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...

TechHive Editors Choice At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Sleek new design Impressive audio performance Packs Zigbee, Matter, and Amazon Sidewalk hubs Focuses on video chat participants Cons No privacy shutter Alexa+ is still a work in progress Spotty streaming video support Our Verdict Provided you’ve settled on the Alexa ecosystem, the 4th-gen Echo Show 8 is the smart display to get. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Amazon Echo Show 8 (fourth-generation, 2025) Retailer Price $149.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Amazon has a new crop of Echo devices designed specifically for its big AI revamp of Alexa, including a couple of new Echo speakers, the Echo Dot Max (which we’ve previously reviewed) and the Echo Studio (our review is in the works). Also in the mix are two Echo Show displays: the Echo Show 11 and the Echo Show 8, the latter of which we’re reviewing here.  With both of the new Echo Show displays, Amazon has served up sleek new spheroid designs for the base that make their displays appear to float in mid-air, and their sonics got makeovers as well. Under the hood, the Echo Show 8 ($179.99) has a new processor designed to make Alexa+ respond more quickly and accurately to the “Alexa” wake word, while new ambient sensor technologies help Alexa detect when someone’s in the room, and even who they are.  In terms of a mainstream smart display that you place in your kitchen or living room, the Amazon Echo Show 8 hits the sweet spot. The Echo Show 8 is also an entertainment and communication device, capable of streaming movies and shows on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, cranking tunes, and letting you connect with far-flung friends and loved ones, either on voice calls or video chat.  But the 4th-gen Echo Show 8 isn’t perfect, and it drops a key feature that might give privacy-minded users pause.  Design  The most striking thing about the new Echo Show 8 (8.2 x 5 x 5.9 inches, WxDxH) is its design; quite simply, it’s gorgeous, and a massive improvement compared to its chunky-looking predecessor. Gone is the wedge-shaped design of older Echo Show displays (the third-gen Echo Show 8 at least adopted an edge-to-edge screen and rounded corners). The new Echo Show 8’s screen is now mounted on a spheroid base that makes the slim panel appear to float in space.  The spheroid design of the Echo Show 8 makes the screen look like it’s floating in space.Ben Patterson/Foundry This display itself measures 8.7 inches diagonally, with slimmer bezels than the previous Echo Show 8 and its 8-inch screen. The volume buttons are on the right edge of the display, right below a privacy button that mutes the microphone array and electronically deactivates the camera lens (which sits in the top bezel). Nice, but the fourth-gen Echo Show 8 loses a key privacy feature of the third-gen version: a physical for blocking the camera lens, meaning you might want to think twice before putting the display in your bedroom.  The 4th-gen Echo Show 8 looks great on its own, but it looks even better when paired with Amazon’s optional stand, a premium-looking metal accessory that magnetically snaps onto the bottom of the display’s base. The Echo Show 8 attaches to Amazon’s optional stand with the help of a strong magnet.Ben Patterson/Foundry The stand feels reassuringly heavy and solid, and it allows you to tilt the Echo Show 8 up to 40 degrees or spin it a full 360 degrees—and yes, you can spin the display without having to hold the stand down with your other hand. Even though it tacks an additional $40 to the Echo Show 8’s price tag, the optional stand is well worth the added expense.  Inside the Echo Show 8’s fabric-covered spheroid base is a custom AZ3 Pro processor that’s been specifically designed for Alexa+, along with a revamped speaker array that includes a pair of full-range drivers and a 2.8-inch woofer, an upgrade from the two drivers and the passive bass radiator in the previous generation. I’ll delve further into the Echo Show 8’s Alexa+ and audio performance in a bit.  You can tilt the Echo Show 8’s display up to 40 degrees and swivel it up to 360 degrees when the device is sitting on its optional stand.Ben Patterson/Foundry Setup  I’ve complained in the past about the process of setting up an Echo Show display—namely, you had to type in your Amazon email address and your password using the on-screen keyboard, a process that’s easy to screw up if you have a strong password. For a regular Echo speaker like the Echo Dot, the process is much more seamless, as the Alexa app will simply detect the speaker and connect it. Why couldn’t the same thing happen with an Echo Show display?  Well, I’m happy to report that since my review of the previous Echo Show 8 (circa 2023), Amazon has given the Echo Show connection process a serious upgrade. Now you simply scan a QR code on the Echo Show display using your phone, and the Alexa app handles the rest.   There are some privacy disclosures and EULAs you’ll need to check off, and you also must designate which room the Echo Show 8 will reside in. You’ll also need to enroll your face if you want Alexa to recognize you via the Echo Show’s camera; the process is similar to setting up Face ID on an iPhone and takes only a few minutes. (Because I had previously enrolled my face for the 3rd-gen Echo Show 8, I didn’t need to do it again for the new model.)  Say goodbye to the wedge-shaped design of earlier Echo Show displays, like the 3rd-gen Echo Show 8 (left).Ben Patterson/Foundry Overall, the Echo Show 8 setup process was a smooth one, and I had the display up and running in roughly five minutes.  Customizing the home screen  The Echo Show 8’s home screen can show a plethora of content, from slideshows of your snapshots and breaking news headlines to popular recipes, smart home controls, sports scores, and shopping recommendations—including sponsored products; i.e., advertisements.  The presence of ads on a device you’ve paid good money for is a vexing one, and in my early days with the Echo Show 8, I grew tired of seeing shopping ads pop up that were clearly based on my Amazon searches. For example, after an afternoon of shopping for VESA mounts on Amazon, I woke to find VESA mount ads on the Echo Show’s home screen.   Luckily, it’s easy to customize what you see on the home screen—and just as importantly, what you don’t want. Under the Settings menu you’ll find a Home Screen Categories section where you can toggle various home screen elements on or off. Disabling the Shopping category nixed the suggested products, for example, and you can also choose whether you want to see local or national news, sports headlines, stock market updates, weather reports, and so on. You can still ask Alexa for shopping recommendations after disabling the Shopping home screen category, but the shopping ads won’t be pushed at you anymore.  You can also add widgets to the home screen for a dashboard-style view of your calendar, weather updates, recently played music, and—perhaps best of all—smart home controls, perfect for giving you touch controls for your various lights, smart plugs, and other smart devices. Alexa is also willing and able to control your smart home, a topic we’ll get to in a moment.  Finally, the Echo Show can display slideshows of either curated images and artwork from Amazon or snapshots from your Amazon Photos library. You can change the speed at which the Show rotates through the images (anywhere from 6 to 24 seconds per slide) and whether your photos should be cropped, “smart” cropped (meaning the display picks the most “interesting” parts of your images to focus on), or shown in their entirety.   Personally, I don’t love the Echo Show in its digital photo frame mode as it tends to sandwich portrait-style images between thick bars, no matter what crop setting you pick. Google’s Nest Hubs have a better solution: they intelligently pair portrait photos side-by-side, thus avoiding the whole window-boxing issue.  I don’t love the window-boxing effect for portrait images on the Echo Show 8’s slideshow mode.Ben Patterson/Foundry Smart hub connectivity  The 4th-gen Echo Show 8’s smart home connectivity options are unchanged compared to the previous version. For starters, the display will act as a Zigbee smart home hub, ideal for connecting Zigbee-enabled devices such as smart bulbs, smart plugs, remotes, water leak sensors, and similar smart gadgets. The Echo Show 8 also packs a Thread border router, meaning it can connect Matter-enabled smart devices to the internet and to each other. And it’s also a bridge for Sidewalk, the Amazon-backed “neighborhood network” protocol that leverages nearby Echo speakers and Ring cameras to connect low-power and far-flung smart sensors and devices (including the new series of Sidewalk-enabled sensors that Ring announced at CES in January).  That’s a fairly comprehensive array of smart connectivity options, but it’s worth noting that the Echo Show 8 doesn’t support Z-Wave, a wireless smart home and security protocol with its own rich ecosystem of devices. (No other Echo devices offer a Z-Wave hub either, although Amazon’s Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro home security systems do.) Also, unlike several other Echo speakers, including the Dot and the new Dot Max, the Echo Show 8 can’t be configured to operate as a network node when connected to one of Amazon’s Eero mesh Wi-Fi routers.  Smart sensors  The Echo Show 8 boasts a collection of onboard sensors that are mainly geared towards detecting when people are nearby—and, if you allow the display to do so, it can recognize who is near it, which is ideal for helping Alexa to give you personalized responses.   The Echo Show 8 offers a wide range of smart home connectivity options, along with on-screen smart home controls.Ben Patterson/Foundry Using an Amazon technology called Omnisense, and with the help of its camera and ambient temperature and light sensors, the Echo Show 8 can detect when people are in the room and act accordingly. For example, the Show can change the style of its on-screen interface, boosting the size of graphical elements when you’re further away and shrinking them as you approach, all the better for adding more details when you’re closer.   Omniverse can also help Alexa—and namely, Alexa+—recognize individuals in its vicinity, allowing it to tailor its responses (such as when you ask about upcoming calendar events). The technology can also trigger Alexa routines when people enter or leave the room, perfect for turning lights on and off based on room occupancy or queuing up a playlist when you arrive home from work.  Alexa+ and smart home functionality  Of course, the star of the show when it comes to the Echo Show 8’s smart home abilities is Alexa+, the long-awaited AI revamp for Alexa that’s coming up to its first anniversary.   While it’s been out for nearly a year and is available for anyone Alexa users who ask for it (and some who didn’t), Alexa+ is still in an “early access” phase. As such, Amazon isn’t charging for Alexa+ yet; eventually, Alexa+ access will be free for Amazon Prime members but $20 a month for everyone else.  Alexa+ will work on practically any working Echo speaker (including the earlier puck-shaped Echo Dot models). That said, the Echo Show 8’s AZ3 Pro processor helps the display to respond to the “Alexa” wake work more quickly and accurately, and it also enables the advanced Omnisense presense-detection abilities I mentioned earlier.  Like the “classic” Alexa (which is still around and will remain free), Alexa+ can control your smart lights, take charge of smart plugs, manage your thermostats, and run automated routines at your command. But while the old Alexa demanded the use of somewhat stilted voice commands (“Alexa, set table lamp 3 to 70 percent”), Alexa+ can understand natural language commands. Say “Alexa, it’s dark in here, can you make it brighter,” and Alexa+ can—theoretically—figure out that a) you’re in the living room and b) that you want the brightness of the living room lights dialed up.   When it works, it’s pretty cool, but as I’ve written before, Alexa+ frequently disappoints as much as it impresses, variously mishearing commands or misunderstanding your intent. Sometimes it accurately guesses that it should send over your Roomba when you declare how dirty the carpets are; sometimes it will just give you a speech about the carpet manufacturing industry. Sometimes it’s juggling your streaming music playlists with ease, tossing your tunes from one speaker to another; other times it seems unbelievably dense, like the time it mistook a collection of Taylor Swift 1989 covers for the actual 1989 album and doubled down when I pointed out the mistake.  In short, Alexa+ is very much a work in progress, which is why it remains in an early access period (and why I’m not giving it a full review just yet).  Just like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude, Alexa+ is constantly evolving, and hopefully improving as it does so. It’s also worth noting that Alexa+ isn’t alone in having smart-home hiccups; Gemini at Home has its share of foibles, too. Finally, you can always go back to the old Alexa if you want; not so with Gemini, which won’t let you return to Google Assistant.  Video calling and communication  One of the best features of a smart display like the Echo Show 8 is two-way video chat, and in this regard the product shines. The vibrant 8.7-inch, full-HD display can’t swivel on its own like the motorized screen on the 3rd-gen Echo Show 10, but the 13-megapixel camera’s software can nonetheless zoom in and follow you if you choose to roam while you chat.  The Echo Show 8’s camera also offers some limited home-monitoring capabilities, allowing users to take a live look through the lens when away from home. That said, the display’s camera can’t function as a Ring camera in the same way that Google’s camera-equipped Nest Hub Max can double as a Nest camera.   Aside from its video-calling features, the Echo Show 8 can handle voice communication, too. For example, you can call or “drop-in” on any other Echo device by asking Alexa. Even better, you can use Alexa to call any number in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico for free, although there’s a catch: you’re limited to just 10 contacts (at least you can swap new contacts for old whenever you want).  In another handy perk, you can connect Alexa to your AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon mobile number. You can then ask Alexa to make hands-free calls, and as a bonus, Alexa can announce your callers, answer the call, or even hang up on an incoming call.  Media playback  It probably won’t be the biggest screen in your home, but the Echo Show 8 still works well for playing videos from the big streaming services, provided you’re subscribed to either Amazon Prime Video (which Prime members get for free, although you’ll need to pay a little more to avoid ads) or Netflix. Both of those services offer native apps for the Echo Show 8, making for much smoother navigation and streaming.  For everything else—Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube and other services—you’ll need to use the Echo Show 8’s Silk web browser, which works in a pinch but feels clunkier compared to the native video apps.  If you want a more well-rounded streaming video experience from an Echo Show display, you’ll need to step up to the Echo Show 15 (either the first or second generations) or the Echo Show 21, with those larger displays supporting the full-on Amazon Fire TV app, complete with support for all the big streamers as well as dozens of niche streaming services.  As far as music goes, you can link accounts from such streaming services as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Spotify, Tidal, iHeartRadio, Sirius XM, TuneIn, Audacy, and Audible. Missing from the list: YouTube Music and Qobuz.  The Echo Show 8 supports most of the big music streaming services, including Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify.Ben Patterson/Foundry Audio performance  As I wrote earlier, Amazon has given the Echo Show 8 a serious audio upgrade compared to the previous generation, with the newer version swapping its predecessor’s passive bass radiator for a powered 2.8-inch woofer.  The result is much better bass, which became evident when I played Taylor Swift’s 1989 (yes, the same album I was arguing with Alexa+ about) on the 3rd- and 4th-gen Echo Show 8 displays in succession.   The older Show 8 sounded fine, perfectly serviceable for background music in the kitchen. The newer model, on the other hand, delivered audio performance that you could actually focus on and enjoy. We’re not talking Sonos levels of audio quality, mind you, but for a smart display, I thought the revamped Echo Show 8 sounded quite impressive.  Should you buy the Amazon Echo Show 8?  I certainly have my quibbles with the 4th-gen Echo Show 8. The lack of a privacy shutter for the camera is my biggest complaint, while the iffy video streaming support is somewhat ameliorated by the fact that the 8-inch screen isn’t ideal for serious video watching. And yes, Alexa+ is still a work in progress, although you can always stick with the old Alexa if you prefer.  But in terms of a mainstream smart display that you place in your kitchen or living room, the Amazon Echo Show 8 hits the sweet spot. It looks terrific, it sounds great, it offers a galaxy of smart home integrations plus a wide range of connectivity, it’s perfect for video chat and can even place mobile calls for you. Provided you’ve settled on the Alexa ecosystem and given that Google’s Nest Hub displays are getting long in the tooth, the 4th-gen Echo Show 8 is the smart display to get.  Should you upgrade from the 3rd-generation Echo Show 8? It depends. Yes, the 4th-gen Show 8 boasts a much sleeker design, while the newer Echo Show certainly tops the 3rd-gen’s audio performance, particular in terms of bass response. But the older Echo Show 8 does have a privacy shutter, it offers the same smart home hubs and connectivity as the newer version, it supports Alexa+ (albeit with an older Amazon processor), and while its screen is a tad smaller, it still looks just as good as its successor’s.  So, if you’re drawn to the new design of the 4th-generation Echo Show 8 or you demand bleeding-edge audio and processor performance, sure, go ahead and pony up for the newer display. But if you’re mainly concerned about smart home control, you’ll be fine sticking with the 3rd-generation device.  This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart speakers. Read...

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DLA Piper has promoted Edward Eisdell-Moore to partner in its Auckland technology and data practice, effective 1 January 2026. Read...

Some might think the hard disk drive (HDD), which is rarely found in consumer computing devices these days, is obsolete. In truth, it’s nowhere near kaput. Why? Hard drives provide capacity that SSDs can only dream of. At least at anything close to an affordable price. With the data created each year now measured in zettabytes (trillions of gigabytes), we obviously need all the room we can get. To meet that demand, WD (newly divested of solid state experts Sandisk) plans to squeeze every last drop out of the spinning platter technology using multiple techniques. Including: SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording), aka overlapping data tracks. This can slow write performance in some circumstances, but increases capacity. eAMR (Energy-Assisted Magnetic Recording), or applying more energy to the write head for more precise alignment, and closer packing of bits (tiny, variable-orientation magnetic particles). Again, increased capacity. HAMR (Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording), or applying a bit of heat to the surface of the disks making them more responsive to magnetic pulses, also allowing tighter packing of bits. ePMR (Energy-Assisted Perpendicular Magnetic Recording) — the same as above, but with the bits standing on their toes, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the disk/platter. Actually, PMR has been the norm for quite a while, and responsible for the huge jump in HDD capacity over the last couple of decades. The upshot of all these technologies in the short term will be a new 40TB UltraSMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) 3.5-inch HDD, and what WD says will be models sporting a massive 100TB within the next 10 years. The interior of a modern hard disk drive. WD WD also claims that it will double sequential transfer performance in the near term, and octuple (8X) it over the same upcoming decade. Seeing as sequential throughput currently peaks at somewhere around 300MBps, we’re talking well over 2GBps eventually. Yowser! Random access performance? No promise were made, and likely for a good reason. Given the nature of moving read-write heads about the surfaces of platters (disks), we expect it to remain far slower than SSDs. A 20 percent drop in power requirements is also touted by WD, lowering energy bill throughout the known universe — always a good thing. Of course, no press release these days would be complete without mentioning AI — in this case, the huge amount of data it requires. A requirement that WD feels can be met in large part using hard drives. They’re likely not wrong. Along with SSDs and Dynamic memory at the tip of the storage spear, of course. Keep in mind that these gains are a roadmap. Actual results may vary. Read...

When it comes to USB-C chargers, power banks, and wall plugs, Anker is one of the most reputable (and therefore one of the safest) brands to get. Today, the adorable Anker Nano 45W USB-C wall charger is on sale with a 25% discount on Amazon. That means you can now grab it for just $29.98 (was $39.99). Perfect for frequent travelers! It’s not just the sizable discount that makes this Anker Nano charger block stand out, but also the fact that it has a built-in smart display with a cute little face that tells you how fast your device is charging, how long it’ll take to fully charge, and lets you switch between charging modes. When charging an iPhone or iPad, this charger will even know which model you’re charging and display that info, too. With a maximum output of 45 watts, this plug is capable of charging your smartphone to 50% in approximately 20 minutes. There’s only one USB-C port on it, so you won’t be able to charge multiple devices at once. At night, if you switch to Care Mode, it will intelligently charge your device in a way that preserves battery longevity. Also, this miniature wall plug is perfect for travel for several reasons. For starters, it uses GaN technology which lets it go much smaller, lighter, and power efficient than traditional chargers. It also has a 180-degree prong that folds in both directions, which lets it adapt to any kind of outlet you might encounter. And with it being so tiny, it can be shoved into any pocket or bag without concerns over damage. The Anker Nano 45W USB-C wall charger is only $29.99 right nowBuy now via Amazon Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent performance thanks to Ryzen 5 7640HS and Radeon 760M graphics Decent SSD transfer rates thanks to CT1000P3 from Crucial/Micron Magnetic cover enables lightning-fast hardware upgrades Quiet cooling system even under sustained load Wide range of connectivity options including USB-C and Wi-Fi 6E Cons The case surface is scratch-resistant, but attracts dust Our Verdict The PELADN WO4 is recommended for users who are looking for a powerful yet maintenance-friendly system. The mini PC stands out from the competition thanks to its magnetic cover and the use of brand-name components. Whether as a compact workstation, AI accelerator, or for casual gaming, the combination of Ryzen 5 7640HS and 32GB DDR5 RAM offers reserves for the next few years. A well-designed piece of technology without the usual compromises in terms of upgradeability. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: PELADN WO4 Retailer Price $419.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket PELADN is another mini PC manufacturer from the Far East. At the time of testing, 26 models with Intel and AMD processors were listed in its own EU shop, although not all of them are available. Some of PELADN’s minis are also available on Amazon, including the WO4 tested here with AMD Ryzen 7640HS and Radeon 760M graphics. We put this attractively priced model through its paces. Design and workmanship My first impression of the PELADN WO4 was that it’s cool and high-quality. The metal alloy casing not only looks sturdy, but also supports heat dissipation. The scratch-resistant surface feels silky and resists fingerprints surprisingly well. Compared to high-gloss models such as the Acemagic M1, this is a clear advantage in everyday use. Christoph Hoffmann There has been an exciting trend in the world of ultra-compact computers for several months now: Devices are not only becoming faster, but also easier to maintain. While competitors such as the Geekom A7 Max or the Acemagic M1 rely on a closed unibody design, which requires laboriously removing the rubber feet and loosening screws for upgrades, the PELADN WO4 takes a much more user-friendly approach. Similar to the Sapphire Edge AI 370, the cover on the top of the case can be lifted without tools, giving easy access to the slots for two RAM modules and two NVMe SSDs. Despite this flexibility, the cover sits rock-solid when closed, with nothing rattling or feeling unstable. Christoph Hoffmann With dimensions of approximately 5 × 5 × 2 inches (width × depth × height) and a weight of around 1.21 pounds, the WO4 is significantly more compact than comparable devices such as the Geekom A7 Max or the Miniforums AI X1 Pro. This allows it to be flexibly placed on a desk, in the living room, or at a home office workstation. The included VESA mount also allows for space-saving attachment directly to the back of the monitor. The cooling system of the PELADN WO4, called “FrostCool,” relies on a sophisticated two-fan concept, setting it apart from the often undersized competition. The main fan efficiently transports the waste heat from the Ryzen 5 7640HS to the outside via large copper heat pipes. An additional system fan ensures a constant air flow over the DDR5 RAM and the Crucial SSD installed in the test device. This active cooling of the memory components is a decisive advantage, as it effectively prevents the thermal throttling that is feared with NVMe SSDs during long write operations. Thanks to the solid construction of the heatsink and an intelligent fan curve, the mini PC remains virtually inaudible in office use. Under full load, it emits only a sonorous, unobtrusive hum instead of high-frequency whistling. Another plus point is its ease of maintenance: The magnetic case cover allows tool-free access to the cooling system. This makes regular cleaning of the fan blades from dust a breeze and ensures long-term system stability. Features The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS forms the heart of a new generation of mini PCs like the PELADN WO4 that focus on efficiency and AI acceleration. The six-core processor is based on modern 4nm manufacturing and Zen 4 architecture (“Phoenix”). In terms of performance, it is on par with former high-end chips such as the Ryzen 9 5900HX or the Intel Core i5-12500H. However, it significantly outperforms them in terms of energy efficiency and single-core performance. Christoph Hoffmann Compared to the Zen 3 models (such as the Ryzen 5 5600H or 5800H) found in many cheaper mini PCs, the 7640HS benefits from double-digit IPC growth and support for AVX-512. This makes it powerful enough for modern software workloads and future-proof. Although its bigger brother, the Ryzen 7 7840HS, offers two more cores, the 7640HS is almost on par in terms of single-thread performance, which is crucial for everyday use, and often outperforms competing models in the Intel Core i5-13500H series in graphics benchmarks. A unique selling point in this price range is the integrated Ryzen AI Engine (NPU), which offers dedicated hardware acceleration for AI tasks. This feature is completely absent in older mini PC generations or the pure office CPUs of the Intel T series. A look under the cover shows that PELADN makes no compromises when it comes to components. While many manufacturers are moving towards soldering the RAM in place for space reasons — a criticism often levelled at ultra-slim models — the WO4 offers two classic SODIMM slots. It comes with 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM installed at the factory, spread across two 16GB modules. Christoph Hoffmann No corners were cut when it came to the SSD: Thanks to its PCIe 4.0 connection, the built-in 1TB Crucial P3 delivers transfer rates that allow the system to boot in seconds — more details on this below. The variety of connections on the case makes some full-grown desktop workstations look outdated. Particularly noteworthy are Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, which ensure an extremely stable wireless connection. Christoph Hoffmann The front of the PELADN WO4 has a modern and user-friendly design. In addition to the illuminated power button, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports that enable data rates of up to 10Gbit/s. This makes them ideal for quickly connecting external SSDs or high-performance USB sticks. This setup is complemented by a combined 3.5mm jack connection for headsets. This is particularly beneficial for users who have their PC on their desk and do not want to reach behind the device to connect audio accessories. Christoph Hoffmann The highlight on the front is the full-featured USB-C port. This not only supports fast data transfer, but also DisplayPort Alt Mode. Depending on the configuration, this allows a third monitor to be controlled. The result is a high degree of flexibility in everyday work, as frequently changed peripheral devices are immediately accessible. The rear of the mini PC is designed for continuous stationary operation and offers numerous connection options. An HDMI and a DisplayPort connection dominate here. Together with the USB-C port on the front, they enable a triple-monitor setup with up to 4K resolution at high refresh rates. A 2.5G Ethernet port is available for integration into the home network, offering significantly higher transfer speeds than the conventional Gigabit standard, which is also available. The two LAN ports are an advantage for users who work with a NAS or want to move large amounts of data over the network. Christoph Hoffmann There are also two additional USB-A ports on the back, which are suitable for connecting peripheral devices such as mice, keyboards, or printers. Directly below the ports are the generous air vents of the cooling system. They are positioned so that the warm air is directed away from the user. The rear panel is rounded off by the power input for the external power supply. The arrangement of the sockets has been chosen so that the plugs do not block each other, even when all ports are fully occupied. Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed The PELADN WO4 comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. With an active internet connection, the operating system is quickly activated and set up. Windows 11 is factory-set to 24H2 Build 26100 with a release date of 1 October 2024. After setup, we updated the system to the latest version using the update function. We then installed the AMD drivers for the chipset and the Radeon graphics card. Christoph Hoffmann Christoph Hoffmann Although we do not evaluate Windows 11 Pro separately, the interaction between the operating system and hardware is an important aspect of the WO4. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS harmonizes well with the current Windows 11 build thanks to its modern platform. The integrated AI unit creates a future-proof basis for functions that are already used selectively by Windows 11 and are likely to become even more important in the future. Computing power With the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS, the PELADN WO4 positions itself as a powerful representative of the current mini PC upper class. In benchmarks, it achieves a balanced ratio of CPU performance, graphics performance and memory throughput. The processor is based on the Zen 4 architecture of the Phoenix generation and integrates the Radeon 760M graphics unit. This puts the WO4 in the same performance range as compact high-performance systems. Compared to the newer Zen 5 platforms, such as those used in the Sapphire Edge AI 370, the WO4 is based on a mature and established architecture. The integrated Ryzen AI unit provides fundamental support for AI applications. Combined with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a fast PCIe 4.0 SSD, the result is a system that can reliably handle not only classic office and productivity tasks, but also demanding multitasking and computationally intensive workloads. In the PCMark benchmark test, we determined a desktop computing power of 7,158 points. The software processes everyday tasks one after the other, thus delivering realistic values. Christoph Hoffmann The benchmark results in the Essentials (10,063 points) and Productivity (11,906 points) sub-areas show that everyday tasks, office applications, and multitasking run smoothly on the WO4. However, the score in the Content Creation area is weaker at 8,309 points. This puts the mini PC significantly behind systems based on the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and about 2,200 points behind the Geekom IT15 with Intel Core Ultra 9. This reflects the clearly higher performance of this platform in computationally and media-intensive scenarios. In the 3DMark CPU test, the WO4 demonstrates balanced performance. With 5,949 points in the multithread run and 974 points in the single-thread test, the result is on par with a mobile Ryzen 9 8945HS. In a direct market comparison, however, the WO4 lags around 20 percent behind systems with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. At the same time, scaling across multiple threads shows that computationally intensive tasks and parallel AI workloads are performed quickly. Christoph Hoffmann With 2,778 points in the Time Spy test, this mini PC achieves impressive performance for its size and marks the current performance peak of classic integrated graphics solutions in the mini PC segment. The Radeon 760M’s 2,488 graphics points show that it outperforms conventional Intel solutions (Iris Xe) by almost 50 percent and enables smooth Full HD gaming. The 8,202 CPU points are the real highlight: They prove that the Ryzen 5 7640HS, thanks to its Zen 4 architecture, does not throttle even under continuous load and comes close to compact desktop systems. The result in the Steel Nomad Light test is revealing, as this benchmark was developed for cross-platform systems without a dedicated graphics card. With 2,249 points and an estimated gaming performance of over 30 FPS, the PELADN WO4 proves that it far exceeds the level of simple office computers. Even if 16.67fps may seem low at first glance in a pure graphics test, this value is good for an integrated solution with very high quality settings. It indicates that current game titles remain playable in Full HD with moderate adjustments to the details. This makes the WO4 an option for casual gamers. The Geekbench AI Pro values (3,822 single precision / 7,362 quantized) indicate good AI acceleration. This is useful for on-device AI applications, edge computing, and local LLM inference. In this discipline, the PELADN WO4 is around 10 percent below the Geekom IT15, which is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H and an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, as used in the Sapphire Edge AI 370, for example. Christoph Hoffmann The SSD performance in Crystal Disk Mark is good, but not above average: With 5,200MB/s read and 4,733MB/s write speeds, the SSD performs at a decent but not above-average pace. Some higher-priced competitor models achieve read speeds of 6,000 to 7,000MB/s. The SSD speed of the WO4 is significantly higher than that of the Alliwava models (GH8 and H90), which are equipped with a slow PCIe 3.0 NVMe. Christoph Hoffmann Conclusion Our impression of the PELADN WO4 is positive. In terms of performance, the Ryzen 5 7640HS makes a clear statement. Thanks to the Zen 4 architecture and powerful Radeon 760M graphics, the WO4 closes the gap between office PCs and gaming systems. It masters demanding multitasking scenarios, AI-supported workflows, and even modern gaming in 1080p with flying colors, without reaching its thermal limits. The FrostCool system works so smoothly that the computer is unlikely to be perceived as disruptive, even in quiet working environments. Its (almost) unique selling point is the clever housing concept with a magnetic cover. Easy, tool-free access to RAM and SSD is user-friendly. This not only makes the system low-maintenance, but also future-proof for later upgrades. For users looking for a powerful, quiet, and flexible companion for their desk that won’t become electronic waste after just two years, the PELADN WO4 is a smart investment. Technical specifications Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (6 cores / 12 threads, up to 5.0 GHz) Graphics: AMD Radeon 760M (RDNA 3 architecture) Memory: 32 GB DDR5-5600 (2 × 16 GB removable) Internal storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD (Crucial P3, PCIe 4.0 x4) Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 1 × 2.5G Ethernet, 1 × Gigabit Ethernet Connections: 1 × HDMI 2.1, 1 × DisplayPort 1 × USB-C (full feature), 4 × USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3.5 mm jack Cooling: FrostCool dual fan system Special feature: Magnetic case cover for tool-free access Operating system: Windows 11 Pro pre-installed Dimensions: 128 × 128 × 52 mm (width × depth × height) Weight: approx. 550 grams Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Quality 4K webcam images with 60Hz option Surprisingly useful remote control Powerful zoom features Solid autofocus Cons Privacy shutter must be added on Onboard mics and noise cancellation are average to poor Camera positioning is annoying Our Verdict eMeet’s affordable 4K autofocus webcam generates great-looking shots, with a handy remote that controls many of its functions at the push of a button. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: EMEET Smartcam C60E 4K Dual Webcam Retailer Price $59.99 View Deal eMeet $59.99 View Deal $69.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices eMeet continues to push the envelope with aggressively priced videoconferencing solutions, and the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual is another example of a quality, autofocusing webcam that includes a handy remote control that quickly offers focus, zoom, and color options. At press time, the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual costs just about $70 (or $59.99 at eMeet’s site, at press time), which is terrific for a 4K webcam, even if it doesn’t offer quite the visual quality of some of the premium options in our recommendations for the best webcams. It has a key feature shared by another eMeet camera, the eMeet Piko+ 4K: a pair of lenses that jointly create the image, depending upon what you ask of it. On either side are some programmable RGB accents. About the only thing I mildly dislike about this webcam is the construction; the camera doesn’t tilt up and down on the mount, which means that framing your face with the camera can be a little awkward. While Windows’ Studio Effects technology will crop and zoom to frame your face, the technology doesn’t always work with external webcams, and depends (right now) on whether you’re running a Windows preview or not. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual, meanwhile, has a manual zoom — all the way to a tight 11X. Mark Hachman / Foundry In any event, the C60E 4K Dual is a quite affordable 4K autofocus webcam, whose images look remarkably like the images generated by the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra camera of a couple years ago. On paper, the two show differences; the SmartCam C60E 4K Dual uses a 1/2.8-inch sensor that’s shared between its two wide-angle and telephoto lenses, while the Kiyo Pro Ultra uses a 1/1.2-inch sensor, which lets in far more light. In a well-lit room, however, that doesn’t make that much difference. Although eMeet supplies an AI Studio application for fine-grained controls, much of that can be achieved either through the Windows settings or with the accompanying remote, which is surprisingly handy. eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual: How well does it work? The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual connects to your PC via a 2-meter (6.5 feet) cable, terminating in a USB-A port. The other end of the cord is connected directly to the webcam, so you can’t simply install a longer cable. That should be more than enough on most desktop setups, however. Mark Hachman / Foundry Again, the weakest part of this webcam is the mount. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual uses the traditional “jaws” configuration, where the webcam sits flat on the top of the laptop or display, and a “jaw” juts out at an angle to support it. Some rival webcams add a hinged “tongue” at the end of the jaw to provide a more expansive surface to rest the frame upon. Virtually all of them, however, have a gimbal or swivel upon which you can adjust the webcam. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual only allows you to rotate the camera, not adjust it up or down. It’s not a huge loss, but it’s especially annoying when mounted on the display of a laptop, which can of course be raised or lowered. Each time you open a laptop, you’ll need to readjust the webcam, and it simply takes a bit longer than most. Once the webcam has found your face, which happens quite quickly, the autofocus locks on and remains there. I’m also not a fan of the fact that eMeet has left the privacy shutter as a stick-on option, rather than just building it in. The RGB highlights do light up when the camera is in use, however. The webcam allows you to record video of up to 4K (2160p) at 30 frames per second. Alternatively, you can record at 1440p (30fps), 1080p (30fps or 60fps), and various lower resolutions. Remember, Windows Studio Effects basically uses the full resolution of your webcam to crop and zoom in on your face. The eMeet SmartCam does the same: At a 4K setting, you can only choose from one of two zoom settings as it only has so many pixels to work with. But at 1080p/30fps, you can zoom in all the way to 11X; at some point, you might notice a brief hesitation while it switches cameras. At the lower resolutions you can also use the zoom slider within Windows to either smoothly zoom up to 11X or step through the various gradations (2X, 3X, 4X, etc.) to ratchet the zoom level up and down. eMeet’s AI Studio software offers this AI scene planner, which feels extraneous to most users.Mark Hachman / Foundry Those gradations are found on the webcam’s remote, which is especially useful. Powered by two AAA batteries, the well-designed remote can be used for everything from toggling between fixed- to auto-focus, to adjusting the zoom controls, to dialing up and down lighting and tint controls. The remote also includes four presets, with everything from a “cool” and “vivid” setting to black and white. Supposedly the remote also controls the ability to scale up and down the resolution, but that didn’t seem to work. Thankfully, it all works out of the box, no drivers necessary. If you do lose the remote, that’s okay too. Most of its functions (the zoom, lighting, and contrast) can be controlled directly via Windows, as well as the Camera settings within Windows. Still, the remote puts it all at your fingertips, and that’s handy. eMeet also includes an optional AI Studio app that controls some of the camera’s functions in a nice on-screen UI. Emphasis on optional: Some of the installation software uses Mandarin without English translations, which can be disconcerting. One of the few things AI Studio software exclusively offers is an odd AI app that allows you to create shooting templates for various projects, using everything from ChatGPT to Grok. There’s really very little point to it. (It also provides the ability to swap the RGB lighting between red, green, and blue, too, however.) eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual: Performance Otherwise, the image captures the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual generated were pretty solid. I felt colors were accurately represented, and that the images were crisp. Mark Hachman / Foundry I shoot images down in my office, which normally is a bit dimmer; I removed the curtains for cleaning, which allows more light inside. The webcam uses what’s called phase-detection autofocus, or PDAF. All this means is that the autofocus capabilities of this webcam are quick and not “twitchy”: Once the webcam has found your face, which happens quite quickly, the autofocus locks on and remains there. Upstairs, I happened to capture the images on a grayer day, which dims everything a bit. But I also felt that the images were lifelike, with decent color and contrast. I also threw in one using the black and white preset, just for fun. Though this webcam does offer some presets, none of them include anything like the “beauty modes” I’ve seen in native webcam apps from Samsung, for example. The eMeet webcam does have a pair of onboard mics, but this is the other shortcoming that budget webcams tend to offer: average to poor audio, with noise cancellation that barely works. I’m afraid that the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual falls into this category. I record my voice using the webcam mics as per our normal webcam testing procedure, playing back some rock music and then some white noise via my phone, behind my head and off to the side. In this case, the background audio was clearly audible. You’ll want a quiet room for working with this webcam. Should you buy the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual? eMeet has produced another inexpensive, quality webcam that fits into a midrange niche. Normally, I’d expect this to be filled by a “2K” (1440p) or other midrange webcam. The fact that eMeet offers 4K capabilities as well as a 1080p, 60Hz option is a lovely bonus. I wouldn’t download the utility software; it’s not necessary, and additional apps clog your PC. I’d also recommend buying this if you own a desktop display to which you can attach this webcam and not have to move it again. Laptop owners may find it slightly annoying. Still, I think this webcam deserves four stars, simply because the lack of a mount swivel and lack of a privacy shutter can be dealt with. I’d just encourage eMeet to think hard about not ignoring these basics in the future. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Good features Two 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports, lots of USB ports Support for up to four displays (up to 8K) Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Upgradable DDR5 RAM instead of soldered LPDDR Cons Fan spins up abruptly under load and becomes clearly audible No USB-C port on the front Second SSD only possible in M.2-2230 format No Thunderbolt (USB4 available, but without TB certification) Our Verdict The Geekom A7 Max builds on the proven concept of the A9 Max, but with a different technical focus. Instead of maximum AI acceleration, the focus is on high classic CPU performance, fast integrated graphics and an overall balanced platform. For users who do not require special AI functions, the A7 Max is a powerful mini PC for productivity, multimedia and demanding all-round tasks. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Geekom A7 Max Retailer Price $698.99 View Deal Geekom $699 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Technical specs Dimensions: 135 × 132 × 46.9 mm (W × D × H) Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS GPU: AMD Radeon 780M Ram: 1× 16 GB Micron DDR5 5600MHz Internal storage: 1 TB from Wooposit Technology WPBSN4M8, M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 ×4 NVMe SSD SSD upgradeability: 1 × M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 ×4 NVMe, up to 4 TB Rear ports: 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 × USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 × USB 4.0 Type-C DP-Alt-Mode / PD-In, 1 × USB 4.0 Type-C DP-Alt-Mode, 2 × Ethernet RJ45 2.5 Gbit/s, 2 × HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1 × DC-In Front ports: 3 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Always On, 1 × 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1 × SD card reader 4.0 Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 (64-bit) Accessories: VESA mount (121.8 × 116.5 × 1.0 mm) Geekom has been pursuing a clearly recognizable product strategy for some time: instead of a single top-of-the-range model, the manufacturer is launching several mini PCs that are almost identical in appearance but have different processor platforms. The differences are not so much in the case, connections or cooling, but primarily in the CPU—and thus in the intended use. We have already tested the Geekom A9 Max, and now its technically different sibling, the A7 Max, is put to the test. With the A7 Max, Geekom is adding a model to its Max series that deliberately foregoes maximum AI performance and instead focuses on classic strengths. Geekom A7 Max: Design For the Max series, Geekom has opted for a consistent design concept with a solid metal housing and clean, functional lines. The chassis looks high-quality and also impresses with its stability. Christoph Hoffmann Although we have not carried out any explicit endurance tests, the mini PC still gives a very robust impression in everyday use. Neither pressure nor slight attempts at twisting lead to creaking noises or noticeable yielding—an indication of a torsion-resistant and durable construction. Christoph Hoffmann With its compact dimensions of 135 × 132 × 46.9 millimeters (W × D × H), the A7 Max remains pleasantly space-saving despite its powerful hardware. It takes up hardly any space on the desk and blends inconspicuously into different working environments. Alternatively, the mini PC can be mounted directly on the back of a monitor using the included VESA mount. This allows the system to disappear almost completely from view without compromising on accessibility to the ports or adequate cooling. Geekom A7 Max: Features At the heart of the Geekom A7 Max is the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS. The powerful eight-core processor belongs to the Ryzen 7040 HS series and was originally designed for high-performance notebooks, but is now increasingly being used in compact desktop systems. It offers 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture and achieves boost clock speeds of up to 5.2 GHz. Christoph Hoffmann The integrated graphics unit is the Radeon 780M based on RDNA 3, which delivers very high graphics performance for an iGPU. In addition, the processor has an integrated NPU based on AMD’s XDNA architecture. However, at around 10 TOPS, this is significantly weaker than current Ryzen AI processors and is primarily suitable for simple AI acceleration. In our test model, the processor is supported by 16GB of DDR5 RAM with 5,600 MT/s. Geekom doesn’t provide detailed information about the memory manufacturer but a 16GB module from Micron is installed. Important: The memory is not soldered and can therefore be upgraded—a clear advantage over many competing models. The A7 Max has an NVMe SSD with 1TB capacity as its mass storage device. Depending on the batch, different manufacturers may be used here. We cannot immediately assign the model name “WPBSN4M8” displayed in Crystal Disk Info to any manufacturer. A quick search reveals that it is an OEM model from Wooposit Technology that is not sold as a retail product. As is customary in this device class, Geekom reserves the right to use equivalent SSDs from other manufacturers. Christoph Hoffmann An additional M.2-2230 slot (PCIe 4.0 × 4) is available for expansions. Due to the form factor, the selection is limited though. Typical for a mini PC, Geekom distributes the ports across the front and back, allowing for flexible orientation on the desk. The power button, which clearly marks the front, provides orientation. The manufacturer is generous when it comes to connectivity: the mini PC supports up to four high-resolution displays and provides two USB4 interfaces with DisplayPort 1.4 support and two HDMI 2.1 outputs for this purpose. Christoph Hoffmann One feature that is not a given in this device class is the two 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports. In conjunction with a suitable router or switch and an NAS, fast network and storage solutions can be implemented. The range of connections is complemented by additional USB ports. A total of eight USB interfaces are available in various designs – from USB 2.0 to USB 3.2 Gen 2 to USB4 Type-C. This allows fast external SSDs and other peripheral devices to be connected without restrictions. Christoph Hoffmann One minor criticism is that Geekom has omitted a USB-C port on the front, meaning that corresponding devices can only be connected via the rear ports. Geekom A7 Max: Operating system The A7 Max comes with a hardware-bound licence for Windows 11. The Windows installation begins after the mini PC is booted for the first time. Updates are downloaded during setup, but Windows will offer further updates later on. Important note: After the initial installation of Windows 11, numerous drivers are required, most notably the AMD drivers for the Radeon graphics card and the chipset. This ensures that the mini PC runs under optimal conditions and that all components can deliver their full performance. Geekom A7 Max: Performance The Geekom A7 Max features an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS with eight cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture. The processor achieves clock speeds of up to 5.2 GHz and is supported by the integrated Radeon 780M graphics unit. We determined the actual performance using the PCMark 10 benchmark test. This software gives us realistic values by working through everyday tasks one after the other. In the default setting, the system achieves a total of 6,853 points (A9 Max: 8,953 points), with 10,505 in “Essentials”, 9,620 in “Productivity” and 8,641 in “Digital Content Creation”. By comparison, the A9 Max achieves 11,559 points in “Essentials”, 10,853 points in “Productivity” and 15,527 points in “Digital Content Creation”. Christoph Hoffmann The CPU profile from 3DMark shows decent scaling across all thread levels and delivers strong multicore performance – Max. threads: 7,718, 16 threads: 7,765, 8 threads: 6,640, 4 threads: 3,883, 2 threads: 2,002 and 1 thread: 1,024. The A7 Max benefits from the eight physical cores, especially in parallelized applications. Christoph Hoffmann With 9,528 points at full capacity, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is more than 23 percent above the determined values. The gaming graphics performance of the Geekom A7 Max is determined by 3DMark Steel Nomad Light with a result of 1,607 points. This is below average and less than half the performance of the A9 Max with 3,279 points. The Time Spy benchmark delivers 1,866 to 3,701 points. This makes the A7 Max suitable for simple games, older titles and eSports games, but not for current AAA titles with high settings. Compared to the A9 Max, the AI performance is lower. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS has an integrated NPU based on AMD’s XDNA architecture. However, at around 10 TOPS, this is significantly weaker than current Ryzen AI processors. In the Geekbench AI Pro benchmark, the Geekom A7 Max achieved the following results: 3,053 for “Single Precision”, 1,674 for “Half Precision” and 7,365 for “Quantized”. The performance is sufficient for simple AI applications, but specialised AI workloads benefit more from the A9 Max model. Christoph Hoffmann The M.2 NVMe SSD delivers a read performance of 6,895 MB/s and a write rate of 6,098 MB/s in Crystal Disk Mark. This is an above-average value for a PCIe 4.0 SSD. By comparison, the Lexar from the A9 Max is significantly lower at 6,242 MB/s for reading and 5,423 MB/s for writing. Christoph Hoffmann Is the Geekom A7 Max worth it? With the A7 Max, Geekom is adding a model to its Max series that deliberately foregoes maximum AI performance and instead focuses on classic strengths. The focus is clearly on high CPU performance, a very powerful integrated GPU and an overall balanced platform that proves to be extremely practical in everyday use. The A7 Max offers more than enough performance for productivity tasks, multitasking, multimedia applications and creative workloads. The Radeon 780M graphics also enable easy gaming and smooth 8K playback. Added to this are a fast PCIe 4.0 SSD, upgradeable DDR5 RAM and an unusually extensive range of connections for this class, including USB4, four display outputs and two 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports. Mentioned in this article Geekom A9 Max Read our review Criticisms such as the fan, which is audible under load, the lack of a USB-C port on the front and the second SSD slot limited to M.2-2230 only slightly detract from the overall appeal. Also, the integrated NPU is only suitable for simple AI tasks. All in all, the Geekom A7 Max is a very powerful and versatile mini PC. Those who want to accelerate specific local AI workloads are still better off with the A9 Max, while the A7 Max plays to its strengths in classic computing power and versatile everyday and productive use. Read...

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