be quiet! Dark Rock Elite review: Best-in-class CPU air cooling
Taking a look at be quiet!'s flagship CPU air cooler.
Readers like you help support XDA Developers. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.
latest
Acer SpatialLabs View Pro portable monitor review: The only real way to experience PC games in glasses-free 3D
The Acer SpatialLabs View Pro is a one-of-a-kind portable monitor, but with a price of $1,500, you probably shouldn't buy it.
Remember the Nintendo 3DS? It was announced in 2010, released a year later, and brought glasses-free 3D experiences mainstream all the way up until the handheld console was discontinued in 2020. But Nintendo ended up leaving glasses-free 3D behind, and so did almost everyone else. The fad never became the future, although that doesn't mean there aren't impressive uses of glasses-free 3D technology available today. Acer has been leading the charge, especially in the PC and gaming markets. Using its SpatialLabs technology, the company released a gaming laptop and a few monitors equipped with stereoscopic 3D capabilities.
Ugreen NASync DXP480T Plus review: A tiny, all-flash NAS for creators
Using four NVMe SSDs for an all-flash NAS isn't exactly commonplace, which makes the DXP480T Plus unique at the very least.
In the world of network-attached storage (NAS), there are a handful of household-name companies, custom NAS builds, and not much else. That's why Ugreen entering the market with an entire NASync lineup invoked passionate responses — both positive and negative ones — from the NAS community. There are seven models in total, and they are launching as a Kickstarter campaign that blew past its original crowdfunding goal. I've spent over a month testing a pre-production unit and software for arguably the most interesting NASync variant: the Ugreen NASync DXP480T Plus.
ZimaBlade review: An affordable SBC for creating your own NAS
Intel CPU, upgradable RAM, and plenty of ports make this small-board computer worth buying.
Raspberry Pi is a name that dominates the single-board computer (SBC) market but there's a new company looking to force its way into the market with well-built products and interesting marketing. IceWhale has launched the ZimaBlade, an Intel-powered SBC with DDR3L RAM support, countless ports, and the ability to run anything. Unlike a traditional desktop PC, an SBC has the CPU, RAM, I/O, and all other components on a single board. The ZimaBlade takes this further by offering a single SODIMM slot atop the PCB for swapping memory modules.
StarTech Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station review: You can't ask for more ports
This StarTech Thunderbolt 4 docking station supports up to four 4K displays, and it has a lot of ports for peripherals.
There's no shortage of docking stations to choose from if you want to connect more peripherals to a modern laptop. But not many are on the same level as the StarTech Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station. Its main selling point is that it can drive up to four 4K displays at 60Hz, all using a single port on your laptop, which is something we've rarely seen in other docks.
Anbernic RG35XX review: A Nintendo DS, a Game Boy, and a PlayStation all in your pocket
The Anbernic RG35XX is a great retro gaming handheld, and it can play a ton of handhelds and consoles with ease.
If you want to carry retro games with you wherever you go, then there are a few handhelds to choose from that may fit the bill. One such handheld is the Anbernic RG35XX, a powerful handheld that manages to support a ton of different consoles and handhelds out of the box. From the NES to the Nintendo DS to the PlayStation 1, it can do a whole lot in a very small form factor.
WindowBlinds review: Make Windows 11 (almost) look like anything you want
Stardock's coolest customization app is held back by changes to Windows 11 and some frustrating apps.
Customizing Windows has always been Stardock's specialty, and WindowBlinds has long been one of the best apps to do just that. WindowBlinds allows you to radically change the way Windows looks, from the Start menu, to the taskbar, to the app windows.
LG Gram +View review: An excellent portable monitor with some limitations
The LG Gram +View is arguably the best portable monitor out there, but it lacks some features I really wish were here.
LG's Gram laptops have some of the best displays in the business, so it only makes sense for the company to throw its hat in the ring of portable monitors, too. The LG Gram +View first made its debut in 2022, and it's designed to be the perfect pairing for the 16-inch Gram laptops, but it's also just an excellent portable monitor.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) review: This 14-inch gaming laptop is legit
Slim, stylish, and powerful
I first saw the Asus Zephyus G14 (2024) at a CES prebriefing, and I was immediately struck by its stand-out design. What I didn't expect was just how good of a gaming laptop it would be.
Insta360 X4 review: the best consumer 360 camera gets better
The new Insta360 camera can shoot 360 degree video in 8K/30 resolution or single lens "standard" video at 4K/120fps, giving it great versatility
In the consumer 360-degree camera space, Insta360's X series has been king for a while. The cameras top just about every single "best 360 cameras" list across all tech outlets, and I see them at tech events and tourist hotspots more than any other brand's 360 cameras. The Insta360 X3, which came out in 2022, is one of the half dozen or so gadgets I consider a must-carry when I travel, and the just announced X4 is either a big or small upgrade depending on your needs.
When it comes to macro pads for your computer, there are a lot to choose from that run the gamut from the most basic numberpads and OSU accessories to high-end tools prized by artists and streamers. The Xencelabs Quick Keys falls into that latter category with its premium price tag and sturdy build. If you’re looking to upgrade your desktop setup, the Quick Keys is a solid choice.
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro review: The Nintendo Switch-style retro Android handheld to get
Retroid's Pocket 4 Pro is a tiny but capable Android handheld that is perfect for mobile gaming and retro emulation
The term "gaming handheld" now covers a wide variety of devices, from PC gaming handhelds with laptop-class processing power, to tiny retro game consoles taking design cues from a past era. For example, the OneXPlayer X1 is a gigantic and beastly gaming device that can barely be considered a handheld, while the Miyoo Mini+ is the size of a deck of cards. The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, by comparison, falls directly in the middle of those two extremes. It isn't a large and powerful computer like the best PC gaming handhelds, and it isn't a strictly-retro device powered by a single-board computer. With a MediaTek Dimensity 1100 processor and Android 13, the Pocket 4 Pro is like a mix of a budget Android phone's internals with the form factor of a Nintendo Switch Lite.
Logitech Yeti Orb review: A great budget-friendly compact microphone
Replacing the mighty Blue Snowball.
Logitech has been slowly working on successors to the Blue microphones after the company absorbed the brand in 2018. The Blue Snowball was a favorite of many due to its compact size and excellent recording capabilities. The Logitech Yeti Orb is a spiritual successor to the Blue Snowball, sporting a modern design to fit with other Logitech audio recording equipment. I reviewed the Logitech Yeti GX and gave it a positive score, so I had high hopes for the Yeti Orb.
Anker 3-in-1 Power Bank review: Bring a USB-C cable, wall charger, and battery pack wherever you go
Anker's latest combo charging device wants to replace two or three items in your everyday carry, at an affordable price.
There are plenty of things that the best smartphones can do well in 2024, but all-day battery life can still be hit or miss. Power users and casual users alike frequently find themselves in situations where they need to recharge to get through the day. That's why I carry a USB-C cable, a wall charger, and a power bank with me whenever possible. However, with batteries shrinking and companies thinking creatively, one charging accessory might be able to replace those three separate ones. I've been using the Anker 3-in-1 Power Bank for over a week, and it has the potential to do just that. It sports a 5,000 mAh capacity, collapsible wall prongs, a built-in USB-C cable, and another USB-C port.
HYTE CNVS review: An incredibly bright and excessive $99 mousepad
Is it even a mousepad at this point?
Mousepads have come a long way and it's now possible to splash more than $100 on a surface to slide your mouse over. No longer is the mousepad used solely for the pointer. You can now buy larger surfaces that stretch the length of a desk, allowing the keyboard, headset, and even monitor to sit atop the mousepad. Today, I'm sharing my thoughts on the HYTE CNVS ("canvas"), a colossal $99 feature-rich mousepad with flexible RGB lighting, USB passthrough, and full integration with HYTE's Nexus software.
One XPlayer X1 review: The largest gaming handheld you've ever seen
The One XPlayer X1 has a massive 11-inch screen and Intel Core Ultra processors, but does that make for a good gaming handheld?
We've seen a few handheld gaming PCs over the past few years in response to the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, and while the sizes have varied a bit, most devices stick somewhere between 7- and 9-inch displays. Chinese company One XPlayer decided to buck this trend and aim for a massive 11-inch (10.95-inch, to be precise) display while also making something that's a little more versatile.
TerraMaster F4-424 Pro review: A powerful NAS at a reasonable price
Incredible hardware with decent software for a solid home NAS.
TerraMaster opened 2024 with killer network-attached storage (NAS) enclosures with the TerraMaster F4-424 Pro leading the charge. This imposing four-bay enclosure has some beefy specifications. Rocking an Intel Core i3-N300 processor, 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, and 2.5 GbE networking, there's plenty to love about this NAS. While TerraMaster traditionally lagged behind the competition for the operating system and software support, the brand has been actively working on both so I was eager to see how the F4-424 ran and what the experience was like.
OpenShell review: A free tool to bring back the classic Windows Start menu
You get what you pay for.
There are always those who refuse to get used to something new, and in the case of the Windows Start menu, that's very apparent. Companies and developers know this, which is why there are quite a few solutions for changing the Start menu on Windows 11 (and even versions well before that). OpenShell is the third I get to check out for myself, and it has the major benefit of being completely free.
Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra review: A workstation in a thin-and-light chassis
The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra is a premium system that can do it all, even light gaming.
Back when I was a dewy-eyed, young reviewer, Samsung used to make an impressive premium laptop. Combining glass and aluminum, they were a sight to behold and boasted some of the most powerful specs available at the time. And then, the company’s smartphone, TV and appliance markets started taking off and the laptop line started to decline. It was a sad time for us reviewers.
Ugreen DXP4800 Plus review: A powerful NAS with half-baked software
The Ugreen DXP4800 Plus is a newly launched NAS from Ugreen, a company not exactly known for complex hardware. This NAS impresses, though.
The world of NAS devices has grown with the launch of Ugreen's own lineup. A bit of a random launch for the company typically known for its smartphone accessories and peripherals, you would be forgiven for being surprised. However, I've been impressed by Ugreen's first-ever NAS offering with the caveat that the software currently needs a lot of work.
StartAllBack review: Bringing back classic Windows goodness
Don't like the Windows 11 design changes? StartAllBack takes you back to better times, with some other improvements to boot.
Not everyone is happy with the way Windows 11 looks and feels, and many solutions have stepped up to the plate to improve it. One such solution is StartAllBack, a great option if you want to go back to the "good old days" of Windows 7.