At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Compact, efficient design Detachable hub is like two products in one Triple display Cons Unexpectedly mediocre charging performance Somewhat pricey Three displays is overkill, given the bandwidth limit Our Verdict Anker’s 13-in-1 USB-C dock disappointed me with its lack of suitable charging, but the tight design and modular hub add value. It all still feels a bit overpriced. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Anker Nano (13-in-1) Docking Station with Detachable Hub Retailer Price $109.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Devices with smaller pop-out features are inherently cool. Take Batman’s Batpod cycle, for instance. So Anker’s Nano Docking Station (13-in-1, with its Removable Hub) instantly adds a bit of cachet with its pull-out USB-C hub, making it convenient to take on the road. This flexibility doesn’t come cheap. Anker charges about $150 for what is still a USB-C docking station, though with the ability to connect to three displays. This Nano dock (the A83C3) also doesn’t include some of the charging capabilities that you might otherwise associate with other Anker products. There’s not really enough power to quick-charge a smartphone, for example. (Is it good enough to be added to PCWorld’s best USB-C hubs and docks? Keep reading to find out.) Anker’s 13-in-1 dock does fit the “nano” bill: it’s 1.57 inches wide and 5.5 inches high. Its depth is just under 4 inches, so this is a compact little dock that uses its space extremely effectively. A little blue LED encircles the detachable hub on the front of the display, an unobtrusive accent which can be turned off if needed. It only sits vertically, and Anker even warns that the dock can become unstable if it’s placed in another position such as upside down. The Anker Nano Docking Station (13-in-1, with a Removable Hub) with the hub detached.Mark Hachman / Foundry Remember, this is a 10Gbps USB-C dock, so its capabilities depend on what laptop you’re connecting it to. I connected multiple laptops, including laptops with an Intel Core Ultra 100 and AMD Ryzen AI 300 chips inside them. Connecting to two docks should only deliver up to 1440p resolution on two displays. But with laptops with USB4 ports or Thunderbolt 4 ports on them, the dock powered two displays at 4K, 60Hz. Only when I pulled out a Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio (11th-gen Core processor, Thunderbolt 4) did the output drop down to 4K, 30 Hz on one display and 1440p on the other. (Technically, your laptop will need to support DP Alt Mode for display output and power delivery for charging.) Anker’s quick-start guide offers a tiny HTML glyph link to an online manual, which reveals the specs. Two HDMI 2.0 ports and a DisplayPort 1.4 port provide display connections on the rear, alongside two legacy USB-A ports with 480Mbps connections for a keyboard and mouse. The rear also includes a gigabit Ethernet port. When powered on, the Anker Nano Docking Station (13-in-1, with a Removable Hub) displays a blue LED accent around the hub.Mark Hachman / Foundry Technically, this is a three-display dock, with an additional DisplayPort connection on the back. But with just 10Gbps of bandwidth shared between them, things get even more iffy. With a laptop that supports Display Stream Compression (DSC), you may see 4K60 across all three displays. Older hardware may produce 1440p across all three or just 1080p. On the front of Anker’s dock are a headphone jack, a 10Gbps USB-C port, and the portable hub. Plugged in, you’ll get a small subset of ports: a 5Gbps USB-C port, a 5Gbps USB-A port, and SD and microSD (TF) card slots capable, Anker says, of up to 104MB/s of data transfer. The dock supplies a rated 100W to the laptop via a 1 meter cable. (The power cord is about 60 inches.) Otherwise, this dock doesn’t supply a huge amount of power: the front USB-A port (inside the hub is rated at 4.5W of power output, while the USB-C port next to it puts out a rated 7.5W. That’s really not much at all, and far beneath the 20 to 45W or so smartphones require. The front of the Anker Nano Docking Station (13-in-1, with a Removable Hub). Note that there’s both a 5Gbps as well as a 10Gbps USB-C input.Mark Hachman / Foundry Unplug the hub (and yes, you can do this while the dock is connected and powered up) and an additional HDMI port is exposed, along with a USB-C power input that can accept up to 15W for the hub and output 85W to the laptop. The hub can be ejected using a small release switch on the top of the dock itself. Note that the hub includes just a 5Gbps USB-C data connection, and there’s no integrated Ethernet jack. Both the dock and integrated hub appears to be entirely made of plastic. Although all of the heat migrates to the top of the dock, I didn’t notice any thermal issues in my time testing. A small white LED on the back of the dock shows when the dock is powered on. Though the large button on the rear of the dock suggests that it’s a power button, it’s not. Pressing that button turns off the blue LED lighting surrounding the hub. A longer press, surprisingly, does nothing. The rear of the Anker Nano Docking Station (13-in-1, with a Removable Hub), with two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort port, two legacy USB-A connections, and an Ethernet jack.Mark Hachman / Foundry That’s one of the only weird things about this dock. The vertical design and effective use of space are terrific, and the dock sits vertically rather comfortably, without any suggestion that it might tip over. Anker 13-in-1 Nano Docking Station: Performance I typically test a dock or hub for multiple days, as per our USB-C hub testing procedures. In this case, I let it sit on my desk as a hub for my work PC, then sit down and test it more extensively. Honestly, the one thing that consistently annoyed me about this dock was its lightweight GaN charger, which I plugged into a power strip. It uses one of those rectangular wall-wart plugs which overhangs the socket, and I was constantly nudging it out of connection while moving my legs. Reconnecting the displays took about 20 seconds each. Port spacing seems fine, even with such a tight arrangement. USB-A ports, with a variety of USB keys, need a certain degree of space. This latch detaches the hub on the Anker dock.Mark Hachman / Foundry Yes, the dock gets close to the rated 100W output to a laptop, which is probably a lot more than the 45W to 65W most productivity notebooks demand. A 100W charger is more suited to a high-end laptop without a discrete GPU such as a Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. Check your laptop’s manual or charger for specifics. Otherwise, though, there’s really no need to consider this dock to charge individual devices, as the output from each port is just too low. I reviewed this hub at about the same time I reviewed a competing Mokin USB-C docking station, which I would say offers a better value. Anker’s dock only dropped 8 frames out of 10,000 while streaming a 4K video over the dock’s Ethernet connection, which is near perfect. I then test the performance of an SSD connected to the dock, simulating what it would be like to move data back and forth. Here, the dock delivered slightly less performance than the Mokin’s dock: 150MB/s versus 166 MB/s. While streaming the video, I tested the dock again: 119MB/s. Again, that’s slightly less than the 135MB/s the Mokin dock delivered. Anker’s 13-in-1 Nano USB-C dock delivers a tight, compact design with a separate hub that you can take on the road. Only the lack of powerful charging options gave me pause. Anker 13-in-1 Nano Docking Station: Conclusion I’m torn. On one hand, I feel like this dock is overpriced for what it offers, especially the lack of charging capabilities. On the other, you can obviously make the case that you’re buying two products for the price of one. Peripheral pricing can be all over the map — Mokin’s for example, says that its dock’s MSRP is $169, but sells it for $99.99 itself while Amazon drops that down to $79. Tariffs obviously still play a role. I don’t really like the fact that charging options aren’t included with this dock, but many of you already have dedicated charging pads or plugs. For me, that knocks Anker’s dock out of our recommended category. But there’s still a lot to like about Anker’s compact, functional little dock as well. Read...

Official support for Windows 10 was supposed to end in October 2025, but Microsoft shifted plans and continued to provide security updates for another year via the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. It’s free for private users and protects against malware and other security threats until at least October 2026. Businesses, on the other hand, can keep getting security updates for a fee for three years. In a recent Windows IT Pro blog post, Microsoft said that it will extend the ESU program to include additional Windows versions. This means that other operating systems that are approaching the end of their support will receive updates for longer than originally planned. Which additional Windows versions? Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB, and Windows Server 2016. The lifecycles of the first two were supposed to end on October 13th, 2026, but will now receive updates for three years longer. As for Windows Server 2016, it was scheduled to end support in January 2027 but will also receive support for another three years. Reasons, costs, and details Participation in the ESU program is voluntary and subject to a fee, as these are primarily versions for businesses. As with the extended security updates for Windows 10 22H2, continued use for business customers is associated with increased costs year over year. In the first year, it will cost $61 per device. Afterwards, it will double in price every subsequent year: $122 for the second year and $244 for the third year. However, corporations will receive a discount if their devices are managed via Microsoft’s own cloud solutions (Intune or Autopatch). In this case, the first year costs only $45. The offer is aimed explicitly at companies and servers that are unable to upgrade to a newer version immediately. These upgrades are often costly, complex, and time-consuming to make. In addition, certain systems that run on Windows must remain stable and reliable—outages due to sudden updates are often not an option. Not a long-term solution Microsoft emphasizes that the ESU program is not a long-term solution, even for businesses. Although the three-year grace period is useful for continuing to receive security updates, the extended security updates do not include new features. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Microsoft therefore recommends switching to the latest versions (either Windows 11 25H2, Windows Server 2025, or Windows Enterprise LTSC 2024) as soon as possible. Depending on the size of a company, the ongoing license costs for the ESU program may well be more expensive than a complete switch to a newer version. For companies that continue into the second year of the ESU, they’ll have to pay $122 per device. Read...

Windows 11 26H2 follows the model of an enablement package and is technically based on version 25H2. An enablement package is a small feature update that does not trigger a complete reinstallation of the operating system. Microsoft uses this process to unlock existing but previously disabled features that were added to the system via regular monthly updates. The enablement package essentially changes the version identifier of Windows and activates these features collectively without comprehensively replacing system files or affecting existing applications and settings. The installation process takes only a few minutes and is technically more like a cumulative update than a classic feature upgrade. The update to 26H2 changes the version identifier without reinstallation and extends the support period by 24 months for consumer editions and 36 months for business editions. Functional changes already reach systems via monthly updates for 25H2 and then carry over unchanged to 26H2. A significant increase in functionality is particularly evident on systems migrating from older versions such as 23H2. The rollout is scheduled for the familiar time window from late September to early October 2026. Those participating in the Insider Program will, of course, receive the new features in advance as a test version. Save 60% on Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Pro Copilot-based search on the taskbar The classic Windows search is being replaced by an optional “Ask Copilot” feature. This can be activated in the taskbar settings under “Personalization.” Once activated, a compact search window opens with direct access to applications, files, and system settings. The technical basis remains the existing Windows search index. Thomas Joos Copilot also interprets the user’s intentions and links search queries to appropriate settings, such as brightness or display parameters. The interface does not display Bing pop-ups and responds noticeably more directly. A later extension will include file and image uploads as well as Copilot Vision, which incorporates content from open applications. Without activation, the familiar Windows search remains unchanged on the taskbar. Copilot does not access local data unless files are explicitly transferred. File Explorer with revised context structure File Explorer has been given a restructured context logic with nested menus to reduce the number of visible entries. Actions such as compression, path copying, or image rotation are grouped under “Manage file.” Image-related functions such as background assignment or rotation are also grouped together. Compression formats can be selected in a separate submenu. OneDrive-related options are moved to a separate area. Individual commands such as “Ask Copilot,” “Edit with Clipchamp,” “Edit in Notepad,” “Edit in Paint,” and Microsoft Photos still appear multiple times. Context-dependent prioritization via ML does not take place. At the same time, Microsoft is working on a dark display for the Properties tab in File Explorer. In addition, background preloading of Explorer is being tested to speed up startup, which can be disabled in the folder options. Copilot integration in File Explorer In addition, there will be deeper Copilot integration in File Explorer. The plan is to have a dockable side panel near the detail and preview views with the option to detach it into a separate window. Unlike the current forwarding of files to the Copilot app, Copilot operates directly in the file system and allows dialog-based interactions with folders and files. Thomas Joos The Run window, which has remained unchanged for decades, will get a WinUI-based variant with a Mica background, an enlarged input field, and a command overview above the input. It can be activated in the advanced section of the system settings. Once activated, the system will hide the classic variant. The new interface displays matching applications, including icons, as you type. At the same time, Microsoft is testing a dark mode for the classic Run window. Both versions coexist as options. Return of the agenda in the notification center The agenda view returns to the notification center and integrates with Outlook. After logging in, appointments are automatically synchronized and appear in the Win+N calendar view. The implementation uses WebView2 and occupies over 100MB of RAM. The view allows you to join meetings and view current appointments in real time. A Copilot button complements the interface. System Monitor as an integrated security component Sysinternals System Monitor is integrated directly into Windows 11. The component comes from the external Sysinternals suite and logs system events for threat detection. Events are stored in the Windows event database and can be filtered using separate configuration files. Activation is optional via Windows features or the command line. No restart is required. Camera settings and emoji update The camera settings have been expanded to include pan and tilt control for supported hardware. The options appear in the settings under “Bluetooth and devices” in the basic camera settings. The interface currently still shows inconsistencies in window adjustment. At the same time, Microsoft is introducing Emoji version 16.0 with new symbols. Gaming mode with Xbox full-screen interface An optional full-screen mode replaces the desktop interface with a controller-oriented dashboard based on the existing Xbox apps. It can be activated in the gaming settings. The mode reduces background processes and saves system resources, which has an impact on gaming performance and battery life. A restart activates the new interface. You can switch back to the desktop using the Windows key. For productive work, it is recommended to deactivate it before restarting. Agentic AI functions in the system An experimental area for agentic functions appears in the AI components of the settings. Applications such as Copilot take on automated tasks related to file organization, scheduling, or emailing. The function remains disabled until you turn it on and use it. Thomas Joos Bug fixes and detail improvements Current Windows builds also fix visual glitches with the automatically hidden taskbar, the unexpected rebuilding of desktop icons, and display issues with Windows security login windows. File Explorer adjustments improve accessibility, allow custom folder names, and add tooltips to favorites. A fix addresses application hangs during file operations with OneDrive and Dropbox, as well as problems with Outlook configurations that store PST files in OneDrive. Voice Access extends language support to include the Netherlands. Read...

Microsoft recently authored a list of its picks for the best productivity apps in Windows, and the contents of that list have raised eyebrows. Why? Because sitting at the top of that list is the Copilot app, Microsoft’s AI assistant that can answer your questions, summarize your emails, help you organize your projects, and more. Unfortunately, this feels more like a marketing push than an honest-to-goodness list of actually useful productivity apps. Copilot has been unhelpful at best and problematic at worst, as we found out when Copilot failed to deliver on reminders. We also tried to make Copilot a habit and walked away with mixed results. Copilot just isn’t at a place yet where it can top a list of productivity apps without it being a joke. It’s bad enough that users have been unhappy with Microsoft’s Copilot takeover for many months now, and a report from earlier this year shows that almost nobody is actually using Copilot. The other apps on the list are actually pretty useful, although they’re obviously biased pushes by Microsoft towards its own apps. Below Copilot, you have Microsoft To Do (for managing tasks and checklists), Windows Calendar (for managing events, meetings, and appointments), OneNote (for in-depth digital note-taking), and Snipping Tool (for capturing screenshots and screen recordings). After that, you have Clock (for timed distraction-free sessions), Sticky Notes (for quick-and-easy notes), File Explorer (uh, this one’s sort of a weird inclusion to be honest), and the Edge browser (with Microsoft trying to highlight its AI features, including Copilot). If you want to be more productive with Windows, we recommend our roundup of obscure but useful Windows features instead. Further reading: Microsoft Copilot is the new Internet Explorer Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Long list of features Incredible value VIA programming Cons TTC switches Short battery life Our Verdict Ducky’s OK-M is an absolutely incredible value in a mechanical keyboard, starting at just $65. Hot-swap sockets, VIA programming, and dual-mode wireless make it an easy recommendation, even with cheap switches and short battery life on the smaller model. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Ducky OK-M 65 keyboard Retailer Price MechanicalKeyboards.com $69 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices It’s been almost three years since I reviewed the G.Skill KM250, and declared it the gold standard in mechanical keyboard value. Ever since then I’ve been on the lookout for something that might dethrone that design. And I think Ducky has done that with the OK-M.  Ducky is a brand that keyboard nuts like me are probably familiar with, but it doesn’t have the same clout as Razer, Corsair, or even Keychron. That might change very soon. The OK-M is a fantastic budget design, offering everything you need (and want), nothing you don’t, and a few other creature comforts besides. All in a $65 $69 package, with wireless. It’s simply the best deal you can find in a keyboard right now.  A long list of features The OK-M comes in three different sizes, 65%, 75%, and a very-nearly-full size (1800 layout). Because I was most interested in the budget angle for the board, I opted for the smallest and cheapest. But for the sake of completeness, you should know that OK-M 75 costs just $69, while the OK-M 98 costs $79. Those are incredible prices for wireless boards from a known brand — compare them to Keychron’s V Max series with approximately the same features, starting at $50 more. Update: Shortly after finishing this review, Ducky informed me that the prices would be rising, to $69/79/89. That’s a shame…but this is still the best budget keyboard around. Michael Crider/Foundry Here’s a quick hit list of the notable features in this design, and why you should care:  Wireless — the big missing piece of my last budget pick; the OK-M features both Bluetooth and a 2.4GHz USB dongle, which can handle 1,000Hz polling.  Programming — the other missing feature from the G.Skill; the OK-M can handle standard VIA programming. Hell yeah.  Hot-swap switch sockets — one of my must-have features for any mechanical keyboard, which lets you try out different switches compatible with the Cherry MX standard. PBT doubleshot keycaps — more premium plastic than standard ABS, with legends that will never wear or fade.  RGB lighting — yes, you can do the whole disco light show on this thing if you want. It even has a couple of RGB lighting strips on the side for some extra bling.  Gasket mounting and layers of dampening — these are more common these days, but still nice to see in a budget build.  Aluminium volume knob — ditto. At first glance, the OK-M looks like a pretty standard 65% design, and it is. But there are a few notes of distinction that make it a little more appealing. The ABS black plastic casing gets a bit of flare from a bit of blue trim, highlighted by the same hue on the space bar, Escape, Backspace, Enter, and arrow keys.  A few goofy touches You also get a Ducky gamer logo on the volume knob, which I think looks a little goofy. (That’s supposed to be a cartoon duck wearing a Roman centurion helmet, if you’re wondering.) I think that’s the one downside of the keyboard from an aesthetic representation, but all of this is pretty subjective. A more typical Ducky logo, with a different cartoon duck, is engraved on a small metal plate on the front edge.  On the subject of those logos: This thing was included in the box, next to a USB-C cable and keycap puller. Cute, but basically useless as an actual brush. I get the feeling that Ducky is really trying to establish itself as a brand, maybe hoping this squishy little guy will show up in some desktop “battlestation” photos on social media.  Michael Crider/Foundry Underneath you find more black plastic and a bit of moulding. But you also find dual-stage plastic keyboard feet, something that is often left out even on premium designs. Good on ya, Ducky. You don’t see any exposed screws or bolts. So between that and the lack of any mention of it in the manual, I’m going to assume that it is not intended to be disassembled by the end user. And that’s fine for a budget board.  All in all it’s a functional but not especially eye-catching design…at least until you turn on the lights. Every key gets RGB lighting, though somewhat muted since the keycaps are not shine-through. The board makes up for it with extra flair on the sides, literally: two RGB strips that can illuminate the side of your desk. I like the way they follow the angles of the case, a little bit of extra distinction. Fun, but I turn all the RGB stuff off whenever I’m using it, in favor of battery life.  You’d struggle to find the same set of features in any keyboard from a major supplier under $100.  Michael Crider/Foundry On the top edge of the board you find all the control elements: a three-way switch for power and wireless, and a “WIN/IOS” switch for quickly shifting between the semi-standard layouts. You also get a little hollow in the case where you can stow the USB-A dongle, a thoughtful addition.  Typing and gaming Typing on the OK-M is a solid, if not amazing experience. The PBT keycaps are in a standard profile and a little more slick than this material usually is — without a bit of scratchy texture I usually get from more premium designs, I had to check the spec sheet to make sure they weren’t ABS. Between the gasket mounting, plastic (not metal) plate, and multiple layers of foam or silicone padding, the keys have a lot of give and bounce. If you prefer stiff typing, you won’t like it, but I think most users will be okay.  Michael Crider/Foundry If the keyboard has a weakness, it’s the switches. Ducky went with KTT for this board, the same brand of switches you’ll generally find in the bottom rung of budget designs. The tactile (“baby blue”) switches I spent most of my time typing on were fine, and surprisingly quiet, suitable for using in the coffee shop where I’m banging out this review. But the switches are definitely a bit rougher than comparable switches from Kailh or Gateron. They also lack a tunnel in the stem for more stable typing, and are considerably more wobbly than the excellent Kailh switches in the KM250.  It’s a good thing, then, that this keyboard offers tons of customization options. You get a semi-standard 65% layout, where only the right-shift, Alt, Fn, and Ctrl keys differ from ANSI (and even those are included in most keycap sets these days). And hot-swap switches will let you try out any other set you want with the puller included in the box.  Michael Crider/Foundry The OK-M also has programming options, something that was sorely lacking in the last Ducky keyboard I reviewed. And not just any programming, VIA programming. This system is browser-based so doesn’t need any extra software on your machine, and it’s standardized across hundreds (maybe thousands?) of different boards now. All you need to do is track down the JSON file and you’re good to completely program any layout you want, including macros, lighting, and wireless controls. I immediately changed the PgDn button to screenshot (as it’s something I need constantly for work), and had no issues.  VIA programming (or any kind of programming or remapping) is something that the KM250 went without. And at its price I didn’t complain — to be frank, even at $65 it’s a bit of a shock that programming is included. This is freakin’ fantastic to see on a budget keyboard, and I hope other brands are watching.  VIA There is a drawback in the VIA system: Because it relies on a web app, there’s no way to automatically switch layouts when launching different games. (I suppose you could set one of the two layout modes, Windows or iOS, as a single alternative layout.) But importantly, Ducky is advertising the OK-M as an “entry-level mechanical keyboard designed for everyday use.” Even with the RGB bling and 1,000Hz polling, it’s not being positioned as a dedicated gaming keyboard. So the lack of per-game profiles is acceptable.  Battery is a little…little I also found the battery life on the OK-M a little weak. Even with all those RGB lights turned off, it only lasted a couple of weeks of daily typing and gaming before the warning light started blinking. That’s pretty low for a modern design — even cheap boards can go months on a charge. Considering how light this plastic board is (.7 kilograms, about a pound and a half), you might be tempted to throw it in a bag for travel…just make sure you have a USB charger in there too.  Fn+Tab shows a battery readout on the number row — it’s at 80 percent. Michael Crider/Foundry Smartly, you can check the battery life by pressing Fn+Tab by default, at which point you’ll get a readout via the LEDs on the number row. The smallest OK-M 65 has a 1,000mAh battery — the spec sheets for the larger 75 and 98 models say they have 4,000mAh, which should, obviously, last about four times as long. Is the Ducky OK-M worth it? That being said, at $65, all of these issues are more than forgivable. For just $20 more than the G.Skill, and with only a bit of compromise on the switches, you get all the same features plus dual-mode wireless support and VIA programming. (And a metal volume knob, a nice little bonus.) Michael Crider/Foundry The battery life could be longer, and I wish the switches were a bit better. But you’d struggle to find the same set of features in any keyboard from a major supplier under $100. Yeah, there are plenty of alphabet soup brands on Amazon that can match that price, but I would hesitate to trust them for materials or service.  The OK-M is an amazing value, and my new budget champion. Pick it up in this 65% size or the two larger options…and maybe use the savings to get a set of Kailh switches for an upgrade. Read...

For many years, Windows has included built-in tools to help users manage their computer’s energy consumption. While these features were once mainly associated with laptops, recent updates to Windows 11 have expanded their usefulness to desktop PCs as well. Originally, these power options allowed laptop users to reduce energy consumption and extend battery life. When power-saving mode was activated, Windows lowered the CPU clock speed, reduced screen brightness, and limited certain background activities. On laptops, users could even enable the energy-saving mode permanently to maximize battery life. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro With one of the latest Windows 11 updates, Microsoft has extended this feature to desktop PCs without batteries. These systems can now also be configured to permanently reduce energy consumption. You can find the corresponding option in the Settings menu via Start > Settings > System > Performance. Under Power Saving Mode, simply set the switch for “Always use power saving mode” to On. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Attractive and luxurious design Large haptic touchpad Beautiful 120Hz OLED touchscreen Exceptional sound system Solid CPU and iGPU performance Cons A tad heavy for its size Keyboard could be better Physical connectivity is modern but will require dongles Our Verdict The Dell XPS 14 brings the company’s flagship laptop back into competition with speedy Intel Core Series 3 chips and a redesign that’s more practical, yet still premium. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Dell XPS 14 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices In 2022, Dell took a big swing with a new XPS 13 that reimagined how a modern laptop should look. Dell replaced the physical function keys with touch-sensitive buttons and replaced the touchpad’s borders with an edgeless design. It didn’t go over well. The changes looked sleek but made the laptop a bit more difficult to use. To make matters worse, competitors like Lenovo, Asus, and even Apple went a different direction, shifting towards making their laptops look and feel more tactile. Now, Dell is trying to make up for lost time with a redesigned Dell XPS 14. It restores the physical function row and adds subtle tactile bumps to define the touchpad’s borders. It also upgrades to the latest Intel Core Series 3 chips. The result is a solid premium laptop with enviable performance, though it’s still not at the top of its game. Dell XPS 14: Specs and features as-tested This review covers the Dell XPS 14 with the OLED display and Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor. While all new Dell XPS 14 models are quite similar in 2026, there are a few slight differences beyond the hardware specifications of each configuration. The OLED model is a hair thinner than the IPS model, and also a few ounces lighter. CPU: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x-9600 Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc B390 NPU: 50 TOPS Display: 14-inch 2880×1800 120Hz OLED touchscreen Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD Webcam and microphone: 4K webcam with IR camera Connectivity: 3x Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1x 3.5mm audio jack Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 Biometrics: Windows Hello facial recognition Battery capacity: 70 watt-hours Dimensions: 12.19 x 8.26 x 0.58 inches Weight: 3 pounds Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Price: $2,259.99 The configuration we reviewed is priced at $2,259.99 on Dell’s website, which is a significant increase from the $1,349.99 entry-level MSRP. This price includes the option to use Windows 11 Pro instead of Windows 11 Home, which adds $60 to the price. Shoppers with larger budgets will currently find only the option to add more memory (up to 64GB) or more storage (up to 4TB). These upgrades work out to an all-in price of $3,109.99 for a model with 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD. Dell says it will eventually add the option to upgrade to an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H, however. The Dell XPS 14 with OLED display is a luxurious Windows laptop with solid CPU and integrated GPU performance. Dell XPS 14: Design and build quality Foundry / Matthew Smith Dell positions the XPS 14 as a return to the best of the laptop’s design legacy, and it fulfills that promise. This laptop is a looker, though not in an overt or flashy way. It instead focuses on the details to deliver a refined, complete package.  The exterior is clad in thick aluminum panels with pleasant curves that lack any sharp edge or surface, and the graphite colorway delivers a beautiful dark luster. The only branding is a small, glossy XPS logo on the lid, and the interior isn’t marred by stickers. Opening the laptop with a single finger is easy. The frame of the display is very slightly larger than the lower half of the laptop’s chassis, creating a small lip, and the tension of the hinge is well-tuned.  Placing the laptop on a scale will reveal it comes in at three pounds, which is heavy for a 14-inch Windows laptop in 2026. That’s something to keep in mind. Many competitive laptops, such as the Asus ExpertBook Ultra, are closer to 2.5 pounds or less. On the other hand, the heft adds to the XPS 14’s premium feel, and the laptop is still light enough that it won’t feel like a lump in an average laptop bag. Dell XPS 14: Keyboard, touchpad Foundry / Matthew Smith The keyboard was the weakest link in the most recent Dell XPS and later Dell Pro models due to the company’s controversial decision to replace the physical function row keys with touch-sensitive buttons. Fortunately, the keys are now back and work just as you would expect. Despite that improvement, I still find the keyboard to be lackluster. I don’t like Dell’s big, slab-like keys, which have tiny gaps between them. I don’t think the plastics used for the keys look or feel as premium as the rest of the device, either. Key travel is shallow and keys activate with a timid bottoming action. That’s not to say the keyboard is bad. It’s fine. Still, I prefer the keyboard on other premium 14-inch laptops such as the Asus ExpertBook and Lenovo Yoga 9i line. I have more praise for the touchpad. Prior models didn’t provide any visual indication of where the touchpad was located, but the new model fixes that with subtle but noticeable bumpers on the left and right. The touchpad is also large, measuring about six inches wide and three inches deep. That’s better than competitors, most of which have a touchpad that measures around five inches wide. The added space is helpful when waggling fingers through documents with multi-touch gestures. The touchpad also uses haptics to simulate physical mouse clicks without physical movement. I’m a fan of haptic touchpads, and it’s a perfect fit for a premium yet portable laptop like the Dell XPS 14. Dell XPS 14: Display, audio Foundry / Matthew Smith This review is for the Dell XPS 14 with the OLED touchscreen, which is a $150 upgrade over the IPS model. Although Dell’s pre-baked configuration selector also pairs the OLED display with the laptop’s most powerful available Intel chip, the Core Ultra X7 358H, choosing a custom configuration lets you snag the OLED with any internal hardware configuration. And the OLED is definitely worth the upgrade, at least so long as battery life isn’t your top priority (more on that in the battery section). The OLED display ups the resolution from 1920×1200 to 2880×1800, and while the 1200p display already looks rather sharp, the improvement is noticeable. Even more noticeable, of course, is OLED’s outstanding contrast and color gamut. The IPS display looks fine on its own but, when placed side-by-side with the OLED, the IPS panel looks flat and dull by comparison. The OLED touchscreen has a refresh rate up to 120Hz, though the IPS display provides a 120Hz refresh rate, too. Interestingly, the IPS display has a wider adaptive refresh rate range (from 1 to 120Hz) than the OLED display (from 20 to 120Hz). I’d still recommend the OLED for motion clarity, however, due to OLED’s lower pixel response times and reduced motion blur. While the OLED display is nice, the XPS 14’s speakers are exceptional. The laptop has a quad-speaker sound system with a pair of three-watt speakers and a pair of two-watt tweeters. The sound system manages to deliver some sense of bass wallop, and while it’s (probably) not going to bother your neighbors, it can easily fill a studio apartment, home office, or small kitchen with sound. Lenovo’s Yoga 9i is the only Windows laptop I can recall with similarly excellent audio quality, and most competitors are far less enjoyable.   Dell XPS 14: Webcam, microphone, biometrics Dell’s specifications list a 4K webcam, though I had some trouble achieving 4K resolution. According to Dell, this is a result of Windows Studio Effects, though the issue persisted even with Studio Effects turned off. I could only manage 1440p resolution. That’s still sharper than most laptops (1080p is the standard), and the camera looks decent for a webcam. The camera doesn’t have a physical privacy shutter, though. A dual-microphone array is provided for audio capture and does its job admirably. It picked up strong audio in my testing with little background noise. It’s not exceptional in this, as many laptops now offer good audio arrays. Biometric login is available through Windows Hello facial recognition. A fingerprint reader is not available. Dell XPS 14: Connectivity Foundry / Matthew Smith While the Dell XPS 14 changes course on some decisions made by recent Dell XPS/Dell Pro models, it sticks to the company’s modern approach to connectivity. The laptop has three Thunderbolt 4 ports (which also support USB-C, DisplayPort, and Power Delivery) alongside one 3.5mm audio jack, and that’s it. On the upside, this is a solid range of high-speed modern connectivity for a Windows laptop. The array of three Thunderbolt 4 ports provides a lot of options for connecting a dock and high-speed storage. However, the laptop entirely lacks USB-A, dedicated video-out, a card reader, and other handy physical connectivity. For most people, that means you’ll need to live the dongle life. Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C are common, of course, but it’s still almost impossible to entirely avoid older connection standards. While the physical connectivity has trade-offs, the wireless connectivity is firing on all cylinders. The XPS 14 has Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. Both standards are new enough that there’s a good chance you don’t own any other devices that benefit from them. Still, it’s good to see them included as it will help future-proof the laptop’s wireless connectivity as the years roll on (and a laptop like the Dell XPS 14 certainly has the potential to remain useful for five to 10 years). Dell XPS 14: Performance The Dell XPS 14 in this review has not only the OLED upgrade, but also a hardware upgrade from the entry-level Intel Core Ultra 5 325 to the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, which is currently the best available silicon (however, Dell says the Core Ultra X9 388H will be available in the future). The Core Ultra X7 358H pairs a 16-core CPU with Intel Arc B390 graphics and, in this configuration, is flanked by 32GB of speedy LPDDR5x-9600 memory. Foundry / Matthew Smith First up is PCMark 10, a holistic system benchmark. It has favorable things to say about the Dell XPS 14 and reaches a score of 8,809. As the graph shows, that is an excellent score when placed next to a variety of Intel and AMD laptops from the prior generation. It does fall behind the Asus ExpertBook Ultra, however, as that laptop posted an even better score of 9,892 in this benchmark. Foundry / Matthew Smith Next we turn to Cinebench, a heavily multi-threaded render test, and the story here is similar to PCMark. Intel Core Series 2 chips did not perform well at all in this benchmark, as represented by the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI. The Dell XPS 14 nearly doubles the Swift Edge 14 AI’s result. The Asus ExpertBook Ultra remains in the lead, though. The HP Elitebook X G1a with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 also scores a victory. That’s representative of AMD Ryzen AI 9 chips generally, as they tend to perform well in this benchmark. Foundry / Matthew Smith In Handbrake, a video encoding test that relies on the CPU, we see the Dell XPS 14 scores its first win. And, perhaps more importantly, the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H once again delivers a huge gain over the Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chips that were found in similar laptops last year. This is about as good as CPU performance gets for a 14-inch Windows laptop. Foundry / Matthew Smith While the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is a strong performer in CPU tests, that’s only half the story. The chip also has Intel’s latest Arc B390 integrated graphics and it, much like the CPU, delivers a big gain over its predecessor. As the graph above shows, the Dell XPS 14 can deliver major gains over older Intel chips with Arc 140V graphics and AMD chips with Radeon 890M graphics. Arc B390 is often 40 or 50 percent quicker than the best integrated graphics available last year. That has real-world benefits. Cyberpunk 2077 can average 36 frames per second at 1080p resolution and Ultra detail, and that’s without Intel XeSS image scaling. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, meanwhile, averaged 52 frames per second at 1080p and Highest detail, once again without XeSS in use.  Using XeSS image upscaling can boost the average framerate in both games beyond 60 frames per second. That’s remarkable for an integrated graphics solution. Dell XPS 14: Battery life and portability Dell ships the XPS 14 with a 70 watt-hour battery and boldly claims the laptop can last up to 40 hours on a charge. That claim is only applicable to the versions with the IPS display, however, and was achieved by local playback of a 1080p video file at 150 nits of brightness. Foundry / Matthew Smith PCWorld’s standard test does involve playing a video, but we use a 4K file of the short film Tears of Steel and test at 200 nits of brightness. As the graph shows, our results were mediocre at best. The XPS 14 endured about 16 hours, which is a good but not exceptional result. It’s worth mentioning, though, that I’ve also tested the Dell XPS 14 with the LCD display. I’m still working on the full review, but I can confirm it lasts about twice as long on a charge, as I’ve managed to hit at least 22 hours of battery life in this same test. The Dell XPS 14 with LCD display also has the less power hungry Intel Core Ultra 5 325 chip, which likely contributes to that model’s superior battery life. Dell XPS 14: Conclusion The Dell XPS 14 with OLED display is a luxurious Windows laptop with solid CPU and integrated GPU performance. I also like the large, responsive touchpad and commitment to high-speed connectivity, which includes Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7. The OLED display is gorgeous and the built-in audio is among the best available from a Windows laptop. Dell still needs to improve the keyboard, which feels more shallow and less premium than many competitors. All of this results in a laptop that’s outstanding but just a hair away from being my top pick. The Dell XPS 14 looks spectacular and proves enjoyable to use, but I didn’t like it as much as the Asus ExpertBook Ultra, which is lighter and has a better keyboard. Still, the new Dell XPS 14 might be for you if you’re all-in on Thunderbolt 4, or you crave Windows laptop with an elegant and refined look. Read...

TL;DR: This PC Transfer Kit deal includes non-expiring licenses for PCmover Professional, DiskImage, and SafeErase bundled together for $34.99 (reg. $129.85). Switching to a new PC used to mean hours of manual reinstalls and missing license keys. The PC Transfer Kit Bundle skips all of that, and right now it’s down to $34.99. Here’s what’s inside: PCmover Professional Automatically moves your applications, files, settings, and user profiles from your old machine to your new one. No digging for old CDs or serial numbers. Programs arrive installed and ready to use, even across different versions of Windows. Highlights include: One PC-to-PC transfer Works across different Windows versions Free 24/7 transfer assistance included DiskImage Creates a complete system image so you can restore your exact setup to any PC, even one with different hardware. Schedule automated backups and restore directly from a boot disc if Windows won’t start. Here are just a few examples of favorite DiskImage features: Advanced burning that stores external media on CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs® Automated imaging with a built-in scheduler Boot CD for easy repairs and restorations of your Windows system SafeErase Before you sell or recycle that old machine, SafeErase permanently wipes sensitive data using a series of government-recommended deletion methods, including: Internet browser data and history Files, partitions, and entire hard drives Financial records and email archives With 4.6 stars from verified buyers and 1,000+ units sold, the PC Transfer Kit Bundle covers every stage of switching PCs for just $35. Grab it in the StackSocial store today. PC Transfer Kit Bundle feat. PCmover Professional, DiskImage, and SafeEraseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Ever since Microsoft killed WordPad last year, the company has been shoving all kinds of new features into its once-minimal Notepad app, hoping to turn it into some kind of AI-laden WordPad successor. The latest Notepad updates have focused on AI, but for the time being Microsoft seems to be focusing on other parts as well. In an exclusive report, it appears that Microsoft will be adding image support to Notepad, according to Windows Latest. (A feature that had always been part of WordPad, I’d be remiss not to mention.) Once it’s here, you’ll see an image button in Notepad’s toolbar, and it’ll be included as part of Notepad’s rich formatting feature set. If you don’t want image support, you’ll be able to disable it in Notepad’s settings. As of now, it’s still in early testing and only for Windows Insiders. It’s unclear when exactly Notepad image support will be made available to all users, but we think it might come sometime in the spring. Further reading: Notepad is now so complex, it has security flaws Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Attractive design and high build quality Gigantic 52-inch ultrawide display Lots of connectivity across Thunderbolt, USB-C, USB-A, and Ethernet Crisp 6144×2560 resolution Cons No HDR support Limited contrast ratio Very high MSRP Our Verdict The Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor is a uniquely gigantic display aimed at multitaskers who work across multiple computers. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Back in my day, a 21-inch CRT display was considered gigantic. These days, computer monitors can frequently reach TV-like dimensions—and the Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor is among the largest monitors yet. This 52-inch behemoth tips the scales at 40 pounds and ships in a box roughly as large as most 65-inch HDTVs. It also has an enormous $2,899.99 MSRP. So, is it worth the price? Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best monitors for comparison. Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor U5226KW specs and features The star of the show is certainly the Dell Ultrasharp 52’s display panel. It’s not only large at 51.5 inches diagonally but also pixel dense with a resolution of 6144×2560. It’s an IPS Black panel and offers refresh rates up to 120Hz. Display size: 51.5-inch, 21:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 6144x,2560 Panel type: IPS Black LCD Refresh rate: 120Hz Adaptive sync: VRR compatible HDR: None Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 1.4, 4x USB Type-A 10Gbps downstream ports, 3x USB-C 10Gbps upstream port, 1x Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps upstream ports with DisplayPort 1.4 and 140 watts of Power Delivery, 1x RJ45 2.5GbE Ethernet, 1x USB Type-A 10Gbps downstream, 2x USB-C 10Gbps downstream with 27 watts of Power Delivery Audio: 2x 9-watt speakers Extra Features: Light sensor, VESA mount Software support: Windows 11, MacOS later Price: $2,899.99 MSRP There’s a lot more to the story than the display panel, though. The Ultrasharp 52 has a focus on connectivity that spans a Thunderbolt 4 port, five USB-A ports, five USB-C ports, and Ethernet. It also provides 140 watts of Power Delivery over Thunderbolt 4, a serious upgrade over the more typical 65 to 90 watts. None of this comes cheaply, however. The monitor has an MSRP of $2,899.99 and is currently sold at that price. Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor design The Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor is big. Really big. The 52-inch ultrawide display provides roughly the same total display area as a 48-inch widescreen television though, due to its 21:9 aspect ratio, the Dell Ultrasharp 52 is a few inches shorter and about 5 inches narrower. It measures about 52 inches wide from side to side—that’s over 4 feet! It’s the widest monitor that I’ve ever reviewed, as it’s a few tenths of an inch wider than a 49-inch super-ultrawide like the Philips Evnia 8000 or Dell Ultrasharp U4924DW. Of course, that means you’ll need a large space to comfortably place the display. My desk has room at over 6-feet wide, but it’s not that deep at 26 inches, so I often felt I was too close to the monitor. You’ll probably want a desk with 30 inches of depth or more. The Ultrasharp 52 is also much heavier than usual. The panel alone weighs 28.5 pounds and the total weight with stand attached is over 40 pounds. By comparison, my 48-inch LG B4 television weighs less than 25 pounds. None of this is a downside, really, but it’s something you should know before you buy. Despite its size and ultrawide aspect ratio, the Ultrasharp 52 sticks to a subtle 4200R curvature. A lower number means a more dramatic curve, and many super-ultrawide monitors have a curve of 1800R or 1500R. The Ultrasharp 52 seems flat at a glance though the curve is easy to notice on closer inspection. While the subtle curve might not be preferable for gaming, I prefer it for productivity and creative work. A dramatic curve can slightly skew how content looks on a display. Matthew Smith / Foundry A beefy stand keeps the Ultrasharp 52’s bulk in check and provides some ergonomic adjustment for height, tilt, and swivel, as well as a couple degrees of slant (meaning the display can rotate a couple degrees in each direction). The amount of ergonomic adjustment is less than normal for a monitor at this price point, though that’s a consequence of the display’s size and aspect ratio. Rotating into a portrait orientation would be comical. Even swivel is restrained to just 40 degrees overall, as the display is so wide that it’s likely to start knocking things off your desk when you move it. Because of its size, the Ultrasharp 52 has not only a 100x100mm VESA mount but also a 200x100mm and 200x200mm mount option, which is extremely unusual for a computer monitor. You can even order the Ultrasharp 52 without a stand if you want to go straight for a heavy-duty monitor arm or a wall-mount, but this will only save $100. Build quality is outstanding. Large ultrawide monitors can sometimes feel a bit flimsy, but the Ultrasharp feels rigid and hefty. While I still wouldn’t want to drop it, the plastics didn’t noticeably creak or warp as I handled the display—something that can happen with monitors in this category. That’s good, because the monitor’s high MSRP would make build quality issues difficult to forgive. The Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor targeted at people who want to replace several smaller monitors with a single display… Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor connectivity The Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor is, well, a hub monitor. What does that mean? Put simply, it means it has a boat-load of connectivity. However, contrary to what you might think, it’s actually not all about Thunderbolt 4. Still, let’s talk about Thunderbolt first. The Ultrasharp 52 has a Thunderbolt 4 port with a 40Gbps data rate. This port also of course supports DisplayPort, so it can be used as a video input (and will work with USB-C sources that support DisplayPort). It also has up to 140 watts of Power Delivery, which is enough to power many Windows laptops and all current MacBook models. That makes for easy single-cable connections to a laptop. However, the real focus is not on the Thunderbolt input but, rather, what that Thunderbolt port connects to. This is where the hub comes in. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Ultrasharp 52 has a total of five USB-A downstream ports and two USB-C downstream ports. Most of these are on the rear of the display, but two USB-C ports and one USB-A port are in a pop-out module on the lower bezel. The USB-C ports on the front can deliver up to 27 watts of power, which is handy if you want to quickly charge a phone or tablet. The display can drive up to 150 watts of power overall. In addition to the Thunderbolt 4, these ports can also be driven by three USB-C upstream ports on the rear of the display. That means you can connect the monitor’s ports to up to four devices. A KVM switch is used to switch between them. A 2.5Gbps Ethernet port can also be found lurking around the rear. This is an unusual, if not entirely unique, feature for a monitor. The inclusion of an Ethernet port means you can bring high-speed wired Internet connectivity to a laptop or other device connected to the monitor. While the Thunderbolt 4 is really the star of the show in terms of video connectivity, as it also provides connections to the monitor’s many USB ports, you have a lot of other options. The monitor has two HDMI 2.1 ports and two DisplayPort 1.4 ports. Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor menus and features Although it’s meant for work, the Ultrasharp 52 is designed more for day traders than digital artists. Still, it does have a respectable range of image quality adjustments including gamma, color temperature, and color saturation calibration. Though it lacks a built-in or included colorimeter, the range of image quality adjustment available here will be enough to satisfy creatives who work with clients that don’t demand exacting color accuracy and tight conformance to particular color standards. The Ultrasharp 52 is compatible with Dell’s Display and Peripheral Manager software, which makes it possible to change monitor settings through a desktop software interface on Windows 11 and MacOS machines. The monitor is also compatible with remote management software that allows IT departments to remotely manage options across a fleet of displays. As mentioned, a KVM switch is included. That’s not at all unusual for a modern monitor, but the Ultrasharp 52 also has an Ethernet Switch Mode, which can be used to switch the Ethernet port’s connectivity along with the rest of the monitor’s connectivity. Matthew Smith / Foundry The monitor also supports automatic brightness and color temperature adjustment. However, I found that these features didn’t work well. The speed of adjustment between different levels of brightness, or different color temperature modes, was rapid and distracting. I also found the auto-brightness mode was often too bright, and while there is an auto-brightness range setting that seems intended to provide some adjustment, I was never happy with how auto-brightness worked and ultimately turned it off. Given its many features, you might need to read the Ultrasharp 52’s manual. Fortunately, Dell provides better documentation than most companies. This includes not only the user manual but also a service manual and teardown document with extensive detail, including photographs, that shows how to tear down and repair the display. Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor audio The Dell Ultrasharp 52 has two 9-watt speakers. They provide great volume and a robust sound with good clarity at most volume levels, though distortion can become an issue at the highest volumes. Audiophiles will definitely still want to use external speakers or headphones, but less discerning listeners are likely to be satisfied by the built-in speakers. That gives the Ultrasharp 52 an edge, as many monitors designed for productivity or business have weak speakers. Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor SDR image quality Like many recent Dell Ultrasharp monitors, the Ultrasharp 52 has an IPS Black display. This type of display panel, which is relatively new, boosts contrast when compared to other IPS panel types and retains the technology’s strengths in color performance and brightness. This is mostly good news for the Ultrasharp 52, though contrast remains a concern. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Ultrasharp 52 achieved a maximum sustained SDR brightness of 336 nits. As the graph shows, this is not all that bright for a display in this category, though it’s not dim either. Even so, 336 nits is more than enough for most situations. It will only seem dim if you’re in a room that lacks light control and has sunlit windows or a lot of artificial light. In addition, the Ultrasharp 52 has an effective anti-glare coat and matte finish. It does not readily show reflections, which are diffused across the display surface. Also, the display’s subtle curve doesn’t suffer the light-focusing effect that can increase glare on more dramatically curved displays. All in all, it looks bright and readable in most situations. Matthew Smith / Foundry Contrast is where the Ultrasharp 52 falls short in spite of the IPS Black panel’s improved contrast performance. A measured contrast ratio of 1960:1 is solid for an IPS monitor, and it looks immersive in brighter rooms. However, using the monitor in a dark room will still reveal the “IPS glow” which is caused by the monitor backlight. The effect is obvious and not uniform across the display, so it can be distracting. To be fair, the Ultrasharp 52’s overall uniformity is better than many ultrawide LCD monitors, but I still noticed a very slight increase in brightness in the lower right side of the display as compared to the left. My colorimeter confirmed this with a maximum brightness variance of 18.2 percent.You’ll need to ask yourself how you intend to use the monitor. If you want to use it for office and business productivity, or even for less color-critical creative work, the contrast offered here is fine. But if you want to game, or watch movies, you should consider a 45-inch OLED ultrawide like the LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B. Matthew Smith / Foundry While the Ultrasharp 52’s contrast is just okay, it does better in color gamut. I found the monitor can display 98 percent of the DCI-P3 and 90 percent of the AdobeRGB color gamut. These figures are slightly behind QD-OLED monitors, which tend to achieve similar results in DCI-P3 and 93 to 95 percent in AdobeRGB. However, the Ultrasharp 52’s color gamut is still extremely broad and provides a vivid, saturated image. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Ultrasharp 52’s color accuracy results are more middle-of-the-road. This level of color error is by no means a problem, but as the graph shows, it’s not at the top of the class. I noticed that a large amount of the monitor’s average color error came from the grayscale results, so I was not too surprised to find the monitor produced a gamma curve of 2.1, which is slightly off the target gamma 2.2. This indicates that the image seems a bit brighter and more luminescent than it should. It’s tough to notice though, so this isn’t a show stopper. The color temperature was also just a tad off target with a measured default color temperature of 6700K, off the target of 6500K. However, the monitor does have settings for both color temperature and gamma, so it’s possible to come closer to these targets—or whichever setting you prefer. Sharpness is an interesting conversation. The Ultrasharp 52 has a native resolution of 6144×2560. That’s more than 15 million pixels overall and almost twice as many pixels as a 4K display and results in a pixel density of 129 pixels per inch. While it’s definitely not as sharp as a 27-inch 4K display, the Ultrasharp 52’s pixel density beats the LG 45GX950A-B (123 ppi) and far exceeds most 49-inch super-ultrawide monitors (which typically pack in 109 ppi). Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor HDR image quality You might be surprised to hear that the Dell Ultrasharp 52 doesn’t support HDR. Most monitors in this price range do, of course, so the lack of HDR is a mark against the monitor. On the other hand, I respect that Dell didn’t try to stuff HDR into the monitor by ramping up the backlight and calling it a day—a tactic that is common among IPS monitors that claim HDR support. Still, if you want HDR, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor motion performance While the Dell Ultrasharp 52 lacks HDR, it does manage to provide a refresh rate of 120Hz. That’s a bit surprising given the monitor’s size and high resolution and it’s certainly good news for motion clarity and fluidity in games. Still, you shouldn’t get too excited. While it can handle a refresh rate of 120Hz, the monitor quotes gray-to-gray response times no lower than 5 milliseconds. By comparison, the quickest IPS gaming monitors have response times below one millisecond and OLED monitors have response times as low as 0.03 milliseconds. In practice, that means the Ultrasharp 52 will show more motion blur than a display with a lower pixel response time. The monitor also doesn’t have official support for VESA Adaptive Sync, AMD FreeSync, or G-Sync, though my AMD video card did detect it as an AMD FreeSync display. Should you buy the Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor? The Dell Ultrasharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor has a specific audience in mind. It’s targeted at people who want to replace several smaller monitors with a single display or want to expand their overall display real estate. That functionality is combined with lots of connectivity, which is handy if you want to work across multiple devices or need to connect a lot of peripherals. Those who want a monitor for entertainment will find the Ultrasharp 52 less appealing. It’s not bad in this role, as it at least provides a 120Hz refresh rate and a sharp, color-rich image. However, the monitor’s limited contrast and lack of HDR support are notable downsides. The monitor is also more expensive than OLED ultrawides which, though smaller, have even better image quality. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a gigantic display with well-rounded performance and top-tier connectivity, the Ultrasharp 52 is large and in charge. Read...