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| PC World - 31 minutes ago (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsAttractive design with compact standEasy-to-navigate menus with remote controlExcellent video connectivityGood all-around SDR and HDR image qualityConsExpensive for a 1440p, 240Hz OLED monitorUSB-C power supports limited Power DeliveryQD-OLED peers beat it in SDRHDR image quality has some rough edgesOur VerdictThe ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED benefits from practical design and tons of ports, but it can’t beat less expensive OLED monitors on image quality.
2024 is clearly the year of gorgeous OLED gaming monitors, but this sudden explosion in options leaves gamers facing many choices with nearly identical specifications. ViewSonic’s XG272-2K-OLED stands apart from the alternatives with a semi-gloss LG WOLED panel and gobs of connectivity, though these features unfortunately bump up the price.
Further reading: Best gaming monitors 2024: Level up your display
ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED: Specs & features
The ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED is yet another 27-inch OLED monitor with 2560×1440 resolution. This is essentially the industry standard among 27-inch OLED monitors (for now, at least). However, the XG272-2K-OLED is part of a new wave of monitors with an LG WOLED panel instead of Samsung’s QD-OLED.
Display size: 27-inch widescreen
Native resolution: 2560×1440
Panel type: Glossy WOLED
Refresh rate: Up to 240Hz
Adaptive Sync: Adaptive Sync 240, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Nvidia G-Sync
HDR: Yes, HDR10
Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C (upstream), 1x USB-B (upstream), 3x USB-A (downstream), 1x 3.5mm audio-out
VESA mount: 100mm x 100mm
Speakers: Yes, 2x 3-watt stereo speakers
Price: $899.99 MSRP
It also differs from competitors on connectivity. Most monitors in this category have three or four video inputs and skip USB-C, but the ViewSonic includes two HDMI 2.1, two DisplayPort, and USB-C, plus three USB-A downstream ports. That’s far better than average, though it’s reflected in the monitor’s $899.99 MSRP.
ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED: Design
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
The ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED is available only in an attractive sheer white colorway that seems to split the difference between gaming and professional monitor design. It pairs a customizable RGB light and swooping vents with a conventional panel shape and small, unobtrusive stand. The result isn’t as cohesive as design leaders like the Alienware AW2725DF or Samsung’s new Odyssey OLED G8, but it’s eye-catching.
As mentioned, the XG272 is graced with a compact stand that minimizes the monitor’s footprint on your desk. It’s flat, too, so the desk space it occupies remains usable. The stand has a small cut-out for the monitor’s remote control (more on that in a bit) and provides significant ergonomic adjustment including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. The monitor also has a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount for attaching a third-party monitor stand or arm.
ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED: Connectivity and menus
ViewSonic doesn’t skimp on the XG272-2K-OLED’s connectivity. On the contrary, it might be the best reason to buy the monitor.
It has two HDMI 2.1 ports, two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, and one USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 15 watts of Power Delivery. That’s a total of five video inputs, all of which support the monitor’s maximum resolution and refresh rate.
The monitor also has three downstream USB-A ports, which is excellent. Most competitors have two USB-A ports or, in some cases, none at all. The USB-A ports can be accessed over the USB-C port, which makes the XG272 a useful USB hub for a laptop, or over a USB-B connection, which is useful for connecting a desktop PC. The USB-C ports limited Power Delivery is a downside, though, as it’s not enough to reliably charge even the most miserly laptops.
ViewSonic’s on-screen menu system is logically arranged and well-labeled, though the font is a bit small. It can be accessed with a joystick centered on the lower bezel or the bundled remote control. The remote is an excellent feature for people who plan to change settings quickly, and the stand even includes a nook for the remote. However, the remote felt cheap and didn’t respond quickly to input. The remotes paired with some BenQ Mobiuz and Samsung M8 monitors are more responsive.
The on-screen menu offers significant image quality customization, but I wasn’t happy with some of ViewSonic’s decisions. Color temperature customization is included, but the color temperature settings have vague labels instead of numerical values (the manual clarifies this, but the overall range of preset color temperature adjustment is less than ideal). Gamma adjustment wasn’t available, and the monitor also lacks DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB presets. Six-axis color saturation adjustment is available, however.
Gamers will find a lot to dig into. The monitor has a black stabilizer feature (which increases the brightness of dark areas of the display to make foes easier to see). It also has a crosshair and several custom aspect ratio modes including a 24-inch 16:9 mode and 19-inch 4:3 mode. There’s also several VRR and BFI settings, which I’ll discuss in the motion clarity section of this review.
A pair of three-watt speakers are included, but they’re not great. The speakers are better understood as a back-up for situations where other speakers are unavailable than a sound system you’d want to use day-to-day.
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED: SDR image quality
The ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED has an LG WOLED panel similar to the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG though, unlike the Asus, ViewSonic opts for an anti-glare finish. The XG272’s overall performance is similar to the ROG Strix XG27AQDMG and tends to slightly lag QD-OLED monitors in SDR content, though the difference is often so slim that most gamers wouldn’t notice it.
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
First up is brightness, and here the ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED reached a disappointing peak brightness of 180 nits in SDR. That’s low even among OLED monitors, which tend towards a much lower peak brightness in SDR than most monitors.
ViewSonic advertises up to 250 nits, and I was able to get close to that figure in some of the monitor’s image quality presets, such as the Vibrant mode. However, the presets that offer a higher level of brightness aren’t very attractive, and I wasn’t able to reach over 200 nits in the standard image mode even with the monitor’s energy saving features turned off.
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
Contrast is a traditional strength of OLED, as the technology can achieve a “perfect” black level of zero nits. Put differently, an OLED panel can reduce the brightness of each individual pixel to zero, and do so independently of any adjacent pixel. The result is a realistic, immersive look that’s well-suited to games, movies, photographs, and content creation.
But this perk is shared by all modern OLED monitors. I haven’t tested all the OLED monitors available right now, but I’ve tried quite a few, and all monitor’s I’ve tried with panels from the most recent generations of Samsung QD-OLED and LG WOLED technology have excellent contrast.
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
The XG272’s color gamut spanned 100 percent of sRGB, 95 percent of the DCI-P3 and 91 percent of AdobeRGB. These are excellent results and on par with the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, but behind QD-OLED monitors like the Alienware AW2725DF.
In practice, I don’t think the XG272’s color gamut will be an obstacle for gamers, but content creators should keep it in mind. The XG272’s gamut is good, but QD-OLED monitors with better performance are available at the same price.
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
Color accuracy is another sore spot, as the XG272 comes in behind QD-OLED monitors. Its performance is more similar to the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, which also has a WOLED panel.
As with color gamut, the XG272’s color accuracy is still sufficient to provide an attractive, alluring image. I doubt most people, myself included, would ever notice an issue without close study of test images and calibration results. Still, the XG272 is not the best option if out-of-box color accuracy is important to you.
The XG272’s color issues are reinforced by its color temperature and gamma results. The monitor’s default color temperature came in at 6900K, which is cooler than the preferred target of 6500K. I also measured a gamma curve of 2.1, below the target of 2.2, which means content will look slightly brighter and more luminous than it should (though the difference is too small to notice in many situations). ViewSonic provides options to calibrate color temperature and gamma but, as mentioned earlier, the specifics of the monitor’s controls make it a bit difficult to tune these aspects of image quality. Calibration software may be required to dial in the image.
Sharpness is an issue. Pixelation and color fringing was noticeable when reading small fonts and along some high-contrast borders in productivity software (it’s especially noticeable in Microsoft Excel). All current 27-inch 1440p OLED monitors share this problem, which is caused by the unusual subpixel layout used by Samsung QD-OLED and LG WOLED panels. Monitors with a higher resolution, like the 32-inch 4K Alienware AW3225QF, tend to side-step this problem, but it remains an issue at 1440p. With that said, I felt the XG272 was ever-so-slightly better than the ROG Strix XG27AQDMG.
On balance, the ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED’s SDR image quality is excellent but behind the best QD-OLED monitors, such as the Alienware AW2725DF. The reality is that any of the OLED monitors listed in the graphs above will deliver a jaw-dropping improvement if you’re upgrading from an older IPS-LCD or VA-LCD panel. Still, the benchmarks matter, and the XG272 suffers several minor defeats when compared to its peers.
ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED: HDR image quality
The ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED delivered remarkable brightness in HDR tests. It achieved a maximum brightness of 1064 nits in a 10 percent window, meaning 10 percent of the display was lit (the rest displayed a uniform black image at zero nits). It also hit 541 nits in a 50 percent window and sustained 249 nits when the entire display was lit.
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
These are excellent results. The XG272’s peak brightness in a 10 percent window beats the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, which hit 724 nits, and obliterates the Alienware AW2725DF. In fact, the XG272 sets a new record for OLED monitor brightness in a 10 percent window. However, the Asus monitor was brighter when 50 percent of 100 percent of the display was lit.
While these figures are excellent, I was less impressed by the XG272’s real-world performance. The test clips I use for evaluating this, which includes the “Gargantua” scene from Interstellar and the “Into the Storm” scene from Mad Max: Fury Road, showed less detail in bright areas of the scene than with the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG.
I also noticed the XG272 struggled with SDR apps when HDR was turned on. The image was desaturated and gamma scaling was all over the map, which caused SDR apps to appear too dark. The XG272 didn’t detect when I flipped HDR on or off in the Windows 11 settings, either, so I had to select the monitor’s HDR mode.
The XG272’s HDR performance is a bit of a mix as a result. Though it can reach an excellent level of HDR brightness, the monitor’s HDR implementation is rough around the edges, and the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG remains a better choice for HDR content.
ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED: Motion performance
Gamers will enjoy the ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED’s maximum refresh rate of 240Hz and lightning-quick gray-to-gray pixel response times of just 0.02 milliseconds. These traits provide an exceptionally clear, crisp image. Small, fast objects are easy to track. Scrolling test images from DOTA 2 and League of Legends showed that fine elements, like character names and hit point bars, are legible while scrolling across the map, though clarity still has room for improvement.
The monitor has a black frame insertion (BFI) feature that can flicker the display at high frequencies to reduce perceived motion clarity. Unfortunately, it only operates up to a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes the features less useful. I didn’t notice much difference in clarity between 120Hz with BFI on and 240Hz with BFI off, which was also true of the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG. However, this feature might still be useful if you’re playing a demanding game that can achieve a frame rate above 120 frames per second.
Adaptive Sync is supported, as well, and the XG272 has official support for Nvidia G-Sync Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Competing monitors also tend to work with both, but some manufacturers don’t bother with certification. Official support for both standards provides some peace of mind for gamers.
ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED: Conclusion
The ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED is a strong WOLED monitor with several features that could make it alluring to specific gamers. It has lots of connectivity, including a USB-C port and several USB-A ports. ViewSonic also provides a compact ergonomic stand and a remote control. These features inflate the price, however, and the XG272’s overall image quality isn’t better than less expensive competitors like the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG. That narrows the ViewSonic’s appeal. But if you need a lot of connectivity, or you spot the monitor on sale for a price closer to its competition, the XG272 is a solid choice.
Monitors Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | Stuff.co.nz - 5:05AM (Stuff.co.nz)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) A new centenarian shares her thoughts on her 100 years, naming technology the biggest change, and life more fast-paced than when she was younger. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Stuff.co.nz | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 2:35AM (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsSmooth and precise movementButtons galoreA solid and supportive bodyWeighty but in a good wayConsIt collects fingerprints, which downgrades its look at timesIt’s expensiveThe maximum polling rate is just 1,000HzOur VerdictThe Razer Basilisk Ultimate dishes out luxury at every turn. Its solid and comfortable feel, precise movement, generous button configuration, and gorgeous RGB lighting all make it an excellent option for MMO gamers.
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The $179 Razer Basilisk Ultimate isn’t the cheapest wireless gaming mouse you can find, but there’s definitely something to be said for enjoying the kind of decadent luxury it provides. A generous 11 button configuration offers plenty of commands for gamers. It also sports a smooth glide, solid feel and precise sensor. That’s gold for anyone wanting optimal performance and genuine comfort for hours on end.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best wireless gaming mice to learn about competing products.
Razer Basilisk Ultimate design and build
But there’s more to the Razer Basilisk Ultimate than just a solid feel and smooth glide. That sense of luxury you get from this mouse is heighted by its 3.73-ounce (106-gram) weight, which bestows a real presence in your grip. Yes, it’s weighty, but it doesn’t feel at all sluggish, I’m happy to report.
The Basilisk Ultimate gives you very precise control of movement. You can shift direction on a whim. It’s nice and grippy thanks to bumpy areas on both its thumb rest and right-hand side. What’s more, there’s virtually no friction thanks to well-placed PTFE feet.
That sense of luxury you get from this mouse is heighted by its weight, which bestows a real presence in your grip.
Being a Basilisk mouse, the Ultimate’s shape resembles the Razer Basilisk V3, which currently has the distinction of sporting the “best mouse wheel” in our PCWorld’s roundup of the best gaming mice. Some gamers may find the Ultimate’s design a bit angular. But I really liked the elevation my index finger had on the left main button — it always felt poised and ready to fire
At first the Ultimate’s scroll wheel felt a little too precise for me. It grinded when I turned it, registering each millimeter. But that was before I discovered a dial on the underside that allowed me to adjust how easily it turned. In the end I found a friction setting that worked nicely for changing weapons and scrolling through my game menus that wasn’t so tight.
The Razer Basilisk Ultimate has a convenient charging dock.
The Razer Basilisk Ultimate has a convenient charging dock.
Dominic Bayley / IDG
The Razer Basilisk Ultimate has a convenient charging dock.
Dominic Bayley / IDG
Dominic Bayley / IDG
The larger dimensions appeal to me a little more than the V3’s smaller size. The mouse measures 5.11 x 2.75 x 1.65 inches. If the V3 is like a Cadillac, then the Basilisk Ultimate is like a spacious Chevy pickup truck that you can stretch out on and adopt a more relaxed grip.
Among the 11 programmable buttons, four are contained in the mouse’s Tilt wheel. Then there’s three buttons on the left and handy DPI up/down switcher buttons behind the mouse wheel. The rest of the buttons can be found on the mouse’s underside.
Razer Basilisk Ultimate connectivity and battery life
The Basilisk Ultimate uses Razer’s Hyperspeed wireless technology for its Wi-Fi connectivity. To that end you get a very small wireless dongle in the box. There’s no Bluetooth connectivity, which is unusual for a mouse of this weight.
There’s not one, but two ways you can store the mouse’s dongle — either in the discreet storage compartment on the underside, or in a slot at the top of the mouse’s charging dock. That dock is a nice and compact size, being only as big as my thumb. It easily fit in a tight gap on my desk.
Charging the mouse was as simple as resting it on top of its dock. Doing so renders it spaceship-like in appearance, which most gamers are going to get a kick out of.
The mouse’s battery life is very good. You can expect it to last approximately 100 hours if you switch off the RGB lighting — otherwise it’ll run 30 to 40 hours with the lighting switched on.
Razer Basilisk Ultimate gaming performance
What kind of gaming does the Razer Basilisk Ultimate excel at? I’d have to say MMO and MOBA games, where I really appreciated its full-handed feeling and thorough selection of commands.
The mouse’s 20,000 DPI Razer Focus+ Optical Sensor is very quick off the mark. It supports a polling rate of 1,000Hz, which isn’t the fastest Razer has to offer, but for MMOs it was more than sufficient in my playtesting for tracking foes and launching spells.
I’ve always found heavier mice ideal for wielding swords and axes in MMOs. Wafery FPS mice just don’t cut it for me, feeling less tangible than heavier mice for that kind of play. But the Ultimate’s weightiness excelled at delivering a feeling of realism to my play.
You can set the resistance in the Razer Basilisk Ultimate’s scroll wheel via a dial on its underside.
You can set the resistance in the Razer Basilisk Ultimate’s scroll wheel via a dial on its underside.
Dominic Bayley / IDG
You can set the resistance in the Razer Basilisk Ultimate’s scroll wheel via a dial on its underside.
Dominic Bayley / IDG
Dominic Bayley / IDG
That was especially the case in Gloria Victis, which not only has plenty of attacks, but also lots of parrying; with the Ultimate in hand, the clink of metal against metal felt palpable, as if I was actually holding them in my palm.
The Ultimate’s main buttons are very soft and quick. Their centers are concave, so they held my trigger fingers better than most mice I know. A slight gradient gave me leverage to pull off some very speedy clicks. However, that speed did occasionally mean I miss-clicked at times — something to watch out for in this mouse.
One really novel feature is the sensitivity clutch near the mouse’s left thumb. It let me switch DPI levels that were stages apart and then return to my DPI starting point without having to cycle back through each DPI setting.
There was very little I didn’t like about this mouse, but one small peeve was that the chassis got a little foggy with fingerprints from time to time. So, you’ll want to keep a cloth handy to keep it smudge free.
Razer Basilisk Ultimate software
The Razer Basilisk Ultimate has five onboard memory profiles, which you can map out in the Razer Synapse app. As well as a top layer of commands, you can program an extra layer to your buttons using Razer’s Hypershift functionality, so you have options galore.
The Basilisk Ultimate can be as flashy as you want it to be thanks to its 14 zones of RGB lighting. These can be tweaked in Razer Synapse, but for a deeper level of personalization, Razer’s Chroma Studio is where to go. Here you can personalize your choice of colors and add cool effects that really liven up your desk.
Razer Chroma Studio allows you to personalize the Basilisk Ultimate’s many RGB lighting zones.
Razer Chroma Studio allows you to personalize the Basilisk Ultimate’s many RGB lighting zones. Dominic Bayley / IDG
Razer Chroma Studio allows you to personalize the Basilisk Ultimate’s many RGB lighting zones. Dominic Bayley / IDG
Dominic Bayley / IDG
Should you buy the Razer Basilisk Ultimate?
We all deserve a taste of extravagance from time to time and the Ultimate dishes that out in spades, albeit for a premium price. Its advanced glide, precise movement, and comfortable thumb rest add up to provide a feeling of superior control.
Throw in a precise sensor and functionality that’s supported by an excellent software app, and this mouse is really a no-brainer for gamers that like the finer things money can buy. That’s especially true for gamers that need a mouse with lots of commands.
Mice Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 16 Jun (PC World)We’ve tested a lot of internal SSDs over the last decade or so, and the improvement to the technology has been astounding. The ongoing advancements in SSDs keep us on our toes and our testing methodology has evolved accordingly. Here’s how it stands at the moment.
What hardware does PCWorld use for testing internal storage?
Our current test platform features all of the latest transport technologies: USB 3.2×2 (20Gbps), Thunderbolt 4, PCIe 5.0. There is no discrete USB 4 port, so we test that using the Thunderbolt 4 ports, which do support that protocol.
The operating system is Windows 11 (22H2) 64-bit (updates are disabled) running on an X790 (PCIe 5.0) motherboard/Core i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 modules (64GB of memory total). Intel integrated graphics are used rather than a discrete GPU card.
The PCWorld storage test bed. The riser card is a PCIe 5.0 M.2 add-on.
The PCWorld storage test bed. The riser card is a PCIe 5.0 M.2 add-on.
The PCWorld storage test bed. The riser card is a PCIe 5.0 M.2 add-on.
An ImDisk RAM disk using 58GB of the 64GB total system memory is used for the 48GB transfer tests and is allotted 58GB of the 64GB total system memory. The operating system runs off of a Samsung 990 Pro 2TB, which is also the source for larger test files.
While we rarely cover internal hard drives these days, when we do, the same basic test methodology is employed.
What tests does PCWorld run on internal SSDs?
The synthetic benchmarks we consistently employ are CrystalDiskMark 8 (64GB data set) and AS SSD 2 (10GB data set). These have delivered the most consistent results over the years, plus we have a huge library of results that can be directly compared. However, we will also run ATTO and/or IOmeter to check vendor claims of optimization for certain workloads.
The fastest PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs can perform like this on benchmarks, but real-world performance under Window is about a third of this.
The fastest PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs can perform like this on benchmarks, but real-world performance under Window is about a third of this.
The fastest PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs can perform like this on benchmarks, but real-world performance under Window is about a third of this.
The issue with synthetic benchmarks is that, as of late, the numbers they spit out far outstrip anything you’ll see in the real world. That’s not to throw shade on these worthy tools; it’s simply that they do their own I/O. In real life you’re stuck with what Windows provides — which is comparatively primitive in not taking advantage of NVMe’s advanced features such as multiple queues.
So, to mirror what users will see in the progress bars while copying data, we transfer a 48GB set of files and folders as well as a single 48GB file to and from the drive we’re testing. The aforementioned RAM disk is employed as the source for writes and the destination for reads to minimize lag impact on the results.
Alas, NVMe SSDs are approaching the point where they’re almost as fast as main memory, so how much longer a RAM disk will be useful is a concern.
We also write a much larger 450GB file; that’s to see how the SSD behaves when it runs out of cache. That my friends, requires a bit of explaining.
How does SSD technology affect PCWorld’s testing?
To comprehend why testing SSDs isn’t as straightforward as kicking the tires of traditional HDDs, tape, optical, etc., you need to understand a bit about the medium.
All SSDs use NAND non-volatile memory to store data. This started as simple on/off SLC (Single-Level Cell) NAND with only one voltage level per cell (charged, not charged). However, to increase storage density, NAND evolved to MLC (Multi-Level Cell/2-bit) with four possible voltage levels, then TLC (Triple-Level Cell/3-bit) with eight possible voltage levels, and now sometimes QLC (Quad-Level Cell/4-bit) with 16 possible voltage levels.
The issue with multiple voltage levels is that it takes far longer to make sure the correct voltage was indeed written. This error checking makes denser NAND slow if you write at its native bit depth.
To circumvent this performance road block, SSD controllers will instead allot (fixed or on the fly) a certain portion of NAND to be written as on/off SLC. The SLC blocks are later rewritten natively to other NAND as MLC/TLC/QLC when the drive has time.
A Phison designed NVMe SSD with both DRAM for caching and NAND.
A Phison designed NVMe SSD with both DRAM for caching and NAND.
A Phison designed NVMe SSD with both DRAM for caching and NAND.
How this secondary caching (many drives use DRAM, and more recently system memory, as primary caching) is handled determines how well an SSD will perform under a heavy load.
As mentioned, this is the reason we write a 450GB file to the SSD — to run it out of secondary cache, or see how well it allots more on the fly. If the write rate never drops during the 450GB write, we’ll write another 900GB file immediately after to get to the actual native write rate.
This is somewhat of a tempest in a teapot for the average user who will rarely write enough data to experience the slowdowns we’re talking about. But it is a key differentiator for users who bang hard on their SSDs all day long, such as videographers and the like.
Comparisons and ratings
Generally, our charts will feature the drive being reviewed, and a few carefully chosen competitors with similar components. However, we do maintain a master spreadsheet with the results of every drive we’ve tested on the current test bed. Our overall rating is derived from a combination of a drive’s placement in the benchmark (CrystalDiskMark and AS SSD) and real-world transfer results, weighted slightly towards the latter.
CrystalDiskMark 8 sequential transfer chart showing competing products.
CrystalDiskMark 8 sequential transfer chart showing competing products.
CrystalDiskMark 8 sequential transfer chart showing competing products.
We only publish AS SSD results if there’s an aberration with CrystalDiskMark 8. This is for brevity and consistency so readers can compare results across reviews more quickly and easily.
As we rate on only a 10-point system (half stars up to 5), it’s not always possible to differentiate between a great product and an almost-great product using that alone. Therefore, you should take a look at the actual results charts, and read the review in its entirety before making a buying decision.
Or, you can just look for the Editors’ choice label, which indicates what we’d buy — all things being equal. Often price will be your deciding factor among the SSDs that receive a 4.5 or higher rating.
Computer Storage Devices, Storage Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 15 Jun (PC World)Everyone knows the CAPCHA tests on websites where you either have to click on numerous pictures of cars, traffic lights, or bicycles, enter confusing combinations of numbers and letters or simply click to confirm that you’re not a robot. There used to be so many of these tests that it was downright annoying, especially if you needed several attempts.
But have you ever asked yourself whether a robot or an AI could also pass these tests? How does the CAPTCHA know that it was filled in by a human? And what does the term even stand for? Let’s clear up this mystery.
What does CAPTCHA stand for?
The word CAPTCHA stands for “completely automated public Turing Test to tell computers and humans apart” and is therefore a term for an automated, public Turing Test to distinguish humans from computers.
The term Turing Test was coined by Alan Turing, a British mathematician and computer scientist who wanted to use certain methods to test whether machines can think and act like humans. Turing tests can also be used to test AIs for creativity and awareness.
CAPTCHAs have been around since 2000 and are deliberately designed to sound similar to “capture,” as they are primarily used to intercept and filter out bots on websites, for example to avoid spam or prevent automated purchases by bots.
How does a CAPTCHA test work?
CAPTCHAs are usually quite simple, but always require you to fulfil a task. Sometimes you have to recognize certain letters and numbers that have been distorted and enter them manually. In other cases, you have to recognize certain patterns on pictures such as the existence of traffic lights, bridges, or animals.
The tests are always randomized. After reloading the website, a different task should appear each time. This is intended to avoid repetition, which would make it easier for bots to circumvent the system.
It used to be difficult for computers to solve CAPTCHAs, as certain algorithms had to be built in to reliably recognize patterns. However, the constant progress in the use of artificial intelligence has now made it possible for bots to solve these tests easily.
Captcha tests like these are kept very simple and can also be solved by bots.
Captcha tests like these are kept very simple and can also be solved by bots. ninefotostudio / Shutterstock.com
Captcha tests like these are kept very simple and can also be solved by bots. ninefotostudio / Shutterstock.com
ninefotostudio / Shutterstock.com
So, how does Captcha know that I’m not a robot?
This brings us to the previous question of how CAPTCHAs can still work today, even if they’re generally used less frequently than in the past.
There’s a simple solution to this: moving the mouse. Modern CAPTCHAs use movement tracking to track the movement of the cursor. When a person moves the mouse, the route of the cursor is practically never the same. The movement is never the same speed. Bots, on the other hand, automatically click on CAPTCHA boxes or images in a perfect straight line (for example, from bottom to top directly to the box). Websites can recognize this and block access.
Occasionally, you may have to click on a box that says “I am not a robot” and then solve a more complex CAPTCHA with images again. This is because your mouse movement might’ve been more “robotic.” So next time, try a little more swerving to make it clear that you’re a human.
Science & Technology Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 14 Jun (PC World)Modern gaming laptops are technological modern marvels. The amount of hardware packed into a small form factor can outpace even the best desktops of years past. With such stringent high-performance and tight tolerances, the right suite of software programs can have a surprising impact on your usability. While gaming laptops have specific software built-in from the manufacturer that you should be acquainted with, there’s plenty left to explore.
We’ll take you through some of the basics you should be aware of with modern gaming laptops. These programs not only will add to your experience, but many of them are also free. Performance monitors, CPU tweaks, and utility programs augment the already impressive capabilities of your machine. These can help you understand the performance under the hood, a critical tool for future upgrade decisions.
Further reading: Best gaming laptops 2024: What to look for and highest-rated models
Built-in software
Our first stop is the built-in suite of software your gaming laptop comes with. These programs will often give you fine-tuning control of power profiles and fan speeds at a minimum. RGB controls and even CPU or GPU overclocking tweaks are often be included, too.
With the advent of AI technologies coming in the next generation of laptops, many of these tasks will be improved with new software.
Laptops tend to have a more closed-off ecosystem, compared to enthusiast grade-desktops. Manufacturer installed software will often be the primary way that you will interact with the core functions.
On laptops such as the Alienware M16, you’ll have access to Alienware Command Center. Here you’ll find the basic performance overlays for monitoring your CPU and GPU. Furthermore, overclocking profiles are also available with a variety of presets.
You’ll often find the function row of your keyboard embedded with useful shortcuts that are connected to the included software. The Alienware M16 has a button to change performance profiles mapped to the F1 function key, for example.
The ASUS ROG Strix 16 laptop has a similar function row with RGB and power adjustments. It also includes a top row that controls volume and fan profiles. You can open the Asus Armoury Crate software, too.
On most gaming laptops, noise is often an issue with high-performance. To reach a comfortable noise level, you can choose power settings between balanced or varying performance modes. This in turn will allow you to keep fan speeds under control with thermals in check.
AlienFX is the nomenclature for RGB controls and setting key binds. This suite also includes more niche features such as AlienVision to turn off monitor overlays and fine-tuning for gaming.
Other brands such as Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte have similar software utilities that perform similar functions.
Driver and BIOS updates are also found within these software suites, facilitating the process and reducing time browsing websites.
Razer Synapse laptop software with CPU Overclocking.
Some will allow for more fine-tuning such as Razer’s Synapse. You can make CPU specific-performance tweaks here, avoiding a trip to the BIOS.
Utility programs
There are a few essential programs that accentuate the built-in software experience for many gaming laptops.
Nvidia app
If your gaming laptop contains an Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU, you’ll find some very useful features. The new Nvidia App is in Beta and is an update to the GeForce Experience. It allows for quick Game Ready driver downloads for your GPU. You can also select Studio Ready drivers if you’re using your laptop for productivity.
The Nvidia app can also perform game optimizations, by adjusting best use settings for your hardware based on personalized data. The Nvidia Overlay allows you to monitor both GPU and CPU metrics, along with frame rates. As for Nvidia Shadow Play, this feature helps you capture game footage. In fact, it will record the last 30 seconds of gameplay. Screenshots are included in this feature as well.
AMD Radeon GPU laptop owners, on the other hand, will find the AMD Adrenalin software, which has metrics and other fine-tuning capabilities.
Intel driver update utility
If your laptop has an Intel CPU, this utility can help you keep your drivers up to date directly from the manufacturer. While it’s often best practice to get drivers from the manufacture of your laptop, sometimes the pipeline for those updates can be slow. Alternatively, using the built-in driver updater in your laptop software can be sufficient.
Steam, Epic Game Store, Xbox app
Don’t forget the essential game library programs that give you access to all the PC games your heart desires.
Of special interest is Xbox PC Game Pass with the Xbox app. This gives you access to numerous great gamers for one monthly fee. The newly added titles can often be great as well, and a good way to experience many games without having to purchase individual titles.
OBS Studio
Recording your game play or streaming are common use cases for laptop owners, and OBS Studio is a great way to do it. Allowing various methods and codecs, it’s a flexible way to share your gaming experience.
Microsoft
Don’t forget to occasionally check your Windows updates and your Microsoft Store update tab. This can often be how many programs are updated on laptops, including some built-in software by the manufacturer. There are other useful programs on here too such as Dolby Access for audio settings if your laptop’s software does not support such a feature.
There’s also a Windows HDR Calibration utility for configuring your monitor if its HDR capable such as the Razer Blade 16 with its Mini-LED display. This can be a useful program to get the most out of your HDR capable display.
Overclocking and monitoring programs
Gaming laptops are not as open-ended for enthusiast tinkering as a PC desktop, but some units do allow for a reasonable degree of overclocking. The MSI Titan series of laptops are famous for pushing its CPU limits with a more unlocked BIOS, for example.
These types of programs can certainly be for more advanced users. Novice users, however, should stick to the preset overclocking profiles in their laptop provided software for the safest use. There’s a further set of options in many BIOS setups for enthusiast laptops when it comes to CPU overclocking as well.
Some laptops, such as the ASUS ROG Strix 16, received BIOS updates during their lifecycle, allowing more options such as CPU undervolting to be applied. Even if you’re not overclocking, monitoring system performance during gaming can be fun and help you learn about the technology.
Intel’s extreme tuning utility
Intel’s XTU allows for fine-tuning of your CPU’s various parameters. You’ll need an unlocked Intel CPU such as the Core-i9 13900HX. This should be done by experienced users only, and only some laptops will be unlocked enough to allow any changes in Intel XTU. When done correctly, it can help unlock CPU power and help to reduce power draw to keep thermals in check.
Gaming laptops depend on cooling. A monitoring program can help keep it under control.
Hardware Monitor or HWinfo64
Gaming laptops can have temperamental thermals and thermal throttling. The best way to check it is with one of these programs that can monitor your system vitals. From making sure temperatures are within spec to monitoring how certain games use the CPU more for performance, these can often come in handy. It allows you to make the best use of your overclocking and testing suite of software, too.
MSI Afterburner overlay in the top left.
MSI Afterburner
While support for this program has been in doubt lately, enthusiasts can still benefit from the overlay features and performance-in game monitoring. Most users should use built-in monitoring, which you can find on Nvidia’s software. Always make sure downloads are directly from MSI to avoid any potential fake versions.
Cinebench R23
You should be acquainted with Cinebench R23 for checking CPU single-core and multi-core performance. It pairs well with many of the hardware monitoring programs mentioned here, to test your CPU limits.
This program will allow you to compare scores with similar hardware configurations to ensure all is functioning correctly. It can also stress test your CPU and help with thermal analysis. It’s a good way to measure any overclocking changes for performance and stability, too.
When I tested an Alienware laptop with Cinebench R23, lower scores indicated a configuration issue with power limits in the BIOS. This helped me find the problem, fix it, and later re-check to see the expected higher score. If you want to verify that your gaming laptop is performing up to par, performance benchmarks are essential.
Want to test if your laptop cooling pad is working optimally? Run Cinebench R23 and try different positions for your cooling pad to see what works best.
CrystalDiskMark
Gaming laptops can come with fast RAID 0 NVME configurations or single NVME ultra-fast drives. This utility can help you benchmark the speed of your drives and factor in a potential future upgrade if warrantied. Laptops typically have NVME drives that are upgradable, with multiple slots in higher-end laptops. Along with RAM, these are the only two user-friendly upgrades in most laptops.
3DMark
This suite of benchmarks has an expansive set of tests that can stress, test, and compare scores for your CPU and GPU. Popular laptop benchmarks include 3DMark Time Spy and a DirectX12 test that runs the CPU and GPU. Time Spy Extreme brings it up a notch to 4K resolution. Testing Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD FSR are now available as well. Even ray tracing tests are available in this fully featured suite.
PCMark10
To complement 3DMark, this suite will test the productivity aspects of your laptop and compare to industry standards. Performance and battery tests can help those who use these gaming laptops for work, such as digital content creators. It can also help in targeting where upgrades might prove beneficial, such as RAM or storage upgrades.
Built-in game benchmarks
Many titles have useful built-in game benchmarks that can help you see performance metrics and resource use. You’ll find these benchmarks in games like F1 2023, Cyberpunk 2077, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hitman 3. They’ll show you how your laptop performs in a specific title and even guide you to add more upgrades such as RAM if you hit a bottleneck.
Conclusion
Gaming laptops can be just as powerful as enthusiast-grade gaming PCs. With the right set of programs, you can unlock even more tinkering and power benefits from most units. You can also streamline your experience with items such as the Nvidia App for downloading drivers and the various monitoring programs to insure you are working with a top-spec unit. Laptops pack powerful hardware in a small space, so keeping track of what your hardware is doing is essential to get the most potential and longevity out of your machine.
Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | RadioNZ - 13 Jun (RadioNZ)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) Aotearoa is a country plagued by pests, but conservationists are hoping advances in drone technology could turn the tables. Read...Newslink ©2024 to RadioNZ | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 13 Jun (PC World)Father’s Day 2024 falls on Sunday, June 16 and is a great opportunity to find bargains on the best tech and general “Dad stuff.” Time is running out, so we’ve rounded up the best last-minute deals you can quickly get your hands on.
And these don’t even have to be for your father. Whether you’re a son, daughter, father or mother, you may want to snag some deals for yourself.
Apple AirPods (Gen 2) with Lightning Charging Case
Apple
Apple
Apple
Whether you’re listening to music, podcasts or phone calls, Apple AirPods are always fantastic choices, and they’ll make a great gift for Father’s Day. Usually available for $129, you can snatch the AirPods for a mere $80 right now, the best price we’ve seen thus far. Add in the fact that you get a total of 24 hours of listening time with the charging Case and easy access to Siri, and you have a great gift any iPhone user will love.
Grab the 2nd Gen AirPods for 38% off on Amazon
Hanycony Surge Protector Power Strip
Hanycony
Hanycony
Hanycony
Yes, we are recommending a surge protector—because we all need more, and this one has a super versatile design, and costs only $12.33 on Amazon. It has eight widely spaced AC outlets and four USB ports, including two USB-C. Even though it’s packed with outlets, this isn’t a large power strip because it comes with a three-sided layout. The outlets are also big enough not to block adjacent outlets, which is always good to consider.
Get this awesome surge protector for only $12.33 (38% off) on Amazon
Journey ALTI Wireless Charging Desk Mat
Eugen Wegmann
Eugen Wegmann
Eugen Wegmann
The reversible ALTI desk mat—20% off for father’s day with code “GIFT20?—features a built-in wireless charging panel that fast-charges your smartphone and earbuds at the same time. Pull open the ALTI to stow paper and notes, removing clutter even further. It works with Android phones, iPhones and earbuds that support wireless charging. It’s down to $104 with the code!
Get the charging mat for $104 with code GIFT20
Gerber Gear Utility Pocket Knife with Money Clip
Gerber
Gerber
Gerber
One thing every dad will love is the Gerber Gear Utility Pocket Knife with Money Clip, which is now on sale for Father’s Day at $14, down from $18. This is a super versatile tool that comes with a sharp utility razor blade, perfect for everyday tasks. Obviously, you can replace the blade when it goes dull. The knife is compact and will neatly fit into a pocket (no more losing that utility knife!). It even has a money clip, so Dad doesn’t even have to carry his wallet when he’s out and about.
Get the pocket knife/money clip for only $14 on Amazon
Ember Smart Mug 2
Ember
Ember
Ember
Everyone enjoys a hot coffee in the morning, right? The Ember Smart Mug 2 is now on sale for Father’s Day at $103.95, down from $129.95. This innovative mug will keep drinks warm to the perfect temperature for up to 80 minutes on a full charge, or all day if sat on the charging coaster. You or dad can use the app to choose temperatures between 120°F and 145°F, making for a custom experience.
Grab the Ember Smart Mug 2 for only $104 on Amazon
GoPro HERO10 Black
GoPro
GoPro
GoPro
Snag a top action camera at nearly half price. If you’re going on any fun adventures this summer, you’ll want to make sure you can record them in fantastic quality—5K video capture at 60fps. What better way to capture those adventures than with the GoPro HERO10 Black? It’s down to $229 from $450, making for an impressive 49% discount on Amazon. It’s a fantastic purchase for adventure enthusiasts and extreme sports fans alike.
Get the Hero10 Black on Amazon for $229
Char-Broil Electric Grill
Char-Broil
Char-Broil
Char-Broil
The Char-Broil Electric Grill is now on sale for Father’s Day at $170, down from $250—a 32% discount. This electric grill offers the convenience of grilling without using gas or charcoal. Just pop this in an outlet, and it will reach the necessary high temperatures super fast. The grill has a special cooking technology that seeks to create juicy and evenly cooked food. So, if your father’s tired of using the same old grill every time, this Char-Broil is a good option, especially as the 320 square inches of cooking space can fit about 12 medium-sized burger patties.
Snag this electric grill for only $170 on Amazon
ASUS ProArt Display 23.8-inch Monitor
Asus
Asus
Asus
Fantastic monitors are hard to come by in the sub-$200 price range. And yet, here’s the Asus ProArt Display PA247CV, down by 27% to $145 on Amazon. This is a fantastic price for a 24-inch, 1080p, IPS monitor, and one of the best prices we’ve seen for this model.
Get this 1080p Asus monitor for only $145 on Amazon
Wyze Cam v4 2K HD Wi-Fi Smart Home Security Camera
Wyze
Wyze
Wyze
With an MSRP of $35.98, the Wyze Cam v4 may be just what you need to keep an eye on your home, pets, and kids. The 28% discount on Amazon makes this camera an even more enticing purchase at $26. With the Wyze Cam v4, you won’t need any subscriptions to view your own recordings—just add in a microSD card of up to 512GB and record 24/7 locally. For just $26, this camera is a steal (pun intended).
Steal the Wyze Cam v4 for $26 on Amazon
23andme Ancestry Service (US)
23andme
23andme
23andme
Get $20 off on 23andme’s basic DNA kit. After testing at home, you will receive 50-plus reports including Ancestry Composition, Ancestry Detail Reports, Maternal & Paternal Haplogroups, and Neanderthal Ancestry. It’s only $99, down from $119 on 23andme. Bonus idea: Buy one for yourself and compare dad’s DNA to yours!
Get this basic DNA test for just $99
Gerber Gear Dime 12-in-1 Mini Multi-tool
Gerber
Gerber
Gerber
At just $25 on Amazon, this compact multi-tool offers 12 essential functions, including needle nose pliers, wire cutters, tweezers, a bottle opener, a package opener, a plain edge blade folding knife, scissors, small and medium flat head drivers, fine and coarse files. That’s a long list, but we’re sure you or dad will find use for at least one of them every day.
Snag Gerber`s 12-in-1 multitool for $25
PCWorld’s deals section is also full of the latest and greatest tech deals, and we’ a’re always on top of the best laptop deals and desktop deals picked by the PCWorld team. If you’re an iPhone or Mac user, check out Macworld’s iPhone user gift guide and Mac user gift guide.
Other retailers offering Father’s Day deals
Many retailers are offering discounts for Father’s Day, including Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Check out Zagg for power and protection gadgets and accessories, Chipolo for AirTag Bluetooth tracker alternatives, Casely for Phone cases and chargers with code SPF25, 23andme has 35% off its popular DNA kits, and Thermoworks, where you can find the best thermometer deals for helping with barbeques and smart home devices.
Accessories, Laptops, Monitors Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 13 Jun (PC World)Mediatek could be the next entrant into the Windows on Arm processor space, according to a new report.
Reuters is reporting that one of the more well-known rumors in the chip space—that Mediatek is making an Arm processor for PCs—is real. The wire service says that Mediatek is set to announce its chip in late 2025, according to multiple sources.
Microsoft signed an exclusivity deal with Qualcomm to design Arm chips for PCs that’s set to expire sometime this year, according to sources. That deal hasn’t been officially confirmed. (Arm chief executive Rene Haas, whose company licenses its processor technology to firms like Qualcomm and Mediatek, also referred to the deal as a rumor in PCWorld’s interview at Computex.)
Mediatek already develops processors for Chromebooks, known as the Kompanio lineup, which competes directly with Qualcomm in that space. John Solomon, the vice president at Google in charge of ChromeOS, told PCWorld that he expects to “have more Arm in [the Chromebook] portfolio going forward.”
In some sense, this is old news. In 2021, Mediatek first began talking about its plans to enter the Windows on Arm market. In 2022, Mediatek spelled out its PC plans a bit more.
“We absolutely believe in the long-term potential of Windows on Arm,” Mediatek’s Adam King, the vice president of Mediatek’s client computing business, said then. “We think that the market will over the long term transition to Arm-based processors. Because of the power and area efficiency that I described. It’s not inevitable—it requires lots of work and lots of barriers to be overcome. But the benefit is clearly there. I can say that we’re working on plans today. I just can’t share them with you yet.”
Mediatek’s presence in Chromebooks wouldn’t preclude Mediatek from shipping a version of the Kompanio processor for the PC. Mediatek also has a relationship with Nvidia, with whom it has co-developed an Arm chip for the automotive space. (Reuters noted that Nvidia is reportedly working on an Arm chip for PCs, but the company hasn’t confirmed that either. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang was asked about such a chip at a press conference at Computex in Taiwan, but declined to comment.)
Arm’s Haas also told Reuters that he predicts more than half of the world’s PCs will run Arm by 2029, rather than the x86 chips manufactured by AMD or Intel.
So far, all of the upcoming moves by Arm vendors in the PC space are occurring beneath the surface. But if these ripples come to pass, expect them to begin building into waves.
CPUs and Processors Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 12 Jun (PC World)Having a robovac do the dirty work around your house can clear up some much-needed free time, allowing you to tackle other chores or just kick back and unwind with some Netflix or gaming.
And if you don’t have a robovac yet, now’s a great time to grab one. The Eufy 11S Max is on sale for $140 right now, a savings of $110 from its list price of $250—and this unmissable deal won’t last long.
The Eufy 11S Max is a slim robovac that’ll fit under most of your furniture, quietly brushing up all the dust bunnies and pet fur that accumulates out of sight, plus all those crumbs you pretend not to see.
And since the 11S Max runs for up to 100 minutes on a single charge, it’s more than capable of cleaning your entire home.
This robovac has a few other standout features: BoostIQ technology that automatically increases suction as needed, sensors for avoiding obstacles and preventing falls, and quiet operation with a noise level that’s on par with a typical microwave. It cleans both hardwood and carpet.
While we haven’t personally tested the Eufy 11S Max, it has over 12,700 reviews on Amazon with an impressive 4.3 out of 5 stars. This robovac is a top performer, especially when it comes to picking up pet hair, a common issue for pet owners.
At this price point, it’s an absolute steal! Don’t miss this chance to grab the super-discounted Eufy 11S Max for cleaner floors and more free time on your hands to do whatever you want.
The Eufy 11S Max is 44% off right now!Get it on Amazon while you can
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