substantially heavy tablet aesthetic to accommodate its 8.8-inch display.

The MSI variant is vastly easier to slip into a travel bag without feeling like you packed a concrete brick. (Trust me, I've ditched Legion Go 2 for travel multiple times, but it's awesome on the couch).

On the upgrade front, MSI has finally listened to reviewers. The storage slot has graduated to a full-sized M.2 2280 slot, meaning you aren’t locked into paying premium prices for tiny, obscure storage drives. Pop out six standard Phillips head screws on the back shell cover, and you can swap out the internal SSD in less than five minutes.

RAM, however, is integrated, but 32GB should be enough.

Display

The Claw 8 EX AI+’s 8‑inch screen is one of the system’s strongest components. MSI uses a roomy 16:10 panel at a crisp FHD+ (1920x1200), giving you about 38% more usable space than comparable 7‑inch handhelds—huge for readability and UI-heavy games.

The IPS-level touchscreen hits 500 nits and covers 100% of sRGB for vivid, accurate color. Its standout feature, though, is native VRR from 48Hz to 120Hz, letting the display track fluctuating frame rates in real time to eliminate tearing and micro‑stutters for consistently smooth gameplay.

At this price tier, the lack of an OLED panel is the one obvious drawback. If you bounce between this and a Steam Deck OLED, you’ll notice the missing infinite contrast and true blacks in a dark room. But once you’re actually in a game and pushing high, stable refresh rates, the brightness and responsiveness take over. The gray floors fade from your mind, and the experience becomes all about the smooth, fast motion on screen.

Buttons, Joysticks, and Elite Audio

Controls are a premium highlight here. MSI went all-in on specialized Hall-Effect analog sticks and triggers. Because they utilize magnetic positioning instead of physical carbon contacts, the threat of stick drift is permanently eradicated. The action on the triggers feels smooth and progressively weighted, while the face buttons feature beautifully rounded edge boundaries to keep your thumbs from feeling sore after hammering out combos.

The standard directional pad also received a massive overhaul, implementing a tactile metal dome component underneath the casing. It delivers an incredibly clicky, distinct feedback loop that completely wipes away the mushy, missed-input sensations from past generations.

There's no capacitive touchpad for mouse cursor control in Windows or precision aiming. Do I care? No, I turned it off on Legion Go 2, but I get how some people want it, so I'm mentioning it here.

Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is the acoustic and haptic transformation. Historically, speakers and vibrating feedback have been clear weak points across MSI’s portable portfolio. Not anymore. The dual 2W speaker array outputs genuine, punchy high-res audio that maintains depth even at high volume levels.

Paired with an upgraded Voice Coil Motor (VCM) driving refined HD haptics, the physical immersion matches anything currently on the market.

With Bluetooth Core 6.0 and LE Audio onboard, pairing wireless earbuds like the Galaxy Buds4 delivers low‑latency, battery‑friendly audio with no noticeable delay. The Claw 8 EX AI+ also supports Windows 11 Super Wideband Stereo, so your sound won’t collapse into muddy mono when you’re using a mic for in‑game chat. And with Shared Audio broadcasting, you can stream to multiple compatible earbuds at once with zero hassle.

Performance: Intel Arc G3 Extreme Crowned King

As a nerdy refresher, the Intel Arc G3 Extreme is Intel's very first purpose-built SoC engineered from the ground up specifically for handheld gaming form factors. Rather than simply shoving a generic, power-hungry laptop processor into a portable shell, Intel completely re-architected this silicon to optimize the power-to-performance ratio at typical handheld wattages. It cleverly shifts the hardware balance directly toward graphics throughput by scaling up to 12 Xe-cores on its Xe3-based B390 GPU while dropping the heavy CPU core count down to just two performance cores. This intentional asymmetry leaves massive thermal and electrical headroom for its 96 integrated XMX AI Engines to work their upscaling magic.

Better yet, the chip introduces Intelligent Bias Control (IBC) v3.5. This proprietary firmware engine perfectly optimizes power sharing between the CPU and GPU, and it even utilizes a clever trick called "P-core parking" to turn off the power-hungry performance cores entirely at 14W and under, ensuring your battery juice goes where it matters most: pumping out maximum frame rates.

For the past few years, AMD has comfortably monopolized premium mobile gaming graphics, but Intel’s new XeSS architecture drops an absolute tactical nuke on that narrative.

3DMark Time Spy & Synthesis Testing

Look at our lab-tested benchmarks below:

• MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (Intel Arc G3 Extreme): 6,726
• ASUS Xbox Ally X (Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme): 4,029
• MSI Claw 8 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V): 3,882
• Lenovo Legion Go 2 (Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme): 3,795

A score of 6,726 on a handheld profile is a jaw-dropping result, representing an aggregate jump that flies completely past AMD's flagship Z2 Extreme silicon.

3DMark Fire Strike & Torture Run Results

To push this chip further, I threw the classic Fire Strike benchmark at the Arc B390 GPU. The results speak for themselves:

• Fire Strike Overall Score: 13,340
• Graphics Score: 16,735
• Physics Score: 24,513

The monitoring loop stayed remarkably consistent, and 3DMark’s integrated engine estimates real-world game performance for titles like Battlefield V at a smooth 120+ FPS at 1080p Ultra settings.

Geekbench 6 Compute & General Performance

The AI Engine acts as the device's intelligent, set-and-forget autopilot, leveraging real-time behavioral analysis to dynamically adjust power settings and hardware configurations (defaulting to a flexible 25W ceiling during gaming) to maximize performance on the fly.

In stark contrast, Endurance mode is a highly restricted efficiency preset designed strictly to squeeze out every drop of battery life. While the AI Engine dynamically scales performance upwards to match the game's demands, shifting to Endurance mode clamps the platform down to a rigid 15W target and automatically triggers Intel’s Endurance Gaming profile, enforcing a stable 30 FPS cap on battery to extend your playtime up to 11 hours on lighter titles.

Here's what that looks like in Geekbench:

• MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (Intel G3 Extreme - AI Engine): Multi-Core: 13,210 / Single-Core: 2,574
• MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (Intel G3 Extreme - Endurance): Multi-Core: 10,129 / Single-Core: 1,983

Even under a highly restricted energy curve, the restricted multi-core target hits 10,129, keeping processing capability completely clear of bottleneck thresholds.

Turning to the SSD, storage performance is similarly blinding, with CrystalDiskMark validating peak sequential read limits hitting a clean 6,997 MB/s.

Intel XeSS Feature Test & In-Game Frame Rates

The true magic happens when you leverage Intel's hardware-level AI upscaling. Running the native 3DMark Intel XeSS Feature Test (using XeSS 1.3.1 Balanced at a 2.0x scaling factor) shows exactly what the architecture is capable of:

• XeSS Off: 26.82 FPS
• XeSS On: 51.80 FPS
• Performance Explosion: +93.2%

Real-world gaming translates perfectly to these synthetic gains. Launching the graphically punishing 007 First Light with the console dialed directly into its integrated AI Engine mode, I ran natively at full 1920x1200 resolution at High settings and consistently locked down a blisteringly fast 130+ FPS when plugged in.

Even more absurd was the experience playing LEGO Batman: Legacy of The Dark Knight. The game regularly hit 150 FPS with fluid frame pacing.

How is 150 FPS beneficial on a physical 120Hz panel profile? It comes down to Intel's XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation (XeSS-MFG) engine. The chip utilizes internal AI matrices to interpolate synthetic smoothing frames directly between every traditionally rendered frame. Because the platform features a hardware-level Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) window extending up to 120Hz, pushing frames above the panel refresh ceiling completely eliminates frame delivery micro-stuttering, ensuring ultra-responsive inputs and perfect pacing.

Of course, results for XeSS will vary based on the game (if it's supported), whether you're plugged in, and what modes (including custom) you have set. I did have some mixed results with DOOM: The Dark Ages, which was running above 60 FPS one night, but fell below 30 on the next level despite XeSS being enabled.

To understand how big a leap Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme really is, look at this custom Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark. On AMD handhelds like the ROG Ally X or Legion Go 2, turning on ray tracing usually drops you into a sub‑30 FPS slideshow even at a soft 720p. Here, the Claw 8 EX AI+ is running at its full 1920×1200 resolution on the Ray Tracing: Low preset with XeSS Super Resolution 2.0 set to Auto, and it still averages 46.6 FPS with a minimum of 38.1 FPS.

See a clip from Cyberpunk 2077 with the above settings on the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ below:

This is where the Arc B390 GPU and its 12 dedicated Ray Tracing Units show their advantage. Instead of choking on ray‑traced shadows and lighting, the G3 Extreme architecture handles the workload with an efficiency AMD’s current mobile silicon cannot match.

Holding a stable, genuinely playable 40+ FPS at 1200p with ray tracing enabled is unheard of for any other handheld today, and it proves Intel did not just build a faster chip. They built a smarter one.

When you stack the Claw up against Valve’s Steam Machine, the hardware contrast becomes even more fascinating. Looking at the benchmark breakdown above, both devices run neck-and-neck in single-core metrics (a 2,574 for the Claw versus a 2,579 for the Steam Machine's Custom APU), but the Intel Arc G3 Extreme leaves Valve in the absolute dust on multi-threaded workloads, flexing an eye-watering multi-core score of 13,210 over the Steam Machine’s 8,680. This doesn't even account for the GPU difference, which will also favor Intel.

Unfortunately, much like the Claw, the Steam Machine (starting at $1,049) is a premium engineering marvel suffering from historically terrible macroeconomic timing—both launched directly into a brutal global supply crunch that bloated retail pricing, making a direct cost comparison a bit of an exercise in wallet masochism. It's a cosmic shame that, through no fault of their own, bad timing and bloated component markets might prevent casual players from seeing just how hard this new Intel portable silicon kicks.

Manual Mode: For the Tinkers (But You Really Don't Need It)

For the hardware purists who insist on micromanaging their silicon, MSI Center M includes a robust Manual mode that unlocks granular sliders for the chip's PL1 and PL2 power levels.

For the uninitiated, PL1 (Power Limit 1) dictates the maximum sustained wattage the processor can draw during long-term gameplay, while PL2 (Power Limit 2) establishes the absolute ceiling for short-term burst power. In Manual mode, you can crank PL1 up to 35W and push PL2 to a blistering 45W to squeeze every single drop of performance out of a heavy title—just make sure PL2 stays at least 2W higher than PL1 so Intel’s power management algorithms don't choke. Alternatively, you can drop them into the single digits to slam the brakes on power consumption for lighter indie titles.

However, a quick note for the average reader: I rarely ever touched Manual mode. I use a gaming handheld to actually play games, not to spend 30 minutes acting like an IT admin configuring power registries before launching a level. Thankfully, you don't have to. The default AI Engine setting is brilliantly "set it and forget it," handling the heavy lifting and power shifting so smoothly on the fly that it renders manual tweaking strictly optional for anyone who values their free time.

But hey, cool on Intel and MSI for making it easy to go all out and tweak the chip!

Thermals and Fan Noise

High performance doesn't mean a melted chassis. Thanks to MSI's custom Cooler Boost HyperFlow architecture (love these names, btw)—which seals internal pathways to draw cold air directly over hotspots while isolating grip boundaries—this device stays remarkably chilly.

Our FLIR thermal array capture maps external chassis heat dissipation flawlessly under extended benchmarking loops:

• Front grip surface area: 96.3°F or 35.7°C (Perfect comfort territory)
• Rear grip chassis boundary: 92°F or 33.3°C (Literally cooler than your own body temperature)
• Display base intersection hotspot: 106.5°F or 41.4°C (Warm to the touch, but completely out of micro-stuttering finger range)
• Recessed exhaust vent interior: 130°F or 54.4°C (Where the actual dragon spirit lives, safely away from your hands)

The physical thermal reading confirms your hands remain entirely cool, completely isolated from internal hotspots. While the localized zone at the very base of the display glass reads at 106.5°F, it remains warm rather than hot, safely out of reach during normal use.

Even measuring directly inside the deep-set cooling channels yields 130°F, yet the felt air volume dissipates cleanly away from you. The internal acoustic profile is equally stellar: the dual fans emit a gentle, low-frequency airflow "whoosh" instead of a whiny, high-pitched jet engine shriek.

Software, Connectivity, and the Mini-PC Hybrid Trick

MSI Center M has matured beautifully, but can still be a bit awkward, and I hope to see some improvements (I may end up adding Winhanced at some point). The software utility integrates seamlessly across massive digital clients including Steam, Xbox, Epic, and Battle.net. It's simple and basic, but the whole Windows 11/launcher/various gaming libraries thing/switching is still a bit underbaked, but making improvements.

Triggering the native full-screen Xbox mode layout overlay brings up a clean, translucent quick-access console dashboard that only handles half the panel layout, avoiding disruptive gameplay pauses. They did a great job here.

From this single overlay window, a user can instantly adjust hardware properties:

• Swap operational profiles on the fly between AI Engine, Endurance, or full user-defined Manual tuning controls.
• Purge non-essential active memory via Free Up Memory sweeps.
• Fire up high-bitrate screen recording capture or toggle ambient Mystic Light RGB analog stick arrays.

The long‑standing Windows Modern Standby curse is finally gone. As far as I can tell, putting the Claw 8 EX AI+ to sleep with the fingerprint/power button triggers a proper hibernate state, or rather, the buttons/triggers/joystick don't wake it. But when I hit that button, it stays off and standby battery drain was minimal, which is a nice change.

The fingerprint reader can be a little picky about angle, but once you get the feel for it, it’s fast and consistent.

Intel's Wi-Fi 7 R2 on here is a beast. I have a Wi-Fi 7 router (TP-Link Tri-Band BE19000), and this thing just sucked down so much data when downloading big games like Cyberpunk 2077 that it even affected my TV streaming. Good stuff.

My only gripe is that, for some reason, my Xbox games are not showing up in MSI Center M, though I can, of course, access them via the Xbox app. I chalk this up to some early bugs, and hopefully some updates will iron those out.

The Ultimate Dual-Use Mini-PC Killer

Because this is an Intel architecture design instead of AMD, you get dual full-bandwidth Thunderbolt 4 ports. This unlocks a highly lucrative dual-use scenario. Dropping the Claw 8 EX AI+ onto a single-cable desk setup completely transforms the handheld experience into a premium desktop workstation environment.

When stacked up against custom high-end discrete desktop boxes like the Geekom A9 Max AI Mini PC (which utilizes mobile AMD Ryzen AI architecture), the Claw 8 EX AI+ matches or exceeds its functional productivity output while preserving complete, uncompromised on-the-go portability. It's a phenomenally versatile desktop replacement machine.

While the A9 Max AI outpaces the Arc G3 Extreme in CPU (see above), I'm confident the reverse will be true for GPU performance and the Intel B390 (we'll try to get some actual comparisons in an update to this).

Battery Life

The massive 80Whr ultra-capacity battery module integrated inside the shell handles power delivery exceptionally well.

Testing the console under heavy loads while running on the custom Endurance Mode setting—which dynamically caps rendering properties and shifts core priority to energy-efficient architecture—and maintaining screen brightness at a very vivid 45% setting (roughly 225 nits of total display output), the platform delivered a solid 3.5 hours of continuous triple-A gameplay. Switching over to casual indie titles or retro emulation easily pushes the operational lifespan past the 5-hour mark.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Look, if your bank account can handle the entry point and you are looking for absolute top-tier, uncompromised technical performance in a highly ergonomic package, yes, absolutely buy it. Intel and MSI have created a generational performance jump that sets a brand-new benchmark for portable PC gaming. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is friggin' awesome.

If you're a normal working Joe, then of course not; that'd be financially irresponsible.

And that's my only real regret with the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+: a vast majority of gamers won't be able to experience it. This device is THE watershed milestone our portable community has spent years waiting for—a true, uncompromised hardware revelation where you can load a visually dense, modern triple-A blockbuster and play it at 100+ FPS in the palm of your hand without a single structural sacrifice.

MSI and Intel have finally delivered the holy grail payload we've been begging for from day one. It is an absolute masterpiece of engineering brilliance, hitting the market at a time when raw component pricing is absolutely screwing it up. If you have the enthusiast means to jump on it, don't hesitate. This is the future, right now.

I’m going to come out and say the obvious: this is a backpack. In the grand scheme of technology journalism, dedicating a full review to a textile housing system for my laptop feels kind of daft. Or at least it should.

But if you are getting ready to drop over $100 on a laptop bag, it couldn't hurt to do some actual research. When I first saw Razer’s updated Rogue lineup, my immediate reaction was: "Why on earth would I spend $100-plus on a backpack when the $30 no-brand bag I bought on Amazon two years ago still works completely fine?"

Yet, in a way that only Razer can consistently pull off with their ecosystem accessories, I suddenly get it. Just like what happened with their unassuming USB-C dock, another product category I previously cared absolutely nothing about, I now care a hell of a lot about a simple backpack.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Price, availability and specs

The Razer Rogue Backpack V4 line officially dropped on June 4, 2026, making its way to Razer's official store, and is also available on Amazon. The Rogue V4 comes in two sizes, priced differently depending on what you need.

• Razer Rogue 16” Backpack V4: Retails for $109.99 / £109.99.
• Razer Rogue 18” Backpack V4: Retails for $139.99 / £139.99.

Choosing between them comes down to a quick assessment of your daily haul. The 16” variant is beautifully compact and tailored perfectly for mid-sized setups like the Razer Blade 16.

However, if you are rocking an absolute behemoth of a desktop replacement, like the Razer Blade 18, or you just happen to travel heavy with massive mechanical keyboards and full-sized audio gear, you'll definitely want to step up to the 18” version for that maximum volume capacity.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: What's good

Despite my heavy skepticism about whether a premium backpack could actually impress me after years of relying on a bargain-basement Amazon special, I have found myself completely smitten with this Razer number.

And no, it’s not just because it looks great, though I need to mention that the clean matte-black finish, subtle leather-effect accents, and iconic Razer green stitching look incredibly sharp.

When you first unzip this bag, it immediately feels a hell of a lot more intensely engineered than a cheap import. The shoulder straps are seriously reinforced and heavily padded. During particularly chaotic weeks, my everyday carry scales up aggressively. I can be hauling anything from my standard daily laptop to both my personal and work laptops simultaneously, alongside an ROG Ally, a Kindle, a full-sized gaming headset, and all the mandatory cable paraphernalia required to keep them alive.

My normal bargain bag regularly leaves me with aching, sore shoulders under that kind of load because the straps lack substance. The Rogue V4, by contrast, features wide, ergonomically designed padded straps paired with a highly ventilated mesh back panel that distributes dense weight beautifully.

There's also a really neat velcro strip on the front of the bag for attaching badges. My partner has an entirely too large for him Xbox jacket with a stash of gaming related velcro badges that I'm about to raid.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: What's bad

When taking a hard look at what I missed from my old, cheap but trusty backpack, my initial critique was that the Rogue V4 seemed to lack an external charging cutout to comfortably feed a power bank cable out to my phone. Alas, as it turns out, when studying the specs, I saw that Razer actually did think of this. The backpack features a fully integrated, stealthy cable passthrough that routes charging cables from the interior to the exterior without leaving your main compartments open. It was simply buried so deeply within the bag's complex ecosystem of pockets that it managed to evade my first few looks (I found it eventually). Just goes to show exactly how many damn pockets, nooks, and crannies this thing has.

Beyond that, the only real negative here is the price tag. At $110 to $140, it's a substantial investment for an accessory that doesn't actually have a processor inside it. However, that premium cost is undeniably reflected in the build quality, heavy-duty zipper tape, and material longevity you will get. If you are a die-hard Razer enthusiast, the Razer tax is a familiar trade-off.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: The competition

Almost every major PC manufacturer manufactures a proprietary laptop backpack line to accompany their gaming laptops, though few manage to carry the same streetwear aesthetic appeal as Razer. If you want to keep your accessories strictly brand-loyal, here are a couple of other options in the same ballpark budget.

Hovering right around the $95–$120 mark, depending on active sales, the Legion 16" Armored is Lenovo’s ultimate protective shield. It features an aggressive, weatherproof EVA-molded front armor shell and an ultra-rugged base. It offers excellent structural protection against accidental drops, though its rigid, hard-shell design looks vastly more utilitarian and bulky than the Rogue V4.

Next up is ASUS’s massive 35-liter ROG Ranger alternative built for larger 18-inch rigs. It utilizes an incredibly tough 1260D high-density polyester fabric and excels at raw storage volume, but it lacks the eye-catching looks of the Rogue V4.

Finally, we have Alienware's 18 gaming backpack sitting right in the premium sweet spot at $129.99; this is Dell’s heavyweight champion built explicitly for massive 18-inch desktop replacements. On the inside, it features heavy-duty 360-degree EVA foam cushioning and a soft, anti-scratch Nylex lining to keep your chassis completely pristine.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Should you buy?

You should buy the Razer Rogue V4 if ...

You should not buy the Razer Rogue V4 if ...

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Final verdict

Razer has effectively treated a basic textile backpack with the exact same premium material selection and aesthetic precision that they apply to their flagship laptops. They have done the impossible: they made me genuinely care about a piece of luggage. It’s tough, and a dream bag for the meticulously organized. After all, if you've spent hundreds on your tech, what's another $100 on something to house them in? Consider me converted from the bargain basement!

There is something entertaining about a company deciding to build a product simply because it can. Most keyboards exist to hit a price point or fill a slot in a lineup. The new Huntsman Signature Edition ($499) exists because someone at Razer clearly said, “What if we made the most overbuilt Huntsman possible?” and nobody in the room stopped them.

The result is a limited-edition showpiece that feels more like a celebration of the Huntsman platform than a normal retail product. It is expensive, shiny, and completely unnecessary for most people, which also makes it a lot of fun to test.

Update: As this review went live, the first drop of this keyboard sold out in just minutes. You can be notified of the next drop at Razer.com.

Razer had no input, nor did it see the contents of this review, prior to publication.

What it is (and why)

Razer has a habit of letting its engineers run wild on small, high‑end projects that exist mostly to prove what the company is capable of. The $279 Viper Mini Signature Edition was the most recent example. It was a magnesium alloy mouse that felt like a science experiment that somehow escaped the lab. The Huntsman Signature Edition follows the same spirit. It is not meant to replace the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL 8K. It is meant to celebrate how far the Huntsman platform has come and what it can be when the usual limits are removed.

At its core, this is still a Huntsman. You get the same Gen 2 Analog Optical Switches, Rapid Trigger, Snap Tap, adjustable actuation from 0.1 to 4.0 mm, and full 8,000 Hz polling. The Signature Edition takes that foundation and builds a luxury object around it. It is a showcase piece that highlights the engineering behind the Huntsman line and the attention to detail that usually never makes it into a mainstream product.

This is Razer asking a simple question: what happens if we build the ultimate Huntsman with no shortcuts.

What is different about it

The Signature Edition looks and feels like a completely different class of keyboard. The chassis is CNC milled from 6063 aluminum alloy, which gives it a heavier and more substantial feel than the Huntsman Pro TKL 8K.

How heavy? I'm glad you asked, as I weighed it myself. Just the keyboard by itself weighs 3.05 lbs (1.38 kg)! Most premium boards fall between 2.0 and 2.8 lbs. Something like the GMMK Pro is heavier at 3.3 lbs, but that's with a brass plate, for goodness ' sake. And Razer's own Huntsman V3 Pro TKL 8K, which this is based on, is ~1.8 lbs (0.8 kg).

The bottom case and accent pieces go through a physical vapor deposition process and are then polished by hand. Razer says the polishing takes around 50 hours. The result is a mirror finish that looks closer to high‑end watchmaking than gaming hardware. It immediately reminded me of Seiko’s Zaratsu polishing, where artisans spend days creating distortion‑free reflective surfaces. The Signature Edition has that same sense of precision and craft.

The packaging reinforces the idea that this is a special project. The keyboard arrives in a large presentation case with a vegan leather sound dampening mat, a PVD polished triple-headed snake keycap, a cleaning cloth, a keycap puller, magnetic rubber feet, and a Speedflex USB-C cable. It feels more like unboxing a collector’s item than a gaming keyboard.

Inside the chassis, Razer uses a full stack of acoustic materials. There is EPDM foam, EVA foam, an FR4 plate, and a silicone rubber sheet. The switches are individually lubricated and factory calibrated for true 0.1 mm precision. The reviewer’s guide highlights this directly:

The result is a deeper and more controlled sound profile. The Signature Edition has a full, rounded tone that feels closer to a premium custom board than a mass produced gaming keyboard.

How it compares to the Huntsman Pro TKL 8K

The Huntsman Pro TKL 8K is already one of the fastest gaming keyboards available. It uses the same switches and the same 8K polling. It has Rapid Trigger and Snap Tap. It is a performance monster. The Signature Edition does not change the fundamentals. What it changes is the experience around those fundamentals.

The Pro TKL 8K has an aluminum top plate, but the Signature Edition is a full aluminum chassis with hand-polished PVD metal. It is heavier, larger, stiffer, and more refined. The Pro TKL 8K has a sharper, higher-pitched sound. The Signature Edition is deeper and more consistent thanks to the internal foam layers and lubrication. The Pro TKL 8K feels fast and responsive. The Signature Edition feels smooth and controlled.

The Pro TKL 8K arrives in a standard retail box. The Signature Edition arrives in a display case with accessories that feel curated rather than bundled.

Both keyboards deliver the same competitive performance. The Signature Edition simply wraps that performance in craftsmanship and materials that belong in a different category.

tl:dr This isn't the same Huntsman Pro TKL 8K, but in metal. It's completely rebuilt from the ground up, but uses the same design principles and components.

Who should buy it

This is a 499 dollar keyboard. That alone tells you who it is for. It is for enthusiasts who appreciate materials and finishing work. It is for collectors who enjoy limited production hardware. It is for people who want the best version of the Huntsman platform and are willing to pay for it.

It is also worth noting that this is still 100 dollars cheaper than the new ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme 20th Anniversary Edition, which puts the price into perspective. Razer is selling the Signature Edition in limited drops on Razer.com, and only 1,337 units will be made. If you want one, you will need to move quickly.

This is not a keyboard for everyone. It is a keyboard for people who enjoy the idea of owning something rare and overbuilt.

Should you buy it?

You should buy it if ...

✅ You always wanted Razer's best keyboard, but at 3lbs, $499, limited edition, and with polished metal.

✅ You're a hardcore gamer, or someone who only wants the best.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You don't clean your keyboard.

❌ You have to think about that $499.

If you want the best performance for the money, the Huntsman Pro TKL 8K is still the smarter choice. It gives you nearly everything the Signature Edition offers at a much lower price (or see my recent Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8K review for even more affordability).

The Signature Edition is not about value. It is about craftsmanship, exclusivity, and the satisfaction of using something that feels special.

If that appeals to you, the Signature Edition delivers. If not, the Pro TKL 8K remains the practical pick.

But hey, there's something special here, and I'm glad Razer does stuff like this. For one, it's fun, and two, it often learns from these projects, and from them, that tech could trickle down into its normal projects.

And yeah, it's awesome to just use it for work for typing on, too! It's so solid, stable, and consistent it's like the world's most precise keys built into a rock.

Finally, I should also mention that, for $499, you are getting a 5-year warranty on the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition, compared to the 2-year warranty of its standard keyboards. This is the longest warranty Razer offers on any keyboard and is meant to reflect the premium materials and the limited‑edition nature of the product.

In summary, you can practically hear the moment Razer’s engineers snapped and decided to build a keyboard for the gods, and I think they nailed it.

HP's back with an all new OmniBook Ultra, this time powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X2 Elite, and a new design to boot. I've always loved HP's flagship laptops, and the OmniBook Ultra might just be the best Windows laptop it's ever made.

Its new design is drop dead gorgeous, featuring razer thin edges, a new keyboard design that's amazing to type on, and a best-in-class 14-inch OLED display that makes text and images crisp and clear. It also has plenty of power under the hood, all while offering all day battery life, and then some.

I've been testing the HP OmniBook Ultra over the last few weeks, and this is my full review.

This review was made possible via a review unit supplied by HP. The company had no editorial input and did not view the contents of this review before publication.

Specs and Price

The HP OmniBook Ultra is available now from HP Online and third-party retailers with prices starting at $1,899 for the base model with a Snapdragon X Plus and 16GB RAM.

You can also upgrade to a Snapdragon X2 Elite and 32GB RAM, which will cost $2,399 from HP. The configuration used for this review is one with 64GB RAM and 2TB storage, but this model doesn't appear to be available for sale just yet.

What I love

Getting right down to business, I want to start with the overall design of this laptop. In a word, it's fantastic. In multiple words, it might be one of the prettiest Windows laptops I've ever had through the lab. It's a gorgeous piece of hardware, featuring diamond cut edges that look so sharp and satisfying.

When closed, it looks so sleek and modern. The side of the device where the display hinge is features a brushed metal design with "OMNIBOOK ULTRA" subtly etched into the metal. I'm obsessed with how it looks. I love looking at it, and I love touching it. Everything about this design is premium.

The underside if the device features a unique design that makes it appear thinner than it actually is. The device tapers towards the edges and around the ports so that the part you hold and can see is razer thin. It's only when you hold the laptop up and look underneath do you realize that it's actually thicker than it first appears.

This is accentuated by the color, "Stone Blue," which might be the prettiest blue to ever grace a computer. It looks super stylish, and doesn't overexert itself like some other laptop blues. It's much more muted than the blue on Surface Laptop 7, which I think is actually a good thing. It also does a very good job at hiding fingerprints, which can't be said for all laptops.

That color is carried into the inside of the device, which when opened looks fantastic. The display is flanked by super think bezels, and the keyboard is beautiful too. There's a large haptic trackpad below the keyboard which is also a delight to use, offering the usual haptic feedback options for adjusting how subtle the haptics are.

The only thing that really lets this design down is the usual sticker you find on Windows laptops. My Snapdragon X2 Elite model comes with a Snapdragon sticker, complete with an ugly Copilot+ PC logo. It's minor, but it really takes away from the overall elegant and clean design of the OmniBook Ultra.

Moving onto the display. It's a 14-inch 16:10 OLED panel with a high 120Hz refresh rate and 3K resolution. It's a beautiful and bright panel, with inky deep blacks, high contrast, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and sharp text and images that make looking at webpages and icons super nice. It's also a touchscreen, which we love to see on a Windows laptop.

It can reach a peak brightness of around 500 nits, in our testing reaching 498. In HDR mode, HP rates the display for 1100 nits, which is pretty great I can confirm that HDR mode does pop on this display, though I'm not often watching HDR content.

What's also nice is that the display doesn't have rounded corners. Many high-end laptops these days, including MacBook's will round off the corners of the panel. This looks nice in theory, but in reality you lose genuine screen real-estate by doing this. The OmniBook Ultra has square display corners, so you're not missing out on any pixels.

I love typing on this laptop. There's something about the keyboard that makes it super easy to type on. It's quiet, smooth, lightweight, with enough key travel to be satisfying but not overbearing. It's a new keyboard design for HP laptops, with keys that are much closer together.

However, unlike Dell's keyboard (which I find more difficult to type on) the keys on the OmniBook Ultra are tapered at the edges, which gives them a little separation. This separation makes it easy to type without looking at the keys, as each key is distinctly placed and easily identified with your fingers. I also think it looks nicer than Dell's keyboards.

The port selection is good enough. On the left, we have a USB-C port and 3.5 audio jack, and on the right there's two additional USB-C ports. You won't find USB-A or an SD card reader here, which would've been nice additions, but I understand that to maintain the razer thin design, those ports needed to be omitted.

Webcam is also pretty good. It's a 5MP sensor that looks fine in daylight, but gets quite noisy in low-light environments. It is flanked by IR sensors, which support Windows Hello face unlock which is nice and fast, and much preferred over a fingerprint reader. The device also features wake on approach and screen dimming when you look away, though these are off by default.

What I don't like

Believe it or not, but there's really not a lot to dislike about the HP OmniBook Ultra. If I had to nitpick, I'd say the lack of a USB-A port is a little annoying sometimes, along with the absence of a microSD card reader.

Some will likely dislike that the display is glossy. I personally don'y have an issue with this, but it does mean reflections are very obvious when in a well lit environment. This is something that would be remedied with an anti-reflective or anti-glare coating, or a matte display option.

I also really don't like that Qualcomm insists on placing an ugly sticker on the keyboard deck to represent its silicon. I know OEMs include this because Qualcomm gives them incentive to do so, but I really feel like it detracts from the otherwise perfect appearance of the OmniBook Ultra.

I can also see how some may not love the look or feel of the keyboard. The keys are quite close together, but they are tapered at the edges to give them more of a separated feel. I personally love it, but some of my peers said they weren't huge fans. It'll come down to individual preference.

Lastly, the lack of a 5G option will be an upset for some. I know there is a small but vocal group of people who believe 5G is a must have feature on their Windows laptop, meaning this device won't be a fit for them.

Performance and Battery

Under the hood, the HP OmniBook Ultra is packing Qualcomm's latest SoC in the form of a Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2E-90-100,) featuring 18 cores and hitting boost speeds up to 5.0 GHz, this processor is capable of chewing through multi-threaded tasks with ease.

My review unit comes with 2TB storage and 64GB RAM too, though I think that's a little overkill. For most people, the configuration with 32GB or even 16GB RAM is likely more than enough for daily tasks and creative work.

In my testing, the OmniBook Ultra is a beast. I was able to edit 4K video on it with no problems, as well as play a few games with smooth framerates at 1440p. It's definitely not a gaming machine, but if you want to play something casually every now and then, it's something this device can handle, assuming there are no compatibility issues with Arm.

In benchmarks, the OmniBook Ultra performed very well. Cinebench 2026 tests resulted in 4,646 points in multi-core, and 632 in single-core. That places is neatly between an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max in single-core performance, and and an AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990W and Apple M4 Max in multi-core. It's a seriously capable chip.

Geekbench is a similar story, earning a multi-core score of 20,448 and single-core score of 3,687. Geekbench's GPU test resulted in a score of 39,738 too. In CrossMark, it achieved a score of 1,993. SSD performance is also excellent, with a CrystalDiskMark read score of 10,407.29 MB/s and write score of 7225.54 MB/s, making one of the fastest SSDs in a Windows laptop currently.

Above all else, even under heavy load, the device is whisper quiet. It has a built-in fan, designed around a vapour chamber that does an excellent job at keeping the keyboard deck cool enough to use comfortably under heavy load. The fan does get audible when under sustained load, but it's not loud or overbearing.

Regarding battery life, I was simply blown away. HP rates the OmniBook Ultra as capable of hitting 44 hours on a single charge, and while that's certainly an overestimation, the OmniBook Ultra can easily get you through a work day on a single charge, with plenty of power left to spare.

In my testing, I would usually end the 8 hour work day with about 35-40% battery remaining. That's with about 6-7 hours of screen time conducting day to day tasks such as writing, web browsing, and listening to music. In our controlled battery life tests, it achieved around 22 hours, which is super impressive.

That means real world usage should see you capable of taking the device to work without a charger, and not have to worry about it running out. You can even get through most of the next day too before needing to plug in again. Seriously impressive longevity in this battery, which is a 70Wh cell. Paired with the efficient Qualcomm chip, and you've got a perfect mix of power and efficiency.

When you do find yourself low on power, the OmniBook Ultra supports fast charging, meaning you can juice up from 0% to about 50% in under an hour.

Conclusion

Overall, I think the HP OmniBook Ultra is my new favorite Windows 11 PC in 2026 so far. It's beautiful, powerful, energy efficient, and features most bells and whistles that you might want on a flagship Windows laptop in the current year.

Some will likely find HP's new keyboard design a little controversial, or the lack of an anti-reflective display annoying, but personally I don't have issues with either of these. I prefer glossy displays and I've found HP's new keyboard design to be delightful to use.

You should buy this laptop if...

✅ You want an excellent all-round Windows laptop

✅ You need all day battery life

✅ You want an incredible OLED touchscreen

✅ You want a Windows on Arm PC

You should not buy this laptop if...

❌ You want a laptop with 5G

❌ You need a laptop with an anti-reflective or matte screen

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CHUWI is a Shenzhen-based PC brand that's been around since 2004, delivering affordable devices in the form of laptops, tablets, and, more recently, mini PCs.

While I've tested CHUWI laptops in the past, the AuBox X 256V that the company sent me is its first mini PC I've had a chance to test.

It's super compact, it features a snappy Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPU, and it has lots of ports to work with.

I've been using the CHUWI AuBox X on my desk for a few weeks now; here's what you need to know before buying.

CHUWI had no input, nor saw the contents of this review, prior to publication.

How much does the CHUWI AuBox X cost?

CHUWI's AuBox X is available now to buy directly from CHUWI's store.

The more affordable model, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, costs $679 — that's with tax included.

The high-end model that I'm reviewing here, with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, costs $829. Again, that's with tax included.

CHUWI is offering an exclusive $80 discount for Windows Central readers. When checking out, use code WindowsCentralAuBoxX.

These configurations are effectively locked; if you want more storage, you can upgrade after purchase. Memory is, unfortunately, soldered to the chip and not upgradeable.

Here's a quick look at the specs that make up the CHUWI AuBox X 256V, as reviewed.

Is the CHUWI AuBox X built well?

The AuBox X uses a magnesium alloy chassis, meaning it gets the durability perks of metal without weighing much. Indeed, at just 1.27 pounds (580g) and measuring only 5 inches square, it's one of the tinier PCs we've tested here at Windows Central.

And although it takes up little room on a desk, I appreciate that CHUWI tosses in a VESA mounting panel. You can quickly mount the PC onto the back of a monitor or the underside of a desk, further saving room.

The magnesium shell has venting on either side to feed the single internal fan with cold air, while hot air exhausts out the back. That's an optimal setup.

Unfortunately, the fan does get relatively loud when the CPU is under load. While running Cinebench tests, I measured approximately 61dBA directly behind the PC where hot air exhausts. From about a foot away, the volume dropped to about 51dBA, which is a lot more respectable.

In any case, unless you have the PC mounted under your desk (or elsewhere out of the way), you're going to hear the fan when the PC is working.

The AuBox X's port selection is plentiful, but I wish for more USB-C

This tiny mini PC has more ports than you might expect, but they're not necessarily the ports you want.

The front of the device features a single USB4 port, and that's it for the USB-C form factor, other than the 100W power input on the back.

Otherwise, the front panel has dual USB-A — one 3.2 Gen 2 at 10Gbps and one 3.2 Gen 1 at 5Gbps — a 3.5mm audio jack, and a power button.

Native video output on the back of the PC is decent, with DisplayPort 1.4 and dual HDMI. However, there are some quirks.

Something I've never seen before is a warning that the DP 1.4 port can't be plugged in or out when the PC is turned on; it needs to be powered down before use.

CHUWI also lists both HDMI ports as using the 2.1 standard, yet one is FRL and the other TMDS. Considering TMDS is an HDMI 2.0 technology, it means that you're actually only getting one HDMI 2.1 port with full 48Gbps bandwidth.

This mini PC should nevertheless support three external displays. I tested using one 4K and one 2.5K display, and the PC had no issues.

I appreciate the inclusion of a 2.5Gb Ethernet port for speedy wired internet, and there are plenty of USB-A ports to work with. If only those USB-A ports on the back climbed above 5Gbps.

As I mentioned, it would be nice to have extra USB-C connections on the back of the PC.

How is the CHUWI AuBox X's performance?

Aside from a bit of fan noise, I don't have much to complain about regarding the CHUWI AuBox X's performance.

Its Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU, which launched in late 2024, remains a solid performer with 8 cores and a boost clock up to 4.8GHz. Although it has a base TDP of 17W, CHUWI designed the system to be capable of jumping up to 37W for short bursts. That's as high as this chip goes.

Also on board is an integrated Arc 140V graphics chip, providing a respectable amount of power for such a small device. It compares well to the discrete NVIDIA GTX 1650 and can even give the RTX 3050 a run for its money in certain games. I wouldn't buy this PC for gaming, but it can certainly hold its own in lighter titles.

CHUWI markets the AuBox X as an AI PC, and indeed it is capable of running local models thanks to its Neural Processing Unit (NPU) hitting 47 TOPS of power. The PC is Copilot+ certified.

The biggest drawback in terms of AI (and overall) performance is the capped 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM. There's no way to upgrade memory since it's integrated with the chip; be wary of this limitation when buying for AI workloads.

I ran several benchmark tests to get an idea of general performance compared to other PCs we've recently tested.

In Geekbench 6, the Core Ultra 7 256V that lends itself to the AuBox X 256V's name performed quite well, delivering strong single-core performance and showing plenty of space for all cores to function.

Cinebench 2024 was largely the same, with the Core Ultra 7 256V pulling ahead of the similar 258V. And as for the SSD, well, no complaints from me thanks to stellar read and write speeds.

Cracking open the CHUWI AuBox X 256V to see what's inside

Removing the bottom panel via four captive screws, I took a chance to poke around inside the mini PC.

Presented immediately are three M.2 slots: two for storage and one for the Wi-Fi 6E card. Both SSD slots fit full-size 2280 drives, so no issues there.

The rest of the device is fairly locked down. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has integrated RAM, so there's no option to upgrade after purchase.

Should you buy the CHUWI AuBox X?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You're interested in a capable mini PC with AI smarts via the 47 TOPS NPU.

✅ You don't have much space on your desk and want a super compact PC.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You want a PC that can handle a life of gaming.

❌ You want a PC with more upgradeable components; a traditional desktop is still a better choice.

CHUWI's AuBox X 256V is competitively priced at $829, and you can knock a further $80 off by using code WindowsCentralAuBoxX at checkout. The PC is built well, offering solid performance for regular and AI tasks.

My complaints — fan noise, not enough USB-C ports, and a 16GB cap on RAM — should be taken into consideration before buying, but they're certainly not dealbreakers.

If you do want a great mini PC with more RAM, something like the Geekom A9 Max we tested remains a top option. Its Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU is AI-capable, and the system includes 32GB of memory. It does, however, cost $1,399 these days, nearly twice as much as the AuBox X.

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I have reviewed a mountain of Xbox controllers in my time, and it's getting increasingly rare that something truly fresh comes across my desk. That's why I was pleasantly surprised with Flydigi's first Xbox licensed option, dubbed the Vader 5S.

I haven't used a Flydigi product before, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. And I have to admit, I wasn't exactly impressed with the device at first glance.

The controller's gold accents aren't my cup of tea, but the spec sheet makes the design choices much easier to overlook. Is it among the best Xbox controllers you can get? Let's take a look.

Flydigi Vader 5S: Specs and features

The Flydigi Vader 5S has some really impressive specs on paper, and yes, while it is wired, those who don't mind that aspect of it have a lot to enjoy here.

Hall Effect sticks (or TMR) have become a must for me in 2026, so it's good they've ticked off that box. The Xbox Elite controller I purchased only last year has already started to drift, annoyingly (although there are new ways to fix Xbox controller stick drift emerging over time). I sorely hope every Xbox controller being made now and in the future carries Hall Effect or above.

Additionally, we have a mountain of buttons to configure here, which you can do via Flydigi's Space Station for Xbox app. There are two buttons on the reverse, an additional two on the front plate, and two extra bumpers across the top as well.

It has all the standard Xbox buttons on top, including the standard ABXY and the Xbox share button, view, menu, and nexus buttons. Rumors have it that Xbox is adding C and Z buttons as standard for developers to leverage, so Flydigi is well-positioned for the future as well.

We have vibration motors in both the controller and in the triggers, as well as two-stage trigger locks, a 3.5mm audio jack with mute shortcut buttons, and a lengthy braided cable in the box.

The app itself is capable, giving you custom profiles that you can switch out on the fly. You can tailor the RGB light bar across the bottom, configure the buttons to your liking, and set up response curves and things like that.

The best feature here, though, has to be the customizable tension rings. Around each thumbstick is a steel dial that can be turned to increase or decrease motion tension. So, say for example you're playing Call of Duty and want to have a large degree of control over your aiming, you could ramp up the tension on the stick while also increasing the sensitivity in-game, allowing you to make more precise adjustments to your crosshairs.

On the flip side, if you were playing a non-hitscan hero in Overwatch, you could lower the tension to give you a more rapid turning circle for heroes that don't need precision aiming, like Moira or Reinhardt.

It would take some practice, but it would offer some clear advantages for those willing to min-max their playstyle. It's a really cool feature.

Flydigi Vader 5S: Ergonomics and design

You'll be pleased to hear the controller is also fantastic in the hand. It's actually one of the best-feeling controllers I've used, and the shoulder button designs in particular surpass Microsoft's home-grown best.

The buttons and d-pad all have a pleasant and clicky actuation, which also feels great, and the paddles on the back also retain good positioning.

My gripes about the controller all pertain to cosmetics, which is minor ultimately in the grand scheme of things, but if you are someone who takes pride in their gaming setup, you might find this controller difficult to fit in.

The Xbox nexus button placement, for some reason, has these odd gold flecks which look more like dust/dirt. The gold in general is an odd choice, and feels incongruous with how Xbox accessories generally show up. The incongruent design choices even extend to the braided cable, which has inexplicable blue accents, despite the fact that there's no presence of blue anywhere else here.

The loud and gaudy gold accents also undermine the RGB light bar across the bottom ... which, by the way, doesn't even come close to color accuracy. It can't output red, for example, reaching as far as pink only. No colors, besides yellow, really match up with gold, making the RGB lighting pointless. They should've removed it and shaved a pit off the price point instead, probably.

Sure, it's all cosmetic, but it shows that Flydigi didn't really think the visuals or finer details through too much when building this controller.

Flydigi Vader 5S: Competition

The tension rings are a really nice touch here, and it's a far better implementation than I've seen in some other controllers that do similar things. The Xbox Elite controller, for example, requires a tool to adjust the stick tension, which isn't exactly convenient.

The kicker here is that you're paying a fair premium for what is ultimately, potentially, a pretty niche feature. As wired options go, the GameSir G7 HE is probably still a superior value overall, and the GameSir G7 SE is cheaper still, doesn't compromise on the fundamentals, and comes with customizable faceplates for those who are into their aesthetics. There's also the wired Razer Wolverine V3 option, which comes in at the same price point.

Also, in the short term, we are most likely going to see the debut of new Xbox controllers very shortly, in the form of the Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, so you may want to hold off to see what Microsoft has cooked up for us there, too.

Ultimately, you're going to really need to want the tension adjustment feature to justify this one, I would say. And it would be a fair shout. The Flydigi Vader 5S has a fair price at $60 in my opinion, particularly when you factor in the included Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month card it comes with.

Flydigi Vader 5S: Conclusion

Like I said, ultimately this product revolves around its thumbstick tension feature, which is admittedly very good. The design isn't to my personal liking, but that might not be an issue for you. Otherwise, Flydigi nails all of the fundamentals here with superb ergonomics, features, specs, and a very fair price.

There's a ton of competing similar options out there, though. Tension adjustment rings alone might not be enough to see Flydigi across the finish line with this one. Also, I'm not sure what the market is like for wired controllers in 2026 ... wireless is simply too convenient to give up for me personally, but going wired does shave a fair bit off the final price point.

If you pick this up, I highly doubt you'll be disappointed. It's a great option and one I'm happy to recommend. Is it mind-blowing? Probably not. I think Flydigi could've paid more attention to the details, but it's still a fantastic option overall, and a great first entry into its Xbox accessory line-up. I'm pretty intrigued to see what they do next.

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ASUS's Republic of Gamers (ROG) has, over the past 20 years, become one of PC gaming's most recognized brands. Encompassing gaming laptops, desktops, monitors, headsets, peripherals, and more, ROG products find a home in countless gaming rooms.

ASUS is taking advantage of Computex 2026 to highlight two decades of ROG, and it has launched a new 75% ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 mechanical keyboard to celebrate. The keyboard landed on my desk well ahead of launch, and it's been in full use for the past couple of weeks.

ASUS had no input, nor saw the contents of this review, prior to publication.

How much does the ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 cost?

The ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 makes its debut at $599.99, a full $100 more expensive than the regular, non-anniversary Azoth Extreme model. It's available to pre-order now at Best Buy and Newegg.

The keyboard is expected to launch on July 19, when it will also show up at Amazon and Micro Center.

ASUS is also selling 20th Anniversary ROG Keycap Mystery Boxes for $24.99. These kits come with six randomized special-edition keycaps related to the history of ROG. The kits are available at Best Buy and Newegg.

There's a 1/48 chance of landing a 20th Anniversary Special Edition ROG keycap, but I didn't get so lucky. What I can say is that these special keycaps are top quality, to the point that each one is hand-painted. I'd say pick up a kit of six if you're a real ROG enthusiast; otherwise, stick with your own designs.

What's in the box?

The ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 comes with the keyboard, gold-plated nameplate, USB-C cable, four magnetic feet, keycap puller, switch puller, USB dongle, USB extender, three extra switches, extra silicon pins and foam stickers, and a wrist rest.

A high-end redesign inside and outside

The ASUS Azoth Extreme keyboard isn't exactly new. It's technically been around since 2024 as a flagship mechanical gaming option, but it's never looked as good as this Edition 20 model.

What does that mean? Well, rather than the regular black finish across the board, ASUS has gone heavy on the gold accents and transparent keycaps. Let me break it down.

The outside edges of the keyboard, including the areas around the port outlets and the built-in control, have a gold finish. It's also found on the inner edges that surround the keycaps.

The magnetic feet? The wrist rest baseplate? The control knob? Also finished in gold. ASUS tops it all off with a 24K plated gold nameplate that attaches to the bottom of the keyboard to cover the gasket control and the USB dongle garage.

These accents offset nicely against the otherwise black aluminum alloy chassis, which features a bladed pattern that sort of gives it a carbon fiber look.

Transparent keycaps are a nice touch with the gold and black

Rather than using full black keycaps like on the regular Azoth Extreme, ASUS made a change to transparent caps with black tops. With the right RGB lighting, it sort of looks like a bunch of shining crystals.

A carbon fiber positioning plate surrounds the keycaps, but that's just one layer. Below is a layer of PORON dampening foam, a PORON switch pad, and a silicone pad. This stack dampens annoying "pings" from switches and also helps make typing as comfortable as possible.

I can attest that the Azoth Extreme Edition 20 is the most comfortable keyboard I've ever used for regular work. At this point, I've typed thousands of words on it when not gaming, and I can't get enough of the feel and sound of the switches.

Something I've never had on a keyboard before is an adjustable gasket. With just one toggle, you can transform the typing feel from soft to hard. I keep it on soft while working and switch it to hard when gaming for a more responsive feel.

The only complaint I have has to do with keycap legibility. The black finish on the top and a lack of transparent lettering make it hard to see the font in most conditions. The fully transparent keycaps are not quite so hard to make out (and I do love the custom graphics on most of them), but they're still not perfect.

I can't get enough of the ROG NX Edition 20 mechanical switches

ASUS is offering two different types of switches. I have ROG NX Snow Edition 20 switches, which have the most satisfying, full sound. These switches have a 1.8mm actuation point, 40gf of initial force, and 53gf of total force.

If you prefer a more clacky experience, I'd recommend you stick with ROG NX Storm switches. In any case, the switches come pre-lubed and ready to go. I appreciate that each switch has a "walled" design that helps keep out dust and dirt, and I also love that they're hot-swappable.

On some keyboards, wider keys like the spacebar (with just one switch in the middle) can feel wonky. Not the case here, thanks to stabilizers that keep all keys feeling the same.

Easy to control, easy to customize

In the top-left corner of the keyboard is a 1.47-inch OLED touch display attached to a control knob. The screen is small enough not to be intrusive, but big enough to be legible from a distance.

The screen's animations can be customized through Armoury Crate software, or you can swipe between a bunch of presets. No matter the backdrop, the little screen displays things like Caps Lock, profile, connection, battery, and the function carousel (showing things like volume, brightness, etc.).

Using the control knob next to the screen makes switching between per-key RGB setups easy, and it also controls screen/RGB brightness, music, and volume. You can customize the knob with your own commands as well.

Customize your keys any way you see fit

As long as you don't mind jumping into Armoury Crate on your PC, every key (except Fn) on the ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 is customizable. You can also set up any number of macros to help automate your flow.

This is also where you can sync your keyboard's lighting with Aura Sync.

Performance and battery life

The ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 connects with USB-C, Bluetooth, and a 2.4GHz dongle. These modes are easily toggled with a built-in switch.

ASUS uses its proprietary SpeedNova tech for 2.4GHz connections, boosting battery life up to 1,600+ hours with all lighting disabled. At least that's what ASUS claims — I still haven't had to charge in the two weeks I've been using the board.

More realistically, with RGB lighting and OLED display enabled, you should be able to get about four days of constant use out of the board before the battery runs dry.

1,000Hz polling rate can be boosted to 8,000Hz

ASUS includes a nifty little ROG Polling Rate booster dongle in the package. You can plug it into your PC and use it like a wireless dongle, or you can plug the keyboard into your PC through the booster.

Either way, it bumps the stock 1,000Hz polling rate up to 8,000Hz, something I'm sure some competitive gamers can appreciate.

Should you buy the ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 keyboard?

You should buy it if ...

✅ You're a rabid ROG fan and want to celebrate 20 years of gaming hardware.

✅ You're a fan of premium mechanical keyboards that are ideal for work and gaming.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You already have a hard time seeing the lettering on keys.

❌ Your $600 could be better spent on PC performance hardware upgrades.

The ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 is hands-down the best mechanical gaming keyboard I've ever used. It's built better than any peripheral I've tested or otherwise purchased myself, and it has everything I need for both gaming and work.

That's really the selling point here, especially at an eye-watering $600; the keyboard is just as good for having fun as it is for typing thousands of words every day. It sounds good, it feels good, and it looks good.

My only qualm has to do with the font visibility on the main set of keycaps. They can be very hard to read, backlight or not, in low-light conditions.

Other than that issue, which is fairly minor for anyone who doesn't have to look down when typing or gaming, the only other impediment is the price tag. The ROG Azoth Extreme was firmly in the enthusiast camp, and a $100 price bump makes it even more so.

ASUS's Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand is turning 20 this year, and to celebrate, the company has launched a 20th Anniversary edition of its ROG Harpe II Extreme gaming mouse at Computex.

I was lucky enough to get the new Edition 20 mouse a couple of weeks ahead of the announcement, so I've had plenty of time to test it out in many a real-world situation. If the idea of a gold-plated mouse tickles your fancy, read on to see if it's worth buying or not.

ASUS had no input, nor saw the contents of this review, prior to publication.

How much does the ASUS ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 cost?

The new ASUS ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 mouse makes its debut at $259.99. It's available for pre-order at both Best Buy and Newegg, and it's expected to launch fully on July 19.

After launch, it will also be available at Amazon and Micro Center.

Considering the regular ROG Harpe II Ace, on which this special Edition 20 is based, costs about $170, you're looking at roughly a $90 cost difference.

What's in the box?

Alongside the ASUS ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 mouse, the special display case has an ROG SpeedNova 8K receiver and extender, an ROG paracord, grip tape, extra mouse slides, stickers, a cleaning cloth, and documentation.

What I love about the ASUS ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20

The new ASUS ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 is based on the Harpe II Ace that launched in late 2025. And just like its sibling ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 keyboard, it's been given a makeover with gold accents, improved internals, and special anniversary branding.

Impeccable design that's comfortable to hold

The Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 has been in use on my desk for gaming and for work for a couple of weeks, and it's just as comfortable to hold at the start of the day as it is at the end.

Its sidewalls are lightly tapered to fit my fingers, and it has an ideal shape that rests firmly under my palm. It's the perfect size for me, though I can see it maybe being a bit too big for those with smaller hands.

I was concerned with how slick the outer transparent shell can be when gaming, but ASUS has that issue covered with included grip stickers you can add if needed.

The mouse's shell primarily has a semi-transparent black finish to help show off the internals. The outside is a little busy, what with all the extra ROG branding in honor of the anniversary, but that's largely the point.

A gold-plated interior ... with RGB lighting

The biggest aesthetic upgrade you get here comes in the form of an inner metal frame with real 24K gold plating.

The layered design helps give the mouse's internals some depth beneath the transparent shell, and it's finished off with an RGB 20th Anniversary ROG logo right in the center of the main internal plate. This logo connects to other RGB via Aura Sync.

Despite the new design, the mouse still only weighs 82 grams. It's one of the lighter mice I've used, and although I'm now used to it, it would be nice to have adjustable weights like other high-end mice.

Scrolling, clicking, and gliding

The mouse's black finish is nicely offset by a gold-colored scroll wheel and metal side buttons. I had no issues with any of the three inputs; the side buttons are perfectly placed for easy control with my thumb, and the scroll wheel is smooth but tactile.

ASUS uses its ROG Optical Micro switches below the main mouse buttons, making the mouse feel incredibly responsive. I also noticed while playing FPS games that it seriously drops the likelihood of double clicks, felt most when tapping fire on a rifle set to full auto.

👉 Best mouse in 2026: The best mice for gaming, ergonomics, and more

These switches are also very durable, with ASUS claiming 100 million clicks before the switches wear out. Not bad.

Flipping the mouse over reveals stylized slides at the front and back of the mouse. These are made of Gorilla Glass for extra durability (nothing worse than your slides wearing away before the mouse is through), but they also make the mouse super smooth.

Here is where you'll also find DPI and pairing buttons, as well as a toggle for 2.4GHz (via the SpeedNova 8K dongle), Bluetooth, or wired connectivity. There's no dongle storage on the mouse; instead, ASUS says to use the (bulky) plastic carrying case when in transit.

The high-performance sensor you want for competitive gaming

I'm getting too old to have a real chance in competitive games, but I can say that the ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 had me playing my best.

ASUS has its premier ROG AimPoint Pro 65K sensor on board, featuring a 65,000 DPI, adjustable lift-off distance (LOD) from 0.7mm to 1.7mm, maximum acceleration of 70g, and a max speed of 800 inches per second (IPS).

The mouse also lets me adjust its polling rate from 1,000Hz all the way up to 8,000Hz, which at the top provides just 0.2ms latency even when used wirelessly.

I didn't really need it for my purposes, but a Zone Mode is available for competitive gamers. It quickly locks the mouse into the top settings so you can jump into a game after work without too many adjustments.

Battery life is excellent

ASUS uses something called dynamic wireless transmission power to boost battery life, and it claims the mouse can go for 195 hours with a 1K polling rate. I still haven't hit that limit, but I've also not yet had to charge the mouse in the two weeks I've had it.

If you bump it up to an 8K polling rate, the battery life falls to about 37 hours. Still a respectable number that won't have you reaching for a cable before every gaming session.

What I don't like about the ASUS ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20

ASUS really did a great job of overhauling its flagship mouse for ROG's 20th anniversary, and there are just a couple of nitpicks I'd like to mention.

One is the shell's slick feel. Yes, ASUS includes grip tape, but adding it to the mouse kind of interferes with the overall sleek look.

Another nitpick is the lack of a USB garage built into the mouse. I don't want to carry around a bulky plastic carrying case in a bag, and I also don't want to just toss a dongle in there loose.

Finally, I can't skip mentioning the price. I know this mouse is for ROG fanatics who want to help celebrate 20 years of gaming service, and I understand that its performance is superior to the ROG Harpe II Ace on which it's based.

Still, asking $259.99 for one mouse is a bit steep, especially if you're already dropping $600 on a matching keyboard.

Should you buy the ASUS ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 mouse?

You should buy it if ...

✅ You love the ASUS ROG brand and want to help ring in its 20th anniversary.

✅ You're a competitive PC gamer who wants a high-performance, comfortable mouse.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You have particularly small hands or are left-handed.

❌ You prefer a heavy mouse or a mouse with adjustable weight.

Like the sibling ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 keyboard I reviewed, the new ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 is a special accessory that's not meant for the masses. That helps explain the price, at least.

If you are a ROG fanatic (or simply love the idea of a gaming mouse with some extra flash), I can promise that you're landing one great device. Sure, it has a few little drawbacks, but overall, it's a gaming mouse that has practically every high-performance feature I can think of.

It's comfortable to hold (if a bit slick without grip stickers), the buttons respond as you'd expect and feel nice and snappy, and it has the right sensor and polling rate to keep up with even the fastest reactions.

I had absolutely no expectations whatsoever for 007: First Light, which launches this week on Xbox Play Anywhere and Steam. I come away from this review with a potential pick for my personal Game of the Year.

I'm by no means a hardcore Bond fan, but I do have a fondness for the franchise. I have nostalgic memories watching the classics as a kid, from Goldfinger to GoldenEye (both movie and game). If you're a Brit, Bond is woven into the culture with everyone having at least some generalized awareness of its tropes and cliches.

I'm also, at best, a casual fan of IO, having long been impressed by Hitman, albeit from the sidelines, as a dabbler, and I'm by no means a stealth-assassin aficionado. Despite all of this, I came away from 007: First Light not only blown away by the game's raw quality, but also its thoughtful and authentic story delivery. IO has hit another level.

007: First Light takes what IO built within its dynamic open assassination sandboxes and deftly applies it to something more cinematic — while avoiding feeling overly linear or scripted. It pays raises a vodka martini to Ian Fleming's classic world in spades, remaining unapologetically British in delivery while pulling on contemporary real-world events that should be on everyone's radar.

007: First Light is an absolute masterpiece, and I am elated for the team at IO. There are some rough edges, but nothing a patch or two won't smooth out. I'm more than happy to recommend its beefy, 16+ hour campaign in full to players on Xbox and PC.

007: First Light review — Visuals, design, and performance

007: First Light runs on IOI's proprietary engine known as Glacier, giving 007: First Light a large variety of gameplay modularity and systems, wholly befitting of Bond. It's also not a bad looker, either, with impressive lighting and smoke detailing, and good shadows. I was a little disappointed with the overall performance compromises on Xbox Series X, however. Bond is best served on a high-end PC as usual.

007: First Light offers both performance and quality modes on Xbox Series X, although the frame rate is very poor on quality mode with the review build, with a juddery presentation. I suspect many, if not most, will use performance mode on Xbox Series X|S. In this mode, you do get a smooth 60 FPS throughout the whole game on the X with no noticeable dips, but the resolution takes a beating.

It dynamically scales to maintain pace with the target frame rate, which can result in pixelated presentation in some sequences. It's ultimately a minor gripe, though — and something I'm sure IO will optimize further in subsequent patches.

Clearly, the lion's share of 007: First Light's design work went into its characters. As a cinematic game, this was clearly the right choice. The main characters are evocative and give great performances, although the throwaway NPCs can look a little uncanny at times.

Glacier is still a great engine for creating immersive, realistic human spaces. Some scenes feature dozens of NPCs on-screen simultaneously (as was often true in Hitman), with key NPCs sporting their own behaviors and pathing. IO also continues its penchant for hefty detailing and realism, offering tons of reasons to explore the game's varied and sizeable playspaces.

007: First Light is a stealth game at its core, connecting Hitman-styled stealth sandbox action-puzzle environments between more Bond movie-style cinematic linear sequences. IO executes the blend of gameplay styles effortlessly, with great pacing between the game's bombastic action movie highs and more meticulous, analytical stealth segments.

Taking in 007: First Light's gallery of colorful characters, larger-than-life cinematic highs, and carefully crafted stealth sequences made me almost nostalgic at times. Structurally speaking, I more than once felt like I was a kid playing Metal Gear Solid again, and that's one of the best compliments I can give this game.

007: First Light review — Story and characters

Indeed, I can't praise IOI enough for the overall story delivery here. The quality of the digital acting and cinematic pacing is hard to nail by itself, but marry in the lofty expectations that come with a modern Bond experience ... and you've set yourself a pretty gargantuan challenge. IOI nailed it, through and through. 007: First Light is quite possibly not just the best Bond game ever made, it's also worthy of the best movies from the franchise's celebrated canon. Absolute cinema.

You play as a younger James Bond here. A RAF Aircrewman who found himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. Or perhaps, it was the right place?

Salvaging an MI6 mission gone awry, the rookie Bond ends up inducted into an MI6 training program for his valor and proficiency in the field. The program is set to revive this universe's version of the "00" elite agent program ... although why it was shuttered in the first place is a major plot point.

I won't spoil the game's overarching beats, but throughout 007: First Light, you meet an incredible cast of memorable characters with Hollywood-grade delivery and fantastic dialogue. All of the Bond franchise's signature tropes are not only retained, but celebrated. Everything from Bond's irritatingly charming witticisms, a mysterious femme fatale, spy gadgets from the eccentric Q, and M — almost as new in the job as you, and terminally frustrated by Bond's cavalier antics.

Lenny Kravitz' bombastic crime lord Bawma, and others (spoilers), felt like an attempt to draw on some of Bond's larger-than-life classic villains. Yet, the overarching story 007: First Light tells feels scarily poignant and closer to home than I think many will be prepared for.

007 celebrates many different angles of Bond in a way that only a video game can — offering different Bond styles throughout its various systems, cinematic moments, and characters. Despite all of this, it never feels incohesive, which is incredibly impressive. 007: First Light, for its story alone, is well worth a place among the franchise's biggest and most celebrated movies.

Bond in 007: First Light is as green and reckless as they come, but he gets humbled pretty quickly. His maturity grows throughout the game, shadowed by the cold veteran Greenway, a former "00" relegated to a pencil pusher due to a notoriously botched op.

The way James' relationship and camaraderie grow with the supporting MI6 cast throughout the game was one of 007's high points for me, but what I enjoyed even more was how IOI delivered a contemporary narrative that should feel very relevant to anyone paying attention.

I don't want to spoil where the game takes some of these ideas, but 007: First Light also serves as a pretty stark warning about very, very real risks many of the world's biggest governments are already taking with certain companies and individuals ... I suspect those warnings will not be heeded.

In any case, like any great Bond movie, 007: First Light will run you through the whole gamut of human emotions, and I was fully invested throughout the whole show.

007: First Light review — Gameplay

I generally don't see myself as having the patience for stealth games like Hitman, but 007: First Light offers a vast variety of gameplay styles and opportunities to meet players where they are. Combat is not a "last resort" in 007: First Light.

Indeed, 007: First Light draws inspiration from the Batman Arkham games for its fist fighting. Dodge, parry, grab, and then execute form the basis of combat. But there's also so much more here.

First Light's close-quarters combat is incredibly dynamic, offering contextual opportunities that feel ripped straight out of the movie. What's all the more impressive is that it never feels overly scripted. James will dynamically use the environment to his advantage in combat, and you can throw objects and reach for other tools to stun and incapacitate foes on the fly. Run out of bullets? Throw your gun at them, too.

Oftentimes, I find games tend to put their focus on one specific style of gameplay, but First Light's gunplay is also incredibly robust. You can only wield guns and kill enemies in certain situations, when your "License to Kill" is active — James is bound by the law after all. Thankfully, there's a whole army of terrorists and mercenaries standing between Bond and his goals, with plenty of opportunities to cause mayhem and chaos.

James has various resources he can use in combat. The Q-Watch gadget lets you hack environmental details and set traps, luring enemies or stunning them for a quick stealth take down. You'll also gain focus points for successful actions and activities, which lets you slow down time during gunplay, Max Payne-style, for some slow-motion flourishes.

However, it also lets you use your spy craft persuasion tactics. You can walk up to a group of guards and confidently warn them that you're the IT guy here to check out a faulty server. If you have enough focus points, they'll buy the bluff temporarily at least. However, some smarter and more perceptive guards may be more difficult to persuade ...

The game also has more than its fair share of Hollywood-style set-piece moments. I found myself driving a garbage truck through packed London streets at one point, as mercs swarmed with silenced (and not so silenced) machine guns. There are obligatory car chases, parachute-free skydives, and other unexpected Bond-style "improvisations."

I played the game through on Normal difficulty across around 16 hours of playtime for the campaign. It also has some Metal Gear VR missions-style test levels you can try out, complete with leaderboards for skill expression. I want to also add that it had some of the best tutorial segments I've seen in a game, woven in as slick training montages.

007: First Light felt impeccably polished throughout. I was never disengaged or rushing to completion, even in the slower, stealthier segments — it was often here the characters and world-building shone the most. A huge variety of gameplay locations, gameplay styles, unique activities, set-piece moments, logic puzzles, investigations, platforming, and, honestly, exploration opportunities never left me wanting.

007: First Light review — Conclusion

I am rooting for 007. For one thing, it's becoming rare that we get games like this these days, particularly so at this level. It's even rarer that we get a game based on an existing IP that utterly nails the source material. It's rarer still that a AAA developer can stray from its bread-and-butter comfort zone and reach even higher — while also thoroughly succeeding.

007: First Light is as spectacular a game as it is a true Bond story and experience. The plot, the characters, the gameplay variety and pacing ... when you zoom out, the needle IOI had to thread makes for nothing short of a Herculean task. I hope the market rewards them in droves.

This is quintessential James Bond at its absolute best. Yes, I think there's room for optimization on console, and I have experienced a crash or two; the minor issues I experienced on my run didn't even come close to detracting from the overall package.

The fresh take on the franchise gives IOI a huge amount of runway for future installments (hopefully), and offers an angle underexplored by the movies themselves. It pays thoughtful homage to the franchise's iconic tropes without coming across as forced or ham-fisted, while also putting its own uniquely IOI mark on the legendary canon.

For anyone who has ever loved action-leaning stealth games, cinematic action games, or frankly, James Bond, all up — 007: First Light is absolutely essential.

007: First Light launches on May 27, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. It's also part of Xbox Play Anywhere for Xbox consoles and the Xbox PC store.

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Look, I am going to be honest with you: I am not a pro gamer. My days of staying up until 4 AM to climb the ranks in a twitch shooter are mostly behind me. But I still love high-end hardware, and there is something undeniably satisfying about using a tool that is over-engineered for its purpose.

The Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz is exactly that. Priced at $169.99, it sits in a competitive bracket (and not to be confused with the larger, but similar, Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz reviewed last year). It is not cheap, but for the crowd it targets, it is actually quite reasonable. You can find it right now at Best Buy and Amazon, which makes the whole "I want it today" or "I might need to return it if my hands are too small" process incredibly simple.

This keyboard is positioned as a pure competitive tool. While the "regular" V3 Pro TKL has been a staple for a while, this 8KHz version is the new flagship for the speed demons. It feels like Razer took the feedback from the community, looked at the current esports landscape, and decided to turn every dial to eleven.

I've spent the last week with it, and while I technically don't need this keyboard (8kHz browser tab switching, anyone?), I'm going to keep using it, because it's pretty awesome.

What is 8KHz and Why Does It Matter for Gamers?

If you have been following the PC peripheral scene, you have likely heard the term 8KHz or HyperPolling tossed around like a buzzword. For those who do not live in the weeds of technical specs, here is the explainer: most gaming keyboards poll your PC at 1,000Hz, or once every millisecond. The Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz polls at, well, 8,000Hz. This means the keyboard communicates with your computer every 0.125ms.

Is that overkill? For writing an email, yes. For a high-stakes match in Valorant? It is a genuine advantage.

HyperPolling minimizes input delay and provides a level of synchronicity with on-screen action that 1,000Hz just cannot match. When you combine this with Razer’s 2nd-Gen Analog Optical Switches, which "achieve highly precise input detection by measuring light passing through the entire switch stem," you get a keyboard that reacts before you even realize you have finished the press.

Razer claims these switches offer "2.5x better top deadzone management" than the competition, which is just jargon for saying these keys are incredibly consistent.

Snap Tap and Rapid Trigger Explained

The real magic of the V3 TKL 8KHz lies in the software and logic built into those analog switches. Specifically, we need to talk about Snap Tap and Rapid Trigger.

Snap Tap is Razer’s implementation of SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) resolution, and was announced in 2024. In standard keyboards, if you hold "A" to move left and then press "D" to move right, you might just stop moving entirely. Snap Tap changes the game by prioritizing the latest input. If you are strafing and hit the opposite key, the keyboard instantly registers that new direction without you having to fully release the first key. It makes counter-strafing feel "crispy and responsive," as some pros have noted.

Then there is Rapid Trigger. Standard mechanical switches have a fixed reset point. You have to let the key go past a certain height before you can press it again. With Rapid Trigger, the key resets the instant it starts moving upward, even by as little as 0.1mm. This allows for rapid, repeated inputs that feel like you have been "supercharged." You can also use DKS (Dual-Step Actuation) to map two actions to a single keypress based on how deeply you push it. It is a level of customization that makes the older V2 models look like relics.

Building a Better Huntsman V3 TKL

One of my biggest gripes with previous Razer keyboards was the "pingy" sound or the rattle of the stabilizers. I am happy to report that the V3 TKL 8KHz feels like a significant step up in build quality. Razer has added thick foam dampening and individually lubricated the switches. The result is a much more "muted typing acoustic" that stays in your flow state. The bounce and build quality feel improved over the regular V3 Pro, and the aluminum top plate gives it a premium heft.

The keycaps are textured doubleshot PBT, meaning they are shine-resistant and the legends will not fade. I also love the new onboard configuration. You can actually adjust the actuation height or Rapid Trigger sensitivity directly on the keyboard using the LED array indicator. No more diving into Synapse every five minutes just to tweak a setting. It is a nice touch for those of us who hate having too much background software running.

Razer even includes a nifty guide that you can keep on your desk for easy reference (see above).

Navigating the Razer Huntsman Lineup

Razer now has seven different Huntsman keyboards, and it is getting a bit crowded. You have the V3 Pro (Full), the V3 Pro TKL, the V3 Pro Mini, and now this 8KHz TKL version, not to mention the older V2 models still floating around.

The V3 TKL 8KHz fits in as the specialized "pro" choice. Compared to the V2, you are getting the vastly superior 2nd-Gen Analog switches instead of the standard optical ones. Compared to the regular V3 Pro TKL, you are getting that 8KHz polling and the improved lubrication.

If you are looking for a map through this forest, choose the V3 TKL 8KHz if you want the absolute cutting edge of speed. Choose the Mini if you need desk space. Choose the Full if you actually use a numpad (though, why?).

Should You Buy the Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You're actually a "pro" or aspiring pro gamer

✅ You prefer TKL, don't need/want media keys or a numberpad

✅ FPS games are your jam

✅ You like what Razer is cookin'

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You're just a regular gamer

❌ You're not a gamer

❌ You have issues with Razer

So, who is this for? If you are a competitive gamer, the answer is a resounding yes. The combination of Snap Tap, 8KHz polling, and Rapid Trigger makes this one of the most advanced gaming tools on the market.

However, I have to make an exception for the productivity crowd. If you just want a great typing keyboard for office work and you game on the side, this might not be your first choice. The switches are linear and very sensitive. Even though the lubrication has improved the sound, it is still a bit loud for a quiet office environment (but not annoying loud, in my opinion, it's just ... you know, audible). Plus, do you really need 8KHz polling to write a spreadsheet? Probably not.

That said, I'm using this 90% for typing at work and absolutely love it, so take that as you will.

But if you want a keyboard that feels like it was built for the podium, this is it. It is a pure competitive tool that happens to be built like a tank.

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Last year, I got my hands on the "Classic" MG-1 pre-built gaming PC from New Jersey-based Maingear. I was immediately wowed by the build quality, cable management, and flexible buying options. However, it wasn't quite perfect.

In my Maingear MG-1 review, I called out blind spots like non-captive panel screws, AiO cooler positioning, and the use of zip ties for cable management. Regardless, the MG-1's pros certainly outweighed the cons, and I handed it 4.5 stars and a Windows Central Best award.

For 2026, Maingear decided to address those pain points directly with the MG-1 MK.II, announced April 22. Maingear sent me a temporary review unit to try out, and it's now been in use for a couple of weeks. Here's why I'm so impressed with the second generation, and why I think it's among the very best pre-built gaming PCs you can buy today.

Maingear sent Windows Central a review unit on loan for testing. It had no input, nor saw the contents of this review, prior to publication.

How much does the Maingear MG-1 MK.II cost?

The new Maingear MG-1 MK.II starts at $2,249 for a pre-configured model with Intel Core Ultra 5 225F CPU, NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti GPU (8GB), 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.

There are 10 different pre-configs available at the time of writing, pushing all the way up to $7,199 for a model with AMD Ryzen 9 950X3D2 Dual Edition CPU, NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 4TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.

Of course, a significant chunk of that cost goes into RAM. If you'd like to save $300 compared to the cheapest 2x16GB kit Maingear offers, you can send in your own memory. Maingear will install it, test it, and ship your PC back to you all ready to go.

A deep configurator tool allows you to build an MG-1 MK.II from the ground up, with customization for everything from performance hardware to cable colors and accessories.

You can also find a number of MG-1 Mk. II PCs available at Best Buy, with prices starting at $2,389.

How the Maingear MG-1 MK.II improves on the "Classic" MG-1

A big reason why Maingear didn't name its 2026 version of the MG-1 something like "MG-2" is that it's more of a tweak than a complete overhaul.

One thing I noticed immediately is that the side panels now have captive screws, something I called out last time around. That's a must on a PC this expensive.

The case is slightly bigger this time around, and it's more rigid thanks to some additional internal supports. It's a full-size PC, no doubt about it.

This resize contributes to better overall airflow; I get into more granular details below. Here, though, let me explain the new layout.

Superior AiO positioning and more intake fans

Whereas the "Classic" MG-1 had the CPU's AiO liquid cooler mounted onto the front of the case, it's now been moved to the top to sit horizontally in the MG-1 MK.II. This is optimal positioning for an AiO, generally netting a degree or two lower temperature compared to if the AiO is installed vertically.

This also frees up the front panel to have its own distinct trio of 140mm fans pulling in cool air. One of my complaints about the MG-1 was a lack of dust screen on the front of the PC, and that's been remedied here.

A magnetic dust cover also covers the top panel of the PC where the AiO is mounted, and there's a pull-out screen on the bottom of case to cover the PSU's air intake.

The MG-1 MK.II's new front panel is part form, part function

Speaking of the front panel, it's also been redesigned for two main purposes. First, it's wider to better fit custom artwork, a service Maingear has been providing for a while.

Second, it's not quite as tall, leaving ample space below for air intake. The contoured cutout is more noticeable now with textured dots covering it. This texture becomes more noticeable with the panel's backlighting enabled.

The magnets on the front panel are much larger, and there's absolutely no way it's going to fall off even if it's in transit. It's secure enough that I thought I'd missed some tape from the shipping process. No, just sturdy magneticism.

Surrounding the entire inside of the front panel is an RGB strip, and it's joined by another RGB strip along the inside of the side of the case (right where the glass side panel bumps up). Because all the lighting in the PC is diffused, it's way easier to get that pro glow without any exposed LEDs.

Exploring the MG-1 MK.II's MG-RC reverse connections

Perhaps the biggest difference between the "Classic" MG-1 and the MG-1 MK.II is the use of MG-RC reverse connection motherboards. It's actually Maingear that patented this approach years ago, and it's great to see it come into effect in its flagship desktop PCs.

Each MG-1 MK.II uses a motherboard with all of its cable connections on the back, leading to an almost impossibly clean look. All that's visible from the "front" side of the build is the CPU cooling header's narrow power cable, GPU power cable, and AiO pump hoses.

Yes, this makes the PC super attractive, but in theory, it also lets air pass through the system with fewer impediments.

One other quick mention: the GPU has a firm mount screwed into place, removing the need for any internal packing foam during shipping. The PC arrived wrapped in a soft cover with some foam on the edges; that's it.

The MG-1 MK.II's cable management is impeccable ... except for one little bit

You might assume that having all cables behind the motherboard leads to a mess only visible when you remove the rear panel. That might happen on some builds, but not here.

Cable management is as meticulous as ever, making it easy to upgrade or repair the PC yourself in the future. The only qualm I have is that Maingear still uses zipties. A bit of Velcro for even just the main channels would go a long way towards ease of tinkering and overall premium feel.

Does Maingear's MG-1 MK.II keep cool with good airflow?

I didn't run any benchmarks on this PC in terms of gaming performance. Its Founders Edition RTX 5090 GPU and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D speak for themselves. Maingear isn't using proprietary or OEM performance hardware, so don't expect any surprises.

However, I did test cooling and airflow. Internal temperatures at the motherboard sensor when the system is idle sit at about 34 degrees C. That's nearly five degrees cooler than the Classic MG-1 I tested last year.

With the system under a full stress test (CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD, etc.), internal case temps only went up to 40 degrees C. With the CPU's heat now being pumped out the top of the case and the GPU's heat being pushed out the back by the three large front fans, it's easy to see how the MG-1 MK.II remains so cool.

👉 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 review: A higher price matches the extra performance in this gorgeous GPU redesign

There are a lot of fans in here, but the noise isn't bad. Maingear did a great job on the stock fan curve. When idling, the system hits about 40 decibels. Under full load, it climbed to 55 decibels. That's slightly quieter than the Classic MG-1.

My only complaints about the Maingear MG-1 MK.II

I already mentioned zipties used in cable management, but there are a couple of other small bits I want to mention.

The case's front/top port selection isn't exactly generous, with just USB-A, USB-C, and 3.5mm audio. I hope this gets expanded in the next generation.

The only other thing I want to mention is that one of the RGB headers was loose when the PC arrived. It was just a matter of applying pressure to pop it back into place.

I imagine some buyers might not have the know-how when it comes to troubleshooting those sorts of things, but Maingear's customer support is all handled in-house and is quite helpful (speaking from a bit of secret shopper experience).

Should you buy the Maingear MG-1 MK.II?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want a top-tier gaming desktop but don't want to build it yourself.

✅ You love the idea of custom artwork and plenty of RGB lighting.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You're trying to save as much money as possible on your gaming PC

❌ You don't have a lot of space in your gaming area

Pre-built PCs almost always cost more than building your own system; assembly, warranty, support, and other factors contribute. But how much more is the MG-1 MK.II I tested compared to something I put together myself?

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, NVIDIA RTX 5090, 32GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, and motherboard alone tally up to roughly $6,050. Add a Windows 11 license, a case, more case fans, RGB lighting, and a PSU, and you're getting closer to the $6,816 that Maingear asks for this exact config.

Yeah, it's crazy expensive, but I don't place the blame on Maingear. It's still operating at roughly the same margins I saw with the Classic MG-1 despite rising hardware prices.

If you don't want to source your own parts and assemble them yourself, I stand by Maingear being one of the best places to buy a pre-built gaming PC. The Classic MG-1 was good, but the MG-1 MK.II is on a whole other level.

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I'd challenge you to find a PC gamer who doesn't know Valve and its contributions to the hobby, and I'm confident you'd struggle. While it has made the most significant splash on the software side with Steam, it has dabbled in hardware with the high successes of the Steam Deck and the subterranean missteps of its first Steam Controller.

Now, it's trying again, and gamers are lining up in droves for a chance to buy Valve's revised Steam Controller in 2026. That includes me, because I knew I was going to spend my own cash on this new attempt, based solely on its early images and descriptions. So, is it good, bad, or somewhere in between? Here's what I think of mine after a week's worth of gameplay.

How much does the Steam Controller cost?

Valve's Steam Controller launched at $99 via Steam, and, so far, remains the same price. In the United Kingdom, that amounts to £85, including sales tax. At launch, the controller was available on a first-come, first-served basis until it sold out. Now, in May 2026, you'll need a Steam account to place a reservation before you have a chance to buy one.

Delivery times vary by region and the time of the order. I placed my Steam Controller order in the UK on May 4, when it became available, and it arrived from its European shipping source in the Netherlands after 6 working days. Valve's initial delivery estimate was 3–5 working days, increasing to 6–10 a few hours after its release.

Is the Steam Controller any good?

My initial hands-on impressions of the Steam Controller were good, as it sits comfortably in my hands with a familiar weight of 0.64 lbs (292 g). I usually play with Microsoft's official Xbox controllers that were bundled with my Series X|S consoles, each weighing 0.63 lbs (287 g) with AA batteries or 0.52 lbs (240 g) without them if I'm using a permanently connected USB-C cable.

Despite the placement of the prominent touchpads, my palms don't accidentally graze them when I use the analog sticks or face buttons. It's admittedly something I was concerned about when I first saw this design in the Steam Controller's official reveal, so it's a relief to discover there's no issue for me here.

Otherwise, my middle and ring fingers naturally rest on the rear buttons, which feel better in this bended circular form than the rectangular equivalents on Valve's still-excellent Steam Deck handheld. The Steam Controller's d-pad is less "clicky" than that of an Xbox Series X|S controller, but there's still a firm response in its more muted pushes.

The Steam Controller's face buttons all feel about the same as the Xbox controller that I'm used to, but they have a quieter response. That's a recurring theme throughout the unit, and only the rear buttons produce a distinct sound when used. Both shoulder bumpers offer slightly weaker resistance than on the Xbox side, but they're quiet and responsive enough.

It's a similar story with the triggers, which feel slightly shallower and less resistant than my Xbox controller, but not to the point where they seem lackluster or detrimental to gameplay. Even the analog sticks follow this pattern, pushed around with marginally less resistance but offset with smoother movement, no doubt helped by the drift-proof TMR technology underneath.

Matte plastic coats the Steam Controller with a consistent pattern, which feels familiar (again) to the Xbox joypad's front side. However, Microsoft arguably takes the lead with the rougher finish on the rear of its modern first-party controller. It's only my pinky fingers that rest against these bare sections, but it's a noticeable difference.

The standout feature for the Steam Controller is the "puck", which serves dual responsibilities as a wireless receiver and charging station for the joypad. It's detachable from the 5 ft (1.5 m) USB-C cable that Valve includes in the box, meaning I could leave it attached to my PC and have it act as a wired controller if I wanted to (but I never do).

Updating the firmware via the Steam desktop app for both parts of the controller is as straightforward as it gets, and the Steam button itself takes me into "Big Picture Mode" from there. If you've ever used SteamOS before, whether on a Steam Deck or an alternative like Lenovo's Legion Go S, this mode will be instantly familiar and won't require a learning curve.

Games launched from Steam generally activate the app's overlay, accessible again with the Steam button. From here, I can tweak the controller's button bindings, download community-made layouts, or adjust the sensitivity of functions like the built-in gyro for motion-controlled aiming. The trackpads also respond to touch with haptic feedback, and I find myself using them quite often.

Does the Steam Controller have any issues?

The majority of the Steam Controller's genuine downsides are found in the software experience, rather than its hardware. Screw holes on the rear side are quite prevalent, and while they aren't usually visible, my middle fingers regularly brush against a pair mounted on its grips. I wouldn't describe it as uncomfortable, but it's a perceptible difference from my Xbox controller.

For software, this controller relies heavily on the Steam app and Valve's "Steam Input" feature within, which handles button mapping for each of my games. If I stick to launching modern titles from my Steam library, the experience is practically perfect. However, games that rely on older graphics APIs can cause issues with the Steam overlay, leading to controller detection issues.

Using the Steam Controller with non-Steam games is possible, as my experiment with importing Dying Light from the Epic Games Store proves. Unfortunately, it's far from a straightforward process, and the necessary tinkering with launch options and launcher manipulation will likely turn off some PC gamers who want a more "console-like" experience with this joypad.

The obnoxious elephant in the room is that titles from the Xbox app will not work with the Steam Controller on Windows without third-party software. There's some nuance to the issue, and progression in the SDL library hints at future improvements. For now, though, entries like Forza Horizon 6 installed with PC Game Pass are not compatible.

Should you buy the Steam Controller?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You play most of your games on Steam

✅ You're willing to tinker with button layouts

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You want to play Game Pass titles on Xbox PC

For each accusation I've seen about Valve creating a "walled garden" in the PC gaming community with the Steam Controller, there are counterpoints to most of them. It's a feature-rich joypad that justifies its price point, with the charging puck being both a genuine convenience and a unique quirk. The only complaint I can't refute is the lack of compatibility with the Xbox PC app and UWP apps provided by Game Pass.

SDL library support is helping, and the emulators I've used recently are working perfectly with this controller. Whether that triggers a change from Valve to fully support its new joypad on Windows without requiring the Steam desktop app is up for debate, but I'd argue that the Steam Deck's evolution suggests it could happen. If you're lucky enough to see one in stock, it's worth buying.

The new Surface Laptop for Business 8th Edition for 2026 arrives at a fascinating crossroads for Microsoft. While much of the recent conversation has focused on the Qualcomm revolution and the shift to ARM, Intel is not bowing out quietly. For the corporate world and government sectors, the "Business" moniker represents a specialized branch of hardware designed for security, repairability, and specific features that the average consumer might never notice, but an IT administrator will appreciate.

• Surface Laptop for Business, 13.8 and 15-inch (8ᵗʰ Edition) | Intel from $1,949.99 at Microsoft Store

This new 8th Edition brings some of the most significant functional upgrades we have seen in years, specifically an optional integrated privacy screen and a long-awaited boost in display density.

However, these improvements come during a period of controversy for the Surface brand, as price hikes continue to sting. With a starting price now reaching $1,949.99 ($500 more than last year's 7th Edition), Microsoft is clearly positioning this as a premium tool for the enterprise elite (Lenovo's competing ThinkPad X1 Carbon starts at $1,853, for comparison, but that only has a U-processor, not H, and a low-res display).

I have spent the last week living with the Intel Core Ultra variant to see if the "Business" tag justifies the heavy investment.

Hardware Specifications

Design, what's new and banner feature: Stealth Mode

At first glance, the Surface Laptop for Business 8th Edition keeps the iconic, minimalist aluminum design that has long defined the Surface lineup. It feels incredibly dense and premium (and compared to my 7th Edition with Qualcomm, it is a teeny 29 grams heavier, coming in at 2.998lbs).

Ports are the same: two Type-C (Thunderbolt 4), Type-A, and headphone jack on the left; on the right is the Surface Connect charging port.

Audio is also a highlight. The Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos provide a wide soundstage and surprisingly deep bass for a thin laptop. Whether you’re on a Teams call or watching a video, the clarity is exceptional, especially since the speakers are hidden below the keyboard.

There's also Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 on board, which both worked flawlessly for me.

Microsoft ships the laptop with a 39W wall charger, with an optional 45W available for purchase. (The larger 15-inch variant has a 65W charger.) For fast charging, I believe a 60W charger is required.

While the look is familiar, the most important hardware change is hidden within the 13.8-inch display: the optional integrated privacy screen with touch, which is also anti-glare for the first time

This is the banner feature of the 8th Edition. With a single tap of the F1 key, the viewing angle narrows dramatically. To someone sitting next to you on a plane or in a coffee shop, your screen appears dark and unreadable, while you maintain a clear view from the front. This isn't a flimsy plastic add-on you clip to the bezel, as it is built directly into the display using "in-cell TDM technology" and wide-LEDs.

How this all works is similar to Samsung's vaunted Galaxy S26 Ultra, which I also use, with its new privacy screen. Basically, there are wide and narrow view pixels, and toggling between them creates the effect. As far as I know, this is the first time it's ever been implemented in a laptop in this way (HP has been doing SureView for LCD screens, developed with 3M, for many years now, but it's a reflective-blocking approach versus a directional emission one like Microsoft's).

Besides the convenience of being built-in, this tech works from all angles, whereas third-party screen-protector add-ons only work from the sides, and this can be toggled on or off with the F1 key.

The technical implementation is impressive because it maintains color accuracy (100% sRGB, 89% Adobe, and 100% P3 in my tests) and brightness when looking at it head-on.

Speaking of brightness, I'm only getting 500 nits at 100%, but that's not unusual for this class of device (but underperforms for this price range), and I found it satisfactory (it also supports HDR 600 in settings with a 120Hz variable refresh rate).

However, there is a catch. Currently, you cannot pair this privacy screen with a 5G-enabled variant. You have to choose between a secure connection or a secure display.

I also noticed the entry point for this feature is steep, with privacy screen configurations starting at a whopping $2,549.99.

Microsoft told me that it conducted extensive testing to make sure the display isn’t visible to people sitting nearby on planes or trains, simulating the experience in a lab while fine-tuning the hardware.

As someone who values privacy and often travels, I find this feature to be outstanding and a clever creation I had not anticipated from Microsoft.

That said, it's a slightly weird effect when you combine it with a matte display, so while some will value it, others will prefer the standard anti-reflective display.

Display: Sharper than Ever

Microsoft finally addressed one of my long-standing complaints: pixel density. On the 15-inch model, they jumped from 201 PPI to 262 PPI. The resolution now sits at 3270 x 2180. In daily use, this results in noticeably crisper text and sharper images. When you are staring at spreadsheets for eight hours a day, that extra clarity helps reduce eye fatigue.

While the 13.8-inch model remains at 2304x1536 resolution (201 PPI), text looks sharper and crisper to me compared to the previous-gen LCD, likely due to the new display panel.

Microsoft also notes that this display is certified TÜV SÜD to meet the requirements of ISO 9241-307.

Performance: Intel Core Ultra Series 3

My test unit is powered by the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H, with 16 cores (4 P‑cores + 12 E‑cores), boost frequency up to 5.0GHz on the P-cores, and sits only behind the X9 378H for performance in Intel's current lineup.

This chip brings a system-level approach to performance, balancing the CPU, GPU, and NPU (48 TOPS) to handle sustained workloads. That NPU also qualifies this as a full-fledged Copilot+ PC, though Qualcomm's current Snapdragon X2 lineup packs 80 TOPs by comparison.

Benchmarks and Context

I ran the SLB8 through our standard suite, and the results provide some much-needed context for the Intel vs. Qualcomm debate:

• Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core): The Surface Laptop 8 (Intel) scored 16,152, which actually surpasses the 14,557 score of the Snapdragon X Elite in the Surface Laptop 7. For raw multi-threaded power in x86 environments, Intel is still a beast.
• Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core): Here, the Intel chip scored 602, falling behind the Snapdragon X Elite's 961. This suggests that while Intel is great for bursts and general multitasking, the ARM variant still holds a significant lead in sustained rendering tasks.
• CrystalDiskMark (SSD Speeds): I was blown away by the storage speeds. The Read speed hit 7,006 MB/s, and Write speeds reached 5,842 MB/s. This puts it nearly on par with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 and makes the machine feel instantaneous when moving large files or launching heavy apps.

The Intel ARC B390 GPU is also noticeably more powerful this year. Microsoft claims up to 35% more graphics performance than a MacBook Air with M5, which is a bold claim that seems to hold up in my initial testing of creative apps. As Nancie Gaskill, Vice President of Surface Business, notes in the internal launch documents: "The hardware people use enables businesses and teams to achieve more," and this GPU definitely helps on that front.

In my testing, the B390 got 32,478 on 3DMark's NightRaid benchmark. To put that in perspective, an NVIDIA RTX 3050 for Laptop GPU scores 30,513, so this GPU packs a punch.

3DMark estimates 110+ FPS in a game like Fortnite when set to 1080p Ultra-level graphics.

Fan noise was remarkably quiet for everyday usage, only coming on during initial PC setup and for Windows Updates, both of which are expected. Likewise for temps, which remain on the cool side in usage, and only really warming up under sustained usage or fast charging, but not to a point where it's uncomfortable.

Touchpad and Keyboard: The Gold Standard

The typing experience on a Surface Laptop remains the best in the business. The keys have a perfect amount of travel and a satisfying tactile response. Backlight is also excellent with three stages and auto-sensing. But the real story is the touchpad.

The new advanced haptic touchpad is a joy to use. It provides subtle tactile cues that confirm your actions.

New for 2026, when I snap a window into place or drag a file between folders, the touchpad gives a tiny "click" feeling that makes the software feel physical. It even has detents for slider ranges. Microsoft has worked to ensure these signals have a delay of less than 50ms, so the feedback feels directly connected to your finger's movement (it even worked on the sound it makes).

What's even cooler is that there is an API for this, so third-party apps can now leverage haptic feedback for various tests like video scrubbing, snapping windows, raising volume, etc. Apps like PowerPoint, Concepts, Filmora, and Affinity either have this or are getting it in future updates, and I expect (hope?) other companies will follow suit.

Battery Life and Disappointments

(Note: I'm still testing the battery, so consider this early impressions/in-the-works as I collect more data. I'll update in the coming days with more solid numbers).

While the performance is top-tier, the 54WHr battery is merely "OK." Microsoft marketing may claim all-day battery life, but in my real-world usage—heavy Chrome and Edge browsing, Slack, Telegram, YouTube, and constant video calls—I am seeing about 8 hours of usage.

That is enough to get through a standard workday, but it doesn't touch the endurance of the Qualcomm-powered Surface Laptop 7. I expect the consumer Qualcomm variant with the Snapdragon X2 Elite, due later this summer, to significantly outperform this Intel model in terms of longevity, and possibly even performance.

I am also disappointed by the lack of Human Presence Detection (HPD). For a device so focused on privacy and security, having the screen automatically lock when I walk away would have been a perfect inclusion. Instead, you are still relying solely on Windows Hello facial recognition. While fast and secure, it isn't quite the "set it and forget it" security I wanted to see here.

The Enterprise "Differentiation"

Nancie Gaskill, Vice President of Surface Business, noted that "hardware people use enables businesses and teams to achieve more". This version of the laptop is explicitly aimed at enterprise and government users for several reasons:

• Security: It features a UEFI built with Patina, a modern, memory-safe approach written in Rust. This hardens the device against firmware-level attacks in a way consumer laptops rarely are.
• Management: Every unit includes scannable QR codes under the feet and inside the chassis to simplify asset management and repairs.
• Repairability: Almost every major component, from the display module to the motherboard and battery, is replaceable on-site by a technician.

While this is the "Business" edition, anyone can buy it through the Microsoft Store if they want the privacy screen or prefer Intel's compatibility.

Should you buy the Surface Laptop for Business 8th Edition?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want a premium Surface experience for enterprise or government

✅ You work with sensitive documents in public spaces

✅ You want an excellent keyboard, touchpad, speakers, and webcam

✅ You need enterprise‑grade security (Pluton, Secured‑core PC protections, Rust‑based firmware, and deep Intune integration)

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You need a more rugged enterprise laptop

❌ You need a laptop with the best battery life

❌ You're working with a tight hardware budget

The Surface Laptop for Business 8th Edition is a specialized machine. If you are a standard consumer, you are likely better off waiting for the Snapdragon X2 models later this summer, which will almost certainly offer better battery life and cooler operation for a lower price.

However, if you are in the corporate or government sector and your "office" is often a tray table on an airplane or a busy terminal, this is currently one of the best laptops on the market. Between the revolutionary privacy screen, the top-tier typing and touchpad experience, and the rock-solid security foundation, it is a formidable tool for getting work done safely.

Microsoft has leaned into its strengths here. As Nancie Gaskill puts it, Surface is the "foundation that makes the rest of the strategy possible." If your strategy involves high-level security and raw Intel power, this is the machine you've been waiting for—just make sure your budget can handle the "RAM crisis" premium.

Some worthy alternatives to the Surface Laptop for Business 8th Edition include the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i), which has a slightly larger battery, is lighter, and more affordable, while also still being our top pick for business laptops. If you want super light, but also really expensive, and OK battery life, you could go with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 (we haven't reviewed the latest version yet, but will soon). The new Gen 13 model starts at $1,853.10, so it's not like Microsoft is really far off from the competition here.

My final score is 4.0 out of 5 stars because it is a very good laptop that I really enjoy using (it's one of my favorites, actually), but that high price and so-so battery life keep it from being perfect.

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Lenovo's "Aura Edition" subcategory continues its unique partnership with Intel, featuring a line of Windows devices that lean heavily into the AI PC trend. At its surface, that's what this is: an Intel-powered laptop with smart software tweaks, but most of the magic usually comes from the Core Ultra processor inside and the chassis around it.

• Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Ultra (Gen 11) Aura Edition for $1,889.99 at Lenovo USA

It's tricky to explain in a nutshell, so I tested the new Yoga Slim 7i Ultra (Gen 11) Aura Edition to go hands-on with an example — and to find out what's up with the specs and pricing. The US is missing the same flexible processor options I can access in the UK, and prices are fluctuating for Americans, too.

How much does the Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition cost?

Lenovo estimated the Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition (Gen 11) would start at $1,499.99 USD when it announced the laptop at CES 2026, but that optimistic price has turned out to be closer to $1,629.99 $1,889.99 for a configured version on Lenovo's storefront (the price increased as I wrote this). Using the "Build Your PC" option, you can upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro for $50 and from 1TB to 2TB of storage for $190.

Whether you push to $1,869.99 $2,129.99 by upgrading its two customizable components will depend on personal preference and individual use cases. Otherwise, we're looking at a $130 $390 price increase since we saw the Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition announcement in January.

In the United Kingdom, Lenovo starts the Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition at £2,010, but you get more customization options. Crucially, you can choose from three of Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors: a Core Ultra 5 325, a Core Ultra 7 355, and finally, a Core Ultra X9 388H with upgraded Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics for an extra £250.

Is the Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition a good laptop?

At 2.15 lbs, this is one of the lightest 14-inch Windows laptops I've ever carried. Lighter than ASUS' Zenbook A14 (2.18 lbs) and Apple's 13-inch M5 MacBook Air (2.7 lbs), the magnesium-aluminum chassis still keeps it feeling solid and sturdy despite its featherweight build. The "thixomolding" procedure for its shell also means it feels particularly similar to the "Ceraluminum" ASUS used on standouts like the 14-inch Zenbook S 14, if slightly more glossy.

The 5.5-inch glass haptic touchpad also makes this laptop stand out from all the mechanical equivalents I've used before, though I'm not sure the technology proved to be quite as life-changing as I expected. Still, cursor control is smooth and responsive, complementing the deep 1.5mm key travel I expect from Lenovo's laptops. Just like the Slim 7i (Gen 9) I loved so much before it, this Aura Edition is a joy to use.

The webcam resides in a wide bar that slightly protrudes from the chassis, doubling up as a lip on the top lid that helps with single-finger opening. It's a great camera, and the speakers follow suit with impressive bass response in a setup with 2 woofers and 2 tweeters. An IR sensor enables Windows Hello for face-enabled logins and Human Presence Detection (HPD) that can blur my screen if "Shield Mode" is activated in Lenovo's Smart Modes via the F9 key.

There's a webcam shutter switch on the right side if you'd rather disable the camera altogether, though I quite enjoy using a "wake on approach" method with HPD enabled. Battery life on the Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition borders on the absurd, reaching over 18 hours in PCMark 10 tests that emulate constant productivity app usage and video playback. For an x86-64 PC, it's an incredible feat and a display of Panther Lake's ability.

Finally, the 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED touchscreen reaches 511 nits without HDR in my colorimeter testing, and setting the brightness to 74% gives you a comfortable 250 nits. Without any tweaking, the display achieves 100% color accuracy in the sRGB and P3 gamuts, while AdobeRGB comes in shorter at 87%. It's a beautiful panel with strong contrast, offering a standard 60Hz refresh rate or a smoother 120Hz mode. Zero complaints here.

Does the Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition have any issues?

Shrinking the hardware into this ultra-lightweight frame comes with I/O sacrifices. The Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition excludes USB-A, HDMI-out, and headphone options, leaving three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports with 45–65W power delivery and DisplayPort-out 2.1 for compatible external monitors. On the bright side, there's no proprietary AC adapter, but my USB-A dongles all need a hub or conversion cable.

Software bloat is still a minor gripe on Lenovo devices, and I found the usual McAfee (and WebAdvisor by McAfee) preinstalled, along with a Dropbox Promotion and an Adobe Creative Cloud advertisement in the Start menu. There's also a web shortcut to the Lenovo Subscription Marketplace pinned to the taskbar, which, again, is little more than a baked-in ad. Disappointing, but ultimately all removable with some user effort.

Lenovo says the Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition is "designed to deliver exceptional performance for gaming", but you'd need the higher-tier Core Ultra X processors and the more capable Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics to stand any chance of seeing evidence of that. With the standard integrated Intel Graphics in the Core Ultra 7 355 processor in my sample, Cyberpunk 2077 couldn't exceed an average of 26 FPS at its lowest settings.

Less demanding PC games wouldn't need such drastic graphics hardware, but that always feels like a cop-out. As hardware progresses, it's less and less interesting to see the likes of Minecraft advertised as running on modern laptops just to claim they're capable of PC gaming. Counter-Strike 2 couldn't reliably maintain more than 60 FPS on its lowest settings at 1680 x 1050 resolution, and the CPU climbed to 95°C, so gaming is off the table.

How fast is the Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition?

Lenovo advertises the Aura Edition range with phrases like "standout design, uncompromised power". The former is undoubtedly true for the Yoga Slim 7i Ultra, but the latter is muddied by its selection of the Core Ultra Series 3 family of processors. You see, the Core Ultra 7 355 is the sole option for US buyers, who aren't as lucky as those over in the UK, as we can upgrade to a high-end Core Ultra X9 388H — the 'H' meaning "highest performance".

This laptop deserves at least a Core Ultra X7 358H to match its stellar design and promises, a choice referenced in Lenovo's product specifications reference sheet for the Yoga Slim 7i Ultra. It's not that the Core Ultra 7 355 in my US-based sample is bad, as it can match or surpass the Core Ultra Series 2 "Lunar Lake" chips found in the Yoga Slim 9i (Gen 10) and Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (Gen 9).

It does fall behind the Core Ultra 155H "Meteor Lake" chip from two generations prior, found in one of my favorites, the Slim 7i (Gen 9) — admittedly an apples-to-oranges CPU comparison for a laptop that retailed for around $1,240 at the time. Still, the Core Ultra 7 355 offers tremendous battery life, and this Ultra Aura Edition Gen 11 beats the Gen 9 in most other ways that count.

The elephant in the room is the absolutely incredible Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11), powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, which serves as a Windows on ARM alternative to the somewhat more traditional x86-64 chips on offer in this Intel-based Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition. There's no getting around it: the Yoga Slim 7x is extremely tempting, starting at just $1,099.99, and it comes from Lenovo itself. This laptop's biggest competitor is its sibling.

Should you buy the Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want the lightest 14-inch Windows laptop

✅ You're a frequent traveler who relies on long battery life

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You use graphic-intensive apps; upgrades will be needed

❌ You rely on USB-A devices or wired headphones without adapters

An "estimated" $1,499.99 starting price certainly made this laptop more exciting when Lenovo announced it at CES earlier this year, and even a bump to $1,629.99 was one I could handle. However, when the company triggered a second increase to $1,889.99 while I was testing the Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition, its limited processor options in the US became harder to accept.

The Core Ultra 7 355 is still a great example of Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" chips and the tremendous power efficiency they offer, but the Yoga Slim 7x and its Snapdragon X2 Elite chip are likely to draw many buyers away. It'll mean losing out on the haptic touchpad, lower display refresh rate, and the lightweight chassis, but I can't imagine that's enough. A tricky one.

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When Alienware announced a $349 QD-OLED gaming monitor earlier this year, I noted that it would almost certainly become one of the most popular options out there, assuming it met its budget promises. Until the AW2726DM, most OLED gaming monitors were somewhere around $500 when not on sale.

Eager to test it out myself, I got hold of a review unit that's now been front and center on my desk for nearly a month. I've been using it for gaming, of course, but also for some photo editing and general work during the day.

Here's what you need to know about the Alienware AW2726DM before you buy it yourself.

How much does the Alienware AW2726DM cost?

The biggest draw to the Alienware AW2726DM is the thin $349.99 price tag. No deals or discounts are required to land that price, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that it could one day drop lower.

For comparison sake, the HyperX OMEN OLED 27q, which uses the same Samsung panel as the Alienware, normally costs about $500 but often drops to $400.

The next most affordable QD-OLED gaming monitor at Dell, the Alienware AW2725D, costs $500.

Here's how the two Alienware monitors compare to help give you an idea of what you're working with.

Dell supplied Windows Central with a review unit of its Alienware AW2726DM. It had no input, nor saw the contents of this review, prior to publication.

A sleek, straightforward design to match the budget pricing

Unboxing the Alienware AW2726DM, I was immediately impressed with how thin and light it is. It's just 1.65 inches at its thickest point, which is gathered toward the middle of the display's venting and stand/VESA mount base.

The stand attaches to the monitor with included screws, a clunkier approach to the usual clip-in method I'm used to. The stand is fairly basic, but it does have decent swivel, tilt, height, and rotation abilities.

After testing the stand, I attached the monitor to my VESA 100x100mm desk mount without issue.

It's a sleek monitor for sure, but that's partly due to a lack of a few features you often find in more premium monitors.

For one, there are no built-in speakers. Instead, there's a 3.5mm audio jack easily reached on the bottom of the display. I don't know anyone who uses built-in monitor speakers when gaming anyway, but I do miss them a bit for work purposes.

The other missing element is RGB lighting. The back of the monitor has just a plain Alienware logo; no throbbing light ringing the stand, no underglow. You get it. It might feel plain for some gamers who need a lot of light, but I appreciate that it can fit into a professional setting.

One missing feature I think more people will miss is a USB hub. I'm not talking about a full-blown Thunderbolt dock like some premium monitors include. Instead, the Alienware AW2726DM offers just two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4.

The monitor arrives with AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync. Although it's not officially certified for NVIDIA G-Sync, it is compatible, and I had no issues using it with my RTX GPU.

HDMI 2.1 and DP 1.4 capabilities in the Alienware AW2726DM

The monitor's HDMI 2.1 ports support up to 120Hz VRR on consoles, and they include HDCP 1.4/2.3 protection standards. It also supports HDR.

For PC gamers, you'll want to stick with DisplayPort 1.4 (also with HDCP 1.4/2.3 protection standards). It delivers support for the full 240Hz refresh rate, and it includes HDR support and Display Stream Compression (DSC).

All monitor controls stem from one joystick

The AW2726DM doesn't come with a remote or a ton of buttons on the monitor itself. Everything is controlled from one joystick on the rear right side of the panel.

On-screen display quick settings are straightforward. You can quickly adjust brightness and contrast, as well as volume for the 3.5mm audio jack. A Game Enhance mode can be toggled for extra on-screen overlays, and you can choose from 10 different picture presets.

Inside the full menu are a few more customization options, allowing you to change what each shortcut on the joystick does.

In terms of OLED care — always important when there's a risk of burn-in — the monitor has a Pixel Refresh feature that's enabled by default.

A gorgeous QD-OLED picture for a lower cost than the rest

Alienware's AW2726DM is using a Quantum Dot (QD) OLED panel made by Samsung, and judging by TFT Central's ever-useful QD-OLED generation chart, it's from the 2024 era.

Is that a bad thing? Not really, especially at the asking price. Though you might miss out on higher HDR True Black ratings and higher refresh rates, what the Alienware AW2726DM actually delivers is more than enough for the average gamer.

A 2560x1440 (QHD) resolution covers more GPUs than 4K, and it has a sizzling 240Hz refresh rate to keep up with more powerful performance hardware. As usual with OLED, the screen offers a speedy 0.03ms gray-to-gray response time.

I don't have a tool that can accurately measure input lag, but I can say that after many hours of fast-paced FPS gameplay, what input lag might exist is not noticeable.

Does the Alienware AW2726DM have good color and contrast?

OLED displays are notoriously good at delivering deep contrast. At a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio, the AW2726DM is no different. Blacks are actually black, whites are actually white, and there's no backlight bleed to spoil the picture.

I tested stock color reproduction using my SpyderX Pro colorimeter and found 100% sRGB, 95% AdobeRGB, and 98% P3, all excellent results that will come in handy, especially if you're using the monitor for work during the day.

Is the Alienware AW2726DM bright enough?

Dell advertises 200 nits maximum brightness with SDR content, and measuring with my colorimeter, I found that the value checks out at 215.2 nits. That's slightly lower than other OLED panels from the same generation, but again, you need to keep cost in mind.

HDR10 support is included despite the monitor not having any HDR certification, and the monitor climbs to roughly 400 nits when enabled.

Is it bright enough for use in an office? Absolutely. An anti-reflective finish does a lot of lifting when the sun is behind me, but I don't find it too distracting even when gaming.

Burn-in is always a scary possibility when you're dealing with OLED. As I mentioned, the monitor has a Pixel Refresh feature enabled by default, and Dell offers a respectable three-year warranty covering burn-in.

Should you buy the Alienware AW2726DM?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You currently have a VA or IPS gaming monitor and want to upgrade to OLED without overspending.

✅ You have a gaming PC powerful enough to take advantage of a QHD resolution and 240Hz refresh rate.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You already have an OLED gaming monitor you're mostly happy with.

❌ You have extra money to spend and want to grab some of the high-end features missing from the AW2726DM.

If you have $350 set aside for a new 27-inch gaming monitor, my easy recommendation is the Alienware AW2726DM. I don't know of any other QD-OLED display selling at this price, and although the AW2726DM isn't perfect, it's going to absolutely rock your world if you're coming from IPS or VA.

Color and contrast are superb, the QHD resolution works for a lot of gamers, and a 240Hz refresh rate is good for competitive titles or casual gaming.

I've got to hand it to Alienware; the AW2726DM sets a new standard for affordable QD-OLED gaming monitors, and as long as you're OK with some of the drawbacks, you'll have a great time.

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Building upon legacy franchises can be advantageous, but also incredibly difficult.

Industry staples like DOOM, Halo, Call of Duty, and many dozens more all run into the same problems at times. How do you stay true to the essence of the things that made the franchises successful in the first place, while building something new for today's times?

I feel like Diablo 4 has gone through some of those struggles across its development, although with its "Lord of Hatred" expansion released a few weeks ago, a newfound confidence and focus has emerged from Blizzard — and the payload is immense.

I've sunk hundreds of hours into Diablo 4, seen some of its worst seasons, and also indulged in some of its best. The story remained solid throughout the base game and into Vessel of Hatred as well. The core gameplay loop has always been fun, but Blizzard has struggled to figure out how to make its endgame more varied and rewarding.

In Lord of Hatred, Blizzard finally has the foundation of a formula that should carry the game to new heights. The art direction is still absolutely immaculate, too. But what will stick with me beyond everything else is the story. Lord of Hatred's story delivery proves that Blizzard can still deliver big in this department when the time comes — all expansions combined, and while not perfect, Diablo 4, for me, now sits among Blizzard's best ever games.

Diablo IV 'Lord of Hatred' review: Visuals, art, and music

If there's one area where Blizzard has consistently delivered industry-leading excellence, it's in the art department. Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred continues that trend with bells on.

Set in the isles of Skovos, Blizzard gives players a reprieve from the depths of hell and the dark swamps of Hawezar with a landscape that looks refreshingly Mediterranean. White alabaster towns and coastal villages plucked straight from the Greek coast to magma-blasted climbs of Philios — the heartlands of the Amazons show up amazingly well in Lord of Hatred.

Where Lord of Hatred delivers above all else is arguably in its Hollywood-busting pre-rendered cinematics. Blizzard has long been known for its uncanny leadership in this area, but Lord of Hatred takes some of these scenes to dizzying new heights. The sheer scale and soul-drowning threat of Mephisto emerges with utterly unnerving confidence in these sequences. If there are awards for this sort of thing, Blizzard should win all of them.

The music and sound treatment help elevate these scenes beyond the pale, too. There's a reason fans clamor for Blizzard's art team to break out into Netflix territory. The sequences here are too good to describe in words and screenshots alone, so I scarcely dare even try. I'd argue it's worth experiencing Lord of Hatred for the cinematics alone.

There's a lot of quite clever, more subtle (and sometimes less subtle) art history nods throughout Diablo 4 as well, that art students might appreciate. The religious overtones of Diablo's world have been ever-present, but they are amplified in Lord of Hatred owing to the plot threads therein. From references to the stunning frescoes of the Cistine Chapel to obscure esotericism, Éliphas Zahed, seems to get referenced at times, giving Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred a timeless quality that indulges and celebrates its inspirations.

Indeed, the falsely prophetic nature of Akarat possessed by Mephisto is a story that echoes throughout history and, some might argue, carries some uncanny relevance in today's times.

Diablo IV 'Lord of Hatred' review: Story (no spoilers)

One of the things that has often bugged me about modern AAA games is the under-investment in quality story writing.

As AAA developers increasingly prioritize endgame systems, microtransactions, and endless gameplay loops (and Diablo is by no means an exception here), delivering high-quality, memorable campaigns seems to have increasingly taken a back seat. I can say without a doubt that is not the case with Diablo 4.

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred follows directly after Vessel of Hatred, which told a decent story in its own right, but it was unashamedly designed to set up the big payload, which is what we have here. There's no other way to describe the most bombastic and memorable moments in Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred. With Diablo 4, Blizzard absolutely delivered in a way we haven't seen in years.

It's hard to go over exactly what makes Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred so special without straying into spoiler territory, so I won't. But it pulls no punches whatsoever and leans heavily into the bleakness of life in Sanctuary, much like the previous entries. The difference here is the impact on characters we've been following since the game launched back in 2023. The player character, "The Wanderer," is on a warpath to finally catch up with Mephisto.

All who remain "alive" in this hunt have a big role to play, for better or worse, with twists and turns, absolutely grisly scenes, and tentpole performances that are wholly deserving of major mainstream awards.

Ralph Ineson is absolutely fantastic as Lorath and will be remembered as one of the franchise's greatest heroes and characters. Steve Blum as Mephisto is utterly unnerving, and his delivery of Mephisto's demonic proclamations is truly mesmerizing.

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred very cleanly wraps up the saga of Hatred. Blizzard resisted temptations to stray into "stay tuned for next time!!" setting up future expansions or games ... and left us with a conclusion that is as painfully evocative as it is satisfying. Lord of Hatred is absolute magic, and even if you're not a typical ARPG fan, you should experience Diablo 4 for the story alone.

Diablo IV 'Lord of Hatred' review: Gameplay and Endgame

I've sunk hundreds of hours into Diablo 4 and its expansions so far, but I've not played as attentively or passionately as I have with Lord of Hatred's present endgame.

Lord of Hatred adds not one, but two new character classes, which seems to follow Blizzard's present mantra of over-delivering upon expectations. The sword-and-board Paladin arrives, wielding holy magic power and magical hammers to smite demons and other miscreants of all stripes. The Warlock turns those same demons into weapons, siphoning their power and subjugating their will to become powerful, unwilling allies.

The Paladin class is as fun to play as it is flashy. What really struck me about the Paladin class was its sound design, ironically, loud bells and chimes as you're slamming huge maces into demons is restlessly cathartic. The Warlock, by comparison, is all about reckless, volatile power. Plumes of shadow magic or violent, screen-spanning explosions devastate enemies, and at the high end, can one-shot some of the game's most difficult bosses. One of its spells is called "Apocalypse" for a reason.

What really struck a chord with me this time around is the endgame. This is the first Diablo season since launch where I've felt compelled to level multiple classes and experiment with multiple builds. The variety is exemplary, and accessing high-end builds is still a challenge, but nowhere near the "painful" feeling of previous seasons.

Diablo 4 revamps all the class trees to make skills a little more relevant than they were previously. Many endgame builds skipped over skill nodes and went straight for passives, pouring as much power as possible into a couple of synergistic spells. Diablo 4 makes all skills a lot more meaningful with more points to play with, although bugs with certain synergies and clear balance issues make some abilities feel a little weak. They end up overlooked as a result, reducing the amount of variety at the super high-end. Until then, though, you can easily clear up to Torment X with a large variety of spells and builds, even weird self-made off-meta stuff like I tend to use.

Indeed, I've had a ton of fun ignoring build guides and exploring my own builds and synergies this season. I've hit walls, though, at times. Sometimes it feels like the game has some serious balance issues, where Unique items that should boost the damage and synergies of certain spells simply don't seem to work.

Blizzard has been working to bug fix as of writing, and there are a decent clip of bugs ... my incredibly rare 3GA Harlequin Crest vanished out of the Horadric Cube on me this morning ... to say I'm devastated about it would be an understatement. But if you're not as stubborn as me, the variety of meta builds for endgame viability is fairly decent.

Speaking of the Cube, one thing I've also enjoyed this season is how much customization exists within the game's gear systems now. You can re-roll affixes on items with the Horadric Cube from previous games, and vastly customize and improve your gear to focus and hone your builds. Again, I've been a bit frustrated in situations where affixes don't seem to make a meaningful difference, but Blizzard does seem to have been addressing bugs with regard to this at a decent rate.

One thing that continues to bug me about Diablo 4 is the way bosses are balanced. Blizzard invests a lot in creating unique bosses with unique mechanics, arenas, and oftentimes, music. The bosses die in literal seconds, though, even world bosses, which makes no sense to me. Bosses should be memorable tent pole moments, rather than trivial loot pinatas. It should never be the case that a regular elite in a dungeon in the same tier is more powerful than the dungeon's literal boss. Conversely, the Uber Bosses in the same tier where you're one-shotting most other bosses are often so over-tuned that unless you're rolling a meta build that can one-hit kill them to avoid their barely-visible mechanics, you're probably going to have a bad time. Blizzard could do some serious fine-tuning here. A more rewarding curve that makes them feel less trivial while boosting the rewards should be the goal. One-shotting Torment XI world bosses is so miserably anticlimactic. Why bother designing the boss in the first place?

At least you can customize aspects of your endgame experience to that end now, though. The new War Plan system allows you to "level up" endgame activities. For example, you can boost the strength of bosses in exchange for extra chests. It's a bit of a grind to level them up, to say the least, but it's a fun and rewarding addition to the decent variety of endgame systems presently on offer.

War Plans also allow you to tailor what activities you do through endgame, giving you additional rewards and more "structure" as the variety of options continues to pile up.

Between Undercity, Nightmare Dungeons, Helltides, Infernal Hordes, heavily customizable gear, a vast variety of endgame builds, skills, spells, and options — Diablo 4's endgame is more rewarding than ever.

It's by no means flawless. There are certainly bugs and balance issues. I think it's strange that Strongholds play no real role in endgame. I mentioned my frustration with the way bosses are either over-tuned or under-tuned. And I'd like to see a greater emphasis on permanent seasonal rewards that even come close to the game's wallet-bustingly expensive microtransactions ... but they don't detract from the overall quality of the package.

Diablo 4's endgame is not perfect, but the overall gameplay loop is better than ever.

Diablo IV 'Lord of Hatred' review: Conclusion

Diablo 4 has been a clear and painstaking labor of love. Building upon expectations spanning decades is one of the game industry's most difficult and complicated tasks. Threading the needle of appealing to both old and potential new players, while staying true to the essence of Diablo, and finding relevance in today's diluted attention pool is incredibly tough. But Blizzard pulled it off here in a big way.

Like I said, Diablo 4 isn't perfect. It has a lot of small issues, but nothing that detracts from the whole in a big way. Diablo 4's story, especially, is something that will stick with me for a long, long time.

Honestly, I'm left wondering "what's next" more than ever for Diablo 4, which I now count among some of my favorite games of all time.

I feel like there's still so much untapped potential and room for improvement in Diablo 4 even now, and I'm eager to find out if it can reach even more impressive heights in the months and years to come. Indeed, this isn't a game I "want to stop playing" right now, and as picky as I am in 2026, that's no easy feat.

I believe history will be kind to Diablo 4, and even though I'm sure some corners of the internet would call it controversial, but if I put down my nostalgia glasses for a moment — I believe with my whole baneful heart that now with Lord of Hatred, Diablo 4 represents one of Blizzard's best ever games.

Back in 2005, Forza Motorsport screeched onto Xbox with one goal: to be the king of driving sims. It was all tight corners, white-knuckle precision, and the kind of seriousness that made you sweat over every gear shift. Fast forward to 2012, and suddenly Forza Horizon bursts onto the scene, tossing the rulebook out the window and blazing its own wild trail.

Horizon ditched the stuffy closed circuits for sprawling vistas, sun-soaked roads, and the kind of festival beats that make your speakers beg for mercy. It absolutely nailed the open-world vibe.

I still get flashbacks to Test Drive Unlimited. I miss my Bugatti Veyron.

Over the next fourteen years, the Horizon series evolved from Colorado hillside racing to a globe-trotting celebration of car culture, each entry layering on seasons, stories, and social cues while never forgetting the pure, grin-inducing joy of flooring it through an ever-changing landscape.

Now, with Forza Horizon 6, Playground Games has taken its wheels to Japan and delivered what feels like the franchise’s most confident, culturally immersive chapter yet.

From the neon pulse of Tokyo to mist-shrouded mountside grounds, Forza Horizon 6 doesn’t rewrite history, but layers perfection on top of perfection to make the latest entry the most polished experience to date.

Forza Horizon 6: The landscape of Japan

A lifetime ago, or at least it feels that way, I took a trip to Tokyo and fell head over heels for the place. I talk about it so much that anytime Japan comes up, my wife hits me with her classic, "Oh, you’ve been to Japan? News to me!" sarcasm. She’s heard it all before, but I can’t help myself.

I’m not about to start swinging a katana around or anything, but I like to think I know a thing or two about Japan. So when I fired up the new Horizon, I was hit with that same jaw-dropping awe I felt the first time I wandered Tokyo’s streets.

From the blinding lights of downtown to the peaceful hush of the countryside, Horizon 6 bottles up Japan’s spirit and pours it into every fence post and skyscraper. The game’s DNA is now part neon, part street racer, and all heart.

Forget just hunting down XP boards; now you’re on the lookout for adorable mascots scattered everywhere. Every region’s got its own little critter begging to be flattened by your V8, and the squeaks they make when you do? Chef’s kiss.

Street races are now their own beast, totally separate from the main Horizon grind. These unsponsored, underground events feel like you’ve stumbled into Tokyo’s secret racing underbelly, and I’m here for it. However, I was caught off guard by two things. They’re not huge, but still something worth mentioning.

When I visited Tokyo, one of the things that struck me was the size of it. From the Tokyo Skytree, a 2080-foot-tall building, no matter where I looked, I failed to find the limit of the never-ending cityscape. Forza Horizon 6 fails to capture that scale, but for a game that’s looking to capture the essence of the entire country, I forgive them for not capturing that massive city nature.

One of the areas I thought we’d visit for sure was Mt Fuji, how could we not? I was surprised to find out we don’t get to visit the great mountain in the background of every older Godzilla movie.

But fret not, for I have a very sneaky suspicion that’ll end up being one of the DLC packs we’ll get for the game in the future. My last, and very real complaint, is the fact that there were no 7-Eleven gas stations. If you've been to Tokyo, you know this is a Japanese cultural staple!

Forza Horizon 6: Racing never felt better

Let’s face it, if you’re playing Forza Horizon, you’re not looking for the greatest simulation game on the planet. What you’re looking for is something to poke around in and have a blast doing. Forza Motorsport, iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and other like-minded titles are there for those who want something in a more realistic form.

For those of us who long for something between that and Need For Speed, Forza Horizon is what we play. And boy am I here to tell you does Forza Horizon 6 ever play, and it plays hard.

That fun feel is back and better than ever with what feels like a near-never-ending list of vehicles to choose from. Clocking in at over 600 vehicles at release, nearly 100 more than Forza Horizon 5 launched with, I’m still digging away at unlocking or paying for the best and coolest looking vehicles available in the game.

Progression no longer feels like you’re just going from race to race. Instead of throwing the entire kitchen sink at you, Forza Horizon 6 locks much of the higher-end vehicle races to later stages.

As you progress through Horizon Events, the races that unlock will go from your D and C vehicle levels to B, A, and eventually S and the new ranking, R. Rather than picking your favorite McLaren from the start, players will be building toward those levels throughout the game's campaign, which gives that authentic career-building feel I felt was missing from the latest iteration.

The tone of a circuit race changes if you’re just picking some high-end track star every single time. Forcing players to stay within a specific class isn’t a step back, but an attempt to teach players that progression is meant to be meaningful and rewarding.

Not only are all event types back, but so are many more that players will be picking at for hours with friends. While I know most reviewers and creators haven’t been spending a ton of time in the event builder, some of the early ones I’ve seen are showcasing just how promising the feature from Forza Horizon 5 can be. What’s more, it can be done in multiplayer now.

In a session that feels more like a private match of Halo Forge, up to 12 players can co-create Lab Events in Forza Horizon now. Friends can now create together to make something amazing, awful, or hilarious to drive through.

Without tunes to choose from, I was forced to learn how to tune vehicles. From drag racing to grip machines, I learned the ins and outs (or at least, at a surface level) of what it means to make your vehicle the best it can be.

If you peek at the gallery below, you’ll see I spent way too much time battling other reviewers and creators. Sure, my scores will get demolished once the game goes public, but seeing familiar names below mine? That’s a flex I’ll cherish while it lasts. Don't worry, I'll share my tunes and vehicles in some upcoming guides!

In the spirit of competition, Forza Horizon 6 is also adding drag-racing events to multiplayer. In the past, players always lined up to race against one another and played on an honor system. Now, there’s a full-blown method of playing together with a scoreboard, disqualification for starting early, and everything else players need in a drag-racing event.

You can even moonlight as a food delivery driver. Yep, one of the side gigs has you zipping around, picking up takeout, and dropping it off to hungry NPCs. It’s not huge, but there are nine promotion ranks, and some even unlock new delivery rides. Who knew Forza would scratch my DoorDash itch?

Not everything’s a slam dunk, though. My biggest gripe? Some of the main Horizon Events. Sure, there are a few wild, super-Japanese races, but a couple of them just didn’t have that wow factor I was hoping for.

Too often, I was stuck racing against the same types of planes or on tracks that felt like déjà vu. Some set pieces were pure joy. One had me grinning like an idiot, but others? Not so much.

Another thing that might be seen as a positive, and forgive me if this was in a previous entry, but you can now rewind during skill events. I didn’t even realize this until I accidentally hit Y while shifting gears up a drift section, only to rewind back to a previous spot, where I retained the score I had at that moment.

So yeah, you can fix your mistakes mid-drift without restarting. Some folks will love it, but for leaderboard junkies like me, it feels a little cheap when you’re chasing bragging rights with your friends.

Forza Horizon 6: Building is now a thing

Got a lot of extra cash that you haven’t spent on a hundred cars? Time to pimp out your garage, or better yet, your own personal Estate. You get your own Playground to build whatever your heart dreams up. Stunt tracks? Go wild. Anime murals? Why not. Ultimate drift zone? Absolutely.

While some of the builds I came across have been rather lacking, as you can only do so much during a review before you have to move on and test the next feature, what I’ve seen so far has shown that the building tools are going to make Forza Horizon 6 extra special.

One build I stumbled into was a neon playground with giant ramps, bowling pins, and a volleyball the size of a bus. I can already see these features getting pushed to the edge of insanity, and I can’t wait to see what the community cooks up after launch.

Your Estate means your garage gets a makeover, too. I found a Halo Forerunner garage that looked incredible, until I loaded in and every prop did a super jump in the ceiling. Rest in peace, Master Chief.

Hopefully, things like this get sorted out over time, because I want more Forge in my Xbox games wherever I can get it. That, and the actual building tools feel a little fussy, especially in the garage. Unless I missed it, I couldn't snap walls in place to other walls — which, if it is there, means the scheme isn't very intuitive. If they aren't, how is it not there?

Forza Horizon 6: Stunning to feel, watch, and listen to

I know there’s this ongoing joke with the internet that graphics haven’t gotten any better with time. The worst example of this is people who keep posting gameplay videos of Battlefield 3, as if it holds a candle to Battlefield 6. Spoilers: It doesn’t.

I even recently saw a video on social media where players were comparing all the entries in the Forza Horizon series, including 6 to one another.

What especially caught me off guard was people saying none of them looked any better than Forza Horizon 3. I got a hell of a kick from that. Either those people have never touched a Forza Horizon game, or nostalgia’s got them in a chokehold.

The difference is night and day when looking at the surrounding areas. Not only that, but with every title, more of the environments have become destructive. In the newest game, I found myself plowing through entire forests without hitting any trees that couldn’t be toppled.

On Xbox Series X or PC, this is hands-down one of the best-looking racers I’ve ever played. Vibrant colors, real-time ray tracing, crowds that are steps above Madden fans (just don’t look too close in photo mode), the works.

The truth that graphics in general have started to flatline a bit is true. Diminishing returns is a thing as you get closer to photo realism, which is why we’re seeing companies like Nvidia push their latest lighting techniques. Forza Horizon 6 is not an exception to this rule, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been a nice array of improvements.

In years past, I always felt like performance was a major trade-off in terms of visuals. This time, I couldn’t tell whether I enjoyed playing on my Xbox Series X with a Vizio OLED or my RTX 5080 build on my 4K ASUS OLED gaming monitor. Sure, there were differences, but nothing substantial in the heat of the moment when all chaos is breaking loose while racing against.

On Extreme RT settings, I was reaching 90 FPS with Nvidia DLSS set to Quality at 4K resolution. On Xbox, I didn’t test the framerate with any "standard" methodology, but I didn’t notice any frame rate dips while playing in Performance mode. The entire experience, whether Xbox or PC, felt incredibly smooth.

Forza Horizon 6: Should you buy it?

If you’ve ever enjoyed a Forza Horizon, you already know the answer: yes, this is an easy buy.

Forza Horizon 6 is the series at its most confident, most refined, and most fun. Everything that made the earlier games iconic is back, but with a slicker sheen and events that pop.

Is it more of the same? Absolutely, but when "the same" is already this good, there’s zero shame in doubling down. Forza Horizon’s magic is alive and well, and the new additions just keep the party going without losing that signature vibe.

CoLabs and The Estate are unexpected standouts, adding a ton of replay value and giving even long-time fans something new to chase. This isn’t just content for content’s sake. It all fits and feels right at home in the world Playground Games has built.

I love that with the throwback progression, you don’t just jump right into the fastest cars. Working your way up makes every win feel earned, and every new race a real step forward. Not every Horizon Event will knock your socks off, although the thrill is still there.

So here’s the deal: if you love racing and want an open-world experience that’s equal parts heart and horsepower, Forza Horizon 6 is a no-brainer. It’s the top dog for a reason, and this chapter just cements it.

Lenovo's Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) attempts to balance price, performance, and premium features, and indeed, its $1,199.99 starting price before any discounts should turn some heads.

It's built around the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 System-on-Chip (SoC), and it's the first Windows on ARM laptop that I've actually spent weeks using full-time for writing, heavy browsing, photo editing, streaming, and email.

Not only does it live up to the promises Lenovo makes, but it goes beyond in several areas. Here's what you need to know before buying.

How much does the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) cost?

The Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) makes its debut at $1,099.99 at Lenovo's website. In this model, you get a Snapdragon X2 Plus (X2P-42) chip, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and a 14-inch OLED touch display with FHD+ resolution.

Lenovo also offers a Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2E-80) config with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a non-touch FHD+ touch display for $1,699.99.

For $1,899.99, you can max everything out with the X2 Elite (X2E-88) chip, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and 2.8K OLED touchscreen.

As usual at Lenovo, you can configure your own model with a mix of hardware as required.

Here's a look at the specs in my review unit.

Lenovo supplied Windows Central with a review unit of the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11). It had no input, nor saw the contents of the review, prior to publication.

Does the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) have premium features?

From a design standpoint, the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) is rock-solid. Its aluminum chassis is rigid, it doesn't creak when twisted, and everything lines up perfectly. MIL-STD-810H certification proves its durability.

It's extremely thin, made to look more so with its wedged shape. The rounded edges hardly have enough space for a USB-C port, and at its thickest point, it measures just 0.55 inches (with the lid included). Weighing 2.73 pounds, it's easy to carry all day.

Not enough space for a varied selection of ports

It's so thin, in fact, that Lenovo doesn't include any ports other than three USB4 (using the USB-C form factor).

No 3.5mm audio, no USB-A, and no HDMI means you'll most likely need a handful of adapters or a Thunderbolt docking station when using accessories.

A power button and a manual e-shutter toggle also reside on the side of the PC.

Superb audio quality and a high-res webcam

Lenovo fit two 2W tweeters and two 2W woofers into the laptop, half in a top-firing orientation flanking the keyboard, and the others on the underside of the chassis. Audio has plenty of volume, some decent bass, and Dolby Atmos tuning for extra control. I have no complaints, especially from a laptop this thin.

The webcam is a similar story. At 9.2MP, it provides clarity beyond what's found in standard 1080p fare, and I appreciate the manual e-shutter for extra privacy.

The webcam lives in a raised comms bar above the display, providing more space for additional features like a manual e-shutter and IR sensor for facial recognition through Windows Hello.

Beyond just unlocking your PC with biometrics, Lenovo has included Human Presence Detection (HPD) capabilities that can lock and unlock your PC automatically when you depart or approach. HPD also ties into battery saving and OLED care settings, of which there are plenty in Lenovo's onboard Vantage app.

I love the keyboard, but I wish for a haptic touchpad

The keyboard's travel is deep enough that I've typed tens of thousands of words without experiencing any fatigue. As usual for Lenovo, key spacing is perfect, keycaps are slightly cupped, and there's a bright backlight to help with working in the dark.

Now that I've used a few haptic touchpads on modern laptops, I've come around to them being the superior option. With no moving parts, they're more reliable and accurate than traditional mechanical fare.

Of course, they also cost more to implement, and in a value-conscious laptop like the Slim 7x, I see why Lenovo went with a standard touchpad. I love its size, and it's admittedly about as quality as mechanical pointers get. It's firm when clicked and points accurately.

Is the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11)'s 2.8K OLED display worth the upgrade?

The Yoga Slim 7x has a few different OLED touch displays with either a 1920x1200 (FHD+) or a 2880x1800 (2.8K) resolution. Aside from pixel count, the biggest differences involve brightness and refresh rate.

The FHD+ model I have in the review unit tops out at 400 nits (SDR) or 600 nits (HDR); what's advertised is accurate based on my testing with a colorimeter. Unfortunately, the FHD+ version is capped at a 60Hz refresh rate, and there's a fair amount of glare if you're working in a bright space.

The 2.8K display hits 120Hz, making it much easier on the eyes, and it also gets significantly brighter at 600 nits (SDR) and 1,100 nits (HDR). All screens have Dolby Vision, and they all have a glossy finish with anti-fingerprint properties.

I ran a color gamut check on the FHD+ display, revealing 100% sRGB, 95% AdobeRGB, and 97% P3, making it suitable for specialized tasks like photo editing. And because it's OLED, you get perfect contrast without any backlight bloom.

Considering the 2.8K touch OLED upgrade is only $60 more, I recommend going for it no matter what. Battery draw from the extra pixels shouldn't be enough to notice, and your eyes will thank you for doubling the refresh rate.

Is the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) powerful AND efficient?

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2E-88) System-on-Chip (SoC) is a marvel. With 18 cores, a turbo boost clock up to 4.7GHz, and 53MB of available cache, it has crushed everything I've thrown its way over the weeks.

It comes in just behind the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme (X2E-94) chip that we tested in the awesome ASUS Zenbook A16, but believe me, just because it's a lesser SKU doesn't mean it's not for you.

The X2 Elite (X2E-88) in the Slim 7x (Gen 11) trounces the Apple M5 chip in the MacBook Air in Geekbench, and it also destroys the Intel Core Ultra 7 355 chip that's available in the sibling Yoga Slim 7 Ultra Aura Edition. Testing in Cinebench reveals a similar story.

The laptop's dual fans have mostly remained dormant. They ultimately only kick on if I'm editing high-res photos, and usually only if I'm charging the battery at the same time (which creates extra heat inside the chassis). Otherwise, this is a silent PC.

Does the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) have good battery life?

Lenovo's Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) has the best battery life of any laptop I've personally tested. The battery has a decent 70Wh capacity, and the lower-res FHD+ display at 60Hz no doubt helps push efficiency; nevertheless, it's a laptop that I use all day off the charger.

The longest the PC has been active without plugging in is around 24 hours. Now, that wasn't full-time use to be sure.

A more accurate reading of active battery life using Windows Performance mode comes out to about 14 hours from a charge. This is all based on the Windows Battery Report tool that delivers a history of charges and rundowns.

I've been consistently picking up the PC in the morning and using it for work all day without worrying about plugging in. The only thing I've found to sap battery faster than normal is Google Meet video conferencing.

Should you buy the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11)?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You're in search of a thin, light 14-inch laptop with high-end features in the $1,000 to $1,500 price range.

✅ You need a laptop with outstanding battery life and snappy performance.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You know for certain that your workload has issues with Windows on ARM.

❌ You're in search of a laptop to be used primarily for gaming.

The use of a Snapdragon X2 Elite SoC pushes the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) into the realm of remarkable efficiency and performance. You might have a personal issue with Windows on ARM, but for my workflow, it's no problem at all.

Combine this power and efficiency with a high-end build quality, premium features like Human Presence Detection, quad speakers, 9.2MP camera, and OLED display, and you have a lot of PC for the asking price.

It's not perfect — the glossy display finish can be annoying and the FHD+ model's 60Hz refresh rate is a drag — but these are fairly easy to remedy with a $60 upgrade to a brighter 2.8K display at 120Hz.

The Slim 7x (Gen 11) is a laptop I can see fitting in perfectly with students, home business pros, and casual users who simply want a laptop for around $1,199 (even less when it's on sale) that feels like it should cost a lot more.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

I love the Arctis Nova Elite, but man, it's really tough to recommend a $650 headset. What if there was a cheaper option?

Say hi to the Arctis Nova Pro Omni, the second iteration of the Arctis Nova Pro of yesteryear. And yes, it's still quite pricy at $399, but it's also the last headset you might need to buy.

It's not only compatible with literally every platform; it's simultaneously compatible with every platform. You can mix audio from PC, Xbox, mobile, and other platforms through its powerful 3-port DAC, complete with Bluetooth LE now with Hi-Res certification and boosted ANC.

Its design is subtle enough to be used out and about, its powerful enough for music, movies, and communications. It's cinematic enough for single-player games and smart enough for tactical audio in multiplayer titles.

It's simply a fantastic headset and joins the Elite in becoming one of my daily drivers. The Arctis Nova Pro range continues to be the best Xbox headset overall, especially for multiplatform gamers.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Specs and price

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is mostly comparable to the Arctis Nova Pro, although it brings in some bells and whistles from its most pricy "Elite" cousin.

It drops the metal accents and carbon fiber drivers for more "affordable" plastics and more traditional neodymium magnets, but it brings across Hi-Res certification, a triple-input DAC, boosted ANC, and various other enhancements.

It beats the Nova Pro in every way, and although there's a fire sale for the Nova Pro going on right now, it's only slightly more expensive with regard to RRP.

$399 is still a fairly big ask for a headset, though. You're going to need and want all of its features, but if you are someone who will make use of them (like me), it's arguably the best multi-platform headset on the market right now.

Read on to find out why.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Comfort and design

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni looks similar to its regular Pro and Elite counterparts, sporting an all-black design with dark grey accents, bright SteelSeries logos on the speaker plates, and a retractable mic.

The headband itself is metal, with a floating strap keeping the pressure off your skull. It has adjustable connectors for the cups for different-sized heads and swivel pivots for alignment.

The microphone is retractable and has a red mute light indicator. The on-ear controls are well constructed, with high-quality materials and a high degree of design variance and shapes.

Why?

It makes it easier to figure out which button you're reaching for if they all feel different. You can adjust ANC, power, muting, Bluetooth pairing, and volume without reaching for the digital audio controller, but when you need to get more complex, it's right there for you.

The Digital Audio Controller is an impressive piece of kit, with three ports for USB-C devices, as well as a 3.5mm audio port on top. With this, you can connect your PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, or PlayStation simultaneously and switch between them on the fly.

You can mix sound sources between them as well, using the volume dial and visual cues on the DAC to shift volume balance between your PC and Xbox, as well as controlling chat volume and game sound on the fly.

It's incredibly well-designed and deserves some kind of legitimate award beyond our meager Windows Central Award.

The cushions on the earcups themselves are thick and comfortable, with an almost delicate-feeling texture on the leatherette finish. You'll play for hours and not even notice you're wearing them.

I'm also grateful that the Omni didn't make the mistake of its predecessor, which had large protruding microphone modules inside the earcups for the ANC. For many, this position proved incredibly uncomfortable. The Omni has no such problem.

The only complaint I could potentially leverage here is that they quite easily slip off if you lean forward or backward or get too "animated" while streaming or raging at your teammates. This trade-off means that it's not very tight at all while in use, so it delivers maximum comfort. But if you're traveling with them as a Bluetooth lifestyle kind of headset, you might need to take some extra care so they don't slip off your head.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Audio and features

The sound quality on the Arctis Nova Pro Omni is absolutely immaculate and something I can't recommend enough.

While not offering the detailing of the more expensive Elite, the Pro Omni remains at the top of its game for delivering audio that can be as cinematic as it can be tactical. Using Dolby Atmos or Windows Sonic, you'll get an exemplary surround sound experience, elevated further if you drop in SteelSeries' in-game profiles tuned for specific games.

The app indeed is quite powerful on that front. There's a variety of audio profiles for dozens of games, as well as some default profiles for EQ profiles like bass boost and so on. Whether you're trying to boost your tactical awareness in games like Overwatch or Arc Raiders or immerse yourself in a single-player cinematic experience like Death Stranding 2, you absolutely will not be disappointed with the sound quality here.

I do wish there were more options to control the profiles on the included DAC, admittedly, but it's not a huge deal. You can configure them via either Bluetooth on your phone or a connected Windows PC, as well as control additional settings like microphone sidetone, EQs, and so on.

Speaking of the microphone, it's another retractable option from SteelSeries, easy to tuck away into the headset itself if you're planning to go fully mobile. It has a red LED light for mute indication and offers pretty decent quality for a headset microphone. Albeit a little tinny-sounding. You probably won't create content with this headset, but it's more than adequate for gaming comms.

As features go, there's not much competition out there, save for other Arctis Nova products. The fact that you can simultaneously mix sound from two separate USB-C sources on top of an additional Bluetooth LE source is fantastic for content creators and podcasters, as well as those who are heavy into multi-platform gaming.

Indeed, if you only play on one or two systems at a time, there are arguably far more affordable options out there for you. But if you want a headset that can do absolutely everything, there's no real competition here.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Competition

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni sits in a category alongside very few peers. Only the Astro A50 series has some similar options for multi-platform capabilities, but they're nowhere near as open as what SteelSeries is offering.

I've been using the Astro A50 2015 model for over ten years purely for its optical audio cable. Being able to mix Xbox sound via my TV's optical port and PC audio via the Astro A50's USB was a functionality that I haven't found reliably anywhere else, until the Arctis Nova line. Sure, I could use Bluetooth, but it's always a bit susceptible to interference, and that's a problem when I'm podcasting or streaming.

Indeed, the fact that you can simultaneously mix two USB-C sources is, as far as I can tell, something utterly unique to the Nova Pro range. Other multi-platform headsets, like the more recent Astro A50, only let you do one USB-C source at a time; even if you can plug them in simultaneously, they're still bound to a switch.

The ability to mix three seems to be unique to the Elite and Pro Omni on top. As more and more of us play across multiple systems and storefronts, I suspect this type of modality will become increasingly popular.

The audio quality is not quite up there with the Elite as you'd expect given the price delta, but the extra features you're getting over its predecessor and competitors like the Astro A50 make it more than worth it in my view. I am someone who will frequently use these across Bluetooth, USB-C on Xbox, and USB-C on PC, though.

If you're not planning to use them to their full multi-platform potential, a cheaper, more focused headset is probably going to be a better option. If you were playing on just Xbox by itself and wanted to save a heap of cash for something with comparable audio, for example, I'd recommend the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen-3 for the vast majority of people.

But for multi-platform gamers, this is the best option for the vast majority of people. If you want to go super-premium, consider the Arctis Nova Elite as well.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Should you buy it?

Even though it's far more affordable than the Arctis Nova Elite, it's still a pricy pick at $399 RRP. The savings on the materials and the like aren't as big a compromise as you might expect, and the audio delivery is still very impressive despite losing the carbon fiber drivers of its $649 cousin.

But you're really going to want to use all of those features to justify the price. If you're someone who typically plays only on one platform, you could pick up an alternative headset that does away with the DAC and the multi-capable platforms and opt for something more affordable. If you do play on multiple platforms, however, there is frankly no better option right now. SteelSeries has a banger here.

✅You should buy this if ...

• You frequently play across different console and PC platforms.
• You want a headset that can be reliably used for lifestyle scenarios, i.e. music in public, etc.
• You don't mind spending the big $$ for big features.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You primarily play on only one platform.
• You're more of a sofa gamer, since the DAC will be out of reach.
• You don't really need Bluetooth or lifestyle capabilities.

For sure, it always feels a bit iffy recommending a headset that costs as much as a console itself, but this is something you can happily use as a lifestyle headset on top. It's far more than a simple "gaming headset," as a result, and the price reflects that multi-modality.

If you don't need all that capability in a single product, then definitely look elsewhere, like our best Xbox headsets list, for example. But, if you frequently find yourself annoyed manually switching between audio devices across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, or even the Xbox Ally range ... this is your best-value option right now by a country mile.

Congrats to SteelSeries; you finally helped me retire my battered 2015 Astro A50 with the optical audio port!

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ASUS has been a key player in advancing dual-screen laptops with its Zenbook Duo, but many don't know that a gaming-focused Zephyrus Duo actually came first.

No, older models from the early 2020s weren't a "true" dual-screen laptop, with their 1.5 displays and embedded keyboard, but they clearly inspired the new ROG Zephyrus Duo that ASUS unveiled at CES 2026.

I got my hands on the new dual-screen RTX 5090 mobile gaming laptop a few days before its initial launch. Here's what I discovered.

How much does the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo cost?

ASUS offers two ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) configurations. The more affordable model (GX651AR) costs $4,499.99 and comes with the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H CPU, NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti mobile GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD.

ASUS also has a model with an RTX 5090 mobile GPU and otherwise identical specs for $5,499.99. That's a full $1,000 upcharge for the RTX 5090, as both models have the same displays, ports, cameras, etc.

Here's a deeper look at the specs available in the new ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo.

ASUS supplied Windows Central with a temporary review unit for testing. It had no input on, nor saw the contents of this review prior to publishing.

How does a dual-screen gaming laptop like the ROG Zephyrus Duo work?

The ROG Zephyrus Duo is heavier than the average 16-inch gaming laptop at 6.17 pounds (2.8kg), but it's packing a full dual-screen setup within its CNC-milled aluminum borders. Like the Zenbook Duo, the two displays fold together like a normal notebook, sandwiching the removable keyboard.

Without the keyboard attached, you have two full 16-inch displays to work with. A built-in stand on the bottom of the chassis makes for a sturdy horizontal or vertical setup, and 320-degree hinges allow the PC to fold flat or into a tent mode when sharing or playing local co-op games.

The number of actual PC games that can do this isn't huge, but megahits like Portal 2, Stardew Valley, and It Takes Two might tempt you to try it out. Let me know your favorite local co-op PC game in the comments section.

The real utility of a dual-screen gaming laptop is having a full second screen for guides, podcasts, streams, controls — whatever. If it seems overkill, that's because it is for what's probably a majority of gamers. But it's so, so cool at the same time.

And just like the Zenbook Duo, the ROG Zephyrus Duo doesn't feel like a gimmick when you're using it outside of its standard notebook mode. It's truly useful to have a second display ready to go at all times, and it works just as well if you're holding the PC like a book, standing it up on a desk (vertically or horizontally), or laying it flat on a table.

Are the ROG Zephyrus Duo's features as premium as its design?

Everything about this PC is carefully designed, and I'm impressed with the overall quality. ASUS has truly made huge strides in engineering and presentation in recent years, and it's on full display here.

I'm reminded of this every time I open the lid. ASUS designed the hinges with two levels of torsion; the lid can be opened with one hand to a regular notebook display angle, before it grabs harder for more stability in dual-screen modes.

Without the keyboard attached, the bottom half of the chassis is relatively thin considering the hardware inside. On the left edge is a proprietary charging port, HDMI 2.1, USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), Thunderbolt 4, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack.

The right edge includes secondary Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2) ports, as well as a full-size UHS-II SD card reader. A lack of Ethernet without an adapter will irk some, but Wi-Fi 7 is crazy fast, assuming your router and ISP can keep up.

Audio from six speakers, each with 2W of output, is superb, and Dolby Atmos is included. Two speakers live on the bottom panel of the second display, two live near the center, and a couple are located in the hinge area.

ASUS managed to fit a 1080p webcam with IR for Windows Hello above the main display, and it does a good job if you're occasionally video conferencing.

Is the ROG Zephyrus Duo's detachable keyboard good for gaming?

The keyboard attaches to the bottom display with strong magnets, communicating and charging via POGO pins when "docked." When pulled apart, it immediately switches to Bluetooth.

It's rigid enough that it's no problem to use in my lap, and the larger deck makes it feel like a sort of base station. It's covered in an oil-resistant, soft-touch finish that's quite luxe.

Typing is surprisingly comfortable, owing to deep 1.7mm key travel, ample spacing, and a smooth finish on each keycap. All keys belong to the same RGB zone, compatible with Aura Sync.

I wish the touchpad used haptics, but that's really my only qualm. The mechanical style is nevertheless tactile, and I appreciate the oversized area.

How did ASUS fit an RTX 5090 in the ROG Zephyrus Duo?

ASUS often uses the keyboard as an air intake on its gaming laptops, but with a second screen covering the entire bottom portion of the Zephyrus Duo, that isn't possible.

Instead, it has an oversized intake panel on the bottom of the PC to feed the fans inside. ASUS built a custom vapor chamber here to cover nearly 50% of the motherboard, and it uses a Graphite Nano insulation layer between the board and the OLED display.

Something I've never seen before is an angled exhaust vent that doubles as a raised footing. It's joined by a much larger heatsink exhaust running along the entirety of the bottom half's rear edge.

In Turbo performance mode, the fans can get loud. I measured 61.2 decibels when pushing the system with Red Dead Redemption 2. In performance mode, noise drops by about 5 decibels.

NVIDIA RTX 5090 mobile performance — is it worth it?

I applaud ASUS for fitting an RTX 5090 mobile GPU inside a dual-screen laptop, but I stick by my opinion that it's not worth the upcharge compared to NVIDIA's lower-tier GPUs.

The 5090 mobile, no matter what PC it's in, only delivers about half the performance of its desktop counterpart. Although none of NVIDIA's mobile GPUs match up to the desktop options, the 5090 takes the biggest hit.

Overall, the RTX 5090 model seems more like a flex aimed at big spenders, especially considering ASUS doesn't offer an RTX 5080 model. Outside of gaming, high-end creators might be swayed to the 5090 combined with quality OLED displays. Otherwise, go with the RTX 5070 Ti model.

Benchmarking the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo

ASUS caps the RTX 5090 mobile GPU at 150W in Turbo and Manual modes. It falls back to 135W in Performance mode. I ran all benchmarks in Turbo mode, using the main display's native 2.8K resolution.

• Black Myth: Wukong — DLSS On, Frame Gen On, Ray Tracing Very High, Cinematic, 2.8K: 64 FPS (AVG), 35 FPS (MIN), 80 FPS (MAX)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 — DLSS Auto, Ultra, 2.8K: 75.68 FPS (AVG), 23.19 FPS (MIN), 137.42 FPS (MAX)
• Cyberpunk 2077 — Ray Tracing Overdrive, Path Tracing On, Frame Gen 2x, 2.8K: 75.28 FPS (AVG), 65.63 FPS (MIN), 85.67 FPS (MAX)

I also tested Red Dead Redemption 2 with the second screen enabled and streaming a YouTube video. Under the same settings, the average dropped by 5 FPS. That's not a huge performance hit for a very demanding game, which is great to see.

Does the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo get too hot to handle?

ASUS has clearly done a great job of balancing power within the laptop's limits. It's constantly adjusting power to the CPU and GPU, and AIDA64 showed no throttling in an extended 15-minute stress test. The RTX 5090 hit 76°C during the test, the hottest CPU core 92°C.

Toward the end of the stress test, I also used a FLIR camera to check external temperatures.

The keyboard, attached, reached about 40°C between the keys. With the screen removed, the bottom OLED display hit about 42°C. And on the bottom of the laptop, the exhaust hotspot hit about 54.7°C.

Keep in mind these are extreme measures. Nevertheless, if you want less heat, go with the RTX 5070 Ti GPU instead.

More ROG Zephyrus Duo benchmarks

I ran a series of more general synthetic benchmarks measuring productivity and gaming power. Here's how they compare to other laptops we've recently tested.

Although I don't have graphs for them, the 3DMark Fire Strike score came out to 34,496 and the Port Royal score to 12,230.

I'm still working on measuring battery life, and I plan to write a separate piece with deeper tests. What I can say right now is that the Core Ultra 9 386H "Panther Lake" chip seems very efficient when not gaming, sipping power even with two displays active.

The ROG Zephyrus Duo's dual 2.8K OLED displays are its best assets

ASUS uses two 16-inch OLED touch displays, each with a 16:10 aspect ratio. They have a crisp 2880x1800 (2.8K) resolution, a 120Hz maximum variable refresh rate, and a 0.2ms response time.

Only the main (top) display is equipped with NVIDIA G-Sync tech, which I don't mind since it's the screen that you'll be using most for gaming.

The OLED displays get super bright when HDR is enabled, pushing past 1,000 nits. Without HDR enabled, I tested 483 nits using my colorimeter.

I also tested color accuracy out of the box. The top screen managed 100% sRGB, 94% AdobeRGB, and 98% DCI-P3. The bottom screen hit 100% sRGB, 92% AdobeRGB, and 99% DCI-P3.

These results are suitable for creative work, and they make all games look incredible.

Should you buy the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026)?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You're a gamer who always uses two screens and wants the same setup on the go.

✅ You're a creator who needs an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU and dual OLED screens at any time.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You want to maximize a mobile RTX 5090's performance.

❌ You won't be using two displays simultaneously most of the time.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo is a one-of-a-kind gaming laptop that I'm sure a small cadre of gaming enthusiasts (and creators) will love.

Are there some drawbacks? Certainly. ASUS performed some engineering magic here to fit everything inside a relatively compact chassis, but the reality is that you can find better thermal capacity in single-screen gaming laptops.

The trade-off, of course, is the convenience of having two high-res OLED displays at your disposal everywhere you go.

I doubt the ROG Zephyrus Duo will ever hit mainstream appeal, especially with its elevated price, but I doubt that was ASUS's goal in the first place.

Like Lenovo, it's not afraid to experiment to push the idea of gaming laptops forward, and that should be applauded.

If you have the budget and this sort of device suits your needs, I can say that you're going to have a ton of fun with the ROG Zephyrus Duo.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Building your own gaming PC is a rewarding adventure, but arguably one of the most intimidating for newcomers, based on how expensive the individual parts can be. Compatibility concerns may also seem obvious to experienced rig builders, but getting started can feel confusing, which is why I've happily championed pre-built PCs to anyone who'd rather skip the process entirely.

• RDY Trace X R01 for $2,599 at iBUYPOWER.com

iBUYPOWER has been around for as long as I've been working here, though its US-based operations haven't given me much opportunity to get my hands on its inventory to see if the experts behind it are up to snuff. That's changed this year, as an extra-special international offering gives me the chance to get up close and personal with a sample of its RDY Trace X R01 and the high-end parts inside.

How much does the iBUYPOWER RDY Trace X R01 cost?

You can buy the iBUYPOWER RDY Trace X R01 for $2,799 at the official online store, though common sales tend to drop it from this standard price. Right now, a $200 discount brings the RDY Trace X R01 to $2,599.

Alternatively, Best Buy stocks the Trace Gaming Desktop for $2,269.99 with matching specs despite the missing "R01" name tag. iBUYPOWER maintains an Amazon presence, though the AMD-based Trace X R01 isn't currently listed.

For now, Best Buy has the best price on the RDY Trace X R01 with the specs matching my sample. Whichever you choose, you'll get a full-size mechanical keyboard and wired mouse included in the box.

Is the iBUYPOWER RDY Trace X R01 well made?

iBUYPOWER shipped this sample PC from California to my sleepy little town in the United Kingdom, and the gigantic RDY Trace X R01 still arrived safe and sound. Nothing had come loose in transit, and the ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card was boxed separately, surrounded by a sea of foam padding. Yes, you need to install the GPU yourself, but it's one of the easiest components to handle. Seriously, there's no need to be nervous about it.

Simple instructions are attached to the glass case, while another sticker covers the motherboard ports, including a helpful hint to use the GPU's video-out ports rather than the integrated option — a common mistake. Otherwise, a checklist from the assembly team claims that RAM profiles are already active in the BIOS and temperature stress tests have been performed. Ball studs hold the rear panel in place, while the glass front slides off for closer inspection.

Zip-tied PCIe power cables for the GPU hang inside the case, ready for the Radeon card, which installs much like an old-school SEGA or Nintendo game cartridge might (showing my age there). After that, a couple of case screws hold it in place, and the twin PSU cables connect with a "click", letting you know they're safely flush. After this, the rest is all software-related setup, as the PC turns on using the power cable provided in the accessory bag.

I'm not a huge fan of the case fan orientations, which are all set up for intake, leaving any internal hot air to vent through the remaining spaces. It's a "positive pressure" method, essentially forcing heat out of those gaps in the PC case. If I wanted to tinker, I'd probably reverse the rear case fan and the furthest-rear ceiling fan for some exhaust, but this is technically fine for anyone who just wants to play some games.

How do games run on the RDY Trace X R01?

Any gaming PC asking over $2,000 should be capable of pushing modern AAA games to the higher end of their graphical settings, and it should be able to do so at 1440p (2560x1440). Running benchmarks at 1080p (1920x1080) is a common standard, but I'm not particularly interested in the lofty numbers that would come of that. I'm looking for an average of 144 FPS, and what it takes to get there — FSR upscaling or otherwise.

I tested Cyberpunk 2077 since it feels like the new face of "Can it run Crysis?" and any review would feel strange without it. It's an interesting result, particularly as I've had no previous experience with AMD's Radeon 9070 XT GPU, and was half-expecting something worse. At 1440p with no FSR upscaling or frame generation on "High" settings, Cyberpunk 2077 hit an average of 146 FPS. That's a good start for native rendering.

There was some obvious performance headroom in Cyberpunk, so I pushed it further with a leg up from AMD's FSR tech. Sure enough, switching to the Ray Tracing Ultra profile with FSR 2.1 Super Resolution set to Auto and FSR 3.1 Frame Generation on gave an average of 196 FPS. So, you can play Cyberpunk 2077 in its highest fidelity on the RDY Trace X R01 with minimal effort.

Stepping back into the real world for a moment offers some clarity: this PC is running one of AMD's all-time best gaming CPUs, paired with its highest-tier Radeon GPUs — it shouldn't be surprising that it runs games well.

Still, hands-on testing is better than marketing fluff, so I booted up Black Myth: Wukong's benchmark app. Its default settings push for 1440p with FSR Super Resolution upscaling from 75%, with ray tracing disabled and frame generation enabled, for another average of 196 FPS. Activating Full Ray Tracing with the Very High subsetting drops that to 67 FPS. There's room for tweaks here.

Counter-Strike 2 runs miles above 144 FPS at either High or Very High settings, with the former averaging 320 FPS while the latter hit around 250 FPS while spectating a Deathmatch on the Inferno map at 1440p. With that, you could push closer to 4K (3840x2160) and still expect a smooth framerate, with a potential helping hand from FSR upscaling.

Marvel Rivals averages 133 FPS at 1440p with High settings and FSR4 Super Resolution set to Quality, but it can push to 234 FPS with FSR3 Frame Generation enabled. It's a testament to the raw ability of the Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU and a hint of how AMD's improved FSR tech can help deliver a generous number of extra frames. I prefer to avoid "fake frames" where possible, but the RDY Trace X R01 seems comfortable in this 1440p @ 144Hz sweet spot without them.

Should you buy an iBUYPOWER RDY Trace X R01?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want an easy approach to high-end PC gaming

✅ You're open to future customization and light tinkering

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You want a silent gaming PC in a quiet room

❌ You're uncomfortable with self-installing components

After getting my hands on one of iBUYPOWER's pre-built gaming PCs, I don't have qualms about its build quality or quality control. The only real downsides are its remarkably loud fans under load and the usual gripes a complete novice will encounter when setting up a brand-new Windows 11 PC. The software pains are Microsoft's fault, but the hardware is nevertheless good for the price.

Personally, I'd opt for a different case fan layout to give the RDY Trace X R01 a more traditional way to exhaust hot air. Still, the maximum temperatures it reaches are technically within sensible limits. Installing your own graphics card is also relatively straightforward, especially with the included instructions, so the entire experience is a great shortcut for gamers.

Vampire Crawlers is the second game from developers poncle, of Vampire Survivors fame. Instrumental in bringing about a renaissance of roguelike games, they've fed us well with endless DLC, both paid and free, for their first title, and now they are back with a whole new game born from its DNA.

Vampire Survivors is a tough act to follow; it was a critical darling, earning three BAFTA awards, and maintains an incredibly high positive rating on Steam. It's the reason poncle has become synonymous with high-value, low-cost gaming. Can they keep up the winning streak? I think so.

I've been hopelessly addicted to Vampire Crawlers for a week now, putting it through its paces on the Xbox Series X, but the bulk of my playtime has been on the Xbox ROG Ally X, as it's a perfect handheld game. Here's everything you need to know about The Turbo Wildcard game from Vampire Survivors.

Vampire Crawlers Review: What is it?

While fans might have expected a Vampire Survivors 2, Vampire Crawlers is a pretty radical genre pivot that swaps the real-time bullet hell for a tactical, turn-based card game. It's a casual, turn-based deckbuilder with some roguelite elements set smack bang in the world of Vampire Survivors.

Instead of an open field of enemies working their way towards you, you explore grid-based multi-floor dungeons as a dungeon "Crawler' in first person. Expect a strategic loop of scoping the map for combat encounters, picking up loot, and leveling up your deck of cards to progress.

The Vampire Survivors' whimsy and charm is present in every facet of the game. Your arsenal is your deck composed of weapons Survivors fans will be familiar with: the Whip, Knife, Santa Water and everyone's favorite — Garlic, to name a few. The enemies will be familiar too, facing the same skeletons and bats amongst other unpleasant creatures, but from a different perspective. We aren't top-down anymore; we are face-to-face with those man-eating plants.

Our Crawler characters, which you choose from before entering the dungeon, bring unique passive triggers that respond to the cards you play. For example, Antonio grants a damage bonus every time you play an attack card. They even now have voice lines which bring a whole new breath of personality to the Vampire Survivors universe.

Vampire Crawlers Review: Gameplay

I was sent a review guide with the game, which like any provided instructions, I decided not to read at all and go in blind. Cool girls don't look at instructions. Presented with a small deck of cards and my first Crawler, I had no idea what I was doing in the first dungeon. I progressed through the game simply throwing cards out like Gambit and hoping for the best. Thankfully, the game does a great job of showing you what to do, and the first thing you will probably learn is chaining cards to make powerful combos.

The core of the strategy revolves around your mana pool. Each card has a cost, and your goal is to manage that pool while taking advantage of the Combo Stack. The game rewards you for playing cards in ascending mana cost (0-1-2-3); doing so triggers a multiplier that ramps up your damage exponentially. This is where the "Turbo" in the title comes from — once you find the rhythm, you can play your entire hand as fast as you can click, watching damage numbers skyrocket. The OVERKILL text and accompanying soundbites are particularly satisfying to say the least.

The signature Evolution system returns, too. Those familiar with Survivors will have a massive head start in knowing specifically which weapons and passives to combine to upgrade their cards. However, there are new layers here: you can find Gems to slot into specific cards for bonuses (like 2x damage) or find one-time-use Wildcards that act as combo extenders. These allow you to push a single turn into a god-like state of devastation that can clear a whole row of enemies at once if you... play your cards right (pun intended).

My personal favorite right now is going full Bone Build with Mortaccio. He gives extra projectiles, and there is nothing quite as satisfying as throwing Bone cards — which cost zero mana — and watching them bounce and bounce and bounce around the screen. I’ve hit a few walls of difficulty, but the beauty of this game is that death doesn't matter. It’s just an excuse to visit the Unlocks menu, find a doable goal, and bring a new item or stat boost into my next run.

If I had any criticisms, it would be that some map items are difficult to see when playing on a handheld device. However, there is a launch patch that should improve Steam Deck play and, by extension, handheld gaming on the ROG Ally X, so I'm hoping it will be fixed.

Vampire Crawlers Review: Should you buy it?

If you're a huge fan of Vampire Survivors and the aesthetic, this is a no-brainer purchase at $9.99, or you can play it day one on Xbox Game Pass. It’s an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and my progress synced flawlessly between my Series X and my handheld.

The only caveat I would say is that the gameplay loop is a big departure from the bullet hell style. This is a more methodical approach, at least initially. That being said, once you have a strong deck, you can use the auto-play button to just dump your entire hand at the enemy. I tend to do this when building up coins in dungeons I've already cleared.

I've been really into short, snappy "just one more session" games like Blue Prince, Ball X Pit, Balatro, and obviously Vampire Survivors, so Crawlers is the perfect game for me. It hits the same dopamine center that comes from building something quite ridiculous and watching it decimate the battlefield. If that sounds like your kinda thing too, you'll love this game.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Vampire Crawlers. poncle has managed to take the soul of their first hit and transplant it into a completely different body without losing what made it special. It is a game designed with a deep love for the genre and a respect for the player's time (and crucially, money). I only hope that it receives just as much love and adulation, and consequently bucket loads of DLC for me to get my teeth into.

The review guide mentions a few known issues being ironed out, such as Guardian encounters not always rotating correctly and some Wild Evo cards missing holographic effects. I also noticed that damage numbers on cards don't always perfectly match the enemy UI, but poncle is working on a clearer calculation display for the launch patch.

Vampire Crawlers is another triumph for poncle. Just be warned: "one more run" is a lie you will tell yourself every single night.

Asus’s ROG Raikiri II is a high‑end Xbox‑compatible controller built for players who prioritize precision and feel. Its TMR joysticks and tactile micro switches deliver noticeably sharper input and crisper feedback than standard pads, while the fit and finish feel genuinely premium. That performance comes at a premium price and with features aimed more at competitive and serious players than casual buyers. If you value accuracy and durability in long sessions, the Raikiri II makes a strong case; if you’re budget‑minded, the tradeoffs matter.

Let's get into it.

I have an odd relationship with ASUS. I love the ROG Ally and subsequent Xbox Ally range. ASUS makes some fantastic products, but the quality bar can be a bit inconsistent at times. I've had ASUS headsets, for example, and haven't been a big fan. I've owned an ASUS laptop in the past, and it has given me a lot of driver headaches, too.

All my gripes with the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are more on Microsoft's side than ASUS's, whose update regime has been pretty great overall for the ROG Ally range. Given how good the inputs are on the Xbox Ally, I was eager to test out and review the ASUS Raikiri II controller when given the chance.

The Xbox Ally is a handheld, but it can be a bit finicky when docked due to Windows' idiosyncrasies with external monitors and TVs. I was hoping the ASUS Raikiri II would be a good option for swapping between my Xbox console and the Xbox Ally docked to the TV downstairs. And for the most part, it kind of is. But what I'm proposing here is a pretty niche scenario, I would imagine.

Does the ASUS Raikiri II make the grade as one of the best Xbox controllers of 2026? If you were looking for the ASUS Raikiri II Xbox / PC controller as a replacement for even a more basic, affordable experience ... well, it's a bit of a tough one.

ASUS Raikiri II: Specs & price

For $189.99, the ASUS Raikiri II does seem like a good deal on paper. It's a bit more pricy than the Xbox Elite Controller 2 Core, but it does include all the bells and whistles that you can typically only get with a full Xbox Elite Controller 2 bundle. The Elite controller is also a bit dated at this point, and doesn't include seamless switching between PC and Xbox like the Raikiri does.

In the box with the Raikiri II, you get the controller, a USB-C cable (braided), a USB wireless dongle, a USB charge dock, and the controller itself. The equivalent bundle on the Xbox Elite side typically runs up to $199.99.

On paper, the spec sheet looks grand. Beefy battery life, premium accessories, TMR sticks, Xbox-style design, Xbox Ally buttons. What's not to like?

Well ... let's get into that.

ASUS Raikiri II: Design & ergonomics

The ASUS Raikiri II will be extremely familiar to anyone who has ever used an Xbox controller. It sports the offset joysticks, ABXY buttons, two shoulder buttons, triggers, and a familiar shape to boot. Where it diverges is in the features, but we'll get more into that in a bit.

The Raikiri II is lightweight in the hand, lighter even than the Xbox Elite by a substantial margin, and comes with more modernized features. It has four baked-in back buttons, all of which are very pronounced and deliver a tactile feel. ASUS really learned from the shortcomings of the back buttons on the original ASUS ROG Ally I feel here. The micro-switches give the controller a reassuring actuation, and textured grips and thoughtful curvatures make the Raikiri II pleasant to hold across very long sessions.

The Raikiri II also matches the Xbox Ally with its Armoury Crate and Library buttons, as well as the standard Xbox "Nexus" button in the center and a clip sharing button at the bottom. On the back, we have a hard switch between Bluetooth, Wireless, and USB connectivity, as well as Xbox and PC modes. This makes it a lot easier for multi-device use than the Xbox Elite controller, which can be finicky and irritating when swapping between Bluetooth and Xbox modes.

The controller itself nails all the basics well. It feels great to use in games, and the TMR sticks should give it full resistance to drift over time. The compliments end here, though.

The Raikiri II's worst feature is the charge dock, by far. The dock itself feels like cheap and light plastic. Typically, you'd want a dock to have some heft to it, so that it will sit still on your desk. Furthermore, the two feet of the charge dock are held in place by literally ... nothing. Gravity alone and tiny pegs keep the feet in place here. An accidental knock will send the whole thing falling apart like a house of cards. I have no idea what ASUS was thinking here.

There are some RGB lights to help distract you from how poor the charge dock is, at least. Although you might find yourself tearing your hair out while configuring them.

ASUS Raikiri II review: Features & Software

There's a lot of good stuff in the package overall. The triggers can be locked in place, Elite-style, for more rapid firing. The back buttons are fully configurable, giving you access to key abilities without having to remove your thumbs from the movement sticks. It's neat having the Xbox Ally buttons available as well.

I'm grateful that there are hard switches for the different modes, too. I found that the radio frequencies work flawlessly across PC, Xbox, and Bluetooth, with no issues with connectivity and interference, unlike certain other major brand controllers I can name. The Raikiri II also delivers big in the battery department, easily sticking out a 30-40 hour battery life complete with RGB ablaze in wireless mode.

Where ASUS fully flops, though, is the configuration software, which is inexplicably web-based and requires an internet connection.

Upon installing the ASUS Armoury Crate software, which is "okay," I was prompted to download an update for the Raikiri II, which then simply provided me a URL. ASUS claims that the ASUS "Gear Link" web-based software is designed for your convenience ... but it isn't very convenient if you're in a situation without internet.

Indeed, the web-based software is a maddeningly confusing move here by ASUS. The always-online requirement to configure your controller is an insane idea. And indeed, if you're traveling, the Gear Link software will use the language of your locale rather than your PC. I was in travelling in Germany while reviewing this controller, and lo and behold, the Raikiri II Gear Link software was displaying in German. Furthermore, I couldn't use the configuration software when my internet was down, either.

It's an absurd decision on ASUS' part to put the configuration tools for this exclusively on the web, rather than in the offline Armoury Crate, like any other sane company might do.

When it works as advertised, it's not half bad ... you can configure the sensitivities across the board, actuation curves, adjust lighting, and other settings. I just wish it weren't web-based.

ASUS Raikiri II: Competition

The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is the obvious competition here. Microsoft's Elite Controller runs around the same price for the bells and whistles, and remains my go-to preference primarily for the charge dock and battery life. The Elite Controller has various design flaws, including stick drift and bumper wear-and-tear, but the ease of use, convenience, and design of the dock generally win me over.

The Raikiri II feels like it'll last much longer than the Series 2, however. TMR sticks give it a huge advantage in the stick drift department, and the configuration software issues only matter in specific scenarios. For the most part, once you've configured it to your preferences, you'll probably not need them again.

The charge dock on the Raikiri II is awful, but it is at the very least functional. Competing "Elite" controllers like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and so on usually don't have a charge dock, despite being similarly priced. The Wolverine range also seems susceptible to inference at times, which can be irritating in competitive play.

You could also just opt for something cheaper. At $189.99, the Raikiri II dock should be far, far better than it is. I'd sooner recommend just grabbing an Xbox Elite Series 2 Core and a second-hand Elite charge dock over this.

ASUS Raikiri II: Should you buy it?

The ASUS Raikiri II is not a bad controller. The controller itself is very solid overall, but it's just in the detailing where ASUS falls over.

The charge dock feels so painfully cheap that it's insulting as part of a $189.99 bundle, and the web-based configuration software is a huge and odd mistake. If ASUS opted to sell this controller without the charge dock and brought the configuration tools into a native app at $129.99 or less, it would be a great deal worth recommending. At $189.99, it becomes a bit tough.

I think once you're set up and ready to go with it, you won't be disappointed overall with your experience, but given that basic Xbox controllers run at $39.99, ASUS is really asking a lot here for what is, in essence, not exactly reinventing the wheel.

One of the first games I had in my collection as a kid was WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It on the PlayStation 2. It was incredible at the time to be able to have matches and brawls in backstage areas of WWE arenas. Approximately four years later, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 came out, and it became a personal favorite.

The fluidity of matches, even when playing with friends in versus modes, felt like being in a real-life wrestling match. SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 also included additional content, such as creating your superstar or championship, a General Manager mode, and fun match types like the Buried Alive Match.

It was impossible not to have déjà vu while playing WWE 2K26, which includes many of the modes and features from those classic wrestling games. While it’s part of a recurring yearly series, the latest WWE 2K game still manages to introduce new features and gameplay elements.

However, some of the side modes, while entertaining, leave something to be desired. As in previous entries, 2K still struggles with the quality-over-quantity dilemma that often affects these yearly sports games.

WWE 2K26: Graphics and gameplay

Graphics are one of the first things people notice in these games, with even WWE blending the games’ entrances with the real ones on their live TV shows.

Visually, this is by far the best-looking WWE game to date.

While previous entries had issues capturing the likeness of certain wrestlers, this installment delivers outstanding work in the art department, with faces and bodies that closely match their real-life appearances.

From tattoos to hair and animations, this game will make your relatives ask whether you’re playing a game or watching a real match.

WWE 2K26 delivers some of the best gameplay the franchise has ever seen. It introduces new elements like a stamina bar for dodging, allows you to drag opponents to your desired location, and features extremely realistic animations.

All of these elements combined make the gameplay flow in ways I’ve never seen in a wrestling game before.

In previous wrestling games, there has often been an issue with fluidity, with characters performing unintended or awkward moves or moving in the wrong direction. In 2K26, these issues can still occur, but they are way rarer. This improved flow makes it one of the most immersive experiences of any wrestling game.

The “ragdoll” physics in WWE 2K26 add a fun new dynamic to matches. Seeing wrestlers fall in this more realistic, yet sometimes comical, way feels like a missing piece from previous WWE 2K games. The 2K team has also added the perfect match types to complement these animations. Three Stages of Hell Match, Inferno Match, and Dumpster Match are all great additions, but Brawls and The Scrapyard take things to new levels — literally.

Brawls transform everything, from the rules to the camera perspective, even giving off a platformer-like vibe. You can climb structures, fight on top of them, and even jump from them. While brawl-style matches have been in wrestling games for a long time, the verticality offered in these new maps introduces a fresh dynamic.

That dynamic is further enhanced by a massive roster. Combined with the ability to customize each wrestler’s move set, the game offers countless possibilities for how a match can unfold. You can also personalize each wrestler’s entrance, victory pose, gear, and outfits.

Thanks to strong commentary work, especially from Wade Barrett and entertaining contributions from Booker T, every match feels chaotic in the best possible way. Playing these modes with friends brings out the full potential of the gameplay and the unique features each location has to offer.

WWE 2K26: Story and monetization

However, monetization in this game is heavier than ever, with some wrestlers locked behind a Battle Pass, DLC packs, or grindy game modes. Combined with a $70 base price, and editions going up to $150, this is an issue that’s impossible to ignore and one of the most criticized elements in user reviews on Steam.

Nevertheless, 2K26's many game modes will keep you entertained without the need to buy additional content. The MyRise mode has you create a character who goes through a redemption story, rising from the indies to NXT and eventually back to WWE’s main roster.

While the storytelling is simple, hearing real wrestlers lend their voices to a story involving your character is always impressive. These wrestlers deliver good performances, alongside the actors voicing the protagonists.

To progress through MyRise, you must complete several matches, many of which feel like filler and add little to the story. In addition to its simplicity, some of the dialogue feels as if it were from a rough draft. Still, it’s a welcome surprise that the story doesn’t lean into something like Netflix’s WWE Unreal and instead respects the concept of kayfabe, with heel superstars treating you as true antagonists and villains.

The Island mode is back and now available on PC as well. In this mode, you can choose to represent one of three factions fighting for control of the Island. However, that conflict is rarely felt, since most of the time all factions and their NPCs remain in the same area.

Still, you’ll find great ring arenas here, as well as the Scrapyard location. The Island also functions as a multiplayer hub, and seeing other players’ characters adds a fun social experience. While online and open-world features can be great additions, they can also impact performance, and at least on my end, I had to lower some graphic settings for stability.

MyFaction, Universe, and MyGM return, but they all suffer from the same issue of feeling lackluster and rushed; issues that could likely be improved if these games had more development time between releases. A simpler solution, however, might be to merge these modes, as they often feel like variations of the same idea. Across these modes, you essentially take on the role of a general manager within the WWE universe, engaging in drafts and traveling across the country to manage shows.

So, why not blend all these modes into a single, more meaningful experience? For example, the cards and roguelike elements of MyFaction could be integrated into a Universe mode where you act as a general manager. A similar approach could be applied to MyRise and The Island. Instead of the awkward, empty halls that work as the menu of MyRise, incorporating The Island as a WWE headquarters open-world could make for a more interesting story experience.

The Showcase mode is easily the standout of this group of side content. In it, you replay matches from CM Punk’s wrestling career while he narrates his story. This mode works well because it focuses on the core gameplay without the filler content found in the other modes.

Some “What If?” scenarios are also included and completing specific objectives during a match trigger cinematic cutscenes. Similar cutscenes of interruptions can happen on normal matches as well, if you allow them in the match settings.

Last but not least, the background music is an element that I feel makes not only WWE, but sports games in general, special. To this day, I still listen to songs and bands from the WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 soundtrack. Music and UI alone can make a big part of the gaming experience memorable — just ask any Halo fan.

Fortunately, WWE 2K26 brings one of the best jukeboxes, with music from great bands like Linkin Park, The Warning, Bad Omens, and more. What makes this jukebox even better is that you can use these songs as themes for your custom entrances.

WWE 2K26: Should you buy it?

I’m confident that most players don’t buy these games for the DLC characters, side modes, or the soundtrack. Players want a WWE game to play as the wrestlers they admire and recreate their matches and moves.

It would be great if side modes were more polished, and monetization more controlled in future entries, that’s for sure. Yet, the core gameplay is better than ever. Whether playing solo, online, or with friends, the game delivers memorable moments thanks to the realistic animations, fluid matches, and chaotic fun in the Brawl areas.

WWE 2K26 filled me with nostalgia while still feeling fresh, and it gave me hope that the next entry could be worthy of the title of "Best Wrestling Game in the World".

When I sat down to play Pragmata, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

This was the first game of the year I went into completely blind, withholding expectations while only knowing a fragment of the story. I even ignored the demo for Pragmata that I saw everyone raving about on social media.

As you can tell, I wanted to be surprised, and surprised I was. In all the best ways.

From the combat to the story's redefining of human nature, Pragmata pulls on the heartstrings when it needs to, while balancing the cute, relatable AI Diana against the dark onset of the protagonist’s situation.

Hugh, our game’s main character, finds himself alone on an AI-controlled moon base that looks to eradicate him at every turn. With the help of Diana, he hopes to make contact with Earth and get the hell off this rock before anything too damning happens.

Pragmata Review: Story

As I said previously, Hugh finds himself stranded alone on a moon base after a terrible run-in with the base’s local AI, IDUS, which has gone rogue.

Hugh and his crewmates are on a space flight to the moon to make contact with the corporation's local workforce. Contact was lost some days ago, and it’s up to him and his team to reestablish it between Earth and the base.

What seems like a routine mission is quickly turned on its head as his crewmates are killed or separated within minutes of their landing at the facility. Separated and alone, an android he later names Diana saves his life and wakes him up moments before IDUS initiates a protocol to terminate unwanted guests of the facility.

The timing of Pragmata’s release feels almost too perfect. It launched only days after the successful completion of the Artemis II moon mission, arriving at a moment when humanity is actively planning to build a permanent base on the moon in the middle of an AI boom.

A game about the terrifying consequences of AI on a lunar base could not have found a more fitting moment to land.

As the story progresses, so does your connection to the good AI, Diana. While her inherent ability to hack IDUS and fight against the onslaught of robotic enemies is terrific, it’s her insanely close nature to being a child that brings charm to the game’s story.

You’ll often share these child-like moments with her through REMs, or Earth Memories, that resemble some form of item from Earth. These include crayons, slides, and more, each offering Diana another toy to play with and another look for Hugh to treasure as he watches Diana learn more about the world around her.

The one thing I found less compelling was the juggling between this humanity exploration and Hugh’s situation. Hugh was often very protective or loving toward Diana, giving her plenty of childlike answers to her many questions.

This seemed to be at odds with the situation that Hugh found himself in, where it felt like the fact that his entire crew was gone was somewhat forgotten about. While it’s mentioned more than once after the fact, the weight of the horrific situation he finds himself in never really feels dire like you’d imagine it to be.

The counter to this is again, the story of Diana, which largely carries the game and is an absolute treasure to enjoy. Which, in turn, he makes heavy use of.

As cute as she is, Hugh utilizes Diana to combat IDUS in an attempt to contact Earth and make it home. Her caring nature doesn’t subvert her ability to offer Hugh a way out of his dire situation, and is all the more welcome as the circumstances on the lunar base play out.

He’ll also make use of the base’s unique feature, Lunafilament. This substance grants the ability to print anything literally into reality. From basic household items and weapons to entire compounds and lifeforms.

Pragmata Review: Combat and gameplay

Now it’s time to talk about the combat, because it’s where Pragmata immediately sets itself apart. The game weaves hacking into its shooter mechanics in a way that feels genuinely fresh. Not a gimmick bolted on, but a core part of how every encounter plays out.

If you’re looking for the standard point-and-click shooting mechanics of most shooters, Pragmata isn’t going to be the game for you. You’ll have to delicately or chaotically smash your face buttons in the direction of hacking completion before enemies take any meaningful damage.

Every enemy in the game must first be aimed at, in an attempt to “open” them to damage through a hacking interface that Diana grants Hugh. Initial offerings task the player with navigating through the interface to cross paths with nodes that offer more “hack time” upon completion for Hugh to dish out damage with his weapons.

These hacks can be supplemented with abilities that offer longer hacks, the ability to hack multiple enemies at once, stun-locks, and more. All of which can be bundled into one hack, or spread out as you see fit, as each ability is only activated when used during a hacking process.

All of this hacking plays out in real time, which is both fun and somewhat annoying at times. While battling enemies in smaller groups is manageable, it’s during moments of larger groups that you might find the hacking game more aggravating than fun.

Having to dodge enemy attacks, even when telegraphed, can be challenging when solving a hacking puzzle on the side of the screen. This overcomable annoyance is highlighted when taking on larger groups because you’ll also be dealing with enemies behind your character, making charge attacks or shooting from a distance.

The game is definitely challenging, and to a point where I absolutely love it, but I can’t help but shake the feeling that some of the challenge comes in the form of uncontrollable chaos that is beyond the player’s ability to control.

I use Elden Ring as an example, where chaos in that game is often caused by the player’s inability to manage it, or you find yourself throwing up because you ran into a dozen enemies without tackling them one at a time. Pragmata doesn’t offer that same tempo; instead, it throws those enemies at you without total ways to avoid damage.

Rather, you’ll find yourself needing to take damage in order to dish it out or at least make headway if you’re not equipped with the perfect build of hacking abilities for Diana.

Now, don’t get me wrong! Overall, I love the combat in Pragmata, and can’t wait to continue my playthrough to gather all the collectibles in the map (yes, you can double back to areas to unlock items you didn’t otherwise grab your first time through), but that doesn’t mean I don’t see the faults in it as well.

Like the fact that finishers are all the same across enemies and bosses. With a finisher for normal enemies and a separate one for bosses. Some added flair would have gone a long way.

Now, let’s talk weapons.

These weapons initially include a pistol that regenerates ammo over time, but quickly branch out into weapons like the Shockwave. The Shockwave is a devastating up-close shotgun that packs a punch and carried me through the game’s early heavy enemy combatants.

You’ll later obtain a railgun-like weapon, as well as a stasis deployment gun, grenade launcher, and plenty more! All of these weapons, but the pistol, need to be replenished in your base or picked up off the ground during lunar base exploration.

I won’t spoil too much, but you’ll find plenty of other weapons as well as other regenerative weapons later on. All of which can be upgraded back in your base that I eluded to earlier.

Speaking of, while out in the world, Hugh will come across multiple opponents that will deplete precious resources, such as armor regeneration and ammo for your secondary weapons. Thankfully, a small sort of sanctuary will be open to him and Diana, called The Shelter.

In the Shelter, players can upgrade their weapons with various buffs that include damage output, ammo count, or other effects native to the weapon itself. You can also increase base stats, such as your health and Diana’s hacking output.

These buffs aren’t anything spectacularly game-changing, but you can also unlock new abilities within the Shelter. Some of the early ones include a time slow upon successful enemy dodges, and the ability to get to your feet immediately after being knocked down.

These are fairly basic, but each one offers a counter to enemy annoyances or grants Hugh (hehe Hugh Grant) a boost to his power level that will continue to be challenged as he progresses through the base. The game’s basic path forward.

You’ll start near the loading dock, but as you continue, Hugh will find new ways forward into different parts of the lunar base. These include large cityscapes like New York and a “printed” Lunafilament forest.

Your Shelter will also get access to upgrades through the Camp bot, which offers services in exchange for collectible Shelter upgrades and Camp coins that you can find throughout the world in the form of quest items or item boxes.

Pragmata Review: Performance

I did my playthrough on Windows PC through Steam. My setup includes a 9800X3D, RTX 5080, and 64GB of CL30 6000Mhz DDR5 RAM. I played at 4K resolution.

Cranking everything to the max besides the normal PC player annoyances of Bloom and other effects we all seem to love to hate together, I was averaging around 55 FPS with DLSS set to Quality. Making use of 4X framegen, I was able to attain a steady 120+ FPS without any noticeable latency issues. These metrics include the use of Path Tracing as well.

What I did notice were some weird stutter or FPS issues with loading screens or interfaces. Occasionally, I’d see drops into the sub-40s as the game loaded the next cutscene or jumped from a conversation with the Camp Shelter bot.

Again, this was while playing at max settings in 4K, where the framerate held above 120 through combat and other intense scenes. It was only during down times or transitional cutscenes with characters at the Shelter that I’d see these weird drops. Disabling Path Tracing, at least for me, seemed to completely alleviate this issue, which leads me to believe something with this setting is causing a reload between certain scene transitions.

For the most part, performance was great during the moments you needed it to be, and I don’t think these drops were anything horrible, but it’s something that should be noted for the overall metrics junkies like me.

We also tested it on Xbox Series X, and found it to be a smooth experience with no crashes. The game runs at 60 FPS flawlessly in performance mode, although you lose some visual depth and sharpness in trade off. As is tradition.

Pragmata Review: Should you buy it?

Pragmata is a genuinely moving look at what it means to be human. The story of Diana’s curiosity and growth sits alongside combat that carves out its own space in a genre full of games that all start to blur together. The hacking system can get messy in the thick of a big fight, but it’s different enough from everything else out there that I’m willing to forgive the moments where it loses its footing.

Pragmata hit me the way Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and the original Dead Space did, games I look back fondly at, remembering them for everything they did right while giving me a lasting sense of happiness. And I’m already planning to go back through it for a full 100% run, which tells you everything.

That drive to find everything is something most modern games fail to incite in me. Pragmata’s classic linear design keeps it from ever feeling like a chore. You’re never staring down an open world checklist or cracking open a guide just to find the last collectible. Everything feels findable and doable.

What Pragmata does, it does with real conviction, and that deserves recognition. Capcom keeps finding ways to deliver, and Pragmata is the latest proof that the studio’s standards are only getting harder to meet.

ASUS already demonstrated the appeal of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processors with last year's beloved Zenbook A14, and it remains one of our most highly-recommended Windows laptops for its all-around quality. Well, it's back again, and this time, it's bringing a 16-inch Zenbook A16 variant that promises to be even better.

Powered by the all-new Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and alternatives with a lower-spec Snapdragon X chip, Qualcomm's "fastest and most efficient processors" promise to supercharge ASUS' flagship laptop. That, and you'll get Windows 11 26H1 pre-installed with Microsoft's modern features, so it should stand out as an attractive, flagship-grade PC. Here's what I think.

How much does the Zenbook A16 cost?

The ASUS Zenbook A16 (UX3607OA) starts at $1,599 $1,699 at Best Buy (ASUS points to Best Buy pricing errors for its unexpected $100 increase) as an exclusive touch screen model. You can pick up a non-touch Zenbook A16 for $1,999 at ASUS' eShop, though it uses the same Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-94-100 processor and 48GB of LPDDR5X-9600 memory (RAM).

In the United Kingdom, the non-touch Zenbook A16 starts at £2,099.99 at the respective ASUS eShop. Wherever you buy the X2 Elite Extreme models, you'll always get a 16-inch OLED panel with a 3K (2880 x 1880) display at a 16:10 aspect ratio that can switch between 60Hz and 120Hz.

All models include Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless networking and devices, along with 2x USB-C 4.0 ports that support display output and power delivery. Plus, a single USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port handles common dongles and drives, while HDMI-out 2.1 connects to more traditional external monitors, and a full-size SD card reader handles common memory cards.

Finally, a built-in 1080p (FHD) webcam supports Windows Hello for secure face logins with a microphone for voice calls, all within a "Zabriskie Beige" chassis coated in ASUS' custom Ceraluminum (magnesium-aluminum) material, weighing 2.87 lbs (1.30 kg) with the touchscreen or 2.64 lbs (1.20 kg) without.

What about Windows 11?

Our sample with an X2 Elite Extreme X2E-94-100 chip comes with Windows 11 Home for ARM64 in both the US and the UK. However, a more powerful Zenbook A16 can be configured for $1,999.99 (not yet listed post-launch) is expected to appear at the ASUS eShop, with a bump to the X2 Elite Extreme X2E-96-100, which should offer around a 300 MHz increase in its boost frequency, and comes with Windows 11 Pro.

For this review, we tested two Zenbook A16 (UX3607OA) models: one US-built touchscreen model (photographed) and one UK-built, non-touch model (described). ASUS provided both samples, though it had no input, nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Is the Zenbook A16 well made?

After testing a collection of 14-inch laptops, I was convinced it was the perfect form factor. That's generally because it comes with a certain weight expectation, and a 16-inch laptop is often so much heavier that it can feel almost inconvenient when I have to throw one in a bag and travel.

There's a fine line between reasonable and lightweight, and many casual onlookers see Apple's 15-inch MacBook at 1.51 kg as the benchmark. In that, ASUS went even further and somehow managed to make my 16-inch Zenbook A16 weigh just 1.2 kg. Make no mistake, that's firmly in the lightweight category.

Natural skepticism has many, myself included, initially thinking that ASUS must have made some cuts to the Zenbook's internals to make it the same weight as the excellent Intel Lunar Lake-based Zenbook S 14 I've traveled with until now. On the contrary, I couldn't find anything detrimental about its featherweight chassis, one coated in ASUS' lavish and unique Ceraluminum material.

You can expect the same quality from the Lumina OLED display in the Zenbook A16 as you would with any other that uses the same panel, though the HDR-capable screen still looks great when I enable the feature for the first time. ASUS claims a peak brightness of 1,100 nits, and colorimeter testing showed a maximum of around 500 nits without HDR.

Otherwise, an automatic switch between 60Hz and 120Hz happens when you switch between AC and battery power, but you can permanently force the smoother option with a tweak in Settings if you want to. The bundled MyASUS app includes color profiles for creators, but the "Normal" setting scored 100% accuracy for sRGB and Display P3 anyway, so I never feel the urge to switch.

Does the Zenbook A16 have a good keyboard?

The Zenbook A16's backlit keyboard feels good, with a respectable 1.3 mm key travel distance and otherwise unremarkable design. It's mostly a sharp-edged, square affair that matches the rest of the laptop, and the function keys are mostly pedestrian. Exceptions include MyASUS on F11 and ASUS' "ScreenXpert" monitor management app on F12. No numberpad, but zero complaints.

An 18 cm glass-covered touchpad dominates the lower portion of the laptop, with invisible gesture points to control functions like volume and screen brightness. Despite not being a haptic touchpad, it's still a satisfying option that never caused any annoyances during my time with it. Defined physical edges also keep the Zenbook away from the "invisible" touchpads I always disliked.

How fast is the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme?

Improvements in the availability of native ARM64-based Windows apps mean that even benchmarking apps can skip Microsoft's Prism x86-64 translation layer to show off some proper scores. We already knew that the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme was dominating its competitors in pre-release testing, but it's another thing to see the results firsthand.

Per-app tests and gaming experiments with Qualcomm's Adreno GPU can come later, using post-launch driver updates to provide a more realistic view of what consumers can expect. Still, synthetic CPU testing is hard to resist, and comparing the Zenbook A16 against the M5-based 15-inch MacBook Air and M4 Pro-based 16-inch MacBook Pro tested by Tom's Guide shows exciting numbers.

It's one thing to see a new Windows laptop predictably outrank another, but sure enough, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme just edges past Apple's M4 Pro in multi-core testing, and flies past the standard M5 chip. Then again, it's admirable to see the Zenbook A16 pull ahead of Intel's latest "Panther Lake" Core Ultra X9 388H CPU, appearing in ASUS' recent Zenbook Duo.

Comparing the scores of first-generation Snapdragon X Elite processors in Microsoft's Surface Laptop 7 and, to a lesser extent, the Surface Pro 11, shows how much of an incredible jump the new X2 Elite Extreme provides. A Cinebench 2024 test even has the Zenbook A16 passing HP's "insanely powerful" ZBook Ultra 14 with AMD's Strix Halo chip, the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395. Impressive.

Does the Zenbook A16 have good speakers?

For such a skinny laptop, the audio quality is surprisingly great. There's a six-speaker array inside, with two tweeters for high-end sounds and four woofers to cover the lower frequencies of bass. Without getting into the weeds, I can attest that I happily had Spotify playing throughout my day and enjoyed a few YouTube videos in my downtime. It all sounds great, and I'm left captivated. Great speakers.

The built-in webcam and microphone are decent, too. I've paid a lot of money for external cameras and mics over the years, even if only to avoid the usually lackluster options on laptops. Windows Studio Effects handles portrait blur better than Google Meet, and the pairing generally looks better than some creator-centric laptops that I've tried in the past.

Besides, if I wanted to use a dedicated replacement, I'm hardly struggling with connectivity. Two USB-C 4.0 ports on the left side and a single USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 on the right cover common dongles for mice and keyboards at the very least. Plus, HDMI-out 2.1 means my older monitors still work, and a full-size SD card is there for whoever needs that. Good news for photographers.

There's a 3.5mm combo audio jack if you want to get really old-school with wired headphones, or you can lean on Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless options. This variant of the Zenbook A16 also supports Wi-Fi 7, if you have a compatible router at home. I'm still using Wi-Fi 6E, but I'll never turn my nose up at future-proofing because I'll upgrade my mesh system at some point.

So, to ASUS' credit, it's implementing all the modern technologies on offer with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 chips, like USB 4 and Wi-Fi 7, without cutting out long-standing necessities like a USB-A port or opting for a proprietary charger. A beefy 130W charging brick is included, but the business end is still USB-C, so you could fall back on a lower-powered alternative if you accidentally traveled without it.

Does the Zenbook A16 have good battery life?

Once it's fully charged, ASUS claims around 21 hours of battery life with constant, offline video playback, or around 12 hours of constant web browsing. My workflow is certainly closer to the latter, and a Windows 11 battery report estimates I could expect around 16 hours. I ran experiments, and PCMark 10's local video playback test saw the Zenbook A16 last for 20 hours and 30 minutes.

After a full charge, a constant 4K video stream from YouTube with the screen at 65% (around 200 nits) and the volume at 10% delivered 14 hours and 13 minutes of battery life before it switched off, and that's without energy-saving mode. So, while 21 hours is certainly possible, the Zenbook A16 still realistically hit around 10 – 16 hours of battery life in my usual workflow at 60Hz.

Should you buy the ASUS Zenbook A16?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want one of the best Windows laptops around

✅ You need something lightweight and portable

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You only need a basic web browsing machine

ASUS is on a winning streak with its latest Zenbook range, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 processors are an absolutely perfect pairing. Just like the A14 before it, the A16 will stand as one of the absolute best Windows laptops you can buy. Any apprehension about Windows on ARM64 is a low-effort excuse, especially when the raw horsepower behind the X2 Elite Extreme would effortlessly run traditional x86-64 apps under Microsoft's Prism.

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UGREEN recently unveiled a duo of new Thunderbolt 5 docking stations, and I got my hands on the powerhouse Maxidok 17-in-1 (U716) for testing ahead of launch.

It's been on my desk for a couple of weeks now, handling my multi-monitor, multi-accessory work setup, and it's proving to be a capable competitor to even the mighty CalDigit TS5 Plus. Is it the right Thunderbolt 5 dock for you?

This review was made possible with a review sample from UGREEN. It had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Where can I buy UGREEN's 17-in-1 Maxidok?

UGREEN's new Maxidok 17-in-1 docking station is available now to buy directly from UGREEN or Amazon. It retails for $499.99 at both outlets, and at the time of writing, you can save 22% thanks to a launch offer.

That's a $109.99 discount, bringing the total down to $390, which is a lot more reasonable considering the dock's set of features and the price of its main competition.

👉 See at UGREEN ($499.99 now $390)

👉 See at Amazon ($499.99 now $390)

For example, CalDigit's TS5 Plus I reviewed retails for $499.99. It offers superior laptop charging, a few more ports, faster 10Gbps Ethernet, and passive cooling, but it lacks a built-in M.2 SSD slot.

Is UGREEN's Maxidok 17-in-1 (U716) able to compete with high-end options?

UGREEN's Maxidok 17-in-1 is an impressive Thunderbolt 5 dock that competes at the high end of the market. Not only does it offer 15 downstream ports, but it also incorporates one of my favorite features that I've recently been using in a dock: a built-in M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slot.

This allows you to turn your dock into a storage hub for any connected laptop, something that is way more useful than I expected as someone who often switches between PCs. It fits M.2 sizes from 2230 up to 2280 with capacities up to 8TB.

Perfect ports for power users

The Maxidok 17-in-1 earns its name with a wide selection of I/O. On the front, three USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) ports run at 10Gbps, and two of them can charge connected accessories at up to 60W total — that's 30W each if divided evenly.

The front also provides easy access to microSD/SD card readers of the UHS-II variety, and I had no problems using both readers simultaneously. That's a boon for multitaskers.

A 3.5mm combo audio/voice jack rounds out the front I/O, but a power button and an LED indicator are useful additions that keep you on top of the dock's status.

The Maxidok U716's power becomes more apparent on the back side. Here you'll find dedicated 3.5mm inputs for audio and microphone, three USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2) ports at 10Gbps/4.5W each, DisplayPort 1.4, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports with 15W of charging power each.

The host upstream Thunderbolt 5 port can charge a connected laptop with up to 140W of power, and a Kensington lock slot makes it easy to keep the dock in place if you're working in an office.

Triple 4K@144Hz external display support

With this mix of DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 5, you can run three external 4K monitors at 144Hz each, or dual 8K displays at 60Hz each. If you drop to dual 4K, they'll each hit a 240Hz refresh rate.

That's assuming you have a Thunderbolt 5 laptop. Dropping down to Thunderbolt 4/USB4 caps it at dual 2K displays at 120Hz each.

Does UGREEN's 17-in-1 Maxidok have any issues?

The Maxidok 17-in-1 is an attractive (but big) piece of hardware with a two-tone finish and angled venting. I only wish it could be used in horizontal or vertical orientations.

The 15W Thunderbolt 5 charging is a tad skimpy compared to the competition, but certainly not a dealbreaker. And for those who use HDMI monitors, the native downstream DisplayPort will require a separate adapter.

If you can't get fast enough internet, the 2.5Gb Ethernet port might not be enough. CalDigit's TS5 Plus boosts it to 10Gb.

Should you buy the UGREEN 17-in-1 Maxidok?

✅ You should buy it if ...

• You're a Windows power user who needs a Thunderbolt 5 dock that can keep up with a heavy workflow.
• You can make use of a built-in M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD slot.

❌ You should not buy it if ...

• You don't have a Thunderbolt 5 laptop and don't plan to upgrade soon.
• You only need a dock to run an extra monitor or two and add some extra USB ports.

UGREEN's Maxidok 17-in-1 (U716) is a premium Thunderbolt 5 docking station that competes quite well with the CalDigit TS5 Plus, also priced at $500.

One of the biggest differences here is the additional M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slot, which is a feature I want to see in every high-end dock.

The fact that the Maxidok 17-in-1 is already discounted by 22% at launch also can't be ignored, as the high-end docking station market usually has prices locked in firmly.

I've been playing video games on PC with a mouse and keyboard since just barely reaching a double-digit age, so naturally, I tend to generally be pretty good at them. Even so, though, I'm not much of a competitive player, and my aiming talent falls a few rungs below where the hardcore sweats sit on ranked mode ladders.

I've never really felt the drive to try and climb those ladders, either, and so I've never gravitated much towards expensive, high-performance gaming mice that come with the latest and greatest specs. That being said, when I got the opportunity to review Razer's new Viper V4 Pro, I was very curious and excited to see how I'd like it compared to my beloved old CORSAIR Harpoon.

After putting it through its paces for over a week, I'm happy to say that this mouse has made me feel like the competitive gamer that I'm not with its top-notch specs and performance, supported by a featherlight, yet durable chassis, excellent battery life, and a nifty wireless dongle with a few simple, yet useful features. It's a sizable improvement over its Razer Viper V3 Pro predecessor, and an elite choice for hardcore players. Just be ready to accept that it won't be yours for cheap.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Specs and availability

The Razer Viper V4 Pro retails for $159.99 and is available now, both directly from Razer's website as well as through digital retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. You can get it with either a black or white colorway, with the only difference between the two aside from color being that for whatever reason, the white one weighs one gram more (you won't feel that).

Built with reinforced plastic, the mouse weighs just 49-50g, and is also packed with the most advanced specs Razer has ever put under the hood of its gaming mice. Here are its full specifications:

What's the Razer Viper V4 Pro like?

Given that the Razer Viper V3 Pro was determined to be the preferred mouse of the majority of over 2,000 polled pro players, I had high expectations for its successor going into this review. After using it for over a week, though, I'm pleased to report that it lives up to them and then some.

In Bungie's new competitive extraction shooter Marathon as well as both Battlefield 6 and Helldivers 2, aiming with the Viper V4 Pro has felt extremely precise, smooth, and snappy. The impressively accurate third-generation Focus Pro 50K Optical sensor is to thank for that, as is the top-notch 8,000 polling rate that ensures very responsive and latency free movement.

With a max DPI of 50,000 — a large increase over the Viper V3 Pro's 35,000 — the mouse also gives players a huge range to experiment with alongside in-game sensitivity options to find the setting that's perfect for them.

Coming in at 49g (50g if you get the white version), the mouse is also incredibly lightweight, which is always a plus for mice aimed at competitive gamers since they can be moved around faster. The reinforced plastic chassis ensures durability wasn't sacrificed to achieve this, as do the Optical Gen-4 switches rated for 100 million clicks.

The switches are a bit clicky and loud for my personal tastes, but given that I'm wearing a headset all the time, they didn't truly bother me. Notably, the mouse also sports an optical scroll wheel that's wonderfully smooth to use, along with two buttons on the left side you can remap through the Razer Synapse software (the app or the web-based version). Synapse also lets you tweak and calibrate a wide range of settings to get the mouse feeling just right.

At a max of 180 hours, battery life is also a significant step up from the Viper V3 Pro's 95-hour peak, though Razer says this drops to 45 if you're using 8,000Hz instead of 1,000 (you can switch between 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000). In my testing, I found this to be pretty accurate, so expect to charge the mouse around once a week if you play with max polling rate.

Lastly, there's the half-spherical puck that serves as the Viper V4 Pro's wireless dongle, and it's excellent. Not only is its connectivity flawless, it also has three color-changing LED indicators that display the quality of your connection, the mouse's current battery level, and the polling rate preset you've selected.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Conclusion

Ultimately, the Razer Viper V4 Pro is arguably best-in-class for the type of mouse that it is, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be the right mouse for everyone. $160 is a lot of money to spend on an accessory when you can get good mice for far less, even if this one is terrific and a dream to use in FPS games. I received it for free for this review, but honestly, I wouldn't buy it with my own money.

With that said, if you're a hardcore competitive gamer, you're looking to get your hands on the best, most impressive gaming mouse, and cost isn't a huge factor for you, then I strongly recommend the Razer Viper V4 Pro. I have a feeling that, as its predecessor did before it, this mouse will rapidly become the preferred choice of many pro players.

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I should preface this by saying I have over 15,000 hours played in World of Warcraft, and have been playing largely non-stop since the U.S. launch back in 2004. I've played WoW at its best and at its worst, and never in my wildest dreams did I think back when I was a teenager that I'd still be playing it even now.

It's a testament to Blizzard and World of Warcraft's development team that the game is still as popular as it is. Nothing I say here can detract from that success story. But as a long-time player and passionate fan, Midnight has been something of an inflection point for the current regime, I feel. It's as if the update cadence is creating cascading quality issues that are coming to a head in Midnight.

It's difficult to review an "ongoing" game in that context. What Midnight does well it does very well. Player Housing is easily the most ambitious new feature WoW has added since launch, and it's absolutely brilliant. Endgame content remains infectious and satisfying. And the new (old) zones are equal parts nostalgic and fresh.

But, Blizzard's current "ship first, questions later" patch cadence is hurting the overall experience in a way that compounds with every patch.

World of Warcraft: Midnight review — Art and Setting

World of Warcraft: Midnight is the dark middle act of a trilogy saga, dubbed the Worldsoul arc. Players are hunting Xal'atath across Azeroth and even the cosmos itself, in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse that threatens the entire planet.

Xal'atath's sights have become firmly set on the Sunwell in the northern end of the Eastern Kingdoms, which is where the bulk of the game plays out. Herein, we see zones like Zul'Aman, Silvermoon City, and Eversong Woods revamped to upgrade their two-decade-old textures and design, and the result is as stunning as we've come to expect from Blizzard's art department.

Silvermoon City is incredibly impressive, and arguably now represents the best "city" design in the entire game. Previously destroyed by the Scourge in Warcraft 3, Silvermoon City has been fully rebuilt by the magical Blood Elves, who have since reconnected with the religion of Light. The font of power, the Sunwell, is visible from miles away. All the way from Zul'Aman, you can see the font of power radiating in the distance, which creates a sense of scale that defies World of Warcraft's aging engine. What Blizzard is still able to draw down from this game's engine is nothing short of incredible.

Perhaps the only downside is that it feels like there's comparatively little here compared to previous expansions. It's hard to do direct comparisons, particularly given how densely packed Silvermoon City, Zul'Aman, and the new zone Harandar are. But previously, we explored entire continents in World of Warcraft full-price expansions, rather than a few contained zones.

It doesn't feel like we're getting as much "bang for our buck" with Midnight, particularly since Harandar was quite clearly originally intended to be shipped with the previous expansion, The War Within. Although it's true that having access to rapid flight out of the gate is probably impacting my perception of the size of Midnight to some degree ... but I don't remember feeling that way about Dragonflight, which also had flying mounts almost immediately.

There was probably a missed opportunity here to explore more of the northern end of the Eastern Kingdoms, revamping down into the Plaguelands, maybe. Given that the story actually takes us to some of the other old zones in the region, the graphical whiplash can be jarring at times. I'm cognizant of the fact that World of Warcraft: Midnight also includes Player Housing, which has been an absolutely massive undertaking for the art team, likely detracting resources from beefing up the Midnight setting.

Even if it's "fewer" zones than previous expansions, what we did get is impeccable regardless. The music in Silvermoon and Eversong is masterful in its blend of nostalgic notes and forboding undertones. The Voidstorm is also a uniquely vast and terrifying expanse, offering a glimpse at the fate that should befall Azeroth if the player champions fail.

Blizzard's side quest content continues to deliver at a strong clip, too, adding a ton of context to these new landscapes — even if the core campaign story delivery has some issues.

World of Warcraft: Midnight review — Story

Story delivery in WoW has been controversial for some years now. With Battle for Azeroth, Blizzard controversially sundered the Horde vs. Alliance dichotomy that has defined player identity for decades, casting Horde players in the role of a genocidal army led by, essentially, a dictator — for reasons that remain somewhat unclear at best, and straight up dumb at worst.

This was followed by Shadowlands, which demystified and muddled Azeroth's afterlife, and to this day, has lowered the stakes for "dying" in the game's universe. None of this exactly went down well, and the disruption to the lore has continued to ripple throughout subsequent expansions.

In a vacuum, the Worldsoul saga has had some pretty great moments, delivered in part by Blizzard's industry-leading cinematics team. It's the story beats that tie the events together that I feel could use more work and iteration, and I suspect it's Blizzard's self-imposed patch cadence preventing the overarching story writing from reaching a higher quality bar.

We're in the second year of the Worldsoul Saga, although the events leading up to this have been brewing since World of Warcraft: Legion all the way back in 2016. Xal'atath's victories in The War Within have afforded her the power to open a gateway to a void-corrupted planet known as Predacea, or the Voidstorm as it is now known to most of Azeroth.

Xal'atath's ultimate goal remains to be seen, but the epic stakes playing out here are incredibly intriguing for lore fans, particularly given that we know the final part of the trilogy is known as "The Last Titan." Who is the last Titan? Is it franchise antagonist staple Sargeras? Is Xal'atath going to make some kind of void Titan with Azeroth's worldsoul? There's a ton of intriguing and exciting questions about where it could all go, and it's certainly holding my attention.

Where Midnight struggles is often in the details. WoW has become so vast and complex, with literal hundreds of characters and plot threats that run concurrently or not-so-concurrently. There's also time travel, regions where time travels slower or faster, and everyone has a favorite character or faction that feels either well-served or neglected based on the current patch iteration.

World of Warcraft: Midnight does incredibly well when weaving in some of these smaller stories. A couple of side quests in the Voidstorm, despite being delivered wholly via text, without cutscenes or motion capture, nearly made me tear up. Blizzard continues to do some incredible work here in low-stakes side-stories, continuing a trend that has held true for quite some time now.

However, when stories require a bit more iteration and attention, Midnight doesn't always deliver, continuing another trend. Story beats that could've used a strong motion-capped cinematic often get undermined with canned in-engine animations that really look silly in 2026. Characters often behave in decidedly uncharacteristic ways, particularly if you read some of the World of Warcraft official lore books and novels.

Furthermore, I can't overlook the fact that we used to get Horde and Alliance-specific storylines in expansions past. Blizzard now ships one single storyline per expansion, which largely ignores decades of faction conflict. It harms the sense of belonging World of Warcraft used to deliver like no other game in history, particularly given the fact the main factions, particularly the Horde, really are totally absent. You're telling me that a major Horde city is being actively attacked, and not even the neighboring Forsaken are involved?

For all of Blizzard's efforts to make player expression central to the game, the fact World of Warcraft's main story only very rarely now represents the franchise's historical factions is a big problem for me. I'm cognizant of the fact I may be in the minority here, though — this is just my opinion, after all.

What is perhaps less subjective is how buggy and unpolished aspects of Midnight have felt, which, like the game's story delivery, could be due to favoring patch rapidity over polish.

World of Warcraft: Midnight review — Gameplay and Endgame

Midnight has been somewhat pivotal for World of Warcraft for a variety of reasons. We now have Player Housing, after waiting decades, and it's arguably one of the best systems of its kind in all of gaming, really. Blizzard also massively restricted UI addons, breaking features players have relied on for literal decades. It also did a big pruning pass over the game's various classes, with the goal of reducing ability bloat. The success of some of these initiatives has varied quite wildly.

Player Housing is a big plus point for me. The system is completely optional and unrelated to player power. It's also incredibly generous, allowing every single player to have two houses per account (one for Horde, one for Alliance), with a dedicated plot of land with very large interior item budgets.

The exterior restrictions on Player Housing are a bit annoying (as are the prices for furnishings), but Blizzard said it's working to improve this over time. But on the interiors, creative players have been able to build absolutely incredible works of art, using thousands of furnishing assets and almost developer-grade environmental tools to create realistic home spaces.

Boss kills, crafting, reputation, PvP, PvE — the huge variety of sources for housing items means you're never far away from building something cool. My skills here are vastly limited, but I'm working towards building a museum of sorts where I can store artifacts from all of my achievements and accomplishments in WoW.

The new Prey system in WoW is also quite interesting, and has potential to be even better if Blizzard iterates further on it. You can now take on bounty targets of sorts while out and about in the world, adding extra challenges to world quests and general outdoor gameplay. Blizzard has perhaps identified that the outside world in WoW has become far, far too easy in recent years, to the point of being utterly unengaging. Prey brings some of that challenge back, but I feel like there's more Blizzard could do here. The recent outdoor Heroic mode from Legion Remix felt like a step in this direction, but it sadly didn't materialize into retail (yet).

World of Warcraft's raids change it up a bit for Midnight. Instead of a single raid, we now have three separate raids in different environments. It's an interesting approach, and ties into the game's story — without spoiling.

Raiding and dungeoneering in WoW continues to be fun, and the new smorgasbord of soloable Delves are interesting with interesting new mechanics. But it has been a bit of a roller coaster with all the changes Blizzard has injected via class pruning and addon restrictions.

Blizzard intentionally restricted UI addons from accessing a variety of features with Midnight, arguing that the addons shouldn't feel necessary to play optimally. Blizzard moved some of the functionality from these addons into the default UI, but its implementation for some of these features has been clunky at best. For example, healers are struggling with dispel visibility right now, as the default UI doesn't give clear enough information compared to third-party addons. Some of my spells have weird interactions with the new personal resource viewer as well, offering poor differentiation between a spell coming off cooldown or actually being active as a buff. Augmentation evokers can no longer see their contributions to group damage clearly, either, using the Blizzard-made damage meter, which is egregious in my opinion.

Additionally, some of the class changes have been a mixed bag. Unholy Death Knights got an impressive rework, turning them into an undead army master, fulfilling a necromancer fantasy. Other classes have had controversial reworks. Survival hunters got a shotgun, for example, which, for some players, interferes with their racial hunter class fantasy. Could you see a classic Legolas-style elf using a shotgun? Would an undead sniper use a regular eagle for spotting, or would he use a bat or something more racial flavor-appropriate?

But therein lies some of the problems with modern WoW. As the game has grown and become bloated, different parts of the game that desperately need attention get increasingly neglected. The new player experience is still absolutely abysmal, designed to haphazardly speed newcomers through the game to the more lucrative endgame. The problem is, they won't get a good knowledge of WoW all up, let alone learn the game's setting or emotionally connect with their chosen class or faction. The confusing mess of overlapping systems and outdated quests still hinders the experience, as someone who has tried to get multiple people to play WoW since Midnight launched.

Blizzard also adds new races without addressing issues with previous ones. I want playable Ogres, High Elves, Broken Draenei, and Forest Trolls as much as the next person — but it's irritating that the previous ones are neglected as Blizzard rushes ahead with the new. The new Haranir have an obscene amount of customization compared to some of the existing races. Dracthyr added in The War Within still can't access transmog equipment, for example. It also doesn't help that Haranir also have a ton of clipping issues with certain types of armor and skins on top.

It feels odd to be complaining about getting "new" anything, but if it comes at the cost of quality, I think Blizzard could have a bit of a rethink here to some degree — across the board.

World of Warcraft: Midnight review — Conclusion

All up, I think Blizzard could stand to take a little more time iterating on the game before shipping. Whether it's bugs with the new UI features, rough edges on new additions to the game, iteration to major story beats, or general polish — to use that famous Pandaren proverb, slow down.

World of Warcraft still delivers for me, arguably more than ever in fact. That's both a good and bad thing, in some ways. The patch cadence and roadmap has been impressive, for sure. Blizzard has maintained a patch cycle that has kept players well-endowed with things to do, new goals to chase, and meaningful story beats to explore. But the speed does feel like it comes at the cost of quality in some regards.

Haranir are great, but perhaps polishing up the existing races might've been more positively received than adding yet another elf variant to the game. Some of the new class features and Apex talents are fun, but the polish issues with some specs are undeniable. Baking more features into the default UI is welcome, but if Blizzard's versions are less polished than the previous third-party options — that's a problem.

I don't think anyone would mind if Blizzard took a little more time to bake things before rushing to shipping. I play WoW a ton, and I feel like I'm barely able to do everything I want to do right now before another patch drops. Perhaps it's all designed around subscription retention data above all else, and I appreciate that the business logic has to come first in some regards.

But, Midnight proves to me that polish issues can and will compound over time if they're left unaddressed. I think the game would be in a healthier foundation for growth if a little more time and attention was being paid to every corner of the game, even if it means slowing down a bit.

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Intel is back in the desktop CPU space with another generational refresh, expanding on its Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake" processors. A technical duo of the new Core Ultra 200S Plus chips aims to surpass the likes of its last-gen Core Ultra 5 245K and Core Ultra 9 285K — though it's dropping the Ultra 9 variant this time around — and the company wants to appeal to PC gamers again. So, will it work?

Where can you buy Core Ultra 200S Plus?

There aren't many placeholder retail pages for each processor's March 26 launch at the time of writing, but Newegg lists the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, presumably at MSRP. It's the same for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at Newegg. I don't see any reason to doubt that Amazon will list the U7 270K Plus at the same price (if stock is healthy enough) alongside similar Amazon listings for the U5 250K Plus — but I'll update this section whenever I spot some confirmed listings with availability.

What type of motherboard do you need?

Both of the new Core Ultra 200S Plus processors require motherboards with an LGA 1851 socket, which, like most modern examples, has pins on the board rather than on the CPU. You'll need an 800 Series motherboard to use the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus or Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, with an entry-level H810, mid-range B860, or high-end Z890 chipset.

For example, I used Gigabyte's $199.99 – $289.99 Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE motherboard, with the lower price usually tied to sales events. It's a sample that the company provided for previous testing, and one that's likely overkill at its full MSRP, but a great deal for $200. Otherwise, something like MSI's $178.99 – $189.99 PRO B860M-A WIFI is a slightly more affordable option.

CPU coolers are a little more forgiving, as last-gen LGA 1700 brackets are broadly compatible with the new LGA 1851 socket, though a few considerations apply per individual brands. In my case, my personal choice of ARCTIC coolers includes contact frames, like in the $129.99 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, which makes the installation process a little easier.

Testing the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus leads Intel's marketing for the new 200S Plus processor series, so it makes sense to start at the top. $289 – $299 for a 24-core, 24-thread processor clocking up to 5.5 GHz puts it up against the likes of AMD's Ryzen 9 9900X with its own 12/24-core/thread count and 5.6 GHz max clock speed, but at a much lower MSRP — and still lower than current $373.81 listings for the 9900X on Amazon, etc.

Somewhat comically, Intel pits the U7 270K against AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X, which now sells for around the same price when it's on sale. With today's listings, you could buy a 9700X for $299.65 at Amazon. It's part of why Intel can claim Core Ultra 200S Plus offers "up to 2x performance for creators versus competition", rather than a closer, apples-to-apples comparison.

Running my usual gamut of CPU-centric benchmarks saw a mix of expected results and caveats. Overall, the consensus is very similar to when I tested the Core Ultra 9 285K: Intel hits the top of the board in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, but AMD pulls ahead in 7-Zip's compression and decompression tests. The goal was always to deliver "significant boosts to multithread performance", and you can clearly see that in synthetic benchmark tests like these.

However, it's important to remember that the U9 285K launched with a $589 – $599 MSRP. That means Intel is beating its own high-end Arrow Lake chips with a refresh that saves you $300. Considerations like these are where the performance-per-dollar appeal hits the hardest, and I'm left rethinking which desktop CPUs to recommend to creators. If the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus maintains sensible pricing, then this could be a spectacular win for Intel.

Testing the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus

For another $100 saving, you could pick up the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus with an 18/18-core/thread count and a 5.3 GHz max clock speed, albeit with the same 125W base TDP. Here, current comparisons to AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 9 9900X show much closer results in benchmark testing, but Intel's $189 – $199 MSRP still stands out for its phenomenal value.

If you were budgeting for that amount, you'd be looking at $189 – $279 for a Ryzen 5 9600X — a respectable entry-level CPU that I praised when it launched. Still, unless you have an unwaivering attachment to AMD's chipset and AM5 motherboards, it'll be overshadowed by the Ultra 5 250K Plus and its generous, more appealing pricing.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus appear in new, affordable pre-built gaming PCs, regardless of whether Intel Binary Optimization makes a big difference on that front. So many gamers are moonlighting as creators that its appeal for video creation will likely carry over, at least in a much bigger way than the Core Ultra 5 245K tried to be.

Ultimately, this chip is the one that backs up Intel's claims against its competition, as it aggressively tackles AMD's Ryzen 9000 Series with an admirable move towards value for money. It's especially important as your average PC gamer is repeatedly beaten over the head by the ongoing memory and storage crisis; you might only need to commit to a new motherboard.

What is the Intel Binary Optimization Tool?

Putting value aside for a moment, Intel's marketing for the Core Ultra 200S Plus calls them the "fastest desktop gaming processors [it] has ever built". Besides the raw speed upgrades and support for 7200 – 8000+ MT/s memory speeds, this new Intel Binary Optimization Tool (IBOT) is part of what makes the new 200S Plus desktop (and 200HX Plus mobile) processors so interesting.

I had a chat with Rob Hallock, Intel's VP/GM for the Enthusiast Channel Business, to summarize that IBOT is essentially an x86 translation layer that identifies and reorders unnecessary steps of compiled machine code, such as error handlers, without ever editing the original human-written source.

So, if the Core Ultra 200S Plus processors can change the order that they process code, then they can focus on handling the instructions that a game needs processing more urgently, leading to better performance in specific games — a list of which is relatively modest right now, but Intel says it will "continue to explore titles both new and old".

Does IBOT make a difference?

For critical context, Intel's internal testing rig was a Windows 11 25H2 desktop running a third-party (PNY) variant of NVIDIA's top-end GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card — that's currently the best consumer graphics card in the world. It's pretty clear that high-end gaming PCs are where most of the IBOT benefits will be apparent, and even then, an average gain of +8% probably won't be very noticeable.

Out of curiosity, I also tested Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider with a few entry-level (and older) NVIDIA graphics cards. There wasn't any difference in FPS — and I didn't expect any, given the GPU bottleneck — but I had to know. So, yes, it can make a difference on a powerful rig with a defined list of single-player titles, and more should come, but it isn't a magic wand for every PC game.

Multiplayer games are currently not supported, but Intel says it will "work hand-in-hand with devs to ensure enthusiasts can benefit from this technology while enjoying anti-cheat protection". So, while the Core Ultra 200S Plus series is budget-friendly, that isn't necessarily the category that would see the greatest benefits of Intel Binary Optimization — at least not in the earliest days.

I'll check in on these processors in the near future to see how updates might affect the Intel Application Optimization (APO) app and the Intel Platform Performance Package (IPPP) it belongs to, which is an all-in-one package of libraries and frameworks that simplifies new PC builds with IBOT. Acronyms.

Should you buy a Core Ultra 200S Plus processor?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You're migrating from another gaming/creation PC

✅ You have a limited budget

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You already bought into Core Ultra 200S

Pushing on with Intel Application Optimization is admirable, and as an Arc gaming fan, the Binary Optimization Tool certainly feels promising, but Intel should be lauded primarily for its pricing here. These Core Ultra 200S Plus chips offer tremendous performance at prices that so severely undercut their rivals to a point that it almost feels unsustainable (but hopefully not).

If you already have DDR5 RAM and solid-state storage, you won't have to cough up too much cash for a migration to LGA 1851 motherboards and a multi-generationally compatible CPU cooler. Otherwise, starting from absolute zero will still sting — a little less than some competitors at these prices, but sting nonetheless.

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Crimson Desert is one of those games I was genuinely afraid to review. Not because I thought it was going to be some terrible creation, but because I could tell that even after spending almost 100 hours, I’d still be left having not touched half the game.

What I didn’t expect was being able to walk away with that lack of seeing it all and still knowing how great the rest was yet to be. Crimson Desert surpassed my exceedingly high expectations in ways I never thought it would, while simultaneously leaving me wanting more from certain facets.

What Pearl Abyss has created is wonderful and should be celebrated in every way. Here’s my tale as to why.

Crimson Desert Review: The most ambitious single-player open world

One of the main concerns with Crimson Desert hasn’t been its size, but the potential lack of meaningful content to fill the space created. From the perspective of someone who’s poured over 70 hours into the game and feels like they’ve barely scratched the surface, there’s something for everyone.

In my time, which has been relegated to what I’ll refer to as the bottom left of the map, I’ve come across the following activities: Competitive Archery, thievery, outlaw tracking, investment banking, goods hauling, brawling, arm wrestling, hidden caves, ancient ruins with puzzles, multiple Abyss Sanctums, nearly 100 different creatures, 34 crafting manuals, 28 different factions, four mounts, and so much more.

I could turn this review into a boring list of all that I’ve found so far, but part of the majesty and mystique is not knowing; it’s the discovery of the event itself.

There will be so many opportunities for you to look up all the various activities that I implore you not to. If what you assume is already known, that crucial step of mystery is washed away.

I think the only way to really put this all into perspective is with a screenshot of the “knowledge base”.

As you can see from the above photo, of the 34 crafting manuals I found, there are over 300 more to find, 28 of 110 factions. Some of these I’ve kept a surprise for players on release day, but I’m sure there’s already a screenshot out there, either in someone else’s review or previously. But I also want to keep it a secret how much of the game you’ll unravel in your first fifty hours, or at least, somewhat of a secret.

You can go on for hours getting lost in areas, if not for finding random things to do here and there, but just to bask in the majesty of the world Pearl Abyss has created. The landscapes presented are both a beacon of guidance and a reason to lose oneself in timeless game sessions.

I am able to confirm the fact that it takes roughly four hours to travel the entire map on foot. If one were so bold as to try. However, that’s where the mount system comes in, which includes not only horses, but a total of 28 different mounts!

So don’t worry, securing travel across the continent will be a game in its own right.

The greatest travesty I have yet to face with Crimson Desert’s open world is the fact that I’ve had to play it under the pressure of time. For the first time in years, I feel the desire to go off in random directions, excited about what the next corner might bring. Something only games like Skyrim, Breath of the Wild, and others have given me.

Crimson Desert Review: Activities galore

As I mentioned previously, there’s a lot to come across in Crimson Desert. So much so that I’m absolutely positive I haven’t found or even tried everything there is to do.

Take investment banking, for example. Early on, I discovered a bank that allowed me to open an account for 100 silver, which, for starters, will seem a little hefty. It wasn’t until after opening the account that I realized I needed either a gold bar or another 500 silver to purchase one.

Thankfully, some hours later, I just so happened to find a gold bar on someone else. Once invested, I had the option for low, medium, and high-stakes investments.

Then I randomly came across the ability to sell stolen livestock. Yes, there is a fence that you can sell stolen or non-legitimate livestock to! Just when you thought investment banking was enough to get you by.

Then there are goods trading systems, which you can use to find and package goods at your camp to deliver somewhere else for profit. You can even buy trade goods at one market and deliver them somewhere else where they’re selling for more.

Seriously, this game has tons of things to do! However, that cataclysmic number of activities can sometimes backfire.

For instance, things like arm wrestling, archery competitions, and brawling. These activities are fun, little nothing-to-do moments of gameplay, but that’s the thing, they’re really nothing.

Brawling, for example, was a random little area I found outside of Hernand, the game’s first main city. Here, I jumped into a pit and smashed the melee button over and over. The only other action I had was to dodge.

If I did anything else, including holding the melee button, which causes your character to kick, I was immediately disqualified. There was no rhythm to this, just smash melee, dodge (maybe), and win. Rather than a mini-game, it felt like a quick “here’s what we could do if we made this brawling into a mini-game” demo.

That “every so often” of coming across needless or pointless activities didn’t really bolster my love of Crimson Desert’s open world. Instead, it was a negative on the experience, making the sum of the total parts feel disconnected from the game.

Then again, it's like this always, or even the majority of the time, but enough to the point where I wish something had been just a little more fleshed out.+

Crimson Desert Review: Gameplay and performance

The best way I can describe the combat of Crimson Desert is by letting you know there are roughly 30 different attack buttons/combinations. From melee to ranged options like guns, bows, and spells.

Just with melee alone, there is a decent variety of starting weapons that feel varied enough to keep combat fresh, just from light and heavy attacks. Basic swords, axes, scythes, spears, and more will take up your inventory rather quickly.

The amount I came across felt just enough so that I never felt overwhelmed or underwhelmed by any of the options I came across. This all comes before you come across unique weapons as well, like some that carry charged spirit attacks or secondary methods of damage.

Even the armor types are varied, in the form Zelda fans might find familiar. You’ll find cloth, plate, leather, and more, but each of these sets comes with different resistance types or other wonderful benefits like movement speed and attack bonuses. All weapons and armor can be upgraded through a process called refinement to improve damage and resistance.

Combat is just pure, unadulterated fun that never really grows tiresome. Whether it’s against the easier NPCs that you’ve out-leveled, or the terrifyingly strong armies of Demenis, your rather violent neighbor, Crimson Deserts combat is so fluid, the end result is always satisfying.

Then there’s a small subsection of spells powered by Spirit that mix and match so incredibly well. Literally fanning someone to death is about as awesome as stabbing them through the chest!

Storage

The collection of these items leads to one of the most glaring weaknesses the game currently has, and that’s inventory management. I’ve been told a patch will deliver some form of storage within homes, but there’s currently no way to keep items tucked away outside of keeping them in your own inventory.

You start with a decent 50 slots, but if you want to collect and hoard upgrade materials for your favorite weapons and armors, you’ll have to dedicate slots specifically to those resources. There’s no storing them away in some locked chest at your base, or even in your home located near your base.

Over time, you can increase inventory slots by completing quests, where you can end up with something like 200 slots. Still, carrying everything on your person at once felt odd and cumbersome to deal with at times, and felt like a major miss for a game with so many things to pick up.

Seriously, beginning with just creatures, you can collect their bones, hide, meat, horns, and even full-fledged butterflies, lizards, etc. There are like 30-something butterfly types alone, and every one you pick up takes a separate slot. Come on, Pearl Abyss, you had to know this would be a major issue, right?

Puzzles

Like all games with puzzles, Crimson Desert can be a hit or miss when it comes to the general pride you get from completing one. What I’m pleased to announce is that the majority of them slap.

Seriously, most of these puzzles remind me of a more “realistic” version of Breath of the Wild. That’s not to take shots at Zelda, only to properly showcase how Crimson Desert takes their physics-based movement puzzles with a bit less flair than something like Tears of the Kingdom.

There are so many moments I thought to myself, “Hey, I think this will work,” and it just ended up doing so. Seeing something, coming up with a clever idea that you haven’t even tried before, and then doing it is awesome when it works so often.

Early on, everything is satisfying because every mechanic is brand-new and shiny. As time goes on, simple tasks are interspersed with physics-based puzzles that feel like filler or are poorly presented.

Take, for example, somewhere along the line, you’ll help a group do a little research. If you account for all the dialogue and actual combat that takes place, as well as unique puzzle mechanics, the quest is pretty decently paced.

However, on top of that, Pearl Abyss added a weird slide puzzle to turn a generator on and insert 4 batteries (all in the same way) just as the quest starts. After some action and a weird amount of time running to the next heart-racing moment, you’re faced with another puzzle that I think is pretty much impossible without either your stamina buffed or the use of cold-resistant food/clothing.

The initial quips felt functional, but felt a little too much like filler for my taste. It was the insertion of unforeseen obstacles in the other puzzle that really threw me for a loop. What might suck is that I did the puzzle entirely wrong; I have no way of knowing. What I do know is that it wasn’t the only time I had this feeling.

Performance and character swapping

Performance for Windows PC has been nothing but terrific. I played on both a 4060 at 1080p and a 5080 at 4K, and have nothing but good things to say about how they play.

Starting with the 4060, I was able to push my settings all the way to cinematic with balanced DLSS to maintain 80 fps. Dropping those down gave much better native performance, too.

As for the 5080, I saw a general ~75 FPS performance at 4K cinematic with Quality DLSS. Since the FPS was above 60, I was able to turn on frame gen without sacrificing latency and saw spikes into the 200s.

Reconstruction ray tracing is where players might have a hard time. At 4K, cinematic, with ray-tracing enabled, I was bottoming out at less than 20 FPS, which is to be expected.

Some of these settings are obvious overkill, so I shouldn’t expect max of the max to work on anything but a 5090. The general settings are gorgeous, and from what I’ve played, incredibly well-optimized.

Bugs are another thing that I didn't personally experience, but heard plenty of during my review time. I'm not sure what to expect when the game hits release, but I've watched Pearl Abyss work tirelessly to fix any and all bugs reviewers encountered during their sessions.

So, like, I know this is supposed to be a thing, but in my 70 hours so far, I’ve felt as though this feature was some afterthought. It’s cool to swap between different adventurers ala GTA V character hot-swap, but none of the side characters really feel fully fleshed out.

I still swapped over to try different missions with them, but the entirety of this mechanic dropped off hard. Maybe later in the game, it will pick up, but I can’t help feeling like this had originally been part of the multiplayer experience.

Crimson Desert Review: The story of friendship and epic set pieces

The story starts off as a basic rebuild vengeance tale that delivers somewhat beyond serviceable results. I’m nowhere near done with the entirety of it, but it’s grown increasingly more interesting as time has passed.

Like many of the game’s systems, some of the initial story felt skipped, as though there may have been a prelude comic out there (or perhaps Black Desert, I’ve never played). You’re in a camp, where some of your comrades you never met have perished.

Within another few minutes, those responsible are back at it. The enemy gives reason to be lightly introduced to some of your comrades, as well as one of the big bads, but eventually become separated from one another before attempting to form together again during the opening quests. You’ll find more of your mates, otherwise known as the Greymanes, during your adventures.

Things take a literal other-worldly return before any of the reuniting begins, as you’re introduced to the concept of the Abyss. A parallel world of sorts that is separate from your realm. The game takes on a striking similarity to “Save the cheerleader. Save the world.”

Much of the moment-to-moment dialogue is "bleh", but the story shines during set-piece beats. Without spoiling anything, I’ve had multiple heart-pumping combat flashes that have left me wishing I’d saved just before to play it again.

The game tried to build up pivotal story moments. As though it attempted to perfect a well-paced novel. Instead, the jumbled mess of a story (especially early on) comes across as just another Korean-style MMO, serving as a bare-bones vehicle for the game's incredible gameplay.

Crimson Desert Review: Should you buy it?

If you're here and reading this, the answer is simple: yes. Crimson Desert is the kind of game that usually only comes along once in a generation, so singular in its ambition that it will define the gaming conversation for weeks, if not months, to come.

I’d say years, but the only game that will overtake it in scope is the billion-dollar GTA VI.

Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, since you can never predict how the public or other reviewers will respond. But I lost count of the moments that stirred the same sense of awe I felt playing Elden Ring for the first time.

That feeling is rare, especially after 30 years with this hobby. Crimson Desert is the kind of game where the moment someone asks whether they should play it, the answer is already out of my mouth.

The only exception is someone who has no patience for true open-world exploration, someone who prefers a tight, linear narrative above all else.

Crimson Desert isn’t that, nor should it ever try to be. What it is, is something genuinely rare. A game I didn’t know I wanted, and couldn’t have imagined believing in, until I played it myself.

We're a short while away from the release of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, the next big entry in the Monster Hunter's JRPG spin-off series. As a fan, I'm excited to see this underrated Xbox JRPG series finally get a next-gen makeover along with a darker and more mature story, innovations to its turn-based combat and monster-taming gameplay, and of course, a whole batch of new Monsties to ride on with.

Yet, I can't help but feel nervous that it could end up severely disappointing me as Monster Hunter Wilds did at launch, with toned-down difficulty and performance issues so bad that it incited a year of 'review bombs' on Steam.

Fortunately, my paranoia was mostly wiped clean after having an amazing time previewing Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection's opening chapters, so I was looking forward to what else it had to offer. After completing the full game, my love for the entire Monster Hunter franchise was renewed because I haven't played a Capcom JRPG this fun in ages, despite some controversial gameplay decisions that may anger long-time fans.

So, what are those decisions, you may ask? Read on to find out in my review of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection.

This Review was made possible thanks to a code provided by Capcom. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this Review before publication.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Story, art, and performance

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection follows the story of the prince/princess of Azuria, a veteran monster Rider dedicated to saving their kingdom and monster-kind alike from a horrific phenomenon reducing all life to crystal called Encroachment.

To make matters worse, Arzuria is on the brink of war with its neighbouring kingdom, Vermeil, which is aggressively expanding its territory into forbidden ground to escape the Encroachment.

With the fate of two kingdoms and the ecosystem as a whole hanging in the balance, our hero sets forth on a journey along with their Skyscale Rathalos and specially-trained Riders called Rangers to uncover the truth behind the Encroachment and stop it before all is lost.

This game has, without a shadow of a doubt, the best storyline I've seen in a Monster Hunter by a country mile.

While it does feature the typical Monster Hunter affair of an unknown phenomenon causing havoc on the ecosystem, it's made more interesting by the fact that it's causing turf wars between mankind to the point where they're forced to use Monsties as tools of war to survive.

However, don't take this to mean that it's full of doom and gloom.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection hasn't forgotten its adventurous roots, as there are plenty of moments where it immerses the player in the wonders of nature, intriguing worldbuilding, and heartwarming levity to break up the morally grey war story between Arzuria and Vermeil.

Its cast of characters is just as entertaining as the story, as each member of your party has a charming personality and a riveting backstory worth completing their long Side Story quests to fully see.

Even the main Player Character is surprisingly compelling in their own right. They're a gentle soul that loves nature and will do anything to save Monsties and mankind alike, all the while displaying careful tact with regards to handling delicate situations as befitting of a future King/Queen.

In fact, I'd go as far as to say this game has the best batch of characters since the fan-favorite Caravan group from Monster Hunter 4, and I would love to go on more adventures with this bunch of Riders in future games or even DLC expansions.

For those who were afraid that this game was going to suffer the performance issues Monster Hunter Wilds did, I am happy to report that the Xbox Series X version of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection's performance is A-Okay.

It runs at a rock-solid stable 60 FPS and 1080p resolution in Balanced mode and 30 FPS with 1440p resolution in Prioritize Resolution Mode (though the Kinship Skill cutscenes will go into 60 FPS).

Prioritize Framerate Mode has 60 FPS (or higher at around 70-90 FPS) and 1080p resolution, but the draw distance will be downgraded as monsters, trees, and other environmental assets in the sandbox exploration areas will look like unfinished textures from miles away until you get close to them, so they can load in properly.

But no matter what mode you choose on Xbox, you will be able to fully experience this game's beautiful, vibrant locales, gorgeously detailed anime character designs, and cinematically flashy super moves during combat without fear of framerate drops or gameplay-degrading stuttering.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Gameplay

Monster Hunter Stories' tried and true turn-based combat and monster-taming gameplay is alive and kicking in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. They feature plenty of refinements and innovative new mechanics to keep things fresh and fun.

Firstly, taming monsters has never been more exciting thanks to the brand new Habitat Restoration system. As you explore the world, you will work to restore the exosystem by finding monster eggs, hatching new Monsties, and releasing them back into the wild to restore their population.

It felt so satisfying seeing this game's vibrant biomes, once nearly devoid of life, get slowly repopulated with monsters you worked hard to save, and it really helps sell the immersive feeling that you are a monster Rider working to keep nature in balance.

It's also rewarding from a gameplay perspective. Repopulating monster populations can lead to unlocking new Monsties to add to your party and unlock insanely powerful and cool new passive and active abilities to use in battle.

And you'll need to master them quickly because turn-based combat in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is no joke. Enemies hit hard, have lots of health, and rarely engage the player in the series' iconic Head-to-Head mechanic, so the player can't rock-paper-scissor their way to victory like in past games.

Once I got the hang of the enemies' new approach in battle and mastered the game's new combat mechanics like the new Longsword and Synchro Rush attack, turn-based battles became incredibly enjoyable to engage in.

The consistently tough enemies kept me engaged throughout my playtime, incentivising me to keep my gear up to date. Plus, it felt so satisfying to outfox enemies using out-of-the-box strategies and optimized Monstie party builds I created after investing so much time in the Habitat Restoration system.

That being said, it is rather annoying that Capcom didn't take my complaints about Battle Allies being uncontrollable in my Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin review to heart and instead doubled down on it.

Granted, the Battle Allies' AI is somewhat more competent than the previous game, as they'll often win in Head-to-Heads depending on which one you bring to fight certain monsters, and you can set their AI to prioritize different targets.

However, they'll still make stupid mistakes that will end up costing you dearly in battle, leading to unintentional frustration. I'd much rather take direct control of them so I can better synergize with their skills instead of praying the AI doesn't use a move that will get them killed.

Yet, this is a nitpick compared to some rather controversial decisions that may turn off not only Monster Hunter Stories fans, but Monster Hunter fans in general.

These decisions include a smaller roster of Monsties to collect in previous (this game has roughly around 80 or so Monsties to collect, whereas previous games had over 100), the lack of any multiplayer feature, and, shocking of all: NO HIGH-RANK POSTGAME.

Now, the first two issues I can forgive because the roster for this game is mostly made of original monsters that hadn't been in the series before (and most of them are really entertaining to use in battle).

As for the lack of multiplayer, I don't mind it being gone in favor of the developers focusing more on the single-player content and story, as it paid off in spades in this game. Though I'm a little sad to see we won't get any more of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin's Co-Op quests, as I enjoyed them way more than the PvP modes the previous games had.

What I can't forgive, however, is not having a High Rank post-game. High Rank difficulty and post-game content have been a core part of Monster Hunter's identity since the original PlayStation 2 game in 2004.

So seeing a Monster Hunter game at launch, spin-off or not, not have any post-game bosses, post-game areas, post-game Monsties, or even a High Rank difficulty to test our endgame builds to their limits is heartbreaking.

Plus, this will establish a dangerous precedent where we'll no longer get any High Rank content at launch for a Monster Hunter game, setting the whole franchise back if Capcom continues it and we don't speak up on it.

However, and this is a big however, that doesn't mean there's absolutely nothing to do once you complete the main story. If you focus on completing the main story quests with little side-questing, it will take you around 40 to 50 hours.

Yet, I was able to squeeze over 120 hours out of this game by completing every side quest and Battle Ally Side Story, collecting every Monstie, experimenting with the Habitat Restoration system, and hunting down all the Feral Monsters, Invasive Monsters, and Calamitous Elder Dragons because I loved this game's core gameplay and story so much.

So I can assure you that this game will not leave you starving for content. If you can put aside the reduced Monstie roster and lack of multiplayer and a High-Rank postgame (which I totally understand if you don't, as it's an extremely bitter pill to swallow), then you will be in for one heck of a JRPG adventure you won't soon forget.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Should you buy it?

Overall, I feel this game is the Monster Hunter Stories equivalent of Monster Hunter Tri — an ambitious entry that risks taking the series in a new direction with modern-day graphics, a mostly original roster of monsters, experimental gameplay ideas, and a much greater focus on cinematic storytelling.

While the lack of multiplayer and a High-Rank postgame will be extremely disappointing to long-time Monster Hunter fans (which I hope gets rectified with potential DLC expansions), that doesn't mean you should skip out on this game.

Its core gameplay loop of releasing monsters into the wild to restore ecosystems is addictive, and turn-based battles are gratifying while not being afraid of making the player work for their victories.

The graphical artstyle is a delightful feast for the eyes, and the story and character writing were epic, funny, and heartwarming from beginning to end. Not to mention, it has some of the best character writing Capcom has done since its classic Breath of Fire series.

If you're a fan of Pokémon-like alternatives that actually try to evolve the monster-taming genre or if you're a fan of turn-based JRPGs in general, then I highly recommend grabbing this near-perfect gem, as it's worth Riding On for.

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Logitech's new PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE gaming mouse is a game-changer for those who play games competitively. It's the world's first mouse to include haptic motors in place of a physical mechanism for the left and right click buttons, and that opens the door to a whole new world of response times thanks to its ultra-low click latency technology.

I was recently invited to go hands-on and check out how the PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE was made, and I came away thoroughly impressed with just how dedicated Logitech is when it comes to eSports and this mouse. Logitech truly believes in this mouse, to the point where it's not sure if eSports tournaments will ban it due to the sheer advantage it provides over gamers who aren't using it.

What sort of advantages, I hear you ask? Well, depending on the player, it can make you almost twice as fast at shooting at an enemy. That's because you no longer need to press all the way down to complete a "click," as the haptic motor is able to determine when a click is successful much earlier in the process, so you don't need to bottom out every time.

G Pro X2 Superstrike: Specs and availability

The Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is available online directly from Logitech or retailers like Amazon for $179. That makes it one of the more expensive mice you can buy today, but given the tech that it's packing, this isn't much of a surprise.

It's available in just one colorway, that being "Lunar Eclipse", which consists of a dual black/white tone, with the majority of the body being white, but the right and left click buttons and underside being black. The entire mouse is made of plastic, which is designed to make it as light as possible.

What's the G Pro X2 Superstrike like?

I'm not a professional gamer, but even casual gamers will notice an improvement in response times if you master the mouse. At first, it's difficult to remember that you don't have to bottom out the click mechanism, as there isn't a physical click at the bottom. As soon as you feel the haptic response, you can lift and click down again. This is where the latency gains come from, but it takes a while for your brain to remember that.

That haptic motor simulates the feeling of a click very well. Just like the haptic motor on a Surface Laptop trackpad, the haptic motor in the PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE is designed in such a way to make it feel like you're clicking on a normal mouse. You can adjust the sensitivity of the haptic motor, including how little or how hard you need to press for that click to be initiated.

I have to say that the haptic motor feels sublime. It's quiet to operate, and every click feels super satisfying, and you can adjust just how satisfying it feels using the Logitech G Hub app. This app lets you adjust the strength of the haptic motor, so if you prefer a lighter sensation, you can select that, but I found the stronger response to feel more satisfying.

As I'm not a pro gamer, the haptic feedback in this mouse makes me yearn for a version of this mouse that's designed for productivity. I'm a huge fan of Logitech's MX Master (and MX Vertical) mice, and I can't help but feel like this haptic motor would be right at home on those devices.

Logitech tells me that this technology, which it calls HITS, could very well end up in other mice in its portfolio down the line. For now, however, it considers the technology best suited for gaming, as the latency gains it enables really are impressive. The tech is so good that even non-professional gamers will notice improved reaction times just from the ability to adjust where the click happens.

You can make the click as shallow as possible, meaning your finger has to travel less distance to initiate a click. That gives you an edge over someone using a traditional mouse with a more deep and physical clicking mechanism, and in some cases can halve your reaction time if you're on the ball enough.

How the G Pro X2 Superstrike was made

Logitech also showed me how the mouse was made at its labs in Switzerland, and it opened my eyes to just how dedicated the team was to making this mouse the best it possibly can be for gamers. It showed me three prototypes, all of which looked pretty much identical from the outside. The difference? Each prototype was lighter than the last.

The original prototype was around 98g, but through constant iteration and engineering, they were able to reduce the weight of the mouse to just 89g without removing any features or making the mouse feel cheaper. This was done by swapping out certain materials on the inside and making some pieces of plastic thinner.

It was a lot of extra work for a small gain in lightness. Holding both prototypes in my hands, I couldn't really even tell the difference in weight, but Logitech understood that having a light mouse was imperative for gamers who need to be able to move the mouse around as quickly as possible.

I was also shown their design labs, which were fascinating to see how Logitech experiments and comes up with designs for its products. I was shown an awesome molded version of the Logitech MX Master 3, which was made out of this cool transparent material. Logitech says it's always exploring new materials that it could use in future products.

I did ask if the HITS technology was destined for any other Logitech mice down the line, and while nobody at the company was willing to confirm that this was planned, it certainly sounds like the company is at the very least exploring the idea of bringing HITS to more mice in the future. So that's reassuring!

Conclusion

The Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is indeed a one-of-a-kind mouse. It's the first to adopt this new HITS technology, which really does enhance the gameplay experience if you're able to master it. The tech is so groundbreaking that Logitech itself was unsure if it would be banned in eSports tournaments, which says a lot about how game changing it really is.

As a productivity mouse, it's not the best out there. I absolutely adore the haptic motor, and I do wish Logitech would bring it to other high-end mice in its lineup in the future. An MX Master or MX Vertical with this tech would be awesome, as being able to adjust where the click takes place, along with the intensity of the click, is a nice bonus to have.

If you're a gamer who's looking to make it professionally, or just want the best edge you can get when playing online competitively, this is probably the only mouse on the market that makes it easy to have fast response times without "cheating."

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Resident Evil Requiem is almost here, and it might feel a tad bitter sweet.

A "requiem" is a mass held to honor those that have departed. It's also the name of Leon Kennedy's magnum revolver, and the namesake of the ninth mainline entry in one of gaming's most legendary franchises.

Requiem is intended to be a passing of the torch of sorts, as the saga featuring many of its original characters draws to a close to make way for a new era. Leon Kennedy, who debuted in Resident Evil 2 back in 1998, has certainly seen better days.

Dogged by decades of trauma fighting the world's most corrupt bio-corporations and physically corrupted undead horrors, Leon joins new protagonist Grace on a dual-experience partnership that reminisces of previous experiments like Resident Evil Zero and Resident Evil 6 — both of which weren't particularly well received.

Does Resident Evil Requiem vindicate this formula? Can a single entry appeal to Resident Evil's diverging survival horror and action horror fan base? We played through the game on Xbox Series X and Windows PC to find out.

Welcome to our spoiler-free Resident Evil Requiem review.

Resident Evil Requiem review: Story, art, and performance

Resident Evil Requiem extends a dual-protagonist tradition that has been a staple of the franchise since the beginning, albeit in different flavors. Requiem tries to double and perhaps even triple down on this design, offering an entirely different gameplay experience based on which protagonist is currently center stage.

Leon Kennedy is one of the franchise's most experienced veterans. Leon reprises his role as a D.S.O. agent, acting on behalf of the United States government. He's joined by newcomer FBI technical analyst Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Resident Evil Outbreak's Alyssa Ashcroft, who finds her fate intertwined with that of Kennedy early on.

While investigating a string of mysterious deaths, Ashcroft finds herself kidnapped by a hulking, twisted vision of a mad scientist, we'd later know as Victor Gideon. Leon, who is also investigating the deaths, gives immediate chase.

Requiem is an absolutely stunning game, and continues the franchise's positive visual streak atop Capcom's impressive RE Engine. The game sings on Xbox Series X, and runs flawlessly on lower-end hardware. On our primary review platform, Xbox Series X, you can expect a smooth 60 FPS operation with zero hitching or frame pacing problems. We also tested the game at 1080p on an RTX 4060 PC, DLSS balanced with no frame gen, grabbing upwards of 144 FPS.

The RE Engine has been under some scrutiny thanks to Monster Hunter Wilds' notorious performance problems, but when used for its intended purpose, the engine is still one of the best out there. The facial motion capture is approaching uncanny levels of realism. The attention to detail in lighting is also a cut above, with light blooming through Grace's hair with realistic flair.

The visual buffet only elevates and enhances the game's story beats. Grace and Leon both give incredible performances, and Victor Gideon is a suitably horrifying antagonist — with the physical accoutrements of a Tyrant bioweapon coupled with a quiet sadism and intelligence reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter.

Leon's gameplay is supposed to represent more action-oriented Resident Evil entries, while Grace's is supposed to showcase the kind of vulnerability we felt playing the original games. This extends to the story beats too to some degree, with Grace's experience is steeped in horror, as her character stumbles through events few of us would be equipped to deal with were it real. Her vulnerability is well-delivered, as is her bravery in the face of impossible and traumatic scenarios. Leon by contrast is an invincible comic book superhero, which celebrates the franchise's over-the-top overtures. It didn't always work for me in contrast, though.

Occasionally I felt like the bombastic "rule of cool" Michael Bay-style presentation of Leon's sequences undermined the evocative story beats from Grace's arc. Capcom absolutely pulls no punches with Resident Evil Requiem. I won't spoil it by any means, but I was impressed by the boundaries the Resident Evil team were willing to push. It didn't always land for me — even when it was undeniably awesome. The whiplash effect can feel jarring. But, I am probably also overthinking it, and even if I am, it hardly degrades the overall experience.

Resident Evil Requiem's story will run you through a broad gamut of emotions, and leave you excited for the franchise's future.

Resident Evil Requiem review: Gameplay

Resident Evil Requiem, as noted in the game's marketing and beyond, strides a line between both classic survival horror and more action horror leanings in largely equal measure.

Grace's segments are absolutely classic Resident Evil. A zombie-infested mansion, a maze of maps, puzzles, key items, while desperately scrounging for ammunition. This is where the game felt the strongest in my view, but I'm also more a fan of that era of Resident Evil.

Grace's segments not only exhibit the classic-style Resident Evil user interface, but also come with similar constraints. Limited inventory space, intentionally restrictive, shaky controls, with aggressive and tough monstrosities at every corner. The game even doubles down on some of Resident Evil's more difficult classic elements. Crimson heads are back, in a sense, requiring players to consider dealing with corpses. The game also plays heavily with light and stealth on top.

You can sneak around and dispatch enemies to give yourself an edge against larger groups, while conserving ammunition in the process. Resident Evil Requiem also lets you play with a "Classic" save system, disabling auto saves and forcing you to stock up on Ink Ribbons, old-school style.

Whether you're playing as Grace or Leon, combat in Resident Evil Requiem is incredibly satisfying. The zombies and other enemies never feel bullet spongey, reacting dynamically to wounds and other types of attacks. Head crits still grant that satisfying pop made all the more spectacular with dynamic gore that paints walls and floors in spattered crimson stains.

It's not all throwbacks, though. Both characters have some new mechanics and toys they can play with, and both can be played in first and third-person optionally — a first for the franchise. Hauntingly, Capcom has given the zombies in Resident Evil Requiem a far deeper personality than in previous games. It felt almost as if every zombie I encountered was a unique model, complete with different behaviors, attack patterns, and even dialogue. This made dispatching them all the horrific and immersive.

Grace can craft emphasize stealth gameplay with haemoglobin hypodermic needles that can instantly detonate stunned or unaware zombies. Leon Kennedy by contrast is a martial arts expert, fully equipped with a massive arsenal of guns, ammo, and additional contextual melee combat cues. He runs faster, turns more smoothly, and comes with a hatchet that can be used to execute enemies permanently (even with a Monster Hunter-style sharpen mechanic.)

Leon's sections ironically could feel a tad more frustrating at times, particularly in the later levels, as the game throws enemies inspired by Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6 at you in shooting gallery-style events. On that point, Leon's segments can feel cathartic too, particularly after you've been struggling around in the dark with Grace for a few hours. Leon's UI even takes on a Resident Evil 4-inspired format, complete with a health bar rather than Grace's old-school heartbeat monitor. It's a nice touch, and it's in a lot of these small details that you know Capcom understands and celebrates both aspects of the franchise's legacy.

I was worried that Leon's segments would feel overly linear to that end, but thankfully Capcom clearly still recognizes that the ability to back track and explore is something that should be a staple of both its action and survival horror leanings. Complete with epic set-piece boss battles, bombastic and unexpected twists, and a broad variety of new and nostalgic locations — Resident Evil Requiem is likely to be celebrated as one of the franchise's greatest entries.

Resident Evil Requiem review: Should you buy it?

If you're a Resident Evil fan, this segment of the review is largely pointless — we know you're going to buy it, and you absolutely should. Resident Evil Requiem is steeped in new lore, great characters, exciting gameplay, and sports a meaty campaign well worth the price of admission.

The minute to minute gameplay is great, the character acting is top-tier, and the visuals are among the best we've seen from the genre. Resident Evil Requiem celebrates multiple aspects of the franchise, and largely manages to vindicate the dual-gameplay experiments of previous instalments.

It can feel a bit quirky at times. The emotional story telling and more impactful story beats can feel reduced when followed up almost immediately by cheesy high-action comic bookery — but your mileage may vary on that. A less cynical view might be that video games are the perfect medium for exploring multiple genres in a single package, and it's certainly not something that negatively impacts the entire experience. If anything, you might find it elevates it.

Resident Evil Requiem is the first blockbuster of 2026. Long, long, may this franchise live.