At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Comprehensive strength training, functional units and programs in one system Very compact design despite high performance High-quality materials and stable mechanics Fast, smooth app operation directly on the device Extensive and sensibly coordinated accessories Cons Weight adjustment during certain exercises is cumbersome Some functions require a subscription Our Verdict The Speediance Gym Monster 2 is a well-designed, technically advanced home gym for anyone who wants to train seriously and regularly. It replaces traditional weights, saves a huge amount of space, and impresses with its intelligent training control. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best pricing today Best Prices Today: Speediance Gym Monster 2 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices The Speediance Gym Monster 2 is positioned as a latest-generation digital strength training station and is aimed at ambitious home gym users who want to replace traditional dumbbells with intelligent resistance technology. Within the growing market for connected fitness products, it represents the approach of combining as many forms of training as possible in a single, compact system — controlled via an integrated display and cloud-based training logic. Design and workmanship As soon as the pallet is delivered by a shipping company, it becomes clear that the Gym Monster 2 is no toy. Three large packaging units (with a total weight of just under 353 pounds, or 160 kilograms), one of which is extremely heavy and bulky, require some planning and strong helpers to transport them to the desired installation location. This can be a real challenge in narrow stairwells or small basement rooms, and the main module, which makes up half that weight, is almost impossible to move safely on your own. However, after unpacking and disposing of the packaging material, the initial effort is quickly put into perspective: Instead of having to screw together a large number of individual parts, as was the case with my EX90 PLUS cross trainer, the Gym Monster 2 is delivered largely pre-assembled. The device has a simple, modern design and is very cleanly manufactured. The gaps, surfaces, and mechanics appear well thought-out and durable; nothing rattles or seems improvised. Christoph Hoffmann When unfolded, it measures 72.8 inches (185cm) in height and just under 27.5 inches (70cm) in width. With the base plate, the Gym Monster 2 is around 48 inches (122cm) deep; when folded, the space requirement is reduced to 14.5 × 27.2 × 72.8 inches (D × W × H). With its slim, tall body, the Gym Monster 2 clearly stands out from classic multi-function stations, which often require a lot of floor space. Despite its small footprint of less than 3 square feet (without benches), the technology is completely integrated into the device: two 800-watt electric motors generate the resistance and allow not only classic loads, but also dynamic modes such as chain, eccentric or constant, which would be difficult to replicate with conventional weights. Added to this is the adjustable cable pull with several height positions, so that in practice the device covers a wide range of exercises, from rowing and pressing to pulling and isolation exercises, without a cable pull tower dominating the room. I tested the Gym Monster 2 in the Family Plus version. In addition to the actual device with its base plate and screen, the adjustable bench, barbell hooks, triceps rope, extension straps, ankle straps, handles, clips, and rings, this version also includes a rowing bench. This allows the station to be used more like a modular system, whereas classic fitness stations often remain tied to a fixed exercise logic and require more compromises in terms of handle and bench setups. Christoph Hoffmann The included accessories present a mixed picture. The barbell is quite heavy and gives a stable, confidence-inspiring impression. The individual handles are not quite up to par in terms of quality and appear to be of a much simpler design in direct comparison. There is also room for improvement with the bench: Instead of practical quick-release fasteners, Speediance relies on conventional screw bolts. According to the manufacturer, the main new features compared to previous generations of devices are the improved mechanics of the cable guide and the finer resistance control, which now works noticeably more smoothly. The 21.5-inch touch display can not only be tilted, but also responds smoothly to swipe gestures — including a quick menu for volume, brightness, and system settings. In principle, the screen behaves like a large smartphone, including quick access to central functions. That may sound trivial, but it’s important. I never feel like I have to fight my way through “fitness equipment menus” — instead, I navigate through a modern training interface. Assembly and commissioning The actual assembly is surprisingly straightforward — despite the heavy weight. The assembly is logically structured so that even less technically savvy users can quickly achieve their goal without frustration. For someone like me, who rarely feels like doing complicated assembly work, this is a huge added value. For me, the entire process, including unpacking, took just over an hour, with the actual commissioning being completed surprisingly quickly. In about 10 minutes, the device was ready for use in its place — free-standing, with no need to screw anything to the wall. Then, at the touch of a button, the training platform is unlocked and folded down, the bench is assembled — in the adjustable version, this requires only two screws and no tools — and finally the power plug is connected. The system is then basically ready to go. It took me an additional 20 minutes or so to assemble the optional rowing bench from the Family Plus package. Christoph Hoffmann Good: Thanks to the integrated castors, the Gym Monster 2 can be easily positioned in the room for training. The initial setup follows the familiar smartphone principle: registration by email, a short introduction, and then the complete system is available. The screen responds precisely, the menu navigation is self-explanatory, and you can connect to your own user profile directly on the device. Christoph Hoffmann The way the Gym Monster 2 guides new users is particularly successful. Guided programs explain not only how to perform the exercises, but also how to use the accessories correctly. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry and makes the system accessible even to beginners. Within a few minutes, you get the feeling that you are working with a mature product that does not require lengthy configuration. In addition to the device display, the Speediance app is available for smartphones and tablets. It is not essential for training with the Gym Monster 2, but it does offer significant added value. Your training data is automatically synchronized so that you can view your progress, statistics, and training history at any time. Christoph Hoffmann What’s more, you can select, plan, and customize workouts and programs directly in the app and then start them on the device. The app thus serves as a central hub for planning, evaluation, and motivation, complementing your training on the Gym Monster 2. These training programs are available Several training programs and modes are available for the Speediance Gym Monster 2 Family Plus, which can be used via the integrated display and training software. Guided workouts & coaching: The Gym Monster 2 Family Plus offers over 500 guided training programs, ranging from strength and full-body workouts to functional units. These include structured strength training, HIIT sequences, flexibility, and core workouts, as well as programs specifically designed for specific goals such as muscle building, fat loss, or improving fitness. Strength training: Classic strength training series are well represented. These include programs for bench presses, squats, deadlifts, rows, and other basic exercises, where resistance and repetitions are specified or suggested. AI support automatically adjusts resistance and progression to your progress. Cardio training and short workouts: In addition to pure strength training, the system also offers cardio options — such as rowing sessions (with optional rowing machine in the Family Plus package) and dynamic short workouts. These programs are a good link between endurance and strength. Mobility, yoga, and flexibility: Gentler sessions for mobility, stretching, or yoga are also integrated. They are particularly suitable for warming up, regeneration, or as a supplement to strength training. Free training and custom workouts: In addition to the pre-designed programs, users can put together their own workouts and save them in the system — ideal for individual training plans or personal routines. Training plans with AI adaptation: Some versions offer structured training plans spanning several weeks, with AI dynamically adapting the program to performance and progress and making suggestions for optimal training sequences. More training options with a wellness subscription The Wellness+ subscription from $19.99 per month (on offer, otherwise $24.99) for the Speediance Gym Monster 2 adds AI-supported, personalized features to the training device. While you can use the Gym Monster without a subscription for classic strength training and many standard workouts, Wellness+ picks up where individual coaching begins. The system analyzes your training data, recognizes progress, and automatically adapts training plans to your goals — such as muscle building, fat loss, or general fitness. Christoph Hoffmann Over time, the AI learns which loads are appropriate for the user and makes recommendations on weight, repetitions, and recovery. Wellness+ also offers advanced evaluations and holistic approaches such as nutrition, sleep, and stress tracking, provided you use these functions. You also get access to additional programs and regular new content. Overall, Wellness+ makes the Gym Monster 2 less of a pure training device and more of a digital personal trainer. The subscription is subject to a fee and is particularly worthwhile for users who appreciate structured plans, motivation, and data-based optimization. The (daily) workout The real strength of the Gym Monster 2 becomes apparent in everyday training. Depending on the program I select, I am guided through the workout and always receive precise instructions on how and when to use the accessories correctly. The digital resistance of 110 pounds per motor completely replaces traditional weights and allows for finely graded adjustments without changing discs or moving dumbbells. Strength training, functional units, and even rehab-related workouts can be realistically simulated. The system really comes into its own with guided strength programs: pace, repetitions, and resistance work together effectively, making the training structured and challenging. Less convincing are programs that have little to do with the device, such as floor-based yoga sessions. Here, the display is too high to be used effectively during the exercise. Such content feels more like an additional offering. Therefore, I can only recommend pure training plans without using the device to a limited extent. In my opinion, weight adjustment during ongoing exercises is not always optimally solved. Since the adjustment is made via the touchscreen, this can be impractical for exercises such as bench presses when both hands are already on the bar. The Bluetooth ring, which serves as a practical remote control under load, significantly mitigates the problem, but it does not solve every situation in which one would actually expect haptic quick control directly on the bar. Apart from these points, the Gym Monster 2 impresses with its enormous versatility and, in practice, replaces a complete home gym in just a few square feet. Our experience after a few weeks of training: Strength and accessory workouts are very well suited to the device, because that’s when the Gym Monster 2 really comes into its own. Content that focuses heavily on mat work on the floor, on the other hand, is less elegant because the screen remains fixed to the device. Is the Gym Monster 2 worth it? The Gym Monster 2 from Speediance is one of the most impressive smart strength training devices for home use currently available. It combines genuine, progressive strength training with an extremely space-saving design and sophisticated digital training control. The workmanship, mechanics, and resistance feel are of a high standard and completely replace classic dumbbells in practice. The system is particularly strong when it comes to guided strength and accessory workouts, where resistance, tempo, and exercise selection are sensibly interlinked to enable structured, challenging training. The app integration directly on the large touchscreen is fast, intuitive, and easy to understand, even for beginners. Weaknesses are evident in the weight adjustment during individual exercises, which is not always ideal. Content that is not directly related to the device seems more like an add-on. Overall, the Gym Monster 2 is clearly aimed at ambitious users who train regularly, have limited space and are looking for a technically mature all-in-one home gym — and that’s exactly what it delivers. Technical data Dimensions: Unfolded approx. 48 × 27 × 73 inches, folded approx. 14.5 × 27× 73 inches (D × W × H) Weight: Approx. 172 lbs Display: Tiltable 21.5-inch HD touchscreen with 1080×1920 pixel resolution Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C Resistance & motor: 2 × 800 watt PMSM permanent magnet synchronous motors Maximum digital resistance: 220 lbs, or 110 lbs per side Digital weight increments: Approx. 1 lb Audio: Stereo speakers 2 × 5 watts subwoofer 20 watts Resistance modes: Classic, increasing at end movement, increasing in the negative phase, uniform Read...

If your PC is lagging or not getting good frames rates in games, your Windows system settings could be to blame. It may be the case that a few smart tweaks of your settings can speed things up dramatically. Here we show you how to make a few useful speed tweaks. What to do: On your Windows Search bar type msconfig and click the result. Here you will find the system configuration where you will see General, Boot, Services, Startup and Tools. Click on Boot. Now select Advanced options. A window will pop up. In the window check the box named “Number of processors.” Now in the drop-down menu change the number of processors to the maximum number you have. Then click Ok. Then hit Apply and click Ok again. Now we’ll do the second step. In the search bar type Power. Choose the search result for Power Sleep and Battery settings. Now under power mode use the drop-down menu to change from Balanced to Best performance for “Plugged in” and “On battery”. Now close that window. Dominic Bayley / Foundry Now for the third step Type Task manager in the Search bar and click on the Search result. In Task manager click on the tab Startup apps. Locate the apps that you don’t want booted at startup and right click on them and select disable. Reset your PC. Note: Disabling your apps doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use them. It just means they won’t open at startup and will have to be opened manually when you need them. You should now get faster performance from your PC. Take advantage of it with some gaming. That’s a wrap for this tip. For more tips and tricks be sure to subscribe to our PCWorld Try This newsletter. Read...

Natural law number 4,568 states: There are never enough power outlets in the house. That’s why most of us rely on good old power strips. Unfortunately, this solution also has its pitfalls, because not all devices are suitable for power strips. Read on to find out which devices these are and what can happen in the worst case scenario: Electric cookers Electric cookers should never be plugged into a multiple socket. Such appliances are designed for high power consumption and are connected to a high-voltage power supply. The maximum load capacity of standard multiple sockets is usually between 3,000 and 3,500 watts. Cookers significantly exceed this value, especially when the hob and oven are in use at the same time. This would result in the cables heating up significantly, which could damage the insulation – in extreme cases, there is a risk of a cable fire. Other power strips Forget about system hacks: so-called “daisy chaining” – i.e. connecting several power strips in series – significantly increases the risk of overload. Use an extension cable instead. Power tools and grooming appliances Drills, saws, and other power tools generate high current peaks when started. The same applies to hairdryers, straighteners and curling irons, which have high heating resistances. It is always better to connect such appliances directly to a wall socket, especially in damp rooms such as bathrooms, where multiple sockets are generally problematic. Kitchen appliances Many kitchen appliances also appear harmless, but are not when it comes to electricity. Toasters, kettles, air fryers, microwaves and sandwich makers often have a power output of 1,500 to 3,000 watts. A single appliance may not overload a multiple socket under certain circumstances. However, it becomes critical when several kitchen appliances are operated simultaneously via a power strip. Power guzzlers Appliances such as tumble dryers, older refrigerators and air conditioners are among the biggest power consumers in the household. They either require high electrical power over a long period of time or generate particularly high power peaks when switched on. Tumble dryers work with powerful heating elements that continuously draw a lot of energy. Refrigerators and air conditioners, on the other hand, operate in cycles and switch their compressors on and off regularly. This results in so-called inrush currents that exceed normal operating consumption. These short-term load peaks can place a heavy strain on multiple sockets. If you exceed the maximum power rating of a power strip, there is a risk of fire. Thichaa General tips for multiple sockets The maximum power rating of a multiple socket can be found either near the switch or on the underside of the power strip. If this power is exceeded, there is a risk of the cables overheating and even catching fire. Therefore, pay attention to how many watts the connected devices require when switched on. Only buy high-quality multiple sockets with the seals from trusted third parties such as UL Solutions, CSA, etc. Avoid using multiple sockets in damp rooms such as bathrooms or in the sink area of the kitchen. Ensure that multiple sockets have sufficient air circulation and are not covered or squeezed between the wall and furniture (this promotes overheating). Never place multiple sockets next to flammable objects such as cardboard boxes or curtains. Read...

I’ve had my HelloFresh subscription for over five years now. A lot has changed in my life since then. At the beginning, I was still a student, writing my bachelor’s thesis and moving into my first apartment at the same time. Shortly afterwards, the coronavirus crisis began and going shopping suddenly became a real problem (just think of the long queues in front of the supermarkets). Hello Fresh came at just the right time and made things a lot easier. I could simply choose dishes, have the ingredients delivered to my home and cook with them for a whole week. But now I’m not as satisfied as I used to be, and now I view Hello Fresh’s offering rather critically. Let me explain why. Reason 1: Rising prices, less food My first problem with Hello Fresh is the rising costs. These don’t stop at the subscription, because the service has become significantly more expensive in recent years. In 2020, I paid £34.99 plus shipping for three meals for two people (i.e. six portions). Now, however, the price has risen to £44.99, which is a good £10 more. These price increases usually came at the turn of the year and were mainly justified by rising food costs. That’s fair, because I’m paying more at the supermarket too. What is not fair, however, is the fact that I am also getting less food for my money — without this even being communicated to me. An example: a recipe that used to call for 250 grams of chicken or fish for two people now only calls for 200 grams. This is not balanced, because it means that carbohydrates dominate most dishes. Hello Fresh thinks that 240 grams of duck breast is fine for two people. Even though I paid extra for the “premium dish”. It’s clear that they simply halved a piece of meat to save costs. There is also no specific quantity information when ordering.PC Welt / Laura Pippig In other cases, ingredients are simply omitted altogether. Hello Fresh used to only expect me to have the absolute basics such as oil, salt, pepper, and maybe sugar at home. Other ingredients such as honey, butter, or vinegar were included if the recipe called for them. Nowadays, this is rarely the case. As a rule, it is assumed that I will use my own ingredients. And Hello Fresh sometimes changes the recipes I used to enjoy cooking, but sometimes forgets to change the pictures on the recipe cards! So I can even see from the picture which ingredients are different from before. All in all, this is textbook shrinkflation: the customer pays more but gets less and less in return. And I think that’s a shame. When I asked, customer support couldn’t tell me anything about it, because they usually only help if ingredients are missing or have been delivered incorrectly. Hello Fresh generally responds to criticism with rejection and relativization, as shown by the responses on Trustpilot, among other places. Tip: If you are dissatisfied with the quality of an ingredient or if it was not delivered in sufficient quantity, you should complain about it in the app. That way, you will at least get some of your money back and won’t have to pay for the missing ingredients out of your own pocket. Reason 2: Inconsistent menu quality One thing you have to give Hello Fresh credit for is that over the years, the selection of dishes has increased significantly and now offers everything from meat, fish, vegetarian, and vegan options to quick meals and recipes for families with children. The quality of these menus is not always consistent, however. I’ve had the feeling a few times that I’ve chosen a dish that looked really good, only to end up disappointed. Or to feel like I’ve just paid an awful lot of money for a portion of pasta with tomato sauce. I can cook that myself, without Hello Fresh. In addition, there are many dishes that are too similar. If you like to eat chicken with rice in all possible variations, or tolerate a maximum of three different vegetables in your meal, this can be an advantage. However, sometimes that certain something is missing that makes me want to try Hello Fresh’s somewhat limited menu planning. At least a few themed weeks throughout the year, such as Veganuary, festive Christmas dishes, or street food from around the world, add some variety. However, I have to pay extra for many of these dishes because they are marked as special “gourmet menus”. Then a portion suddenly costs up to £10 instead of £4.75. So if I find Hello Fresh’s normal offering too monotonous in the long run, I inevitably have to pay extra to try other dishes. But even here, the price-performance ratio is not always right. I’d rather go shopping myself… Hello Fresh also offers some special dishes. But the price isn’t always right.PC Welt / Laura Pippig Reason 3: Few advantages for long-term users As a long-standing customer, there is little to reward my loyalty to Hello Fresh. A few months ago, Hello Fresh introduced a bonus system that unlocks certain benefits once you have ordered a certain number of boxes. However, these bonuses generally fall into three categories: discount on shipping costs, discount on the next box, or discount on gourmet menus. The latter remains valid for several boxes and can be worthwhile. Otherwise, there are hardly any incentives to order a box every week. I used to get extras from Hello Fresh every now and then, such as a free dessert. New customers still get really good discounts to entice them to subscribe, but everyone else doesn’t. As is often the case, unfortunately. I’m quite far along with Hello Fresh Rewards, but I hardly benefit from it. The normal meals almost always cost the same, but I can buy more and save money in the process. Oh well.PC Welt / Foundry Reason 4: More waste instead of less One thing Hello Fresh likes to advertise is the environmental friendliness of its service. With a subscription, you not only save yourself the trip to the shops, which many people would do by car, but you also supposedly produce less waste. This is also due to unused ingredients that spoil. However, the reality is somewhat different. For one thing, Hello Fresh generates an incredible amount of paper waste, as I have a relatively large cardboard box on my doorstep every week. Almost all of the ingredients are also individually packaged. From mushrooms and bread to tiny bags of precisely portioned spices or sauces. Some items are also wrapped in plastic, which of course cannot always be avoided. In general, however, I had the feeling that I was producing more waste than less with Hello Fresh in the long run. Unfortunately, some ingredients sometimes end up in the bin because I cannot eat them due to allergies or because they do not keep for long (e.g. packaged salads, spinach). That’s a real shame, so I usually try to give ingredients away before I have to throw them in the bin. But that doesn’t always work, which is why I increasingly prefer to cook with leftovers before ordering another box. If you order from Hello Fresh every week, you’ll quickly end up with a pile of paper waste. But at least most of the packaging is recyclable.PC Welt / Laura Pippig Reason 5: Change in life situation Last but not least, I would like to emphasise that much of my dissatisfaction with Hello Fresh also depends on my changed life situation. I am no longer a student, I no longer cook just for myself, and fortunately, the peak of the coronavirus pandemic is behind us. Compared to before, I also have more money at my disposal and other options for shopping. Even when things get stressful and I don’t have time to do my weekly shopping, I can use other services such as Knuspr to get groceries delivered to my home. And in some cases, I can cook with them for longer than with Hello Fresh. Because there’s one thing you shouldn’t forget: Hello Fresh can be worthwhile if you want to cook exact portions. Hello Fresh likes to calculate the costs and emphasizes the money you supposedly save. But overall, you always end up paying more, if only for the convenience and the rather expensive home delivery. When I buy a kilogram of potatoes at the supermarket, I have a whole kilo and can cook with it three times. With Hello Fresh, I only get 300 grams for the same price, which is only enough for one dish. Hello Fresh argues: “This ensures less food waste,” but I don’t throw away the remaining potatoes otherwise, do I? The same applies to spices, sauces, etc.: I buy them once and then have enough to last a long time, instead of only being able to cook with them once. Hello Fresh creates an illusion of affordability that simply cannot exist. Conclusion Ultimately, everyone has to decide for themselves whether the Hello Fresh subscription is still worthwhile. Families with children may see things very differently from me and appreciate the fact that the service tells you what to cook and only delivers as much as you really need. For me personally, however, the concept no longer makes much sense. Especially since I’ve noticed that I can save a lot of money by keeping an eye out for special offers in supermarkets and buying in bulk (especially for non-perishable foods). How to cancel Hello Fresh Incidentally, cancelling your Hello Fresh subscription is not that easy. Unfortunately, you won’t find a button labelled “Cancel subscription” in the app, and simply pausing the delivery of the meal boxes is not enough. Instead, you have to contact customer service and initiate a cancellation, or follow the instructions on this page. Optionally, you can also specify a cancellation date and reason here. However, this is not mandatory. In any case, you must be the account holder in order to cancel. Read...

Southampton General Hospital is asking visitors to stay away and has cancelled outpatient appointments. Read...

António Guterres says the international body could run out of money by July due to members` unpaid fees. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Slim design and sturdy yet compact monitor stand Thunderbolt 5 connectivity with 96 watts of power Super-sharp 6K image with 224 pixels per inch Wide color gamut and great color accuracy Cons Frustrating menu system LG offers calibration software, but monitor doesn’t ship with a colorimeter No USB-A or Ethernet connectivity Our Verdict The LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S is a 6K monitor with great color performance and high-speed Thunderbolt 5, though it’s hampered by lackluster software and image quality configuration. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S Retailer Price $1,996.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The ranks of 6K monitors remain slim, but LG’s Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S adds another option. It separates itself from the alternatives with support for Thunderbolt 5, which includes a downstream port that can daisy-chain the connection to downstream displays or storage devices. It’s a good pick if you want to use Thunderbolt as a way to minimize cable clutter on your desk, but LG’s software support doesn’t stack up to the alternatives. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best monitors for comparison. LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S specs and features The highlight of the LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S is rather obvious. It’s the resolution. The 31.5-inch Nano IPS Black panel delivers a pixel count of 6144×3456. That’s a total of over 21 million pixels. Display size: 31.5-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 6144×3456 Panel type: Nano IPS Black Refresh rate: 60Hz Adaptive sync: None HDR: Yes, VESA DisplayHDR 600 Certified Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x Thunderbolt 5 / USB-C with DisplayPort and 96 watts of Power Delivery, 1x Thunderbolt 5 / USB-C DisplayPort MST-out (daisy chain), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 downstream Audio: Yes, speakers included Extra features: LG Calibration Studio Supported OS: Windows, MacOS Price: $1,999.99 MSRP It’s not all about resolution, though. The LG 32U990A-S also includes Thunderbolt 5 connectivity and a few downstream ports, which include DisplayPort-out and two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports. As you might expect, 6K resolution doesn’t come cheap, though your view on pricing may depend on your past experience with 6K displays. The LG 32U990A-S has a retail MSRP of $1,999.99 and so far has not received a significant discount. That’s a lot of money, and you can find some less expensive 6K alternatives, like the Asus ProArt PA32QCV. But other 6K monitors, such as the Dell U3224KB and of course the Apple Pro Display XDR, are much more expensive. LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S design The LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S makes a good first impression. It’s constructed primarily from silver plastics that have a smooth, premium finish, though the stand includes metal elements for weight and durability. While the back of the display panel is simple, smooth plastic, the rear of the stand has an attractive art-deco finish. It’s unusual and helps the monitor stand out from its competition. The stand also has a compact flat base keeps the monitor upright. Though it’s small, the stand felt stable on my desk. It allowed even less wobble or shake than most monitors in this price category. The stand adjusts for height, tilt, and rotates (pivots) 90 degrees for use in portrait mode. It doesn’t swivel, though, which is a downside. The monitor has a 100x100mm VESA mount for using with third-party monitor arms and stands. Matthew Smith / Foundry However, the stand is not a tool-free design. Two screws must be installed with a screwdriver to assemble it. That’s unusual, though not unheard of, and it makes setup ever-so-slightly more complex than normal. LG also ships the monitor with an external power supply. This too is not unusual for a high-end monitor, but the power supply is large and bulky (at roughly 8 x 4 x 1.5 inches), so beware if you have a tight spot below or beneath your desk for the power supply. On the plus side, keeping the power supply external helps LG deliver the monitor’s slim, sleek look. LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S connectivity While the LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S is a 6K monitor, it’s also a Thunderbolt 5 monitor, and for some shoppers that could be just as important. The LG 32U990A-S has three video inputs. One is the Thunderbolt 5 port with DisplayPort and 96 watts of Power Delivery. That 96-watt figure makes the display capable of powering all MacBook Pro models, though only mid-range Windows laptops. The Thunderbolt 5 port is flanked by an HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 port. The monitor also has a Thunderbolt 5 downstream port with DisplayPort MST. Because of this, the monitor is capable of daisy-chaining connections to multiple downstream devices, including monitors and storage.This is useful because it turns a single Thunderbolt 5 connection into several Thunderbolt 5 connections. You can, for example, make a Thunderbolt 5 connection from your laptop to the LG 32U990A-S, then daisy-chain from the LG 32U990A-S to a second Thunderbolt monitor, and then continue the chain from that second monitor to external Thunderbolt storage (or another peripheral).However, the monitor’s connectivity is otherwise so-so. It has two downstream USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connections, but no downstream USB-A and no Ethernet. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Dell U3224KB is otherwise a better all-in-one hub for connectivity, as it has many USB downstream ports, Ethernet, and more power delivery (140 watts). But, in fairness to LG, the Dell is $1,000 more expensive, and sticks to Thunderbolt 4. The LG 32U990A-S also has a KVM switch and picture-by-picture features for managing multiple connections. That, however, is standard for this type of monitor. Finally, you should know that all the monitor’s ports face towards the rear. This is in contrast to most monitors, which usually have ports that face down. Rear-facing ports are more accessible for connecting and disconnecting ports, and I generally like them, but they also make wall mounting difficult. LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S menus and features Unfortunately, the LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S is saddled with a bad menu system, and it left me frustrated. The on-screen menu system is controlled with a responsive joystick tucked behind the center bezel. So far, so good. However, the menus themselves are not adequate. While the monitor does provide some decent image quality presets, including DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB modes, it doesn’t provide fine-grain, precise control of color temperature and gamma settings. That’s a disappointment. Annoyingly, the menu system appears vertically on the right side of the display. It feels rather odd when using the controls, as they are centered. It’s a system that would make more sense with a remote control, but the 32U990A-S doesn’t have one. Matthew Smith / Foundry LG also provides software utilities. This includes LG Switch, which is used to control some monitor settings and to switch between displays, including LG webOS displays. It’s okay, but not as feature rich (in terms of image quality features) as similar software from BenQ, Dell, and Asus. Calibration can be handled in LG’s Calibration Studio software. The LG 32U990A-S does not ship with a hardware calibrator, though, so you have to provide your own. That in turn makes the usefulness of the software suspect. After all, colorimeters ship with their own software, and I really can’t think of a reason to use the LG Calibration Studio software instead of the software shipped with your colorimeter of choice. And to add insult to injury, the LG Calibration Studio software was finicky about detecting a connected PC, so I found it unreliable in practice. Competitors like Dell and BenQ justify their own calibration software with additional features including built-in colorimeter hardware and the ability to manage multiple monitors remotely, which is useful if you need to calibrate all monitors on your desk or in a studio. But the LG 32U990A-S doesn’t provide these features. The LG 32U990A-S includes a light sensor for automatic brightness adjustment. This is a good feature to have, however, it doesn’t work well here. I found the automatic brightness adjustment was often too dim, and I couldn’t find a feature to manually adjust how the automatic brightness functioned. LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S audio A pair of speakers are bundled in the LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S, though LG’s specifications don’t say anything specific about their capabilities. To me, they sound like a basic pair of speakers in the 2- to 3-watt range. Audio quality is passable for podcasts or ambient music played at low volume, but the speakers lack the bass and volume to provide real impact. External speakers or headphones are recommended. LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S SDR image quality The LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S is a 31.5-inch 6K monitor which, of course, means it provides superior sharpness. However, there’s more to the monitor than that. LG touts the display as a go-to choice for prosumers and creative professionals, and while the monitor’s menu system and software don’t live up to that, the monitor’s image quality certainly does. Matthew Smith / Foundry First up is brightness, and here the LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S delivers a strong maximum SDR brightness result of 480 nits. Although this is not the brightest, it’s extremely bright, and it is also far more than what would ever normally be required for a computer monitor. Still, this is good news if you were planning to use the monitor in a bright environment. What’s less encouraging, though, is the monitor’s display finish. It’s a sort of semi-gloss coat that diffuses reflections, but the presence of reflections on the screen is still more noticeable than I’d like. It’s not on par with the matte finish of BenQ’s DesignVue monitors, or close to Apple’s Nano-Texture finish. Matthew Smith / Foundry Next we have contrast, where the LG 32U990A-S delivered a contrast ratio of 1500:1. That’s a bit lower than I had expected, given that the monitor has a Nano IPS Black panel. Still, it’s a mid-pack result and not bad for a modern IPS display. As with most LCD monitors, the LG 32U990A-S will show backlight glow when dark scenes are viewed in a dark environment. This is most noticeable when watching movies, streaming shows, or playing games. For that reason, people looking for a monitor that’s great for both work and play should consider an OLED alternative (though, unfortunately, no 6K OLED monitor is available to date). Matthew Smith / Foundry Now we come to color gamut, and this is where the LG 32U990A-S really comes through. The monitor delivered a color gamut that spans 96 percent of DCI-P3 and 100 percent of AdobeRGB, as well as 82 percent of Rec.2020. As the graph shows, these are excellent results even when compared to other prosumer and professional monitors, which already tend to deliver excellent color performance. Indeed, only a handful of monitors I’ve ever tested deliver a wide color gamut. This translates to a vivid, saturated image, and it also means you can work in wide color gamuts with confidence that you’re seeing a very wide swath of the colors that gamut is supposed to provide. Matthew Smith / Foundry In addition to a wide color gamut, the LG 32U990A-S has great color accuracy with an average color error of only 0.73. Importantly, no error was over a value of 2, so all of the colors tested were extremely accurate.While some other monitors are even more accurate, all the monitors in this comparison are leaders in color accuracy. It’s a tough crowd. In actual use, I found the LG 32U990A-S delivered color that appeared realistic. My only complaint about the LG’s color performance concerns its default color temperature, which I recorded at 7000K. That’s quite a bit off the preferred default target of 6500K, and it results in a color temperature that skews blue and sterile. The monitor does provide color temperature modes, but as mentioned earlier, these don’t claim to hit specific color temperature values in degrees Kelvin. You may need software calibration to dial it in. The monitor doesn’t have gamma settings that claim specific gamma values, either, but the monitor was able to provide a default gamma curve of 2.2, which was where I like to see it. Of course, sharpness is also a major strength of the LG 32U990A-S. The monitor’s 6144×3456 resolution, spread across a 31.5-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, translates to a pixel density of 224 pixels per inch. For comparison, a 27-inch 4K monitor has about 163 pixels per inch—so the 6K monitor’s leap in sharpness is quite significant. Whether the added sharpness is visible or significant will depend on your needs, however. Personally, I can tell a difference in sharpness from 4K to 6K, and I do like it—but I wouldn’t call it a must-have.However, the added resolution can have benefits besides sharpness. If you work with 4K video, for example, a 6K monitor makes it possible to view a 4K preview in your video editing software without entering a full-screen mode. Similarly, it helps photographers work with very high resolution photos with less use of zoom. LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S HDR image quality The LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S supports HDR and is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified. Testing the monitor’s HDR performance quickly showed that certification is earned, as the monitor reached a maximum HDR brightness of 748 nits—a great result. Keep in mind, however, that this monitor lacks a way to effectively control dynamic contrast across the display panel. Bright objects in a scene tend to up the brightness of the whole scene, even if they occupy only a small portion of it. The lack of contrast is a major limitation and degrades HDR image quality. HDR can be bright, but won’t necessarily show all the luminance detail expected of an HDR display. As such, I wouldn’t recommend using the HDR for movies and games. I also wouldn’t recommend it if you primarily create content in HDR. If you only need to occasionally view HDR to get a general idea of how it looks, though, the LG 32U990A-S is acceptable. LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S motion performance Given its 6K display resolution, it shouldn’t come as a shock to hear the LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S sticks to a 60Hz refresh rate. While a higher refresh rate might be nice, it would prove impractical in many situations. The IPS panel also provides modest quoted pixel response times of 5 milliseconds (the best IPS panels quote a millisecond or less). In short, the monitor’s motion performance is mediocre. Fast moving objects show a lot of ghosting and fast camera pans across scenes can make details in the scene hard to discern. Scrolling text is also difficult to read. None of this is a mark against the monitor, because it’s true of all 6K monitors at present. Still, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re also considering 4K alternatives, as you can find 4K monitors with far better motion clarity. Is the LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S worth it? The LG Ultrafine Evo 32U990A-S is a competitive choice in the increasingly crowded arena of 6K monitors. It provides great color performance and color accuracy, as well as Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. The monitor makes some mistakes in usability, as it has a poorly implemented menu system, and LG’s software utilities are not on par with the competition. Still, if you want a 6K monitor with great image quality and plan to rely on Thunderbolt for connectivity, the 32U990A-S is a solid choice. 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TL;DR: Microsoft Visio 2021 is available for a one-time $9.97 through Feb. 8, a steep drop from its usual $249.99 price. Anyone who has tried to build a real flowchart in PowerPoint or wrangle a diagram in a general design app knows how quickly things fall apart. Microsoft Visio exists specifically to solve that problem, and right now it’s available for $9.97 (reg. $249.99) for a lifetime license, but only through Feb. 8. Visio is Microsoft’s dedicated diagramming software, built for people who work with processes, systems, and structured data. It comes packed with professional templates and thousands of shapes for creating flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, floor plans, timelines, and more. Instead of forcing boxes and arrows to behave, Visio gives you tools that snap, align, and scale the way technical diagrams actually need to. One of its biggest strengths is its ability to work with data. You can generate diagrams directly from Excel, connect visuals to live data sources, and update charts automatically as information changes. It also supports industry standards such as BPMN 2.0 and UML 2.5, making it especially useful for IT teams, analysts, engineers, and project managers. Get Microsoft Visio 2021 for $9.97 while this pricing lasts through Feb. 8. Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for WindowsSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Microsoft users are reporting a particularly difficult-to-detect scam: phishing emails sent from a genuine Microsoft email address that’s classified as “trustworthy” by the company itself. The emails appear to be official, but they’re demanding high-value payments and leading victims straight into a scam trap. Beware of scam emails from an official Microsoft email address The scam emails are being sent from no-reply-powerbi@microsoft.com, which is a genuine Microsoft email address that’s used for notifications for Power BI (an analysis and collaboration tool). On this support page, Microsoft even explicitly recommends allowing this sender email address to bypass your spam filter so that important system messages aren’t blocked. Cybercriminals are now exploiting this trust. The scam emails allegedly bring up unauthorized charges (via Ars Technica), usually in the amount of $400 to $700 USD. To stop the supposed payment, recipients are asked to call a specified telephone number as quickly as possible—a classic pressure tactic to provoke hasty reactions and one of the biggest red flags of a phishing scam email. Anyone who dials the number gets connected to someone who’s impersonating an Microsoft employee. They ask the recipient to install remote maintenance software to fix the problem. In reality, this gives the scammer complete access to the vicitm’s computer, allowing them to spy on activity, steal data, and even install further malware. In other words, the actual scam doesn’t take place via email but during the telephone conversation afterwards. This makes it considerably more difficult for spam filters to detect automatically. How scammers are misusing Microsoft Power BI to trick victims The whole phishing attack is made possible by a legitimate feature of Microsoft Power BI. When creating a dashboard, any email address can be added as a participant. Power BI then automatically sends a notification to those addresses via the official Microsoft address. The crucial point, though, is that the content of this notification email can be freely defined. Cybercriminals therefore only need valid recipient email addresses to send deceptively genuine payment alerts. Although the email technically comes from Microsoft, the text is completely controlled by the attackers. The actual indication that this is merely an invitation to a Power BI dashboard is only at the end of the message—very easy to overlook or miss. Security researchers point out that this method is particularly effective because it doesn’t contain any malicious links or attachments, plus the sender domain is considered trustworthy. Most of the reports so far have come from the US. However, it’s likely that this will spread to other regions, as similar attempts at abuse have been seen on other large platforms in the past. What you should do To stay safe, remain particularly vigilant against phishing scams: Double-check all payment requests carefully, even if the sender’s email address appears to be genuine. Read the email completely from start to finish. Don’t call any telephone numbers from unsolicited emails. Never install remote maintenance software when requested by a support team, especially over email or telephone. Only settle outstanding invoices via your official Microsoft account or through verified support channels. As a general rule, Microsoft doesn’t contact users by phone or remote access to request payment for unauthorized charges. Read...

Rapid7 appoints veteran cyber leader Simon Ractliffe as APJ general manager to drive regional growth and deepen Microsoft-focused security. Read...