The diversity initiative follows a string of recent high-profile instances of harassment and inappropriate behaviour plaguing the local sector. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent sound quality for voices High sampling rate and bit depth for recording Wide compatibility More versatile light control Cons New multi-control not so intuitive Large in dimensions Our Verdict HyperX’s QuadCast 2 microphone offers fun personalization options as well as high quality sound. What more could you ask for? Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: HyperX QuadCast 2 Retailer Price $149.99 View Deal $159.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket HyperX started out as Kingston’s brand of gaming computer RAM and, like so many other component manufacturers, has since expanded its product offering into all sorts of gaming hardware. In 2018, they released the QuadCast USB microphone. With its iconic look, featuring vibration-dampening wire suspension, and red diode-glowing large puff covers, it’s a popular choice among Twitch streamers. Not only is it stylish, but it provides high sound quality for a good price. You don’t need any audio expertise to make it sound good. Since then, Kingston has sold HyperX to HP and they’ve continued to regularly pump out streaming products. I question the quality of some of these products, though, which is why I was a little worried when HyperX released the QuadCast 2 this summer, a direct sequel to the now classic microphone. Will HyperX deliver an equally good or better mic? Let’s find out. Further reading: Why I won’t spend a fortune on a gaming microphone Standard bracket for free mounting.Mattias Inghe HyperX QuadCast 2: High quality sound Fortunately, the QuadCast 2 is a high quality product that offers a number of technical upgrades. It’s still a condenser mic with three 14mm elements that allow you to switch between four sound pickup techniques, omnidirectional, forward kidney, bi-directional forward, and back (or sideways!). However, HyperX has fine-tuned the technology, increasing the sensitivity of the microphone while lowering the level of noise it generates. The original QuadCast produced great sound, but QuadCast 2 produces even clearer sound. I got my hands on an old QuadCast and I tested the sound recording in the same environment and the difference is actually noticeable. So, what does this mean? It means it sounds damn good. Voices have a warm, natural tone and there’s plenty of detail in the high frequencies. Finally, USB-C. The mini-USB that the predecessor had was already mossy then.Mattias Inghe The sampling rate has gone up from 48 KHz to 96 KHz and the bit depth is 24 bits, an improvement over the previous 16. It doesn’t make much difference when you just push it out directly in a compressed live stream, but if you want to use the mic to record sound and manipulate it afterwards, you have more room to do so without loss of quality. The QuadCast 2 sounds damn good. Voices have a warm, natural tone and there’s plenty of detail in the high frequencies. HyperX QuadCast 2: Free hanging for less interference The design of the QuadCast 2 is recognizable from its predecessor. It’s still a black cylinder with a red LED light behind the grille and puff guard in the top half, with the entire top as a large and extra-sensitive touch button for mute control. The stand with the microphone attached to elasticated wires all around is pretty much the same style as before, but with slightly different mounts that are said to be easier to unhook when needed. The new button is more versatile than before, but is less convenient as a volume control.Mattias Inghe The laces are black now instead of red, which takes away some of its iconic look and it’s completely flat at the ends. Where the QuadCast had a control knob at the bottom for the microphone gain level, the QuadCast 2 instead has a small knob on the front. It controls the volume of headphones, something that was missing in its predecessor. I’m not entirely fond of this little knob, as it emits a loud(ish) sound when turned. It’s not possible to discreetly change the volume during recording. The dial also has a click function, where a quick press switches between controlling the headphone and microphone. A long press is used to cycle between audio recording profiles. It’s more cumbersome than the knob on the back of the QuadCast. That said, you now get a light ring on the top of the mic that indicates which way it’s listening–I appreciate that. HyperX Quadcast 2: Small practical improvements Connection to the computer is via USB-C instead of the mini-USB that the original QuadCast came with. The five Watts of power is good enough, so it should work to connect anywhere. You’re also getting a USB-C to USB-A adapter for the three meter USB-C to USB-C cable. You can manage it from the Windows program Ngenuity instead.Mattias Inghe The microphone is easier to detach from the round table base. The stand mount also allows you to easily mount it on a microphone arm instead, an ideal set-up for streamers. The light is dimmable (and thus switchable) and can be controlled with HyperX’s Ngenuity app for Windows. You also get digital volume control and a digital high-pass filter. You can adjust this if you have too much background noise, but for the most part I’d probably avoid it. You can plug it in and run it on a Mac, a PlayStation 4, or PlayStation 5. That’s what HyperX lists as compatible devices, but it’s only a USB audio device by default, so it’ll work on a Chromebook, a Steam Deck, an Android mobile phone with USB audio support, and the Nintendo Switch. However, not with Xbox, as they insist on not supporting standard USB microphones. That’s not HyperX’s fault, it’s just Microsoft being stubborn. Here you also set diode effects. For example, you can make it light up in sync with detected sound.Mattias Inghe HyperX QuadCast 2: Conclusion The QuadCast 2 offers excellent sound quality, nice dampening capabilities, wide compatibility, and versatility of use. It’s a great device for streaming gameplay, recording a podcast, or sounding professional in a video meeting. Of course, there’s better gear for music studios and streaming studios. XLR mics are designed to fit into an analogue mixing desk, after all. But if you’re looking for a good microphone with nice features, the QuadCast 2 is definitely worth it. HyperX QuadCast 2: Specifications Product name: HyperX QuadCast 2Tested: October 2024Manufacturer: HyperX Connection: USB-C 2.0, 3.5 mm analogue headphoneMicrophone technology: CondenserSampling rate: 96 KHzBit depth: 24Microphone modes: Directional, omnidirectional, stereo, bidirectionalSystem requirements: Windows10 or newer, Mac OS, PS4, PS5, Switch, etcSize (incl. stand): 11 x 12 x 23.8 cmWeight (incl. stand): 1.71 poundsPrice: $149.99 Rating: 5 out of 5 Read...

Back in 2021, when Windows 11 was first announced, there was an interesting feature called Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) that was teased, then publicly released in 2022. WSA allows users to run Android apps directly on Windows 11 PCs. Unfortunately, on March 5, 2024, Microsoft officially deprecated the feature and announced that the Amazon Appstore plus all its apps and games will stop working come March 5, 2025. If you have the Amazon Appstore or Android apps installed on your Windows 11 PC using WSA, they’ll stay operable until the deprecation date. The problem is that WSA is actually quite popular, and the move to deprecate the compatibility layer has been met with harsh criticism on Microsoft’s Feedback Hub. According to Windows Latest, numerous users are upset and asking Microsoft to reconsider, hopeful that Android app support will continue on Windows 11 in some form: “When building an Android app, it is essential to see in a Production environment, and WSA provided this option by allowing you to launch a developed APK for UAT/Beta Testing.” “It’s hard not to feel frustrated when you start using an unpolished feature with the backing of the worst app store only for it to be left unimproved until it’s yanked out from under you.” “Just let me have WSA.” Many of those users have pointed out that key Android apps don’t have proper Windows equivalents or are seriously lacking compared to other options. For example, the Android version of Apple Music is significantly better than the Windows version. Some people even opted to get a Surface Pro over other tablet models for its ability to run Android apps: “I just got a Surface Pro 9 5G to replace my iPad… and a major factor of that is due to Android apps. I’m a business user and no longer need to have an iPad. WSA has become [an] ultimate tool on Windows even if it isn’t polished. Please keep working on it, it has become invaluable to me.” But the likelihood of Microsoft changing its mind is low, as the company simply doesn’t make any money from WSA in its current form. Read...

Scientists look at the details underpinning nitrogen and its use in agriculture and horticulture and its impacts on the environment Read...

Tourism and the environment are among the concerns raised by French Polynesian MP Tepuaraurii Teriitahii in reaction to the reelection of Donald Trump. Read...

Whether you’ve been working from home for years, or you’re new to the game, there are probably several ways in which you can improve your home-office setup for maximum comfort and productivity. We’re talking both hardware and software upgrades here. Things such as a Thunderbolt dock for adding extra ports for external displays and storage, or a monitor arm for total flexibility and improved ergonomics, or a trustworthy VPN and full-featured PDF editing software can all make a world of difference in your overall work satisfaction and success. Here we present our favorite work from home tech of 2024/2025, all of which has been personally tested and approved by PCWorld’s hardware and software experts. Dell Inspiron 14 Plus – Best work-from-home laptop Your home office laptop needs to be reliable; it needs zippy performance and a penchant for productivity; and for optimum flexibility the device should be easy to transport and have exceptional battery life. You get all that with the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus — and you get it for less than $1,000. The Inspiron line is all about business-like practicality, but the Inspiron 14 Plus, while feeling quite durable, features some welcome aesthetic upgrades in the form of its partially aluminum chassis and slender profile. Inside, an Intel Core 7 Ultra 155H, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD make for exceptionally snappy performance. But there’s more to a satisfying work laptop than capable internals. The Inspiron 14 Plus comes correct with an array of suitable accoutrements: a firm and surprisingly quick keyboard with white backlighting, a biometric fingerprint sensor for easy login, and a nice assortment of ports that belie its compact size — headphone jack, microSD card reader, a couple USB-A ports, Thunderbolt 4 port, and full-size HDMI. The screen is also a treat, with a clear 2240×1400 resolution image, comparatively high peak brightness, and an anti-glare coating that can withstand challenging lighting conditions. The icing on the cake is an exceptional battery life lasting just over 17 hours. Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus – Best work-from-home Chromebook Let’s face it, there are many work scenarios in which a full-fledged Windows laptop is overkill. Emails, documents, spreadsheets, and even presentations, are all easily handled using online apps — something a Chromebook can accomplish for a fraction of a Windows laptop’s cost. Of course, some Chromebooks are more capable than others, such as the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. Among Chromebooks, the Plus designation signifies more robust performance, in this case an Intel Core i3-1315U CPU, Intel UHD graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD. What really sets the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus apart, however, is its attractive styling and impressive build quality. In the words of our reviewer: “This thing looks and feels fancy, real fancy.” The 2-in-1 design lets you use the device as a standard clamshell, in a tent configuration, or as a tablet. Input options include both a backlit chiclet-style keyboard that’s pleasantly springy to use, or touch input via the 1200p crisp and vibrant display. Performance is speedy and satisfying, and the battery, while not stellar, ran for over nine hours on a single charge — enough to last a full day away from an outlet. Read our full Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review NexiGo HelloCam – Best work-from-home webcam Best Prices Today: $69.99 at Amazon$69.99 at NexiGo There are a couple reasons why we consider the NexiGo HelloCam to be the best work-from-home webcam. For starters, it does what you want a webcam to do: Its 1080p/30fps fixed-focus lens produces a good picture that will have you making a positive impression in your Zoom meetings. The noise-cancelling mics will ensure that you’re being heard loud and clear. But the NexiGo HelloCam offers another perk for home workers: Windows Hello support, which lets you log in to your Windows computer with facial recognition. This is a feature that’s usually relegated to higher-priced webcams. The HelloCam also offers a requisite privacy shutter, here in the form of a physical barrier that shuts when the webcam is not in use. Alternative option: If you don’t need Windows Hello, you can save a little money and get a slight boost in resolution (to 1440p) with the Anker PowerConf C200. Dell U2724DE – Best work-from-home monitor Best Prices Today: $499.99 at B & H Photo There’s no better all-around home office monitor than Dell’s Ultrasharp U2724DE. Image quality is top-notch thanks to the IPS Black panel. Besides boasting an impressive contrast ratio, it also excels at color performance. A 120Hz refresh rate means that it can be pressed into service for after-hours gaming sessions. The stand is fit for purpose with solid construction and all the expected ergonomic adjustments, including 90-degree rotation into portrait mode. But the real show-stopper is the near-universal connectivity that should meet the needs of almost any scenario. Multiple video inputs, support for “daisy-chaining,” 90 watts of power for charging a device connected via USB-C, downstream ports for peripherals, and even a 2.5G RJ45 jack. There’s also a KVM switch and an ambient light sensor for intelligently adjusting screen brightness. Indeed, the U2724DE is no slacker! Read our full Dell U2724DE review Herman Miller Flo – Best work-from-home monitor arm Best Prices Today: $295 at Herman Miller A monitor arm is one of those pieces of gear that turns a conventional home office into a seriously professional setup. That’s particularly true of the Herman Miller Flo, which ticks all the boxes for a premier product. Aesthetically, it’s about as smooth and stylish as a monitor arm can be, capable of blending in with any environment. Setting it up is simple, thanks to a refined design that requires relatively few screws and a VESA mount that can be pre-mounted to a monitor and then clipped into place. The Flo offers a wide range of adjustment including tilt, swivel, and rotation, but more importantly, its operation is smoother than other products, moving into place with only a nudge. It also comes with a 12-year warranty and 24/7 customer support. It’s pricey, but everything about the Flo is top shelf. Anker 555 PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best work-from-home USB-C hub Best Prices Today: $49.99 at Amazon Whether you’re using a laptop or a desktop PC, port accessibility might be lacking. In such cases, the Anker 555 8-in-1 USB-C Hub has the answer. Anker’s hub offers a full complement of connectivity for legacy USB devices like mice and keyboards, for both SD and microSD media, for charging USB-C devices at up to 85W, and for running a monitor over HDMI at 60Hz. An Ethernet port is also part of the mix. The hub is well designed, even elegant, with a premium aluminum and polycarbonate exterior that keeps cools in use. It’s got a nice, sturdy heft at 4.5 ounces, and even comes with a carrying pouch. Plugable TBT3-UDZ – Best work-from-home Thunderbolt dock Best Prices Today: $255.41 at Amazon$369 at Newegg There are times when a USB-C hub falls short of your connectivity needs, such as when you want to connect two high-res monitors — scenarios that call for a Thunderbolt dock. The the best of the bunch is Plugable’s TBT3-UDZ. Okay, yes, it uses Thunderbolt 3 rather than Thunderbolt 4, but the capabilities and performance are mostly equivalent (while saving you a few dollars). What impresses us most about the TBT3-UDZ is its flexibility. Whether your two monitors use DisplayPort cables or HDMI, this dock will accommodate them. Two 4K displays can run at 60Hz in tandem. Of course, the TBT3-UDZ has every other kind of port you could want, as well — USB-C, a plethora of USB-A, standard and micro card reader, headphone jack, Ethernet, the whole gamut. It can charge a smartphone and a laptop. We also appreciate the space-saving vertical orientation of the attractive and solid gun-metal chassis, and the ample 30-inch cable that connects the dock to your PC. Read our full Plugable TBT3-UDZ review Logitech MX Keys S Keyboard – Best work-from-home wireless keyboard Best Prices Today: $109.99 at Amazon For anyone who favors a stylish keyboard that works effortlessly with multiple devices, the Logitech MX Keys S is it. Sporting an almost Apple-like clean aesthetic, the MX Keys S is a low-profile board that comes in Graphite, Gray, or Rose colorways. Besides being visually stunning, the full-sized layout is comfortable to type on, with a smooth and sure feel to the keys. The white backlighting automatically adjusts to the ambient lighting conditions. Using either Bluetooth or the bundled proprietary Logi Bolt dongle, the keyboard can be switched among three devices. If you prefer a mechanical, “clicky” keyboard, we recommend the also-very-good Logitech MX Mechanical variant. Read our full Logitech MX Keys S Keyboard review Creative Pebble X Plus – Best work-from-home computer speakers No home office is complete without a good set of computer speakers. For a compact, capable, but affordable solution, we think the best option is the Creative Pebble X Plus. The system consists of two speakers and a subwoofer. It offers Bluetooth, aux, and USB connection to your audio source of choice. A button on one of the satellites lets you switch between devices. The sound output is clear and can easily fill a room. There’s excellent detail in the treble and midrange. Besides providing a significant boost over your laptop’s audio, the Pebble X Plus features RGB for some added visual flare when it’s time to clock off and unwind. Read our full Creative Pebble X Plus review Lexar SL600 Blaze 20Gbps USB SSD – Best work-from-home external SSD Best Prices Today: $129.99 at B & H Photo There are many very fast external SSDs to choose from. But in our tests, the Lexar SL600 Blaze is not only among the fastest, but also competitively priced, making it an obvious recommendation for portable storage. Available in up to 4TB capacity, this USB 3.2 x 2 (Superspeed 20Gbps) not only has the space for even large, multimedia projects, it will be reading and writing that data at a wonderfully brisk pace. While SSDs are known for their durability, the SL600 Blaze’s 5-year warranty just provides extra assurance. Read our full Lexar SL600 Blaze 20Gbps USB SSD review SanDisk Desk Drive 10Gbps USB SSD – Best work-from-home SSD for backups Best Prices Today: $249.99 at Western Digital There is no worse feeling than laboring over a project — be it work-related or personal — only to lose it all because of a drive crash, power outage, mistaken deletion, or some other tragedy. This is why the importance of a solid backup solution cannot be overstated. Laptop users in particular should consider an external drive for backup. And if time is money, an SSD will get ‘er done far faster than an external hard drive. The SanDisk Desk Drive 10Gbps USB SSD is the external backup SSD to beat. Available in 4TB or 8TB capacities, this rugged desktop companion will not only provide that relatively speedy auxillary storage for data redundancy and/or overflow, as an SSD you needn’t worry about its susceptibility to jostles, shocks, or drops, as you would with a mechanical hard drive. Read our full SanDisk Desk Drive 10Gbps USB SSD review R-Drive Image 7.2 – Best work-from-home Windows backup Best Prices Today: $44.95 at R-tools Technology As noted above, there’s no excuse not to prepare for data disaster. We’ve told you what backup drive to use, but what about backup software? R-Drive Image has a legacy of reliability that makes it unmatched in this space. Indeed, in our experience its record is unblemished! Now at version 7.2, R-Drive Image is more full-featured and capable than ever. It offers the range of backup duties: disk and partitions, files and folders, WinPE and Linux boot media creation, the works. You can save your backups locally, to the network, or to your preferred cloud storage. You can even replicate backups across multiple destinations.  The interface is straightforward, and performance is speedy. There’s really no need to consider other options.  Read our full R-Drive Image review EaseUS PDF Editor – Best work-from-home PDF editor Best Prices Today: $49.95 at EaseUS There is no denying that the pinnacle of PDF editing is Adobe’s Acrobat Pro DC. But it’s probably overkill for the needs of most home office-workers, while being relatively expensive. That’s why our recommendation for the best PDF editor for a home office is EaseUS PDF Editor. For just $49.95 a year, or an incredible $79.95 lifetime subscription, you get a full set of PDF editing tools, including a variety of annotation tools for easy collaboration. The app is straightforward, making it possible to jump right in and get started. Add and remove text; add images; change font type, color, and size; add watermarks, background, headers and footers; enable permissions and password protection. It’s all here. The one caveat is that it’s Windows only. For more suggestions, see our roundup of the best PDF editors. Read our full EaseUS PDF Editor review ExpressVPN – Best work-from-home VPN A virtual private network (VPN) is a key component of online privacy, routing all your internet traffic through an anonymized and encrypted funnel. If you want to protect your work (or personal) online activities protected from prying eyes and/or hackers, a VPN is a must. In addition to that, by allowing you to run your internet browsing through servers all across the globe, a VPN can help you access your streaming services when you’re abroad, or bypass other regional restrictions. ExpressVPN is our favorite VPN overall. It’s feature-rich but easy to use; it provides broad device support; it uses diskless servers, so none of your data is ever permanently stored; it undergoes third-party audits for added reassurance about its privacy practices; and it offers some added benefits such as ad- and tracker-blocking and a password manager. Read our full ExpressVPN review Norton 360 Deluxe – Best work-from-home antivirus software For full-coverage antivirus protection at a reasonable price, Norton 360 Deluxe is the total package. You can relax knowing that Norton’s strong online protection has your back with minimal resource overhead. In addition to real-time monitoring against threats online, you can also perform scans of varying scope or complexity at will or on a schedule. Norton has earned very high marks from the major third-party testing outfits. Norton 360 Deluxe also offers lots of extras, such as cloud backup, a password manager, dark web monitoring, and even PC utilities. All those things might be value adds for you, but the core competency of the product — keeping you, your data, and your devices safe from nefarious actors — is why we consider it the best antivirus software overall. Read our full Norton 360 Deluxe review Read...

The costs ordered against McCallum Bros appear to be among the largest ever awarded by the Environment Court. Read...

I always thought that buying a 4K webcam was only something that streamers and influencers should care about. I mean, how much better am I really going to look when I’m on a Teams call with my editors, or on a Skype call with my mom? It seemed quite silly to think about. But I’ve been playing around with several webcam options to see what difference they actually make to everyday video calls and meetings — and as it turns out, there are some real positives with 4K webcams. There are some negatives, too. (And I don’t just mean that suddenly everyone can see that pimple you didn’t bother to cover up.) Here’s what I’ve learned about why 4K webcams can be worth buying (and why they might not be) depending on your needs and use cases. Related: How we test webcams at PCWorld Pro: 4K image quality is indeed better I know, mind-blowing take here… but bear with me. Yes, 4K webcams obviously look nicer than their 1080p or 720p counterparts, and that’s thanks to more details captured in their images. The improved sensor quality in 4K webcams makes a massive difference to how you and your environment look on camera. Take a look at my selfie shots below, which were taken with three different webcam resolutions, all in the same lighting condition. The first shot comes from the built-in 720p camera on a 2019 Acer Predator Triton 500 laptop. The second is from a 1080p Logitech C920s Pro. The third is from a 4K Logitech MX Brio. Taken with 720p Acer Predator Triton 500 laptop webcam.Jon Martindale / IDG Taken with 1080p Logitech C920s Pro webcam.Jon Martindale / IDG Taken with 4K Logitech MX Brio webcam.Jon Martindale / IDG These were taken with ambient light, with the two main sources being the window (behind me) and a static ceiling light (above me). It’s fair to say that the 4K webcam looks substantially better than the 720p option, and even quite noticeably better than the 1080p alternative. It has a much wider field of view, plus greater detail and clarity. The colors are more natural and nuanced, and it’s better at handling the contrast of a bright backdrop (the window) with a darker foreground. Sure, going from a 720p built-in webcam to a 1080p standalone webcam still offers the biggest bump, but there’s definitely an argument to be made that the image quality of a modern 4K webcam stands out. Related: Why are laptop webcams so bad? Con: 4K webcams are silly expensive With most laptops — and even some monitors — coming with their own built-in webcams, it can seem silly to spend any money on a separate webcam, let alone a lot of cash. But if you’re thinking of buying a 4K webcam, then you will have to spend quite a bit for one. The Logitech C920s Pro webcam (1080p) that I used in these comparisons is available for around $70 at most retailers, which is fairly affordable and maybe even justifiable. But the Logitech MX Brio webcam (4K) is sold for around $200. That’s… not cheap. Throw in that anyone spending this much on a webcam should also consider some kind of external lighting setup — see below — and the price for looking hot on camera starts to seem kind of mad, especially if you’re only using it to chat with relatives or for your virtual D&D game. Pro: Software adjustments make a big difference with 4K webcams Jon Martindale / IDG With a 4K webcam, you actually get more than just the physical hardware for your money. For example, the Logitech MX Brio comes with a range of software features that help make it (more) worth it. Also, keep in mind that with a 4K resolution, you have more pixels to work with — and that means digital zoom is far more capable. You can zoom in or crop down to whatever shape and size you like, all without compromising on image quality. Meanwhile, zooming in on a 1080p video is pretty noticeable, and don’t even think about zooming in on a 720p image. (Many built-in webcams don’t even have this functionality.) In the case of the MX Brio — and some other 4K webcams — you can also adjust exposure (automatically or manually), switch on HDR mode, enable low-light compensation, adjust color balance and temperature, and even change focus manually. That can be awesome if you don’t want autofocus overreacting every time you adjust your positioning. Con: A non-4K webcam can be just as good with proper lighting Remember when I said it was worth getting an external light for use with your webcam? Well, it turns out you can get a pretty great-looking picture even with a cheaper webcam as long as you have good lighting. That’s because cheaper cameras cut corners in areas like low light compensation and high dynamic range. If you can provide enough light for the webcam to work with, and if you position those lights to illuminate you the right way, then your webcam will produce a far better image. The best part? The price of a good lighting setup plus a modest webcam is usually cheaper than a high-end webcam. Better lighting, taken with 720p Acer Predator Triton 500 laptop webcam.Jon Martindale / IDG Better lighting, taken with 1080p Logitech C920s Pro webcam.Jon Martindale / IDG Better lighting, taken with 4K Logitech MX Brio webcam.Jon Martindale / IDG See above for a comparison of my three webcams again, except this time I’m using a Logitech Litra Beam to better illuminate myself. To be fair, the 4K webcam still looks the best — but the gap between the 4K and 1080p image is far smaller now, surprising given the less-than-a-third-of-the-price nature of the C920s Pro. Even the built-in 720p laptop webcam looks noticeably better with improved lighting. Of course, the Litra Beam is an expensive streaming light and complete overkill for most people. You can just as easily grab a cheap ring light for $20 to get a similar result, and that would make the overall package far cheaper than buying an expensive 4K webcam. Pro: Build quality is better in 4K webcams A $200 webcam has a greater build quality than a $70 one? Ha! That should surprise no one. But it’s true. Sarcasm aside, Logitech’s MX Brio is a much nicer piece of equipment than the C920s Pro. It’s made of aluminum (and low-carbon aluminum, at that) instead of plastic for a premium feel, and the housing doesn’t flex or creak when you apply pressure or move it around. The mount is excellent, too, and it has a magnetic attachment rather than a screw-thread. Combine that with a tilting mechanism for the camera, which lets you point it down at your desk to show off documents and trinkets, and you have a clearly superior option. It’s just easier to maneuver the camera into whatever position you need it to be in. Related: The best webcams actually worth buying Con: Higher bandwidth costs are a concern Chris Montgomery / Unsplash While some of you are no doubt living your best life with Google Fiber and 10Gbps up and down, some of us aren’t so lucky. We have to worry about data caps and bandwidth limits. If you’re like me, you might be fine uploading 5Mbps of 1080p webcam video while your kids are streaming Netflix in the other room. But if you were to upgrade to a 4K webcam, you’d suddenly be sending 20Mbps upstream — and that could be a real internet bandwidth clog. The issue is even worse if you ever plan to use the 4K webcam while on the go, where your 5G signal might be too weak to stream properly, where roaming charges can mount up, or where public Wi-Fi just isn’t suitable for handling your 4K webcam. It goes both ways, too. Your own internet might be great, but what about your grandma’s internet? She might not be able to handle the barrage of video data from your 4K webcam. How much time do you want to spend troubleshooting for her the next time you’re on a call together? I’ll keep it, but not sure I’d buy it Whenever I write about my own experiences about something and some of the hardware was provided for me, I have to couch any opinions I have with the fact that I didn’t actually spend my own money on it. Which raises the question: Would I pay money for it? Well, the 1080p Logitech C920s Pro webcam is something I did actually buy on my own, and I would 100 percent buy it again. It’s far, far better than the built-in webcam of any laptop I’ve used — and it’s not just about image quality but also the ability to move the webcam around and even unplug it whenever I need extra, guaranteed privacy. That alone is enough for me to recommend it. The 4K Logitech MX Brio is undoubtedly the better webcam, and I am glad to have it because it does make me look better on conference calls and in virtual D&D sessions. But would I pay $200 for it? Probably not. An external light and a 1080p webcam are good enough for me. Further reading: What to do when your webcam is on for no reason Disclosure: For full transparency, I want to say up front that some of the hardware discussed in this article was provided by outside sources. Specifically, the MX Brio was sent to me by Logitech and the gaming laptop was provided by another publication I write for. The C920s Pro was purchased myself. Read...

Te Ipukarea Society wants to see that consultation is held with the public to find out how people would feel about such regulations. Read...

Opotiki council is being urged to ban or limit the number of overnight stayers at Te Ahiaua Reserve amid fears the public toilets are putting pressure on the delicate environment. Read...