At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Very good PCIe 4.0 performer for most workloads Single-sided design fits in just about any 2280 slot Reputable vendor Cons QLC slows down during very long writes Our Verdict At the right (low) price, this drive will deliver the PCIe 4.0 goods and deliver them Consistently. It’s new QLC also offers a significantly faster native write rate than previous generations. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: WD Blue SN5100 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket When push comes to shove, not a whole lot of users need or can use 14GBps PCIe 5.0 NVMe performance. Especially when Windows Explorer can’t take full advantage of it. So why pay extra cash for something you don’t need when you can have something significantly cheaper such as the PCIe 4.0 WD Blue SN5100, which gets you 95 percent of the way there 95 percent of the time? Also, what some readers may not realize is that much of the perceived (and real) performance of NVMe comes courtesy of its lightning-fast seek times. These do not improve significantly by generation — PCIe. 3.0 and PCIe 4.0 SSDs are just about as quick to locate files as PCIe 5.0 SSDs. As to the company’s competition with itself for longest product moniker — WD is winning. “WD Blue SN5100 powered by Sandisk,” which is the drive’s full PR name, trumps even “WD Passport HDD, works with USB C” by a couple of letters. Congrats. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best SSDs for comparison. What are the WD Blue SN5100’s features? The WD Blue SN5100, successor to the SN5000, is a 2280 (22mm wide, 80mm long) NVMe 2.0, PCIe 4.0 SSD utilizing a Sandisk controller and 332-layer Sandisk BiCS8 QLC NAND. It’s also single-sided so the SSD will fit in just about any 2280 NVMe-capable device. QLC stands for Quad-Layer Cell (4-bit), which typically performs as well as other NAND until you exhaust secondary cache (QLC written as SLC to be later written as QLC) during long writes. In the case of newer QLC, it’s not quite as tragic as with older versions — sustained transfers drop only to SATA SSD levels, not 2.5-inch SATA HDD levels or worse, as used to be the case. WD Blue SN5100 retail box Jon L. Jacobi The Blue SN5100 is a host memory buffer (HMB) design, meaning it uses system memory for primary caching roles. HMB designs are typically just as fast or even faster than designs that use dedicated DRAM for primary caching (depending on how you transfer files) with sustained reads and writes, but not as fast as DRAM designs when it comes to smaller random operations. How much does the WD Blue SN5100 cost? This is the deal, isn’t it? Competition on the low-end of the SSD market, and PCIe 4.0 HMB is the low-end these days, is fierce and there’s not a whole lot of difference in price between the top dogs. That makes the retail prices that WD quoted to me a bit on the high side: $55 for 500GB, $80 for 1TB, $150 for 2TB, and $300 for 4TB. No doubt you’ll find them cheaper not long after launch as there are simply too many less expensive options for those prices to hold — brand name or not. How fast is the WD Blue SN5100? Until it runs out of secondary cache when writing large amounts of data, the 2TB Blue SN5100 that I tested is very fast for a PCIe 4.0 host memory buffer SSD. Even when secondary cache does run out, write speeds waffle between a passable 250MBps and 700MBps. This means that you likely won’t run screaming into the night cursing the person who recommended the drive if and when you see the write rate drop. Hint, hint… The Blue SN5100 was a definite improvement over the older Blue SN5000 in terms of sustained throughput, though a bit surprisingly, the older drive proved more adept during CrystalDiskMark 8’s random operations tests. The Blue SN5100 is an improvement over the older SN500 in sustained throughput. Longer bars are better. Note that the SN5000 shown in the charts is the 4TB version, which featured BiCS6 QLC, where the 1TB and 2TB versions used faster TLC. As far as I know, all capacities of the SN5100 use the aforementioned BiCS8 QLC. As mentioned, I was not expecting the SN5100 to fall so handily to its older cousin in CrystalDiskMark 8’s 4K tests. This makes the older SN5000 likely the better SSD for running an OS off of. On the other hand, the older Blue SN5000 seems to have it over the Blue SN5100 in random ops by a rather large margin. Longer bars are better. One particularly slow write (a 48GB folder under Explorer) in the 48GB transfer tests (which now include the far faster Xcopy and FastCopy results) saw the Blue SN5100 lose by just over a second to the SN5000. However, it bettered the older drive in the majority of tests. Note that Windows Explorer tends to even out performance by virtue of being relative garbage at transfers — even compared to its own command-line Xcopy. The Xcopy and FastCopy results are more indicative of true performance and I highly recommend the latter to save time during large file transfers. One slowish folder write placed the Blue SN5100 behind its older Blue SN5000 sibling, but it was better in nearly every other test. Shorter bars are better. The following 450GB write results again highlight the Blue SN5100’s advantage in sustained throughput over the older Blue SN5000. It rivals WD’s own Black SN7100. The following 450GB write results again highlight the Blue SN5100’s advantage in sustained throughput over the older Blue SN5000. Shorter bars are better. I kept waiting for the Blue SN5100 to falter in the 48GB and 450GB write tests, but I couldn’t force it to deplete its secondary cache (QLC written as SLC) until I wrote a 950GB file to it. At just past the 500GB mark, the slowdown made it quite obvious that the NAND was QLC. That said, this QLC iteration is quite a bit faster writing than older QLC, waffling between 250MBps to 500MBps while older generations could drop to as low as 75MBps and stay there. Livable, if not optimal, and how often will you write 950GB in one fell swoop? Note that the 4TB SN5000 also has a livable native (off secondary cache) write rate. Yes, the SN5100’s write speed drops off cache, but it’s not the precipitous drop of previous generations of QLC. The Blue SN5100 is a definite improvement over its predecessor in terms of sustained throughput, and a very good SSD for the average user, but be aware of that QLC native write speed (no secondary cache) if you regularly write large amounts of data. Most users won’t ever see the drop though it will occur significantly sooner in the less capacious 500GB and 1TB models. On the other hand, you are not giving up all that much if you find the Blue SN5000 at a significantly lower price. Should you buy the WD Blue SN5100? At the right price, and for the right reasons, yes. It’s fast enough for most users, and fast enough in most scenarios for all but the pickiest pros. Plus, while it slows down a lot in super-long writes, it’s not a stupidly painful drop. How we test Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11 24H2, 64-bit running off of a PCIe 4.0 Samsung 990 Pro in an Asus Z890-Creator WiFi (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard. The CPU is a Core Ultra i5 225 feeding/fed by two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 4800MHz modules (64GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB and Thunderbolt 5 are integrated and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. PCIe 5.0 SSDs involved in testing are mounted in a Asus ROG PCIe 5.0 M.2 adapter card or a HighPoint 7604A 16x PCIe 5.0 4-port M.2 adapter card. We run the CrystalDiskMark 8 (and 9), AS SSD 2, and ATTO 4 synthetic benchmarks (to keep article length down, we only report one) to find the storage device’s potential performance, then a series of 48GB and 450GB transfers tests using Windows Explorer drag and drop to show what you’ll see under Window, as well as the far faster Xcopy and FastCopy to show what’s possible. A 25GBps two-SSD RAID 0 array on the aforementioned Highpoint 7604A is used as the second drive in our transfer tests. Formerly the 48GB tests were done with a RAM disk. Each test is performed on a NTFS-formatted and newly TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This issue has abated somewher with the current crop of SSDs with more mature controllers and far faster late-generation NAND. Caveat: The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped and to the capacity tested. SSD performance can and will vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to shotgun reads/writes across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching. Vendors also occasionally swap components. If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report, by all means, let us know. Read...

Trend Micro is named a Leader in the 2025 IDC MarketScape report for its Cyber Risk Exposure Management platform, praised for integration and automation features. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Powerful processor with AI functions Many USB ports Two 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports Up to four 8K monitors can be connected Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Cons Revs up abruptly and gets loud Second SSD only possible as M.2-2230 Our Verdict The sleek metal Geekom A9 Max, powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with Zen 5, handles everyday tasks and Windows 11 AI features effortlessly, and with its multiple connections and four-monitor support, offers a compelling alternative to bulky desktop PCs. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Geekom A9 Max Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Desktop PCs have been under my desk for almost 30 years. Early last year, after issues with the Intel Core i9-14900KF, the CSL VenomBox was my first mini PC, and I haven’t regretted it. As I want to stay up-to-date with AI, I needed a suitable mini PC. I chose the Geekom A9 Max with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, which is a moderate performance upgrade over the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS in the CSL VenomBox, while also providing the necessary AI support and updated connectivity. Geekom A9 Max: Specs Dimensions: 135 × 132 × 46.9 mm (W × D × H) Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 GPU: AMD Radeon 890M Memory: 2 × 16 GB Wodposit Dual-Channel DDR5 5600MHz Internal storage: Lexar LNQ7A1X002T, 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 connections: 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 connections: 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 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) The Geekom A9 Max is a good choice for users seeking AI functions and above-average performance. Geekom A9 Max: Design and features The A9 Max mini PC, which has only been available for a few weeks, was unveiled at CES earlier this year. Geekom packs the hardware into an attractively designed metal housing that’s supposed to withstand up to 200 kilograms of pressure. We haven’t tested this claim, but we can attest to the high stability of the housing. Christoph Hoffmann With dimensions of 135 x 132 x 46.9 millimeters, the A9 Max fits easily on any desk. It can also be attached to the back of a monitor using a VESA mount, which doesn’t make sense with my setup with three 27-inch monitors on a single rail. As is typical for a mini PC, there are connections available on the front and rear, although the computer’s orientation on the desk doesn’t really matter. The front is marked by the on/off switch. Geekom hasn’t been stingy with ports and leaves nothing to be desired: supporting up to four monitors with 8K, there are two USB4 ports with DisplayPort 1.4 each, plus two HDMI 2.1 ports. Christoph Hoffmann One highlight is the two 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports, which become useful when paired with a compatible router or switch and a NAS, such as the Ugreen DX4800 Plus (more on this later). Christoph Hoffmann There are also additional USB ports, totaling eight in various versions–from USB 2.0 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 to USB 4.0 Type-C. This setup also allows storage devices to be connected at high speed. Geekom A9 Max: Processor, GPU, RAM, and SSD At the heart of the Geekom A9 Max is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, a high-end processor from the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, developed for both laptops and desktops. It has 12 cores (4 × Zen 5 and 8 × Zen 5c) and supports up to 24 threads thanks to SMT. AMD’s Radeon 890M graphics and an integrated AI engine deliver up to 80 TOPS in total, 50 TOPS of which come via the NPU, meaning the CPU is specifically designed for AI applications and acceleration. The system in includes 32 GB of DDR5 RAM (5,600 MT/s) in two 16 GB modules. A single 32 GB module would have been more favorable for a future upgrade to 64 GB, since both modules would otherwise need to be replaced. The manufacturer is Wodposit Technology from Shenzhen, China–little is known about the company itself, but it has been a hardware partner of Geekom for some time. Christoph Hoffmann The NVMe SSD installed in our A9 Max has a 2 TB capacity and comes from Lexar, labeled LNQ7A1X002T. It’s also possible that SSDs from other manufacturers are used in other A9 units. Christoph Hoffmann There is a short M.2 interface (M.2-2230) for an additional SSD, though the choice of compatible drives is limited. For our upgrade, we opted for the Crucial P310 SSD 2 TB M.2. Geekom A9 Max: Windows 11 version 24H2 comes pre-installed The A9 Max comes with a hardware-bound license for Windows 11. When booting the mini PC for the first time, the Windows installation begins, the Windows installation begins and takes around 50 minutes. Updates are loaded during the set-up, but Windows offers further updates later on. In our test setup, a 27-inch Dell monitor is connected to the A9 Max, along with a wired Cherry keyboard and a Microsoft mouse with dongle. The mini PC is connected to the network via an Ethernet cable to the 2.5 Gbit/s BrosTrend 8X switch. We won’t go into further detail about Windows, but we observed that many of the operating system’s AI features are supported. Geekom A9 Max: Performance Given the strong hardware for a mini PC in this price range, we were eager to see the performance test results. We used the PCMark 10 benchmark test to evaluate actual performance, which provides realistic values by running everyday tasks sequentially. Scoring 7,976, the A9 easily lands in the top shirt. For comparison, the Asus ZenBook 14 OLED with its Ryzen 7 7730U processor scores a total of 6,722 points. This shows just how the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 stacks up against Qualcomm and Intel CPUs. Christoph Hoffmann The Geekom A9 Max scores 3,279 points in 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light benchmark, placing it in the “good” range and slightly above average. It also performs solidly in the Time Spy benchmark, with 3,701 points. Christoph Hoffmann The M.2 NVMe SSD from Lexar delivers a read speed of 6,242 MB/s and a write speed of 5,423 MB/s in the Crystal Disk Mark benchmark. This is an above average value for a PCIe 4.0 SSD. By comparison, the retrofitted Crucial P310 SSD 2 TB achieves even higher speeds, with 7,000 read and 4,614 MB/s write. Christoph Hoffmann Another point of interest is the dual Ethernet setup with 2 x 2.5 Gbit/s ports. In short, there’s no speed boost form using a single LAN port; the main advantage is the ability to connect to two wired networks in parallel. Regarding speed, we connected the A9 Max to the network using two category eight network cables and used Windows File Explorer to copy a video file of nearly 5.8 GB to and from the Ugreen NAS DX4800 Plus, which also has two 2.5 Gbit/s ports. The average bandwidth was 278 MB/s, whether one or both Ethernet ports were connected. The NAS Performance Tester produced similar results, recording average speeds of 276.04 MB/s for reading and 289.09 MB/s for writing. Christoph Hoffmann Geekom A9 Max: Conclusion The Geekom A9 Max is a good choice for users seeking AI functions and above-average performance. With its comprehensive features and multi-monitor support, the mini PC is well-suited for office use and also appeals to developers and graphic designers. Geekom’s pricing policy, however, is somewhat unfortunate. In the U.S., the A9 Max is currently goes for $999, which is down from its original $1,199. That’s not a bad discount right there, but you may see the price fluctuate due to the occasional promotion on Geekom’s website. Read...

TL;DR: Grab lifetime access to a multi-model AI workspace for under $40. ChatPlayground AI is easy to use, packed with features, and has no recurring fees. Tired of hopping between AI platforms or dealing with usage caps and confusing tokens? ChatPlayground AI gives you one clean dashboard to explore the best of today’s leading models—GPT-4, Claude 3, Gemini, and more—all under one roof. For just $39.99 (reg. $204), you’ll get a lifetime Basic Plan subscription that unlocks 500 messages per day, multi-model access, scripting tools, and public prompt libraries. It’s fast, no-nonsense, and completely browser-based—no API keys, no setup headaches. Whether you’re brainstorming code, generating content, or testing AI output side-by-side, ChatPlayground makes it easy to compare results and iterate without friction. You can even fine-tune system instructions to match your workflow. This isn’t just for AI hobbyists—it’s a great tool for devs, students, and anyone curious about how different large language models stack up. And the best part? One flat payment and it’s yours for life. Grab lifetime access to ChatPlayground AI now for $39.99 (reg. $204). Don’t wait to act on this limited-time offer. ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

NortonVPN updates its service with 37 new countries, Smart TV apps, and advanced privacy features like Double VPN and IP Rotation for enhanced security. Read...

It was previously reported by Neowin that uBlock Origin was no longer available for Microsoft’s Edge browser. Following in the footsteps of Google, who killed the uBlock Origin extension on Chrome, it seemed Microsoft had removed the popular ad blocker from Edge’s add-on store. All of the hubbub surrounding uBlock Origin stems from Google deprecating the Manifest V2 browser extension standard in Chromium. As you may well know, Chrome isn’t the only web browser built on Chromium—in fact, most modern web browsers are, including Edge. Google claims that Manifest V3 is meant to improve the safety and efficiency of browser extensions, but it comes with a big drawback: new limitations and restrictions that make ad blockers less effective. In the case of uBlock Origin, the extension just isn’t compatible with Manifest V3, hence it no longer working with Chrome and most Chromium-based browsers. Many users have since moved on to its less-effective successor with fewer features, uBlock Origin Lite. With Manifest V2 replaced by Manifest V3, other Chromium-based browsers must eventually follow suit (unless you’re Opera and can commit resources to maintaining Manifest V2 support). And that’s what it looked like here: uBlock Origin was no longer available in the Edge add-on store, leading some to believe it had been deprecated for Edge. But as it turns out, it was just a mistake. uBlock Origin is back up on the Edge add-on store and still available to install for users. Further reading: uBlock Origin is dead, but these ad blockers aren’t Read...

If you’re in the market for a superb laptop with excellent battery life that’ll get you through the day and then some, you don’t need to spend a fortune—especially when there are sales like this one. Right now, you can get the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G7 at B&H for just $499. That’s an insane discount of $520 off, down from its original price of $1,019! The highlight of this laptop is its crazy battery life. When we reviewed the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G7, we got a massive 22 hours on a single charge. That’s mostly thanks to its cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor, which also qualifies this as a Copilot+ PC. That means it has access to all the newest AI features in Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed)—and with 16GB of LPDDR5X memory plus 512GB of SSD storage, this laptop is a fantastic daily driver that’ll handle day-to-day tasks with ease. Equally great is the laptop’s gorgeous 16-inch IPS display at 1920×1200 resolution, though it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. Between that and the lack of a good graphics card—the Qualcomm Adreno GPU has its flaws—don’t expect to do much gaming on this thing. But for spreadsheets, web browsing, email, and streaming media, it’s more than adequate. Other nice bits include an HD webcam with privacy shutter (but no IR for Windows Hello), ports including HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A, plus an SD card slot, and support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. To be fair, we gave this a 3-star rating in our review because it was lacking at its original $1,019 price tag. But for $499? This thing is an insanely good deal. Get it while you can at B&H because it’s marked as “limited supply at this price” and likely won’t last very long. If it does run out, go ahead and check out our picks for the best laptops of all types and categories. This long-lasting Snapdragon laptop is a steal now that it`s 51% offBuy now from B&H Read...

As the back-to-school season approaches in 2025, teachers aren’t just buying markers or restocking textbooks—they’re reinventing what it means to educate in a hybrid, high-tech learning space. With students clamoring for more engaging, interactive lessons and administrators seeking technologies that bridge physical and digital classrooms, smart boards are no longer optional but imperative. Among the growing list of interactive screens, HKMLC 55? Smart Board stands out—not for dazzling stunts, but for its capacity to deliver what today’s classrooms actually need: clarity, connectivity, collaboration, and affordability. Here’s how HKMLC smart board can be put to use in a variety of teaching scenarios for the 2025 school year. Plug In, Power Up, Teach Smarter One of the first things you’ll notice when you glance at the HKMLC Smart Board is how quickly it comes online. Designed for educators—whatever their status, IT professionals or not—the unit provides plug-and-play with a built-in Android 11 OS. No more fiddling around with projectors, external computers, and calibration processes. Mount the board, turn it on, and you’re ready to rock. The Android interface is smooth and responsive, allowing them to easily transition between applications, browsers, video, and digital whiteboard functionality. And with support for multi-window multitasking, teachers are able to use a lesson while they consult their lesson plan or student feedback simultaneously. A Visual and Interactive Upgrade The 4K UHD resolution of the HKMLC board is not merely a spec-sheet boast—quite literally, it makes a big difference in classroom legibility, even in larger or light-filled classrooms. Students are able to read fine text easily, observe complex diagrams, and interact with multimedia materials without eye strain or glare. But where the board truly excels is in its touch performance. Able to handle up to 10 touch points simultaneously, students can work together—complex issues, moving things around on the screen, or co-editing in real time. The board comes with two styluses providing smooth digital ink and palm rejection, resulting in a writing experience very much like the old whiteboards—without the mess. HKMLC Built for Hybrid Learning and Device Integration Back to school in 2025 is more likely than not a mix of in-person, remote, and hybrid teaching. HKMLC knows. The board includes Eshare Pro, allowing wire-free screen casting from as many as 9 devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. When a teacher wants to display a student’s work or a student wants to display research, the process is fast and lag-free. We were also glad to find screen capture and recording features, which allow lessons to be saved, shared, or reviewed—ideal for absent students or flipped-classroom classrooms. Teachers can work within split-screen environments, comment on current web pages or YouTube videos, and even launch third-party education software from the Android desktop. Designed for Engagement, Not Just Display Not only does HKMLC Smart Board replicate traditional teaching behaviors online—it enhances them. Its interactive whiteboard feature comes with built-in templates like mind maps, grids, and diagrams, which enable instructors to organize material in a rush while it takes students along the way. Lesson material can be saved as image files or PDFs so students can view material outside of class, or instructors can keep digital records. Regardless of whether you’re creating a science diagram, a set of math problems, or a brainstorming list, it can be saved and shared in one tap. Practical Hardware, Future-Ready Build Physically, the board is modern, thin, and lightweight to be mounted or placed on a roll-around cart. It’s ideal for space-constrained classrooms or schools with several locations where they can utilize the same board. Ports are logically located, with multiple HDMI, USB, and LAN alternatives, and front facing for convenient use of USB stick input during instruction. Integrated speakers are adequate for most standard classrooms, and the general audio-visual setup supports a wide range of multimedia codecs. The build is heavy-duty and very durable—a requirement for school use where equipment must withstand intense usage. A Competitive Price Point for Tight Budgets Priced at around $1487 (on Amazon), the HKMLC Smart Board significantly undershoots many expensive alternatives without sacrificing critical functionality. For educational institutions wanting to meet performance with value, it is an attractive solution for classroom, training room, or small conference room equipment. While some smart boards are available with additional subscription-based software included in the package, HKMLC’s open Android platform gives schools the freedom to use their preferred software, avoiding long-term costs and vendor lock-in. HKMLC Clever, Accessible, and Ready for the Future of Education The HKMLC Smart Board is not trying to reinvent the wheel—but that is precisely why it wins. It’s focused on the things most important to educators: visual clarity, interactive input, hybrid compatibility, and simplicity. It’s the kind of board that steps back and lets teachers teach—and that is exactly what makes it so effective. As schools plan ahead for a new school year, expenditure on the right technology is no longer about catching up—it’s about empowering students, facilitating teachers, and making smarter classrooms. The HKMLC Smart Board earns a resounding A+ across the board. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Solid build quality Many mounting options; can be used on a desk or inside a desktop PC Software provides useful built-in widget support Extremely sharp image Cons Included stand works but feels flimsy No physical buttons Limited connectivity options Some software quirks and limitations Our Verdict The Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 is a small, versatile touchscreen monitor that can be used as a secondary display, attached to a tripod mount, or mounted inside a desktop PC. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 Retailer Price B&H 249.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices The Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 is the most versatile PC display I’ve ever reviewed. It can be used as a secondary display, which is how I used it. However, it can also be mounted to a 1/4?-20 tripod mount, or attached to a 360mm radiator mount in a PC desktop. You could use it as part of a streaming setup, attach it to a flight- or driving-simulator rig, or mount it inside a desktop PC to add flair or provide a performance monitoring dashboard. That makes it a fun and useful peripheral. Plus, at an MSRP of $249.99, it’s reasonably priced. Further reading: The best monitors: 11 top picks for gaming, 4K, HDR, and more Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 specs and features The Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 is best summarized as a small super-ultrawide touchscreen. It measures 14.5 inches diagonally, as its name implies, but has a roughly 32:9 aspect ratio and 2560×720 resolution. Display size: 14.5-inch 32:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 2560×720 Panel type: AHVA-LCD 5-point multi-touch Refresh rate: 60Hz Adaptive sync: None HDR: None Ports: 1x USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1x HDMI Audio: None Additional features: Magnetic desk stand, magnetic mount, 360mm mounting option, 1/4?-20 tripod mount Price: $249.99 MSRP Unusual size aside, the Xeneon Edge 14.5 also stands out because of its long list of mounting options. It ships with a magnetic desk stand for desktop use, but also includes options for use with a 360mm PC desktop radiator mount or a tripod mount. You can even use the built-in magnets to attach the display to the side of a desktop PC (or any magnetic surface). Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 design The Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 isn’t your typical computer monitor, and that’s reflected in the design. It’s wide and thick. The body is plastic, but the plastics used are rigid and some provide a premium soft-touch feel. The Edge looks less like a monitor and more like a high-end gaming peripheral, such as a gamepad or joystick. It ships with a stand for desktop use. The stand is a simple plastic wedge that attaches magnetically to the rear of the monitor. The plastics used by the stand feel noticeably less robust than the monitor itself, perhaps because they’re thinner. Also, the stand doesn’t offer multiple viewing angles. The monitor can be used in both vertical and horizontal orientation, but the stand only supports the monitor in horizontal mode. Matthew Smith / Foundry However, the monitor can also attach to a 360mm fan mount, can hang magnetically to metal surfaces (including the front or side of many PC desktop cases), and has a telescope arm mount with two 1/4?-20 mounting points for attachment to tripods or other arms and stands that support this mounting option. It also works with Corsair’s Frame LCD mount, which is found on some Corsair cases. The wide range of options points to the Xeneon Edge 14.5’s versatility. I mostly used it as a small second display for viewing guides and Discord while I played a game on-screen. But you can use it as a flashy billboard or control panel attached to your gaming rig. It can display your rig’s performance information or, if you just want flair, a repeating video clip of your choice. Matthew Smith / Foundry I like this not only because it fits more use cases, but also because it gives you options if you tire of using the monitor in one role. Instead of putting it in the closet, or trying to sell it online, you can give it a second life. On top of that, the Xeneon Edge 14.5 definitely fills a gap in the market. You can find many inexpensive small LCD displays on Amazon, AliExpress, and Temu, but they’re not much to look at. High-end options like the Asus ProArt Display PA147CDV exist, too, but are more expensive and meant for creative pros. The Xeneon Edge 14.5 fits between these extremes in both design and price. Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 connectivity There are just two ways to connect to the Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5: USB-C with DisplayPort, and HDMI. However, the monitor doesn’t ship with an HDMI-to-HDMI cable. It instead ships with a DisplayPort-to-HDMI cable. So while the monitor has HDMI input, it only works with DisplayPort input out-of-the-box. Most desktop users will need to connect both ports at the same time. The USB-C port can deliver both DisplayPort video and power, but most desktop graphics cards don’t include USB-C. On the other hand, HDMI or DisplayPort alone can’t supply the power and data the Xeneon Edge 14.5 needs for its full feature set. As a result, most desktops require a dual connection: USB-C for power and data, plus HDMI or DisplayPort for video. The majority of modern laptops have a USB-C port with DisplayPort, though. In that case, a single-cable connection over USB-C is possible. The Xeneon Edge 14.5 fills the sweet spot of secondary displays in both design and price. Matthew Smith / Foundry The ports are placed in a tight carve-out on the back of the monitor. This is a logical choice, since it keeps the connectors out of the way as much as possible. However, cables that have particularly large connectors, or which are unusually stiff, may be difficult to connect. Even the HDMI-to-DisplayPort cable that ships with the monitor is a tad tricky to fit into the space available. Corsair provides one final cable that’s not all that common: an internal USB header to USB-C cable. This is meant for use when the display is placed inside a desktop. While I didn’t use the monitor in this way, I expect it’s essential, as I doubt most gamers will have an internal USB to USB-C cable in the tangle of cords in their closet. Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 software, features, and audio While the Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5’s design and connectivity is mostly a win, one decision left me disappointed. The monitor entirely lacks menu buttons to control the display. It even lacks a power button and input selection button. The monitor instead turns on automatically and auto-detects an input. This is fine in theory and worked correctly in my testing. However, I’ve run into plenty of situations where a monitor fails to auto-detect a signal. The Xeneon Edge 14.5 offers no way to address this. The lack of power and input selection buttons also make troubleshooting more difficult, as it might be difficult to tell if the monitor is even turned on (there’s no power LED, either). The lack of buttons is also a problem if you plan to use the monitor with anything other than Windows. Mac support is listed, but none of the iCUE software features are available. Linux support is not listed. Corsair’s iCUE software is fine. It’s attractive and easy to understand. While the software doesn’t provide a huge range of adjustment (you’re not going to find an AdobeRGB mode here!) it works for the intended purpose. However, the reliance on software means even basic adjustment, like brightness, requires the software. Another quirk is the inability to play games in fullscreen mode while using the Xeneon Edge 14.5. This is true because Windows will automatically change focus to a second display if you tap or click on it. And if you have a fullscreen app open, it will be minimized (at best) or might glitch out (at worst). Fortunately, most games run fine in a windowed or borderless fullscreen mode, but this is an issue in games that don’t support a windowed or borderless fullscreen mode. I find that’s most commonly an issue with games that are a decade old, or older. Getting back to the positives, Corsair’s iCUE software includes built-in widget support for things like performance activity. While I expect some enthusiasts will choose to roll their own, the widgets are acceptable and should do the job for most people. The widgets cover a wide range of use cases including performance and temperature monitoring, video playback, Twitch chat, and Windows notifications. The monitor supports up to 30 “pages” of widgets, which strikes me as far more than anyone could ever need (though I’m sure someone will prove me wrong). What about audio? Unsurprisingly, it’s not included. A monitor this small would struggle to deliver good audio, and if it did, the price would be much higher. The monitor doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio pass-through jack, either. I don’t hold the lack of these features against the monitor but it’s something to keep in mind. Using the Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 The Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 is an unusual monitor, and for many this might beg a question: What is it for? I already touched on that a bit in the design section of the review, but I also want to dive deeper into my personal experience. Because it turns out I’m exactly the kind of person this monitor could appeal to. You see, I’m a firm believer in the value of a single-display PC setup. Having more displays can seem nice, and in some situations it might be essential, but I’ve found it’s distracting. This is true not only for work but also for play. Having one or two large monitors next to my primary gaming display make it hard for me to focus my attention on what I’m playing, and my enjoyment plummets. But that doesn’t mean I want a completely zoned-in experience either. Depending on what I’m playing I might still want to read a guide, play music, or listen to a podcast. The Xeneon Edge 14.5 offers a way to do this without the distraction (and bulk) of a second 27-inch or 32-inch beside my primary display. While Corsair’s iCUE software offers widgets, and I did try them, I spent more time using the monitor as a simple secondary display. I was able to position YouTube or YouTube Music on one half, providing easy media control, and leaving room to read a guide on the other half. I’m currently enjoying Rimworld, a notoriously complex game, and found quick access to a second screen valuable for looking up tips. However, because the screen is small, I wasn’t tempted to fire up social media or open my email. That’s how I used the Xeneon Edge 14.5, and I enjoyed it. But as mentioned earlier, the Xeneon Edge 14.5 is versatile, so I could use it differently if I started to play another game. I’ve been thinking about diving back into World of Warcraft after taking a break for several years. If I do, Discord could find a home on one half of the display. Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 image quality Image quality is a secondary concern for the Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5. It’s not meant for content creation, or even to display games. Video playback is the most demanding use case likely to be thrown at it. Because of that, the image quality can be summed up in one word. Adequate. The monitor has an AHVA panel with an LCD backlight. VA panels have better contrast than IPS panels and show less “glow” when displaying dark content. This, combined with the display’s glossy finish, makes for a contrast-rich experience. I thought it might be OLED for a moment. Don’t get too excited, though. My deceptive eyes were corrected when I placed the Xeneon Edge 14.5 next to an OLED monitor. The Edge looks nice, but it’s not as rich and vibrant as an OLED display. The Xeneon Edge 14.5’s glossy coat will be an issue if you use the monitor in a bright room or near windows. And reflections are made worse by the stand’s lack of adjustment, which means it’s not easy to change the angle of the display if a reflection is in your view. I would’ve preferred a matte or semi-gloss finish. Resolution, on the other hand, is where the Xeneon Edge 14.5 has an advantage over most monitors. 2560×720 resolution on a 14.5-inch display works out to about 183 pixels per inch. That’s higher than a 27-inch 4K monitor, which has about 163 pixels per inch. While the sharpness is apparent when viewing videos, it’s perhaps most helpful when displaying widgets. Fonts and icons look crisp. The Xeneon Edge 14.5 doesn’t support HDR. It also has a 60Hz refresh rate and lacks Adaptive Sync, so motion clarity isn’t great. These issues are not much of a concern, however, because the display won’t often be called on to display HDR or to view fast-moving content. On the contrary, I expect in most cases it will be used to view static content or online video, which is usually at 30 or 60 frames per second. So, as I said, the Xeneon Edge 14.5’s image quality is adequate. It won’t knock your socks off but it’s fine for what the monitor is designed to handle. Should you buy the Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5? The Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5 is a niche monitor, but one that manages to fill a gap in the market and offer good value for money. Most of the monitor’s direct competitors are less expensive, and while they might more-or-less do the job, they lack Corsair’s ease-of-use and attractive design. Other alternatives, like the Asus ProArt Display PA147CVD, deliver an attractive design but are much more expensive. The Edge is extremely versatile, too, as it supports multiple mounting options including a 1/4”-20 tripod mount and a 360mm radiator mount for placement inside a desktop PC. None of the alternatives offer this many mounting options. It’s not perfect, though. The lack of buttons means Corsair’s iCUE software is required for even basic display adjustments. Also, the monitor is not very useful if used alongside a fullscreen app, due to limitations in Windows 11’s window management. The Xeneon Edge 14.5 will have particular appeal to people who want a second (or third) display but don’t have the space, budget, or desire to add another full-sized monitor. Read...

Wyze was an early player in the budget home security camera game, but it’s been slow to adopt 4K video resolution—until now, anyway.  Available starting today, the Wyze Cam Pan v4 marks the manufacturer’s first 4K security cam, following in the footsteps of TP-Link’s Tapo and other home security brands that have already gone the 4K route. Landing just two weeks after Wyze’s dual-lens Duo Cam Pan (which packs a pair of 2K cameras), the Wyze Cam Pan v4 carries over most of the features of its predecessor, the Cam Pan v3 from 2023.  Among those features are 180-degree tilt coverage and 360-degree panning, along with IP65-rated weather protection, meaning it’s dust-tight and resistant to low-pressure water jets sprayed from any angle.  Compatible with Alexa and Google Home (but not Apple Home), the Cam Pan v4 also offers color night vision, two-way audio (albeit with an “improved” speaker and microphone this time around), and a privacy mode that points the camera lens straight down.  New for the upgraded Cam Pan is its 4K video resolution, which promises sharper image quality when zooming in on smaller areas of captured video events. Wyze’s previous cameras were capped at either 2K or 1080p resolution.  Bolstering the Cam Pan v4’s 4K resolution is its dual-band Wi-Fi, which allows the camera to connect to the faster, less crowded, and greater-bandwidth 5GHz wireless spectrum. In contrast, the Cam Pan v3 is a single-band Wi-Fi camera that’s restricted to the 2.4GHz spectrum, which is slower and more crowded than the 5GHz band and tends to perform better over longer distances.  Along with the Cam Pan v4’s 4K and dual-band Wi-Fi capabilities comes a new chip that offers AI-powered person, vehicle, and pet detection. That would mark a major boost compared to previous Wyze camera that relied on the cloud for AI object detection, but it’s not clear whether a paid Wyze subscription plan is required to unlock AI-enabled motion alerts. We’ve reached out to Wyze for more details.  Also new for the Cam Pan v4 is a motion-activated spotlight with a built-in siren, good for scaring off detected intruders, while a new universal mount lets you affix the camera to walls, eaves, and ceilings.  As with its predecessor, the Cam Pan v4 supports MicroSDXC cards up to 512GB, which allows for local storage of motion events.  For those who prefer cloud storage, Wyze offers a trio of plans. Cam Plus gives you 14-day video storage, suspicious sound alerts, and AI object detection (again, we’re checking if the Cam Pan v4’s new AI chip allows for AI detection without a plan) on a single camera for $2.99 a month, while Cam Unlimited adds a multi-cam timeline, smart arm/disarm modes, and friendly face detection on all your Wyze cams for $9.99/month. Cam Unlimited Pro ups the ante with AI-powered search and descriptive alerts, 60-day video storage, and 24/7 emergency dispatch for $19.99 a month.  We’ll have a full review of the Wyze Cam Pan v4 once we check out a sample unit.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Read...